Latest news with #AxiosNewsShapers
Epoch Times
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Slotkin Says Democrats Split on Strategy During Trump's Second Term
Sen. Alyssa Slotkin (D-Mich.) said Democrats remain split over how seriously to treat President Donald Trump's second term and must adopt a tougher posture on Capitol Hill to counter it. Speaking at an Axios News Shapers forum in Washington on July 23, the Michigan Democrat said that the party's real divide is no longer progressive versus moderate but between those who see Trump's second term as an existential danger and those who view it as merely undesirable. She put herself in the first camp of viewing the president as a threat.
The Hill
23-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Hawley escorted off stage after conference interrupted by protesters
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) was escorted off the stage briefly Wednesday after an event was interrupted by pro-Palestine protesters. Hawley appeared at the Axios News Shapers forum and was being interviewed by reporter Stef Kight when a demonstrator began shouting toward the Missouri Republican. 'Josh Hawley cannot possibly care about people in this country,' the protester said, bringing the conference to a halt, 'because he is supporting a war of starvation.' 'Your career is built on the suffering of children,' another protester interjected. As more people began shouting, Kight told Hawley, 'Let's leave the stage.' 'Are you sure?' he asked, while still seated. Kight also urged viewers to 'please allow us to do our job,' later telling Hawley it was the first protest of the day. As the demonstrator continued shouting, the Axios reporter stood up and escorted the senator off the stage. The activists in the room held up signs reading 'STOP STARVING GAZA' and 'U.S. FUNDS GENOCIDE,' according to a statement from CODEPINK, a grassroots anti-war and social justice organization developed in response to the Iraq War. 'We appreciate and understand that people feel passionately about some of these issues,' Kight said after the two left the stage for a brief time. 'We do ask that you be respectful and allow us to continue our conversation. Please welcome back to the stage Sen. Josh Hawley.' Hawley returned to a round of applause, brushing off the protest as 'just another day in the Senate.' 'Palestinians are starving for one reason: Israel's siege, fully backed by the U.S. and its allies,' CODEPINK organizer Olivia DiNucci said in a statement. 'We won't let lawmakers ignore this genocide while pretending to care about American families.' The disruption comes amid escalating tensions in Gaza and stalled ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas. The latest developments out of the Gaza Strip show Palestinians are being driven toward starvation, more than 100 charity and human rights organizations reported, according to The Associated Press.
Axios
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Exclusive: Sen. Hawley doesn't want to "experiment" with rural hospital funding
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) doesn't want to "experiment" with the "vitally important" funding hospitals receive, he said during an Axios News Shapers event Wednesday. Why it matters: Hawley is positioning himself as a key defender of the Medicaid program, even after voting to cut Medicaid through President Trump's "big, beautiful bill." The cuts to Medicaid include rolling back nearly $1 trillion in funding over the next 10 years, and make changes the provider tax. Driving the news:"My concern is, is what result would it really have?" Hawley asked about the long term affects of the provider tax on rural hospitals. "Would it force us to go out and find new funding in other places?" he asked. "Would it force us to raise taxes in some areas? I don't know the answer that, and I don't want to risk it. I don't want to take the experiment." Hawley commended Republicans for capturing the votes of working class, blue collar Americans, but pointed out that the party now needs to deliver policies that benefit them. "Does that mean that they're in the Republican Party to stay forever? I don't think so," he said. "It means they're giving the Republican Party a shot." Context: Hawley introduced the "Protect Medicaid and Rural Hospitals Act" earlier this month to block any future cuts to Medicaid. His bill would repeal the provider tax moratorium and the reduction of provider tax authority, which would restore part of the money that states rely on to fund their programs. The bill would also double the Rural Health Transformation Fund from $50 billion to $100 billion. By the numbers: About 1.2 million people are enrolled in Medicaid in Missouri, 50% of whom are children. The federal government funds 78% of total Medicaid spending in Missouri, according to a May report from KFF.
Axios
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Exclusive: Sen. Slotkin prepared to go "nuclear" over Texas redistricting
Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) says she's not going to fight "with one arm tied behind" her back as Texas Republicans pursue a Trump-backed mid-decade redistricting. The big picture: The rumbles of redistricting are causing heartburn on the Hill, Axios' Andrew Solender reported, as Democrats weigh how to respond in political self-defense. As House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) told reporters Thursday, "It's all options on the table at this moment." Slotkin appeared Wednesday at an Axios News Shapers event in Washington, D.C. Driving the news: "If they're going to go nuclear in Texas, I'm going to go nuclear in other places," she told Axios' Stephen Neukam. "I'm not going to ... fight with one arm tied behind my back," she continued. "I don't want to do that, but if they're proposing to rig the game ... we're going to get in that game and fight." State of play: Trump earlier this month floated a "simple redrawing" to "pick up five seats" in Texas.
Axios
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Exclusive: Emmer says Epstein is a "non-issue"
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) called the push to force release of the Epstein files a "non-issue" at an Axios News Shapers event Wednesday. Why it matters: The issue has paralyzed the House and led GOP leaders to cut this week's business short and leave town early for the August recess before things escalated further. "It's kind of funny if it was so important, then why weren't Democrats clamoring for this for the 4 years under Biden?" told Axios' Hans Nichols. Democrats — and some Republicans — have every been using multiple tools to try and force their GOP colleagues on the record about Epstein as President Trump pressures GOP leaders to make the issue go away.
