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☆ Who’s coming to the White House’s Japan state dinner: the Clintons, De Niro, Bezos
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Betsy Klein | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The guest list also includes Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai, US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield and White House chief of staff Jeff Zients. NBC News White House correspondent Kelly O’Donnell, who is the president of the White House Correspondents Association, will attend, as well as Washington Post columnist Josh Rogin. First lady Jill Biden chose Simon to perform at the state dinner because Kishida also “shares an appreciation” for his work, a White House official said. The state dinner for South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol featured a Broadway star’s performance of Don McLean’s “American Pie” – a personal favorite of Yoon. It led to one of the iconic state dinner moments of the Biden presidency – Yoon picking up a microphone to serenade guests with a few lines from the song.

Persons: Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Robert De Niro, Jeff Bezos, Fumio Kishida, Joe Biden, Kristi Yamaguchi, Tim Cook, Laurence Fink, Jamie Dimon, Brad Smith, Shawn Fain, Cecile Richards, Antony Blinken, Janet Yellen, Alejandro Mayorkas, Jennifer Granholm, Gina Raimondo, National Intelligence Avril Haines, Katherine Tai, United Nations Linda Thomas, Jeff Zients, CQ, Jerome Powell, Bill Nelson, Biden, Donald Trump, De Niro, Nelson, ” Nelson, Sen, Bill Hagerty, Trump, Rahm Emanuel, Kelly O’Donnell, Josh Rogin, Kamala Harris, Doug Emhoff, Kathy Hochul, Josh Shapiro, Tony Evers, Roy Cooper of, Mazie, Jeff Merkley, Ashley Biden, Howard Krein, Finnegan Biden, Naomi Biden Neal, Peter Neal, Paul Simon, Jill Biden, Simon, Kishida, ”, It’s, Yoon Suk, Don McLean’s, Yoon, – Yoon, CNN’s Arlette Saenz Organizations: CNN, Amazon, White, Japan’s, Apple, BlackRock, JPMorgan, Microsoft, United Auto Workers, Planned, Biden, Homeland, Senate, Energy, National Intelligence, US, United Nations, White House, Joint Chiefs, Staff, Federal, NASA, Tennessee Republican, NBC, White House Correspondents Association, Washington, Democratic, Gov, Pennsylvania, South Korean Locations: Japanese American, Greenfield, Cleveland , Ohio, Japan, New York, Tony Evers of Wisconsin, Roy Cooper of North Carolina, Hawaii, Oregon

☆ ‘What Have We Become?’ How Congress Came To Be So Boorish
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Kaia Hubbard | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +7 min

They’re members of Congress. “I mean, straighten up here.”Even before this week, a number of vulgar refrains, heated exchanges and a near physical altercation punctuated this Congress after festering in recent years. What have we become?’”Indeed, this Congress seemed to kick off with drama baked in. The picture of this Congress is a stark departure from expectations for lawmakers in recent history. “For a lot of members, Congress is not a legislature so much as it is a reality television show about a legislature,” C. Lawrence Evans, a professor of government at the College of William & Mary, says.

Persons: –, “, ” Sen, Mazie, Elizabeth Warren, There's, ” Dan Lamb, it's, Matt Gaetz, Kevin McCarthy, Marjorie Taylor Greene’s, Hunter Biden, Lauren Boebert, Adam Schiff, Greene, Tim Burchett, McCarthy, Jared Moskowitz, James Comer, Sen, Markwayne Mullin, Barack Obama, Lindsey Williams Drath, ” Drath, ”, Drath, Lawrence Evans, College of William & Mary, “ It's, they’re, Mullin, ” Evans, Mike Johnson, Gaetz, Cynthia Lummis, Bernie Sanders, Sanders, Donald Trump, Trump, ” Sanders, Charles Sumner Organizations: Hawaii Democrat, Cornell University, Georgia Republican, Colorado Republican, House Republicans, California Democrat, New, New York Democrat, South Carolina Republican, Forward Party, Republican Party, College of William &, Wyoming Republican, Trump, Capitol Locations: Mazie Hirono, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Colorado, California, New York, Wyoming, Vermont, America, legislating, Arizona

☆ Powerful senators fire off letter decrying 'abusive' tactics in Corizon bankruptcy
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Dakin Campbell | Nicole Einbinder | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Nine US senators including Elizabeth Warren, Dick Durbin, and Bernie Sanders have sent a letter to Corizon leaders demanding answers on its bankruptcy. The letter says Corizon has sought "to manipulate bankruptcy law" and calls the strategy "abusive." Citing Insider's reporting, the senators gave Corizon two weeks to turn over details about its use of the Texas Two-Step to shield assets from creditors. AdvertisementAdvertisementA powerful group of senators have pressed for answers about the bankruptcy of the private prison healthcare provider formerly known as Corizon Health. "The Texas Two-Step is a distorted use of the U.S. bankruptcy system by corporations to evade mass tort liability," the senators write.

