Latest news with #LisaMurkowski
New York Times
7 hours ago
- Business
- New York Times
Bipartisan Pair of Senators Seeks $54.6 Billion In New Aid For Ukraine
A bipartisan pair of senators on Thursday introduced legislation to provide $54.6 billion in aid to Ukraine over the next two years as Russia intensifies its attacks and U.S.-brokered peace negotiations have so far failed. The measure by Senators Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, and Lisa Murkowski, Republican of Alaska, includes billions of dollars for direct weapons assistance, as well as money to replenish American stockpiles. It faces long odds in Congress given previous Republican opposition to sending more aid to Ukraine, and in light of President Trump's aggressive campaign to slash spending, particularly foreign assistance. But its release comes as Mr. Trump has significantly shifted his stance on helping Kyiv, and as some Republicans have followed suit, signaling support for various efforts to bolster Ukraine's defenses against Russian aggression. And its backers appear to have written it with an eye toward controlling the cost to American taxpayers. Under their plan, as much as a third of the assistance would be financed by revenues from seized Russian assets and weapons sales to European allies that have recently approved such transactions. The bill would also codify the minerals deal recently struck between the United States and Ukraine, for which there has been outspoken bipartisan backing, allowing revenue generated by the country's natural resources to be used to reimburse the United States for arming Kyiv. 'There is continued bipartisan resolve to sustain Ukraine's valiant fight for freedom by helping Ukraine obtain the air defense needed to protect its civilian population centers, including schools and hospitals, from Russia's relentless drone and missile attacks,' Ms. Shaheen said in a statement. U.S. emergency aid to Ukraine since 2022, in billions Source: Congressional Research Service By Ani Matevosian Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Fox News
a day ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Senate votes to consider former Trump lawyer for lifetime as appeals court judge
The Senate narrowly voted to move forward with considering the nomination of former Trump lawyer Emil Bove to a federal court of appeals on Tuesday. The 50-48 vote saw one Republican break ranks and vote against his nomination, while Democrats have done everything in their power to slow down the nomination. Bove, who currently works at the Justice Department, is nominated to serve on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Democrats have argued that Bove, a former defense attorney for President Donald Trump, is unfit for the role, pointing to allegations that he proposed behind closed doors that the Trump administration could simply ignore judicial orders. Bove denies those allegations. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, voted with Republicans to move forward but said in a statement that she will oppose Bove's confirmation on a final vote. Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski was the lone Republican to vote against moving forward with Bove's nomination. TRUMP CONSIDERS FORMER DEFENSE ATTORNEY EMIL BOVE FOR FEDERAL APPEALS COURT VACANCY "We have to have judges who will adhere to the rule of law and the Constitution and do so regardless of what their personal views may be," Collins said in a statement. "Mr. Bove's political profile and some of the actions he has taken in his leadership roles at the Department of Justice cause me to conclude he would not serve as an impartial jurist." Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee stormed out of the meeting where the committee approved Bove last week. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., attempted to push for more debate time, but Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, pushed forward with the vote. "What are you afraid of?" Booker erupted, after Grassley tried to speak over him and hold the vote. "Debating this [nomination], putting things on the record — Dear God," he said, "that's what we are here for." "What are they saying to you," he said, referring to the Trump administration, "that is making you do something to violate the decorum, the decency and the respect of this committee to at least hear each other out?" TRUMP'S REMARKS COULD COME BACK TO BITE HIM IN ABREGO GARCIA DEPORTATION BATTLE Booker ended the sharp exchange with Grassley by saying simply, "This is wrong, sir, and I join with my colleagues in leaving," before streaming out of the committee room. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP It comes as Trump administration officials have taken aim at "activist" judges they argue are blocking the president's agenda and preventing him from enacting his sweeping policy goals, including the administration's crackdown on border security and immigration. Fox News' Breanne Deppisch and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Map Shows States Paying Most—and Least—for SNAP Under Trump Bill
