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Boston Globe
04-07-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
Democrats hope Republicans just sealed their midterm election fates by voting for Trump's 'beautiful' bill
'We heard from Mark from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,' Jeffries said. 'Mark says, 'I've collected Medicaid and [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program] benefits for over a decade now… SNAP and Social Security benefits have been life-saving for me; they literally keep me alive.' Advertisement 'Mark lives in Pennsylvania's First Congressional District,' continued Jeffries. 'I believe that district is represented by our colleague, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up And on and on Jeffries went, until he mentioned virtually every GOP member whom Democrats hope to defeat — an uncommon display of political name-checking by the staid standards of the House chamber. If it were not clear when Jeffries started talking, it was painfully obvious by the time he wrapped up: Democrats are treating President Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' as the foundation of their case to take back majorities in Congress next year. 'This bill is an attack on Americans' financial freedom and Democrats are going to make it a centerpiece of the midterms,' said Representative Jake Auchincloss of Newton, before taking a position behind Jeffries Thursday morning as his speech extended into a sixth hour. Advertisement Some believe the vote could be as catastrophic for Republicans as their move in Trump's first term to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which helped fuel a Democratic wave in the 2018 midterm elections. According to Congress' nonpartisan budget analyst, the GOP bill could result in Representative Don Beyer, a Virginia Democrat, said Jeffries likely made his stand in order to mark the vote as the most decisive of this era, much like the failed vote in 2017 to repeal portions of the Affordable Care Act or even the 2010 vote that created it. 'I'm trying to think if there's been a more consequential vote in my 10 years?' Beyer said. 'I don't think so.' Republicans largely rejected those comparisons, arguing the legislation accomplished what goals voters sent them to Washington to do: cut taxes and drastically increase money spent on immigration enforcement. Representative Tim Burchett of Tennessee said the bill would 'absolutely not' harm the GOP's midterm hopes. Referring to its proposed tightening of work requirements for public benefits, he said, 'everybody in America wants somebody able-bodied to get off their butts and get a job if they're able to and get off of welfare, and this provides that incentive.' But there were flashes of candor from GOP lawmakers that they understood the potential political peril presented by the bill — even if they voted for it. Advertisement The majority is 'always at risk in a midterm year,' said GOP Representative Don Bacon, who represents a Nebraska swing district but recently announced his retirement. While the tax cut provisions will be helpful, he admitted 'the other side's going to use Medicaid as an issue' and said the Senate version of the legislation, which makes deeper cuts to the federal program to insure low-income Americans, would make their attacks easier. 'So I think that was a mistake,' he said. (Bacon voted for the legislation.) The bill Already, the electoral environment for House Republicans heading into 2026 leaves little room for error: Democrats need to flip just three seats in the chamber to claim a majority, and the party is targeting three-dozen incumbent Republicans to reach that threshold. The House GOP, meanwhile, In the Senate, Democrats' hopes are dimmer due to the rotation of seats up for election and the GOP's larger 53 to 47 majority. Just two seats held by Republicans are considered competitive: Maine and North Carolina. Democrats will be defending seats in the tough battlegrounds of Georgia, Michigan, and New Hampshire. North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis, who was highly critical of the bill and under considerable heat from Trump, announced he would retire just before voting against the legislation. Advertisement It was a different story in the House. All The midterms may seem far off, but the election politicking around the bill began well before Jeffries stepped onto the floor for his marathon speech. As House Democrats prepared Wednesday for the final votes, dozens gathered on the Capitol steps to decry the legislation and lay the blame on vulnerable Republicans. 'Why would anyone vote for this dangerous and extreme bill?' Jeffries asked, before name-checking a freshman Republican. 