Senators team up to try to give new parents better-paid leave; Some say proposal is misleading
WASHINGTON DC (NEXSTAR) – A Republican from Louisiana and a Democrat from Arizona have teamed up to try to give new parents better-paid leave.The senators’ plan would allow new moms and dads to get a tax credit earlier than usual, but a policy group calls the proposal misleading.The United States is the only industrialized nation without paid family leave.A handful of states have passed policies on their own, but more and more members of Congress are starting to support a federal mandate.“That first year of life is the most expensive,” said U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R) Louisiana.As a dad and a doctor, Senator Cassidy says he knows the challenges leading up to a baby’s first birthday.That’s why the Republican is proposing a paid family leave plan.“If the mother breastfeeds, then it’s better for the child, it’s better for the mama, but it’s also better for society because they bond and with that bonding, things just go better,” he said.The proposal, co-sponsored by Arizona Democrat Kyrsten Sinema, would allow new moms and dads to get an advance on their child tax credits and immediately receive $5,000 when a child is born.They could use the money for income replacement to stay home with their baby, or spend it on daycare or other expenses to go back to work.“We’ve created a program which does not raise taxes, does not increase the deficit, has no mandates,” Cassidy said.The proposal is starting to gain traction, but a policy group argues the money doesn’t come free – families would have to pay it back.“They’re kind of misrepresenting it as a paid family leave bill,” said Kathleen Romig with the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.Romig calls the idea a loan, not a new benefit.Families would get the $5,000 upfront but have to pay back $500 each year for 10 years.“It would be difficult for many families to repay that amount,” she said.Romig said she wants to see a paid family leave policy that offers new benefits and job protection to all families.“Unfortunately, that’s not what this is,” she said.Romig says there is a second bipartisan option in Congress that would accomplish her goals called the Family Act.But since it would raise taxes to pay for the paid family leave President Donald Trump has tweeted support for Cassidy’s option.
WASHINGTON DC (NEXSTAR) – A Republican from Louisiana and a Democrat from Arizona have teamed up to try to give new parents better-paid leave.The senators’ plan would allow new moms and dads to get a tax credit earlier than usual, but a policy group calls the proposal misleading.The United States is the only industrialized nation without paid family leave.A handful of states have passed policies on their own, but more and more members of Congress are starting to support a federal mandate.“That first year of life is the most expensive,” said U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R) Louisiana.As a dad and a doctor, Senator Cassidy says he knows the challenges leading up to a baby’s first birthday.That’s why the Republican is proposing a paid family leave plan.“If the mother breastfeeds, then it’s better for the child, it’s better for the mama, but it’s also better for society because they bond and with that bonding, things just go better,” he said.The proposal, co-sponsored by Arizona Democrat Kyrsten Sinema, would allow new moms and dads to get an advance on their child tax credits and immediately receive $5,000 when a child is born.They could use the money for income replacement to stay home with their baby, or spend it on daycare or other expenses to go back to work.“We’ve created a program which does not raise taxes, does not increase the deficit, has no mandates,” Cassidy said.The proposal is starting to gain traction, but a policy group argues the money doesn’t come free – families would have to pay it back.“They’re kind of misrepresenting it as a paid family leave bill,” said Kathleen Romig with the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.Romig calls the idea a loan, not a new benefit.Families would get the $5,000 upfront but have to pay back $500 each year for 10 years.“It would be difficult for many families to repay that amount,” she said.Romig said she wants to see a paid family leave policy that offers new benefits and job protection to all families.“Unfortunately, that’s not what this is,” she said.Romig says there is a second bipartisan option in Congress that would accomplish her goals called the Family Act.But since it would raise taxes to pay for the paid family leave President Donald Trump has tweeted support for Cassidy’s option.
