There won ’ t be renewed efforts to tackle debt drivers until next year at the earliest . | AP Photos D.C. 's attention-to-deficits disorder\nFatigued by a government shutdown and repeated failures to reach a grand bargain , leaders from both parties have moved on .\nPresident Barack Obama isn ’ t expected to spend much time on deficit reduction and entitlement reform during Tuesday ’ s State of the Union address , instead focusing on issues such as economic inequality and raising the minimum wage that will be the centerpiece of his 2014 agenda .\nRepublicans don ’ t want to divert attention from Obamacare and plan to demand changes in the health care law , not spending cuts , in exchange for a debt-limit increase next month . They dismiss grand bargain talks with Obama as fruitless .\nFor Obama , the shifting political landscape is a chance to move past an issue that some Democrats see as a political loser headed into the midterms — the president even complained to Senate Democrats this month that he doesn ’ t get enough credit for previous deficit cuts .\nRepublicans see an opportunity to redefine themselves as a party that has an agenda beyond budget cuts . They say they will now focus on “ kitchen-table ” issues like increasing take-home pay , creating new incentives for school vouchers and charter schools , and some form of immigration reform .\nNot that the $ 17 trillion debt is going away anytime soon . The debt as a share of the economy is projected to decline over the next few years , and the deficit has dropped at the fastest rate since World War II — a point that Obama repeats often these days . The brightened outlook will last only a few years before an aging population and rising health care costs force deficits to balloon over the next decade . But the temporary cease-fire in the budget wars and an improvement in the fiscal picture have diminished any lingering sense of urgency for Washington to act on a large-scale deal .\nThat means there won ’ t be renewed efforts to tackle the real drivers of the debt until next year at the earliest , but likely not until after the 2016 presidential election .\n“ Neither party wants to talk about it , ” said Maya MacGuineas , president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget . “ This is the first time we have been staring into the political horizon and there is no action-forcing moment . ”\nHouse Speaker John Boehner ( R-Ohio ) , whose ascension in 2011 was fueled by small-government conservative activists , has all but ruled out any further deficit reduction talks with Obama because they can ’ t move past a basic disagreement on taxes . They also insist Obama has shifted his demands too often .\nIn next month ’ s fight to raise the debt ceiling , Boehner is not expected to renew his demand to cut spending by an equal amount — a principle that pushed Obama into extended , unsuccessful talks with the speaker in 2011 . Instead , Republicans are zeroing in on Obamacare , and are likely to insist on some kind of fix in exchange for increasing the country ’ s borrowing authority .\nWhite House aides said Obama stands by his last offer to Boehner in December 2012 , which included Medicare cuts that infuriated Democrats . But the president believes he ’ s reached the end of the line with Republicans on this issue , aides said , and has reoriented his White House toward fighting income inequality .\n“ The president has repeatedly demonstrated his willingness to compromise with Republicans to reduce the deficit , ” White House spokesman Josh Earnest said . “ In fact , the deficit has been cut in half since he took office five years ago . That improvement in our deficit picture means we have more room to put in place , in a fiscally responsible way , policies that will expand opportunity for all Americans . ”\nFor Democratic lawmakers , many of whom never bought into Obama ’ s focus on debt and deficit reduction , the move away from austerity couldn ’ t have come soon enough .\n“ It is amazing how it has faded as an issue except among a small group , ” said Sen. Chuck Schumer ( D-N.Y. ) , the No . 3 leader . “ The reason is , first , we have made big progress and , second , it has become apparent that it is not on the average person ’ s mind . ”\nThe president gave the budget top billing in last year ’ s State of the Union address , turning to it immediately after detailing the general themes of the speech . The White House and Congress had agreed to $ 2.5 trillion in spending cuts and tax hikes over the past few years , he told lawmakers , putting them more than halfway toward the goal of $ 4 trillion to stabilize the country ’ s finances .\n“ Now we need to finish the job . And the question is , how ? ” Obama said as he renewed calls for tax and entitlement reform .\nAlthough he pushed for a repeal of across-the-board spending cuts known as the sequester , they kicked in last March , locking in budget savings that allowed Obama to tout several months later that the deficit was on a rapid decline .\n“ It ’ s now dropped at the fastest rate in 60 years , ” Obama said at an August town hall in Birmingham , N.Y. , as he called for only “ some modifications ” to entitlement programs . “ I want to repeat that , because a lot of people think that — if you ask the average person what ’ s happening with the deficit , they ’ d tell you it ’ s going up . The deficit has been cut in half since 2009 and is on a downward trajectory . And it ’ s gone down faster than any time since World War II . ”


President Trump waived shipping restrictions for Puerto Rico on Thursday at the request of the island 's governor and after an outcry from Congress about shortages of fuel , food and emergency supplies in the wake of Hurricane Maria .\nThe decision temporarily lifts the Jones Act 's restrictions prohibiting foreign-flagged vessels from picking up and delivering fuel between U.S. ports .\nA one-two punch by Hurricanes Irma and Maria battered the island in recent weeks , leaving residents with shortages of all supplies . Maria wiped out the power supply , destroyed cell towers and led to massive fuel shortages on the island that relies on diesel for much of its power .\nMore : On the defensive over response to Hurricane Maria , Trump to visit Puerto Rico\nElaine Duke , acting secretary of Homeland Security , said the waiver followed Puerto Rico Gov . Ricardo Rossello 's request and the Defense Department 's determination that lifting the restrictions was in the interest of national defense . The waiver is in effect 10 days and covers all products .\n`` It is intended to ensure we have enough fuel and commodities to support lifesaving efforts , respond to the storm , and restore critical services and critical infrastructure operations in the wake of these devastating storms , '' Duke said .\nMore : Why Puerto Rico is being denied shipping deliveries of fuel\nBut members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus on Thursday continued to blast the administration for a slow response and said the 10-day waiver isn ’ t long enough .\n“ This is Katrina 2017 , ” said Rep. Luis Gutierrez , D-Ill. “ Think of 3.4 million people who have no escape route from the island of Puerto Rico . ”\nRep. Nydia Velázquez , D-N.Y. , called on Trump to waive the Jones Act for a year .\nThe administration waived the act for Southeastern states — and included Puerto Rico for petroleum products — from Sept. 8 through 22 , after Hurricanes Harvey and Irma . But Defense and Homeland Security officials said there were plenty of ships to supply Puerto Rico — the problem was moving supplies around the island because of roads blocked by trees and landslides .\nSen. John McCain , R-Ariz. , has tried repeatedly to repeal the Jones Act , which he called archaic and burdensome . He and Sen. Mike Lee , R-Utah , proposed Thursday to permanently exempt Puerto Rico from the Jones Act , as the U.S. Virgin Islands are already exempt .\n`` It ’ s time for Congress to take action , end this injustice , and help our fellow citizens in this time of need , '' McCain said .\n“ The Jones Act is just another example of a federal regulation that harms American consumers , gives foreign corporations an edge over American businesses , and makes disaster response harder , '' Lee said . “ It is far past time to repeal it . ”\nBut Rep. John Garamendi , D-Calif. , said Puerto Rico ’ s problem is moving cargo from ports to gas stations , warehouses , supermarkets and relief agencies , rather than shipping cargo to the island . Of 6,000 containers filled with supplies already sitting at the island 's port terminals , only about 400 will be moving Thursday , he said .\n“ The log jam is the freight movement on the island , which is simply not going well , ” said Garamendi , who serves on the maritime transportation subcommittee . “ It ’ s picking up a little bit each day , but the problem is on the land side , not the water side . ”\nAbout two-thirds of Puerto Rico ’ s imports typically come from foreign vessels and international ports , including six of the seven petroleum tankers that arrived within the last week , Garamendi said .\nThe Jones Act is crucial to maintaining the U.S. maritime industry and protecting national security , rather than to allow foreign vessels to move between U.S. ports along inland waterways such as the Mississippi River , he said .\n“ It would be a major national-security issue to open those waterways in the heart of America to foreign vessels , foreign crews , which would be impossible to maintain any level of security , ” Garamendi said .\nTrump , who plans to visit the island next week , said Wednesday that he was studying the matter , but the U.S. shipping industry was opposed to waiving the law .\nSarah Sanders , Trump ’ s spokeswoman , tweeted Thursday the Jones Act would be waived .