Persons: Elizabeth Warren, Dick Durbin, Bernie Sanders, Corizon, —, Cory Booker, Ron Wyden, Tehum, Jeffrey Sholey, Isaac Lefkowitz, Tehum's, Sholey, Lefkowitz, Sen, Warren, YesCare, Hector Garcia, Adria Malcom, excoriate Corizon, Hector Garcia Jr, David Jones, Jones, Christopher Lopez, Durbin, Johnson, Sanders, Booker, Wyden, Democratic Sens, Richard Blumenthal, Mazie, Jeff Merkley, Peter Welch of Organizations: Service, Tehum Care, Finance, Corizon, Detention, Genesis Healthcare, Geneva Consulting, Genesis, Geneva Consulting —, Genesis HealthCare Inc, US, Texas, Committee, Democratic Locations: Texas, Ana, Las Cruces , New Mexico, New Mexico, Alabama, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Hawaii, Oregon, Peter Welch of Vermont

The Hamas terrorist attack on Israel is reprehensible. Israel is under heavy attack right now by Hamas and taking action to defend itself and its people. Israel has every right to defend itself.”Sen. Jon Tester, Montana Democrat“I strongly condemn the terrorist attacks launched by Hamas against our ally Israel. I will continue to closely monitor the situation.”Sen. Maggie Hassan, New Hampshire Democrat“Hamas’s terrorist attack on Israel is nothing short of horrifying. Israel has every right to defend itself from this unjust war.”Sen. Ron Wyden, Oregon Democrat“The terrorist attack on Israel is appalling.

