UCLA Women’s Team Moves to NCAA Championship

PHOENIX (AP) – South Carolina smothers UConn to advance to NCAA Women’s title game.
Reporter Bernie Bennett has details.

VERBATIM: Ta’Niya Latson scored 16 and Agot Makeer added 14 points and South Carolina played stifling defense to beat UConn 62-48 on Friday night, ending the Huskies’ 54-game winning streak and advancing to the women’s NCAA Tournament championship game.

The Gamecocks have now reached the NCAA championship game in four of the last five seasons, including the past three. They will be looking to win a fourth national title Sunday when they face UCLA, capping off another March Madness.

UConn entered the Final Four undefeated for the ninth time in school history and for the third straight time left without a title. The Huskies also lost in the 2017 and 2018 national semifinals.

I’m Bernie Bennett.

South Carolina Women Move to NCAA Championship

PHOENIX (AP) – South Carolina smothers UConn to advance to NCAA Women’s title game.
Reporter Bernie Bennett has details.

VERBATIM: Ta’Niya Latson scored 16 and Agot Makeer added 14 points and South Carolina played stifling defense to beat UConn 62-48 on Friday night, ending the Huskies’ 54-game winning streak and advancing to the women’s NCAA Tournament championship game.

The Gamecocks have now reached the NCAA championship game in four of the last five seasons, including the past three. They will be looking to win a fourth national title Sunday when they face UCLA, capping off another March Madness.

UConn entered the Final Four undefeated for the ninth time in school history and for the third straight time left without a title. The Huskies also lost in the 2017 and 2018 national semifinals.

I’m Bernie Bennett.

President Trump Sends Budget to Congress

WASHINGTON (AP) -The White House is releasing details of President Donald Trump’s 2027 budget, including a $1.5 trillion defense spending request. Correspondent Bernie Bennett has more.

VERBATIM:
That’s the largest of its kind in decades. The Republican president had indicated even before the war against Iran that he wanted to increase defense spending to modernize the military. He’s also calling for a 10% cut in non-defense discretionary spending. The president’s annual budget does not carry the force of law. Instead, it reflects an administration’s priorities and provides a road map to Congress, which handles spending issues. But Congress is free to reject it and often does.

Bernie Bennett in Washington.

New Report Shows Job Growth

WASHINGTON (AP) – American employers added a surprisingly strong 178,000 new jobs last month, rebounding from a dismal February. And the unemployment rate dipped to 4.3%.

VERBATIM:
The Labor Department reported Friday that hiring marked a rebound from the loss of 133,000 jobs in February. The job gains were about three times what economists had forecast.

The unemployment rate was down from 4.4% in February. That is partly because the labor force – those working and looking for work – dropped by 396,000 in March so fewer people were competing for jobs.

Factories added 15,000 jobs last month and construction companies 26,000, probably because of warmer weather last month.

Bernie Bennett in Washington.

Sec. Mullin Changes Rules at Homeland Security

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has rescinded a rule that DHS expenditures over $100,000 be personally approved by his office. Correspondent Bernie Bennett has more.

VERBATIM: The decision Wednesday ends a widely criticized policy implemented by his predecessor Kristi Noem that critics said put a particular burden on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s work aiding disaster response and recovery. It marks the first major action by the new Homeland Security leader, sworn in last week, to change a policy implemented by Noem, whom President Donald Trump fired in March. Mullin’s move is expected to ease a spending bottleneck that lawmakers and states said delayed disaster response and recovery funds.

Bernie Bennett reporting.

House Republicans Plan to Pass Homeland Security Funding Bill

The Senate sent its deal to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security back to the House Thursday morning — marking what should be the beginning of the end of a historic partial government shutdown. Reporter Bernie Bennett explains.

(POSSIBLE OUTCUE: Even once both chambers clear the Senate bill, they will face a tight timeline for the second part of the Trump-blessed plan, delivering an immigration enforcement bill to his desk by June 1.)

VERBATIM:
Speaker Mike Johnson signed off Wednesday on the two-track strategy, effectively capitulating after torching the Senate bill Friday as a “joke.” But he could still struggle to move it quickly given early opposition from some members on the right flank of his conference.

The House briefly convened Thursday morning, but there were no attempts to pass the Senate-approved deal. Johnson will have two more opportunities in brief pro forma sessions scheduled for next week, otherwise he will need to wait until all of his members are back April 14.

