The free tests issued by the program will be viable at least through to the end of the year, with many at-home COVID tests having extended expiration dates. However, it is always important to check whether your tests have expired before relying on them for your results.

To order the tests, visit COVIDtest.gov. Once ordered, the at-home tests will be shipped to homes for free. Each household can receive up to four free tests. The tests will be able to detect the dominant variants that are circulating, including the following subvariants, according to the CDC .:

People will be able to order four test kits per household, to be sent directly to their homes. The test kits will be able to detect the dominant variants that are currently circulating and can be used throughout the remainder of the year.

Lawmakers have until Sept. 30 to extend government funding. Internal Republican divisions are posing a problem for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).

WASHINGTON—An initial proposal by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.) to fund the government was voted down Wednesday, underscoring the divisions within the Republican Party but potentially setting the stage for talks with Democrats on avoiding a partial government shutdown at the end of the month.

The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives will vote on legislation on Wednesday that pairs a must-pass spending bill with tighter voting rules, setting up an election year clash with the Democratic-majority Senate that risks a partial government shutdown.

After months of political uncertainty following a snap legislative election, France appeared on the cusp of a new government on Thursday, as Prime Minister Michel Barnier was set to present his cabinet to President Emmanuel Macron.

France’s new prime minister finally submitted a new government to Emmanuel Macron Thursday with the top post of interior ministry going to the Right-wing Republicans party.

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier was holding a final round of consultations Thursday as he seeks to form a new government, with some reports suggesting an announcment could be made this week. France 24's Clovis Casali has the latest.

A bill to avert a partial government shutdown at the end of this month failed along bipartisan lines on Wednesday.

Mike Johnson's spending bill faces opposition from Republicans and Democrats, risking failure and a government shutdown.

Shortly before Wednesday's failed vote on the government spending stopgap, House Speaker Mike Johnson told senior Republicans in a private meeting that he had a Plan B — but wouldn't tell them what it was.

Rep. Abigail Spanberger joins The Lead

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) brought up a vote to pair a continuing resolution, a government funding bill, with a bill that requires people to prove they’re citizens to vote, the SAVE Act. Most House Democrats opposed that move.