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tax plan us senate republicans released thursday diverges several ways legislation pushed republicans house representatives, complicating republican efforts fulfill goal overhauling tax code end year major provisions differ significantly corporate rate house plan would immediately cut corporate income tax rate percent percent senate would set rate, delay one year carried interest senate leaves unchanged loophole allows private equity fund managers wealthy wall street financiers pay capital gains tax rate instead higher income tax rate carried interest income house version narrows loophole requiring investments held three years instead one year currently order qualify capital gains treatment net operating losses senate version eliminates carry back carry forward tax strategies businesses reduce past future tax liabilities using net operating losses house version tightens rules around use pass throughs house caps maximum tax rate small businesses non corporate enterprises percent, current top rate pass income percent senate version special pass rate allows business owners deduct percent business income individual taxes translates percent tax rate high income filers repatriation overseas earnings senate imposes tax percent liquid assets percent illiquid house sets rates percent percent, respectively tax brackets senate version maintains seven tax brackets, top bracket rate percent house four brackets top one unchanged current levels percent lifts qualifying income top rate million mortgage interest deduction house caps deduction interest payments mortgages , , primary residence senate version keeps existing limit million eliminates deduction interest home equity loans deducting state local taxes senate bill repeals state local tax deduction entirely house version repeals deduction state local income sales tax caps deduction state local property tax paid , standard deduction two versions line other, standard deduction , individuals , married couples, nearly double current levels child tax credit senate would expand child tax credit , , house version sets , inheritances house wants double exemption inherited assets repeal tax period six years, senate wants double exemption

americans likely believe wealthy benefit tax reform currently pushed us congress republicans insist goal help middle class, according reuters ipsos opinion poll released thursday poll found percent americans think wealthy benefit most, compared percent think americans benefit percent think large us corporations benefit congress working try enact sweeping overhaul tax code since would lower taxes millions individual tax payers slash rate paid corporations proposal would also eliminate individual tax deductions, move could result taxpayers seeing increase total bill government others see decrease despite insistence republicans goal help middle class, percent americans think demographic benefit most, poll, conducted nov , found republicans democrats divided think tax reform would help among republicans, percent think americans benefit, followed percent think wealthy benefit most, poll found among democrats, percent think wealthy benefit most, percent thinking americans benefit percent think corporations benefit polled think middle class benefit most, overwhelming majority thought poll found percent think important cut taxes middle class corporations, percent think important cut taxes poor corporations however, percent said important cut taxes corporations cut taxes wealthy comes specific changes, poll found percent americans oppose limiting mortgage interest deduction, compared percent support change strongest opposition came republican proposal eliminate deductions medical expenses, percent saying change percent saying support reuters ipsos poll conducted early november online english throughout united states gathered responses , adults credibility interval, measure accuracy, percentage points

us republican senator jeff flake thursday expressed concern senate republican tax proposal impact national debt statement, flake say might vote proposal unveiled earlier thursday remain concerned current tax reform proposals grow already staggering national debt opting short term fixes ignoring long term problems taxpayers economy, said senate house tax cut plans would add trillion us national debt years lawmakers achieve tax reform fiscally responsible manner, flake said, adding looked forward working colleagues deliver goal

political research firm prepared dossier trump campaign ties russia unrelated information clinton foundation donors russian lawyer obtained offered president donald trump eldest son last year, three sources familiar matter said white house republican lawmakers attacked firm, fusion gps, dossier compiled former british spy central investigations congress special counsel conclusions us spy agencies moscow interfered presidential election wanted help trump win sources told reuters negative information russian lawyer natalia veselnitskaya wanted give republican trump campaign june meeting new york dug fusion gps unrelated investigation trump congressional supporters suggested fusion also conducted research lawyers representing russian firm unrelated matter, dossier part russian campaign help democratic candidate hillary clinton trump backers call page report dodgy dossier financed clinton supporters russia repeatedly denied allegations meddling us election trump denies collusion campaign moscow officials interview bloomberg monday, veselnitskaya said went trump tower meeting donald trump jr, brother law jared kushner, top campaign adviser paul manafort show proof tax evasion major democratic donors said donald jr asked written evidence illegal funds went clinton campaign, bloomberg reported emails made public earlier year trump jr showed publicist son one father russian business contacts helped introduce veselnitskaya advised associates sensitive information could damage clinton love it, trump jr responded, according emails december, , sources said, veselnitskaya, involved litigation pitting russian client british american financier william browder, received legal research memo reporting ziff brothers, two new york financiers allied browder, made large contribution clinton charity memo prepared fusion, hired conduct legal research browder baker hostetler law firm firm represented russian businessman denis katsyv, engaged disputes browder us prosecutors glenn simpson, one fusion gps founders, met veselnitskaya litigation meeting trump jr, kushner manafort, according source familiar matter however, source familiar hours testimony simpson gave senate judiciary committee august said told investigators know veselnitskaya trump tower meeting reports appeared media representatives judiciary committee republican majority respond request comment spokesman manafort declined comment representatives trump jr kushner could immediately reached comment neither could us based lawyer veselnitskaya two sources said fusion gps work baker hostetler produced information veselnitskaya offered trump jr associates unrelated firm work perkins coie, law firm represented democratic national committee clinton campaign perkins coie acknowledged paid million fusion research related donald trump campaign

us vice president mike pence expressed deep concern turkey prime minister thursday arrests american citizens local staff us missions turkey, white house said matters raised pence issues created tension two nato allies recent months, along dispute turkish cleric living united states ankara accuses orchestrating failed military coup turkey last year white house meeting prime minister binali yildirim, pence voiced deep concern arrests american citizens, mission turkey local staff, journalists, members civil society state emergency urged transparency due process resolution cases, white house said statement may, translator us consulate province adana southern turkey arrested recently, us drug enforcement administration worker detained istanbul accused links last year coup attempt us embassy said accusations baseless leaving united states, yildirim said turkey demand united states hand cleric fethullah gulen, lived pennsylvania since , would discussed visit us officials said courts require sufficient evidence order gulen extradition another issue raised, yildirim said, fate turkish citizens arrested united states

republican led committee us house representatives approved sweeping rewrite us tax law thursday, setting stage house vote it, although momentum overhauling tax code fast shifting senate house ways means committee approved bill, voting along party lines, could go house floor soon next week would cut us corporate income tax rate percent percent make tax changes adding substantially federal deficit next decade

us senate republicans unveiling tax proposal differs markedly corporate, business individual tax cuts legislation unveiled counterparts house representatives, republican aides said thursday senate proposal delays corporate tax rate cut percent year, provides small business owners deduction rather special business rate maintains seven tax brackets individuals lowering rate top earners percent percent, said aides tax writing senate finance committee