'Why would Rob Bresnahan vote for this bill? More than 30,000 people would lose access to their health care in his community in Pennsylvania.' Democrats were trying to pressure those Republicans to vote against the bill, but also were laying down markers for their 2026 target list. In addition to Bresnahan, who represents a swing district in northeast Pennsylvania, Jeffries spoke of Representative Scott Perry from a nearby district. The next speaker, Representative Katherine Clark of Revere, called out two California Republicans: David Valadao and Young Kim. Finally Democratic Representative Pete Aguilar of California singled out another endangered Republican from a blue state, Gabe Evans of Colorado. Advertisement 'Today marks the culmination of Donald Trump's betrayal of working people across this country,' Aguilar said, with words that sounded straight from an attack ad. In the long lead-up to Thursday's vote, Democrats' outside political committees began laying the groundwork for the midterm battles ahead. House Majority Forward, the super PAC aligned with Jeffries, was developing TV ads before the vote took place, focusing particularly on Bresnahan and Representatives Tom Barrett of Michigan and Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin. House Majority Forward spokesperson, CJ Warnke, said House Republicans were 'throwing away their spines and throwing their constituents under the bus' with their votes. Republicans, meanwhile, plan to go on offense against vulnerable Democrats who voted against the bill. In a statement, National Republican Congressional Committee spokeswoman Maureen O'Toole accused Representative Jared Golden, who represents a Republican-leaning Maine district, of voting to 'raise taxes, kill jobs, and gut national security. Voters won't forget it, not now, not next November.' (Golden has been outspoken about his opposition to the bill, saying it provides 'huge tax breaks' for the wealthy, 'paid for by cutting health care for the working poor.') An NRCC campaign memo shared with the Globe previewed its campaign messaging around the bill, arguing it prevented a massive tax hike and delivered on promises to secure the border. It also framed the changes to Medicaid as moves to 'crack down on welfare fraud and restore integrity.' Many Republicans emphasized the extension of Trump's first-term tax cuts, which account for trillions of dollars of the cost of the legislation, or smaller-scale new tax breaks, such as one to let taxpayers deduct a limited amount of tipped wages from their taxable income. Advertisement 'The economy is going to do well, and people are going to be happy,' said Representative Jeff Van Drew, a New Jersey Republican. 'They really are.' As Jeffries closed his speech before the ultimately successful vote, however, a new slogan emerged to add a layer of ominousness to GOP plans. 'After Project 2025,' the Democratic leader said, referring to the conservative-backed plan to scale back government under Trump, 'comes Project 2026.' Tal Kopan of Globe staff contributed to this report. Sam Brodey can be reached at
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Shapiro, Pennsylvania lawmakers react to U.S. striking Iran's nuclear facilities
(WHTM) — Governor Josh Shapiro and other Pennsylvania lawmakers spoke on the United States' decision to bomb Iran's nuclear facilities. Governor Shapiro fielded questions on numerous topics at the Pocono Raceway today, including the United States' decision to strike three nuclear sites in Iran early Sunday: Look, let me say, I'm the Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Austin Davis is the Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Our job every single day is to ensure the safety and well-being of the good people of Pennsylvania. The first thing I want to say to the people of Pennsylvania is our security team, our State Police, homeland security and others, we've been in dialogue with one another to make sure that there is no threat to the Commonwealth as a result of what happened overseas. There is no threat. The people of Pennsylvania are safe and we're going to remain vigilant in our work here to to keep the people of Pennsylvania safe. Now, I know foreign policy isn't part of my job description as Governor, but it's a fair question given what happened last time. I'm happy to address it. I think what is most important right now is that we not have any escalation beyond what occurred last night. I don't think any of us want to get dragged into another long war in the Middle East. I think it is important that we are we are vigilant about that. Obviously, the Trump administration holds a responsibility for what comes next and ensuring that our American troops and our personnel in the region are safe. I will say with regard to the Iranian nuclear program, that was obviously very, very dangerous. The idea that Iran, the world's largest sponsor of terror, would