Lawmakers are a step closer to keeping the nation from going into default next week. The House passed a bill that would allow the Senate to raise the debt ceiling on a simple majority vote. Republicans already extended the borrowing limit and have refused to take part in a long-term increase. But the Senate’s GOP leader says he’s confident enough of his colleagues will support the solution and predicts a vote could happen on Thursday.
While there’s new proof the COVID vaccine may not be able to fight off the omicron variant in some people. The first lab results are showing it can escape antibodies more than other strains. Researchers in South Africa, where the variant began, looked at samples with the Pfizer vaccine. The good news is they found protection remained strong in those who had recovered from the virus and had a booster shot. The variant has spread to at least 19 states.
This is the latest news.
Here’s Mark Mayfield.