us senate republicans version tax cut bill delay corporate rate cuts one year take effect , include repeal obamacare individual mandate, republican senate finance committee member bill cassidy said story l n nf mp gary bradshaw, portfolio manager hodges capital management dallas think market would like see tax cut delayed, certainly going big effect small caps, probably think market anticipating get tax cut through, would really drive earnings look p earnings next year projected , get tax cut would probably little that, earnings going tempered obviously little tax cut market already delayed good news coming michael rourke, chief market strategist, jonestrading, greenwich, connecticut catalyst recent leg down, said, referring headlines senate tax proposal delay corp tax rate cut making sure drive deficit much higher going key makes sense would push corporate tax cut back time, getting point plan seems workable yet market due breather year since election gone percent hopes trump agenda would bring, trying work toward thing, really accomplished much yet progress made, equity market either pause correct meaningful progress made rick meckler, president investment firm libertyview capital management jersey city, new jersey investors view corporate tax cut central higher near term stock prices delay it, time goes changes happen bit emotional roller coaster investors starting see divergence house, senate white house, three controlled republicans suggests whatever agreed probably look quite bit different signed law sell quick reaction much uncertainty ahead comes significant corporate tax change joe saluzzi, co manager trading themis trading chatham, new jersey nervous nellies going read headlines, feeling going headline driven finish thing off, whenever may market based tax cuts, good chunk rally been, would expect pullback potential breakup talks delay looks like last leg based delay potentially year senate side totally expected would see would also expect rip right back sudden come say making progress really nothing fundamentally changed nothing new today, economic numbers

us senate republicans tax proposal include full repeal federal deductions state local taxes income, property sales, republican senator bill cassidy told reporters thursday

proposed tax trillion foreign profits held offshore us multinational corporations would raised amendment offered thursday chairman us house representatives tax committee tax cut bill texas republican representative kevin brady called raising tax percent cash liquid assets percent illiquid assets, earlier proposal percent percent, respectively proposed increase would raise federal revenue tax bill offered house republicans, senate republicans offering separate bill

national federation independent business, powerful lobbying group us small businesses, thursday threw support behind republican tax reform bill us house representatives key lawmaker proposed changes grateful chairman brady listening concerns working nfib ensure tax reform benefits greatest possible number american small business owners, nfib president juanita duggan said statement, referring representative kevin brady, heads house tax writing panel earlier, brady released amendment tax bill would reduce tax rate business income small business owners

us president donald trump pressed china rein north korea thursday said bilateral trade unfair united states, praised president xi jinping pledge china would open foreign firms north korea nuclear missile programs, trump said china fix problem quickly easily , urging beijing cut financial links north korea also calling russia help trump speaking alongside xi chinese capital announce signing billion commercial deals us chinese firms, display us business community worry detracts tackling deep seated complaints market access china xi said chinese economy would become increasingly open transparent foreign firms, including united states, welcomed us companies participate ambitious belt road infrastructure led initiative trump made clear blamed predecessors, china, trade imbalance, repeatedly praised xi, calling special man make fair tremendous us, trump said xi smiled widely trump said blame china deficit also trump said xi gets things done course frictions, basis win win cooperation fair competition, hope solve issues frank consultative way, xi said keeping opening long term strategy never narrow close doors widen them, said china would also offer fair transparent environment foreign firms, including us ones, xi said trump pressing china tighten screws north korea development nuclear weapons defiance un sanctions least modest progress hoped for, although immediate signs major breakthrough, us official said earlier referring xi, trump said believe solution that, xi reiterated china would strive denuclearisation korean peninsula offered hint china would change tack north korea, fought side side korean war us led forces devoted reaching resolution korean peninsula issue dialogue consultations, xi said briefing reporters talks, us secretary state rex tillerson said trump told xi strong man, sure solve tillerson said leaders agreed could accept nuclear armed north korea acknowledged differences tactics timing tillerson pointed trump, speech seoul, invited north koreans come table, line chinese desire negotiated solution added, however, trump prepared military response deemed threat serious enough, first choice going work hard diplomatic efforts well, said, elaborate show importance china puts trump first official visit, thursday welcoming ceremony outside beijing great hall people overlooking tiananmen square broadcast live state television

group us based scientists whose research focuses arctic wildlife asked two us senators letter thursday open national arctic wildlife refuge oil gas exploration, according copy seen reuters scientists, including several retired former officials alaska department fish game, us geological survey us fish wildlife service, said letter senator lisa murkowski alaska senator maria cantwell washington drilling oil gas refuge would incompatible purposes refuge established, protecting fish wildlife populations environments live murkowski, republican, introduced legislation wednesday would create oil gas exploration program refuge coastal plain, letting prospectors build roads infrastructure deemed necessary inside refuge carry operations half available drilling royalties would go state alaska half federal government program administrator would required hold least two lease sales within years bill became law scientists said drilling coastal plain would particularly harmful contains unique compression habitats supporting animals like polar bears, grizzly bears, wolverines, representing greatest wildlife diversity protected area arctic circle reuters interview, cantwell praised scientists spelling drilling would harmful refuge would work oppose legislation try legislate mandated drilling wildlife refuge america is, said murkowski spokeswoman declined comment referred comment request senate energy natural resources committee conflict whether allow drilling inside refuge deep roots us geological survey estimates area prudhoe bay northern alaska billion barrels recoverable crude, republicans, control congress white house, long wanted open portion refuge called area murkowski, chairs senate energy committee, called portion non wilderness area government put aside decades ago petroleum exploration last month, democrats tried failed pass legislation blocking drilling

us treasury department thursday sanctioned venezuelan officials, including several government ministers, said helped venezuelan president nicolas maduro attempts undermine democratic rule country individuals associated undermining electoral processes, media censorship, corruption government administered food programs venezuela, us treasury said statement oct , state elections held venezuela list officials includes julian rodriguez diaz, venezuela ambassador italy ernesto emilio villegas poljak, venezuela new minister culture freddy bernal rosales, venezuela minister urban agriculture manuel fernandez melendez, heads country national telephone company

white house officials tried pressure acting homeland security secretary elaine duke expelling tens thousands honduran immigrants, washington post reported thursday, saying also duke said planned resign white house chief staff john kelly homeland security adviser tom bossert called duke decision extend residency permits immigrants, newspaper reported, citing current former administration officials calls came monday announce temporary protected status hondurans, said refused reverse decision immigrants homeland security monday deadline announce plans , hondurans , nicaraguans granted tps hurricane mitch hit central america duke ended protected status nicaraguans monday said dhs needed time decide hondurans extended status july , officials said duke irritated saw politically driven interference white house officials, including old boss kelly, homeland security secretary duke informed kelly would resign, officials said condition anonymity dhs spokesman tyler q houlton said email duke committed continuing work dhs made decision based current immigration law many issues, variety views inside administration tps, houlton said perfectly normal members white house team weigh major decisions white house respond requests comment reports internal debate post wall street journal trump administration targeted program, critics say allows participants repeatedly extend stays six month increments case natural disaster, civil strife emergencies homelands

