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“Far too often, patients relying on federal government health care programs are forced to accept bureaucratic, one-size-fits-all coverage,” Crapo said. But Trump’s lack of specificity about health care could empower Oz to fill in the blanks. Oz said on an AARP questionnaire: “We can expand Medicare Advantage plans. If Oz is confirmed and chooses to push more people into Medicare Advantage, as he has pitched, he may not have too hard a time. “In our focus groups, people say they’re satisfied with both traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage, and they make their choices based on different preferences,” Neuman said.

Persons: WASHINGTON, Donald Trump, Mehmet Oz, Mike Crapo, ” Crapo, “ Dr, Oz, George Halvorson, “, Kamala Harris ’, ”, Larry Levitt, Harris, ” Levitt, Trump, Sen, James Lankford, hasn’t, ” Lankford, Obama, Obamacare, Patty Murray, “ Trump, Ron Wyden, Tricia Neuman, Neuman, ” Neuman, Arthur Caplan, ” Caplan, ” Wyden, they’re, Lankford, ” Sen, Mike Rounds, there’s, We’ll, pare, “ It’s, Caplan, ” Oz, John Fetterman, he’s, “ We’re, ” Fetterman, I’m Organizations: Medicare, Services, Forbes, Kaiser Permanente, Agency, Senate, Health, Education, Labor, Pensions, NYU Langone Medical, Commonwealth Fund, “ Locations: Idaho, KFF, New York City, Pennsylvania

☆ From 'brilliant' to 'dangerous': Mixed reactions roll in after Trump picks RFK Jr. for top health post
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Frank-Thorp-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Frank Thorp V | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Thune ducked a question about whether he would support Kennedy's confirmation, saying that the process "is just getting started" and adding that there would be "a vetting process." Cassidy is currently the ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee and is considered a contender for chairing the committee in the next Congress. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., said in a post to X that Kennedy was “Dangerous. I will hold any HHS Secretary to the same high standard of protecting and improving public health," Polis added in the later post. A majority of senators must vote in support of a nominee in order for the position to be confirmed.

Persons: WASHINGTON —, Donald Trump, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Kennedy, Sen, John Thune, Thune, it’s, Bill Cassidy, Cassidy, Wisconsin Sen, Ron Johnson, Alabama Sen, Tommy Tuberville, Missouri Sen, Josh Hawley, Ron Wyden, Ed Markey, Chris Van Hollen, Patty Murray, Murray, Jared Polis, Polis Organizations: Department of Health, Human Services, Republican, Health, Education, Labor, Pensions, Wisconsin, Big Pharma, RFK, NBC News, Colorado Gov, HHS, FDA, NBC, Republicans, Senate Locations: WASHINGTON, Alabama, Missouri

As Wall Street financiers snapped up huge swaths of the nation’s rental housing market in recent years, the deals sailed through unchallenged. But large purchases of rental homes and apartment buildings by private equity firms like KKR are another cause, research shows. The Private Equity Stakeholder Project, a nonprofit that monitors the industry’s impact on individual Americans, has identified more than 5,100 apartment complexes owned by more than 30 private equity companies in America, totaling almost 1.4 million units. Jim Baker, executive director at the Private Equity Stakeholder Project, welcomes the scrutiny the senators are bringing to the KKR transaction. More than two-thirds of the apartment units in those states are owned by private equity, he said.

Persons: Sen, Elizabeth Warren, ” Warren, Raphael Warnock of Georgia, Peter Welch of, Ron Wyden, Kamala Harris, Ohio Sen JD Vance, Donald Trump’s, Noelle Porter, Noelle Porter Noelle Porter, Porter, “ They’ve, ” Porter, “ We’ve, we’ve, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Jim Baker, Washington — Organizations: Wall Street, KKR, NBC News, Harvard University’s, for Housing Studies, Harvard, Income Housing Coalition, Ohio, Companies, Equity, Housing, Financial Reform, Financial, National Housing Law, Navy Yards, Washington , D.C, Brookfield Properties, Asset Management, District of Columbia, Federal Trade Commission, Brookfield, Federal Housing Finance Agency, Private Locations: Peter Welch of Vermont, Oregon, United States, U.S, Puerto Rico, America, Washington ,, California , Colorado , Florida, Georgia, North Carolina , New Jersey , Texas, Washington

