US House approves outline for $70 billion more for immigration enforcement

April 30, 2026 9:04 AM

US House approves outline for $70 billion more for immigration enforcement

The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a three-year budget plan that would pave the way for Congress to consider an additional $70 billion for immigration enforcement activities by federal agents. The House voted 215-211, with no Democrats supporting it. House Speaker Mike Johnson held the vote open for more than five hours as he worked to get enough of his fellow Republicans to embrace the measure. Some, from farm states, were holding out for a future vote on expanding sales o...

What would it take to end the US government shutdown?

October 1, 2025 10:12 AM

What would it take to end the US government shutdown?

A deep impasse between Republican President Donald Trump and congressional Democrats has triggered the 15th U.S. government shutdown since 1981. Here's a look at what it will take to reopen the government. WHAT DO REPUBLICANS WANT? Trump's Republicans control both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and they have already scored big budget wins this year. The massive legislation called the "One Big Beautiful Bill," passed in July, boosted spending for defense and immigration enforcemen...

Taiwan happy with US aid package, China objects to arms sales

April 24, 2024 12:59 PM

Taiwan happy with US aid package, China objects to arms sales

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said on Wednesday she was happy the U.S. Congress had passed a sweeping foreign aid package which includes arms support for the island, as China urged Washington to stop selling weapons to Taipei. The United States is Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier even in the absence of formal diplomatic ties. China, which views Taiwan as its own territory, has repeatedly demanded arms sales stop. The Senate approved by 79 to 18 four bills passed b...