Us Congress

US House Ethics report accuses Matt Gaetz of sex crimes, drug use in office

The House Ethics Committee on Monday accused Matt Gaetz of regularly paying women, including a 17-year-old girl, for sex and purchasing and using illicit drugs all while the Florida Republican was a member of Congress. The 37-page report by the bipartisan panel includes explicit details of sex-filled parties and vacations that Gaetz, now 42, took part in while representing Florida's western panhandle. The findings conclude that he violated multiple state laws related to sexual misconduct while in office. The Committee determined there is substantial evidence that Representative Gaetz violated House Rules and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, impermissible gifts, special favours or privileges, and obstruction of Congress, the report states. The report brings to a close a nearly five-year investigation into Gaetz. Its release comes after at least one Republican joined all five Democrats on the panel earlier this month in a secret vo

Elon Musk killed US congressional spending bill, made false claims

President-elect Donald Trump's billionaire ally Elon Musk played a key role this week in killing a bipartisan funding proposal that would have prevented a government shutdown, railing against the plan in a torrent of more than 100 X posts that included multiple false claims. The X owner, an unelected figure, not only used his outsize influence on the platform to help sway Congress, he did so without regard for the facts and gave a preview of the role he could play in government over the next four years. Trump has got himself a handful with Musk, John Mark Hansen, a professor of political science at the University of Chicago, said in an email. Trump's done this kind of thing before, blowing up a bill at the last minute. This time, though, it looks like he was afraid of Musk upstaging him. Now there's a new social media bully in town, pushing the champion social media bully around. Hansen added: We'll see what Musk's influence is when he runs up against reality like when he proposes

US Congress passes funding bill, averting govt shutdown; Biden to sign soon

Facing a government shutdown deadline, the Senate rushed through final passage early Saturday of a bipartisan plan that would temporarily fund federal operations and disaster aid, dropping President-elect Donald Trump's demands for a debt limit increase into the new year. House Speaker Mike Johnson had insisted Congress would meet our obligations and not allow federal operations to shutter ahead of the Christmas holiday season. But the day's outcome was uncertain after Trump doubled down on his insistence that a debt ceiling increase be included in any deal if not, he said in an early morning post, let the closures start now. The House approved Johnson's new bill overwhelmingly, 366-34. The Senate worked into the night to pass it, 85-11, just past the deadline. At midnight, the White House said it had ceased shutdown preparations. This is a good outcome for the country, Johnson said after the House vote, adding he had spoken with Trump and the president-elect was certainly happy .

US Congress approves funding bill hours before govt shutdown deadline

Hours to go before a midnight government shutdown, the House approved a new plan late Friday from Speaker Mike Johnson that would temporarily fund federal operations and disaster aid, but drops President-elect Donald Trump's demands for a debt limit increase into the new year. Johnson insisted Congress would "meet our obligations" and not allow federal operations to shutter ahead of the Christmas holiday season. But the day's outcome was uncertain after Trump doubled down on his insistence that a debt ceiling increase be included in any deal -- if not, he said in an early morning post, let the closures "start now". The bill was approved 366-34, and now goes to the Senate, for expected quick passage. "We are excited about this outcome," Johnson said afterward, adding he had spoken with Trump and the president-elect "was certainly happy about this outcome, as well". It was the third attempt from Johnson, the beleaguered House speaker, to achieve one of the basic requirements of the .

Republicans in US Congress mount third attempt to fund govt, shutdown looms

Republicans might break up elements that had previously been bundled together, according to a source familiar with internal discussions. That could see the House holding separate votes

Bald eagle: Icon of freedom, now officially America's national bird

For nearly 250 years, the bald eagle has represented self-reliance and virtue for Americans-and it is now finally getting its due

Friday midnight deadline looms for US Congress to prevent govt shutdown

Congress has until midnight Friday to come up with a way to fund the government or federal agencies will shut down, meaning hundreds of thousands of federal employees could be sent home or stay on the job without pay just ahead of the holidays. Republicans abandoned a bipartisan plan Wednesday to prevent a shutdown after President-elect Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk came out against it. Trump told House Speaker Mike Johnson to essentially renegotiate the deal days before a deadline when federal funding runs out. Here's what to know about a possible government shutdown, what agencies would be affected and how long it could last: What does it mean if the government shuts down? A government shutdown happens when Congress doesn't pass legislation either temporarily or more permanently funding the government, and such a measure isn't signed by the president. When would a government shutdown start? If Congress doesn't approve a continuing resolution or more permanent spendin

Government shutdown at risk as Trump's demands put Speaker Johnson in bind

A government shutdown at risk, House Speaker Mike Johnson is fighting to figure out how to meet President-elect Donald Trump's sudden demands and keep his own job while federal offices are being told to prepare to shutter operations ahead of Friday's midnight deadline. Trump said early Thursday that Johnson will easily remain speaker for the next Congress if he acts decisively and tough in coming up with a new plan to also increase the debt limit, a stunning request just before the Christmas holidays that has put the beleaguered speaker in a bind. And if not, the president-elect warned of trouble ahead for Johnson and Republicans in Congress. Anybody that supports a bill that doesn't take care of the Democrat quicksand known as the debt ceiling should be primaried and disposed of as quickly as possible, Trump told Fox News Digital. The chaotic turn of events, coming days before Friday's midnight deadline to fund the government and as lawmakers were preparing to head home for the

US Congress has 2 days to avert shutdown after Trump rejects spending bill

Trump pressured his fellow Republicans in Congress to reject a stopgap bill to keep the government funded past the deadline of midnight

Donald Trump opposes stopgap funding, warns GOP on debt ceiling demand

Donald Trump on Wednesday - just days before federal funding is set to expire - said he wanted lawmakers to include an increase to the debt ceiling in the package

US Congress lines up stopgap Bill to avert partial government shutdown

It also includes $100.4 billion in new emergency funding to help states including North Carolina and Florida recover from devastating hurricanes

Trump promises to end birthright citizenship: What is it, could he do it?

