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[1/2] Sam Altman, CEO of ChatGPT maker OpenAI, arrives for a bipartisan Artificial Intelligence (AI) Insight Forum for all U.S. senators hosted by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., September 13, 2023. The previously unreported letter and AI algorithm were key developments before the board's ouster of Altman, the poster child of generative AI, the two sources said. This could be applied to novel scientific research, for instance, AI researchers believe. In their letter to the board, researchers flagged AI’s prowess and potential danger, the sources said without specifying the exact safety concerns noted in the letter. Researchers have also flagged work by an "AI scientist" team, the existence of which multiple sources confirmed.

Persons: Sam Altman, OpenAI, Chuck Schumer, Julia Nikhinson, Sam Altman’s, Altman, Mira Murati, I've, Anna Tong, Jeffrey Dastin, Krystal Hu, Kenneth Li, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: Intelligence, Senate, U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Reuters, Microsoft, Economic Cooperation, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, OpenAI, San Francisco, Asia, New York

[1/2] Sam Altman, CEO of ChatGPT maker OpenAI, arrives for a bipartisan Artificial Intelligence (AI) Insight Forum for all U.S. senators hosted by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., September 13, 2023. The previously unreported letter and AI algorithm was a catalyst that caused the board to oust Altman, the poster child of generative AI, the two sources said. The sources cited the letter as one factor among a longer list of grievances by the board that led to Altman’s firing. According to one of the sources, long-time executive Mira Murati told employees on Wednesday that a letter about the AI breakthrough called Q* (pronounced Q-Star), precipitated the board's actions. OpenAI defines AGI as AI systems that are smarter than humans.

Persons: Sam Altman, OpenAI, Chuck Schumer, Julia Nikhinson, Sam Altman’s, Altman, Mira Murati, ChatGPT, Anna Tong, Jeffrey Dastin, Krystal Hu, Kenneth Li, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: Intelligence, Senate, U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Reuters, Microsoft, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, San Francisco, New York

☆ AI poster child Altman back at OpenAI, may have fewer checks on power
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Aditya Soni | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/3] Sam Altman, CEO of ChatGPT maker OpenAI, arrives for a bipartisan Artificial Intelligence (AI) Insight Forum for all U.S. senators hosted by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., September 13, 2023. "Altman seems awfully powerful and it is unclear that any board would be able to oversee him. The board fired Altman last week with little explanation and attempted to move on by naming an interim CEO twice. "The fact that Summers and Taylor will join OpenAI is quite extraordinary and marks a dramatic reversal of fortunes in the company," Valle said. Sutskever, Altman and Taylor could not be immediately reached for comment.

Persons: Sam Altman, OpenAI, Chuck Schumer, Craig Hudson, Sam Altman's, Altman, Mak Yuen Teen, " Altman, Beatriz Valle, Bret Taylor, Salesforce, Larry Summers, Summers, Taylor, Valle, Jack Dorsey's, Tasha McCauley, Helen Toner, Ilya Sutskever, Adam D'Angelo, Sutskever, Sam, Gartner, Jason Wong, Aditya Soni, Mark Porter Organizations: Intelligence, Senate, U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Microsoft, National University of Singapore Business School, Wall, Elon Musk's, Twitter, ., Harvard, Democratic, OpenAI, Georgetown's Center for Security, Emerging Technology, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Bengaluru

Sen. Jeff Merkley became the second senator to call for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war this week. And with recent polling showing that a majority of Americans support a cease-fire in Gaza, the pressure from constituents has been thick. Sen. Chris Coons was badgered on a train about why he hadn’t endorsed a cease-fire. Both have drawn attention to humanitarian concerns in Gaza in recent weeks but stopped short of calling for a cease-fire. “I and others defended Israel’s right to respond with a campaign targeted at destroying Hamas,” Merkley wrote .

