Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday

Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday

May 5, 2017 - Politics & Policy

Sarah Sanders steps in for Spicer's Friday briefing

Alayna Treene, author of Sneak Peek

Andrew Harnik / AP

Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Sanders stepped in for Sean Spicer again today, who is on Navy duty. The takeaways:

Getting AHCA through the Senate: "Never underestimate this president... This isn't a president who does things hands off," said Sanders. "I expect him to be fully engaged on the Senate side."
On Senate waiting for CBO score: "I know the gospel pretty well and I would say the CBO score is not the gospel."
Trump's legacy: "The president wants to be remembered as the person who got rid of Obamacare and put in a replacement that works for the people."
On Trump praising Australia's health care: "I think he was simply being complimentary of the prime minister... but what works in Australia may not work in the US."
Spending bill: Trump signed the spending bill "during the last hour."
On Trump's trip to Bedminster, NJ: "Staying in New York would have caused much greater disruption and much greater cost to taxpayers than staying in NJ... The president is the president no matter where he goes. He doesn't get to control the costs that go with that."
Will Trump subpoena Susan Rice to testify? "I think thats a question for Congress, but I do think it's very sad she has chosen not be cooperative in this process."
French election: "The president will work with whoever the people of France decide to elect."
Cinco de Mayo shout out: "It's Cinco de Mayo, a great opportunity to celebrate the contributions of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans."

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4 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Biden explains justification for Syria strike in letter to Congress

Photo: Chris Kleponis/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images

President Biden told congressional leadership in a letter Saturday that this week's airstrike against facilities in Syria linked to Iranian-backed militia groups was consistent with the U.S. right to self-defense.

Why it matters: Some Democrats, including Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), have criticized the Biden administration for the strike and demanded a briefing.

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5 hours ago - Health

FDA authorizes Johnson & Johnson's one-shot COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use

Photo: Illustration by Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

The Food and Drug Administration on Saturday issued an emergency use authorization for Johnson & Johnson's one-shot coronavirus vaccine.

Why it matters: The authorization of a third coronavirus vaccine in the U.S. will help speed up the vaccine rollout across the country, especially since the J&J shot only requires one dose as opposed to Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech's two-shot vaccines.

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Updated 5 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios

Health: Health care in the New Washington — Biden: It's "not the time to relax" COVID mitigation efforts — Tracking coronavirus variants through sewage.
Vaccine: FDA authorizes Johnson & Johnson's one-shot vaccine for emergency use — About 20% of U.S. adults have received first vaccine dose, White House says — New data reignites the debate over coronavirus vaccine strategy.
Economy: What's really going on with the labor market.
Sports: Poll weighs impact of athlete vaccination.
World: Italy tightens restrictions as experts warn of growing prevalence of variants — PA announces new COVID restrictions as cases surge.

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