(WASHINGTON) — The number of arrests or detentions of migrants at the border this fiscal year remains at a record high, according to data released Monday — as Republicans level sharp criticism at the Biden administration, even as the White House says it is working to humanely manage immigration and stresses its limited influence over those seeking to enter the country.
U.S. Border Patrol’s apprehensions of migrants have exceeded two million so far this fiscal year, including people who turn themselves into authorities between land ports of entry, according to agency data.
With more than a month still left in the fiscal year, the number of apprehensions marks a significant increase from 2021. That fiscal year, authorities apprehended migrants 1.66 million times and encountered migrants nearly two million times — in what was then a new record. So far in fiscal year 2022, there have been more than 2.4 million migrant encounters.
A growing number of the migrants have been exercising their legal right to avoid deportation via humanitarian claims since the COVID-19 pandemic completely shut down standard immigration processing in March 2020.
The amount of time it takes to resolve the humanitarian claims that migrants can make to remain in the U.S. means many end up staying for months or years while their cases are adjudicated.
Authorities overall saw a 2.2% increase month-over-month in unique encounters with migrants in August, according to the new U.S. Customs and Border Patrol data. That growth came despite fewer migrants from Central America and Mexico, and it was driven by people arriving from Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela, Biden administration officials said Monday.
The administration has had ongoing negotiations with multiple countries that have their own challenges with receiving migrants, the officials said. (Advocates highlight how many of the migrants face economic hardships and sociopolitical turbulence in their home countries.)
The Department of Homeland Security noted on Monday that “more individuals encountered at the border will be removed or expelled this year than any previous year.”
According to the government’s data, of the 203,598 stops along the southwest border last month, more than two-thirds involved single adults and 48% of the single-adult encounters resulted in rapid expulsion from the country pursuant to a Trump-era public health order under Title 42 of U.S. federal law, which cuts down opportunities for migrants to make legal claims to avoid deportation.
Slightly more than 1.04 million Border Patrol apprehensions resulted in a Title 42 expulsion in fiscal year 2021.
Amid the scrutiny of high immigration numbers, Biden administration officials have said that, in their view, the pent-up demand for humanitarian relief during the peak of the COVID-19 health crisis was compounded by former President Donald Trump’s hardline immigration restrictions, including measures that forced asylum-seekers back into Mexico while their claims were processed in the U.S.
As the government has sought to roll back those restrictions, including the “remain in Mexico” policy, officials have also enhanced enforcement efforts, which is a driving force behind the historically high level of apprehensions.
In May, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas described a six-point plan to address border migration when the department was preparing for the end of the Title 42 order before its rescission was blocked in court.
“What we are doing is surging personnel — both at U.S. Customs and Border Protection, specifically the Border Patrol, as well as enforcement and removal operations within Immigration and Customs Enforcement — to bring expedited removal, that’s immigration enforcement proceedings, to the fullest extent that we can,” Mayorkas told lawmakers.
At the time, the secretary testified to plans that included increasing processing speeds to avoid overcrowding at border stations and a resource surge to bolster migrant transportation for those held in U.S. custody as well as medical services.
Officials said Monday that the administration continues to implement and update these plans.
Meanwhile, Republicans have denounced the White House’s approach to the high level of immigration. Some GOP leaders in border states and elsewhere have also used the migrants as part of public stunts to underline their criticism — buying bus and plane tickets to send the migrants to Democratic states where local officials were caught off guard.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said this week his city needs help in receiving the migrants that have arrived so far, a request that does not appear to resonate with officials in Texas, including Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who are managing a level of migrant arrivals many times greater compared to the number they sent north.
“We’ve reached out and stated that, let’s coordinate and work together so we can deal with this crisis together,” Adams told ABC News’ Jonathan Karl on This Week on Sunday. “They refused to do so.”
“They took the call and stated that they would coordinate — I’m talking about Gov. Abbott — they would coordinate, and they did not coordinate at all because I don’t think it was politically expedient for them to coordinate,” Adams added. “It was more to do this, basically, political showmanship that you’re seeing now.”
Abbott’s office, which has said in August that the White House’s immigration policy was “overwhelming Texas communities,” did not respond to questions from ABC News about the level of coordination between officials.
(NEW YORK) — There are early signs that new monkeypox cases are slowing down in the U.S.
Experts are optimistic that the virus can be completely eliminated from the U.S. While challenges remain, recent improvement in vaccination efforts could lead to complete elimination but it may take years, experts say.
“Elimination is going to become more challenging because you can imagine that even if we drive cases down, there’s still going to be potentially sustained transmission,” said Dr. John Brownstein, an ABC News contributor and chief innovation officer at Boston Children’s Hospital.
Public health efforts toward behavior modification and vaccination are showing reassuring results with only 78 new cases reported on Sept. 14. Since May, nearly 60,000 cases of monkeypox have been found in over 100 countries globally.
Historically, monkeypox has been found in 10 countries in central and western African, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). But in the spring of 2022, the virus began spreading in North America, Europe and other continents that historically haven’t witnessed major, prolonged outbreaks.
“I think the goal is containment by continuing treating and educating,” said Dr. Richard Silvera, an associate program director of the Infectious Diseases Fellowship and assistant professor of medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
Monkeypox is rarely deadly but often has painful symptoms, including blisters and a rash. The virus primarily spreads through close contact, including hugging or touching someone with a rash.
To contain and hopefully eliminate the virus, experts believe it is important to monitor animals for monkeypox because animals can also carry the virus and pass it to humans.
“The way to eliminate it is to ensure that there’s no domestic animal species that becomes a reservoir,” said Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.
In previous testing efforts, several animal species have been found to be susceptible to the monkeypox virus. There is no confirmed reservoir for the virus and experts believe further studies and surveillance will be key in elimination and even global eradication.
“There’s a lot to be encouraged by” but it’s “going to depend upon if we’re able to contain this in the human population,” said Dr. Anne Rimoin, a professor of epidemiology at the University of California, Los Angeles.
In an effort to contain the global outbreak, the WHO released a public health advisory in July for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. Anyone can get monkeypox but because the current outbreak affected this group first, it has continued to spread among men who have sex with men — now the most at-risk population. The WHO is encouraging people to share only non-stigmatizing information from trustworthy sources in order to combat misinformation and help slow the spread.
Survey and vaccination data suggest that gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men are largely aware of the monkeypox outbreak and taking steps to slow the spread of the virus. Rimoin said this is due to the group being “very willing to talk about things that are complicated.”
As of mid-September, the U.S. has vaccinated nearly 500,000 people against monkeypox.
“We must continue to aggressively respond using our entire toolkit, including vaccination, testing, and education about risk to inform behavior change,” said Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky.
Although many experts are cautiously optimistic about the outbreak in the U.S., others say it’s possible monkeypox is here to stay.
“We’re probably going to see monkeypox cases for years to come,” Brownstein said.
(WASHINGTON) — A hotter-than-expected inflation report last week dispelled hopes of relief for strained households and rekindled questions about U.S. policy for fighting sky-high prices.
The Federal Reserve has instituted a series of aggressive interest rate hikes in recent months as it tries to slash price increases by slowing the economy and choking off demand. But the approach risks tipping the U.S. into an economic downturn and putting millions out of work.
Moreover, the rate hikes have failed to significantly reduce prices, prompting suggestions of policy alternatives that some economists told ABC News would better address the root causes of inflation, provide relief for struggling consumers and forgo the danger posed by a possible recession.
On the other hand, some economists told ABC News that the Fed’s rate hikes are the best tool for fighting inflation but the central bank hasn’t increased them far enough. For its part, the central bank is set to impose another major rate hike on Thursday.
Economists who support policy alternatives propose measures like price controls, a windfall profits tax on some corporations that charge high prices and a dramatic expansion of U.S. production to address supply shortages.
“The inflation over the last couple of years caught a lot of people off guard,” Lauren Melodia, the deputy director for fiscal and economic policies at the research group Center for New York City Affairs at The New School, told ABC News. “There’s a way in which society wants one solution for something.”
Here’s what you need to know about alternative policy solutions for fighting inflation:
Price controls
One of the most widely discussed and controversial solutions for inflation is price controls.
The thinking behind it is simple: When prices are pummeling consumers, the government imposes a measure that prohibits companies from selling particular goods above a certain price. Milk could face one price cap, for instance; soap could face another.
Isabella Weber, an economics professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a proponent of price controls, said the limits could be targeted toward specific items that have experienced particularly sharp price increases, especially essential goods like gas and food.
“Price controls help you avoid a price explosion,” Weber told ABC News.
There is a precedent for price controls in the U.S. To stem inflation brought about by supply shortages during World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt empowered the newly created Office of Price Administration to cap prices on a slew of products. The move is widely credited with helping to limit inflation during the war, but it also gave rise to a black market for some items.
Decades later, in 1971, President Richard Nixon imposed price controls in an effort to slash inflation and ensure his re-election the following year. The controls remained in place until 1974 but were seen by many as ineffective at reining in price hikes.
The different outcomes in the 1940s and 1970s show that price controls help fight inflation but not in every case, Weber said, adding that price controls only limit inflation temporarily as other fixes address the causes behind the price pressures.
“It’s not that price controls always work or never work,” she said. “Price controls can work in certain contexts if tailored the right way.”
Some economists, however, reject the notion of targeted price controls.
“Every price is connected to every other price in the economy,” Catherine Pakaluk, a professor of economics at the Busch School of Business at Catholic University, told ABC News. “If you put certain products at bargain rates in relation to the rest of the economy, they get scooped up even faster and it generates supply shortages.”
For example, a price control on milk would prompt shoppers to load up on it and avoid comparatively high items that lack controls, such as meat, Pakaluk said.
