Debate on new tax cuts undercut by GOP election pressure Source: AP

House lawmakers on Thursday debated a Republican proposal to expand the new tax law by making permanent the individual tax cuts now set to expire in 2026. But the move is undercut by election pressures faced by GOP lawmakers from high-tax states where residents are hurt by the law's limits on state and local tax deductions.

Revoke Suu Kyi’s Congressional Gold Medal: Indian-American Congressman

Washington, Sep 12 : Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna has said that he wants to revoke Myanmar State Counsellor Suu Kyi's Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honour in the US, which was bestowed on her with much fanfare six years ago. Nobel Peace Prize winner Suu Kyi has been silent as military rulers of Myanmar ravaged the Rohingyas, an ethnic minority group on the country's western border, in a brutal campaign the UN deemed "genocide".

Photos: Rally protests Trump immigration policy separating families

Javier Solano and his granddaughter Rachel Chajon 2 of Somerset attend the Father's Day Rally forFamily Unity, organized by immigration rights advocates, outside of the Elizabeth Detention Center. Chajon's father, a citizen of Guatemala, was picked up by ICE ten months ago outside of their home.

Democratic lawmakers visit with dads separated from children at detention center

Democratic members of Congress from New Jersey and New York on Sunday met with immigration detainees separated from children at the southwest border who are now being held at a New Jersey immigration facility. During a news conference afterward, the representatives said they met with five men at the Elizabeth Contract Detention Facility, four of whom were brought to New Jersey from the U.S.-Mexico border.

End of West Milford blood drive hurts region

The Monthly Blood Drive of West Milford will hold its final collection day on June 17, after 19 years in operation. Bergen-based blood bank losing most consistent supplier in West Milford drive The Monthly Blood Drive of West Milford will hold its final collection day on June 17, after 19 years in operation.

Corporate raiders ruined lives as they destroyed Toys ‘R’ Us, politicians say

Following the announcement that bankrupt Toys 'R Us would close all its stores and layoff its 33,000 employees -- including 11 outlets and 1,600 people at its New Jersey headquarters -- the state's two U.S. senators and a House colleague on Friday called on the chain's owners to "support" those workers any way they can. "We write to urge you to do everything in your power to support the thousands of Toys 'R' Us workers who will soon lose their jobs as the company closes its doors," it was stated in a letter dated June 1 and signed by Senators Cory Booker and Robert Menendez, plus U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell .

Menendez seems in good shape to win a third term

In this March 28, 2018, file photo, Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., speaks during an event kicking off his campaign for re-election at Union City High School in Union City, N.J. FILE - In this March 28, 2018, file photo, Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., speaks during an event kicking off his campaign for re-election at Union City High School in Union City, N.J. WASHINGTON - New Jersey Democrat Bob Menendez seems in good shape to win a third term despite a harsh rebuke from fellow senators who say he violated chamber rules and federal law, according to political analysts and party colleagues.

New Jersey Hit Hardest By New Tax Law, Report Says

New Jersey will have the highest percentage of taxpayers facing a tax hike this year as a result of the Republican rewrite of the federal tax code, according to a new report. The Tax Policy Center, a think tank based in Washington, D.C., said in a report Wednesday that 10.2 percent of New Jersey taxpayers will see their tax bills rise.

Lawmakers urge tarfiff exemptions for NAFTA allies

An influential U.S. lawmaker said on Sunday all fairly traded steel and aluminum, especially from Canada and Mexico, should be excluded from President Donald Trump's proposed tariffs, as he sought to calm tensions at major trade talks in Mexico. Kevin Brady, chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over U.S. trade policy, was speaking on the sidelines of the latest round of NAFTA talks among the United States, Canada and Mexico, where he said there had been progress in reworking the 24-year-old trade deal.

Sharp elbows in Congress as GOP starts committee work on tax reform plan

Lawmakers from both parties repeatedly sparred with each other on Monday in the first full day of work before a key U.S. House committee on a GOP tax reform package, as Republicans made some small changes to the bill, trying to smooth over any internal party divisions on the tax details, which still might cause trouble for the Republican plan in both the full House and Senate. "Not only do we deliver tax relief for every American family, especially those who feel like they've been left behind," said Rep. Carlos Curbelo , as GOP lawmakers on the House Ways and Means Committee delivered a strong message in favor of the Republican tax reform bill.

Lawmakers bicker over whether tax bill helps middle class

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, begins the markup process of the GOP's far-reaching tax overhaul as members propose amendments and changes to shape the first major revamp of the tax system in three decades, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Nov. 6, 2017. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, begins the markup process of the GOP's far-reaching tax overhaul as members propose amendments and changes to shape the first major revamp of the tax system in three decades, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Nov. 6, 2017.

House tax panel adopts GOP changes after day of bickering

After a day of partisan bickering over whether the Republicans' sweeping tax plan would truly help the middle class, a key House panel on Monday approved late changes. Lawmakers restored the tax exemption for employees receiving child care benefits from their companies, but also put new requirements on a tax credit used by working people of modest means.

Stop outsourcing thrua H-1B visa: US lawmaker

Washington: A bipartisan group of influential lawmakers from both the House and Senate has urged US President Donald Trump to crackdown on jobs outsourcing companies and reform the visa has been abused by some corporations as a way to displace American workers with cheap foreign labour. We urge you to use your authority as President to the greatest extent possible to stop abuses, but we believe reform also must happen legislatively because of loopholes in the law," the lawmakers said in a letter to the President.

Partisan Tensions Evident at Lance’s Third Town Hall of the Year

Leonard Lance, the mild-mannered Republican congressman from New Jersey's 7th congressional district, on Wednesday faced another crowd of constituents to answer questions, his third town hall event since President Trump was inaugurated. Lance has diverged from Trump on several issues - he was a 'no' on the president's biggest legislative initiative so far, a failed effort to replace the Affordable Care Act with a vastly different Republican plan - but constituents at Wednesday's event at a high school in Morris County nonetheless gave Lance some flak for his party ties.