Institutional leaders, elected officials, advocates and other supporters of the nation’s historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) were in attendance for the United Negro College Fund’s (UNCF) inaugural State of the HBCU Address, which put forth a comprehensive legislative agenda for Congressional members to further support HBCUs and their capacity to be engines of socioeconomic … Continue reading
Tag Archives: congress
Conyers steps aside from Judiciary post amid sex allegations
WASHINGTON (AP) — Michigan Rep. John Conyers, under investigation over allegations he sexually harassed female staff members, said Sunday he will step aside as the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee while fiercely denying he acted inappropriately during his long tenure in Congress. In a statement, the 88-year-old lawmaker made clear he would prefer … Continue reading
3-2-1, BAM! Georgia Dome imploded in downtown Atlanta
ATLANTA (AP) — One of the nation’s largest domed stadiums collapsed Monday into a pile of jagged concrete and a vast cloud of dust in a scheduled implosion in downtown Atlanta. Nearly 5,000 pounds (2,270 kilograms) of explosives were used to blast the Georgia Dome in Atlanta to smithereens at 7:30 a.m. Onlookers gathered at … Continue reading
Female lawmakers allege harassment by colleagues in House
WASHINGTON (AP) — For years, Republican Rep. Mary Bono endured the increasingly suggestive comments from a fellow lawmaker in the House. But when the congressman approached her on the House floor and told her he’d been thinking about her in the shower, she’d had enough. She confronted the man, who she said still serves in … Continue reading
Trump declares US opioid emergency but pledges no new money
WASHINGTON (AP) — In ringing and personal terms, President Donald Trump on Thursday pledged that “we will overcome addiction in America,” declaring opioid abuse a national public health emergency and announcing new steps to combat what he described as the worst drug crisis in U.S. history. Trump’s declaration, which will be effective for 90 days … Continue reading
Congress at crossroads after another GOP health care failure
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is at a crossroads after Republicans’ stinging failure to repeal Barack Obama’s health care law. But what’s next — more partisan conflict or a pragmatic shift toward cooperation? Unless Republicans and Democrats in Congress can work together, and bring along an often unpredictable President Donald Trump, political conflict over health care … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — With time growing short, President Donald Trump and Republican Senate leaders are engaged in a frantic search for votes in a last-ditch effort to repeal and replace the Obama health law. The outcome is uncertain in a Capitol newly engulfed in drama over health care. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, whose … Continue reading
How Trump is sabotaging the Affordable Care Act in Virginia
An editorial by Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D-VA) Since President Trump took office, he and his administration have expressed their intention to sabotage the Affordable Care Act by creating instability in state insurance markets. As governors and other leaders across the nation warned, the Trump administration’s actions could threaten the health care and indeed the lives … Continue reading
Senate unanimously approves Warner, Kaine resolution condemning hate groups
WASHINGTON – Prompted by the violence and domestic terrorist attack in Charlottesville, Va., on August 11 and 12, 2017, the U.S. Senate yesterday, Sept. 11, unanimously approved a bipartisan resolution introduced by U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) condemning … Continue reading
The Latest: Trump tells GOP to start work on tax cuts
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump and Congress (all times local): 9:20 a.m. President Donald Trump is urging Republicans in Congress to start work immediately on a tax overhaul. On Twitter Friday, Trump tweeted: “Republicans must start the Tax Reform/Tax Cut legislation ASAP.” He added: “Don’t wait until the end of September. … Continue reading
The Latest: White House praises Congress for Harvey aid
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on the Harvey aid bill in Congress (all times local): 11:05 a.m. The White House is praising Congress for acting fast to deliver storm recovery money to people dealing with the aftermath of Harvey. It’s not yet clear when President Donald Trump will sign the $15.3 billion disaster aid package … Continue reading
The Latest: Graham sees chance for Hill deal on ‘Dream Act
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on Congress and DACA (all times local): ___ 7:20 a.m. Sen. Lindsey Graham says he believes “there’s a congressional deal to be made” that could resolve the question of a legal shield for young immigrants living in the U.S. illegally while improving border security without building a wall. Graham says … Continue reading
Sources say Trump, Hill leaders to meet next Wednesday
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump will meet next week with House and Senate leaders at the White House, congressional aides said Wednesday, as lawmakers return from August break to face a pile of legislative bills they must tackle and pursue a goal that Trump and Republicans covet: Tax cuts. The meeting follows a recess … Continue reading
