Sides in fight over funding border wall move closer to each other, but no resolution in sight
WASHINGTON — Both sides in the long-running fight over funding President Donald Trump's U.S.-Mexico border wall appear to have moved toward each other, but a shutdown of one-fourth of the federal government entered Christmas without a clear resolution in sight.In fact, a top White House official warned the shutdown could stretch into January.Acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, who is also the budget director, said he was waiting to hear from Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York about a counteroffer the White House presented Schumer over the weekend.Mulvaney would only say the offer was between Trump's $5.7 billion request and $1.3 billion Democrats have offered."We moved off of the five and we hope they move up from their 1.3," Mulvaney said less than a day after a senior administration official insisted that Congress would have to cave into Trump's demand for the shutdown to end, highlighting Trump's unpredictable negotiating style.Schumer's office said the parties remained "very far apart."Sen.
WASHINGTON — Both sides in the long-running fight over funding President Donald Trump's U.S.-Mexico border wall appear to have moved toward each other, but a shutdown of one-fourth of the federal government entered Christmas without a clear resolution in sight.In fact, a top White House official warned the shutdown could stretch into January.Acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, who is also the budget director, said he was waiting to hear from Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York about a counteroffer the White House presented Schumer over the weekend.Mulvaney would only say the offer was between Trump's $5.7 billion request and $1.3 billion Democrats have offered."We moved off of the five and we hope they move up from their 1.3," Mulvaney said less than a day after a senior administration official insisted that Congress would have to cave into Trump's demand for the shutdown to end, highlighting Trump's unpredictable negotiating style.Schumer's office said the parties remained "very far apart."Sen.
After criticism, President Trump pushes out James Mattis sooner than planned
WASHINGTON -- Irritated with the criticism and fallout from Defense Secretary Jim Mattis' resignation, President Donald Trump on Sunday pushed the Pentagon chief out the door two months earlier than planned, an acrimonious end to a tense relationship that had been eroding in recent months.In a series of tweets, President Trump appeared to question why he had put Mattis in his Cabinet in the first place and said Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan will take over as acting secretary on Jan. 1 to cover the accelerated departure.
WASHINGTON -- Irritated with the criticism and fallout from Defense Secretary Jim Mattis' resignation, President Donald Trump on Sunday pushed the Pentagon chief out the door two months earlier than planned, an acrimonious end to a tense relationship that had been eroding in recent months.In a series of tweets, President Trump appeared to question why he had put Mattis in his Cabinet in the first place and said Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan will take over as acting secretary on Jan. 1 to cover the accelerated departure.
White House: President Trump would accept less money for border wall
WASHINGTON — A top White House official signaled Sunday that President Donald Trump is willing to accept less money than he's been demanding to build a U.S.-Mexico border wall, but a senior congressional Democrat said that, while their own offer could be sweetened, they still will not agree to a wall.The back and forth across the television airwaves did little to inspire hope that a Christmas season closure of some federal government operations would end later this week, when the House and Senate are scheduled to meet again.In fact, acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney warned that the shutdown could stretch into January, when a new Congress is seated.Mulvaney, who also runs the White House budget office, said he's awaiting a response from Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York after the administration on Saturday presented Schumer with a counteroffer in the long-running dispute over funding the wall.Mulvaney withheld specifics but placed the offer at between President Trump's $5.7 billion request and $1.3 billion Democrats are offering."We moved off of the five and we hope they move up from their 1.3," Mulvaney said.The director's comment about the president's softening stance came less than 24 hours after a senior administration official insisted to reporters on Saturday that Congress give into President Trump's demands, highlighting the unpredictable nature of President Trump's negotiating style.Sen.
WASHINGTON — A top White House official signaled Sunday that President Donald Trump is willing to accept less money than he's been demanding to build a U.S.-Mexico border wall, but a senior congressional Democrat said that, while their own offer could be sweetened, they still will not agree to a wall.The back and forth across the television airwaves did little to inspire hope that a Christmas season closure of some federal government operations would end later this week, when the House and Senate are scheduled to meet again.In fact, acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney warned that the shutdown could stretch into January, when a new Congress is seated.Mulvaney, who also runs the White House budget office, said he's awaiting a response from Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York after the administration on Saturday presented Schumer with a counteroffer in the long-running dispute over funding the wall.Mulvaney withheld specifics but placed the offer at between President Trump's $5.7 billion request and $1.3 billion Democrats are offering."We moved off of the five and we hope they move up from their 1.3," Mulvaney said.The director's comment about the president's softening stance came less than 24 hours after a senior administration official insisted to reporters on Saturday that Congress give into President Trump's demands, highlighting the unpredictable nature of President Trump's negotiating style.Sen.