President Trump tweets photo of military dog wounded in Baghdadi raid
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Monday outed a military working dog that tracked down the head of the Islamic State.President Trump tweeted a photo of a Belgian Malinois that he said worked with a team of special forces in the capture of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in a tunnel beneath a compound in northeastern Syria.The name and other details about the dog remain a secret.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Monday outed a military working dog that tracked down the head of the Islamic State.President Trump tweeted a photo of a Belgian Malinois that he said worked with a team of special forces in the capture of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in a tunnel beneath a compound in northeastern Syria.The name and other details about the dog remain a secret.
MILWAUKEE -- Gov.
President Trump tweets photo of military dog wounded in Baghdadi raid
WASHINGTON — The name is still classified but President Donald Trump on Monday, Oct. 28 outed the military working dog that tracked down the head of the Islamic State.President Trump tweeted a photo of a Belgian Malinois that he said worked with a team of special forces in the capture of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in a tunnel beneath a compound in northeastern Syria.The name and other details about the dog remain a secret."We have declassified a picture of the wonderful dog (name not declassified) that did such a GREAT JOB in capturing and killing the Leader of ISIS, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi!" the president tweeted.Gen.
WASHINGTON — The name is still classified but President Donald Trump on Monday, Oct. 28 outed the military working dog that tracked down the head of the Islamic State.President Trump tweeted a photo of a Belgian Malinois that he said worked with a team of special forces in the capture of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in a tunnel beneath a compound in northeastern Syria.The name and other details about the dog remain a secret."We have declassified a picture of the wonderful dog (name not declassified) that did such a GREAT JOB in capturing and killing the Leader of ISIS, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi!" the president tweeted.Gen.
In Chicago, President Trump calls the city an embarrassment to the US
CHICAGO — Visiting Chicago for the first time as president, Donald Trump disparaged the city Monday, Oct. 28 as a haven for criminals that is "embarrassing to us as a nation" under the leadership of its top cop, who sat out President Trump's speech to protest the president's immigration policies and frequently divisive rhetoric."There is one person who is not here today," President Trump told a friendly audience at a conference of police chiefs. "Where is he?
CHICAGO — Visiting Chicago for the first time as president, Donald Trump disparaged the city Monday, Oct. 28 as a haven for criminals that is "embarrassing to us as a nation" under the leadership of its top cop, who sat out President Trump's speech to protest the president's immigration policies and frequently divisive rhetoric."There is one person who is not here today," President Trump told a friendly audience at a conference of police chiefs. "Where is he?
Former House Speaker Paul Ryan launches new organization
MADISON — Former House Speaker Paul Ryan has launched a new nonprofit organization he says will be focused on fighting poverty, increasing economic opportunities and advancing evidence-based public policies.Ryan announced the launch of the American Idea Foundation on Monday.
MADISON — Former House Speaker Paul Ryan has launched a new nonprofit organization he says will be focused on fighting poverty, increasing economic opportunities and advancing evidence-based public policies.Ryan announced the launch of the American Idea Foundation on Monday.
President Trump says IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi died 'a coward' in raid
WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump says Islamic State group leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi died after running into a dead-end tunnel and igniting an explosive vest, killing himself and three of his young childrenPresident Trump is describing the U.S. raid in Syria that killed perhaps the world's most wanted man.The president says during remarks from the White House's Diplomatic Room that al-Baghdadi spent his last moments in utter fear and claims that the IS leader was "whimpering and crying" and died as "a coward, running and crying."President Trump had teased the announcement with a tweet Saturday night, declaring that "Something very big has just happened!"He says the U.S. received immediate and positive identification on the body and that the world is now a much safer place.
WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump says Islamic State group leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi died after running into a dead-end tunnel and igniting an explosive vest, killing himself and three of his young childrenPresident Trump is describing the U.S. raid in Syria that killed perhaps the world's most wanted man.The president says during remarks from the White House's Diplomatic Room that al-Baghdadi spent his last moments in utter fear and claims that the IS leader was "whimpering and crying" and died as "a coward, running and crying."President Trump had teased the announcement with a tweet Saturday night, declaring that "Something very big has just happened!"He says the U.S. received immediate and positive identification on the body and that the world is now a much safer place.
