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Politico
21-05-2025
- Business
- Politico
Landing the budget plane
Presented by Happy Wednesday, Illinois. Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got. TOP TALKER COUNTDOWN: We're 10 days away from state lawmakers needing to nail down a balanced budget, and though there are some positive vibes coming from House leaders, most folks in Springfield remain cautious or outright concerned. 'Uncertainty' reigns, said a state legislator who was granted anonymity to speak openly. 'There's a search to get revenue to fill the gaps. And there are a lot of gaps. No one has the answers. Not the speaker, not the [Senate] president and not the governor.' The Trump factor: 'We're extremely concerned' about the impact of the Trump administration's budget cuts, funding freezes and tariffs, said a person familiar with the governor's team. 'It's difficult to plan a budget when the actions in Washington keep shifting.' To that point: Democratic state Rep. Kam Buckner told Playbook, 'There's a lot of noise coming from Washington, and plenty of uncertainty around federal dollars, but that doesn't give us a hall pass. The people of Illinois didn't elect us to flinch. They elected us to finish. We're close. We'll land it.' One thing's for sure: While there's a search for revenue raisers, cuts will have to be made. Pritzker has reiterated that any new spending proposed by legislators must be offset with cuts somewhere. 'It's a tight budget year, so no one's going to get everything they want,'Pritzker said in an interview with ABC 7's Craig Wall. A bright spot for Chicago: Pritzker said Mayor Brandon Johnson's team has made 'somewhat reasonable asks' that the legislature 'should take [that[ into account,' according to Craig's report. More positive energy: House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel told Playbook, 'We're in a very good place' with the budget. For perspective: State legislatures across the country are facing similar perilous budget decisions. Some states, like California with its $12 deficit, have a much steeper hill to climb than Illinois. THE BUZZ AS DEMOCRATS CLAMBER to run for the Illinois congressional seats that have opened up, there's been a scramble — and some squabbling — for endorsements. Advantage game: Endorsements from trusted elected officials and community leaders give credibility to a campaign. Jumping the gun: Sometimes eager candidates confuse kind words with an endorsement, or endorsers speak too soon, maybe getting pressure from other challengers to pull back their support. Something like that occurred in the 8th Congressional District contest. Yasmeen Bankole, a Hanover Park trustee running in the 8th District Democratic congressional primary, celebrated a number of endorsements the other day only to see two of them pull back. Good vibes but not endorsing: Samreen Khan, a suburban school board member, said she's not ready to endorse after all, even though she said, 'I adore Yasmeen.' And Nazneen Hashmi, a Streamwood trustee, told Playbook, 'My conversation was mistaken as an endorsement.' Who needs 'em: Bankole is taking it in stride and is out with a new list of endorsers: DuPage County Board members Lucy Chang Evans, Sheila Rutledge and Yeena Yoo and Forest Preserve District of DuPage County Commissioner Tina Tyson-Dunne. 'I'm excited to endorse,' said Chang Evans in a statement. WHERE'S JB No official public events WHERE's BRANDON At 121 North LaSalle Street at 9 a.m. for the James D. Montgomery Sr. Dedication Ceremony — At City Hall at 10 a.m. to preside over a meeting of the City Council Where's Toni At the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center in Willow Springs at 10 a.m. for the Nature IS Accessible! event — At the First United Methodist Church at noon for a memorial service to honor indigent residents who came under the care of the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a complaint? Email skapos@ BUSINESS OF POLITICS — The Danny Davis question: Congressman Danny Davis, who hasn't officially announced his plans for 2026, tells Playbook he's only focused on the budget negotiations in Washington this week. But we hear state Rep. La Shawn Ford, an ally of Davis', has started to call mayors and aldermen in the 7th Congressional District to let them know he's pulling together a campaign. Stay tuned. — Jennifer Pritzker, the billionaire philanthropist and cousin to Illinois' governor, has donated $39,200 to California governor candidate Toni Atkins, according to California election filings. Pritzker is a transgender retired Army lieutenant colonel and Republican who turned her back on voting for President Donald Trump. Atkins is a Democratic California state legislator and was the first female and first openly LGBTQ+ president pro tempore in the California Senate. — Patrick Hanley, who's running for state Senate, has been endorsed by Senate Assistant Majority Leader Laura Murphy and Senate Majority Whip Julie Morrison. Hanley is running for the seat now held by state Sen. Laura Fine, who's running for Congress. THE STATEWIDES — NEW POLL: As lawmakers consider legislation to fund the Healthy School Meals for All program, supporters are out with a new poll showing 84 percent of voters support the measure. What's more, bipartisan support remains strong at 71 percent even after voters in the poll were told it could be funded with a new tax. In 2023, the General Assembly passed an initiative to provide universal school meals to all public-school students in Illinois. However, the program remains unfunded. The American Heart Association commissioned the poll, and Global Strategy Group conducted it, contacting 800 registered Illinois voters from April 22 through 28. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points — About junk fees: The Illinois Junk Fee Transparency Act (SB1486) has unanimously passed out of the House Consumer Protection Committee. Rep. Bob Morgan, who's carrying it, has added 45 co-sponsors. The measure would crack down on hidden and deceptive junk fees that inflate prices for everyday purchases, such as hotel bookings, food delivery apps and event tickets. The bill calls for upfront pricing and gives the attorney general authority to hold violators accountable. The measure has already been passed by the Senate and now heads to the full House for a vote. — Ban on carbon injections within Mahomet Aquifer heads to Pritzker's desk, by Lee Enterprises' Brenden Moore — Prisoner Review Board reform, changes to police hiring clear General Assembly: 'House also approves bill in response to deadly 2021 tornado that hit Illinois warehouse,' by Capitol News' Bridgette Fox and Ben Szalinskiand. — Bill banning carbon sequestration near Mahomet Aquifer clears General Assembly, by Capitol News' Jade Aubrey — OPINION: Illinoisans shouldn't pay more for car insurance based on their ZIP code and credit score, writes Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias in the Tribune CHICAGO — Ethics board cites 7 aldermen for being late filing their annual financial interest forms: 'Ald. Lamont Robinson, 4th, faces a $250 fine for not turning in the annual form, which is required of most city officials and employees, according to the ethics board. The other City Council members who were called out — but not fined — for blowing past the May 1 deadline were Aldermen Stephanie Coleman, Derrick Curtis, Jim Gardiner, William Hall, Julia Ramirez and Monique Scott,' by the Tribune's Alice Yin. — A NATIONAL TAKE | McCormick Place was a bird killer until a small change made a world of difference: 'Chicago is one of the most dangerous cities in the United States for migrating birds, and a glassy lakefront conference center was especially lethal,' by The New York Times' Catrin Einhorn. — Teen 'snap curfew' plan advances as sponsor Ald. Brian Hopkins gives more power to police, by the Tribune's Jake Sheridan — Mayor wants to sell up to $4.3B of debt for O'Hare to fund infrastructure projects and refinance outstanding obligations, by Bloomberg's Shruti Singh — Struggling 'Asia on Argyle' businesses hope for boost from Mendoza's video series, by NBC 5's Vi Nguyen ILLINOIS' POPE — Village of Dolton plans to take ownership of Pope Leo XIV's childhood home: 'The current owners of the home, at 212 E. 141st Place, had planned to auction off the home,' by the Sun-Times' Cindy Hernandez. COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS — Naperville Councilman McBroom, DuPage GOP, Awake Illinois battle District 203 over transgender female athletes: 'In a case that has evoked hundreds of online comments and national media attention, Naperville-based Awake Illinois Monday filed a federal Title IX complaint against the district with the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights,' by the Tribune's Michelle Mullins and the Naperville Sun's Tess Kenny. — Cook County top prosecutor pushes for changes in Illinois law after California fertility clinic bombing: 'Eileen O'Neil Burke wants to amend the Illinois criminal code to consider attacks on reproductive health clinics terrorism. But the ACLU of Illinois is opposed, saying it could be used against people who protest clinics run by abortion opponents,' by WBEZ's Elvia Malagón. — New era in Wheeling Township starts with swearing in of Democratic slate, by the Daily Herald's Steve Zalusky — Chicago suburbs listed among 250 elite towns by U.S. News & World Report, by the Daily Herald's Steve Zalusky MEDIA MATTERS — Syndicated content in Sun-Times special section included AI-generated misinformation: 'A Chicago freelance journalist said he did not fact-check information he compiled using AI before including it in stories for media clients,' by WBEZ's Dan Mihalopoulos. TAKING NAMES — Mideast to Midwest: Israeli Consul General to the Midwest Yinam Cohen hosted a celebration in honor of Israel's 77th Independence Day on Tuesday in Skokie. Among the 500 guests were Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs, Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen, Indiana Treasurer Daniel Elliott, Iowa Senate President Amy Sinclair and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas. Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton also offered congratulatory remarks in a video message. — Mark Hoplamazian, president and CEO of Hyatt, was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award on Tuesday by the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association. The group also honored Maria Razumich-Zec, the regional VP, USA and Managing Director at the Peninsula Chicago; and Marilynn Gardner, the president and CEO of Navy Pier, with Ambassador of Hospitality Awards. Reader Digest We asked how social media shapes the way we talk about politics today. Charles Keller: 'Social media's benefit depends on whether you stay in a comfortable echo chamber or are open to hearing opposing views.' Brent Pruim: 'It has dramatically worsened the 'illusion of explanatory depth.' Lots of newly minted constitutional law professors out there.' NEXT QUESTION: Is there a politician or leader you admire, even if you don't agree with everything they stand for? KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION — Sens. Durbin and Duckworth question Prime Healthcare after changes to Illinois hospitals: 'Prime Healthcare has only operated these eight Illinois hospitals for two months, and there are already profound concerns about patients losing access to care,' the Senate Democrats wrote in their letter, by the Tribune's Lisa Schencker. THE NATIONAL TAKE — U.S. Supreme Court may broaden religious rights in looming rulings: 'University of Illinois Chicago law professor Steve Schwinn said he expects the rulings will continue the court's years-long trend of sharply limiting the application of the establishment clause and dramatically expanding the application of the free exercise clause,' by Reuters' John Kruzel. — Republicans close in on 'big, beautiful' deal after a Trump pep talk, by POLITICO's Rachael Bade and Meredith Lee Hill — Mace, alleging assault, shares nude photo of herself during House hearing she says was taken without her consent, by POLITICO's Amanda Friedman IN MEMORIAM — George Wendt, native South Sider best known as Norm from 'Cheers,' dies At 76: 'He was also a legendary 'SNL' Superfan who loved 'Da Bears,'' by the Block Club's Gwen Ihnat. — Judge Kenneth Moy, who was the first Asian American elected to county office in Illinois when he was elected to the DuPage County Board and before going on to take the bench, has died. His obit is here. TRIVIA TUESDAY's ANSWER: The First Illinois Light Artillery, also known as Smith's Chicago Light Artillery, was the first Illinois unit to see action in the Civil War on April 25, 1861, near Cairo when they participated in the capture of two steamships. TODAY's QUESTION: In the years before Lake Michigan was well-filtered, what did some unlucky Chicagoans find in their tap water? Email skapos@ HAPPY BIRTHDAY Ald. Andre Vasquez, state Senate spokesman and strategic adviser John Patterson, state Treasurer Legislative Affairs Director Catherine Shannon and architecture writer Ed Keegan -30-
