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WASHINGTON (AP) — The massive $118 billion Senate border bill not only contains once-in-a-decade border security legislation and wartime aid to Israel and Ukraine, but also offers a chance for the U.S. to keep its promise to Afghans who worked alongside U.S. soldiers in America’s longest war. Tucked inside the sprawling package is a measure that would provide a long-awaited pathway to residency for tens of thousands of Afghan refugees who arrived in the U.S. on military planes after the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. Conservatives have said the package does not go far enough in limiting the number of daily migrant crossings at the southern border. Both Republican and Democratic senators and their staff worked to bridge the divide and produce legislative text that both sides could support. Republican leaders in the House have declared the bill a non-starter, and even passage through the Senate, where the deal was negotiated, is an uphill climb.

Persons: there’s, Democratic Sen, Chris Coons, ”, they’ve, Shawn VanDiver Organizations: WASHINGTON, U.S, Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Republican, Democratic, Associated Press, Allies, Navy, Senate, State Department Locations: Israel, Ukraine, America’s, U.S, Afghanistan, Kabul, Cuba, Vietnam, Iraq, Chris Coons of Delaware, United States

The comments ricocheted across the House Democratic Caucus – especially for the 15 House Democrats who didn’t vote for it, all of them members of color, some of them Muslim-Americans. An array of House Democrats are pushing unequivocal support for Israel, while a number of progressives have grown increasingly critical of the offensive impacting Palestinian civilians and are upping pressure on the Biden administration to call for a ceasefire. And he is also dealing with a push by Jewish House members to have a more prominent seat at the leadership table. Democrats say the divide is being reflected in their states – and is hurting the president. At a news conference last week, Jeffries was asked about a six-figure ad buy from the Democratic Majority for Israel, a pro-Israel group, criticizing Tlaib.

Persons: Debbie Wasserman Schultz, “, ” Wasserman Schultz, Hakeem Jeffries, Pramila, they’re, Wasserman Schultz’s, Israel –, Andre Carson, American –, Josh Gottheimer, ”, Rashida, Cori Bush, Brown, ” Jayapal, Wasserman Schultz, Joe Biden’s, Biden, Debbie Dingell, censuring, ” Tlaib, Jeffries, Tlaib, we’ve, Elissa Slotkin, Slotkin, “ They’re, who’s, Alexandria Ocasio, Cortez, it’s, There’s, Jamie Raskin, I’m, CNN’s Edward, Isaac Dovere Organizations: House Democratic Caucus, Israel, Hamas, CNN, Democrats, ” Democratic, Jayapal, Congressional Progressive Caucus, Democratic, Republicans, Michigan Democratic, Congressional Black Caucus, CBC, Florida Democrat, Democrat, Michigan Democrat, Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Jewish, GOP, Capitol Police, Jewish Caucus, Biden, Senate, White, Capitol, Maryland Democratic Locations: Florida, Washington, Israel, Indiana, American, New Jersey, Palestinian American, Missouri, Alexandria, Cortez of New York, America

☆ With House speaker installed, US Congress returns to spending battles
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Richard Cowan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Meanwhile, House Republicans are pushing for a full plate of 12 separate funding bills to keep agencies running until Sept. 30, 2024, the end of the fiscal year. This rare feat requires close negotiation between the narrowly Republican-controlled House and the Senate, which has a two-vote Democratic majority. But the fiscal warfare between the Senate and conservative House Republicans that has raged since January is unlikely to end soon. Significant changes by Congress to Biden's request for aid to Ukraine and more money for border security were anticipated. Republicans attack Biden's border security spending, saying it falls far short in shutting down illegal border crossings and the flow of drugs such as fentanyl.