Frustrated Democratic governors find ways to sidestep GOP
MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Democratic Gov.
MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Democratic Gov.
President Trump: 'Something very big' to be announced Sunday morning
WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump is teasing a major announcement, tweeting Saturday night that "Something very big has just happened!"A White House spokesman, Hogan Gidley, would say only that the president would be making a "major statement" at 8 a.m. CDT Sunday.The president's tweet moved after 7 p.m. Sunday and left his Twitter followers — his page says more than 66 million — to speculate about what that announcement might entail.
WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump is teasing a major announcement, tweeting Saturday night that "Something very big has just happened!"A White House spokesman, Hogan Gidley, would say only that the president would be making a "major statement" at 8 a.m. CDT Sunday.The president's tweet moved after 7 p.m. Sunday and left his Twitter followers — his page says more than 66 million — to speculate about what that announcement might entail.
Pres. Trump intends to uphold tradition of presidents and baseball
NEW YORK — President Donald Trump's plan to attend Game 5 of the World Series on Sunday will continue a rich tradition of intertwining the American presidency with America's pastime.Franklin D.
NEW YORK — President Donald Trump's plan to attend Game 5 of the World Series on Sunday will continue a rich tradition of intertwining the American presidency with America's pastime.Franklin D.
Washington banning US flights to all Cuban cities but Havana
HAVANA — President Donald Trump's administration is banning U.S. flights to all Cuban cities but Havana in the latest move to roll back the Obama-era easing of relations, officials said Friday.The State Department said JetBlue flights to Santa Clara in central Cuba and the eastern cities of Holguin, Camaguey would be banned starting in December.
HAVANA — President Donald Trump's administration is banning U.S. flights to all Cuban cities but Havana in the latest move to roll back the Obama-era easing of relations, officials said Friday.The State Department said JetBlue flights to Santa Clara in central Cuba and the eastern cities of Holguin, Camaguey would be banned starting in December.
CBP paroles deaf migrant, allowing her to wait out asylum process on US soil
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (Border Report) — There were plenty of hugs and tears as a deaf woman from El Salvador stepped on U.S. soil in for the first time Friday.U.S. Customs and Border Protection paroled the woman and three family members, allowing them to legally remain in the United States while they await their asylum hearings.The release of the woman — whose identity is not known and her lawyers requested to remain anonymous — is unusual when asylum-seekers are forced to remain in Mexico during their immigration hearings as part of President Donald Trump’s Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) program, also known as Remain in Mexico.The woman was among 12 migrants whom Democratic presidential candidate Julian Castro attempted to help cross into the United States from Matamoros, Mexico, when he visited the area on Oct. 7.
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (Border Report) — There were plenty of hugs and tears as a deaf woman from El Salvador stepped on U.S. soil in for the first time Friday.U.S. Customs and Border Protection paroled the woman and three family members, allowing them to legally remain in the United States while they await their asylum hearings.The release of the woman — whose identity is not known and her lawyers requested to remain anonymous — is unusual when asylum-seekers are forced to remain in Mexico during their immigration hearings as part of President Donald Trump’s Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) program, also known as Remain in Mexico.The woman was among 12 migrants whom Democratic presidential candidate Julian Castro attempted to help cross into the United States from Matamoros, Mexico, when he visited the area on Oct. 7.
Aaron Rodgers, State Farm donate $2M to children impacted by Camp Fire, deadliest in California's history
BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. -- In November 2018, Green Bay Packers QB teamed up with State Farm, with the insurance company donating $1 for each retweet of his post up to $1 million to help those impacted by the Camp Fire as Rodgers, a Butte County native, pledged to personally donate $1 million.
BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. -- In November 2018, Green Bay Packers QB teamed up with State Farm, with the insurance company donating $1 for each retweet of his post up to $1 million to help those impacted by the Camp Fire as Rodgers, a Butte County native, pledged to personally donate $1 million.