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The majority of U.S. states will be required to pay a portion of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in the coming years. Under current federal rules, SNAP benefits, which help some 42 million Americans across the country, are paid by the federal government but administered at the state level. All states pay half of the cost of this administration. But the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is set to change things. Beginning in 2028, the bill will require states to cover a portion of SNAP benefits if error payments are above 6 percent, and all must pay for an additional share of program administration costs. Why It Matters This will be the first time that states have had to shoulder the responsibility of paying SNAP benefits, and numerous lawmakers, poverty experts and advocacy groups have warned against the policy. How Does The Cost Share Work? Erroneous payments are when too much or too little is paid to a SNAP recipient. States will have to pay a certain percentage based on thresholds set by the bill: Error rate below 6 percent: No cost-sharing required 6 to 8 percent error rate: 5 percent cost-sharing 8 to 10 percent error rate: 10 percent cost-sharing Over 10 percent error rate: 15 percent cost-sharing Which States Will Pay The Most? Based on fiscal year 2024 data, 43 states will be expected to pay up for a portion of SNAP benefits when the new rules begin in 2028, according to data compiled by the Food Action Research Center (FRAC). California is poised to pay the most of all 50 states if its error rate doesn't come down. With a 15 percent requirement based on an error rate of 11 percent, the Golden State will be expected to pay an estimated $1.9 billion in benefit costs and $661 million in administrative costs, bringing its total to just shy of $2.6 billion if its error rate does not drop. Other top payers will be New York ($1.9 billion), Florida ($1.3 billion), Texas ($1 billion) and Pennsylvania ($982 million), according to FRAC's analysis. Which States Will Pay The Least? Based on 2024 error rates, only Idaho, Nebraska, Nevada, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Wyoming will not have to cough up for a share of the benefits, though they will still be required to bear more of the administrative costs. Some Exceptions Senate Republicans added a carve-out to address concerns from Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, letting her state delay cost-sharing due to its high SNAP error rates. To follow reconciliation rules, the delay option was extended to any state with a SNAP error rate — when multiplied by 1.5 — that hits 20 percent or more. If a state meets that threshold in FY 2025, it can delay cost-sharing until FY 2029; if it qualifies in FY 2026, it can delay until FY 2030. But states can only use this delay once, based on either year, not both. Based on FY 2024 data, likely beneficiaries include Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Washington, D.C, according to FRAC. What People Are Saying FRAC in its analysis: "Taken together, these provisions represent an unprecedented cost-shift from the federal government to the states, one that forces local leaders to make painful tradeoffs between essential services and rising administrative demands. As states grapple with tighter budgets, reduced federal support, and growing caseload complexity, the core promise of SNAP — as a reliable safeguard against hunger and hardship — is at risk. The Trump- and Republican-passed budget reconciliation bill, OBBBA, not only weakens a cornerstone anti-poverty program; it reshapes the relationship between federal and state governments in ways that could prove devastating for millions of families, workers, and communities across the country." Jennifer Greenfield, associate professor at the University of Denver who specializes in the intersection of health and wealth disparities, told Newsweek: "The proposed federal 'savings' are not savings at all—it's a shift of the costs to our already cash-strapped states and families. The net result will be to increase hunger and financial instability among households with children, older adults, people with disabilities, and veterans—while also sending tens of thousands of people into unemployment." House Speaker Mike Johnson told CBS News Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan in May: "The states are not properly administering this because they don't have enough skin in the game. So what we've done in the bill is add some- just a modest state sharing component, so that they'll pay attention to that, so that we can reduce fraud. Why? Again, so that it is preserved for the people that need it the most." What Happens Next Cost-sharing requirements will begin in 2028. How much each state will have to pay will depend on its future error rates.
