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☆ Biden and Netanyahu's fraught relationship hits new low after U.S. pauses weapons shipment
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

"There's real skepticism in the administration that Rafah will bring about a deal for the hostages, like the Israelis have been saying." Pentagon confirms weapons shipment pause to IsraelThe Pentagon confirmed on Wednesday that the administration paused the delivery to Israel of a shipment of 1,800 two-thousand-pound bombs and 1,700 five-hundred-pound bombs. Netanyahu remains undeterred, saying that Israel will "stand alone" and fight "with our fingernails" if U.S. weapons shipments stopped. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (L) visits army units on the border between Israel and Gaza Strip near Rafah, Gaza on May 07, 2024. Israeli Ministry of Defense | Anadolu | Getty ImagesItamar Ben Gvir, Israel's far-right wing national security minister, posted on X simply writing: "Hamas [heart emoji] Biden."

Persons: Ahmad Gharabli, Richard Haass, Joe Biden, Haass, George W, Bush, Benjamin Netanyahu, Khan Yunis, Ashraf Amr, Biden, Defense Lloyd Austin, Washington's, Austin, Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, Itamar Ben Gvir, emoji, It's, Will, Avi Melamed, Melamed, Clayton Allen, Independent Sen, Bernie Sanders, Vermont, Sanders, Ali Jadallah Organizations: Hamas, AFP, Getty, U.S, Foreign Relations, Haaretz, Qatari, United Nations, WHO, Anadolu, CNN, Pentagon, Biden, Defense, Israel, Israeli, Ministry of Defense, Congress, Eurasia Group, Independent, CNBC Locations: Israel, Gaza, Rafah, Palestinian, Israeli, Khan, I'm, al, Hamas, Iran, U.S, United States

☆ Biden says U.S. won’t supply weapons for Israel to attack Rafah, in warning to ally
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

Biden has said that Israel needs to do far more to protect the lives of civilians in Gaza. "We're going to continue to do what's necessary to ensure that Israel has the means to defend itself," Austin said. "But that said, we are currently reviewing some near-term security assistance shipments in the context of unfolding events in Rafah." A decision against Israel would further add to pressure on Biden to curb the flow of weapons and money to Israel's military. "Over the years, the United States has provided tens of billions of dollars in military aid to Israel.

Persons: Joe Biden, Kevin Lamarque, Biden, Israel, we're, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Ali Jadallah, Lloyd Austin, Austin, Menahem Kahana, Gilad Erdan, Mike Johnson, Mitch McConnell, Sen, Lindsey Graham, Bernie Sanders of, Sanders, Netanyahu, Hatem Khaled, Itamar Yaar Organizations: Gateway Technical College, Reuters, Hamas, CNN, Israel, Anadolu, Getty Images, Biden, White House National Security, Palestinian Hamas, Afp, Getty, United Nations, Congress, Republican, Republicans, Austin, Reuters Privately, The State Department, Israel's National Security Council, Islamic State Locations: Sturtevant , Wisconsin, U.S, Israel, Rafah, Gaza, I'm, Palestinian, Bernie Sanders of Vermont, United States, Egypt

☆ This is 2024’s new political normal six months from the election
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-05 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

It’s just another normal week in American politics as unpredictable forces rock both parties and augur a tense run to an election — now six months less one day away — that could fundamentally change the nation. Prosecutors argue he attempted a cover-up to mislead voters in 2016 in an early act of election interference. She also said that Trump felt it was better to deal with the story after the election than beforehand. Last week, in an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Trump refused to guarantee he’d accept the result of the next election. “We have to understand that this is a defining moment for this generation, similar to anti-Vietnam protests, anti-apartheid protests, anti-Iraq War protests,” he said.

