State and National Government
(ABC News) WASHINGTON — Congress passed a two-day stopgap spending bill Friday night, averting a partial government shutdown and buying yet more time for frustratingly slow endgame negotiations on an almost $1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package. The virus aid talks remained on track, both sides said, but closing out final disagreements was proving difficult. Weekend sessions were on tap, and House leaders hoped for a vote on Sunday on the massive package, which wraps much of Capitol Hill’s unfinished 2020 business. The House passed the temporary funding bill by a 320-60 vote. The Senate approved it by voice vote almost immediately afterward, and President Donald Trump signed it late Friday.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said both sides remain intent on closing the deal, even as Democrats launched a concerted campaign to block an effort by Republicans to rein in emergency Federal Reserve lending powers. The Democrats said the GOP proposal would deprive President-elect Joe Biden of crucial tools to manage the economy.
Negotiations continued into Friday night but an agreement wasn’t likely before Saturday, lawmakers and aides said. House lawmakers were told they wouldn’t have to report to work on Saturday but that a Sunday session was likely. The Senate will be voting on nominations. The $900 billion package comes as the pandemic is delivering its most fearsome surge yet, killing more than 3,000 victims per day and straining the nation’s health care system. While vaccines are on the way, most people won’t get them for months. Jobless claims are on the rise.
The emerging agreement would deliver more than $300 billion in aid to businesses and provide the jobless a $300-per-week bonus federal unemployment benefit and renewal of state benefits that would otherwise expire right after Christmas. It also includes $600 direct payments to individuals; vaccine distribution funds and money for renters, schools, the Postal Service and people needing food aid.
Virginia’s DMV is preparing to accept and process drivers license applications from residents who don’t live here legally. A new law permits it as of January, and DMV is working to reach Hispanics in advance. It’s estimated that 300,000 undocumented immigrants in Virginia will qualify for what are called driver privilege cards. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones.
NEWS RELEASE: RICHMOND – Beginning January 2, 2021, Virginians may apply for a driver privilege card at the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Applications will be accepted by appointment only; appointments can be made at dmvNOW.com/appt.
This change in Virginia law, authorized by the Virginia General Assembly, creates a driving credential for individuals who are non-U.S. citizens and cannot meet Virginia’s legal presence requirements, making them ineligible to receive a standard or REAL ID-compliant driver’s license in Virginia.
Customers may be eligible to obtain a driver privilege card if they meet the following criteria:
- are a non-U.S. citizen who is a resident of Virginia
- have reported income from Virginia sources or are claimed as a dependent on a tax return filed in Virginia in the past 12 months
- do not have a driving privilege that is currently suspended or revoked in Virginia or any other state, to include insurance-related infractions
“We are pleased to offer this new credential to give thousands of tax-paying Virginians the opportunity to drive legally on our roadways, something they previously have not been able to do,” said DMV Commissioner Richard D. Holcomb. “Like applicants for any driving credential, driver privilege card applicants must prepare for their visit by gathering necessary documents and studying for all required testing. A good place to start is the DMV webpage dedicated to this new credential, dmvNOW.com/dpc.”
In order to obtain a driver privilege card in Virginia, the following documents must be provided:
- Two proofs of identity (e.g., foreign passport and Consular identification document issued by country of citizenship)
- Two proofs of Virginia residency (e.g., monthly mortgage statement and utility bill)
- Proof of Social Security number (if one has been issued) or the individual’s taxpayer identification number (e.g., W-2 form or ITIN letter)
- Tax return documentation (e.g. Virginia Resident Form, Virginia Part-Year Resident Income Tax Return Form or Virginia Nonresident Income Tax Return Form, filed in the past 12 months)
All documents must be originals and are subject to verification, however; printouts of approved online residency documents may be accepted.
The steps to obtain a driver privilege card vary based on a customer’s licensed driving history. Applicants will be required to pass a vision screening. DMV encourages those eligible to make an appointment for the new year, study and prepare for applicable tests atdmvNOW.com, and organize the documents necessary to obtain a driver privilege card. An interactive document guide, available on DMV’s website, helps to prepare customers for their visit.
