Ladies and Gentlemen, the State of Things

Updated on Friday, May 17 at 3:27 pm Three high-profile women in Congress got into it last night during a meeting of the House Oversight Committee, in what some outlets have described as a “heated exchange.” But that label feels too dignified. Instead, the whole scene played out like a Saturday Night Live sketch: a cringeworthy five-minute commentary on the miserable state of American politics. Unless you are perpetually online, you may have missed the drama. I’ll recap: The scene unfolded during a meeting held to consider a Republican motion…

Read More...

Steak, cherry blossoms and Paul Simon will be featured at the White House state dinner for Japan

Dry-aged rib eye steak, cherry blossoms and the music of Paul Simon are on tap for more than 200 guests who are expected to attend a swanky White House state dinner on Wednesday to celebrate the relationship between the United States and Japan. The Washington Times stories: White House

Read More...

Congress can’t be too concerned about the state of affairs

Russian brutality on parade once again. No end in sight for the Middle East conflict. No federal 2024 budget and the border crisis rolls on. What a great time for Congress to take a recess. For an up-close look at what Congress has done, the Federal Drive with Tom Temin spoke with Loren Duggan, Bloomberg Government deputy news director Loren Duggan. Interview Transcript:  Loren Duggan There really is. And there are some key deadlines coming up as soon as next week and the week following that really are going to…

Read More...

MoveOn Statement on Colorado State Supreme Court Disqualifying Trump

Washington, D.C. – Following the Colorado State Supreme Court disqualifying twice-impeached and criminally indicted former President Trump from the ballot, MoveOn Political Action Executive Director Rahna Epting released the following statement:  “As MoveOn has said many times before, Donald Trump is not above the law. Tonight’s decision from the Colorado State Supreme Court proves that there are consequences to undermining our democracy and betraying our country. MoveOn and its members have been on the frontlines calling for Trump’s disqualification for inciting an insurrection, and we will continue to hold Trump…

Read More...

State Dept sees record hiring, but seeks higher budgets through 2030 to fully replenish ranks

The State Department is bringing in a record volume of new hires, but is calling on lawmakers for increased budgets through the end of the decade to fully replenish its ranks. Richard Verma, deputy secretary of state for management and resources, said last Thursday that the department saw about a 7% increase in its budget for FY 2022, and saw another 7% spending increase in FY 2023. Verma said those funding increases allowed the department to recruit and grow its workforce “in a way that we haven’t done for many…

Read More...

The Election Reform That Could Help Republicans in a Swing State

When Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania announced in September that the nation’s largest swing state would implement automatic voter registration, Donald Trump threw a conniption. “Pennsylvania is at it again!” the former president posted on Truth Social, his social-media platform. The switch, Trump said, would be “a disaster for the Election of Republicans, including your favorite President, ME!” Trump’s panic is consistent with his (baseless) view that any reforms designed to increase voter turnout, such as expanding mail balloting and early voting, are part of a Democratic conspiracy to rig…

Read More...