Sunday shows - COVID-19 dominates as grim milestone approaches

The COVID-19 pandemic dominated the Sunday morning political talk shows as the U.S. approaches a grim milestone of 500,000 deaths related to the pandemic. 

Anthony FauciAnthony FauciFDA mulling to allow 'mix-and-match' COVID-19 vaccine booster shots: report The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Altria - Remembrances flow in after Powell's death The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Uber - Build Back Better items on chopping block MORE called the number "devastating." 

Guests also discussed COVID-19 aid and school reopening, among other topics.

Read The Hill's complete coverage below. 

Fauci: 500,000 coronavirus death milestone 'devastating' By ZACK BUDRYK    Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious diseases expert, said Sunday that despite positive trends in coronavirus infections, it is "devastating" to see the U.S. approaching 500,000 deaths from it. Read the full story here

Republican Arkansas governor: Give control of vaccine distribution to states By JOHN BOWDEN    "Give it to the states, we'll get it out...it's easier to coordinate that way," Arkansas Gov. Asa HutchinsonAsa HutchinsonThe Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Uber - Build Back Better items on chopping block Sunday shows - Buttigieg warns supply chain issues could stretch to next year Arkansas governor backs employer vaccine mandates MORE (R) said Sunday. Read the full story here

Progressive caucus chair: Income thresholds for direct payments should stay at $75,000 By JOHN BOWDEN   The chair of the House Progressive Caucus, Rep. Pramila JayapalPramila JayapalManchin meets with Sanders, Jayapal amid spending stalemate Biden to take part in CNN town hall in Baltimore Hillicon Valley — Presented by Xerox — Agencies sound alarm over ransomware targeting agriculture groups MORE (D-Wash.), is urging Democrats to resist calls to reduce the number of Americans who will receive direct payments under an upcoming COVID-19 relief plan by lowering the income cutoff in the package. Read the full story here

Teachers union president: 'No perfect solution' to reopening schools By JOHN BOWDEN   The president of the American Federation of Teachers said Sunday that there is "no perfect solution" for opening schools safely amid the COVID-19 pandemic while pointing to successes that some municipalities have had with efforts to reopen. Read the full story here

Psaki sidesteps questions on Cuomo's leadership amid nursing home deaths investigation By REMA RAHMAN   White House press secretary Jen PsakiJen PsakiPsaki: 'Range' of proposals could help Biden meet climate goal Biden meets with Jayapal to kick off week of pivotal meetings The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Altria - Remembrances flow in after Powell's death MORE avoided answering questions on Sunday on whether President BidenJoe BidenJan. 6 panel lays out criminal contempt case against Bannon Overnight Energy & Environment — Presented by the American Petroleum Institute — Democrats address reports that clean energy program will be axed Two House Democrats to retire ahead of challenging midterms MORE still believes New York Gov. Andrew CuomoAndrew CuomoEMILY's List announces early endorsement of Hochul Hochul jumps out to early lead in NY governor's primary: poll De Blasio privately says he plans to run for New York governor: report MORE (D) represents the “gold standard” when it comes to leadership during the coronavirus pandemic. Read the full story here

National security adviser: China has not made 'sufficient original data' available on virus spread By ZACK BUDRYK   White House national security adviser Jake SullivanJake SullivanBiden struggles to rein in Saudi Arabia amid human rights concerns Hillicon Valley — Presented by LookingGlass — World leaders call for enhanced cooperation to fight wave of ransomware attacks White House weighing steps to address gas shortages MORE said Sunday that Chinese officials have not made “sufficient original data” available on the domestic and international spread of the coronavirus. Read the full story here

Texas GOP congressman: Federal disaster aid will help homeowners with massive utility bills By JOHN BOWDEN    A Texas congressman said Sunday that homeowners in his state who are facing high electric payments and damage to their homes resulting from recent winter weather would be eligible for aid from the federal government. Read the full story here

Scalise avoids blaming Trump for Capitol riot following Mar-a-Lago visit By REMA RAHMAN    House Minority Whip Steve ScaliseStephen (Steve) Joseph ScaliseLiz Cheney is the Margaret Chase Smith of our time GOP's embrace of Trump's false claims creates new perils House GOP campaign arm raises .8 million in third quarter MORE (R-La.), who last week visited former President TrumpDonald TrumpTrump goes after Cassidy after saying he wouldn't support him for president in 2024 Jan. 6 panel lays out criminal contempt case against Bannon Hillicon Valley — Presented by Xerox — Agencies sound alarm over ransomware targeting agriculture groups MORE at Mar-a-Lago, on Sunday deflected blame away from Trump for the deadly riot at the Capitol. Read the full story here

Former Texas GOP rep: Trump should hold very little or no role in Republican Party By JOHN BOWDEN   Former Rep. Will HurdWilliam Ballard HurdFirst Democrat jumps into key Texas House race to challenge Gonzales Will the real Lee Hamiltons and Olympia Snowes please stand up? The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - Biden, Congress drawn into pipeline cyberattack, violence in Israel MORE (R-Texas) said Sunday that the GOP should have little if anything to do with former President Trump following the violent riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Read the full story here

Bill Gates: Goal of eliminating emissions by 2030 'completely unrealistic' By ZACK BUDRYK    “It’s completely unrealistic to think we could eliminate emissions by 2030,” Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates said, adding that “not seeing that this problem is hard will be part of the difficulty of getting engaged in it.” Read the full story here