President-elect Donald Trump is expected to nominate Robert E. Lighthizer as the U.S. trade representative, a transition official confirmed Monday night, recruiting to his Cabinet a veteran of the Reagan administration who has decades of experience in trade policy and litigation. Lighthizer, whose nomination is expected to be formally announced as early as Tuesday, will join a team of Trump lieutenants charged with fulfilling one the central promises of Trump’s populist candidacy: aggressively confronting China, Mexico and other nations the president-elect believes have been taking advantage of international trade agreements, to the detriment of U.S. workers.
Category: US House of Representatives
House Republicans Move To Weaken Congressional Ethics Office
U.S. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy laughs as he and House Speaker Paul Ryan, flanked by House Republican Whip Steve Scalise , introduce Representative Jason Smith and Representative Luke Messer as new members of the House Republican leadership team after their caucus held leadership elections on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S. November 15, 2016. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst In an abrupt move made without the backing of their leaders, Republicans in the House of Representatives plan to dramatically scale back an independent congressional ethics office created eight years ago.
House GOP Votes to Strip Ethics Office of Independent Status
House Republicans voted Monday night in favor of a proposal that would weaken Congress’ outside ethics watchdog and remove its independence. – Republican Virginia Rep. Bob Goodlatte’s proposal would place the independent Office of Congressional Ethics
Two Years Out, Elizabeth Warren Is Already Fundraising for Sherrod Brown
Democrat’s had high hopes of retaking the U.S. Senate in 2016. Sadly those hopes were dashed as Republicans held onto their slim majority.
Democrats target eight Cabinet nominees, threaten to drag out process
Senate Democrats are vowing to stall action on eight of Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees tasked with carrying out his economic, law enforcement and regulatory agenda, a senior Democratic aide told CNN Monday. Those targeted include secretary of state nominee Rex Tillerson, attorney general pick Jeff Sessions and health and human services secretary hopeful Tom Price.
State of the Statehouse: Pence’s turnaround led Indiana political stories in 2016
Gov. Mike Pence started the year of 2016 as politically vulnerable, with sinking approval ratings and a looming rematch against a well-funded opponent who almost beat him four years ago. He is ending the year as vice president-elect, having helped Donald Trump surprisingly claim the presidency and power through a 20-point victory in Indiana, a margin far higher than any polls predicted.
Donald Trump: Chicago Mayor Should Ask Feds to Help Combat Homicides
President-elect Donald Trump said Monday that Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel should seek federal assistance to combat homicides in the nation’s third-largest city. “Chicago murder rate is record setting – 4,331 shooting victims with 762 murders in 2016.
Democrats extol health care law in bid to derail GOP repeal
Senior House Democrats on Monday extolled the benefits of President Barack Obama’s health care law in hopes of derailing Republican plans to gut the statute and over time replace it. In a conference call with reporters, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said the GOP will begin its “assault” on the health care law when the 115th Congress convenes Tuesday.
Trump takes dig at Rahm Emanuel over Chicago homicides
President-elect Donald Trump is taking a dig at Rahm Emanuel, Chicago’s mayor and President Barack Obama’s former chief of staff, about the city’s rising homicide tally. The nation’s third-largest city had 762 homicides in 2016 – the most in two decades and more than the largest cities, New York and Los Angeles, combined.
The Latest: Trump takes dig at Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel
President-elect Donald Trump is showing little sign of forgiving his critics as he prepares to move into the Oval Office. The incoming president tweeted Monday that, “Various media outlets and pundits say that I thought I was going to lose the election.
Trump Takes Aim at Mayor Emanuel in Tweet About Chicago
President-elect Donald Trump tweeted Monday about Chicago’s “record setting” violence in 2016, claiming the city should seek federal help if local authorities can’t handle the crisis. As Chicago closed on one of its most violent years in decades, President-elect Donald Trump tweeted Monday the city should seek federal help if local authorities can’t handle the crisis.
Trump: Chicago Should Ask For Federal Help To Fight Murder Epidemic
Donald Trump addressed the issue of Chicago’s 2016 murder spike on Monday, suggesting that mayor Rahm Emanuel may need to ask for help from the federal government. The Windy City’s 762 murders in 2016 are a 57 percent increase from 2015, when 480 people were killed.