President-elect Donald Trump has promised to end birthright citizenship as soon as he gets into office to make good on campaign promises aiming to restrict immigration and redefining what it means to be American. But any efforts to halt the policy would face steep legal hurdles. Birthright citizenship means anyone born in the United States automatically becomes an American citizen. It's been in place for decades and applies to children born to someone in the country illegally or in the US on a tourist or student visa who plans to return to their home country. It's not the practice of every country, and Trump and his supporters have argued that the system is being abused and that there should be tougher standards for becoming an American citizen. But others say this is a right enshrined in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, it would be extremely difficult to overturn and even if it's possible, it's a bad idea. Here's a look at birthright citizenship, what Trump has said about

US TikTok content creators ask followers to find them on Instagram, YouTube

TikTok has become a major US digital force as it has grown to 170 million US users, especially younger people drawn to its short, often irreverent videos

US Congressman Krishnamoorthi calls on B'desh to end anti-Hindu violence

He urged the Bangladeshi government to uphold human rights, guarantee legal protections, and end the wave of violence

US Congressman Sherman urges Bangladesh govt to protect Hindu minority

The congressman urged the current administration to take action against violence targeting the Hindu community and demonstrate leadership in ensuring their protection

Democrats secure deal to confirm more Biden judges before Congress adjourns

The Senate won't hold votes on four of President Joe Biden's appellate court nominees as part of a deal with Republicans to allow for speedier consideration of other judicial nominations and bring Biden within striking distance of the 234 total judicial confirmations that occurred during President-elect Donald Trump's first term. Currently, the number of judges confirmed under Biden totals 221. Republicans forced numerous procedural votes this week and late-night sessions as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., attempted to move ahead in getting more of Biden's nominees confirmed before Congress adjourns and Republicans take control of the chamber in January. A Senate Democratic leadership aide said Thursday a time agreement had been reached to allow for consideration of seven district court judges the week following Thanksgiving. Plus, another six district judges would be placed on the Senate executive calendar, making it possible for them to be considered on the Senate ...

Tariffs on India will lead to trade war: US Congressman-elect Subramanyam

US Congressman-elect Suhas Subramanyam has said he is opposed to imposing tariffs on India as it will lead to a trade war between the two countries. Subramanyam's comments came amid the likelihood of higher tariffs on Indian exports by the new Trump administration. I don't support (imposing) tariffs on India. I think that would be really bad. It would lead to a trade war. And I don't think it's good for either country, Subramanyam told PTI in an interview. Ahead of his election as US President, Donald Trump had taken a potshot at India's tariff structure and talked about imposing reciprocal tax on countries like China and India. With Trump set to assume charge as US president, there is a likelihood of higher tariffs on Indian exports. There's a lot of businesses that do really great work in India and a lot of Indian companies are expanding to the US. So the more our countries work together economically, the stronger we'll be, Subramanyam said. Getting ready to be sworn in as a me

Six Indian Americans win elections of US House of Representatives

Six Indian Americans have won the elections to the House of Representatives, increasing their number from five in the current Congress. Indian-American lawyer Suhas Subramanyam created history by becoming the first from the community to be elected from Virginia and the entire East Coast. Subramanyan defeated Mike Clancy of the Republican Party. He is currently a Virginia State Senator. There is a possibility that the number of Indian Americans in the House of Representatives increased to seven as Dr Amish Shah was leading by a slender margin against his Republican incumbent in the first Congressional District of Arizona. I am honoured and humbled that the people of Virginia's 10th District put their trust in me to take on the toughest fights and deliver results in Congress. This district is my home. I got married here, my wife Miranda and I are raising our daughters here, and the issues our community faces are personal to our family. It is an honour to continue serving this distric

First US presidential election post Jan 6 to test Congress's new safeguards

This presidential election, the first since the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol, will be a stress test of the new systems and guardrails that Congress put in place to ensure America's long tradition of the peaceful transfer of presidential power. As Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris race toward the finish, pro-democracy advocates and elected officials are preparing for a volatile period in the aftermath of Election Day, as legal challenges are filed, bad actors spread misinformation and voters wait for Congress to affirm the results. One of the unusual characteristics of this election is that so much of the potential danger and so many of the attacks on the election system are focused on the post-election period, said Wendy Weiser, vice president for democracy at the nonpartisan Brennan Centre for Justice. After the January 6 attack, Congress set out to shore up the process and prevent a repeat of that unprecedented period when Trump, joined by some GOP

Steve Bannon to be released from prison after four months for contempt

Longtime Donald Trump ally Steve Bannon is scheduled to be released from prison on Tuesday after serving a four-month sentence for defying a subpoena in the congressional investigation into the US Capitol attack on January 6, 2021. Bannon is set to leave the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut, in the predawn hours and hold a news conference later in the day in Manhattan, his representatives said. He's also expected to resume his podcast Tuesday. Bannon, 70, reported to the prison July 1 after the Supreme Court rejected his bid to delay the prison sentence while he appeals his conviction. A jury found Bannon guilty in 2022 of two counts of contempt of Congress: one for refusing to sit for a deposition with the Jan. 6 House Committee and a second for refusing to provide documents related to his involvement Trump's efforts to overturn his loss to Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential race. When he began serving his sentence in July, Bannon called himself a political