House panel OKs health bill OK, industry groups say ‘no’

Republicans on a pivotal House committee scored an initial triumph in their effort to scuttle former President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, using a pre-dawn vote Thursday to abolish the tax penalty his statute imposes on people who don't purchase insurance and reshaping how millions of Americans buy medical care. Yet the Ways and Means panel's approval of health care legislation only masked deeper problems Republican backers face.

House Republicans Unveil Their Rx for Obamacare

House Republicans have unveiled their long-anticipated plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace it with a stripped-down system of individual tax credits. The proposed legislation would preserve some of the most popular features of the controversial health reform law sometimes called Obamacare, while eliminating some aspects that never caught on with the public.

Education advocates question grade inflation in AP courses

Jeremy Noonan, an education advocate with Citizens for Excellence in Public Schools, spoke during the Douglas County Board of Education meeting Monday night about grade inflation in Advanced Placement courses and how it negatively impacts student achievement. Grade inflation in Advanced Placement courses and below par scores by students who take the course were addressed by two members of the advocacy group Citizens for Excellence in Public Schools Monday night during the Douglas County Board of Education meeting.

New Mexico warily studies Republican health overhaul plan

New Mexico's health care sector and policy makers were warily studying a proposal Tuesday by U.S. House Republicans to replace the Affordable Care Act that has cut the state's uninsured rate in half since 2013. Of particular concern were measures to reduce federal matching funds for newcomers to Medicaid health coverage starting in mid-2019, and link overall federal spending on Medicaid to a limited, per-beneficiary amount.

House intel committee will probe Trumpa s wiretap accusation against Obama

The House intelligence committee will investigate President Donald Trump's claim that Barack Obama ordered his phones tapped during the closing days of last year's presidential election campaign, the committee's chairman announced Tuesday. Rep. Devin Nunes, a California Republican, said the claim would be part of the committee's first open hearing on Russian meddling in the U.S. election, which is now set for March 20. The witness list for that hearing, Nunes said, includes the heads, or former heads, of most of the major American intelligence agencies and may grow.

Trump set to roll back federal fuel-economy requirements

In this Feb. 21, 2017 file photo, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt speaks to employees of the EPA in Washington. The Trump administration is moving to roll back federal fuel-economy requirements that would have forced automakers to significantly increase the efficiency of new cars and trucks.

LPD Chief Speaks About February Protest Outside LIBA Luncheon

It's being examined by Lincoln Police Chief Jeff Bliemeister following claims by the Lincoln Independent Business Association that protesters should have been arrested outside a February 21 speaking engagement by Nebraska U-S Republican Senator, Deb Fischer, at the Grand Manse. Protesters showed up and chanted loudly outside the room where the luncheon was being held, voicing opposition to her support of Betsy DeVos as U.S. education secretary.

Trump team praises House health care bill but will work with critics

Trump team praises House health care bill but will work with critics President lauds 'wonderful' bill to replace Obamacare. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2mClUNe WASHINGTON - Trump administration officials praised the House Republican health care bill Tuesday but said they are willing work with conservative critics of the plan.

Cuts to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative: A plan to sink American cities

The Great Lakes contain 95 percent of America's fresh surface water and supply drinking water to more than 30 million people in North America. The environmental and ecological justification for improving and maintaining the Great Lakes is undeniable but one must look no further than my of hometown Buffalo, N.Y., to see how Great Lakes cleanup is breathing new life into the economy of once struggling cities.

Senators press Trump administration to help communities against antisemitic threats

All 100 senators are urging the Trump administration to help communities dealing with a wave of antisemitic activity, following a spate of bomb threats against Jewish institutions and desecration of Jewish cemetaries Senators press Trump administration to help communities against antisemitic threats All 100 senators are urging the Trump administration to help communities dealing with a wave of antisemitic activity, following a spate of bomb threats against Jewish institutions and desecration of Jewish cemetaries Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2nbiAoK WASHINGTON - Capitol Hill lawmakers are pressing the Trump administration to help local communities battle antisemitism following a rash of threats to Jewish institutions and vandalism at historic cemeteries.

Trump to roll back fuel-economy requirements

The Trump administration is moving to roll back federal fuel-economy requirements that would have forced automakers to increase significantly the efficiency of new cars and trucks, a key part of former President Barack Obama's strategy to combat global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency is close to an announcement reversing a decision made in the waning days of the Obama administration to lock in strict gas mileage requirements for cars and light trucks through 2025.

Chorus of Conservatives Slam the Republican a Obamacarea Repeal

A growing list of conservative groups and lawmakers balked on Tuesday at House Republicans' plan to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, condemning the replacement health care bill "Obamacare 2.0." , a Republican health care bill that maintains some of the most popular provisions of the 2010 Affordable Care Act and was revealed on Monday. . "The overwhelming response from our activists is, 'This is not what we meant or expected when we voted for Congress to repeal Obamacare.