Washington — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday announced regulatory proposals that would restrict gender-affirming care for minors by cutting Medicare and Medicaid funding to hospitals providing puberty blockers, hormone therapy or surgical interventions and by prohibiting federal Medicaid coverage for those procedures. Health Secretary Robert...
Seattle, Washington. Gov. Bob Ferguson this week proposed a $244 million supplemental budget to expand affordable housing, create a state Department of Housing and fund preservation and flood repairs; Seattle Social Housing will receive $50 million disbursement from a voter-approved excess compensation tax, enabling property acquisitions for conversion. In Colorado,...
Washington — President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he will send $1,776 bonus checks to 1.45 million U.S. service members ahead of Christmas, saying tariffs will fund the payments as he sought to reassure the public about the economy. Speaking in the White House Diplomatic Reception Room, Trump blamed economic...
Washington, President Trump signed an executive order Thursday that reclassifies marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, directing the Justice Department and DEA to implement the change and opening federal avenues for medical research, potential tax adjustments for licensed businesses, and expanded banking access; states retain their own marijuana laws....
Washington: The US House of Representatives on Dec. 18 approved a bill that would criminalize gender-affirming medical treatments for minors, including surgeries and some hormonal interventions. Sponsored by Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the measure passed 216–211 and now moves to the Senate, where its prospects are uncertain. The text...
WASHINGTON, The U.S. Senate confirmed Jared Isaacman as NASA administrator Wednesday, voting 67-30 after a months-long nomination, a May withdrawal, and a November renomination. Isaacman pledged to accelerate Artemis lunar missions and prioritize returning astronauts to the Moon, aligning with President Trump's stated space goals. He was sworn in Thursday...
Washington, President Donald Trump installed partisan plaques beneath predecessors' portraits on the White House Presidential Walk of Fame this week, labeling Joe Biden Sleepy Joe and calling him by far the worst President in American history. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said many plaques were written by the president;...
Washington — Four centrist Republicans forced a House vote Wednesday to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire Dec. 31 by signing a Democratic discharge petition that reached 218 signatures. House GOP leaders advanced a separate health bill that excludes the subsidy extension; the House passed that GOP...
Washington: The U.S. Senate voted 77-20 on Dec 17 to advance the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, authorizing roughly US$901 billion, a 4% troop pay raise, and measures to bolster European security while restricting certain China-linked biotech and outbound investments; President Trump signed the law this week. Based on...
Washington The Senate approved the annual National Defense Authorization Act on Wednesday by a 77-20 vote and sent a roughly $901 billion defense policy bill to the president for signature The legislation authorizes a 3.8% pay raise for service members and adds about eight billion dollars above the administration's request...
