Latest news with #Congress'
The Hill
5 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Murkowski: Vought ‘disrespects' the government funding process
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) on Thursday said she thinks White House budget chief Russell Vought 'disrespects' Congress' annual funding process after he said it should be 'less bipartisan.' 'I think he disrespects it,' Murkowski said. 'I think he thinks that we are irrelevant, and I wish I had actually heard the speech.' Vought drew attention Thursday for remarks he made at an event hosted by the Christian Science Monitor, at which he said 'the appropriations process has to be less bipartisan.' 'There is no voter in the country that went to the polls and said, 'I'm voting for a bipartisan appropriations process,'' he said. 'That may be the view of something that appropriators want to maintain, and I want to have very good relationships with all Republican appropriators.' As for Democratic appropriators, Vought said he's 'willing to work with' them 'if they conduct themselves with decorum.' 'I think it will lead to better results by having the appropriations process be a little bit partisan, and I don't think it's necessarily leading to a shutdown, I think we will be able to get to a good result,' he said, while criticizing how the appropriations process has been carried out in Congress thus far. He also said the power of the purse remains with Congress, but he added, 'It's a ceiling. It is not a floor. It is not the notion that you have to spend every last dollar of that.' 'Two hundred years of presidents had the ability to spend less than appropriations and did,' he argued. 'It was not only precedent, but it was a part of how the original founders understood what they were separating, the powers between the executive and the legislative branch.' Murkowski said later on Thursday that quotes she's seen in coverage of Vought's comments appear 'pretty dismissive of the appropriations process.' She was also asked about the administration's plans to send Congress additional requests for cuts to funding previously approved by lawmakers. Congress is on the verge of passing legislation that cuts roughly $9 billion in cuts to foreign aid and public broadcasting funds ahead of a looming Friday deadline. The Senate passed the rescissions package early Thursday morning, with Murkowski voting against it. 'I do not think that should be our path,' Murkowski, a senior GOP appropriator, said. 'It's not legislating. It's basically the White House saying this is what we want you to do. Take it or leave it.'
New Indian Express
19 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Conduct caste census on Telangana model: Congress OBC Council to Centre
BENGALURU: AT the inaugural meeting of the All-India Congress Committee (AICC) OBC Advisory Council, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah declared the proceedings a 'resounding success,' describing it as a significant milestone in the Congress' ongoing commitment to social justice. The event marked the adoption of the Bengaluru Declaration, a document outlining the Congress' policy roadmap for empowering backward classes and marginalised communities across India. The committee called for a nationwide caste census to be conducted by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (ORGI), modelled on Telangana's SEEEP Caste Survey. WhileKarnataka's Kantharaj Commission faced criticism — particularly from Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities — for lacking scientific robustness, the Telangana model has been praised for including extensive socio-economic, educational, and occupational parameters. The Congress leadership emphasised that such a survey must go beyond mere enumeration and function as a tool to address systemic inequalities across communities. Addressing the media, Siddaramaiah lauded LoP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi's unwavering commitment to social justice, describing him as a 'justice warrior' whose fearless leadership compelled the Union Government to consider a nationwide caste census. 'Rahul Gandhi's bold and principled stance forced the Manuvadi Modi government to acknowledge the constitutional demand for a caste census,' the Chief Minister said, crediting Rahul for revitalising the national conversation around equity and representation. The declaration also mentioned relaxation of the 50% cap on reservations to enable appropriate representation for backward classes in education, employment, and politics and implement reservations in private educational institutions as per Article 15(5) of the Constitution. Siddaramaiah also reaffirmed Karnataka's legacy as the first Indian state to conduct a caste census since 1931, branding it the 'Karnataka Model.' He recalled that the original survey, ordered during his 2015 term, faced delays due to political resistance. In 2018, when the socio-economic and educational survey report was ready, then CM HD Kumaraswamy allegedly instructed his ministers not to accept it, despite extensions granted by the Backward Classes Commission, Siddaramiah said. 'Subsequent BJP-led governments also failed to act on the report. Eventually, a fresh report was submitted under the chairmanship of Jayaprakash Hegde. Now, as per a recent cabinet decision, the commission has been directed to conduct a re-survey within three months,' Siddaramaiah said, adding that the findings will be implemented without delay.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Mysuru convention is a show of strength amid Cong infighting: Bommai
Haveri: Congress' convention in Mysuru on July 19 is more about masking its internal power struggles rather than showcasing its achievements, said MP . Speaking to the media in Haveri on Wednesday, he said Congress did not achieve enough to warrant a convention. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Earlier, they planned a show of strength in Hassan under the pretext of a convention of achievements. Now, the same is being done in Mysuru. The fact that the party in-charge already held meetings with ministers shows that things are not right within the party. There is no end to the internal conflicts in Congress. Unless the Congress high command gives clear direction, this unrest will persist. It even seems like the high command itself wants this confusion to continue," Bommai said. On the Sharavathi Pumped Storage project, Bommai said it is a project that can generate around 2,000 megawatts of electricity at a relatively low cost. "About 38 hectares of forest land will be affected. Forests should be grown in alternative areas, and the surrounding forest must be protected. The project already received conditional approval, and it should proceed in adherence to those conditions," he said. When asked about the Congress' allegation that protocol was violated during the inauguration of the Sigandur bridge, the former CM said there was no violation of protocol in any manner.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
