U.S. ties with staunch ally Australia became strained on Thursday after details about an acrimonious phone call between its leaders emerged and U.S. President Donald Trump said a deal between the two nations on refugee resettlement was “dumb.” During a 25-minute phone call last Saturday with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Trump accused Australia of trying to export the “next Boston bombers” under the agreement, the Washington Post reported.
Day: February 2, 2017
FMI Applauds Congress on Introduction of Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act
February 2, 2017 — ARLINGTON, VA- Food Marketing Institute renewed the supermarket industry’s support for the Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act . This bipartisan legislation introduced today addresses persistent problems with the Food and Drug Administration’s menu labeling final rule.
Happy Hour Roundup
Well before President Trump’s inauguration, his top adviser Steve Bannon met with a few top-tier donors – the kind of donors capable of writing million-dollar checks. The message, according to two sources with knowledge of the conversations, was that Bannon wants to use the 2018 midterm elections as the arena to test the political clout of Trump’s populist message.
Court declines Arizona’s bid to reconsider license case
A federal appeals court has refused to reconsider its earlier decision that backed up the ability of young immigrants who are protected from deportation to get an Arizona driver’s license. A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had ruled 10 months ago that the immigrants suffered irreparable harm from Arizona’s policy for driver’s licenses.
Grohn Says Berke Had Top Staffer Prepare Calendars For Gubernatorial…
Mayoral candidate Larry Grohn said Thursday he has learned that a top aide to Mayor Andy Berke prepared two calendars for him – for two different top posts away from Chattanooga.
Federal judges to hear arguments defending Trump travel ban
Federal judges on opposite coasts are due Friday to hear legal arguments defending President Donald Trump’s travel ban on citizens from seven predominantly Muslim countries. The ban is sure to reverberate through the courts on a likely path to an appeals court or the U.S. Supreme Court.
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An… . CORRECTS LAST NAME FROM GARRETTI TO GARCETTI- Ali Vayeghan, an Iranian citizen with a valid U.S. visa, third from left, kisses his brother Houssein Vayghan, with his Marjan Vayghan at Los Angeles International Airport Thu… .
Franken makes stop with Rep. Nolan, to motivate volunteers
Eighth Congressional District Representative Rick Nolan and U.S. Senator Al Franken visited Lindstrom, January 29. Sen. Franken told a group of 70 or so, preparing to door-knock for the Democrat candidate in the House District special election February 14; that President Trump and his most recent executive order; banning entry or re-entry to the U.S. by people from certain nations, has introduced an element of “chaos” that he and Senator Amy Klobuchar are responding to as best they can. There had been a demonstration at the MSP International Airport and morning media interviews, and Franken was accelerating his schedule for the rest of the weekend so he could participate in last minute events.
Nikki Haley just delivered the Trump administration’s most hawkish words yet toward Russia
The US ambassador to the United Nations on Thursday delivered the Trump administration’s strongest words toward Russia since Trump took office. UN ambassador Nikki Haley declared that existing US sanctions would stay in place against Russia stemming from its annexation of the peninsula of Crimea from Ukraine, amid renewed fighting in the eastern part of the country this week.
ED Nominee DeVos Faces Evenly Split Senate as Two GOP Lawmakers Defect
Betsy DeVos, President Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of the Department of Education , could be the most controversial pick for that post in American history. After her confirmation hearing and narrow approval Tuesday before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions , two Republican senators – Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska – said they would vote against DeVos when the vote goes before the full Senate.
Congress scraps Obama rules on coal mining, guns
The Republican-controlled Congress on Thursday scrapped Obama-era rules on the environment and guns, counting on a new ally in the White House to help reverse years of what the GOP calls excessive regulation. The Senate gave final approval to a measure eliminating a rule to prevent coal mining debris from being dumped into nearby streams, while the House backed a separate resolution doing away with extended background checks for gun purchases by some Social Security recipients with mental disabilities.
Trump vows to – totally destroy’ restrictions on churches’ support of candidates
President Trump vowed Thursday to “totally destroy” a law passed more than 60 years ago that bans tax-exempt churches from supporting political candidates, a nod to the religious right that helped sweep him into office. Speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, Trump said he would seek to overturn the Johnson Amendment, which prohibits tax-exempt nonprofits – including churches and other houses of worship – from “directly or indirectly” participating in a political candidate’s campaign.
