Latest news with #SENATE
Express Tribune
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Charles Kushner confirmed as US ambassador to France
Listen to article The US Senate on Monday confirmed real estate magnate Charles Kushner as the next American ambassador to France, despite his previous felony convictions, which were erased through a presidential pardon in 2020. Kushner, the father of Jared Kushner—former senior adviser and son-in-law to President Donald Trump—was confirmed by a 51-45 vote. Notably, Democratic Senator Cory Booker of Kushner's home state of New Jersey voted in favour, while Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska opposed the nomination. Kushner pleaded guilty in 2005 to 18 counts, including tax evasion, making false statements to the Federal Election Commission, and witness retaliation. He served two years in prison. 🚨🇺🇸 🇫🇷 SENATE CONFIRMS CHARLES KUSHNER AS U.S. AMBASSADOR TO FRANCE The Senate confirmed Charles Kushner, father of Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, as ambassador to France in a 51–45 vote. Kushner's appointment comes despite his 2005 conviction for tax evasion, witness… — Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) May 20, 2025 Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who prosecuted the case, previously described it as 'one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes' of his tenure. President Trump nominated Kushner following his 2024 re-election, calling him a 'tremendous business leader, philanthropist and dealmaker.' At his confirmation hearing, Kushner acknowledged his criminal past, stating: 'I made a very, very, very serious mistake, and I paid a very heavy price for that mistake.' Critics, including Senator Patty Murray, voiced concern over the appointment, citing Kushner's criminal history. 'Of course, I voted NO,' Murray posted on X ahead of the vote. Kushner will also serve as ambassador to Monaco. His confirmation marks the 10th ambassadorial appointment approved by the Senate in recent weeks. The Trump administration has appointed several family members and allies to key roles. Massad Boulos, Tiffany Trump's father-in-law, currently serves as senior adviser on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs, while Kimberly Guilfoyle, formerly linked to Donald Trump Jr., has been nominated as ambassador to Greece.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Restrictions on transgender bathroom use won't get NC Senate vote before deadline
Good morning and welcome to Under the Dome. I'm Caitlyn Yaede. As legislative 'crossover' week ramps up, Dawn Vaughan has the latest on some bills that aren't going to advance in time to meet Thursday's deadline. SENATE BILL ON BATHROOM USE WON'T GET A VOTE Republican Senate leader Phil Berger said Tuesday that Senate Bill 516 would not come to the floor this week, which means that the bill likely can't be taken up by the House this legislative session. The bill had been compared to House Bill 2, the controversial 'bathroom bill' that banned transgender people from using bathrooms different from those matching the sex on their birth certificates, and was later repealed. SB 516, called the 'Women's Safety and Protection Act,' would require restrooms in public schools and other facilities 'only be used by one designated biological sex at one time,' The N&O previously reported. 'First of all, I would say that the comparison of that bill to House Bill 2 is an inapt comparison,' Berger told reporters after the Senate session. He continued: 'I don't see at this point the runway exists for that bill to be passed by the Senate between now and crossover on Thursday.' — Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan But a bill dealing with transgender health will While that bill is not moving, another one dealing with transgender people met the legislature's deadline. House Bill 606, which passed the House on Tuesday, would extend the window for individuals to sue over gender transition care received as minors, giving them until age 28. It bans providers from requiring liability waivers for such care and prohibits state funds from covering gender transition procedures or related drugs for minors and prisoners. Meanwhile, a separate bill dealing with gender-affirming care is moving forward in both chambers and is expected to receive a Senate floor vote Wednesday. Korie Dean has the details on that measure, which would write into law that a parent's refusal of such medical care for their child could not be considered abuse or neglect. Nor could opposition to such treatment be grounds for denying adoption or foster placement. — Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi RULING LEAVES JEFFERSON GRIFFIN WITH A CHOICE TO MAKE After six months of legal battle, a federal judge handed down a ruling this week that could end the contest for a seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court. In a 68-page ruling, Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers ordered state election officials to certify the election results as they were at the end of the canvass period, with Democratic incumbent Allison Riggs reclaiming her seat by 734 votes, Kyle Ingram reports. This comes after her challenger, Republican Jefferson Griffin, contested the results of the election and more than 65,000 ballots. But Myers' orders aren't final. He is giving Griffin seven days to appeal the decision. Griffin hasn't said yet if he'll do that. The News & Observer asked Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger on Tuesday afternoon if Griffin should concede the election to Riggs. 