President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at reducing the operations of several federal agencies, including those overseeing government-funded media outlets, as part of a broader effort to streamline government functions and reduce bureaucracy. The order, issued after Congress passed its latest funding bill, targets lesser-known entities and directs them to operate only at the minimum level mandated by law, aligning with the President's campaign to restructure government operations without congressional approval. Implementation began on Saturday, focusing on Voice of America and other pro-democracy programming, with Kari Lake, a senior advisor, advising employees to check their email for further instructions, highlighting the administration's commitment to swiftly executing these changes.
Posts tagged as “the U.S. Senate”
In a notable move, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced his support for a Republican-backed six-month funding bill to prevent an impending government shutdown, despite opposition from many Senate Democrats. Schumer described the situation as a "Hobson's choice," emphasizing the limited options and potential chaos of a shutdown, marking a significant concession from his previous stance. This decision, following a contentious caucus meeting, highlights the complexities of bipartisan negotiations in the Senate amid pressing deadlines.
Former New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu is being encouraged by Republican leaders to run for the U.S. Senate following Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen's announcement that she will not seek re-election in 2026. Shaheen, who has served since 2009, made her decision public through a social media video, emphasizing her commitment to remain active until her term ends. The upcoming vacancy has sparked interest from potential candidates, including former Massachusetts GOP Senator Scott Brown, setting the stage for a competitive and closely watched election.
The Council Bluffs Police Department in Iowa has arrested 25-year-old Dominic M. Henton in connection with the alleged sexual assault of former Senator Martha McSally (R-Ariz.). McSally reported the incident on Wednesday, saying that she had been grabbed from behind while jogging near Omaha, Nebraska. Surveillance footage released by police showed the suspect following the former senator on a paved pedestrian walkway, and McSally chased the suspect into the brush before calling 911. The police department is continuing to investigate the incident and is asking anyone with information to contact them.
This week, the U.S. Senate is set to review a $105 billion national security supplemental request from the Biden administration, which includes aid to Ukraine and Israel, efforts to contain China, and tougher border security in the U.S. Meanwhile, House Republicans are planning to vote on an emergency aid package for Israel that does not include funding for other U.S. allies. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is advocating for the broader national security spending bill, while the House is pushing for a more targeted approach. The outcome of the Senate hearing and the House vote will be critical in determining the future of the Biden administration's national security spending bill.
Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) announced Thursday that she will not seek election to a full term in the U.S. Senate in 2024, despite being seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party. In a statement, Butler said she had “spent the past 16 days pursuing my own clarity” and that “knowing you can win a campaign doesn't always mean you should run a campaign.” This decision opens up the race for the U.S. Senate seat in California, with a number of candidates expected to enter the race in the coming months.
Kari Lake, a former television news anchor and Republican candidate for Arizona governor, held a boisterous rally in Scottsdale to kick off her campaign for the U.S. Senate. National Republican leaders are hoping that Lake can take advantage of a potential three-way race, and she has promised to fight for her seat with the support of former President Donald Trump and her passionate base of supporters.
Steve Garvey, a former Major League Baseball MVP and All-Star, has announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat in California. He is running as a Republican in a heavily Democratic state, and believes fresh voices and new ideas are needed to address the issues facing California. He launched his campaign with a video featuring baseball imagery and alluding to problems facing the state, and the primary election is scheduled for June 5, 2022.