DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Trump doubles down on provocative Cabinet picks as their fates hang in the balance
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-18 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Not all of Trump’s picks are causing uproar. But in a conventional administration, controversies raging around at least four key Cabinet picks would be seen as a disaster. The president-elect’s son explains the planGaetz and several other Trump picks have caused consternation in some circles given the questions about their qualifications and past behavior. That’s what the American people want.”It would take a handful of Republican senators to block the most provocative Trump nominees early next year, given that Democrats are likely to vote en masse against them. If he’s qualified, he’s qualified.”Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt said he believed Trump’s nominees would get confirmed.

Persons: Donald Trump, Matt Gaetz, Tulsi Gabbard, Pete Hegseth, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Hegseth, Trump’s, Intrigue, Gaetz, —, Kennedy, Florida Sen, Marco Rubio, Trump, he’s, ” Johnson, South Dakota Sen, John Thune, Mike Johnson, CNN’s Jake Tapper, “, ” Sen, Adam Schiff, Jim Himes, they’re, Matt Gaetz —, Robert Kennedy, Tulsi, ” Trump, Donald Trump Jr, ”, Sen, Markwayne Mullin, “ I’ve, … I’ve, Matt, ” Missouri Sen, Eric Schmitt, Alabama Sen, Tommy Tuberville, Pennsylvania Sen, John Fetterman Organizations: CNN, Washington, Republican Senate, Office, Fox News, Florida Republican, of Justice, Department of Health, Human Services, Senate, Trump, South, Louisiana Republican, California Democrat, Democrat, House Intelligence, Sunday, Connecticut Democrat, CBS, Republican, Fox Business, Oklahoma Republican, Press, ” Locations: Gaetz, — Russia, Washington, Florida, South Dakota, “ State, Louisiana, United States, California, Connecticut, ” Missouri, Alabama, Pennsylvania

☆ Kamala Harris signals she'll go further than Biden on marijuana legalization
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-30 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Kamala Harris may go further than Joe Biden on marijuana legalization. AdvertisementFor the first time since launching her presidential campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris has affirmed her support for legalizing marijuana at the federal level. Harris has long supported legalizing marijuana, including introducing legislation as a senator to legalize the drug nationwide and expunge nonviolent marijuana-related offenses. Vice President Harris: I feel strongly people should not be going to jail for smoking weed. Legalizing marijuana is popular with the American public.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, Harris, —, It's, Biden, vDCdWOdlRD — Kamala, Tim Walz, Jim Himes, Donald Trump Organizations: Service, Marijuana, Democratic, Gallup Locations: Minnesota, Jim Himes of Connecticut, Florida

☆ Kamala Harris' marijuana stance is hazier than you think
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-27 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Kamala Harris has previously supported federal marijuana legalization and continues to back reforms. AdvertisementAs a United States senator and 2020 presidential candidate, Kamala Harris supported not just legalizing marijuana nationwide, but expunging nonviolent marijuana-related offenses. Advertisement"I would suspect that she would probably support [legalization], but I don't know," said Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania. 'I don't know whether that would be a top priority issue'There's no denying that marijuana legalization is popular. "I don't know whether that would be a top priority issue, but I do think that we will see a potential Harris administration go much farther than the Biden administration has," Fox said.

Persons: Kamala Harris, —, Joe Biden, Harris, Tim Walz, didn't, she's, that's, Biden, Donald Trump, Jim Himes, Democratic Sen, John Fetterman of, Earl Blumenauer, It's, Blumenauer, Booker, Alexandria Ocasio, Cortez, Morgan Fox, Fox, She's Organizations: Lawmakers, Service, United, Democratic Party, Spectrum News, Minnesota Gov, Marijuana, Capitol, Democratic, Rep, Oregon Democrat, Congressional Cannabis Caucus, Reinvestment, New York Democrat, Gallup, Republicans, Trump, National Organization, Congress Locations: United States, Jim Himes of Connecticut, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Alexandria, Florida

Instead, Biden’s campaign unraveled over the course of the next 24 days. It’s a high-risk, high-reward gamble for Democrats, resetting a campaign Biden was losing with a new nominee just 107 days before the election. Dunn and her husband, Bob Bauer, were among Biden’s debate prep team and had faced the ire of the president’s family in the aftermath of the debate. Several news outlets, including CNN, reported that Pelosi and former President Barack Obama had privately expressed concerns about the future of Biden’s campaign. That same day, ABC News reported that Schumer told Biden in their Saturday meeting that it would be best if he bowed out of the presidential race.

