CQ Roll Call Policy Briefs

New Mexico Democrat Deb Haaland would be the first Native American to serve as secretary of the Interior Department if she is confirmed by the Senate. At a hearing on Tuesday, Haaland faced questions from GOP senators from oil, gas and coal states on her views on fossil fuel energy. Reporter Ben Hulac has more on the hurdles for her nomination.

The Biden administration’s new programs to get COVID-19 vaccines to pharmacies, long-term care centers and other sites are meant to ease state vaccine distribution — but in some cases they are having the opposite effect. States are calling for more coordination. CQ Roll Call health care reporter Ariel Cohen has more.

Attorney general nominee Merrick Garland's confirmation hearing was a preview of coming policy fights in Congress. Among those are gun control, police accountability and voting rights. Listen to Todd Ruger's report for more.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is emphasizing a push for racial equity in the nation’s transportation system. CQ Roll Call transportation reporter Jessica Wehrman has more on the obstacles Buttigieg faces, and why advocates are optimistic for change.

The buzz on K Street is a likely return of earmarks on Capitol Hill. CQ Roll Call lobbying reporter Kate Ackley explains the history of why earmarks were banned in Congress and the implications of their possible return.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for behavioral health resources and existing inadequacies in the mental health system. CQ Roll Call reporter Sandhya Raman reports on how budget reconciliation may be the most likely vehicle for changes in behavior health policy.

Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev was the main focus of Thursday's House Committee on Financial Services hearing — the first of many on the Gamestop stock transactions last month. But what is perhaps more interesting are the topics members didn't dive into in this hearing. CQ Roll Call securities reporter Caitlin Reilly has more.

Democrats in Congress are pushing for billions of dollars to go to a program that provides discounted laptops and hotspots to schools. CQ Roll Call reporter Dean DeChiaro breaks down the fight in Congress over making internet more accessible to students.

The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it will make investments in COVID-19 testing and tracing while waiting for lawmakers on Capitol Hill to appropriate more funds through a pandemic relief package. CQ Roll Call Ariel Cohen reports on the $1.6 billion investment.

Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., told CQ Roll Call that he'll be proposing a bill Thursday to codify the Pentagon recommendations for preventing white supremacists from enlisting in the military. Listen to reporter John Donnelly for more on the report.