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US vaccine supplies look set to surge as Johnson & Johnson gets nod from panel advising FDA - live US vaccine supplies look set to surge as Johnson & Johnson gets nod from panel advising FDA - live
(32 minutes later)
The company expects to deliver 20m doses of the vaccine by March and 100m doses by the end of JuneThe company expects to deliver 20m doses of the vaccine by March and 100m doses by the end of June
David Smith is back again with another virtual dispatch from CPAC, which Donald Trump Jr renamed “T-PAC” – a reference to his father’s stranglehold on the party.
Donald Trump Jr used his CPAC speech on Friday to draw battle lines in the Republican party, insisting that it should not go back to the era before his father.“If there’s one thing the Republican party has been really good at over the last two decades, it’s snatching defeat from the jaws of victory,” the former president’s son said. “They caved to every special interest, they caved to corporate America, they caved and bowed to the radical left that hates their guts, hates their values and hates their freedom.”His singled out Liz Cheney, the number three Republican in the House of Representatives, who voted for Trump’s impeachment after the 6 January insurrection. Cheney, daughter of former vice president Dick Cheney, this week also criticised Trump’s appearance at CPAC.In his remarks, Trump Jr compared her to the Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump group of current and former Republican consultants.“Lincoln Project Liz, as I like to call her, is the leader of that failed movement, and if we want to go back to losing, if we want to go back to an America last policy, we should be following that,” he said. “But I don’t and I don’t think anyone in this room does either.”The pugnacious Trump Jr reserved some of his barbs for Joe Biden, telling CPAC: “The first 30 days have been a disaster. The lies the media told you wouldn’t happen are all happening. But hey, at least they have a diverse cabinet!“It’s very diverse. That’s what we saw, right. What is the policy of the FDA? ‘Well, first and foremost, we appointed a woman.’ Well, that’s wonderful. Is she competent? Because there’s competent women and there’s incompetent women, just like tthere are competent men and incompetent men.“We’ve seen that. We know that to be a fact. But when you don’t have policy to address the incompetent and think you can get away with it by just talking about diversity blindly, it’s sort of a problem, isn’t it?”Trump’s own administration was notoriously dominated by white men, many of whom were criticised as incompetent.His son was cheered as he concluded with a preview of the ex-president’s speech: “So we’re looking forward to Sunday. I imagine it will not be what we call a low energy speech, and I assure you that it will solidify Donald Trump and all of your feelings about the Maga movement as the future of the Republican party.”
House Democrats held a press conference ahead of the vote on Joe Biden’s $1.9tn coronavirus aid bill, which is expected to pass, and found themselves under fire over the $15 minimum wage increase that could not be included in the bill under Senate rules.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had a strong response when asked about the issue:
“As a matter of practice, I don’t get involved with the United States Senate,” Pelosi said. “But as a matter of values, I can just say, we will not rest until we pass the $15 minimum wage.”
“We have been engaged in the Fight for 15 for a long time,” she continued. “This is legislation that affects a majority of women. Over 60% of the people making minimum wage are women. Many are moms. It is so essential for us to do this.
“If it doesn’t prevail because of Senate rules, we will persist. We will not stop until we, very soon, pass the $15 minimum wage.”
An independent expert advisory panel has recommended that drug regulators authorize the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine, a move that will greatly boost the nationwide vaccinations plans of the Biden administration.An independent expert advisory panel has recommended that drug regulators authorize the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine, a move that will greatly boost the nationwide vaccinations plans of the Biden administration.
My colleague Jessica Glenza reports that while the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not always take the advice of their advisory panels, the authorization is still a significant step toward FDA approval and the agency is expected to authorize the vaccine for emergency use.My colleague Jessica Glenza reports that while the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not always take the advice of their advisory panels, the authorization is still a significant step toward FDA approval and the agency is expected to authorize the vaccine for emergency use.
In a Congressional hearing this week, Janssen, Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine subsidiary, testified that it expects to deliver 20m doses by March and a total of 100m before the end of June.In a Congressional hearing this week, Janssen, Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine subsidiary, testified that it expects to deliver 20m doses by March and a total of 100m before the end of June.
