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☆ Local senators slam FAA bill provision that would add long-haul flights to a key DC-area airport and benefit lawmakers: 'Ridiculous and dangerous'
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Many lawmakers on Capitol Hill have been pushing for long-haul flights at National Airport for years. But the senators from Virginia and Maryland are firmly against the provision, pointing to safety concerns. AdvertisementFor many members of Congress, the allure of adding long-haul flights to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is impossible to resist. While Delta Air Lines has thrown its support behind the long-haul provision, United Airlines has opposed the push. Washington Dulles International Airport and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, while fully equipped to handle long-haul flights, are miles outside of Washington, DC.

Persons: —, Ronald Reagan, Democratic Sens, Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, Virginia, Ben Cardin, Chris Van Hollen, Kaine, Warner, Cardin, Van Hollen Organizations: Capitol, National Airport, FAA, Service, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, National, Federal Aviation Administration, Democratic, DCA, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Washington Dulles International Airport, Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport Locations: Virginia, Maryland, Ronald Reagan Washington, Arlington, Va, Western, America, Baltimore, Washington

CNN —The Biden administration is close to approving the sale of as many as 50 American-made F-15 fighter jets to Israel, in a deal expected to be worth more than $18 billion, according to three people familiar with the matter. Since Hamas’ attack on Israel in October, which killed over 1,200 Israelis, the US has made more than 100 foreign military sales to Israel. Most of those have fallen under the specific dollar amount that requires a notification to Congress, an official familiar with the matter previously told CNN. A congressional aide told CNN that House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul has also approved the transaction to proceed to formal congressional notification. “What you hear about the frustrations within the administration over the Israel policy, it is real,” one US diplomat told CNN on condition of anonymity.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Sen, James Risch, Michael McCaul, Ben Cardin, Greg Meeks, Biden administration’s, Joe Biden’s, “, ”, Israel won’t, Josh Paul, Matthew Miller, Israel what’s, Pat Ryder, ” Steven Katz, Katz Organizations: CNN, Hamas, Biden, Democratic, House Foreign Affairs, Foreign, State Department, Republican, Senate Foreign Relations, House Foreign, Congressional Research Service, UN, The State Department, State Department’s Bureau, Political, Military Affairs, ”, Pentagon, Army, Defense, U.S, National Intelligence Locations: Israel, Gaza, State, Washington , DC, United States, “ Israel, Iran

☆ White House urges Senate to 'move swiftly' on TikTok bill as lawmakers drag their heels
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-17 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

White House national security adviser John Kirby said Sunday that the Senate should swiftly advance a bill that would force Chinese technology company ByteDance to sell TikTok. The bill passed in the House with overwhelming bipartisan support. The bill passed in a 352-65 House vote on Wednesday. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has made clear that he is in no rush on the TikTok bill. The TikTok bill has also sparked debate outside of Capitol Hill.

Persons: John Kirby, We're, Kirby, Joe Biden, Mike, Gallagher, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Chuck Schumer, Schumer, Bill Cassidy, Ben Cardin, Cardin, Donald Trump, Trump, Mike Pence, Pence Organizations: Foreign, Capitol, White House, Chinese Communist Party, Senate, U.S, Wisconsin Republican, CBS, Press, GOP, Facebook Locations: Washington , U.S, American, China, U.S, D, Capitol Hill, TikTok

☆ A House Democrat admits Biden's aging is noticeable, but says the president is 'firing on all cylinders'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . In a speech largely complimentary of President Joe Biden, Democratic Rep. David Trone said the 81-year-old president's age has begun to affect him. As first reported by Politico on Monday, a video shows Trone telling the crowd at a Maryland Democratic club's meet-and-greet on February 21 that the president is "working and firing on all cylinders." "I often say I wish I was 10 years younger," Trone said in a statement.

Persons: —, Joe Biden, David Trone, Trone, Democratic Sen, Ben Cardin, Larry Hogan Organizations: Service, Democratic, Politico, Maryland Democratic club's, Business, Congressional District, GOP Gov Locations: Maryland, Maryland's

☆ Turkey is back in from the cold with NATO and F-16 moves, but thorny issues remain
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Turkey spent nearly two years — along with Hungary — holding up Sweden's accession to NATO. Within hours of Ankara's decision, the U.S. approved a $23 billion sale for F-16 fighter jets to Turkey that had been delayed since 2021. It's worth noting that Hungary has yet to approve Sweden's NATO bid, and remains the only member of the alliance standing in the way of the Nordic country's accession. Turkey seemingly has a unique position that allows it to push the envelope and cross lines with its NATO allies. "My approval of Turkey's request to purchase F-16 aircraft has been contingent on Turkish approval of Sweden's NATO membership.