The fear of empty shelves carries heightened concern because supply shortages remain a central cause of U.S. inflation and price controls could exacerbate that root problem even further, Pakaluk added.
“The economy is already suffering a really bad situation with shortages,” she said.
Windfall profits tax
Rather than limit prices, some solutions seek to rein in corporate profits.
A windfall profits tax rests on the premise that inflation has resulted in part from alleged price gouging committed by corporations that have reported record profits amid the inflation crisis, such as oil giants.
In theory, a tax on excessive profits should disincentivize profiteering and bring prices down.
Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., backed a bill in May that would empower a federal agency and state attorneys general to enforce a ban on excessive price hikes.
On the whole, economists sharply disagree over the extent to which excessive profits have contributed to inflation. Similarly, economists who spoke to ABC News differed on whether a windfall profits tax would bring down prices.
Benjamin Powell, a senior fellow at the Independent Institute, dismissed the solution, saying it poses the same risk as price controls: exacerbating supply shortages.
“It will just discourage some businesses from supplying goods that are already in short supply,” he said.
Melodia, of the Center for New York City Affairs, disagreed. Because businesses seek to optimize profit, the economy needs a safeguard to prevent them from doing so when prices are highly elevated, she said.
“There is so much evidence over the past couple years that corporations have had increased profits across the board – not just in the oil industry,” she said. “We don’t want companies jacking up prices because they can.”
Some economists, however, told ABC News that a windfall profits tax may push prices higher rather than bring them down.
Richard Wolff, an author and professor of economics emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, said the measure would need additional protections because otherwise it could drive companies to hike prices even more to overcome the losses imposed by the tax.
“What it becomes is an incentive to raise prices,” he said.
Ramp up production
Another policy for fighting inflation centers on an expansion of U.S. production in order to address a supply shortage.
At bottom, inflation owes to an imbalance between supply and demand. The surge in demand for goods and labor has far outpaced supply, as COVID-related bottlenecks have slowed delivery times and interrupted services while infection fears have kept workers on the sidelines.
One way to address that imbalance is to dramatically increase supply, thereby bringing it in balance with outsized demand.
Economists who spoke to ABC News largely agreed on the prudence of increased U.S. production but said it would not address immediate inflation, since the necessary output overhaul would take several years.
“It’s the most important thing we could be doing if we want sustained growth without price pressure,” J.W. Mason, a professor of economics at John Jay College, told ABC News. “We should be investing in capacity.”
The policy approach will likely take several years, he added.
“It’s not an immediate or short-term solution,” he said. “Obviously, it’s not going to limit price increases over the next months or year.”
Powell, of the Independent Institute, shared the support for increased U.S. production but opposed public investment. Instead, he said the U.S. should remove current policies that impede private sector growth.
He said he supports “lowering taxes and regulatory barriers that prevent entrepreneurs from bringing new investment.”
Regardless of where they stood on particular policies, several economists told ABC News that the U.S. needs a robust public dialogue about whether to pursue further rate hikes or explore alternatives.
“It’s a big fat mess,” said Wolff. “There should’ve been a debate before launching into interest rates. There should’ve been a discussion between political leaders and the public.”
(NEW YORK) — “Guys, these are the most comfortable bras you will ever wear,” Kim Kardashian said while giving the world a glimpse of her shapewear brand’s latest launch.
The reality TV star and businesswoman announced that SKIMS will be releasing a collection of bras on Sept. 27.
Throughout the brand’s teaser video, a wide variety of models of different sizes and shapes are shown wearing the bras in several different neutral tones.
“Over the last three years, we’ve been developing an innovative system of bras using the best technology, designing options for every need,” SKIMS said in a statement.
The brand also shared that the new line of bras features comfortable, soft materials that provide optimal shape and support that feels seamless.
While SKIMS already offered bralettes, the introduction of the underwire bras comes with the goal of blending the comfort and ease of a bralette paired with the shape and support of an underwire bra.
While no other details about the new collection have been shared just yet, SKIMS fans still have the option to shop the brand’s most recently launched fleece loungewear collection released earlier this month. The line features a mashup of hoodies, joggers, shorts and more.
(NEW YORK) — Fashion influencer Caitlin Covington has become a go-to for everyday outfit inspiration, with more than one million followers on Instagram.
Now, Covington has teamed up with apparel brand Liverpool Los Angeles to curate an exclusive collection for fall.
“I have been a huge fan of Liverpool jeans for many years now — the quality of their products is unmatched,” Covington said in an interview with ABC News’ Good Morning America.
Items from the collection include staples like blazers, button down shirts, sweaters and denim.
“My number one goal is for women to feel confident when wearing these pieces,” Covington said.
The pieces are made to be versatile so they can be layered or worn on their own.
“You won’t know what looks good until you actually try adding on layers — don’t be afraid to get creative and use pieces that you already own in your closet, like a waist-accentuating belt or a warm scarf,” she added.
Prep your closet for fall by shopping the collection, which is available now at Nordstrom.
(WASHINGTON) — President Joe Biden spoke Monday with Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi about the federal government’s support after the island territory was hit this weekend by deadly Hurricane Fiona.
According to the White House, Biden — who spoke by phone with Pierluisi from Air Force One while returning from the state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II — discussed his administration’s support for Puerto Rico’s emergency and recovery efforts in the aftermath of Fiona, which killed at least one person in Puerto Rico and one person in the French territory of Guadeloupe.
The hurricane also left the entire island of Puerto Rico without power, which a major local energy company said would take days to resolve.
The White House said that Biden told Pierluisi the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Deanne Criswell, will go to San Juan on Tuesday to meet with local and state officials and affected citizens to assess urgent needs.
The White House said the president described “the surge of Federal support to the island, where more than 300 Federal personnel are already working to assist with response and recovery.”
With Puerto Rico still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Maria almost exactly five years ago — a disaster that led to intense scrutiny of the federal government’s response under then-President Donald Trump — Biden insisted he will ensure federal officials remain on the job to get it done, the White House said.
According to the Government Accountability Office, FEMA efforts supporting Puerto Rico after Maria were the biggest and longest in the agency’s history.
As of April 2018, $12 billion had been committed by FEMA for response and recovery.
(LONDON) — Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II “died peacefully” on Thursday, Sept. 8, at Balmoral Castle, the British royal family’s estate in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, according to a statement from Buckingham Palace. She was 96.
Elizabeth was Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. She ascended to the throne in 1952 and, in June, celebrated her Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years as queen.
Here’s how the news is developing. All times Eastern:
Sep 19, 11:51 AM EDT
Coffin descends into royal vault
Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin has descended into the royal vault at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor, marking the end of the queen’s public funeral services.
Sep 19, 11:16 AM EDT
Committal service begins at St. George’s Chapel
Queen Elizabeth’s committal service is underway at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
Guests at the service include United Kingdom Prime Minister Liz Truss and former Prime Minister Tony Blair.
At the end of the service, Queen Elizabeth’s coffin will be lowered into the royal vault.
Sep 19, 11:00 AM EDT
Coffin arrives in Windsor for committal service
Queen Elizabeth’s coffin has arrived at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor for the final ceremony of the week, a committal service. Elizabeth will be reunited with her husband, Prince Philip, and her coffin will be lowered into the royal vault.
The hearse is draped with flowers thrown by onlookers.
Sep 19, 10:41 AM EDT
Minister recounts conversations with queen in her final days
Rev. Dr. Iain Greenshields, moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, recounted to ABC News the weekend he spent with Queen Elizabeth in Balmoral in her final days.
“She was 96 and you could see her fragility, but as soon as she started talking and as soon as she was engaged with you, a different kind of person emerged,” Greenshields said.
She was still filled with her signature humor, he noted.
“I was staying in a place called the Tower Rooms and she said, ‘Your queen is sending you to the tower.’ She just smiled at me as she said that, and she made sure that I understood, that I got the joke,” he said.
Greenshields said he gifted the queen crosses made by prisoners in Scotland.
“I asked her what I could possibly give to somebody who has everything, and she smiled at me. I offered her the cross, and she took it very graciously and she wished me the very best in my year ahead as the moderator of the Church of Scotland,” he said.
For Queen Elizabeth, faith was “fundamental,” he said.
“She said right at the beginning of her time, when she was becoming queen, that she was going to ask God for wisdom,” he said, “and that’s something that persisted throughout her life.”
“When I was chatting to her about her faith, she spoke about it and said she had no regrets about starting that journey of faith. She had no regrets at all,” Greenshields said.
Greenshields called her death “astonishing,” noting that she’d been “so vital, so alive, so engaging.”
Sep 19, 10:10 AM EDT
Coffin arrives in Windsor for committal service
Queen Elizabeth’s coffin has arrived in Windsor for the final ceremony of the week, a committal service at St. George’s Chapel. Elizabeth will be reunited with her husband, Prince Philip, and her coffin will be lowered into the royal vault.
The hearse is draped with flowers thrown by onlookers.
Sep 19, 9:59 AM EDT
Biden returns to US
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden are aboard Air Force One heading home to the United States after attending Queen Elizabeth’s funeral.
Meanwhile, Michelle Obama on Monday recounted her first memory with the queen in a video on Instagram, and wrote, “My heart goes out to the Royal Family and all those mourning Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s passing.”
Sep 19, 9:00 AM EDT
Coffin departs London for final time
Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin has departed London for the final time following Monday’s funeral service and powerful procession.
Now the coffin is in a hearse and is en route to St. George’s Chapel in Windsor where a committal service will be held.
Princess Anne, the queen’s only daughter, is in the car behind the hearse, accompanying her mother on each step of this final journey.
Prince William’s two oldest children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, stood alongside their parents, watching the coffin be placed into the hearse. Prince Charlotte is wearing a horse brooch given to her by Queen Elizabeth.
After a solemn service and procession, the crowds cheered and threw flowers as the hearse drove by.
