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VIEW IN BROWSER | SUBSCRIBE FRI, MAR 19, 2021 CNBC POLITICS EDITOR'S NOTE Hello,   Spring is just a couple days away. Fittingly, it is a period of flux and change in Washington, as the Biden administration and Congress tackle a new set of priorities.   Here are some of the key stories CNBC Politics has been tracking:  The Biden administration held its first high-level meeting with Chinese officials Thursday in Alaska. It didn't go too well. What was supposed to be a brief photo op exploded into an hourlong session that included insults and accusations. Talks ended after three hours. They are set to resume Friday. The House passed two immigration bills Thursday, mostly along party lines, although some Republicans joined the majority Democrats. Whether the measures, which are narrower than the Biden-backed overhaul released earlier this year, pass the Senate is up in the air. There is increasing pressure to address the immigration system as the Mexican border experiences a surge of unaccompanied children trying to enter the United States. Several major corporations halted political donations after the deadly Jan. 6 riot on Capitol Hill. Some explicitly said they wouldn't donate to GOP candidates who, encouraged by former President Trump, challenged Joe Biden's election victory. Others halted contributions to both major parties. Now, Democrats and Republicans are lobbying for these companies to begin donating again as campaigns prepare for next year's congressional midterm elections. Thoughts? Email Politics Editor Mike Calia at CNBCPolitics@nbcuni.com.   Have friends or colleagues who might like this newsletter? They can sign up here.    Subscribe to CNBC's daily new podcast The News with Shepard Smith, which provides deep, non-partisan coverage and perspective on the day's most important stories. Mike Calia @Michael_Calia KEY STORIES  House passes two immigration bills that would establish path to citizenship for millions House lawmakers passed two bills that would create a path to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants. Their fate in the Senate is unclear. Lawmakers call for change in Covid-19 rhetoric amid rise in violence against Asian Americans Lawmakers and experts called for shifting public rhetoric surrounding Covid-19 and foreign policy, and passing hate crime legislation to address discrimination and violence against Asian Americans Congressional fundraisers lobby corporations that suspended political donations following Capitol riot Political fundraisers have been lobbying corporations to resume donating after many suspended their donations following the deadly Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol. Biden administration eyes mid-May to begin relaxing Covid travel restrictions, sources say  The relaxation of restrictions would involve travel across the Mexican and Canadian borders and on inbound travel from the U.K., Europe and Brazil.  New Capitol riot videos released as FBI seeks tips on 10 worst attackers of police officers The FBI is seeking more information on people suspected to be involved in the deadly pro-Trump riot on Capitol Hill on Jan. 6. Here are the highlights from the heated exchange between the U.S. and China in Alaska U.S.-China talks in Alaska got off to a rough start, with both sides chiding and reprimanding each other in an unusual public display of tensions. Senate confirms Xavier Becerra as HHS secretary as U.S. tries to emerge from Covid crisis Xavier Becerra, California attorney general and former U.S. representative, will play a major role in the Covid-19 vaccine rollout. Cuomo ducks media again as sexual harassment scandal rages, talks Covid and baseball instead New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is trying to avoid talking about sexual harassment claims even as many fellow Democrats call for him to resign.     Unsubscribe Manage Newsletters Terms of Service Join the CNBC Panel Digital Products Feedback Privacy Policy   © 2021 CNBC LLC. All rights reserved. A property of NBCUniversal. 900 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes and Market Data and Analysis. Data also provided by THOMSON REUTERS