Latest news with #StateoftheUnionAddress
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Opinion: Budget bill highlights how Washington lacks a sense of irony
I'm old enough to remember when Republican President Ronald Reagan, during his 1988 State of the Union Address, dropped a heavy stack of papers, comprising that year's budgeting megabill, next to the podium. He declared that 'Congress shouldn't send another one,' because he would not sign it. He got a rare bipartisan standing ovation for that. Many of you are old enough to remember when former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said of the Affordable Care Act, 'We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it.' Her next sentence clarified that she meant the bill could be understood best 'away from the fog of the controversy.' But that first sentence soon became a political rallying cry for some Republicans upset with the passage of a bill so large no one could properly digest it. Times change. This is a much more hyper-partisan period in history. It's apparently so partisan that party faithful don't get the irony. Today's proposed budget — another megabill totaling more than 1,000 pages — is being pushed by a Republican president. He apparently doesn't mind how big and heavy it is. Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky posted a plaintive plea on X last week before the House voted: 'Shouldn't we take more than a few hours to read a bill this big and this consequential?' Was he implying we may have to pass it to see what's in it? So far, we know it makes changes to Medicaid, extends the tax cuts enacted during the first Trump term, removes some tax credits for clean energy and increases spending for border security. A measure to eliminate taxes on tips passed the Senate separately on a unanimous vote and is now awaiting action in the House. We also know that, taken together, these would add $3.8 trillion over 10 years to the rapidly growing national debt, according to Congressional Budget Office estimates. A lot of tips probably already don't get reported as income, but the Peter G. Peterson Foundation estimates the no-tax bill on tips would cost $110 billion over 10 years, even though it's limited to people earning less than $160,000. That may not be much in a Washington where deficits run in the trillions, but it's still moving in the wrong direction. But the bill doesn't stop there. It would bar states from regulating artificial intelligence for 10 years. Utah has been a leader in passing laws that protect its people from malicious AI, including its use for mental health services. But the budget bill tells states to repeal all such laws. It also would curtail the federal courts' power to hold government personnel in contempt for disobeying judicial orders — an ominous provision given the number of Trump actions courts have found to be illegal. It's a rule Republicans may quickly regret the next time a Democrat takes control of the White House. The '80s are long gone. We no longer have Reagan and his eye-catching stack of budget bills. Everything's electronic these days, anyway. But we do have Elon Musk, the DOGE slasher, who told CBS News he doesn't like what he's seeing. 'I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing,' he said, adding this interesting observation: 'I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful, but I don't know if it can be both.' Strip away the PR, and budgets are statements about priorities. That's true whether it's your household budget or that of a stamp-collecting club. By that measure, this bill speaks loudly and with increasing clarity as it awaits Senate action. But what its size and breadth say about a representative government's deliberative process, and what its totality says about overspending, are causes for concern. So is its implied message about political parties and the fluidity of principles. I'm guessing Mr. Reagan would not be amused.
