Tag Archives: United States

Congress unveils $1.2 trillion plan to avert federal shutdown and bring budget fight to a close

WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers introduced a $1.2 trillion spending package Thursday that sets the stage for avoiding a partial government shutdown for several key federal agencies this weekend and allows Congress, nearly six months into the budget year, to complete its work funding the government through September. Democrats were able to swat back scores of policy mandates and some of …

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Senate passes bill to compensate Americans exposed to radiation by the government

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate passed legislation Thursday that would compensate Americans exposed to radiation by the government by renewing a law initially passed more than three decades ago. The bill by Sens. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., would expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to include more people who believe that exposure caused their illnesses. While …

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Lawmakers fault Defense Secretary Austin for a failure of leadership over his secret hospital stay

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin faced pointed bipartisan criticism at a congressional hearing Thursday for his failure to promptly notify President Joe Biden and other U.S. leaders about his hospital stay last month. Republicans demanded to know why no one has been disciplined. Members of the House Armed Services Committee condemned the lapse as an embarrassment and a …

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First lady Jill Biden implores an ‘often mired in gridlock’ Congress to follow governors’ lead

WASHINGTON (AP) — First lady Jill Biden lamented the partisanship that permeates Capitol Hill and politics writ large, telling governors at the White House that she wished more lawmakers would follow their lead. She spoke on Friday in the White House’s East Room to state chief executives who were in Washington for the winter gathering of the National Governors Association. …

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Biden forms task force to avoid mishandling of classified documents during presidential transitions

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Monday launched a task force aimed at addressing the “systemic” problem of mishandling classified information during presidential transitions, days after a Justice Department special counsel’s sharply critical report said he had done just that. The Presidential Records Transition Task Force will study past transitions to determine best practices for safeguarding classified information from …

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Biden calls GOP holdup of Ukraine aid ‘close to criminal neglect’ as he meets with Germany’s Scholz

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Friday that a Republican holdup on sending new U.S. aid to Ukraine for its war with Russia was “close to criminal neglect” as he huddled with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz about U.S. and Europe’s efforts to maintain support for Kyiv. The U.S. president made his comments as Scholz amplified growing concerns in Europe …

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Hand over heart, Biden joins grieving families of US troops killed in Jordan as remains arrive home

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. (AP) — Standing solemnly under gray skies, President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden joined grieving families at Dover Air Force Base on Friday to witness the return of three American service members killed in last weekend’s drone attack in Jordan. It’s a ritual honoring fallen troops that is one of a commander-in-chief’ s …

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