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WASHINGTON, Oct 3 (Reuters) - Embattled U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Tuesday teed up a vote on a challenge to his leadership by a fellow Republican, in an intra-party dispute that could plunge Congress into chaos. McCarthy said the House of Representatives will vote later in the day on a motion by Representative Matt Gaetz, a McCarthy antagonist, that could potentially remove him from his post. The chamber could hold a straight up or down vote, or could hold a vote to sideline it. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries declined to say how his members would vote, or whether they would vote as a unit. I think that that's pretty telling," said Republican Representative Tim Burchett, who said he would vote to oust McCarthy.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, Darrell Issa, Hakeem Jeffries, Joe Biden, Ken Cedeno, Gerry Connolly, McCarthy's, Tim Burchett, Matt, Steve Womack, Makini Brice, David Morgan, Richard Cowan, Nandita Bose, Moira Warburton, Susan Heavey, Andy Sullivan, Jonathan Oatis, Alistair Bell Organizations: Republican, Republicans, Democratic, ., U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Washington, Washington , U.S

President Joe Biden asked Congress in July to approve another $24 billion related to Ukraine, which Ukraine supporters - Republicans as well as Democrats - had hoped could become law as part of a spending bill. A U.S. official said that, as of Monday, the Defense Department had $1.6 billion left to replace weapons sent to Ukraine, no funds left under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) and $5.4 billion worth of Presidential Drawdown Authority. But he, and some other Republicans in both the House and Senate, refused to include more aid for Ukraine in the measure. "Today, DoD has exhausted nearly all available security assistance funding for Ukraine," McCord wrote in the letter, dated Sept. 29 and expressing concern that the stopgap spending bill did not include security assistance for Ukraine. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Kyiv was in talks with Republicans and Democrats in Congress, and that the drama around the stopgap bill was an "incident" rather than something systemic.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Ken Cedeno, Joe Biden's, Biden, McCarthy, Joe Biden, UKRAINE DRUMBEAT, Donald Trump, White, Matt Gaetz, Karine Jean, Pierre, Vladimir, Putin, Jean, Michael McCord, McCord, Lockheed Martin’s, Dmytro Kuleba, Patricia Zengerle, Mike Stone, Moira Warburton, Makini Brice, Steve Holland, Don Durfee, Alison Williams Organizations: ., U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, Ukraine, Republican, Republicans, Defense Department, Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, Congress, Senate, Reuters Graphics REPUBLICAN, Kyiv, Monday, White, Department of Defense, Pentagon, DoD, RTX, Lockheed, Democrats, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, U.S, Washington, Kyiv, Russia, Ukraine, UKRAINE, Tucson , Arizona, Camden , Arkansas

☆ US near-miss with government shutdown illustrates Washington dysfunction
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( David Morgan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. narrowly dodged its fourth partial government shutdown in a decade on Sunday, but the past week exposed the depths of political dysfunction in Washington and particularly within the splintered House Republican caucus. “The dysfunction caucus at work,” Republican Representative Don Bacon told reporters earlier this month, after hardliners blocked consideration of a defense appropriations bill that finally passed on Thursday. He’s a charlatan,” Representative Mike Lawler, a centrist Republican from New York, said of Gaetz after the failed Republican stopgap vote. There are a lot of personalities at play here, and multiple strategic objectives,” Republican Representative Kat Cammack told reporters. “There’s this sort of strange woulda-coulda-shoulda -- appropriations should have just moved faster,” said Republican Representative Dan Crenshaw.