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Trump pardons former Rep. Michael Grimm who was convicted of tax fraud
A former FBI agent, Grimm was sentenced to eight months in prison. He served seven months in prison and one under house arrest. In October 2017, Grimm tried staging a political comeback by campaigning for his old House seat in New York. Then-President Trump endorsed his opponent, incumbent Rep. Dan Donovan, in the primary and Grimm ended up losing the election. An avid polo player for years, Grimm was injured from his chest down after being thrown from a horse in September 2024. In 2014, he was caught on camera threatening an NY 1 TV reporter in a balcony hallway of the U.S. Capitol building. When the reporter, who had been interviewing Grimm moments after the 2014 State of the Union Address, asked him a question about a campaign finance investigation into him, Grimm declined to answer the question. Grimm then threatened to the throw the reporter off a balcony and told him: ""You're not a man," and "I could break you in half." Grimm later apologized to the reporter.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- USA Today
Donald Trump pardons former Republican Rep. Michael Grimm for tax fraud conviction
Donald Trump pardons former Republican Rep. Michael Grimm for tax fraud conviction Grimm who represented Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn in Congress from 2011 to 2015, pleaded guilty in December 2014 to tax fraud. Show Caption Hide Caption Donald Trump 'disappointed' with Vladimir Putin President Donald Trump told reporters he was 'disappointed' with Russian President Vladimir Putin, referencing latest attacks on Ukraine. He had won reelection the previous month despite facing charges A former FBI agent, Grimm was sentenced to eight months in prison. In 2014, he was caught on camera threatening an NY 1 TV reporter President Donald Trump has pardoned former New York Rep. Michael Grimm, a Republican who resigned after being convicted of tax fraud, the White House official confirmed to USA TODAY on background. Grimm who represented Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn in Congress from 2011 to 2015, pleaded guilty in December 2014 to tax fraud, stemming from a restaurant he owned in Manhattan. He had won reelection the previous month despite facing charges including perjury and allegedly purposely hiring undocumented immigrants. A former FBI agent, Grimm was sentenced to eight months in prison. He served seven months in prison and one under house arrest. In October 2017, Grimm tried staging a political comeback by campaigning for his old House seat in New York. Then-President Trump endorsed his opponent, incumbent Rep. Dan Donovan, in the primary and Grimm ended up losing the election. An avid polo player for years, Grimm was injured from his chest down after being thrown from a horse in September 2024. In 2014, he was caught on camera threatening an NY 1 TV reporter in a balcony hallway of the U.S. Capitol building. When the reporter, who had been interviewing Grimm moments after the 2014 State of the Union Address, asked him a question about a campaign finance investigation into him, Grimm declined to answer the question. Grimm then threatened to the throw the reporter off a balcony and told him: "'You're not a man,' and 'I could break you in half.' Grimm later apologized to the reporter.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Democrats give cold shoulder to possibility of third Abrams bid in Georgia
Democrats are throwing cold water on the possibility of Stacey Abrams mounting a third bid for Georgia governor, underscoring how the once-rising star's image has been tarnished by consecutive losses and recent controversies. Abrams hasn't publicly commented on another potential run but also hasn't ruled it out as she stays politically active. If she were to try again, Abrams would bring strong name identification and established fundraising prowess to the race because she's been a face of the state Democratic Party for years. But at least some Democrats think their best chance to win a difficult battle for the governor's mansion next year would be turning to someone new. 'There's not a lot of energy … or a large appetite within the state of Georgia amongst Democrats for a third Abrams run,' said Georgia Democratic strategist Fred Hicks. 'There's a deep appreciation for her putting Georgia in play through her work with the New Georgia Project, Fair Fight and her 2018 run,' Hicks continued. 'But I think after that '22 election and all the things that have happened in the state since then, Democrats are really focused on trying to put forth a candidate they feel like can win next year.' Abrams first became a national figure around the 2018 gubernatorial election. Having previously served as Georgia state House minority leader, she came within 1.5 points of winning the governor's race in a state that hadn't elected a Democratic governor in 20 years. She launched an organization called Fair Fight, dedicated to protecting voter rights, shortly after that election and delivered the Democratic response to President Trump's State of the Union Address in 2019. Her years-long efforts to flip Georgia paid big dividends in 2020, when the state voted for former President Biden and elected two Democratic senators. One of them, Sen. Raphael Warnock was reelected two years later when he ran for a full six-year term. But Abrams has struggled as a candidate herself. She sought a rematch against Gov. Brian Kemp (R) in 2022 but lost by more than 7 points. Democrats say they credit Abrams for contributing to shifting Georgia from a solidly red state to a battleground, but that it's best for them to look elsewhere. They said they recognize her strengths in name identification, fundraising and enthusing voters, but her past losses may be a sign. 