• Thu, February 13, 2025

by: katv

'Waste, fraud, and abuse': National Taxpayers Union praises DOGE efforts

A DOGE subcommittee held its first hearing focused on "improper payments" as the group takes a deeper look at how taxpayer dollars are being spent.

by: NPR

Covering the dismantling of federal agencies

Covering the paralyzation or drastic reduction of entire government departments requires a different approach.

by: Reuters

Musk will face consequences for meddling in German politics, election frontrunner warns

Elon Musk will face consequences for meddling in Germany's election campaign, Friedrich Merz, the frontrunner to become the country's next chancellor, said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal published on Thursday.

by: CNN

'People are just flipping out': Billions in federal funding remain frozen despite court orders to keep the taps open

Federal agencies across Washington are finding ways to keep funding frozen even after judges last month temporarily blocked the White House's effort to pause trillions of dollars in federal assistance.

by: KUOW

Drive a Tesla and have big feelings about it? KUOW wants to hear from you

KUOW wants to know what it's been like to drive a Tesla around the Seattle area during this time of sweeping and contentious political change. Get in touch with KUOW politics reporter Scott Greenstone via email at sgreenstone@kuow.

by: Politico

What DOGE is really up to: A Silicon Valley take

If you go take over a company, you have to go fast, you have to go early and you have to go with some level of certainty that you are right, because you can't wait. You don't dilly-dally trying to follow processes and procedures, because if you do that, nothing gets done.

by: NBC26

New suit alleges Trump's appointment of Elon Musk to make changes via DOGE is unconstitutional

A new lawsuit alleges that President Trump violated the Appointments Clause of the Constitution when he gave unelected billionaire Elon Musk leeway to make sweeping changes to government agencies.

by: ABC

Trump 2nd term live updates: Trump begins mass layoffs across agencies, sources say

As President Donald Trump's second administration continued its effort to swiftly reshape the federal government, a union representing foreign service officers at the U.S. Agency for International Development accused the administration of failing to comply with last week's temporary restraining order to prevent the dismantling of USAID.

by: MSN

Democrats have 'meltdowns' as RFK Jr confirmed as health secretary

The US Senate has confirmed Robert F Kennedy Junior as the country's new Secretary of Health. During the confirmation vote, 52 Republicans voted in favour of President Trump's nominee, while 48 Democrats voted against.

by: MSN

Why Were Hopes of the 1990s Dashed? for 02/14/2025

As one who shared the hope, after the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989, that representative government, guaranteed liberties and global capitalism laced with some measure of welfare state protections would spread across the globe,

by: ABC

Tesla shares have plunged while Musk takes on Washington. Is that the reason?

Shares of Elon Musk's Tesla electric car company have fallen sharply, leading some investors to wonder if the drop is related to his cost-cutting work in Washington.

by: CNN

Senate confirms RFK Jr. as Health and Human Services secretary

The Senate voted on Thursday to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Health and Human Services secretary, a victory for President Donald Trump after Kennedy faced intense scrutiny over his controversial views on vaccines and public health policy.

by: CNN

Latest on Trump's presidency: Modi's visit, expected new tariffs and RFK Jr.'s confirmation vote

President Donald Trump is expected to announce new tariffs Thursday and meet with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House as his Cabinet picks face key votes. Meanwhile, court hearings on challenges to the president's changes to USAID and ICE are set to take place.

by: MSN

Professional Body Language Experts Interpreted What Donald Trump Might've Actually Thought About Elon Musk Bringing His Son To A Press Conference

The president held a joint press conference with Elon Musk, and experts think there's a lot that went unsaid. View Entire Post ›

by: MSN

Mass firings start inside agencies as Trump and Musk work to slash federal payroll by thousands: Live

Mass firings start inside agencies as Trump and Musk work to slash federal payroll by thousands: Live - President's downsizing agenda continues amid widespread concern about billionaire ally's unchecked power,

by: CNN

In Congress, what's the difference between a budget resolution, reconciliation and spending bills?

There's understandable confusion over Capitol Hill lingo discussing the budget process and appropriations/spending process — which are two distinct things.

by: MSN

"We have great unity, friendship, he and I and our countries": Trump tells PM Modi

US President Donald Trump said that he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the two nations have "great unity and great friendship." He called it "important" to remain united as nations. During his meeting with PM Modi on Thursday (local time),

by: MSN

Shonda Rhimes and Ben Folds resign from Kennedy Center after Trump elected chairman

Shonda Rhimes and Ben Folds resign from Kennedy Center after Trump elected chairman - President says he will make Kennedy Center 'a very special and exciting place'

by: MSN

How should Hong Kong regulate Uber and other ride-hailing apps amid taxi fury?