Sep 19, 7:15 AM EDT
Procession underway from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch
Queen Elizabeth’s funeral service at Westminster Abbey has concluded. Now beginning is a procession through London, from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch.
From there, the coffin will be driven to Windsor for a committal service.
Sep 19, 7:01 AM EDT
Funeral ends with 2 minutes of silence
Queen Elizabeth’s nearly one-hour funeral service at Westminster Abbey ended with a national two minutes of silence.
Sep 19, 6:06 AM EDT
Prince George, Princess Charlotte walk behind coffin with parents
Queen Elizabeth’s children walked in directly by her casket as it was taken into Westminster Hall for Monday’s funeral.
Also in the procession were William, Prince of Wales, and his wife Kate, the Princess of Wales, as well as their two eldest children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
Harry, the Duke of Sussex, and his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex also walked with the family behind the casket.
Sep 19, 6:01 AM EDT
What to expect after funeral service
Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral will take place from 6 a.m. ET to about 6:55 a.m. ET on Monday. The service will be followed by two minutes of silence.
Following the funeral, there will be a procession from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch, passing Buckingham Palace on the way.
At 8 a.m. ET, the coffin will be placed in a hearse and driven to Windsor.
At 11 a.m. ET, the committal service will begin at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor, ending with the coffin lowered into the royal vault.
Sep 19, 6:14 AM EDT
Westminster Abbey bells will be muffled following Queen Elizabeth’s funeral
From approximately 8:15 a.m. ET, once the coffin procession and the king’s procession have both departed from Wellington Arch for Windsor, the bells at Westminster Abbey will ring fully muffled throughout the afternoon.
This only ever occurs after the funeral of a sovereign.
Sep 19, 4:38 AM EDT
All public access areas for the queen’s funeral procession in London are now full
All public viewing areas for the Queen’s funeral procession are full, London’s City Hall has said in a statement posted on social media.
They are now asking the public to go to Hyde Park where large screen monitors will broadcast the funeral live.
Sep 17, 1:34 PM EDT
Queen’s grandchildren hold vigil inside Westminster Hall
The queen’s grandchildren gathered for a vigil in Westminster Hall on Saturday as mourners passed through and paid their respects.
Sep 17, 1:34 PM EDT
Prince Andrew, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will not attend State Reception
Despite earlier reports that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were invited to a State Reception of World Leaders on Sunday, only working members of the royal family have been invited.
Sep 17, 1:31 PM EDT
King Charles II meets with Commonwealth prime ministers
King Charles II met with prime ministers of Commonwealth countries Canada, Australia, the Bahamas, Jamaica and New Zealand on Saturday, according to Buckingham Palace.
These were the king’s first meetings with country leaders as head of state.
Sep 17, 1:09 PM EDT
Princesses Beatrice, Eugenie pay tribute to the queen
Prince Andrew’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, released their first public statement since the death of the queen, saying it has been the honor of their lives to be her granddaughters.
“We, like many, thought you’d be here forever. And we all miss you terribly,” the princesses said in a statement.
They went on, “For now dear Grannie, all we want to say is thank you. Thank you for making us laugh, for including us, for picking heather and raspberries, for marching soldiers, for our teas, for comfort, for joy. You, being you, will never know the impact you have had on our family and so many people around the world.”
Sep 17, 10:35 AM EDT
Bidens depart for UK ahead of queen’s funeral
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden departed from the White House on Saturday and are headed to London to attend Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral on Monday.
Sep 17, 9:00 AM EDT
King Charles III, Prince William make surprise visit to Westminster
King Charles III and Prince William made a surprise visit to Westminster Hall, meeting with mourners who stood in line to view the queen’s coffin.
Mourners took photographs of Charles and William, pressing up against metal barriers to speak to them and shake hands.
Sep 17, 7:53 AM EDT
King Charles III schedules more meetings at Buckingham Palace on Saturday
The newly-crowned monarch will undertake several audiences at Buckingham Palace today.
At 5:45 a.m. ET, the King received the First Sea Lord, Chief of the Air Staff, Chief of the General Staff, Chief of the Defence Staff, Vice Chief of Defence Staff and the Commander of United Kingdom Strategic Command. They met in the 1844 Room of Buckingham Palace.
Then at 8 a.m. ET, King Charles III will meet with the Governors General of the Realms for a reception and lunch.
Following the meal, the King is scheduled to receive the Prime Ministers of the Realms at 10:45 a.m., which will also take place in the 1844 Room.
Sep 16, 3:30 PM EDT
Man who fought Windsor Castle fire waits in line to pay respects
Peter Stratford, one of the firefighters who battled the blaze at Windsor Castle in 1992, joined the queue to pay his respects to Queen Elizabeth II.
Stratford, from Surrey, said he met the queen five years later when he was invited to a reception at Windsor Castle to celebrate its restoration.
“She was so lovely,” Stratford told ABC News on Friday as he waited in line.
“I’m 70 years of age,” he said. “Seventy years she’s been my queen. It’s very touching.”
Sep 16, 2:55 PM EDT
King Charles, Princess Anne, Princes Andrew and Edward hold vigil at queen’s coffin
Queen Elizabeth’s children — King Charles, Princess Anne and Princes Andrew and Edward — have arrived at Westminster Hall to hold vigil in front of their mother’s coffin.
Members of the public remained in line and silently filed past the queen’s children as other members of the royal family — including Camilla, the Queen Consort, and grandchildren of Queen Elizabeth — watched.
Andrew, who served in the Royal Navy and flew in the Falklands War, was permitted to wear his military uniform for the vigil even though he was stripped of his honorary military roles following his alleged involvement in the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking scandal.
Queen Elizabeth’s eight grandchildren will hold vigil at her coffin on Saturday, including the heir to the throne, William, the Prince of Wales, and his brother, Harry, the Duke of Sussex. King Charles requested that William and Harry both wear military uniforms at the vigil, which will mark the first event since the queen’s death that Harry is seen in uniform. (Harry has a decadelong career in the military, including two tours of duty in Afghanistan, but he’s no longer a working royal).
Sep 16, 2:04 PM EDT
King Charles speaks on diversity
King Charles said to faith leaders at Buckingham Palace on Friday, “I am a committed Anglican Christian, and at my Coronation I will take an oath relating to the settlement of the Church of England.”
But he also spoke of diversity in Britain.
“I have always thought of Britain as a ‘community of communities,'” he said.
Charles said he feels the sovereign has a “duty to protect the diversity of our country, including by protecting the space for Faith itself and its practice through the religions, cultures, traditions and beliefs to which our hearts and minds direct us as individuals.”
Sep 16, 11:50 AM EDT
Queen’s youngest son on ‘precious’ family memories
Prince Edward, Queen Elizabeth’s youngest child, opened up in a personal statement Friday, saying, “The Queen’s passing has left an unimaginable void in all our lives.”
“Sophie and I have taken huge pleasure in seeing our [children] James and Louise enjoying the places and activities that their grandparents loved so much. Given that my mama let us spend so much time with her, I think she also rather enjoyed watching those passions blossom,” he said. “Those times together, those happy memories, have now become massively precious to each and every one of us.”
Edward said he’s “overwhelmed by the tide of emotion that has engulfed us and the sheer number of people who have gone out of their way to express their own love, admiration and respect to such a very special and unique person who was always there for us.”
He also looked to the future, ending his statement with, “May God bless Her Majesty and may her memory be long cherished even as the baton she has carried for these past 70 years now passes to the next generation and to my brother, Charles. Long Live The King.”
Sep 16, 11:06 AM EDT
Prince and Princess of Wales thank troops
William, the prince of Wales, and his wife Kate, the princess of Wales, are in Surrey to thank troops from the Commonwealth who are in the United Kingdom to participate in Monday’s funeral.
Sep 16, 9:50 AM EDT
David Beckham joins queue
Soccer star David Beckham was spotted waiting with fellow Brits in the hourslong queue to pay his respects to Queen Elizabeth II.
Sep 16, 8:37 AM EDT
King says Prince of Wales title ‘was a privilege’
King Charles and Camilla, the Queen Consort, are in Wales on Friday to meet with leaders and members of the public.
To the Welsh leaders, the king said, “Through all the years of her reign, the land of Wales could not have been closer to my mother’s heart.”
“It was a privilege to be Prince of Wales for so long,” Charles said. “Now my son, William, will bear the title. He has a deep love for Wales.”
“I take up my new duties with immense gratitude for the privilege of having been able to serve as Prince of Wales,” he said. “That ancient title, dating from the time of those great Welsh rulers, like Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, whose memory is still rightly honoured, I now pass to my son, William, whose love for this corner of the Earth is made all the greater by the years he himself has spent here.”
Sep 16, 5:18 AM EDT
UK government says line to view queen lying in state is currently full
The British government has said that nobody may join the line to view the queen lying in state at Westminster Hall for at least six hours because the queue is full.
At the moment, the line is over 5 miles long, the longest it has been so far since people started queueing on Wednesday. The estimated wait time in line is approximately 14 hours and it stretches all the way out to Southwark Park.
Sep 15, 8:35 AM EDT
What to expect Thursday
The public won’t see King Charles on Thursday as he takes a day to “collect and reflect.”
Queen Elizabeth II’s casket is lying in state all day at Westminster Hall and members of the public have lined up for miles to get a chance to pay their respects.
William, prince of Wales, and Kate, princess of Wales, are in Sandringham on Thursday to view tributes, while Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, the countess of Wessex, are viewing tributes in Manchester.
Sep 15, 8:24 AM EDT
Members of the public queue for miles to see coffin
The line for members of the public to view the late Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin was approximately 4 miles long by Thursday afternoon, according to the U.K. Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
A mother holding her baby was among the thousands of mourners waiting for hours to pay their respects.
