WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday aimed at signaling his commitment to historically black colleges and universities, saying that those schools will be “an absolute priority for this White House.” HBCU presidents are hoping Congress will bolster Trump’s actions to strengthen the schools with dramatically increased funding in the upcoming … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Education Department is pursuing debt collection — rather than debt relief — for nearly 80,000 former students of Corinthian Colleges, despite federal and state findings that the now-defunct for-profit chain defrauded students, Sen. Elizabeth Warren said in a blistering critique of the administration’s actions. The Massachusetts Democrat reported the findings of … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — A long impasse that has delayed money to combat Zika for months neared an end Thursday as congressional aides said Republicans would relent and let Planned Parenthood affiliated clinics share in new funding to fight the virus. The potential deal would ease the way for Congress to quit work until after the … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — Treasury Secretary Jack Lew on Tuesday faced Senate Democrats skeptical about a rescue package for debt-stricken Puerto Rico, raising doubts about its fate just 10 days before the U.S. territory must make a $2 billion payment to creditors. “The question at the end of the day will be, does Congress act to … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly five weeks after Hillary Rodham Clinton’s marathon testimony on the 2012 attacks in Benghazi, Libya, several investigations into the deadly assault and Clinton’s use of a private email account and server are going full bore — and likely will continue into the presidential election year. Republicans on the House Benghazi panel … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — Striving to end a cycle of crisis, congressional leaders and the White House united Tuesday behind an ambitious budget and debt deal aimed at restoring a semblance of order to Capitol Hill and ending the threat of government shutdowns and defaults until well after a new president takes office. The outgoing House … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican presidential rivals and friends-for-now Donald Trump and Ted Cruz on Wednesday savaged the proposed nuclear agreement with Iran, calling it an incompetently negotiated deal that will cost “countless” American and Israeli lives. “We are led by very, very stupid people,” Trump, the GOP front-runner weighed in, at a midday rally on … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — Accusations and strong emotions mark the start of long-awaited congressional hearings on Planned Parenthood, with a prominent abortion foe contending the group is breaking laws that bar for-profit sales of fetal tissue, while an advocate says there’s no proof. Clandestinely recorded videos show that Planned Parenthood “violates various federal laws,” said James … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — The latest as debate on the Iran nuclear deal opens in Congress and grips the 2016 presidential campaign. All times local (EDT): 9:45 a.m. Hillary Rodham Clinton is issuing a stern warning to Iran that the U.S. will be prepared to act if it cheats on a nuclear deal aimed at curbing … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional lawmakers want security officials to explain how they determined that a small gyrocopter piloted by a Florida postal carrier didn’t pose a threat to the nation’s capital when it flew through restricted airspace. “Multiple weapons” were aimed at the gyrocopter, but officials decided not to bring it down in part … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — The new director of the Secret Service went on the offensive Thursday on Capitol Hill, disputing characterizations in news reports that two senior agents crashed a government vehicle into a security barrier at the White House after a night of drinking earlier this month. “Previous reports of a crash are inaccurate … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans are moving toward authorizing a potential lawsuit against President Barack Obama on immigration, House Speaker John Boehner announced Tuesday, as the GOP struggled for a way to stop the president’s unilateral deportation curbs. Boehner announced the plans in a closed-door meeting with lawmakers, telling them GOP leaders are finalizing a … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — Rand Paul is demonstrating how he could disrupt the Republican presidential field if he seeks the nomination, sparring with potential rivals over Iran, Cuba and the Pentagon’s budget in a face-to-face forum that offered an early preview of the feisty policy debate to come. The Kentucky Republican joined fellow first-term senators … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — Ventilation fans in Washington’s subway tunnels didn’t work properly during a fatal accident last week in which a train filled with smoke, and fans on the stricken train actually drew smoke inside the cars, members of Congress said Wednesday. One woman died and more than 80 others were hospitalized with smoke … Continue reading
Spartan Echo 