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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Spartan Echo 