Deal reached to keep US government running, help Flint
FILE - In this Sept. 13, 2016 file photo, Senate Minority Leader Sen. Harry Reid of Nev.
Category Archives: Mitch McConnell
Senate blocks stopgap bill to prevent shutdown this weekend
A must-do bill to prevent the government from shutting down this weekend and to fund the fight against the Zika virus is stalled in the Senate, held up by bipartisan opposition as the clock ticks toward a Friday deadline. Democrats, demanding money so Flint, Michigan, can address its lead-contaminated water crisis, overwhelmingly opposed the measure is a Senate test vote Tuesday.
Democrats poised to block stopgap funding bill over Flint
Senate Democrats on Tuesday threatened to block must-do legislation to prevent the government from shutting down Friday at midnight, battle the Zika virus and help flood-ravaged Louisiana rebuild. The aim is to pressure Republicans to add money to the stopgap spending bill to give Flint, Michigan, immediate help with its water crisis instead of settling for promises from top Republicans that the city will receive aid after the election.
Democrats press talks as showdown vote looms on funding bill
Democrats opened a last-minute push Tuesday for new talks on must-do legislation to prevent the government from shutting down this weekend, fight the Zika virus and help flood-ravaged Louisiana rebuild. The aim is to see if Republicans will relent and add money to help Flint, Michigan, with its water crisis - and get Capitol Hill off a collision course that could lead to a government shutdown this weekend.
Senate Democrats oppose GOP spending bill
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, on Thursday introduced a Republican-drafted bill that would prevent a government shutdown at the end of the month, but it is being opposed by Democrats after bipartisan negotiations stalled late this week. Senate Republicans and Democrats have been haggling for days over what should be included in the stop-gap spending bill, known as a continuing resolution , with leaders at times indicating a deal was close.
US Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia Will Continue, Despite Allegations of War Crimes
"The United States is at war in Yemen today," said Sen. Chris Murphy during a Senate debate this morning over a bipartisan resolution seeking to block a $1.15 billion arms dea l that would supply Saudi Arabia with Abrams tanks and an assortment other weaponry. While the resolution was voted down, 71 to 21, it marked the first time that members of Congress have publicly debated the wisdom of the United States' role in a conflict that's left thousands of civilians dead and millions on the verge of starvation.
Saudi Arabia’s Clout in Washington Isn’t What It Used to Be
Saudi Arabia doesn't have the same clout it used to. That's the message the chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee says he has delivered to the Saudi government.
Senate Will Delay Vacation to Override Obama Veto
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said that the Senate will take up an expected veto override of legislation that lets families of 9/11 victims sue Saudi Arabia in U.S. courts before breaking for the elections, The Hill reports.
Congress works to finish Zika aid, prevent shutdown
Driven by a desire to free up endangered lawmakers to campaign, congressional negotiators are working to quickly complete a spending bill to prevent an election-season government shutdown and finally provide money to battle the threat of the Zika virus. The stopgap measure would keep the government running past the end of the budget year this month.
The Export-Import Bank Provision That Could Be A Problem In Government Funding Negotiations
House Freedom Caucus Chairman Jim Jordan agrees that conservatives don't have much leverage in upcoming government funding battles, which might mean that conservatives get rolled. WASHINGTON - Thirty-six conservative advocacy groups warned on Friday that a potential Export-Import Bank provision in the upcoming bill to keep the government funded could provide Congress with unexpected controversy as lawmakers look to get out of Washington and back to the campaign trail.
McConnell: no SCOTUS nominee vote this year
The decision is viewed as a major gamble for GOP leaders. Republicans figure, if Clinton wins the White House and Democrats take the Senate, the chamber will be narrowly divided, forcing Clinton to consider a more moderate pick.
Senate is on track to work fewest number of days since 1956
The U.S. Senate is on track to work the fewest number of days since 1956, a fact that Democrats seized on Wednesday to attack the chamber's Republican leadership. Senators returned last week to Washington after a seven-week break.
Obama, Hill leaders meet ahead of federal funding deadline
In this March 1, 2016 file photo, President Barack Obama meets with, from left, the Senate Judiciary Committee's ranking member Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., Senate Minority Leader Sen. Harry Reid of Nev., Vice President Joe Biden, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. Budget and trade top the agenda as President Barack Obama meets with the top Republicans and Democrats in Congress on Monday.
McConnell asks for prayers as GOP fights to keep Senate
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has asked Kentucky Republicans to pray for his party to maintain control amid what he called a "challenging" election cycle this November. McConnell was one of several speakers at the Republican Party of Kentucky's annual Lincoln Dinner that also included U.S. Sen. Rand Paul and Gov. Matt Bevin.
Senators might skip town ASAP – Sat, 10 Sep 2016 PST
The Senate's scheduled to be in session through Oct. 3, but lawmakers could attempt to finish up next week. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., have said they are working to hammer out a deal on a continuing resolution to fund the government WASHINGTON - The Senate's scheduled to be in session through Oct. 3, but lawmakers could attempt to finish up next week.
Congress Fails to Pass $1.1 Billion Zika Funding Package
Lawmakers returning to Washington after a seven-week break picked up right where they left off - feuding about legislation to battle the mosquito-borne Zika virus and deadlocked over the defense budget. A tightening presidential race and pitched warfare for control of the Senate this November promise to overshadow whatever Congress accomplishes in an election-shortened September session - which, for now, looks like little more than a temporary government-wide spending bill to prevent a shutdown at month's end, possibly linked to money to battle Zika.
Obama takes troubled trade portfolio to AsiaTrip will promote…
President Barack Obama goes to Asia this week promoting a trade agenda that appears imperiled by anti-globalization sentiment at home and abroad that could undo years of negotiations. Tough comments recently from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement and from two European leaders on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership all but signaled the delay and even possible death of both accords.
Harry Reid: Senate Democrats might have to nuke the filibuster to ram …
Reid and his caucus already nuked part of it in 2013, eliminating filibusters on presidential appointments . The 60-vote requirement remains in place for SCOTUS nominations and of course for regular legislation.
Louisiana senator promises push for speedy federal flood aid
A freshman Republican senator from Louisiana says he'll press for immediate emergency disaster funding to help his state recover from this summer's disastrous flooding. Sen. Bill Cassidy says he'll seek emergency community development block grants and other help for his state and has already put his case before Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
Strong link emerges between Zika, spikes in temporary paralysis cases
Where there's a Zika outbreak, there will likely be an accompanying increase in cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome, a new analysis shows. The latest finding strengthens a suspected link between infection with the mosquito-borne virus and the syndrome, which causes temporary paralysis in its victims.