us senate voted thursday confirm top air quality official environmental protection agency, despite concerns raised lawmakers industry ties william wehrum, represented industry clients law lobbying firm hunton williams, serve epa assistant administrator air radiation, top position overseeing key air quality regulations wehrum second high level epa official administrator scott pruitt confirmed senate wehrum served epa acting assistant administrator air radiation former president george w bush leaving government, head administrative law group hunton williams focused air quality issues industry clients, exxonmobil corp democratic senator tom carper delaware urged colleagues reject wehrum confirmation ahead vote bill wehrum spent career fighting dismantle federal environmental protections many states, including delaware, depend clean toxic air pollution, carper said senate majority leader mitch mcconnell said wehrum would continue work epa undo damage obama administration overreach

republican controlled us house ways means committee wrap work thursday major tax overhaul legislation, chairman kevin brady said, could bring measure vote full house early next week brady said committee vote held change inserted bill keep line requirement measure add trillion us debt

us senate republicans may include repeal obamacare individual mandate version party tax cut plan, republican senator john cornyn said thursday, adding bill chamber floor last week november taking hard look it, cornyn said leaving senate finance committee, without offering details

us senate republicans version tax cut bill delay corporate rate cuts one year take effect , include repeal obamacare individual mandate, republican senate finance committee member bill cassidy said initial proposal, cassidy, referring tax rate delay, told reporters ahead plan release later thursday

us representative bob goodlatte, republican chairman house judiciary committee, said thursday seek election next year natural stepping point, goodlatte said statement announcement came heels tuesday elections virginia, democrats governor office triumphed local races republican strongholds goodlatte represented virginia th congressional district years joins string republican lawmakers announced retirements congress recent weeks two house committee chairmen, representatives lamar smith jeb hensarling, texas, said last week would seek election hensarling leads house financial services committee, smith leads science, space technology panel

whether like president donald trump not, us veterans gather hoa place danang show little concern avoided war marked lives trump flies vietnamese resort danang friday summit asia pacific leaders, landing city many americans generation first sight vietnam

president donald trump return united states claiming snagged billion deals maiden trip beijing whether deals live lofty price tag another question altogether watched trump china president xi jinping signing ceremony beijing, us planemaker boeing co, general electric co chip giant qualcomm inc sealed lucrative multi billion dollar deals truly miracle, china commerce minister zhong said briefing beijing quarter trillion dollar haul underscores trump keen seen address trade deficit world second largest economy long railed called shockingly high thursday us businesses still many long standing concerns complain about, including unfettered access china market, cybersecurity growing presence china ruling communist party inside foreign firms william zarit, chairman american chamber commerce china, said deals pointed strong, vibrant bilateral economic relationship two countries yet still need focus leveling playing field, us companies continue disadvantaged business china us tech companies like facebook inc google mostly blocked china automakers ford motor co general motors must operate joint ventures, hollywood movies face strict quota system deals allow trump portray master dealmaker, distracting lack progress structural reforms bilateral trade relationship, hugo brennan, asia analyst risk consultancy verisk maplecroft, said note huge deals announced among year billion investment china energy investment corp shale gas developments chemical manufacturing projects west virginia, major energy producing state voted heavily trump election massive size energy undertaking level collaboration two countries unprecedented, west virginia secretary commerce h wood thrasher said statement marks first major overseas investment newly founded china energy, formed merger china shenhua group, country largest coal producer china guodian corp, one china top five utilities however, often case state visits, many deals packaged non binding agreements, gave scant details rolled existing tie ups, helping pump headline figure somewhat skeptical large number, alex wolf, senior emerging markets economist aberdeen standard investments, told reuters global markets forum, adding overall tone visit far positive suspect might primarily mous memorandum understandings instead actual contracts actual contract amount may substantially less qualcomm signed non binding agreements worth billion xiaomi, oppo vivo, three chinese handset makers firm said longstanding relationships qualcomm already earns half revenues china boeing announced deal state run china aviation suppliers holding co sell boeing jets valuation billion list prices, though analysts said unclear many new orders interesting see many past agreements purchase orders repackaged beijing master selling agreement times, former mexican ambassador china jorge guajardo posted twitter speaking alongside trump beijing announced deals, xi said chinese economy would become increasingly open transparent foreign firms, including united states, welcomed us companies participate ambitious belt road infrastructure led initiative trump made clear blamed predecessors, china, allowing us trade deficit get kilter , repeatedly praised xi, calling special man make fair tremendous us, trump said xi smiled widely trump said blame china deficit asked whether big package deals would go way towards helping fix american trade concerns china, executives cautiously optimistic generally sense good thing, great, said gentry sayad, shanghai based lawyer attended trade delegation event beijing let see really happens whether agreements signed trip become basis better bilateral trade relationship going forward

us defense secretary jim mattis said thursday discussed russia violation arms control treaty nato counterparts looking bring moscow compliance firm belief several years russians violated inf effort bring russia back compliance, mattis said, speaking reporters meeting nato defense ministers us officials said russia deployed cruise missile despite complaints washington violates arms control treaty banning ground based, us russian intermediate range missiles russia however, said past appears washington, midst trillion, year modernization ageing ballistic missile submarines, bombers land based missiles, breach treaty many nations already evidence russia active discussions amongst issue, mattis said added united states nato would engaging russia try resolve issue

taiwan important sensitive issue sino us ties, chinese president xi jinping told visiting us president donald trump thursday, ahead one year anniversary trump taking precedent breaking call taiwan president china considers democratic taiwan wayward province integral part territory, ineligible state state relations, never renounced use force bring island control united states formal ties taiwan bound law help defend island main source arms trump upset china last december taking telephone call taiwan president tsai ing wen, shortly election, first call us taiwan leaders since president jimmy carter switched diplomatic recognition china taiwan public mention taiwan comments xi trump made front reporters, official chinese foreign ministry statement talks mince words taiwan issue important, sensitive core issue china us relations, concerns political basis china us relationship, ministry paraphrased xi telling trump china hopes us side continues scrupulously abide one china principle, prevents disturbances broader picture china us ties , xi added trump told xi united states government upheld stuck one china policy, china official xinhua news agency reported taipei, chiu chui cheng, deputy minister taiwan china policy making mainland affairs council, said china respect taiwan people think china deeply understand respect taiwan people opinions growth relations across taiwan strait, chiu told reporters also willing work side find new, positive model cross straits ties would use dialogue resolve differences, create proper path harmonious relations china suspects tsai wants push formal independence taiwan, red line beijing tsai says wants maintain peace china defend taiwan democracy security china pressured taiwan since tsai took office last year, suspending regular dialogue mechanism slowly peeling away remaining diplomatic allies china deeply suspicious us intentions toward taiwan, upset united states recently allowed tsai transit hawaii guam way diplomatic allies taiwan pacific defeated nationalist forces fled taiwan losing civil war communists

