Latest news with #StatesSenate
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
In Senate speech, Angus King invokes Margaret Chase Smith's 'Declaration,' warns of current 'crisis'
Apr. 29—Sen. Angus King urged his colleagues on Tuesday to put country over party and warned of creeping authoritarianism, invoking the iconic 1950 speech by former Maine Sen. Margaret Chase Smith. "Mr. President, almost 75 years ago, the junior senator from Maine rose in this chamber to deliver a speech from her heart about a crisis then facing our country," King began in his speech from the Senate floor. "A crisis not arising from a foreign adversary but from within. A crisis that threatened the values and ideals at the base of the American experiment." In her now-iconic 'Declaration of Conscience' address, Smith denounced Republican colleague Joseph McCarthy for his aggressive pursuit of those he considered communist sympathizers, including academics, entertainers and left-wing politicians. She delivered the speech during her first term as a senator, which followed nearly a decade in the House of Representatives. King's speech was intended to mark the upcoming 75th anniversary of Smith's landmark speech, which comes June 1, as well as the broader significance of the 75th year. Asked about the precise timing, a spokesperson for King's office said "the urgency eclipses the exact timeliness." "I think that it is high time for the United States Senate and its members to do some real soul-searching," King said, quoting directly from Smith's speech. "It is high time that we stop thinking politically as Republicans and Democrats about elections and started thinking patriotically as Americans about national security based on individual freedom." King, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, repeated the second sentence before returning to his original remarks. "Mr. President, I fear that we're at a similar moment in history," King said, speaking again as himself. "And while today's 'serious national condition' is not involving the actions of one of our colleagues, it is involving those of the president of the United States." King said the issue was not President Donald Trump's agenda, but his apparent attempts to centralize power, including by "ignoring the Constitution" and the rule of law. Though she originally ran to fill a vacancy created by the death of her husband, Rep. Clyde H. Smith, Smith forged a legacy all her own, one that eclipsed his. Years after giving her declaration, Smith would go on to become the first woman nominated for president by a major political party in 1964. The Skowhegan native's legacy remains an enduring story of courage and bipartisanship for many Mainers. It has, at times, fueled modern-day comparisons to Sen. Susan Collins, another Republican woman who has openly opposed her own party's leadership. "Senator Smith's distinguished career has led to a string of more than 50 years of leadership from centrist Republican Senators in Maine who have always put the needs of the state and the country ahead of the concerns of their party," Blake Kernen, a spokesperson for Collins, said in a written statement. The comparisons have not always been supportive of Collins. Progressive-minded voters, including some who have written letters in this paper, have at times used Smith's legacy to criticize Collins. King, though, did not name Collins in his speech. "It is ironic that Democrats who either campaigned against or voted against Senator Smith now fill the papers with letters and opinion pieces trying to claim her legacy as their own," Kernen said. "Senator Collins always works in the best interest of Maine and America, which is why she has been repeatedly recognized as being the most bipartisan member of the Senate." King worked on the campaign of Sen. William Hathaway, who ousted Smith from the Senate in the 1972 election. King noted that history in his remarks, but said he and Smith had reconciled any lingering differences while working on a PBS documentary years later. King went on to quote James Madison, who warned in the Federalist Papers that successful government must be dependent on its citizens for its power, but must also be made to control itself. Madison argued that "auxiliary precautions" against sweeping governance are necessary; here, King pointed to the checks and balances provided by the legislative and judicial branches. King has been outspoken in opposing the Trump administration's policies and warning about what he considers a slide toward tyranny. In a February speech — as the Trump administration was in the early stages of a massive effort to slash federal spending — King urged his Senate colleagues to "wake up." He also noted the Trump administration's targeting of Maine following a public confrontation between Trump and Gov. Janet Mills at the White House two months ago. At the time, Mills said she was upholding state and federal law, but Trump argued that "we are the law." "That is more fitting to a king than a president," King said. "This 'We are the law' comment is a clear statement of intent to govern as a sovereign without regard to the Constitution or the rule of law." Copy the Story Link
