President Donald Trump appears to be courting former foe Sen. Ted Cruz, hoping the Texas conservative can rally support for the GOP House leadership’s healthcare plan. The president and first lady Melania Trump hosted Cruz, his wife Heidi, and their two daughters for dinner at the White House on Wednesday night a family friendly event that is a stark contrast to the bitter clashes between Trump and Cruz during their primary presidential race.
Category: Susan Collins
Republicans in Maine, Utah want Trump to undo monuments
Roxanne Quimby, the founder of Burt’s Bees, poses next to white pine in Portland, Maine, on March 14, 2011. Maine Gov. Paul LePage has asked Republican President Donald Trump to undo Democratic former President Barack Obama’s designation of a national monument and give back the land that was donated for it.
Former DNI James Clapper says Trump claim of wiretap is false
Former DNI James Clapper says Trump claim of wiretap is false Trump’s accusation of Obama wiretap at Trump Tower is disputed Check out this story on ElPasoTimes.com: http://usat.ly/2n2Vfp8 James Clapper, the former director of national intelligence, says there was no court order to monitor Donald Trump’s phones. WASHINGTON – Former Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper said Sunday he would have known and that there were no wiretaps at Trump Tower or against Donald Trump or his campaign during his tenure.
Sen. Susan Collins’ meatloaf recipe in cookbook
The cookbook is compiled with humor by former New York Times restaurant critic Frank Bruni and correspondent Jennifer Steinhauer. It’s entitled, “A Meatloaf in Every Oven: Two Chatty Cooks, One Iconic Dish and Dozens of Recipes – From Mom’s to Mario Batali’s.”
GOP Senator on Trump’s Wiretap Claims: It Would Be Helpful if…
During an appearance today on CBS’s Face the Nation , Sen. Susan Collins stated that while it might be good for the White House and President Donald Trump to provide further explanation behind Trump’s claims that his predecessor wiretapped his phones , perhaps it would be better if POTUS just remain quiet. Host John Dickerson , referencing the White House statement out this morning, asked Collins, “Do you think he owes something to the public now that he’s kind of thrown this out there and now isn’t going to say anything more about it?” “It would probably be helpful if he gave more information,” she answered.
The Trump who spoke to Congress was a lot less fiery than the Trump who stumped in Maine
Republicans are in celebration mode and Democrats are saying Republican President Donald Trump focused on pandering and not details Tuesday night in his first address to a joint session of Congress. Trump’s speech – which unlike most of his previous public appearances adhered tightly to the script – was remarkable for its departure from Trump’s usual gloom-and-doom characterization of everything from violence in U.S. cities to our country’s role in upheaval in the Middle East.
Thursday, March 2, 2017: Marijuana oversight, Trump’s immigration…
The Feb. 22 Washington Post article that appeared in the BDN online about the discovery of seven Earth-like planets circling Trappist-1 made me think that we’re looking for life in all the wrong places. Indeed, the discovery of planetary systems is wonderful news, yet the one God and creator – Jesus Christ – stooped to our planet to seek us.
Leaked ObamaCare bill would defund Planned Parenthood
A leaked draft of the ObamaCare repeal bill from House Republicans would defund Planned Parenthood, fulfilling their long-held goal cutting off federal money to the organization. Specifically, the language in the draft would block Planned Parenthood, and other health organizations that provide abortions, from receiving Medicaid reimbursements for a year.
Unfazed: GOP senators insist on keeping Obamacare option
Two Republican senators aren’t deterred by conservative pushback to their Obamacare replacement plan, saying if President Trump is serious about giving insurance to everybody, their idea is the best way to go. Sens. Bill Cassidy, of Louisiana, and Susan Collins, of Maine, are working with lawmakers in both chambers to whip up support for their replacement plan.
Senate silence speaks volumes about Russia probe | Jamie Dupree – PBP
A surprise meeting of the Senate Intelligence Committee on Friday with the FBI Director yielded an unusual reaction from Senators, as normally chatty lawmakers said next to nothing about their closed door meeting, raising eyebrows about that discussion and the panel’s investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 election. Usually, the appearance of someone as senior as FBI Director James Comey would have been on the schedule and known about it advance; instead reporters just happened to run into him on Friday afternoon in the Capitol, as intelligence committee members scampered down to their secure meeting room.
As crisis swirls, Trump faces mounting pressure in party
Donald Trump and his White House have come in for intense criticism in the president’s dizzying first weeks in office, and the rising sound of discord is not just coming from opposition Democrats. Republicans on Capitol Hill and outside the Washington Beltway are increasingly venting their frustration and worry — sometimes publicly but more often among themselves — about the new administration’s missteps, speedy policy rollouts, abrasive tone and often tenuous relation to facts.
