Sen. John Kennedy said Monday that Republicans need to pass tax reform both for the American people and the party’s political future. “Number one, our economy needs it. Number two, the people in charge at the moment here in Washington, my party, we need it. Now, that doesn’t mean we need to just pass anything. We need to do it right,” Mr. Kennedy, Louisiana Republican, said on CNN. Reducing taxes overall should give a boost to the economy that will increase wages while decreasing costs, he said. Mr. Kennedy cautioned that the increase may be incremental, but said it will get the economy back on a path of growth. “I don’t think it’s going to bust through the ceiling, but I think you can see a half to a point of GDP growth. It’ll get us back to average, which is supposed to be about 3 percent. We’re at about 1.9 percent now, and that’s why we don’t have the jobs we should have, and more importantly that’s why … [Read more...] about John Kennedy: Republicans need to pass tax reform this year
Politics
|
|
|
Susan Collins urges Bob Corker, Donald Trump to end their public feud
Sen. Susan Collins on Monday urged fellow Sen. Bob Corker and President Trump to end their public feud and focus on the issues. “I don’t think that the Twitter war between him and the president is productive, and I’d like to see them get back to working on the Iran legislation, for example,” Ms. Collins, Maine Republican, said on MSNBC.She added that she is a friend of Mr. Corker, Tennessee Republican, and said that Mr. Trump’s more unconventional approach has caused more “chaos” than past presidencies.“There’s no doubt that this president has been extremely unconventional in his approach and that has caused more chaos than I think is good for our country, and for our relationship with both our allies and our enemies,” Ms. Collins said. “I would urge the president to remember that every single word he says matters. When he was in the private sector, in the business world, he could make an off-the-hand comment, and it … [Read more...] about Susan Collins urges Bob Corker, Donald Trump to end their public feud
PBS airs anti- Pruitt documentary funded by environmentalist group backer
A new PBS Frontline documentary that paints Environmental Protection Agency administrator Scott Pruitt as a tool for the fossil fuel industry received major funding from a group that has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to environmentalist activists like the Sierra Club. The documentary, "War on the EPA," received major support from the Kendeda Fund, an Atlanta-based nonprofit focused on the environment and sustainability. The documentary features interviews with numerous Obama administration backers, including Gina McCarthy, the former EPA administrator, and Betsy Southerland, a former EPA director making $250,000 who claimed earlier this year she resigned in protest because of the Trump administration's budget. Southerland was eligible for early retirement and told coworkers she … [Read more...] about PBS airs anti- Pruitt documentary funded by environmentalist group backer
Washington is turning against the US Senate
Story highlights D.C. Republicans are seeing the Senate as a roadblock for their agenda A key issue: The chamber's rule that requires 60 votes for many bills to advance (CNN)Some conservatives in the House of Representatives believe they've found a way to shield themselves from loss in 2018: run against the US Senate even if it means running against their own GOP colleagues. Despite controlling the House, Senate and White House, Republicans on Capitol Hill have earned a reputation of doing very little this year after the Senate failed to repeal Obamacare -- a signature campaign promise for many Republicans. But, House GOP members say the criticism isn't fair because they passed a repeal and replacement of Obamacare and they're prepared to do everything they can to distinguish themselves from the Republican-controlled Senate ahead of the midterms. "I'll tell you there has been a … [Read more...] about Washington is turning against the US Senate
Congress week ahead: Republican plans for tax reform faces key Senate vote
Story highlights At least four Republicans senators are undecided on a GOP tax overhaul plan Sen. Thad Cochran, who has been ill, is expected to be back to work this week The Senate is scheduled vote on Callista Gingrich to be ambassador to the Vatican (CNN)The Republican push for a broad tax overhaul faces a critical test this week as senators must approve a budget bill that would clear the way for tax reform to pass the Senate with just GOP support. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is under tremendous pressure from his right flank -- inside and outside the Capitol -- to get the votes to advance the tax bill. After the double failure of health care reform, senators have few major legislative accomplishments to point to and Republicans -- especially President Donald Trump -- are getting antsy for some wins. If at least 50 of the 52 Senate Republicans vote for the … [Read more...] about Congress week ahead: Republican plans for tax reform faces key Senate vote
Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell set for frosty White House lunch