Irma pushes north and is causing problems in Charleston , S.C .\nHigh winds felled trees and severed service lines in Georgia and South Carolina on Monday , knocking out power for more than 900,000 electricity customers in the two states .\nA tropical storm warning was issued for all of Georgia ’ s Atlantic coast and most of the South Carolina coast . Some of the worst flooding occurred in Charleston , where knee-high floodwaters coursed through the streets — high enough for some residents to navigate by kayak .\nThe National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency for Charleston County , and said that parts of the Charleston peninsula , which contains the city ’ s historic core , were being closed down .\nIn an interview Monday afternoon , Mayor John Tecklenburg said that the city had been hit with a four-foot storm surge , leaving parts of the peninsula looking as if they had merged with the Ashley River .\n“ It sounds kind of counterintuitive that we ’ d have that , because the center of the storm is over 200 miles away in western Georgia , and here we are over on the coast of South Carolina , ” he said . “ But just if you looked at the bigger weather map and saw the counterclockwise rotation of Irma , juxtaposed with a clockwise high-pressure rotation over the Atlantic , Charleston was like in the pincer of those two motions that has driven wind and hurricane bands almost directly into our city . ”\nMr. Tecklenburg said that the flooding was even worse than last year ’ s Hurricane Matthew , which inundated the city in October , in great part because Matthew arrived at low tide , whereas Irma ’ s effect came at high tide .\nFarther inland , concerns about serious damage remained high , even as the storm ’ s power diminished somewhat .\nIn Atlanta , the winds whipping through the leaves created a sound like an angry sea breaking on a shoreline , and trees crashed into residences and onto roadways . The city ’ s public school system canceled classes through Tuesday , and Delta airlines , based in Atlanta , canceled about 900 flights Monday , noting a special concern about strong north-south crosswinds at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport , which bills itself as the busiest in the world .\nThe forecast in Alabama was somewhat milder , though a tropical storm warning was in effect for much of the state ’ s eastern half .\n“ We need you to heed our warnings , ” Mayor Lenny Curry of Jacksonville said on Monday , explaining that high tides would raise river waters up to 6 feet above their normal levels and cause additional flooding .\nThe mayor urged residents to avoid drawing on city resources except for in emergencies , but said people who needed rescuing should raise a white flag to draw the authorities ’ attention .\nJacksonville was facing a “ trifecta ” of water-related threats , city officials said : storm surge , heavy rainfall over the weekend and Monday ’ s rising tides . “ This is potentially a weeklong event with water and the tides coming and going , ” Mr. Curry said .\nIn Tampa , Mayor Bob Buckhorn , who on Sunday warned residents that the city was about to get “ punched in the face , ” said on Monday that the city had been spared the storm ’ s worst .\n“ It ’ s looking good , ” Mr. Buckhorn said . “ The first blush is that not only did we dodge a bullet , but we survived pretty well . Not a lot of flooding . Tree removal , debris — don ’ t want to say it ’ s negligible , but it ’ s manageable . ”\nThe city was again spared from a direct hit by a hurricane , as has been its good fortune for more than 90 years running . How ? “ Because we live good lives , because we only get drunk once in a while , ” Mr. Buckhorn joked . “ No , I don ’ t have an answer for that . ”\nIn St. Petersburg , tree limbs littered lawns and minor debris had blown onto roads but was not stopping traffic . In Orlando , officials said the city had weathered the storm without major damage .\nGovernor Scott inspected the Florida Keys on Monday from a Coast Guard aircraft , saying the flight revealed extensive flood damage , boats washed ashore and trailer parks filled with overturned homes . “ My heart goes out to the people in the Keys , ” he said .\nMr. Scott also flew over the state ’ s Gulf Coast and reported there was less damage than had been feared . “ We saw the remnants of the storm surge along the west coast , but I didn ’ t see the damage I thought I would see , ” he said .\n“ It ’ s not as bad as we thought the storm surge would do , ” he added .\nHe asked for patience as the state deals with a long recovery . “ I know for our entire state , but especially the Keys , it ’ s going to be a long road , ” he said .\nHere ’ s how officials tried to help people on Marco Island\nPicking their way through ruined and waterlogged streets , rescue officials searched on Monday through neighborhoods on Marco Island , checking in on people who stayed behind during the storm , which made landfall there on Sunday .\n“ As soon as it was safe , we went outside and immediately began as the storm was coming at us and during the eyewall , ” Capt . Dave Baer of the Marco Island Police Department said in an interview on Monday .\nOfficials were also assessing tens of thousands of homes and condominiums on the island , where an estimated 30 percent of the 20,000 permanent residents did not evacuate , Captain Baer said .\nThere were no deaths and no serious injuries , he said . The rescues were all fairly similar — people stuck in cars as they tried to evacuate or in houses that had some sort of structural collapse .\nThe storm surge had receded by daybreak . “ Now all our streets are dry , ” said Larry Honig , chairman of the City Council . “ We are without power and water , but presumably we will be restored in a couple of days . There is minimal structural damage . I know of no lost homes . ”


President Trump issued a warning Thursday to hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico , saying the U.S. territory 's infrastructure was a mess before the storm and warning that federal officials can not stay on the island `` forever . ''\nThe president made the comments in a series of early-morning tweets .\n“ ’ Puerto Rico survived the Hurricanes , now a financial crisis looms largely of their own making. ’ Says Sharyl Attkisson . A total lack of accountability say [ s ] the Governor . Electric and all infrastructure was disaster before hurricanes , ” Trump said .\n“ Congress to decide how much to spend…We can not keep FEMA , the Military & the First Responders , who have been amazing ( under the most difficult circumstances ) in P.R . forever ! ”\nThe president ’ s comments come just one week after he visited the U.S. territory that is struggling to recover from the devastation left by Hurricane Maria , the strongest hurricane to hit Puerto Rico in nearly a century .\nTrump ’ s trip to Puerto Rico was criticized , for among other things commenting on how the storm 's death toll was far lower than that of a “ real catastrophe like Katrina ” in 2005 .\n“ Sixteen people versus in the thousands , ” Trump said . “ You can be very proud of all your people . ”\nThe president has repeatedly called for more help “ on a local level ” from Puerto Rico and has had an intermittent feud with the San Juan mayor , who also has faced criticism for engaging in political combat when other officials on the island are not .\nSenate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , shot back Thursday at Trump 's latest tweets .\n`` Why do you continue to treat Puerto Ricans differently than other Americans when it comes to natural disasters ? '' Schumer tweeted .\nAccording to the Federal Emergency Management Agency , earlier this month , there were more than 10,000 federal officials on the ground on the island .\nOn Friday , House Speaker Paul Ryan , R-Wis. , plans to lead a small bipartisan group , including the chairman and top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee that signs off on spending legislation , to visit Puerto Rico .\nRyan plans to meet with local officials and emergency personnel .\nThe House is expected to vote this week on an emergency spending package including billions of dollars more in relief for Puerto Rico , Texas and Florida in the wake of deadly storms Maria , Harvey and Irma this hurricane season .\nThe president asked Congress this week for a $ 4.9 billion loan to help Puerto Rico pay its bills from the storm . The island faced more than $ 70 billion in debt prior to the storm , and declared bankruptcy in May .


SANTA ROSA , Calif. -- An onslaught of relentless wildfires across a wide swath of Northern California broke out almost simultaneously and then grew exponentially , swallowing up properties from wineries to trailer parks and tearing through both tiny rural towns and urban subdivisions .\nAt least 13 people are dead , at least 100 injured and at least 1,500 homes and businesses destroyed , authorities said . All three figures are expected to surge in coming days as more information is reported . Many homes and businesses were evacuated -- some just in the nick of time as flames approached .\nVice President Mike Pence , who is visiting California , announced that President Trump approved a `` major disaster declaration '' for the state to assist in the response . Pence , who received a briefing on the wildfires , said 17 were burning in Northern California .\n`` It 's heartbreaking to think that many of the fallen represent our most vulnerable , in some cases senior citizens who simply were not able to escape the flames that overcame their homes , '' Pence said . `` They 're in our prayers . ''\nTaken as a group , the wildfires are already among the deadliest in California history .\nCBS San Francisco reports the fires have consumed nearly 107,000 acres and turned whole neighborhoods into piles of ashes .\nResidents who gathered at emergency shelters and grocery stores said they were shocked by the speed and ferocity of the flames . They recalled all the possessions they had left behind .\n`` All that good stuff , I 'm never going to see it again , '' said Jeff Okrepkie , who fled his neighborhood in Santa Rosa knowing it was probably the last time he would see his home of the past five years standing .\nHis worst fears were confirmed Monday , when a friend sent him a photo of what was left : a smoldering heap of burnt metal and debris .\nSome of the largest of the blazes burning over a 200-mile region were in Napa and Sonoma counties , home to dozens of wineries that attract tourists from around the world . They sent smoke as far south as San Francisco , about 60 miles away .\nSonoma County said it has received more than 100 missing-person reports as family and friends scramble to locate loved ones .\nThe reports have come via calls to a hotline the county set up for the missing , according to Scott Alonso , communications director for Sonoma County .\nIt 's possible that many or most of the missing are safe but simply ca n't be reached because of the widespread loss of cell service and other communications .\nAs of Monday evening , 99,000 Pacific Gas & Electric customers were without power because of the wildfires in Northern California , a majority in Napa and Sonoma counties , PG & E officials told CBS San Francisco .\nIn addition , PG & E crews had shut off gas service to about 26,000 customers as a precaution because flames can damage a gas pipe or meter , the station said .\nWorkers in the renowned Northern California wine country picked through charred debris and struggled with what to do after wildfires swept through lush vineyards , destroying at least two wineries and damaging many others .\nThe wind-driven wildfires came as Napa and Sonoma counties were finishing highly anticipated harvests of wine grapes . Monday normally would have found workers picking and processing the ripe grapes to make chardonnay and other wines .\nInstead , melted and blackened wine bottles decorated the ruined Signorello Estate winery in Napa Valley . People at Paradise Ridge Winery in Sonoma County posted photos of debris and haze , saying they were `` heartbroken to share the news '' that the winery had burned .\nMuch of the damage in Northern California was in Santa Rosa , a far larger and more developed city than usually finds itself at the mercy of a wildfire . The city is home to 175,000 residents , including both the wine-country wealthy and the working class .\nThe flames were unforgiving to both groups . Hundreds of homes of all sizes were leveled by flames so hot they melted the glass off cars and turned aluminum wheels into liquid .\nFormer San Francisco Giants pitcher Noah Lowry , who now runs an outdoor sporting goods store in Santa Rosa , was forced to flee in minutes along with his wife , two daughters and a son just over 2 weeks old .\n`` I ca n't shake hearing people scream in terror as the flames barreled down on us , '' Lowry said .\nHis family and another evacuating with them tried to take U.S. 101 but found it blocked by flames , and had to take country roads to get to the family friends who took them in .\nTo the south , in Orange County , more than 5,000 homes were evacuated because of a rapidly spreading brush fire in the Anaheim area . The blaze had grown to nearly 10 square miles and had destroyed dozens of structures .\nThe blaze has scorched 6,000 acres and destroyed dozens of structures in Orange County .\nPlumes of smoke were visible over Disneyland , and officials issued air quality warnings for parts of Los Angeles County .\nAn Anaheim police spokesman says there 's been no containment so far .\nAmong those fleeing the flames in Northern California were what the San Francisco Chronicle calls `` a who 's who of athletes -- Olympians , Hall of Famers . ''\nThe newspaper says they 'd gathered to attend retired football star Ronnie Lott 's celebrity fundraiser at Mayacama Golf Club in Santa Rosa .\n`` Former Giants outfielder Barry Bonds wound up shuttling guests who did not have rides away from Mayacama when the villas at the course were evacuated , '' the Chronicle reports . `` Longtime Kansas City pitcher Bret Saberhagen left his golf clubs in the parking lot in order to fit Olympic speedskater Dan Jansen and his wife into his rental car . And onetime Dodgers closer Eric Gagne raised the alarm at a second hotel to which the celebrities were sent , pounding on doors to make sure occupants were out . ''\nA 90-mile stretch of the highway is framed by the flames and has been a major concern overnight , said Brad Alexander , a spokesman for the California Office of Emergency Services .\nHighway 12 , which winds through the heart of wine country , was also rendered unusable by the flames .\n`` Sonoma and Napa counties have been hit very hard , '' Alexander said .\nThe ferocity of the flames forced authorities to focus primarily on getting people out safely , even if it meant abandoning structures to the fire .\nFirefighters rushed to a state home for the severely disabled when flames reached one side of the center 's sprawling campus in the historic Sonoma County town of Glen Ellen .\nCrews got the more than 200 people from the threatened buildings , one firefighter said , as flames closed within a few dozen feet .\nFires from ruptured gas lines dotted the smoky landscapes of blackened Santa Rosa hillsides . Fire trucks raced by smoldering roadside landscaping in search of higher priorities .\nThe flames were fickle in some corners of the city . One hillside home remained unscathed while a dozen surrounding it were destroyed .\nKim Hoe , a 33-year-old tech worker from Penang , Malaysia , was staying at the Hilton Sonoma Wine Country , which was gutted by flames . He said the power went out around 1 a.m. , and he and his colleagues started packing up when someone knocked on the door and told them to run .\n`` We just had to run and run . It was full of smoke . We could barely breathe , '' Hoe said .\nThe large majority of the injured were treated for smoke inhalation , according to St. Joseph Health , which operates hospitals in the Santa Rosa area . Two were in critical condition and one was in serious condition . The number of injured is expected to climb as information comes in for all the other areas affected by the firestorm consuming the state .\nOctober has generally been the most destructive time of year for California wildfires . What was unusual Sunday , however , was to have so many fires take off at the same time .\nOther than the windy conditions that helped drive them all , there was no known connection between the fires , and no cause has been released for any of them .\nBut the conditions late Monday and early Tuesday were calmer than they were 24 hours earlier , bringing hopes of progress against the flames .\nGov . Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency for the fire areas , and asked the federal government to do the same . Pence said at an event near Sacramento that the federal government stands with California as it takes on the blazes , but he made no specific promises .


