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☆ What to know about the TikTok ban bill the House passed
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —House lawmakers have once again passed legislation that could lead to a nationwide TikTok ban, renewing a massive threat to the company’s US operations. In March, House lawmakers approved a bill that would give TikTok roughly six months to sell. Another factor that’s shaking things up is how House Republicans inserted the TikTok bill into a much larger foreign aid package. Biden endorsed the prior version of the TikTok bill, which suggests he may quickly sign any foreign aid package that includes similar language targeting TikTok. In addition to complying with the legislation, TikTok could challenge it in court and has made no secret that it might do so.

Persons: TikTok, Joe Biden, there’s, who’ve, Washington Democratic Sen, Maria Cantwell, Paul Gallant, Cowen, Gallant, Joe Biden’s, Biden, —, Shou Chew, ”, Nadine Farid Johnson, ByteDance Organizations: CNN —, White, Washington Democratic, Republicans, House, Senate, Inc, Columbia University, “, TikTok Locations: United States, Ukraine, Israel, China

☆ Here's what Apple will say if a US TikTok ban becomes law
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Peter Kafka | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Apple just removed WhatsApp, Signal, and other messaging apps from its Chinese app store. But it could happen in the US, too, if a TikTok ban bill becomes law. It's from an unidentified Apple comms person, to The Wall Street Journal, explaining why Apple just took four messaging/social media apps — WhatsApp, Threads, Signal, and Telegram — out of its Chinese app store. If the TikTok bill does become law, it won't make TikTok go away overnight in the US. But if the law jumps enough hurdles to become enforceable, Apple would have to remove TikTok from its US app store, as would Google.

Persons: —, Apple, You've, Hasan Minhaj's, Joe Biden, TikTok Organizations: Apple, Big Tech, Service, Wall Street, Netflix, Facebook, Google Locations: China, Hong Kong, America, Ukraine, Israel

☆ Bill May: Excluded from the Olympics for his whole career, artistic swimmer set for ‘beautiful’ debut at this year’s Games
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Amanda Davies | George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Precisely 20 years ago, with men still banned from artistic swimming, May watched from the side of the pool as the US team won bronze in Athens. Bill May is set to compete at his first Olympics later this year at the age of 45. But like in classic dance, also in artistic swimming, there are men.”When artistic swimming was first added to the Olympics in 1984, only women were allowed to compete. The New York native has been involved in artistic swimming since the age of 10, when, after persuasion from his mom, he ended up joining his sister’s classes. In his mind, artistic swimming is one of, if not the most physically demanding sport on the Olympic program.

Persons: Bill May, It’s, “, Nick Didlick, Christina Jones, I’ve, ”, Nicolò Ogliari, it’s, Quinn Rooney, Giorgio Minisini, “ There’s Organizations: CNN, CNN Sport, US, Aquatics, Paris, Olympic, Games Locations: Paris, Athens, United States, Italian, Doha, Qatar, New York, California

☆ Trump says US should no longer provide foreign aid unless it’s structured as a loan
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Kate Sullivan | Shania Shelton | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The day before the Senate is set to begin voting on a $95.3 billion foreign aid package that would provide for Israel and Ukraine, former President Donald Trump on Saturday said the US should stop providing foreign aid unless it is structured as a loan. Trump’s comments come after he launched a torrent of attacks on a $118 billion bipartisan border deal and foreign aid package that Senate Republicans ended up blocking Wednesday. The former president’s comments Saturday suggest the new foreign aid package, on which the Senate is slated to begin procedural votes Sunday, will end up similarly torpedoed. Trump celebrated the failure of the $118 billion bipartisan border deal and foreign aid package at a rally on Saturday. The $95.3 billion foreign aid package the Senate is currently working to pass was advanced on Thursday on a tally of 67 to 32.

Persons: Donald Trump, “, ” Trump, — James Lankford of, Joe, Republican Sen, Rand Paul, Kentucky —, ” Paul, CNN’s Manu Raju, Mike Johnson Organizations: CNN, UNITED STATES, Republicans, Trump, Israel, West Bank, White House, Republican, Senate, Russia Locations: Israel, Ukraine, — James Lankford of Oklahoma, Conway , South Carolina, Russia, Gaza, Trump

☆ What the border security bill would and wouldn’t do
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Catherine E. Shoichet | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

The border bill also comes with a big budget – including large amounts of funding for enforcement. New emergency border restrictionsWhat’s proposed: Once illegal border crossings reach a certain threshold, the Department of Homeland Security would be required to exercise a new emergency authority that bars migrants, except unaccompanied minors, from crossing the border between ports of entry. Those who lose their asylum cases in immigration court can appeal to judges on the Board of Immigration Appeals. Video Ad Feedback GOP lawmaker on border bill: This is all gamesmanship 03:56 - Source: CNNGiven the growing chorus of criticism on both sides of the aisle weighing in just a day after its release, this latest border bill may very well be as “dead on arrival” as some lawmakers have claimed. But the bill has picked up some high-profile support from the National Border Patrol Council, the union that represents Border Patrol agents and has endorsed Trump in the past.