Resistance at the Ready as GOP Licks Chops Over Regressive Agenda
Since Donald Trump was elected in November, House Speaker Paul Ryan has been poised to advance a GOP agenda. From slowing President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet confirmations to hampering GOP attempts to repeal Obamacare or defund Planned Parenthood, Democrats and allied progressive forces stand ready to resist the looming Republican agenda.
Chicago: Taking Tips from the Screwworm
In this series we’ll take a fresh look at resources and how they are used. We’ll go beyond natural resources like air and water to look at how efficiency in raw materials can boost the bottom line and help the environment.
Chicago: Taking Tips from the Screwworm
In this series we’ll take a fresh look at resources and how they are used. We’ll go beyond natural resources like air and water to look at how efficiency in raw materials can boost the bottom line and help the environment.
GOP Congress feels it has mandate to undo Obama’s agenda
In this Dec. 8, 2016 file photo, House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., and others, listen as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington. Republicans’ grip on all levers of power stands as a mandate to the GOP-led Congress, which will move swiftly to try to undo eight years of outgoing President Barack Obama’s agenda.
GOP Congress feels it has mandate to undo Obama’s agenda
In this Dec. 8, 2016 file photo, House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., and others, listen as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington. Republicans’ grip on all levers of power stands as a mandate to the GOP-led Congress, which will move swiftly to try to undo eight years of outgoing President Barack Obama’s agenda.
Democrats Will Target 8 of Trump’s Cabinet Picks
Washington Post : “Incoming Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer has told Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell that Democrats will home in especially on Rex Tillerson, Trump’s choice for secretary of state; Sen. Jeff Sessions , his pick for attorney general; Rep. Mick Mulvaney , tapped to lead the Office of Management and Budget; and Betsy DeVos, selected to serve as education secretary.” “There’s also Rep. Tom Price , Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services and oversee changes to Obamacare, who is expected to be attacked by Democrats for his support for privatizing Medicare.
Chicago had more homicides in 2016 than NYC and LA combined
One of the most violent years in Chicago history ended Sunday with a sobering tally: 762 homicides, the most in two decades in the city and more than New York and Los Angeles combined. The nation’s third largest city also saw 1,100 more shooting incidents than it did in 2015, according to statistics released by the Chicago Police Department.
Dershowitz: I’ll Leave Democratic Party If Ellison Becomes DNC Chair
While Alan Dershowitz is a staunch liberal, he’s threatening to leave the Democratic Party should Rep. Keith Ellison become the next chairman for the national committee. Dershowitz, a renowned attorney and Israel supporter, said he would resign due to Ellison’s positions on the Israeli-Palestinian issue and his association with Louis Farrakhan : Speaking on Fox Business, Dershowitz said there is a divide in the Democratic Party over Jewish issues, particularly the support of Israel, or lack thereof, offered by the Obama administration.
Nevada Sen. Dean Heller To Run For Reelection, Not Governor
Dean Heller made an announcement earlier this week that he would be seeking reelection for his Senate seat. The Nevada Republican had previously been mulling a gubernatorial run as Gov. Brian Sandoval is term limited and will be stepping down in 2018.
2017 to be year of massive change in Washington
Washington is bracing for a year of breakneck change as President-elect Trump and a new Congress take office with a jam-packed agenda ahead. “Look, I can tell you what I got out of Donald Trump today is, this is a man of action,” said House Speaker Paul Ryan after a post-election meeting.
President-elect Donald Trump gives a thumbs up to reporters at…
The stakes confronting Republicans determined to dismantle President Barack Obama’s health care law were evident in one recent encounter between an Ohio congressman and a constituent. “He said, ‘Now you guys own it.
Guest column: Reflecting on 2016’s accomplishments and 2017’s opportunities
Tim WalbergCourtesy Photo By Congressman Tim Walberg As 2016 draws to a close, and we look expectantly to the New Year, I’d like to thank you for the opportunity to continue to serve Michigan’s 7th District and pause to reflect…
Trump tells Schumer he likes him more than other GOP leaders :0
Donald Trump told Democrat Sen. Charles Schumer in a phone call he likes him more than his GOP brethren House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a source close to the transition team said. During a recent phone call, the president-elect “said to Schumer he likes Schumer more than Ryan and McConnell because they both wanted him to lose,” the source said.