Florida Governor Declares State Of Emergency As Hurricane Dorian Gains Force\nHurricane Dorian is `` expected to become a major hurricane on Friday , '' according to the National Hurricane Center .\nMaximum sustained winds at 5 a.m . ET Thursday were 85 mph — a Category 1 hurricane — with higher gusts , according to the center 's most recent update . Dorian was about 150 miles north northwest of Puerto Rico , moving about 13 mph toward the northwest .\nDorian 's sustained winds topped 80 mph , hitting Puerto Rico and St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands before heading northwest . Forecasters are now warning that the storm will strengthen into a dangerous Category 3 hurricane , defined as sustained winds of at least 111 mph .\n`` Heavy rains are expected to occur over portions of the Bahamas , Florida , and elsewhere in the Southeastern United States later this week and into early next week , '' forecasters said .\n`` All indications are that by this Labor Day weekend , a powerful hurricane will be near or over the Florida peninsula , '' the National Hurricane Center said at 5 a.m . ET .\nFlorida Gov . Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 26 counties in the possible path of the hurricane .\n`` The Hurricane Warning for Vieques , Culebra , and the U.S. Virgin Islands has been discontinued , '' the National Hurricane Center report said earlier . `` The Hurricane Watch and Tropical Storm Warning for Puerto Rico have been discontinued . ''\nDorian caused only limited damage in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands .\n`` We 're happy because there are no damages to report , '' Culebra Mayor William Solís told The Associated Press . He said only one community on his island lost power .\nCurrent predictions show Dorian 's center hitting Florida 's coast late Sunday/early Monday .\nThe hurricane center has said it 's too early to give an exact location where the eye will come ashore , and everyone in the affected area should make emergency preparations .\nThe NHC said the northern Bahamas and coastal sections of the Southeast United States could see 4 to 8 inches of rain , with 10 inches possible in isolated areas . `` This rainfall may cause life-threatening flash floods , '' it said .\nNHC Director Ken Graham cautioned that anyone on the Southeastern U.S. coast from Florida up through Georgia and South Carolina should watch for potential hazards .\nEarlier , President Trump had declared an emergency in the commonwealth of Puerto Rico , ordering the Federal Emergency Management Agency late Tuesday to provide `` equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency . ''\nAnalysis Millions Could Be Diverted From FEMA To Pay For Detention Beds Millions Could Be Diverted From FEMA To Pay For Detention Beds Listen · 5:08 5:08\nPuerto Rico Gov . Wanda Vázquez Garced thanked Trump for approving the declaration , saying it would `` allow federal aid to arrive more quickly '' after the storm passes .\nTrump approved an emergency declaration for the Virgin Islands on Wednesday .\nIn a statement about its preparations , FEMA said that its `` stock on the island compared to 2017 levels includes three times as many generators , nine times as many meals , five times as many liters of water and 16 times as many blue tarps . ''\nMeanwhile , the fifth named storm of the 2019 Atlantic season formed late Tuesday , as Tropical Storm Erin 's winds reached 40 mph . The storm , which was several hundred miles southeast of Cape Hatteras , N.C. , was downgraded to a tropical depression on Wednesday . Erin is expected to remain on a north-northeastern track , likely arriving at Canada 's coast late this week .


There is an old expression in Washington that nothing is decided until everything is decided .\nWell , consider the state of the $ 19.1 billion disaster bill .\nIt took a Herculean effort to pry that package loose Thursday in the Senate , triggering an overwhelming , 85-8 vote . President Trump signaled to Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby , R-Ala. , and Sen. David Perdue , R-Ga. , that he would sign the package – even without provisions for the border . The senators say the President indicated the disaster money was too important and had been stalled too long . States in the south and Midwest – stricken by hurricanes and flooding – could wait no longer .\nThat ’ s until Rep. Chip Roy , R-Texas , torpedoed everything Friday morning .\nThere are three ways the House and Senate can approve bills . They can conduct a standard roll call vote , where everyone either casts ballots as yea or nay . The House and Senate can hold a “ voice vote. ” That ’ s where everyone either hollers yea or nay . The loudest side is supposed to win .\nHowever , the lawmaker who is presiding always declares “ in the opinion of the chair , the ayes have it ” or “ the noes have it. ” But , if the losing side doesn ’ t like the outcome , they can always demand a recorded vote . Finally , there is “ unanimous consent. ” That ’ s where all 435 or 100 people must agree . All it takes is a solitary objection , even if everyone else wants to do something else . Lodging an objection stops everything .\nLONE GOP REP BLOCKS DISASTER AID BILL IN SURPRISE MOVE\nIt is said you can make the sun rise in the west if you obtain unanimous consent .\nThere were only three House members on the floor Friday when the House tried to advance the disaster aid measure by unanimous consent and sync up with the Senate . Rep. Jim McGovern , D-Mass. , presided over the session . Rep. Donna Shalala , D-Fla. , was on the floor to make the unanimous consent request . And then there was Roy .\nThose in favor of the measure outnumbered Roy two one .\nUnanimous consent is powerful - but hard to obtain . There ’ s only one reason Roy showed up Friday morning as the House attempted to approve the measure with a skeleton staff on hand . Passing the package by unanimous consent would mean the House and Senate were in alignment , having okayed the same package . The measure would then be ready for President Trump ’ s signature .\nHouse Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif. , implored Democratic leaders to keep the House in session on Thursday to approve the disaster aid measure . But the House wasn ’ t going to budge until the Senate acted . Most House members jetted out of Washington midday Thursday for a week-and-a-half , starting the Memorial Day recess .\nIt was unclear until early Thursday afternoon as to the fate of the disaster package . Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , warned his colleagues the Senate would vote “ on something ” on disaster aid and “ not adjourn. ” The Senate pondered re-voting a sidetracked version of disaster aid which fell apart in early April . But the Senate was set to vote on a retooled plan once President Trump signaled he would sign the measure – even without the border provisions . Things came together very quickly in the Senate . But the House was long gone .\nOne may ask whether it would have been worthwhile to keep the House in session just to see if the Senate would act . Of course , there ’ s always grandstanding from lawmakers about such efforts . Lawmakers regularly trumpet why Congress should remain in session over a recess or a weekend to try to fix one issue or another . Those are often the same lawmakers who have a cab idling just outside the Capitol , ready to whisk them across the river to make a flight at Reagan National Airport .\nThe Memorial Day recess is particularly problematic for scheduling . Many members have big overseas work trips planned . A number of lawmakers are expected to go to Normandy , France in a few days for the 75th anniversary of D-Day . That ’ s to say nothing of lawmakers who are jetting back to their states and districts to participate in Memorial Day parades and visit cemeteries .\nTethering lawmakers to Washington for a day or two , without a clear idea that a consequential vote is coming presents a problem . Yes , the Senate approved the disaster bill just after the House abandoned Washington . But it was far from clear that senators would do that Thursday .\nRoy chatted briefly with Shalala on the House floor just before the session started Friday morning .\n“ He came up to graciously inform me he was going to object because he wanted the President ’ s border request to be included , ” said Shalala . “ This is not the way our government should work . We ’ re ready to work in the House in a bipartisan way . The same as the Senate was ready to go . One individual . His position is irresponsible . ”\nShalala characterized the turn of events as “ tragic. ” She worried about the additional delay for families trying to recover .\n“ Why should they have to wait a week longer because some member of Congress objects ? ” asked the Florida Democrat .\nOf course , the question is whether Roy simply delayed the inevitable . But the House won ’ t return to full action until June 4 . The House appears to have the votes to pass the plan in bipartisan fashion .\n“ This , is respectfully , swamp-speak . Delaying the inevitable . It ’ s the inevitability of DC . The inevitability of spending where we don ’ t speak up and voice the concerns that I hear when I go back to every town in Texas 21 , ” said Roy . “ Why aren ’ t we addressing disaster spending in a way that is fiscally responsible ? We just keep writing checks . ”\nRoy got an earful from Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried .\n“ It ’ s craven , shameful politics at its worst that a single House member would choose to further delay disaster relief , ” protested Fried . “ Congressman Roy must have forgotten the aid that Texans received after hurricane Harvey . ”\nIt is said that house guests and fish start to smell after three days . Consider the controversy which stymied this disaster package . Republicans tried to infuse the bill with presidential politics . They argued Senate Democrats running for President should vote yes – or face trouble in sodden Iowa ahead of the caucuses . Republicans contended Democrats played politics with Puerto Rico money . There were questions about what a stunted disaster bill would mean for Sens . Joni Ernst , R-Iowa , Ben Sasse , R-Neb. , John Cornyn , R-Texas , and Perdue . All face re-election bids in states desperate for disaster assistance . All could face competitive races . Ernst is in a battleground state . Texas and Georgia are trending slightly toward Democrats . Then there were issues about adding humanitarian provisions for the border . Are things settled with this legislation ? Or , will another impediment possibly expose the bill to political enzymes , ready to foul the legislation ?\n“ I am not looking for a way to erode support for something , ” said Roy when asked about letting the legislation bake in the parliamentary elements for more than a week . “ This legislation should be offset . This legislation should include border funding so we can deal with that crisis . ”\nBut the bill may not have to wait a week .\nOnly a few House members will linger around Washington for the next 11 days . The House is scheduled to meet briefly at 2 pm on Tuesday , May 28 and at 4:30 pm on Thursday , May 30 . House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer , D-Md. , intimated that “ we will take action as early as next week when the House meets again during pro forma . ”\nThat ’ s a reference to those short sessions . The House could again attempt to marshal unanimous consent to pass the disaster aid bill without a roll call vote . This is a ploy by Democrats to dare Roy or other Republicans to object again . Then Democrats can portray them as obstructionists who are trying to delay disaster assistance .\nThis could all backfire on Roy and other GOPers . If they don ’ t object , then the bill passes and the protestations fall by the wayside . If they do block the bill a second or a third time , then Democrats can easily make the case about Republican obstructionism .\nNot a lot of people knew who Chip Roy was before today . But now they do . Democrats will pin a name and a face on the obstruction .\nThen again , one senior Republican source told Fox “ perhaps Roy wants it that way . ”