Persons: Hakeem Jeffries, “, Steve Scalise, ” Kevin McCarthy, ” Chuck Schumer, –, Herzog –, ” Mitch McConnell, ” Tom Emmer, ” Katherine Clarke, ” Dick Durbin, ” John Thune, ” Sen, Debbie Stabenow, Michigan Democrat “, Israel, Amy Klobuchar, Mark Warner, Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts Democrat “, Bernie Sanders, Cory Booker, Cory Booker , New Jersey Democrat “, Joe Manchin, West Virginia Democrat “, Tammy Baldwin, Wisconsin Democrat “, Gary Peters, Gary Peters , Michigan Democrat “, Catherine Cortez Masto, Brian Schatz, Hawaii Democrat “, Jeff Merkley, Oregon Democrat “, John Barrasso, Joni Ernst, Iowa Republican “, Sen, Shelley Moore Capito, West Virginia Republican “, Steve Daines, Montana Republican “, Mike Lee, Mike Crapo, Chuck Grassley, Tommy Tuberville, Katie Britt, Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, Kyrsten, Mark Kelly, John Boozman, Tom Cotton, Arkansas Republican “, Alex Padilla, Laphonza Butler, California Democrat “, today’s, Michael Bennet, Colorado Democrat “, John Hickenlooper, Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut Democrat “, Chris Murphy, Tom Carper, Delaware Democrat “, Chris Coons, Marco Rubio, Rick Scott, Jon Ossoff, Georgia Democrat “, Anat Sultan, Raphael Warnock, “ I’m, Mazie, Tammy Duckworth, Todd Young, Mike Braun, Jerry Moran, Kansas Republican “, Hamas’s, Roger Marshall, Netanyahu, Rand Paul, Kentucky Republican “, Bill Cassidy, John Kennedy, Susan Collins, Maine Republican “, Ben Cardin, Maryland Democrat “, Chris Van Hollen, Ed Markey, Tina Smith, Minnesota Democrat “, Roger Wicker ,, Roger Wicker , Mississippi Republican “, Cindy Hyde, Josh Hawley, Eric Schmitt, Jon Tester, Montana Democrat “, Deb Fischer, Nebraska Republican “, Pete Ricketts, Jacky Rosen, Nevada Democrat “, Jeanne Shaheen, Jeanne Shaheen , New Hampshire Democrat “, Maggie Hassan, Maggie Hassan , New Hampshire Democrat “, Bob Menendez, Bob Menendez , New Jersey Democrat “, Martin Heinrich, New Mexico Democrat “, Biden, Ben Ray Lujan, Kirsten Gillibrand, New York Democrat “ I'm, Thom Tillis, Ted Budd, North Carolina Republican “, John Hoeven, John Hoeven , North Dakota Republican “, Kevin Cramer, Sherrod Brown, Ohio Democrat “, J.D, ”, Vance, James Lankford, Markwayne Mullin, Israel –, Ron Wyden, Bob Casey, John Fetterman, craven, Jack Reed, Sheldon Whitehouse, Lindsey Graham, Tim Scott, South Carolina Republican “ I’m, Mike Rounds, South Dakota Republican “ Shocked, Marsha Blackburn, Marsha Blackburn , Tennessee Republican “ Israel, Bill Haggerty, Tennessee Republican “, John Cornyn, John Cornyn , Texas Republican “, Ted Cruz, Mitt, Vile, Peter Welch, Vermont Democrat “, Tim Kaine, Patty Murray, Washington Democrat “, Maria Cantwell, Ron Johnson, Wisconsin Republican “ Israel, Cynthia Lummis, Wyoming Republican “, Jim Jordan, Jared Moskowitz, Abigail Spanberger, Elissa Slotkin, Don Bacon, perpetrating, Cori Bush, Missouri Democrat “, Kevin Hern, Kevin Hern , Oklahoma Republican “, ” Rep, Ritchie Torres, Ritchie Torres , New York Democrat “, Michael McCaul, Michael McCaul , Texas Republican “ I, Ilhan Omar Organizations: Palestinian, Hamas, Biden, House, Michigan Democrat, Minnesota Democrat, Virginia Democrat “, Senate Intelligence, Massachusetts Democrat, Islamic, Cory Booker , New, Cory Booker , New Jersey Democrat, West Virginia Democrat, Wisconsin Democrat, Gary Peters , Michigan Democrat, Nevada Democrat, Hawaii Democrat, State, Oregon Democrat, John Barrasso , Wyoming Republican, Iowa Republican, West Virginia Republican, Montana Republican, Utah Republican, Idaho Republican, Alabama Republican, Alaska Republican, Alaska Republican “, Arizona Democrat, John Boozman , Arkansas Republican “, Jewish, Arkansas Republican, California Democrat, Colorado Democrat, Connecticut Democrat, Delaware Democrat, Israel, Florida Republican, Georgia Democrat, Hawaii Democrat “, Indiana Republican, Indiana Republican “, Kansas Republican, Kentucky Republican, Louisiana Republican, Maine Republican, Maryland Democrat, Roger Wicker , Mississippi Republican, Smith , Mississippi Republican, Josh Hawley , Missouri Republican, Missouri Republican, Montana Democrat, Nebraska Republican, Jeanne Shaheen , New, Jeanne Shaheen , New Hampshire Democrat, Maggie Hassan , New Hampshire Democrat, Bob Menendez , New, Bob Menendez , New Jersey Democrat, New Mexico Democrat, New, New York Democrat, United, North Carolina Republican, John Hoeven , North Dakota Republican, Kevin Cramer , North Dakota Republican “, Ohio Democrat, Vance , Ohio Republican, James Lankford , Oklahoma Republican, Oklahoma Republican, “ Hamas, Rhode, Lindsey Graham , South Carolina Republican, South Carolina Republican, South Dakota Republican, Marsha Blackburn , Tennessee Republican, Tennessee Republican, John Cornyn , Texas Republican, Ted Cruz , Texas Republican, Vermont Democrat, Washington Democrat, Wisconsin Republican, Wyoming Republican, ”, Ohio Republican “, Missouri Democrat, Kevin Hern , Oklahoma Republican, Ritchie Torres , New, Ritchie Torres , New York Democrat, Jewish State, Michael McCaul , Texas Republican Locations: Israel, United States, Tehran, The United States, Iran, Michigan, U.S, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Vermont, Cory Booker ,, Cory Booker , New Jersey, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Gary Peters , Michigan, Nevada, Hawaii, Oregon, John Barrasso , Wyoming, America, Iowa, West, Montana, Iranian, Utah, Idaho, Alabama, Alaska, Alaska Republican “ America, @Israel, Kyrsten Sinema, Arizona, John Boozman , Arkansas, Jewish State, Arkansas, Saudi Arabia, California, Gaza, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Mazie Hirono, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Palestine, Roger Wicker , Mississippi, Smith , Mississippi, Josh Hawley , Missouri, Missouri, Nebraska, Jeanne Shaheen ,, Jeanne Shaheen , New Hampshire, Maggie Hassan , New Hampshire, Bob Menendez ,, Bob Menendez , New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North, John Hoeven , North, Kevin Cramer , North, Ohio, Vance , Ohio, James Lankford , Oklahoma, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Lindsey Graham , South, South, States, Marsha Blackburn , Tennessee, Tennessee, John Cornyn , Texas, Ted Cruz , Texas, Mitt Romney, Virginia, “ Hamas, Washington, Wyoming, Ohio Republican “ America, Kevin Hern , Oklahoma, Ritchie Torres ,, Ritchie Torres , New York, Michael McCaul , Texas