Fox News
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Noem dismisses Jeffries' warnings as DHS considers arrests of Democratic lawmakers after ICE facility clash
Print Close By Madison Colombo Published May 14, 2025 Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is pushing back against warnings from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed it is considering arrests of Democratic lawmakers who allegedly clashed with federal officers outside a ICE detention center in Newark, N.J. Jeffries strongly criticized the potential arrests, calling them a "red line" the department should not cross. "They'll find out," Jeffries said, warning DHS against targeting elected officials for what they've described as oversight. But Noem dismissed his comments, saying political threats would not interfere with law enforcement duties. FOX NEWS GOES INSIDE NEW JERSEY ICE FACILITY STORMED BY DEMOCRATS "This wasn't oversight. This was committing felonies," the secretary said during an appearance on "Jesse Watters Primetime" Tuesday night. "I can't believe they act like this, and then defend it." The controversy stems from an incident last week in which several House Democrats from the Garden State attempted to enter an ICE facility without prior clearance. According to DHS, when access was denied, tensions escalated, resulting in a physical altercation between lawmakers and ICE officers. "We had members of Congress assaulting law enforcement officers," Noem said. "They were cooperating with criminals to create criminal acts, and then they're saying that they were providing oversight." WHITE HOUSE BLASTS DEMS 'CROSSING THE LINE' BY STORMING ICE FACILITY A DHS press release described the lawmakers as having "stormed the gate" of the detention facility, calling the event not just a political stunt but a serious threat to officer and detainee safety. "Members of Congress are not above the law and cannot illegally break into detention facilities," DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said. She added that the department would have facilitated a formal tour had the lawmakers followed proper protocol. DHS also released information about some of the migrants currently being held in the facility, with many facing charges in the United States or abroad for homicide, drug trafficking and possession of a weapon. ICE FACILITY DEMOCRATS 'STORMED' HOLDS CHILD RAPISTS, MURDERERS: OFFICIALS "What are they [lawmakers] trying to do?" questioned Noem. "Release these people back into the country so that there could be more Laken Rileys, so there can be more Jocelyn Nungarays?" During the altercation, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested for trespassing. Bodycam footage of the arrest shows him being led away in handcuffs. Baraka, who is running for New Jersey governor as a Democrat, denies he did anything wrong. NEWARK MAYOR ARRESTED AS DEM CONGRESS MEMBERS STORM NEW JERSEY ICE PRISON TO CONDUCT 'OVERSIGHT VISIT' Noem stopped short of confirming whether the members of Congress involved will be arrested. She reiterated that her department would uphold the law and continue their mission of making sure those who enter the country illegally or obstruct enforcement face consequences. She also emphasized that decisions about prosecution will be made by the Justice Department. "The fact that a member of Congress punched them, hit them, body-slammed them and then claimed that they were the victims," she said. "It's astounding to me that someone would even vote for someone and put them in a place of leadership when they perpetuate something as hypocritical and as criminal as what these individuals did." AGITATORS CLASH WITH POLICE, ARRESTS MADE AS CLERGY MEMBERS DESCEND ON NEWARK ICE FACILITY Noem also called for possible congressional censure of the lawmakers involved. "What's happening in this country and what agendas the Democrats are embracing is absurd and it's not American," she said. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "I'm hoping that the American people recognize it and hold them accountable for what they're doing for criminal acts against people in this country." Print Close URL
The Hill
24-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Democratic divisions over 2026 strategy spill into the open
Evening Report is The Hill's evening newsletter. Sign up here or in the box below. DEMOCRATS ARE GRAPPLING with internal divisions as primary season gets underway ahead of next year's midterm elections. David Hogg, a vice chairman at the Democratic National Committee (DNC), is facing pushback over his group Leaders We Deserve, which says it will spend $20 million to back primary challenges against Democratic incumbents it believes are either 'too old' or too ineffective to take on President Trump. On Thursday, newly-elected DNC chairman Ken Martin drew a red line, saying Hogg must either drop his primary efforts or step aside from his position with the DNC. 'No DNC officer should ever attempt to influence the outcome of a primary election,' Martin told reporters on a press call. 'As I've said to him — if you want to challenge incumbents, you're free to do that, just not as an officer of the DNC because our job is to be neutral arbiters,' Martin continued. 'This is not about shielding incumbents or boosting challengers. It's about voters' trust in the party.' Martin's press call was ostensibly about announcing new investments the DNC will make at the state level to boost Democrats running for office. The national committee will make a $1 million investment in state parties every month as part of their 'Organize Everywhere, Win Everywhere' plan. 