House Rolls Back Rule Restricting Gun Sales to Severely Mentally Ill
The Republican-led House voted Thursday to repeal an Obama-era Social Security Administration regulation to keep people with severe mental illnesses from buying guns. “The Social Security Administration not only overstepped its mission with this regulation, it discriminated against certain Americans with disabilities who receive Social Security benefits.
Colorado’s D.C. delegation rises above fray to back…
As public lands policy continues to pit Democrats against Republicans in a political battle over the future of federal lands , Colorado’s Washington delegation has united on a flurry of bills to protect the state’s public lands. Earlier this week, Republican Reps.
Berkeley campus chaos spurs questions at free-speech bastion
The chaos at the University of California, Berkeley, was shocking: Protesters set fires, smashed windows, hurled explosives at police and ultimately achieved their goal of cancelling an appearance by right-wing provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos. The scene gained worldwide attention not just because of the mayhem but because of where it took place.
Can Trump wise up on world affairs before it is too late?
I’VE always maintained that the foreign policy arena is the place where Donald Trump is most likely to come seriously unstuck. Last weekend, as his immigration ban was making international headlines, another story was breaking that the Trump administration hoped would not come to light in the way it did.
Judge to decide anti-DoL fiduciary lawsuit next week
A federal judge expects to issue a ruling next week on a lawsuit seeking to stop the implementation of the fiduciary rule. Chief Judge Barbara Lynn told the parties she’ll make a decision on the case no later than Feb. 10, according to court documents filed on Thursday.
Trump SCOTUS Nominee Neil Gorsuch ‘Founded’ ‘Fascism Forever Club’ in Prep School
From the “you can’t make this up” department, it appears that Neil Gorsuch claimed to have founded a “Fascism Forever Club ” while at Georgetown Prep, from which he graduated in 1985. Known to be fiercely conservative at Georgetown Prep School, #Gorsuch joked in yearbook he founded and led “Fascism Forever Club” pic.twitter.com/zrZZ53iP4I The man who has been nominated to replace the late Justice Scalia on the Supreme Court, apparently in more ways than one, included an organization by that name on his yearbook page, declaring himself its founder and president.
Sen. Mike Lee: Pelosi’s ‘Supremacist’ Bannon Dig ‘Defamatory’
Republican Sen. Mike Lee lashed out Thursday at House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi for repeatedly calling President Donald Trump’s chief strategist, Steve Bannon, a “white supremacist.” In an interview with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer , the Utah senator said Pelosi should focus on policy, not personal attacks.
Study: Fake News Didn’t Change 2016 Election Results
A new study from Stanford and New York University shows fake news did not change the results of the 2016 presidential election, while far more false stories favored eventual President Donald Trump than his challenger, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. “Our data suggest that social media were not the most important source of election news and even the most widely circulated news stories were seen by only a small fraction of Americans,” lead researchers Hunt Allcott and Matthew Gentzkow wrote in the study, reports The Hill.
White House stands by Trumpa s first military raid, despite civilian, U.S. casualties
The White House on Thursday insisted that the risky ground raid personally approved by President Donald Trump against al Qaida targets in Yemen was a “successful operation,” despite the death of a Navy SEAL and the Pentagon’s conclusion that civilians, including children, were “likely” killed in the operation. “This was a very, very well thought out and executed effort,” White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said.
Shark protection activist, filmmaker Stewart goes missing off Florida
A search for award-winning Canadian filmmaker Rob Stewart, an environmental activist campaigning to protect sharks from being killed, entered its third day on Thursday after he went missing while diving off Florida, the U.S. Coast Guard said. The Coast Guard received a call on Tuesday afternoon of Stewart going missing near Alligator Reef, located a few miles off the Florida Keys.
Medicaid push: Coopera s strong start
For many of us, these are troubling times as Donald Trump has ascended to the nation’s highest office.
Things to know about Black History Month
Carter G. Woodson in an undated photograph. Woodson is a founder of the Association for the Study of African American History, who first came up with the idea of the celebration that became Black History Month.
GOP senator tries to reassure Australia after Trump call
A senior Republican senator on Thursday sought to assure Australia that the United States remains a staunch ally following a tense discussion between President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Arizona Sen. John McCain said in a statement that he spoke with Joe Hockey, Australia’s ambassador to the United States, and expressed his “unwavering support for the U.S.-Australia alliance.”