Persons: Joe Biden, –, Donald Trump, Trump, Biden, Trump –, ’, Kamala Harris, It’s, “, Mike Donilon, Steve Ricchetti, Jill Biden, Ashley, Howard, Anita Dunn, Dunn, Bob Bauer, Harris, didn’t, Austin Steele, CNN “, ” Biden, Camp David, Nancy Pelosi, Lloyd Doggett of, George Stephanopoulos, Sen, Mark Warner, Hakeem Jeffries, ”, George Clooney, Clooney, Pelosi, Barack Obama, Harris “, Volodymyr Zelensky, Putin, Jim Himes, Jason Crow, Crow —, Crow, Beau, outpacing Biden, Democratic pollster Stanley Greenberg, Adam Schiff, Trump’s, Pelosi –, Biden’s, ” Schiff, Jamie Raskin, George Washington, Pedro Martinez, Donilon, Schumer, Jeffries, Zoe Lofgren, Joe, Harris ’, Lester Holt, Ed Gordon, Jen O’Malley, Joe ”, James Clyburn, CNN’s Jake Tapper, CNN’s Kayla Tausche, Dana Bash, John King, Jamie Gangel, Betsy Klein, Sam Fossum, Manu Raju, Samantha Waldenberg, Donald Judd Organizations: Rehoboth Beach , Delaware CNN —, CNN, Democratic Party, Biden, Trump, Republican, Convention, MSNBC, Democratic, ABC News, Virginia Democrat, Democrats, New York Times, NATO, House Intelligence, Congressional Progressive Caucus, New Democrat Coalition, Colorado Democrat, Army, ”, California Rep, Democratic Senate, Maryland House Democrat, Red Sox, Democratic House, Democratic National Committee, White House, Senate Democratic, Democrat, NBC, NAACP National Convention, BET, Univision, NAACP, South Carolina Rep, South, “ Locations: Rehoboth Beach , Delaware, Covid, Delaware, Atlanta, ”, Rehoboth, North Carolina, Camp, Lloyd Doggett of Texas, Virginia, Washington, Jim Himes of Connecticut, Afghanistan, Iraq, Butler , Pennsylvania, Zoe Lofgren of California, Las Vegas, UnidosUS, “ State, South Carolina

☆ Biden's high-stakes NATO speech wasn't a disaster. But it's not going to change anyone's mind.
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-12 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Just before the news conference, Biden referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, standing nearby, as Russian President Vladimir Putin before quickly correcting himself. Advertisement"Ladies and gentlemen, President Putin," Biden said before quickly realizing his mistake and adding, "He's gonna beat President Putin, President Zelenskyy." "I'm so focused on beating President Putin," he said. Following the press conference, pundits and journalists acknowledged his command of the issues. AdvertisementBiden's press conference was likely never going to assuage Democrats' concerns.

Persons: —, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Biden, Trump, Harris, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Zelenskyy, Biden's, Jen O'Malley Dillon, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Barack Obama, Jim Himes, Brad Schneider Organizations: Service, Ukraine, Business, Trump, White, The Associated Press, Foreign, NATO, House Intelligence Committee, Illinois, CNN Locations: Jim Himes of Connecticut

☆ Biden won't drop out unless polls say 'there's no way you can win'
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-12 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. President Joe Biden reacts as he holds a press conference during NATO's 75th anniversary summit, in Washington, U.S., July 11, 2024. President Joe Biden on Thursday said that nothing would make him reconsider his decision to remain in the 2024 presidential election contest unless polling data showed "there's no way you can win." "No one's saying that," Biden said in a stage whisper during a news conference in Washington, D.C. "No poll says that." During the conference, Biden had spent about seven minutes giving a rambling, confusing answer about China. Biden in the same session referred to Harris as "Vice President Trump."

