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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.

☆ Fashion’s Latest Comeback? Actually Wearable Clothes
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( Katharine K. Zarrella | Photographs F. Martin Ramin The Wall Street Journal | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

Is that…leather?” Some version of this befuddled inner monologue ran through many editors’ heads as Kate Moss sauntered down Bottega Veneta’s spring 2023 runway in Milan. From a distance, they were unmistakably denim and flannel, respectively. Creative director Matthieu Blazy ’s sartorial trickery gave front-rowers a wow moment but was perhaps too subtle to dazzle those streaming the show on Instagram. That outfit (see the shirt above, and Kendall Jenner wearing a version of the look below) embodies an aesthetic shift that’s sweeping the fashion industry. Instead of buying trendy frippery to flaunt in social-media posts, stylish sorts are craving wearable clothes with subtle details like hand-stitched hems, carefully sculpted silhouettes or luxe textures—details that they, and anyone within a 5-foot radius, can appreciate in the moment.

☆ 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.

☆ Fox says it settled Dominion lawsuit to ‘buy peace,’ as it tries to block release of more material in the case
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Fox said in a court filing Wednesday that it settled the monster defamation lawsuit brought by Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million to “buy peace,” and strongly opposed motions to unseal additional redacted material in the case. “It would create profoundly perverse incentives the next time parties are encouraged to settle a high-profile trial,” Mowery added. Fox has redacted significant swaths of the material, which news outlets have objected to. Days after Fox settled the lawsuit with Dominion, the company fired its star prime time host, the right-wing extremist Tucker Carlson. “It was three against one, at least,” Carlson wrote in the hours after the Jan. 6 attack.

☆ 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.

☆ Mother’s Day Gifts for a Cozy Night In—or Wild Night Out
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-30 | by ( Katharine K. Zarrella | Lizzy Wholley | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

Whether Mom likes peacefully luxuriating at home or hitting the hottest restaurants to see and be seen, these gifts will upgrade her evening. Most moms fall into one of those categories, so this Mother’s Day, give yours a night off and a present to suit her night-off tastes. If Mom’s heading out the door, we suggest dancing shoes, diamonds and other ways to elevate her evening and her outfit. Art and SoulHilma af Klint explored abstraction and spiritualism in her paintings. “Hilma af Klint: Tree of Knowledge,” $55, DavidZwirnerBooks.com

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."

☆ Republican-led US House to vote on ban on transgender student athletes
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Katharine Jackson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/File PhotoWASHINGTON, April 20 (Reuters) - The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote Thursday on a bill that would ban transgender women and girls from competing in women's and girls' school sports, weighing in on an issue that has riled social conservatives. The measure would change the civil rights law known as Title IX to require that a student's sex be "based on an individual's reproductive biology and genetics at birth." Enacted in 1972, Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs or activities that receive federal funding. The White House on Monday said in a statement that the bill would effectively deny access to sports for transgender students, even at the elementary school level. On Wednesday, Florida education officials voted to ban classroom instruction on gender identity and social orientation in public schools through high school.

☆ Republican-led ban on transgender student athletes passes US House, moves to Senate
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Katharine Jackson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The House passed the measure by 219-203 but it has little chance of passing the Democratic-controlled Senate. "There's a reason why there's men and women's sports," McCarthy told reporters on the grounds of the Capitol, where he held a news conference with three female athletes who had competed with transgender athletes and lost. The White House on Monday said the bill would effectively deny access to sports for transgender students, even at the elementary school level. Twenty-one U.S. states already have transgender school sports bans in place, according to the Human Rights Campaign LGBTQ advocacy group. The Biden administration has proposed prohibiting schools from banning transgender athletes from playing on teams consistent with their gender identities, with exceptions possible for the highest levels of competition.

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