Two years ago , almost no British people had heard of it , but this year Black Friday has become the latest American craze to cross the pond . At shops up and down the country punters fought to get their hands on discounters toasters and TVs .\nAmazon was the first UK-based retailer to discount goods on the day after the American Thanksgiving holiday three years ago . Last year they were followed by ASDA , which is owned by the US retail giant Walmart .\nSo far there have been at least four arrests , as discounts whipped shoppers into a frenzy . The main disturbances were in South London and Manchester , where shoppers queued for hours before shops opened . When they did open the British abandoned their traditional love of politeness and queuing to join in what was much more akin to London ’ s new NFL team .\nBy the time tills close tonight shoppers are expected to have spent £200m , a welcome boost for struggling retailers . The major chains joining in this year include the UK ’ s largest retailer TESCO and New Look which operates 1,100 branches . The major chains have offered seemingly unbelievable deals , with prices being halved on many products .\nIn advance of Black Friday Ayaz Alam , Senior Directorof Asda , said : “ Last year we were the first major retailer to bring Black Friday to the UK . This year , we ’ ve stepped it up a gear again and by working closely with Walmart – the godfather of Black Friday – we ’ ll be bringing an even bigger and better sale to the UK than ever before . ”\nDespite the excitement of the retailers and shoppers , some experts sounded a note of caution over the stunt . Retail expert Dan Wagner from Powa Technologies told Sky News that the day could trigger a “ battle to reduce prices more and more ” until some retailers bankrupt themselves .\nThe Metropolitan Police have also appealed for calm after they were asked to restore order in a number of participating stores today .


The government is to add a new clause to the Brexit bill to rule out any extension to the transition period beyond the end of next year .\nThe post-Brexit transition period - due to conclude in December 2020 - can currently be extended by mutual agreement for up to two years .\nBut an amended Withdrawal Agreement Bill the Commons is set to vote on this week would rule out any extension .\nThe PM told MPs it would put an end to years of `` deadlock , dither and delay '' .\nAs the House of Commons assembled for the first time since the election , Boris Johnson said his priority was to `` get Brexit done '' . He also promised to seek `` common ground '' and to approach politics with a `` new and generous spirit '' after the rancour of recent years .\nJeremy Corbyn congratulated the Conservative leader on his victory but said he would be `` judged '' on whether he delivered on the `` many , many promises '' he had made during the campaign , including to longstanding Labour voters .\nThe UK is set to leave the EU on 31 January , more than three and a half years after the public backed Brexit in a referendum .\nSoon after , the two sides will begin talking about their future economic relationship , including controversial areas such as fishing rights , consumer and environmental standards and financial services .\nTrade deals typically take many years to conclude and senior EU figures are sceptical that a deal can be agreed within that time . If it is not , the economic relationship will default to World Trade Organization ( WTO ) terms , with the likelihood of tariffs on imports and exports .\nThe EU 's chief negotiator Michel Barnier said the bloc would `` do the maximum '' to finalise the deal in time . Asked about the UK 's refusal to contemplate any extra time for the talks , he said `` it is the British choice to choose the procedure it wants '' .\nThis is a political signal , a moment of early chest beating too , designed to disappoint those who might have been hoping No 10 might slide to a softer Brexit over the next few months .\nAnd designed to gratify those who are adamant that Brexit must be completely `` done '' as soon as possible .\nBoris Johnson seems to have concluded that if the talks are to go anywhere fast , there has to be a convincing clear deadline .\nIt was his vow of a Halloween deadline that got him to Downing Street in the first place , and although it was broken in the end , there 's little question that his attitude towards extending again and again changed the dynamics of the talks with the EU that got the revised deal done .\nPutting the deadline into law may also be designed to focus minds in Brussels . How effective that might be ? That 's a different question .\nShadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said the PM 's move was `` reckless and irresponsible '' and he argued that Mr Johnson was `` prepared to put people 's jobs at risk '' .\nLiberal Democrat interim leader Sir Ed Davey said : `` The only way Johnson can meet the December 2020 timetable is by giving up all his previous promises to Leave voters and agreeing to all the demands of the EU . ''\nDowning Street has said the government plans to ask the new Parliament to have its first debate and vote on the withdrawal agreement - the legislation needed to ratify Brexit - on Friday .\nWith a majority of 80 following Thursday 's general election , Mr Johnson is expected to get the bill into law with few changes in time for the UK to end its EU membership on 31 January .\nSo , the government is going to pass a law to stop itself doing something that it had already promised not to do .\nBecause the decision on whether to extend the transition period lies with the prime minister anyway , not with Parliament .\nAnd with his new majority , Mr Johnson knows his critics ca n't do anything to force his hand .\nBut as a statement of intent , this announcement is important .\nBy reaffirming Mr Johnson 's guarantee that the transition period will not be extended , it suggests there will only be enough time to agree a pretty basic trade deal which would leave many important issues unresolved .\nThat means a quick 'zero tariffs zero quotas ' deal on goods could be done , as long as the UK is prepared to sign up to the EU 's main conditions .\nThey include the UK sticking with EU rules on environmental and social policy , and on state aid for companies .\nSuch an agreement would n't get rid of all border checks , though , and it would n't do anything for the services sector .\nThe PM could of course change his mind again - he 's done that before .\nBut this is also a warning for businesses - they could be in for a bit of a bumpy ride at the end of next year .\nAs well as ruling out an extension , the Independent reports that the amended withdrawal agreement may omit previous `` provisions to ensure that workers ' rights were not weakened after Brexit '' .\nCabinet minister Michael Gove said workers ' rights would be `` safeguarded '' in separate legislation , adding that the government wanted to make sure the Withdrawal Agreement Bill passes through Parliament `` cleanly and clearly '' .\nBut shadow chancellor John McDonnell said the government would `` sacrifice our basic rights and certainty for business at the altar of turning the UK into a Trump-supporting tax haven '' .\nAnd Labour 's Barry Gardiner said his party would be less likely to support the bill if clauses on workers ' rights and the environment were removed .\nThe prime minister promised during the general election campaign that he would not seek an extension to the transition period - persuading Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage to stand down candidates in Tory seats .\nSam Lowe , from the Centre for European Reform think tank , told BBC Radio 4 's Today programme that a December 2020 deadline could help the PM manage his own party when it comes to making concessions to the EU .\n`` The prospect of a no-deal is still there , '' Mr Lowe said . `` The question is whether Boris Johnson wants a no-deal but the evidence of recent time suggests no he does n't . ''\nMeanwhile , in the first act of the new Parliament , MPs re-confirmed Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle in his post without any opposition .\nThe MP for Chorley , who was only succeeded John Bercow at the start of November , said it was the `` greatest privilege '' to be asked to take the chair again and he would do his utmost to `` cherish the best traditions '' of the Parliament .\nCommons officials have begun the process of swearing in the new MPs - which will continue on Wednesday .\nAfter the election of the Speaker , the process of swearing in MPs begins . They are required to take an oath of allegiance to the Crown , or , if they object to this , a solemn affirmation . Those who speak or vote without having done so are deprived of their seat `` as if they were dead '' under the Parliamentary Oaths Act of 1866 .\nTwo to three days are usually set aside for this process .\nThe state opening of Parliament . The Queen 's Speech is the centrepiece of this , when she will read a speech written by ministers setting out the government 's programme of legislation for the parliamentary session . A couple of hours after the speech is delivered , MPs will begin debating its contents - a process which usually takes days .\nDepending on how rapidly Boris Johnson wants to move , the debate on the Queen 's Speech could continue into Friday .\nThe government will introduce the Withdrawal Agreement Bill to Parliament .\nMPs in the previous Parliament backed Mr Johnson 's bill at its first stage but rejected his plan to fast-track the legislation through Parliament in three days in order to leave the EU by the then Brexit deadline of 31 October .\nAfter the debate on the Queen 's Speech is concluded , MPs will vote on whether to approve it . Not since 1924 has a government 's Queen Speech been defeated .