Persons: Turkey Recep Erdogan, It's, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, it's, Victoria Nuland, David Lepeska, Ben Cardin Organizations: NATO, Conference, Hungary —, UAE, Democratic, Senate Foreign Relations Locations: Turkey, Vilnius, Lithuania, Hungary, Sweden, Washington, Russian, Turkish, Eastern

☆ 'China has a lot more to lose': U.S. considering sanctioning Chinese firms aiding Russia's war
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands during a meeting in Beijing on October 18, 2023. The provisions would mark the first direct penalties against Beijing despite long-held Western suspicions over its support for Russia's military operations. So I would hope China would calculate carefully that there are consequences around the corner for supporting Russia's violence and depravity in Ukraine." Asked whether the U.S. is considering similar sanctions on China as those proposed by the EU, U.S. A separate January report found that China has become key conduit in funnelling critical Western tech into Russia.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Sergei Guneyev, Gerald Connolly, CNBC's Silvia Amaro, Connolly, Ben Cardin, Biden, Josep Borrell, Alexei Navalny Organizations: Afp, Getty, Congress, CNBC, Democratic, U.S . House, Foreign Relations, European Union, Beijing, Saturday, Munich Security, EU, U.S, Russia, U.S . National Security Council Locations: Beijing, Munich, GERMANY, The U.S, Russia, Ukraine, China, Washington, U.S

(AP) — Republicans hoping to pick up an open U.S. Senate seat in deep blue Maryland have the most competitive candidate they've fielded for decades. She supports abortion rights unequivocally and said she probably will back a candidate who doesn't hedge. Photos You Should See View All 33 ImagesHogan has said he does not support taking abortion rights away, even though he personally opposes abortion. “For eight years, we proved that the toxic politics that divide our nation need not divide our state," Hogan said. The state approved legislation in 1991 to protect abortion rights if the Supreme Court were to allow abortion to be restricted.

Persons: they've, Larry Hogan, Hogan, Lynn Johnson Langer, ” Langer, ”, don’t, Langer, Mileah Kromer, “, that’s, ” Hogan, Donald Trump, Roe, Wade, Mary Kfoury, that's, Kfoury, Kromer, it’s, Larry Hogan Won, Sen, Ben Cardin pounced, Angela Alsobrooks, Prince George's County, Rep David Trone, Alsobrooks, Wes Moore's, Robin Ficker Organizations: —, Senate, U.S, Maryland, Democrat, Republicans, Democratic Party, Goucher College, Trump, Republican, Blue State Republican, GOP, Prince, Democratic, Rep, CNN, Voters, Catholic, Democratic Gov, Washington's NBA Locations: ANNAPOLIS, Md, U.S, Maryland, U.S ., Annapolis, Edgewater , Maryland, Prince George's, Alsobrooks, Landover , Maryland

☆ Speaker Mike Johnson faces critical decision on Ukraine aid as international pressure grows to act
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Melanie Zanona | Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —Speaker Mike Johnson is facing international criticism over his lack of swift action on Ukraine aid, which is ratcheting up pressure to make a critical decision that will not only have massive implications for his rookie speakership but also for Ukraine’s ongoing war effort against Russia. “If there is a Mike Johnson plan, there aren’t any House Republicans that are aware of its existence.”The pressure cooker Johnson is facing has exposed some frustration over how he has approached his speakership. At a time when House Republicans are looking to their leader to make a decisive choice, the speaker has instead elevated members to bring forward their own ideas without articulating his own preferences. “Ukraine is in desperate need of the US aid, passed by an overwhelming bipartisan vote on the floor of the United States Senate. “We’re looking at a number of options on our leadership team.”Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has repeatedly hammered Johnson over his inaction.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, –, Alexei Navalny, Kevin McCarthy, Donald Trump, Sen, J.D, Vance, Johnson —, Warren Davidson, ” Davidson, Virginia Sen, Mark Warner, ”, Ben Cardin, “, ” Cardin, It’s, Brian Fitzpatrick, someone’s, Mitch McConnell, Vladimir Putin, ” Johnson, Steve Scalise, Trump, ” Scalise, Joe Biden, ” Biden, NATO … I’ve, Biden, Chuck Schumer, Putin “, Vladimir Putin’s, ” Schumer, it’s, There’s, Mike Turner, ” CNN’s Alex Marquardt Organizations: CNN, Russia, Democratic, Congress, Global, Security, Republicans, Republican, NATO, GOP, Caucus, languishes, Senate Intelligence, United, United States Senate, Senate, NATO …, New, New York Democrat, House Intelligence, Ohio Republican, Press, Ukraine Locations: Ukraine, Russian, Warren Davidson of Ohio, “, Munich, United States, Russia, Pennsylvania, Baltic, Florida, New York, Washington

