National

The Transportation Security Administration announced Friday that masks would continue to be required for all transportation networks through Sept. 13.

Why it matters: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week said fully vaccinated people can venture outdoors without masks. But mask-wearing indoors is still highly advised by the Biden administration.

What they're saying: “The federal mask requirement throughout the transportation system seeks to minimize the spread of COVID-19 on public transportation,” Darby LaJoye, senior official performing the duties of the TSA administrator, said in a news release. 

“Right now, about half of all adults have at least one vaccination shot and masks remain an important tool in defeating this pandemic," LaJoye added. 

"We will continue to work closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to evaluate the need for these directives and recognize the significant level of compliance thus far.”

Masks are required on airplanes, in airports and on commuter bus and rail systems, TSA said. 

Of note: While Friday's announcement extends the date of enforcement, all other elements of TSA's rules remain unchanged, including exemptions and civil penalties.

TSA extends mask mandate through Sept. 13

Masks are required on commercial airplanes, in airports and on commuter bus and rail systems.

Photo: Sarah Silbiger/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

The Transportation Security Administration announced Friday that masks would continue to be required for all transportation networks through Sept. 13.Why it matters: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week said fully vaccinated people can venture outdoors without masks. But mask-wearing indoors is still highly advised by the Biden administration.

President Biden has made the COVID-19 crisis and a post-Trump return to national unity and traditional democratic ideals his top priorities. From vaccinations to stimulus to schools, Biden is seeking bipartisan compromise while showing a willingness to use executive authority and bare Democratic majorities in the U.S. House and Senate to implement his policies. Republican leaders are navigating deep party divisions over if and how to move beyond former President Trump.

Politics & Policy

Former President Trump told Fox Business on Thursday that he is "100%" thinking about another presidential bid in 2024, and that he would "certainly" consider making Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) his running mate.

Why it matters: Trump and DeSantis see eye-to-eye on many policy issues. But the Florida governor has also been floated as a 2024 contender on his own, having gained massive popularity among Republicans during the pandemic.

What he's saying: "Certainly Ron would be considered. He's a great guy," Trump told Fox. 

Trump also called DeSantis a "a friend." The former president endorsed DeSantis for governor in 2018 against Democratic contender Andrew Gillum. 

The big picture: Trump noted that his 2024 platform, if launched, would focus on energy, taxation, the border and guns. 

Trump says he'd "certainly" consider DeSantis as 2024 running mate

DeSantis is being floated as a 2024 contender on his own.

Photo: Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

2024 presidential election

Donald Trump

2020 election

Former President Trump told <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fox Business" data-vars-click-url="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-desantis-2024-running-mate-considered" data-vars-content-id="83f00c27-318f-4983-9554-cef8e69ded1c" data-vars-headline="Trump says he&#x27;d &quot;certainly&quot; consider DeSantis as 2024 running mate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-desantis-2024-running-mate-considered" target="_blank">Fox Business</a> on Thursday that he is &quot;100%&quot; thinking about another presidential bid in 2024, and that he would &quot;certainly&quot; consider making Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) his running mate.Why it matters: Trump and DeSantis see eye-to-eye on many policy issues. But the Florida governor has also been floated as a 2024 contender on his own, having gained massive popularity among Republicans during the pandemic.

Sen. Tim Scott's (R-S.C.) response to President Biden's joint address to Congress on Wednesday argued that former President Trump deserves credit for the current administration's victories, including on COVID-19. 

Why it matters: Biden's joint address was his most significant attempt yet to sell members of Congress on his policy priorities. Scott's response offered no concessions. 

"This administration inherited a tide that had already turned," Scott said. "The coronavirus is on the run. Thanks to Operation Warp Speed and the Trump administration, our country is flooded with safe and effective vaccines..."

"Our best future will not come from Washington schemes or socialist dreams," Scott said, adding, "It will come from you — the American people."

The senator from South Carolina also shut down Biden's infrastructure pitches — which the president heavily focused on in his address. 