Persons: they’ve, That’s, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, —, ”, Muzaffar Chishti, Greg Chen, Chishti, “, Guillermo Arias, What’s, ” Amy Fischer, John Moore, it’s, Biden, Obama, Andrea Flores, ” Ben Johnson, CNN’s Priscilla Alvarez, Lauren Fox, Morgan Rimmer, Ted Barrett, Clare Foran Organizations: CNN, White, Republican, Institute, American Immigration Lawyers Association, DHS, Department of Homeland Security, Federation for American Immigration Reform, Border Patrol, Getty, Citizenship, Immigration Services, Immigration, Amnesty International, Congress, National Border Patrol Council, Trump, American Locations: Ukraine, Israel, harm’s, Mexico, Jacumba , California, U.S, Rio, El Paso , Texas, Kabul, United States, DACA

President Joe Biden is beta testing a new message on the campaign trail and in the White House. Biden’s response: Send the immigration bill to my desk to sign and I’ll shut down the border right now. The newly aggressive messaging is likely a necessary tone for an issue that’s overtaken the economy as the No. That's why you're seeing him try to talk and act tougher about border security. I think Biden has started thinking about how to reframe it.”The clock is ticking.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, I’d, ”, “, Biden, Matthew Wilson, Trump, ” Wilson, it's, they’re, Lanae Erickson, That’s, ” Erickson Organizations: Congress, Republican, Senate, GOP, House Republicans, Southern Methodist University, New, AP, Trump, New York City Police Department Locations: Ukraine, Israel, South Carolina, Iowa, New Hampshire, United States, U.S, Washington ,, Denver, New York City

The dynamic is particularly unpleasant for House Republicans, many of whom would much prefer the hard-line border security bill they passed last year on a party-line vote, known as H.R. Donald Trump, Donald Trump, Donald Trump," she said while campaigning in New Hampshire last week. Even GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who has taken pains to support Trump, has called for House Republicans to back the border deal. “To those who think that if President Trump wins, which I hope he does, that we can get a better deal – you won’t,” Graham recently told reporters. So if you think you’re going to get a better deal next time, in ’25, if President Trump’s president, Democrats will be expecting a pathway to citizenship for that,” he said.

Persons: Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, he’d, ”, It’s, Chip Roy, “, Roy, ’, Andy Biggs, Trump, Joe Biden, that’s, Christopher Devine, Devine, Senate – Arizona's Kari Lake, Pennsylvania's Mehmet Oz, Georgia's Herschel Walker –, parroted, Nikki Haley, Who, Sen, Lankford, Mitch McConnell, James Lankford, ” McConnell, GOP Sen, Lindsey Graham of, ” Graham, Trump’s, Mike Johnson, – Organizations: Republicans ’, Senate, GOP, Republican, Florida Gov, House Republicans, Texas Republican, Arizona Republican, White, Republican Party, Democrat, House, Republicans, University of Dayton, Trump, Virginia, South Carolina Gov, United States Senate Locations: Ukraine, Israel, There’s, Texas, New Jersey, Washington, Virginia, Kentucky, Louisiana, state's, Down, Wisconsin, Trump's, Florida, New Hampshire, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, ’

☆ Days from government shutdown, Speaker Johnson may need short-term spending bill he previously opposed
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-10 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Senate Republicans repeatedly said this week that a short-term spending bill may be necessary to keep the government open, a harsh reality for House Speaker Mike Johnson, who is balancing a looming shutdown deadline with the demands of hardline Republicans. The last temporary spending bill Congress passed, in November, established a laddered schedule of funding deadlines, the first on Jan. 19 and the other on Feb. 2. Meanwhile, eyes are on Johnson to follow through on the hardline Republican demands he was elected to champion. If not, he could meet the same fate as his predecessor, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who was ousted in part for conceding to Democrats to avoid a government shutdown. While following through on the hardline demands would earn Johnson points with some House Republicans, it makes negotiating with Democrats harder, adding time to budget talks that he does not have.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Jan, Sen, John Cornyn, John Thune, Mitch McConnell, Johnson, Kevin McCarthy, Donald Trump, Hugh Hewitt, dwindles, Chuck Schumer Organizations: U.S, Capitol, Republicans, Republican, CRs, Street Locations: Texas, Ky