Persons: Ken Cedeno, Kevin McCarthy, Donald Trump, ”, Sarah Binder, McCarthy, Trump, Joe Biden, Biden, Trump’s, Moody’s, Earl Blumenauer, ’, Don Bacon, Monica De La, Matt Gaetz, “ He’s, He’s, Mike Lawler, Gaetz, “, Kat Cammack, Chuck Schumer, Rosa DeLauro, Dan Crenshaw Organizations: WASHINGTON, U.S, Republican, Capitol, REUTERS, Brookings Institution, Democratic, Senate, Aaa, ” Democratic, Republicans, Biden, Republican Party, Reuters, Trump Locations: Washington, Washington , U.S, House, United States, Monica De La Cruz of Texas, New York

☆ Republican House Speaker McCarthy faces ouster threat for avoiding shutdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( David Morgan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The Republican-controlled House of Representatives voted 335-91 to adopt a 45-day stopgap measure hours before funding for federal agencies was set to expire. Republican Representative Andy Biggs, a leading hardliner, asked on the social platform X, formerly known as Twitter. Republican Representative Matt Gaetz, who has openly threatened such action, made clear what it would take days before the Saturday vote. Republican Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, who co-chairs the bipartisan Problem Solvers' Caucus, said bipartisanship itself would be the real issue in any vote on McCarthy's future. Some Democrats have suggested they could support McCarthy if an ouster attempt occurred at a turbulent time.

Persons: U.S . House Republican Kevin McCarthy, Joe Biden, Andy Biggs, McCarthy, Biggs, party's, Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, Kevin McCarthy, Ken Cedeno, Pelosi, Schumer, Bob Good, Matt Gaetz, Joe Biden's, Brian Fitzpatrick, bipartisanship, Fitzpatrick, Hakeem Jeffries, Jim McGovern, I'm, David Morgan, Scott Malone, Daniel Wallis 私 Organizations: U.S . House Republican, Republicans, Republican, Democratic, Twitter, Democrats, Biden, U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Florida Republican, Voice Locations: Washington, Washington , U.S

☆ US House Speaker McCarthy says he will not be ousted, CBS reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA speaks to reporters in the U.S. Capitol after the House of Representatives passed a stopgap government funding bill to avert an immediate government shutdown, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S. September 30, 2023. REUTERS/ Ken Cedeno Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 1 (Reuters) - U.S. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy on Sunday said he would not be ousted after a U.S. representative vowed to force a vote removing him from the speakership, CBS news reported. Reporting by Jason Lange; Editing by Lisa ShumakerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Ken Cedeno, Jason Lange, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, CBS, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S

☆ Shutdown near-miss illustrates Washington dysfunction
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( David Morgan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

REUTERS/Ken Cedeno Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 1 (Reuters) - The U.S. narrowly dodged its fourth partial government shutdown in a decade on Sunday, but the past week exposed the depths of political dysfunction in Washington and particularly within the splintered House Republican caucus. "The dysfunction caucus at work," Republican Representative Don Bacon told reporters earlier this month, after hardliners blocked consideration of a defense appropriations bill that finally passed on Thursday. He's a charlatan," Representative Mike Lawler, a centrist Republican from New York, said of Gaetz after the failed Republican stopgap vote. There are a lot of personalities at play here, and multiple strategic objectives," Republican Representative Kat Cammack told reporters. "There's this sort of strange woulda-coulda-shoulda -- appropriations should have just moved faster," said Republican Representative Dan Crenshaw.

Persons: Ken Cedeno, Kevin McCarthy, Donald Trump, Sarah Binder, McCarthy, Trump, Joe Biden, Biden, Trump's, Moody's, Earl Blumenauer, Don Bacon, Monica De La, Matt Gaetz, He's, Mike Lawler, Gaetz, Kat Cammack, Chuck Schumer, Rosa DeLauro, Dan Crenshaw, David Morgan, Jason Lange, Moria, Carolina Mandl, Scott Malone, Daniel Wallis Organizations: U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, Republican, Brookings Institution, Democratic, Senate, Aaa, House Republicans, Biden, Republican Party, Reuters, Trump, Republicans, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Washington, House, United States, Monica De La Cruz of Texas, New York, Moria Warburton