Persons: Sen, Jeff Merkley, Elizabeth Warren, Chris Coons, hadn’t, Israel –, –, Dick Durbin, Biden, Cori Bush, Joe Biden, eyeing, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, “, Chuck Schumer, Bernie Sanders, Netanyahu’s, Ilhan Omar, she’s, J, Edwin Benton, ”, ” Benton, ” Merkley Organizations: Oregon Democrat, White, Hamas, Democrats, Illinois Democrat, NBC, Biden, Israel, Minnesota Democrat, University of South Locations: Israel, Oregon, Gaza, Sen, Massachusetts, Illinois, Missouri, lockstep, ”, Vermont, Minnesota, University of South Florida

The previously unreported letter and AI algorithm were key developments before the board's ouster of Altman, the poster child of generative AI, the two sources said. An OpenAI spokesperson said that the message, sent by long-time executive Mira Murati, alerted staff to certain media stories without commenting on their accuracy. This could be applied to novel scientific research, for instance, AI researchers believe. In their letter to the board, researchers flagged AI’s prowess and potential danger, the sources said without specifying the exact safety concerns noted in the letter. Researchers have also flagged work by an "AI scientist" team, the existence of which multiple sources confirmed.

Persons: Sam Altman’s, Altman, Mira Murati, Sam Altman, OpenAI, Chuck Schumer, Julia Nikhinson, I've, Anna Tong, Jeffrey Dastin, Krystal Hu, Kenneth Li, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: Reuters, Microsoft, Intelligence, Senate, U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Economic Cooperation, Thomson Locations: OpenAI, Washington , U.S, San Francisco, Asia, New York

☆ Passing at home, failing abroad: Grading Mike Johnson's first month as speaker
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

In late October, House Republicans settled on a little-known congressman as their next leader. AdvertisementMike Johnson has been the speaker of the House for just under a month now following a testy race to succeed ousted former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Johnson's so-called "laddered" approach has been heavily criticized by congressional Democrats, Republicans, and even the White House, who called it an "unserious proposal." AdvertisementSection 702: FailFBI Director Christopher Wray speaks during the daily press briefing at the White House, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Washington. AdvertisementWith just over a month left until the authorization expires, though, Johnson's been mum on the topic since becoming speaker.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Kevin McCarthy, —, Johnson, here's, Tom Brenner, McCarthy, Biden, Tom Emmer, Elise Stefanik, Steve Scalise, Alex Wong, Volodymyr Zelensky, Mitch McConnell, Chuck Schumer, Mandel Ngan, Michael McCaul, McCaul, Sandy Huffaker, Congress didn't, Christopher Wray, Evan Vucci, Jim Jordan, Johnson's, Patrick McHenry, Win McNamee, who's, he'd, McCarthy's Organizations: Republicans, Business, Service, The Washington, Getty, House Republican, Capitol, House Republicans, Internal Revenue Service, Democratic, White, Congress, Republican, Foreign Affairs Committee, American Farm Bureau Federation, Texas Farm Bureau, Foreign Intelligence, Associated Press, GOP Rep, FBI Locations: Israel, Gaza, Washington , DC, Ukraine, AFP, Mexico, Taiwan, California, Texas, Washington

☆ White House slams Musk 'antisemitic rhetoric,' says 'foolish' to drop SpaceX contracts
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Leah Millis | ReutersThe White House is not moving away from Elon Musk's SpaceX or Starlink technology despite condemning Musk for pushing antisemitic comments on social media, National Security Counsel spokesman John Kirby said Monday. White House National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S., November 20, 2023. The Pentagon has commissioned Starlink technology to provide internet coverage to Ukraine, as the country's defensive war against Russia rages on. In September, Musk's SpaceX won a separate Pentagon contract for Starshield, a military-specific version of Starlink that is still under development. In the past, senators have scrutinized the Defense Department's dependence on Musk's technology.