Together with the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines that are already being distributed, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should provide the US with more than enough doses to vaccinate every vaccine-eligible person.Together with the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines that are already being distributed, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should provide the US with more than enough doses to vaccinate every vaccine-eligible person.
Read more about it here:Read more about it here:
Hey all, Vivian Ho taking over the blog in the middle of breaking news!Hey all, Vivian Ho taking over the blog in the middle of breaking news!
It appears that an independent expert advisory panel has recommended authorization of the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine. More on that in a minute.It appears that an independent expert advisory panel has recommended authorization of the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine. More on that in a minute.
Good afternoon. It’s been a busy Friday in Washington and around the country.Good afternoon. It’s been a busy Friday in Washington and around the country.
The DNI released its long-anticipated report directly implicating the Saudi prince in the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi. However, the administration stopped short of punishing the the crown prince.The DNI released its long-anticipated report directly implicating the Saudi prince in the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi. However, the administration stopped short of punishing the the crown prince.
Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, visited storm-battered Houston on Friday, where they toured a food bank and visited a vaccination “super site”.Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, visited storm-battered Houston on Friday, where they toured a food bank and visited a vaccination “super site”.
Senate Democrats are scrambling for a way to include a $15 minimum wage in the Biden administration’s $1.9tn stimulus package after the Senate parliamentarian ruled that the provision would have to be removed. The House is expected to pass the bill later this evening.Senate Democrats are scrambling for a way to include a $15 minimum wage in the Biden administration’s $1.9tn stimulus package after the Senate parliamentarian ruled that the provision would have to be removed. The House is expected to pass the bill later this evening.
The CDC director, Rochelle Walensky, warned that now was not the time to lift public health restrictions, citing “concerning” new data that showed the rate of new infections ticking upward after weeks of decline.The CDC director, Rochelle Walensky, warned that now was not the time to lift public health restrictions, citing “concerning” new data that showed the rate of new infections ticking upward after weeks of decline.
Conservatives are gathering in Orlando for the annual CPAC conference. Our colleague, David Smith, has been sending virtual dispatches from the event, which has featured several of Trump’s allies on Capitol Hill.Conservatives are gathering in Orlando for the annual CPAC conference. Our colleague, David Smith, has been sending virtual dispatches from the event, which has featured several of Trump’s allies on Capitol Hill.
An unrepentant Josh Hawley, Republican senator for Missouri, earned rapturous cheers and applause when he bragged to CPAC about his key role in the effort to overturn Joe Biden’s election victory, writes David Smith in a virtual dispatch from CPAC.An unrepentant Josh Hawley, Republican senator for Missouri, earned rapturous cheers and applause when he bragged to CPAC about his key role in the effort to overturn Joe Biden’s election victory, writes David Smith in a virtual dispatch from CPAC.
The senator continued: “So I did that. I said I want to have a debate on election integrity. And what was the result of that? You know what the result was. I was called a traitor. I was called a seditionist. The radical left said I should be resigned and, if I wouldn’t resign, I should be expelled from the United States Senate.“Well, as I said a moment ago, I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying right here. I’m going to stand up for you because if we can’t have free and open debate in this country, we’re not going to have a country left. If we can’t have free and open debate according to the laws in the United States Senate, what good is the United States Senate?“Why do you send anybody to Washington at all? I thought it was an important stand to take and for that the left has come after me. They tried to silence me. They cancelled a book I was writing called The Tyranny of Big Tech. These people have no sense of irony. Still going to get published, by the way. It’ll be out soon.”Hawley and other Republicans loyal to Donald Trump have perpetuated the lie of a stolen election despite state election officials, numerous courts and Trump’s own attorney general, William Barr, finding no significant evidence of voter fraud. Hawley and colleague Ted Cruz are facing an investigation from the Senate ethics committee over their conduct before the insurrection at the US Capitol on 6 January.The senator continued: “So I did that. I said I want to have a debate on election integrity. And what was the result of that? You know what the result was. I was called a traitor. I was called a seditionist. The radical left said I should be resigned and, if I wouldn’t resign, I should be expelled from the United States Senate.“Well, as I said a moment ago, I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying right here. I’m going to stand up for you because if we can’t have free and open debate in this country, we’re not going to have a country left. If we can’t have free and open debate according to the laws in the United States Senate, what good is the United States Senate?“Why do you send anybody to Washington at all? I thought it was an important stand to take and for that the left has come after me. They tried to silence me. They cancelled a book I was writing called The Tyranny of Big Tech. These people have no sense of irony. Still going to get published, by the way. It’ll be out soon.”Hawley and other Republicans loyal to Donald Trump have perpetuated the lie of a stolen election despite state election officials, numerous courts and Trump’s own attorney general, William Barr, finding no significant evidence of voter fraud. Hawley and colleague Ted Cruz are facing an investigation from the Senate ethics committee over their conduct before the insurrection at the US Capitol on 6 January.