☆ These 6 senators made more money from selling books than from their day jobs last year
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Senators raked in hundreds of thousands of dollars from book sales in 2022, disclosures show. Raphael Warnock, Ted Cruz, Elizabeth Warren, Tim Scott, and others. In fact, a handful of senators made far more from book sales than their congressional salaries in 2022, according to recently-filed financial disclosures. Other senators reported significant windfalls from book sales in 2022 as well. Sen. Raphael Warnock disclosed details of his book tour on his 2022 financial disclosures.

Persons: Sens, Raphael Warnock, Ted Cruz, Elizabeth Warren, Tim Scott, hasn't, Democratic Sen, Raphael Warnock —, Republican Sen, Tammy Duckworth, Tom Cotton, Tim Scott of, Elizabeth Warren of, Independent Sen, Bernie Sanders, JD Vance, Mazie Hirono, Amy Klobuchar, Cruz, Warnock, Sen, Warren Organizations: Service, American, Democratic, Republican, Illinois, Independent, Vermont Locations: Wall, Silicon, States, Washington, Ted Cruz of Texas, Arkansas, Tim Scott of South Carolina, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Ohio, Minnesota, Texas, Georgia

☆ Maui wildfires: What we know about the deadliest US fire in over a century
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Nouran Salahieh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

While firefighters have made progress against the three largest wildfires, the deadly fire in hard-hit Lahaina is still not fully under control, Maui County Fire Chief Brad Ventura said Saturday. Mike Blake/ReutersThe most destructive and deadly of the fires, the Lahaina wildfire, traveled at an extraordinary speed, the governor said in a video update Sunday afternoon. “When the winds rose up – winds gusting as high as 81 miles per hour – fires spread rapidly,” Green said. Lahaina is the hardest hit areaVideo Ad Feedback The Maui fires destroyed their homes. People are still missing and just 3% of area was searchedA caretaker photographs the site of a home destroyed by the Maui wildfires in Kula, Hawaii on Sunday.

Persons: CNN — Crews, what’s, Josh Green, “ It’s, Brad Ventura, Mike Blake, ” Green, “, Lori Moore, Merrell, Richard T, Bissen, Deanne Criswell, King Kamehameha III, Keith Hayashi, ” Hayashi, John Pelletier, Patrick T, Fallon, Pelletier, Mazie, Brittany Talley, Timm “ TK ” Williams, Williams, Talley, ” Talley, weren’t, we’ll, Anne Lopez, ”, Jim Kelly, ” Kelly Organizations: CNN, ”, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Maui County Fire, Maxar Technologies, FEMA, Sunday, Maui Police, National Fire Protection Association, People, Getty, Sen, Hawaiian Electric Industries, Hawaiian Electric Locations: Maui, ” Hawaii, Lahaina, Maui County, Kula, Hawaii, Lāhainā, Kula , Hawaii, AFP, Kaanapali

☆ Maui wildfires live updates: Death toll rises, Lahaina fire 85% contained
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( Amir Vera | Matt Meyer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Some residents say they did not receive an official warning, and there have been complaints that officials were woefully unprepared for wildfires. "I am not going to make any excuses for this tragedy," US Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii told CNN's Jake Tapper Sunday. Hirono spoke with Tapper Sunday morning, a day after surveying the damage on Maui with the state's governor and the director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. "The entire historic town of Lahaina burned to the ground," she said, adding that there were images of cars that were totally demolished. Hirono also spoke about resources and government agency support while acknowledging the state is in a period of "shock and loss."