'Anything can happen:' Government unlikely to get fully back to business for days
WASHINGTON — The federal government is expected to remain partially closed past Christmas Day in a protracted standoff over President Donald Trump's demand for money to build a border wall with Mexico.On the second day of the federal closure, President Trump tweeted Sunday that what the country needs is "a good old fashioned WALL that works," as opposed to aerial drones and other measures that "are wonderful and lots of fun" not the right answer to address the problem of "drugs, gangs, human trafficking, criminal elements and much else from coming into" the United States.With President Trump's insistence on $5 billion for the wall and negotiations with Democrats in Congress far from a breakthrough, even a temporary measure to keep the government running while talks continued seems out of reach until the Senate returns for a full session Thursday.From coast to coast, the first day of the shutdown played out in uneven ways.
WASHINGTON — The federal government is expected to remain partially closed past Christmas Day in a protracted standoff over President Donald Trump's demand for money to build a border wall with Mexico.On the second day of the federal closure, President Trump tweeted Sunday that what the country needs is "a good old fashioned WALL that works," as opposed to aerial drones and other measures that "are wonderful and lots of fun" not the right answer to address the problem of "drugs, gangs, human trafficking, criminal elements and much else from coming into" the United States.With President Trump's insistence on $5 billion for the wall and negotiations with Democrats in Congress far from a breakthrough, even a temporary measure to keep the government running while talks continued seems out of reach until the Senate returns for a full session Thursday.From coast to coast, the first day of the shutdown played out in uneven ways.
Shutdown expected to drag into Christmas as standoff deepens
WASHINGTON — The federal government was expected to remain partially shut down well into Christmas as the standoff deepened Saturday over President Donald Trump's demand for funds to build a border wall with Mexico.With President Trump's insistence on $5 billion for the wall and negotiations with Democrats in Congress far from a breakthrough, even a temporary measure to keep the government running while talks continued seemed out of reach until the Senate returned for a full session Thursday.From coast to coast, the first day of the shutdown played out in uneven ways.
WASHINGTON — The federal government was expected to remain partially shut down well into Christmas as the standoff deepened Saturday over President Donald Trump's demand for funds to build a border wall with Mexico.With President Trump's insistence on $5 billion for the wall and negotiations with Democrats in Congress far from a breakthrough, even a temporary measure to keep the government running while talks continued seemed out of reach until the Senate returned for a full session Thursday.From coast to coast, the first day of the shutdown played out in uneven ways.
Mitch McConnell says shutdown deal up to President Trump, Democrats
WASHINGTON -- Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says it's up to President Donald Trump and Democrats to reach a deal to end the partial government shutdown.The impasse is over President Trump's demand for billions of dollars in money for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.As the Senate returned to work Saturday, McConnell said he hoped an agreement could be reached "sooner rather than later."He says any deal to re-open government would need Democratic support for passage and President Trump's signature to be signed into law.Talks are continuing, but there's no clear path forward.President Trump wants $5.7 billion for the border wall with Mexico.
WASHINGTON -- Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says it's up to President Donald Trump and Democrats to reach a deal to end the partial government shutdown.The impasse is over President Trump's demand for billions of dollars in money for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.As the Senate returned to work Saturday, McConnell said he hoped an agreement could be reached "sooner rather than later."He says any deal to re-open government would need Democratic support for passage and President Trump's signature to be signed into law.Talks are continuing, but there's no clear path forward.President Trump wants $5.7 billion for the border wall with Mexico.
Melania Trump's red topiary trees a hit at Christmas parties
WASHINGTON — Melania Trump's cranberry topiary trees may have left some of her critics seeing red, but they turned out to be a Christmas hit — one of several new ideas the Trumps introduced this holiday season.In a four-week stretch of 21 holiday parties, the president also did fewer official photo ops and largely froze out the media.
WASHINGTON — Melania Trump's cranberry topiary trees may have left some of her critics seeing red, but they turned out to be a Christmas hit — one of several new ideas the Trumps introduced this holiday season.In a four-week stretch of 21 holiday parties, the president also did fewer official photo ops and largely froze out the media.