The Biden administration is “considering” the cancellation of arms deals with Saudi Arabia that pose human rights concerns while limiting future military sales to “defensive” weapons, Reuters reported on Friday.The Biden administration is “considering” the cancellation of arms deals with Saudi Arabia that pose human rights concerns while limiting future military sales to “defensive” weapons, Reuters reported on Friday.
This comes as the US reassesses its relationship with the Kingdom in the wake of a damning intelligence report that implicated the Saudi prince in the murder of Washington Post columnist, Jamal Khashoggi.This comes as the US reassesses its relationship with the Kingdom in the wake of a damning intelligence report that implicated the Saudi prince in the murder of Washington Post columnist, Jamal Khashoggi.
Reuters reports:Reuters reports:
Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told reporters on Friday that the airstrikes carried out in Syria caused “casualties” but said it was too early to say how many militia fighters had been hurt or killed.Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told reporters on Friday that the airstrikes carried out in Syria caused “casualties” but said it was too early to say how many militia fighters had been hurt or killed.
“We have preliminary indications of casualties on site,” Kirby said. “I’m not going to go any further than that.”“We have preliminary indications of casualties on site,” Kirby said. “I’m not going to go any further than that.”
The strikes killed at least 22 people, according to a tally by the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which cites unconfirmed reports.The strikes killed at least 22 people, according to a tally by the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which cites unconfirmed reports.
The Bidens toured a Food Bank in Houston during their visit to the storm-battered city this afternoon.The Bidens toured a Food Bank in Houston during their visit to the storm-battered city this afternoon.
Brian Greene, CEO of Houston Food Bank, walked the Bidens around the facility, described in a pool report as a “Costco on steroids”.Brian Greene, CEO of Houston Food Bank, walked the Bidens around the facility, described in a pool report as a “Costco on steroids”.
The president, known for glad-handing on the campaign trail, spotted a young boy helping to sort bags of chips and boxes of cookies into bins.The president, known for glad-handing on the campaign trail, spotted a young boy helping to sort bags of chips and boxes of cookies into bins.
“What are you, 18? Eighteen years old?” he asked the boy, who seemed, according to the pool reporter, “befuddled”.“What are you, 18? Eighteen years old?” he asked the boy, who seemed, according to the pool reporter, “befuddled”.
Then Biden meets the boy’s sister, who he offers a pep talk. He tells her that his own sister, Valerie, is his best friend.Then Biden meets the boy’s sister, who he offers a pep talk. He tells her that his own sister, Valerie, is his best friend.
“She’s smarter than I am,” he tells the girl. “She’s better than I am.”“She’s smarter than I am,” he tells the girl. “She’s better than I am.”
The girl gives Biden a hug – and then runs over to her brother and gives him a hug as well.The girl gives Biden a hug – and then runs over to her brother and gives him a hug as well.
John Durham, the US Attorney for the District of Connecticut who was appointed as special counsel to investigate the origins of the Russia investigation, has resigned, effective at midnight on 28 February.John Durham, the US Attorney for the District of Connecticut who was appointed as special counsel to investigate the origins of the Russia investigation, has resigned, effective at midnight on 28 February.