Persons: Kevin Wurm, Mike Johnson, Joe Biden, Johnson, Kevin McCarthy, John Kennedy, Chuck Schumer, Schumer, Tom Cole, Cole, Nanette Diaz Barragan, Joe Manchin, Manchin, Kennedy, Richard Cowan, Scott Malone, Richard Chang Organizations: U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, House, Republicans, Congress, Democratic, Republican, Senate, Biden, federal Social Security, House Republicans, Congressional, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Israel, Ukraine, U.S, Mexico, Washington, Taiwan, West Virginia

☆ Biden to host Pacific Island leaders in U.S. charm offensive against China
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute 46th Annual Gala in Washington, U.S. September 21, 2023. President Joe Biden will host a second summit with Pacific Island leaders this week, part of a U.S. charm offensive to block further Chinese inroads into a strategic region Washington has long considered its own backyard. During the three-day meeting, the U.S. will announce diplomatic recognition for two Pacific Islands, promise new money for infrastructure — including improving Internet connectivity via undersea cables — and honor regional leaders at an NFL game. That plan was scrapped when a U.S. debt-ceiling crisis forced Biden to cut short an Asia trip. The leaders will also attend Sunday's football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Indianapolis Colts.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden Organizations: Congressional Hispanic Caucus, NFL, White, Coast Guard, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts Locations: Washington , U.S, U.S, Washington, Papua New Guinea, Asia, United States, Cook, Niue, Baltimore, Pacific

☆ Bill Richardson, Champion of Americans Held Overseas, Dies at 75
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( Sam Roberts | More About Sam Roberts | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Bill Richardson, who served two terms as governor of New Mexico and 14 years as a congressman before devoting himself to the cause of Americans who were being held hostage or who he believed were being wrongfully detained overseas, died on Friday at his summer home in Chatham, Mass., on Cape Cod. His death was announced by the Richardson Center for Global Engagement, which he founded. The cause was not given. Under President Bill Clinton, Mr. Richardson was ambassador to the United Nations, succeeding Madeleine Albright in early 1997, and then secretary of energy, beginning in August 1998. He served in the House of Representatives, as a member of the New Mexico delegation, from January 1983 to February 1997 and as the chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

Persons: Bill Richardson, Bill Clinton, Richardson, Madeleine Albright, William Brewster Organizations: Richardson Center, Global, United Nations, Representatives, New, Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Mayflower Locations: New Mexico, Chatham , Mass, Cape Cod, California, Pasadena, Mexico City

CNN —Longtime California Rep. Grace Napolitano announced Saturday that she is retiring from Congress at the end of her current term. Napolitano has made mental health care a priority over her tenure in Washington and serves as a co-chair of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus. We have made it acceptable for people to talk about their mental health and get treatment,” she said Saturday. Napolitano is the ninth Democrat and 12th House member so far to announce they won’t run for reelection in 2024. And she’s not the only California Democrat leaving the chamber at the end of the term.

Persons: CNN —, Grace Napolitano, Napolitano, . New Jersey Democrat Bill Pascrell, Joe Biden, ”, –, Adam Schiff, Katie Porter, Barbara Lee –, Democratic Sen, Dianne Feinstein Organizations: CNN, CNN — Longtime California Rep, California State Assembly, . New, . New Jersey Democrat, Congressional, Republicans, Congressional Mental Health Caucus, Natural Resources Committee, House Transportation, Congressional Progressive Caucus, Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Hispanic Caucus, California Democrat, Democratic Locations: San Gabriel Valley, Southeastern Los Angeles County, Texas, Los Angeles, California, Norwalk , California, ., . New Jersey, Washington

☆ AOC says progressive lawmakers will not take the Supreme Court's student-loan forgiveness decision 'lying down': 'We are prepared in the event of any outcome in this ruling'
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A Supreme Court decision on student-loan forgiveness could come as soon as Thursday. The Supreme Court is expected to decide on the legality of the relief in the coming days. Ocasio-Cortez has been among some other Democratic lawmakers who have urged Biden to prepare a backup plan should the Supreme Court rule against his debt-relief plan. Amid the push to ensure relief for borrowers, though, Republican lawmakers have been pursuing different routes to block student-loan forgiveness without waiting for the Supreme Court ruling. For now, all eyes are on the Supreme Court to see how it decides Biden's student-loan forgiveness plan for millions of borrowers is legal.