Missing girl, Evers win, Packers lose: Top Wisconsin news stories of 2018
Wisconsin saw the defeat of Gov.
Wisconsin saw the defeat of Gov.
'Prepared for a very long shutdown:' Tensions high in Washington over border wall funds
WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump has said he will not sign any funding bill unless it includes money to build a wall.
WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump has said he will not sign any funding bill unless it includes money to build a wall.
President Trump signs sweeping, "beyond bipartisan" criminal justice bill
WASHINGTON — With a government shutdown just hours away, President Donald Trump on Friday signed rare bipartisan legislation addressing concerns with the criminal justice system.President Trump called the bill "an incredible success for our country" and "beyond bipartisan" during an Oval Office signing ceremony.Lawmakers and advocates also hailed it as a hugely influential package and thanked the president for supporting the issue.The legislation will give judges more discretion when sentencing some drug offenders and will boost prisoner rehabilitation efforts, among other efforts.It received the rare support of both Democratic and Republican lawmakers as well as conservative and liberal groups that rarely work together.Playing a key role behind the scenes was President Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner, whose father spent time in federal prison when he was younger.
WASHINGTON — With a government shutdown just hours away, President Donald Trump on Friday signed rare bipartisan legislation addressing concerns with the criminal justice system.President Trump called the bill "an incredible success for our country" and "beyond bipartisan" during an Oval Office signing ceremony.Lawmakers and advocates also hailed it as a hugely influential package and thanked the president for supporting the issue.The legislation will give judges more discretion when sentencing some drug offenders and will boost prisoner rehabilitation efforts, among other efforts.It received the rare support of both Democratic and Republican lawmakers as well as conservative and liberal groups that rarely work together.Playing a key role behind the scenes was President Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner, whose father spent time in federal prison when he was younger.
Supreme Court rejects President Trump plea to enforce U.S.-Mexico border asylum ban
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court won't let the Trump administration begin enforcing a ban on asylum for any immigrants who illegally cross the U.S.-Mexico border.Chief Justice John Roberts joined his four more liberal colleagues Friday in ruling against the administration in the very case in which President Donald Trump had derided the "Obama judge" who first blocked the asylum policy.New Justice Brett Kavanaugh and three other conservative justices sided with the administration.There were no opinions explaining either side's votes.The court's order leaves in place lower court rulings that blocked President Trump's proclamation in November automatically denying asylum to people who enter the country from Mexico without going through official border crossings.President Trump said he was acting in response to caravans of migrants making their way to the border.The administration had also complained that the nationwide order preventing the policy from taking effect was too broad.
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court won't let the Trump administration begin enforcing a ban on asylum for any immigrants who illegally cross the U.S.-Mexico border.Chief Justice John Roberts joined his four more liberal colleagues Friday in ruling against the administration in the very case in which President Donald Trump had derided the "Obama judge" who first blocked the asylum policy.New Justice Brett Kavanaugh and three other conservative justices sided with the administration.There were no opinions explaining either side's votes.The court's order leaves in place lower court rulings that blocked President Trump's proclamation in November automatically denying asylum to people who enter the country from Mexico without going through official border crossings.President Trump said he was acting in response to caravans of migrants making their way to the border.The administration had also complained that the nationwide order preventing the policy from taking effect was too broad.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell urges Senate to approve wall funding
WASHINGTON -- The Senate has begun a procedural vote to take up a House-passed bill that would pay for President Donald Trump's border wall and avert a partial government shutdown.Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell urged approval of the bill, which includes $5.7 billion President Trump wants for the southern border with Mexico.
WASHINGTON -- The Senate has begun a procedural vote to take up a House-passed bill that would pay for President Donald Trump's border wall and avert a partial government shutdown.Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell urged approval of the bill, which includes $5.7 billion President Trump wants for the southern border with Mexico.
Governor-elect Tony Evers names picks for Transportation, Agriculture, Insurance
MADISON — Gov.-elect Tony Evers has named four more members of his Cabinet, including an advocate for raising revenue to improve the condition of Wisconsin's roads as head the state Department of Transportation.Evers announced the picks Friday.His choice to lead the Department of Transportation is Craig Thompson, the executive director of the Wisconsin Transportation Development Association.Evers also named Mark Afable as insurance commissioner, Rebecca Cameron Valcq as chairwoman of the Public Service Commission and Brad Pfaff as head of the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.That brings to eight the number of Cabinet secretaries Evers has announced to date, all this week.