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Jim Himes, Harris, Trump, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Putin Organizations: NATO's, Republican Trump, Democratic National Convention, Democratic, House Intelligence, NATO, Ukraine Locations: Washington , U.S, Washington ,, Jim Himes of Connecticut, China

☆ After Biden’s News Conference, Doubters and Defenders Weigh In
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-11 | by ( Nicholas Nehamas | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

President Biden entered Thursday night hoping that a steady performance at a news conference with the national press corps would quell dissension among Democrats, some of whom want him out of the race. But within minutes of his departure from the stage, two more Democratic representatives joined the growing number of party members calling for him to end his re-election campaign against former President Donald J. Trump. “The 2024 election will define the future of American democracy, and we must put forth the strongest candidate possible to confront the threat posed by Trump’s promised MAGA authoritarianism,” Representative Jim Himes, a moderate Democrat from Connecticut and the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, said in a statement. “I no longer believe that is Joe Biden.”And Representative Scott Peters of California also argued that Mr. Biden should leave the race, saying, “The stakes are high, and we are on a losing course.”

Persons: Biden, Donald J, Trump’s, MAGA, Jim Himes, “, Joe Biden, ”, Scott Peters, Mr Organizations: Democratic, Trump, House Intelligence, Scott Peters of Locations: Connecticut, Scott Peters of California

☆ Analysis: Democrats keep piling on as Biden stands firm
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-11 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

And I think I’m the best qualified to win,” Biden told reporters at the NATO summit. CNN reported Thursday evening that Pelosi and former President Barack Obama have spoken privately about Biden and the future of his campaign. Another deeply painful ordealNo president has undergone a trial by news conference like the one Biden endured. And shortly afterwards, when a reporter asked Biden to weigh in on the qualities of his vice president, he referred to “Vice President Trump” instead of Kamala Harris. Tennessee Rep. Steve Cohen told CNN’s Anderson Cooper that Democrats need to stop their “fantasy games” and unite to beat Trump.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Biden, Donald Trump, “, ” Biden, —, Jim Himes —, Nancy Pelosi, Biden’s, Pelosi, Barack Obama, poignantly, Trump —, George H.W, Bush —, Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky, Vladimir Putin, Nikki Haley, Trump ”, Kamala Harris, pollsters, CNN’s Edward, Issac Dovere, Jeff Zeleny, Obama, ”, MAGA, CNN’s MJ Lee, Himes, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, you’re, Steve Cohen, CNN’s Anderson Cooper, I’m Organizations: CNN, NATO, Trump, Democratic, South Carolina Gov, White, House Intelligence, Connecticut Democrat, Tennessee Locations: West, Russian, Atlanta, Washington, Connecticut, United States of America

CNN —More than a handful of House Democratic ranking members told House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in a Sunday call that President Joe Biden needs to step aside from the 2024 campaign, according to sources familiar with the call. Democratic Reps. Maxine Waters and Bobby Scott spoke in support of Biden, according to one of the sources. “It was pretty brutal,” a senior Democratic aide told CNN, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the private conversation among House leaders. One senior House Democrat said they have been on calls and group chats with dozens of their colleagues where the consensus is that Biden needs to step aside. One of the members told CNN they anticipate that is the day when the dam will break.

Persons: Hakeem Jeffries, Joe Biden, Jeffries, Biden, Mark Takano, Adam Smith, Jim Himes, Joe Morelle, Jerry Nadler, Susan Wild, Lloyd Doggett, Seth Moulton, Raúl Grijalva, Angie Craig, Mike Quigley, Maxine Waters, Bobby Scott, Kamala Harris, ”, — Organizations: CNN, Democratic, Democrat, House Democrat, Democratic Party Locations: Washington, “, Pennsylvania

☆ Johnson Names Hard-Right Trump Allies to Intelligence Panel, Prompting Concerns
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-06 | by ( Luke Broadwater | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Speaker Mike Johnson has appointed two outspoken hard-right allies of former President Donald J. Trump with major ethical and legal issues to the House Intelligence Committee, prompting criticism from members of both parties. Mr. Johnson on Wednesday installed Representatives Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, the former chairman of the right-wing House Freedom Caucus, and Ronny Jackson of Texas, Mr. Trump’s former White House doctor, on the panel. Mr. Perry played a major role in Mr. Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election and has faced legal issues over his actions. The panel has historically operated in a bipartisan manner, and is largely composed of serious-minded lawmakers rather than strident partisans. The break with tradition prompted fears that the intelligence community might pull back on the sensitive national security information it shares with Congress.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Donald J, Johnson, Scott Perry, Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, Ronny Jackson of, Trump’s, Perry, Jackson, Michael R, Turner, Jim Himes Organizations: Trump, House Intelligence, Wednesday, Caucus, White House, White, Republican Locations: Scott Perry of, Ronny Jackson of Texas, Ohio, Jim Himes of Connecticut