☆ China threats of 'major concern' to the U.S., Senator says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailChina threats of 'major concern' to the U.S., Senator saysDemocratic Senator Ben Cardin, chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, says the security challenges posed by China are a key concern for the United States, including its potential support for Russia's war in Ukraine.

Persons: Ben Cardin Organizations: Foreign Relations Locations: U.S, China, United States, Ukraine

☆ Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announces Senate bid
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Edward-Isaac Dovere | Veronica Stracqualursi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Larry Hogan announced Friday that he is running for US Senate this year, providing Republicans with a strong candidate in their bid to flip a seat in a deep-blue state. It’s what I did as Maryland’s governor, and it’s exactly how I’ll serve Maryland in the Senate. “I would pay a significant amount for a ticket to watch Chuck Schumer’s face right now,” Josh Holmes, the top political adviser to Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, posted on X. Though he was personally popular during his two terms as governor, the state Republican Party has veered very much toward Trump. In recent decades, Maryland has been dominated by the Democratic Party at the state and federal levels.

Persons: Larry Hogan, United States Senate –, I’ll, Let’s, ” Hogan, Hogan, ”, Donald Trump, “, Chuck Schumer’s, Josh Holmes, Mitch McConnell, McConnell, Sen, Chris Van Hollen, West Virginia Democratic Sen, Joe Manchin, nixed, Trump, Hogan’s, Angela Alsobrooks, David Trone —, Ben Cardin, MAGA, “ Hogan, Martha McKenna, Maeve Coyle, George H.W, Bush, Shania Shelton Organizations: Washington CNN — Former Maryland Gov, US, United States Senate, Maryland, Republicans, Republican, West Virginia Democratic, CBS News, CNN, Prince, Maryland hasn’t, Senate, Democratic, GOP, Republican Party, Trump, Democratic Party, Old Locations: “, Maryland, Washington, eyeing, Prince George’s, ” Baltimore, State, Baltimore

“My fellow Marylanders: you know me," Hogan begins in a video released by his Senate campaign. When he announced his decision not to run for Senate two years ago, Hogan expressed confidence he could win. The rarely open Maryland Senate seat already has drawn U.S. Rep. David Trone into the Democratic primary, as well as Angela Alsobrooks, the county executive of Prince George's County in the suburbs of the nation's capital. Hogan was only the second Republican governor to ever win reelection in Maryland, a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-1. Running on fiscal concerns as a moderate Republican businessman, Hogan tapped into voter frustration over a series of tax and fee increases to defeat then-Lt. Gov.

Persons: Larry Hogan, hasn't, Hogan, Donald Trump, “, ”, Mitch McConnell, Democratic Sen, Chris Van Hollen, Sen, Ben Cardin, Trump, Nikki Haley, David Trone, Angela Alsobrooks, Prince George's County, Gov, Anthony Brown, Freddie Gray, Maryland’s, Charles Mathias, Mathias Organizations: — Former Maryland Gov, U.S . Senate, GOP, Republican, Maryland, United States Senate, Democrats, Democratic, Senate, “, United Nations, South Carolina Gov, Maryland Senate, Rep, Prince, Seven Republicans, Republicans, General Assembly, National Guard, Republican U.S Locations: ANNAPOLIS, Md, Republican U.S, U.S, Maryland, Prince George's, Trone, Baltimore, Vietnam

Larry Hogan, who left office as one of the few prominent Republican critics of former President Donald Trump, will run for U.S. Senate in his home state. Hogan announced his plans in a video posted to social media Friday, hours before the filing deadline in the race. Hogan won two terms in the blue state, including a 12 point win in 2018, two years after Democrat Hillary Clinton won the state at the presidential level by almost 27 points. Moore, the state's Senate president Bill Ferguson, the state's Speaker of the House Adrienne Jones and Sens. Seven other Republicans have filed to run for Senate in Maryland.