Judge hands Democrats a victory in impeachment inquiry
WASHINGTON — A judge on Friday ordered the Justice Department to give the House secret grand jury testimony from special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation, handing a victory to Democrats who want it for the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump.In a ruling that also affirmed the legality of the impeachment inquiry itself, Chief U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell ordered the department to turn over the materials by Oct. 30.
WASHINGTON — A judge on Friday ordered the Justice Department to give the House secret grand jury testimony from special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation, handing a victory to Democrats who want it for the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump.In a ruling that also affirmed the legality of the impeachment inquiry itself, Chief U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell ordered the department to turn over the materials by Oct. 30.
House investigators subpoena 3 more administration officials
WASHINGTON — Impeachment investigators issued subpoenas Friday to three more Trump administration officials, demanding their testimony in the probe of President Donald Trump's efforts to force Ukraine to feed him damaging information about his Democratic political opponents.The chairs of the House committees leading the impeachment inquiry subpoenaed two officials of the White House Office of Management and Budget: acting director Russell Vought and Michael Duffey, who oversees national security programs.They also subpoenaed State Department counselor T.
WASHINGTON — Impeachment investigators issued subpoenas Friday to three more Trump administration officials, demanding their testimony in the probe of President Donald Trump's efforts to force Ukraine to feed him damaging information about his Democratic political opponents.The chairs of the House committees leading the impeachment inquiry subpoenaed two officials of the White House Office of Management and Budget: acting director Russell Vought and Michael Duffey, who oversees national security programs.They also subpoenaed State Department counselor T.
Nations pledge $9.8B to global climate fund to help the poor
PARIS — Rich countries have pledged $9.8 billion to help poor nations tackle climate change, the Green Climate Fund said Friday, as environmental activists slammed the United States for refusing to contribute and other nations for giving too little.Yannick Glemarec, the executive director of the Green Climate Fund, said 27 countries announced contributions by the end of a two-day conference in Paris.The United States did not make any pledge, as U.S. President Donald Trump has decided to stop paying into the fund.
PARIS — Rich countries have pledged $9.8 billion to help poor nations tackle climate change, the Green Climate Fund said Friday, as environmental activists slammed the United States for refusing to contribute and other nations for giving too little.Yannick Glemarec, the executive director of the Green Climate Fund, said 27 countries announced contributions by the end of a two-day conference in Paris.The United States did not make any pledge, as U.S. President Donald Trump has decided to stop paying into the fund.
'Just too darn old:' Sanders, Biden confront age concerns
MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa — Bernie Sanders insists he feels better than ever less than a month after heart surgery, but his return to the campaign trail this week sparked new questions about the unusually old age of the Democratic Party's leading 2020 presidential candidates.Both Sanders, 78, and Joe Biden, 76, suggest their age isn't a major issue, but voters, particularly older voters, aren't so sure.Gordon Lundberg, a 71-year-old retired Lutheran pastor from Ames, said candidates' health is a key issue for him because he understands how it feels to age.
MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa — Bernie Sanders insists he feels better than ever less than a month after heart surgery, but his return to the campaign trail this week sparked new questions about the unusually old age of the Democratic Party's leading 2020 presidential candidates.Both Sanders, 78, and Joe Biden, 76, suggest their age isn't a major issue, but voters, particularly older voters, aren't so sure.Gordon Lundberg, a 71-year-old retired Lutheran pastor from Ames, said candidates' health is a key issue for him because he understands how it feels to age.
US budget deficit hits $984 billion, highest in 7 years
WASHINGTON — The federal deficit for the 2019 budget year surged to $984.4 billion, its highest point in seven years.The government is reporting a 26% increase over the 2018 deficit of $779 billion.
WASHINGTON — The federal deficit for the 2019 budget year surged to $984.4 billion, its highest point in seven years.The government is reporting a 26% increase over the 2018 deficit of $779 billion.
GOP's top leaders navigate impeachment in their own ways
WASHINGTON — One of them is a gregarious, backslapping Californian unwavering in his defense of President Donald Trump.
WASHINGTON — One of them is a gregarious, backslapping Californian unwavering in his defense of President Donald Trump.