The shadow foreign secretary , Emily Thornberry , has said a Labour government would engage in a businesslike way with Donald Trump but would not afford special honours to the US president .\nSpeaking before a mass demonstration in London on Tuesday , which will be addressed by the Labour leader , Jeremy Corbyn , Thornberry said : “ A state visit is an honour and we don ’ t think this president deserves an honour .\n“ The truth is he has tried to close borders with Muslim-majority countries , he is caging small Mexican children , he has grabbed women and boasted about it . He is a sexual predator , he is a racist and it ’ s right to say that – we need to think about when is it our country got so scared ? ” she told BBC Radio 4 ’ s Today programme .\nThornberry said Corbyn ’ s attendance at a state banquet for the Chinese president , Xi Jinping , was a different situation .\n“ When you have a close friend and they ’ re going wrong , you are more likely to be adamant with them and clearer with them than someone who has not been as close a friend and someone you are trying to build a relationship up with , ” she said .\nThornberry , speaking earlier on ITV ’ s Good Morning Britain , said Labour would not refuse to engage with Trump , but would do so without pomp and ceremony .\n“ When I become foreign secretary , I hope that what he will respect and understand is a certain amount of strength and an ability to be able to say what it is that you think , and not be bullied and kowtowed and shouted over . And say Britain is a friend of a America , you are going wrong , ” she said .\nThe shadow foreign secretary called the government ’ s attitude “ pusillanimous , it ’ s too weak , it doesn ’ t stand up to him ” , and said the president “ undermines the world order ” in a hugely risky way .\n“ We ’ ll talk to him but not in front of the Queen . We ’ d have a business meeting , ” she said .\nThornberry said she had written to Buckingham Palace to pre-emptively decline an invitation to the state dinner hosted by the Queen at the palace on Monday night , which Corbyn also declined to attend .\n“ I didn ’ t want to embarrass the palace by them sending an invitation and me saying no . So I wrote and pre-empted it , ” she said .\n“ The Queen invited the president over on the advice of the prime minister . That advice was wrong . I ’ m not saying that he should not come and have business meetings , I ’ m not saying we shouldn ’ t talk to him , but the things I want to say to President Trump I probably shouldn ’ t say in front of Her Majesty . We would end up having an argument . ”\nA huge police and security operation was under way on Tuesday morning , with protesters barred from demonstrating directly outside Downing Street and road closures in place .\nOrganisers of the Together Against Trump protest have billed the day as a “ carnival of resistance ” , with demonstrators gathering at Trafalgar Square from 11am to declare a “ Trump-free zone ” .\nDemonstrators will not be permitted to march past Downing Street , as part of Whitehall will be closed off , the Metropolitan police confirmed on Monday afternoon . Organisers had initially planned to demonstrate outside the entrance to Downing Street as Trump held talks at No 10 .\nTheresa May , who is hosting the US president as one of the final acts of her premiership , will not hold a one-on-one bilateral meeting with him , but will host Trump in Downing Street on Tuesday for a series of events , including a press conference later in the afternoon .\nShe will insist the relationship between the US and the UK is “ a great partnership , but one I believe we can make greater still ” .\nThe two leaders will jointly host a business breakfast with US and UK companies , highlighting the claimed benefits of a post-Brexit bilateral free-trade deal . Trump has tweeted that a “ big trade deal is possible once UK gets rid of the shackles [ of the EU ] ” .\nAbout 250,000 anti-Trump activists gathered when he flew into the UK in July last year for his first visit as US president .\nProtests are also planned in Birmingham , Stoke , Sheffield , Glasgow , Edinburgh , Chester , Leicester , Oxford and Exeter .


Boris Johnson 's decision to suspend Parliament for five weeks was unlawful , the Supreme Court has ruled .\nJudges said it was wrong to stop MPs carrying out duties in the run-up to the Brexit deadline on 31 October .\nThe PM , who has faced calls to resign , said he `` profoundly disagreed '' with the ruling but would `` respect '' it .\nThe Labour conference finished early following the ruling and MPs are returning to Westminster ready for Parliament to reconvene on Wednesday .\nA senior government official said the prime minister spoke to the Queen after the Supreme Court ruling , but would not reveal the details of the conversation .\nIt comes after the court ruled it was impossible to conclude there had been any reason `` let alone a good reason - to advise Her Majesty to prorogue Parliament for five weeks '' .\nMr Johnson , who returns to London from New York on Wednesday , also chaired a 30-minute phone call with his cabinet .\nA source told the BBC that the Leader of the Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg said to other cabinet ministers on the call that the action by the court had amounted to a `` constitutional coup '' .\nThe prime minister insisted he wanted to outline his government 's policies in a Queen 's Speech on 14 October , and to do that , Parliament must be prorogued and a new session started .\nBut critics said he was trying to stop MPs scrutinising his Brexit plans and the suspension was far longer than necessary .\nDuring a speech in New York , the PM said he `` refused to be deterred '' from getting on with `` an exciting and dynamic domestic agenda '' , and to do that he would need a Queen 's Speech .\nThe court ruling does not prevent him from proroguing again in order to hold one , as long as it does not stop Parliament carrying out its duties `` without reasonable justification '' .\nA No 10 source said the Supreme Court had `` made a serious mistake in extending its reach to these political matters '' , and had `` made it clear that its reasons [ were ] connected to the Parliamentary disputes over , and timetable for '' Brexit .\nBut Supreme Court president Lady Hale emphasised in the ruling that the case was `` not about when and on what terms '' the UK left the EU - it was about the decision to suspend Parliament .\nDelivering the justices ' conclusions , she said : `` The decision to advise Her Majesty to prorogue Parliament was unlawful because it had the effect of frustrating or preventing the ability of Parliament to carry out its constitutional functions without reasonable justification . ''\nLady Hale said the unanimous decision of the 11 justices meant Parliament had effectively not been prorogued - the decision was null and of no effect .\nSpeaker of the Commons John Bercow said MPs needed to return `` in light of the explicit judgement '' , and he had `` instructed the House of Commons authorities to prepare ... for the resumption of business '' from 11:30 BST on Wednesday .\nHe said prime minister 's questions would not go ahead , but there would be `` full scope '' for urgent questions , ministerial statements and applications for emergency debates .\nShort of the inscrutable Lady Hale , with the giant diamond spider on her lapel , declaring Boris Johnson to be Pinocchio , this judgement is just about as bad for the government as it gets .\nMr Johnson is , as is abundantly clear , prepared to run a general election campaign that pits Parliament against the people . And so what , according to that view of the world , if that includes the judges as part of the establishment standing in his way ?\nBut there is a difference between being ruthless and reckless .\nAnd the scope and strength of this judgement can not just be dismissed as some pesky judges sticking their noses in .\nReacting to the ruling , Mr Johnson said it was an `` unusual judgement '' , adding : `` The prerogative of prorogation has been used for centuries without this kind of challenge .\n`` There are a lot of people who basically want to stop this country from coming out of the EU and we have a Parliament that is unable to be prorogued and does n't want to have an election . I think it is time we took things forward . ''\nThe PM said getting a deal was `` not made much easier with these sort of things in Parliament or the courts '' , but insisted the UK would still leave on 31 October .\nLabour leader Jeremy Corbyn was due to close the Labour Party conference in Brighton with a speech on Wednesday , but brought it forward to Tuesday afternoon so he could return to Westminster .\nHe told cheering delegates : `` Tomorrow Parliament will return . The government will be held to account for what it has done . Boris Johnson has been found to have misled the country . This unelected prime minister should now resign . ''\nLawyers for the government had argued the decision to prorogue was one for Parliament , not the courts .\nBut the justices disagreed , unanimously deciding it was `` justiciable '' , and there was `` no doubt that the courts have jurisdiction to decide upon the existence and limits of a prerogative power '' .\nThe court also criticised the length of the suspension , with Lady Hale saying it was `` impossible for us to conclude , on the evidence which has been put before us , that there was any reason - let alone a good reason - to advise Her Majesty to prorogue Parliament for five weeks '' .\nA spokesperson from the Attorney General 's office said the government had acted in `` good faith and in the belief that its approach was both lawful and constitutional '' .\n`` These are complex matters on which senior and distinguished lawyers have disagreed , '' a statement said .\n`` The Divisional Court led by the Lord Chief Justice agreed unanimously with the government 's legal position , as did the Outer House in Scotland .\n`` We are disappointed that in the end the Supreme Court took a different view . We respect the judgment of the Supreme Court . ''\nIt is worth just taking a breath and considering that a prime minister of the United Kingdom has been found by the highest court in the land to have acted unlawfully in shutting down the sovereign body in our constitution , Parliament , at a time of national crisis .\nThe court may have fallen short of saying Boris Johnson had an improper motive of stymieing or frustrating parliamentary scrutiny , but the damage is done , he has been found to have acted unlawfully and stopped Parliament from doing its job without any legal justification .\nAnd the court has quashed both his advice to the Queen and the Order in Council which officially suspended parliament .\nThat means Parliament was never prorogued and so we assume that MPs are free to re-enter the Commons .\nThis is the most dramatic example yet of independent judges , through the mechanism of judicial review , stopping the government in its tracks because what it has done is unlawful .\nBe you ever so mighty , the law is above you - even if you are the prime minister .\nUnprecedented , extraordinary , ground breaking - it is difficult to overestimate the constitutional and political significance of today 's ruling .\nThe ruling was made after a three-day hearing at the Supreme Court last week which dealt with two appeals - one from campaigner and businesswoman Gina Miller , the second from the government .\nMrs Miller was appealing against the English High Court 's decision that the prorogation was `` purely political '' and not a matter for the courts .\nThe government was appealing against the ruling by Scotland 's Court of Session that the prorogation was `` unlawful '' and had been used to `` stymie '' Parliament .\nThe court ruled in favour of Mrs Miller 's appeal and against the government 's .\nSpeaking outside the court , Mrs Miller said the ruling `` speaks volumes '' .\n`` This prime minister must open the doors of Parliament tomorrow . MPs must get back and be brave and bold in holding this unscrupulous government to account , '' she added .\nThe SNP 's Joanna Cherry , who led the Scottish case , called for Mr Johnson to resign as a result of the ruling .\n`` The highest court in the United Kingdom has unanimously found that his advice to prorogue this Parliament , his advice given to Her Majesty the Queen , was unlawful , '' she said .\n`` His position is untenable and he should have the guts , for once , to do the decent thing and resign . ''\nFormer Prime Minister Sir John Major - one of the sponsors of the prorogation appeal - said it gave him `` no pleasure to be pitted against a government and prime minister of my own party '' .\n`` No prime minister must ever treat the monarch or Parliament in this way again . ''\nMr Johnson was backed by US President Donald Trump at a joint press conference at the United Nations in New York .\n`` I 'll tell you , I know him well , he 's not going anywhere , '' said Mr Trump , after a US reporter quizzed the prime minister on whether he was going to resign .\nBut reaction at home was far more negative . Scotland 's First Minister , the SNP 's Nicola Sturgeon , said the ruling was the most significant constitutional judgement in her lifetime , and it would be `` unthinkable '' for Mr Johnson to remain in office .\nWales ' First Minister , Labour 's Mark Drakeford , said the court 's decision had been a `` victory for the rule of law '' and the PM had `` tried to play fast and loose with our constitution '' .\nIn Northern Ireland , the leader of the DUP , Arlene Foster , said the ruling must be respected , while Sinn Fein 's vice president , Michelle O'Neill , said Mr Johnson should resign .\nOther figures have taken to Twitter to support the court 's decision , including former Tory minister Amber Rudd , who resigned her post - and the party whip - over the government 's approach to Brexit .\nThe leader of The Brexit Party , Nigel Farage , said Mr Johnson must , `` as a matter of honour '' , offer his resignation to MPs in Parliament on Wednesday .\nThe decision to prorogue Parliament had been a `` disaster '' , he added , and there must be a general election `` before very long because Parliament and the government have ceased to function '' .\nFormer Attorney General Dominic Grieve , who has been an outspoken critic of the suspension , said he was `` not surprised '' by the judgement because of the `` gross misbehaviour by the prime minister '' .\nHe told the BBC 's Victoria Derbyshire programme he was `` delighted '' the Supreme Court had `` stopped this unconstitutional act in its tracks '' .\nBut Tory MP Andrew Bridgen said the court 's decision was `` the worst possible outcome for our democracy '' and `` an absolute disgrace '' .\nHe told the same programme : `` What we 've got is a Parliament that 's completely out of step with sentiment of the country . ''\nFellow Tory MP and chairman of the pro-Brexit European Research Group Steve Baker said the ruling was an `` earthquake moment '' .\nHe described the Commons as a `` rotten Parliament '' facing a `` crisis '' , and called for a general election so a government with a majority could move forward .\nProrogation is a power that rests with the Queen , carried out by her on the advice of the prime minister .\nAnd at the end of August - shortly before MPs returned from their summer recess - Mr Johnson called Her Majesty to advise she suspend Parliament between 9 September until 14 October .\nMPs had been expecting to be in recess for some of these weeks for their party conferences .\nBut unlike prorogation , a recess must be agreed by a vote , and a number of MPs said they would have voted against it to ensure they could scrutinise Mr Johnson 's Brexit plans .\nThe decision to prorogue prompted an uproar from the Commons , especially from MPs who had planned to take control of Parliament to force through a law to block a no-deal Brexit after Mr Johnson said the UK would leave the EU with or without a deal on the Halloween deadline .\nDespite only sitting for a week , they did manage to pass that law ahead of prorogation and it received royal assent on 9 September .\nWhat questions do you have about the Supreme Court 's decision ?