Persons: Elon Musk, Chuck Schumer, Leah Millis, Musk, John Kirby, Kirby, I'm, Musk's SpaceX, SpaceX's, Joe Skipper Organizations: Intelligence, Senate, U.S, Capitol, Elon Musk's SpaceX, National Security, Musk's, White, National Security Council Strategic Communications, Reuters, Twitter, Apple, Disney, Comcast, CNBC, Pentagon, Russia, Starshield, SpaceX, Federal Aviation Authority, Boca Chica Locations: Washington , U.S, Ukraine, Texas, Brownsville , Texas, U.S

☆ OpenAI board in discussions with Sam Altman to return as CEO, The Verge reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Sam Altman, CEO of ChatGPT maker OpenAI, arrives for a bipartisan Artificial Intelligence (AI) Insight Forum for all U.S. senators hosted by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., September 13, 2023. REUTERS/Julia Nikhinson/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Microsoft Corp FollowNov 18 (Reuters) - The OpenAI board is in discussions with Sam Altman to return as the CEO of the company, The Verge reported Saturday, citing multiple people familiar with the matter. Reporting by Gursimran Kaur in Bengaluru; Editing by Cynthia OstermanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Sam Altman, OpenAI, Chuck Schumer, Julia Nikhinson, Gursimran Kaur, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Intelligence, Senate, U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Microsoft, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Bengaluru

☆ OpenAI's unique corporate structure left Sam Altman vulnerable. Now he's out
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Rohan Goswami | In Rohangoswamicnbc | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Leah Millis | ReutersOpenAI's unusual company structure weakened Sam Altman's position as CEO and left him open to surprise on Friday when he was quickly ousted from the company. But Altman and co-founder Greg Brockman, who also left OpenAI Friday, didn't have the power that Kalanick had. "I have no equity in OpenAI," Altman said in a May Senate hearing on A.I. OpenAI's capped profit structureThe easiest way to think of OpenAI's structure is to picture a waterfall. Limited returnsOpenAI added its capped profit OpenAI Global subsidiary in 2019.

Persons: Sam Altman, OpenAI, Chuck Schumer, Leah Millis, Sam Altman's, Travis Kalanick, Altman, Greg Brockman, didn't, Kalanick, John Kennedy's, Kennedy, – Organizations: Intelligence, Senate, U.S, Capitol, Reuters, OpenAI, Microsoft, OpenAI Inc, Global Locations: Washington , U.S, OpenAI

The New York judge overseeing Donald Trump’s $250 million civil fraud case rejected a motion for a mistrial from the former president and his co-defendants on Friday, calling the arguments provided by their defense team to throw out the case “utterly without merit.”“In good conscience, I cannot sign a proposed order to show cause that is utterly without merit, and upon which subsequent briefing would therefore be futile,” Judge Arthur Engoron wrote. Earlier this week, Trump, his adult sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, the Trump Organization and its top executives argued that the case had been undermined by political bias – specifically, that Engoron and his law clerk had “tainted the proceedings” and that the evidence was “tangible and overwhelming.”Their 30-page motion for dismissal points to news stories from NPR, The New York Times and others that Engoron shared in his high school alumni newsletter, which they claimed are disparaging of Trump, and to political contributions to Democratic groups made by his law clerk, which they called “partisan activities.”They also included photos of Engoron and his clerk seated next to each other and accused them of “co-judging” the case. “Such arguments are nonsensical,” Engoron wrote. Editorial Cartoons on Donald Trump View All 692 ImagesEngoron imposed a partial gag order on Trump last month after the former president posted a photo of the judge’s law clerk – who also sits next to the judge – alongside Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and referred to her as “Schumer’s girlfriend.” The order barred Trump, his defense team and the prosecution team from making public statements about his staff. As it stands, Engoron has fined Trump twice – $5,000 and later $10,000 – for breaking the gag order.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, ”, Arthur Engoron, Trump, Donald Trump Jr, Eric Trump, Engoron, “, Donald Trump, –, Chuck Schumer Organizations: Trump Organization, NPR, The New York Times, Democratic, Donald Trump View, Trump Locations: York

The last near-miss with shutdown led to the Oct. 3 ouster of Republican U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy that left the chamber leaderless for three weeks. "No drama, no delay, no government shutdown," Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said prior to the vote. McCarthy's successor, Speaker Mike Johnson, produced a stopgap funding bill that drew broad bipartisan support, a rarity in modern U.S. politics. But hardline members of Johnson's 221-213 Republican majority voiced anger at the compromise, saying they would try to rein in federal spending again when current funding expires. Funding for all other federal operations - including defense - would expire on Feb. 2.