Princess Blanding is pictured left of Northam
Governor Northam held one of his many ceremonial bill signings yesterday in Richmond, but this one did not turn out like almost all others. One of the people invited to join in the celebration denounced the measure is wholly ineffective. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones:
The Marcus Alert bill is named after Marcus Peters, fatally shot by Richmond Police during a mental health crisis. It will require police to include a greater mental health component to future responses. Governor Northam and lawmakers key to its passage gathered yesterday to celebrate the bill’s enactment. Also there was Peters’ sister, Princess Blanding, but instead of praising those assembled and the bill they helped pass, Blanding excoriated them. Lawmakers who spoke later said the Marcus Alert is an important start, and if it should be changed down the line, they pledged to do so.
NEWS RELEASE: RICHMOND – Beginning January 2, 2021, Virginians may apply for a driver privilege card at the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Applications will be accepted by appointment only; appointments can be made at dmvNOW.com/appt.
This change in Virginia law, authorized by the Virginia General Assembly, creates a driving credential for individuals who are non-U.S. citizens and cannot meet Virginia’s legal presence requirements, making them ineligible to receive a standard or REAL ID-compliant driver’s license in Virginia.
Customers may be eligible to obtain a driver privilege card if they meet the following criteria:
- are a non-U.S. citizen who is a resident of Virginia
- have reported income from Virginia sources or are claimed as a dependent on a tax return filed in Virginia in the past 12 months
- do not have a driving privilege that is currently suspended or revoked in Virginia or any other state, to include insurance-related infractions
“We are pleased to offer this new credential to give thousands of tax-paying Virginians the opportunity to drive legally on our roadways, something they previously have not been able to do,” said DMV Commissioner Richard D. Holcomb. “Like applicants for any driving credential, driver privilege card applicants must prepare for their visit by gathering necessary documents and studying for all required testing. A good place to start is the DMV webpage dedicated to this new credential, dmvNOW.com/dpc.”
In order to obtain a driver privilege card in Virginia, the following documents must be provided:
- Two proofs of identity (e.g., foreign passport and Consular identification document issued by country of citizenship)
- Two proofs of Virginia residency (e.g., monthly mortgage statement and utility bill)
- Proof of Social Security number (if one has been issued) or the individual’s taxpayer identification number (e.g., W-2 form or ITIN letter)
- Tax return documentation (e.g. Virginia Resident Form, Virginia Part-Year Resident Income Tax Return Form or Virginia Nonresident Income Tax Return Form, filed in the past 12 months)
All documents must be originals and are subject to verification, however; printouts of approved online residency documents may be accepted.
The steps to obtain a driver privilege card vary based on a customer’s licensed driving history. Applicants will be required to pass a vision screening. DMV encourages those eligible to make an appointment for the new year, study and prepare for applicable tests atdmvNOW.com, and organize the documents necessary to obtain a driver privilege card. An interactive document guide, available on DMV’s website, helps to prepare customers for their visit.
The Electoral College met at the Virginia State Capitol today to formally cast their 13 votes for President-elect Joe Biden. Electors had to swear to support the US and Virginia constitutions and to cast their votes to confirm the election “faithfully and impartially,” as the process got underway. Governor Northam had a few opening remarks:
2021 isn’t even here yet, but it appears likely all the major candidates are now in place for next year’s race for governor. Virginia Tech Professor and WFIR Political Analyst Bob Denton says when former Governor Terry McAuliffe formally announced his candidacy last week, he became a prohibitive favorite as the party’s nominee for a second term. On the Republican side, he says Delegate and former House Speaker Kirk Cox appears all but certain to win that party’s nomination. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones:
Ed Lynch is chair of the department of Global Politics and Society at Hollins University; he has just finished writing a book about the Arab Spring uprisings in six countries that began ten years ago yesterday . Its titled “The Arab Spring: The Failure of the Obama Doctrine.” He spoke with WFIR’s Gene Marrano about that era … and here is a “Longer Listen.”
Photo: Todd Gilbert Twitter
Opponents of Governor Northam were quick to condemn the latest round of COVID restrictions, which they called draconian. WFIR’s Clark Palmer has that story:
STATEMENT from House of Delegates Minority Leader Todd Gilbert: “Once again, the Governor has introduced draconian new restrictions, but failed to articulate to Virginians how they will stop the spread of COVID. For example, how will a blatantly unconstitutional curfew — which will no doubt create resistance — help save lives? Is COVID spreading at late-night gatherings?” Gilbert said. “Governor Northam must first and foremost follow the Constitution, and he must tell Virginians how these rules will fight COVID. Virginians aren’t dumb. If the Governor gives them the information, I have no doubt that Virginians will act on it in a responsible manner. But ‘trust me’ is no longer good enough.”