The race to become Britain 's next prime minister took a dramatic last-minute turn with former London Mayor Boris Johnson -- considered a front-runner -- ruling himself out of the race after the defection of a key ally on Thursday .\nJohnson , a prominent campaigner for British withdrawal from the European Union , told a news conference that the next Conservative Party leader would have needs to ensure Britain 's standing in the world .\n`` Having consulted colleagues and in view of the circumstances in Parliament , I have concluded that person can not be me , '' he said .\nJohnson dropped out after Justice Secretary Michael Gove , Johnson 's ally in the EU `` leave '' campaign , astonished the political world by announcing that he was running to succeed Prime Minister David Cameron .\nHome Secretary Theresa May and Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb are also in the race .\nThe winner of the contest , to be announced Sept. 9 , will become prime minister and play a vital role shaping the nature of Britain 's relationship with the European Union after last week 's Brexit vote ended the career of Cameron , whose bid to keep Britain in the EU block failed .\nThe bookies ' early favorite is May , who is seen by many in the party as a safe pair of hands as the country struggles to disentangle itself from the EU .\n`` This is not a normal leadership held under normal circumstances , '' May said in a speech Thursday in London . `` The result means we face a period of uncertainty we need to address head on . ''\nAlthough May had offered a tepid endorsement of Britain 's place in the European Union during the referendum campaign , she was clear that the vote would be respected .\n`` The United Kingdom will leave the EU , '' she said , pledging to create a brand new government department devoted to negotiating Britain 's `` sensible and orderly '' departure from the 28-nation bloc .\nBoosting May 's chances was a last-minute falling out between her two leading competitors -- Gove and Johnson -- who had campaigned together to yank Britain from the EU .\nIn a statement , Gove said he would pursue the prime minister 's post after concluding that Johnson `` can not provide the leadership or build the team for the task ahead . ''\nAn email from Gove 's wife , Daily Mail columnist Sarah Vine , obtained earlier by Sky News , suggested that Gove should ensure he had specific guarantees from Johnson before backing the latter 's bid .\nShe added that influential right-wing media barons Rupert Murdoch and Paul Dacre `` instinctively dislike '' Johnson .\nThe opposition Labour Party is also is extreme disarray , with leader Jeremy Corbyn facing intense pressure to resign after losing a confidence vote . He has lost the support of the party 's lawmakers but claims the rank and file still back him\nHe is expected to face a formal leadership challenge in the coming days . He has faced heavy criticism for failing to campaign effectively in support of keeping Britain within the EU .


The 52-year-old Kent-born attacker had been convicted of violent offences and may have been a late convert to Islam\nDetectives are piecing together the history of the Westminster terrorist Khalid Masood , a 52-year-old ex-convict who used a string of aliases and reportedly converted to Islam only in later life .\nMasood was described by police as a criminal with a 20-year record of offending , who had once been investigated for extremism but was assessed as low risk . Reports have emerged that his birthname was Adrian Russell Ajao . He was earlier named as Adrian Elms .\nLondon attack : police investigate terrorist Khalid Masood as death toll rises – live Read more\nAs police search for any evidence of a wider conspiracy , eight people remain in custody after properties across the UK were raided , while a picture emerged of the killer ’ s apparently nomadic lifestyle .\nThe death toll from his assault on the capital rose to four on Thursday night when a 75-year-old man , named as Leslie Rhodes from Streatham , south London , had his life support withdrawn at King ’ s College hospital .\nThe police said on Friday morning that two people remained in hospital in critical condition , with one of these considered to have “ life-threatening ” injuries , after Masood drove his car into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge before running into the parliamentary estate armed with two knives and fatally stabbing PC Keith Palmer before himself being shot dead . Fifty people have been confirmed as injured , with 31 requiring hospital treatment . Two police officers remained in hospital with significant injuries .\nOn Thursday night , thousands of people gathered to commemorate the victims of the attack in Westminster , and to hear speeches by the capital ’ s mayor and other leaders aimed at preventing terrorism from spreading division and hatred .\nThe vigil in Trafalgar Square , central London , was held to honour the dead and injured , Sadiq Khan said , but also “ to send a clear , clear , message – Londoners will never be cowed by terrorism ” .\nWestminster vigil : we will never be cowed by terrorism , says mayor Read more\nEarlier , prime minister Theresa May told MPs Masood had been previously known to MI5 : “ Some years ago , he was once investigated in relation to concerns about violent extremism . He was a peripheral figure . The case is historic – he was not part of the current intelligence picture . ”\nAmber Rudd , the home secretary , later added that Masood had spent time in jail , but not for terrorist offences , while the Metropolitan police said “ Masood ” was in all likelihood not his birth name .\nThe names of two people who died after Masood mowed them down on Westminster Bridge also emerged .\nThey were Kurt Cochran , 54 , a US tourist from Utah celebrating his 25th wedding anniversary , and British-born Aysha Frade , 43 , who worked at sixth-form college and had been walking over the bridge to pick up her daughters from school .\nIn the frenzied attack on Wednesday , Masood also stabbed to death PC Keith Palmer , a 48-year-old husband and father .\nThe prime minister said Palmer was “ every inch a hero and his actions will never be forgotten ” , while a crowdfunding appeal for his family has raised more than £364,000 .\nThe attack was stopped when armed officers assigned to protect the defence secretary , Michael Fallon , shot Masood , who is believed to have been intent on entering parliament . Palmer died at New Palace Yard on the edge of the parliamentary estate , near Parliament Square , raising questions about security for legislators .\nThe original incident , in which Masood drove a Hyundai Tucson 4x4 into crowds at one of London ’ s busiest tourist spots , left 40 people injured , 29 of whom were taken to hospital .\nIn an emergency statement to the Commons , May said people from around the world had been caught up in the attack . “ In addition to 12 Britons admitted to hospital , we know the victims include three French children , two Romanians , four South Koreans , one German , one Pole , one Irish , one Chinese , one Italian , one American and two Greeks , ” she said .\nLondon terror attack : what we know so far Read more\nShe also sounded a note of defiance , telling MPs : “ Today we meet as normal , as generations have done before us and as future generations will continue to do , to deliver a simple message : we are not afraid and our resolve will never waver in the face of terrorism . ”\nMay ’ s spokesman said she had received phone calls from world leaders including Angela Merkel , François Hollande and Donald Trump , offering their condolences and support , and had herself signed a book of condolence in parliament . She later visited the injured in hospital .\nPolice said Masood had been inspired by Islamic State . But he hid his extremism from his neighbours , coming across as a keen gardener and family man .\nThe domestic intelligence service will face questions over why Masood dropped off the radar after being investigated in relation to concerns over violent extremism .\nAn MI5 team has been set up to see what lessons can be learned from the case and to look at the decision to not put him under surveillance . The police and security services monitor an estimated 3,000 Britons , mainly Islamists , regarded as capable of terrorism , but it emerged he was not on this list .\nIsis claimed responsibilty for the attack , although the claim could not be verified . Amaq , the news agency it uses to broadcast propaganda , issued a statement describing the attacker as a soldier of Islamic State , without naming him .\nPolice revealed that Masood , born in Kent on Christmas Day 1964 , had a string of criminal convictions . In a statement , the Met said : “ He was known to police and has a range of previous convictions for assaults , including GBH , possession of offensive weapons and public order offences .\n“ His first conviction was in November 1983 for criminal damage and his last conviction was in December 2003 for possession of a knife . ”\nThe investigation is being led by SO15 , Scotland Yard ’ s counter-terrorism command . Police staged raids across Birmingham , including Masood ’ s recent home in Winson Green , and at properties in London , Carmarthenshire and Brighton .\nNeighbour Iwona Romek said Masood was a keen gardener , who lived in the modern mews house with his wife and young child . Romek , 45 , said her experience of him was of a “ nice man ” .\nShe said the family had moved out suddenly in December 2016 and added : “ I used to see him outside doing his garden . Never any trouble . ”\nIt is believed that Masood rented the Hyundai car that he turned into a weapon of terror from the depot of a car hire firm , Enterprise , in Spring Hill , Birmingham .\nPolice still believe the attack was carried out by Masood alone , but are looking into whether others helped him . The eight arrests were all on suspicion of acts of preparation of a terrorist act , a key indication that police are investigating the possibility of a wider conspiracy .\nA 39-year-old woman was arrested in east London , while two women aged 26 and 21 were detained in Birmingham . Five men aged 23 , 26 , 27 , 28 and 58 were arrested in Birmingham .\nPC Palmer ’ s family released a statement paying tribute to the police officer , who had a five-year-old daughter . They said : “ Dedicated to his job and proud to be a police officer , brave and courageous . A friend to everyone who knew him . He will be deeply missed . We love him so much . ”\nAs a mark of respect , Palmer ’ s shoulder number – 4157U – is to be retired and not reissued to any other officer , Scotland Yard said .\nThe Met has put extra officers on the streets and has extended the shifts they work from eight to 12 hours , until further notice . Forces outside London are also increasing their presence on the streets , to provide reassurance and to deter not only any further Islamist attacks but hate crimes against Muslims .\nThe Independent Police Complaints Commission began an investigation into the shooting of the suspect , which is mandated by law .