Commentary: Safety net faces dire threats from Trump, GOP
Poor Americans are facing the gravest threat to the federal safety net in decades as President-elect Donald Trump takes office accompanied by a Republican-controlled Congress. The risks to essential benefits for tens of millions of low- and moderate- income Americans include losing coverage extended to them by the Affordable Care Act , threats to the fundamental structure of the Medicaid health-insurance program for the poor, and further reduction of already squeezed funding for scores of other important programs serving the most vulnerable Americans.
Not so predictable
A year ago, I wrote a prediction column for 2016 full of myself and greatly detailed scenarios. I was so proud of my concocted narratives that I encouraged readers to clip or save the column to their desktops for later reference.
Musical chairs
There they go again, this state’s congressmen, ’round and ’round they go, and where they’ll stop nobody knows. For it’s time again for members of the U.S. House of Representatives to choose new offices or stay where they are.
New Hampshire dairy farmers struggling to survive
Dairy farms in the state had been declining slowly, from 130 in 2010 to 121 in 2015. But this year saw 19 more farms drop out of the dairy business, although they may remain in agriculture.
Grand Old Party? Trump remaking GOP in his image
President-elect Donald Trump, center, walk with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky. after a meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington.
Gov. Inslee downplayed talk of taxes on the campaign trail. Then he…
Gov. Jay Inslee told voters during 2016 that fixing Washington schools would require lawmakers “to actually put meat on the bone.” When asked where that meat would come from, the first-term Democrat talked mainly about ending tax exemptions, as well as harnessing revenue from the state’s growing economy.
It’s Alaska’s turn for EPA regional administrator, but will Trump listen to tradition?
Some Alaskans are eagerly anticipating the selection of a new regional administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency, hoping that this time, an Alaskan will oversee the regional office. There’s a tradition, but no requirement, of rotation among the states in the region.
Charade: Over.
Governor Greg Abbott has vowed to sign a bill if it passes through the Texas Legislature next session. The bills come after two faithless electors in this month’s Electoral College vote in the Texas State Capitol refused to vote for the state’s winner.
Minnesota delegation braces for President Trump
Jason Lewis, seen here with campaign volunteers, ran as an outsider like Donald Trump, and he shares the new president’s desire to shake things up. ST. PAUL – The Republican-led Congress returns to work next week as Washington prepares for a presidential changeover like no other.
Thanks To Russia, 2016 Isn’t Really Going To End For Obama And Trump
President Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose for the media before a bilateral meeting at United Nations headquarters on Sept. 28, 2015.
Four Cabinet spots still open in the Trump administration
Trump has picked most of his top Cabinet nominees already. But outside groups are getting restless as they wait to see who will lead the Departments of Agriculture and Veterans Affairs, as well as the U.S. Trade Representative’s office and the Council of Economic Advisers.
Godless, Shameless Anti-Christian Neocons in the West Should Learn…
In an outright condemnation of Obama administration’s covert policy of aiding the Takfiri terrorist groups – ISIS and al-Qaeda for the purpose of overthrowing the Syrian regime, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard introduced legislation to curb Pres. Obama’s pro-terrorist policy, calling it the Stop Arming Terrorists bill .
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Charles Krauthammer harshly criticized President Barack Obama during a panel discussion on Fox News Thursday evening. The conservative pundit called Obama’s new executive order raising sanctions against Russia for its government’s alleged role in influencing the 2016 election “anti-democratic” before chastising POTUS for seeking to “lock in” Trump to a fractured Oval Office.
Disabled ABLE to save for future
When David Morgan and Abby Braithewaite want to put away money for their 6-year-old son Corwin’s future, it’s easy. “If he gets the same $50 check from his grandmother or his aunt on the East Coast it can just go into an account for him,” said Morgan, 43. “Nobody’s going to show up and ask him how much money is in it.
Mexican man charged with rape had 19 deportations, removals
This undated photo provided by the Geary County Detention Center In Junction City, Kan., shows Tomas Martinez-Maldonado. Records obtained by The Associated Press show that Martinez-Maldonado a Mexican national accused of raping a 13-year-old girl on a Greyhound bus that traveled through Kansas had been deported 10 times and voluntarily removed from the U.S. nine times since 2003.