Latest news with #YvetteClarke
Washington Post
a day ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Democrats wrestle with how to conduct oversight as Trump officials crack down
WASHINGTON — Just hours after she pleaded not guilty to federal charges brought by the Trump administration, New Jersey Rep. LaMonica McIver was surrounded by dozens of supportive Democratic colleagues in the halls of the Capitol. The case, they argued, strikes at the heart of congressional power. 'If they can break LaMonica, they can break the House of Representatives,' said New York Rep. Yvette Clarke, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Fox News
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
New York Dems make shocking terror claim about Trump's budget cut proposal
A group of House Democrats from New York are claiming President Donald Trump's annual government funding proposal, if enacted, could leave big cities vulnerable to massive terror attacks. "We are writing to express the gravest concerns about the existential threat that the Trump Administration's proposed budget poses to the homeland security of New York City," the Democrats wrote. "Here is the bottom line: the Trump budget, if enacted, would leave America's largest city woefully unprepared to prevent and respond to a second 9/11." The bold new accusation comes as left-wing lawmakers continue to criticize Republicans' efforts at slashing federal spending. The national debt, meanwhile, is climbing toward $37 trillion. The letter was signed by New York City Democratic Reps. Ritchie Torres, Yvette Clarke, Gregory Meeks, Dan Goldman and Jerry Nadler. They argued that "Draconian cuts" to homeland security grants "would all but dismantle the FDNY's capacity for emergency management and would reduce the NYPD's post-9/11 counterterrorism apparatus to a shell of its former self." The letter is addressed to the top Republican and Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, which has already begun work on the next fiscal year's federal budget in time for the Sept. 30 deadline. The White House has released a "skinny" budget proposal for fiscal year (FY) 2026, which, if passed, would make good on Republicans' promise to slash government spending that they say has gotten out of control. The proposal would cut $163 billion in non-defense discretionary government spending – meaning the federal funding that Congress controls every year, rather than mandatory funding, which is largely comprised of government safety net programs that are amended through a separate process called budget reconciliation. The nonprofit International Association of Fire Chiefs' analysis of the budget said the State Homeland Security Grant program (SHSGP) would be cut from $468 million to $351 million, and the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) would be cut from $553.5 million to $415.5 million – two programs highlighted by the New Yorkers. The lawmakers' letter said New York City could see $45 million in homeland security grants cut under Trump's budget. "The Trump budget is an act of national self-sabotage," they said. "In just the first half of 2025, we have seen seven terrorist plots—roughly one per month. 24 years following 9/11 terror attacks, the threat of terrorism remains as real as it has ever been." The Democrats noted that New York's police and fire departments "routinely provide reinforcements and technical assistance to jurisdictions across the United States." "The homeland security grants for NYC enables a national network of mutual aid between and among states," they argued. The White House FY26 budget proposal is traditionally just an initial plan that undergoes changes as lawmakers negotiate what's feasible. With a Republican trifecta in Washington, however, Republicans will likely be under added pressure to deliver on a vision as close to Trump's as possible. Separately, GOP lawmakers are also working on the sweeping tax and immigration legislation that Trump dubbed his "big, beautiful bill," with a goal of getting that bill to Trump's desk by Fourth of July. When reached for comment on the letter, the White House referred Fox News Digital to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). A DHS spokesperson said, "Claims that DHS is reducing focus on terrorism prevention are unequivocally false." "Allegations of weakening these programs are baseless. DHS is enhancing intelligence and infrastructure protection to keep cities secure. We remain fully dedicated to preventing another 9/11 with robust, targeted investments," the DHS spokesperson said. But Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, told Fox News Digital, "We do not even have President Trump's full 2026 budget request yet, but from what we have seen, the cuts he is proposing across the federal government threaten our national security." "House Republicans are tasked with drafting these bills and Democrats stand ready to work in a bipartisan manner, but we will not support final 2026 funding bills that fail to keep our communities safe," DeLauro said. A spokesperson for House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, R-Okla., did not return a request for comment on the letter.