Republicans and Democrats returned to Capitol Hill on Tuesday pledging to try to reach common ground — but as each side reinforced its pre-election battle lines , last week ’ s results appear to have shifted little other than the rhetoric .\nMajority Leader Harry Reid , Nevada Democrat , opened the Senate ’ s lame-duck session pleading for the chance to rescue the 112th Congress from being the most lethargic on record .\nHe said the looming “ fiscal cliff ” depends on better cooperation . In his opening bid , he told Republicans in the House to quickly pass tax legislation that would mean a rate increase for the wealthy , but keep rates low for everyone else .\nBut Republicans have rejected that plan repeatedly , and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell , Kentucky Republican , instead said it was up to President Obama to make overtures to Republicans now that he has secured election to a second term .\nThe White House , though , was in no mood to break from its pre-election posture . Press secretary Jay Carney said Mr. Obama still will veto any bill that doesn ’ t include a tax-rate increase on the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans , and shot down other proposals , such as cutting out loopholes but not raising the rates themselves , as “ hypotheticals . ”\n“ What I can tell you is that the president will not sign a bill that extends tax cuts for the top 2 percent with an extension of the Bush-era tax cuts , ” Mr. Carney said .\nCongress had been in recess for most of the past two months , and lawmakers watched with bemusement as their colleagues dug in again .\n“ People are stuck in suspended animation , ” said Sen. Ben Nelson , a Nebraska Democrat who is retiring at the end of this year . “ My hope is that as everybody adjusts to the outcome of the election and looks to their positions that maybe then action will occur . But if it doesn ’ t , then this country is stuck in neutral . But the problem with being stuck is neutral is that it is actually reverse . ”\nMr. Nelson said he doesn ’ t want to talk about raising more tax revenues until he has seen more spending cuts put on the table .\nRepublicans say they are willing to break with their past stance and allow the government to collect more revenue — though for now , they don ’ t appear to be talking about new direct money from higher taxes .\nInstead , they propose a streamlined tax code , with lower rates and fewer deductions , which they say will expand the economy . With a better economy , they say , the government can take in more money .\nHowever , budget analysts have said the hole is so deep that the government can not grow its way out of the problem , and will need either deep spending cuts , significant tax increases or a combination of the two in order to bring the deficit to manageable levels .\nMr. Obama and Democrats have said they need to see tax rates rise , while Republicans have said entitlement programs must face spending cuts .\nBut both sides are also under enormous pressure to resist each other ’ s demands . On Tuesday , Mr. Obama met with liberal leaders at the White House and they urged him to reject any deal that would cut Social Security or Medicare .\n“ The truth is America does not face an ‘ entitlement crisis. ’ We should not be cutting Social Security and Medicare benefits to put our fiscal house in order , ” said Max Richtman , president of the National Committee to Protect Social Security & Medicare .\nThe so-called fiscal cliff hits early next year . The Bush-era tax cuts expire Jan. 1 , and $ 110 billion in automatic spending cuts take effect Jan. 2 as a result of last year ’ s debt deal . The tax increases would apply across the board , while the spending cuts would be divided equally between defense and domestic appropriations .\nTogether , they would plunge the economy into a short but sharp recession — though the tax increases and spending cuts also would reduce the budget deficit dramatically in 2013 , and would produce a stronger economy by the end of the decade , according to the Congressional Budget Office .\nSome Democrats have suggested that their party should let the fiscal cliff hit and then negotiate from a position of strength when Democrats get additional members early next year . They gained seats last week in both chambers , though they will hold a majority only in the Senate .\nBut House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi , California Democrat , flatly rejected that Tuesday .\n“ I want you to be disabused of any notion that there ’ s any widespread thought that it would be a good thing for our country for us to go over the cliff , ” she told reporters .\nGetting there , however , will take a deal — which has been elusive for the past 18 months .\nMr. Obama has invited congressional leaders to the White House on Friday to start negotiations anew .\nIn one ominous sign , the Senate picked up right where it left off in September , fighting over a bill to open more federal lands to fishing and hunting .\nMr. Reid used procedural tactics to lock out Republican amendments , saying the GOP is threatening to delay the bill , as it did with many of Democrats ’ priorities over the past two years .\n“ I can ’ t imagine why we ’ re still fighting the battles of the last election , ” he said .\nBut Republicans say Mr. Reid is pushing a partisan agenda and in restricting amendments he is refusing to allow the freewheeling debate the Senate usually enjoys .


-- The estimated cost of compliance to American taxpayers in 2010 , including tax preparation fees , hours worked and other costs , according to the IRS .\nIt ’ s D-Day for President Obama ’ s health law as millions of American tax filers face the deadline for reporting their status under Obama ’ s new entitlement program and their vulnerability to new taxes used to fund it .\nAmericans have been paying the biggest new taxes associated with the law since the beginning of the year : a .9 percent income tax and a 3.8 percent tax on investment income , both for top earners .\nWhile the estimated cost of those taxes is $ 318 billon over the next decade , like this year ’ s other big tax hike , the 48 percent jump in the payroll tax rate for all workers , they occur automatically and don ’ t create sticker shock except for those who count every penny in every paycheck .\nAmericans are also already living with two other costly tax increases in the law .\nThose facing huge medical bills were previously able to deduct any expenses above 7.5 percent of their annual income . That ’ s now 10 percent . This is a relatively small number of people , mostly with serious illnesses , and the pinch won ’ t come until they file their taxes next year .\nThe other change is a new cap on health savings accounts , now set at $ 2,500 . But consumers already got that word during the enrollment period for their health plans at the end of last year . Many will pay higher taxes , but in small sums mostly . ( The point of this regulation was more to discourage cash-based purchases of medical services and products and drive people into more expensive , comprehensive insurance plans to help insurance companies cover costs under the law . )\nBut today is the day when the compliance curve of the president ’ s law really starts to get steeper .\nThe Supreme Court ruled last year that whatever Obama and congressional Democrats called the penalty under the law for not having insurance , it is still a tax . And one can see why , since the initial point of contact for the uninsured with the law comes through the IRS .\nThe government will be using the tax returns due today to decide who will receive an estimated $ 25 billion in new insurance subsidies next year .\nEnrollment in the new entitlement program is set to begin on Oct. 1 . The complex process of enrollment looks to be an even more daunting task than tax preparation . And with many states functioning differently and delays piling up , it could be a real goat rope .\nBut whatever comes out and whenever it goes into place , the tax returns due today will provide the initial basis for how one ’ s relationship with the government and health insurance functions .\nThose making up to 400 percent of federal poverty levels -- $ 43,560 for an individual and $ 89,400 for a family of four in 2011 , according to the Kaiser Family Foundation – will be eligible for the new benefit .\nThe government will know from the tax forms due today how many Americans fall into that category . The government will still be working from estimates on how many of those folks in the subsidy zone don ’ t have insurance , but these forms will define the universe of those who may be eligible .\nThen those individuals in the subsidy zone without insurance will have to decide whether to sign up for the program or face a fine .\nBy Tax Day 2015 all American taxpayers will have to provide proof of insurance to the IRS , so today starts the clock for those without insurance to either comply or face the penalty -- $ 95 for 2014 , $ 325 for 2015 and $ 695 for 2016 .\nThe purpose of the “ mandate ” in Obama ’ s law is to start herding people into the re-regulated insurance market , and Tax Day 2013 is the start of that great health insurance cattle drive .\nChris Stirewalt is digital politics editor for ███ , and his POWER PLAY column appears Monday-Friday on FoxNews.com . Catch Chris Live online daily at 11:30amET at http : live.foxnews.com .


