Biden's 1st 100 days live updates: Senate passes COVID relief bill along party lines
The final vote was 50-49.
Today is Day 46 of the administration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Latest headlines:
Threats to Capitol prompt House leaders to change schedule
The House has changed its schedule so that the chamber will no longer be in session Thursday given concerns about new threats against the Capitol.
Sources familiar confirm to ABC News the change in schedule is due to security concerns regarding possible militia action on March 4.
The House is expected to wrap up all of its legislative work Wednesday night.
Democrats had planned a Thursday vote on the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021, a massive policing reform bill. That vote will now take place Wednesday night given these new concerns.
As of right now, there are no plans for the Senate to leave early. The Senate is still expected to begin debate and votes on the $1.9 trillion COVID relief plan.
-ABC News' Benjamin Siegel and Mariam Khan
Biden to join Democratic conference
The President will virtually join the House Democratic Caucus on Wednesday afternoon during their annual retreat, also known as the “Issues Conference.” The theme of this year’s conference is “Build Back Better for the People.”
The President will deliver the final keynote address and participate in a brief question and answer period.
Schumer picks all-female leadership team for Senate Sergeant at Arms office
On Wednesday, as Congress heard about serious problems on Jan. 6 regarding the security situation at the Capitol, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that an Army veteran, Retired Army Lt. Gen. Karen Gibson, with extensive intelligence experience will take over as the new Senate Sergeant at Arms.
Schumer unveiled an all-female leadership team heading the Sergeant at Arms office, the office that oversees security at the Capitol.
-ABC News' Trish Turner
Biden says relaxing COVID-19 precautions now is 'neanderthal thinking'
Biden on Wednesday told reporters in the Oval Office that decisions by the Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves to relax COVID-19 restrictions by opening businesses and repealing mask mandates are a "big mistake."
"I think it's a big mistake. Look, I hope everybody has realized by now these masks make a difference," Biden said "We are on the cusp of being able to fundamentally change the nature of this disease because of the way we are able to get vaccine in people’s arms."
Despite the promising increase in vaccinations, Biden said it is not time to relax social distancing measures before enough Americans get the vaccine.
"And the last thing, the last thing we need is the neanderthal thinking that in the meantime everything’s fine, take off your mask, forget it," Biden said. "It still matters."
Biden noted that more than 500,00 Americans have died from the pandemic, saying he keeps a card with that number.
"And it’s critical, critical, critical, critical that they follow the science. Wash your hands. Hot water. Do it frequently. Wear a mask and stay socially distanced. And, I know you all know that," Biden said. "I wish the heck some of our elected officials knew it."