have a nuclear weapon, would not only destabilize the Middle East, but it would create risk for American interests at home and abroad. It is good if Iran does not possess a nuclear weapon. I think it is important now that there be some accounting for the questions that I think a lot of people have, whether more diplomacy could have accomplished that, and I think it's also important that we have a full accounting for what actually happened last night. I want to hear from military leaders about whether or not this mission was successful. I want to thank our American troops, including those from Pennsylvania, who were involved in the planning and the execution of what occurred last night in the bombing of these nuclear sites in Iran. There are there are no greater warriors in the world than American troops, and we are proud of that here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, proud of our National Guard. I'm going to be swearing in about 40 new National Guards members in a moment. [We're] just proud of those who have dedicated their lives to serving our nation, who put on the uniform of freedom, and they go out and defend freedom at home and abroad. I think what we now need to focus on is diplomacy, in not having an escalation, in not allowing this to turn into a long war in the Middle East. We've got to get back around the table and ensure that diplomacy can take shape, diplomacy can take hold, and that there is no more violence between Israel and Iran, and beyond that, broadening it out, it is critically important that we get a cease fire in return of the hostages in Gaza. We need peace in the Middle East. We need to end these hostilities. Bringing home these hostages is key to that, and I want to just tell you that I'm praying right now for everybody in the Middle East, especially our Americans who are overseas, Americans who here who are on our bases. We want to make sure that they are safe and they're going to be in our prayers. As I said at the top, our job is to make sure that the good people of Pennsylvania are safe, and we're going to continue to do that with great urgency and great vigilance and great seriousness. Governor Josh Shapiro Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now State Rep. Dan Meuser's full statement, posted on X, depicts his reaction to the escalation: Despite a months-long, good-faith diplomatic effort led by President Trump, the Iranian regime refused to abandon its nuclear ambitions. Every opportunity for a peaceful resolution was rejected. Tonight's action was both justified and necessary. The United States has carried out a successful, targeted strike on Iran's nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. This operation sends a clear and unmistakable message: Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. These sites were at the core of a regime that funds terror, destabilizes the region, and threatens America and its allies. A nuclear-armed Iran would endanger Israel, inflict global instability, and put countless lives at risk. Thanks to the extraordinary precision of our Armed Forces, the mission was executed flawlessly, and all aircraft returned safely. Peace through strength is the only path forward. The United States must remain committed to dismantling Iran's nuclear program and standing with our allies against terror. We continue to hope that Iran will finally come to the table and help forge a lasting peace in the Middle East. Rep. Dan Meuser on X Sen. Dave McCormick also weighed in on the strikes in his own statement on X: As I have said all along, Iran must not have a nuclear weapon. This targeted attack on Iran's nuclear facilities is the result of the Iranian regime's failure to make a deal despite months of President Trump's good faith efforts to negotiate. I applaud President Trump's strong leadership and his continued commitment to peace through strength. Once again, America's detractors around the world should know President Trump means what he says. And I am so grateful for America's brave warriors, who appear to have achieved their mission successfully and are returning home safely. I look forward to being briefed along with my Senate colleagues on this action. This is an important step toward ensuring that the world's largest state sponsor of terror never obtains a nuclear weapon. Senator Dave McCormick on X President Donald Trump addressed the nation from the White House, asserting that Iran's key nuclear facilities were 'completely and fully obliterated.' However, there was no independent damage assessment, according to the Associated Press. The United States struck three sites in Iran in an attempt to destroy Iran's nuclear program. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Massive crowds in Oakmont for U.S. Open serve as preview for year of large sporting events in Pa.