The Latest: Mnuchin sworn in as treasury secretary
President Donald Trump says that Mnuchin spent his entire career making money in the private sector and now will go to work for the American taxpayer. Mnuchin was confirmed by the Senate late Monday despite strong objections from Democrats who said the former banker made much of his fortune by foreclosing on struggling homeowners during the financial crisis.
Conservatives worry budget bill will keep Planned Parenthood funded
Conservative lawmakers who are already worried that the Republican Party isn’t moving fast enough on Obamacare repeal are growing agitated about something else: that a provision to defund Planned Parenthood will get left out on the chopping block. GOP Rep. Jim Jordan, a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, has publicly called on party leaders to take an immediate vote on a 2015 budget reconciliation bill that rolled back large chunks of the Affordable Care Act and stripped federal funding for Planned Parenthood .
From the Left: Eugene Robinson – The GOP’s profiles in cowardice
Imagine how Republicans would have reacted if former president Obama had attacked a retailer for dropping his daughter’s product line. Or asked senators to confirm a Cabinet pick who said guns are needed in schools to defend against grizzly bears.
Inside the GOP campaign to save Andrew Puzder’s nomination
Republicans in the Senate are plotting an aggressive effort to save Andrew Puzder’s embattled nomination to become labor secretary, leaning on well-funded business groups, the White House and the powerful Senate majority leader to ensure his confirmation over stiff opposition from the left. Puzder’s nomination has emerged of particular interest to Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, who has a long-standing relationship with the nominee.
Cheers and Jeers: Thursday
Donald Trump has won the presidency after narrowly carrying a few states to put him above 270 electoral votes.But according… **NOTE: THE FORM LETTER IS BLANK. WE WILL ACHIEVE MAXIMUM IMPACT WITH UNIQUE LETTERS.
LePage says he went easy on foes in State of the State
Gov. Paul LePage said his State of the State speech on Tuesday took a soft tone compared to what he wanted to say. “Frankly, I thought we softened it up because I think they need to look at the mirror,” he said during a radio appearance today on WGAN.
DeVos ekes out confirmation win as Pence casts historic vote
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos smiles during a swearing-in ceremony in the Vice President’s Ceremonial Office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building of the White House on Feb. 7, in Washington, D.C. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos smiles during a swearing-in ceremony in the Vice President’s Ceremonial Office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building of the White House on Feb. 7, in Washington, D.C. WASHINGTON – Charter school advocate Betsy DeVos won confirmation as U.S. Education secretary Tuesday by the slimmest of margins, pushed to approval by the historic tie-breaking vote of Vice President Mike Pence.
Oklahoma senators vote to confirm Betsy DeVos
The Senate has confirmed school choice activist Betsy DeVos as Education secretary, with Vice President Mike Pence breaking a 50-50 tie. The Senate historian says it was the first time a vice president had to break a tie on a Cabinet nomination.
DeVos hangs in balance before tight Senate vote
President Donald Trump’s selection for education secretary, billionaire mega-donor Betsy DeVos, appears to be his most embattled Cabinet pick, but Senate Republicans have largely held tight in their support. Senate GOP leaders are confident they can squeak DeVos through the Senate with the support of 50 Republican senators Tuesday afternoon, plus a historic tie-breaking vote from Vice President Mike Pence.
Senate set to confirm education secretary by narrow margin
Here’s a look at previous cabinet nominees who were defeated. According to Senate.gov, it has happened to nine people, though two of them were rejected multiple times.
Women could take big hit if ACA is tossed
From a return to higher premiums based on gender, to gaps in coverage for birth control and breast pumps, experts say women could end up paying more for less if the Obama-era health care law is repealed. The 2010 law ended a common industry practice of charging women more than men for policies purchased directly from an insurer.
DeVos moves closer to confirmation as education secretary
Betsy DeVos moved closer toward confirmation as education secretary Friday after clearing a major hurdle in the Senate, even as Democrats and labour unions fervently sought another Republican vote against her. Tensions flew on the Senate floor during an early-morning session, with a senior Republican saying DeVos will make an “excellent” secretary and a top Democrat calling her “one of the worst nominees.”
Senate Pulls 6:30 am Vote to Rebuke Dems and Advance Betsy DeVos
Educations Secretary nominee Betsy DeVos will be receiving a full Senate vote and is likely to be confirmed after Republicans advanced her nomination in a 6:30 am vote on Friday. Senators convened at the unusual, early hour – 6:30 a.m. ET – because of Democratic stalling tactics that reflect their unhappiness with Trump’s cabinet picks and the overall confirmation process.
Betsy DeVos nomination on thin ice
Billionaire philanthropist and public education backer Eli Broad is urging senators to vote against President Donald Trump’s pick for education secretary, Betsy DeVos, saying she is “unprepared and unqualified for the position.” Broad writes in a letter to senators that if DeVos were confirmed, “much of the good work that has been accomplished to improve public education for all of America’s children could be undone.”