USA Today
25-04-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
'Country is in crisis': Cory Booker channels Democratic frustrations in marathon speech
'Country is in crisis': Cory Booker channels Democratic frustrations in marathon speech Show Caption Hide Caption Booker breaks Thurmond's 1957 record for longest Senate speech Democratic Sen. Cory Booker broke the record for longest Senate speech, breaking Sen. Strom Thurmond's 1957 speech opposing civil rights. WASHINGTON - Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., is the latest Democrat to take a fiery stand against President Donald Trump, holding a marathon speech on the Senate floor that has stretched for more than 20 hours and takes a jab at the current administration's policies. Booker's remarks come as Democrats have been trying to organize an effective resistance against Trump and break into the cracks of MAGA populism as the party is still recovering after a bruising 2024 election loss. Booker, who took the floor on Monday night at 7 p.m., said that he planned to disrupt 'the normal business of the United States Senate for as long as I am physically able." More: No food or bathroom breaks: How Cory Booker is pulling off his Senate talk-a-thon 'I rise tonight because I believe sincerely that our country is in crisis…These are not normal times in America, and they should not be treated as such,' Booker said. Around 7 a.m., exactly 12 hours later, he held up a copy of the Constitution and said, 'I'm still going strong because this president is wrong, and he's violating principles that we hold dear and principles in this document that are so clear and plain.' Last month, several Democrats held town halls in Republican districts to make inroads with angry voters, bash the opposing party and expand their political base ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. And progressive Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., has been leading the Democratic resistance online, appearing on television and speaking in podcasts. Booker criticizes Trump and Republicans During his speech, Booker railed against Trump and billionaire Elon Musk's sweeping efforts to downsize federal agencies, the administration's approach on immigration policy, the dismantling of the Department of Education and more. He also read letters sent by his constituents and spoke about late Rep. John Lewis, who was a civil rights activist. Sen. Cory Booker filibuster on Senate floor tackles spending cuts A Senate floor filibuster from Sen. Cory Booker tackled possible government spending cuts from Medicaid to Social Security. More: How long has Cory Booker been speaking? Senator continues marathon speech Tuesday afternoon Booker had two glasses of water on his desk, among other things. The late South Carolina Sen. Strom Thurmond, a Democrat-turned-Republican, holds the record for the longest individual Senate speech at 24 hours and 18 minutes for his filibuster against the 1957 Civil Rights Act, according to the Senate website. In order to break Thurmond's record, Booker would need to speak past 7 p.m. on Tuesday. 'You think we got civil rights one day because Strom Thurmond - after filibustering for 24 hours - you think we got civil rights because he came to the floor one day and said, 'I've seen the light,'' Booker said in his speech. 'No, we got civil rights because people marched for it, sweat for it and John Lewis bled for it.' Other lawmakers have also held long talk-a-thons, including Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz., who spoke for 21 hours and 19 minutes against the Affordable Care Act in 2013. Throughout the speech, Booker yielded to questions from several Democrats, including Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., giving him an opportunity to rest. 'Your strength, your fortitude, your clarity has just been nothing short of amazing and all of America is paying attention to what you're saying,' Schumer told Booker on the Senate floor. 'All of America needs to know there's so many problems, the disastrous actions of this administration.' Broader Democratic strategy to fight back against Trump Booker's marathon speech comes as the Democratic party has struggled to find its footing and fight back against the Trump administration agenda Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., who held town halls in three Republican districts represented by Reps. David Valadao, Young Kim and Ken Calvert, wrote in an MSNBC op-ed that 'Democrats cannot remain passive and squander this moment.' 'While GOP lawmakers are canceling town halls after being booed and protested, I am working alongside community leaders and advocates to build a movement with two goals: mobilize voters in swing districts and block Republicans' cuts to Medicaid and education funding,' he wrote in the article. Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii., applauded Booker's efforts on Tuesday. 'Any kind of resistance is warranted, because we have a lawless administration, and we have a president who doesn't think the rule of law applies to him. So anybody using their voices and using what is available to us, I think that is important,' she told USA TODAY.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton launches U.S. Senate campaign to replace Durbin
