Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Mike Pence decries ‘radical’ first 100 days of Biden era in South Carolina speech
Former Vice President Mike Pence slammed the "radical" first 100 days of the Biden administration in his first public speech since leaving office and hailed former President Trump despite his role in sparking the Jan. 6 Capitol riot that placed him in danger. Published April 30, 2021
Moon Jae-in, South Korea president, visit set for May 21, White House says
The White House on Thursday said South Korean President Moon Jae-in will visit President Biden on May 21, making him the second foreign dignitary to enjoy an in-person summit amid the pandemic. Published April 29, 2021
Kamala Harris: ‘American aspiration’ defined first 100 days
Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday said "American aspiration" defined the first 100 days of the Biden presidency as she tied an improving economic outlook to Democrats' big-spending plans and a vaccine rollout that is starting to show dividends but risks stalling out. Published April 29, 2021
FDA moves to ban menthol cigarettes, flavored cigars
The Biden administration moved Thursday to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, cheering anti-smoking groups who have long said the products harm minorities while sparking fears that Black smokers will flock to illicit markets and face unfair prosecution. Published April 29, 2021
Tim Scott: ‘Socialist dreams’ won’t help America thrive
Sen. Tim Scott said "Washington schemes" and "socialist dreams" won't deliver America from its pandemic doldrums, using a prime-time GOP rebuttal Wednesday to decry Democrats as divisive virtue-signalers and promote free market reforms over the big-spending plans President Biden outlined to a joint session of Congress. Published April 28, 2021
Joe Biden pushes Medicare drug-price negotiation
President Biden on Wednesday said Congress should stop yapping about their push to let Medicare negotiate drug prices and actually do it "this year." Published April 28, 2021
Joe Biden in speech to Congress begs Americans to get shots
President Biden reprised his role as America's vaccine pitchman Wednesday in a joint address to Congress like no other, saying there is work to do against COVID-19 but one of "the greatest logistical achievements our country has ever seen" is starting to pay dividends. Published April 28, 2021
Feds execute warrant at Rudy Giuliani’s NYC home
Federal investigators on Wednesday raided former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani's home and office as part of an ongoing investigation into his dealings in Ukraine. Published April 28, 2021
CDC study: Pfizer, Moderna vaccines 94% effective against hospitalization in seniors
Seniors fully vaccinated by COVID-19 shots from Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna were 94% less likely to land in the hospital from the virus than people over age 65 who were not immunized, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday. Published April 28, 2021
Tokyo organizers: ‘Very difficult’ to allow maximum Olympic crowds
Hopes for a normal Summer Games slipped again Wednesday as Tokyo organizers said full venues will be "very difficult" and delayed a decision on capacity limits. Published April 28, 2021
Fauci: Joe Rogan ‘incorrect’ to say 21-year-old doesn’t need vaccine
Dr. Anthony Fauci on Wednesday said podcast host Joe Rogan was "incorrect" to say a healthy 21-year-old probably doesn't need to get vaccinated for COVID-19, pointing to the risk of transmission to others. Published April 28, 2021
CDC: Fully vaccinated people can ditch masks for outdoor dining, small gatherings
The Biden administration on Tuesday said fully vaccinated people can ditch their COVID-19 masks outdoors but should keep them on at sporting events and among crowds. Published April 27, 2021
GOP docs in Congress promote COVID-19 vaccine, say it’s the best way to end limits on freedoms
Republican doctors and health pros in Congress promoted the COVID-19 vaccines Tuesday as safe and effective tools to wind down the pandemic and "end the government's restrictions on our freedoms." Published April 27, 2021
Biden pledges to aid India amid COVID-19 surge, share 60 million vaccine doses worldwide
President Biden on Monday pledged to share up to 60 million unused doses of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine globally and called Prime Minister Narendra Modi to offer "steadfast support" as India deals with a coronavirus surge that is spiraling into a major public health catastrophe. Published April 26, 2021
COVID-19 crisis in India: Joe Biden pledges ‘steadfast support’ in call with PM Narendra Modi
President Biden on Monday pledged "America's steadfast support for the people of India" in a call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his country battles a coronavirus surge that is spiraling into a major health catastrophe. Published April 26, 2021
Gibraltar, Seychelles, Bhutan near widespread coronavirus immunity
Tiny Asian countries and the British territory Gibraltar are nearing widespread immunity against COVID-19 and are gaining a sense of normalcy, proving it pays to be small and have a steady supply of shots if you want to zip ahead in the global vaccination race. Published April 25, 2021
U.S. sending aid to India amid COVID-19 crisis
The U.S. is sending protective gear, therapeutic drugs and raw materials for vaccines to India as it battles a catastrophic wave of COVID-19 cases that is taxing its health system, depleting oxygen supplies and forcing cremation centers to operate around the clock. Published April 25, 2021
NIH chief: Resuming J&J vaccine without limits is ‘right decision’
National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins on Sunday said federal regulators and advisers made the right call in resuming the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for everyone, saying its benefits in fighting COVID-19 outweigh the threat of rare blood clots seen in a handful of recipients. Published April 25, 2021
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito: Ron Johnson’s vaccine comments not helpful
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito said Sunday that vaccine comments from fellow Republican Sen. Ron Johnson "hurt" the effort to get America sufficiently immunized against COVID-19. Published April 25, 2021
VP Kamala Harris: American people want a result in George Floyd reform effort
Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday increased pressure on the Senate to pass legislation that would overhaul policing policies in the wake of ex-police officer Derek Chauvin's murder conviction, saying the "American people, in a bipartisan way," are demanding a shake-up. Published April 25, 2021