The late monarch is lying in state at London’s Westminster Hall until her funeral on Monday.
Sep 15, 8:20 AM EDT
Will and Kate visit Sandringham to see tributes to queen
William, prince of Wales, and Kate, princess of Wales, are in Sandringham on Thursday to view the tributes to William’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.
Sep 15, 8:04 AM EDT
Charles III will be known as first climate king, experts say
King Charles III wants to protect the planet for future generations — a passion he has highlighted throughout his decades as monarch-in-waiting.
Now, Charles ascends the throne as the longest-serving prince of Wales in British history. And in those six decades, he not only voiced his concerns about the destructive processes that are harming the Earth but implemented sustainable, organic practices in his own homes.
“His mother took the crown at a very young age, and nobody knew what she stood for,” David Victor, a professor of innovation and public policy at the University of California at San Diego’s School of Global Policy and Strategy and author of Fixing the Climate: Strategies for an Uncertain World, told ABC News. “Whereas he is taking the crown very late in age, and everybody knows what he stands for — and for a whole range of topics.”
Sep 15, 7:47 AM EDT
Royal guard faints at queen’s lying-in-state
A royal guard apparently fainted as he watched over the coffin holding the late Queen Elizabeth II at London’s Westminster Hall.
The incident was captured on BBC News’ live streaming broadcast early Thursday at around 1 a.m. local time. A guard, who was standing at the foot of the coffin, appeared to faint and fall to the ground.
BBC suspended its livestream following the incident.
Guards clad in ceremonial uniform are maintaining a 24-hour vigil around the coffin inside Westminster Hall.
Sep 14, 12:08 PM EDT
Doors of Westminster Hall open to public
The doors of Westminster Hall have now been opened to the public to allow people to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth as she lies in state.
Lines have been forming for the last 24 hours as Londoners hope to get the chance to walk by the queen’s casket.
The last member of the royal family to lie in state at Westminster Hall was Queen Elizabeth’s mother, who died in 2002.
Sep 14, 10:42 AM EDT
Biden calls King Charles, offers condolences
President Joe Biden spoke Wednesday with King Charles III to offer his condolences, according to a statement from the White House.
Biden hopes “to continue a close relationship with the King,” the statement said.
“The President recalled fondly the Queen’s kindness and hospitality, including when she hosted him and the First Lady at Windsor Castle last June,” the statement said. “He also conveyed the great admiration of the American people for the Queen, whose dignity and constancy deepened the enduring friendship and special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom.”
Sep 14, 10:11 AM EDT
Procession from Buckingham Palace ends at Westminster Hall
Queen Elizabeth’s coffin has arrived at Westminster Hall following a procession from Buckingham Palace.
The royal family will now take part in a brief service.
Then Westminster Hall will open to the public to allow people to pay respects to the queen.
Sep 14, 9:25 AM EDT
Queen’s children, grandsons walk behind coffin
Queen Elizabeth’s four children — King Charles, Princess Anne and Princes Andrew and Edward — are walking directly behind the coffin during the procession.
Walking behind the queen’s children are: William, the prince of Wales; his brother Harry, the duke of Sussex; and the brothers’ cousin, Peter Phillips. This marked the second time since the queen’s death that William and Harry were seen in public together amid reports of tension between the brothers.
Several spouses of the children and grandchildren are traveling by car: Camilla, the queen consort; Kate, the princess of Wales; Meghan, the duchess of Sussex; and Sophie, the countess of Wessex.
Members of the queen’s close personal staff are also participating in the procession.
Londoners have lined the route to watch the solemn procession. Big Ben is tolling at one-minute intervals and minute guns are firing from Hyde Park.
Sep 14, 8:31 AM EDT
What to expect Wednesday
On Wednesday, a procession will take Queen Elizabeth’s coffin from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, where it will lie in state until her funeral on Monday, Sept. 19.
The procession, which begins at 9:22 a.m. ET, includes King Charles and members of the royal family.
The coffin will arrive at Westminster Hall at 10 a.m. ET which will be followed by a short service.
At 6 p.m. ET, Westminster Hall will open to the public to allow them to pay their respects as Queen Elizabeth lies in state.
Sep 14, 5:14 AM EDT
Heathrow flights to be delayed during queen’s coffin procession on Wednesday
Heathrow Airport flights will be delayed so they do not disturb the Queen’s coffin procession on Wednesday. The west London airport said in a statement that “out of respect” for the mourning period it will be making “appropriate alterations to our operation”.
These include flights being disrupted between 1:50 p.m. and 3:40 p.m. on Wednesday to “ensure silence over central London as the ceremonial procession moves from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall.”
Sep 13, 6:46 PM EDT
Who’s set to march in Wednesday’s procession of queen’s coffin
The procession of Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin on Wednesday will leave from Buckingham Palace at 9:22 a.m. ET and arrive at Westminster Hall at 10 a.m. ET, a palace spokesperson said.
Members of the royal family who will be in the procession include King Charles III; Prince Andrew, duke of York; Anne, princess Royal; Prince Edward, earl of Wessex; William, prince of Wales; and Harry, duke of Sussex, among others, the spokesperson said.
Other members of the royal family will travel to the hall by car, including Camilla, queen consort; Sophie, countess of Wessex; Catherine, princess of Wales; and Meghan, duchess of Sussex, according to the spokesperson.
Once they arrive at Westminster Hall, the archbishop of Canterbury will lead a short service. The queen’s lying in state will begin at noon ET.
Sep 13, 3:13 PM EDT
Coffin arrives at Buckingham Palace
The public cheered as the hearse carrying Queen Elizabeth’s coffin pulled into Buckingham Palace Tuesday.
Queen Elizabeth’s children and grandchildren were to meet the late queen’s casket as it arrived at Buckingham Palace, according to the palace.
Huge crowd of mourners gathers as Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin arrives home at Buckingham Palace.
Sep 13, 2:38 PM EDT
Hearse carrying queen’s coffin en route to Buckingham Palace
After the plane carrying Queen Elizabeth’s coffin landed at Royal Air Force Northolt in England, the coffin was moved to a state hearse.
The hearse is headed to Buckingham Palace where the coffin will be greeted by King Charles and his family.
The state hearse was designed by The Royal Household and Jaguar Land Rover, and Queen Elizabeth was consulted on the plans, according to a palace spokesperson. The hearse was designed to allow members of the public to have a clear view of the coffin, the spokesperson said.
Sep 13, 2:15 PM EDT
Canada announces national day of mourning
Canada will mark the death of Queen Elizabeth with a national day of mourning on the day of the funeral, Monday, Sept. 19.
“There are still a few details to be worked out, but declaring an opportunity for Canadians to mourn on Monday is going to be important,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at a news conference in New Brunswick Tuesday. “For our part, we will be letting federal employees know that Monday will be a day of mourning.”
Sep 13, 2:12 PM EDT
Princess Anne releases statement on queen’s death
Princess Anne, Queen Elizabeth’s only daughter, said in a statement Tuesday, “I was fortunate to share the last 24 hours of my dearest Mother’s life.”
Anne, who has been accompanying her mother’s casket from Scotland to England said, “The love and respect shown by so many on these journeys has been both humbling and uplifting.”
She added, “I am also so grateful for the support and understanding offered to my dear brother Charles as he accepts the added responsibilities of The Monarch. To my mother, The Queen, thank you.”
Sep 13, 1:55 PM EDT
Plane carrying queen’s coffin lands in England
The plane carrying Queen Elizabeth’s coffin has landed at Royal Air Force Northolt in England. A hearse will now carry the coffin to Buckingham Palace where it will be greeted by King Charles and his family.
The plane carrying Queen Elizabeth’s coffin has departed from Edinburgh Airport to head to London.
Princess Anne is traveling to London alongside the coffin.
Meanwhile, King Charles has left Northern Ireland to return to London.
Charles and his family will greet the coffin at Buckingham Palace.
Sep 13, 11:58 AM EDT
People line up in London to see queen more than 24 hours before doors open
People have already started lining up in London to see Queen Elizabeth lying in state, even though the first mourners will not be let in until 5 p.m. local time Wednesday.
About one dozen people are in line so far, most with camping chairs.
They are ready to wait all night under the rain, worried that otherwise they risk missing their chance to pay their respects.
Glyn Norris, 63, who was setting up to wait, told ABC News it was a “no-brainer” to be there already.
“She’s reigned for 70 years — 24 hours in the rain isn’t going to hurt me,” he said. “She’s been with me for 63 years. She’s like a grandmother that I’ve never met.”
People in the line are not allowed to camp in tents, so he and others will just be in coats or sitting up in sleeping bags.
“I have pretty much everything I need for the next day and a half,” Norris said. “I’ve got an umbrella, I’ve got chargers, I’ve got batteries, I’ve got food, I’ve got drink, I’ve got warm clothing for the evening, gloves, fleece, over jacket, hat.”
He said of the queen, “I think she’s done a fantastic job. And I’m very proud to be British.”
-ABC News’ Patrick Reevell
Sep 13, 11:37 AM EDT
US House to honor queen with moment of silence
The House of Representatives will hold a moment of silence on the floor Tuesday evening to recognize Queen Elizabeth II.
Sep 13, 9:10 AM EDT
What to expect Tuesday: Coffin to arrive at Buckingham Palace
As King Charles III and his wife Camilla, the queen consort, visit Northern Ireland Tuesday, the coffin of the king’s late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, remains at St. Giles’ Cathedral in Scotland.
Around noon ET, Queen Elizabeth’s coffin will be taken by hearse from St. Giles’ Cathedral to Edinburgh Airport. At about 1 p.m. ET, the plane carrying the coffin will take off for London, with Princess Anne, Queen Elizabeth’s only daughter, on board.
