Hamas militants have gathered in Deir Al-Balah ahead of the expected release of three more Israeli hostages -- Eli Sharabi, Or Levi and Ohad Ben Ami.
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Today's Political News Compilation - Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024
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New House GOP budget proposal revives Farm Bill extension and aid money but drops ethanol provision
By STEVE KARNOWSKIUpdated 5:12 PM CST, December 19, 2024
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — American farmers are hoping that aid to agriculture will be revived as Congress struggles to pass a short-term spending bill that would keep the federal government funded and avert a looming partial government shutdown set to begin after midnight Friday night.
A one-year extension of federal farm programs, around $30 billion in economic relief and an agreement that would increase sales of a higher blend of ethanol, called E15, were part of a bipartisan deal that collapsed Wednesday after President-elect Donald Trump and his allies denounced the overall package. But even as he rejected that deal, Trump signaled that he was at least aware of concerns in farm country, which voted heavily for him in the election.
A new House Republican version announced Thursday kept the one-year Farm Bill extension and the economic aid but dropped the ethanol provision. It remained unclear whether it could clear both chambers amid opposition from Democrats and some conservative Republicans, and get President Joe Biden’s signature, in time to prevent a shutdown.
Both versions of the proposed “continuing resolution” would extend Farm Bill programs for another year after lawmakers were unable to agree on a new five-year package despite months of negotiations. They also include $10 billion to help farmers who’ve been struggling with high interest rates, declining crop prices and rising production costs that are outpacing farm revenues. Producers also would get $20 billion of the $100 billion in disaster aid in the package. ...
READ THE FULL STORY - AP
House rejects Trump-backed plan on government shutdown, leaving next steps uncertain
The House has resoundingly rejected President-elect Donald Trump’s new plan to fund federal operations and suspend the debt ceiling a day before a government shutdown.
apnews.com
How Trump and Elon Musk derailed bipartisan plans for a funding bill, bringing on risk of shutdown
"My phone was ringing off the hook," Republican Rep. Andy Barr said. "The people who elected us are listening to Elon Musk."
www.cbsnews.com
The chaos agent in chief is back: From the Politics Desk
Plus, the details of House Republicans' new plan to avoid a government shutdown.
www.nbcnews.com
'Hell no': Democrats poised to reject slimmed-down Republican proposal to avoid government shutdown
House Republicans negotiated a new proposal to keep the government running through March. It still faces hurdles among right-wing lawmakers and Democrats alike.
www.usatoday.com
Musk ascends as a political force beyond his wealth by tanking budget deal
Elon Musk’s role in taking down a bipartisan budget deal shows his ascendance as a political force. The social media warnings from the world’s wealthiest man preceded President-elect Donald Trump’s condemnation of the measure negotiated by GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson.
apnews.com
Biden, Democrats take backseat amid shutdown chaos - convinced Republicans own it
Amid the threat of a federal government shutdown, President Joe Biden and Democrats say Republicans have only themselves to blame.
www.usatoday.com
House Republicans regrouping after government funding bill fails
Speaker Mike Johnson said that Republicans will "regroup" and "come up with another solution" after the government funding bill failed to pass.
Republicans hand Democrats 'Christmas gift' with funding 'dysfunction' - Washington Examiner
Democrats have endeavored to undermine Republicans as the party of chaos despite their own reputation for being the party in "disarray."
www.washingtonexaminer.comPentagon says it doubled the number of US troops in Syria before Assad's fall
The United States has more than doubled the number of its forces in Syria to fight the Islamic State group.
apnews.com
House Republicans agree on Plan B government funding bill with Trump's debt limit increase
House Republicans have reached an agreement on funding the government before Friday's shutdown deadline. The deal would also suspend the debt limit for two years.
House rejects Trump-backed spending deal on eve of government shutdown - Washington Examiner
House Republican leaders must return to square one to finalize a spending agreement before the government is scheduled to shut down after midnight on Friday.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
24 hours that exposed a schism between Trump and Johnson and sent the government hurtling toward a shutdown | CNN Politics
President-elect Donald Trump has long supported House Speaker Mike Johnson — hosting him on election night, bringing him to the Army-Navy college football game last weekend and backing him privately despite conservative complaints about the House’s actions.
www.cnn.com
Here's what to know about the potential US government shutdown
Dozens of Republicans defied Trump and joined Democrats to reject a revised spending bill. Here are five things to know ahead of Friday’s shutdown deadline.
www.bbc.comClosures, Social Security checks, furloughs: What a government shutdown might mean
Congress has until midnight Friday to come up with a way to fund the government, or federal agencies will shutter.
apnews.com[URL...