Persons: Sen, Mazie, CNN's Jake Tapper, Hirono, Tapper, Joe Biden Organizations: Federal Emergency Management Agency Locations: Maui, Hawaii, Lahaina

☆ US lawmakers back closer coordination with Pacific islands to counter China
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( David Brunnstrom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The sparsely populated nations, whose territories cover vast areas of the Pacific, have relations with the United States governed by so-called Compacts of Free Association. "The strategic location of these islands is integral to our national security, but the lack of direct security channels between our nations creates risk," she added. An Ernst aide said Palau had already established a national security council and the other COFA states were actively considering doing so. He noted that the U.S. has significant military installations on the islands, including high-powered radar on Palau and its main long-range missile testing site in the Marshall Islands. The councils would comprise members of respective COFA states and make use of Pentagon-approved communications equipment to prevent Chinese espionage and allow sharing of intelligence, he said.

Persons: reconvenes, Leah Millis, Joni Ernst, Beijing's, Democrats Mazie Hirono, Tim Kaine, Chris Van Hollen, Ernst, Palau, Joni Ernst's, David Brunnstrom, Louise Heavens Organizations: U.S . Capitol, Republican, REUTERS, Defense, Marshall, Free Association, U.S, Reuters, Democrats, Pentagon, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, China, Palau, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, United States, Washington, Marshall, Pacific, U.S, Solomon Islands

☆ Biden's labor secretary pick may not have the votes. She also may not need them.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Liz Brown-Kaiser | Sahil Kapur | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

The Senate is stalled on President Joe Biden's pick for secretary of labor, Julie Su, and Democrats face a conundrum on how to proceed. But Su, who currently serves as the acting labor secretary, could just keep running the department anyway. Federal law places no limits on how long Su can serve as acting labor secretary without being confirmed. He said he wants a voice for "both labor and industry" in the labor secretary role. Any Senator who voted to confirm Secretary [Marty] Walsh should vote to confirm Acting Secretary Su, too.

Persons: Julie Su, Joe Biden's, Su, Biden, Sen, Bernie Sanders, Kyrsten Sinema, Jon Tester, Joe Manchin, pushback, there's, Mazie Hirono, haven't, She's, she'll, she's, Mark Kelly, John Hickenlooper, I'm, Su aren't, Tester, you've, Manchin, Bill Cassidy of, Sinema, Tammy Duckworth, Marty, Walsh, We're, Sherrod Brown, Elizabeth Warren of, Chuck Schumer Organizations: Health, Education, Labor, Capitol, Labor Department —, Pensions, Su's, Democrats, HELP, Su's Democratic, White, Department, Democratic Locations: Washington, American, Sens, Hawaii, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts

☆ US senators question Twitter's FTC compliance under Elon Musk
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The lawmakers asked Musk and Yaccarino to respond to a series of questions about Twitter’s FTC obligations and whether the layoffs and resignations have hindered its ability to comply. Elon Musk under TwitterSince purchasing Twitter, Musk has said he’s laid off more than 6,000 employees, or roughly 80% of the company’s pre-acquisition headcount. Twitter is already under investigation by the FTC for possible breaches of its consent orders. But as both the FTC and now the senators have indicated, Twitter’s behavior under Musk is also covered by the consent agreements. House Republicans have alleged that the FTC probe is intended to “harass” Musk and represents an example of the “weaponization” of the US government.

Persons: Elon Musk, Musk, Linda Yaccarino, Ella Irwin, Twitter’s, “ Mr, ”, Massachusetts Democratic Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Elizabeth Warren ; Oregon Democratic Sen, Ron Wyden, Ed Markey, Hawaii Democratic Sen, Mazie, Twitter didn’t, Twitter, he’s, Peiter “ Mudge ” Zatko, Zatko Organizations: Washington CNN —, Twitter, Federal Trade Commission, CNN, Massachusetts Democratic, Elizabeth Warren ; Oregon Democratic, Hawaii Democratic, FTC, Washington Post, House Republicans Locations: Elizabeth Warren ; Oregon

☆ Democrats warn Musk after Twitter safety execs leave
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Lauren Feiner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

After news broke last week that both Twitter's head of trust and safety, Ella Irwin, and head of brand safety and advertising quality, A.J. Brown, had departed, four senators wrote in a letter to Twitter owner Elon Musk and new CEO Linda Yaccarino that they were concerned about Twitter's ability to meet its legal obligations. The Democrats asked the Twitter leaders several questions about whether and how the company has complied with the security and privacy obligations in the FTC consent decree. "Mr. Musk's behavior reveals an apparent indifference towards Twitter's longstanding legal obligations, which did not disappear when Mr. Musk took over the company," the senators wrote. "Regardless of his personal wealth, Mr. Musk is not exempt from the law, and neither is the company he purchased."