Three Democratic senators are asking McDonald’s about its menu price hikes in recent years, arguing that the increases are higher than they should be — even with inflation and rising operating costs. McDonald’s prices have raised eyebrows. It also asked whether McDonald’s executives received bonuses or other incentive-based compensation from 2020 to 2024 and whether any incentives were based on executives’ ability to increase per-customer profits. Large corporations “owe consumers transparency when they hike menu prices,” Wyden said in a statement to NBC News. “Fast food chains, like McDonald’s, are raking in profits while families struggle to buy meals that are meant to be affordable and accessible.”

Persons: Elizabeth Warren of, Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, Ron Wyden, Chris Kempczinski, “, ”, McDonald’s, Joe Erlinger, —, Erlinger, Warren, Madeleine Dean, General Mills, Casey, Kempczinski, ” Wyden Organizations: Democratic, Oregon, NBC News, USA, Roosevelt Institute, Mac, Cola, PepsiCo, Wall, McDonald’s Locations: Sens, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, U.S, Connecticut, shrinkflation, ”

The Department of Justice should investigate four of the nation’s biggest operators of youth residential treatment facilities for civil rights violations and fraud, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., argued Wednesday in letters to Attorney General Merrick Garland. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., led a two-year probe into residential treatment facilities for at-risk youth. Wyden said these were clear violations of federal Medicaid rules prohibiting residential treatment facilities from restraining children to discipline them, and from simultaneously restraining and secluding children. Acadia and UHS have both paid multimillion-dollar settlements in recent years to resolve DOJ probes into their hospitals and psychiatric centers. However, those cases did not focus on youth facilities run by the companies, which Wyden is asking the DOJ to investigate.

Persons: Sen, Ron Wyden, General Merrick Garland, Wyden, Healthcare —, ”, Mandel Ngan, Devereux, UHS, “ It’s, ” Leah Yaw, ” Acadia, ” Vivant, Wyden’s, ” Wyden, “ Organizations: Justice, NBC News, — Universal Health Services, Acadia Healthcare, Behavioral Health, Healthcare, DOJ, Getty, Senate Finance Committee, ”, Centers, Medicare, Medicaid Services, Administration, Children, Securities, Exchange Commission, SEC Locations: Acadia, AFP

☆ What Harris’ unrealized capital gains tax proposal means for you
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-06 | by ( Katie Lobosco | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

A billionaire minimum tax is one of several proposals pushed by Democrats in recent years to tax the rich. Harris has specifically called for raising the top tax rate on millionaires with long-term realized capital gains from 20% to 28%. Harris’ proposal to increase the tax rate on realized capital gains to 28% would apply to taxpayers with income over $1 million. How a tax on unrealized capital gains would workLet’s discuss how a billionaire minimum tax – which is, on a basic level, a tax on unrealized capital gains – would impact a homeowner. If passed, a billionaire minimum tax – an unprecedented tax on income not yet received – would likely face many legal challenges.

Persons: Kamala Harris that’s, “, ”, Mark Friedlich, Harris, hasn’t, Biden, Joe Biden, Erica York, it’s, ” Friedlich, Ron Wyden, Joe Manchin, Kyrsten, inheritances Harris hasn’t, Biden’s Organizations: Washington CNN, IRS, Wolters Kluwer, Accounting, Biden, Tax, Oregon Democrat, Senate Locations: Altrata, Oregon, Sens, West Virginia, Arizona

☆ Senate GOP blocks IVF bill again as Democrats spotlight issue ahead of elections
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-17 | by ( Clare Foran | Ted | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Monday pressed for Republicans to join Democrats in voting to advance the IVF bill. Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon objected, and instead urged their colleagues to support Democrats’ bill during Tuesday’s vote. Another Senate GOP bill aimed at addressing concerns about IVF was introduced earlier this year. On Tuesday, Democratic Sen. Patty Murray blocked a uninamous consent request to pass Britt and Cruz’s IVF bill, ahead of the vote on the Democrats’ broader IVF package. “Our bill is the only bill that protects IVF access while safeguarding religious liberty,” Britt said.

