Biden defends rescue package after disappointing jobs reportPresident Biden on Friday defended his $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan after a disappointing jobs report, arguing that the new data prove the necessity of the legislation and that it would take more time for the economy to recover. Biden talks up benefits of vaccines after new mask guidanceThe U.S. leader urged Americans hesitant to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to reconsider, pointing to new U.S. guidance that inoculated people can socialize outdoors without masks. As California’s gubernatorial recall heats up, a GOP challenger brought a 1,000-pound bear on the trailRepublican candidate John Cox brought a bear named Tag on his campaign tour in a bid to unseat Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) in a recall election. Manchin goes against Washington DC statehood bill‘They all came to the same conclusion: If Congress wants to make D.C. a state, it should propose a constitutional amendment. It should propose a constitutional amendment and let the people of America vote’ Joe Biden, the Reverse Ronald ReaganFour decades later, another elder statesman seeks to transform Americans’ ideas about the size of government. Biden, GOP set to find out if US wants activist governmentPresident Biden and Republicans are making the same bet as they gear up for a months-long spending fight: Americans will agree with them about the government’s role post-pandemic. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs election restriction billFlorida Gov. Texas gains U.S. House seats after new census data releasedTexas will add two congressional seats next year, more than any other state, the U.S. Census Bureau said on Monday, as it released population data that reapportions U.S. House of Representatives members and Electoral College votes among the states. Lindsey Graham: GOP can't 'move forward without President Trump'Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Thursday said the Republican Party can’t “move forward” without former President Trump. The Week in Business: A Plan for Paid Family LeaveBiden announced an ambitious — and expensive — plan to fund paid family leave, child care and higher education.