☆ House Democrats keep options open as effort to oust Johnson grows
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Lauren Fox | Kristin Wilson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

He’d let Putin take all of Europe,” Florida Rep. Jared Moskowitz said on CNN after Massie announced Tuesday he’d join Greene in her effort to oust Johnson. “Let’s just hope that that does not happen, and that we can do our responsibilities, protect and defend our own democracy as we protect theirs,” former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. “If Speaker Johnson wants to talk to Hakeem Jeffries, I think we’d be open to something like that. If only a handful of Republicans vote to oust Johnson, only a handful of Democrats would be needed to step in and help him keep his job. And that is where Democrats would have to decide if they’d help Johnson.

Persons: Mike Johnson, institutionalists, Johnson, Hakeem Jeffries, Kevin McCarthy, Israel, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Thomas Massie, He’d, Putin, Jared Moskowitz, Massie, he’d, Greene, Tom Suozzi, Johnson –, “ Let’s, Nancy Pelosi, “, Johnson’s, Sara Jacobs, ”, Jeffries, hypotheticals, McCarthy, Matt Gaetz, –, Chuck Schumer, ’ –, Alejandro Mayorkas –, wouldn’t, Ann Kuster, Mike Gallagher, they’d, ‘, ’ Jeffries, Gerry Connolly, “ It’s, Rosa DeLauro, We’ve, can’t, “ We’ve, Jamie Raskin, Jim Himes, “ Gerry, ” Himes Organizations: CNN — House, Democratic, Union, ”, CNN, New York Democratic, Republicans, California Democratic, Florida Rep, White, Foreign Intelligence, of Homeland, GOP, ” New Hampshire Democratic, Republican Rep, Louisiana Republican, Republican, Maryland Democratic, House Intelligence Locations: Israel, Europe, ” Florida, California, Ukraine, Louisiana, Haiti, Sudan, Gaza, “, Connecticut

☆ The White House says it's tracking a new Russian space weapon that violates a nuclear arms treaty
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The White House has confirmed that Russia is building a new weapon to be put in space. The weapon is thought to be nuclear-related, with the White House saying it would violate the Outer Space Treaty. AdvertisementThe White House confirmed on Thursday that it is monitoring Russia's development of a new weapon to be stationed in space. But the spokesperson also said the weapon would violate the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, of which Russia is still a participant. The treaty specifically bans the stationing of weapons of mass destruction in space, including nuclear arms.

Persons: it's, —, It's, John Kirby, Kirby, we've, hasn't, Mike Turner, Hakeem Jeffries, Jake Sullivan, MANDEL NGAN, Jim Himes Organizations: Service, White House, The New York Times, CNN, Center for Strategic, International Studies, US, Intelligence, GOP House, intel, National Security, Getty, Democratic, House Intelligence Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Hill, Washington ,, AFP, Jim Himes of Connecticut

☆ US lawmakers were just briefed on intel that Russia is trying to put a nuclear weapon in space: reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

US lawmakers were given intel on a new nuclear space weapon Russia is building, multiple outlets reported. AdvertisementUS leaders in Congress were briefed on Wednesday about new intelligence that Moscow is making progress on a nuclear weapon in space that can attack satellites, multiple media outlets reported. In a regular press briefing on Wednesday, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan declined to share details about the "national security threat" but acknowledged that Biden officials are meeting to discuss it with lawmakers. It's not immediately clear if the Russian space weapon in question is nuclear-powered or uses nuclear arms. However, Moscow has been pulling out of other nuclear weapon treaties in recent years, raising fears that the world could enter another Cold War-like environment.

