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Political News Compilation - Weekend Updates - Jan. 4 & 5 , 2025
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Higher Social Security payments are coming for millions of people from a bill that Biden is signing
By FATIMA HUSSEIN
Updated 5:28 PM CST, January 5, 2025
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Sunday signed into law a measure that boosts Social Security payments for current and former public employees, affecting nearly 3 million people who receive pensions from their time as teachers, firefighters, police officers and in other public service jobs.
Advocates say the Social Security Fairness Act rights a decades-old disparity, though it will also put strain on Social Security Trust Funds, which face a looming insolvency crisis.
The bill rescinds two provisions the Windfall Elimination Provision
and the Government Pension Offset that limit Social Security benefits for recipients if they get retirement payments from other sources, including public retirement programs from a state or local government.
“The bill I’m signing today is about a simple proposition: Americans who have worked hard all their life to earn an honest living should be able to retire with economic security and dignity — that’s the entire purpose of the Social Security system,” Biden said during a signing ceremony in the White House East Room.
“This is a big deal,” he said. ...
READ THE FULL STORY - AP
Trump invites House Republicans to Mar-a-Lago ahead of inauguration
President-elect Donald Trump is set to host several groups of House GOP lawmakers in Florida next weekend.
www.nbcnews.com
GOP congressional leaders set the stage to move on Trump’s agenda | CNN Politics
Donald Trump and his GOP allies in Congress have recently shared some of the first details of their ambitious agenda — sweeping tax cuts, border security and raising the debt limit — which they hope to muscle through in the first 100 days of the president-elect’s term.
www.cnn.comAs he prepares to leave office, Biden urges incoming Democratic lawmakers to reach across the aisle
The new slate of roughly 30 Democratic lawmakers arrive prepared to be in the minority in the executive and legislative branches.
apnews.com
Thune has privately told Trump that Hegseth has the votes to be confirmed as Defense Secretary, sources say
When asked for comment, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader John Thune said "two things we don't discuss publicly: Whip counts and private conversations with the president."
www.cbsnews.com
Trump rounds out White House team with four new picks - Washington Examiner
Trump made four picks for his White House staff on Saturday night, three of whom served in his first administration.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Biden signs Social Security Fairness Act into law
President Joe Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law Sunday, marking what is expected to be one of the last major pieces of legislation of his presidency.
Pro-Israel Dem could tip scales in key Senate committee as Middle East war continues
Sen. Jacky Rosen, a new Democrat assigned to a key Senate committee, could bolster support for Israel in the new Congress.
Lawmakers brace for Trump's promised Jan. 6 pardons. Some are urging restraint
More than 1,250 have pleaded guilty or been convicted after trials in connection with Jan. 6, with more than 650 receiving prison time ranging from a few days to 22 years.
apnews.com
Hamas says it’s ready to free 34 captives under ceasefire deal, reports say
Israeli and Hamas officials are holding talks in Qatar in renewed push to secure ceasefire deal.
Sen. Adam Schiff says the New Orleans attack shows Kash Patel shouldn’t lead the FBI
Schiff told NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that it was an “easy” decision to vote against Patel, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the FBI.
www.nbcnews.com
Russia ‘getting what it deserves,’ Ukraine says, after launching counterattack in border region | CNN
Ukraine has launched a counterattack in the southern Russian border region of Kursk, warning that Russia is “getting what it deserves.”
www.cnn.com
'Is it realistic to deport everybody?' Top Senate Republican on Donald Trump's mass deportation promises
Senate Majority Leader John Thune also said in an interview Sunday that he's willing to stand up to President-elect Donald Trump when they disagree.
www.usatoday.com
Trump appears with Italian Prime Minister Meloni at his Florida club
Meloni follows Argentina President Javier Milei, who became the first world leader to meet with Trump at Mar-a-Lago after his Election Day victory in November.
apnews.com
Winter Storm Blair latest: Millions hit by huge winter storm as seven US states declare state of emergency
A state of emergency has been declared in seven states, with the storm set to bring the coldest temperatures in over a decade.