'I'm done with Democrats myopically focusing on just a few battleground states every few years,' Martin said. Hogg, a 25-year-old gun control advocate and survivor of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in 2018, has cut a high profile in the media as he pushes Democrats to elect more progressives. Hogg told The Washington Post on Thursday he has a list of the Democratic lawmakers he wants to oust, but he's not ready to name names. 'There are certainly some who are failing to meet the moment and know it's time for them not to seek reelection,' Hogg said. 'Whether that's because they're too old, for example, or if that's just because they aren't able to meet it. Because frankly, unfortunately, sucking is something that is not limited to age.' House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has vowed to back every member of his caucus, telling ABC's 'This Week' on Sunday that he's 'standing behind every single Democratic incumbent, from the most progressive to the most centrist and all points in between.' As the minority party in both chambers, Democrats have struggled to unite on a consistent message or strategy to combat Trump in his second term. There has been enormous frustration on the left over the Democrats' perceived propensity to back aging establishment figures in congressional leadership fights and presidential primaries, underscored by former President Biden dropping out of the 2024 election and tapping former Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor. One bright spot for Democrats in Trump's second term has been the 'anti-oligarchy' rallies held in red districts by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), whose brand of leftwing populism has generated enormous enthusiasm among grassroots liberals. 'She's going to run and her message of economic populism is more powerful than people are giving her credit for,' conservative commentator Meghan McCain said of Ocasio-Cortez. DEM RETIREMENTS IN FOCUS Some aging Democrats are proactively stepping aside. This week, Sen. Dick Durbin (Ill.), the 80-year old Democratic whip in the Senate, announced his retirement. 'You want to leave when you can still walk out the door,' Durbin said. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), 80, will announce her decision on retirement early next month, according to her office. Durbin's retirement has set off a heated primary to be the next senator from Illinois, as well competition to be the Democratic whip in the Senate. The Hill's Alexander Bolton reports on the internal Senate dynamics and jockeying that is already underway to be the next No. 2 member of Senate Democratic leadership. 💡 Perspectives: The Liberal Patriot: What working class voters really want. The New Republic: Stephen A. Smith will not be president. Commentary: Green days of rage. Lee Fang: Is your favorite influencer's opinion bought and sold? Washington Monthly: In defense of everything-bagel liberalism. Democrats scrutinize law firms that cut deals with Trump. House Democrat criticizes party's focus on Abrego Garcia. House set to vote on overturning California gas car ban. CATCH UP QUICK The Justice Department filed an emergency application asking the Supreme Court to allow President Trump to enforce his ban on transgender troops serving openly in the military after a Seattle-based federal judge's nationwide injunction blocking the policy. A federal judge in Maryland appointed by President Trump ordered the return of a second man deported by the administration to a Salvadoran prison, saying his removal violated a court settlement she approved in 2019. A judge blocked the Trump administration from enacting certain changes to how federal elections are run, which included proof of citizenship in order to register to vote. The Department of Justice announced terrorism charges against an alleged top member of Tren de Aragua, the first charges of their kind the administration has filed against the Venezuelan gang. NEWS THIS AFTERNOON Trump meets with The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg President Trump says he plans to sit for an interview with The Atlantic's editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, who was accidentally added to a group chat last month with several top administration officials who discussed an upcoming strike on terrorists in Yemen. Trump said Goldberg and two other journalists at The Atlantic are writing a story titled 'The Most Consequential President of this Century.' 'I am doing this interview out of curiosity, and as a competition with myself, just to see if it's possible for The Atlantic to be 'truthful,' ' Trump posted on TruthSocial. Trump has repeatedly attacked Goldberg, most notably for a 2020 story that quoted an anonymous source accusing the president of calling fallen soldiers 'suckers and losers.' However, Trump acknowledged Goldberg was 'somewhat more successful' with his story about how he was mistakenly included on the Signal chat last month with national security adviser Mike Waltz, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, among others. MEANWHILE… Trump scolded Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday after Russia launched its deadliest attack on Kyiv in almost a year. 'I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV,' Trump posted on Truth Social. 'Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!' Russia's missile and drone attacks killed at least nine people and wounded 70 more, including six children, according to Ukrainian officials. This comes as peace talks between Russia and Ukraine enter a pivotal phase. Trump has repeatedly voiced his frustration with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, accusing him of litigating the negotiations in the press and of being obstinate for drawing a red line by declaring Ukraine would not accept a deal that recognizes Russia's occupation of Crimea. Trump and other senior administration officials have repeatedly said the U.S. is preparing to walk away from negotiations if a deal can't be struck soon. 