WASHINGTON — Top congressional and White House officials say they expect to reach a deal Tuesday on a nearly $2 trillion measure aimed at easing the economic damage inflicted by the coronavirus pandemic. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and congressional leaders engaged in final negotiations after a tumultuous but productive day on...
Tensions Rise as $2 Trillion Virus Aid Stalls in Washington
WASHINGTON — Tensions flared Monday as Washington strained to respond to the worsening coronavirus outbreak, with Congress arguing over a nearly $2 trillion economic rescue package and an impatient President Donald Trump musing openly about letting the 15-day shutdown expire. As the U.S. braces for an onslaught of sick Americans, and millions...
Trump Declares Virus Emergency; Pelosi Announces Aid Deal
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Friday declared the coronavirus pandemic a national emergency in order to free up more money and resources. But he denied any responsibility for delays in making testing available for the new virus, whose spread has roiled markets and disrupted the lives of everyday Americans....
Lawmakers Race to Respond to Outbreak; Trump to Go to Hill
WASHINGTON — Speaker Nancy Pelosi told House Democrats on Tuesday that Congress should stay at work this week as “captains of the ship” despite the risk of coronavirus infection on Capitol Hill as lawmakers scramble under enormous pressure to respond to the epidemic. President Donald Trump was heading there to...
Lawmakers Close in on $7.5B Measure to Battle Coronavirus
WASHINGTON — Lawmakers are finalizing a $7.5 billion emergency bill to fund the government's response to the coronavirus outbreak, even as fear is growing that the rapid spread of the virus is a shock to the economy and will lead to significant disruption in people's everyday lives. Lawmakers across the spectrum said...
Republicans Hope to Set Stage for House Turnaround in Valley, State
LOS ANGELES — California is one of the most heavily Democratic states in the country, but Republicans this year are determined to regain a string of U.S. House seats the party lost to Democrats two years ago. President Donald Trump, who wants the House back under GOP control and House...
Sanders' Rise Fuels Dems' Angst Over Keeping House Control
WASHINGTON — Sen. Bernie Sanders' ascendancy as Democrats' leading presidential hopeful fueled growing unease as lawmakers openly expressed anxiety that the self-proclaimed democratic socialist could cost them House control and questions abounded over what party leaders should do. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., projected calm — and neutrality — on Wednesday as she batted...
Lucky Number? Why There's a Proposition 13 Back on the Ballot.
Just the mention of "Prop. 13" recalls the victorious image of Howard Jarvis celebrating the landmark property tax reform law that voters passed in 1978. Some have called it the "third rail" of California politics. Listen to this article: So, why is it back on the March 3 ballot? To...
Trump's Acquittal Confronts Dems With Election Year Choices
WASHINGTON — Donald Trump’s impeachment ended with a reminder of why House Speaker Nancy Pelosi resisted the idea for so long — an acquittal everyone saw coming, followed by a bombastic presidential victory lap and a bump in his poll numbers just as the 2020 campaign officially began. Now Democrats have...
At Prayer Breakfast, Trump Decries 'Dishonest and Corrupt' People
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump unleashed his fury against those who tried to remove him from office at a prayer breakfast Thursday, a day after his acquittal by the Senate in his impeachment trial. Speaking from a stage where he was joined by congressional leaders, including Democratic House Speaker Nancy...