WASHINGTON (AP) — Symbols of American promise have turned into emblems of American dysfunction amid a dispute in Congress over spending and immigration that has forced scores of federal agencies and outposts to close their doors. The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island have turned away visitors in New York, due to what the National […]
federal budget
Posted inNation / World
Susan Collins leads group working on budget deal
????? WASHINGTON — Congressional leaders in both parties refused to budge publicly from their political corners Saturday on the first day of the government shutdown, avoiding direct negotiations and bitterly blaming each other for the impasse in speeches. President Trump joined the fray with a series of charged tweets. But private glimmers of a breakthrough […]
advertisement
Posted inMaine
What it means for Maine if federal government shuts down Friday
If Congress can’t avoid a government shutdown over immigration policy this week, the most visible effect in Maine would be the closure of Acadia National Park. Heating and housing assistance for the poor also might be vulnerable to disruption, although state officials have been unable to get their federal counterparts to clarify the situation. Federal […]
Posted inNation / World
Shutdown looms as Republicans seek short-term spending deal for government
WASHINGTON — Chances of a government shutdown grew Monday as Republicans concluded that they would be unable to reach a long-term spending accord by the Friday deadline. GOP leaders are now turning to a short-term funding measure in hopes of keeping agencies open while talks continue, but Democratic leaders say they are unlikely to support […]
Posted inNation / World
Donald Trump signs $1.5 trillion tax law and temporary spending bill
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump signed a temporary spending bill into law on Friday to avert a government shutdown after the Republican-led Congress did the bare minimum in a sprint toward the holidays and punted disputes on immigration, health care and the budget to next year. The measure had passed the House on Thursday […]
Posted inNation / World
Congress passes spending bill to avert government shutdown
WASHINGTON — Congress passed a stopgap spending bill Thursday, averting a partial government shutdown at midnight Friday but pushing into January showdowns on spending, immigration, health care and national security. Among the issues still to be resolved is federal aid for victims of recent hurricanes and wildfires. The House on Thursday passed a separate $81 […]
Posted inNation / World
Neither Democrats or Republicans have unity over how to avoid shutdown
House Republicans were unsettled Tuesday about how to keep the federal government open after Friday, hours after a group of hard-line conservatives threatened to derail the GOP’s high-profile tax bill in a bid to change developing plans to avoid a shutdown. Democrats, meanwhile, have yet to lay out how they intend to approach the coming […]
Posted inLetters, sj-web
Tax proposal not good for U.S.
This country needs to stop spending more than it has and start repaying the national debt. The national debt is slowly sinking this nation. The privileged 535 representatives in Congress made that happen. Going back to 1990, the debt was $3 trillion and, during the next 25 years, it climbed to $18 trillion. It is […]
Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
Questions about federal budget remain
WASHINGTON — It’s that time of year again when Congress debates the federal budget. For most Americans, it’s a turnoff. The dollar amounts are monstrous — trillions, not billions. The vocabulary of government finances (budget-speak) is baffling. Little wonder people tune out. For the weary and confused, I offer a brief budget primer below. Here’s […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Susan Collins warns climate change will cost government billions
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, is questioned by reporters as she arrives at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) A new General Accounting Office report on climate that warns extreme weather is on the rise ought to spur federal policy shifts, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins said Tuesday. “We cannot ignore […]