Persons: Alexandria Ocasio, Cortez, —, Joe Biden's, Biden, — Biden, Biden's Organizations: Service, Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Democratic, White, Education Department, Supreme, Republican, GOP, Politico Locations: Alexandria, United States

☆ Lawmaker who opposed tech antitrust bills to become top Democrat on House subcommittee
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Lauren Feiner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Rep. Lou Correa, D-Calif., who opposed a package of bills seeking to reform antitrust law to rein in Big Tech companies, will become the top Democrat on the House Judiciary subcommittee on antitrust, Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., announced Wednesday. CNBC first reported that Correa was the top contender for the role, despite his voting record on antitrust deviating from that of his predecessor. It resulted in a package of bills to limit their power that passed through the subcommittee under Cicilline's stewardship. But Correa and other California lawmakers on the subcommittee voted against the bills. WATCH: Here's why some experts are calling for a breakup of Big Tech after the House antitrust report

Persons: Lou Correa, Jerry Nadler, Correa, David Cicilline, Ken Buck, Thomas Massie, Buck, Cicilline Organizations: Big Tech, CNBC, Former, Democratic, Republican, Apple, Google, Facebook, Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Punchbowl News, Committee, YouTube Locations: California

☆ Opinion: A boast that could sink Trump
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( Richard Galant | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +20 min

We’re looking back at the strongest, smartest opinion takes of the week from CNN and other outlets. CNN —“I’m the one that got rid of Roe v. Wade,” former President Donald Trump boasted Tuesday on Newsmax. Congress has the power to rein in the court, wrote CNN legal analyst and law professor Steve Vladeck, whose new book “The Shadow Docket” focuses on the Supreme Court. Courtesy Boaz FreundIn 2019, then-President Trump issued an executive order requiring hospitals to post the prices of common medical services and procedures. For some, its celebration of a multiracial but purely fictional British aristocracy may even be a big part of its appeal.”As escapism, “Queen Charlotte” is a success.

☆ U.S. government watchdog: Health chief Becerra violated Hatch Act
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra violated the Hatch Act by expressing support for Democratic Senator Alex Padilla's re-election at a public event last year, a U.S. government watchdog said on Tuesday. Becerra, President Joe Biden's top health official, acknowledged his comments but said they were unintentional. "While I did not realize at the time that my off-the-cuff remarks concerning my personal voting intentions were in violation of the Hatch Act, I now understand why they were not permitted," he said in a statement included in the report. The Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from using their official capacity to affect or interfere with elections, although some other political activities are allowed. It previously cited U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm for comments she made in a magazine interview last year.

[1/4] Migrants queue near the border fence, after crossing the Rio Bravo river, to request asylum in El Paso, Texas, U.S., as seen from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico January 5, 2023. Initial backlash to Biden's policy shift also signals it could be challenged in court, from both those who favor restricting immigration and advocates for asylum seekers. The restrictions, known as Title 42, allow U.S. authorities to rapidly expel migrants caught at the border back to Mexico without the chance to claim asylum in the United States. The Biden administration tried last year to end the Title 42 border restrictions, but U.S. courts have left them in place and legal challenges are ongoing. The court rulings that left the Title 42 order in place give the Biden administration time to experiment with different strategies.

Ulloa had been discussing ways to work with Latino Media Network's owners Stephanie Valencia and Jess Morales Rocketto, Castro said. Valencia and Morales Rocketto called Ulloa "a true trailblazer in Latino media." "He saw the value and promise of the Latino media industry before many others did. He's got that kind of money and he's very committed to the community,'" Castro said. “I am heartbroken by the sudden passing of my friend, Walter Ulloa, a trailblazer who has helped transform Spanish-language media,” Ruiz, the outgoing chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, said in a tweet Tuesday.