Persons: Donald Trump, Joe Biden’s, Mike Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, It’s, —, Trump, Story Daniels, Hope Hicks, Hicks, Michael Cohen, Daniels, Emil Bove, Cohen, Trump’s, Biden, James Singer, “ Trump, ” Singer, Benjamin Netanyahu, Mitch Landrieu, Sen, Bernie Sanders, Lyndon Johnson, Landrieu, Democratic Sen, John Fetterman of, ”, Ro Khanna, “, ” Johnson, Johnson, Greene, don’t, Kevin McCarthy Organizations: CNN, Trump, Republican, Georgia Rep, Prosecutors, White House, Nazi Secret Police, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Israel, Republicans, Union, Biden campaign’s, Independent, Democratic, CBS, Hamas, GOP Locations: Gestapo, New York, Gaza, Manhattan, Trump, “ State, Vietnam, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Michigan, California, Iraq, America, Ukraine, Louisiana

☆ Republicans could cost Kari Lake the Arizona Senate race as a new poll shows 15% of GOP voters backing her likely Democratic opponent
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Kari Lake is hoping to flip the Arizona US Senate seat being vacated by Kyrsten Sinema. But a new Emerson College Polling/The Hill survey shows that she's not consolidating the GOP base. The poll shows her likely Democratic opponent, Ruben Gallego, winning 15% of GOP voters. AdvertisementIn the fight to win Arizona's Senate seat this fall, Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego and GOP candidate Kari Lake are locked in a close race in what has become one of the nation's premier swing states. AdvertisementBut the latest survey showed the challenges that she still faces as she works to flip the key Senate seat for the GOP.

Persons: Kari Lake, Kyrsten Sinema, Ruben Gallego, —, Gallego, Sen, Kyrsten, she's, Sinema —, Democrat —, Martha McSally, Trump's Organizations: Arizona, Emerson College Polling, GOP, Democratic, Service, Senate, Democratic Rep, Trump, Democrat, Republican Locations: Phoenix, Lake, Arizona, Gallego, Arizona's

☆ Arizona Dem says state is bluer 'not because Arizona is necessarily a blue state,' but from distaste for GOP 'extremism'
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

"The Republican party has become extreme in the age of Trumpism," the state senator told Politico. President Joe Biden won Arizona in 2020, the first time that a Democratic presidential nominee had carried the state since 1996. Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly won a special election for his seat in 2020 and then won a full term in 2022. Advertisement"The trajectory of Arizona has been steadily trending bluer on a statewide level," state Sen. Priya Sundareshan recently told Politico. "It's not because Arizona is necessarily a blue state but it's because Arizona has rejected extremism and the Republican party has become extreme in the age of Trumpism."

Persons: —, Joe Biden, Democratic Sen, Mark Kelly, Katie Hobbs, Ruben Gallego, Sen, Kyrsten Sinema, Republican Kari Lake, Priya Sundareshan, that'll, Biden, Donald Trump, Hobbs, Roe, Trump Organizations: Republican, Politico, Service, GOP, Arizona, Democratic, Democrat, Republicans, Wade Locations: Arizona, Phoenix , Arizona, dszc Arizona, Tucson, Maricopa County

☆ Kari Lake bemoans fact that Arizona’s 1864 abortion ban is not being enforced, in another apparent shift
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Veronica Stracqualursi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake expressed regret in a recent interview that Arizona’s century-old abortion ban was not being enforced by the state’s Democratic leadership, remarks that appear at odds with her recent public opposition to the law. “The Arizona Supreme Court said this is the law of Arizona, but unfortunately, the people running our state have said we’re not going to enforce it. The attorney general’s website states that “the earliest the 1864 territorial abortion ban may take effect is June 8, 2024.”CNN has reached out to Lake’s campaign for comment. But as a candidate for Senate, Lake has flipped her position on the abortion law. Lake acknowledged during a campaign event in Scottsdale last week that she had a “little bit of a shift” in her stance on the abortion law but insisted she was “still pro-life.”Lake’s comments against the abortion ban drew criticism from anti-abortion advocates.

