INSIDER
AP Decision Notes: What to expect in the South Dakota presidential and state primaries
Read full article: AP Decision Notes: What to expect in the South Dakota presidential and state primariesSouth Dakota Republicans’ tug-of-war over their party identity continues in Tuesday’s election, with district-level primaries the main event.
Senators urge $32 billion in emergency spending on AI after finishing yearlong review
Read full article: Senators urge $32 billion in emergency spending on AI after finishing yearlong reviewA bipartisan group of four senators led by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is recommending that Congress spend at least $32 billion over the next three years to develop artificial intelligence and put safeguards around it.
Trump's threat to NATO allies draws little condemnation from GOP, reflecting his grip on the party
Read full article: Trump's threat to NATO allies draws little condemnation from GOP, reflecting his grip on the partyDonald Trump’s claim that he once told a NATO ally that he “would encourage” Russia “to do whatever the hell they want” to “delinquent” members of the group sent shockwaves through Europe over the weekend.
Tech industry leaders endorse regulating artificial intelligence at rare summit in Washington
Read full article: Tech industry leaders endorse regulating artificial intelligence at rare summit in WashingtonAt a closed-door Senate forum, tech leaders loosely endorsed the regulation of artificial intelligence.
Senate passes defense bill with bipartisan support, but clash looms with House over social issues
Read full article: Senate passes defense bill with bipartisan support, but clash looms with House over social issuesThe Senate has passed a massive annual defense bill that would deliver a 5.2% pay raise for service members and keep the nation’s military operating.
Top Dem sees tough pathway for $3.5T social, climate plans
Read full article: Top Dem sees tough pathway for $3.5T social, climate plansSenate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is conceding that Democrats face a tough pathway to delivering a $3.5 trillion package for family, health and environment programs to President Joe Biden’s desk.
Lawmakers fear turning 144 cities into "micropolitan" areas
Read full article: Lawmakers fear turning 144 cities into "micropolitan" areasA bipartisan group of U.S. senators and congressmen is urging the federal government not to approve recommendations to remove 144 cities from the designation of metropolitan statistical areas. Reclassifying them as “micropolitan” would put key federal funding at risk, they said. Doing so would reclassify more than a third of the current 392 metro areas as micropolitan statistical areas. In a separate letter to the Office of Management and Budget, Hoeven said the proposal also would hurt micropolitan areas that were on the cusp of becoming metro areas. “If a metropolitan statistical area is redefined as a micropolitan area, it may fall out of the conversation.
Biden, Yellen say GOP virus aid too small, Democrats push on
Read full article: Biden, Yellen say GOP virus aid too small, Democrats push onFrom left, Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, Vice President Kamala Harris, Biden, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska. Biden and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen joined the Democratic senators for a private virtual meeting, both declaring the Republicans' $618 billion offer was too small. “President Biden spoke about the need for Congress to respond boldly and quickly,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said after the lunch meeting. The president made it clear that he won’t delay aid in hopes of winning GOP support. Biden proposes $170 billion for schools, compared to $20 billion in the Republican plan.
Biden meets Republicans on virus aid, but no quick deal
Read full article: Biden meets Republicans on virus aid, but no quick dealPresident Joe Biden meets Republican lawmakers to discuss a coronavirus relief package, in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, in Washington. From left, Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, Vice President Kamala Harris, Biden, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska. AdRepublicans are tapping into bipartisan urgency to improve the nation's vaccine distribution and vastly expand virus testing with $160 billion in aid. Psaki said earlier Monday there is “obviously a big gap” between the $1.9 trillion package Biden has proposed and the $618 billion counteroffer. Biden himself has been on the phone to some of the Republicans, the official said.
Trump impeachment goes to Senate, testing his sway over GOP
Read full article: Trump impeachment goes to Senate, testing his sway over GOPLeahy will preside over former President Donald Trump's second impeachment trial. Republican senators are balancing the demands of deep-pocketed donors who are distancing themselves from Trump and voters who demand loyalty to him. Instead, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D- Vt., who serves in the largely ceremonial role of Senate president pro tempore, is set to preside. A few GOP senators have agreed with Democrats, though not close to the number that will be needed to convict Trump. If not, what is?” Romney was the only Republican senator to vote for conviction when the Senate acquitted Trump in his first impeachment trial.
Growing number of GOP senators oppose impeachment trial
Read full article: Growing number of GOP senators oppose impeachment trial(AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)WASHINGTON – A growing number of Republican senators say they oppose holding an impeachment trial, a sign of the dimming chances that former President Donald Trump will be convicted on the charge that he incited a siege of the U.S. Capitol. “I think the trial is stupid, I think it’s counterproductive,” said Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.. Arguments in the Senate trial will begin the week of Feb. 8. A few GOP senators have agreed with Democrats, though not close to the number that will be needed to convict Trump. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, said he believes there is a “preponderance of opinion” that an impeachment trial is appropriate after someone leaves office.
Analysis: GOP lets doubts about Biden's legitimacy flourish
Read full article: Analysis: GOP lets doubts about Biden's legitimacy flourish“Their intent is to delegitimize this election and thereby delegitimize President-elect Biden’s presidency,” said Valerie Jarrett, who was a White House senior adviser to President Barack Obama. He has cleared the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the White House. Still, Republicans have allowed Trump's misinformation to flourish, pushed along by conservative media and on the internet. The turmoil surrounding the transition, he added, said more about the person leaving the White House than the one who will soon enter. Those lies helped fuel some of the hard-line opposition to Obama within the party, making it difficult for more mainstream GOP leaders to work with the White House.
Trump Proud Boys remark echoes Charlottesville
Read full article: Trump Proud Boys remark echoes CharlottesvilleTrump's exchange with Democrat Joe Biden left the extremist group Proud Boys celebrating what some of its members saw as tacit approval. “I don’t know who Proud Boys are. When pushed by Wallace, Trump asked for the name of a group to condemn — and Biden suggested Proud Boys. “Proud Boys, stand back and stand by,” Trump said. Proud Boys members are ardent Trump supporters known for their violent confrontations with antifascists and other ideological opponents at protests, often drawing the largest crowds in the Pacific Northwest.