The list of Latino films inducted into the National Film Registry at the Library of Congress grew a bit longer Wednesday. Every year the board selects 25 films to add to the registry based on its historical, cultural and aesthetic contributions. “The National Film Registry, the Library of Congress has taken a critical step to preserve the work of Latino actors and industry creatives." There are now 24 Latino films on the National Film Registry, according to the Library of Congress. Here's the full list of Latino films at the National Film Registry:

☆ House Democrats reject a rules change that could've empowered junior members amid concerns about aging leadership
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-13 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

"Six years is a pretty long time," Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia told Insider at the Capitol earlier this month. "I'm not for term limits," House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told Insider during a briefing with reporters at the end of November. "I'm not taking a position on any single rules proposal that is before the House Democratic Caucus," he said. Another prominent young lawmaker — 33-year-old Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York — has also been vocal in her criticism of the system. "Whatever the mechanism is, we need to have more opportunities for people to bring their leadership to bear in different places," she told Insider.

☆ Republicans struggle in the Southwest as Latino voters stick with Democrats
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-11 | by ( Natasha Korecki | Natasha Korecki Is A Senior National Political Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +10 min

It belies a conventional narrative that Democrats were universally ceding Latino voters to the Republican Party, a story line repeated throughout the run-up to the Nov. 8 midterms. Instead, indicators show the GOP in danger of losing Latino voters in this region, a prospect that could mean being boxed out of the Southwest for the long term. In New Mexico, the state with the most residents identifying as Hispanic or Latino in the country, Latino Democrats won nearly every statewide race. Even with some Latino voters staying home, NBC News exit polling showed that Cortez Masto won more than 60% of that vote. Still, there’s plenty of danger signs for Democrats when it comes to Latino voters, particularly among men.

For the past three cycles, chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, a leadership post, had been elected by rank-and-file Democrats. But members recently voted to reinstate a rule that gives the party’s leader the power to select the chair, putting the decision in Jeffries’ hands. House Republicans last month elected Richard Hudson of North Carolina as their campaign chief for the 2024 cycle. We went 35-4 in the front-line races.”But several Democrats think a different approach is needed, and they are urging Jeffries to look outside the Democratic Caucus. “It should be someone who can really campaign well, who is familiar with the process and dynamics of the House.

☆ Rep. Ted Lieu reflects on becoming the highest-ranking Asian American ever in House Democratic leadership
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Kimmy Yam | Kimmy Yam Is A Reporter For Nbc Asian America. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., who recently became the first Asian American to be elected vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus, took a moment to reflect with NBC News on how he got there. “It’s actually more of a recognition by my colleagues of the growing importance of the Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities,” he said. In two decades the Asian American electorate surged 139%, according to Pew Research. The congressman added that beyond Asian Americans, his win also showcases the power of a broad collective. “If you look at what the House Democratic Caucus did, it was, I feel, remarkable.

[1/7] U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jefferies (D-NY) walks on the day of House Democratic leadership elections on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., November 30, 2022. The vote by Jeffries' fellow Democrats also marked the rise of a younger generation of leaders in the 435-member House and the end of the Nancy Pelosi era. In 2007 she became the first woman to be elected House speaker. Jeffries, a 52-year-old New Yorker, will hold the position of House Democratic leader for the 118th Congress that convenes on Jan. 3. Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he was not surprised that Jeffries, a fellow Brooklynite, was chosen.

☆ U.S. House Democrats set to elect Hakeem Jeffries as first Black party leader
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Richard Cowan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Jeffries, a 52-year-old New Yorker, is running for House Democratic leader for the next two years. If he is elected as expected during closed-door voting, he would become the first Black person to hold a top party leadership job in the House or Senate. "Meaningful policymaking and public engagement opportunities should be robustly distributed regardless of length of service," Jeffries wrote in a letter to fellow Democrats. Running for election as part of Jeffries' team are Representative Katherine Clark, 59, who is seeking the No. 2 Democratic whip job, and Pete Aguilar, 43, vying for Jeffries' current job of Democratic caucus chairman.