us president donald trump said thursday chinese president xi jinping would focusing strongly us opioid crisis, declared public health emergency trump said shortly arriving beijing would discuss top priority stopping flood cheap deadly fentanyl manufactured china meets xi every year drug trafficking destroys millions millions lives, trump said beijing, standing next xi end formal talks two today president xi discussed ways enhance coordination better counter deadly drug trade stop lethal flow poisonous drugs countries communities, added special emphasis placed new phenomenon

chinese president xi jinping trying impress us president donald trump lavish treatment visit beijing, appears worked trump effusive praise xi china, even speaking admiringly beijing ability run huge trade surplus us expense, trump blamed predecessors described tremendous meetings xi topics including trade, north korea controlling opioids, despite lack major breakthroughs easing access china us companies pressuring north korea halt pursuit nuclear weapons feeling toward incredibly warm one, trump said, standing beside xi two spent previous afternoon evening wives, touring forbidden city dining there, privilege rarely extended visiting leaders said, great chemistry, think going tremendous things, china united states, trump said chemistry took shape april, two first met trump mar lago resort, softening edges sharp differences trade north korea, concern west increasingly prosperous china growing assertiveness trump enjoys chummy, golfing buddy relationship japanese prime minister shinzo abe, shown admiration autocratic leaders xi, russian president vladimir putin philippines president rodrigo duterte stylistically, leaders world two largest economies opposites xi scripted cautious, cultivating earth image trump, developer reality tv star upset election win year ago, known cuff style, freewheeling tweets, rhetorical hyperbole, negative positive two also face different political realities home xi never powerful, solidifying grip twice decade communist party congress last month trump saddled low public approval ratings dogged investigations russian links election campaign, though aides claim credit us stock market record highs trump appears recognize clout china

united states china frank exchange views disputed south china sea visit beijing us president donald trump thursday, us secretary state rex tillerson said china claims almost entire strategic waterway trillion worth goods pass every year, building militarizing artificial islands brunei, malaysia, philippines, taiwan vietnam also conflicting claims issue likely feature prominently two regional summits starting week, one vietnam philippines, trump several leaders attend chinese president xi jinping attend vietnam meeting frank exchange china maritime security issues south china sea us position remains unchanged, tillerson told reporters insist upholding freedom navigation, claimants consistent international law claimants stop construction militarization outposts order maximize prospects successful diplomacy, added xi trump expressed support protection peace stability south china sea, china foreign ministry said statement following leaders talks leaders also support peaceful resolution management dispute via talks accordance accepted international law , added sides support protection freedom navigation overflight countries, accordance international law, saidthe united states angered china freedom navigation patrols close chinese controlled islands south china sea, continued trump administration philippine president rodrigo duterte, apparent policy shift, said wednesday planned ask china make clear intentions south china sea, asia pacific economic cooperation apec meetings vietnam since coming office months ago, firebrand leader conciliatory beijing, despite ruling international arbitration court favoring philippines territorial dispute china past, duterte repeatedly said raise sea dispute proper time avoided issue manila hosted two regional meetings year

continued stable development china us economic ties major contributor global growth, chinese president xi jinping said meetings united states president donald trump beijing china united states face economic issues forward looking constructive way resolve problems expanding economic cooperation, xi said, according statement issued china ministry foreign affairs thursday china agreed lower market entry barriers banking, insurance, securities industries gradually reduce vehicle tariffs, statement said us companies announced slew deals thursday could worth much billion trump visit beijing

us president donald trump went around great firewall china late night tweet beijing thanked hosts rare tour forbidden city private dinner sprawling, centuries old palace complex many western social media platforms twitter facebook banned china sophisticated system built deny online users within china access blocked content issue trump, known tweeting million followers hour day, wednesday, day arrived beijing behalf flotus melania i, thank unforgettable afternoon evening forbidden city beijing, president xi madame peng liyuan looking forward rejoining tomorrow morning trump even changed twitter banner, uploading photograph melania chinese president xi jinping wife, peng liyuan, chinese opera performance forbidden city twitter banner upload go unnoticed chinese state media, state broadcaster cctv flashing screenshots photograph thursday trump visit also third talked topic chinese social media platform weibo last hours, trailing birthday singer chinese boy band weekly asian pop song chart many people wondered trump managed evade china tough internet controls guess must done via wifi satellite network, said user weibo many foreigners log virtual private networks vpns access content hosted outside china another option sign data roaming service leaving one home country president tweet whatever wants way communicating directly american people white house official said ahead trump arrival beijing wednesday asked whether china considers trump use twitter breach chinese law, foreign ministry spokeswoman hua chunying said many means communication outside world china, people many channels communicate, communicate different ways, hua said regular ministry briefing example, people use wechat, people use weibo people use apple phones, people use huawei phones trump tweeted thursday afternoon, posting abc news video montage incredible welcome parade great hall people, greeted military band jumping, flag waving children tweet, trump embedded link photograph beijing visit instagram

democrats claimed historic gains virginia statehouse booted republicans state local office across united states tuesday, party first big wave victories since republican donald trump white house year ago democrats must figure turn momentum advantage november elections, control us congress scores statehouses stake coast coast, democratic victories showed grassroots resistance trump rallying party base, independent conservative voters appeared frustrated unpopular republican leadership washington democrats year races governor virginia new jersey, successes legislative local races nationwide may revealed party stands year trump administration unexpectedly massive democratic gains virginia statehouse surprised even optimistic party loyalists state trended democratic recent years remains top target parties national elections beyond wildest expectations, honest, said catherine vaughan, co founder flippable, one several new startup progressive groups rebuilding party grassroots level several races still close call, democrats close flipping, splitting, control virginia house delegates, erasing overnight two one republican majority democratic lieutenant governor ralph northam also defeated republican ed gillespie nearly nine percentage points seemed closer contest virginia governor mansion, year democrat hillary clinton carried state five points presidential election losing candidate employed trump style campaign tactics highlighted divisive issues immigration, although president join campaign trail new jersey, democratic presidential stronghold, voters replaced two term republican governor democrat increased party majorities state legislature democrats notched additional wins washington state senate race gave party full control state government republican controlled georgia, democrats picked three seats special state legislative elections first chance voters got send message donald trump took advantage it, john feehery, republican strategist washington, said phone gains suggested election analysts democrats could retake us house representatives next year republicans control house senate along white house dave wasserman, analyzes us house statehouse races nonpartisan cook political report, called virginia results tidal wave even tuesday gains, however, democrats completely locked power state governments republicans control two thirds us legislative chambers desperate rebuild, national democrats year showed newfound interest legislative contests races even farther ballot democratic national committee successfully invested mayoral races st petersburg, florida, manchester, new hampshire lesson taken yesterday, need make sure competing everywhere, democrats win, dnc chairman tom perez said media call democratic legislative campaign committee executive director jessica post said national party leaders must remain focused local races, even congressional year focus enough state level, place are, said do, win

