DC conflict reflects wider efforts undermining local control
The expected move next week in Congress to overturn District of Columbia laws dealing with criminal justice and voting has created a political tempest in the nation’s capital, with local activists decrying it as the latest effort to undermine the city’s ability to determine its own future.
McCarthy makes headway as battle for the House continues for fourth day
The process of organizing the House of Representatives stretched into its fourth day Friday -- something not seen in the United States in more than a century and a half -- with Kevin McCarthy making a little more headway but not enough to officially secure the House.
Australian Parliament censures former prime minister
Australia’s former Prime Minister Scott Morrison has listed his achievements in government including standing up to a “bullying" China as he unsuccessfully argued against being censured by the Parliament for secretly amassing multiple ministerial powers.
Was Donald Trump the biggest loser on election night? 3 takeaways from red wave that wasn’t
Results are still being finalized in key congressional and state legislature races across the country, but one thing that became clear overnight is that the 2022 midterm elections were not the red wave of Republican wins many pundits forecasted.
Allies of Marcos Jr. set to dominate Philippine Congress
Allies of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the presumptive next president of the Philippines, appear set to dominate both chambers of Congress, alarming activists after the late dictator son's apparent election victory restored his family to the seat of power.
Trump endorses Gosar one day after House censure
Former President Donald Trump is endorsing Rep. Paul Gosar, one day after the Arizona Republican was censured by the House of Representatives for posting a violent cartoon video that depicted a character with his face killing one with New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s.
Philippine leader unabashedly threatens to kill drug dealers
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has unabashedly renewed a threat to kill drug dealers in his final state of the nation speech, while defending his nonconfrontational approach in the country’s territorial dispute with China in the South China Sea.
US House votes to ease entry process for Afghan interpreters
The U.S. House of Representatives has easily passed legislation that would make it easier for Afghans who worked for the American military or NATO to relocate to the U.S. The bill, which drew bipartisan support, eliminates a requirement that special visa applicants get a medical exam before they leave Afghanistan.
Buttigieg pitches 'once in a generation' infrastructure fix
Buttigieg says America's infrastructure needs exceed $1 trillion and that other countries like China are pulling ahead. It's a disparity that Buttigieg is calling a threat to our collective future in prepared remarks to Congress. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)WASHINGTON – Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg called for a once in a generation infrastructure investment Thursday that would address a massive backlog in needed improvements for the nation's roads, bridges and transit systems, while also tackling climate change. “A transportation bill needs to be a transportation bill — not the Green New Deal,” said Republican Rep. Sam Graves of Missouri, referring to a sweeping Democratic plan to shift the U.S. economy away from fossil fuels. We can do this.”At the same time, DeFazio said an infrastructure bill will need to focus on the challenges of the 21st century, a nod to climate change.
New York Times: Current aide accuses Cuomo of sex harassment
(AP Photo/Hans Pennink, File )ALBANY, N.Y. – A woman who currently works in the office of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he looked down her shirt and made suggestive remarks to her and another aide, according to a newspaper report published Friday. Alyssa McGrath told The New York Times that Cuomo called her beautiful in Italian, referred to her and her female colleague as “mingle mamas,” asked why she wasn’t wearing a wedding ring and inquired about her divorce. “I put my head down waiting for him to start speaking, and he didn’t start speaking,” she told The Times. AdBennett and several other women who have accused Cuomo of harassment have already been interviewed by attorneys working for Attorney General Letitia James.
Praying for a win: Florida bill would OK it in school sports
The bill would require the Florida High School Athletic Association to give each team an opportunity to address the crowd over a public announcement system for no more than two minutes each. It would apply to public and private schools, and Republican Rep. Webster Barnaby said that could include prayer. “I recall the first day that when all of us sat in that House, we opened the House of Representatives with what?” Barnaby said. AdDemocratic Rep. Susan Valdes, a former Hillsborough County School Board member, said even at graduations, students sometimes veer away from their approved speeches. Under the bill language, the association “may not control, monitor, or review the content of the opening remarks and may not control the school's choice of speaker.”The bill has one more House committee stop.
Gov. DeSantis election committee keeps raking in cash
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis fist bumps with legislators as he enters the House of Representatives prior to his State of the State address at the Capitol in Tallahassee on March 1, 2021. Ron DeSantis’ political committee raised more than $3.2 million in February, money continued to pour in during early March. The committee Friends of Ron DeSantis raised $1,517,000 during the first 10 days of March, according to a list of contributions on the committee’s website. It will file a full March report with the state Division of Elections by an April 12 deadline.
Biden immediately begins selling virus aid plan to public
Biden will sign the bill into law on Friday, but the White House didn’t wait, turning the bill signing into a three-day event. Biden on Wednesday announced that his administration is aiming to secure an additional 100 million doses of the single-shot vaccine developed by Johnson & Johnson. He appeared at an event with executives from Johnson & Johnson and Merck, rival companies both producing doses of the new vaccine. The Obama White House secured its passage, but then the Democratic Party took a big hit in the midterm elections. “You’ve got to create an echo chamber and amplify it,” said Adrienne Elrod, a Democratic strategist close to the White House.
Senate confirms Fudge to lead housing agency, Regan for EPA
Fudge, a veteran lawmaker, will lead the housing agency agency just as Congress has passed new benefits for renters and homeowners who have suffered economic losses amid the coronavirus pandemic. Fudge was confirmed 66-34, while Regan was also approved by a 66-34 vote. All three nominees won bipartisan support for their nominations, although Republican Leader Mitch McConnell voted against Regan. The two nominees both support “far-left policies that crush jobs″ in his state and across the country, the Kentucky Republican said. AdCapito also complained that Regan will take cues from Biden's White House climate adviser Gina McCarthy, a former EPA chief.
Stimulus checks could hit millions of bank accounts by next week
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Stimulus payments could hit millions of Americans’ bank accounts by next week. RELATED: When to expect payments, other benefits from relief packageIncluded in the relief package are $1,400 stimulus checks for anyone who makes $75,000 or less, or couples earning up to $150,000. The family would qualify for four stimulus checks for a total of $5,600 paid out at once. In addition, the family would receive $3,000 per child, in this case, it would be two. In that case, the parent would receive two $1,400 stimulus checks ($2,800) and one child tax credit of $3000.
Georgia House passes budget as GOP rejects Democrat Medicaid expansion
The state would spend $27.2 billion in state tax money, plus billions more in federal money and money raised in fees and tuition. That’s up from $26.6 billion in state money this year. Brian Kemp had already proposed spending $22 million more on mental health, but House members want an overall increase of $58 million. The House would spend more on service providers, including $12.3 million for a 5% rate increase for providers of adult intellectual and developmental disability services. Ad“This House of Representatives recognizes the need for these services and is prioritizing them accordingly,’' said Ralston, a Blue Ridge Republican.
Biden attempts bipartisan push for infrastructure package
(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden tried to maintain bipartisan momentum for a new infrastructure program by meeting Thursday with Republican and Democratic lawmakers at the White House. The meeting was about “what we’re gonna do to make sure we once again lead the world across the board on infrastructure," Biden said. The prospect of funding roads, bridges, ports, broadband and other infrastructure is a chance for Biden to rebuild his relationship with Republicans. Biden met Thursday with eight members of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, a follow-up to a February 11 meeting with senators on infrastructure. “Second, a transportation bill needs to be a transportation bill that primarily focuses on fundamental transportation needs, such as roads and bridges.