☆ Shutdown imminent as House, Senate hold split courses on US government funding
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( David Morgan | Makini Brice | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. House of Representatives will vote on a stopgap funding bill, Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy said on Saturday, just hours before the federal government is due to begin its fourth partial shutdown in a decade. The maneuver will require Democratic votes, a fact that will anger some party hardliners who had wanted to pass a bill without Democratic support. House Republican lawmakers just Friday had blocked their own CR, which included multiple conservative policy additions that Democrats opposed. Those measures will not factor in the new bill, which would extend funding for 45 days. Congress typically passes stopgap spending bills to buy more time to negotiate the detailed legislation that sets funding for federal programs.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Ken Cedeno, Joe Biden, “, ” McCarthy, Nicole Malliotakis Organizations: WASHINGTON, U.S . House, Republican, REUTERS, Democratic, House Republican, Senate, creditworthiness, Republicans, Democrats Locations: United States, New York

That move marked a profound shift from earlier in the week, when a shutdown looked all but inevitable. "Democrats have said from the start that the only solution for avoiding a shutdown is bipartisanship, and we are glad Speaker McCarthy has finally heeded our message." Democratic Senator Michael Bennet held the bill up for several hours trying to negotiate a deal for further Ukraine aid. House Republicans are demanding a further $120 billion in cuts. "House Republicans tried to walk away from that deal by demanding drastic cuts that would have been devastating for millions of Americans.

Persons: Michael Bennet's, Kevin McCarthy, Joe Biden, McCarthy, Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, Donald Trump, Don Beyer, “, Republicans ’, Ken Cedeno, Republican Mitch McConnell, Michael Bennet, Chris Van Hollen, Biden, David Morgan, Makini Brice, Moira Warburton, Kanishka Singh, Andy Sullivan, Scott Malone, Andrea Ricci, William Mallard Organizations: U.S, Congress, Democratic, Republican, National Parks, WIN, MAGA Republicans, Republicans, REUTERS, Ukraine, Senate, creditworthiness, Social Security, Medicare, Thomson Locations: National, Ukraine

☆ Kremlin reminds Hillary Clinton of her own gaffe in response to Putin jab
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers remarks during the unveiling of her portrait, at the State Department in Washington, U.S., September 26, 2023. REUTERS/Ken Cedeno/ File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMOSCOW, Sept 27 (Reuters) - After Hillary Clinton sought to needle President Vladimir Putin over NATO enlargement, the Kremlin on Wednesday hit back by reminding her of her gaffe when she sought to "reset" relations with Russia with a button mislabelled as "overload". Returning to the State Department for the unveiling of her official portrait, Clinton said of NATO enlargement: "Too bad, Vladimir. "It is probably necessary to remind Mrs Clinton of the numerous waves of NATO expansion and the approach of the alliance's military infrastructure to our borders," Peskov said. Putin's actions spurred Finland, which shares a long border with Russia, to join NATO.

Persons: Hillary Rodham Clinton, Ken Cedeno, Hillary Clinton, Vladimir Putin, Clinton, Vladimir, Dmitry Peskov, Peskov, Sergei Lavrov, Mrs Clinton, Putin, Guy Faulconbridge, Gareth Jones Organizations: U.S, State Department, REUTERS, Rights, NATO, Union, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Russia, States, Soviet Union, Soviet, Warsaw, Ukraine, Crimea, Finland, Sweden

[1/4] Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers remarks during the unveiling of her portrait, at the State Department in Washington, U.S., September 26, 2023. REUTERS/Ken Cedeno Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Sept 26 (Reuters) - Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton needled Russian President Vladimir Putin about NATO enlargement on Tuesday, saying: "Too bad, Vladimir. And indeed it was, but it was accomplished," she added, thanking Secretary of State Antony Blinken for "helping to restore America's standing." "Defending democracy in Ukraine, expanding NATO - just as an aside, too bad Vladimir, you brought it on yourself," she said, prompting laughter and applause. Clinton described what she saw as common Biden and Obama priorities of "expanding NATO, facing down Russian aggression and managing the challenges from China."

