WASHINGTON (AP) — Some say it’s a fight between West and South. Or a battle for President Donald Trump’s affections. Or a test of who can woo conservatives. But one thing is clear: If the showdown between California Rep. Kevin McCarthy and Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise for House speaker is a popularity contest, it will […]
Congress
Posted inNation / World, News
Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg: regulation of social media firms is ‘inevitable’
WASHINGTON (AP) — Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg told a House oversight panel Wednesday that he believes it is “inevitable” there will be regulation of the social media industry and also disclosed to lawmakers that his own data was included in the personal information sold to malicious third parties. “The internet is growing in importance […]
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House Speaker Paul Ryan won't run for re-election
WASHINGTON (AP) — Claiming he’s accomplished a “heckuva lot,” House Speaker Paul Ryan announced Wednesday he will not run for re-election and will retire next year, injecting another layer of uncertainty as Republicans face worries over losing their majority in the fall. The Wisconsin Republican cast the decision as a personal one, saying he did […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Biddeford lawmaker plans to challenge Rep. Chellie Pingree for 1st District seat
AUGUSTA — State Rep. Marty Grohman said Tuesday he will challenge Rep. Chellie Pingree for her 1st District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Grohman, an independent who is finishing off his second term as a state representative for Maine House District 12, left the Democratic Party in September 2017 to become an independent.. […]
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"I’m sorry:" Facebook CEO Zuckerberg opens Senate hearing with apology
WASHINGTON (AP) — Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg began a two-day congressional inquisition Tuesday with a public apology for a privacy scandal that has roiled the social media giant he founded more than a decade ago. Zuckerberg opened his remarks before the Senate Commerce and Judiciary committees by taking responsibility for failing to prevent Cambridge Analytica, […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Democrats question Bruce Poliquin's support for balanced budget amendment
In a move that immediately drew criticism on the campaign trail Friday, U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin of Maine hailed the decision by House leaders to hold a vote soon on a proposed balanced budget amendment. Poliquin, a 2nd District Republican who is seeking a third term, has pushed for the measure since 2015 because of […]
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Donald Trump calls for border legislation using 'nuclear option'
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump demanded Monday that Congress pass new border legislation using the “Nuclear Option if necessary” to muscle it through the Senate — a drastic change in rules the Republican leader has previously dismissed. Trump tweeted that the U.S. must build a border wall, but argued that “Democrats want No Borders, […]
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With shutdown looming, budget deal reached in Congress
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional leaders have finalized a sweeping $1.3 trillion budget bill that substantially boosts military and domestic spending but leaves behind young immigrant “Dreamers,” deprives President Donald Trump some of his border wall money and takes only incremental steps to address gun violence. As negotiators stumbled toward an end-of-the-week deadline to fund the […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Poliquin 'stress test' financial bill passes House
For U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin, it is the little things that count. The sorts of bills often ignored. The stuff that is not flashy. The second-term Republican from Maine’s sprawling 2nd District convinced the House on Tuesday to pass easily a measure that would exempt most non-bank financial institutions from the stress tests required under […]
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Donald Trump's opioid plan includes death penalty for traffickers
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s plan to combat opioid drug addiction nationwide calls for stiffer penalties for drug traffickers, including the death penalty where appropriate under current law, a top administration official said. It’s a fate for drug dealers that Trump, who aims to be seen as tough on crime, has been highlighting publicly […]