Massive crowds have arrived in Oakmont for the U.S. Open and they are only expected to grow as play continues. While all eyes are on the U.S. Open Championship, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is getting a test run for a huge year coming up. Advertisement Pennsylvania will be at the center of the sports world in 2026. The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off in Pittsburgh in April. The PGA Championship will be held just outside of Philadelphia. Some World Cup Games will also be held in Philadelphia, along with the MLB All-Star Game. Hosting just one of these events would be huge for the Commonwealth but all of them combined are expected to have a huge impact. 'It's projected that all of these sports events and tourism in general are going to generate 90 billion dollars in economic impact across the state, which is just massive,' said Deputy Secretary for Tourism for PA, Anne Ryan. 'When you can host an event like the NFL draft or FIFA World Cup, the site selectors who are responsible for identifying the next host cities say 'they have the infrastructure, the operations, the people - the fans.' The NFL Draft is expected to bring 600,000 people to Pittsburgh. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Yahoo
3 sentenced for pandemic-related unemployment fraud, ID theft
ST. LOUIS – The last in a trio of people who committed COVID-19 pandemic-related unemployment fraud and stole dozens of identities along the way appeared in federal court on Friday to be sentenced. Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said Daryl Jones Jr., 46, pleaded guilty in February to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and wire fraud. Between June 22, 2020, and July 15, 2020, Jones fraudulently obtained $84,592 in pandemic-related unemployment benefits from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on debit cards issued to him and four other people. Cheryl Johnson, Jones' girlfriend, provided some of the personal identifying information to Jones. She obtained this information by supervising the victims at various St. Louis area businesses. Those businesses were not identified in a federal statement obtained by FOX 2 News. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now On June 3, 2021, Jones submitted fake pay stubs from a phony business to obtain a $31,700 car loan. Jones and Johnson submitted counterfeit insurance cards to accept delivery of the car. The pair used James Whitiker's St. Louis County home to commit their crimes, prosecutors said. Later that month, authorities obtained a court-approved search warrant for the home. They found a notebook containing the names, Social Security numbers, and birthdates of nearly three dozen people, plus separates pieces of paper containing personal info of 18 more people. Investigators also recovered three stolen ID documents, nine Pennsylvania unemployment benefit debit cards, as well as stolen debit and credit cards. Jones was sentenced to 65 months in federal prison and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $116,587. Johnson, 44, pleaded guilty on Feb. 20 to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and wire fraud. She was sentenced on May 22 to 55 months in federal prison and ordered to repair $116,587. Whitiker admitted knowing that Jones and Johnson were using his home to commit fraud and to using two debit cards during the conspiracy. He pleaded guilty in July 2024 to a conspiracy charge and was sentenced this past October to three years in federal prison. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Pennsylvanians will need a Real ID by Wednesday; here's how to get a Real ID today
Pennsylvanians have two days to get a Real ID before the deadline, and here's what you need to know and do. According to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Department of Homeland Security, the deadline to obtain a Real ID in Pennsylvania is Wednesday, May 7. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is hosting a series of Real ID Days at dozens of drivers license centers across the state to educate people and guide them through the Real ID process. There is a Real ID Day today, Monday, May 5. You will need to produce several other pieces of identification, including proof of citizenship, proof of residency and valid Social Security Number when applying for a Real ID. Pennsylvanians can also obtain Real ID pre-verification online. The next Real ID Day in Pennsylvania is Monday, May 12. It is possible for you to obtain a Real ID after the May 7 deadline. You can apply for a Real ID at anytime. Enforcement of the Real ID requirement is what begins on Wednesday. Obtaining a Real ID is generally optional, but you will need a Real ID for most circumstances that require identification, particularly those flying without a passport. Unsure if you need a Real ID in Pennsylvania? You can access the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's online Real ID questionnaire to find out if Real ID is right for you. After Wednesday, May 7, a Real ID or another form of federally acceptable identification, such as a valid passport or military ID, will be required to: Board domestic commercial flights Enter a military base Enter certain federal facilities that require a federally acceptable form of ID A passport would still be necessary for international travel. Damon C. Williams is a Philadelphia-based journalist reporting on trending topics across the Mid-Atlantic Region. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Midweek deadline to get a Real ID in Pennsylvania here's how to get it
