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Houston Fire Department Expands Covid-19 Vaccination
House Votes to Increase Stimulus Checks to $2,000, Override Trump Veto of Defense Bill
The House on Monday voted to override President Trump’s veto of a $740.5 billion defense policy bill, sending the bill to the Senate and putting it on track to be the first legislation to become law over Mr. Trump’s objections.
Mr. Trump had rejected the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act over provisions that remove base names honoring Confederate officers and set troop levels abroad, as well as the legislation’s lack of language revoking internet platforms’ broad immunity for the content they publish from users on their sites.
The override vote, which required a two-thirds supermajority, was 322 to 87, with a majority of Republicans joining most Democrats in breaking with the president. The GOP-controlled Senate is expected to consider the bill as soon as Wednesday.
Mr. Trump reacted to the defense bill vote on Twitter Tuesday morning, saying: “Weak and tired Republican ‘leadership’ will allow the bad Defense Bill to pass.” He added: “Negotiate a better Bill, or get better leaders, NOW! Senate should not approve NDAA until fixed!!!”
The annual defense bill sets pay rates for troops and authorize funds for military construction projects, aircraft, ships, nuclear weapons, and other national-security programs.
In a flurry of last-minute legislation, the House also approved sending $2,000 stimulus checks to many Americans, a day after Mr. Trump signed a Covid-19 aid bill into law but said that the $600 payments in that package were too small.
The House passed the stimulus-checks bill 275 to 134, with 44 Republicans joining almost all Democrats in support, exceeding the two-thirds required under fast-track procedures. The legislation increases the amount of the checks to $2,000, up from $600 per adult and per child for individuals with adjusted gross incomes under $75,000. A family of four that qualifies for the payments would get $8,000 under the proposal.
The bigger payments, driven by an unusual coalition of Democratic leaders and the Republican president, now head to the Senate where its fate is uncertain. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) hasn’t commented on whether he will take up the bill. He is expected to speak on the Senate floor on Tuesday, and senators are expected to return to Washington later this week to vote on overriding the NDAA veto.
To press the issue, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) said Monday that he will delay the vote to override the defense bill veto unless the Senate holds a vote on providing the $2,000 payments. Sen. Ed Markey (D., Mass.) joined him. The senators can’t delay the vote forever but they can slow down the process, pushing it to the New Year’s holiday.
Responding to Mr. Sanders’ efforts, Mr. Trump tweeted in the early hours Tuesday: “Give the people $2000, not $600. They have suffered enough!”
Many Republican senators have opposed increasing the checks, which are expected to add several hundred billion dollars to the cost of the $900 billion aid package Mr. Trump signed into law Sunday. But after the House vote, several GOP senators said they would back the larger checks, including Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue of Georgia, who face runoff elections next month, and Sens. Marco Rubio of Florida and Josh Hawley of Missouri.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) plans to ask for unanimous consent to bring the bill to the floor Wednesday, which means it won’t pass if a Republican object.
“Leader McConnell ought to make sure Senate Republicans do not stand in the way of helping to meet the needs of American workers and families who are crying out for help,” Mr. Schumer said. President-elect Joe Biden supports the increased payments.
Republicans opposed to increasing the number of direct payments have pointed to the cost of such a bill and said Congress should focus on ways to fully reopen business to increase demand for jobs.
“What we know is that much of this extra $1,400 will go to pay down credit-card debt, or savings, or make new purchases online at Walmart, Best Buy, or Amazon,” said Texas Republican Rep. Kevin Brady, who voted against the bill. “We can do better to help people get back to work and truly help this recovery.”
The two bills made for strange bedfellows on a rare session in the House in between Christmas and the New Year’s holiday. In a matter of hours, many lawmakers from both parties backed the demand by the president to increase the stimulus checks and then also objected to his veto on defense legislation. Others did the opposite.
Rep. Warren Davidson (R., Ohio) voted to sustain Mr. Trump’s NDAA veto, saying it “unduly burdened” the commander in chief’s ability to redeploy troops. But he voted against the $2,000 checks.
The votes marked the latest twists in a dramatic end to the year. In the face of a looming government shutdown, Mr. Trump signed the pandemic-aid and omnibus spending bill Sunday night, ending a showdown with Congress. In signing the bill, the president said he wanted bigger stimulus checks but also an investigation into alleged voter fraud and the repeal of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which relates to the regulation of online speech.
GOP Senate leaders haven’t commented on any plans to address his concerns.
Mr. Trump’s decision to end the standoff came after extensive lobbying from Republican lawmakers and advisers, said people familiar with the conversations.
Mr. Trump made the final decision Sunday during a phone call with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.), and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.), said a person with knowledge of the talks. But it came after days of consultation with aides and allies, among them former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway.
Allies argued that blocking the bill could hurt Republicans running in a Georgia special election on Jan. 5 that will determine control of the Senate. They also urged Mr. Trump to consider his political legacy and encouraged him to sign the bill while still pressing Congress to do more.