Persons: Joe Biden, Kevin McCarthy, Chuck Schumer, Mike Johnson, Biden, Chip Roy, Andy Sullivan, Scott Malone, Lisa Shumaker, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: U.S, Senate, Republican U.S . House, Democratic, Republican, Representatives, Republicans, Food and Drug Administration, Thomson Locations: Washington, Iowa, U.S, Israel, Ukraine

☆ Senate sends funding bill to Biden's desk, averting a government shutdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Scott Wong | Kate Santaliz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The Senate on Wednesday night passed a stopgap funding bill, punting the GOP's spending fight and the threat of a government shutdown until after the holidays. The funding bill next heads to President Joe Biden's desk for his expected signature. The CR is designed to buy more time for House Republicans to pass appropriations bills and for House and Senate negotiators to reach a deal on funding. The House has passed seven of the twelve annual appropriations bills that fund the government for a full fiscal year, while the Senate has passed three. Johnson and his leadership team sent House lawmakers home for the Thanksgiving holiday early on Wednesday after two appropriations bills ran into trouble.

Persons: Chuck Schumer, Jack Reed, Joe Biden's, Schumer, Mike Johnson's, Johnson, Scott Perry, we're, I've, we've, Hakeem Jeffries, Jeffries, — Frank Thorp V, Garrett Haake Organizations: U.S, Capitol, Republicans, New, Agriculture, Transportation, Housing, Urban Development, Veterans Affairs, Defense Department, House Republicans, House, Caucus, Democrats, Congressional Black Caucus Locations: Washington, Israel, Ukraine, D

☆ An appeals court lifted Trump's gag order, clearing the way for him to insult the judge's staff again
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Laura Italiano | Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

An appellate judge in New York temporarily lifted Trump's limited gag order in his NY fraud trial. The gag had barred Trump and his lawyers from spoken or written attacks on the judge's law staff. AdvertisementOn November 3, Engoron extended the gag order to include Trump's lawyers after Trump's lawyers made what the judge called "on the record, repeated, inappropriate remarks" about the same clerk. Trump and his lawyers are now free to make written and spoken criticisms of the judge's staff members pending the full appellate decision. Trump's lawyers must respond by November 27, after which a full panel of the New York Appellate Division's First Department will decide if the gag stays or goes permanently.

Persons: Trump, —, Donald Trump, Arthur Engoron, Alina Habba, overreach, Habba, Chuck Schumer, Engoron, Christopher Kise, David Friedman, Friedman, Lisa Evans Organizations: Service, Trump, New, Appellate, Department Locations: New York

Opponents of the aid say U.S. taxpayer money should be spent at home, but majority of Republicans and Democrats in Congress still support aid to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's government. Assistance for Israel, which already receives $3.8 billion per year in U.S. security assistance, typically passes Congress with strong bipartisan support. "I know both sides genuinely care about approving aid to Israel and Ukraine and helping innocent civilians in Gaza. 'DANGEROUSLY BROKEN'Republicans said a security bill without border money was a non-starter. Congress has approved $113 billion for Ukraine since the invasion began in February 2022.