Persons: Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, Donald Trump, Chuck Schumer, “ We’re, ” Schumer, “, John Thune, ”, Democratic Sen, Tammy Duckworth, Patty Murray, Cory Booker of, GOP Sen, Rick Scott, Ron Wyden, Kat Cammack, Katie Britt, Ted Cruz’s, Britt, Murray, Cruz, ” Britt, we’ve, ” CNN’s Aaron Pellish Organizations: Washington CNN —, Republicans, Democrat, GOP Sens, Republican, Democratic, Illinois, Alabama’s, GOP, Oregon, Democrats, Health Savings Locations: Washington, Cory Booker of New Jersey, Florida

☆ Trump tax-free overtime plan 'as fake as his tan,' Senate Finance chair says
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-13 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden threw shade at Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on Friday over Trump's latest campaign promise: to eliminate income taxes on overtime pay. "Donald Trump is losing, and these tax proposals he's floating out of desperation are as fake as his tan," Wyden said in a statement. The Oregon Democrat who leads the Senate tax writing panel said the former president "knows Republicans in Congress have no intention of passing this stuff." Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung fired back at Wyden, telling CNBC the senator "shouldn't be disrespecting hard-working Americans and taking money out of their pockets." "But it's not surprising coming from a loser like Wyden who has a history of persecuting everyday Americans," Cheung added.

Persons: Ron Wyden, Donald Trump, Trump's, Wyden, Trump, Steven Cheung, shouldn't, it's, Cheung Organizations: Republican, Oregon Democrat, Congress, Wyden, CNBC

Some sections are backward-looking and focus more on touting the record of the Biden-Harris administration, while also criticizing Trump’s agenda. The health care section of Harris’ agenda focuses more on what the Biden-Harris administration has done than plans for the future. The Harris agenda vows to “fight to raise the minimum wage,” but doesn’t say how high she wants it to be. The Harris campaign would not say whether she supports doing away with the 60-vote rule to pass those measures. The bulk of Harris’ agenda would be subject to congressional approval, likely requiring Democrats to control the House and Senate to have a strong chance of passage.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Harris, Joe Biden, ”, “, Sydney Smith, Republicans scoff, ” Sen, John Cornyn, Harris hasn’t, “ I’m, Biden, Republicans tanked, Trump, Karoline Leavitt, “ They’ve, Ron Wyden, “ We’re, ” Harris, Hasan Pyarali Organizations: WASHINGTON, Biden, Republican, New York Times, Trump, Wake Forest University, Republicans, GOP, NBC News, Security, Social Security, Medicare, Senate, Border Patrol, The Society, Technology, ”, CNN, ABC, Democratic Locations: North Carolina, Texas, America

Low-income families who are robbed of their grocery funds may no longer get reimbursed if Congress doesn’t act by Sept. 30. Since late 2022, states have been authorized to use federal dollars to pay back victims of SNAP skimming thanks to a provision passed by lawmakers. Dutch Ruppersberger, D-Md., who has advocated on behalf of SNAP skimming victims for years. “It’s frustrating and, frankly, very confusing that they don’t view this as a priority.”Despite the directive expiring, SNAP skimming continues to be a pervasive problem. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., proposed a bill in March that would require chip-enabled SNAP EBT cards and other safeguards, but the bill has yet to advance.

Persons: ”, “, Ruppersberger, Biden, Sen, Ron Wyden, ” Wyden, Daniel Acker, Cindy Long, ” Long, Ashley Burnside, ” Gina, Gina, Vicky Negus, Negus, ” Negus, “ It’s Organizations: Assistance, SNAP, U.S . Agriculture Department, C.A, state’s Department of Social Services, Oklahoma Human Services, Bloomberg, Getty, NBC News, USDA, for Law, Social, “ SNAP, Reform Institute, American, Human Services Association Locations: California, Oklahoma, Boston, Massachusetts, Washington ,

☆ Senate debates taxes ahead of Trump’s 2025 expirations. It's a ‘make-or-break moment,' lawmaker says
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-12 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

With trillions in tax breaks scheduled to expire after 2025, lawmakers are debating policy priorities that could impact millions of families and small businesses. Enacted by former President Donald Trump in 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, or TCJA, made sweeping tax changes, including temporary provisions that will sunset after 2025 without action from Congress. Some of the expiring TCJA provisions include lower federal income tax brackets, bigger standard deductions, a more generous child tax credit, higher gift and estate tax exemptions and a 20% tax break for pass-through businesses, among others. "This will be a make-or-break moment for the federal budget and for America's middle class," Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said in a prepared statement at a Senate hearing on Thursday. In the meantime, lawmakers and organizations are voicing support for certain tax issues before the 2025 deadline.