WASHINGTON — House Democrats will elect their new leadership team Wednesday morning, ushering in a younger generation of leaders after Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer decided to step aside after Democrats narrowly lost the majority this month. In recent years, younger, equally ambitious and talented Democrats looking to climb the leadership ladder discovered they had nowhere to go but out. Democratic Caucus Chair Xavier Becerra took an appointment as California's attorney general and then was named by President Joe Biden as health and human services secretary. Others, including Steve Israel of New York, who led both House Democrats' campaign arm and communications shop, opted for retirement. “The House Democratic Caucus is at its best when everyone has an opportunity to be on the playing field, playing the right position," he said.

☆ House Democrats elect Rep. Hakeem Jeffries as leader, the first Black person to lead congressional caucus
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Scott Wong | Ali Vitali | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

House Democratic Caucus Chair Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) departs a leadership election meeting with the Democratic caucus in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill November 30, 2022 in Washington, DC. WASHINGTON — House Democrats elected their new leadership team Wednesday, ushering in a younger generation of leaders after Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer decided to step aside after Democrats narrowly lost the majority this month. Jeffries' top deputy will be Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Mass., 59, a progressive who served under Jeffries as vice chair of the Democratic Caucus and rose to assistant speaker this Congress. Rounding out the trio of new leaders is Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., 43, a Congressional Hispanic Caucus member and former mayor who was elected Democratic Caucus chairman — the role Jeffries has held for the past four years. Of the current "Big Three" Democrats, only Clyburn, the current majority whip, has opted to stay in leadership in the new Congress.

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus on Monday nominated dozens of Latino musicians to the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry in an effort to increase Latino representation. "Latinos are nearly 20% of the US and widely bilingual — but of the 600 titles in the Recording Registry, less than 4% are from Latino artists," Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, wrote on Twitter. “I want for the contributions of our musicians to be recognized and celebrated in the way that they deserve, because they have made a mark in America,” Castro told Axios in an interview. The National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress chooses 25 recordings each year to showcase the range and diversity of American recorded sound and to increase preservation awareness for future generations. Since the deadline for public nominations for the 2023 registry has passed, the National Recording Preservation Board will work with Castro to consider nominations, Steve Leggett, the board's program director, told Axios.

BOLD PAC spent a record $6 million supporting the candidates in their races. There are currently 38 Latinos in Congress, 28 of them Democrats and 10 Republicans, according to the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund. After the elections, that number has increased to at least 45 in the next Congress that starts in January, with 34 Democrats and 11 Republicans, which would make it a record number of Latinos in Congress, according to NALEO. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus was founded as a bipartisan caucus, but as Republicans numbers grew, GOP members broke off and formed the Congressional Hispanic Conference. Talk to Latino voters early and recruit Latinos and Latinas to run and not just in majority Latino districts.

Michelle Lujan Grisham defeated Republican Mark Ronchetti in New Mexico's gubernatorial race. The state voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in every election cycle since 1992, excluding 2004. Grisham is the first Democratic Latina to be elected governor in the country's history. Democratic incumbent Michelle Lujan Grisham defeated Republican Mark Ronchetti in New Mexico's gubernatorial election. Before joining Congress, Grisham was a member of the Bernalillo County Commission and also served as head of New Mexico's State Department of Health from 2004 to 2007 under Gov.

☆ Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham faces off against Republican Mark Ronchetti in New Mexico's gubernatorial election
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( Hanna Kang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Michelle Lujan Grisham is running against Republican Mark Ronchetti in New Mexico's gubernatorial race. Grisham is the first Democratic Latina to be elected governor in the country's history. New Mexico's gubernatorial candidatesGrisham is the 32nd governor of New Mexico. Before joining Congress, Grisham was a member of the Bernalillo County Commission and also served as head of New Mexico's State Department of Health from 2004 to 2007 under Gov. Grisham was elected to the governorship in 2018, becoming the first Democratic Latina to be elected governor in the country's history.

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