Persons: Larry Hogan, Donald Trump, Hogan, Democratic Sen, Ben Cardin, Wes Moore, Hillary Clinton, David Trone, Hakeem Jeffries, Trone, Angela Alsobrooks, Moore, Bill Ferguson, Adrienne Jones, Sens, Chris Van Hollen, Cory Booker of, Kirsten Gillibrand, Raphael Warnock of, Van Hollen, —, Richard Nixon's, Ronald Reagan, Nikki Haley, Trump, Haley, I'm Organizations: Maryland Gov, U.S, Senate, Republican, Democratic, Democratic Gov, Prince George's, New, GOP, Republicans, NBC, Trump Republicans Locations: Maryland, Cory Booker of New Jersey, New York, Raphael Warnock of Georgia

☆ Maryland Senate candidate Angela Alsobrooks wants to boost 'first chances' so the economy can thrive. She'd also like to see the filibuster gone.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

For Angela Alsobrooks, the county executive of Prince George's County and a leading Senate candidate, focusing on economic matters is key. AdvertisementAlsobrooks, who previously served as the Prince George's County state's attorney and was first elected as county executive in 2018, is running to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin, an institution in Maryland politics. The county executive, who has been endorsed by Gov. AdvertisementCounty Executive Angela Alsobrooks: It is my strongly held belief that people deserve first chances in our country. AdvertisementAs county executive, I opened the first of its kind mental health and addiction care facility in the county.

Persons: Angela Alsobrooks, Alsobrooks, Prince, Democratic Sen, Ben Cardin, David Trone, Maryland's, Wes Moore, John L, Dorman, I've, haven't, Tom Williams, —, Tommy, Tuberville Organizations: Service, Senate, Democratic, Prince, Business, Gov, Inc, Getty Locations: Prince George's, Prince George's County, Maryland

The governing Fidesz party, which holds an absolute majority in parliament, has stalled Sweden’s bid since July 2022, alleging that Swedish politicians have told “blatant lies” about the condition of Hungary’s democracy. “The prime minister pledged to convene parliament to urge parliament to act at its earliest opportunity. Kristersson has said that he will make the trip, but only after Hungary approves his country's NATO membership. But Vadai, the lawmaker, said that there was no guarantee that Orbán's party would commit to a swift approval. “I’m not sure whether the opening session will start with the Swedish ratification, unfortunately,” she said.

Persons: Viktor Orbán, Hungary's, Orbán, Jens Stoltenberg, ”, didn't, David Pressman, Pressman, expeditiously, Sen, Ben Cardin, Agnes Vadai, “, it’s, Ulf Kristersson, Kristersson, “ I’m Organizations: — Lawmakers, NATO, Fidesz, U.S, Maryland Democrat, Senate Foreign Relations, ”, Democratic Coalition, Associated Press, Swedish Locations: BUDAPEST, Hungary, Hungarian, United States, NATO, U.S, Maryland, Budapest, Swedish, Hungary's

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers are urging Hungary to immediately ratify Sweden's application to join NATO, saying patience with the Central European country is “wearing thin” as it continues to delay its approval for the Nordic nation. “Despite its numerous prior public commitments, Hungary is the last remaining NATO member to have not ratified Sweden’s bid and both time and patience are wearing thin. Hungary’s inaction risks irrevocably damaging its relationship with the United States and with NATO,” the senators wrote. Orbán, a staunch nationalist that has led Hungary since 2010, has long promised that his country wouldn't be the last NATO member to approve Sweden's application. Photos You Should See View All 45 ImagesA vote on the protocols for Sweden’s NATO accession hasn’t yet appeared on the Hungarian parliament’s agenda, and the matter is unlikely to go before lawmakers until at least late February when the parliament reconvenes.