DKS announces formation of five new municipal corporations
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC President D.K. Shivakumar announced that the government will soon form five new municipal corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and conduct elections at the earliest. Speaking at the Guarantee Implementation Committee's state-level convention at the Bharat Jodo Bhavan (KPCC headquarters), Shivakumar said a committee headed by MLA Rizwan Arshad is already working on the GBA structure. 'Despite possible public criticism, this reorganisation is necessary for better governance. The newly formed corporations will also ensure more recognition and opportunities for our grassroots party workers,' he said. Shivakumar highlighted the government's commitment to social welfare by allocating ₹1 lakh crore for various public benefit schemes. Of this, ₹50,000 crore goes toward the five guarantee schemes, ₹19,000 crore for free electricity to farmers' pump sets, and ₹11,000 crore for pensions. 'We are spending nearly 25% of the state's budget on athe welfare of the poor and the marginalized. It is your responsibility to make the public aware of these contributions,' he urged party members. He emphasized that Congress' welfare legacy is unparalleled: 'From land rights and food security to NREGA, Indira Canteens, and midday meals—these are Congress' contributions to the people of India. No one can erase them.' Shivakumar said Guarantee Committees are not just symbolic but are the government's grassroots voice. 'You are not just workers; you are the government's face in the public. You have been given IDs and offices. Even though the opposition tried to undermine your role in the Assembly, we stood firm.' He praised the committee members for their strong fieldwork. 'You have unsettled the opposition with your performance. I will meet guarantee committee members from all constituencies soon. You are not here just for politics—you are here for transformation.' Shivakumar also announced a new program to deliver property records to residents' doorsteps. 'Many property owners don't even know under whose name their asset is registered. We've begun addressing this by correcting land records. Thousands of volunteers in Krishna Byre Gowda's constituency have already helped locals apply for record corrections.' He urged party workers to conduct 'Guarantee Sabha' meetings at ward and panchayat levels to energize cadres and improve engagement with citizens. 'We are committed to implementing 33% political reservation for women. Once implemented, Karnataka will see 75 women MLAs. We've already provided 50% reservation in local bodies. Women who toil for the party deserve recognition,' he declared. He added that Rahul Gandhi has emphasized grassroots leadership development. 'We are planning to reintroduce student union elections in colleges. For dedicated workers, positions and respect will come in time.' 'You must win all five upcoming civic polls DCM Shivakumar stressed that the Guarantee Committees must not be limited to just the five welfare schemes but must represent the entire government. 'Take our initiatives, like the land records drive, door to door. Win the hearts of the people. You must ensure Congress wins all five new corporations in the upcoming civic elections.' He criticized the opposition for targeting guarantee schemes: 'Ironically, Mangaluru—which gave us fewer votes—has more beneficiaries than other areas. I challenged opposition leaders to send us letters from those rejecting guarantee benefits. They are criticizing the very schemes they benefit from.' He added, 'Our work will remain. Their criticisms will fade.' When asked about BJP MP Tejasvi Surya's allegations of corruption in the tunnel road project, Shivakumar responded firmly: 'Tunnel roads are being constructed in Delhi, Mumbai, and other cities. Why the opposition only in Bengaluru? He will get his reply in due time. BJP has always stood against development. What have they given to Bengaluru? Nothing.' Responding to accusations that the metro DPR was duplicated for tunnel road, Shivakumar said: 'I won't respond to such baseless allegations. The metro is Congress' contribution to the city.' This statement by DK Shivakumar comes as the Congress government attempts to decentralize administration in Bengaluru while simultaneously empowering party workers and promoting its flagship guarantee.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Brazil's government, Congress fail to reach agreement on IOF tax
FILE PHOTO: A general view of the plenary chamber of deputies during a session at the National Congress in Brasilia, Brazil December 18, 2024. REUTERS/Adriano Machado/File Photo SAO PAULO - An attempt by Brazil's Supreme Court to broker a deal between President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's government and Congress over a controversial tax increase ended in a stalemate on Tuesday, with both sides opting to let the court settle the dispute. The hearing focused on the government's recent decision to raise Brazil's Tax on Financial Operations (IOF) on some transactions in an effort to boost state revenues and Congress' subsequent move to block the tax hike. Representatives from the Chamber of Deputies, the Senate and the executive branch agreed that a judicial ruling would be the "best way to resolve this conflict," according to a document released by the Supreme Court's press office. Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes earlier this month temporarily suspended both the government's decree raising the IOF tax and Congress' attempt to overturn the measure, leaving the future of the tax uncertain until the court rules. REUTERS