Persons: Joe Biden, Volodymyr Zelenskiy's, Chuck Schumer, Lindsey Graham, Biden, Hakeem Jeffries, Patricia Zengerle, Richard Cowan, Doina Chiacu, Simon Lewis, Don Durfee, David Gregorio Our Organizations: U.S, Congress, Russia, Republican, Democratic, Democrats, Reuters, Hamas, Assistance, Israel, Republicans, Senate, MSNBC, Biden, State Department, Thomson Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Kyiv, Congress, Mexico, Gaza, United States

That's our goal and we hope to have an agreement very soon," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, said on the Senate floor. Leaders from both parties have said they support a stopgap spending bill that passed the Republican-controlled House of Representatives by a wide bipartisan margin on Tuesday. 2 Republican, said a vote on the House bill later in the day was possible. More significantly, it would avoid a partial shutdown that would disrupt a wide array of government services and furlough hundreds of thousands of federal workers. Writing by Andy Sullivan; Editing by Scott Malone, Lisa Shumaker and Jonathan OatisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Kevin Wurm, Chuck Schumer, Joe Biden, John Thune, Rand Paul, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Andy Sullivan, Scott Malone, Lisa Shumaker, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, Democratic, Republican, U.S . Senate, Food and Drug Administration, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, U.S, Louisiana

REUTERS/Kevin Wurm/File Photo/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 15 (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said on Wednesday he would try to quickly pass legislation to keep the government funded, preventing a partial shutdown that would otherwise begin this weekend. That's our goal and we hope to have an agreement very soon," Schumer said on the Senate floor. Both chambers of Congress need to pass spending legislation and send it to Democratic President Joe Biden to sign into law before then in order to avoid disruption. Schumer said he will have to work out an agreement with the chamber's top Republican, Mitch McConnell, for a quick vote. Tuesday's House vote was a victory for House Speaker Mike Johnson, who faced down opposition from some of his fellow Republicans who had pushed for deep spending cuts.

Persons: Kevin Wurm, Chuck Schumer, Schumer, Joe Biden, Mitch McConnell, McConnell, Tuesday's, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Andy Sullivan, Scott Malone, Lisa Shumaker, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, U.S . Senate Democratic, Democratic, Republican, Food and Drug Administration, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Louisiana

Former U.S. President Donald Trump attends the Trump Organization civil fraud trial, in New York State Supreme Court in the Manhattan borough of New York City, U.S., October 25, 2023. In a statement responding to the motion, a spokesperson for New York Attorney General Letitia James said Trump was trying to distract from his "fraud." It is highly unlikely that Engoron will declare a mistrial, given his earlier fraud findings and defense of his law clerk's conduct. Trump took the stand in the case last week, defending his business practices and calling the case "election interference." The case is among the many legal woes facing Trump as he campaigns for the presidency.

Persons: Donald Trump, Dave Sanders, Donald Trump's, Arthur Engoron, Engoron, Trump, Letitia James, Chuck Schumer, Christopher Kise, clerk's, Luc Cohen, Nick Zieminski Organizations: U.S, Trump Organization, Court, REUTERS, Wednesday, Trump, New York, Democrat, Democratic, Thomson Locations: New York, Manhattan, New York City, U.S, New York State

The two leaders, who will meet on the sidelines of a summit of Asian-Pacific leaders, last spoke a year ago. Both men are seeking to show the world that while the U.S. and China are economic competitors, they are not locked in a winner-take-all faceoff with global implications. Their relationship has been increasingly defined by differences over export controls, Taiwan and the conflicts in the Middle East and Europe. Xi, meanwhile, is looking for assurances from Biden that the U.S. will not support Taiwan independence, start a new cold war or suppress China’s economic growth. “It is reported he’s very worried about the negative opinion of China in the United States,” Schumer said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi, Biden, John Kirby, “, We’re, ” Kirby, He's, Chuck Schumer, ” Schumer, Sagar Meghani Organizations: FRANCISCO, U.S, Economic Cooperation, White, Tuesday, National, State Department, APEC, Monetary Fund, Labor Department, Biden, Associated Press Locations: China, U.S, Iran, Taiwan, California, Asia, San Francisco, East, Europe, Tehran, Israel, Washington, Beijing, “, United States

☆ Joe Manchin enraged Democrats and climate activists, but they'll miss him when he's gone
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

His stance on fossil fuels put him at odds with his party and he was frequently blamed for single-handedly quashing some of the Biden administration's most ambitious climate policy goals. Even as West Virginia overwhelmingly voted for former President Donald Trump in the 2016 and 2020 elections, Manchin easily won reelection in 2018. With Manchin gone, his successor will almost certainly be a Republican — most likely West Virginia Gov. Thanks to his GOP credentials and embrace of Trump, he's even less likely to be a climate ally than Manchin. Democrats, whose Senate majority is already slim, could lose that Senate seat for the foreseeable future — making any climate bills that much harder to pass.