'Third time is the who-knows-what,' said national Democratic strategist Jon Reinish. 'There's one major figure in American history for whom the third time was the charm — that was Reagan running for president.' 'These days, when voters are so eager for fresh, baggage-free figures, I don't know if that path to victory can still play out,' Reinish said. Abrams also faced controversy for years over allegations that two nonprofits she founded, the New Georgia Project and the New Georgia Project Action Fund, violated state law in campaigning for her but not registering as a political committee. The groups were fined $300,000 in January. A spokesperson for Abrams said at the time she hasn't been involved with the groups since she left in 2017. Hicks said questions have lingered about Abrams's campaign finances since 2018, but he doesn't believe that was the main obstacle facing her in 2022. He said a 'common refrain' he heard during that election was that the Abrams campaign was too focused on national media and grasstops advocacy rather than grassroots campaigning. He noted that Warnock outperformed her that year, making it to a runoff before eventually winning his Senate race, while Abrams wasn't close to winning governor. 'Everyone expects that she would be quite profitable in terms of raising money, and the primary would draw a lot of attention to the race, but there are great concerns about whether or not she could win in November,' Hicks said. The Hill has reached out to a spokesperson for Abrams for comment. She isn't the only rumored possible Democratic candidate considering a run. State Sen. Jason Esteves has already launched a campaign, while former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms filed paperwork to run last month. Former DeKalb County CEO Mike Thurmond and state Rep. Derrick Jackson have also indicated interest. Democrats expressed optimism at their chances of winning the governor's race, particularly with Kemp, who has been a popular governor and effective candidate, term-limited. 'I just think we need people who are young and aggressive, who are going to go after the Republicans,' said one Georgia Democrat. Strategist Antjuan Seawright said the most important characteristic for candidates thinking of running is to not be 'selfish' and focus on who has the best chance to win and can speak to what Georgians want in their leader. 'I don't think there's early favorites when it comes to political primaries, because it's all about peaking at the right time,' Seawright said. 'I think the most important thing is who's going to be able to define the opposition but also define the things that we are for as Democrats out in Georgia.' Meanwhile, Republicans have expressed eagerness at the prospect of twice-defeated Abrams running again, expecting it would give the eventual GOP nominee an easier path to victory. GOP strategist Jay Williams said the negatives are rising and that if she had a chance to win, it was in 2018. 'Republicans weren't as well-prepared for that,' he said. 'There was a little bit of disbelief at the time that a Democrat could win. When all that went down, Republicans started to get their act together.' Hicks also credited Abrams with the other victories that Democrats have had since 2020, including Warnock's two wins and the one from Sen. Jon Ossoff. 'Georgia wouldn't be where it is without her. Sen. Warnock wouldn't be there. Sen. Ossoff wouldn't be in there,' he said. He said Abrams should try to find objective third-party polling showing she is the strongest candidate and can win a general election before making a decision. If she has that, circumstances and voter sentiment can change. But Hicks added that some figures are naturally better suited to organizing and calling attention to an issue or election than succeeding as a candidate themselves. 'Some people are better at organizing and bringing attention than they are winning the races themselves,' he said. 'And there's no shame that Democrats want to win next year, and whoever can give Democrats the best chance, that's who they want to get behind.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
14-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Democrats give cold shoulder to possibility of third Abrams bid in Georgia
Democrats are throwing cold water on the possibility of Stacey Abrams mounting a third bid for Georgia governor, underscoring how the once-rising star's image has been tarnished by consecutive losses and recent controversies. Abrams hasn't publicly commented on another potential run but also hasn't ruled it out as she stays politically active. If she were to try again, Abrams would bring strong name identification and established fundraising prowess to the race because she's been a face of the state Democratic Party for years. But at least some Democrats think their best chance to win a difficult battle for the governor's mansion next year would be turning to someone new. 'There's not a lot of energy … or a large appetite within the state of Georgia amongst Democrats for a third Abrams run,' said Georgia Democratic strategist Fred Hicks. 