Fox News is reporting that Durham will remain in his role as special counsel.Fox News is reporting that Durham will remain in his role as special counsel.
The Biden administration had asked all Trump-appointed US attorneys to resign by the end of the month. The announcement would have spared Durham, who was overseeing the politically-charged investigation into the origins of the Trump-Russia probe.The Biden administration had asked all Trump-appointed US attorneys to resign by the end of the month. The announcement would have spared Durham, who was overseeing the politically-charged investigation into the origins of the Trump-Russia probe.
However, CNN previously reported that Durham intended to resign anyway, even as he stayed on to complete the investigation.However, CNN previously reported that Durham intended to resign anyway, even as he stayed on to complete the investigation.
“My career has been as fulfilling as I could ever have imagined when I graduated from law school way back in 1975,” Durham wrote in a statement. “Much of that fulfillment has come from all the people with whom I’ve been blessed to share this workplace, and in our partner law enforcement agencies. My love and respect for this Office and the vitally important work done here have never diminished. It has been a tremendous honor to serve as U.S. Attorney, and as a career prosecutor before that, and I will sorely miss it.”“My career has been as fulfilling as I could ever have imagined when I graduated from law school way back in 1975,” Durham wrote in a statement. “Much of that fulfillment has come from all the people with whom I’ve been blessed to share this workplace, and in our partner law enforcement agencies. My love and respect for this Office and the vitally important work done here have never diminished. It has been a tremendous honor to serve as U.S. Attorney, and as a career prosecutor before that, and I will sorely miss it.”
As Biden tours a food bank in Houston, Republicans are taking turns railing against his administration at the annual CPAC conference. David Smith sends another virtual report from the gathering.As Biden tours a food bank in Houston, Republicans are taking turns railing against his administration at the annual CPAC conference. David Smith sends another virtual report from the gathering.
Speakers at CPAC continue to pledge fealty to former president Donald Trump. Matt Gaetz, a congressman from Florida, told the audience: “My fellow patriots, don’t be shy and don’t be sorry, join me as we proudly represent the pro-Trump America first wing of the conservative movement.“We’re not really a wing; we’re the whole body. We’re the main attraction in the greatest show on earth.”Gaetz, a self-proclaimed “Florida man” wearing blue jacket and purple tie, lashed out at “cancel culture” and “lockdown governors” including Democrat Andrew Cuomo of New York. He also defended Republican senator of Ted Cruz of Texas.“It was awful the way the media treated Ted Cruz,” he said. “I mean, the left and the media were more worried about Ted Cruz going to Mexico to spend his own money than about the caravans coming through Mexico to take ours.”If Congresswoman Liz Cheney, who voted for Trump’s impeachment after the 6 January insurrection at the US Capitol, were on the CPAC stage she would be booed, he predicted. The party’s true leadership was not in Washington, Gaetz said.He also described the biggest threats to freedom as big government and big business, in particular big tech. “There are no checks and balances when they can control-alt-delete anyone for any reason,” the congressman warned.Speakers at CPAC continue to pledge fealty to former president Donald Trump. Matt Gaetz, a congressman from Florida, told the audience: “My fellow patriots, don’t be shy and don’t be sorry, join me as we proudly represent the pro-Trump America first wing of the conservative movement.“We’re not really a wing; we’re the whole body. We’re the main attraction in the greatest show on earth.”Gaetz, a self-proclaimed “Florida man” wearing blue jacket and purple tie, lashed out at “cancel culture” and “lockdown governors” including Democrat Andrew Cuomo of New York. He also defended Republican senator of Ted Cruz of Texas.“It was awful the way the media treated Ted Cruz,” he said. “I mean, the left and the media were more worried about Ted Cruz going to Mexico to spend his own money than about the caravans coming through Mexico to take ours.”If Congresswoman Liz Cheney, who voted for Trump’s impeachment after the 6 January insurrection at the US Capitol, were on the CPAC stage she would be booed, he predicted. The party’s true leadership was not in Washington, Gaetz said.He also described the biggest threats to freedom as big government and big business, in particular big tech. “There are no checks and balances when they can control-alt-delete anyone for any reason,” the congressman warned.
