The U.S. House of Representatives on Dec. 8 passed a defense funding bill that would force the termination of the military’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate if it is also approved by the Senate and signed by President Joe Biden. The chamber also voted to pass the Respect for Marriage Act—the bill that codifies a portion of a Supreme Court ruling that says same-sex marriage is a right.
New York Times staffers go on strike for the first time in over 40 years, asking for higher pay, better benefits, and the right to work remotely if their position will allow it.
While professional basketball player Brittney Griner was freed from prison and is expected to return to American soil on Dec. 9, U.S. Marine veteran Paul Whelan remains behind bars in Russia on espionage charges that he and the U.S. government say are false.
