Defying Trump, California lawmakers vote to become ‘sanctuary state’
(Reuters) – California lawmakers voted on Saturday to make the most populous U.S. state a so-called sanctuary by banning police from asking for the immigration status of people who have been arrested and limiting their cooperation with immigration offi…
State Department describes plans for cuts, offers few specifics: sources
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – State Department officials briefed Senate staff on Friday on plans to cut up to $10 billion from the department’s budget over five years, but offered few specifics to ease concerns that the administration risked weakening U.S. st…
U.S. Senator Warren introduces Equifax bill, launches industry probe
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren said on Friday she has begun an investigation into Equifax’s massive data breach, and along with 11 other Democratic senators, introduced a bill to allow consumers to freeze their credit for free.
U.S. lawmakers want retaliation for sonic attacks in Cuba
WASHINGTON/HAVANA (Reuters) – Five Republican senators called on Friday for Washington to retaliate for an alleged sonic attack, inaudible to some human ears, on U.S. personnel in Cuba by expelling Cuban diplomats and possibly closing the U.S. embassy …
Trump to ‘slap’ foes, embrace friends in first U.N. speech: envoy
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Donald Trump will pummel foes and embrace friends in his first speech to the United Nations General Assembly next week, keeping pressure on Washington’s adversaries North Korea and Iran, U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley sai…
In Mexico visit, Trump’s defense chief talks trust, respect
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Distancing himself from political tensions over issues like the border wall, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said he aimed to build trust and show respect for Mexico during a trip there on Friday that sought to buttress still …
Ex-Trump aide Manafort’s spokesman testifies to Russia probe grand jury
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The spokesman for President Donald Trump’s former campaign manager Paul Manafort testified before a federal grand jury on Friday in special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into possible collusion between Trump’s 2016 elect…
U.S. lawmakers want retaliation for acoustic incidents in Cuba
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A group of Republican U.S. senators called on Friday for Washington to retaliate for an alleged “acoustic attack” on U.S. personnel in Cuba by expelling Cuban diplomats and possibly closing the U.S. embassy in Havana.
Key Republican senator doubts 15 percent corporate tax rate can be reached
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The head of the Senate Finance Committee said on Friday he doubted negotiators trying to craft a tax reform bill could reach President Donald Trump’s goal of dropping the U.S. corporate tax rate to 15 percent.
Ex-Trump aide Manafort’s spokesman goes before Russia probe grand jury
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The spokesman for President Donald Trump’s former campaign manager Paul Manafort was testifying before a federal grand jury on Friday in connection with special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into possible collusion between Trump’s campaign and Russia.