Persons: Jeanne Shaheen, Thom Tillis, Viktor Orbán, Orbán, Sen, Ben Cardin, ” Cardin, Biden, Cardin, ”, “ Organizations: NATO, Central, New, New Hampshire Democrat, North Carolina Republican, Hungarian, Maryland Democrat, Senate Foreign Relations, U.S, Visa, Global, European Union Locations: BUDAPEST, Hungary, U.S, Nordic, Budapest, Sens, New Hampshire, United States, Ukraine, Maryland, Washington

☆ Biden administration tells Congress it intends to sell Turkey F-16s after Erdogan approved Sweden’s NATO membership
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The State Department also sent Congress a formal notification of its intent to sell $8.6 billion worth of F-35s to Greece. Blinken, in turn, told the Turkish president multiple times that members of Congress would not approve the sale of jets until Turkey allowed Sweden to join NATO. The Turkish Parliament finally voted in favor of Sweden’s NATO accession Tuesday, and Erdogan signed off on the instruments of ratification Thursday. The US official said this was to assure Congress there was no way for Turkey to back out of the deal. Hungary still must approve Sweden’s NATO bid for the nation to finally become a member.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Erdogan, Hakan Fidan, Fidan, Robert Menendez –, Turkey –, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Menendez, Sen, Ben Cardin Organizations: CNN, NATO, The State Department, Turkish, Foreign, The New, Greek, House Foreign Affairs Committee, State Department Locations: Turkey, Greece, Sweden, Finland, Vilnius, Lithuania, London, The New Jersey, Turkish, Hungary

CNN —The Turkish parliament voted Tuesday to approve Sweden’s NATO membership bid. Of the 346 members of parliament who voted, 287 were in favor of Sweden’s accession and 55 voted to reject it. However, on Tuesday, Hungary’s Prime Minister Victor Orban said he had invited his Swedish counterpart, Ulf Kristersson, to visit Hungary to negotiate the terms of Sweden’s accession. Sweden and Finland applied for NATO membership in May 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine earlier that year. Erdogan initially objected to Sweden’s membership bid, accusing Swedish officials of being too lenient on military groups, including the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

Persons: Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Victor Orban, Ulf Kristersson, Erdogan, Ben Cardin Organizations: CNN, Turkish, NATO, Foreign Affairs Commission, Hungary’s, Kurdistan Workers ’ Party, Foreign Locations: Turkish, Hungary, Sweden, Finland, Ukraine, Turkey, United States

☆ Maryland won a tentative victory in the race for a new FBI headquarters, a potential economic boon for a majority Black county near DC
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-20 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

"And he recognized the importance of the FBI for Maryland and in particular for Prince George's County." Related storiesPrince George's County, the majority-Black county directly to the east of Washington, DC, has for years had one of the most affluent Black populations of any jurisdiction in the country. But compared to Northern Virginia localities like Fairfax County, which has been an economic powerhouse for decades, Prince George's County hasn't enjoyed a similar level of economic development. "We have 4% of leased federal office space in Prince George's County," Hoyer told me, while also pointing out that the county is home to roughly 20% of the Washington region's federal workers. "We're absolutely convinced that everything was done properly," Hoyer told me.

Persons: Wes Moore, Steny Hoyer, —, Edgar Hoover, Ben Cardin, Chris Van Hollen, Hoyer, Robert Mueller, Mueller, Moore's, George's County, Prince, Prince George's County hasn't, ERIC BARADAT, Moore, Christopher Wray, We're, I've Organizations: GSA, FBI, Gov, Virginia, Service, Metro, Maryland Gov, Maryland, Democratic Rep, Democratic, eventual, Prince, Getty, Washington, Marine Corps Base Quantico, General Service Administration Locations: Maryland, Virginia, Greenbelt , Maryland, Prince George's County, Maryland Sens, George's, Black, Washington, Northern Virginia, Fairfax County, AFP, Prince George's, Fairfax

WASHINGTON (AP) — Taiwan’s top diplomat in Washington has a message for both the island's Chinese adversaries and its American friends: Don’t worry that Taiwan’s new president-elect will worsen relations with Beijing and possibly draw the U.S. into a conflict. But Yui said Lai is willing to engage with Beijing, even as the island seeks to strengthen its unofficial ties with Washington for stability in the region. Shortly after Taiwan's election, Biden told reporters that his administration does not support Taiwan’s independence. Yui said it is incumbent upon both Beijing and Taipei to keep the Taiwan Strait peaceful. Before he came to Washington, Yui briefly served as Taiwan's representative to the European Union and Belgium.

