Appeals court blocks Mississippi ‘heartbeat’ abortion ban
A federal appeals court has temporarily blocked a Mississippi law that would ban abortions after six weeks into a pregnancy.
US News
Fed calls coronavirus ‘a new risk to the global growth outlook’
The Federal Reserve considers its current policy stance as appropriate ‘for a time’ despite the coronavirus outbreak presenting a new threat to the global economy, minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting held in January revealed on Wednesday.
Top health official warns coronavirus nearing ‘global pandemic’ as 40 Americans test positive on cruise ship
A top health official said that the coronavirus might become a ‘global pandemic’ soon if it is not contained while confirming that 40 additional Americans have been infected.
US House Acts to Remove Deadline for Equal Rights Amendment
In a bid to revive the Equal Rights Amendment, the House has approved a measure removing a 1982 deadline for state ratification and reopening the process to amend the Constitution to prohibit discrimination based on sex.
Senate Passes Bipartisan War-Powers Resolution to Limit Trump’s Ability to Attack Iran
The Senate voted 51-45 on Wednesday to pass a War Powers resolution aimed at curtailing President Trump’s ability to wage war against Iran, with eight Republicans voting with the Democrat-led measure in a bipartisan —but likely symbolic — check against the White House.
US budget deficit on track to hit $1 trillion for first time since 2012
The US budget deficit swelled at the beginning of 2020 even as the economy continued to grow at a steady pace.
Efforts Under Way in US Senate to Limit Trump’s Iran War Powers
U.S. lawmakers are poised to revive the debate over ground rules for a potential conflict with Iran, more than five weeks after President Donald Trump ordered the airstrike that killed Iranian general Qassem Suleimani.
Household Debt Hits Record High of $14.1 Trillion
U.S. household debt set a new record in the final quarter of 2019, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said in a report (pdf) on Tuesday, climbing to a historic peak of $14.1 trillion.
President’s budget plan aims to cut deficit by $4.6 trillion in 10 years, balance budget in 15
President Donald Trump’s $4.8 trillion budget proposal presented to Congress today boosts funds for the military and veterans and implements mandatory reforms for all agencies in an attempt to cut the deficit by $4.6 trillion over the next decade.
Barr announces sweeping new sanctions, ‘significant escalation’ against left-wing sanctuary cities
Charging that so-called ‘sanctuary’ cities that protect illegal immigrants are jeopardizing domestic security, Attorney General Bill Barr announced a slew of additional sanctions that he called a ‘significant escalation’ against left-wing local and state governments that obstruct the ‘lawful functioning of our nation’s immigration system.’
Trump budget would cut $4.4T in spending, boosting defense while slashing safety nets, foreign aid
The White House on Sunday unveiled a $4.8 trillion budget proposal that would slash spending dramatically on foreign aid and social safety nets, while including $2 billion for a southern border wall and substantially boosting funding to NASA, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Homeland Security.
Trump proposes 21% cut in U.S. foreign aid in budget proposal – officials
President Donald Trump will propose cutting billions of dollars in U.S. foreign aid in his fiscal 2021 budget while seeking an increase in funds to counter developing economic threats from China and Russia, senior administration officials told Reuters.
Buttigieg declared Iowa winner after technical glitches delay result
Pete Buttigieg narrowly won Iowa’s Democratic presidential caucuses on Thursday after a long delay in releasing the results, reshaping the 2020 race and raising doubts about the future of one-time front-runner Joe Biden, who finished a disappointing fourth.
New jobless claims fall by 15,000 close to a 50-year low
Initial jobless claims declined by 15,000 to 202,000 in the week ending Feb. 1, the U.S. Department of Labor announced Thursday.
Trump Administration Ramps Up Fight Against Human Trafficking
Experts, a former victim, and some anti-trafficking groups said they are encouraged by the administration’s executive order aimed at eliminating human trafficking, describing it as a ‘historical collaboration’ between federal agencies, and one of the ‘more comprehensive’ actions taken by the White House to date.
Trump acquitted in Republican Senate, ending impeachment
US President Donald Trump was acquitted of both charges leveled against him by the House of Representatives Wednesday, concluding the third impeachment trial in US history.
Trump takes on ‘radical left’ in defiant State of the Union address; Pelosi rips up speech
President Trump went on the offensive against socialism and left-wing policies during a defiant third State of the Union address to Congress Tuesday night — drawing groans from Democrats in attendance and prompting a furious House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., to rip up her copy of Trump’s speech as soon as it concluded in a remarkable scene.
Trump State of Union Speech Will Occur Just Ahead of Senate Impeachment Vote
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday evening is to make his annual State of the Union speech, accepting an invitation from the House of Representatives that recently impeached him.
Senate rejects witnesses, sets final impeachment acquittal vote for Wednesday
Senators defeated a last-ditch effort by Democrats to call witnesses in the impeachment trial of President Trump Friday evening, then approved a final schedule that will force a vote Wednesday on Mr. Trump’s fate.
US, at least 17 countries to launch first-ever International Religious Freedom Alliance
Government officials from the United States and several countries will convene in Washington, D.C., next week on the eve of the National Prayer Breakfast for the inaugural meeting of the new International Religious Freedom Alliance.