'I have my own deadline, and we want it to be fast,' Trump said Thursday in the Cabinet Room next to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Trump was asked Thursday what concessions Russia has been asked to make. 'Stopping the war, stopping from taking the whole country, pretty big concession,' he responded. Zelensky on Wednesday night posted on X, saying while 'emotions have run high' he appreciates meaningful contributions from the U.S. in seeking an end to the war. 'The American side shared its vision,' Zelensky said. 'Ukraine and other Europeans presented their inputs. And we hope that it is exactly such joint work that will lead to lasting peace.' He then posted a 2018 statement from Trump's former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo saying the U.S. would not recognize Russia's annexation of Crimea. There have been media reports alleging the proposed U.S. peace deal would reward Russia for its invasion by ceding additional Ukrainian territory and through the lifting of sanctions on Russia. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied that the U.S. is considering lifting sanctions on Russian energy assets, rejecting a report published by Politico. 'What was put before our partners was options to discuss things it would take to end the war,' Rubio said in the Oval Office on Thursday. 'This war is endable. Both sides just have to agree to it…we've shown them a pathway forward. We've discussed those ideas. It was a good meeting yesterday, there will be good meetings over the weekend. We've shown them the finish line. We need them to both say yes.' Trump said last week that the minerals deal with Ukraine would be signed by today, but there have been no announcements on that front. 💡 Perspectives: • The Hill: Team Trump's appeasement of Putin fails in London. • Washington Examiner: Hegseth turns to reshape the military. • The Hill: Trump's plan to sell out Ukraine to Russia. • The Economist: Trump is a revolutionary. Will he succeed? • After Babel: All the conversations that kids are missing. • Trump's endgame on Iran a mystery as clock ticks on nuclear talks. • Fetterman calls on Trump to 'strike and destroy Iran's nuclear facilities'. • Gabbard refers intel leaks to DOJ, blames 'deep-state criminals'. • Musk does damage control after Tesla earnings plunge. • Trump signs executive order targeting college accreditation process. Trump approval dips over trade war President Trump's approval rating is down over dissatisfaction with tariffs, as the president plans to mark his 100th day in office next week with a rally that focuses on American manufacturing in Michigan. According to the Decision Desk HQ/The Hill polling averages, Trump's job approval rating has gone from above 50 percent in mid-February to 44.4 percent currently. The latest Fox News survey finds similar numbers, with Trump's approval on the economy deep underwater due to widespread dissatisfaction over tariffs. Trump will mark his 100th day in office on Tuesday with a rally in Michigan, a key manufacturing swing state Trump won in 2016 and 2024 but lost in 2020. Trump's tariffs and the trade war with China will be top of mind, as he seeks to make the case that the tariffs will eventually lead to a resurgence in domestic manufacturing. The stock market was up for a third consecutive day on Thursday after Trump and senior administration officials began striking a softer tone on tariffs with a focus on winding down the trade war with China. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said Wednesday he's 'very optimistic' about the potential for a trade deal with China, although he acknowledged trade talks haven't begun yet. 'The president will announce when talks happen — if they happen,' Hassett said on Fox News's 'The Ingraham Angle.' China's Commerce Ministry spokesperson He Yadong said Thursda y that any 'claims about the progress of China-U.S. trade negotiations are groundless' and 'have no factual basis.' China is sending back Boeing aircraft, according to CEO Kelly Ortberg. Boeing had three airplanes in China 'ready for delivery, ' Ortberg said. Two of them have already been returned and a third is in the process. Trump on Thursday knocked China for refusing to accept the Boeing aircraft. 'Boeing should default China for not taking the beautifully finished planes that China committed to purchase,' Trump posted on Truth Social. 'This is just a small example of what China has done to the USA, for years… And, by the way, Fentanyl continues to pour into our Country from China, through Mexico and Canada, killing hundreds of thousands of our people, and it better stop, NOW!' 💡 Perspectives: Tablet: China can't go it alone. The Wall Street Journal: Poll shows the peril of Trump's tariffs. The Hill: If Trump succeeds in pressuring the Fed, he will regret it. The Wall Street Journal: Will Dem voters go even further left? The Free Press: In defense of an online life.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gov. Mills urges Maine people not to support budget veto effort
Apr. 10—Gov. Janet Mills is urging Maine people not to support a proposed referendum to veto the state budget and warned that the petition drive itself could lead to a government shutdown, even if voters eventually reject the effort. Republicans disagree that collecting the signatures would force a shutdown, saying a government shutdown could be averted if Democrats work with them on a new budget bill. "There are serious negotiations that have to go on between the two sides," said Rep. Gary Drinkwater, R-Milford, the leader of the people's veto effort. "This is another tool in the tool box to put the two sides together and say, 'Let's get serious about this.'" Drinkwater took issue with the official wording of the ballot question released Wednesday by the Maine secretary of state. He said the language wrongly implies a government shutdown will follow if supporters of the question gather the necessary number of signatures to get it before voters. He and five other current and former Republican lawmakers submitted paperwork last month to the Maine Department of the Secretary of State for a people's veto referendum to block