top chinese coal miner, yankuang group, us industrial gas supplier air products chemicals inc thursday said planned build billion coal synthesis gas syngas plant china announcement facility province shaanxi comes part us president donald trump state visit china, world biggest consumer coal deal yet finalised, although companies said statement would look soon possible syngas combination hydrogen, carbon monoxide carbon dioxide typically manufactured gasifying solid hydrocarbon fuel used create energy help churn products methane methanol agreement, air products shaanxi future energy group co sfec , subsidiary yankuang, form joint venture, air products majority stake build, operate air separation, gasification syngas clean system city yulin supply sfec, firms said statement air separation units expected produce , tonnes per day tpd oxygen support production million normal cubic meters hour syngas sfec supply coal, steam power receive syngas long term, onsite contract air products currently supplies sfec phase project yulin , tpd oxygen addition phase would make complex one largest coal fuel chemicals facilities china, sfec phase producing million tonnes per year liquid fuels downstream chemicals, said companies expect overall project come onstream

us secretary state rex tillerson said thursday disagreement us president donald trump chinese president xi jinping north korea xi shared trump specific actions china taking enforce sanctions north korea, restrictions bank accounts, tillerson told reporters beijing leaders accept nuclear armed north korea, added trump arrived chinese capital wednesday south korea part marathon asia tour received lavish welcome xi, including personal tour forbidden city

united states government upholds sticks one china policy, us president donald trump told chinese president xi jinping thursday talks beijing, china official xinhua news agency reported president elect, trump broke protocol accepted congratulatory phone call taiwanese president tsai ing wen december, angering china, claims self ruled island integral chinese territory

chinese president xi jinping said thursday china persist goal denuclearizing korean peninsula solving issue talks xi made comment standing next us president donald trump visiting china

chinese president xi jinping said thursday china open transparent foreign companies, including united states us companies also welcome take part china belt road initiative, xi told briefing beijing talks us president donald trump china door world open wider, said

china united states created miracle companies world two largest economies signed deals worth billion past two days, china commerce minister zhong said briefing thursday truly miracle, said zhong second day us president donald trump state visit china

us president donald trump told chinese president xi jinping thursday believes, like xi, solution north korea issue bad past us administrations let trade get kilter make fair sides, trump also told xi begun formal talks beijing great hall people

us foreign service seen top ranks shrink secretary state rex tillerson, according letter written head union representing us diplomats seen reuters wednesday number career ambassadors, foreign service highest personal rank granted handful us diplomats, dropped percent, according letter american foreign service association afsa president barbara stephenson number career ambassadors declined two five year retirement william brownfield, kristie kenney victoria nuland, held top state department jobs next rung down, rank career minister, shrunk , letter said, one beneath, minister counselor, dropped early september continues decline numbers hard square stated agenda making state foreign service stronger us military face decapitation leadership ranks, would expect public outcry, stephenson said letter members union since taking office feb , tillerson embraced white house proposal

us senate banking committee hold confirmation hearing nov jerome powell, president donald trump nominee chairman federal reserve, committee said statement wednesday trump last week tapped powell, , fed governor since , become head us central bank, breaking precedent denying janet yellen second four year term signaling continuation cautious monetary policies powell quickly garnering support republican lawmakers, including senate majority leader mitch mcconnell, met powell tuesday said looked forward supporting nomination republican senator mike crapo, chairs banking committee, said wednesday powell well equipped lead economy country positive direction powell widely expected continue raise interest rates gradually, yellen began late , shrink central bank trillion balance sheet

us senate tax cut bill, differing one house representatives, expected unveiled thursday, complicating republican tax overhaul push increasing skepticism wall street effort house tax committee worked bill, members senate weighed new approaches corporate taxes, deductions state local taxes estate tax inherited assets, senators said, providing details john cornyn, senate republican, told reporters senators would briefed bill thursday release house senate republicans working separate plans biggest overhaul us tax code since president donald trump house allies proposed slashing corporate tax rate percent percent, one costliest features wide ranging house plan tax overhaul priority trump, says boost economic growth create jobs republicans yet score major legislative win since took office january, although control congress well white house democrats blasted proposals republican tax legislation giveaways large corporations rich senator orrin hatch, chairman tax writing finance committee, told reporters would prefer delay corporate tax cut year, lawmakers said possibility prefer get done, said financial markets rallied since trump stunning election victory november , partly expectations congress would slash taxes businesses stock markets closed little changed wednesday, investors focused chances tax bill becoming law think disappointment republicans kicking tax bill around things leaking encouraging, said bucky hellwig, senior vice president bb wealth management birmingham, alabama latest version house bill would add trillion federal deficit years, said nonpartisan congressional budget office, tallies costs legislation would violate rule requiring legislation add trillion deficit representative kevin brady, republican chairman house tax committee, said would revise legislation thursday bring compliance report nonpartisan tax policy center think tank said biggest tax cuts would go high income households current bill, would raise taxes one four taxpayers expiration certain benefits including family credit, top earners incomes , would get percent benefits nearly percent decade, report said house bill would repeal tax deduction americans take state local income sales taxes, preserve business owners would cap deduction state local property tax paid , republican senator david perdue told reporters senate bill could repeal entire state local tax salt deduction, concern people heavily democratic high tax states california, new york new jersey senate democratic leader chuck schumer new york said victories democrats state elections tuesday warning republicans republicans look elections last night, giant stop sign tax bill, schumer said enough republicans high tax states house torpedo tax bill, given democrats broadly oppose republicans, slim majority senate, also may need support democrats pass version house senate must agree single version sent president republican senator susan collins, whose vote crucial, declined say senate bill would duplicate house proposed estate tax repeal told reporters certainly true expressed reservations complete repeal washington tax expert raised concern house provision create percent tax rate pass businesses, saying would little help small business vulnerable abuse pass businesses, include mom pop enterprises large private companies, organized publicly traded corporations profits passed owners individual income taxed rates high percent steven rosenthal, senior fellow tax policy center, said new pass rate would add great complexity provide plenty opportunity clever investors business owners game system addition, proposed percent excise tax meant discourage foreign companies shifting us profits offshore appears dead, said chris krueger, analyst financial firm cowen washington research group tax amended house committee complaints multinational companies now, one real safeguard plan gone, said clark gascoigne, deputy director fact coalition, liberal tax activist group washington