TechCrunch
06-06-2025
- Business
- TechCrunch
Creator Caucus launches in Congress with support from Patreon, YouTube
Representatives Yvette Clarke (D-NY) and Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) launched the bipartisan Congressional Creators Caucus on Thursday, which aims to support the creator economy. Though it once seemed like a pipe dream to make a living on the internet, this industry has become a reality — Oxford Economics estimates that YouTube's ecosystem alone powered over 390,000 full-time equivalent jobs in 2022, while Goldman Sachs estimates that the creator economy could be worth half a trillion dollars by 2027. But the U.S. government doesn't have much regulatory oversight or understanding of the creator economy as it stands, leaving creator businesses in a bind. 'As digital content creators' online presence continues to reach billions globally, Congress must work to ensure resources and protections are in place to support their success in this new era of start-ups,' Representative Clarke said in a statement. Matthew Patrick (MatPat) and Stephanie Patrick, who founded the popular digital production studio Theorist Media, spoke at a press event for the launch of the caucus. The husband and wife duo have spent over a year lobbying on Capitol Hill to advocate for creators' needs. 'We're trying to educate lawmakers about what the creator economy is, and that it's an actual job and that we are actually small businesses, and as a result, there are certain tax codes and things that apply to small businesses,' Matthew Patrick (the creator known as MatPat) told TechCrunch last year. 'Even when you talk to accountants, they're like, well, are you though? Because there's not a clear indicator on tax forms — like, what is a creator business?' The Patricks have also pushed to point out that the creator economy isn't an industry confined to the coasts, in entertainment industry hotspots like New York City and Los Angeles — rather, it's an industry that needs support across the nation. Theorist Media and MrBeast, the most popular YouTubers in the world, are both based in North Carolina. Meanwhile, John and Hank Green have used their success on YouTube to launch businesses like the educational media company Complexly, which has headquarters in Indiana and Montana. Techcrunch event Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Boston, MA | REGISTER NOW Patreon and YouTube, two of the most vital companies that help creator businesses operate, have affirmed their support for the new caucus. As a Patreon blog post explains, creators often build businesses without the same protections that more traditional businesses have, like insurance, disaster relief, and access to loans. Even startups like Karat Financial have sprung up to fill in some of these gaps, providing business credit cards and banking to creators who are often denied these services because legacy financial institutions don't understand their businesses. 'Too often, creators are overlooked in economic policy discussions—despite being small business owners, employers, and cultural tastemakers in every congressional district,' explained Courtney Duffy, Patreon's Head of External Affairs and Strategic Engagement, in a statement. 'The bipartisan Congressional Creator Caucus is a crucial step toward recognizing their impact and ensuring they have a seat at the table in shaping the policies that affect their livelihoods.'
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
CBC calls Trump suspension of USDA 1890 Scholars program ‘outrageous'
The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) is calling on President Trump to reinstate an education program designed to support students from rural and underserved communities pursuing degrees in agriculture and related fields at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) indefinitely suspended the 1890 Scholarship Program on Thursday. According to the USDA's website, the program is 'pending further review.' 'The Trump Administration's decision to suspend the 1890 Scholars Program 'pending further review' is an outrageous disruption that undermines efforts to make higher education accessible for Black students and correct our nation's history of systemic racial discrimination within the land-grant system,' said Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), chair of the CBC, on Friday. 'President Trump repeatedly promised the American people that he would work to lower the costs of living and create greater access to economic opportunity, including for Black communities,' she continued. 'Since January 20th, 2025 this administration has been on a cruel rampage, showing us every day that hard working Americans are not their priority. Instead of working to make our lives better, the Trump administration continues to try to take our country backward.' The USDA did not immediately respond to The Hill's request for comment, but the Trump administration has issued a multitude of executive orders rolling back federal diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. The program, established in 1992, provides full tuition, room and board to students pursuing degrees in agriculture, food, natural resource sciences or related fields. Last year, more than $19 million was allocated to 94 students across 19 HBCUs participating in the program. Applications for the program close March 1, and the CBC is calling on Trump to reinstate the program ahead of the deadline. 