She also said the government would engage cabbies, who were likely to resist the latest developments. Professor Alejandro Reyes, from the University of Hong Kong's department of politics and public administration, welcomed the government's move to regulate ...

by: MSN

Mass firings of federal workers begin as Trump and Musk purge U.S. government

By Tim Reid WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Mass firings at multiple U.S. government agencies have begun as President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk accelerate their purge of America's federal bureaucracy,

by: MSN

"Honour to have PM Modi, he is great friend of mine for long time": US President Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been his "great friend" for a long time and stressed that it is "great honour" to have him at the White House. Trump said that he and PM Modi share a "wonderful relationship" and they kept the ties during the four-year period.

by: MSN

Trump tells Kaitlan Collins not to speak yet during press conference

U.S. President Donald Trump signed orders imposing 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, including those from Canada. If that happens, Canadian businesses say consumers won't be spared.

by: MSN

The president held a joint press conference with Elon Musk, and experts think there's a lot that went unsaid.

The president held a joint press conference with Elon Musk, and experts think there's a lot that went unsaid. View Entire Post ›

by: MSN

Budget 2025: Balancing growth and fiscal sustainability

Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana will deliver South Africa's 2025 National Budget Speech on 19 February 2025 against the backdrop of persistent economic challenges and a constrained fiscal environment.

by: MSN

"BRICS is dead": Donald Trump reiterates 100 pc tariff threat on BRICS nations

US President Donald Trump has said that BRICS was created for a bad purpose and most people don't want it. He said that BRICS is dead and reiterated his threat to BRICS nations, saying he would impose a 100 per cent tariff on the bloc if they try to replace the US dollar with any other currency.

by: MSN

14 states file a lawsuit arguing Elon Musk's authority at DOGE is unconstitutional

The new lawsuit is one of several accusing President Donald Trump of skirting the Constitution and Musk of operating with unchecked power.

by: MSN

Trump targets allies and adversaries with 'reciprocal' tariffs in new executive order

US President Donald Trump signs an executive order implementing reciprocal tariffs on US trade partners and adversaries as he pushes to eliminate trade imbalances with Washington. View on euronews

by: MSN

Canada makes sweeping changes to First Nations child services program

Canada has announced sweeping changes to a program designed to ensure First Nations kids get the care and supports they need, when they need them.

by: MSN

Donald Trump Calls Senator Mitch McConnell 'Not Mentally' Equipped After He Voted Against Confirming Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

President Donald Trump called former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell not equipped "mentally" after he voted against confirming Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Secretary of Health and Human Resources and Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence ...

by: MSN

Trump slams India's "high tariffs", says reciprocal tariffs will boost US jobs and production

An hour before his bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump again commented on India's tariff structure, saying "they have the highest tariffs" and "it is a hard place to do business".

by: MSN

US Senate confirms Robert F Kennedy Jr as Health and Human Services Secretary

The US Senate on Thursday voted to confirm Robert F Kennedy Jr, an anti-vaccine activist as US Health and Human Services Secretary, NBC News reported. He was confirmed as US Health and Human Services Secretary with a vote of 52-48.

by: MSN

Trump and Musk Are Going to War Against Military Veterans

The president's new exec order gives Musk and DOGE carte blanche and sets limits on hiring veterans and transitioning active duty military personnel

by: MSN

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. confirmed and sworn in as the nation's health secretary

The Senate on Thursday confirmed vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of Health and Human Services in the Trump administration.

by: MSN

Guwahati: Assam Minister launches Online Building Permission System

Assam Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Jayanta Mallabaruah on Thursday ceremonially launched the Online Building Permission System (OBPS) during a programme held in Guwahati. The OBPS will be available in 32 Municipalities across the state.

by: MSN

Rep. Mike Lawler slams Gov. Hochul's 'gimmick' stance on NY Con Ed rate hikes in vicious takedown: 'Fake and political'

A Republican rival to Kathy Hochul blasted the governor's stance against massive Con Edison rate hikes — calling it a "gimmick" as he blamed her green energy policies for the sticker shock. Rep. Mike Lawler,

by: MSN

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. confirmed as Health and Human Services secretary

The Senate voted Thursday to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the Trump administration's Health and Human Services Secretary with a vote of 52 to 48. Kennedy will oversee about 80,000 employees with agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),

by: MSN

White House attacks judges as Trump, Musk flout checks and balances

But their approach — which one prominent Democrat characterized as "flagrantly violating the law" — is drawing legal challenges and carries political risks.

by: MSN

Who is Paula White-Cain, Trump's faith adviser, and what's her connection to Polk County?