☆ US Is 'Confident' Sweden Will Soon Join NATO - US Envoy to Hungary
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - The United States is "confident" that Sweden will soon be a member of NATO, the U.S. ambassador to Hungary said on Thursday, adding he had been assured by the Hungarian government that Budapest would not be the last to ratify the bid. Relations between Budapest and Washington have soured because of Hungary's foot-dragging over the ratification of Sweden's NATO accession and also over Prime Minister Viktor Orban's warm ties with Moscow despite the war in Ukraine. "I have been repeatedly assured at the senior-most levels of this government that Hungary will not be last to ratify Sweden’s accession to NATO," Ambassador David Pressman said. Sweden's NATO membership is still pending ratification by Turkey and Hungary. Orban's Fidesz was expected to submit the bill to parliament on Tuesday, but it has been delayed.

Persons: Viktor Orban's, David Pressman, Orban, Vladimir Putin's, Pressman, Putin, that's, Krisztina, Gareth Jones Organizations: NATO, Fidesz Locations: BUDAPEST, United States, Sweden, U.S, Hungary, Hungarian, Budapest, Washington, Moscow, Ukraine, Turkey, Russia, Beijing

☆ Inflation Causes IRS to Raise Tax Brackets, Standard Deduction by 5.4%
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Ashlea Ebeling | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Your tax bill may be slightly lower next year due to inflation adjustments. Photo: iStockHere’s an upside to persistent inflation: More of your income will be taxed at lower rates next year. The Internal Revenue Service announced its annual inflation adjustments to federal income-tax brackets for 2024 Thursday, an increase that slightly outpaces the current inflation rate. This means some Americans will pay less in taxes, said Jim Young, an accounting professor at Northern Illinois University.

Persons: Jim Young Organizations: Internal Revenue Service, Northern Illinois University

☆ Speaker Mike Johnson is screwing up Republicans' hopes of separating Israel and Ukraine aid — but they don't seem to mind
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Republicans have been trying to make sure that Israel and Ukraine aid are voted on separately. But Johnson's Israel bill is toxic for Democrats and increases the chance that the GOP gets jammed. AdvertisementAdvertisementMany Republicans really, really don't want to have to vote on a bill that includes both Israel and Ukraine aid. It would've been passed the House by an overwhelming bipartisan vote and applied significant pressure to senators who want to keep Israel aid linked with Ukraine aid. Nonetheless, Johnson's bill makes it only more likely that anti-Ukraine aid Republicans get rolled.

Persons: Johnson's, —, Biden, Republican Sen, Roger Marshall of, Marshall, would've, Mike Johnson, Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, McConnell, Johnson, Sen, Ted Cruz, Cruz, Josh Hawley, Missouri, Israel, JD Vance, Ohio, Vance, aren't, We've, Ron Johnson, it's Organizations: GOP, Service, Republicans, Republican, Israel, Democratic, Internal, Kentucky Republican, IRS, Democrats, Biden, today's GOP Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Johnson's Israel, Taiwan, Roger Marshall of Kansas, Ted Cruz of Texas, Wisconsin, today's

☆ Landmark marijuana financing bill set to move forward in the Senate
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Stefan Sykes | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A new bill that aims to give the marijuana industry access to banking services is expected to move forward in the Senate on Wednesday. The bill would provide legal protection to banks or other financial institutions that offer services to state-legal marijuana businesses. The Senate Banking Committee will mark up the bill Wednesday, and the panel is expected to vote to advance it to the full chamber's floor. Even as 39 states have legalized marijuana for recreational or medical use, the sector has struggled to scale. The new bill includes stricter requirements for federal regulators, such as prohibiting them from terminating any marijuana-related accounts without "valid reason," or from denying banking services based on "personal beliefs or political motivations."

Persons: Jeff Merkley, Steve Daines, Kyrsten Sinema, Cynthia Lummis, Chuck Schumer, Ian Katz Organizations: U.S, Capitol, Washington , D.C, Sens, SAFE, Democratic, Republican, GOP, Capital Alpha Partners, Republicans Locations: Oregon, Washington ,

☆ John Fetterman says JD Vance is more focused on 'silly performance art' than trying to pass the railway safety bill they've introduced together
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

JD Vance and John Fetterman, populists from different parties, worked together on a rail safety bill. Fetterman accused Vance of "silly performance art" over his doomed effort to ban mask mandates. Vance argued his mask crusade isn't distracting from the rail bill, and that he's been building support for it. The duo, among others, are the prime co-sponsors of the Railway Safety Act, a bill to improve safety protocols for trains carrying hazardous materials. AdvertisementAdvertisement"Most of my work on the railway bill has been persuading Republican colleagues to sign on to the bill," said Vance.