'For decades, this program has been vital to the success of the agriculture industry, and CBC has championed this historic and bipartisan program to open doors to talented students from underserved communities,' Clarke said. Members of the CBC have expressed outrage over the suspension, warning of the outsized impact the pause will have on Black students seeking to enter the agricultural field. Rep. Alma Adams (D-N.C.) called the suspension a 'clear attack on an invaluable program' making higher education accessible. 'This program is a correction to a long history of racial discrimination within the land-grant system, not an example of it,' said Adams, adding the suspension is 'targeted and mean-spirited.' Rep. Shontel Brown (D-Ohio) added that the move is 'another egregious attack on fairness and opportunity' from Trump's administration. 'Freezing a scholarship program for students from rural and underserved communities to study agriculture punishes talented students and hurts our future,' said Brown. USDA said students in the program would be able to complete it. 'To be clear, every scholar — over 300 — regardless of matriculation date, was retained to finish their studies and complete their work with the Department. In line with President Trump's directive, USDA is optimizing operations and strengthening its ability to serve farmers, ranchers, and the agriculture community. Like other programs within the Department, Secretary Rollins will continue to review the 1890 National Scholars Program, its mission, and its metrics to ensure the most efficient use of taxpayer resources,' a USDA spokesperson told The Hill. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
21-02-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
CBC calls Trump suspension of USDA 1890 Scholars program ‘outrageous'
The Congressional Black Caucus is calling on President Trump to reinstate an education program designed to support students from rural and underserved communities pursuing degrees in agriculture and related fields at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The U.S. Department of Agriculture indefinitely suspended the 1890 Scholarship Program on Thursday. According to the USDA's website, the program is 'pending further review.' 'The Trump Administration's decision to suspend the 1890 Scholars Program 'pending further review' is an outrageous disruption that undermines efforts to make higher education accessible for Black students and correct our nation's history of systemic racial discrimination within the land-grant system,' Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), chair of the CBC, said on Friday. 'President Trump repeatedly promised the American people that he would work to lower the costs of living and create greater access to economic opportunity, including for Black communities,' she continued. 'Since January 20th, 2025 this administration has been on a cruel rampage, showing us every day that hard working Americans are not their priority. Instead of working to make our lives better, the Trump administration continues to try to take our country backward.' The USDA did not immediately respond to The Hill's request for comment, but the Trump administration has issued a multitude of executive orders rolling back federal diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts. The program, established in 1992, provides full tuition, room and board to students pursuing degrees in agriculture, food, natural resource sciences or related fields. Last year, more than $19 million was allocated to 94 students across 19 HBCUs participating in the program. Applications for the program close March 1, and the CBC is calling on Trump to reinstate the program ahead of the deadline. 'For decades, this program has been vital to the success of the agriculture industry, and CBC has championed this historic and bipartisan program to open doors to talented students from underserved communities,' Clarke said. Members of the CBC have expressed outrage over the suspension, warning of the outsized impact the pause will have on Black students seeking to enter the agricultural field. Rep. Alma Adams (D-N.C.) called the suspension a 'clear attack on an invaluable program' making higher education accessible. 'This program is a correction to a long history of racial discrimination within the land-grant system, not an example of it,' said Adams, adding the suspension is 'targeted and mean-spirited.' Rep. Shantel Brown (D-Ohio) added that the move is 'another egregious attack on fairness and opportunity' from Trump's administration. 'Freezing a scholarship program for students from rural and underserved communities to study agriculture punishes talented students and hurts our future,' said Brown. USDA said students in the program would be able to complete it. 'To be clear, every scholar — over 300 — regardless of matriculation date, was retained to finish their studies and complete their work with the Department. In line with President Trump's directive, USDA is optimizing operations and strengthening its ability to serve farmers, ranchers, and the agriculture community. Like other programs within the Department, Secretary Rollins will continue to review the 1890 National Scholars Program, its mission, and its metrics to ensure the most efficient use of taxpayer resources,' a USDA spokesperson told The Hill.
