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Waves of Russian forces launch assault on Ukraine and U.S. prepares added sanctions
By: Jennifer Shutt and Jacob Fischler - February 24, 2022
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden Thursday vowed a “united and decisive” wave of sanctions against Russia after the country’s leaders ordered a military assault on Ukraine. Russian military forces began attacking several cities and towns throughout the country, according to multiple news reports. The Washington Post reported that a senior U.S. defense official said the […]
Biden sanctions Russian natural gas pipeline company Nord Stream 2
By: Jennifer Shutt - February 23, 2022
President Joe Biden on Wednesday sanctioned the Russian company tasked with building and operating the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline, as well as its corporate officers.
Members of Congress from both parties urge tough sanctions on Russia
By: Jennifer Shutt, Ariana Figueroa and Jacob Fischler - February 22, 2022
WASHINGTON — Both Democrats and Republicans in Congress on Tuesday called on President Joe Biden to impose severe sanctions on Russia after the country declared a broad section of eastern Ukraine independent before sending troops into the region. Members of Congress appear unified, for the moment, that the most the United States should do is […]
Biden says Russia has begun invading Ukraine, announces initial sanctions
By: Jennifer Shutt - February 22, 2022
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said Tuesday that Russia’s actions in eastern Ukraine amounted to “the beginning of a Russian invasion” of that country that could get much worse in the days ahead. Seeking to deter Russian President Vladimir Putin from further military action, Biden said the United States would apply the “first tranche of […]
Biden to impose sanctions on pro-Russian separatist region of Ukraine
By: Jennifer Shutt - February 21, 2022
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden issued an executive order Monday imposing sanctions on the two breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine that Russian President Vladimir Putin declared independent earlier in the day. The order bars new investment, trading and finance in the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s Republic. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki […]
Biden says there’s ‘reason to believe’ Russia plans to invade Ukraine within days
By: Jennifer Shutt - February 18, 2022
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said Friday that he expects Russian forces to invade Ukraine within days, attacking the nation’s capital city of Kyiv and its 2.8 million residents. “We have reason to believe Russian forces are planning and intend to attack Ukraine in the coming week, the coming days. We believe they will target […]
U.S. Senate clears short-term funding bill after sidestepping ‘crack pipe’ concerns
By: Jennifer Shutt - February 18, 2022
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate on Thursday sent the president a three-week government funding bill that gives negotiators more time to reach agreement on a full-year spending package — avoiding a potential shutdown just one day away. Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, told States Newsroom that negotiators can wrap up […]
Jan. 6 panel subpoenas six people tied to pro-Trump fake electors plan
By: Jennifer Shutt - February 16, 2022
WASHINGTON — The select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol issued subpoenas Tuesday for six people — including prominent Republicans in Arizona, Michigan and Pennsylvania — involved in planning slates of fake electors for former President Donald Trump. Chairman Bennie G. Thompson said in a statement the panel is “seeking records […]
U.S. House panel debates record number of guns found at airport checkpoints
By: Jennifer Shutt - February 15, 2022
WASHINGTON — U.S. House members wrestled Tuesday with how to address a spike in travelers trying to bring firearms through airport screening points in carry-on bags. During 2021, Transportation Security Administration officers detected 5,972 firearms at checkpoints, 86% of which were loaded. That number was up from the previous record of 4,432 discovered in 2019. […]
CDC preps guidance for governors on relaxing COVID rules, but states forge ahead
By: Jennifer Shutt - February 10, 2022
WASHINGTON — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is preparing guidance for governors about when to relax masking and other measures meant to slow the spread of COVID-19, but doesn’t want to release those instructions just yet. Director Rochelle Walensky said Wednesday that it’s too soon to begin rolling back masking and other public […]
McConnell rebukes RNC for saying Jan. 6 attack was ‘legitimate political discourse’
By: Jennifer Shutt - February 9, 2022
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday the Republican National Committee erred in censuring two House GOP lawmakers for joining the select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. The Kentucky Republican rebuked the RNC for referring to the riot as “legitimate political discourse” in the censure resolution. McConnell said […]
U.S. House passes three-week patch to keep the federal government operating
By: Jennifer Shutt - February 9, 2022
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House passed a bill Tuesday night that would keep the U.S. government up and running through March 11. The short-term funding bill, the third one of this fiscal year, is designed to give negotiators more time to reach a bipartisan agreement on full-year spending bills — a task they’ve so far […]