Us Congress

A range of US government services has been halted as the government shutdown enters its first few days, with hundreds of thousands of federal employees without wages and thousands more conducting business unpaid.

What US government shutdown means and how it will affect the economy

The US government entered a shutdown after Congress failed to agree on funding, furloughing around 750,000 federal employees, suspending certain services, and creating economic uncertainty while essential operations continue at reduced capacity.

US government enters shutdown as Trump blames Democrats, threatens public sector job cuts

The US government entered a shutdown after Congress failed to approve a funding deal. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers are affected, with Trump blaming Democrats and threatening program cuts.

Trump Delivers Record-Breaking 100-Minute Address, Declares ‘Golden Age of America’ | N18G

President Donald Trump delivered a record-breaking nearly 100-minute joint address to Congress, declaring that “the golden age of America has only just begun.” His speech, the longest ever for such an occasion, surpassed Bill Clinton’s 2000 State of the Union, which lasted 1 hour, 28 minutes, and 49 seconds. Republican lawmakers cheered, chanting “Fight! Fight! Fight!” while Democrats swiftly exited the chamber. The American Presidency Project confirmed the historic length, noting it as the longest tracked since 1964. Though not an official State of the Union, the speech marked Trump’s early vision for his presidency just six weeks into office.

Powell in no hurry to ease rates, says need to watch inflation progress

Powell's worries stem from the fact that an early rate cut could spark inflationary pressures, given that labor market trend and consumption data shows that the economy can handle higher rates for longer.

Some US politicians made outsized gains on Wall Street in 2024, shows Unusual Whales report

The website calculated the active stock portfolio returns of each Congress member based on the value of stock held during 2024, and the data revealed that many members managed to beat the 24.9% annual return of S&P 500 index last year.

U.S House scraps Trump-backed spending bill, shutdown approaches | N18G

On December 19, a spending bill backed by President-elect Donald Trump failed in the U.S. House of Representatives. Despite Trump’s efforts to pressure lawmakers to resolve funding issues before his January 20 inauguration, the bill was rejected by 38 Republicans who opposed its increased spending and impact on national debt. The failure to pass the bill leaves the U.S. government facing a shutdown starting at midnight on December 20, which would disrupt services and halt paychecks for over 2 million federal workers, affecting the holiday season. The bill, which resembled a prior bipartisan deal, was criticized by Trump and Elon Musk as a wasteful giveaway to Democrats. Key elements of the bill, including a pay raise for lawmakers, were dropped. At Trump’s urging, the bill also aimed to suspend debt limits for two years to ease the passage of future tax cuts, further increasing the federal government’s $36 trillion debt.

Explained: A simple guide to the US electoral process and how the president is elected

Discover the process of becoming President of the United States, including the roles of caucuses and primaries, political conventions, the general election, and the Electoral College.

Netanyahu accuses Iran of funding anti-Israel protests in Congress address

Asserting that victory is in site, Netanyahu said the day after they defeat Hamas, a new Gaza can emerge.

In fiery speech to Congress, Netanyahu vows ‘total victory’ in Gaza and denounces US protesters

Israeli PM Netanyahu, in a combative speech to Congress, vowed "total victory" against Hamas and called American war opponents "idiots," despite US negotiation hopes.

Israel's Netanyahu gets invitation to address US Congress

The letter inviting Netanyahu was signed by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Biden administration yet to notify US Congress on proposed Predator drone sales to India

It is learnt India and the US are examining various aspects of the proposed deal including the price component, but the pace of the negotiations have slowed down after US federal prosecutors alleged an Indian link in a failed plot to kill Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

Republican Congresswoman grills Harvard, UPenn heads over campus antisemitism | Video

U.S. Congress took on the subject of antisemitism in college campuses by questioning the presidents of Harvard, MIT and the University of Pennsylvania during a House hearing on Tuesday. Pro-Palestinian protests and Jewish students' reports of harassment at school were at the center of the hearing held by the Committee on Education and the Workforce. The viral video in which heads of Harvard and University of Pennsylvania were seen dodging the questions on campus antisemitism has gained over 80 million views on X. Watch to know what they said!

Musk, Zuckerberg visit US congress to discuss AI

Senator Chuck Schumer, the Democratic majority leader of the US Senate, has planned a series of so-called AI Innovation forums, closed door meetings where lawmakers can quiz tech leaders about the technology that has taken the world by storm since the release of ChatGPT last year.

US Congress to limit use of AI among staff: Report

According to a memo, staff are only allowed to use ChatGPT Plus, which is a paid version of the chatbot that comes with options to limit data collection

Honoured to address the US Congress, says PM Modi

Modi on Thursday became the first Indian leader to address the joint session of the US Congress twice. His first address to a joint meeting of the US Congress was in 2016.

There can be 'no ifs or buts' in dealing with terrorism, says PM Modi in US Congress address

In his address to the joint meeting of the US Congress on Thursday, Prime Minister Modi said that more than two decades after 9/11 and over a decade after the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai, radicalism and terrorism still remain a pressing danger for the whole world.

US Congress: Legislation introduced to fast-track weapons sales to India

Their remarks come amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi's State Visit to the US at the invitation of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.

In his address to US Congress, PM Modi calls for action against sponsors of terrorism

In his address to the Joint Meeting of the US Congress, Prime Minister Modi said that more than two decades after 9/11 and more than a decade after 26/11 in Mumbai, radicalism and terrorism still remain a pressing danger for the whole world.

Look forward to once again address joint meeting of US Congress: PM Modi

Modi will address a joint session of the US Congress on June 22 during his official state visit to the country.

PM Modi addressing a joint session of US Congress shows the bipartisan support for India

Modi’s visit to America will give the Indian leadership another opportunity to show its strategic independence in an atmosphere of growing bipolarity.

OpenAI chief goes before US Congress, proposes licenses to develop powerful AI

In his first appearance before a congressional panel, CEO Sam Altman is set to advocate licensing or registration requirements for AI with certain capabilities, his written testimony shows.

Janet Yellen warns of 'constitutional crisis' if Congress fails to act on debt

Janet Yellen sounded the alarm over possible financial market consequences if the debt ceiling is not raised by early June, when she has said the federal government could run short of cash to pay its bills.

Janet Yellen, caught between markets and US Congress, tweaks bank safety message

Yellen is the face of the U.S. government on the issue, and her public comments have sent markets on a roller coaster ride.

Potential TikTok ban sends advertisers scrambling

When TikTok's Chief Executive Officer Shou Zi Chew testifies before Congress for the first time on Thursday, advertisers will be closely watching his appearance for news as well as the reaction of lawmakers, several ad agencies told Reuters.