The coffin is set to arrive at Buckingham Palace at about 3 p.m. ET. King Charles, Camilla and other members of the royal family will greet the coffin as it arrives.
People are expected to line the streets of London to watch the hearse drive by on its way to Buckingham Palace.
Sep 13, 7:33 AM EDT
King, queen consort arrive in Northern Ireland
King Charles III and his wife Camilla, the queen consort, are in Belfast in Northern Ireland on Tuesday to meet with leaders and attend a service in honor of the king’s late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
During Tuesday’s trip, Charles will meet with the secretary of state for Northern Ireland, the speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly and the leaders of Northern Ireland’s five biggest political parties. The king and queen consort will then attend a service at St. Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast before flying to London.
Sep 13, 5:36 AM EDT
Queen Elizabeth II set to make final journey to London on Tuesday
Thousands of well-wishers in Scotland have been paying their respects to Queen Elizabeth II as her coffin currently remains at St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh until 12 p.m. ET. The queen, accompanied by the Princess Royal, will then will start her final journey to London.
The queen’s coffin is expected to land at RAF Northolt at approximately 2 p.m. ET. It will then be driven to London before arriving at Buckingham Palace at 2:50 p.m. The route she will take to the palace has been publicized and large crowds are expected, along with an outpouring of emotion, as the queen returns to her capital for the last time.
Queen Elizabeth II will lie in state at Westminster Hall for four days beginning on Wednesday at 12 p.m. ET.
Sep 12, 4:10 PM EDT
Queen’s children hold vigil at her coffin
King Charles III and his siblings, Princess Anne and Princes Andrew and Edward, held a vigil at their mother’s coffin at St. Giles’ Cathedral in Scotland.
On Tuesday, Princess Anne will travel with the queen’s coffin to London.
Sep 12, 1:48 PM EDT
King Charles addresses Scottish Parliament
King Charles III was greeted by Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon when he arrived at Scottish Parliament on Monday.
Charles said to Parliament members, “I know that the Scottish Parliament and the people of Scotland share with me a profound sense of grief at the death of my beloved mother. Through all the years of her reign, The Queen, like so many generations of our family before her, found in the hills of this land, and in the hearts of its people, a haven and a home. My mother felt, as I do, the greatest admiration for the Scottish people, for their magnificent achievements and their indomitable spirit.”
Charles said he’s passing to his son Prince William the title of “Duke of Rothesay, and the other Scottish titles which I have had the honour to carry for so long.”
He continued, “I take up my new duties with thankfulness for all that Scotland has given me, with resolve to seek always the welfare of our country and its people, and with wholehearted trust in your goodwill and good counsel as we take forward that task together.”
Sep 12, 10:32 AM EDT
Queen’s coffin brought inside St. Giles’ Cathedral
The queen’s coffin has arrived inside St. Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland.
The wreath of flowers on the coffin includes dried white heather from the queen’s beloved Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
After the service, the coffin will remain at the cathedral for 24 hours so the people of Scotland can pay their respects.
Sep 12, 10:22 AM EDT
Queen’s children follow coffin from Holyroodhouse to St. Giles’ Cathedral
Queen Elizabeth II’s four children — the new King Charles III, Princess Anne and Princes Andrew and Edward — are walking behind the hearse carrying her coffin from Palace of Holyroodhouse to St. Giles’ Cathedral in Scotland.
The walk is nearly one mile.
The people of Scotland have lined up to silently watch the procession.
The coffin will lie in rest at St. Giles’ Cathedral on Monday. The coffin will be flown to London on Tuesday.
Sep 12, 10:08 AM EDT
24-hour access for public to attend queen’s lying-in-state in London
Members of the public will be able to pay their final respects to Queen Elizabeth II later this week, as the late monarch lies in state at the U.K. Houses of Parliament in London for four days.
According to a press release from the U.K. government on Monday, people will be allowed to “file past the coffin 24 hours a day” inside Westminster Hall from 5 p.m. local time on Wednesday until 6:30 a.m. local time on Sept. 19, the day of the funeral.
“Those wishing to attend will be required to queue for many hours, possibly overnight,” the government added. “Large crowds are expected and people are encouraged to check ahead, plan accordingly and be prepared for long wait times.”
All attendees must go through “airport-style security and there are tight restrictions on what you can take in, with only small bags permitted,” according to the government.
Sep 12, 10:05 AM EDT
Queen’s children follow coffin from Holyroodhouse to St. Giles’ Cathedral
Queen Elizabeth II’s four children — the new King Charles III, Princess Anne and Princes Andrew and Edward — are walking behind the hearse carrying her coffin from Palace of Holyroodhouse to St. Giles’ Cathedral in Scotland.
The walk is nearly one mile.
The people of Scotland have lined up to silently watch the procession.
The coffin will lie in rest at St. Giles’ Cathedral on Monday. The coffin will be flown to London on Tuesday.
Sep 12, 9:52 AM EDT
King Charles given keys to city of Edinburgh
King Charles III was presented with keys to the city of Edinburgh after he arrived in Scotland on Monday, as a part of the Ceremony of the Keys tradition as monarch. Edinburgh Lord Provost Robert Aldridge welcomed the new king to his “ancient and hereditary kingdom of Scotland.”
Sep 12, 7:37 AM EDT
King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort, arrive in Edinburgh
Britain’s King Charles III and his wife Camilla, Queen Consort, traveled on Monday from London to Edinburgh, where they will walk behind his mother’s coffin as it is transported in a procession through the Scottish capital.
Thousands of people have lined the streets since the coffin carrying the late Queen Elizabeth II began its final journey from Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where the 96-year-old monarch died last Thursday. On Monday, the coffin will be moved from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St. Giles’ Cathedral, with Charles and Camilla walking behind it along Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.
A service to celebrate the late queen’s life will take place Monday afternoon at St. Giles’ Cathedral, where members of the public will be able to pay their respects and view the coffin for 24 hours before it is flown to London on Tuesday.
Charles and Camilla will also hold a vigil at St. Giles Cathedral on Monday evening.
Sep 12, 6:00 AM EDT
King Charles III addresses UK Parliament for 1st time
King Charles III addressed the U.K. Houses of Parliament for the first time as sovereign on Monday morning.
Speakers from both Houses of Parliament addressed the new king at Westminster Hall in London. Charles, accompanied by his wife Camilla, Queen Consort, then gave a reply in front of some 1,200 people gathered inside.
“As I stand before you today, I cannot help but feel the weight of history which surrounds us and which reminds us of the vital parliamentary traditions to which members of both Houses dedicate yourselves, with such personal commitment for the betterment of us all,” Charles said in a brief speech.
“We gather today in remembrance of the remarkable span of the queen’s dedicated service to her nations and peoples. While very young, her late majesty pledged herself to serve her country and her people and to maintain the precious principles of constitutional government which lie at the heart of our nation,” he added. “This vow she kept with unsurpassed devotion. She set an example of selfless duty which, with God’s help and your counsels, I am resolved faithfully to follow.”
Sep 12, 5:34 AM EDT
Prince Harry pays tribute to queen in 1st statement since her death
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, paid tribute to his grandmother on Monday in his first statement since her death, thanking the late queen for her “commitment to service,” “sound advice” and “infectious smile.”
“In celebrating the life of my grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen—and in mourning her loss—we are all reminded of the guiding compass she was to so many in her commitment to service and duty,” Harry said. “She was globally admired and respected. Her unwavering grace and dignity remained true throughout her life and now her everlasting legacy. Let us echo the words she spoke after the passing of her husband, Prince Philip, words which can bring comfort to all of us now: ‘Life, of course, consists of final partings as well as first meetings.'”
“Granny, while this final parting brings us great sadness, I am forever grateful for all of our first meetings — from my earliest childhood memories with you, to meeting you for the first time as my Commander-in-Chief, to the first moment you met my darling wife and hugged your beloved great- grandchildren,” he continued. “I cherish these times shared with you, and the many other special moments in between. You are already sorely missed, not just by us, but by the world over. And as it comes to first meetings, we now honour my father in his new role as King Charles III.”
“Thank you for your commitment to service. Thank you for your sound advice. Thank you for your infectious smile,” he added. “We, too, smile knowing that you and grandpa are reunited now, and both together in peace.”
Sep 11, 10:54 PM EDT
How the public can attend Queen Elizabeth’s lying in state at Westminster Hall
The U.K. government has released details on how members of the public can pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II, who will lie in state at Westminster Hall from Wednesday until Monday, Sept. 19.
The queen’s coffin will travel in a ceremonial procession from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster for the lying in state, the U.K. government said on its website, where it will rest on a raised platform and “be draped in the Royal Standard with the Orb and Sceptre placed on top.”
“Each corner of the platform will be guarded around the clock by a vigil of units from the Sovereign’s Bodyguard, the Household Division, or Yeoman Warders of the Tower of London,” the government said.
Members of the public will be able to file past the coffin 24 hours a day, starting at 5 p.m. local time on Wednesday until 6:30 a.m. on the day of the queen’s funeral, Sept. 19.
The government advised the public to expect to wait in line for long hours, “possibly overnight,” and that there would be “airport-style security” and only small bags permitted, as well as restrictions on what can be taken inside.
President Joe Biden has formally accepted an invitation to attend Queen Elizabeth’s funeral on Sept. 19 at Westminster Abbey in London, the White House said Sunday.
“This morning, President Biden formally accepted an invitation to attend the State Funeral Service of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on September 19. He will be accompanied by the First Lady,” the statement from the White House reads.
Sep 10, 12:50 PM EDT
Prince William, Princess Kate, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle view flowers together
Prince William and Prince Harry, and their wives, Princess Kate and Meghan Markle, viewed flowers together outside Windsor Castle Saturday.
This is the first time the four have been seen together in public since Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior members of the royal family and moved to the United States.
