Illinois House to take up governor’s budget, tax vetoes
CHICAGO (Reuters) – The fate of a spending plan and tax hike aimed at ending Illinois’ unprecedented two-year budget impasse moved on Tuesday to the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives, which will seek to enact the legislation by overriding …
Pressure builds on Trump at home over pledge for closer Moscow ties
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – During his presidential campaign, Republican Donald Trump praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “strong leader” with whom he would like to reset tense U.S.-Russian relations.
Trump administration defends interpretation of travel ban ruling
NEW YORK (Reuters) – The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump opposed opening the door to grandparents from six Muslim-majority countries on Monday, arguing in a court filing that the government’s interpretation of how to implement its tempora…
Three more states refuse Trump commission’s voter data request
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Maryland, Delaware and Louisiana on Monday joined a growing number of U.S. states that have refused to hand over voter data to a commission established by President Donald Trump to investigate possible voting fraud.
Trump to promote U.S. natgas exports in Russia’s backyard
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Donald Trump will use fast-growing supplies of U.S. natural gas as a political tool when he meets in Warsaw on Thursday with leaders of a dozen countries that are captive to Russia for their energy needs.
Trump considering lawyer for White House Russia role: sources
(Reuters) – President Donald Trump is considering adding a veteran Washington lawyer to the White House counsel’s office to deal with Russia-related issues, people familiar with the matter said.
Maine, New Jersey end state government shutdowns
(Reuters) – New Jersey and Maine ended partial government shutdowns just in time for the Fourth of July holiday on Tuesday, helping New Jersey Governor Chris Christie move past the embarrassment of being photographed on a beach that had been closed to …
Details of first Putin-Trump meeting not yet settled: Kremlin
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia and the United States are still discussing the timing of the first face-to-face encounter between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, expected to take place at a G20 summit in Germany later this week, a Kremlin aide said on Monda…
Trump discusses concern over Qatar dispute with Gulf, Arab states in calls
BRIDGEWATER, N.J. (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump spoke separately to the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi and Qatar on Sunday to discuss his “concerns about the ongoing dispute” between Qatar and its Gulf and Arab neighbors, the White House …
Illinois House passes $5 billion tax package, spending plan
CHICAGO (Reuters) – Illinois’ Democratic-controlled House of Representatives passed big, permanent increases in income tax rates and a $36 billion fiscal 2018 spending plan on Sunday with the help of some Republican votes as the cash-strapped state scr…