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WASHINGTON, May 19 (Reuters) - A second meeting on Friday between White House and Republican congressional negotiators on raising the federal government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling broke up with no progress cited by either side and no additional meeting set. Senior White House adviser Steve Ricchetti left the meeting room telling reporters that he was "not assessing" the talks. A meeting earlier on Friday ended abruptly with McCarthy telling reporters there had not been any "movement" from the White House toward Republican demands. Biden and McCarthy spent most of the year in an impasse with the White House insisting on a "clean" increase in the debt ceiling without conditions. They agreed to two-way talks, with the White House represented by Shalanda Young, director of the Office of Management and Budget, and Ricchetti.

WASHINGTON, May 19 (Reuters) - A second meeting on Friday between White House and Republican congressional negotiators on raising the federal government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling broke up with no progress cited by either side and no additional meeting set. "We had a very, very candid discussion talking about where we are, talking about where things need to be," Republican Representative Garret Graves told reporters following a brief meeting in the Capitol with White House officials. He echoed earlier remarks by House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy that progress needed to be made on changing the "trajectory" of U.S. government deficit spending. A second Republican negotiator, Representative Patrick McHenry, said McCarthy would be briefed on the status of the talks. Senior White House adviser Steve Ricchetti left the meeting room telling reporters that he was "not assessing" the talks.

A White House official confirmed the talks were resuming. "We've got to get movement from the White House and we don't have any movement yet," McCarthy told reporters during the pause in talks. A White House official said: "There are real differences between the parties on budget issues and talks will be difficult. Biden and McCarthy spent most of the year in an impasse with the White House insisting on a "clean" increase in the debt ceiling without conditions. A White House official said a deal remained possible.

WASHINGTON, May 19 (Reuters) - U.S. House Republicans and President Joe Biden's Democratic administration on Friday paused talks on raising the federal government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling, rattling financial markets as the deadline to avoid default ticked closer. Talks at the Capitol broke up around midday, and there was no immediate word on when they would resume. A White House official said: "There are real differences between the parties on budget issues and talks will be difficult. Biden and McCarthy spent most of the year in an impasse with the White House insisting on a "clean" increase in the debt ceiling without conditions. Young and Ricchetti told reporters they were going to play it "by ear" as they departed the negotiating sessions, according to reporters for NBC News and ABC News.

☆ Wendy Sherman, US official who led diplomacy with China and Russia, to retire
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, May 12 (Reuters) - U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, the country's number two diplomat, said on Friday she will retire at the end of June after three decades in Washington's foreign policy establishment. Sherman is the first woman to serve in her current role, in which she has headed up the Biden administration's diplomacy with China and led unsuccessful talks with Russia to avert Moscow's February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Secretary of State Antony Blinken credited Sherman with breaking barriers for women and working on "some of the toughest foreign policy challenges of our time." "Our nation is safer and more secure, and our partnerships more robust, due to her leadership," Blinken said in a statement. "(N)othing lent itself to straightforward answers," Sherman wrote in the note seen by Reuters.

But some areas of potential compromise emerged after a White House meeting on Tuesday. Deep disagreements remained over competing pressures for spending cuts versus tax increases. Meanwhile, the White House reiterated its backing for legislation speeding government permitting of energy projects by setting maximum timelines. House and Senate Republicans, meanwhile, have said they will not authorize any additional borrowing without an agreement to cut future spending. The last time the nation got this close to default was in 2011 - also with a Democratic president and Senate with a Republican-led House.

Time is tight to avoid a historic, economically destabilizing default, which the Treasury Department has warned could come as soon as June 1, but some areas of potential compromise emerged after a Tuesday White House meeting. Deep disagreements remained over competing pressures for spending cuts versus tax increases. Meanwhile, the White House reiterated its backing for legislation speeding government permitting of energy projects by setting maximum timelines. A White House fact sheet distributed on Wednesday said the administration "supports the important reforms" contained in a bill by Democratic Senator Joe Manchin. House and Senate Republicans, meanwhile, have said they will not authorize any additional borrowing without an agreement to cut spending.

Biden signaled an openness to Republicans' demand to claw back some unused money for COVID relief, which is less than $80 billion. House of Representatives Speaker McCarthy told reporters that Biden also indicated a willingness to work on speeding up permitting for energy projects, a goal that went unmet in 2022. "Default is not an option," Biden told reporters after Tuesday's meeting. House and Senate Republicans, meanwhile, have said they will not authorize any additional borrowing without an agreement to cut spending. The last time the nation got this close to default was in 2011 - also with a Democratic president and Senate with a Republican-led House.

☆ US urges WHO to invite Taiwan to observe May meeting
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, May 9 (Reuters) - The United States is encouraging the World Health Organization to invite Taiwan as an observer at its annual meeting in Geneva from May 21 to 30, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday, in remarks that provoked criticism from China. "Inviting Taiwan as an observer would exemplify the WHO’s commitment to an inclusive, 'health for all' approach to international health cooperation," Blinken said in a statement. Excluded from most global groups due to Beijing's objections, Taiwan says its exclusion from the WHO hampered efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. In Beijing, a spokesperson for China's foreign ministry said the United States' comments were confusing the public, and urged it to avoid using the WHO assembly meeting to "hype up" Taiwan-related issues. "Taiwan's participation in the activities of international organisations, including WHO, must be handled in accordance with the one-China principle," Wang Wenbin told a regular press conference on Wednesday.