'I'm not going to call on him to make any particular decision. That's the decision that he and his team have to make,' Berger said of his fellow Republican. So where does this leave voters wondering if their ballots count? 'This means, absent a successful appeal, that all voters whose ballots were challenged by Mr. Griffin will remain in the count, without any requirement for further action by those voters,' the State Board of Elections said in a statement on Tuesday. — Caitlyn Yaede and Dawn Vaughan NO MEDICAL MARIJUANA FROM SENATE DURING CROSSOVER While the House is fast-tracking a flurry of bills this week through committees and floor votes before the Thursday crossover deadline, it's more methodical in the upper chamber. The Senate passed a series of noncontroversial bills Tuesday in a session lasting less than an hour. Senate leader Phil Berger said a bill impacting pharmacies known as the SCRIPT Act is a 'pretty big priority of ours,' and was expecting a floor vote for Senate Bill 479 on Wednesday. SCRIPT stands for Supporting Community Retail Pharmacies and Improving Transparency. 'Beyond that, I think we've probably taken care of most (legislative priorities) other than the things that will be incorporated into the budget — which, there's a pretty good idea of what they are, based on the budget that was sent to the House,' Berger said. But a previous big issue for the Senate, legalizing medical marijuana, isn't expected to go through the Senate this week, Berger said. That doesn't mean it's dead. Senate Rules Chair Bill Rabon likely has other plans for it. It has long been a Senate priority. Senate Democratic Whip Jay Chaudhuri, of Wake County, said that medical marijuana could show up in the final state budget, or may need to originate as a bill in the House. In previous sessions, it was House Republicans who blocked medical marijuana from passing. Chaudhuri also noted that the Senate's work was less controversial this week and all session — at least as of Tuesday — compared to the House. 'I think crossover, during my time in the Senate, has probably been slower and less chaotic than in sessions past. But as we all know, the longer we go into session, the more chaos that may ensue,' Chaudhuri said. — Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan NC ELECTIONS BOARD TO VOTE ON NEW DIRECTOR, FOLLOWING GOP TAKEOVER The State Board of Elections, which flipped to Republican control for the first time in nearly a decade last week, is expected to vote on an executive director on Wednesday. Karen Brinson Bell has led the agency since 2019, having been unanimously reappointed to a third two-year term in 2023. That term ends next week. Though the board could reappoint Brinson Bell to another term, they may be more likely to replace her with a new director given the change in the board's partisan majority. Republicans have criticized the State Board of Elections for years, with lawmakers sometimes hauling Brinson Bell into legislative hearings where they questioned her decision making. For over a decade, the governor has had the power to appoint members to the State Board of Elections, traditionally giving their own party a 3-2 majority. But last year, Republican lawmakers passed a bill stripping the governor of that power and transferring it to the state auditor, a position which had just been won by a Republican for the first time in 16 years. A panel of trial judges struck down those changes as unconstitutional last month, but the state Court of Appeals reversed that ruling just one day before the change was set to take effect. Using his new powers, State Auditor Dave Boliek appointed a Republican majority to the board last week. That board will meet for the first time Wednesday at 10 a.m., when members will be sworn in and will elect a chair and secretary among themselves, in addition to voting on an executive director. — Kyle Ingram TILLIS SPLITS FROM TRUMP ON ED MARTIN NOMINATION Sen. Thom Tillis opposed a nominee of President Donald Trump for the first time in his second term this week, speaking against Ed Martin's nomination to serve as the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia. Martin is currently serving in an interim capacity, but that expires at the end of the month. Senate confirmation is required for him to hold the role permanently. Tillis told reporters he disagrees with Martin over his support of defendants accused of raiding the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Tillis said he would support Martin's nomination if he were to serve in any district other than the one where the Jan. 6 attack occurred. But Tillis went on to say he doesn't believe Martin's nomination will even get a hearing. It was absent from the Senate Judiciary Committee's agenda this week. Danielle Battaglia has the full story. WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT PARKING CHANGES COMING TO DOWNTOWN RALEIGH The Council of State, made up of 10 elected officials including the governor, approved several changes to parking in downtown