A representative for William, the Prince of Wales told ABC News the prince invited the Duke and Duchess to join him and the Princess of Wales.
Sep 10, 12:21 PM EDT
Queen’s funeral to be held Sept. 19
Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral will be held on Sept. 19, Buckingham Palace announced Saturday.
Sep 10, 12:07 PM EDT
William, Prince of Wales, makes 1st statement since the queen’s death
William, Prince of Wales said he is grateful for the queen’s presence in his life, in his first statement since the death of the queen. William said that he recognized the world lost an “extraordinary leader.”
“I, however, have lost a grandmother. And while I will grieve her loss, I also feel incredibly grateful. I have had the benefit of The Queen’s wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade. My wife has had twenty years of her guidance and support. My three children have got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives,” William said.
“She was by my side at my happiest moments. And she was by my side during the saddest days of my life. I knew this day would come, but it will be some time before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real,” William said.
“I thank her for the kindness she showed my family and me. And I thank her on behalf of my generation for providing an example of service and dignity in public life that was from a different age, but always relevant to us all,” William said.
Sep 10, 7:20 AM EDT
King Charles III officially proclaimed king by Accession Council at St James’s Palace in London
King Charles III has been formally proclaimed monarch at a historic Accession Council in the State Apartments of St James’s Palace at 5 a.m. on Saturday. The ceremony is being televised for the first time in history.
A Principal Proclamation will then be read in public for the first time by the Garter King of Arms in the open air from the balcony overlooking Friary Court at St James’s an hour later at 6 a.m. ET.
It will be followed by a flurry of Proclamations around the country, with the second one at City of London at the Royal Exchange at midday on Saturday, and further Proclamations in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales at midday on Sunday.
Buckingham Palace issued details of the arrangements, considered the first official orders of business of a new reign, on Friday.
Charles automatically became King on the death of his mother, but the Accession Council is usually convened at St James’s in London within 24 hours of the death of a sovereign.
Historically, the entire Privy Council is summoned to the Accession Council to oversee the formal proclamation of a new monarch.
But with the number of privy counsellors –- who are lifetime members and mostly past and present politicians –- now standing at more than 700, restrictions have been put in place. This does not affect the constitutional process.
Sep 10, 4:59 AM EDT
King Charles III to receive several key audiences today at Buckingham Palace
King Charles III will undertake a number of important meetings at Buckingham Palace today following his formal proclamation as king this morning.
The king is scheduled to meet with Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, at 9 a.m. ET followed by a meeting with the U.K.’s newly appointed prime minister, Liz Truss, and members of her cabinet at 9:30 a.m. ET.
At 10 a.m. ET, King Charles II will receive the leaders of the opposition parties at Buckingham Palace before his final scheduled meeting of the day at 11 a.m. ET where he will receive David Hoyle, the Dean of Westminster.
Sep 09, 8:02 PM EDT
A look at Queen Elizabeth’s lifelong love of corgis
Perhaps no animal has been so closely associated with a world figure as corgis were with Queen Elizabeth II.
Her death sparked an outpouring of photographs and drawings of her and her dogs throughout the years.
Fellow dog owners are also planning to celebrate the queen’s life of service with a corgi parade outside of Buckingham Palace next month, the U.K. newspaper The Daily Mirror reported.
Sep 09, 1:52 PM EDT
Biden says he will attend the queen’s funeral
President Joe Biden told reporters Friday that he will be attending Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
“Yes. I don’t know what the details are yet, but I’ll be going,” Biden told reporters on the tarmac of Ohio’s Columbus International Airport.
Buckingham Palace has not yet announced when the queen’s funeral will be held.
Asked if he had spoken to King Charles III yet, Biden said, “I know him, I haven’t spoken to him. I did not call him yet.”
Sep 09, 1:36 PM EDT
King Charles III pledges to uphold Britain’s constitutional principals
In his first speech as monarch, King Charles III pledged to follow in the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth II, upholding Britain’s Constitution.
“As the queen herself did with such unswerving devotion, I too now solemnly pledge myself throughout the remaining time God grants me, to uphold the constitutional principles at the heart of our nation,” King Charles III said.
“And, wherever you may live in the United Kingdom, or in the realms and territories across the world, and whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavor to serve you with loyalty, respect and love as I have throughout my life,” he added.
The king also recognized his new role, and the changes it will bring.
“My life will, of course, change as I take up my new responsibilities. It will no longer be possible for me to give so much of my time and energies to the charities and issues for which I care so deeply. But, I know this important work will go on in the trusted hands of others,” the king later said.
Sep 09, 1:18 PM EDT
New titles announced for Prince William and Catherine
King Charles III announced new titles for his son, Prince William, and his son’s wife, Catherine, previously the duke and duchess of Cambridge.
They are now the new prince and princess of Wales, the new king announced in a speech from Buckingham Palace Friday.
“Our new prince and princess of Wales will, I know, continue to inspire and lead our national conversations,” King Charles said in the prerecorded message.
William’s mother, Diana, was the last princess of Wales. Charles’ wife, Camilla, never took the title. With Charles’ ascension, her title is now queen consort.
King Charles also mentioned his younger son, Prince Harry, and his wife, Meghan, the duke and duchess of Sussex.
“I want also to express my love for Harry and Meghan, as they continue to build their lives overseas,” the king said.
Sep 09, 1:17 PM EDT
‘Thank you for your love and devotion,’ King Charles III remembers the queen
In his first address, King Charles III ended his address thanking his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, for her lifetime of service and her love and devotion.
“To my darling mama, as you begin your gray last journey to join my dear late papa, I want simply to say this. Thank you. Thank you for your love and devotion to our family, and to the family of nations you have served so diligently all these years,” King Charles III said.
The king also expressed his gratitude for the “condolences and support” that his family has received after the passing of the queen.
Sep 09, 1:10 PM EDT
King Charles III expresses ‘profound grief’ after death of the queen
King Charles III delivered his first address as monarch Friday, in remembrance of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, saying her death has brought him “profound sorrow” and “great sadness.”
“Throughout her life, her majesty, the queen, my beloved mother, was an inspiration. An example to me and to all my family. And we owe her the most heartfelt debt any family could owe to their mother for her love, affection, guidance, understanding and example,” King Charles said.
The king said the queen’s affection, admiration and respect were a hallmark of her reign.
“I pay tribute to my mother’s memory and I honor her service,” he later added.
Sep 09, 12:25 PM EDT
Prime Minister Liz Truss meets with king
British Prime Minister Liz Truss met with King Charles III Friday, shortly after he arrived at Buckingham Palace.
Sep 09, 11:13 AM EDT
English Premier League postpones weekend matches
England’s top soccer league has postponed its slate of matches this weekend in tribute to the queen’s death.
“We and our clubs would like to pay tribute to Her Majesty’s long and unwavering service to our country,” Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said in a statement. “As our longest-serving monarch, she has been an inspiration and leaves behind an incredible legacy following a life of dedication.”
He continued, “This is a tremendously sad time for not just the nation, but also for the millions of people around the world who admired her, and we join together with all those in mourning her passing.”
The queen never made her “football” allegiances clear over her reign, but the new king, Charles III, has been public about his support for Burnley Football Club. With the postponements, he’ll have to hold off on watching their next match against Norwich City.
The EPL said it would announce any further postponements, such as on the day of the queen’s funeral, “in due course.”
Sep 09, 9:43 AM EDT
King Charles III views flowers outside Buckingham Palace
King Charles III has landed in London, returning from Balmoral Castle where the queen was when she died. The king walked outside Buckingham Palace, shaking hands and greeting people who gathered to share their condolences.
The king and Camila, the queen consort, walked outside the gates of Buckingham Palace viewing flowers left by people mourning the death of the queen.
As the king arrived outside, the Royal Standard was raised above Buckingham Palace for the first time during his reign.
Sep 09, 8:53 AM EDT
British Parliament members pays tribute to the queen
Both British houses of Parliament are meeting Friday for members to pay tribute to the queen in a special session of condolence.
Politics in both Houses will be on hold for a period of mourning.
“For the 70 glorious years of her reign, our queen was at the heart of this nation’s life,” Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer said. “She did not simply reign over us, she lived alongside us.”
“It seems impossible to imagine a Britain without her,” he added.
There will also be a rare Saturday meeting where senior members of Parliament can take an oath of allegiance to the king. The meeting will end with an address to the king expressing condolences following his mother’s death.
House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle will determine the timetable in the House for the following days, which is expected to be significantly reduced until after the state funeral for the queen.
This means new laws cannot be passed until Parliament returns, though it could be recalled for pressing matters.
-ABC News’ Zoe Magee
Sep 09, 8:37 AM EDT
King Charles III set to deliver remarks today
King Charles III will return to London this afternoon to record a televised address to the nation from Buckingham Palace. The speech will air at 1 p.m. ET before he attends the national service of thanksgiving for his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, at St. Paul’s Cathedral at 2 p.m. ET.
King Charles will be officially proclaimed king at 6 a.m. ET on Saturday from the balcony at St James’ Palace. The first son of Queen Elizabeth II became king the minute his mother died but the formal announcement will be made on Saturday.
Sep 09, 7:24 AM EDT
Sec. of State Antony Blinken comments on death of Queen Elizabeth II
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has shared the following statement to the people of the United Kingdom following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 8, 2022:
Together with the American people, I extend my deepest sympathies to His Majesty The King, the entire Royal Family, the people of the United Kingdom, and the peoples of the Commonwealth on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
For more than 70 years – a period during which the United Kingdom and the world witnessed unprecedented change – Queen Elizabeth personified a sense of stability. During a time of tremendous division, she was a source of unity.
Her influence extended well beyond the Commonwealth. As Queen, she visited more than 120 countries, including the United States, where she made a point of meeting not only with leaders, but with people from all walks of life. She was the embodiment of the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom, and a symbol of the enduring alliance that has seen our nations through the greatest tests of the 20th and 21st centuries.