Scott added that, "Republicans support everything you think of when you think of infrastructure," but that Biden's plan is "big government waste, plus the biggest jobs killing tax hikes in a generation."

The state of play: Scott, the only Black Republican in the Senate, also argued against Biden's talking points on systemic racism. 

"Nowhere do we need common ground more desperately than our discussion of race..." the senator remarked.

"America is not a racist country. It is wrong to try to use our painful past to dishonestly shut down debates," Scott said. 

GOP response to Biden address credits Trump on COVID-19 success

"This administration inherited a tide that had already turned."

Senate Republicans

Joe Biden

Policymaking

Sen. Tim Scott&#x27;s (R-S.C.) response to President Biden&#x27;s joint address to Congress on Wednesday argued that former President Trump deserves credit for the current administration&#x27;s victories, including on COVID-19. Why it matters: Biden&#x27;s joint address was his most significant attempt yet to sell members of Congress on his policy priorities. Scott&#x27;s response offered no concessions.

Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.) announced Friday she will retire from Congress in 2022 after completing her current term.

The big picture: Bustos, who was first elected to Congress in 2012, is the former Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chair. The lawmaker's retirement could be a chance for Republicans to swipe her seat, with Illinois' 17th district moving swiftly to the right in recent years. 

Democrats currently hold a narrow lead in the House, but the GOP is hoping to win the majority during the 2022 midterms.

What she's saying: "My North Star has always been to serve my community ... It has been an honor to be a voice for out family farmers, working families, those struggling to afford healthcare and many more," Bustos said in a statement.

Democrat Cheri Bustos to retire from Congress

Bustos is the former Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chair.

Photo: Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/Bloomberg via Getty Images

House Democrats

Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.) announced Friday she will retire from Congress in 2022 after completing her current term.The big picture: Bustos, who was first elected to Congress in 2012, is the former Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chair. The lawmaker&#x27;s retirement could be a chance for Republicans to swipe her seat, with Illinois&#x27; 17th district moving swiftly to the right in recent years.

The Department of Homeland Security announced Friday it will begin repairing a broken flood barrier in Texas and a strip of eroding soil in California — issues that resulted from border wall construction in the respective areas. 

The big picture: DHS said in a news release that the repairs were prompted by a "review the extensive problems created by the prior administration’s border wall construction" and are meant to "protect border communities from physical dangers..."

President Biden has already paused all border wall construction and ended former President Trump's redirection of funds toward the project. 

Per DHS, construction in Texas "blew large holes into the Rio Grande Valley’s flood barrier system to make way for a border wall." When wall construction stopped, the holes were left behind, putting the area at risk of "catastrophic flooding."

And in California, construction caused "dangerous [soil] erosion along a 14-mile stretch in San Diego," DHS notes.

What they're saying: "The Biden Administration inherited a broken immigration system – one that wasted billions of taxpayer dollars and neither kept the American people safe nor adhered to our values," a senior administration official said. 

"Wall construction along the southern border in recent years is just one example of the prior Administration’s misplaced priorities and failure to manage migration in a safe, orderly, and humane way."

DHS to address damage caused by border wall construction

The projects are part of a review of the Trump administration's border wall construction.

A portion of border wall in New Mexico. Photo: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Border wall

Immigration

The Department of Homeland Security announced Friday it will begin repairing a broken flood barrier in Texas and a strip of eroding soil in California — issues that resulted from border wall construction in the respective areas. The big picture: DHS said in a news release that the repairs were prompted by a &quot;review the extensive problems created by the prior administration’s border wall construction&quot; and are meant to &quot;protect border communities from physical dangers...&quot;

Ursula Perano

Stories

TSA extends mask mandate through Sept. 13

DHS to address damage caused by border wall construction

Democrat Cheri Bustos to retire from Congress

Trump says he'd "certainly" consider DeSantis as 2024 running mate

GOP response to Biden address credits Trump on COVID-19 success