Persons: Kari Lake, we’re, it’s, ” Lake, Kris Mayes, ”, Roe, Wade, that’s, Lake, “, Steve Deace, Sen, Kyrsten, Ruben Gallego, CNN’s Kaitlan Collin Organizations: CNN, Republican, Democratic, Arizona Supreme, Idaho Dispatch, ” CNN, Senate, GOP, Arizona Locations: Arizona, Scottsdale, Iowa

☆ US awaits Netanyahu’s response after Biden’s ultimatum
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Despite repeatedly expressing its frustration with Israeli tactics, the White House has been unwilling or unable to impose any leverage on the prime minister. There was no immediate response from the prime minister, who held a cabinet meeting after the call that he used to warn that Israel will defend itself against Iran. The Israeli prime minister is a consummate Washington player and has been engaging with Biden’s Republican foes on Capitol Hill, in an alliance that could increase political complications for the president if he creates deeper fractures with the Israeli prime minister. If Biden eventually assesses his warnings are falling on deaf ears, his credibility will depend on him publicly imposing a cost on the Israeli prime minister. But Biden’s political imperatives and the increasing humanitarian price of the war in Gaza mean he’s approaching a fateful crossroads.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Biden, –, Antony Blinken, Delaware Sen, Chris Coons, Blinken, Israel, John Kirby, Israel –, fulsomely, Biden didn’t, Leon Panetta, CNN’s Jake Tapper, ”, Independent Sen, Bernie Sanders, Tapper, “, ” Sanders, ” Netanyahu’s, ” Netanyahu, ” Kirby, Mike Johnson Organizations: CNN, Arab, Israel, Israel Defense Forces, Democrat, White, Democratic, White House, National Security Communications, Independent, Hamas, Islamic, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, United, Washington, Republican, GOP Locations: Israel, Gaza, United States, Delaware, Palestinian American, Brussels, Washington, Vermont, Iran, Islamic Republic, Damascus, Rafah

☆ Why is there nostalgia for the Trump economy in the battleground states?
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Yet those numbers are reversed when asked to rate the state’s economy. In Wisconsin, negative views of the national economy outweigh positive ones by 16 points, while positive views of the state economy outweigh negative ones by 17 points. Across these battleground states, 46% of registered voters said their personal financial situation is headed in the right direction. Now, more than half of registered voters in the Wall Street Journal poll of battleground states said they either strongly or somewhat approve of the job Trump did as president. Biden is neck-and-neck with Trump among registered voters in those seven swing states on the question of protecting democracy.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Larry Summers, Summers, Biden, Ariel Edwards, Levy, Edwards, “ People’s, ”, It’s, Trump, Biden’s, Joe, Jill Biden, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, “ He’s, ” Jill Biden, Will, Sen, Bernie Sanders, Sanders “, George W, – Trump’s, Bush Organizations: CNN — Voters, Wall Street, Biden, Treasury, Federal Reserve, Gallup, Journal, Street, CBS, Vermont, White, Big Pharma, Medicare, CNN, Republican, Trump, Capitol Locations: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina , Nevada , Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, North Carolina, brag, Iraq

☆ Retirement crisis looms as Americans struggle to save
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

“However, I am fully aware that I’m creating another problem for myself down the road.”For now, his retirement plans sit on the back burner. Retirement savings in the United States were long thought of as a three-legged stool. Americans had pension plans, Social Security benefits, and defined contribution plans like the 401(k). Social Security payments still provide about 90% of income for more than a quarter of older adults, according to Social Security Agency surveys. She’s had to rely on her 401(k) retirement savings to support her and her son more than once.

Persons: Eric Payne, there’s, ”, Payne, I’ve, he’ll, What’s, Larry Fink, “, –, ” Fink, Fink, Jamie, She’s, – Jamie, wasn’t, Donald Trump, ” Trump, Joe Biden, Karoline Leavitt, Trump, Biden, Bernie Sanders, Sanders, BlackRock’s Fink, Beth, ” Beth Organizations: New, New York CNN, CNN, Social Security, Social, Social Security Agency, Security, Lawmakers, BlackRock, CNBC, Vermont Independent, Medicare Locations: New York, Portland , Maine, United States, Central Texas, Pittsburgh

CNN —Former Senegalese Prime Minister Amadou Ba has conceded defeat to leading opposition figure Bassirou Diomaye Faye in the western African country’s presidential elections. “I wish him lots of success and success for the well-being of the Senegalese people,” he added. Several opposition candidates in Sunday’s election conceded defeat to Faye earlier. Faye was also congratulated early Monday by another presidential candidate, Khalifa Sall. Official results will be announced by Saturday at the latest, according to an official from Senegal’s Autonomous National Electoral Commission.