Persons: JD Vance, John Fetterman, Fetterman, Vance, Sen, John Fetterman's, John, We're, he's, they've, we've Organizations: Service, Democrat, Republican, Railway, Senate Locations: Wall, Silicon, Ohio, East Palestine , Ohio, COVID

☆ Greg Abbott has cut required water breaks for Texas construction workers and labor advocates say it could kill them
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-18 | by ( Katie Hawkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Texas is currently first in the nation for heat-related workplace deaths, the Texas Tribune reports. Greg Abbott signed a bill Tuesday that eliminated ordinances across the state requiring water breaks for construction workers — all while a record-setting heatwave sweeps across the state. Meanwhile, Bishop James Dixon — President of the NAACP Houston — condemned the bill, according to local news outlet KHOU 11. Ana Gonzalez, deputy director of policy and politics at the Texas AFL-CIO, a federation of labor unions, told the Texas Tribune the bill may prove fatal for construction workers. Texas has the highest rate of heat-related workplace deaths, the Texas Tribune reports.

Persons: Greg Abbott, —, Bishop James Dixon —, NAACP Houston —, Ana Gonzalez, Gonzalez Organizations: Texas AFL, Texas Tribune, Service, Gov, Huffington, NAACP Houston, Washington Post, Teamsters, United Parcel Service, CNN Locations: Texas, Austin, Dallas

☆ U.S. debt ceiling bill may be signed as soon as Saturday
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

U.S. President Joe Biden walks to the White House after his trip to Colorado, in Washington, U.S., June 1, 2023. REUTERS/Evelyn HocksteinWASHINGTON, June 2 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden may sign the bill lifting the U.S. debt ceiling as soon as Saturday, according to the White House. Spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said on Friday the signing would take place after Congress finishes its work to finalize the bill. Reporting by Jeff Mason; Writing by Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Chris ReeseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joe Biden, Evelyn Hockstein WASHINGTON, Karine Jean, Pierre, Jeff Mason, Trevor Hunnicutt, Chris Reese Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Colorado, Washington , U.S

☆ India Is Scrapping Its Largest Bill. The Race Is On to Spend It.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Sameer Yasir | Mike Ives | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Indians have been filing into gas stations, jewelry stores, fruit stands and any other businesses that still accept soon-to-be-withdrawn 2,000-rupee notes, each worth about $24. The race to spend India’s biggest bill has been on since its central bank announced this month that they would be removed from circulation by early fall. Economists say retiring the big bill may help fight corruption, bring workers into the formal economy, improve tax collection and accelerate India’s push for digital payments. But for some consumers, the move has dredged up unpleasant memories of 2016, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s sudden ban on large notes left them without enough cash for basic transactions. In an economy that is driven by rural and informal workers, some do not own bank accounts — or trust the government’s economic policies.

Persons: Narendra Modi’s Locations: India’s

CNN —House Speaker Kevin McCarthy helped secure a debt limit deal – now he has to secure its passage in the House, with little room for error and a looming threat to his speakership. In a win for McCarthy, a key Republican said he expects to support a rule to set parameters for debate. The powerful House Rules Committee must still vote to adopt the rule, but with that anticipated support, it is now on track to do so — a hurdle that must be cleared before the bill can come to the House floor for a final vote. If he did not support the rule, the debt limit bill may have been unable to advance to the House floor. Roy and Norman have both emerged as leading critics of the bipartisan debt limit bill.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, –, McCarthy, “, it’s, Thomas Massie, Massie, Chip Roy, Texas, Ralph Norman of, Carolina –, Roy, Norman, ” Massie, Glenn Beck, can’t, Jim Jordan, Ohio, he’s, McCarthy’s, ”, Patrick McHenry, ” McHenry, “ I’m, McHenry Organizations: CNN —, GOP, Treasury Department, CNN, Republican Locations: Kentucky, Carolina

☆ Florida sued over law blocking Chinese citizens, other foreigners from buying property
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

A group of Chinese citizens living and working in Florida sued the state Monday over a new law that bans Chinese nationals from purchasing property in large swaths of the state. The suit says the law unfairly equates Chinese people with the actions of their government and there is no evidence of national security risk from Chinese citizens buying Florida property. The number of states restricting foreign ownership of agricultural land has risen by 50% this year. Foreign land ownership has become "a political flashpoint," said Micah Brown, a staff attorney for the National Agricultural Law Center at the University of Arkansas. Brown said the recent surge in state laws targeting land ownership by foreign entities stems from some highly publicized cases of Chinese-connected companies purchasing land near military bases.