us government made tougher wednesday americans visit cuba business country, making good pledge president donald trump roll back democratic predecessor move toward warmer ties havana restrictions, take effect thursday, aimed preventing military, intelligence security arms cuba communist government benefiting american tourists trade, white house said fill regulatory detail trump policy speech june, republican president called tightening restrictions said cuban government continued oppress people former president barack obama made many concessions diplomatic breakthrough washington former cold war foe regulations include ban americans business cuban government entities, holding companies, tourism companies list includes state owned hotels, including famous hotels old havana ernest hemingway erstwhile favorite haunt hotel ambos mundos, well city new luxury shopping mall measures hurt cuban people, said cuba foreign ministry chief us affairs josefina vidal said government revenue funds cuba free education healthcare systems speaking reporters havana, called list arbitrary regulations setback us cuban relations new rules criticized lax republican leaders favor hard line, counterproductive agreed obama rationale detente washington many decades isolating caribbean island failed force change cuban hotels listed included run military linked chains gaviota habaguanex republican senator marco rubio florida, cuban american, said list failed go far enough omitted companies like gran caribe hotel group cubanacan ties cuban government democratic senator patrick leahy said regulations unfair cuba, coming trump feted beijing communist government country americans travel freely hypocrisy white house ideologues glaring, leahy said statement us travelers still able make authorized trips cuba us based organization accompanied us representative group, harder travel individually, according new regulations obama opening, travel many americans similarly restricted organized trips travelers need able show full time schedule activities support cuban people show meaningful interaction, going beyond merely staying rooms private homes, eating private restaurants, shopping private stores, us official told reporters conference call administration says keen support small private enterprises sprung around country president raul castro reforms largely state controlled economy staying eating shopping privately owned places something wanted encourage wanted say is, alone enough, official said however, cubans fledgling private sector say trump administration hostile stance toward havana already hurt business putting us serious danger frightening away american visitors looking rent properties, said norma hernandez, rents rooms airbnb said business flourished last year thanks surge us visitors trump rollback obama opening affected centerpiece detente, restoration diplomatic ties opening embassies havana washington business contracts travel arrangements already place allowed go ahead subject restrictions, officials told reporters list entities americans cannot business includes special development zone cuba mariel port, cuba hopes develop major caribbean industrial shipping hub tax customs breaks national foreign trade council, business lobby group washington, called mariel restriction counterproductive would hurt cuban government initiative could potentially benefit cuban workers head educational travel company said still many legal avenues

democratic election victories virginia new jersey showed republicans losing ground suburban areas, president donald trump unpopularity could cost dearly next year congressional races results tuesday, particularly virginia, suggest trump strategy playing loyal limited base enabled broaden support presidency party democrats delighted, believing control us house representatives, perhaps even senate, controlled republicans, might grabs next year elections republicans shared view party candidates poorly among independent, college educated, women, minority voters suburban areas unless get act together, going lose heavily, republican senator john mccain said wednesday democrats would need pick seats next year retake control house happen, trump policy agenda would effectively dead administration would come greater scrutiny win democrat phil murphy new jersey governor race came surprise unpopularity outgoing republican governor chris christie ralph northam point victory republican ed gillespie governor swing state virginia larger expected trump quickly tried distance gillespie poor showing, saying twitter republican candidate worked hard embrace stand still, trump leadership record appeared motivate democrats vote record numbers virginia, exit polls showing many came simply express displeasure president trump turning voters bringing in, said rodell mollineau, democratic strategist washington base strong, growing first year office, trump consistently played base passionate supporters, many older white men live rural areas declining population, shown little inclination reach majority voters disapprove whit ayres, republican pollster based virginia, said party risky track republicans traded fast growing upscale suburban counties slow growing declining rural areas formula long term success also may signs slippage trump political base virginia, gillespie campaigned hard immigration crime

congressional panel wednesday dropped attempts force founder firm hired former british spy compile dossier links trump election campaign russia testify oath, lawyer firm said fusion gps lawyer joshua levy said statement republican representative mike conaway democrat adam schiff, leaders us house intelligence committee investigation trump campaign contacts russia, agreed withdraw subpoena served glenn simpson, founder firm mr simpson instead sit voluntary interview next week, nothing said interview per agreement mr conaway mr schiff shall interfere mr simpson ability assert privileges investigation, levy said simpson levy met committee three hours wednesday, reaching agreement simpson testify panel behind closed doors nov , schiff conaway told reporters levy said agreement, fusion gps would allowed cooperate honoring obligations clients three congressional committees special counsel looking former mi officer christopher steele reports central investigations us allegations russia tried help donald trump campaign russia repeatedly denied allegations president trump called probes witch hunt fusion lawyer levy said aug , simpson appeared senate judiciary committee answered questions hours two fusion investigators also summoned house intelligence committee, declined respond questions, citing rights first fifth amendments us constitution, protect free speech allow legal witnesses avoid self incrimination committee chairman, republican devin nunes, recused investigation, republicans continued seeking information paid fusion dossier company resisted disclosures, saying promises clients confidentiality conservative website, washington free beacon, already said hired fusion research trump republican candidates law firm representing democratic national committee hillary clinton campaign later paid fusion million work trump russia lawsuit fusion bank seeking block subpoena house intelligence committee issued two years bank records still pending us district court washington, dc, fusion representative said

democrats us senate foreign relations committee undertaking investigation, without republicans, term russia malign influence around world, spokesman democratic side committee said wednesday sean bartlett, spokesman senator ben cardin, leading effort, said democrats preparing major report russia seeks sow distrust confusion, promote radical voices divisive issues gain leverage, eroding support democracy institutions investigation first reported daily beast comes handful republican led congressional committees, including senate house representatives intelligence committees, well special counsel robert mueller, investigate alleged russian interference us election whether collusion republican president donald trump campaign moscow trump denied collusion moscow denies meddling foreign relations democrats looking us contest, said discovered russian led efforts influence elections many countries report describes efforts led government security services buttressed state owned enterprises, kremlin aligned oligarchs, russian criminal groups effectively nationalized state, bartlett said emailed statement committee investigations included contacts foreign governments ukraine, estonia, latvia, lithuania poland among countries discussed russian meddling committee republicans said aware investigation, involved aware senator cardin developing report russian efforts interfere european elections, staff yet shared us, said micah johnson, spokeswoman senator bob corker, committee republican chairman clear report might released publicly

