WEATHER ALERT
Lawyers for Nassar assault survivors have reached $100M deal with Justice Department, AP source says
Read full article: Lawyers for Nassar assault survivors have reached $100M deal with Justice Department, AP source saysThe U.S. Justice Department has agreed to pay approximately $100 million to settle claims with about 100 people who say they were sexually assaulted by sports doctor Larry Nassar.
Sen. Ted Cruz says there's a 50-50 chance of Congress passing college sports legislation this year
Read full article: Sen. Ted Cruz says there's a 50-50 chance of Congress passing college sports legislation this yearU.S. Senator Ted Cruz says there's a 50-50 chance of Congress passing legislation regulating college athletics by the end of the year.
US officials say 40 Boeing jets have been inspected as investigations continue into midair blowout
Read full article: US officials say 40 Boeing jets have been inspected as investigations continue into midair blowoutFederal officials have briefed a congressional committee on their investigations into a jetliner that lost a panel of its fuselage in midflight this month and revealed that airlines have inspected 40 identical Boeing planes.
Probe into US Olympic failings stunted by red tape in DC
Read full article: Probe into US Olympic failings stunted by red tape in DCMore than two years since it was greenlighted by Congress, the panel established to probe the inner workings of the U.S. Olympics has yet to conduct a formal interview because of bureaucratic red tape in Washington.
Kansas senator's reelection campaign scammed out of $690K
Read full article: Kansas senator's reelection campaign scammed out of $690KU.S. Sen. Jerry Moran's office says someone scammed the Kansas Republican's reelection campaign out of $690,000 by getting his accounting firm to wire the money to fraudulent bank accounts.
'Democracy voters' delivered for Democrats in tightest races
Read full article: 'Democracy voters' delivered for Democrats in tightest racesPresident Joe Biden tried to shape the midterm elections not as a verdict on his time in office, but rather on the contrast between Democrats and Republicans on American democracy.
Lawmakers reach deal to help veterans exposed to burn pits
Read full article: Lawmakers reach deal to help veterans exposed to burn pitsCongressional bargainers have announced a deal on legislation to boost health care services and disability benefits for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Raimondo: Inquiry on solar imports follows the law
Read full article: Raimondo: Inquiry on solar imports follows the lawCommerce Secretary Gina Raimondo pushed back forcefully Wednesday against critics — including some within the Biden administration — who say a government investigation of solar imports from Southeast Asia is hindering President Joe Biden’s ambitious climate goals.
GOP wants to end Russian oil imports to US, boost production
Read full article: GOP wants to end Russian oil imports to US, boost productionRepublican elected officials across the U.S. are criticizing President Joe Biden over his energy policies and want to ramp up domestic production as a way to help wean the nation and its allies off oil from Russia.
Looking for evidence? Trust us, Biden administration says
Read full article: Looking for evidence? Trust us, Biden administration saysPresident Joe Biden's administration has refused to share evidence for national security claims in recent days, and officials have even accused reporters of buying into foreign propaganda.
Reaction to Bob Dole's death from US dignitaries, veterans
Read full article: Reaction to Bob Dole's death from US dignitaries, veteransU.S. leaders and military veterans are mourning the loss of former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, a World War II veteran and former Republican presidential candidate who served in Congress for 36 years.
Biden, Yellen say GOP virus aid too small, Democrats push on
Read full article: Biden, Yellen say GOP virus aid too small, Democrats push onFrom left, Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, Vice President Kamala Harris, Biden, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska. Biden and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen joined the Democratic senators for a private virtual meeting, both declaring the Republicans' $618 billion offer was too small. “President Biden spoke about the need for Congress to respond boldly and quickly,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said after the lunch meeting. The president made it clear that he won’t delay aid in hopes of winning GOP support. Biden proposes $170 billion for schools, compared to $20 billion in the Republican plan.
President Biden to meet Republicans proposing $618 billion virus aid
Read full article: President Biden to meet Republicans proposing $618 billion virus aidWASHINGTON – President Joe Biden told Republican senators during a two-hour meeting Monday night he's unwilling to settle on an insufficient coronavirus aid package after they pitched their slimmed down $618 billion proposal that's a fraction of the $1.9 trillion he is seeking. AdRepublicans are tapping into bipartisan urgency to improve the nation's vaccine distribution and vastly expand virus testing with $160 billion in aid. Psaki said earlier Monday there is “obviously a big gap” between the $1.9 trillion package Biden has proposed and the $618 billion counteroffer. It also includes $20 billion to reopen schools compared to $170 billion in Biden's plan. The Republicans offer $40 billion for Paycheck Protection Program business aid.
Undaunted, US global media chief plows ahead with changes
Read full article: Undaunted, US global media chief plows ahead with changesWASHINGTON Despite a barrage of criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, the new chief of U.S. global media is plowing ahead with changes to the Voice of America and other international broadcasters that are heightening concerns about their future as independent news organizations. Pack on Wednesday fired the executive editor of Radio Free Asia, Bay Fang, whom he had demoted from president shortly after assuming office last month. Although the review is not complete and no visa actions have yet been taken, some believe the review itself sends a chilling message to journalists. The visa review, in particular, will be perceived as a threat to many reporters," said Matt Armstrong, a former Republican appointee to the Broadcasting Board of Governors, which was the AGM's predecessor. Failing to renew (visas) may result in harsh penalties for some of these reporters and their families, from jail to even death."
Trump allies take aim at his global media chief for firings
Read full article: Trump allies take aim at his global media chief for firingsWASHINGTON Seven U.S. senators, including two strong allies of President Donald Trump, harshly criticized Trump's new chief of U.S.-funded global media on Wednesday for firing the heads of several international broadcasters without consulting Congress. Wednesday's letter was notable in that it was signed by the two powerful Trump allies who are particularly close to the president. The director and deputy director of VOA resigned just days before the firings, which also included the dismissal of each of their governing boards. Conservatives have in particular assailed the firings of former Rubio staffer Jamie Fly as head of RFE/RL and former U.S. diplomat Alberto Fernandez as head of MBN. "We urge you to respect the unique independence that enable USAGM's outlets and grantees to help cultivate a free and open world," the wrote.
VA says it lacks adequate medical gear for 2nd virus wave
Read full article: VA says it lacks adequate medical gear for 2nd virus waveFILE - In this March 27, 2019, file photo Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie, left, speaks with Veterans Health Administration Executive in Charge, Dr. Richard Stone, second from left, before a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. To handle a possible second wave of COVID-19, it would need a six-month supply. A future pandemic wave may test all of us in our preparation, Stone told the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. The Associated Press previously reported that VA health care facilities struggled with shortages of workers and protective equipment, forcing employees to reuse masks for days or weeks, even as VA leaders denied that it lacked adequate supplies. As of Tuesday, VA had 1,665 staff cases of COVID-19, including 133 that were considered active. At least 33 VA employees have died of the virus, according to VA data.