Biden Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom and More You Missed in Politics Today

It’s difficult to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in this country and to break through the clutter, so we’re here to make it easier. Here’s what we at Countable are reading today:

1. "Biden awarded presidential Medal of Freedom"

"President Barack Obama surprised an emotional Vice President Joe Biden Thursday by presenting him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, during a White House ceremony."

""For your faith in your fellow Americans, for your love of country and for your lifetime of service that will endure through the generations, I'd like to ask the military aide to join us on stage," Obama said in the ceremony. "For my final time as president, I am pleased to award our nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.""

Read more at CNN.

2. "Obamacare is one step closer to repeal after Senate advances budget resolution"

"The Senate voted 51 to 48 early Thursday to approve a budget resolution instructing House and Senate committees to begin work on legislation to repeal major portions of the Affordable Care Act. The House is expected to take up the legislation Friday."

"Senate Democrats made a late-night show of resistance against gutting the Affordable Care Act by forcing Republicans to take politically charged votes against protecting Medicare, Medicaid and other health-care programs. The measure narrowly passed without the support of any Democrats."

Read more at The Washington Post.

You can read about the budget resolution and tell your rep hows to vote when it comes up in the House (potentially tomorrow) here.

3. "Senate Approves Waiver to Allow James Mattis as Pentagon Chief"

"The Senate has approved a waiver that would allow retired Gen. James Mattis to serve as secretary of defense, granting a rare exception to a law meant that requires military veterans to have been out of uniform for at least seven years before taking the top job at the Pentagon."

"On Thursday afternoon, lawmakers voted 81 to 17, overwhelmingly approving the waiver on the same day Mattis testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee."

Read more at U.S. News & World Report.

You can read more about the waiver and tell your reps how to vote when it comes up in the House (potentially tomorrow) here.

4. "Trump Urges People to ‘Buy L.L.Bean’ Amid Boycott Threat"

"President-elect Donald Trump took to Twitter again Thursday morning, this time to urge his followers to "Buy L.L.Bean," and support one of his campaign backers."

""Thank you to Linda Bean of L.L.Bean for your great support and courage," he tweeted Thursday. "People will support you even more now. Buy L.L.Bean.""

Read more at NPR.*

5. "EPA: Fiat Chrysler software enabled emissions cheating"

"The Environmental Protection Agency accused Fiat Chrysler on Thursday of installing software that enables certain diesel trucks to emit far more pollutants than emissions laws allow. The company denied those accusations, saying its software meets regulatory requirements."

"The vehicles involved were the 2014 to 2016 model year Dodge Ram 1500 pickup trucks and Jeep Grand Cherokees with 3.0-liter diesel engines. The allegations affect roughly 104,000 vehicles, EPA officials said."

Read more at The Washington Post.

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: Daniel Schwen / Creative Commons)