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.
Here’s the Real Reason Susan Collins Betrayed American Children
Susan Collins dropped a bombshell yesterday in announcing that she would not vote for Betsy DeVos to be Secretary of Education. Her reasons center more or less around the idea that charter schools and vouchers would hurt rural schools, which Maine has in abundance.
VP Pence may have to break tie to get deVos confirmed
Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins each came out Wednesday against Betsy de Vos, President Trump’s pick to head the Education Department The billionaire GOP megadonor has been a major supporter of private school education vouchers and flubbed questions at her confirmation hearing The GOP opponents are not filibustering the nomination, which would allow it to go forward on a simple majority vote Vice President Mike Pence may need to cast the deciding vote in order to confirm the nomination of Betsy deVos, President Trump’s pick to run the Education Department.
The Latest: Charter school backer seeks rejection of DeVos
Billionaire philanthropist and public education backer Eli Brown is urging senators to vote against President Donald Trump’s pick for education secretary, Betsy DeVos, saying she is “unprepared and unqualified for the position.” Brown writes in a letter to senators that if DeVos were confirmed, “much of the good work that has been accomplished to improve public education for all of America’s children could be undone.”
DeVos nomination on thin ice with 2 GOP senators opposed
Education Secretary-designate Betsy DeVos testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington on Jan. 17 at her confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. WASHINGTON>> Donald Trump’s nomination of school choice activist Betsy DeVos as education secretary is on thin ice after two Republican senators vowed to vote against her.
GOP Senate pair rule out voting for DeVos, putting nomination in jeopardy
Donald Trump’s nomination of school choice advocate Betsy DeVos as education secretary appeared in jeopardy Wednesday with two Republican senators saying they will vote against her. Amid fierce criticism from Democrats and teachers unions, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska announced their opposition to DeVos due to her lack of experience in the nation’s public schools.
Bannon’s power puts Republicans on edge
Republicans on Capitol Hill are on edge over what they view as Stephen Bannon’s growing influence inside President Trump’s White House. The White House counselor’s elevation to being a permanent member of the National Security Council has deepened the debate, as has the furor surrounding Trump’s controversial executive order on immigration.
5 Things for Tuesday, January 24, 2017: Donald Trump, Obamacare, Brexit
On his administration’s first full workday, the President got to work, work, work, work, work. Here are the 5 things you need to know to Get Up to Speed and Out the Door.
Republican Senators Appeal to Trump, Democrats in Obamacare Bill
Seeking to bridge the Obamacare divide between Democrats and President Donald Trump, four Republican senators led by Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Susan Collins of Maine offered a plan Monday to replace the health-care law. The quartet’s proposal could be crucial in the Senate, which Republicans control 52-48.
Maine pulp and paper trade group dissolves after half a century
In what appears to be a sign of the times, the Maine Pulp and Paper Association has announced that it is disbanding effective immediately. Conna Cassese, the association’s chair, sent an email on Friday informing members that in the wake of ongoing mill closures, the 50-year-old trade organization no longer had enough support to continue its mission of representing the state’s pulp and papermaking companies, according to an online post by Maine Environmental News.
Trump says buy LL Bean but many products are made in China
Republican President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday urged people to buy from outdoors retailer L.L. Bean – even though many of its products are made in China – as it faces calls for a boycott because of a company heiress’ donations to his candidacy. Trump, in tweeting the endorsement, garnered criticism from the nonpartisan money-in-politics watchdog Every Voice for “personally encouraging his supporters to boost the companies of his super donors.”
Republican-led Senate takes first step to repeal ‘Obamacare’
The Senate early has passed a measure to take the first step forward on dismantling President Barack Obama’s health care law, responding to pressure to move quickly even as Republicans and President-elect Trump grapple with what to replace it with.
Republican-led Senate takes first step to repeal ‘Obamacare’
In this Jan. 4, 2017 file photo, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky. pauses during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington.
Republican Sen. Tom Cotton: GOP needs an Obamacare alternative before repeal
Rep. Tom Cotton said Republicans need to have an alternative to Obamacare before repealing President Barack Obama’s signature health care law. “I think when we repeal Obamacare we need to have the solution in place moving forward,” the Arkansas Republican told MSNBC’s Chuck Todd Thursday.
Republicans face early stumbling blocks on Obamacare repeal
Republicans are unanimous in their desire to “repeal and replace” President Barack Obama’s signature health care law — but they are already flirting with not having the 50 votes needed to pass the bill in the Senate. Republicans have 52 seats in the Senate, meaning they can only afford to lose three members of their caucus before they cannot pass legislation without Democratic votes.