implementation of the two-year $11.3 billion state budget approved and signed into law by Mills. The application came after efforts to compromise on a supplemental budget fell apart and Democrats moved to pass a baseline two-year budget without any Republican support. Drinkwater and supporters of the people's veto have until June 18 to hand in 67,682 signatures from registered Maine voters in order to get the question on the November ballot. Handing in the signatures also would automatically halt implementation of the budget, which is scheduled to take effect at the end of June to keep the government operating into the fiscal year that begins July 1. Then, if the secretary of state reviews the petitions and certifies the question for the ballot, the budget would remain paused until voters have their say in November. DEMOCRATS SAY SHUTDOWN WOULD ENSURE Democrats, including Mills, said Wednesday that the veto effort could lead to a government shutdown even if it doesn't pass. "In the coming weeks, Maine people may be asked to sign a petition to place a people's veto on the November ballot," Mills said in a written statement. "It's important they know the facts. "Even if the question does not pass, it's mere qualification for the ballot would result in a monthslong complete shutdown of state government that would have devastating impacts on Maine people. It would risk closure of Maine schools, hospitals, nursing homes, public colleges and universities, municipal offices, and bring road construction projects to a halt." "I urge Maine people to not sign the petition for this initiative, and avoid the serious consequences it would cause," she added. A spokesperson for Mills said her administration is still evaluating the full implications if the budget were to be suspended, but that broadly speaking it could jeopardize funds that schools, public safety and local municipalities rely on. "The next opportunity for the budget to go into effect — and bring the unnecessary shutdown to an end — would not be until Maine voters reject the question at the polls in November," said Mills spokesperson Ben Goodman in an email. A spokesperson for House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, D-Biddeford, also said Wednesday that if enough signatures are gathered, a state government shutdown would begin July 1 and last at least until Election Day. Democrats have said that the budget will ensure baseline government operations can continue into the next fiscal year as lawmakers take up additional budget work to address shortfalls and policy proposals. Republicans have criticized it as unbalanced because it doesn't include funding for over $100 million in projected increases in MaineCare costs. "The budget provides property tax relief. The budget funds education," Fecteau said in a written statement. "The budget ensures Maine children, families, and seniors can access health care. I think Maine people agree that none of those things should be vetoed. Unlike the politics in D.C., we don't need this sort of chaos and uncertainty here in Maine." REPUBLICANS SAY SHUTDOWN CAN BE AVOIDED Drinkwater said a shutdown is not his intent, and that the aim of the people's veto effort is to bring the two sides back to negotiations. He said they could come up with a new budget before the start of the fiscal year on July 1, thus averting a shutdown. House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham, R-Winter Harbor, said he would sign the petition papers in support of the veto effort and that Democrats' statements that it would lead to a government shutdown are a "false narrative." "There's nothing in this that shuts the government down," Faulkingham said. "All it does is repeal this particular budget bill that was passed." Drinkwater acknowledged there is a risk of a government shutdown, however, if Democrats do not agree to renegotiate. But he said that risk is worth it. "It is a big risk, but how much money are we risking to be in the red in this budget?" Drinkwater said. "Hundreds of millions of dollars, right? Also, Billy Bob has always said he has an open door policy. The Democrats can come sit down and talk any time they want." VETO ORGANIZER DISAGREES WITH LANGUAGE Drinkwater also took issue Wednesday with the ballot language that has been put forward by Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat who has announced she is running for governor in 2026. The question Bellows approved for use on the petitions, and on the ballot if it goes before voters, is: "Do you want to stop most state government operations and programs, including new and ongoing state funding for cities, towns, and schools, by rejecting the state's two-year budget?" Drinkwater said the language is misleading and wrongly suggests a government shutdown will absolutely occur. "People I'm hearing from who are outside the Legislature and who are just ordinary citizens, they've said that this is not a neutral question and that it's a slanted question," he said. "Who would vote to stop government operations? It's not a bipartisan question." Drinkwater sent Bellows his own proposed language Wednesday. He said the question should be: "Shall the 2026-2027 state budget be repealed and replaced with a new budget that prioritizes streamlined spending, eliminates unnecessary expenditures, and focuses on programs and services directly benefitting Maine residents?" Bellows' office said Wednesday that the secretary of state has sole discretion over the wording and that petitioners are not consulted on the drafting of the language. She explained her wording in a letter to Drinkwater Tuesday, saying that state law requires ballot questions to be "clear, concise and direct" and that she also wanted to be sure voters were aware of the implications. "The ballot question states the immediate consequences of such rejection (of the budget): depriving state government of the funds it uses to conduct most of its programs and operations," Bellows wrote. In an email to Drinkwater Wednesday, Bellows said she does not intend to revise the question given that a 10-day deadline for drafting it has passed, but said he could appeal in court. It was not clear Wednesday evening if Drinkwater would file an appeal, which could delay the petition drive when supporters of the referendum already are under pressure to gather signatures quickly. He blamed Bellows for taking too long to finalize the language. "Perhaps if she had expedited this we would have more time to conclude the (signature-gathering) process," he said. "If the government shuts down, you can blame her." Gathering enough signatures for a people's veto to overturn a new law is more difficult than other citizen initiatives because of deadlines set out in Maine law. The deadline for a people's veto petition is 90 days after the Legislature adjourns, which happened March 20. With other citizen initiatives, petitions can be circulated for 18 months from the date of issuance. 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The Hill