Persons: Amadou Ba, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, “, Macky Sall, Faye, Ba, Futurs Médias, Anta Babacar Ngom, ”, Faye “, Khalifa, . Ba, kickstart, Ousmane Sonko, Sonko, Sall, – Organizations: CNN —, Senegalese, Saturday, Senegal’s, Electoral Commission Locations: Ba, Senegal, .

That's the message from politicians who are closing in on the required number of votes needed to pass federal legislation that requires AM radios in every new car. The prevalence of AM broadcast radio has dipped in recent decades as more listeners turn to options such as satellite radio and podcasts during drivetime. “The emergency alert system works on the AM spectrum - that's where people get information about emergencies,” said independent Sen. Angus King of Maine. Photos You Should See View All 60 ImagesThe drive to save AM radio comes as some carmakers are phasing the format out. AM radio is also important for highway safety information and storm and weather updates, Collins said.

Persons: ”, Sen, Angus King of Maine, “, King, Republican Maine Sen, Susan Collins, Democratic Sen, Ed Markey, Collins, ” Collins Organizations: Republican Maine, Lawmakers, U.S . House, Representatives, Senate, U.S . Department of Transportation, Democratic, Massachusetts, National Association of Farm Broadcasters Locations: PORTLAND, Maine, America, U.S

☆ Kyrsten Sinema’s exit puts the spotlight on the Senate’s shrinking pool of dealmakers
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Lauren Fox | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

For months, the two of them had worked tirelessly alongside Republican Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma to craft a bipartisan deal on immigration. “The base of each party wants individuals who will fight, but not individuals who will reach across the aisle to get things done,” Republican Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah said. “I’ve seen a shift towards basically really not wanting to do anything,” West Virginia Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito said. Last cycle alone saw the retirement of Ohio Republican Sen. Missouri Republican Sen. Roy Blunt, another GOP pragmatist, retired after the 2022 election, replaced by Sen. Eric Schmitt.

Persons: Sen, Kyrsten, Democratic Sen, Chris Murphy, Republican Sen, James Lankford of, Sinema, Murphy, ” Murphy, “, ” Sinema, Donald Trump, Mitt Romney, Joe Manchin, he’d, Romney, Trump, ” Romney, I’ve, ” West Virginia Republican Sen, Shelley Moore Capito, Ohio Republican Sen, Rob Portman, J.D, Vance, Trump . Missouri Republican Sen, Roy Blunt, GOP pragmatist, Eric Schmitt, appropriator Sen, Richard Shelby of, Richard Burr of, Bob Corker, Marsha Blackburn, Anna Moneymaker, we’ve, Lamar Alexander, ”, Tim Kaine, “ We’re, Kari Lake, –, Mark Kelly, ” Corker, Kaine, Todd Young, Thom Tillis, It’s, Brian Schatz, ” Sen, Mark Warner, Nathan Howard, Manchin, John Cornyn of, John Thune of, isn’t Organizations: Democratic, Connecticut, Republican, CNN, Senate, ” West Virginia Republican, Ohio Republican, GOP, Trump . Missouri Republican, Intelligence, Senate Foreign Relations, 118th, Democrat, North Carolina Republican, Getty, America Locations: Arizona, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia, Ohio, Richard Shelby of Alabama, Richard Burr of North Carolina, Tennessee, Indiana, Hawaii, Washington , DC, John Cornyn of Texas, John Thune of South Dakota, America

☆ Arizona's Senate race just got a whole lot less interesting following Kyrsten Sinema's decision to retire
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema announced on Tuesday that she won't seek reelection. Arizona won't be the site of an epic three-way Senate race as many had once predicted. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementSen. Kyrsten Sinema is not running for reelection — denying the political world the opportunity to see what would've been one of the most fascinating Senate races in recent memory. AdvertisementYet Lake couldn't pull it off in 2022, despite widespread perceptions that she was favored in that year's governor's race.