Persons: Donald Trump, Ron Wyden, — Organizations: Finance, Tax, White House

☆ Justice Clarence Thomas didn't disclose additional private jet travel, Democratic senator says
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-05 | by ( Zoë Richards | Zoë Richards Is A Politics Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

The head of a Senate panel investigating Clarence Thomas said Monday that the Supreme Court justice had failed to disclose additional private jet travel. The letter, which also cited reports of Thomas’ travel to Greece, the Caribbean, Russia and the Baltics, is the latest in a string of allegations from Senate Democrats about undisclosed travel by Thomas. In a statement Monday, Crow's office accused Wyden of "abusing" his panel's power in what it called a political campaign against the Supreme Court. An attorney for Thomas and a spokesperson for the Supreme Court did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday. The judiciary has updated its disclosure rules to make it clear that private jet travel has to be reported.

Persons: Clarence Thomas, Harlan Crow, Sen, Ron Wyden, Thomas, Wyden, Crow, Thomas ’, “, Wyden’s, Elliot S, Berke, Thomas “, Joe Biden, Neil Gorsuch, Biden Organizations: Finance, Supreme, Judicial Locations: Hawaii, New Zealand, Greece, Caribbean, Russia

☆ Justice Clarence Thomas didn't disclose yet another trip with Harlan Crow, senator says
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-05 | by ( Alice Tecotzky | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewSupreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas missed publicly disclosing another jaunt on billionaire and conservative megadonor Harlan Crow's private jet, Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon alleged in a letter on Monday. According to the letter, Thomas and his wife, Virginia Thomas, took a round-trip flight on Crow's private jet from Hawaii to New Zealand in November of 2010. In the past, Thomas has said that he doesn't think he needs to disclose gifts from friends who don't have business before the court. Related storiesAt the end of his letter, Wyden requests a "detailed list of all flights Justice Clarence has taken on any private jets under Mr. Crow's ownership or control." AdvertisementWhen Thomas does list travel from Crow, he calls them "personal hospitality."

Persons: —, Clarence Thomas, megadonor Harlan, Democratic Sen, Ron Wyden, Thomas, Virginia Thomas, Wyden, ProPublica, Clarence, Crow, Biden Organizations: Service, Democratic, Oregon, New Zealand, Business, Senate Finance Committee, New York Times Locations: Hawaii, New, New Zealand, Crow

☆ Justice Thomas accepted previously undisclosed private jet flight to New Zealand, Senate Democrat says
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-05 | by ( John Fritze | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The flight was not listed on Thomas’ financial disclosure reports and is the most recent example of the conservative justice accepting luxury travel from Crow becoming public. Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, is focused on the potential tax implications of the gifts Crow made to Thomas. President Joe Biden has made structural changes at the Supreme Court an issue during the waning months of his presidency. Biden has proposed term limits for Supreme Court justices and also an enforceable code of conduct. In response to criticism, the Supreme Court adopted a code of conduct last year for the first time in its history.

Persons: Clarence Thomas, Harlan Crow, Ron Wyden, Thomas, Virginia “ Ginni ” Thomas, ProPublica, Michaela Rose –, “, Crow, Michaela Rose, ” Wyden, Wyden, Wyden’s, ”, Joe Biden, Biden Organizations: CNN, GOP, Democrat, Senate, Customs, Border Protection, Monday, Oregon Democrat, New York Times, Supreme Locations: Hawaii, New Zealand, Crow, Oregon, Indonesia

☆ Justice Thomas Failed to Reveal More Private Flights, Senator Says
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-05 | by ( Abbie Vansickle | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Justice Clarence Thomas failed to publicly disclose additional private travel provided by the wealthy conservative donor Harlan Crow, a top Democratic senator said in a letter on Monday. Customs and Border Protection records revealed that the justice and his wife, Virginia Thomas, took a round trip between Hawaii and New Zealand in November 2010 on Mr. Crow’s private jet, according to the letter. Senator Ron Wyden, Democrat of Oregon, writing to Mr. Crow’s lawyer, demanded that he supply more information about the financial relationship between the two men. The letter, part of an inquiry that Mr. Wyden, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, has opened into Mr. Crow and the justice, comes as top Democrats have urged major changes to the Supreme Court, including an enforceable code of conduct.

