Latest news with #HouseCommitteeonAppropriations
Newsweek
7 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Marco Rubio Announces New Plan to Revoke Chinese Student Visas
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a new plan on Wednesday to "aggressively revoke" student visas issued to international students from China. Newsweek reached out to the State Department via email and online form for additional comment. Why It Matters The Trump administration has cracked down on Ivy League institutions and sought to revoke the student visas of several international students since Trump took office. Among other things, President Donald Trump and other officials have accused Harvard University and Columbia University of not doing enough to combat antisemitism on campus grounds amid student demonstrations protesting Israel's war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Trump's administration also tried to pull approval for Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which allows the university to enroll international students. A judge later halted the administration's efforts. The administration has also temporarily paused all new student and exchange visitor visa interviews at U.S. consulates and embassies. Amid the pause, the White House is considering implementing a new policy that would require foreign student visa applicants to go through a social media vetting. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is seen testifying before the House Committee on Appropriations | Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs at the Rayburn House Office Building on May 21, 2025,... Secretary of State Marco Rubio is seen testifying before the House Committee on Appropriations | Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs at the Rayburn House Office Building on May 21, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by) More What To Know In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Rubio said, "The U.S. will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields." Rubio added in a separate press release that the State Department will work with the Department of Homeland Security in its efforts. The secretary of state continued, "We will also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong." This is a developing story that will be updated with additional information.
Newsweek
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Marco Rubio Refuses To Call Putin 'War Criminal', After Grilling Rex Tillerson
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Marco Rubio refused to call Vladimir Putin a "war criminal," despite grilling former secretary of state Rex Tillerson over the same issue in 2017. At a House Committee on foreign affairs session on Wednesday, the current secretary of state dodged questions on Putin, though admitted there had been "war crimes" in the war. Newsweek contacted the Department of State by website form to comment on this story. Why It Matters Putin invaded Ukraine in February 2022. One of President Donald Trump's pledges during his campaign to office was to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office but the administration has struggled to do so and on Tuesday, Trump and Putin had a two-hour phone conversation that did not result in a peace deal. Secretary of State Marco Rubio testifies before House Committee on Appropriations subcommittee budget hearing for the Department of State and related programs on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. Secretary of State Marco Rubio testifies before House Committee on Appropriations subcommittee budget hearing for the Department of State and related programs on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana On Wednesday, it was reported that Trump told his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky that Russia and Ukraine must independently end the war. What To Know During the hearing, Democratic Representative Bill Keating asked Rubio if he thought Putin was a war criminal. "I think you can look at instances that have happened there and certainly characterize them as war crimes but our intent is to end the war," Rubio responded. Keating asked again: "Is he a war criminal?" Rubio said: "We can't end the war without talking to Mr. Putin." When Keating pressed him again and accused Rubio of "equivocating," Rubio said: "I'm answering your question and the answer is war crimes have been committed no doubt and who is responsible for that, there will be a time and place for that accountability." As a Florida Senator in 2017, Rubio grilled Tillerson during his confirmation hearing for secretary of state on the same issue. When Tillerson said he would "not use that term," Rubio spoke about Syria and said: "It should not be hard to say that Vladimir Putin's military has conducted war crimes in Aleppo because it is never acceptable, you would agree, for a military to specifically target civilians, which is what's happened there through the Russian military." Flashback: Marco Rubio scolded Secretary of State Rex Tillerson for refusing to say Putin is a war criminal: 'It should not be hard to say that Vladimir Putin's military has conducted war crimes in Aleppo.' (2017) — Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) May 21, 2025 What People Are Saying The group Republicans against Trump said on X that Rubio refusing to call Putin a war criminal was "shameful." During the hearing, Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen said: "What Vladimir Putin is doing now is playing for time and he's playing the president like a fiddle." What Happens Next Rubio said on Sunday that the Trump administration expects to figure out "pretty soon" if Russia is "tapping us along" when it comes to peace talks. During the hearing, he said the U.S. will impose more sanctions on Russia if efforts to reach a peace deal stall."