Raleigh, Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan reports. There will be rate increases for state workers — $5 per month — with no more reserved spots for the thousands of state employees who drive to work. Rates would be imposed for visitors who park in state government lots after hours or on the weekends. These lots are currently free during these hours. The state will open more lots downtown to the public. These changes come at the request of the Department of Administration, overseen by Gov. Josh Stein, which cited 'efficiency initiatives.' An audit revealed that spots reserved for state employees typically do not exceed 50% capacity on any given day. The last increase in these rates was in 1979. Republican Labor Commissioner Luke Farley was the only council member to vote in opposition to the monthly rate increase Tuesday. The new policies will go into effect July 1. WHAT ELSE WE'RE WORKING ON Some law enforcement personnel are lobbying for two companion bills — House Bill 50 and Senate Bill 320 — that would allow experienced officers to retain their badges and retirement benefits if they defer retirement. These measures seek to address a 'staffing crisis' of experienced officers, who currently forfeit retirement benefits for every year they do not retire. Virginia Bridges has the details. Homelessness is on the rise in Wake County — up 27% from last year, Anna Roman reports. A recent study found a homeless population of 1,258, with more than 150 children among those unhoused in the county. Today's newsletter was by Caitlyn Yaede, Kyle Ingram, Danielle Battaglia, Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi and Dawn Vaughan. Check your inbox tomorrow for more #ncpol. Not a subscriber? Sign up on our website to receive Under the Dome in your inbox daily.
Fox News
04-05-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Trump blasts 'dishonest interview' during contentious debate on tariffs
Print Close By David Spector Published May 04, 2025 President Donald Trump and "Meet the Press" host Kristen Welker sparred over tariffs and the economy Sunday, with the president blasting the "dishonest interview" to the host's face. "This is such a dishonest interview already. Prices are down on groceries. Prices are down for oil prices are down for oil. Energy prices are down at tremendous numbers for gasoline," Trump said when pressed on his tariff policies. When pressed by Welker about rising costs on items such as tires and strollers, he dismissed price increases on such goods as "peanuts compared to energy," which the president claimed his policies have made cheaper. Gas prices hit their peak during Biden's sole term in office at an average of $5.06 per gallon in June 2022, the highest on record. The price of gas has steadily dropped since then, and the average national price of gas today is roughly $3.16 a gallon, according to AAA. VANCE BREAKS KEY TIE AFTER SENATE FAILS TO REJECT TRUMP'S NATIONAL EMERGENCY ON TARIFFS "Strollers are going up. What kind of a thing? I'm saying that gasoline is going down. Gasoline is thousands of times more important than a stroller or something," Trump said. Trump made headlines during his cabinet meeting on Wednesday when he remarked that "maybe children will have two dolls instead of thirty dolls, and maybe the two dolls will cost a couple of bucks more" as a result of his tariff policies. He denied the tariffs would result in empty store shelves, but did acknowledge that some Americans may need to cut down on their purchases. "The don't need to have 250 pencils, they can have five… I'm basically saying we don't have to waste money on a trade deficit with China for things we don't need, for junk that we don't need." LIBERATION DAY AND TRUMP TARIFFS ARE NOT THE END OF TRADE. IT'S ONLY THE BEGINNING Trump announced sweeping reciprocal tariffs on virtually every country America does business with on April 2, on what he refers to as "Liberation Day," in addition to a 10% global tariff. The levies applied to friend and foe alike, with Vietnam being slapped with a 46% tariff and Israel receiving 17% tariffs on goods exported to the United States. Trump swiftly reversed course a few days later in the face of a stock market nosedive and bond market worries, pausing the reciprocal tariffs. He maintained the 10% global tariff as well as a 145% tariff on Chinese goods, however. Mexico and Canada are facing separate 25% tariffs related to the fentanyl crisis. Trump maintained that his tariffs would "make us rich" and that the country was already profiting from them. He said that Americans were already feeling economic relief due to declining mortgage rates and energy prices. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE "Mortgage rates are going down, despite the fact that we have a stubborn fed… I can tell you that we're making a lot of money. We're doing great. Again, we're losing more than $5 billion a day, $5 billion a day. You don't talk about that. And right now we're going to be at a point very soon where we're making money every day," Trump said. Trump shot down Welker's claim, saying that Wall Street insiders were worried about a recession, and said he has spoken to many on Wall Street who are saying that his tariffs will be a boon for the economy. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Print Close URL
The Hill