☆ Yes, You Can Put Your Taxes on a Credit Card. Here’s How to Make It Work
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +14 min

Sign-up bonusesA much better strategy, according to credit card experts, is to use a hefty tax payment to help you qualify for a generous sign-up bonus on a new credit card. Downsides of paying taxes with a credit cardIn addition to fees, paying your taxes with a credit card isn’t without downsides. Most credit card issuers report your credit card balances and the amount of available credit to all three major credit bureaus monthly. Although having a large balance on a credit card can impact your credit score, the effects aren’t permanent. How to pay federal taxes with a credit cardThe IRS does not directly accept tax payments via credit card.

watch nowThe way in which you and your soon-to-be-ex approach your divorce will have a big impact on the final price tag. If your divorce is contested or your partner isn’t cooperative, it’s important to prepare your financial mindset accordingly. Know the tax consequencesIf you’ve previously enjoyed tax savings from joint filing and/or claiming child-related tax benefits, your first “single” tax bill may be very different from what you’re used to. Many child-related tax benefits such as dependent or education credits can only be claimed by one filer, so you may want to plan ahead and address this in your settlement agreement. Your divorce attorney can work with financial and tax advisors so you are clear on the tax implications and how you can plan ahead.

Compare the best credit cards with cell phone coverageThere are dozens of credit cards that now offer cell phone protection when you use them to pay your phone bill. Review: The best Wells Fargo credit cardsWhat is credit card cell phone protection? If you've purchased a phone brand new with your credit card, you may already have purchase protection that covers damage or theft for up to 120 days from the date of purchase. Credit card cell phone protection is different. How does credit card cell phone insurance work?

☆ How government spending bill may help prevent abuse of federal tax incentive for land conservation
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-28 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The $1.7 trillion federal spending bill includes a new change that will curb the abuse of tax incentives for land conservation. The $1.7 trillion federal spending bill includes a new change that will curb the abuse of tax incentives for land conservation. Federal conservation easements enable property owners to take a charitable deduction when they give up certain rights to develop land. The original bill was introduced in the House by Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., and Mike Kelly, R-Pa., and in the Senate by Sens. "This is a great victory for conservation," said Lori Faeth, senior director of government relations at the Land Trust Alliance, a national land conservation organization that has advocated for the bill since it was first introduced.

☆ The Dramatic World of Artistic Swimming Will be Open to Men at the Paris Olympics
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( Louise Radnofsky | Rachel Bachman | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Bill May and Natalia Vega Figueroa perform during the Mixed Duet Technical Artistic Swimming Preliminary at the FINA Swimming World Championships 2019. An Olympic competition long associated with dramatically made-up women swimming and swirling will have a new addition for the 2024 Paris Games: men. World Aquatics announced Thursday that countries would be allowed to include up to two men in their entries for the 2024 Olympic team event—in which eight swimmers perform a routine as a group. Nations could also choose not to field men in their lineups. The duet event will remain limited to pairs of women.

It could be the last major bill that passes this year before Republicans seize control of the House on Jan. 3. He has pressured GOP lawmakers to vote against it, forcing Democrats to supply most of the votes to pass it in the House. Capitol Hill leaders decided to attach the election bill and Ukraine aid to ease the process of passage, on the belief that the combined package has the votes to pass. For Republicans, one incentive to pass the bill now is that it funds the military at a higher level than the nondefense budget. “This is a strong outcome for Republicans,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said, arguing that the GOP persuaded Democrats to back down on their long-standing demand for “parity” between the two pots of money.

☆ El Salvador is moving toward raising $1 billion in bonds backed by bitcoin by broadening its bet on crypto
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Carla Mozée | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

El Salvador is making moves that could lead the country to raise $1 billion in bitcoin-backed bonds. In September 2021, El Salvador became the first nation in the world to adopt bitcoin as a legal currency. Bukele in November 2021 said El Salvador had partnered with digital assets firm Blockstream to launch a so-called bitcoin bond dubbed Volcano Bonds. El Salvador made its last bitcoin purchase in July, according to a CoinTelegraph report. A bitcoin-backed bond cannot be issued before Congress passed the proposed legislation.

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