Applications for U.S. jobless benefits fell last week as the labor market remains sturdy ahead of an expected purge of federal government employees
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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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WATCH: Golden retriever takes 'retriever' identity very seriously
Brooks the golden retriever loves collecting sticks and is determined to carry a massive stick home through the streets of Charleston, South Carolina.
Continue reading...Education Department executive order could be issued as soon as today
Washington — President Trump is expected to issue an executive order as soon as Thursday directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to start the process of dissolving the Education Department, CBS News confirmed.
Sources confirm the details of a Wall Street Journal report, which first reported the news, are accurate. According to the Journal, there is a draft version of the executive order.
Completely eliminating the department would require congressional approval and 60 votes in the Senate, which is unlikely given the current makeup.
Mr...
Continue reading...Sources confirm the details of a Wall Street Journal report, which first reported the news, are accurate. According to the Journal, there is a draft version of the executive order.
Completely eliminating the department would require congressional approval and 60 votes in the Senate, which is unlikely given the current makeup.
Mr...
GOP rep says she'll refer sanctuary city mayors for criminal prosecution
A Republican congresswoman said she is referring the Democratic sanctuary city mayors who testified before Congress on Wednesday to the Justice Department for criminal prosecution.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., said that the mayors who testified during a House Oversight Committee hearing on sanctuary cities were in violation of Title 8, U.S. Code § 1324, a federal law that makes it illegal to bring in and harbor unauthorized aliens. It also prohibits the unlawful employment of aliens.
"I just referred the sanctuary city mayors to the Department...
Continue reading...Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., said that the mayors who testified during a House Oversight Committee hearing on sanctuary cities were in violation of Title 8, U.S. Code § 1324, a federal law that makes it illegal to bring in and harbor unauthorized aliens. It also prohibits the unlawful employment of aliens.
"I just referred the sanctuary city mayors to the Department...
Democrats turn on each other over Trump address stunts
Democrats displayed their internal party divisions in the wake of President Donald Trump's first address to Congress.
Democrats who are a part of leadership or more aligned with the establishment are clashing with progressives, many of whom heckled Trump throughout his more than 90-minute speech on Tuesday. The party is facing pressure from grassroots organizations to take a more combative approach – in lieu of decorum – to the Trump administration's dismantling of the federal bureaucracy.
While moderate Democrats are frustrated over the...
Continue reading...Democrats who are a part of leadership or more aligned with the establishment are clashing with progressives, many of whom heckled Trump throughout his more than 90-minute speech on Tuesday. The party is facing pressure from grassroots organizations to take a more combative approach – in lieu of decorum – to the Trump administration's dismantling of the federal bureaucracy.
While moderate Democrats are frustrated over the...
GOP fights back against ‘Trump-proof’ sanctuary jurisdictions
Republicans are pushing back against so-called sanctuary cities and jurisdictions as President Donald Trump ramps up plans for mass deportations.
"All of the mayors here today are actively working to harm the American people you represent," Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., told the mayors of four sanctuary cities during a House Oversight Committee hearing on Wednesday. "You all have blood on your hands."
The comments, which were addressed to Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and New York City Mayor Eric...
Continue reading..."All of the mayors here today are actively working to harm the American people you represent," Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., told the mayors of four sanctuary cities during a House Oversight Committee hearing on Wednesday. "You all have blood on your hands."
The comments, which were addressed to Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and New York City Mayor Eric...
US 'destroying' world order, Ukraine's ambassador to UK says
Valerii Zaluzhnyi's comments come amid an apparent cooling of tensions between Kyiv and Washington.
Continue reading...Jack Daniel's hits out at Canada pulling US alcohol
Some Canadian provinces have removed US-made alcohol from shelves in response to US tariffs.
Continue reading...Federal appeals court sides with Trump on firing head of watchdog agency
A federal appeals court cleared the way for President Donald Trump to fire Hampton Dellinger, the head of the Office of Special Counsel, on Wednesday.
Dellinger, appointed to the role by former President Joe Biden, sued the Trump administration in Washington, D.C., federal court after his Feb. 7 firing.
D.C. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson had argued in a filing last month that Dellinger's firing was "unlawful."
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia sided with the Trump administration in a Wednesday ruling, however. Dellinger is...
Continue reading...Dellinger, appointed to the role by former President Joe Biden, sued the Trump administration in Washington, D.C., federal court after his Feb. 7 firing.
D.C. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson had argued in a filing last month that Dellinger's firing was "unlawful."
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia sided with the Trump administration in a Wednesday ruling, however. Dellinger is...
Trump administration hit with over 100 lawsuits since inauguration
More than 100 federal lawsuits have been filed since the inauguration, taking aim at Trump administration policies.
Continue reading...Fetterman calls out Dems' 'unhinged petulance' after Trump speech: 'We’re becoming the metaphorical car alarm'
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., called out his own party the day after President Donald Trump's address before a joint session of Congress, warning that the Democrats are becoming like a blaring car alarm that people ignore.
"A sad cavalcade of self owns and unhinged petulance. It only makes Trump look more presidential and restrained. We’re becoming the metaphorical car alarms that nobody pays attention to—and it may not be the winning message," the senator said in a post on X.
Some lawmakers held signs up during Trump's speech with messages including...
Continue reading..."A sad cavalcade of self owns and unhinged petulance. It only makes Trump look more presidential and restrained. We’re becoming the metaphorical car alarms that nobody pays attention to—and it may not be the winning message," the senator said in a post on X.
Some lawmakers held signs up during Trump's speech with messages including...
Casey DeSantis calls CDC 'utter disgrace' for keeping COVID-19 vaccine on its recommended list for children
Casey DeSantis, wife of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, called out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday for continuing to recommend the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for babies and children, describing it as an "utter disgrace."
DeSantis, who has three young children, was advocating for the state legislature to pass a permanent ban on COVID-19 vaccine mandates in Florida, as some of the current protections are set to expire in June.
"It is absolutely ridiculous and unconscionable that at this point, with what we know about the mRNA...
Continue reading...DeSantis, who has three young children, was advocating for the state legislature to pass a permanent ban on COVID-19 vaccine mandates in Florida, as some of the current protections are set to expire in June.
"It is absolutely ridiculous and unconscionable that at this point, with what we know about the mRNA...
Denmark postal service to stop delivering letters
The decision will end 400 years of the company's letter service, and postboxes will disappear from June.
Continue reading...General's arrest violates South Sudan peace deal, opposition says
Two close allies of the vice-president, a bitter rival of the president, are arrested.
Continue reading...Carmakers win break from Trump's tariffs on Canada and Mexico
Trump says he will exempt cars from the new import taxes, while continuing his criticism of Canada.
Continue reading...