www.bbc.com
Ukraine presses attacks in Russia's Kursk region
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he will urge allies to boost his country's air defenses at a meeting this week in Germany.
apnews.com
Nancy Pelosi says violence of Jan. 6 "didn't end that day"
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Sunday the violence of Jan. 6, 2021, "didn't end that day," accusing president-elect Donald Trump of stoking continued violence in the aftermath of the attack on the Capitol.
www.cbsnews.com
Joe Biden sits down with USA TODAY's Susan Page for exclusive interview about his legacy, 2024 election
Susan Page, USA TODAY's Washington Bureau chief, exclusively interviewed outgoing President Joe Biden about his legacy, the 2024 election and more.
www.usatoday.com
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Biden says he's been carrying out ‘most aggressive climate agenda’ in history as he designates CA monuments
President Biden on Tuesday signed proclamations to establish the Chuckwalla National Monument and the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument, which will protect hundreds of thousands of acres of land in California, during his last week in office.
The event was delayed by a week due to the destructive wildfires raging in Southern California, and Biden revealed that he had wanted to do the ceremony in the state, but it had to be moved to the White House.
"We've been carrying out the most aggressive climate agenda ever in the history of the world,"...
Continue reading...The event was delayed by a week due to the destructive wildfires raging in Southern California, and Biden revealed that he had wanted to do the ceremony in the state, but it had to be moved to the White House.
"We've been carrying out the most aggressive climate agenda ever in the history of the world,"...
Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol detained over martial law declaration
South Korean police detained impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol at his residence in Seoul on Wednesday local time, ABC News confirmed.
Continue reading...Nancy Mace challenges Dem rep to ‘take it outside’ after ‘child, listen’ comment sparks chaos
Them's fightin' words.
The House Oversight Committee devolved into chaos on Tuesday after Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., challenged Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, to a fight.
"If you wanna take it outside, we can do that," Mace said.
The squabble was sparked when Crockett said "child, listen" during a back-and-forth about civil rights, women's rights and transgender rights.
TWO HOUSE DEMS JOIN GOP TO BAN BIOLOGICAL MALES FORM GIRLS' SCHOOL SPORTS
"Somebody's campaign coffers are struggling right now. So she gon' keep sayin' ‘trans, trans trans’ so...
Continue reading...The House Oversight Committee devolved into chaos on Tuesday after Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., challenged Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, to a fight.
"If you wanna take it outside, we can do that," Mace said.
The squabble was sparked when Crockett said "child, listen" during a back-and-forth about civil rights, women's rights and transgender rights.
TWO HOUSE DEMS JOIN GOP TO BAN BIOLOGICAL MALES FORM GIRLS' SCHOOL SPORTS
"Somebody's campaign coffers are struggling right now. So she gon' keep sayin' ‘trans, trans trans’ so...
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to confirming Trump Cabinet nominees — perhaps even during inaugural balls
Expect a traffic jam in the Senate soon as the race is on to confirm President-elect Trump’s cabinet nominees.
In short, nothing can happen until President-elect Trump takes office on Jan. 20.
Yes, there will be plenty of Trump loyalists attending various inaugural balls around town.
But once the inauguration festivities conclude at the Capitol, the Senate will get down to business. A handful of committees are already angling to schedule "markups" to potentially discharge or send various nominations to the floor. The Senate Foreign Relations...
Continue reading...In short, nothing can happen until President-elect Trump takes office on Jan. 20.
Yes, there will be plenty of Trump loyalists attending various inaugural balls around town.
But once the inauguration festivities conclude at the Capitol, the Senate will get down to business. A handful of committees are already angling to schedule "markups" to potentially discharge or send various nominations to the floor. The Senate Foreign Relations...
Fox News Politics: Hegseth on Defense
Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump transition, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content.
Here's what's happening…
-GOP senator flips script on Dems for 'hypocritical' grilling of Hegseth: 'So ridiculous'
-Massie removed from powerful House committee after vote against Johnson
-Speaker Johnson announces flags to fly full-staff at US Capitol during presidential inauguration
President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Defense, Pete Hegseth, faced a Senate grilling on...