The tax bill that Republicans are muscling through Congress could result in cuts to entitlement spending if it significantly increases the national debt , budget experts say .\nRepublicans say the tax-cut package will lead to economic growth and greater tax revenues , but there are doubts even within their party about whether that growth will come to pass .\nThe Joint Committee on Taxation , Congress ’ s official budget scorekeeper , estimated the bill would cost $ 1 trillion over a decade even with economic growth taken into account . Sen. Bob Corker Robert ( Bob ) Phillips CorkerTrump announces , endorses ambassador to Japan 's Tennessee Senate bid Meet the key Senate player in GOP fight over Saudi Arabia Trump says he 's 'very happy ' some GOP senators have 'gone on to greener pastures ' MORE ( R-Tenn. ) opposed the bill for that reason .\nAs the population ages and health-care costs continue to rise , the fiscal demands on entitlements like Medicare , Medicaid and Social Security are projected to grow . The projected increase in the debt from the tax package could make the situation worse , budget experts say .\n“ In the past when members of Congress have been concerned about the debt , they ’ ve turned to these programs , so it ’ s not a stretch to see that they turn there in the foreseeable future , ” said Tricia Neuman , a senior vice president at the Kaiser Family Foundation .\n“ If we are talking about the kinds of deficits ” that are projected from the tax bill , “ entitlement cuts are definitely on the table , ” said William Hoagland , a senior vice president at the Bipartisan Policy Center .\nDemocrats and activist groups are seizing on the potential threat to entitlement programs to try and stop the bill and rally their base for the 2018 elections .\nThey have run television ads warning the bill would result in a $ 25 billion cut to Medicare , and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer Charles ( Chuck ) Ellis SchumerTrump calls on Republicans to vote out Democratic Louisiana governor amid GOP infighting Appeals court upholds net neutrality repeal but rules FCC ca n't block state laws Schumer : Trump 's reported Russian meddling remarks among 'most disturbing things ' yet MORE ( D-N.Y. ) has repeatedly said the bill will “ gut ” the program .\nDuring an exchange on the Senate floor Thursday evening , Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersBiden , Warren in dead heat in New Hampshire : poll Trump campaign , RNC raise staggering 5 million in third quarter Biden has 20-point lead in South Carolina primary : poll MORE ( I-Vt. ) asked Sens . Marco Rubio Marco Antonio RubioOver 1,000 people attend funeral for veteran with no immediate family To win the federal paid family leave debate , allow states to lead the way Rubio : The term 'impeachable offense ' has 'lost all meaning ' MORE ( R-Fla. ) and Pat Toomey Patrick ( Pat ) Joseph ToomeyNSA improperly collected US phone records in October , new documents show Overnight Defense : Pick for South Korean envoy splits with Trump on nuclear threat | McCain blasts move to suspend Korean military exercises | White House defends Trump salute of North Korean general WH backpedals on Trump 's 'due process ' remark on guns MORE ( R-Pa. ) to promise that Republicans wouldn ’ t cut Medicare and Social Security after passing the tax bill .\n“ Will you guarantee the American people there will be zero cuts to benefits in Social Security , Medicare and Medicaid ? ” Sanders said .\nToomey said there were no plans to cut the programs , but activists are skeptical .\n“ This is a tax bill that ’ s coming after Medicare and Medicaid cuts , ” said Eliot Fishman , senior director of health policy at Families USA . “ It ’ s fundamentally step one of a two-step process . Nobody should be under any illusions otherwise . ”\nSenate Republicans on Friday scrambled to piece together their legislation ahead of a final vote . The bill passed despite the $ 1 trillion price tag .\nCorker wanted to add $ 350 billion in automatic tax increases to reduce the bill ’ s impact on the debt , but other Republicans balked . He originally called for a tax-increase trigger , but that provision ran into issues with the Senate parliamentarian and couldn ’ t be included in the bill .\n“ I wanted to get to yes . But at the end of the day , I am not able to cast aside my fiscal concerns and vote for legislation that I believe , based on the information I currently have , could deepen the debt burden on future generations , ” Corker said in a statement .\nCorker ’ s worries about increasing deficits were not echoed by other rank-and-file Republicans or members of leadership . They said the bill would grow the economy , reducing the debt in the process .\n“ This will be a revenue enhancer . This will not be revenue decrease overall , or else we wouldn ’ t be doing it , ” Sen. Mike Rounds Marion ( Mike ) Michael RoundsAmerica 's newest comedy troupe : House GOP 'Mike Pounce ' trends on Twitter after Trump slip at GOP retreat Conservatives offer stark warning to Trump , GOP on background checks MORE ( R-S.D . ) said .\n“ We are presupposing it is going to cause a deficit and I am not sure that is a correct presupposition , ” added Sen. Bill Cassidy William ( Bill ) Morgan CassidyTo win the federal paid family leave debate , allow states to lead the way Democrats divided on surprise medical bill fix America 's newest comedy troupe : House GOP MORE ( R-La . ) .\nRepublicans are also facing the possibility that the $ 1 trillion tax bill will trigger deep , automatic cuts to Medicare next year unless Congress stops it from happening .\nMajority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison ( Mitch ) Mitchell McConnellMcConnell : Communist Party 's methods a 'tragedy ' for Chinese people Trump congratulates China on anniversary as GOP lawmakers decry communist rule Appeals court upholds net neutrality repeal but rules FCC ca n't block state laws MORE ( R-Ky. ) promised Sen. Susan Collins Susan Margaret CollinsYes , President Trump , we do have a homelessness crisis and you 're making it harder for us to address The policy-driven presidential campaign could be drowned out by impeachment Flake tells GOP : Trump 'does not deserve reelection ' MORE ( R-Maine ) that the cuts required by the `` pay-as-you-go '' or `` pay-go '' budgetary rule won ’ t happen .\nCollins was a key holdout , and she said the personal promise from McConnell helped win her support for the legislation .\nMcConnell on Friday issued a joint statement with Speaker Paul Ryan Paul Davis RyanDemocrats hit Scalia over LGBTQ rights Three-way clash set to dominate Democratic debate Krystal Ball touts Sanders odds in Texas MORE ( R-Wis. ) saying the pay-go cuts won ’ t happen .\n“ Congress has readily available methods to waive this law , which has never been enforced since its enactment . There is no reason to believe that Congress would not act again to prevent a sequester , and we will work to ensure these spending cuts are prevented , ” McConnell and Ryan said .\nLawmakers have voted numerous times in the past to waive the rule , but they need the support of Democrats , who have so far been reluctant to offer it .


WASHINGTON ( ███ ) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Thursday that he would shield President Donald Trump ’ s tax returns from Congress , during remarks that could signal the administration ’ s approach to an expected request from congressional Democrats .\nDuring testimony in the House of Representatives , Mnuchin told the House tax committee that he would follow the law upon receiving a request for tax returns but would also protect Trump ’ s privacy rights .\n“ I ’ m not aware if there ’ s ever been a request for an elected official ’ s tax return , ” Mnuchin said in response to questions from Democratic Representative Lloyd Doggett , a member of the House Ways and Means Committee . “ But we will follow the law and we will protect the president as we would protect any individual taxpayer under their rights . ”\nCommittee Chairman Richard Neal , the only member of the House authorized by law to request the president ’ s returns , is expected to ask Mnuchin for the documents . A Democratic member of the committee said earlier this month he believed the panel would ask for Trump ’ s returns in a few weeks .\nDemocrats view the documents as a potential linchpin for oversight investigations , saying they would show whether the president has complied with U.S. tax law , profited from his own tax cuts , or has conflicts of interest from his vast business holdings .\nNeal ’ s committee could seek both his personal and business returns .\nTrump defied decades of precedent as a presidential candidate by refusing to release his tax documents and has continued to keep them under wraps as president , saying his returns were under audit by the Internal Revenue Service . The IRS has said that Trump can release his tax returns even while under audit .\nInterest in Trump ’ s returns has soared since his former personal lawyer Michael Cohen told a House panel on Feb. 27 that the president has altered his value of assets and slashed the wages of his employees to lower his tax bills .\nSection 6103 of the U.S. tax code allows the chairs of three committees — Neal ’ s House panel , the Senate Finance Committee and the Joint Committee on Taxation — to request confidential tax returns , and says the Treasury secretary “ shall furnish ” the documents .\nBut requesting the tax returns of a sitting president is unprecedented . Fearing a lengthy court battle for the documents , Neal ’ s committee has spent months working to develop a winning legal argument that could base the quest firmly within the panel ’ s jurisdiction to oversee the U.S. tax system .\nSenator Chuck Grassley , the Republican chairman of the Senate Finance Committee , is also expected to seek Trump ’ s taxes if Democrats obtain them .\n“ There ’ s an awful lot of interest in 6103 today , ” Mnuchin said . He said he would not speculate on a specific strategy for handling a request from lawmakers because he has not yet received one .


Republican leaders in Congress have been hesitant to raise tax rates on anyone because the party ’ s brand is largely built around the idea that the economy does best when people have more money to spend . Yet they may have no choice : Senator Susan Collins , Republican of Maine , said this week that she opposed lowering the top tax rate for individuals earning more than $ 1 million , creating pressure for Republicans to include a higher bracket in order to win passage .\nRepublican lawmakers are selling their plan as a middle-class tax cut , and the bill is expected to create three income tax brackets — 12 percent , 25 percent and 35 percent — and call for doubling the standard deduction . Yet lawmakers are considering making these changes temporary , so they would expire after 10 years .\nThe conventional wisdom is that a future Congress will vote to continue the cuts and not allow them to expire . But that ’ s a tricky assumption given their cost , which will only exacerbate a federal deficit already on an upward trajectory . The Treasury Department said the deficit for the fiscal year 2017 grew by $ 80 billion , to $ 666 billion . Federal debt , which has already topped $ 20 trillion , is expected to grow by an additional $ 10 trillion over the next decade , according to the Congressional Budget Office .\nCompounding the math problem is that the plan would probably make the corporate tax cuts permanent . Lawmakers argue that a permanent cut , to 20 percent from today ’ s 35 percent rate , is needed to trigger the economic growth they anticipate , and they say it will ultimately put more money into workers ’ pockets .\nStill , those corporate tax cuts are expected to cost $ 2 trillion over the next decade and , to help make the budget work , lawmakers are discussing phasing in the corporate tax cut over several years to get to the 20 percent rate . The White House on Monday seemed to suggest that was a nonstarter .\nThe original framework called for repealing the estate tax , which would reduce federal revenues by $ 239 billion over a decade .\nEstates are taxed at a rate of 40 percent , but the first $ 5.49 million of an inheritance is exempt from taxation . Couples can leave their heirs as much as $ 11 million , none of it taxed , meaning only a few thousand wealthy estates are subject to the tax each year .