Persons: — Taiwan’s, Lai Ching, Alexander Tah, Ray Yui, Lai, Yui, ”, Taiwan's, Tsai Ing, Tsai, he’s, Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Biden, Scott Kennedy, “, Kennedy, we're, We're, Mike Johnson, Sen, Ben Cardin, ” Yui, Hsiao Bi, Hsiao Organizations: WASHINGTON, Associated Press, AP, Democratic Progressive Party, ”, Washington, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Republican, Republicans, Democrats, U.S . Congress, Democratic, Senate Foreign Relations, M University, European Union, Cultural Locations: Washington, Beijing, Taiwan Strait, U.S, Taiwan, United States, China, Nauru, “ Beijing, Taipei, Panama, Texas, Paraguay, Belgium

☆ A top Democrat's indictment could be a game-changer for 2 troublesome allies seeking US fighter jets
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Menendez's removal could be a game-changer for two countries who have long sought US fighter jets. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . His removal could be a game-changer for Egypt and Turkey — two important but vexing US allies — when it comes to buying modern US-made fighter jets to upgrade their air forces. Turkey's F-16 prospectsA Turkish F-16 during a NATO Air Policing mission out of Poland in August 2021. It has ordered 54 French-made Rafale multirole jets in a bid to, at least partially, diversify its overwhelmingly American-made fighter arsenal.

Persons: Sen, Bob Menendez, Menendez, —, Bob Menendez's, Turkey's, Cuneyt, Getty Images Menendez, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Erdogan, Ben Cardin, Getty Images Cardin, Cardin, Ryan Bohl, RANE, Bohl, Frank McKenzie, Derek Seifert Cairo, Su, Paul Iddon Organizations: Foreign, Service, New, New Jersey Democrat, Senate Foreign Relations, NATO Air Policing, Anadolu Agency, Getty Images, Turkish, NATO, Turkish Air Force, East, Business, US Air Force KC, 135R, US Air Force, Getty, US Central Command, State Department, Air Force Locations: New Jersey, Egypt, Turkey, Turkish, Poland, NATO, coziness, Russia, Malbork, North Africa, Israel, Cairo, China, Dubai, United States, France

Democratic Senator Ben Cardin wrote to Biden to push for immediate freedom for Mark Swidan, Kai Li and David Lin, whom the U.S. government has classified as wrongfully detained in China. Families of Americans the U.S. government has classified as wrongfully detained in China have also repeatedly urged the government to prioritize the release of their loved ones in talks with Chinese officials. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns about her son Mark over the weekend, but called the conversation "disappointing" because Burns would not say whether Biden would raise Mark’s name with Xi. A State Department spokesperson commented that the department has no greater priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens and noted that it continually raises wrongfully detained U.S. nationals during engagements with senior Chinese officials. Reporting by Patricia Zengerle and Michael Martina; Editing by Stephen CoatesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ben Cardin, Craig Hudson, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Biden, Mark Swidan, Kai Li, David Lin, Xi, Cardin, Katherine Swidan, China Nicholas Burns, Mark, Burns, Patricia Zengerle, Michael Martina, Stephen Coates Organizations: Senate Foreign, U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, U.S . Senate Foreign, Reuters, Democratic, Economic Cooperation, State, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, China, Asia, San Francisco, United, United States, U.S

WASHINGTON, Nov 6 (Reuters) - A trade program that grants exports from qualifying African countries duty-free access to the U.S. market should be extended by 16 years, said Democratic Senator Chris Coons, a leading voice on U.S.-Africa policy. African countries want a 10-year renewal of the pact ahead of the 2024 U.S. election. President Joe Biden's administration is also seeking the program's reauthorization but has called for certain reforms. "My AGOA Renewal Act would extend this program, incentivizing investments that will create jobs, bolster economic development, and strengthen our standing in the region," Coons said in a statement. Ben Cardin, the committee's chairman, supports the program's reauthorization, but believes there should be changes to how eligibility criteria is applied, an aide said.