Bernie Bennett, Washington.

Senate Sends DHS Funding Bill to the House

WASHINGTON – The Senate sent its deal to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security back to the House Thursday morning – marking what should be the beginning of the end of a historic partial government shutdown. Details from reporter Bernie Bennett.

[VERBATIM:
The Senate’s action, taken in a mostly empty chamber just after 7 a.m., came less than a day after President Donald Trump effectively endorsed a two-track strategy for DHS: funding most of it through a bipartisan deal with Democrats then using the party-line budget reconciliation process for immigration enforcement activities.

Now the bill is headed back across the Capitol. The Senate approved Thune’s motion Thursday to set aside the House’s plan, an eight-week all-DHS stopgap, and instead give it a second chance to pass the Senate bill, which omits funding for ICE and parts of Customs and Border Protection that Democrats oppose.

Asked Thursday how he revived the deal, Thune said, “You … have to just continue to define reality for people, what’s achievable in the Senate, what we can get done.”

Bernie Bennett, Washington.

Senate Passes DHS Funding Bill

The Senate sent its deal to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security back to the House Thursday morning — marking what should be the beginning of the end of a historic partial government shutdown. Reporter Bernie Bennett explains.

(POSSIBLE OUTCUE: Even once both chambers clear the Senate bill, they will face a tight timeline for the second part of the Trump-blessed plan, delivering an immigration enforcement bill to his desk by June 1.)

VERBATIM:
Speaker Mike Johnson signed off Wednesday on the two-track strategy, effectively capitulating after torching the Senate bill Friday as a “joke.” But he could still struggle to move it quickly given early opposition from some members on the right flank of his conference.

The House briefly convened Thursday morning, but there were no attempts to pass the Senate-approved deal. Johnson will have two more opportunities in brief pro forma sessions scheduled for next week, otherwise he will need to wait until all of his members are back April 14.

Even once both chambers clear the Senate bill, they will face a tight timeline for the second part of the Trump-blessed plan, delivering an immigration enforcement bill to his desk by June 1.

Bernie Bennett, Washington.

President Trump Attends Supreme Court Argument on Birthright Citizenship

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump declared birthright citizenship ‘stupid’ after the Supreme Court wrapped up arguments in the case. More on this from Reporter Bernie Bennett.

VERBATIM: President Trump, who wants to see the practice eliminated, repeated his opposition to it in a social media post.

He posted from the White House, “We are the only Country in the World STUPID enough to allow “Birthright” Citizenship!”

During the arguments, the justices cast doubt on Mr. Trump’s bid to limit birthright citizenship.

While the concept is relatively are rare around the world, about three dozen countries guarantee citizenship to children born on their territory.

Bernie Bennett reporting.

NATO Has Bipartisan Support in Senate

NATO is getting defended on a bipartisan basis by Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell and Democrat Sen. Chris Coons ahead of President Trump’s address to the nation on Wednesday night. Bernie Bennett has details.

VERBATIM:
President Trump is expected to criticize NATO members for not joining the U.S. in its war with Iran.

McConnell and Coons said in a joint statement that “NATO is the most successful military alliance in history” and stressed how its members “fought and died,” along with U.S. forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The statement said, “Americans are safer when NATO is strong and united. The Senate will continue to support the alliance for the peace and protection it provides America, Europe, and the World.”

The National Defense Authorization Act in 2023 has provision that requires a two-thirds approval from the Senate in order to leave NATO or a separate measure by Congress, limiting the president’s ability to do so unilaterally.

Bernie Bennett, Washington.

TMZ Follows Congress

WASHINGTON (AP) – TMZ built its brand tracking celebrities. Now it is turning its attention to Congress, chasing down paparazzi-style shots of lawmakers on break from Washington during a record-long partial government shutdown.

VERBATIM: Videos and photos posted by the tabloid website showing lawmakers in airports, Las Vegas and even Disney World have racked up millions of views and led to a growing backlash.

Beyond TMZ, President Donald Trump also wants lawmakers to come back, even hinting he might invoke rarely used powers to call Congress into session.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated the President’s request for lawmakers to return, saying at Monday’s Press Briefing that Mr. Trump would, “host a big Easter dinner here at the White House if Congress will come back.”

Bernie Bennett, Washington.