Latest Political News Feed
Federal judge rules not to immediately block DOGE access to Labor Department systems
A federal judge on Friday said he would not immediately block the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, from accessing systems at the Labor Department.
U.S. District Judge John Bates said he had concerns about DOGE but that the labor unions who sued to block their access to the systems have not yet provided evidence of any legal injury.
"Although the court harbors concerns about defendants’ alleged conduct, it must deny plaintiffs’ motion at this time," Bates wrote.
The Labor Department has investigated companies like SpaceX and Tesla that...
Continue reading...U.S. District Judge John Bates said he had concerns about DOGE but that the labor unions who sued to block their access to the systems have not yet provided evidence of any legal injury.
"Although the court harbors concerns about defendants’ alleged conduct, it must deny plaintiffs’ motion at this time," Bates wrote.
The Labor Department has investigated companies like SpaceX and Tesla that...
Trudeau reportedly says Trump's talk of making Canada a US state is ‘a real thing'
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday said President Donald Trump’s talk of making Canada the 51st U.S. state is “a real thing” and is linked to the country’s rich natural resources, local media reported.
Trudeau’s comments to business and labor leaders in a closed-door session were mistakenly carried by a loudspeaker, Canada’s public broadcaster CBC reported.
“Mr. Trump has it in mind that the easiest way to do it is absorbing our country and it is a real thing. In my conversations with him on…,” Trudeau said of making Canada a U.S. state before...
Continue reading...Trudeau’s comments to business and labor leaders in a closed-door session were mistakenly carried by a loudspeaker, Canada’s public broadcaster CBC reported.
“Mr. Trump has it in mind that the easiest way to do it is absorbing our country and it is a real thing. In my conversations with him on…,” Trudeau said of making Canada a U.S. state before...
Modi's BJP ahead in tightly-fought Delhi election race
Early trends show Modi's party is ahead of the incumbent Aam Aadmi Party as votes are counted in India's capital.
Continue reading...Trudeau says Trump threat to annex Canada 'is a real thing'
The prime minister told an economic summit in Toronto he believes Trump is eyeing Canada's critical minerals.
Continue reading...China lashes out at US ‘coercion' after Panama declines to renew infrastructure agreement
China on Friday lashed out at what it called U.S. “coercion” after Panama declined to renew a key infrastructure agreement with Beijing following Washington’s threat to take back the Panama Canal.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a briefing that China “firmly opposes the U.S. smearing and undermining the Belt and Road cooperation through means of pressure and coercion.”
Assistant Foreign Minister Zhao Zhiyuan also met Panama’s ambassador to China and lodged solemn representations on Friday, the Foreign Ministry said Saturday.
The...
Continue reading...Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a briefing that China “firmly opposes the U.S. smearing and undermining the Belt and Road cooperation through means of pressure and coercion.”
Assistant Foreign Minister Zhao Zhiyuan also met Panama’s ambassador to China and lodged solemn representations on Friday, the Foreign Ministry said Saturday.
The...
Hegseth to look into 'what went wrong' in Afghanistan and pledges accountability, slams diversity motto
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday addressed events in Afghanistan, saying they created the perception of "American weakness."
While speaking to the Department of Defense and Pentagon workforce during a town hall on Friday, Hegseth said America "deserves to take accountability for" events in Afghanistan, the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel, and the war that was unleashed in Ukraine.
"Chaos happens when the perception of American strength is not complete," Hegseth said. "We aim to re-establish that deterrence."
PETE HEGSETH CONFIRMED TO...
Continue reading...While speaking to the Department of Defense and Pentagon workforce during a town hall on Friday, Hegseth said America "deserves to take accountability for" events in Afghanistan, the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel, and the war that was unleashed in Ukraine.
"Chaos happens when the perception of American strength is not complete," Hegseth said. "We aim to re-establish that deterrence."
PETE HEGSETH CONFIRMED TO...
Democratic AGs from 19 states sue Trump admin over DOGE access to sensitive, personal data at Treasury
Democratic attorneys general from 19 states have filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration over the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) access to sensitive, personal data belonging to Americans at the Treasury Department.
The lawsuit claims the Elon Musk-run agency illegally accessed the Treasury Department’s central payment system at the Trump administration’s behest.
On Thursday, the Treasury agreed to limit the Musk team’s access to its payment systems while a judge hears arguments in a previous lawsuit filed by a group...
Continue reading...The lawsuit claims the Elon Musk-run agency illegally accessed the Treasury Department’s central payment system at the Trump administration’s behest.
On Thursday, the Treasury agreed to limit the Musk team’s access to its payment systems while a judge hears arguments in a previous lawsuit filed by a group...