'There's a deep appreciation for her putting Georgia in play through her work with the New Georgia Project, Fair Fight and her 2018 run,' Hicks continued. 'But I think after that '22 election and all the things that have happened in the state since then, Democrats are really focused on trying to put forth a candidate they feel like can win next year.' Abrams first became a national figure around the 2018 gubernatorial election. Having previously served as Georgia state House minority leader, she came within 1.5 points of winning the governor's race in a state that hadn't elected a Democratic governor in 20 years. She launched an organization called Fair Fight, dedicated to protecting voter rights, shortly after that election and delivered the Democratic response to President Trump's State of the Union Address in 2019. Her years-long efforts to flip Georgia paid big dividends in 2020, when the state voted for former President Biden and elected two Democratic senators. One of them, Sen. Raphael Warnock was reelected two years later when he ran for a full six-year term. But Abrams has struggled as a candidate herself. She sought a rematch against Gov. Brian Kemp (R) in 2022 but lost by more than 7 points. Democrats say they credit Abrams for contributing to shifting Georgia from a solidly red state to a battleground, but that it's best for them to look elsewhere. They said they recognize her strengths in name identification, fundraising and enthusing voters, but her past losses may be a sign. 'Third time is the who-knows-what,' said national Democratic strategist Jon Reinish. 'There's one major figure in American history for whom the third time was the charm — that was Reagan running for president.' 'These days, when voters are so eager for fresh, baggage-free figures, I don't know if that path to victory can still play out,' Reinish said. Abrams also faced controversy for years over allegations that two nonprofits she founded, the New Georgia Project and the New Georgia Project Action Fund, violated state law in campaigning for her but not registering as a political committee. The groups were fined $300,000 in January. A spokesperson for Abrams said at the time she hasn't been involved with the groups since she left in 2017. Hicks said questions have lingered about Abrams's campaign finances since 2018, but he doesn't believe that was the main obstacle facing her in 2022. He said a 'common refrain' he heard during that election was that the Abrams campaign was too focused on national media and grasstops advocacy rather than grassroots campaigning. He noted that Warnock outperformed her that year, making it to a runoff before eventually winning his Senate race, while Abrams wasn't close to winning governor. 'Everyone expects that she would be quite profitable in terms of raising money, and the primary would draw a lot of attention to the race, but there are great concerns about whether or not she could win in November,' Hicks said. The Hill has reached out to a spokesperson for Abrams for comment. She isn't the only rumored possible Democratic candidate considering a run. State Sen. Jason Esteves has already launched a campaign, while former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms filed paperwork to run last month. Former DeKalb County CEO Mike Thurmond and state Rep. Derrick Jackson have also indicated interest. Democrats expressed optimism at their chances of winning the governor's race, particularly with Kemp, who has been a popular governor and effective candidate, term-limited. 'I just think we need people who are young and aggressive, who are going to go after the Republicans,' said one Georgia Democrat. Strategist Antjuan Seawright said the most important characteristic for candidates thinking of running is to not be 'selfish' and focus on who has the best chance to win and can speak to what Georgians want in their leader. 'I don't think there's early favorites when it comes to political primaries, because it's all about peaking at the right time,' Seawright said. 'I think the most important thing is who's going to be able to define the opposition but also define the things that we are for as Democrats out in Georgia.' Meanwhile, Republicans have expressed eagerness at the prospect of twice-defeated Abrams running again, expecting it would give the eventual GOP nominee an easier path to victory. GOP strategist Jay Williams said the negatives are rising and that if she had a chance to win, it was in 2018. 'Republicans weren't as well-prepared for that,' he said. 'There was a little bit of disbelief at the time that a Democrat could win. When all that went down, Republicans started to get their act together.' Hicks also credited Abrams with the other victories that Democrats have had since 2020, including Warnock's two wins and the one from Sen. Jon Ossoff. 'Georgia wouldn't be where it is without her. Sen. Warnock wouldn't be there. Sen. Ossoff wouldn't be in there,' he said. He said Abrams should try to find objective third-party polling showing she is the strongest candidate and can win a general election before making a decision. If she has that, circumstances and voter sentiment can change. But Hicks added that some figures are naturally better suited to organizing and calling attention to an issue or election than succeeding as a candidate themselves. 'Some people are better at organizing and bringing attention than they are winning the races themselves,' he said. 'And there's no shame that Democrats want to win next year, and whoever can give Democrats the best chance, that's who they want to get behind.'
