5 issues to know Friday

FDA might authorize Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as early as Friday

The U.S. Meals and Drug Administration might authorize Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use as early as Friday. As soon as it is approved, vials of the vaccine will start transport to all 50 states. A committee of main U.S. vaccine scientists endorsed the vaccine candidate Thursday night, which paved the best way for a ultimate choice the FDA and mass vaccinations to start inside days for 1000’s of front-line well being care employees and nursing house residents. One final necessary assembly will happen Sunday when an advisory committee to the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention meets to make a ultimate suggestion on who ought to get the vaccine first when it’s in very brief provide. 

Clock is ticking: Will there be (one other) authorities shutdown? 

A Senate vote on a wide-ranging protection coverage invoice was delayed after Kentucky Republican Rand Paul objected to the measure, casting the following steps unsure and elevating the slim prospect of a authorities shutdown if a short-term spending invoice caught up within the dispute is just not authorized Friday. Paul stated on the Senate flooring that he opposes provisions within the protection invoice that will restrict President Donald Trump’s means to attract down U.S. troops from Afghanistan and Germany. His objections on Thursday threatened one other must-pass invoice, a one-week spending measure that will preserve the federal government open way of Dec. 18. The Home has handed the stopgap measure, however a authorities shutdown would happen if the Senate doesn’t act on it midnight Friday. A procedural vote on the protection invoice was anticipated Friday, setting the stage for ultimate votes on the protection invoice and the stopgap spending measure later within the day.