Persons: Sen, Kyrsten Sinema, Ruben Gallego, Kari Lake, —, Kyrsten, would've, Joe Biden's, Sinema, Gallego, Donald Trump, MAGA, Steve Daines, Kari Lake's, That's, who've, Mitt Romney Organizations: Arizona, Service, Democratic Party, Democratic, Senate, Arizona Senate, Republican, Republicans, GOP, NBC, Utah Republican, Sinema Locations: Ruben Gallego of Arizona, Montana, Lake, Arizona

☆ Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema will not run for re-election in Arizona
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Alexandra Marquez | Sahil Kapur | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. Sen. Kyrtsen Sinema (D-AZ) speaks at a news conference after the Senate passed the Respect for Marriage Act at the Capitol Building on November 29, 2022 in Washington, DC. Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema announced Tuesday that she will not run for re-election this year, leaving the Senate after one term that saw her paint Arizona blue, leave the Democratic Party and play a key role in numerous legislative negotiations in a tightly divided Senate. "I will leave the Senate at the end of this year," Sinema said in a video posted on her X account. Notably, Sinema believed she was stronger with Arizona Republicans than with her own former party. Republicans, who are hoping to flip the Senate back into their control this year, are eyeing Arizona as a potential pickup opportunity.

Persons: Kyrtsen Sinema, Independent Sen, Kyrsten Sinema, Sinema, Kari Lake, Ruben Gallego, Gallego Organizations: Sen, Senate, Washington , DC, Independent, Democratic Party, Sinema, Arizona Republicans, NBC News, Republicans, GOP Locations: Washington ,, Arizona, Lake

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The state of Maine's long-cherished reputation for political independence is being threatened by the nation's polarized politics, with more and more of its voters feeling pressured to take sides. So-called independents, or unenrolled voters, have gone from the state's largest voting bloc to trailing both major parties in just four years. Republicans, too, overtook unenrolled voters two years later. As of last month, a tally of active voters indicated there were 343,488 Democratic voters, 279,936 Republican voters and 273,298 unenrolled voters. The economist served in the Maine Senate as an independent, and remains active on political issues.

Persons: Nikki Haley, Trump, Haley, ”, Zach Azem, — “, Sen, Angus King, Arizona’s Kyrsten, Vermont's Bernie Sanders, Jill Goldthwait, unenrolled, “, —, Paul LePage, Donald Trump, Mark Brewer, Brewer, they'll, State Shenna Bellows, Richard Woodbury, “ I’m, ” Woodbury, David Sharp, @David_Sharp_AP Organizations: New, New Hampshire GOP, Democratic, AP VoteCast, GOP, University of New Hampshire Survey, Republicans, Democratic Party, Republican, University of Maine, Trump, Congressional, State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Maine Senate Locations: PORTLAND, Maine, New Hampshire, Bar, District, Yarmouth

☆ Sen. Chris Murphy, who helped broker the failed border security package, says it's 'worrying' that Mitch McConnell couldn't deliver more votes: 'No one is in charge over there'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Sen. Chris Murphy said in an interview that "no one" is leading Senate Republicans. "You can't make policy if no one is in charge," Murphy told Politico Magazine. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . "I just think it's really worrying that the leader of the Republican Party can't deliver more than four votes." But despite the setback, Murphy told the magazine he remained a "hopeless optimist" regarding the upper chamber.