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Major tweaks to TOPS scholarships in Louisiana scrapped due to cost
The University of Louisiana Monroe library, photographed from Northeast Drive. (Greg LaRose/Louisiana Illuminator) Louisiana lawmakers have advanced a new TOPS award for high-performing students, scrapping language from an original proposal that would have dramatically changed the popular scholarship program. House Bill 77 by Rep. Chris Turner, R-Ruston, was amended Tuesday in the House Committee on Appropriations because it would have increased state spending nearly $50 million annually at a time when lawmakers are working under budget constraints. In its current state, Turner said his proposal comes with a $12 million cost that can be covered with unused TOPS awards. Originally, Turner's bill would have created a flat rate for each level of TOPS award rather than a unique allotment for each school. The new rate would have meant students at LSU, its two medical schools and the University of New Orleans would pay more out of pocket, while students at other Louisiana schools would pay less. The provisions drew the criticism of Phyllis Taylor, whose late husband Patrick F. Taylor was responsible for the creation of the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students, a merit-based scholarship program for Louisiana students who attend in-state schools. With the new amendments, Turner's bill creates the TOPS Excellence award, which is available to any student with a 3.5 grade point average and a score of 31 or higher on the ACT. The scholarship will equal tuition and fees at the public university the student chooses or $12,000, whichever is less. The new Excellence award would go to students who enroll in college starting in the upcoming fall semester or later. Turner added amendments to his bill that incorporate language from House Bill 70 by Rep. Ken Brass, D-Vacherie. It would expand the number of students eligible for the TOPS Tech award, which covers up to two years of study in a skill or occupational training program. The bill will next be debated on the House floor. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
State budget with targeted cuts headed to House for debate
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — House Bill 1, which is the state's budget plan, passed out of the House Committee on Appropriations Monday morning with no opposition. The bill authored by Chairman Jack McFarland (R-Jonesboro, La.) sought to deliver a balanced budget with $200 million less in revenue, while still funding priorities identified by the legislature and Governor Jeff Landry. 'If you'll remember when the session began, I told everyone publicly I'm going to fund the priorities of the legislature,' said Representative McFarland shortly after the committee state's bottom line for 2025-2026 is about $45 billion. With less revenue coming in, lawmakers were challenged to find some savings without cutting services and also providing a permanent pay raise for teachers. Committee members congratulated the Chairman of the committee, Jack McFarland, saying the process has been transparent and fair. Targeted cuts include paying down debt, rolling back on state agency purchases, and a hiring freeze by Governor Jeff Landry. Committee members touted the bill as a compromise and pointed out that no crucial services were cut in this budget, and no taxes were raised. 'In tough times, families tighten their belts. We made sure the state government did the same — responsibly, and without asking more from taxpayers,' said McFarland. The full House is scheduled to debate HB 1 on Thursday. Episcopal Church halts refugee partnership with feds over white South Africans Senate GOP weighs safety, legal concerns over Trump Qatar jet gift Perkins Rowe Baton Rouge changes management, Dallas firm acquires local staple State budget with targeted cuts headed to House for debate Trump's Middle East trip: 5 things to watch Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Miami Herald
07-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Girls Need to Be Told Having Fewer Dolls a Good Thing: White House
National Girls Need to Be Told Having Fewer Dolls a Good Thing: White House Scott Bessent dolls. A Barbie doll on July 30, 2015, in Munich, Bavaria. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent testifies before the House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, oversight hearing of the U.S. Department of the Treasury on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Tobias Hase / Jose Luis Magana/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images / AP Photos Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has defended President Donald Trump's comments that children may have fewer toys this Christmas, arguing that they should take solace in the administration's efforts to create a stronger economy in the long term. "I would tell that young girl that you will have a better life than your parents," Bessent told Fox News on Tuesday. "That you and your family, thanks to President Trump, can now be confident again that you will have a better life than your parents, which working-class Americans had abandoned that idea." Why It Matters As a result of Trump's tariffs on Chinese imports, transpacific shipments have declined in recent weeks, with port authorities warning this trend could affect shopping throughout the year and raise costs for consumers. The toy industry in particular, given its outsize reliance on Chinese imports, has expressed concern that should the tariffs remain in place, shoppers could face significantly higher costs and product shortages as far off as Christmas. What To Know During a Cabinet meeting last week, the president acknowledged that the ongoing trade dispute with China could see fewer toys on store shelves. "You know, somebody said, 'Oh, the shelves are going to be open,'" Trump said. "Well, maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls, you know? And maybe the two dolls will cost a couple of bucks more than they would normally." Trump's dismissal of the issue has sparked criticism from Democratic lawmakers and prominent figures within the GOP. Still, the president has doubled down on his statement. "All I'm saying is that a young lady—a 10-year-old girl, 9-year-old girl, 15-year-old girl—doesn't need 37 dolls," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday. "She could be very happy with two, or three, or four, or five." Bessent defended Trump's comments after testifying at a House Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on the White House's 2026 budget proposal. "The core components of the Trump economic agenda are trade, tax cuts and deregulation," Bessent said in his opening remarks. "These are not stand-alone policies. They are interlocking parts of an engine designed to drive economic growth and domestic manufacturing." What People Are Saying White House Senior Adviser Stephen Miller said in a White House news briefing on May 1: "[Trump] was making the point that I think almost every American consumer agrees with. If they had a choice—and I'm a parent of young children—if they had a choice between a doll from China that might have, say, lead paint in it, that is not as well constructed as a doll made in America that has a higher environmental and regulatory standard, and that is made to a higher degree of quality, and those two products are both on Amazon, that, yes, you probably would be willing to pay more for a better-made American product." Former Vice President Mike Pence told CNN: "I have two grown daughters. I have three small granddaughters. And look, keeping dolls affordable, keeping our kids' toys affordable, that really is part of the American dream. … I think the American people are going to see the consequences of this. I think they'll demand a different approach. And I think that approach is free trade with free nations." Political commentator and former Fox News host Bill O'Reilly, when asked what the "strategy" behind Trump's comment was, told NewsNation: "There is no strategy. Donald Trump is not a calculated speaker. … There is a little bit of meaning behind the doll comment. He would like Americans to sacrifice a little bit to bring China to its economic knees." Matthew Dowd, who served as chief strategist for the 2004 Bush-Cheney campaign, told MSNBC: "It's so tone-deaf. It's is so completely, utterly tone-deaf with what working Americans are experiencing in their lives today. They're not walking around thinking, Oh, I can't afford 30 dolls. … They're worried about paying their electricity bills and affording air conditioning." What Happens Next During his testimony on Tuesday, Bessent said the U.S. had "not engaged in negotiations" with China. The treasury secretary added that he anticipated a "substantial reduction" in the tariffs charged to U.S. imports globally and nontariff barriers to free trade. He also said trade deals with some of the U.S.'s "largest trading partners" would be announced "perhaps as early as this week." Related Articles 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC. This story was originally published May 7, 2025 at 6:33 AM.