Persons: Mike Turner, —, Biden declassify, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Joe Biden, Jim Himes, Himes, Mike, Jake Sullivan, Turner, Sullivan, It's Organizations: intel, CNN, Service, ABC News, New York Times, ABC, Intelligence, Administration, Times, Capitol, Democratic, National, Biden, Center for Strategic & International Studies Locations: Russia, Capitol HIll, Moscow, Jim Himes of Connecticut, Ukraine

☆ House rejects Israel aid bill amid fight over bipartisan border package
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Summer Concepcion | Megan Lebowitz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The House failed to pass a standalone bill to provide aid to Israel amid congressional infighting over a bipartisan Senate border bill that also included foreign aid to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan. The Senate released the text of the bipartisan border bill Sunday, which combines Israel and Ukraine with a package of stricter border security and asylum laws. The standalone Israel bill includes $17.6 billion in military aid to the country "as well as important funding for U.S. The Israel aid bill comes as Republican hard-liners try to thwart the $118 billion bipartisan Senate border bill. House Democratic leadership came out against the stand-alone Israel bill Tuesday morning.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Amir Ohana, Jim Himes, Donald Trump, Ken Calvert, Johnson, Kay Granger, Joe Biden, Biden, — Johnson, Steve Scalise, Tom Emmer, Elise Stefanik, ", Hakeem Jeffries, Katherine Clark of, Pete Aguilar, MAGA, Israel Organizations: U.S, Capitol, Minnesota Democrat, Democratic, House Intelligence, Intelligence, Republicans, Saturday, Senate, U.S . Forces, Israel, United States, Management, Republican, GOP, House Republicans, Freedom Caucus, Caucus Locations: Washington , U.S, Jim Himes of Connecticut, Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan, R, Texas, United, Johnson's speakership, Louisiana, Minnesota, New York, United States, Katherine Clark of Massachusetts, Pete Aguilar of California, East

☆ Biden has to deal with a second war he didn’t want. His task is to contain it
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

— Hezbollah, a pro-Iranian group based in Lebanon, has been waging a low-grade war against Israel. — Iran has blamed Israel for an attack that killed a number of Revolutionary Guard officers in Damascus, Syria. Hawkish Republicans like South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham are demanding he attack Iran on Iranian soil. “The only answer to these attacks must be devastating military retaliation against Iran’s terrorist forces, both in Iran and across the Middle East. And on a purely strategic level, risking a major Middle East war that could cause massive US casualties to avenge the deaths of three soldiers, as terrible as their deaths are, would not represent a sound equation.

Persons: they're, Joe Biden —, Jordan Sunday –, Biden, haven’t, —, Israel, it’s, Antony Blinken, ” Aaron David Miller, CNN’s Jim Acosta, “, ”, William Rivers, Kennedy Sanders, Breonna Moffett, South Carolina Sen, Lindsey Graham, Nikki Haley, Biden’s, Donald Trump, Jim Himes, what’s, CNN’s Oren Liebermann, Natasha Bertrand, Katie Bo Lillis, Blinken, CNN’s Alex Marquardt, Joe Biden, Arkansas Sen, Tom Cotton, Haley, Qasem Soleimani, Trump, John Kirby, It’s Biden Organizations: Republicans, White House CNN, Jordan Sunday, Hezbollah, Israel, Israel Defense Forces, Britain, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Revolutionary Guard, ”, GOP, Rep, Intelligence, Islamic, United Nations, –, Iran Locations: Washington, Tehran, Iran, Israel, Gaza, Jordan, United States, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, —, Syria, Baghdad, Beirut, Lebanon –, Damascus, East, South Carolina, Connecticut, Hamas, Qatar, Egypt, Islamic Republic, Arkansas, There’s

But the deal is already wobbling, as House Speaker Mike Johnson faces intense pressure from Trump and his House allies to demand more sweeping concessions from Democrats and the White House. “I do not think we should do a Border Deal, at all, unless we get EVERYTHING needed to shut down the INVASION of Millions & Millions of people,” Trump posted on social media this week. During Iowa's Republican caucuses last week, which Trump won, immigration was a top issue. They argue that the changes would actually pave the way for Trump to implement his border agenda if he wins the election. Even beyond Trump, Johnson is dealing with far-right House members who are furious over his willingness to work with Democrats to pass legislation.

