Happy Thursday! A decorated general and former national security adviser—whom President Trump just pardoned—advocated this week for “temporarily suspend[ing] the Constitution and civilian control of these federal elections in order to have the military implement a national re-vote that reflects the true will of the people.” But that’s more of a dog-bites-man story nowadays, isn’t it?

Quick Hits: Today’s Top Stories

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a series of updated guidances on Wednesday regarding the coronavirus, encouraging Americans to avoid holiday travel entirely or at least get a COVID test before their trip. The CDC also shortened the recommended quarantine period following exposure to the virus from 14 days to between seven and 10 days, depending on symptoms and test results.

• Mark Kelly, a former astronaut from Arizona, became the first senator-elect from this cycle to be sworn in, securing the Democrats an additional seat in the chamber. Kelly took the oath of office earlier than other senators-elect because his victory over Republican Sen. Martha McSally came in a special election.

• House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Wednesday they’d like to use the bipartisan $908 billion stimulus framework rolled out yesterday as the basis for renewed aid talks, a complete shift from their longtime demands for a $2 trillion-plus package. There’s still a long way to go in hammering out a deal, but it’s a big step on the part of Democratic leaders toward considering legislation that could actually pass.