[blogger’s note: a number of House Republicans have asked their colleagues to vote on their behalf, under rule changes to make voting safer during the pandemic. And yet, many of those very same members are appearing alongside hundreds of conservative activists at CPAC.][blogger’s note: a number of House Republicans have asked their colleagues to vote on their behalf, under rule changes to make voting safer during the pandemic. And yet, many of those very same members are appearing alongside hundreds of conservative activists at CPAC.]
US Treasury secretary Janet Yellen has announced sanctions on former Saudi intelligence deputy chief Ahmad Hassan Mohammed al Asiri and the Rapid Intervention Force (RIF), known as the ‘Tiger Squad’ which supplied much of the hit team that killed Jamal Khashoggi, the US-based dissident who was murdered by Saudi operatives in Turkey in 2018.US Treasury secretary Janet Yellen has announced sanctions on former Saudi intelligence deputy chief Ahmad Hassan Mohammed al Asiri and the Rapid Intervention Force (RIF), known as the ‘Tiger Squad’ which supplied much of the hit team that killed Jamal Khashoggi, the US-based dissident who was murdered by Saudi operatives in Turkey in 2018.
My colleagues Julian Borger and Stephanie Kirchgaessner are all over this.My colleagues Julian Borger and Stephanie Kirchgaessner are all over this.
AndAnd
Yellen just said in a statement: “Those involved in the abhorrent killing of Jamal Khashoggi must be held accountable. With this action, Treasury is sanctioning Saudi Arabia’s Rapid Intervention Force and a senior Saudi official who was directly involved in Jamal Khashoggi’s murder.”Yellen just said in a statement: “Those involved in the abhorrent killing of Jamal Khashoggi must be held accountable. With this action, Treasury is sanctioning Saudi Arabia’s Rapid Intervention Force and a senior Saudi official who was directly involved in Jamal Khashoggi’s murder.”
She added: “The United States stands united with journalists and political dissidents in opposing threats of violence and intimidation. We will continue to defend the freedom of expression, which is the bedrock of a free society.”She added: “The United States stands united with journalists and political dissidents in opposing threats of violence and intimidation. We will continue to defend the freedom of expression, which is the bedrock of a free society.”
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia is not on the Biden administration’s list, even though he is accused of approving the murder of Khashoggi, according to the US unclassified intelligence report made public just under two hours ago.Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia is not on the Biden administration’s list, even though he is accused of approving the murder of Khashoggi, according to the US unclassified intelligence report made public just under two hours ago.
Stephanie Kirchgaessner’s report in full:Stephanie Kirchgaessner’s report in full:
As Joe Biden and Jill Biden go about their engagements in Texas, here is some more reporting from Reuters, including some interesting comments that went down on Air Force One en route from the capital to Houston.As Joe Biden and Jill Biden go about their engagements in Texas, here is some more reporting from Reuters, including some interesting comments that went down on Air Force One en route from the capital to Houston.
The Guardian further notes that Abbott took aim at renewable energy during the big freeze, even though the worst problem was frozen natural gas pipes, not frozen windmills. There was a trait during the disaster of state officials and business leaders seeming to do more finger-pointing than finger-lifting to help people. We won’t even relive the details of right-wing Senator Ted Cruz’s Cancun jaunt here...The Guardian further notes that Abbott took aim at renewable energy during the big freeze, even though the worst problem was frozen natural gas pipes, not frozen windmills. There was a trait during the disaster of state officials and business leaders seeming to do more finger-pointing than finger-lifting to help people. We won’t even relive the details of right-wing Senator Ted Cruz’s Cancun jaunt here...
And Abbott then managed to ask the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Biden to issue a major disaster declaration for all of the state’s 254 counties.And Abbott then managed to ask the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Biden to issue a major disaster declaration for all of the state’s 254 counties.