By Alan Fram, The Associated Press Senate bargainers announced a bipartisan framework June 12 that responds to last month’s mass shootings, a noteworthy though limited breakthrough offering modest gun curbs and bolstered efforts to improve school safety and mental health programs. The proposal falls far short of tougher steps long sought by President Joe Biden […]
Author Archives: Alan Fram
Associated Press
Posted inNEWS
Congress OKs $1.9T virus relief bill in win for Biden, Dems
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y., pose after signing the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill during an enrollment ceremony on Capitol Hill, March 10, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) By Alan Fram Associated Press A Congress riven along party lines approved the landmark $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief […]
Posted inNational News
Budget Office: Senate Health Bill Adds 22 Million Uninsured
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate Republican health care bill would leave 22 million more Americans uninsured in 2026 than under President Barack Obama’s health care law, the Congressional Budget Office estimated Monday, complicating GOP leaders’ hopes of pushing the plan through the chamber this week. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., looks out after […]
Posted inHealth
18M More Americans Would Be Uninsured under 2016 GOP Repeal
WASHINGTON (AP) — Insurance premiums would soar and some 18 million Americans would lose health coverage if Republicans partially repeal President Barack Obama’s health care law without a replacement, Congress’ nonpartisan budget office estimated Tuesday. The Congressional Budget Office analyzed a GOP 2016 repeal measure, which Republicans have cited as a starting point for their […]
Posted inAfro Briefs, Uncategorized
Senate OKs First Openly Gay Black Man & A Gay Black Woman to Federal Bench
Darrin Gayles and Staci Yandle. (Courtesy Photo) WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate for the first time confirmed an openly gay Black man to a top-level federal judgeship on Tuesday, voting 98-0 to make Darrin Gayles a district court judge in Florida. By 52-44, senators endorsed another of President Barack Obama’s nominees, approving Staci Yandle, an […]
Posted inNational News
Cruz Controlled
WASHINGTON (AP) — A potential federal shutdown hurtling ever closer, the Senate dealt an emphatic defeat to a core of rebellious young conservatives Friday and approved legislation preventing government agencies from closing on Tuesday. The 54-44 vote, however, hardly spelled an end to Washington’s latest down-to-the-wire budget drama. It remains unclear whether the Democratic-led Senate […]
Posted inNational News
Obama: ‘Shame on Us If We’ve Forgotten’ Newtown
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Obama pressed Congress on March 28 not to forget the heartbreak of the Newtown elementary school massacre and “get squishy” on tightened gun laws, though some lawmakers in his own Democratic Party remain a tough sell on an approaching Senate vote to expand purchasers’ background checks. “Shame on us if we’ve […]
Posted inNational News
Congress Finally Closing in on Student Loan Deal
Congressional bargainers appeared to be closing in on a compromise that would head off a July 1 doubling of interest rates on federal loans to 7.4 million college students and end an election-year battle between President Barack Obama and Congress. Senate aides from both parties said Friday the two sides were moving toward a deal […]