Latest Charles Schumer News

Government funding bill clears Congress and heads to President Biden, averting a shutdown

Dec. 21, 2024 04:44 AM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Facing a government shutdown deadline, the Senate rushed through final passage early Saturday of a bipartisan plan that would temporarily fund federal operations and disaster aid, dropping President-elect Donald Trump's demands for a debt limit increase into the new year. ...

Senate passes Social Security benefits boost for many public service retirees

Dec. 21, 2024 01:13 AM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate passed legislation early Saturday to boost Social Security payments for millions of people, pushing a longtime priority for former public employees through Congress in one of its last acts for the year. The bipartisan bill, which next heads to President...

The Latest: Schumer says Senate on course to pass bill before funding lapses at midnight

Dec. 20, 2024 23:05 PM EST

With hours to go before a midnight government shutdown, the House approved a new plan from House Speaker Mike Johnson that would temporarily fund federal operations and disaster aid, but dropped President-elect Donald Trump’s demands for a debt limit increase into the new year. The...

Senate approves 235th judge of Biden's term, beating Trump's tally

Dec. 20, 2024 21:26 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden secured the 235th judicial confirmation of his presidency Friday, an accomplishment that exceeds his predecessor's total by one after Democrats put extra emphasis on the federal courts following Donald Trump's far-reaching first term, when he filled three...

House rejects Trump-backed plan on government shutdown, leaving next steps uncertain

Dec. 20, 2024 08:17 AM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — A day before a potential government shutdown, the House resoundingly rejected President-elect Donald Trump's new plan to fund operations and suspend the debt ceiling, as Democrats and dozens of Republicans refused to accommodate his sudden demands. In a hastily...

The Latest: Trump-backed plan on government shutdown fails in House vote

Dec. 19, 2024 23:04 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump abruptly rejected a bipartisan plan Wednesday to prevent a government shutdown, instead telling House Speaker Mike Johnson and Republicans to essentially renegotiate — days before a deadline when federal funding runs out. The...

Federal officials' authority to track and disable drones set to expire, snared in budget battle

Dec. 19, 2024 13:19 PM EST

As suspected drone sightings over the eastern U.S. including New Jersey continue to captivate many, the federal government's authority to track and disable unmanned aircraft deemed threatening is set to expire after Friday and a temporary spending bill before Congress that would extend that power...

Senate passes defense bill that will raise troop pay and aims to counter China's power

Dec. 19, 2024 00:54 AM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate passed a defense bill Wednesday that authorizes significant pay raises for junior enlisted service members, aims to counter China's growing power and boosts overall military spending to $895 billion while also stripping coverage of transgender medical treatments for...

Bill responding to drone sightings is blocked in the Senate

Dec. 18, 2024 14:36 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer was blocked Wednesday from quickly advancing a bill that would allow local law enforcement agencies to track aerial drones, ensuring Congress won't act this year on the mysterious drone sightings that have bewildered residents of New Jersey...

Congress unveils funding deal with more than $100 billion in disaster aid

Dec. 17, 2024 22:52 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional leaders have unveiled a stopgap spending bill that will keep the federal government funded through March 14 and provide more than $100 billion in emergency aid to help states and local communities recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton and other natural...