WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s proposal to reopen the government, with immigration provisions Democrats denounce as inadequate, is headed for Senate action, its prospects uncertain. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will try to muscle through the 1,300-page spending measure, which includes $5.7 billion to fund Trump’s proposed wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, the sticking […]
federal budget
Posted inNation / World
Congress to pursue divergent paths to reopening government, but stalemate no closer to resolution
WASHINGTON — Congress takes up legislation this week to reopen the federal government following a new offer from President Donald Trump, but divergent efforts in the House and Senate look destined to go nowhere, leaving the month-old stalemate no closer to resolution. The Senate, led by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., will take up a […]
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Posted inNation / World
Donald Trump offers DACA protection for $5.7 billion in border wall funding
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump made a new offer Saturday to Democrats aimed at ending the 29-day partial government shutdown that would extend deportation protections for some immigrants in exchange for $5.7 billion in border wall funding. Trump’s proposal is designed to ramp up pressure on Democrats by offering a reprieve on his attempts to […]
Posted inNation / World
Donald Trump postpones Pelosi’s overseas travel, citing shutdown
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump told House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Thursday that he was postponing an unannounced trip of hers to Afghanistan, Egypt and Belgium – which he called a “seven-day excursion” – because of the government shutdown. “In light of the 800,000 great American workers not receiving pay, I am sure that you […]
Posted inNation / World
Could the State of the Union be a shutdown casualty?
WASHINGTON (AP) — Shutdown pressure on President Donald Trump mounted Wednesday as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called on him to delay his State of the Union address and his own economists acknowledged the prolonged standoff was having a greater economic drag than previously thought. In a letter to Trump, Pelosi cited security concerns, noting that […]
Posted inBusiness, Lewiston-Auburn
Lewiston, Auburn starting to feel sting of government shutdown
LEWISTON — Three weeks into the U.S. government shutdown, city officials say they are largely handling its impact for now, but are concerned over more demands on General Assistance should the shutdown drag on. City Administrator Ed Barrett said Monday that the longest government shutdown in history has so far “not had a major effect […]
Posted inLocal & State
Maine’s federal courts to run out of money this week
PORTLAND — Federal courts in Maine are about to run out of money, but hearings, trials and new cases will continue during the federal shutdown. Chief Judge John Levy said steps have been taken to reduce costs but that money is projected to run out on Friday. He said court officials are sorting out which […]
Posted inLocal & State
Jared Golden calls for bipartisan talks with Donald Trump to resolve shutdown
LEWISTON — It is time for congressional leaders and President Donald Trump “to stop hiding and show a little leadership” to end the longest federal government shutdown in the nation’s history, U.S. Rep. Jared Golden said Monday. Golden, D-Maine, said instead of three-way talks among Trump and two Democrats — Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate […]
Posted inLocal & State, Nation / World
Maine Coast Guard families frightened and angry as government shutdown continues
Active duty Coast Guard members and their families, including several hundred in Maine, don’t know when the next paycheck will arrive.
Posted inNation / World
What you need to know for flying during government shutdown
DALLAS (AP) — The partial government shutdown is starting to affect air travel. Over the weekend, some airports had long lines at checkpoints, apparently caused by a rising number of security officers calling in sick while they are not getting paid. Safety inspectors aren’t even on the job. A Federal Aviation Administration spokesman said Monday […]