Biden's 1st 100 days live updates: Senate passes COVID relief bill along party lines

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky responded to the decisions by some governors, including Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, to relax COVID-19 precautions, including opening businesses and ending mask mandates, saying the CDC and White House have been very clear about the need to step up protections and not relax them. 

"Today we are at a critical nexus in the pandemic," Walensky said. "So much can turn in the next few weeks. On the one hand, cases in the country are leveling off at rates just on the cusp of potential to resurge."

Walensky made a personal plea to Americans regardless of local policies to continue making choices that will stop the virus from spreading.

"Whether mandated or not, as individuals and as communities, we can still take the right public health action to protect ourselves and others. Wearing a well-fitting mask, avoiding travel and crowds, social distancing, and practicing good hand hygiene," Walensky said. "Now more than ever, we must do all we can to stop the spread of the virus."

-ABC News' Stephanie Ebbs

The withdrawal of Neera Tanden's nomination Tuesday night marked the first Biden appointee to fall at the hands of the 50-50 split Senate, but Wednesday morning, another potentially controversial nominee was advanced out of committee: Xavier Becerra.

The Finance committee voted on a party-line to advance Becerra's nomination to head the Department of Health and Human Services out of committee. No Republicans supported him. 

Democrats tout Becerra's experience as California attorney general, but many in the GOP say they are not sold that he has the relevant experience for the post. It's not entirely clear whether Becerra will have the support necessary to be confirmed. Senator Joe Manchin, D-W.V., has not said yet whether he'll support the nomination.

-ABC News' Allison Pecorin

House Democratic leaders, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Stenny Hoyer, D-Md., Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., released a statement Wednesday endorsing Shalanda Young for director of the Office of Management and Budget. Young was nominated for deputy director of the agency, but some lawmakers threw their weight behind her as director amid criticism of Neera Tanden, Biden's original pick to lead the agency, who withdrew from consideration Tuesday night.

Young appeared before the Senate Budget Committee Tuesday, and was received positively by some lawmakers. She has also gotten the support of Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., top Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee.

-ABC News' Benjamin Siegel

A Democratic aide tells ABC News that the final Senate COVID-19 relief bill makes changes around who will get a $1,400 direct payment.

The payments will begin to phase out at the $75,000 income bracket, and single filers making over $80,000 will not receive payments. For joint filers, payments will begin to phase out at $150,000 income level and joint filers making over $160,000 will not receive payments.
That addresses concern of moderates like Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., who have called for more targeted direct payments.

-ABC News' Trish Turner