It looks like the Senate won’t pass President Biden’s social spending bill until after the New Year. Democrats were hoping to reach a deal on the ‘Build Back Better’ bill by Christmas but admit that may not happen with only a week to go. The holdout is Senator Joe Manchin, who has been speaking privately with the President for days. Other senators say they’re disappointed but not giving up. The bill would overhaul health care, education, climate, immigration and tax laws.
While some counties in California are refusing to enforce a new mask mandate that began this week. Some leaders say they don’t have the resources, others just don’t think it’ll make any difference. Governor Gavin Newsom didn’t detail how he’ll deal with a lack of enforcement, only saying he has faith that people will follow the order. So far, San Francisco and two other counties are exempt since they had local policies already in place.
This is the latest news.
Here’s Mark Mayfield.