18-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
The Hill's Headlines - April 18, 2025
SENATE: Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen meets wrongly deported migrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia in El Salvador IN THE NEWS: FSU shooting: 2 dead, 6 injured; 20-year-old suspect is in custody INTERNATIONAL: US could abandon Ukraine ceasefire talks in 'days' if progress stalls, Marco Rubio warns EDUCATION: The Trump admin. takes aim at Harvard's international students, tax-exempt status COURT BATTLES: The Menendez brothers' resentencing hearing is delayed, set for May 9, after dramatic day in court on Thursday
Fox News
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Babydog Justice makes Agriculture Committee debut: 'She humanizes all of us'
It was supposed to be a routine Senate Agriculture Committee hearing to consider nominees for top USDA posts, but one visitor turned the event into a tail-wagging affair. Babydog Justice, the beloved English bulldog of Sen. Jim Justice, made a surprise and highly photogenic appearance Tuesday as the committee met to review the nominations of Judge Stephen Vaden for Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Tyler Clarkson for USDA General Counsel. The hearing may have been serious business, but Babydog's presence brought smiles, laughter, and even a little bipartisan levity. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., couldn't resist the moment, joking, "Babydog was the difference in you getting on the committee or not," as Justice and his pup settled in.BABYDOG BRIDGES 'PAWTISAN' DIVIDE IN THE SENATE ON SOCIAL MEDIA: 'SHE KNOWS NO POLITICAL BIAS' Justice, who recently joined the Senate after serving as West Virginia's governor, shared an exclusive comment with Fox News Digital about his pup's Capitol Hill cameo. "I am so pleased to see the warm reception of Babydog from folks in Congress. Today she came along with me to the Agriculture Committee hearing and knew if she participated, there would be a treat as a reward. Senator Boozman took the time to introduce her to the committee, and contrary to what Senator Hoeven said in the hearing, she is not livestock or up for auction — even though she may resemble a little brown cow!" Justice told Fox News Digital. At one point during the hearing, a comment by Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., sparked laughter when he joked about Babydog possibly being livestock — a suggestion Justice playfully refuted.After holding up the pooch to the microphone and sharing how Babydog "humanizes us all," Justice requested a staffer remove the dog from his lap, adding, "She's heavy!" The social media response was swift. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, who was confirmed earlier this year, reposted footage of Babydog in action, writing: "We love you Babydog! Senate Ag is never the same when you're around."SENATOR-ELECT JIM JUSTICE'S TEAM CLARIFIES REPORT CLAIMING FAMOUS POOCH BABYDOG BANNED FROM SENATE FLOOR Even the Senate Agriculture Committee's own social media accounts joined the fun, posting behind-the-scenes content of the pup's visit and noting she was "making new friends and monitoring policy."Following her eventful day on Capitol Hill, Babydog Justice took to her own social media account. Posting a photo from the Senate Agriculture Committee hearing, she humorously captioned it, "Is this thing on?" in reference to the microphone. Babydog's charm extended beyond the committee room, capturing the attention of senators in the halls of Congress. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., shared a photo with Babydog, tweeting, "All in favor of making @babydogjustice our 101st senator, say AYE!" Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., also joined in, posting a picture of himself petting Babydog with the caption, "@BabydogJustice is America's favorite dog." Babydog is no stranger to the spotlight. Born in 2019, the 60-pound English bulldog has been a fixture in Justice's political life since she was gifted to him by his children. She gained national attention during the COVID-19 pandemic when Justice launched the "Do It for Babydog" vaccine lottery to encourage West Virginians to get vaccinated. Babydog's most famous public appearance was at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where she charmed attendees and the media alike from a bulldog-sized chair on the main Babydog may have captured the spotlight, Justice is focused on the work ahead as a newly appointed member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. The West Virginia Republican has long emphasized the importance of supporting rural communities and strengthening the agricultural economy — key concerns in his home state. Justice, a former two-term governor and lifelong farmer and businessman, has frequently spoken about the need for practical, common-sense solutions to issues like food security, rural development, and infrastructure investment. His role on the Agriculture Committee positions him to advocate for policies aligned with West Virginia's agricultural and economic HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP As Babydog continues to turn heads on Capitol Hill, Justice is expected to use his platform to advance those priorities with his four-legged sidekick never too far behind.