Persons: Hillary Rodham Clinton, Ken Cedeno, Hillary Clinton needled, Vladimir Putin, Vladimir, Clinton, Donald Trump, Benjamin Franklin, Antony Blinken, Joe Biden, Obama, Barack Obama, Biden, it's, Arshad Mohammed, Humeyra Pamuk, Bill Berkrot Organizations: U.S, State Department, REUTERS, Rights, Former U.S, NATO, Republican, Dining, Democrat U.S, Minn, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Former, U.S, Ukraine, NATO, China, Saint Paul, Washington

☆ Motion to vacate: How to strip Kevin McCarthy of his speakership
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Representative Matt Gaetz, a hardline Republican lawmaker, said he would file what's called the "motion to vacate." If the motion to vacate comes to the House floor for a vote, it would only need a simple majority to pass. In a Sept. 14 closed-door meeting of House Republicans, McCarthy dared Gaetz to bring a motion to the floor. Others including Representatives Dan Bishop and Eli Crane have also suggested they would support a motion to vacate. Republican then-Representative Mark Meadows in 2015 filed a motion to vacate against Republican Speaker John Boehner.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Ken Cedeno, Matt Gaetz, what's, McCarthy, McCarthy's, Nancy Pelosi, Gaetz, Dan Bishop, Eli Crane, Joseph Cannon, Newt Gingrich, Mark Meadows, John Boehner, Boehner, Moira Warburton, Scott Malone, Lisa Shumaker, Grant McCool Organizations: ., U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, Republican U.S . House, Democratic, Republican, Democrat, Republicans, WHO, House Republicans, House Archives, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Florida

☆ Jill Biden tests negative for COVID - White House
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden walk to Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S. September 2, 2023. REUTERS/Ken Cedeno Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Sept 7 (Reuters) - U.S. first lady Jill Biden tested negative for COVID-19 on Thursday, the White House said. The first lady, who tested positive for COVID on Monday, experienced mild symptoms and remained in Delaware when President Joe Biden returned to Washington on Monday evening, the White House has said. The president, who has tested negative several times since Monday, is due to travel to Group of 20 summit in India on Thursday. Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; writing by Jasper Ward; Editing by Caitlin WebberOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Ken Cedeno, Trevor Hunnicutt, Jasper Ward, Caitlin Webber Organizations: White, Washington , D.C, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Washington ,, Delaware, Washington, India

☆ Jill Biden positive for COVID, President Biden tests negative, White House says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden walk to Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, U.S., September 2, 2023. "This evening, the First Lady tested positive for COVID-19," her communications director, Elizabeth Alexander, said in a statement. "Following the First Lady’s positive test for COVID-19, President Biden was administered a COVID test this evening," the White House said. "The President tested negative. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether Biden’s foreign travel could be affected.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Ken Cedeno, Elizabeth Alexander, Biden, Biden's, Ismail Shakil, Matt Spetalnick, Trevor Hunnicutt, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Gerry Doyle Organizations: White, REUTERS, Rights, Sunday, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, India, Rehoboth Beach , Delaware, Delaware, New Delhi, Hanoi

☆ IMF edges 2023 global economic growth forecast higher, sees persistent challenges
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Andrea Shalal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

REUTERS/Ken Cedeno/File PhotoWASHINGTON, July 25 (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday raised its 2023 global growth estimates slightly given resilient economic activity in the first quarter, but warned that persistent challenges were dampening the medium-term outlook. The 2023-2024 growth forecast remains weak by historical standards, well below the annual average of 3.8% seen in 2000-2019, largely due to weaker manufacturing in advanced economies, and it could stay at that level for years. This was also related to the aging of the global population, especially in countries like China, Germany and Japan, he said. The impact of higher interest rates was especially evident in poorer countries, driving debt costs higher and limiting room for priority investments. It left its forecast for growth in China, the world's second-largest economy, unchanged at 5.2% in 2023 and 4.5% in 2024.