We join people around the world in mourning her passing, and we will forever be inspired by the memory of her service, leadership, and friendship.
Sep 09, 5:17 AM EDT
The queen’s final moments
Prince Charles and Princess Anne were with their mother in her final hours.
Prince Andrew and Prince Edward and his wife Sophie raced to be by her side, as did her grandsons Prince William and Prince Harry but they did not get there in time.
Sep 09, 12:36 AM EDT
World reacts to Queen Elizabeth II’s death
Cities around the world joined in mourning Queen Elizabeth II’s death on Thursday.
With Queen Elizabeth II’s death, Camilla becomes queen consort
With the death of Queen Elizabeth II, her eldest son Charles becomes king and his wife Camilla becomes queen consort.
The queen made the request for the title in February, saying that “it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service.”
The statement marked the first time the queen had publicly addressed her daughter-in-law’s role in the future monarchy.
The eldest son of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch has taken his late mother’s place on the throne.
King Charles III is the first child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Upon the death of his mother on Sept. 8, Charles succeeded her as king of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms.
Charles, 73, was born at Buckingham Palace in London in 1948. He was just 3 years old when he became the heir apparent as his mother acceded to the throne as queen, following the death of her father, King George VI.
Sep 08, 3:26 PM EDT
Biden orders flags to half-staff
In a new proclamation, President Joe Biden has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff “until sunset, on the day of interment,” as a “mark of the respect for the memory of Queen Elizabeth II.”
“I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, on the day of interment,” the proclamation reads.
He continued, “I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.”
-ABC News’ Molly Nagle
Sep 08, 3:15 PM EDT
Former US presidents react over queen’s death
Former presidents of the United States have released statements in reaction to the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.
President Bill Clinton said in a statement that he and former first lady Hillary Clinton are mourning the passing of Her Majesty with the royal family and the rest of the world, describing her life as “extraordinary.”
“Throughout her remarkable 70-year reign, she led Britain through great transformations with unfailing grace, dignity, and genuine care for the welfare of all its people,” Bill Clinton said. “In sunshine or storm, she was a source of stability, serenity and strength.”
Bill Clinton added that he and Hillary Clinton “will always be grateful” to the kindness the queen showed them during visits to Buckingham Palace in 1995 and 2000.
President George W. Bush said in a statement that he and former first lady Laura Bush were “honored” to know the queen, describing her as a “woman of great intellect, charm and wit.”
“Spending time at Buckingham Palace, and having tea with Her Majesty — and her Corgis — is among our fondest memories of the presidency,” George W. Bush said.
The queen was able to lead the U.K. through dark moments with “her confidence in her people and her vision for a brighter tomorrow,” George W. Bush said.
“Our world benefitted from her steady resolve, and we are grateful for her decades of service as sovereign,” George W. Bush said. “Americans in particular appreciate her strong and steadfast friendship.”
President Barack Obama said in a statement that he and former first lady Michelle Obama were “lucky enough to come to know Her Majesty,” adding that the queen “meant a great deal to” to them.
“Back when we were just beginning to navigate life as President and First Lady, she welcomed us to the world stage with open arms and extraordinary generosity,” Barack Obama said. “Time and again, we were struck by her warmth, the way she put people at ease, and how she brought her considerable humor and charm to moments of great pomp and circumstance.”
Barack Obama continued, “Like so many, Michelle and I are grateful to have witnessed Her Majesty’s dedicated leadership, and we are awed by her legacy of tireless, dignified public service. Our thoughts are with her family and the people of the United Kingdom at this difficult time.”
President Donald Trump also released a statement following the news of the queen’s death, saying that he and former first lady Melania Trump will always cherish their time together with the queen and will “never forget Her Majesty’s generous friendship, great wisdom, and wonderful sense of humor.”
“Melania and I are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” Donald Trump said on Truth Social, his social media platform. “Together with our family and fellow Americans, we send our sincere condolences to the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom during this time of great sorrow and grief. Queen Elizabeth’s historic and remarkable reign left a tremendous legacy of peace and prosperity for Great Britain.”
Sep 08, 2:47 PM EDT
UK thrived under Elizabeth’s reign, says Liz Truss
The newly appointed prime minister of the United Kingdom, Liz Truss, emphasized the importance of Queen Elizabeth II’s rule while addressing the death of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch on Thursday.
“Queen Elizabeth II was the rock on which modern Britain was built,” Truss said outside of 10 Downing Street on Thursday. “Our country has grown and flourished under her reign. Britain is the great country it is today because of her.”
Among the accomplishments Truss highlighted were Elizabeth’s accomplishment of growing the Commonwealth from a small group of seven countries to a “family of 56 nations” as well as visiting more than 100 countries as sovereign.
The queen, who met with Truss on Tuesday at Balmoral, invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party, to form a new government as prime minister, an act emblematic of the queen’s devotion to duty, Truss said.
“Earlier this week, at 96, she remained determined to carry out her duties as she appointed me as her 15th prime minister,” Truss said, describing her as the “the very spirit of Great Britain.”
Truss also extended condolences to the now-King Charles III, calling for the country to support him in the passing of the crown.
“We offer him our loyalty, and devotion, just as his mother devoted so much to so many for so long,” Truss said.
Sep 08, 2:21 PM EDT
Charles on queen’s passing: ‘A moment of the greatest sadness’
The queen’s eldest son and new king of England — who will be known as King Charles III — released a statement following his mother’s passing.
“The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family,” Charles said.
“I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world,” the statement continued.
Sep 08, 2:06 PM EDT
UK lowers flags to half-mast as rainbows appear
The U.K. ordered all flags to fly at half-mast in the wake of the queen’s death Thursday.
In a bit of fortuitous timing, the rain clouds eased up following the announcement and rainbows appeared over Buckingham Palace.
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also ordered the flags to fly at half-mast over the Capitol in tribute to the monarch, according to her deputy chief of staff.
Sep 08, 2:02 PM EDT
How the British royal line of succession changes
With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, there is a new line of succession to the British throne.
The queen’s oldest son, Charles, the Prince of Wales, is now the new king. Members of his direct family — including his sons, Princes William and Harry — are now higher in the line of succession.
In general, succession falls to the first-born child of the heir and their children, followed by the next oldest sibling of the heir and their offspring and so on.
Sep 08, 1:51 PM EDT
What comes next after queen’s passing?
With the queen’s death come questions about what happens next, as the world has not witnessed a changeover in Britain’s monarchy in 70 years.
The U.K. government and the royal family have been planning for years to ensure a smooth transition after the queen’s death, and to appropriately honor her history-making reign.
Buckingham Palace announced Thursday that Queen Elizabeth II has died. She was 96.
“The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” the palace said in a statement. “The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”
Elizabeth is survived by her three sons, Charles, Prince of Wales; Prince Andrew, Duke of York; and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex; her daughter, Anne, Princess Royal; her eight grandchildren, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge; Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex; Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie; Peter and Zara Phillips; Lady Louise Windsor; and James, Viscount Severn. She is also survived by 12 great-grandchildren.
Her oldest son, Charles, succeeds her as king. His wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, is expected to become queen consort, a title that Elizabeth requested at the time of her Platinum Jubilee in June.
Charles’s oldest son, William, is now heir apparent to the throne.
Sep 08, 1:10 PM EDT
Biden briefed on queen’s health, White House says
U.S. President Joe Biden has been briefed on Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and “will be updated throughout the day concerning news out of the United Kingdom,” given the reports of her health, White House spokesperson John Kirby said Thursday
“His and the first lady’s thoughts are solidly and squarely with the queen today and her family,” Kirby told reporters.
Biden also expressed that his thoughts are with U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss, who took office on Tuesday and is currently taking part in a previously scheduled phone call with Biden and other allies focused on “continued support for Ukraine,” according to Kirby.
“I can tell you that in this video conference that the president is having as we speak, I can tell you that he did convey to Prime Minister Truss, who is on the video teleconference, that he and Dr. Biden are thinking very much of the queen and the family and the people of the United Kingdom,” Kirby said.
-ABC News’ Molly Nagle
Sep 08, 10:05 AM EDT
UK prime minister ‘deeply concerned’ about queen
U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss took to Twitter on Thursday to say that her “thoughts — and the thoughts of people across our United Kingdom — are with Her Majesty The Queen and her family at this time.”
“The whole country will be deeply concerned by the news from Buckingham Palace this lunchtime,” Truss tweeted.
Truss, who was recently selected as the new leader of the United Kingdom’s ruling Conservative Party, had an audience with the queen at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on Tuesday, during which she was formally asked to form a new government as prime minister after Boris Johnson’s official resignation. It was the first time in the queen’s 70-year reign that the ceremonial transfer of power was held at Balmoral, rather than at Buckingham Palace in London.
Sep 08, 9:41 AM EDT
Senior royals head to Balmoral Castle
Senior members of the British royal family are either at or on their way to Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where Queen Elizabeth II remains “under medical supervision.”
The queen’s oldest child and the heir to her throne, Charles, prince of Wales; and his wife, Camilla, duchess of Cornwall; as well as the queen’s daughter, Princess Anne, are already at Balmoral, according to their respective spokespersons.
Meanwhile, the queen’s other sons, Prince Andrew, duke of York; and Prince Edward, earl of Wessex; as well as Edward’s wife, Sophie, countess of Wessex; Charles’ two sons, Prince William, duke of Cambridge; Prince Harry, duke of Sussex; and Harry’s wife, Meghan, duchess of Sussex, are all on their way to Balmoral, their respective spokespersons confirmed.
(WASHINGTON) — President Joe Biden turned heads Sunday night when he declared the COVID-19 pandemic is “over” even while stating the United States is still having a “problem” with the virus.