And Trump also issued an executive order forming a White House faith office and appointed controversial Florida pastor Paula White-Cain to lead it. White-Cain, a pastor at StoryLife Church and president of Paula White Ministries,

by: MSN

Trump and Putin to begin negotiations on ending Ukraine war

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to begin negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Mr Trump said that in addition to plans for him and Mr Putin to visit one another,

by: MSN

Musk's 'ignorance' is setting Trump up for a fall: columnist

President Donald Trump's decision to let billionaire Elon Musk enforce his agenda by dismantling the government and gutting popular programs will likely come back to haunt him. That is the opinion of the Washington Post's Philip Bump who suggested that the man who bought Twitter,
  • Fri, February 14, 2025

by: Townhall

We Are Totally Going to Crush the Democrats' Puny Lawfare Offensive

We're going to win this fight. We just have to fight smart. Let's back up a little. Doesn't it seem like these orders are crazy? Your gut is correct - they are crazy. They are also obnoxious, as they are the result of blatant judge shopping.

by: CounterPunch

Two Books on Climate Change and Beyond

Three Paths Through the Planetary Crisis (Little, Brown and Company, 2025) Anthony Galluzzo, Against the Vortex: Zardoz and

by: Reuters

Trump says US has approved extradition of suspect in 2008 Mumbai attacks

The U.S. has approved the extradition of a suspect in the 2008 militant attacks in India's financial capital Mumbai in which over 160 people were killed, President Donald Trump said on Thursday in a press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

by: Reuters

Singapore budget to tackle living costs and jobs as election looms

Singapore's government is expected to focus on cost of living issues, housing and employment in next week's budget, as it heads towards an election buoyed by strong growth and low inflation but facing uncertainties over U.

by: MSN

If Europe and the UK could sanction Putin over Ukraine, it can do the same for Bangladesh

It is easy to call for human rights from EU offices in Brussels and Luxembourg, our old, established democracies. In Bangladesh, Yunus is trying to build a new one. We must help him, Muddassar Ahmed writes.

by: MSN

US Federal Judge orders Trump administration to restore funding for foreign aid programmes

A US federal judge ordered the Trump administration to temporarily lift a three-week funding freeze that has shut down US aid and development work globally. View on euronews

by: MSN

John Methu savagely responds to Karen Nyamu: "Nitakuita watu wakianza kutwerk"

Nyandarua senator John Methu and Karen Nyamu traded witty jabs online over KUTRH leadership changes, leaving fans amused with their playful banter.

by: MSN

Judge orders Trump administration to temporarily lift funding freeze on US foreign aid

Judge orders Trump administration to temporarily lift funding freeze on US foreign aid - In another setback for President Donald Trump and Elon Musk's DOGE, Judge Amir Ali said freezing aid would have

In Congress, what's the difference between a budget resolution, reconciliation and spending bills?

There's understandable confusion over Capitol Hill lingo discussing the budget process and appropriations/spending process — which are two distinct things.
The article from CNN, published on February 13, 2025, explains the intricacies of the U.S. federal budget process, focusing on the budget resolution, reconciliation, and spending bills. It outlines how Congress is tasked with passing a budget resolution each year, which sets the framework for federal spending and revenue. This resolution, while not legally binding, guides the creation of spending bills. The piece delves into the reconciliation process, a special legislative procedure that allows for expedited consideration of certain tax, spending, and debt limit legislation, often used to bypass filibusters in the Senate. It also discusses the challenges Congress faces in passing these bills on time, often leading to continuing resolutions or omnibus bills to keep the government funded. The article highlights the political battles over spending priorities, the use of reconciliation for significant policy changes, and the implications of delays or failures in the budget process, including government shutdowns.

Read the Full CNN Article at:
https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/13/politics/budget-resolution-reconciliation-spending-bills-explainer/index.html