Persons: Ella Irwin, Brown, Elon Musk, Linda Yaccarino, Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey, Ron Wyden, Mazie Hirono, Musk's, Musk, Twitter Organizations: Federal Trade Commission, Twitter, FTC, Department of Justice, New York Times, Democrats, CNBC, YouTube, Elon Locations: Sens, Hawaii

CNN —President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden capped South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s official state visit with a glamorous state dinner at the White House Wednesday night to celebrate the two nations’ 70-year alliance. May we do it together for another 170 years.”But Biden wasn’t the only leader who took the mic. Following a round of musical performances, his South Korean counterpart joined him on stage to give his own – a karaoke rendition of Don McClean’s “American Pie” – which received a standing ovation from the crowd. The elaborate dinner is the result of weeks of careful diplomatic preparations, with each detail meticulously planned by a team of White House chefs, social staff, and protocol experts. U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden pose with South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol and first lady Kim Keon Hee in front of the Grand Staircase of the White House before an official State Dinner, in Washington, U.S. April 26, 2023.

☆ Telling Dianne Feinstein to resign is sexist and 'unprecedented,' women Democratic senators say
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

But Democratic women in the Senate say gender is playing a role in how her absence is being handled. But women Democratic senators told Insider at the Capitol on Wednesday that they believe sexism is at play and that the chamber's longest-serving Democrat is being held to an unfair standard because she is a woman. More recently, Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was recently absent from the chamber for six weeks as he sought treatment for clinical depression. "I think it's important for Senator Feinstein to do what is what is best for her," said Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire. "I just believe that it's not somebody else's assessment to make; it's her assessment to make," said Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin.

☆ Elizabeth Warren demands Fed crackdown on large regional banks
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —Senator Elizabeth Warren is cranking up the pressure on the Federal Reserve following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. Both Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank fit into that asset threshold when they failed earlier this month. The bipartisan 2018 rollback of Dodd-Frank freed large regional banks in that range of assets from the toughest oversight. Notably, the letter was signed by Senator Angus King, the Maine independent who voted in favor of the 2018 rollback. Days after the bank failures, the Federal Reserve launched a review of the regulation and oversight of Silicon Valley Bank.

☆ Senate confirms Eric Garcetti as U.S. ambassador to India
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Sahil Kapur | Frank Thorp V | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The Senate voted 52-42 on Wednesday to confirm former Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti to be the next U.S. ambassador to India. The long-delayed Garcetti nomination grew unusually contentious and sparked some last-minute drama. Several Democrats voted against advancing his nomination, but enough Republicans backed Garcetti to give the U.S. its first permanent ambassador to India under President Joe Biden, more than two years into his term. "The United States-India relationship is extremely important, and it's a very good thing we now have an ambassador," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said. But a group of Republicans voted yes and helped secure the necessary support, including Sens.

☆ These 14 Democratic senators broke with Biden and voted against striking down the DC criminal code
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Most Democratic senators voted for a GOP-led resolution overruling recent changes to DC's criminal code. The 14 who voted against the resolution framed it in part as a show of support for DC statehood. Just 14 Democratic senators voted against the resolution. Ahead of the vote, DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson even attempted to withdraw the criminal reform legislation in an attempt to prevent a Senate vote. Here are the 14 Democratic senators who voted against the resolution:

☆ A growing group of lawmakers think TikTok is 'digital fentanyl' and want to ban it. Many others remain skeptical.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Some members of Congress have begun pushing to ban TikTok in the US. "I'm a little less enthusiastic about an all-out ban of it," said Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota. "I'm an incrementalist on a lot of things, and I would be on this as well," said Republican Sen. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming. Last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on social media and the internet's impact on children. Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, another committee member, said she's most concerned about how social media platforms are impacting kids.