Persons: Pierre, Olivier Gourinchas, Ken Cedeno, we're, Gourinchas, Andrea Shalal, Andrea Ricci Organizations: Research Department IMF, International Monetary Fund, REUTERS, WASHINGTON, Monetary Fund, IMF, Reuters, Health, El, U.S . Federal Reserve, Bank of England, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, China, Germany, Japan, United States, Ukraine

☆ Debt ceiling crisis: How a US default would ricochet around the world
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-26 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

But if it does, it could make the 2008 global financial crisis feel like a walk in the park. The consequences are frightful.”The belief that America’s government will pay its creditors on time underpins the smooth functioning of the global financial system. During the 2011 standoff over raising the US debt ceiling, the S&P 500 index of leading US shares plunged more than 15%. “It’s unclear in a Treasury default crisis whether the Fed could do enough even with the types of efforts it deployed in March 2020,” Obstfeld said. “A default would be a message to investors all around the world of eroding confidence in America,” he added.

Some have sought to toughen existing work requirements for food and cash assistance, as well as adding similar conditions to Medicaid eligibility. Photo: KEN CEDENO/REUTERSWASHINGTON—House Republicans are pushing to require more people seeking federal assistance to find jobs, thrusting a long-running debate over aid for poor Americans into the middle of a battle with Democrats over raising the debt limit. In legislation that passed the House on Wednesday with only GOP support, lawmakers moved to toughen existing work requirements for food and cash assistance, while proposing to add similar conditions to be eligible for Medicaid, a healthcare program for low-income and disabled people.

☆ White House Close to Tapping Philip Jefferson for Fed Vice Chair, Adriana Kugler for Board
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Andrew Restuccia | Nick Timiraos | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

Philip Jefferson has indicated support for the Federal Reserve’s efforts to raise interest rates rapidly to slow the economy and bring down inflation. Photo: Ken Cedeno/Press PoolWASHINGTON—President Biden is close to nominating Federal Reserve governor Philip Jefferson to serve as the central bank’s second-in-command and Adriana Kugler, an economist and top World Bank official, to fill a vacancy on the Fed’s board, according to people familiar with the matter. If confirmed, Ms. Kugler, a Colombian-American economist who now serves as the U.S. executive director at the World Bank, would be the first Latino to serve on the board. Mr. Jefferson would be the Fed’s second Black vice chair. Mr. Biden faced pressure from Sen. Robert Menendez (D., N.J.), a senior member of the Senate Banking Committee, to nominate a Latino economist to the central bank, which has never had a Latino serve as a Fed governor or Fed president.

☆ World Bank steering committee, Yellen urge more reforms at lender this year
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( Andrea Shalal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"They expect the Board of Executive Directors and World Bank Group management to finalize a work plan with detailed actions to be taken," the committee's chair said in a statement. Members underscored their commitment to "ensuring that the World Bank Group has adequate financial capacity to respond to development challenges and support its expanded mission." Yellen said upcoming events could be leveraged to keep momentum strong for the evolution of the World Bank. Malpass told the committee he felt the bank had responded with "vigor and speed" to Yellen's call for reforms. Development Committee members thanked Malpass for his leadership of the WBG during a historically challenging period, including an unprecedented surge in financing in response to multiple crises.

REUTERS/Ken CedenoWASHINGTON, April 12 (Reuters) - Zambia could lose gains achieved so far from macroeconomic reforms if its ongoing debt restructuring is further delayed, Treasury Secretary Felix Nkulukusa said on Wednesday. The next IMF payout to Zambia from the loan is contingent upon its bilateral creditors reaching an agreement on the long-delayed debt restructuring. The country recently completed the first review of the programme, and the next one is expected in about three months. Ceyla Pazarbasioglu, director of the IMF's Strategy Policy and Review Department, was more optimistic about Zambia's debt restructuring during the panel. The IMF official said that creditors have asked to share and exchange information "sooner" during debt restructuring talks, and added that the Washington-based lender is willing to do so.

☆ Congress sat back and let trucks become heavier, taller, and deadlier. Now pedestrian fatalities are at a 40-year high.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

As trucks get bigger and bigger, so do the blind zones in the front and to the side of the cars. He didn't expect to find that an M1 Abrams battle tank had better a sightline than some everyday trucks. Due to the shape of the hood, a modern truck's blind zone can extend to more than a dozen feet out in front of the vehicle. According to NHTSA data, there were 240 estimated nonoccupant deaths by forward-moving vehicles in the United States in 2016. The legislation was never brought to a vote, but Blumenthal told Insider he had plans to reintroduce the act this session of Congress.