☆ US proposes new checks on land sales to foreigners near military bases
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, May 5 (Reuters) - Buying land near eight U.S. military bases could become more difficult for foreign companies and citizens under a Treasury Department rule proposed by the Biden administration on Friday. Grand Forks Air Force Base houses air and space operations and includes a unit that operates military drones. The Air Force, Republican senators and community members voiced opposition to the real estate deal. The Grand Forks City Council in February voted to terminate its development agreement with Fufeng, preventing it from building the mill. North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer welcomed news of the proposed rule, which could have blocked the land sale to Fufeng.

☆ US Homeland Security secretary to visit border ahead of Title 42 lifting
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON, May 3 (Reuters) - U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas will travel to the Texas border with Mexico this week ahead of the lifting of Title 42, the department said in a statement on Wednesday. The trip comes as the COVID-19 health policy known as Title 42 is set to end on May 11 and the U.S. prepares for a possible subsequent spike in illegal border crossings. Reporting by Katharine JacksonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ US Democrats hold to 'clean' debt limit hike with no spending cuts attached -Schumer
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, May 2 (Reuters) - Democrats' position "remains the same" on the need to pass a "clean" bipartisan increase in the government's debt ceiling, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Tuesday. In his speech on the Senate floor, Schumer gave no timetable for a possible Senate vote on a debt limit bill with no spending cuts attached. Both parties should pass a clean, bipartisan bill to avoid default together before we hit the critical June 1 deadline," Schumer said in a speech to the Senate. So far neither Democrats nor Republicans, who demand steep spending cuts as part of any debt limit increase, have moved off of their positions. Late on Monday, Schumer began navigating two bills through the Senate: a clean debt limit extension, which could be followed by a potential bipartisan budget bill.

WASHINGTON, May 1 (Reuters) - The White House on Monday estimated that Russia's military has suffered 100,000 casualties in the last five months in fighting against Ukraine in the Bakhmut region. "Russia's attempt at an offensive in the Donbas largely through Bakhmut has failed," Kirby said. He said the Russians have made some incremental gains in Bakhmut but that this has come at a "terrible, terrible cost" and that Ukraine's defenses in the region remain strong. "It's really stunning, these numbers," Kirby added, saying the total is three times the number of American casualties in the Guadalcanal campaign in World War Two. Kirby said another U.S. weapons package for Ukraine would be announced soon.

Companies U.S. House of Representatives FollowApril 28 (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives on Friday voted to repeal President Joe Biden's suspension of tariffs on solar panels from four Southeast Asian nations, a move solar project builders say would stall clean energy development. The White House has warned that it opposes the legislation, saying in a statement that Biden would veto it. Panels from the four nations, which host manufacturing facilities owned by Chinese companies, account for about 80% of U.S. supplies. Solar project developers say tariffs will increase their costs and slow development of clean power facilities needed to combat climate change. Months later, the department issued a preliminary decision to impose tariffs on solar products Chinese companies make in those countries that match current tariffs on goods they make in China.

"The Republicans have raised the debt limit. McCarthy bridged deep divides among House Republicans to get the bill passed. McCarthy called on Biden to begin negotiations on a debt limit increase and spending-cut bill and for the Senate to either approve the House bill or to pass its own. The House bill would increase Washington's borrowing authority by $1.5 trillion or until March 31, whichever comes first, raising the specter of another round of negotiations during the 2024 presidential campaign. The White House has called on Congress to raise the debt limit without conditions, as it did three times under Biden's Republican predecessor, Donald Trump.

☆ US Senate to vote on Equal Rights Amendment, a century after introduction
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Katharine Jackson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, April 27 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate is set to vote on Thursday on a measure that could allow the Equal Rights Amendment to be added to the Constitution, though Republican opposition will likely doom the measure to failure. Days after President Joe Biden launched his reelection bid, the vote highlights how women's rights will likely be an issue in the campaign. Virginia became the 38th state to adopt the amendment in 2020, almost two decades after a 1982 deadline had expired. The resolution now before the Senate would remove the deadline so that the amendment could go into effect. Proponents say the amendment would entitle women to equal pay and secure their rights in legal matters, while opponents argue the amendment could lead to making abortion rights constitutional and force women into military service.

A 2011 standoff led to a downgrade of the government's credit rating, which pushed borrowing costs higher and hammered investments. "The Republicans have raised the debt limit. McCarthy called on Biden to begin negotiations on a debt limit increase and spending-cut bill and for the Senate to either approve the House bill or to pass its own. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) walks following a closed door meeting on Captiol Hill in Washington, U.S., April 26, 2023. The White House has called on Congress to raise the debt limit without conditions, as it did three times under Biden's Republican predecessor, Donald Trump.