01-04-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Trump girds for trade war
IN HIS BROADEST TRADE MOVE YET, President Trump will outline sweeping tariffs during a White House Rose Garden event Wednesday. Trump met with his trade team Tuesday to hammer out the final details for the announcement, which threatens to ignite a risky global trade war that economists warn would be a major drag on the economy. The administration is playing its cards close the vest, saying everyone will find out at the same time just how big the president will go. Longtime U.S. allies in Mexico, Canada and the European Union appear to be primary targets. But it's unclear if the levies will target individual countries or industries or be broadly implemented with a flat rate on items manufactured outside the U.S. So far, Trump has promised 25 percent tariffs on all automobiles and parts created outside of the country. 'Too many foreign countries have their markets closed to our exports,' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday. 'This is fundamentally unfair. The lack of reciprocity contributes to our large and persistent annual trade deficit that's gutted our industries and hollowed out key workforces. Those days of America… being ripped off, are over.' The countries Trump has been threatening are promising to retaliate with tariffs of their own. 'Europe has not started this confrontation,' said Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission. 'We do not necessarily want to retaliate but, if it is necessary, we have a strong plan to retaliate and we will use it.' Leavitt acknowledged there are 'legitimate concerns' voiced by some Republicans that the tariffs will raise prices for consumers or drag on their constituents' investment portfolios. Traditionally, Republicans have opposed tariffs. Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) said Tuesday on CNN 'there's no question about it, a tariff is a tax,' although he said he'd withhold judgement on Trump's moves to see how they unfold. 'There's absolutely going to be short-term pain,' Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) said on CNN's 'The Source.' Stocks have been mixed this week after a sharp month-long decline. U.S. manufacturers expressed concern about tariffs in Tuesday's monthly business survey from the Institute for Supply Management. DEMOCRATS LOOK TO FIGHT BACK Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) hopes to force a vote on a resolution that would nullify the emergency declaration Trump used to slap tariffs on Canada. That resolution could pass the Senate if it attracts a few Republicans, but it would almost certainly die in the House. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) is urging Republicans to defeat the resolution, arguing the tariffs are necessary to stop the flow of fentanyl coming into the country across the northern border. Trump also made that case on Truth Social. 'By their weakness, the Democrats have allowed Fentanyl to get out of hand,' he said. 'The Republicans and I have reversed that course, strongly and quickly. Major additional progress is being made. Don't let the Democrats have a Victory.' On the southern border, The Associated Press reports that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has quietly built a special operations force to fight the drug cartels. TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WRONGLY DEPORTED SALVADORAN The Trump administration acknowledged in a court filing that it wrongly deported a man to El Salvador and says it's unable to secure his return to the U.S. Abrego Garcia was granted asylum protections by an immigration judge in 2019, although Vice President Vance wrote in a social media post that the same judge at the time 'determined he was a member of the MS-13 gang.' Garcia was swept up last month as part of the Trump administration's efforts to deport alleged gang members under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which has since been paused by a federal judge. The Trump administration wrote in the court filing that Garcia, a father of three living in Maryland, was deported to El Salvador's Terrorism Confinement Center due to 'an administrative error.' The U.S. does not have the authority to extract him from the 'megaprison.' Civil liberties groups have warned that swift deportations under the Alien Enemies Act could lead to wrongful deportations due to the individuals not receiving due process. Leavitt on Tuesday acknowledged the 'clerical error,' however she said that Garcia was nonetheless in the U.S. illegally. She also claimed that the administration has evidence that he's a member of the gang MS-13 and was involved in human trafficking. 'Foreign terrorists have no legal protections in the United States,' Leavitt said. MEANWHILE… A federal judge paused the Trump administration's plans to lift protections from deportation for more than 600,000 Venezuelans, writing that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem 's move to do so 'smacks of racism.' It's the latest volley between the courts and the Trump administration over mass deportation efforts. Republicans have accused the courts of overreach, with Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) introducing a bill this week to limit the scope of judicial rulings. 