Former Polish dissident Litynski drowns trying to save dog

"Litynski had entered the river trying to save a dog that had been on ice and had fallen into the water, and Litynski's wife witnessed his drowning, Ciarka said."

"Police spokesman Mariusz Ciarka said Monday that police are searching for Litynski's body in the Narew River in the area around Pultusk, a town north of Warsaw. "

"Litynski was a participant in the Round Table talks of 1989 that paved a peaceful transition from communism to a market economy and democracy, and went on to be a lawmaker."

"Xavier Becerra, Biden's pick for health secretary, testifies Tuesday, but his nomination has become controversial."

""It's stunning," Dr. Anthony Fauci, a Biden medical adviser and the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said on NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday."

"Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called the lack of preparation "outrageous," but some are pointing the finger at Abbott and his predecessor, Rick Perry, for allegedly putting profit ahead of preparedness."

"And the same Republicans criticizing Biden for not advocating more strongly for reopening schools full time are not on board with his COVID-19 relief plan -- which allocates $130 billion for schools -- because, they say, it's too expensive and"

"Republicans don't like that as California attorney general he filed more than 100 lawsuits against the Trump administration."

"Filling out Biden's Cabinet has been a slow-go."

"And while the Biden administration says it is sticking with her, hoping that at least one Republican will vote for her, there are reportedly behind-the-scenes preparations to replace her.nn"

"Will Trump look to settle scores with Republican establishment figures and those who voted for his impeachment, or will his speech be about how to beat Democrats and draw distinctions with Biden?"

"Merrick Garland finally gets a hearingnnAlmost five years after former President Barack Obama nominated Judge Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court, Garland will get a confirmation hearing Monday and Tuesday to be Biden's attorney general.nn"

"And Sen. Ted Cruz, back from Mexico, is lucky he's not up for reelection until 2024.nn"

"That's because she's opposed to new oil and gas drilling leases on federal land, something that lines up with Biden's views.nn"

"Trump returnsnn"

"About two-thirds of U.S. students are already offered some in-person options, but the Biden administration has struggled to lay out clearly and consistently when and how all schools should open.nn"

"Biden's Cabinet is also still being filled out, while outside Washington, the big thaw in Texas begins after a dangerous -- and revealing -- several days of a rare deep freeze.nn"

"Interior secretary nominee Deb Haaland's confirmation hearing is also Tuesday."

"Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., vows that the bill is "on track" to be on Biden's desk by March 14, the date that enhanced unemployment insurance benefits expire."

"Biden's White House has said teachers should be a priority for vaccines, as it tries to walk a tightrope between science and teachers unions, a key Democratic constituency."

"We're also watching to see what happens with Neera Tanden, Biden's pick to be budget director."

"Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, back in 2016, refused to even hold a hearing for Garland, a judge with the U.S. Court of Appeals in D.C., when he was Obama's pick to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia."

"Just when you thought he was out, Trump jumps right back in."

"Democrats hope to fill out more of Biden's Cabinet in short order."

"It has always been an animating issue for Trump and his base, and Biden's new legislative plan offers Trump some fresh fodder."

"The Trump impeachment trial took up much of the political oxygen in Washington, D.C., but with that in the rearview mirror, this week may mark a real turning point to the Biden agenda -- although Donald Trump will reemerge with his first post-presidency speech Sunday.nn"

"Biden's $1.9 trillion relief plan, which would send another round of direct payments to qualifying Americans and disburse billions of dollars to state and local governments, could see a vote in the House by the end of the week."

"But all eyes will be on Trump."