Another person familiar with the talks said Mr. Trump was told by his advisers and those working on the Georgia race that a veto “could sink” the Republican incumbents, Sens. Perdue and Loeffler.
When Mr. Trump vetoed the NDAA earlier this month, he objected to the provision that would create a commission to rename military installations, monuments, and paraphernalia honoring Confederate commanders.
He also objected to provisions that required the administration to submit to Congress a comprehensive assessment of a planned Afghanistan withdrawal before it can use funds to pull those troops. The Trump administration has said it would cut troop levels in Afghanistan by half to roughly 2,500, by Jan. 15. Another provision prevents the withdrawal of troops from Germany until 120 days after the secretary of defense formally assesses the move for Congress, a timeline that would delay any withdrawal until after Mr. Biden takes office.
This year’s NDAA also limits how much money can be used on emergency military construction—an authority Mr. Trump used to repurpose funds for the border wall—and requires companies in the U.S. to register their true owners, a significant update to U.S. anti-money-laundering rules.
LAS CORTES MUNICIPALES DE LA CIUDAD DE HOUSTON EXTIENDEN LA SUSPENSIÓN DE TODOS LOS JUICIOS POR JURADO Y SERVICIO DE JURADO PARA INCLUIR LA SUSPENSIÓN DE TODAS LAS AUDIENCIAS EN PERSONA, PRIMERAS COMPARECENCIAS, JUICIOS POR JUEZ Y AUDIENCIAS DE NO CUMPLIMIENTO A PARTIR DEL DÍA 1 DE ENERO, 2021 HASTA NUEVO AVISO
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CITY OF HOUSTON MUNICIPAL COURTS EXTENDS SUSPENSION OF ALL JURY TRIALS AND JURY DUTY TO INCLUDE ALL IN-PERSON HEARINGS, ARRAIGNMENTS, JUDGE TRIALS, AND NON-ISSUE SETTINGS STARTING JANUARY 1, 2021 UNTIL FURTHER NOTIFICATION
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Novavax begins phase 3 trial of COVID-19 vaccine
Novavax on Monday announced it is beginning a phase three trial of its coronavirus vaccine, becoming the fifth company to enter a late-stage trial in the United States.
While two other coronavirus vaccines, from Pfizer and Moderna, have already been authorized in the U.S., the addition of more options would make more doses available and speed the vaccination campaign.
The Novavax vaccine, which uses a more traditional vaccine technology than Pfizer and Moderna, also has the advantage of not requiring ultra-cold storage, making it easier to distribute.
Novavax, with backing from the Trump administration’s Operation Warp Speed, is enrolling up to 30,000 volunteers at 115 sites across the U.S. and Mexico in the clinical trial.
A trial has already begun in the United Kingdom. Novavax had intended to begin its U.S. trial earlier but delayed the start because of manufacturing problems.
“The launch of this study—the fifth investigational COVID-19 vaccine candidate to be tested in a Phase 3 trial in the United States—demonstrates our resolve to end the pandemic through the development of multiple safe and effective vaccines,” said Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious diseases expert.
Surging virus cases across the country can actually help speed up the trial, given that cases of the virus in the group receiving the placebo will accrue faster.
“Trial sites were selected in locations where transmission rates are currently high, to accelerate the accumulation of positive cases that could show efficacy,” Novavax said in a press release.
Houston Texans’ J.J. Watt urges teammates to fight for fans. ‘We stink, but they care’
The 2020 season has been brutal for the Houston Texans, with Sunday’s 37-31 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals dropping the defending AFC South champions to 4-11.
Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, a three-time NFL defensive player of the year, wasn’t pleased, and when asked if the team will be able to close the season on a positive note, Watt talked about the fan base — and, most importantly — accountability.
“We’re professional athletes getting paid a whole lot of money. If you can’t come in and put work in in the building, go out to the practice field and work hard and do your lifts and do what you’re supposed to do, you should not be here,” he said.
“There are a lot of people that watch us and invest their time and their money into buying our jerseys and buying a whole bunch of s— and they care about it. They care every single week. We’re in Week 16 and we’re 4-11 and there are fans that watched this game, that show up to the stadium, that put in time and energy and effort and care about this. So if you can’t go out there and you can’t work out, you can’t show up on time, you can’t practice, you can’t want to go out there and win, you shouldn’t be here, because this is a privilege. This is the greatest job in the world. You get to go out and play a game.”
It’s clear that Watt is fed up with mounting losses and the lack of commitment from some teammates, and that Texans fans deserve better.
“If you can’t care enough, even in Week 17, even when you’re trash when you’re 4-11 if you can’t care enough to go out there and give everything you’ve got and try your hardest, that’s bull—-.”
Houston’s defense allowed 540 yards against the Brandon Allen-led Bengals during Sunday’s loss. Allen completed 29 of 37 passes for 371 yards and two touchdowns.
Regardless, Watt says that he continuously hears from supportive fans and believes that the team is letting them down.
