• Wed, December 18, 2024

by: PBS

Senate defense bill to raise troop pay and bar trans care for minors to receive final vote

Lawmakers said those were key to improving the quality of life of service members at a time when many military families rely on food banks and other government assistance programs to make ends meet. "It includes major quality of life improvements ...

by: Mother Jones

Trump's Billionaire Cabinet Is Unprecedented

The president-elect has tapped five reported billionaires for cabinet posts: North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum for interior secretary, hedge funder Scott Bessent for treasury secretary, Cantor Fitzgerald chief Howard Lutnick for commerce secretary,

by: BizPac Review

'This is an early test': Ramaswamy dissects 1,500 pg. spending bill, says it 'should fail'

DOGE is getting a test run as Vivek Ramaswamy read all 1,500+ pages of a spending bill and then gave his advice.

by: NBC News

Trump opposes funding bill, pushing government closer to a shutdown

Elon Musk joined a wave of right-wing fury against a bill to keep the government open. Now, the president-elect says he wants big changes too before this weekend's deadline.

by: The Daily Signal

Trump, Vance Throw Curveball Into Spending Fight as Hill Scrambles to Fund Government

The continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown by funding the government until March is not being received well on Capitol Hill.

by: Business Insider

Elon Musk bashes Congress' government funding bill

House Speaker Mike Johnson said he spoke with Musk about his displeasure Tuesday night, though the DOGE cohead said on X that the bill shouldn't pass.

by: News Tribune

Meet Simone Carter, McClatchy's new Washington state government reporter

Reporter Simone Carter, a Texas native who previously worked for the Dallas Observer and Newsweek, has joined The Olympian to cover Washington state government for the state capital's newspaper as well as McClatchy's three other sites in the state.

by: Modern Healthcare

Trump says he opposes stopgap government spending bill

President-elect Donald Trump — just days before federal funding is set to expire — said he wants lawmakers to also include an increase to the debt ceiling in the package

by: ABC

Social Security Fairness Act clears Senate procedural hurdle, on path for final passage

In a final lame-duck push, the Senate will attempt to pass legislation aimed at providing full Social Security benefits to millions of Americans this week.

by: thenightly

LATIKA M BOURKE: The sad and sorry saga of the Australian Embassy in Kyiv under Penny Wong

Labor's decision to reopen the embassy, on the eve of the federal election and nearly three years after the war began, is as unforgivably late as their buffet of implausible excuses.

by: FOX59 News

Massie drops colorful analogy opposing foreign aid, mocks Speaker Johnson with AI-generated image

Thomas Massie likened U.S. foreign aid to an individual watering their neighbor's yard while their own house burns, and illustrated his point with an AI image of Speaker Mike Johnson.

by: NJ.com

Trump ally Elon Musk amps up efforts to torpedo spending bill

The spending deal was met with swift backlash from conservatives in the House, with many Republicans lamenting the bill for including large amounts of spending. Musk, a close advisor of President-elect Donald Trump, tried to torpedo the bill starting early Wednesday morning in a flurry of posts to social media platform X.

by: FOX59 News

'Pattern of disregard': Red states seek court action against Biden admin's 'shameful' border wall disposal

Texas' General Land Office is pushing for action on what it says is a "shameful" disposal of border wall materials by the federal government from a district court.

by: ABC

Editorial Roundup: United States

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad: Dec. 12 The Washington Post says Joe Biden shouldn't use preemptive pardons

by: The New York Times

Trump Criticizes Spending Deal, Pushing Congress Toward a Shutdown

The president-elect weighed in against the mammoth spending package after Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy had spent the day attacking it and warning Republicans not to support it.

by: The New York Times

Trump's Criticism of Spending Deal Raises Fears of Government Shutdown

The president-elect weighed in against the mammoth spending package after Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy had spent the day attacking it and warning Republicans not to support it.

by: The New York Times

Inside a Huge Spending Deal: Disaster Money, a Football Stadium and More

The mammoth year-end federal funding measure congressional leaders agreed on does far more than just keep the government running. It is stuffed with all manner of policy and other changes.

by: MSN

Report shows Musk and Trump pushed GOP to kill the bill to keep government open

President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk have succeeded in getting House Republicans to kill what was expected to be an easily-passed continuing resolution that would keep the federal government open and avert a costly and confusing shutdown just days before Christmas.