Persons: Donald Trump, Mike Johnson, “, ” Trump, It's, Trump, Joe Biden, ”, Greg Abbott’s, “ It’s, Sen, Michael Bennet, “ I’m, ” Bennet, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, we’ve, Joaquin Castro, Mitch McConnell, He's, Biden's, Oklahoma Sen, James Lankford, Lankford, Johnson, “ We’re, ” Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Greene, Biden, I’ve, Republican that’s, Jim Himes, Conn, We've, ” Himes, Lisa Mascaro Organizations: WASHINGTON, Trump, White, Republicans, Democratic, Russia, Republican, AP, Texas Gov, Colorado Democrat, Denver Mayor, Texas Democrat, U.S, Oklahoma, Republican Party, Associated Locations: Ukraine, U.S, Mexico, Colorado, United States, Texas, Israel, Trump, Iowa

Among the evidence that’s been gathered is a blast analysis that suggests it was a ground explosion rather than an airstrike that hit the hospital, one of the sources said. That analysis is one datapoint that’s led intelligence officials to lean toward assessing that the attack on the hospital was a rocket launch gone wrong. Still, the blast analysis is just one of the things being examined by the intelligence community, which has surged intelligence collection assets to the region. US intelligence officials have not made a final assessment and are still gathering evidence, the officials said. Not long after landing in Israel on Wednesday, Biden weighed in on who was behind the strike on the hospital.

Persons: Israel “, Joe Biden’s, Adrienne Watson, ” Watson, that’s, Biden, ” Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, ”, Israel, Daniel Hagari, “ I’m, Jim Himes, Mick Mulroy, Mulroy, Mark Hertling, ” Hertling, it’s “, ” “, “, We’re, ’, Rishi Sunak, ” Sunak, It’s Organizations: CNN, National Security Council, Palestinian, NSC, Islamic, Wednesday, Israeli, Defense Department, ”, Israel Defense Forces, House Intelligence, Capitol, Defense, CIA, intel, Hamas Locations: Gaza, Israel, States, Jim Himes of Connecticut, Al, Ahli, Iran

☆ Congress hands the crypto industry two wins and a loss before August recess
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Chelsey Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The House Financial Services Committee advanced a measure Thursday to establish a clear regulatory framework for the issuance of payment stablecoins. The bills' approvals, after a roughly 14-month debate between committee Republicans and Democrats, can be viewed as wins for the crypto industry, whose reputation on Capitol Hill was battered by the failure of crypto giant FTX last fall. Late Thursday night, the Senate passed a massive defense funding bill that included several measures from different bills the digital-assets industry has opposed. Warren also highlighted the National Defense Authorization Act rider this week by reintroducing her bill, the Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering Act. The House crypto bills would likely garner enough support to pass in the Republican-controlled House, but struggle to gain traction in the Democratic-controlled Senate

Persons: Elizabeth Warren, Patrick McHenry, Jim Himes, Josh Gottheimer, Crypto, Sen, Warren, Democratic Sen, Joe Manchin, Roger Marshall of, Lindsey Graham of Organizations: Banking, Housing, Urban Affairs Committee, WASHINGTON — Lawmakers, Capitol, Financial Services Committee, Financial Services, Connecticut, Republicans, Democrats, Treasury Department, Treasury, Defense, Money, Democratic, Senate, Republican Locations: Massachusetts, Washington , DC, R, New Jersey, crypto's, Roger Marshall of Kansas, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina

The crypto industry has been in the regulatory crosshairs since investors were burned last year by sudden collapses of Celsius Network, Voyager Digital, FTX and other companies. A handful of Democrats, including Reps. Jim Himes and Ritchie Torres, joined committee Republicans in voting for the bill. The bill has galvanized many in the crypto industry, who say that with Democrats' support, the bill could have a shot in the Senate. But some Democrats, including Representative Maxine Waters, the top Democrat on the Financial Services committee, fiercely oppose the bill. "This bill heeds the calls from the crypto industry while disregarding the views of the administration, the Securities and Exchange Commission and consumer and investor advocates," she said.

