Biden news: President accuses Texas of ‘Neanderthal thinking’ as Trump said to fire Pence in a 2024 run
United States will now have enough doses for every adult to receive Covid vaccines by end of May
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Your support makes all the difference.Joe Biden said ending mask mandates is a “big mistake” after Texas and Mississippi governors moved to reopen their states after a year of pandemic lockdowns.
“The last thing, the last thing we need is Neanderthal thinking that in the meantime, everything’s fine, take off your mask, forget it. It still matters,” he says.
As Donald Trump considers beating Democrats “for a third time”, his allies reportedly want someone other than Mike Pence on the ticket. Quoting two people familiar with discussions, Bloomberg says Trump has privately considered black or female alternatives as he takes stock of who supported him to the very end.
Andrew Cuomo, meanwhile, appeared to get emotional as he apologized during his first press conference since more women began accusing the New York governor of inappropriate behaviour.
The Democrat refused to resign, however, after issuing denials that he touched anyone inappropriately and asked the public to wait for the facts to emerge from the state attorney general’s investigation into the allegations.
Over on Capitol Hill, the Senate is expected to take up Mr Biden's $1.9tn coronavirus relief package, with Democrats aiming to have the president sign it into law before some benefits expire on March 14.
But congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called compromising on the $1,400 checks to narrow the eligibility an "own goal".
Cuomo apologises, supports his accuser’s rights to come forward
“I want New Yorkers to hear from me directly on this. First, I fully support a woman’s right to come forward and I think it should be encouraged in every way,” Cuomo says.
“I now understand that I acted in a way that made people feel uncomfortable, it was unintentional and I truly and deeply apologise for it.”
Cuomo claims he never touched anyone inappropriately, says he’s ‘embarrassed’ by allegations
“I feel awful about it and frankly I am embarrassed by it and that’s not easy to say. But that’s the truth,” Cuomo says.
“I never touched anyone inappropriately. I never touched anyone inappropriately. I never knew at the time that I was making anyone feel uncomfortable. I never knew at the time that I was making anyone feel uncomfortable.”
Cuomo says his face touching is ‘usual and customary’ greeting
“You can find hundreds of pictures of me making the same gesture with hundreds of people. Women, children, men, etcetera,’ Cuomo says.
“It is my usual and customary way of greeting.”
Cuomo says he will not resign despite allegations
“I’m not going to resign. I work for the people of New York. They elected me,” Cuomo says.
“So no, I’m going to do the job the people of the state elected me to do,” he added.
Cuomo says he is ‘better for this experience’
“I have learned from what has been an incredibly difficult situation for me as well as other people and I’ve learned an important lesson,” Cuomo says.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry for whatever pain I caused anyone. I never intended it. And I will be the better for this experience.”
Cuomo says he’s never done anything to be ashamed of
“I do not believe that I have done anything in my public career that I am ashamed of,” Cuomo says.
Andrew Cuomo chokes up as he denies inappropriate touching and refuses to resign
During a press conference on Wednesday, New York governor Andrew Cuomo appeared to get emotional as he apologized to the three women who have accused him of sexual harassment.
He refused to resign, however, after issuing denials that he touched anyone inappropriately and asked the public to wait for the facts to emerge from the state attorney general’s investigation into the allegations.
Josh Marcus has the full story from today’s press conference.
Cuomo tears up but denies harassment allegations and refuses to resign
Three women have accused him of sexual harassment
GOP Congressman and former Trump administration White House physician allegedly drank on the job
A department of Defence report alleges that the previous White House’s top physician, Ronny Jackson, allegedly drank alcohol, took sleeping pills and sexually harassed a woman.
Now a Texas GOP Congressman, Jackson said in a statement the report was politically motivated. He said the report was meant to shame him for refusing to "turn my back on President Trump".
Republicans ‘increasingly irritated’ by Marjorie Taylor Greene’s repeated efforts to disrupt work of Congress, report says
A growing number of Republicans are siding with Democrats against Marjorie Taylor Greene’s repeated attempts to adjourn the US House of Representatives.
For the third time in six days, the Georgia representative has forced members to return to the floor of the House to cast votes as to whether the lower chamber of Congress should adjourn.
Ms Greene requested the adjournment in protest at the House taking up the Democrats’ election and police reform bills this week.
“I rise today to inform Democrats the radical path you’re taking will cause you to lose in 2022," she said, also calling the $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief bill “shameful” and claiming that the police were being put on Joe Biden’s “hit list”.
Oliver O’Connell has the story.
More GOP reps side with Democrats against Marjorie Taylor Greene House protest motion
Reps Cheney, Issa, and Kinzinger were among GOP who voted against adjournment
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