Alon, Oren and Tal Alexander pleaded not guilty in sex trafficking case on Friday.
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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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Latest Political News Feed
DOJ agrees not to reveal names of FBI agents who worked on Jan. 6 cases
Washington — The Justice Department said the federal government would not publicly release the names of FBI agents who worked on the now-closed investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, according to a court order filed Friday.
The Justice Department and a group of unnamed FBI agents reached an agreement in which the government said it would not disclose a list of the agents' names that was compiled by the FBI and transmitted to the Justice Department on Tuesday unless there is two days' notice given to the agents.
The two sides...
Continue reading...The Justice Department and a group of unnamed FBI agents reached an agreement in which the government said it would not disclose a list of the agents' names that was compiled by the FBI and transmitted to the Justice Department on Tuesday unless there is two days' notice given to the agents.
The two sides...
WA Democrats reportedly block move to nix 48-hour scholastic assault reporting requirement
A new Washington state bill characterized as a repeal of the state’s Parents Bill of Rights now includes a provision allowing information to be essentially withheld from parents regarding assaults of their children for up to 48 hours.
State Sen. Claire Wilson, D-Federal Way, attested to the Washington State Standard the bill overall "doesn’t change any rights" and is a "cleanup bill" that updates health privacy provisions to align with current law.
In a House Education Committee hearing this week, one lawmaker unsuccessfully attempted to undo the...
Continue reading...State Sen. Claire Wilson, D-Federal Way, attested to the Washington State Standard the bill overall "doesn’t change any rights" and is a "cleanup bill" that updates health privacy provisions to align with current law.
In a House Education Committee hearing this week, one lawmaker unsuccessfully attempted to undo the...
Lawmakers demand Bondi's DOJ investigate Biden's post-Election Day dismissal of green energy fraud lawsuit
EXCLUSIVE: Republican lawmakers are calling on the Trump administration to investigate President Biden's dismissal of a lawsuit claiming millions in fraud from a green energy project the day after the 2024 election.
In 2011, President Barack Obama's Treasury Department granted Tonopah Solar Energy, LLC hundreds of millions of dollars for the construction of a green energy solar plant, the Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project, in Nevada.
However, the energy group was eventually sued by CMB Export, LLC for alleged fraud involving approximately $275...
Continue reading...In 2011, President Barack Obama's Treasury Department granted Tonopah Solar Energy, LLC hundreds of millions of dollars for the construction of a green energy solar plant, the Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project, in Nevada.
However, the energy group was eventually sued by CMB Export, LLC for alleged fraud involving approximately $275...
FBI, DOJ strike agreement in lawsuit over January 6 agent list amid fears of retaliation
The Justice Department and FBI agents reached an agreement Friday in federal court after the FBI filed a lawsuit seeking to block the Trump administration from releasing information about its agents involved in the Jan. 6 investigation.
According to the text of the deal, the Trump administration cannot release information about the agents who investigated the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot without giving plaintiffs at least two days' notice so that the matter can be considered again in federal court.
It does not, however, place such a time...
Continue reading...According to the text of the deal, the Trump administration cannot release information about the agents who investigated the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot without giving plaintiffs at least two days' notice so that the matter can be considered again in federal court.
It does not, however, place such a time...
Army recruiting is up, but data show trend began before the election, former Army official says
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Sen. Tom Cotton attributed increased Army recruiting numbers to "America First" leadership and "the Trump effect."
However, data indicates that recruiting numbers began to improve months before the U.S. Presidential election, according to a former official.
"You had some number of young men and women who didn't want to join the army over the last four years under Joe Biden and Christine Wormuth, the former secretary of the Army, when they thought it was more focused on Wokeness and DEI and climate change," Cotton...
Continue reading...However, data indicates that recruiting numbers began to improve months before the U.S. Presidential election, according to a former official.
"You had some number of young men and women who didn't want to join the army over the last four years under Joe Biden and Christine Wormuth, the former secretary of the Army, when they thought it was more focused on Wokeness and DEI and climate change," Cotton...
'BACK TO PLASTIC!': Trump vows executive order ending 'ridiculous' push for paper straws
President Donald Trump is planning to end bans and restrictions on plastic straws, according to his recent post on Truth Social.
"I will be signing an Executive Order next week ending the ridiculous Biden push for Paper Straws, which don't work," Trump posted Friday. "BACK TO PLASTIC!"
If signed, the executive order would affect laws in several Democratic-run states that currently have bans or restrictions on single-use plastic straws, such as California, Colorado, New York, Maine, Oregon, Vermont, Rhode Island and Washington.
The impending...
Continue reading..."I will be signing an Executive Order next week ending the ridiculous Biden push for Paper Straws, which don't work," Trump posted Friday. "BACK TO PLASTIC!"
If signed, the executive order would affect laws in several Democratic-run states that currently have bans or restrictions on single-use plastic straws, such as California, Colorado, New York, Maine, Oregon, Vermont, Rhode Island and Washington.
The impending...
Hamas names next hostages to be released
The three civilians will be exchanged for more Palestinian prisoners in the latest swap on Saturday.
Continue reading...Sudan army makes huge gains as it seeks to recapture war-torn capital
"Shrapnel and stray ammunition are falling on my neighbourhood," a doctor tells the BBC.
Continue reading...Sexual violence against children in Haiti rises by 1,000%, UN says
Unicef says gangs are inflicting "unimaginable horrors on children".
Continue reading...Venezuela calls US seizure of plane 'brazen theft'
The US says the Venezuelan aircraft was involved in violations of US export control and sanctions laws.
Continue reading...Watch: Passenger train engulfed by flames in Pennsylvania
More than 300 people were safely evacuated after a fire started under the first car of the train.
Continue reading...Trump considering sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel
President Trump is considering allowing Japan's Nippon Steel to complete its $14.1 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel, according to multiple sources.
Approval of the transaction isn't definite, and Mr. Trump has not made a final decision, sources say.
He is meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba Friday and is expected to discuss the merger, along with automotive issues and tariffs. In the Oval Office, seated next to the Japanese prime minister, Mr. Trump told reporters he hasn't changed his mind on the sale.
It's not immediately known...
Continue reading...Approval of the transaction isn't definite, and Mr. Trump has not made a final decision, sources say.
He is meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba Friday and is expected to discuss the merger, along with automotive issues and tariffs. In the Oval Office, seated next to the Japanese prime minister, Mr. Trump told reporters he hasn't changed his mind on the sale.
It's not immediately known...
Trump and the 'unitary executive': The presidential power theory driving his 2nd term
President Trump's flurry of executive actions and orders spark a critical question: Does he have the power he claims to have?
Continue reading...Trump to hold press conference with Japanese prime minister
Washington — President Trump is holding a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba Friday, as Japan's Nippon Steel hopes the Trump administration will allow a nearly $15 billion bid for U.S. Steel to move forward.
Mr. Trump met with the CEO of U.S. Steel, David Burritt, at the White House on Thursday. The Biden administration blocked the sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel last month, and Nippon Steel hopes the Trump administration will allow the sale to proceed, despite Mr. Trump's previous vow to also block the deal. U.S...
Continue reading...Mr. Trump met with the CEO of U.S. Steel, David Burritt, at the White House on Thursday. The Biden administration blocked the sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel last month, and Nippon Steel hopes the Trump administration will allow the sale to proceed, despite Mr. Trump's previous vow to also block the deal. U.S...