AP National News

VIRUS TODAY: Merck to produce J&J shot, Dems set to debate

By The Associated Press

Here’s what’s happening Tuesday with the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S.: THREE THINGS TO KNOW TODAY: — Drugmaker Merck & Co. will help produce rival Johnson & Johnson’s newly approved coronavirus vaccine to try to expand supply more quickly. — Democrats are sorting through lingering disagreements over emergency jobless benefits and other issues and preparing to commence Senate debate on…

Conservative group pushes proposals to tighten voting laws

By NICHOLAS RICCARDI - Associated Press

The conservative Honest Elections Project is proposing new voting restrictions and election safeguards. The organization was launched by a major Republican strategist for the 2020 elections but stayed out of the vote’s aftermath. Honest Elections did not buy into the lie that fraud led to Donald Trump’s loss. That falsehood has already helped spark a drive in GOP-controlled states to restrict voting. Honest Elections has followed up with recommendations. A handful may be bipartisan but most would increase election safeguards by potentially making it more cumbersome to vote and are likely to be opposed by Democrats.