by: MSN

'Murder hornets' eradicated from US, Federal and Washington agriculture officials say

The northern giant hornet, better known as "murder hornets," have been eradicated from the U.S., Washington state and Federal agriculture officials said.

by: MSN

Mayor-elect outlines vision for El Paso: economic growth, lower taxes, and tourism boost

El Paso Mayor-Elect Renard Johnson said he's ready to step into his new role, join a brand new city council, and together reenergize El Paso.

by: MSN

Governor Polis visits Colorado Springs and addresses the future of affordable housing

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) -On Wednesday, Governor Jared Polis visited an affordable housing complex where he spoke about the importance of affordable housing and how more could be developed in the future.

by: MSN

Beware the 'fiscal cliff', Don's much-improved 'second honeymoon' and other commentary

Republican: Beware the 'Fiscal Cliff' "Republicans' election celebrations" soon must yield to facing the "fiscal cliff," warns ex-Rep. Jeb Hensarling at The Wall Street Journal. "Key" Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions expire next year as Uncle Sam hits the $26.

by: MSN

Tech giants, Wall Street, and corporate elite are pouring millions into to Donald Trump's inauguration

The president-elect's inaugural fund donors range from CEOs like Sam Altman and Ken Griffin, to Meta, Amazon, Bank of America and Goldman Sachs.

by: MSN

Trump vows to fire federal workers who won't return to office. What it could mean in Nevada

President-elect Donald Trump said he'd fire federal workers who won't return to the office and also challenge in court a Biden-era deal on the issue.

by: MSN

The winners and losers from Congress's funding bill to avert shutdown

by: MSN

Bipartisan government funding plan collapses as Trump makes new demands days before shutdown

President-elect Donald Trump abruptly rejected a bipartisan plan Wednesday to prevent a Christmastime government shutdown.

by: MSN

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Are 'Very Hurt' After Prince William Met With Their Archenemy Donald Trump

Prince William's time with Donald Trump might have offended Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, as the Republican has been vocal about not liking the royal rebels. "Of course, William was fulfilling a professional role but Trump has been so vicious towards them,

by: MSN

Elon Musk Is Trying to Buy a Second Branch of Government

Elon Musk said Wednesday that every member of Congress who votes for the CR should be voted out in two years. That raises the question of how much power an unelected billionaire should have. Elon Musk

by: MSN

State lawmakers plan to tackle inflation and education as top priorities

At the top of the list for each party is addressing the impact inflation has had at a state level. The 2025 legislative session begins Monday, Jan. 13.

by: MSN

Government cash to support more homeless housing

The government says the money, part of a £5 million programme of Emergency Accommodation Reduction Pilots, will "test innovative approaches and kickstart new initiatives". The scheme will work with 20 local councils,

by: MSN

US healthcare spending rose 7.5% in 2023, government report says

U.S. healthcare spending rose by 7.5% in 2023 from 4.6% the year prior to reach $4.9 trillion, driven by increased use of medical services and as enrollment climbed for private health plans, particularly in plans under the Affordable Care Act,

by: MSN

Gov.-elect Mike Braun's cabinet is full. Here's who will be running Indiana government

Republican Gov.-elect Mike Braun has finished filling out his restructured governor's cabinet. Whereas the cabinet under Gov. Eric Holcomb included agency heads from a few dozen state agencies, Braun has reorganized the executive branch so that the cabinet will consist of him,

by: MSN

Government funding plan collapses as Trump demands renegotiations

President-elect Donald Trump abruptly rejected a bipartisan plan Wednesday to prevent a Christmastime government shutdown, instead telling House Speaker Mike Johnson and Republicans to essentially renegotiate — days before a deadline when federal funding runs out.

by: MSN

University Failed To Disclose Professor's Ties To Chinese Government While Accepting Federal Research Funds

The University of Delaware (UD) reached a settlement agreement with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) after allegedly failing to disclose a professor's ties to the Chinese government in violation of federal law.

by: MSN

Exclusive: New Jersey Mayor, Police Chief Shed Light On Increasing and 'Concerning' Drone Sightings, Lack of Answers From Government