Persons: Sen, Chris Murphy, Murphy, —, Chris Murphy of, GOP Sen, James Lankford of, Independent Sen, Kyrsten, Mitch McConnell's, That's, — Sens, Susan Collins of, Lisa Murkowski, Mitt Romney, Lankford —, McConnell, Donald Trump's, … Organizations: Republicans, Politico Magazine, Democratic, Service, Republican, GOP, Independent, Senate, Democrats, — Locations: Chris Murphy of Connecticut, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Arizona, Susan Collins of Maine, Alaska, Utah

Democratic senators on Friday called Biden's directive — meant to bring breadth, oversight, deadlines and teeth to efforts to ensure foreign governments don't use U.S. military aid against civilians — historic. “This is a sea-change in terms of how you approach U.S. military aid and its impact on civilians,” Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren said. Human rights advocates said the challenge for the new directive would be the same faced by all previous efforts to withhold U.S. weapons and funding from human rights abusers — whether administrations will actually enforce the human rights conditions against strategically important allies and partners. Foreign governments that fail to provide those assurances on time would have their military aid paused. Those “are honored in the breach,” Roth, the human rights expert, said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Massachusetts Sen, Elizabeth Warren, who'd, Maryland Sen, Chris Van Hollen, ”, Kenneth Roth, Antony Blinken, isn't, Sen, Bernie Sanders, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Karine Jean, Pierre, “, ” Jean, Pierre said, Leahy, —, ” Roth, it's, ” Van Hollen, — Seung Min Kim Organizations: WASHINGTON, Democrats, Ukraine, Democratic, Capitol, White House, Maryland, Human Rights Watch, Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, U.S, Foreign Assistance Locations: Gaza, Israel, Russia, Massachusetts, what's, Ukraine, Israeli, United States, U.S

☆ Former GOP governor who said that being a senator sucks changes his mind to run for Senate
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Larry Hogan is running for Senate despite trashing the idea last year. "Not a lot gets done in the Senate," Hogan said in May 2023, reaffirming his decision not to run. Larry Hogan of Maryland didn't have especially nice things to say about the US Senate. It’s what I did as Maryland’s governor, and it’s exactly how I'll serve Maryland in the Senate. "Governor Hogan is a great leader for Maryland, and that's why he remains overwhelmingly popular in the state," said Daines.

Persons: Larry Hogan, Hogan, aren't, —, NewsNation, I've, Senate aren't, Hogan's, United States Senate –, Let’s, d0TuZchAtN —, @GovLarryHogan, Sen, Steve Daines, Mitch McConnell, Maeve Coyle, he'd, He's, Donald Trump, Republican Sen, Mitt Romney, Democratic Sen, Joe Manchin, Independent Sen, Kyrsten, GOP that's Organizations: Maryland Gov, Service, Senate, Republicans, GOP, United States Senate, Maryland, Maryland Senate, Democratic, Democrats, Democratic Senatorial, Committee, Republican, Independent, Trump Locations: Maryland, Montana, Ohio, Utah, West Virginia, Arizona

Senate Republicans blocked a major bipartisan border deal and foreign aid package with assistance for Ukraine and Israel in a key vote on Wednesday amid a torrent of attacks on the bill by former President Donald Trump and top House Republicans. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer plans to force a procedural vote on an emergency aid package for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan — and drop the border deal. Bob Menendez of New Jersey and Alex Padilla of California have both forcefully attacked the border deal. Schumer has harshly criticized Senate Republicans for opposing the package, accusing them of following Trump’s marching orders. “And instead of standing up to Donald Trump, Senate Republicans are ready to kill our best chance at fixing the border.”“They want amendments?