“They have no reason whatsoever to. We stink,” Watt said. “But they care. That’s who I feel the worst for is our fans, and the people who care so deeply and the city, the people who love it, and the people who truly want it to be great. And it’s not. And that sucks as a player, to know we’re not giving them what they deserve.”
The Texans fired head coach and general manager Bill O’Brien after an 0-4 start and Romeo Crennel was named interim head coach for the rest of the season. Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson, who suffered an apparent hand injury late in Sunday’s loss, says he plans to play in the season finale against the Tennessee Titans.
Need help with your rent? Houston-area leaders promote resource to help renters in need
Commissioner Garcia says struggling renters “aren’t getting any breaks” and “there are no days off for them.”
Renters facing eviction can access information and resources online to help keep them in their homes and apartments.
Harris County Commissioners Rodney Ellis and Adrian Garcia spoke at an event Monday morning to encourage renters to know their rights and access this resource.
Garcia says Harris County leaders are supporting a resource at http://stoptxeviction.org/, which helps people not only learn about how they can get help paying their rent but also aims to help keep evictions during the coronavirus pandemic off renters’ permanent records.
“Everyone deserves a safe place to call home, especially during a pandemic,” Commissioner Ellis noted on his Facebook page.
The resource helps to:
- Get legal information about the eviction process and your rights.
- Get access to important documents you can give to your landlord or the court.
- Apply for legal assistance from organizations in your area that provide free legal services to qualifying tenants.
- Find out about rental assistance and other resources in your area and how to apply.
- Chat with a real lawyer about your questions regarding eviction.
At Monday’s press conference, Garcia criticized Gov. Greg Abbott, calling him “Governor absent,” over the state’s current eviction diversion program.
“The state program is poorly designed,” said Garcia, noting that it relies on a partnership that is currently on a “two-week vacation.” Garcia said struggling renters “aren’t getting any breaks” and “there are no days off for them.”
That program, which began in October, currently only covers “select pilot counties” but is expected to expand to the rest of Texas starting in January 2021.
Get more info on the program for renters here: http://stoptxeviction.org/
Houston Health Department, HFD paramedics receive Moderna vaccinations
Mayor Sylvester Turner said both departments each received 3,000 doses of the vaccine, which he considers a major step in Houston’s ongoing battle with coronavirus.
Employees with the Houston Health Department and Houston Fire Department paramedics started receiving Moderna COVID-19 vaccines on Monday.
During a press conference, Mayor Sylvester Turner said both departments each received 3,000 doses of the vaccine, which he considers a major step in Houston’s ongoing battle with coronavirus.
“Today is a big day for Houston,” Turner said. “Houston has received a potentially life-saving gift just in time for the holidays.”
“This is the beginning of the end,” said Dr. David Persse, the city’s chief medical officer.
Health care providers and first responders qualify for the state’s Phase 1A vaccination group. Also included in Phase 1A are hospital workers, nursing home providers, community pharmacy staff, embalmers at funeral homes, and school nurses.
“Over the next few days we will be offering vaccines to over 365 HISD and Pearland school nurses who currently qualify, all of those who are in Phase 1A,” said HHD Director Stephen Williams.
Dr. Persse encourages anyone who qualifies for Phase 1A, whether you’re in Tier 1 or Tier 2 group, to get vaccinated.
“This is going to help you personally because it’s going to help you protect yourself, but also remember the person you are most likely to infect is a member of your very own family. So when your opportunity comes up for you to get vaccinated, I would jump on that” Persse said.
COVID by the numbers in Houston
The city of Houston stands at an 11.6 percent COVID positivity rate. Last week, the positivity rate was 11.2.
The health department added an additional 765 positive cases Monday, bringing the city’s total to 116,043. The death toll due to coronavirus us 1,544.
“If I can put it in these terms, even though the numbers are high in terms of the number of people getting the virus, the death numbers still remain relatively low and when you compare it to other [parts] of the country,” Turner said.
City officials said the health department will continue to play its traditional role in the fight against COVID-19, including offering vaccines in multi-service centers once doses become available to the general public.
“We will use the same principles and strategies that we used for testing, mobile testing sites, strike teams, to ensure that there is sufficient vaccine uptake in vulnerable communities especially,” said Williams.
HFD Chief Sam Pena said coronavirus has ravaged the department, so receiving doses of the Moderna vaccine is extremely exciting for his department.
He said firefighters have been responding extremely well to getting the vaccine and he hopes to get all firefighters vaccinated within the month.
As of Monday, there are 192 HFD firefighters in quarantine. There is currently one firefighter in the emergency room due to respiratory issues after testing positive for the virus.
The city is hoping the Houston Police Department will start receiving vaccines by next week as well as more people beyond the health department and EMS workers.
‘Wonder Woman 3’ is coming soon after Warner Bros. calls ‘1984’ a hit
The box office numbers are in, and Warner Bros. says “Wonder Woman 1984” is a hit.
Armando Manzanero, legendary Mexican singer and composer, dead at 85
Mexican composer and singer Armando Manzanero died Monday morning after battling Covid-19 for weeks.
