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U.S. to accept 100,000 Ukrainian refugees, levy more sanctions on Russia
By: Jennifer Shutt - March 24, 2022
WASHINGTON — The White House announced a wave of new sanctions against Russia on Thursday while pledging to send more humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and welcome up to 100,000 refugees. The new economic restrictions on Russia and billions more in aid for Ukrainians were detailed as President Joe Biden huddled with North Atlantic Treaty Organization […]
Ketanji Brown Jackson vows to decide U.S. Supreme Court cases from a ‘neutral posture’
By: Jennifer Shutt - March 21, 2022
WASHINGTON — Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson began her four-day confirmation process to become the nation’s first Black female associate justice on Monday, listening to hours of opening statements from Senate Judiciary Committee members before giving her own. In her first public remarks since President Joe Biden nominated her last month, Jackson, who grew […]
U.S. House moves to revoke Russia, Belarus trade status; 8 Republicans vote no
By: Jennifer Shutt - March 17, 2022
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House voted overwhelmingly Thursday to revoke normal trade relations with Russia and Belarus, another step the federal government hopes will end the Russian war in Ukraine. The 424-8 vote sends the measure, which refers to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Aleksander Lukashenko as “ruthless” dictators, to the Senate. GOP […]
Zelenskyy reminds Congress of Pearl Harbor and 9/11 in pleading for U.S. help for Ukraine
By: Jennifer Shutt and Jacob Fischler - March 16, 2022
WASHINGTON — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday invoked the Pearl Harbor attacks ahead of World War II and the 9/11 terrorist attacks, while urging the United States to do more to stop the Russian war against his country. During the speech, delivered virtually to members of Congress in an auditorium on Capitol Hill, Zelenskyy […]
With COVID funding stuck in Congress, White House raises alarms about shortfall
By: Jennifer Shutt - March 15, 2022
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration is warning that the United States would not be prepared for another COVID-19 variant or surge in cases if Congress doesn’t approve billions in stalled emergency funding. Senior administration officials told reporters Tuesday that without the $22.5 billion the White House requested last month, there will be a drop-off in […]
VA eyes major changes in health care system as veterans flock to the South, Southwest
By: Jennifer Shutt - March 14, 2022
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on Monday began the years-long process of restructuring its nationwide health care network, an endeavor that will require the president and Congress to sign off before it could begin. The restructuring would mean the closures or consolidations of some medical facilities, likely provoking opposition from communities and […]
COVID aid stripped from U.S. spending bill after protests states would lose relief money
By: Jennifer Shutt - March 9, 2022
WASHINGTON — Congressional leaders on Wednesday pulled more than $15 billion in emergency COVID-19 aid from a government funding bill after infuriated Democrats said their states would get shut out of promised cash from a 2021 pandemic relief package. Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement that it was “heartbreaking” to remove the COVID-19 funding, […]
Congress reaches deal on massive spending package with billions for Ukraine
By: Jennifer Shutt - March 9, 2022
WASHINGTON — Democrats and Republicans forged agreement early Wednesday on a spending package that will fund the government for the next eight months, as well as provide billions in emergency funding for the war in Ukraine. The announcement means Congress should be able to avert a government shutdown when a spending patch expires at midnight […]
Biden declares U.S. ban on Russian oil, warns of gasoline price spikes
By: Jennifer Shutt and Jacob Fischler - March 8, 2022
WASHINGTON — The United States will no longer import Russian energy in an attempt to further cripple that nation’s economy as it wages war against Ukraine. President Joe Biden announced the newest sanctions Tuesday from the White House, saying that a ban on Russian oil and gas would target “the main artery of Russia’s economy.” […]
U.S. government shutdown days away as Congress struggles on Ukraine aid, COVID-19 relief
By: Jennifer Shutt - March 7, 2022
WASHINGTON — With just five days left before government funding expires, Democrats and Republicans are trying to reach agreement on $1.5 trillion in federal spending as well as billions more in assistance to Ukraine and COVID-19 relief. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Monday afternoon that both political parties were “very close” to reaching […]
White House wants $10 billion for Ukraine aid, $22.5 billion for more COVID help
By: Jennifer Shutt - March 3, 2022
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration is asking Congress to provide $10 billion in assistance to Ukraine and $22.5 billion in COVID-19 funding on a fast timeline — within the next week. White House acting budget director Shalanda Young wrote in a letter to lawmakers that this likely won’t be the last emergency funding request for […]
Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson meets with top members of U.S. Senate
By: Jennifer Shutt - March 2, 2022
WASHINGTON — U.S. Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson began the arduous Senate confirmation process Wednesday, meeting on Capitol Hill with four key senators. Jackson, who would become the first Black woman on the court if confirmed, started her morning with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat. Schumer said he expects Republicans […]