White House on impeachment inquiry: “no evidence of wrongdoing”

The White House is pushing back against the House GOP’s impeachment inquiry into President Biden.
Announcing the formal impeachment inquiry, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy cited “allegations of abuse of power, obstruction and corruption.” But the White House fired back, calling it “extreme politics at its worst.” Spokesman Ian Sams said, “House Republicans have been investigating the president for nine months, and they’ve turned up no evidence of wrongdoing.” The White House also pointed to GOP members of Congress who have publicly stated there’s no evidence.

Biden to award Medal of Honor to Vietnam-era Army pilot

President Biden will award the Medal of Honor to a Vietnam War-era Army pilot. In 1968, then-Army Lt. Larry Taylor risked his life to rescue a reconnaissance team that was about to be overrun by the enemy. He flew his Cobra attack helicopter in the dark of night to rescue the four men. Taylor landed under heavy enemy fire near the Saigon River before whisking the men to safety. Taylor has received scores of combat decorations, including the Silver Star. But today he’ll receive the military’s highest decoration for going above and beyond the call of duty.

Federal student loan interest starts accumulating after 3-year pause

The three-year pause in repaying federal student loans is coming to an end soon. Since March 2020, borrowers have not had to make monthly loan payments because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But interest on federal student loans has started accumulating again and payments will be due starting in October. The Education Department encourages borrowers to log in to their account and verify the amount of their payments. More than 40 million Americans owe money on their federal student loans.

Jill Biden positive for COVID, President Biden tests negative

First lady Jill Biden has tested positive for COVID-19, but President Biden’s results are negative so far. The first lady’s office announced the positive test result Monday evening and said she has only mild symptoms. The president was tested for the virus, but his results were negative. A press spokesperson says the president would continue testing regularly and would be monitored for symptoms. He is at the White House, while Jill Biden remains at their home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, for the time being.

Trump waived right to appear at this week’s Georgia arraignment

Former President Trump won’t be showing up for an arraignment hearing in Atlanta this week. A judge had set arraignment hearings for Wednesday for Trump and the 18 others accused of illegally trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia. But in a written court filing last week, Trump pleaded not guilty and said he’ll skip the hearing. The former president embraced the jailhouse mug shot that was taken when he surrendered to authorities last month, but he opted against traveling back to Atlanta for an in-court appearance.

Biden’s supplemental funding request could face some GOP resistance

President Biden’s supplemental funding request could face some resistance from House Republicans. The president is asking Congress to approve about 44-billion dollars in total supplemental funding. That includes 24-billion for Ukraine and other international needs and 16-billion for FEMA’s disaster relief fund. Many GOP lawmakers want to limit federal spending and some are opposed to ongoing support for Ukraine. The White House says the disaster funding is especially needed, citing disasters in Hawaii, Louisiana, and Florida.

Trump widens GOP lead in new Wall Street Journal poll

Donald Trump continues to hold a commanding lead in the race for the Republican presidential nomination. A new Wall Street Journal poll shows nearly 60 percent of Republican voters back the former president. That’s an 11-point increase since the newspaper’s April survey. Trump’s closest challenger is Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who picked up 13 percent. The survey found that Trump’s lead over DeSantis has nearly doubled to 46 percentage points. All other GOP candidates are in the single digits.

Former Gov. Hogan: “too many people” in the GOP presidential field

A former GOP governor says there are “too many people” in the Republican presidential field. Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan believes the GOP field is too crowded and that some candidates should consider getting out of the race. Especially if they fail to qualify for debates. He told CBS’s “Face the Nation” he doesn’t want to see a repeat of 2016 when Donald Trump was victorious in a crowded contest. Hogan also said he’s “not closing the door” to being on top of a No Labels ticket putting forth an independent candidate.

Biden cancels student loans for those cheated by university

The Biden administration is canceling student loans for 23-hundred borrowers who say they were cheated by a former for-profit college. Seventy-two million dollars in student loans are being canceled by the Education Department. The move helps borrowers who say they were cheated by Ashford University, a former for-profit college that was purchased by the University of Arizona in 2020. The Biden administration wants to recoup the money from the new parent company, which denies any liability. In 2022, a California court found that Ashford frequently lied to students to get them to enroll.

Biden is boosting request for natural disaster funding

The Biden administration is boosting its spending request for natural disasters. Last month, President Biden asked Congress for 12-billion dollars in extra funding for FEMA’s disaster relief fund. Now, the White House says it will seek an additional 4-billion. The White House points to a series of wildfires, storms, and flooding in requesting the additional money.