Persons: Clarence Thomas, Harlan Crow, Virginia Thomas, Ron Wyden, Crow’s, Wyden, Crow Organizations: Democratic, . Customs, Border, New Zealand, Mr, Democrat, Senate Finance Locations: Hawaii, New, Oregon

☆ Senate GOP blocks tax bill as Democrats spotlight child tax credit in election-year push
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Clare Foran | Tami Luhby | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Washington CNN —Senate Republicans on Thursday blocked a bipartisan tax package that would have temporarily expanded the child tax credit and restored some business tax benefits. The Senate tax bill vote also gave Democrats an opportunity to push back against comments from Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance of Ohio. Vance has falsely claimed that Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, is calling to end the child tax credit. Harris has actually called for years to increase the child tax credit. “Democrats do not oppose the Child Tax Credit whatsoever.

Persons: ”, Sen, JD Vance, Ohio, Vance, Kamala Harris, Harris, Chuck Schumer, –, Ohio –, ” Schumer, Jason Smith, Ron Wyden, CNN’s Daniel Dale Organizations: Washington CNN —, Republican, Republicans, GOP, Democratic, Tax, Budget, Center, Oregon Democrat, Taxation Locations: Ohio, Missouri, Oregon, East Palestine , Ohio

☆ Senate Rejects Bipartisan Tax Deal
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Andrew Duehren | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Senate rejected a bill on Thursday that would have restored lapsed tax breaks for businesses and expanded the child tax credit, as many Republicans in the chamber lined up against the bipartisan deal in hopes of gaining an advantage in bigger tax legislation expected next year. It soared through the House earlier this year with broad bipartisan support, a rare feat. Business groups loved it and hoped Congress would again allow companies to immediately deduct the full cost of capital investments and research expenses from their tax bills. Republicans senators worried that the bill’s expansion of the child tax credit veered into creating a new welfare program, stalling the legislation. Mr. Schumer also ultimately voted against the bill, a decision that allows him to potentially bring it back up for another vote.

Persons: Jason Smith, Ron Wyden, —, Chuck Schumer, Joe Manchin III, West, Bernie Sanders, Vermont —, Schumer Organizations: Republican, Democrat, Finance, Senate, New York Democrat, Republicans, Democrats Locations: Missouri, Oregon, West Virginia, Vermont

☆ Automakers Sold Driver Data for Pennies, Senators Say
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-26 | by ( Kashmir Hill | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

If you drive a car made by General Motors and it has an internet connection, your car’s movements and exact location are being collected and shared anonymously with a data broker. This practice, disclosed in a letter sent by Senators Ron Wyden of Oregon and Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts to the Federal Trade Commission on Friday, is yet another way in which automakers are tracking drivers, often without their knowledge. Previous reporting in The New York Times, which the letter cited, revealed how automakers including G.M., Honda and Hyundai collected information about drivers’ behavior, such as how often they slammed on the brakes, accelerated rapidly and exceeded the speed limit. It was then sold to the insurance industry, which used it to help gauge individual drivers’ riskiness. The two Democratic senators, both known for privacy advocacy, zeroed in on G.M., Honda and Hyundai because all three had made deals, The Times reported, with Verisk, an analytics company that sold the data to insurers.

Persons: Ron Wyden, Edward J, Markey Organizations: General Motors, Oregon, Massachusetts, Federal Trade Commission, The New York Times, Honda, Hyundai, Democratic, The Times Locations: G.M

☆ JD Vance has some ideas on how to get Americans to have more babies
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-16 | by ( Juliana Kaplan | Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewSen. JD Vance, now a vice-presidential nominee, has some strong opinions on how America can better support families. Vance, the author of "Hillbilly Elegy" and a former venture capitalist, has been outspoken about his views on family and birth rates. "We should worry that in America, family formation, our birth rates, a ton of indicators of family health have collapsed," Vance said in 2021 remarks. But Vance's actions as a senator suggest some support for Democratic policies, such as an expansion of the child tax credit. Vance expressed support for the credit, saying at the time that "we're the party of families," Punchbowl News reported.