Trump OK’s Russian Tanker Helping Cuba with Energy Needs

President Donald Trump says he has “no problem” with a Russian oil tanker off the coast of Cuba delivering relief to the island, which has been brought to its knees by a U.S. oil blockade.

VERBATIM:
On Sunday, President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he flew back to Washington,“We have a tanker out there. We don’t mind having somebody get a boatload because they need it… they have to survive.”

When asked if a New York Times report that the tanker would be allowed to reach Cuba was true, Mr. Trump said: “I told them, if a country wants to send some oil into Cuba right now, I have no problem whether it’s Russia or not.”

Bernie Bennett in Washington.

Senate Democrats Block SAVE America Act Amendments

Senate Democrats blocked an amendment to voter ID legislation backed by President Trump that would have done something they publicly support: require photo identification to vote in federal elections. This update from Bernie Bennett.

VERBATIM:
Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have shown interest in photo voter ID, which has grown in popularity among voters across the country.

Still, Democrats blocked an amendment to the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act from Ohio Republican Sen. Jon Husted, meant to put them on record for that position.

Schumer said ahead of the vote that “Republicans are once again wasting time on voter suppression.”

Bernie Bennett in Washington.

A NORC-AP Poll on the War in Iran

WASHINGTON (AP) – Most Americans believe recent U.S. military action against Iran has gone too far, and many are worried about affording gasoline, according to a new AP-NORC poll. Details from reporter Bernie Bennett.

VERBATIM:
As the war launched by the U.S. and Israel continues in its fourth week, the survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research indicates that while President Donald Trump’s approval rating is holding steady, the conflict could be swiftly turning into a major political liability for his Republican administration.

While the President is deploying more warships and troops to the Middle East, about 59% of Americans say U.S. military action in Iran has been excessive.

Meanwhile, 45% are “extremely” or “very” concerned about being able to afford gas in the next few months.

Bernie Bennett in Washington.

U.S. Offers a 15-Page Agreement to Iran

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – Iran has received an American plan to pause the war in the Middle East, a proposal sent even as Washington deploys paratroopers and more Marines to the region. An update from reporter Bernie Bennett.

VERBATIM: Tehran did not confirm receiving the plan and publicly dismissed the diplomatic effort while launching more attacks on Israel and Gulf Arab countries, including an assault that sparked a huge fire at Kuwait International Airport. Iran has also continued to come under attack.

Two officials from Pakistan, which delivered the plan to Iran, described the 15-point proposal broadly, saying it addressed sanctions relief, a rollback of Iran’s nuclear program, limits on missiles and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway through which a fifth of the world’s oil is shipped.

Bernie Bennett in Washington.

——————

***15 PAGE AGREEMENT

( ) 15 PAGE AGREEMENT-bennett-q-WEDam (:12) “the coming days.”

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – Iran has received an American plan to pause the war in the Middle East, a proposal sent even as Washington deploys paratroopers and more Marines to the region.

OUTCUE: That’s reporter Bernie Bennett.

VERBATIM:
An Egyptian official involved in the mediation efforts added that the proposal includes restrictions on Iran’s support for armed groups. At least 1,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division will be sent to the Mideast in the coming days.

U.S. Has a New Negotiator in Iran

Iran’s parliamentary Speaker has emerged as a possible U.S. contact for peace talks… even as the Iranian leadership remains under fire during the war.

VERBATIM: Reports suggest Washington may see Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf as a negotiating partner.

Iran’s theocracy has been in turmoil since a Feb. 28 Israeli strike killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. His son Mojtaba has reportedly taken over. But he hasn’t been seen after reports of having been wounded.

Qalibaf is a former Revolutionary Guard commander and Tehran mayor. Critics link him to violent crackdowns and corruption claims. He denied on Tuesday that there are any talks with the U.S. underway.

The semiofficial Tasnim news agency called the reports about Qalibaf a Western plot to divide Iran.

Bernie Bennett reporting.

Iran Wants Victory

The spokesman of Iran’s top military command says that its armed forces will fight “until complete victory.”

VERBATIM: The comments by Maj. Gen. Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi of the Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters appeared related to U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that there were negotiations ongoing between Tehran and Washington.

Iran has denied any talks are taking place, though its foreign minister has been talking to counterparts around the region.

Iranian state television quoted Aliabadi as saying: “Iran’s powerful armed forces are proud, victorious and steadfast in defending Iran’s integrity, and this path will continue until complete victory.”