Persons: Sen, Joe Manchin, Manchin, Democratic Sen, Joe Biden's, he's, Katie Myers, Grist, Paul Bledsoe, Chuck Schumer, Gerry Petrella, Schumer, Donald Trump, Jim Justice, — Organizations: Republican, Service, Democratic, GOP, Energy, Natural Resources Committee, Biden, American University's Center, Environmental, E, Democrat, Virginia Gov, Trump Locations: West Virginia, United States, Virginia

Senators were trying to speed forward on the funding package one day after it passed the House in an overwhelming bipartisan vote. In the meantime, both top Republicans and Democrats in the Senate appeared ready to avert a shutdown and pass the temporary funding patch well before government funding expires Saturday. Political Cartoons View All 1250 ImagesThe spending package would keep government funding at current levels for roughly two more months while a long-term package is negotiated. He portrayed the temporary funding bill as setting the ground for a spending “fight” with the Senate next year. He wanted to avoid lawmakers being forced to consider a massive government funding package before the December holidays — a tactic that incenses conservatives in particular.

Persons: —, “, Chuck Schumer, John Thune, Schumer, Mike Johnson, Johnson, ” Johnson, Biden, Mitch McConnell, Washington Democrats ’, ” Schumer, ”, Mary Claire Jalonick Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, Democrats, Senate, GOP, Republican, Republicans, Washington Democrats, Associated Press Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Washington, Louisiana, U.S, Mexico

☆ US Senate takes up bill to avert partial government shutdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( David Morgan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Kevin Wurm/File Photo/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 15 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate on Wednesday prepared to take up a stopgap spending bill that would avert a partial government shutdown, with little time remaining before funding runs out on Friday. Both chambers of Congress need to pass spending legislation and send it to President Joe Biden to sign into law before then in order to avoid disruption. More significantly, it would avoid a partial shutdown that would disrupt a wide array of government services and furlough hundreds of thousands of federal workers. Tuesday's House vote was a victory for House Speaker Mike Johnson, who faced down opposition from some of his fellow Republicans who had pushed for deep spending cuts. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer on Tuesday said he supported the bill and vowed to bring it up for a vote as quickly as possible.

Persons: Kevin Wurm, Joe Biden, Tuesday's, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, Andy Sullivan, Scott Malone, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, Senate, Democratic, Republican, Food and Drug Administration, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Louisiana

☆ The day Congress went back to fourth grade
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