president donald trump popular likely voters general public, according reuters ipsos poll underscores republican lawmakers largely stuck polarizing president despite plunging approval ratings poll, released wednesday, shows polls better among people voted presidential election overall us adult population group includes voters non voters percent voting age public took part last year election october, example, percent voters said approved trump performance office, compared percent general population among republicans, percent voters approved trump october, compared percent republicans graphic tmsnrtrs zoic percent voted trump said would again, poll found findings suggest republican candidates congressional elections shun president risk alienating followers, republican strategists political scientists said time, embrace early primary races choose party candidates risk losing moderate voters general election difficult republican candidate distance trump, said michael mcdonald, expert voter turnout university florida dilemma played virginia tuesday, ed gillespie, republican candidate governor race, soundly beaten democratic opponent gillespie adopted trump hardline positions avoided campaigning unpopular president gillespie strategy closely watched within party see could provide template republican candidates , control house representatives senate grabs gillespie loss sparked debate among republicans way forward wednesday trump suggested tweet outcome could different gillespie fully embraced him, critics pointed exit polls showed third virginian voters turned signal displeasure trump, double number cast ballots express support president tuesday results clearly signal opposition trump grown, even though remains popular among republican voters, said elaine kamarck, expert presidential politics brookings institution republicans, hurdle getting base, kamarck said getting anyone else vote elections republican voters outnumbered reuters ipsos able compare opinions voters general public creating two separate surveys poll voters poll public voter poll, reuters ipsos reconnected people took exit poll nov , , day us presidential election voters sent additional questionnaires may, july october asked approved disapproved president responses compared results separate survey reuters ipsos national tracking poll surveys adults united states may july, results polls nearly identical, percent voters general adult population expressing approval president two polls diverged october, however, voters expressing stronger levels approval general public jan leighley, expert political behavior american university, said makes sense trump popular among people voted election likely white less likely identify democrats general public, said reuters ipsos poll conducted online english throughout country , voters took survey may , followed , took july survey , took survey oct individual responses weighted would reflect latest population estimates, well support presidential pick received election voter polls credibility interval, measure accuracy, percentage points entire group percentage points republican voters

congressional budget office said wednesday repealing obamacare individual mandate would increase number uninsured million reduce federal budget deficit less initially forecast cbo, nonpartisan budget scoring agency, said eliminating obamacare mandate americans purchase health insurance else pay fine would lower deficit billion next decade, billion estimated december agency found health insurance premiums would rise percent years next decade individual market created affordable care act, former democratic president barack obama signature domestic policy achievement noted markets areas country would remain stable president donald trump republicans favor including repeal mandate tax overhaul legislation lawmakers, republican aides lobbyists said would difficult include repeal tax effort complicated intraparty differences intense business lobbying us house representatives unveiled tax plan last week, senate plan expected released thursday individual mandate central tenet obamacare health policy experts proponents say essential making law work compels young healthy people join health insurance markets help lower premiums offsetting costs sicker patients americans must note tax returns whether health coverage yet proved among controversial portions law republicans, say obamacare expensive example government overreach, argue federal government able require people buy health insurance want cbo said december report individual mandate increases federal deficit encouraging people buy subsidized coverage, either medicaid, government health insurance program poor disabled, employer provided plans, obamacare individual health insurance market eliminating mandate would lower deficit reducing federal spending subsidized health insurance coverage, said cbo said abolishing requirement would cause premiums rise healthier people would less likely purchase insurance found resulting increases would cause people forego insurance

us congressional budget office wednesday said repealing obamacare individual mandate health insurance would increase number uninsured million cbo, nonpartisan budget scoring agency, said statement website eliminating mandate affordable care act, also often dubbed obamacare, would also raise average premiums individual market percent annually next decade said earlier wednesday repealing mandate would lower deficit billion next decade

maine governor paul lepage said wednesday would carry expansion state medicaid program obamacare approved voters unless fully funded legislature, calling ruinous state budget percent voters maine approved ballot proposal tuesday election, according bangor daily news, making state first country vote expand medicaid, government health insurance program poor disabled lepage, republican, staunchly opposed expansion program, vetoing legislation several occasions statement, governor said would implement expansion fully funded maine legislature, control split republicans democrats credit agencies predicting fiscally irresponsible medicaid expansion ruinous maine budget, lepage said statement support increasing taxes maine families, raiding rainy day fund reducing services elderly disabled lepage said previous medicaid expansion maine created million debt hospitals took resources away vulnerable people maine senate democratic leader troy jackson said statement governor power put roadblocks prevent implementation voter approved medicaid expansion referendum, reason believe continue always done jackson added democrats determined use every tool disposal ensure voters upheld maine voters asked approve reject plan provide healthcare coverage medicaid adults age incomes percent federal poverty level, , single person , family two implemented, , additional state residents would eligible medicaid program, local media reported, addition roughly , people currently eligible maine prominent national healthcare debate us senator susan collins, moderate republican state, helped block party efforts repeal obamacare, enacted former democratic president barack obama formally known affordable care act collins said wednesday never took position state referendum questions, surprised lepage statement going comment governor , collins told reporters think significant healthcare prominent issue believe look overwhelming vote state medicaid expansion shows republicans need put forth constructive legislation

us senate committee wednesday advanced legislation make easier penalize operators websites facilitate online sex trafficking, concrete action congress year tighten regulation internet companies approval came major us internet companies dropped opposition measure, amends decades old law considered bedrock legal shield companies unanimous voice vote, senate commerce committee passed measure gives states sex trafficking victims means sue social media networks, advertisers others fail keep exploitative material platforms bill rewrites section communications decency act, generally protects companies liability activities users changes, bipartisan support, still need pass full senate us house representatives signed president donald trump become law momentous day fight hold online sex traffickers accountable help give trafficking survivors justice deserve, republican senator rob portman, co authored bill, known stop enabling sex traffickers act, said statement decades little oversight washington, internet industry facing increased scrutiny lawmakers parties concerns size platforms used russia election senators co sponsored bill, trump daughter, ivanka trump, endorsed internet companies long objected proposals congress rewrite section , arguing measure allowed innovation silicon valley thrive internet association, industry group whose members include facebook fbo , amazon amzno alphabet google googlo , announced support senate bill last week series changes edits clarified criminal charges would based violations federal human trafficking law standard liability would require website knowingly assist facilitating trafficking democratic senator ron wyden wednesday placed hold bill prevent quickly getting vote full senate, saying favored big tech companies expense startups would stifle innovation letter tuesday, dozen civil liberties organizations said bill would threaten free speech online unevenly harm smaller companies fewer resources police platforms