The Australian
4 days ago
- Business
- The Australian
NVA gets critical show of support for Estelle
The Nova Board of Directors has met with Alaskan lawmakers, tribal representatives and advocacy groups, who all offered strong support for the company's Estelle gold and critical minerals project. Estelle's potential aligns with Executive Order 14153 which directs immediate measures to increase American mineral production. Nova has placed itself on a trajectory mirroring that of MP Materials and Perpetua Resources, both of which have secured major US Department of Defense grants to fast-track the production of critical minerals. Special Report: Nova Minerals has strengthened ties with key Alaskan lawmakers and stakeholders in the past week during a board of directors visit to its Estelle gold and critical minerals project. The company has been drilling around the clock during the Alaskan summer to push Estelle's mineral resource estimate past 9.9Moz and define a resource of critical mineral antimony. Also during the almost 24 hour sunlight the Nova (ASX:NVA) board has been warmly received by federal representatives, state and local leaders, tribal organisations and advocacy groups who expressed unified support for advancing Estelle. VIP visits During their visit board members met representatives of Alaska's Congressional Delegation, including the offices of US Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and US representative for Alaska Nick Begich, who expressed ongoing backing for Nova's efforts to fast-track Estelle's development. Nova additionally received a strong show of local support during an event at Port MacKenzie attended by more than 25 Alaskan leaders including Borough Mayor Edna DeVries, leaders from the Knik Tribe, state legislators and representatives from the Alaska Miners Association and Friends of West Susitna. The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority also provided project updates on the West Susitna Access Road during the board visit. This new road will provide critical infrastructure that will support Estelle and regional development. Nova is increasingly aligned with US Executive Order 14153, 'Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential', which outlines actions to bolster American mineral production. This positions Nova to follow the path of MP Materials (market cap ~A$16 billion) and Perpetua Resources (market cap ~A$2.4 billion), which have both secured significant US Department of Defense (DoD) grants for critical mineral supply chain initiatives. Following a positive technical site assessment by the DoD's critical materials team, Nova is continuing engagement with the DoD as Estelle moves toward becoming a near-term producer of gold and antimony. Nova CEO Chris Gerteisen said: 'We're starting to see the kind of momentum that propelled companies like MP Materials and Perpetua Resources to secure major federal support. 'With our recent positive assessment from the (US) Department of Defense - and with gold and antimony prices near record highs - we're optimistic that Nova is well-positioned to be a key part of building a secure, domestic supply chain. 'We remain deeply grateful for the support we've received at every level and are committed to advancing this project responsibly and swiftly. Our team is humbled by the opportunity and focused on delivering long-term value for Alaska, the United States and our allies.' Critical hub During the Port MacKenzie event, Nova presented its long-term vision for a potential processing hub in Alaska and highlighted the significance of recent discoveries. Congressional representative Nick Begich expressed strong support, which was echoed by other leaders who met the board: 'Partnerships like these are crucial for responsible resource development in Alaska and advancing plans for a Nova Minerals processing hub at Port MacKenzie will deliver important economic benefits for Alaska and support our long-term workforce development for Alaska's hardworking families,' Begich said. On road to growth Out in the field at Estelle exploration is continuing at the Stibium antimony-gold prospect, the high-grade RPM North deposit. Drilling in the Korbel starter pit area has already been completed, with samples to be sent to the laboratory for analysis shortly. Also underway are other exploration mapping and sampling, environmental baseline studies, access road projects and various technical studies, all of which will go towards completing the pre-feasibility study. Nova's board has since departed Alaska for further stakeholder engagement in New York City and Florida. This article was developed in collaboration with Nova Minerals, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing. This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Murkowski: Trump administration funding freeze could result in ‘closing schools'
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) fears the Trump administration's multibillion-dollar education funding freeze could cause schools in her state to close as districts struggle to keep employees without the money. The administration originally froze a total of $6 billion in funding to schools, affecting after-school and summer programs, along with classes for adult and English learners. Last week, the president released about $1 billion that was aimed at after-school programs, but $5 billion is still held up. 'Many of our school districts have already made really hard decisions about closing schools,' Murkowski told ABC News. 'Both in Fairbanks and Anchorage, we've seen layoffs,' she continued. 'If your literacy skills are weak, if you're working on your English skills, I mean, these are all things that are keeping people out of the workforce at a time when we're trying to get people into it,' Murkowski added. 'So I am very worried.' She was one of nine Republicans to sign a letter to the Office of Management and Budget last week demanding the funding be released and rejecting the administration's claim the money is going toward 'woke' programs. The letter prompted the office to release the about $1 billion in funding for after-school and summer programming, prompting a sigh of relief for parents. But the rest of the money is still in limbo, with no timeline on when it will be given to schools. 'I'd like to see some of the other programs released, but, you know, we haven't heard one way or the other,' Sen. Shelley Moore Capito ( who led the Republican letter, told ABC. While Murkowski is hesitant to say the money is cut, she stresses the funding needs to be released before the school year begins. 'I don't want to call it cuts yet, because my hope is that they're just unpaused and that they are going to materialize,' Murkowski told ABC News. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
