May 27, 2021 - PBS NewsHour full episode

Senate Democrats pushing to establish an independent commission to investigate the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection had the help of powerful advocates Thursday — the family and former partners of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who died a day after responding to the rioters. But establishing that commission is still an uphill battle. Lisa Desjardins reports.

In our news wrap Thursday, officials say the San Jose, California railyard gunman appeared to target specific victims at his job and had formerly spoken of hating his workplace. Senate Republicans presented a $928 billion counter-offer on rebuilding infrastructure — just over half of President Biden's last offer. The UN Human Rights Council voted to investigate Israel's treatment of Palestinians.

Where did COVID-19 come from? In the midst of renewed questions about the novel coronavirus' origins, President Joe Biden has directed U.S. intelligence to determine if the virus jumped from animals to humans, or somehow escaped from a lab in Wuhan, China. Amna Nawaz and Nick Schifrin explore the possibilities and report what we know so far.

A new investigation by USA Today and The Trace finds that the ATF, the federal body policing the gun industry, is "frequently toothless and conciliatory," goes easy on "wayward dealers" and sometimes allows guns to "flow into the hands of criminals." Stephanie Sy speaks to USA Today's Nick Penzenstadler, one of the lead investigative reporters, about the report and the San Jose mass shooting.

Three major oil and gas firms — ExxonMobil, Royal Dutch Shell and Chevron — suffered hits in court and among their own investors Wednesday, amid pressure for businesses and governments to seriously curtail emissions that drive climate change. William Brangham explores the significance of the hits with Dr. Leah Stokes, a political scientist with expertise in environmental and energy policy.

New Jersey, once among the states hardest hit by COVID-19, reported a little over 350 new cases Wednesday. The state's Democratic Governor, Phil Murphy, announced that many indoor masking requirements in public places will be lifted this Memorial Day weekend, and schools are expected to fully re-open in the fall with very limited virtual learning. Gov. Murphy joins Judy Woodruff for more.

Tens of thousands of U.S. Veterans who served in Afghanistan and Iraq are sick — many say due to the military's trash "burn pits." Veterans have had to fight to get their illnesses recognized as linked to their service and smoke exposure — a critical step to qualify for medical and disability benefits. Congress is considering legislation to change all that. John Yang and Dan Sagalyn report.