Persons: Donald Trump, – James Lankford of, Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, Schumer, Mike Johnson, McConnell, Johnson, – Lankford, Sen, Kyrsten, Democratic Sen, Chris Murphy, Sinema, Lankford, Democratic Sens, Bob Menendez, Alex Padilla, Menendez, ” Padilla, “, ” Schumer, ” McConnell, CNN’s Kristin Wilson Organizations: House Republicans, Republicans, White, Republican, Senate GOP, Trump, Democratic, Israel, West Bank, Bob Menendez of New, Senate Republicans, CNN Locations: Ukraine, Israel, – James Lankford of Oklahoma, Trump, Taiwan, Arizona, Connecticut, Russia, Gaza, Bob Menendez of, Bob Menendez of New Jersey, California, America

VIÑA DEL MAR, Chile (AP) — Chilean prosecutors on Wednesday released more details about the death of former President Sebastian Piñera, saying he drowned after the helicopter he was piloting crashed into a lake. Piñera died on Tuesday after a flight over Lake Ranco, more than 560 miles (900 kilometers) south of Santiago. As more details of his death were released, tributes hailing him as a champion of democracy continued to pour in. The public can start paying their last respects to Piñera on Wednesday night, with a state funeral to be held on Friday. Piñera served two terms — from 2010 to 2014 and again from 2018 to 2022.

Persons: Sebastian Piñera, Piñera, Gabriel Boric, Cecilia Morel, Alberto Espina, Boric, Piñera’s, Jimmy Sánchez, “, ” Sánchez, Augusto Pinochet Organizations: DEL, —, Wednesday Locations: Chile, Ranco, Santiago, Valdivia, Piñera, American

Fewer than 24 hours after a long-awaited, bipartisan border deal and foreign aid package was unveiled in the Senate, opposition is rapidly mounting in the chamber – making it increasingly possible the bill will not survive a key vote expected this week. The grim odds facing the bill in the Senate come as former President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson have continued to attack the deal, ratcheting up pressure on Senate Republicans to oppose it or risk facing a conservative backlash. So far, 18 Republican senators have publicly criticized the bill, including Montana Sen. Steve Daines, a member of Senate GOP leadership. For all of these reasons I will vote no when the bill is brought to the Senate floor this week,” he said. It’s unclear, however, whether a foreign aid package would be able to pass on its own as many Senate Republicans have demanded tighter border security in exchange for aid to those allies.

Persons: Donald Trump, Mike Johnson, Johnson, hasn’t, Democratic Sen, Chris Murphy of, Sen, Kyrsten, James Lankford of, Montana Sen, Steve Daines, Texas Sen, John Cornyn, ”, New Jersey Sen, Bob Menendez, California Sen, Alex Padilla, Menendez, ” Padilla, Bernie Sanders, Benjamin Netanyahu, ” Lankford, CNN’s Kristin Wilson Organizations: Republicans, Israel, West Bank, Democratic, GOP, Republican, National Republican Senatorial, House Republicans, California, Trump, ICE, Border Patrol Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Gaza, Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Arizona, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Montana, Texas, New Jersey, America, Vermont, United States, Israel

☆ These 20 GOP senators are already opposed to the bipartisan border security proposal — and more could soon join them
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewNearly half of the Senate Republicans have announced that they will oppose a bipartisan agreement to toughen US immigration laws and enact new border security measures. John Thune of South Dakota and Joni Ernst of Iowa, both members of the Senate GOP leadership. Former President Donald Trump has forcefully come out against the agreement while also saying that changes to border policy "should not be tied to foreign aid in any way, shape, or form." Yet that's exactly what Republican senators insisted upon when President Joe Biden requested additional foreign aid from Congress in October. And while most of the GOP opposition stems from a desire for more stringent policies, some Republicans have suggested that they do not want to do anything that might help Biden politically.

Persons: —, John Thune of, Joni Ernst of Iowa, Mitch McConnell, Sen, James Lankford of, Democratic Sen, Chris Murphy, Independent Sen, Kyrsten, Israel —, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Biden Organizations: Service, Republicans, GOP, Business, Democratic, Independent, Senate, Israel Locations: Sens, John Thune of South Dakota, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Connecticut, Arizona, Ukraine

The border deal has placed one of the most vexing political issues at the center of President Joe Biden’s foreign policy agenda and forced him to take a tougher stance on an issue that has been a liability ahead of November. But former President Donald Trump and Johnson have attacked the border deal as too weak, and their opposition threatens to derail the legislation. “Let me be clear: The Senate Border Bill will NOT receive a vote in the House,” the Louisiana Republican wrote on X. Johnson announced Saturday that the House will vote this week on a standalone bill providing aid for Israel. It’s unclear whether a foreign aid package would be able to pass on its own as many Senate Republicans have demanded tighter border security in exchange for aid to those allies.

