State Dept. condemns arrests, repression in Russia

Responding to an unemployment weekly claims report out Thursday, White House National Economic Council Director Brian Deese called it "another stark reminder that we must act now on the president's 'American Rescue Plan' to get immediate relief to families and spur our economy" and called on Congress to act quickly on Biden's proposals -- including raising direct payments to qualifying Americans to $2,000.

In a written statement, Deese said, "900,000 more Americans filed claims for unemployment because they are out of work in an economy that is moving in the wrong direction."

"We must act now to get this virus under control, stabilize the economy, and reduce the long-term scarring that will only worsen if bold action isn't taken," he continued.

Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package also includes $130 billion to reopen schools safely and $160 billion to boost the country's testing and vaccine programs.

-ABC News' Ben Gittleson

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, in floor remarks Thursday, slammed the Biden administration for executive actions it took Wednesday as the president barrels toward dismantling his successor's legacy at an aggressive rate.

"On the Biden administration's very first day, it took several big steps in the wrong direction," McConnell said, pointing to the orders to rejoin the Paris Climate Accord, revoke a key permit for the proposed Keystone pipeline and halt deportations of certain non-citizens for 100 days to review its policies.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, as expected, celebrated the early executive orders of the Biden administration in his floor speech.

"What a concept: A president who actually takes the defining crisis of our time seriously. What a change. And how great is the need," Schumer said. 

The new Senate leader also called for unity in confirming Biden's Cabinet nominees. 

"Let the first week of this Congress be a collaboration between our two parties to confirm President Biden's Cabinet," Schumer said.

-ABC News' Allison Pecorin

Just after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell finished congratulating Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on his new role during his floor remarks Thursday afternoon, he turned to the first major obstacle at hand for the evenly divided Senate: a power sharing agreement. 

Democrats carry control of the chamber because Harris, as president of the Senate, has the power to cast tie-breaking votes for Democrats, but with representation of each party in the Senate equal, McConnell and Schumer have been in negotiations for the the rules of the new session.

Aides familiar with discussions between McConnell and Schumer say that the outstanding issue on agreement is McConnell's insistence that Schumer affirm his intention to leave the Senate filibuster rules -- which require 60 votes to pass legislation -- intact. Schumer hasn't yet committed to that, according to aides. 

McConnell called the filibuster a "crucial" part of the Senate in his floor remarks. 

"If the talk of unity and common ground is to have meaning -- and certainly if the rules from 20 years ago are to be our guide -- than I cannot imagine the Democratic leader would rather hold up the power sharing agreement than simply reaffirm that his side won't be breaking this standing rule of the Senate," McConnell said. 

-ABC News' Allison Pecorin

In his first address as president, Biden called for unity, truth and racial justice as the nation faces a worsening pandemic and bitter partisanship.