Category: Erie News Now – Washington, D.C. Bureau
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US Seizure of Oil Tanker off Venezuelan Coast Raises Tensions
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, President Trump said the US seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. Venezuela is calling the seizure a robbery and “an act of international piracy”. It adds to the rising tensions between the US and Venezuela in the Caribbean.
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Senate to Vote on Competing Health Care Plans Thursday, Both Bills Face Long Odds
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Open enrollment is underway and Monday, Dec. 15, is the deadline to enroll in or change plans for coverage to start January 1. But Washington remains stuck on how to avoid price increase for the 22 million Americans who rely on Affordable Care Act subsidies.
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Trump Takes Economic Message to PA as Congress Scrambles to Avoid Health Care Price Hike
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President Donald Trump is taking his economic message on the road tonight — heading to eastern Pennsylvania. It’s a place the White House views as ground zero for the issue they believe will decide next year’s midterms: lowering prices.
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Ukrainian Officials Share Disturbing Details of Kids Unlawfully Taken from Families
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – As peace talks in the Ukraine-Russia war continue, Ukrainian officials said this must be agreed to: Russia must return the thousands of Ukrainian kids who have been taken from their families. A recent Senate hearing focused on this issue. Warning: some of the details might be disturbing.
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Lawmakers Unveil Text of $900 Billion 2026 NDAA, Paving Way for Troop Pay Increase and Shifts in U.S. Defense Policy
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Leaders on Capitol Hill have unveiled the text of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a massive defense package that funds and provides direction for the Pentagon in the next fiscal year.
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Federal Reserve Expected to Cut Rates
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week the Federal Reserve will meet for a final time before the new year. If that happens, it could lower interest rate costs for millions of borrowers.
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Moo-ving Back into the Cafeteria: Whole and 2% Milk Could Return to Schools Under Bipartisan Bill
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Pennsylvania Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Pa., is celebrating a unanimous Senate vote in favor of his Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act — a bill that aims to bring whole and reduced-fat milk options back to school cafeterias nationwide.
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Trump Administration Announces Rollback of Biden-Era Fuel Economy Standards
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The Trump administration announced plans to roll back what it calls costly and unlawful Biden-era fuel economy rules — known as CAFE standards — saying the reset will deliver relief to Americans by saving them $109 billion over the next five years. Environmental advocates say the rollback gives big oil an…
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Some Members Question if Presidential Pardon Powers Should be Abolished
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Presidents in both parties have used their unique power of granting pardons. Some congressional members said its outdated and could be used to protect allies.
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Senate Democrats Unveil ACA Subsidy Extension Plan as GOP Pushes for Reforms
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In exchange for their support to end the 43-day government shutdown, Republicans guaranteed a handful of Senate Democrats a vote during the month of December to extend expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies. Today, Senate Democrats unveiled their bill to do just that – but many Republicans say it’s not practical.