WASHINGTON, April 26 (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives will vote on a Republican bill to raise the U.S. government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling and slash spending on Wednesday, after days of negotiations to win the support of reluctant Republican lawmakers. A procedural vote to allow debate on the bill passed in a 219-210 party-line vote earlier on Wednesday. Republican critics including hardline House Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry and Representative Nancy Mace said they had dropped their opposition to the bill. Bending to the far-right wing of the party, Republicans also accelerated some new, tougher work requirements for receiving Medicaid healthcare benefits for the poor. House Republicans are offering to increase Washington's borrowing authority by $1.5 trillion or until March 31, whichever comes first.

WASHINGTON, April 26 (Reuters) - A Republican bill that would raise the U.S. government's $31.4 trillion and slash spending took a step forward in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, after party leaders agreed to last-minute changes in the face of opposition. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy allowed overnight changes to the bill aimed at assuaging Midwestern Republican concerns about biofuel tax credits and conceding to hardliners' calls to toughen work requirements for some low-income Americans. McCarthy told reporters on Wednesday that the House would vote later in the day. Other Republican critics including hardline House Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry and Representative Nancy Mace said they had dropped their opposition to the bill. House Republicans are offering to increase Washington's borrowing authority by $1.5 trillion or until March 31, whichever comes first.

WASHINGTON, April 26 (Reuters) - Republican U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said lawmakers would vote on Wednesday on a bill to raise the $31.4 trillion federal debt ceiling and slash spending, despite lingering dissension within their ranks over the measure. Another critic of the bill, hardline House Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry, said he and other conservatives who had held out for changes to work requirements were ready to move forward. Representative Kevin Hern, chairman of the 175-member Republican Study Committee, welcomed the changes, which he said most Republicans would support. Bending to the far-right wing of the party, Republicans also accelerated some new, tougher work requirements for receiving Medicaid healthcare benefits for the poor. House Republicans are offering to increase Washington's borrowing authority by $1.5 trillion or until March 31, whichever comes first.

WASHINGTON, April 26 (Reuters) - Republican U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said lawmakers would vote on Wednesday on a bill to raise the $31.4 trillion federal debt ceiling and slash spending, despite lingering dissension within their ranks over the bill. Representative Kevin Hern, chairman of the 175-member Republican Study Committee, welcomed the changes, which he said most Republicans would support. Several House Republicans, particularly from Midwestern states, had rebelled against that provision. Bending to the far-right wing of the party, Republicans also accelerated some new, tougher work requirements for receiving Medicaid healthcare benefits for the poor. House Republicans are offering to increase Washington's borrowing authority by $1.5 trillion or until March 31, whichever comes first.

☆ McCarthy's debt-ceiling bill tests unity of U.S. House Republicans
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Richard Cowan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

It was interrupted by an extended recess to allow Republicans to work out last-minute changes to the bill and thus improve chances of passage in the Republican-controlled House. Several House Republicans, particularly from Midwest states, had rebelled against that provision. The full House vote will be a test of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's leadership. He has argued that passing the bill could force Biden to agree to negotiate spending cuts in exchange for lifting the federal government's $31.4 trillion borrowing limit. House Republicans are offering to increase Washington's borrowing authority by $1.5 trillion or until March 31, whichever comes first.

Hard-right Republicans Chip Roy, Thomas Massie and Ralph Norman huddled in a Capitol hallway during a lengthy Rules Committee recess. The House could still try for passage on Wednesday if the Rules Committee votes to advance it. McCarthy and other House Republican leaders were working to shore up support for the bill that would raise the current $31.4 trillion limit on Washington's borrowing authority. It could be difficult for Congress to raise the debt ceiling before then if House Republicans are unable to unite behind a proposal, analysts say. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned on Tuesday that a failure to raise the debt ceiling would trigger a "financial catastrophe" that would sharply raise the cost of borrowing money.

McCarthy told reporters in the U.S. Capitol. Biden said Congress must raise the debt ceiling without conditions, as it did three times under Republican President Donald Trump. It could be difficult for Congress to raise the debt ceiling before then if House Republicans are unable to unite behind a proposal, analysts say. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned on Tuesday that a failure to raise the debt ceiling would trigger a "financial catastrophe" that would sharply raise the cost of borrowing money. Manhattan Institute senior fellow Brian Riedl gives House Republicans a 50-50 chance of passing the legislation this week.

☆ US House Republicans squirm over Speaker McCarthy's debt ceiling proposal
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Richard Cowan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

It is his opening shot in a negotiation with Democratic President Joe Biden, whose party also controls the U.S. Senate. If the divided Congress fails to raise the federal government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling, the government could face a default that would shake the U.S. and world economies. Several House Republicans on Thursday either raised concerns about the proposal or acknowledged a tough battle ahead on a bill that is unlikely to win Democratic support. McCarthy faces a tough path as he can lose only five votes from his razor thin 222-member majority to pass legislation if Democrats remain united in opposition. The White House criticized McCarthy's plan as draconian, with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre saying, "MAGA House Republicans are holding the American economy hostage in order to take a hatchet to programs Americans rely on every day to make ends meet."

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