Some recall Sandy struggle as Congress ponders Harvey relief
NEW YORK (AP) — Republicans from New York and New Jersey are pledging unconditional support for those devastated by Harvey. But their resentment lingers. But as historic floods wreaked havoc across the Gulf Coast, Northeastern Republicans recalled with painful detail the days after Superstorm Sandy ravaged their region in 2012. At the time, Texas’ Republican … Continue reading
Governors call for immediate action to stabilize health insurance marketplaces in states
WASHINGTON—Today, Aug. 2, the National Governors Association (NGA) Health and Human Services Committee, led by Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, released the following statement on cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) within individual health insurance marketplaces. ————————————————————————- “The Administration has the opportunity to stabilize the health insurance market across our nation and ensure that our residents can … Continue reading
In Georgia, Handel thanks Trump and reaches out to Democrats
DUNWOODY, Ga. (AP) — Republican Karen Handel declared victory in Georgia’s 6th Congressional District with a promise that she’ll work to gain the confidence of voters who backed her Democratic opponent. But in the same speech Tuesday night, Handel also thanked President Donald Trump, underscoring her campaign’s triumph over the anti-Trump resistance in the traditionally … Continue reading
Worst treatment ever, Trump grumbles; Dems demand deep probe
WASHINGTON (AP) — Surrounded by multiplying questions, President Donald Trump complained Wednesday that “no politician in history” has been treated worse. Democrats demanded an independent commission to dig into his firing of FBI Director James Comey, but Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan cautioned against “rushing to judgment.” Ryan said Congress needs to get the facts, … Continue reading
House GOP abruptly pulls troubled health care bill
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican leaders have abruptly pulled their troubled health care overhaul bill off the House floor, short of votes and eager to avoid a humiliating defeat for President Donald Trump and GOP leaders. House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., withdrew the legislation Friday afternoon, March 24, shortly before a scheduled vote after Trump called … Continue reading
GOP leaders boost pressure as health bill crunch time nears
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump and House leaders revved up pressure Wednesday on balky conservatives and other Republican lawmakers as crunch time approaches on the party’s health care overhaul bill, a drive GOP leaders concede they can’t afford to lose. A day before the House planned votes on the measure, Trump and top Republicans … Continue reading
McCain makes secret trip to Syria to meet with US troops
WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. John McCain, one of President Donald Trump’s harshest critics, made a secret trip to northern Syria to visit U.S. forces stationed there and discuss the campaign for defeating the Islamic State extremists, his office said Wednesday. The Arizona Republican’s visit to the war-torn country occurred as a major battle nears to … Continue reading
Governor hosts luncheon for college journalists
by Tiana K. Allen On Feb. 1, Virginia Governor Terrance McAuliffe hosted a luncheon, alongside Virginia’s Secretary of Education Dr. Dietra Trent, at Virginia’s Executive Mansion where he spoke with several college newspaper journalists regarding Virginia’s job opportunities, President Trump’s new immigration policy and many other topics. He said that he’s had great success in … Continue reading
Senators try to speed up deployment of self-driving cars
WASHINGTON (AP) — In the first major congressional attempt to address the advent of self-driving cars, two senators said Monday, Feb 13, 2017 they’re launching a bipartisan effort to help to speed up the deployment of the vehicles on the nation’s roads. Republican John Thune of South Dakota, the chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and … Continue reading
Congressional Republicans move to dismantle Obama rules
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional Republicans are moving to dismantle former President Barack Obama’s rules on the environment, gun ownership and financial disclosure as they look to reverse years of what they see as excessive government regulation during the Democrat’s presidency. House Republicans are expected to vote Wednesday, Feb. 2, to scuttle a new regulation … Continue reading
Trump’s election energizes Congressional Black Caucus
WASHINGTON (AP) — For almost eight years, the members of the Congressional Black Caucus existed in the shadow of the first black president. They praised President Barack Obama’s achievements while at the same time pushing him to do more for their constituents who overwhelmingly supported his history-making campaign and administration. But with Obama set to … Continue reading
Dems fall short as GOP wins 2 more years of House control
Republicans retained their lock on the House for two more years as GOP candidates triumphed in a checkerboard of districts in Florida, Virginia and Colorado that Democrats had hoped Donald Trump’s divisive comments about women and Hispanics would make their own. Democrats who’d envisioned potentially big gains in suburban and ethnically diverse districts instead were on … Continue reading