The Brief Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by longtime Sen. Dick Durbin. She cited her record of supporting working families and progressive policies during six years in office as her foundation for the run. Durbin, 80, recently said he will not seek re-election in 2026, opening the door to a competitive Democratic primary. CHICAGO - Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton on Wednesday formally launched her campaign for the U.S. Senate, becoming the first high-profile Democrat to enter the race following Sen. Dick Durbin's decision not to seek re-election in 2026. What they're saying "I am running for United States Senate," Stratton said in a statement. "For too long, the middle class has been centered on the campaign trail but sidelined when it comes to real governance. I've spent the last six years serving as Lieutenant Governor of the great state of Illinois, and I've seen firsthand the progress that's possible when we treat the needs of the middle class as a focal point, not just a talking point." Stratton has served as lieutenant governor alongside Gov. JB Pritzker since 2019, touting a record that includes balancing the state budget, raising the minimum wage, expanding access to health care, and protecting abortion rights. She cast herself as a champion for working families and a "fierce" fighter against threats from conservative figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk. The backstory Her announcement comes one day after Durbin, the Senate's No. 2 Democrat and Illinois' longest-serving U.S. senator, said he would not run for a sixth term. "The decision of whether to run for re-election has not been easy," Durbin, 80, said in a video posted to social media. "But in my heart, I know it's time to pass the torch." Durbin's retirement is expected to trigger a competitive Democratic primary. Stratton, a former state representative from Chicago, enters the race with strong ties to the state's progressive wing and the support of a well-established political network. The Democratic primary for the Senate seat will take place in March 2026. The Source The information in this report came from Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, Sen. Dick Durbin and previous FOX 32 reporting.
Roya News
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Roya News
King receives US Congress staffers
His Majesty King Abdullah II on Tuesday received a delegation of United States Senate and House of Representatives staff. The meeting, held at Al Husseiniya Palace and attended by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, touched on ways to enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries, as well as the United States' pivotal role in the region. Speaking about regional developments, His Majesty called for immediately reinstating the Gaza ceasefire and resuming aid flow. The King warned of the dangers of continued escalation in the West Bank and violations of holy sites in Jerusalem, reiterating Jordan's rejection of any attempts to displace Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh attended the meeting.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sen. Fetterman rejects GOP slashing Medicaid, SNAP for billionaire tax breaks
Apr. 6—WILKES-BARRE — U.S. Sen. John Fetterman this week said the United States Senate passed the 2025 Budget Resolution along party lines after Senate Republicans blocked 19 amendments to protect Americans' Medicaid, Medicare and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits; address the economic fallout of President Trump's tariff orders; and rein in DOGE's take-down of the federal workforce. Fetterman, D-Braddock, cast a "no" vote on the budget and released the following statement in response: "I voted a hard 'NO' on the Republicans' so-called 'big, beautiful' budget bill. "I will never support any bill that strips Medicaid, Medicare or SNAP benefits from Americans to bankroll tax cuts for billionaires. "Pennsylvania deserves better than this and I'll keep fighting for a government that serves the people, not special interests." Fetterman said the FY25 Budget Resolution establishes an overall limit on government spending. He said Congress will now proceed to the appropriations process, where lawmakers determine exactly how much money each federal agency and program receives. Fetterman said the budget serves as Congress's blueprint for which federal programs are prioritized in determining where federal dollars go. Fetterman voted against it. He listed the following reasons as to why he voted in opposition: Attacks on Medicaid and Medicare —More than 3.1 million Pennsylvanians rely on Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). —39% of Pennsylvania children and 45,000 births per year rely on CHIP and Medicaid. —Medicaid covers more than 722,000 people with a disability in Pennsylvania. Threats to Social Security —Ongoing reorganization at the agency under DOGE puts 325,148 Pennsylvanians' checks at risk, totaling $232.8 million in monthly