MADISON — Gov.-elect Tony Evers has named four more members of his Cabinet, including an advocate for raising revenue to improve the condition of Wisconsin's roads as head the state Department of Transportation.Evers announced the picks Friday.His choice to lead the Department of Transportation is Craig Thompson, the executive director of the Wisconsin Transportation Development Association.Evers also named Mark Afable as insurance commissioner, Rebecca Cameron Valcq as chairwoman of the Public Service Commission and Brad Pfaff as head of the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.That brings to eight the number of Cabinet secretaries Evers has announced to date, all this week.
House GOP approves Pres. Trump's wall money as shutdown looms
WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump's demand for border wall funds hurled the federal government closer to a shutdown as the Republican-led House approved a package Thursday with his $5.7 billion request that is almost certain to be rejected by the Senate.The White House said President Trump will not travel to Florida on Friday for the Christmas holiday if the government is shutting down.
WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump's demand for border wall funds hurled the federal government closer to a shutdown as the Republican-led House approved a package Thursday with his $5.7 billion request that is almost certain to be rejected by the Senate.The White House said President Trump will not travel to Florida on Friday for the Christmas holiday if the government is shutting down.
Gov. Scott Walker: Wisconsin wraps up 2017-18 fiscal year with $588M surplus
MADISON -- Governor Scott Walker announced on Thursday, Dec. 20 that Wisconsin ended the 2017-18 fiscal year with a $588.5 million surplus, according to the state’s 2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) issued by the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA).In a news release, the governor issued the following statement:
MADISON -- Governor Scott Walker announced on Thursday, Dec. 20 that Wisconsin ended the 2017-18 fiscal year with a $588.5 million surplus, according to the state’s 2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) issued by the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA).In a news release, the governor issued the following statement:
GoFundMe to build Pres. Trump's border wall raises more than $1M in 2 days
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- With political parties at an impasse over the billions of dollars necessary to fund President Donald Trump's proposed border wall, a Florida veteran decided to launch a GoFundMe campaign – in just two days donations surpassed the $1.9 million mark, as of Wednesday evening.Brian Kolfage, 37, created the fundraiser titled "We The People Will Fund The Wall," which has a $1 billion goal.Kolfage is a senior airman who lost three limbs while while fighting in Iraq in 2004, according to his website.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- With political parties at an impasse over the billions of dollars necessary to fund President Donald Trump's proposed border wall, a Florida veteran decided to launch a GoFundMe campaign – in just two days donations surpassed the $1.9 million mark, as of Wednesday evening.Brian Kolfage, 37, created the fundraiser titled "We The People Will Fund The Wall," which has a $1 billion goal.Kolfage is a senior airman who lost three limbs while while fighting in Iraq in 2004, according to his website.
'Some 1-on-1 time:' Green Bay Packers QB hosts pizza party for kids at Lambeau Field 🏈🍕
GREEN BAY -- The Green Bay Packers were eliminated from the playoffs with the loss on Sunday, Dec. 16 to the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, but they were still preparing for the final two games of the season -- Sunday, Dec. 23 vs.
GREEN BAY -- The Green Bay Packers were eliminated from the playoffs with the loss on Sunday, Dec. 16 to the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, but they were still preparing for the final two games of the season -- Sunday, Dec. 23 vs.
President Trump pulling all US troops from Syria, declaring IS defeat
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is pulling all 2,000 U.S. troops out of Syria, officials announced Wednesday as the president suddenly declared victory over the Islamic State, contradicting his own experts' assessments and sparking surprise and outrage from his party's lawmakers who called his action rash and dangerous.The U.S. began airstrikes in Syria in 2014, and ground troops moved in the following year to battle the Islamic State, or ISIS, and train Syrian rebels in a country torn apart by civil war.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is pulling all 2,000 U.S. troops out of Syria, officials announced Wednesday as the president suddenly declared victory over the Islamic State, contradicting his own experts' assessments and sparking surprise and outrage from his party's lawmakers who called his action rash and dangerous.The U.S. began airstrikes in Syria in 2014, and ground troops moved in the following year to battle the Islamic State, or ISIS, and train Syrian rebels in a country torn apart by civil war.