Biden to survey hurricane damage in Florida on Saturday

President Biden is going to Florida this weekend to survey hurricane damage. The president announcing his travel to the state after it was pounded with high winds and flooding. Hurricane Idalia slammed into Florida’s Big Bend area of the northern Gulf Coast. Mr. Biden has signed a major disaster declaration freeing up federal resources for the state.

After phone call, Biden says McConnell “was his old self”

President Biden spoke with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell after his latest health episode.
The president talked with McConnell a day after the senator froze during a press conference for the second time in two months. He said such episodes are to be expected following McConnell’s concussion earlier this year. The president said he has no concerns about McConnell’s ability to do his job.

Biden visits FEMA HQ, thanks workers, offers more storm aid

President Biden is offering more hurricane relief assistance and thanking emergency management personnel.  A day after Hurricane Idalia made landfall, President Biden visited FEMA headquarters here in Washington to thank workers.  He said he spoke again with Florida Governor DeSantis about providing more federal assistance.  Mr. Biden also announced that he’ll be visiting Florida on Saturday to survey storm damage.

Trump pleads not guilty in Georgia election interference case

Former President Trump has entered a not guilty plea in Georgia’s election interference case. In addition to pleading not guilty, Trump also waived his right to an in-person arraignment on Wednesday in Atlanta. He joins several other co-defendants in waiving arraignment and skipping next week’s hearing. The former president and 18 others are accused of illegally trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has repeatedly blasted the investigation as politically motivated.

White House urges Congress to pass short-term funding, avoid shutdown

The White House is recommending a temporary funding measure to avert a possible government shutdown. The current budget year ends September 30th and sharp differences remain between the GOP-led House and the Democratic-controlled Senate. Without an agreement, parts of the government could shut down. With only a month to go, the White House is asking Congress to pass short-term funding to give lawmakers more time on the budget.

Biden admin pledges infrastructure assistance to Hawaii

President Biden is pledging new assistance to Hawaii after devastating wildfires on the island of Maui.
The president says money is on the way to help strengthen critical power transmission lines and harden utility poles, among other actions. White House officials have defended the administration’s response in Maui amid ongoing Republican criticism. The president is vowing to “do everything we can for as long as it takes to help Maui recover.”

Biden and DeSantis put aside politics in hurricane response

President Biden says he and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis are putting politics aside in dealing with Hurricane Idalia. They’re running against each other for the White House in 2024, but the president and governor have been working together on this week’s big storm. Mr. Biden has dispatched his FEMA administrator to Florida to survey damage with the governor on Thursday.

FEMA: Idalia strongest storm to hit Florida’s Big Bend coast

Federal officials say it will be several days before Hurricane Idalia’s complete impact can be determined.
FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell says Idalia packed a punch when the Category 3 hurricane made landfall along Florida’s Big Bend coastline. The storm submerged cars, ripped apart buildings, and downed power lines as it moved across the state into Georgia and the Carolinas. Criswell will survey damage with Florida Governor DeSantis on Thursday.

White House: Russia seeking NKorea weapons for Ukraine war

The White House says Russia has been seeking weapons from North Korea for the war in Ukraine. The National Security Council is pointing to new intelligence that shows Russian President Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have exchanged letters. Spokesman John Kirby says the letters were “more at the surface level” but that Russian and North Korean talks on a weapons sale were advancing. Several weeks ago, officials here determined that Russia’s defense minister had visited North Korea seeking the sale of munitions to Moscow for its war with Ukraine.

10 Rx drugs targeted for Medicare price negotiations

White House essentially blames Kremlin for Prigozhin’s death

Miami Mayor Suarez suspends GOP presidential campaign

The mayor of Miami has become the first Republican candidate to drop out of the presidential race.  Mayor Francis Suarez announced the suspension of his presidential campaign, a long shot bid he launched back in June. Suarez was on record saying anybody who didn’t make the debate should drop out. He failed to qualify for last week’s first primary debate. The 45-year-old mayor wrote on social media that he remains committed “to making this a better nation for every American.”

FEMA urges people to take Hurricane Idalia seriously

The federal government is urging people in the path of Hurricane Idalia to take the necessary precautions. FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell says Idalia is a powerful storm that should be respected. She urges Florida residents to be ready to evacuate, if necessary, and follow the orders of local officials to stay out of harm’s way.

Trump, 18 others to be arraigned in Georgia case next week

Donald Trump will be arraigned in Georgia next week on racketeering charges. After turning themselves in to authorities last week to be formally booked, Trump and the 18 people indicted along with him in Georgia are scheduled to be arraigned next Wednesday, September 6th. They face charges that they participated in a wide-ranging illegal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.