payments. Rising costs from tariffs —President Trump's tariff orders could cost the average family $4,000 per year. —In Pennsylvania alone: — Up to $5.84 billion hit to the state economy. — 347,100 jobs affected. Cuts to SNAP food assistance —Over 2 million Pennsylvanians rely on SNAP to put food on the table. —11% of Pennsylvania households face food insecurity, with more than 60,000 veterans and 700,000 children who rely on SNAP for meal assistance. —SNAP brought $4.27 billion to Pennsylvania in FY 2024. Fetterman said he remains committed to protecting Pennsylvanians' access to affordable health care, stable incomes in retirement and relief from escalating costs. He said he will continue working with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to protect these critical programs and services as the appropriations process moves forward. Legislators push to end under-funding in special education Fetterman this week joined Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA-02) to reintroduce the IDEA Full Funding Act — legislation to ensure Congress finally fulfills its commitment to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Fetterman said that 50 years ago, Congress passed IDEA to ensure that every child with a disability has access to educational opportunities. He said this law was a historic step forward, but since its passage, Congress has failed to provide the funding it promised. The legislation is co-sponsored by more than 30 members in the Senate and more than 60 members in the House of Representatives and is endorsed by 60 organizations. Under IDEA, the federal government committed to pay 40% of the average per pupil expenditure for special education; however, that pledge has never been met, Fetterman said. According to the Congressional Research Service, funding is at less than 12%, and the IDEA shortfall in the 2024-2025 school year nationwide was $38.66 billion. Under full funding, Pennsylvania alone would have received more than $1.4 billion. "We promised families we'd have their backs, and for decades, we've fallen short on that promise," Fetterman said. "Because IDEA hasn't been fully funded, parents and teachers have been working overtime to make up for the missing resources their students desperately need. Making IDEA whole is how we guarantee students with disabilities get the support they need to thrive in school." Shapiro stands up for PA farmers, businesses and workers Gov. Josh Shapiro this week met with farmers, small business owners, and workers across Pennsylvania to hear first-hand about the challenges they face and highlight how his Administration is helping them innovate, grow, and stay competitive — all while pushing back against harmful federal tariffs that are driving up costs for all Pennsylvanians. The governor emphasized that new federal tariffs on key trade partners like Canada and Mexico will raise costs for farmers and businesses, making it harder to compete and grow. Shapiro said that while Washington raises costs, Pennsylvania is cutting them — lowering taxes, streamlining regulations and making targeted investments to support economic growth. Pennsylvania has boosted workforce development funding by nearly $65 million — a 50% increase — expanding vo-tech programs, career and technical education (CTE) and apprenticeships to ensure more Pennsylvanians have the skills they need to succeed, Shapiro said. Baker reports Senate acts against false emergency threats The Pennsylvania Senate this week approved legislation this week to crack down on false emergency threats targeting schools, a move aimed at enhancing public safety and reducing the strain on emergency responders, according to Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township, who supported the measure. In Northeast Pennsylvania, nearly a dozen schools were plagued by anonymous threats in 2023, resulting in closures and loss of instruction time, hindering student progress. Baker said Senate Bill 96 would establish new felony penalties for individuals who make hoax emergency reports involving educational institutions. If signed into law, making a false report of an emergency threat to a school would be classified as a third-degree felony, and courts would be allowed to impose financial penalties to recover the costs incurred by taxpayers for emergency response efforts. "False emergency threats not only create panic in our schools but also waste critical resources that should be directed toward real emergencies," Baker said. "By establishing stronger penalties, we are sending a clear message that these reckless actions will not be tolerated. Our schools must remain safe havens for learning, free from unnecessary fear and disruption." The legislation comes in response to a troubling rise in hoax threats made against schools across Pennsylvania, causing fear among students and parents while diverting law enforcement and emergency personnel from real emergencies. Senate Bill 96 is part of a broader effort to safeguard schools and hold bad actors accountable, Baker said. The bill, which also passed the Senate in the previous legislative session, now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