💡 Perspectives: • The Hill: Social Security isn't the third rail of American politics any more. • Salon: Bracing for 'Liberation Day.' • The Hill: Signalgate pulled back the curtain on the administration. • Forbes: Trump is right to end the debt ceiling. Read more: • HHS begins layoffs in 'painful' reorganization. • Pentagon offering new round of voluntary resignations, retirements. • Trump administration initiating review of Harvard contracts. • Melania Trump honors courageous women at awards ceremony. CATCH UP QUICK Attorney General Pam Bondi instructed prosecutors to seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, who is accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. A fourth American soldier who went missing after their vehicle became submerged in a bog in Lithuania during training was found dead. The Supreme Court appears poised to uphold a law allowing Americans injured by acts of terror in the Middle East to take Palestinian leadership groups to U.S. courts for damages. NEWS THIS AFTERNOON House Republicans revolt against Johnson efforts to block proxy voting for new parents A group of House Republicans dealt an embarrassing blow to Speaker Johnson (R-La.) on Tuesday, torpedoing his effort to block a vote on a bill to allow remote voting by lawmakers who become new parents. Johnson has long opposed proxy voting under any circumstances, while Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), who became a mother in 2023, has pushed for new parents to be able to vote remotely. House Republican leaders played hardball in their efforts to block a vote on the bill. But those efforts were defeated when Luna and eight other Republicans joined all Democrats to overcome Johnson's hurdle. The Hill's Mychael Schell and Emily Brooks write: 'The revolt escalates the battle over proxy voting into a full-blown legislative war as Republicans grapple with arguments over constitutionality, supporting families, and how much power GOP leaders have over the House floor in the historically slim majority.' The House canceled votes for the rest of the week after the rebellion. A widespread proxy voting system for lawmakers was installed for the COVID-19 pandemic, but conservatives fought to stop it, calling it unconstitutional. ELSEWHERE ON CAPITOL HILL… Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) wants to get his long-overdue budget resolution to the floor for a vote this week, but that could depend on a ruling from Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough. The Hill's Alexander Bolton has a primer on how MacDonough could make or break the Senate GOP's plans to make Trump's 2017 tax cuts permanent. Those tax cuts could add more than $9 trillion to the deficit over the next decade without offsets, according to a new analysis from the Peter G. Peterson Foundation. • Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) is still going… Booker's filibuster on the Senate floor, which started Monday at about 7 p.m. EDT, continues this evening. The New Jersey Democrat has been railing against the Trump administration's sweeping cuts and government overhaul. 'These are not normal times in our nation,' Booker said at the start of his speech. 'And they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate. The threats to the American people and American democracy are grave and urgent, and we all must do more to stand against them.' If Booker carries on until about 7:30 tonight, he could set the record for the longest floor speech in Senate history. Roundup: Voters head to the polls in Wisconsin, Florida Voters are casting ballots for special elections in Florida and a state Supreme Court race in Wisconsin, which are seen as early indicators of political strength for President Trump and Elon Musk. The House races in Florida to replace former Reps. Matt Gaetz (R) and Mike Waltz (R) should be safely Republican, as Trump carried both districts by more than 30 points in 2024. But there are signs of concern for the GOP in Waltz's former district, where internal polling shows a tight race between Republican Randy Fine and Democrat Josh Weil, who has far outraised his opponent. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) has been critical of Fine. He said at a press conference Tuesday that it won't be Trump's fault if the GOP candidate underperforms in the heavily Republican district. 'If there is an underperformance, which a lot of people are predicting — I think Trump won by 30. I won by 35 or something. If there is an underperformance, they will say see it shows the voters are rejecting Trump. it has nothing to do with that. This is a rejection of the specific candidate.' In Wisconsin, Musk has made some big bets, appearing at rallies for conservative Brad Schimel and handing out $1 million checks to voters, while his outside affiliate groups plowed more than $20 million into the race. For Democrats who have struggled to unite around a consistent message in Trump's second term, it will be an early indicator of how far they can get on liberal grassroots anger toward Trump and Musk. The latest Harvard CAPS/Harris poll finds approval of the Democratic Party hovering near its low point at 37 percent. MORE CAMPAIGNS… Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) threw cold water on Trump's talk of a third term, which many Republicans see as the president trolling his critics and the press. 'You have to amend the Constitution to do it, and that's a high bar,' Johnson said. • Democrats are taking the Trump administration to court over his executive orders reshaping the election system. The Democratic National Committee and other groups filed a lawsuit challenging Trump's executive order, which requires states to obtain proof of citizenship from people when they register to vote. The order also disqualifies late-arriving absentee or mail-in ballots from the vote count in federal elections. • Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) will hold a town hall event in Nashville, making her the latest Democrat to rally different parts of the country. • The Hill's Jared Gans reports that vulnerable GOP senators are taking steps to appeal to Trump as they stare down potential primary challengers next year. Sens. Bill Cassidy (La.), John Cornyn (Texas) and Thom Tillis (N.C.) have at times faced the ire of Trump's base.