Persons: Chris Coons, Joe Biden's, Coons, Ben Cardin, James Risch, Katherine Tai, Makini Brice, Paul Simao, Josie Kao Organizations: Senate Foreign Relations, Continental Free Trade, Reuters, Biden, United, . Trade, Thomson Locations: U.S, Africa, United States, Washington

Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew testifies before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing on his nomination to be the next U.S. ambassador to Israel on Capitol Hill, Washington, U.S., October 18, 2023. The Senate voted 53 to 43, largely along party lines, with Biden's fellow Democrats backing Lew and most Republicans opposing him. Republicans sharply criticized Lew over the 2015 Iran nuclear deal sealed during former Democratic President Barack Obama's administration. Supporting Lew, Democratic Senator Ben Cardin, who chairs the foreign relations panel, noted Lew's qualifications and said Israel had welcomed his nomination. Washington has not had an ambassador to Israel since July, when Tom Nides left the post.

Persons: Jack Lew, Leah Millis, Joe Biden's, Lew, Barack Obama's, Ben Cardin, Israel, Cardin, Jim Risch, Donald Trump, Tom Nides, Biden, Patricia Zengerle, David Gregorio Our Organizations: U.S, Treasury, Foreign, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, Senate, Democratic, Republican, Senate Foreign Relations, Thomson Locations: Israel, Capitol Hill, Washington , U.S, Iran, Gaza, America, Washington

☆ Bertie Bowman ran away from home at 13 to sweep the steps of Capitol Hill. He died at 92 as the the longest-serving African-American Congressional staffer.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Yoonji Han | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Herbert "Bertie" Bowman was the longest-serving African-American staffer on Capitol Hill in US history. AdvertisementAdvertisementBertie Bowman, the longest-serving African-American staffer on Capitol Hill in history, died at 92 years old on Wednesday morning. Sen. John Kerry hugs Bowman after his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for Secretary of State on January 24, 2013. AdvertisementAdvertisementBowman escorts Hillary Clinton at a hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on March 2, 2011. Bowman had continued to work in the Capitol until his death, becoming the longest-serving African-American congressional staffer in US history.

Persons: Herbert, Bertie, Bowman, —, Bertie Bowman, Andrew Desiderio, Sen, Ben Cardin, Burnet Maybank, Maybank, Chris Dodd, Tom Williams, I'd, talkshow, Tavis Smiley, Lyndon Johnson, Strom Thurmond, John Kerry, Ken Cedeno, Jesse Helms of, J, William Fulbright of, Bill Clinton, Elvis, Clinton, Chip Somodevilla, he'd, Hillary Clinton, Alex Wong, Helms Organizations: Capitol, Senate, Service, Punchbowl News, Foreign, Station, Senate Foreign, State, William Fulbright of Arkansas, US, Foreign Relations, Washingtonian, Military Force, Islamic Locations: Washington , DC, Ben Cardin of Maryland, Summerton, South Carolina, Washington ,, Washington, Jesse Helms of North Carolina, Vietnam, Islamic State

The request to Congress would cover a year, according to another person familiar with the administration’s expected request. Lew, a Treasury Secretary under former President Barack Obama, was nominated by Biden last month after former Ambassador Tom Nides left the post in July. Political Cartoons View All 1211 ImagesThe White House could make a formal request for the foreign war aid as soon as this week. Some Republicans have criticized Lew for his role in the Obama White House as it negotiated the Iran nuclear agreement in 2015, among other foreign policy moves under Obama, and that opposition could slow his nomination. “Our ability to support Israel at this pivotal moment is significantly hamstrung by the fact that we don’t have a U.S. ambassador on the ground," Murphy said.

Persons: Jacob Lew, Joe Biden, Lew, Barack Obama, Biden, Tom Nides, —, Obama —, Ben Cardin, Jack, ”, Cardin, Kevin McCarthy, Mitch McConnell, McConnell, Obama, Donald Trump, Republican Sen, Tom Cotton of, Jack Lew, ” Cotton, Jack Lew’s, ” Lew, Democratic Sen, Chris Murphy of, Murphy, Seung Min Kim Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, Israel, Hamas, Foreign, White, Management, Republicans, Republican, Hamas ’, “ Fox, Democratic, Foreign Relations, Associated Press Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan, China, D, Congress, U.S, Iran, Tehran, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Gaza

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