Persons: —, Sen, JD Vance, Vance, He's, he's, we're, would've, Democratic Sen, Ron Wyden, Jason Smith —, Joe Biden, Biden Organizations: Service, Business, Republican National Committee, Social Security, Democratic, Tax Relief, American Families and Workers, Republican, Punchbowl Locations: America, Ukraine, Washington

☆ Clarence Thomas accepted a free yacht trip to Russia and got flown out on a complimentary helicopter ride to Putin's hometown, 2 Democratic senators say
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-11 | by ( Aditi Bharade | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Democratic senators have accused Justice Clarence Thomas of accepting undisclosed gifts and trips. He allegedly accepted gifts like a yacht trip and a chopper ride to St. Petersburg, Putin's hometown. Senators seek investigation into potential tax fraud and financial ties between Thomas and Crow. AdvertisementTwo Democratic senators have accused Associate Justice Clarence Thomas of accepting free trips to Russian President Vladimir Putin's hometown. The letter highlighted the "serious possibility of tax fraud" and accused Thomas of having "secretly accepted gifts and income potentially worth millions of dollars."

Persons: Clarence Thomas, Putin's, Thomas, —, Vladimir Putin's, Sen, Sheldon Whitehouse, Ron Wyden, General Merrick Garland, SCOTUS Organizations: Service, Oregon, Business Locations: St . Petersburg, Rhode Island

☆ Democrats Seek Criminal Investigation of Justice Thomas Over Travel and Gifts
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-09 | by ( Maya C. Miller | More About Maya C. Miller | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Two top Democratic senators have asked the Justice Department to open a criminal investigation of Justice Clarence Thomas for possible violations of federal ethics and tax laws. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Ron Wyden of Oregon sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick B. Garland last week asking that he appoint a special counsel to investigate Justice Thomas’s failure to disclose lavish gifts, luxury travel, a loan for a recreational vehicle and other perks given to him by wealthy friends. The request further intensified efforts by Senate Democrats to scrutinize Justice Thomas’s conduct at a time when they are trying to force Supreme Court justices to comply with stricter ethics and financial disclosure rules. “We do not make this request lightly,” the senators wrote in a joint statement. “Supreme Court justices are properly expected to obey laws designed to prevent conflicts of interest and the appearance of impropriety and to comply with the federal tax code.”

Persons: Clarence Thomas, Sheldon Whitehouse, Ron Wyden, General Merrick B, Garland, Thomas’s Organizations: Democratic, Justice Department, Oregon Locations: Rhode Island

☆ Senators seek special counsel probe of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-09 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Associate Justice Clarence Thomas during the formal group photograph at the Supreme Court in Washington, DC, US, on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. Two Democratic Senate committee leaders asked the Justice Department to appoint a special counsel to investigate whether Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas broke federal tax and ethics laws, the senators said Tuesday. "The evidence assembled thus far plainly suggests that Justice Thomas has committed numerous willful violations of federal ethics and false-statement laws," the senators alleged in the letter. It also "raises significant questions about whether he and his wealthy benefactors have complied with their federal tax obligations," Wyden and Whitehouse wrote. That evidence, they wrote, suggests that Thomas "likely violated federal law by accepting lavish gifts from wealthy benefactors and failing to report them" in violation of the Ethics in Government Act.

Persons: Clarence Thomas, Ron Wyden, Sen, Sheldon Whitehouse, General Merrick Garland, Thomas, Wyden, Whitehouse Organizations: Democratic, Justice Department Locations: Washington , DC

☆ Senators ask DOJ to investigate 'serious possibility of additional tax fraud' by Clarence Thomas
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-09 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewTwo Democratic senators have called on Attorney General Merrick Garland to open a special counsel investigation into Clarence Thomas. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Presented with opportunities to resolve questions about his conduct, Justice Thomas has maintained a suspicious silence." AdvertisementA spokesperson for the Justice Department declined to comment on the letter when reached by Business Insider. Thomas has previously denied any wrongdoing, arguing gifts from Crow and others fall under a "personal hospitality exemption," meaning they don't require disclosure.

