Maryland U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein faced a barrage of questions from Democratic senators Tuesday about how he would handle investigations into Russian meddling in last year’s election if he is confirmed to serve as the No. 2 official at Department of Justice.
Category: Senator Ben Cardin
Trump condemns anti-Semitism
President Donald Trump finally delivered an unequivocal condemnation of anti-Semitism Tuesday in the wake of bomb threats against Jewish Community Centers, winning him praise even from critics. But scores of people still took issue with how long the statement took.
US Sen. Markey joins congressional delegation to Mexico
U.S. Sen. Edward Markey has joined a congressional delegation on a trip to Mexico to discuss immigration, economic development, and climate change. The Massachusetts Democrat left Friday evening with Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin and Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley, both Democrats.
Rex Tillerson: Japan, South Korea already share in U.S. military burden
A leaked document of responses from U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to questions from U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin , D-Md., during Tillerson’s confirmation hearing in January indicate he may be taking a more moderate approach to challenges in Asia. The 51-page document that a U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee spokesman verified as authentic to The Japan Times include a more restrained strategy to issues like military burden sharing with Asian allies and Chinese buildup in the South China Sea.
GOP, Dem senators want congressional say on Russia sanctions
A bipartisan group of senators wants President Donald Trump to get approval from Congress before easing U.S. sanctions against Russia. Their legislation, dubbed the Russia Sanctions Review Act, is the latest salvo in an increasingly heated debate over Trump’s desire to improve relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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Senators voted 56-43 largely along party lines to approve Tillerson’s nomination to be the nation’s chief diplomat. Most Senate Democrats opposed Tillerson’s nomination, angering Republicans who considered the former Exxon Mobil CEO to be highly qualified for the post.
Senate delays vote on Trump EPA pick after Democrats boycott
“Republican U.S. senators on Wednesday delayed a committee vote on President Donald Trump’s pick to head the Environmental Protection Agency after the panel’s Democrats boycotted the meeting, saying that nominee Scott Pruitt doubts the science of climate change. The boycott in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee delayed the transition to a new administrator for the agency.
Senate panel narrowly backs Trump’s choice for top diplomat
In this Jan. 11, 2107 file photo, Secretary of State-designate Rex Tillerson testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.
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The panel voted along party lines, 11-10, to recommend Rex Tillerson’s nomination to the full Senate, where the former chief executive of Exxon Mobil is almost certain to be confirmed by the Republican-led chamber. Sen. Bob Corker, the committee’s Republican chairman, says he has “no doubt” Tillerson is well-qualified, citing his leadership of the energy giant.
US lawmakers call for action on Venezuela food corruption
Venezuelan officials may face U.S. sanctions for profiting from food shortages that have exacerbated hunger in the South American country. The calls by members of Congress on both sides of the aisle come in response to an Associated Press investigation that found trafficking in hard-to-find food has become big business in Venezuela, with the military at the heart of the graft.
What we learned about Trump’s tax plans from Mnuchin
Lawmakers and taxpayers looking for clarity about President-elect Trump’s tax plans from Steven Mnuchin’s confirmation hearing Thursday were probably let down. The treasury secretary nominee offered some details about plans for tax reform and border taxes, but in most cases they differ in some significant ways from what Trump has said.
Haley slams Obama for not blocking UN measure against Israel
South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley assailed the Obama administration on Wednesday for failing to block a U.N. Security Council resolution that condemned Israel’s settlements in east Jerusalem and the West Bank.
Democrats Push For Independent Commission On Russian Election Meddling
From left, Rep. Elijah Cummings, Sen. Ben Cardin, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Rep. Eric Swalwell hold a news conference Monday to call for an independent, bipartisan commission to investigate foreign interference in the 2016 presidential election. WASHINGTON – After intelligence officials issued a bombshell report on Russia hacking the Democratic National Committee, House and Senate Democrats are renewing their call for an independent commission to investigate Russian interference in the presidential election.