The 118th Congress, which took an initial step to punt funding deadlines to the winter, looked more like a fourth grade class on a day that will further erode trust in government ahead of next year’s elections. Across Capitol Hill in the world’s so-called greatest deliberative body, Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin was spoiling for a prize fight. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, however, suggested that policing the Capitol was beyond even his wily capacity to enforce discipline within his conference. And only in the malfunctioning Congress would a speaker try to prevent one government shutdown by laying the possible path for two others. Israel and Ukraine have nothing to thank Congress forThe most glaring example of Congress’ failure to fulfill its duty on Tuesday came at a pro-Israel demonstration on the National Mall.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Xi Jinping, Kevin McCarthy –, –, Tim Burchett, CNN’s Manu Raju, McCarthy, Oklahoma Republican Sen, Markwayne Mullin, Sean O’Brien, Mullin, O’Brien, ” Mullin, “, ” O’Brien, Vermont Sen, Bernie Sanders, let’s, ” Sanders, ”, Jared Moskowitz, James Comer, Comer, leafing, Moskowitz couldn’t, Gargamel, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Georgia –, Darrell Issa, Alejandro Mayorkas, Greene, Donald Trump, ” McCarthy, Dakota Sen, John Thune –, Mitch McConnell, who’s, Mike Johnson’s, Johnson, ” Rep, Patrick McHenry, Tom Cole, Trump, Joe Biden, Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, Iowa GOP Sen, Joni Ernst, Biden, Vladimir Putin, hasn’t, he’d, ” Connecticut Democratic Sen, Chris Murphy Organizations: CNN, 118th, Republican, GOP, Tennessean, Oklahoma Republican, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Health, Education, Labor, Pensions, Sooner, Martial Arts, Democratic, Biden, Florida Democrat, Capitol, Georgia Republican, Homeland, Capitol ., Congressional, Senate Republican, Capitol Police, Kentucky Republican, Republicans, ”, CNBC, “, Congress, House Democratic, Iowa GOP, Internal Revenue Service, Senate, White, ” Connecticut Democratic Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Washington, China, Oklahoma, Vermont, Florida, Kentucky, Georgia, California, Capitol . Congress, Dakota, Gaza, Iowa, “ Ukraine, ” Connecticut

☆ Senate Republicans can now stop Tuberville's military blockade — if they want to
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

For much of the year, Sen. Tommy Tuberville has prevented hundreds of military promotions. After a Senate Rule Committee vote on Tuesday, there's an opportunity to circumvent the block. For it to succeed, around 10 GOP senators need to be on board, which is no guarantee. He explained his decision to reporters, noting he wants to give his Senate colleagues more time to find a way to stop Tuberville without altering Senate procedure. But without the support of the head of the Senate GOP, it's increasingly unclear if there will be enough support from members to pass the resolution and put a stop to Tuberville's blockade.

Persons: Sen, Tommy Tuberville, there's, —, GOP Sen, Tommy Tuberville's, Chuck Schumer, Independent Sen, Kyrsten Sinema, hasn't, Mitch McConnell, McConnell, Rick Scott, JD Vance, Josh Hawley, Roger Marshall, Mike Lee, it's, Tuberville, I've, Lindsey Graham Organizations: Service, GOP, Senate, Republicans, Democratic, Independent, Republican

☆ House passes bill to avoid government shutdown, Senate to vote next
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Chelsey Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) speaks during a press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., November 14, 2023. WASHINGTON — The House approved a bill Tuesday that would avert a government shutdown, sending the measure next to the Senate, where it is expected to pass. Once it is approved by the Senate, the bill goes to President Joe Biden, who has signaled he is open to signing it. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said if the bill passed the House, he and Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., would move it swiftly through the Senate. "Senate Leader [Mitch] McConnell and I will figure out the best way to get this done quickly," said Schumer.

Persons: Mike Johnson, WASHINGTON —, Joe Biden, Johnson, Johnson's, Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, Hakeem Jeffries, Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, Mitch, McConnell, Schumer Organizations: Capitol, WASHINGTON, Senate, Republican, Republicans, Democrats, Democratic, and Drug Administration, Jan, Caucus Locations: Washington , U.S, D, Ky

The Rules Committee voted 9-7 - along party lines - to send the resolution for a vote in the full Senate. The resolution would temporarily sidestep Tuberville's holds by allowing many promotions to be considered by the Senate simultaneously. Under Senate rules, one lawmaker can hold up nominations even if the other 99 all want them to move quickly. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, a member of the Rules Committee, said productive discussions with Tuberville about reaching a deal to ease his holds were under way. Just last week, the senator objected to quick approval of the promotions of 364 officers.

Persons: Tommy Tuberville, Jonathan Ernst, Tommy Tuberville's, Donald Trump, Roe, Wade, sidestep Tuberville's, Mitch McConnell, Chuck Schumer, Tuberville, Schumer, Patricia Zengerle, Jonathan Oatis, Bill Berkrot Organizations: U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, Democratic, Republican, Democrats, Pentagon, Senate, Marine Corps, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S

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