U.S. Senate

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced that his choice to succeed U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who passed away on Sept. 29, is Laphonza Butler, a labor leader and the president of EMILY’s List — the country’s most extensive resource for women in politics.

A Democratic Senate Majority Leader would completely change the game. Everything from Biden’s cabinet, agency and judicial picks would sail through. Everything in Biden’s agenda from expanding the Affordable Care Act to comprehensive immigration reform would have a real shot at passage.

Since late July, consumers and small businesses have hoped for a renewed federal commitment for COVID-19 aid. But no successful compromise on two vastly different aid proposals has yet to emerge.