Author Archive

Ashley Murray

Tech

The IRS is testing a free method to directly file taxes. But not everyone is thrilled

The IRS estimates that 19 million taxpayers are eligible to use the new program in advance of the April 15 tax filing deadline.

Defense

House Democrat from Pennsylvania calls for defense secretary to step down

Rep. Chris Deluzio, a freshman lawmaker and Iraq war veteran, said in a statement Wednesday that he had “lost trust in Secretary Lloyd Austin’s leadership of the Defense Department.”

Defense

Tuberville's blockade of military nominees could be evaded after move by Senate panel

The Republican senator has been objecting to the time-saving unanimous consent process since the spring to display his opposition to a policy that grants members of the armed services time off and travel reimbursement when seeking an abortion in states where it remains unrestricted.

News

After three weeks of stalemate, Louisiana's Mike Johnson is elected speaker of the House

Johnson, who does not have a strong bipartisan track record, will be tasked with working with the Democratic-controlled Senate on a quickly approaching Nov.17 government funding deadline.

News

Jordan’s bid to be House speaker ends after rejection by GOP in closed meeting

The closed-door meeting came after Rep. Jim Jordan’s third attempt to win sufficient support from Republicans, who hold a slim majority in the House.

News

Ohio’s Jim Jordan fails in bid for U.S. House speaker, leaving chamber paralyzed again

Jordan was unable to clinch the votes needed to hold the gavel amid concerns about his agenda and frustrations with his history inside and outside of Congress.

News

Jim Jordan gains support as vote nears for U.S. House speaker, but outcome still in doubt

The Ohio congressman will need the backing of nearly all the chamber’s 221 GOP lawmakers in order to hold the highest office in Congress.

News

Scalise nominated by U.S. House GOP as speaker in closed-door meeting

The nominee picked in the conference meeting only needed to get the backing of a majority of the 221 House Republicans, but Scalise will need about 217 on the floor before he can hold the gavel.

News

U.S. House votes to remove Kevin McCarthy as speaker

It isn’t immediately clear how the House will proceed in the coming days.

Defense

PACT Act in one year aided 340,000 ailing veterans and survivors, Biden says

The act expands health care eligibility for up to 3.5 million post-9/11 veterans, and for those who served during the Vietnam and Cold War eras.

Defense

Veterans exposed to burn pits, toxins urged to apply for retroactive benefits

Nearly a year ago, President Joe Biden signed the PACT Act, a law supporters describe as the largest expansion of veteran benefits in U.S. history.

Oversight

Biden and McCarthy Strike Positive Tone After Debt Limit Talks, But No Deal Yet

"We don’t have an agreement yet, but I did feel the discussion was productive in areas that we have differences of opinion,” McCarthy said Monday.

Workforce

A Default on the U.S. Debt Would Be Far Worse Than a Government Shutdown. Here’s How

National security, transportation, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid would be impacted.

Oversight

Biden Vows Debt Ceiling Talks Will Continue while He’s Overseas at G7 Summit

Treasury Secretary Yellen repeatedly warned Congress accounting maneuvers will be exhausted within weeks, U.S. could default on its bills as early as June 1.

Oversight

U.S. Default Could Begin June 8 without Agreement, Top Economist Tells Congress

Congress has eight working days with both chambers in session before Memorial Day, and negotiations appear non-existent.

Oversight

Members Of Senate Panel Press Financial Regulators On Massive Bank Failures

Members of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs asked if the Federal Reserve could have done more to prevent the collapse.

Defense

Pentagon To Halt Use Of Firefighting Foam That Contains PFAS As Cleanup Costs Mount

The Department of Defense will stop purchasing PFAS-containing firefighting foam later this year and phase it out entirely in 2024.