Persons: Mike Johnson, hasn’t, Joe Biden’s, Democratic Sen, Chris Murphy of, Sen, Kyrsten, James Lankford of, Donald Trump, Johnson, ” Johnson, Steve Scalise, Bill, Biden, Trump, Marsha Blackburn of, Mike Lee of, Mitch McConnell, Lankford “, Chuck Schumer, McConnell, John Thune, “, ” Thune, CNN’s Manu Raju, Thune, “ It’s, ”, doesn’t, Greg Abbott, ” Abbott, What’s, Sinema, Lankford, Morgan Rimmer, Melanie Zanona, Sara Smart, Rosa Flores, Sara Weisfeldt Organizations: CNN, Senators, Israel, West Bank, Democratic, Senate Republicans, Louisiana Republican, Senate, Republicans, New, New York Democrat, GOP, Texas Gov, Texas, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, CBS, Trump Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Russia, Gaza, Mexico, Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Arizona, James Lankford of Oklahoma, ”, Louisiana, Taiwan, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Mike Lee of Utah, New York, United States, Eagle

☆ It pays to be MAGA: Kari Lake raked in $175,000 from speeches and book royalties in the year since losing the Arizona governor's race
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

According to financial disclosure documents that Lake filed as part of her US Senate bid on Tuesday, the former TV anchor made at least $175,000 from paid speeches and book royalties. The other $75,000 came from speeches Lake gave to conservative groups in Texas, California, New York, and Idaho, sometimes netting $15,000 for one appearance. In a statement, a Lake spokesperson accused the media of having "Kari Lake derangement syndrome." Advertisement Lake did file a financial disclosure when she ran for governor, disclosing her position as a communications advisor for DeWit's firm. Lawmakers on both the left and the right have, in some cases, managed to make more than their salaries via book sales.

Persons: Kari Lake, Donald Trump, hasn't, Lake, Ruben Gallego, Sen, Kyrsten Sinema, Kari Lake derangement, Jeff DeWit, DeWit, Kari, Democratic Sens, Raphael Warnock, Elizabeth Warren, Ted Cruz, Tom Cotton Organizations: Business, Winning Team Publishing, Trump, Democratic, Superfeed Technologies, Arizona GOP, Lake, Governor Locations: Arizona, Texas , California , New York, Idaho, Sens

☆ Group of Democrats call on Blinken to provide answers on bypassing Congress to approve arms sales to Israel
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —A group of 19 predominantly Democratic lawmakers is calling on Secretary of State Antony Blinken to provide answers about why he bypassed Congress last month to approve arms sales to Israel. The top US diplomat made two emergency determinations in December to immediately approve the transfer hundreds of millions of dollars in military equipment to Israel. In their letter, the lawmakers noted the rarity of administrations using emergency declarations to immediately approve arms sales without congressional approval. “Use of a national emergency waiver does not exempt the U.S. government from assessing whether arms sales are consistent with” those standards, they wrote. I would say that the process that the secretary followed and the process that we follow here at the State Department is the process that the law actually prescribed,” Miller said at a State Department briefing.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Blinken, Joe Biden, Independent Sen, Bernie Sanders, Democratic Sens, Elizabeth Warren, Jeff Merkley, Peter Welch, James McGovern, Earl Blumenauer, Joaquin Castro, Judy Chu, Raúl, Pramila Jayapal, Barbara Lee, Betty McCollum, Chellie Pingree, Mark Pocan, Delia Ramirez, Jan Schakowsky, Jill Tokuda, Maxine Waters, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Leahy, credibly, “ Israel, ”, ’, “, Matt Miller, ” Miller Organizations: CNN, UN, Independent, Democratic, State Department, Leahy, ”, Department Locations: Israel, Gaza, Hamas

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