US Senate passes $US95 billion Ukraine aid bill, but path ahead unclear
Washington DC, US Reuters The Democratic-led US Senate on Tuesday passed a long-sought $US95.34 billion military aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, although it faced an uncertain path ahead in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. After months of negotiations and political infighting, the lawmakers approved the measure in a 70-29 vote that comfortably exceeded […]
In the US, faith-based organisations are concerned about the immigration policy landscape
United States RNS While congressional Democrats are chiding Republican senators for walking away from a compromise immigration bill that restricts asylum, faith-based agencies that work with refugees and asylum-seekers expressed alarm in recent days about provisions of the bill and the turn that the conversation about immigration has taken. “You’re not going to solve anything […]
Biden on Trump ‘dictator’ remark: “He’s saying it out loud”
Philadelphia, USReuters President Joe Biden told donors at a political fundraiser on Monday that former President Donald Trump is a threat to US democracy and said the Republican had pledged to be a dictator for a day if elected in 2024. “He’s saying it out loud,” said Biden, a Democrat who is running for reelection. […]
In the US, mainline clergy are more liberal than their congregants – survey
United States RNS A new US survey of mainline clergy finds those leading the historic denominations that once shaped the American Protestant scene are far more liberal than their congregants on a host of political and social issues. The Public Religion Research Institute survey of 3,066 mainline clergy, released on Thursday, shows that about half identify with […]
Democrats mock Biden impeachment, but it could affect re-election bid
Washington DC, US Reuters Asked about Republicans launching an impeachment inquiry into US President Joe Biden in Congress, Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman clutched his head in mock horror and declared “Oh my God, really?” before bursting into laughter. “Ooooh, don’t do it,” Fetterman said mockingly on Tuesday, as he walked off. US President Joe […]
Essay: Playing chicken over debt and spending bills
As the US debt ceiling crisis continues, US Catholic commentator THOMAS REESE expresses his hope that US Congress could look seriously at government programs to make them better and more efficient rather than grandstanding for the media and their partisan base…
Biden, 80, makes 2024 presidential run official as Trump fight looms
Washington DC, US Reuters President Joe Biden launched his re-election bid on Tuesday with a promise to protect American liberties from “extremists” linked to former President Donald Trump, who he beat in 2020 and might face again in 2024. Joe Biden announces his bid for re-election. PICTURE: Video screenshot via Reuters. Biden made his announcement […]
Essay: Reclaiming our democracy is a matter of faith
In an article first published on Religion News Service, BRIDGET MOIX, general secretary of the Friends Committee on National Legislation in the US, says the gulf between Democrats and Republicans feels unbridgeable, so why bother engaging with the institution at all?…
Essay: Kevin McCarthy – why Republicans are preventing their own leader becoming US speaker
RICHARD HARGY, of Queen’s University Belfast, explains in an article first published on The Conversation…
In the US, Congress’ new class has much higher percentage of Christians than American public
United StatesRNS The religious makeup of the new Congress bucks the trends seen in American religious life, a new report finds. The Pew Research Center says the Senate and House members are “largely untouched” by the continuing decrease in the portion of Americans who identify as Christian and the comparable increase in the share of those who […]