Persons: —, General Merrick Garland, Clarence Thomas, Sheldon Whitehouse, Ron Wyden, Thomas, Harlan Crow, Mark Martin, Whitehouse, Thomas's, he'd, Crow Organizations: Service, Oregon, Supreme, Business, Judicial Conference, Wyden, Finance, Justice Department, Business Insider Locations: Sens, Rhode Island, Crow

☆ Justices uphold Trump tax on overseas investments in win for Biden
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-20 | by ( John Fritze | Tami Luhby | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a Trump-era tax on overseas investments, rejecting an argument from a Washington state couple in a case that could have jeopardized existing tax provisions and torpedoed Democratic talk of a wealth tax. Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote the majority opinion and Justice Clarence Thomas wrote a dissent. In reading his opinion from the bench, Kavanaugh repeatedly stressed that the opinion was “narrow” and did not implicate the raging debate over a wealth tax. “Those are potential issues for another day, and we do not address or resolve any of those issues here,” Kavanaugh wrote in Thursday’s opinion. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Ron Wyden of Oregon and Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont have also unveiled tax proposals that would hit the wealthiest Americans.

Persons: Brett Kavanaugh, Clarence Thomas, Kavanaugh, Charles, Kathleen Moore, Moores, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, ” Kavanaugh, “, ” Biden, Biden, Democratic Sens, Elizabeth Warren of, Ron Wyden, Independent Sen, Bernie Sanders, Paul Ryan, Moore, Samuel Alito, Alito, Charles Moore Organizations: CNN, Trump, Democratic, Government, Oregon, Independent, Capitol, Moores Locations: Washington, India, trillions, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Vermont

☆ Jared Kushner's post-White House deal-making included badly timed bet on Amazon aggregator
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-14 | by ( Annie Palmer | In Annierpalmer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +16 min

Kushner started Affinity in 2021, shortly after leaving his advisory role in the White House alongside his wife, Ivanka Trump. Neumann, who was ultimately ousted from WeWork by top SoftBank execs, introduced Kushner to Unybrands early the following year. Affinity's investment in Unybrands, which hasn't previously been reported, was one of the private equity firm's earliest deals. Following a continued slide, the company laid off roughly 10% of its staff in November 2022, according to people familiar with the matter. The House Oversight Committee launched an investigation into the investment in 2022, looking into whether Kushner's financial interests influenced Trump's foreign policy.

Persons: Jared Kushner, Alex Brandon, Kushner, Weeks, Ivanka Trump, Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Jamal Khashoggi, WeWork, Adam Neumann, Neumann, Unybrands, hasn't, —, Catterton, Jason Somerville, Somerville, it's, didn't, headcount, Donald Trump, Gary Cohn, Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, Jonathan Ernst, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Carolyn Maloney, Ron Wyden, Kushner didn't, Ulrich Kratz, Goldman Sachs, Kratz, Kushner's, Ian Brekke, Asad Naqvi, Bret Pearlman, Roger McNamee, Max Fink, Neumann's, Brekke, Naqvi, Pearlman, Fink, Shahar Azran, Eugen Miropolski, Robyn Laguette, Mark Goldfinger, Joe Biden, Lex, Jeff Bezos, Sam Altman, Ye, I've Organizations: U.S . Capitol, Capitol, Reuters, Affinity Partners, Companies, White House, Affinity, Saudi Crown, Unybrands, WeWork, CNBC, Amazon, BlackRock, Khosla Ventures, GW Partners, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, United Arab, Saudi Arabia's, Crown, Ritz Carlton Hotel, Saudi, Republicans, Crayhill Capital Management, Barclays, Goldman, Kushner, Investments II, Blackstone, Partners, Financial Services, CNBC it's, Israeli American Council, IAC, Getty, Kanye Locations: Washington, Amazon's, South Florida, Miami, Silicon Valley, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Unybrands, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Riyadh, Yemen, American, Austin , Texas, Gulf, Israel

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