“The pandemic is over,” he said during an interview on CBS’ “60 Minutes.”
Biden continued, “We still have a problem with COVID. We’re still doing a lot of work on it. It’s — but the pandemic is over.”
His comments come a few weeks after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidance for unvaccinated people exposed to COVID.
Data from the federal health agency shows that hundreds of COVID-19-related deaths are being recorded every day and that around 14,000 Americans died from the virus last month.
Public health experts told ABC News that that pandemic is not over yet and that Biden’s comments may be a bit premature.
“The pandemic is emphatically not over,” Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious diseases specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, told ABC News. “I would highlight the first [reason] is number of deaths per year.”
The U.S. has recorded more than 223,000 deaths so far this year, CDC data shows.
“That’s several-fold higher than a typical flu season,” Chin-Hong said, with an average of about 35,000 deaths per year from the 2010-11 flu season to the 2019-20 flu season, according to an ABC News analysis of CDC data.
He said if the annual COVID death toll continues to remain high, “it would be way higher than diabetes, other respiratory illnesses. That number is not insignificant at all.”
As of Sept. 15, the U.S. recorded 655 deaths from COVID-19 and a seven-day rolling average of 391, according to the CDC.
That’s the highest seven-day average reported in the country since Sept. 4.
Additionally, an average of 60,000 Americans are testing positive every day. Although it is not as high as the average of 129,000 being recorded over the summer, it’s also not as low as the 25,000 average recorded over the spring.
“My concern about all of this is that when you say the pandemic is over, that becomes synonymous with there’s no disease,” Dr. Perry Halkitis, dean of Rutgers School of Public Health, told ABC News. “But we know there’s disease that very much exists in the United States still making people sick and still killing people. It could be troubling because of the increase in respiratory illness in the fall season.”
During a press conference last Thursday, the World Health Organization’s director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the end of the pandemic was “in sight.”
“Last week, the number of weekly reported deaths from Covid-19 was the lowest since March 2020,” Ghebreyesus said. “We have never been in a better position to end the pandemic. We’re not there yet, but the end is in sight.”
The WHO continues to classify COVID-19 as Public Health Emergency of International Concern and the U.S. continues to declare the virus to be a Public Health Emergency, but experts say the country is likely transitioning from being in a pandemic to an endemic phase.
“So endemic means sort of normal amounts of cases … for the foreseeable future, COVID is here to stay and we should expect some COVID cases,” Dr. Dana Mazo, an infectious diseases specialist and clinical associate professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health, told ABC News. “What we’re seeing is that COVID is around and we all have to learn to live with it.”
She added, “And I think it’s more important versus talking about terminology, it’s more important for people to understand that COVID has not gone away. It’s unlikely to go completely away anytime soon.”
This is especially important as the U.S. heads into the fall and colder weather months when cases traditionally begin to rise and new variants appear.
Experts fear people will not follow mitigation measures and states and cities may not be willing to reinstate measures if a surge occurs.
“We’re not in as bad a place as we have been in the past, which is good,” Dr. Julia Raifman, an assistant professor of health law, policy and management at Boston University School of Public Health who researches state-level policy responses to the pandemic, told ABC News. “But I remain very concerned that we are not prepared for surges of new variants. And that we are likely to have a high cumulative toll, almost all of it preventable.”
“Just being ready to turn those on when there’s a surge of a new variant will be very helpful, but there’s no readiness for that right now,” Raifman continued.
(NEW YORK) — This is part of an ongoing series from ABC News reporting in battleground states across the country, as voters share their personal views on major issues.
Voters have said they have some key topics on their minds in the months before November’s midterms — issues like the economy and high inflation, gun violence and abortion access after the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
ABC News recently spoke with some voters in various battleground states, including Arizona, Florida, Ohio and Texas, for their personal views. The voters’ perspectives are not conclusive but do offer a window into individual opinions on subjects that ABC News/Ipsos polling shows is of importance ahead of the election.
Republicans hope to seize on President Joe Biden’s general unpopularity and low marks on the economy.
Democrats — especially after Roe and a string of economic and social spending wins in Congress — have focused on the GOP’s position on banning abortion while defending their record while in power.
Inflation
An inflation report released last week sent stocks tumbling as it showed still-high prices — more than 8% growth year-over-year — and all but ensured the Federal Reserve would consider again hiking the interest rate to cool demand, which has been a months-long problem that the White House insists is a major priority.
Voters said that they have felt the effects of inflation on their wallets.
“A loaf of bread is like $1.50 more. I’m definitely noticing prices at the gas, but it’s not only the gas — it’s the food. And we need food. We need gas, and we are wondering when is this going to let up,” said Phoenix native Karla Terry.
Terry said that she blames Congress for the high prices.
“It’s coming from the top and trickling down to the bottom,” she said. “But what can we do but go to the pump and pay for gas, go to the store and pay for bread? We don’t have a choice. We’re rolling with the punches.”
Miami resident Daniel Demillais said that he blames President Biden and Democratic leadership.
“We moved from the incredibly high cost, incredibly badly run state of California to the great state of Florida where we can at least still live decently thanks to the great [Gov.] Ron DeSantis and the Republican party,” said Demillais.
Stock trader Jorge Martinez lives with his fiancé in Miami and said that inflation is affecting what he buys, but his biggest problem is with rent.
“I think it’s gone up like $1,000 in one year,” he said.
“I normally buy like thin sliced chicken breast, but now I’m buying like straight-up whole chickens and just kind of spending an hour at home just cutting them on my own cause I’m not gonna pay an extra $15,” Martinez said.
Across the Gulf in Texas, one couple said that they were shopping with their parents at different stores to keep costs low.
“We are still backed up from all of the things that we’ve seen from all the delays in 2020. That didn’t just fix magically because we are two years out,” Katy Forbes said, referring to the COVID-19 pandemic that experts say has been one major factor in inflation, along with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and other developments.
“We stopped house-hunting,” said Forbes’ partner, Chris Wyant. That puts them in something of a bind.
“We just continue to rent while our rent just increases,” Forbes said.
Abortion
Echoing what ABC News/Ipsos polling has showed, some voters said that the reversal of Roe by the Supreme Court, allowing individual states to ban abortion, impacted their choices. Gwenda Gorman, a Diné woman who works for the intertribal council of Arizona, said she had a difficult time putting her feelings about abortion into words.
“[Navajo Nation citizens] consider all our children as a gift from a creator,” said Gorman. “It’s really hard to say how people feel about that, especially depending on who you talk to you.”
Others did not share Gorman’s struggle on the topic.
“How can somebody be 100% pro-life?” said Ohio farm owner Deb Boyer. “They don’t care if a child is raped.”
“Democrats are on the right side of the issue this year. I think the proposals coming out of the other side are a lot more extreme — and I think that our state is a lot more moderate,” said Phoenix resident Ginger Sykes-Torres.
Trump under investigation
Some voters wanted to talk less about the 2022 candidates than about 2024 — and a potential presidential candidate: Donald Trump.
“I don’t think that any presidential election has ever been fair,” said 19-year-old Ohio State University student Kendall Mungo. “The Electoral College is bull—-.”
Mungo said that she feels like the nation is more divided than ever before. One of the reasons some feel that division is the FBI raid of Trump’s residence at Mar-A-Lago over what the government says were highly classified and sensitive documents that were improperly stored.
Trump supporter Jennifer Sledge, from Queens, insisted that she became a supporter even though she did not vote for him in the last election because she “saw the tactics that the left would use.”
Other voters like Susan Connors, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, said that she does not know why Trump is not behind bars. (He denies wrongdoing.)
“My husband used to be the mayor of Scranton,” Connors told ABC. “I said, ‘If you ever did that, you’ve probably already been in jail.'”
ABC News’ Libby Cathey, Miles Cohen, Abby Cruz and Paulina Tam contributed to this report.
(WASHINGTON) — Two senior members of the Jan. 6 select committee have introduced a bipartisan bill to reform the counting of presidential electoral votes to prevent another riot at the Capitol over disputed results.
The Presidential Election Reform Act from Reps. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., and Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., targets some of the perceived nuances in 135-year-old Electoral Count Act that former President Donald Trump and his supporters attempted to exploit to overturn President Joe Biden’s victory.
“Our proposal is intended to preserve the rule of law for all future presidential elections by ensuring that self-interested politicians cannot steal from the people the guarantee that our government derives its power from the consent of the governed,” Cheney and Lofgren wrote in a joint Wall Street Journal column last week.
The full House could vote on the proposal as early as Wednesday.
It would reaffirm the vice president’s ceremonial role over the count, after then-Vice President Mike Pence was pressured by Trump and his allies to overturn the 2020 presidential election results, according to the legislative text and summary of the proposal obtained by ABC News.
The bill would make it more difficult for lawmakers to raise objections to electors from each state, by requiring at least one-third of the members from each chamber to support an objection, rather than one House member and a single senator.
It would also clarify ambiguities in the Electoral College process by requiring governors to transmit state results to Congress and prohibit election officials from refusing to certify their state’s election results. In either case, the law would allow a presidential candidate to go to court to force compliance with the law.
The proposal would also prevent state legislators from undoing the election results in their states – and require that elections are carried out under the state rules on the books on Election Day.
“The Constitution assigns an important duty to state legislatures, to determine the manner in which the states appoint their electors. But this shouldn’t be misread to allow state legislators to change the election rules retroactively to alter the outcome,” Cheney and Lofgren wrote in the Wall Street Journal.
In July, a bipartisan group of senators including Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va, and Susan Collins, R-Maine, proposed their own reforms to the Electoral Count Act.
While their proposal also affirms the vice president’s limited role in proceedings, it sets a different threshold requirement for electoral challenges, among other differences.