☆ U.S. Congress members seek halt to $1 billion Nigeria weapons deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Daphne Psaledakis | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"We write to express our concern with current U.S. policy on and military support to Nigeria," the lawmakers said. The United States has paired security assistance to Nigeria with training focused on compliance with international law. Nigerian military leaders denied the program has ever existed and said Reuters reporting was part of a foreign effort to undermine the country's fight against the insurgents. Nigerian military leaders told Reuters the army has never targeted children for killing. Amid international outcry, Nigeria’s defense ministry agreed to cooperate with an investigation by Nigeria’s Commission on Human Rights, which is underway.

☆ Biden lauds 'bipartisan progress' as he dines with Republican, Democratic governors
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-12 | by ( Andrea Shalal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] U.S. President Joe Biden speaks to the U.S. governors and their spouses for a black-tie dinner in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S. February 11, 2023. REUTERS/Ken CedenoWASHINGTON, Feb 11 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden appealed to Republican and Democratic governors on Saturday to continue working across political divides to improve Americans' lives and rebuild the economy after the hardships brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking at a black-tie dinner at the White House attended by Vice President Kamala Harris and 31 governors, Biden said the passage of laws on investing in infrastructure and domestic manufacture of semiconductors by both Republicans and Democrats was evidence of "some bipartisan progress." Republican Governor Spencer Cox of Utah, vice-chair of the National Governors Association, said it was "very symbolic" to have Republicans and Democrats "breaking bread together" at the White House. The bipartisan laws passed last year were gamechangers for the U.S. economy, New Jersey Governor Chris Murphy, a Democrat who chairs the association, told a governors' event at the White House on Friday.

☆ U.S. Congress aims to pack additional measures into government funding bill
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Richard Cowan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Democrats and Republicans alike aim to tuck as many legislative wish-list items as possible into the "omnibus" bill funding the government through the end of its fiscal year on Sept. 30, 2023, without derailing the whole package. "Republicans simply were not going to lavish extra-liberal spending" on non-defense programs into the omnibus bill, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said last week. The Senate's cumbersome rules mean that it could take a few days for the funding bill even to come to a vote, after which the House will need to pass it. Another add-on to the spending bill appeared certain: Republican and Democratic leaders have agreed to clarify and tighten the way U.S. presidential election winners are certified by Congress. Lawmakers and their aides spent the weekend gauging how to wedge other special initiatives into this catch-all spending bill.

☆ Democrats retain grip on U.S. Senate, defying Republican 'red wave' predictions
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-13 | by ( Tim Reid | Kanishka Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

“We were on the edge of autocracy and, thank God, the American people pulled us back in this election,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said at a news conference on Sunday. As of late on Saturday, Republicans had won 211 seats and the Democrats 205, with 218 needed for a majority. House Republicans, should they prevail, have pledged to try to roll back Biden-led legislation to battle climate change and want to make permanent a series of 2017 tax cuts set to expire. Slideshow ( 2 images )“That has to be a focal point of every single committee in the Congress, especially in the House under Republican control,” Banks said in an interview on “Fox News Sunday”. Continued control of the Senate means Democrats will still be able to approve Biden’s nominees such as federal judges.

REUTERS/Ken Cedeno, Elizabeth FrantzPHOENIX, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Democrats held onto control of the U.S. Senate, handing a major victory to President Joe Biden and extinguishing hopes of the "red wave" that Republicans had expected leading into the midterm elections. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer described it as a "victory and vindication" for Democrats and their agenda. Republicans, however, remained close to seizing control of the House of Representatives as officials continued counting ballots. The Democrats would control the Senate, as they have for the past two years, with 50 of its 100 seats, as Vice President Kamala Harris holds a tie-breaking vote. Continued control of the Senate means Democrats will still be able to approve Biden's nominees such as federal judges.

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