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US House passes funding bill to avert government shutdown before midterm elections

US House passes funding bill to avert government shutdown before midterm elections

By Richard Cowan WASHINGTON, Sept 1 (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved legislation to keep federal agencies operating beyond October 1 when existing funds are due to expire with the start of the new fiscal year.
AP News AP News
House passes short-term funding bill to avoid a shutdown before the election

House passes short-term funding bill to avoid a shutdown before the election

The House has passed a short-term measure to fund the federal government into early December
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Senator Kevin Cramer Warns of President Trump's Declining Support in Rural America Due to Economic Policies

Senator Kevin Cramer Warns of President Trump's Declining Support in Rural America Due to Economic Policies

Senator Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota) has expressed significant concern regarding President Trump's standing in rural and agricultural regions of the United States. According to Cramer, President Trump is facing 'serious trouble in farm country' due to the adverse effects of his administration's policies. These issues include disruptions to fertilizer supply chains caused by conflict with Iran, leading to higher prices, and trade disputes with Canada. Specifically, President Trump's push to allow 300,000 metric tons of tariff-free imported beef has alienated many farm and ranching communities. Additionally, tariffs imposed on Canada have negatively impacted North Dakota's largest export market. These economic pressures are contributing to what some are calling a 'second farm crisis' or 'Farmageddon,' with American farmers experiencing their worst financial period since the 1980s. The American Farm Bureau Federation projects substantial losses for farmers in 2026 and 2027.
USA Today USA Today
Trump says midterms won't impact Iran war efforts: 'I'm not running'

Trump says midterms won't impact Iran war efforts: 'I'm not running'

President Donald Trump said the looming November midterms won't affect his commitment to the Iran war ‒ noting that he's not on the ballot.
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Reproductive Rights Group Launches $250K Campaign Against Senator Susan Collins Over Kavanaugh Vote

Reproductive Rights Group Launches $250K Campaign Against Senator Susan Collins Over Kavanaugh Vote

Reproductive Freedom for All (RFFA), one of the nation's oldest abortion rights organizations, in conjunction with the Senate Majority PAC, has initiated a $250,000 direct-mail campaign targeting Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine). The campaign aims to reach over 100,000 Maine households, specifically women who advocate for reproductive freedom. The core of the campaign criticizes Senator Collins for her 2018 vote to confirm Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Justice Kavanaugh was part of the majority that ultimately overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. This marks the first time Senator Collins has faced voters since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, despite having run for reelection once before since the Kavanaugh confirmation. RFFA and Senate Majority PAC accuse Senator Collins of failing to uphold her promises regarding reproductive rights and highlight her support for numerous judges appointed by President Trump.
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Congresswoman Carol Miller Introduces Bipartisan 'We Can’t Wait Act' to Expedite Social Security Disability Benefits

Congresswoman Carol Miller Introduces Bipartisan 'We Can’t Wait Act' to Expedite Social Security Disability Benefits

Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) has introduced the 'We Can’t Wait Act,' a bipartisan bill designed to provide individuals deemed disabled and eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) the option to receive their benefits immediately. Currently, even after being approved, beneficiaries face a mandatory five-month waiting period before their first payment. The proposed legislation would allow these individuals to waive the waiting period in exchange for a modestly reduced monthly benefit. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) have introduced companion legislation in the Senate. The bill aims to alleviate financial and medical hardships experienced by disabled Americans during this waiting period, which can lead to debt, homelessness, or lack of necessary medical care.
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Abortion-Rights Group Launches $250,000 Campaign Against Senator Susan Collins Over Kavanaugh Vote

Abortion-Rights Group Launches $250,000 Campaign Against Senator Susan Collins Over Kavanaugh Vote

Reproductive Freedom for All and Senate Majority PAC have initiated a $250,000 mail campaign targeting Senator Susan Collins in Maine. The campaign, reaching over 100,000 households, criticizes Senator Collins for her 2018 vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court and her support for over 100 judges appointed by President Trump. Abortion-rights advocates argue that these actions have undermined reproductive access. This effort is part of a larger national initiative called 'My Body. My Ballot,' which has a budget of $23.5 million. Planned Parenthood is also contributing to this push, spending approximately $600,000 on advertisements in Maine to highlight Senator Collins' connection to the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Senator Collins' team has labeled these groups as partisan, asserting that she has consistently been pro-choice. The campaign also draws a contrast between Senator Collins and Democratic nominee Troy Jackson, who, despite previously opposing abortion rights, now supports expanded acc...
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Representatives Clarke and Pressley Condemn Haitian Deportations Following TPS Revocation

Representatives Clarke and Pressley Condemn Haitian Deportations Following TPS Revocation

On August 31, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley issued a joint statement condemning the deportation and 'dehumanization' of Haitian nationals. Their statement follows the Supreme Court's recent decision to side with President Trump regarding the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) of Haitian immigrants, which has left approximately 350,000 Haitians in the U.S. without temporary legal status. The representatives highlighted that thousands of Haitians have been detained by the Trump administration and that Haiti is currently designated as a Level 4 'Do Not Travel' country by the U.S. Department of State due to extreme risks of crime, kidnapping, and terrorism. They asserted that the Trump administration's actions are forcing Haitians into dangerous conditions, citing recent gang massacres and kidnappings, and noted that some deported individuals have already been killed. Both congresswomen are vocal advocates for Haitian nationals, with Congresswoman Clarke co-founding the House H...
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Congress Faces Funding and Border Security Challenges Ahead of Midterm Elections

Congress Faces Funding and Border Security Challenges Ahead of Midterm Elections

As midterm elections approach, Congress is under pressure to address critical issues including government funding, affordability, and border security to avoid a shutdown. Washington insider Armstrong Williams noted that House Republicans face both legislative and political challenges. A key priority is to keep the federal government funded, as a shutdown could dominate the final weeks of the campaign. Republicans are also reportedly interested in a reconciliation package focusing on defense, agriculture, the border, and affordability. The discussion also touched upon President Trump's deployment of federal resources and National Guard personnel in Washington, D.C., as part of his administration's crime strategy, which has reportedly led to a 20% reduction in overall crime in the District this year. Additionally, a major oil agreement with Venezuela is being discussed, which could provide the U.S. access to significant Venezuelan oil production and help replenish the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy Closes 270 Trucking Schools Amid Fraud Crackdown, Citing Safety Concerns and Dalilah's Law

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy Closes 270 Trucking Schools Amid Fraud Crackdown, Citing Safety Concerns and Dalilah's Law

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the closure of 270 trucking schools across the U.S., citing a crackdown on what he termed 'trucker fraud.' These schools are accused of failing to provide qualified instructors, lacking appropriate vehicles and facilities for training, and allowing individuals to pass tests without English proficiency. Duffy emphasized that English proficiency is a long-standing requirement for operating commercial vehicles. The Trump administration attributes this issue to what it calls President Biden's lax border policies and lenient laws in 'sanctuary states,' which it claims have enabled individuals, including undocumented immigrants, to obtain Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs) without proper qualifications. The White House is also promoting 'Dalilah’s Law,' named after Dalilah Coleman, who was severely injured by an undocumented truck driver. This proposed law aims to restrict who can obtain CDLs and would allow for federal highway funding to be withheld from states tha...
USA Today USA Today
House to vote on funding to avoid government shutdown before Election Day

House to vote on funding to avoid government shutdown before Election Day

The House returns from August recess to vote on extending government funding through Dec. 11, to avoid a potential shutdown before the Nov. 3 election
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Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is stepping down after 18 months on the job, White House says

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is stepping down after 18 months on the job, White House says

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is stepping down after 18 months on the job