US Domestic News Roundup: US scours files for more Trump-era migrant family separations; US budget airline Avelo seeks niche on West Coast and more

The $5 billion plan could inject the White House into a debate pitting older homeowners against younger workers seeking to gain a foothold in the most expensive U.S. cities, where many families spend a third or more of their income on housing. Biden willing to negotiate on corporate taxes, but 'sick and tired' of non-payers President Joe Biden on Wednesday made a fiery appeal for U.S companies to foot most of the bill for his $2 trillion-plus infrastructure plan, but signaled an openness to negotiate over exactly how much they would have to pay.

Following is a summary of current US domestic news briefs.

U.S. scours files for more Trump-era migrant family separations than previously known

The Biden administration said on Wednesday it is examining 5,600 previously unreviewed cases of migrant children to see whether they were separated from parents at the U.S.-Mexico border under former President Donald Trump. A U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official told reporters the review seeks to find any separated children beyond those already identified through litigation. The official said the aim is ultimately to reunite any families who remain apart.

New U.S. budget airline Avelo seeks niche on West Coast

Avelo Airlines, an ultra-low-cost carrier created by a former United Airlines executive, made its debut on Thursday with plans for service between secondary airports on the U.S. West Coast and one-way fares starting at $19. Backed by $125 million in private equity, Avelo will begin operations from its first base at Hollywood Burbank Airport just outside Los Angeles, with flights starting April 28.

U.S. allotting 85% less J&J vaccines to states next week, data shows

The U.S. government will allot nearly 85% less Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines to states next week, data from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed. Only 785,500 J&J doses will be allocated, compared to 4.95 million doses this week. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and J&J did not immediately respond to requests, made outside regular hours, for comment on the drop in numbers.

Biden plans to crack down on 'ghost guns' with action on Thursday

President Joe Biden on Thursday will unveil his administration's first steps to curb gun violence, including a plan to reduce the proliferation of "ghost guns," after a slew of mass shootings have put pressure on him to act. Biden will announce that the Justice Department intends to issue a proposed rule within 30 days to help reduce the increasing prevalence of untraceable, self-assembled "ghost guns," a White House official told reporters. The details of the rule were not immediately clear.

U.S. interior secretary looks to restore Utah monuments slashed by Trump

U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland will kick off a two-day visit to Utah on Thursday where she will meet with tribes and political officials to discuss the potential restoration of two national monuments that were slashed in size by former President Donald Trump in order to open them to mining and drilling. The visit is the centerpiece of Haaland’s first multi-state tour since being confirmed last month as the first Native American cabinet member, and will hold symbolic power given the importance of the monuments to Southwestern tribes.

U.S. Senate panel to to consider major China competition bill on April 14: source

The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee has scheduled a meeting on April 14 to consider bipartisan legislation to boost the country's ability to push back against China's expanding global influence, a Senate aide said on Thursday. The draft measure, seen by Reuters on Thursday and titled the "Strategic Competition Act of 2021," among other things says Washington must encourage allies to do more to check Beijing's "aggressive and assertive behavior" and says every federal department and agency should designate a senior official to coordinate policies with respect to strategic competition with China.

Trump adviser Giuliani asks judge to throw out $1.3 billion lawsuit over his 'big lie' election claims

Donald Trump's former personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani asked a judge on Wednesday to throw out a voting machine company's $1.3 billion defamation lawsuit relating to his false claims about the November 2020 presidential election being rigged. Giuliani's lawyer said in a court filing that Dominion Voting Systems' lawsuit should be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction, and because the company has not adequately justified its request for money damages.

Chauvin had no need for force after Floyd was handcuffed and prone, expert testifies

A national expert in the proper use of force by police testified on Wednesday that former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin had no need to kneel on the neck of George Floyd once he was handcuffed and prone. Los Angeles Police Department Sergeant Jody Stiger appeared as a prosecution witness at Chauvin's murder trial, offering testimony intended to show that the defendant disregarded his training during his deadly arrest of the 46-year-old Black man last May.

Biden seeks to ease housing shortage with $5 billion 'carrot, no stick' approach

President Joe Biden is seeking to ease a national affordable housing shortage by pushing local governments to allow apartment buildings in neighborhoods that are currently restricted to single-family homes. The $5 billion plan could inject the White House into a debate pitting older homeowners against younger workers seeking to gain a foothold in the most expensive U.S. cities, where many families spend a third or more of their income on housing.

Biden willing to negotiate on corporate taxes, but 'sick and tired' of non-payers

President Joe Biden on Wednesday made a fiery appeal for U.S companies to foot most of the bill for his $2 trillion-plus infrastructure plan, but signaled an openness to negotiate over exactly how much they would have to pay. "I'm willing to negotiate that," he told reporters. "But we've got to pay for this."

(With inputs from agencies.)