2019 December

Buttigieg, Klobuchar lay out criteria for potential judicial nominees

South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete ButtigiegPeter (Pete) Paul ButtigiegFive takeaways from the Democratic debate Buttigieg, Warren square off on donors at Democratic debate All female candidates pick ‘forgiveness,’ men pick ‘a gift’ when asked to choose at debate MORE and Sen. Amy KlobucharAmy Jean KlobucharFive takeaways from the Democratic debate Buttigieg, Warren square off on […]

Read More

Trump faces pivotal year with Russia on arms control

The coming year is poised to be pivotal for U.S.-Russia arms control talks. New START, the last major treaty constraining the U.S. and Russian nuclear arsenals, is set to expire in early 2021. That means President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump rails against windmills: ‘I never understood wind’ Trump faces pivotal year with Russia on arms control […]

Read More

House approves Trump's USMCA trade deal amid shadow of impeachment

The House on Thursday passed a bill to implement President TrumpDonald John TrumpFive takeaways from the Democratic debate Buttigieg, Warren square off on donors at Democratic debate Sanders, Biden spar over Medicare for All MORE’s overhaul of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), advancing a crucial piece of his economic agenda with strong bipartisan […]

Read More

Overnight Energy: Greens sue over chemical safety rollback | EPA finalizes ethanol rule in face of opposition | House Dems detail environmental priorities for next year

CHEMICAL DISASTERS: A coalition of environmental groups is suing the Trump administration over its easing of chemical plant safety regulations following a recent plant explosion in Texas that injured several people.  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last month finalized a rule that it said would get rid of “unnecessary and ineffective regulatory burdens,” a change […]

Read More

Senate Democrat requests opinion on legality of Trump's Ukraine aid delay

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) is asking the Government Accountability Office (GAO) for an opinion on the legality of President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump rails against windmills: ‘I never understood wind’ Trump faces pivotal year with Russia on arms control Bolton says he doesn’t think Trump admin ‘really means it’ on stopping North Korea nukes MORE‘s decision to […]

Read More

Hong Kong police, protesters clash at rally backing Uighurs

Police clashed with demonstrators in the heart of Hong Kong’s financial district on Sunday as protesters rallied in support of Uighurs in China, Reuters reports.  More than 1,000 people reportedly waved Uighur flags and condemned Beijing’s policies toward the Muslim ethnic minority.  Crowd members dressed in black and wearing masks to shield their identities held up signs reading “free Uyghur, Free […]

Read More

State Department 'concerned' about situation in Libya as conflict escalates

The State Department on Saturday expressed concern about the escalation of a conflict in Libya amid the reported presence of Russian mercenaries.  State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement Saturday that the U.S. is “concerned” by a request for military support by the Government of National Accord (GNA). The U.S. is also concerned […]

Read More

FDA approves first-ever Ebola prevention vaccine

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Thursday that it has approved a vaccine that would prevent the Ebola virus.  The vaccine, called Ervebo, prevents Ebola virus disease, caused by Zaire ebolavirus in people 18 and older, according to an FDA statement. Anna Abram, FDA deputy commissioner for policy, legislation and international affairs, said in the statement […]

Read More

At least 10 percent of US bomb-sniffing dogs sent to Jordan died from mistreatment

The State Department’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) found that more U.S. bomb-sniffing dogs than previously known had died overseas due to mistreatment. The OIG in September published a report that found that at least 10 of the 100 explosive-detection dogs sent to Jordan between 2008 and 2016 died of “various medical problems,” while others were living in […]

Read More

Pentagon exodus extends 'concerning,' 'baffling' trend of acting officials in key roles

The Pentagon has seen an exodus of top officials this month, prompting concerns from lawmakers and experts alike as the Defense Department struggles to fill roles ahead of a contentious election year that will leave little room for staffing critical jobs. Within seven days the department experienced the departure of five civilian policymakers, continuing a […]

Read More