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Social Security and Medicare: Where do Harris and Trump stand?
This is one in a series of States Newsroom reports on the major policy issues in the presidential race. WASHINGTON — The presidential debate in early September included just one mention of Social Security and three references to Medicare, making the safety net programs a minuscule part of the policy discussion, despite their importance to […]
Trump vows to levy ‘horrible’ tariffs on imports, rejecting fears of inflation spike
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump defended his plans for steep tariffs on Tuesday, arguing economists who say that those higher costs would get passed onto consumers are incorrect and that his proposals would benefit American manufacturing. During an argumentative hour-long interview with Bloomberg Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait hosted by the Economic Club of Chicago, Trump vehemently […]
Congress left D.C. with little done. They’ll be back Nov. 12 to give it another try.
WASHINGTON — Members of Congress left Capitol Hill last week to focus their attention on the campaign trail during the six weeks leading up to Election Day, leaving much of their work unfinished. The Republican House and Democratic Senate are scheduled to remain on recess until Nov. 12, though the urgent needs created in the […]
Tim Walz and J.D. Vance tangle in wonky, largely cordial vice presidential debate
Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Republican Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance squared off Tuesday night in a vice presidential debate that marked the last scheduled in-person meeting for the campaigns as Americans decide the country’s next chapter. Meeting for the first time, Walz and Vance engaged in a policy-heavy, nearly two-hour back-and-forth hosted by […]
U.S. House speaker withdraws spending bill that would require ID to register to vote
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson pulled a six-month stopgap spending bill from heading to the floor for a vote Wednesday, scuttling efforts by the GOP to show solidarity behind their plan, which included a provision requiring ID to register to vote in federal elections. The spending bill, released by House Republicans last week […]
FDA greenlights new COVID vaccine after a summer of rising numbers of cases
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved an updated COVID-19 vaccine intended to address severe symptoms of the virus ahead of the cold and flu season. The new booster shots from Moderna and Pfizer follow a summer of increasing COVID-19 cases and are designed to better address the variants that are […]
Democrats celebrate with boisterous state-by-state roll call vote for Harris
The Democratic National Convention held a ceremonial roll call of the states Tuesday, giving delegates on the floor of the United Center in Chicago a chance to show their support for Kamala Harris complete with corncob hats, DJ’d music, a surprise appearance from Atlanta rapper Lil Jon and enthusiastic cheers. The tradition, which has long […]
Harris unveils plan to curb price gouging, boost child tax credit, tackle rent hikes
WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris released her first detailed economic policy proposal Friday, laying out how she’d like to ease rent increases, boost first-time home buyers, end grocery price gouging and bolster the child tax credit. The Harris campaign’s announcement said the proposals, most of which would need approval from Congress, would “address […]
‘I’m entitled to personal attacks’ against Harris, Trump asserts
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said Thursday he sees no need to switch the tactics or tone of his bid for the White House now that Vice President Kamala Harris is the Democratic nominee instead of President Joe Biden. Speaking during a press conference at his golf club in New Jersey, the former president began […]
Struggle for control of Congress intensifies as presidential contest shifts
WASHINGTON — The 2024 battle for control of Congress centers on just a handful of Senate races and about two dozen House seats, putting considerable pressure on those candidates to win over voters as party leaders and super PACs funnel millions of dollars into their campaigns. The incumbents representing those states and congressional districts will […]
USDA to take ‘additional step’ in testing beef from former dairy cattle for bird flu
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to embark on a year-long study beginning next month that will test samples for evidence of highly pathogenic avian influenza from former dairy cattle moved into meat production. Emilio Esteban, the under secretary for food safety at the USDA, told reporters on a call Tuesday the new […]
‘Pass the torch’: Biden addresses nation on why he won’t seek a second term
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden explained his decision not to seek reelection during a prime-time address from the Oval Office on Wednesday, saying now is the time to turn over power to the next generation. “I’ve made it clear that I believe America is at an inflection point — one of those rare moments in […]