Bernie Bennett reporting

Sec. Rubio Visits the G7

Secretary of State Marco Rubio heads to France to sell the Iran war to skeptical G7 allies. Bernie Bennett has details.

VERBATIM:
He’ll attend a Group of Seven foreign ministers meeting near Versailles outside of Paris on Friday “to advance key U.S. interests” and “discuss shared security concerns and opportunities for cooperation.”

The State Department said, “Areas of focus will include the Russia-Ukraine war, the situation in the Middle East, and threats across the world to peace and stability.”

Nearly all of the other G7 nations – Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan – have reacted coolly at best to the U.S.-Israeli military operation against Iran and have declined to participate.

Bernie Bennett, Washington.

Iran Names New National Security Secretary

Trump Delays Deadline

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – President Donald Trump has extended his deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, saying the U.S. will hold off on power plant strikes for five days. Bernie Bennett has more.

VERBATIM:
The President made the announcement on his Truth Social site Monday, just hours ahead of a deadline later in the day.

Writing in all capital letters, he said the U.S. and Iran have had “very good and productive conversations” that could yield “a complete and total resolution” in the war. Talks will continue “throughout the week.”

Mr. Trump did not elaborate on the diplomatic negotiations that had taken place. Iran did not immediately acknowledge any talks between the countries.

Bernie Bennett in Washington.

——————–

Speaker Johnson on Pentagon Request for War Funding

Speaker Mike Johnson said Thursday Congress has to “adequately fund defense” amid the military campaign in Iran as he declined to rule out a possible $200 billion emergency Pentagon infusion.

VERBATIM:
Johnson spoke shortly after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth refused to rule out a supplemental spending request of that size at a morning news conference.

Johnson told reporters at the Capitol, “I’m sure it’s not a random number,” saying he expected any funding request to be “detailed and specified.”

Several Democrats immediately rejected the suggestion of a $200 billion funding bill out of hand, and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise declined to say if such a request could pass the House.

Bernie Bennett, Washington.

House GOP- SAVE America Act

Several House Republicans say they won’t pass any bills coming out of the Senate until the SAVE Act is passed. More details from reporter Bernie Bennett.

VERBATIM:
A growing number of House Republicans are vowing to kill any bills coming from the Senate until the chamber passes what’s known as the SAVE America Act, which would require people to provide proof of citizenship to register to vote and a photo ID at the polls.

They want Senate Majority Leader John Thune to try to get the bill to President Donald Trump’s desk via a simple majority by forcing a “talking filibuster,” which could hold up the Senate floor for months.

President Trump has “called on the Senate to use the talking filibuster to secure passage of the SAVE Act immediately, superseding everything else. Tweny-five House Republicans wrote in a Wednesday letter to Thune, “We agreee! Consider this our filibuster.”

Bernie Bennett in Washington.

Mullin Nomination Passes in Senate Committee

Sen. Markwayne Mullin’s nomination to lead the Department of Homeland Security advanced out of Committee on Thursday. Reporter Bernie Bennett has more.

VERBATIM:
The roughly three-minute meeting was a whirlwind process after a testy hearing one day prior in which Chair Rand Paul repeatedly pressed Mullin on past comments referring to the chair as a snake and questioned whether the Oklahoma Republican had the correct temperament to lead the sprawling department.

Paul made clear Wednesday he planned to vote no on Mullin, a declaration that would have otherwise sunk his nomination had the Oklahoma senator not received the backing of Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, allowing him to move forward on a 8-7 vote.

Bernie Bennett in Washington.

Trump Healthcare Plans

More states are encouraging businesses to help employees sign up for universal healthcare. They’re using a policy backed by President Donald Trump to do it.

POSSIBLE OUT CUE: Obamacare enrollment has already dropped by more than 1 million this year, with further decline expected.

VERBATIM: President Trump explained why he didn’t support an extension of government subsidies that made Obamacare plans more affordable for millions. Those subsidies have now expired, sending premiums soaring. But Mr. Trump has continued to support a 2019 rule issued in his first term that allowed states to offer tax credits to businesses that help employees enroll in Obamacare plans.

That offer is now finding more takers, among Republicans and Democrats, as state lawmakers look for ways to keep the uninsured rate down. At least six states are looking at offering the tax credits to businesses that adopt the Trump policy… to stem the damage.

Bernie Bennett reporting.