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell are set for an interesting meeting at the White House on Monday. Trump blames the Kentucky Republican for the health overhaul failure. Trump hints at tantalizing deals with Democrats and watches his former strategist work from outside the administration to bulldoze the Republican establishment on Capitol Hill. There will be a chill in the air when Trump, a public official since January, and McConnell, first elected to Congress in 1984, sit down for lunch. “Mitch McConnell’s not our problem. Our problem is that we promised to repeal and replace Obamacare, and we failed. We promised to cut taxes and we have yet to do it,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a member of Congress since 1995. “If we’re successful, Mitch McConnell’s fine. If we’re not, we’re all in trouble. We lose our majority and I think President Trump will not get … [Read more...] about Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell set for frosty White House lunch
Bolton: A Slow Death for the Iran Deal
Trump has ‘scotch’d the snake, not kill’d it.’ But proposed congressional ‘fixes’ are feckless.By John Bolton, For the Wall Street Journal As Abba Eban observed, “Men and nations behave wisely when they have exhausted all other resources.” So it goes with America and the Iran deal. President Trump announced Friday that the U.S. would stay in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, even while he refused to certify under U.S. law that the deal is in the national interest. “Decertification,” a bright, shiny object for many, obscures the real issue—whether the agreement should survive. Mr. Trump has “scotch’d the snake, not kill’d it.”While Congress considers how to respond—or, more likely, not respond—we should focus on the grave threats inherent in the deal. Peripheral issues have often dominated the debate; forests have been felled arguing over whether Iran has complied with … [Read more...] about Bolton: A Slow Death for the Iran Deal
Trump allies worry that losing the House means impeachment
(CNN)Top White House aides, lawmakers, donors and political consultants are privately asking whether President Donald Trump realizes that losing the House next year could put his presidency in peril. In more than a dozen interviews, Republicans inside and outside the White House told CNN conversations are ramping up behind the scenes about whether Trump fully grasps that his feuds with members of his own party and shortage of legislative achievements could soon put the fate of his presidency at risk. Donors who trekked to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in support of House Speaker Paul Ryan were treated to a slide show late this summer to fundraise off those very fears, according to multiple attendees. Among the slides: An overview of the Democrats who would be tapped to lead key committees if the GOP loses control, including Rep. Elijah Cummings as the head of the House Oversight Committee. To some attendees, the subtext was clear. If Republicans forfeit the House, … [Read more...] about Trump allies worry that losing the House means impeachment
Michael Goodwin: Trump Doesn’t Owe Obama Anything
AP By Michael Goodwin, The New York PostNot much is happening in Washington these days. Just more of the same as President Trump continues to change or scrap the policies of the previous president and the media responds by insisting each time that the sky is falling.It’s nine months into the administration, and there is no rest for the hair-on-fire coverage. Whether it’s Trump’s move to make changes to NAFTA, decertify the Iran deal, eliminate some ObamaCare rules or cut taxes, each is greeted with a collective howl of outrage.Every report is a parade of horrors that celebrates critics as truth-telling prophets. All the code words about cruelty to the poor and benefits for the rich are trotted out, capped with warnings about race and gender impacts.The hyperbolic language is designed to stoke partisan fear and rally the resistance. “Sabotage” is how The New York Times editorial page described the president’s changes to … [Read more...] about Michael Goodwin: Trump Doesn’t Owe Obama Anything
Feds: Menendez judge could ‘legalize pay-to-play politics’
Caption Close NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — The judge in U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez's corruption trial could rule on Monday to dismiss the bulk of the indictment against the New Jersey Democrat, a decision that prosecutors say could "broadly legalize pay-to-play politics." After hearing six weeks of testimony and viewing dozens of emails and documents that prosecutors allege show Menendez schemed to help a wealthy friend in exchange for free plane rides and luxury hotel stays, jurors may never get to deliberate those points. That will depend on how U.S. District Judge William Walls decides on arguments by lawyers for Menendez and his longtime friend, Florida ophthalmologist Salomon Melgen, to dismiss the case. Lawyers on both sides are set to present additional arguments Monday morning before Walls decides. At issue is a 2016 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned the conviction of former Republican Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and narrowed the definition of bribery. In recent months, it has … [Read more...] about Feds: Menendez judge could ‘legalize pay-to-play politics’