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We’re glad to hear the news that a Republican lawmaker is rescinding his bill to sell off millions of acres of federally owned land. Rep. Jason Chaffetz announced late Wednesday night on Instagram that he would pull the legislation after backlash from both hunters, conservationists and other constituents who opposed the sell off of national lands.
Nancy Pelosi: Steve Bannon is a white supremacist
Too kind to call him a Nazi, evidently. Nancy Pelosi: Steve Bannon is a white supremacist Top ranking Democrat Nancy Pelosi did not mince her words when she expressed her concerns about Donald Trump’s chief strategist becoming a permanent member of the National Security Council.
The Latest: Union leader: Inmates practiced hostage-taking
Geoffrey… . Vaughn Correctional Center near Smyrna, Del., remains on lockdown following a disturbance on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017.
US revises Russia sanctions for electronics exports
The Trump administration on Thursday revised recent U.S. sanctions that prevented American companies from exporting some electronic equipment to Russia. It also modified penalties on Iran, expanding a list of medical equipment that needs federal authorization to be sold to Iranian customers.
Senate on track to confirm Trump’s VA pick
Veterans Affairs Secretary-designate Dr. David Shulkin, currently undersecretary for health at the VA, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017, at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
LI sales rep sentenced in vending machine scam
Richard Goldberg of Holbrook was sentenced to 36 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay $546,487 in restitution, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
With public letter, Texan becomes first openly transgender mayor in the state
On Tuesday, the mayor of a small Texas town became one of the state’s first openly transgender public officials. Jess Herbst, formerly known as Jeff, has served in the local government of New Hope, a small town near McKinney, since 2003; she become mayor in May of 2016 when her predecessor passed away, and fellow council members unanimously appointed her to the role.
Correction: Supreme Court Nominee-Ratings story
President Donald Trump speaks in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017, to announce Judge Neil Gorsuch as his nominee for the Supreme Court. Gorsuch kisses his wife Louise.
Spirit Airlines to further reduce size of overhead cabin
According to the Independent , the airline is preparing to cut the space allotted for travelers’ free carry-on bag. Starting April 4, the volume allotted to qualify under the airlines “Bare Fare” policy will decrease by a quarter– from 2,688 to 2,016 cubic inches Under the carrier’s current bag policy, one item is included in the basic fare but now the size of passengers’ items will need to comply with new standards.
Strange, Aderholt make cut as Bentley narrows US Senate list
Gov. Robert Bentley has narrowed his list of potential picks to replace U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions, the likely next U.S. Attorney General. “This is truly a remarkable time in the history of our state,” Bentley said today.
Democrats see anti-Trump momentum, launch early bid to take Upstate NY House seats
House Democrats, seeing opportunity in grassroots rallies and protests against President Donald Trump’s policies, on Thursday launched their earliest effort in a campaign cycle to hire organizing staff and target key swing seats in New York state. The New York campaign will initially focus on U.S. Reps.
Russia ETFs Gain as U.S. Eases Sanctions on Russian Intelligence Agency
The United States government’s move to ease sanctions on Russian intelligence agency FSB on Thursday spurred a surge in Russia ETFs. The United States government’s move to ease sanctions on Russian intelligence agency FSB on Thursday spurred a surge in Russia ETFs.
House GOP aims to scrap Obama rule on gun background checks
The Republican-controlled House on Thursday took its first steps toward strengthening gun ownership under President Donald Trump, moving to scrap a regulation that provides background checks for disabled Social Security recipients mentally incapable of managing their own affairs. The regulation, issued in the final months of President Barack Obama’s term, is one of a handful congressional Republicans are rolling back, knowing they have a new ally in the White House.
GOP senators suspend committee rules, move Trump EPA pick ahead as Democrats boycott vote
In this Jan. 18, 2017, file photo, Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Republicans voted Feb. 2, 2017, to send to the full Senate the nomination of Pruitt to lead the EPA.
Texas legislators seek funding ban for ‘sanctuary cities’
Gov. Greg Abbott talks with Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly before a briefing on border security Wednesday Feb. 1, 2017 at the Texas Department of Public Safety regional headquarters in Weslaco, Texas. Secretary Kelly and Abbott toured the Texas border with Mexico in a helicopter following the briefing.