Debt ceiling deal - Red state Covid toll - Massive EV battery plant

Under the agreement, the House and Senate will first pass a bill that prevents cuts to Medicare and also tees up a subsequent debt ceiling bill to pass by a simple majority in the Senate. The legislation is expected to hit a procedural hurdle Thursday that will require 10 GOP members to help advance the deal. That will pave the way for a bill to increase the debt ceiling that Democrats can pass on their own.
...
Though a GOP aide noted that the Senate routinely has a fast-track process for other issues like arms sales and trade deals, the debt agreement was drawing criticism from conservatives who don’t want to lift a finger to help Democrats extend the nation’s borrowing limit.
...
After 11 Republicans helped Democrats advance a short-term debt hike in early October, McConnell released a letter to Biden warning “I will not provide such assistance again if your all-Democrat government drifts into another avoidable crisis.” McConnell, asked if he had violated that statement, argued that the deal stood by his own red line.