WASHINGTON— Acting with exceptional resolve in an extraordinary time, the House rushed President Donald Trump a $2.2 trillion rescue package Friday, tossing a life preserver to a U.S. economy and health care system left flailing by the coronavirus pandemic. The House approved the sweeping measure by a voice vote, as...
Farmworker Reform Bill Passes House. What's Next?
The Republican-controlled U.S. Senate — and potentially President Donald Trump — is about to learn what it's like to take on America's farmers. Listen to this article: The bipartisan Farm Workforce Modernization Act passed the House of Representatives, 260-165, on Wednesday. Ag groups immediately celebrated and then quickly pivoted to...
Israel Lobby to Take Frosh Congressional Dems to Israel. Some Refuse to Trip
At least 23 out of 59 freshmen Democrats in the House will be traveling on an all-expenses-paid trip to Israel in August. But 14 won’t be attending the Israel lobby funded trip, 2 are ‘checking their schedules,’ and the rest have not divulged their plans. See list below: As is...
Democrats Using Veterans Bill to Try to Block Border Wall
WASHINGTON — Democrats controlling the House are trying to use a popular veterans measure to block President Donald Trump from transferring $3.6 billion from military base construction to build his long-sought wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Tuesday's move faces certain opposition from Trump and a potential veto threat. Lawmakers often...
Walters: 'Ballot Harvesting' Just Latest Power Move by Politicians
Anyone who harbors the quaint notion that high-stakes politics are rational, much less ethical, should be disabused by two terms: “gerrymandering” and “ballot harvesting.” When Republicans won control of the House of Representatives in 2010 and maintained it for three subsequent election cycles, Democrats complained loudly that it was the...
Valley Packs a Punch on Powerful Congressional Ag Committee
The San Joaquin Valley will wield considerable clout on the influential House Committee on Agriculture in the 116th Congress. Rep. Jim Costa of Fresno is joined by two other Valley Democrats on the committee, newly elected TJ Cox of Fresno and Josh Harder of Turlock. Costa is the third-ranking Democrat on...
In First House Speech, Cox Calls for End to Federal Shutdown
Payday will come Friday without any checks for about 800,000 federal employees affected by the government shutdown, forcing workers to scale back spending, cancel trips, apply for unemployment benefits and take out loans to stay afloat. On Thursday, Rep. TJ Cox (D-Fresno) used the impact of the shutdown as the...
Senate Votes to Curtail Support for Saudi-Led Military Effort in Yemen, Condemn Prince
WASHINGTON - The Senate cast a historic vote Thursday afternoon to end U.S. participation in a Saudi-led war effort in Yemen , delivering a clear political rebuke of President Donald Trump's continued embrace of the kingdom, and setting the stage for more strategic challenges to Saudi policy when Congress regroups...
California at Center of Fight for US House Control
LOS ANGELES — As California goes, so goes the U.S. House? A string of contested districts across the nation's most populous state could provide a pathway for Democrats to take control of the chamber or help Republicans hold their ground in a year defined by divisions over President Donald Trump...
Trump Views Midterms Through Presidency-Defining Lens
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump knows he's on the line. The president spent Election Day calling allies, tweeting endorsements and following news coverage, after concluding a six-day rally blitz in Missouri late Monday. Trump packed his closing argument with hardline immigration rhetoric and harsh attacks on Democrats as he...