Continue reading...Here's what's happening…
-GOP senator flips script on Dems for 'hypocritical' grilling of Hegseth: 'So ridiculous'
-Massie removed from powerful House committee after vote against Johnson
-Speaker Johnson announces flags to fly full-staff at US Capitol during presidential inauguration
President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Defense, Pete Hegseth, faced a Senate grilling on...
How 'spirit guide' Usha Vance boosted JD Vance's meteoric rise
The Vance's are often photographed hand-in-hand but since he was selected as Trump's VP, the couple has yet to sit for a news interview together.
Continue reading...Republican senator previously seen as a roadblock to Pete Hegseth's nomination says she'll back him to lead the Pentagon
Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, who had been seen as a key Republican skeptic of Pete Hegseth’s nomination to lead the Defense Department, said she will support him after his performance at Tuesday's confirmation hearing.
“Our next commander in chief selected Pete Hegseth to serve in this role, and after our conversations, hearing from Iowans, and doing my job as a United States Senator, I will support President Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense," Ernst said in a statement.
"As I serve on the Armed Services Committee, I will work with Pete to create...
Continue reading...“Our next commander in chief selected Pete Hegseth to serve in this role, and after our conversations, hearing from Iowans, and doing my job as a United States Senator, I will support President Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense," Ernst said in a statement.
"As I serve on the Armed Services Committee, I will work with Pete to create...
Fox News Politics: Hegseth on Defense
Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump transition, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content.
Here's what's happening…
-GOP senator flips script on Dems for 'hypocritical' grilling of Hegseth: 'So ridiculous'
-Massie removed from powerful House committee after vote against Johnson
-Speaker Johnson announces flags to fly full-staff at US Capitol during presidential inauguration
President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Defense, Pete Hegseth, faced a Senate grilling on...
Continue reading...Here's what's happening…
-GOP senator flips script on Dems for 'hypocritical' grilling of Hegseth: 'So ridiculous'
-Massie removed from powerful House committee after vote against Johnson
-Speaker Johnson announces flags to fly full-staff at US Capitol during presidential inauguration
President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Defense, Pete Hegseth, faced a Senate grilling on...
Almost 100 strikes located in Gaza 'humanitarian zone', BBC Verify analysis suggests
The area in Gaza which Israel's military has told people to go to "for their safety" has been hit by 97 strikes since May, BBC Verify analysis has revealed.
Continue reading...Mozambique to get new president amid swirl of protest
There is a huge question over Daniel Chapo's legitimacy and people are threatening demonstrations.
Continue reading...Composer Arnold Schoenberg's archive destroyed in LA fires
About 100,000 scores by the Austrian-American composer have been lost in the Pacific Palisade fires.
Continue reading...Why India is reaching out to the Taliban now
Last week, India’s top diplomat met a senior Taliban minister, the highest-level engagement since Kabul's fall.
Continue reading...Trump flies US flag at full height before 30-day mourning period for Carter ends
U.S. flags at President-elect Donald Trump 's private Mar-a-Lago club are back to flying at full height.
Flags are supposed to fly at half-staff through the end of January out of respect for former President Jimmy Carter, who died on Dec. 29. A large flag on Trump's property in Palm Beach was initially lowered to half-staff according to protocol but has since been raised in the days after Carter was buried Thursday in his hometown of Plains, Georgia.
Both President Joe Biden, a Democrat, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, directed that...
Continue reading...Flags are supposed to fly at half-staff through the end of January out of respect for former President Jimmy Carter, who died on Dec. 29. A large flag on Trump's property in Palm Beach was initially lowered to half-staff according to protocol but has since been raised in the days after Carter was buried Thursday in his hometown of Plains, Georgia.
Both President Joe Biden, a Democrat, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, directed that...
Special counsel report on Trump election interference case released
Former special counsel Jack Smith's report has been released on his investigation into then-President Donald Trump's alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Smith claims had Trump not won the 2024 election and the case was allowed to proceed, the president-elect would have been found guilty. Scott MacFarlane has more.
Continue reading...