Trump says he's firing Kennedy Center board members, naming himself chairman
President Donald Trump said Friday that he is firing members of the board of trustees for the Kennedy Center and naming himself chairman.
He also indicated that he would be dictating programming at one of the nation's premier cultural institutions, specifically declaring that he'd put an end to events featuring performers in drag.
Trump's announcement came as the new president has bulldozed his way across official Washington during the first weeks of his second term, trying to shutter federal agencies, freeze spending and ending diversity, equity...
Continue reading...He also indicated that he would be dictating programming at one of the nation's premier cultural institutions, specifically declaring that he'd put an end to events featuring performers in drag.
Trump's announcement came as the new president has bulldozed his way across official Washington during the first weeks of his second term, trying to shutter federal agencies, freeze spending and ending diversity, equity...
A federal judge won't immediately block DOGE access to the US Labor Department
A federal judge said Friday he would not immediately block Elon Musk's team from accessing systems at the Labor Department, which has investigated companies owned by the billionaire adviser to President Donald Trump.
U.S. District Judge John Bates said he had concerns about Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, but the labor unions who sued to stop them haven't yet shown a legal injury.
“Although the court harbors concerns about defendants’ alleged conduct, it must deny plaintiffs’ motion at this time,” Bates wrote.
The Trump administration...
Continue reading...U.S. District Judge John Bates said he had concerns about Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, but the labor unions who sued to stop them haven't yet shown a legal injury.
“Although the court harbors concerns about defendants’ alleged conduct, it must deny plaintiffs’ motion at this time,” Bates wrote.
The Trump administration...
Major cancer research group calls on Trump administration to restore data access
The American Cancer Society is calling on the Trump administration to restore access to comprehensive scientific data.
Continue reading...Judge grants DOGE access to Labor Department systems
Washington — A federal judge on Friday declined to limit the White House Department of Government Efficiency's access to Department of Labor systems as members of the task force led by billionaire Elon Musk are fanning out across federal agencies as part of President Trump's directive to slash the size of the government.
U.S. District Judge John Bates denied the request to issue a temporary restraining order while legal proceedings continue in the court battle brought by six labor unions and the Economic Policy Institute.
"On the current record...
Continue reading...U.S. District Judge John Bates denied the request to issue a temporary restraining order while legal proceedings continue in the court battle brought by six labor unions and the Economic Policy Institute.
"On the current record...
Transgender people sue Trump administration over new passport policy eliminating 'X' gender marker
A group of transgender people is challenging the Trump administration's new policy that prevents the issuing of passports with sex designations that do not match an applicant's biological sex at birth.
Seven people represented by the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit claiming the policy violates privacy and First Amendment rights. In 2022, the State Department allowed passport applicants to select M, F or X for sex.
"The plaintiffs in this case have had their lives disrupted by a chaotic policy clearly motivated by animus that serves...
Continue reading...Seven people represented by the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit claiming the policy violates privacy and First Amendment rights. In 2022, the State Department allowed passport applicants to select M, F or X for sex.
"The plaintiffs in this case have had their lives disrupted by a chaotic policy clearly motivated by animus that serves...
Trump freezes aid to South Africa, promotes resettlement of refugees facing race discrimination
President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order cutting all foreign aid to South Africa, citing concerns about the country "seizing" ethnic minority Afrikaners’ agricultural property without compensation.
Trump alleged South Africa's recently enacted Expropriation Act 13 of 2024 "dismantles equal opportunity in employment, education, and business."
The order notes "hateful rhetoric" and government actions have been "fueling disproportionate violence against racially disfavored landowners."
SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT SIGNS CONTROVERSIAL...
Continue reading...Trump alleged South Africa's recently enacted Expropriation Act 13 of 2024 "dismantles equal opportunity in employment, education, and business."
The order notes "hateful rhetoric" and government actions have been "fueling disproportionate violence against racially disfavored landowners."
SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT SIGNS CONTROVERSIAL...
Army considering changing name of Fort Liberty back to Fort Bragg
Army officials are considering changing the name of Fort Liberty in North Carolina back to Fort Bragg, according to two people familiar with the conversations.
In 2021, Congress established a commission tasked with renaming Department of Defense properties that were named after Confederate leaders. Then-President Donald Trump vetoed the bill, arguing against changing any of the names, but Congress overrode the veto, making the changes mandatory by law.
In 2022, the commission recommended changing the names of nine Army installations, including...
Continue reading...In 2021, Congress established a commission tasked with renaming Department of Defense properties that were named after Confederate leaders. Then-President Donald Trump vetoed the bill, arguing against changing any of the names, but Congress overrode the veto, making the changes mandatory by law.
In 2022, the commission recommended changing the names of nine Army installations, including...