Diana Falzone spoke with West Milford Mayor Michele Dale and Police Chief Shannon Sommerville this week to shed some light on mysterious drone sightings. The post Exclusive: New Jersey Mayor, Police Chief Shed Light On Increasing and 'Concerning' Drone Sightings,

by: MSN

Rutte and Zelenskyy say Ukraine's position and economy to be discussed in Brussels

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed ahead of talks in Brussels on Wednesday, 18 December, that they will focus on strengthening Ukraine's position and the economy.

by: MSN

Government funding plan collapses as Trump makes new demands

President-elect Donald Trump abruptly rejected a bipartisan plan Wednesday to prevent a Christmastime government shutdown, instead telling House Speaker Mike Johnson and Republicans to essentially renegotiate — days before a deadline when federal funding runs out.

by: MSN

Trump Key Adviser Musk Comes Out Against Year-End Funding Bill

Elon Musk intensified his public criticism of the deal House Speaker Mike Johnson struck to temporarily fund the government, ratcheting up the likelihood of a shutdown and declaring any lawmaker who supports the bill should be voted out of office in two years.

by: MSN

Hawley blasts exclusion of RECA expansion from government funding bill

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) blasted the exclusion of an agreement to reauthorize the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) from a 1,500-page bill to fund the federal government, blaming Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.

by: MSN

We can't keep spending money we don't have, GOP lawmaker warns

Texas, discusses the continuing resolution wreaking havoc in Congress ahead of a potential government shutdown.

by: MSN

Donald Trump confirms he wants Canada to be 51st state

Several U.S. sports leagues feature Canadian teams, with the NBA and MLB each hosting one, while MLS and the NHL include multiple franchises based in Canada. The United States and Canada share a long history of peaceful collaboration and a strong partnership between the two sovereign nations that has gone on for decades.

by: MSN

Elon Musk's drug use and Putin ties has stopped SpaceX to avoid asking for higher security clearance: report

Elon Musk's drug use and Putin ties has stopped SpaceX to avoid asking for higher security clearance: report - Sources told The Wall Street Journal that Musk's drug use and contact with foreign nation

by: MSN

Starmer and Trump discuss support for Ukraine

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasised the need for continued support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression during a telephone conversation with US President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday,

by: MSN

US effort to curb China's and Russia's access to advanced computer chips 'inadequate,' report finds

The Commerce Department's efforts to curb China's and Russia's access to American-made advanced computer chips have been "inadequate" and will need more funding to stymie their ability to manufacture advanced weapons,

by: MSN

UN calls for 'free and fair' elections in Syria

The UN envoy to Syria called on Wednesday for "free and fair" elections after the ouster of president Bashar al-Assad, as he voiced hope for a political solution for Kurdish-held areas. "A new Syria

by: MSN

LIVE at 3PM: Gov. Pillen and local leaders to share updates on the 2025 summer EBT program

Gov. Jim Pillen is set to join local leaders to talk about the 2025 summer EBT program on Wednesday at 3 p.m. You can watch the news conference when it begins in the video player above. Department of Health and Human Services CEO Steve Corsi and Department of Education Commissioner Brian Maher and others are joining Gov.

by: MSN

Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport breaks ground on $4.1 million curbside canopy project

The Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock is making upgrades to its site with a $4.1 million canopy project.

by: MSN

Anti-vax philanthropy and legal fees: How RFK Jr. makes his millions

Senate defense bill to raise troop pay and bar trans care for minors to receive final vote

Lawmakers said those were key to improving the quality of life of service members at a time when many military families rely on food banks and other government assistance programs to make ends meet. "It includes major quality of life improvements ...
The Senate is preparing for a final vote on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes a 5.2% pay raise for troops, the largest in over two decades, and aims to set defense policy and authorize $886 billion in spending. The bill, which has already passed the House, contains several contentious provisions, including a ban on funding for transgender medical care for minors, restrictions on abortion access, and the elimination of diversity and inclusion programs within the military. These elements have sparked debate, with critics arguing that they inject cultural issues into what should be a straightforward defense policy bill. Despite these controversies, the NDAA is expected to pass with bipartisan support, though some Democrats have expressed opposition due to the inclusion of these divisive amendments.

Read the Full PBS Article at:
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/senate-defense-bill-to-raise-troop-pay-and-bar-trans-care-for-minors-to-receive-final-vote

Like: 👍