☆ Democratic Sen. Cortez Masto urges FEC to require campaigns to send illegal contributions to Treasury
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Brian Schwartz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., center, her husband Paul, and Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, are seen in the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, November 16, 2022. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., is calling on the Federal Election Commission to require campaigns to send illegal campaign contributions to the U.S. Treasury instead of refunding the money to the original donor. Cortez Masto's call for the new FEC rule comes after numerous foreign donors and companies have been caught making illegal campaign donations. Still, as Cortez Masto points out, the fine could have limited impact on Zekelman as there is expected to be a full refund of the illegal contribution. Though Cortez Masto does not mention cryptocurrency exchange FTX or its co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried in her letter, his contributions to campaigns could come under the same scrutiny by the FEC if it enacted such a rule.

☆ Sen. Bernie Sanders blasts 2024 presidential candidate Nikki Haley's call for 'mandatory mental competency tests' for politicians over 75 as 'absurd'
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-19 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Bernie Sanders blasted Nikki Haley's idea of an age-based mental competency test for politicians. She's the second major Republican candidate in the 2024 presidential race, joining former President Trump, who'll turn 77 years old in June. "We'll have term limits for Congress, and mandatory mental competency tests for politicians over 75 years old." "I think she should test her own mental competency," Hirono said of the presidential aspirant. "Come on, how many times has she said she's fighting Trump, and then the next thing you know, she's kissing his ring?"

☆ Elderly senators have mixed feelings about Nikki Haley's call for 'mandatory mental competency tests' for politicians over 75
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Nikki Haley is calling for "mandatory mental competency tests" for politicians over the age of 75. Over a sixth of the US Senate is age 75 or older. "We'll have term limits for Congress, and mandatory mental competency tests for politicians over 75 years old." "I think she should test her own mental competency," said Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, who recently turned 75. Republican Sen. Jim Risch of Idaho said he'd take a mental competency test Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesSome aging lawmakers expressed general openness to taking the test.

☆ 1870 pin meaning: What the buttons and crayon lapel pins Congress wore to the State of the Union stand for
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( Taiyler Simone Mitchell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

President Joe Biden gave his second State of the Union address on Tuesday. Two pins — one that reads '1870' in white text atop a round black pin and various colored crayon-shaped pins with the Crayola logo — have garnered attention. 1870 PinRep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., conducts a television interview before President Joe Biden's State of the Union address in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, February 7, 2023. "153 years after the murder of Henry Truman, the Black community is still waiting for justice," Rep. Watson Coleman said. Crayola Crayon PinA lawmaker wears a pin of a white Crayola crayon during the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on February 7, 2023.

Share this -Link copied'It's too much for me': Zelenskyy begins speech by thanking U.S. Zelenskyy began his remarks before a joint meeting of Congress at 7:40 p.m. "I think we share the exact same vision, that of a free, independent and prosperous Ukraine," Biden said. The Ukrainian president added that the soldier told him that "many (of) his brothers, this system saved." President Joe Biden holds a medal presented to him by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office. Share this -Link copiedPhoto: Zelenskyy shakes hands with Biden as he arrives President Joe Biden welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House.

☆ Native Hawaiian women and girls experience sex trafficking and violence at alarming rates, report says
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( Kimmy Yam | Kimmy Yam Is A Reporter For Nbc Asian America. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

Native Hawaiian women and girls experience disproportionate levels of violence, and those inequities have long been insufficiently addressed, new research shows. “It’s the collision of hatred of Native Hawaiians and hatred of women that just makes it harder for women’s pain and specifically Native Hawaiian women’s pain to register,” Jabola-Carolus said. Military occupation remains an enduring structure of the U.S. colonization of Hawaii, which researchers point to as the basis for the inequities Native Hawaiian women and girls experience today. Inequities for Native women and girls are also intertwined with the failures of those with legislative power to recognize these Native Hawaiian issues, the report said. But services allocated to specifically help Native Hawaiian survivors of gender-based violence were inadvertently excluded from that funding.

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.

☆ Tulsi Gabbard's one-time Democratic colleagues are both perplexed and unsurprised by her far-right pivot: 'An Elise Stefanik kind of turn'
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard left the Democratic Party before campaign with far-right Republicans. "Nope," Sanders said when Insider asked if he'd like to talk about former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, an early supporter of his 2016 presidential campaign. "I'm not surprised," said Democratic Rep. Hank Johnson of Georgia, another former Armed Services Committee colleague of Gabbard's. Hawaii's two Democratic senators — Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz — both declined to speculate about what may be driving Gabbard's political movement, despite serving with her in the Hawaii delegation. "I think she's home," Hirono said repeatedly when asked what she thought had happened, referring to Gabbard's political home.

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