Top United States government News
Biden transition gets govt OK after Trump out of options
WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government recognized President-elect Joe Biden as the “apparent winner” of the Nov. 3 election, formally starting the transition of power after President Donald Trump spent weeks testing the boundaries of American democracy. He relented after suffering yet more...
Approval for transition gives Biden team access to resources
WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government is set to begin working with President-elect Joe Biden's transition team now that the head of the General Services Administration has “ascertained” that he is the apparent winner of this month's presidential election. Among other things, the...
States certifying results ahead of Electoral College meeting
States have begun certifying their results from the Nov. 3 presidential election in the run-up to the Electoral College meeting in mid-December. Among the states certifying on Monday was Michigan, where President Donald Trump and his allies tried and failed to delay the process. The vote by a bipartisan state...
Biden set to formally introduce his national security team
WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden is set to formally introduce his national security team to the nation, building out a team of Obama administration alumni that signals his shift away from the Trump administration’s “America First” policies and a return to U.S. engagement on...
NYC's first African-American mayor, David Dinkins, has died
NEW YORK (AP) — David Dinkins, who broke barriers as New York City’s first African-American mayor, but was doomed to a single term by a soaring murder rate, stubborn unemployment and his mishandling of a riot in Brooklyn, has died. He was 93. Dinkins died Monday, the New York City Police Department...
Carl Bernstein says 21 GOP senators contemptuous of Trump
NEW YORK (AP) — Former Watergate sleuth Carl Bernstein took to Twitter to list the names of 21 Republican senators who he says have “repeatedly expressed contempt” for Donald Trump and his fitness to be president. Bernstein's post was condemned Monday by some of those involved. It was an...
Biden's choice for UN envoy signals return to US engagement
WASHINGTON (AP) — Joe Biden’s pick to be the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, a low-key, veteran foreign service officer, reflects the president-elect's intent to return to a more traditional role at the world body as well as offer an olive branch to a beleaguered diplomatic corps. If...
Awaiting Yellen at Treasury: Yet another daunting crisis
WASHINGTON (AP) — Janet Yellen is in line for another top economic policy job — just in time to confront yet another crisis. Yellen, President-elect Joe Biden's apparent choice for treasury secretary, served on the Federal Reserve's policymaking committee during the 2008-2009 financial crisis that...
After criticism, Feinstein to step down as top Judiciary Dem
WASHINGTON (AP) — California Sen. Dianne Feinstein said Monday she will step down from her role as the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, giving up the powerful spot after public criticism of her bipartisan outreach and her handling of Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation...
Biden names climate statesman John Kerry as climate envoy
John Kerry, one of the leading architects of the Paris climate agreement, is getting one more chance to lead the fight against climate change after President-elect Joe Biden named the longtime senator and former secretary of state as climate envoy for national security. Biden's team gave little immediate detail...
Latest United States government News
Prosecutors: 31 charged in Coast Guard test-fixing scheme
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — More than 30 people were charged for their participation in a test score-fixing scheme that happened over seven years at a United States Coast Guard exam center in Louisiana, federal prosecutors announced. The indictment centers around Dorothy Smith, a former employee at an exam center...
Awaiting Yellen at Treasury: Yet another daunting crisis
WASHINGTON (AP) — Janet Yellen is in line for another top economic policy job — just in time to confront yet another crisis. Yellen, President-elect Joe Biden's apparent choice for treasury secretary, served on the Federal Reserve's policymaking committee during the 2008-2009 financial crisis that...
The Latest: China reports results of mass testing
BEIJING — China has reported new coronavirus cases in the cities of Shanghai and Tianjin as it seeks to prevent small outbreaks from becoming larger ones. The National Health Commission said Tuesday that there were two new locally spread cases in the previous 24-hour period, one in each city. It also...
Biden signals sharp shift from Trump with Cabinet picks
WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden on Monday tapped Obama-era officials for top national security and economic roles, signaling a stark shift from the Trump administration's “America First” policies that disparaged international alliances and favored deregulation and tax cuts. The...
Millions stick to Thanksgiving travel plans despite warnings
About 1 million Americans a day packed airports and planes over the weekend even as coronavirus deaths surged across the U.S. and public health experts begged people to stay home and avoid big Thanksgiving gatherings. And the crowds are only expected to grow. Next Sunday is likely to be the busiest day of the...
Asian shares mostly rise on virus vaccine, Yellen hopes
TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares were mostly higher Tuesday, encouraged by news on the development of coronavirus vaccines and more assurance for a transition of power in the U.S. to President-elect Joe Biden. The U.S. federal government recognized Biden as the “apparent winner” of the Nov. 3...
Approval for transition gives Biden team access to resources
WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government is set to begin working with President-elect Joe Biden's transition team now that the head of the General Services Administration has “ascertained” that he is the apparent winner of this month's presidential election. Among other things, the...
US judge voids permits for Columbia River methanol plant
SEATTLE (AP) — A judge on Monday voided permits needed for a massive methanol plant on the Columbia River in southwestern Washington, agreeing with conservation groups that the project needs a more thorough environmental review. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had granted the permits for the construction...
Loeffler to return to campaign after negative COVID-19 test
ATLANTA (AP) — U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler said Monday that she will return to public campaigning after she got a second straight negative coronavirus test. The Georgia Republican is facing a Jan. 5 runoff in one of the state’s twin U.S. Senate races. Loeffler took a rapid COVID-19 test Friday evening...
After criticism, Feinstein to step down as top Judiciary Dem
WASHINGTON (AP) — California Sen. Dianne Feinstein said Monday she will step down from her role as the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, giving up the powerful spot after public criticism of her bipartisan outreach and her handling of Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation...
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