Persons: Jim Himes, Ritchie Torres, Patrick McHenry, we've, Kristin Smith, Miller Whitehouse, Levine, Maxine Waters, Waters, Sherrod Brown, Hannah Lang, Matthew Lewis, Mark Porter, Diane Craft Organizations: Capitol, Voyager, House Financial, Trading, Securities, Exchange, Republicans, Agriculture, Financial Services, Blockchain Association, DeFi, Securities and Exchange Commission, Democratic, Banking, SEC, Politico, Thomson Locations: Singapore, Australia, United States, McHenry, Washington

☆ US intel report details increasing importance of Chinese technology to Russia’s war in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The report says Chinese firms are “probably” helping Moscow to evade these sanctions – though it is “difficult to ascertain the extent” of that help. Those supplies have been largely banned by the US and Europe in an attempt to cut off Russia’s war chest. “Russia’s war against Ukraine has been enabled in no small part by China’s willingness to support them, in direct and indirect ways. The US believes that at the outset of the war, China intended to sell Russia lethal weapons for use in Ukraine, a US official previously told CNN. China has claimed neutrality over the war in Ukraine and called for peace in the conflict.

Persons: Russia ”, China “, ”, Jim Himes, “, Biden, Vladimir Putin, Li Shangfu Organizations: Washington CNN, National Intelligence, Russian, ” Semiconductor, ” CNN, Congress, House Intelligence, ” Democratic, CNN, Chinese Defense Locations: China, Russia, Ukraine, People’s Republic of China, Moscow, Beijing, Washington ,, Europe, United States

But Representative Patrick McHenry, the chair of the committee, said on Thursday at the outset of a hearing that he had not reached a deal with Representative Maxine Waters, the committee's top Democrat. "We had high hopes 48 hours ago that we were going to come to a conclusion and then the White House reviewed where we were and disagreed," said McHenry. The stalemate comes just a day after the committee advanced a bipartisan bill that aims to develop a regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies and clarify when a token is a security or a commodity. A handful of House Democrats, including Jim Himes and Ritchie Torres, joined committee Republicans in voting for that bill, which is also being considered by the House Agriculture Committee on Thursday. Reporting by Hannah Lang in Washington; Editing by Bill BerkrotOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Patrick McHenry, Maxine Waters, McHenry, Jim Himes, Ritchie Torres, Hannah Lang, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Republican, Democrat, U.S . House Financial, ., U.S . Federal, White House, Democrats, Republicans, House, Thomson Locations: Washington

WASHINGTON, May 28 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden said on Sunday he had finalized a budget agreement with U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to suspend the $31.4 trillion debt ceiling and that the deal was ready to move to Congress for a vote. "I strongly urge both chambers to pass that agreement," Biden said, adding that he expected McCarthy to have the necessary votes for the deal to pass. The deal has drawn fire from hardline Republicans and progressive Democrats, but Biden and McCarthy believe they have enough votes from moderates on both sides. [1/2] U.S. President Joe Biden speaks on his deal with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) to raise the United States' debt ceiling at the White House in Washington, U.S., May 28, 2023. But McCarthy dismissed threats of opposition within his own party, saying "over 95%" of House Republicans were "overwhelmingly excited" about the deal.

Hours later, the Democratic president said he was confident the legislation would pass both chambers of Congress to avoid a U.S. government default. Biden and McCarthy were due to speak later on Sunday to finalize the agreement, which has drawn fire from hardline Republicans and progressive Democrats. House Republicans expected on Sunday to unveil legislation to pass the deal. But McCarthy dismissed threats of opposition within his own party, saying "over 95%" of House Republicans were "overwhelmingly excited" about the deal. The deal would also impose a 1% across-the-board spending cut should Congress fail to enact 12 appropriations bills by Oct. 1.

WASHINGTON, May 28 (Reuters) - Republican U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Sunday dismissed vehement opposition among party hardliners to a new agreement with President Joe Biden to suspend the $31.4 trillion debt ceiling, predicting that most House Republicans would support the deal. House Republicans expected to unveil legislation to pass the deal later on Sunday. But McCarthy dismissed threats of opposition within his own party, saying "over 95%" of House Republicans were "overwhelmingly excited" about the deal. "This is a good strong bill that a majority of Republicans will vote for," the California Republican told reporters in the U.S. Capitol. Progressive Democrats in both chambers have said they would not support any deal that has additional work requirements for food and healthcare programs.

☆ Rep. Himes on debt limit showdown: Our job is to negotiate
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailRep. Himes on debt limit showdown: Our job is to negotiateRep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the latest in debt ceiling negotiations and whether a bipartisan deal can be reached.

Search resuls for: "Jim Himes"

25 mentions found