Oct 24, 2017

Senate passes $36.5 billion disaster relief package

A U.S. Army helicopter transports material to repair the Guajataca Dam, damaged during Hurricane Maria. Photo: Ramon Espinosa / AP

The Senate passed a $36.5 billion relief package Tuesday to aid victims of recent wildfires and hurricanes, as well as "extend emergency credit to Puerto Rico to keep its government functioning," according to the Wall Street Journal. The package passed the House earlier this month.

  • Why it matters: The bill would allocate $16 billion to the U.S.' flood-insurance program, $576.5 million to wildfire efforts, $18.7 billion to FEMA disaster relief, and $4.9 billion to Puerto Rico to avoid a government shutdown.
  • What comes next: Trump has to sign the bill.

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Axios
Updated 47 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios

  1. Politics: Trump calls Fauci a "disaster" on campaign call.
  2. Health: Coronavirus hospitalizations are on the rise — 8 states set single-day coronavirus case records last week.
  3. States: California to independently review FDA-approved coronavirus vaccines
  4. Wisconsin judge reimposes capacity limit on indoor venues.
  5. Media: Trump attacks CNN as "dumb b*stards" for continuing to cover pandemic.
  6. Business: Consumer confidence surveys show Americans are getting nervous — How China's economy bounced back from coronavirus.
  7. Sports: We've entered the era of limited fan attendance.
  8. Education: Why education technology can’t save remote learning.
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Dion Rabouin, author of Markets
1 hour ago - Economy & Business

The 2020 holiday season may just kill Main Street

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

Online retail and e-commerce have been chipping away at brick-and-mortar businesses over the years but the combination of the coronavirus pandemic and the 2020 holiday season may prove to be a knockout blow.

State of play: Anxious consumers say financial concerns and health worries will push them to spend less money this year and to do more of their limited spending online.

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Rebecca Falconer
3 hours ago - Health

California to independently review FDA-approved coronavirus vaccines

California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

California will "independently review" all coronavirus vaccines approved by the Food and Drug Administration before allowing their distribution, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced at a news conference Monday.

Why it matters: The move that comes days after NAID director Anthony Fauci said he had "strong confidence" in FDA-approved vaccines could cast further public doubt that the federal government could release a vaccine based on political motives, rather than safety and efficacy.

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