democratic us senator michigan wednesday urged fellow lawmakers retain , tax credit people buy electronic vehicles instead eliminating republicans proposed letter seen reuters, senator gary peters wrote senate leaders new generation jobs families supported electric vehicles eliminating important economic incentives electric vehicles would step wrong direction last week, republicans us house representatives proposed eliminate tax credit, could hurt automakers general motors co gmn , tesla inc tslao nissan motor co republicans chambers congress backed us president donald trump, also republican, working separate plans give us tax code biggest overhaul since republican senators set introduce tax proposal thursday spokesman senator orrin hatch, chairs senate finance committee, immediately comment critics credit say electric vehicle buyers tend wealthier average need subsidies automakers invested billions electric vehicles announced plans shift significant production plug models current law allows automakers use credit, phases automaker hits , plug vehicles sold electric vehicles expensive batteries make pricier gasoline powered vehicles gm tesla may hit limit vehicles get tax credit environmental groups auto industry trade group oppose house proposal, would kick end year gm vowed fight, saying credits important customer benefit help accelerate acceptance electric vehicles tesla declined comment former president barack obama unsuccessfully proposed hiking tax credit electric vehicles , converting point sale rebate automakers face mandates california dozen states produce rising number zero emission vehicles said credits essential meeting requirements

judge presiding criminal case president donald trump former campaign manager issued gag order wednesday barring anyone involved case making public statements might taint paul manafort associate rick gates arraigned federal court washington last week count indictment accused conspiring launder money, failing disclose foreign bank accounts failing register foreign agents ukraine former pro russian government us district judge amy berman jackson said written order wanted make sure trial fair potential jurors influenced pre trial publicity directed defendants, lawyers potential witnesses refrain making statements media public settings pose substantial likelihood material prejudice case jackson previously warned lawyers discussing case publicly manafort defense lawyer kevin downing made defiant statement outside courthouse following client arraignment monday criminal trial public relations campaign, jackson said court last week downing, appearing television cameras monday, said charges manafort ridiculous said president correct insist evidence trump campaign colluded russian government charges manafort gates stem special counsel robert mueller probe russian interference presidential election possible collusion trump campaign manafort gates pleaded guilty kremlin denied meddling election trump denied collusion took place downing respond request comment peter carr, spokesman mueller, declined comment jackson asked parties last week objections gag order none responded downing statements outside courthouse raised eyebrows among defense lawyers judge jackson nonsense judge clearly angered purpose, said eric lewis, longtime washington trial lawyer los angeles defense lawyer mark geragos said thought downing might indeed purpose mind currying favor trump hopes eventually securing manafort presidential pardon cynic would say exactly happening, said geragos, audience one

minnesota senate furlough workers suspend operations soon dec due ongoing funding dispute governor mark dayton, chamber republican leader announced wednesday senate majority leader paul gazelka said chamber run money next month unless state courts restore funding legislature vetoed dayton added senate plans seek certain funds legislative coordinating committee would keep chamber operating jan take suspension operations minnesota senate lightly game really choice today, gazelka said statement chamber workforce includes dozens lawyers, analysts, researchers assistants work committees legislation democratic governor office blamed gazelka impending shutdown despite sitting nearly million available state funding operations, legislative leaders choosing lay employees, rather admit misled courts, press, public true financial situation, said matt swenson, governor assistant chief staff dayton may vetoed funding republican controlled legislature state new two year budget effort pressure lawmakers revise tax measures said harm state financial stability move touched legal battle lawmakers, claimed elimination nearly million funding unconstitutional ramsey county district court judge sided legislature july, state supreme court sept determined governor action constitutional however, high court raised concerns ability legislature survive without funding ordered two sides mediation, ended impasse gazelka said imperative court step people minnesota longer voice legislative branch first year, mention pain inflicted employees, said september court filing, house representatives said anticipated running money feb

alex azar, former pharmaceutical company executive, us president donald trump top pick run department health human services, two sources knowledge confidential process said condition anonymity wednesday azar served eli lilly decade, including five years president us lilly usa, llc unit white house declined comment tom price resigned hhs secretary september seven months post, facing sharp criticism use taxpayer funded private travel stint eli lilly, azar served general counsel deputy secretary hhs president george w bush new hhs secretary tasked implementing trump administration efforts unwind obamacare, top campaign promise his, overseeing drug industry, trump said getting away murder charging high prices prescription medications azar served board directors biotechnology innovation organization, drug industry lobby, several years, nomination would raise questions administration seriousness lowering drug prices names floated replace price include seema verma, administrator centers medicare medicaid services, scott gottlieb, food drug administration commissioner republicans control chambers congress white house repeatedly failed repeal replace obama affordable care act, prompting trump take steps dismantle program trump administration followed threat cut billions dollars subsidy payments insurers, shortened obamacare open enrollment period, slashed advertising program percent cut funding groups help people sign health insurance october trump also signed executive order would weaken obamacare making easier americans buy bare bones health insurance plans administration already planning changes last month, proposed rule giving states flexibility benefits must covered insurance obamacare, insurers cover set benefits, maternity newborn care prescription drugs

us voters picked climate change advocates handful gubernatorial state legislature races tuesday, providing potential boost state level efforts fight global warming carbon trading schemes democratic led state local governments already promised act counterweight administration president donald trump, seeking unwind climate change regulations deems costly, remove united states global pact reduce emissions democrat phil murphy race tuesday night succeed new jersey outgoing republican governor chris christie murphy ran platform included pledge immediately restore new jersey place regional greenhouse gas initiative rggi , northeast carbon market christie withdrew virginia, democrat ralph northam defeated republican ed gillespe pledged carry outgoing democratic governor terry mcauliffe executive directive reduce carbon emissions allow virginia become trading ready rggi chair katie dykes said officials communicating virginia developed greenhouse gas regulations, welcomed potential dialogue new jersey washington state, victory democrat manka dhingra state senate district flipped control legislature democrats, boost democratic governor jay inslee plan join california, quebec ontario carbon trading scheme rggi western state carbon market formed decade ago help develop market based approaches reducing greenhouse gas emissions addition virginia new jersey rggi would significant , new jersey emitted million short tons carbon dioxide co virginia emitted million rggi current nine states emitted million short tons rggi holds quarterly auctions carbon permits, yielded billion proceeds date, intended use finance clean energy energy efficiency projects environmental advocates said state level developments could help counter trump administration, seeks revive us coal industry roll back environmental protections enacted democratic former president barack obama seeing growing momentum climate action state level, said jackson morris, official natural resources defense council white house official immediately respond request comment

donald trump nominee head department homeland security told us senate committee wednesday need build wall mexican border sea shining sea remarks contrasted president campaign pledge kirstjen nielsen repeated confirmation hearing predecessor, john kelly, said project kelly, nielsen former boss, stepped head department year trump chief staff building wall along us mexico border one trump central campaign promises far prototypes built funding remains question nielsen, , served kelly deputy white house chief staff secretary homeland security opening months trump presidency response questions senators homeland security committee, nielsen said would work state local actors ground find best solutions border security, including increasing use technology unmanned surveillance aircraft ranking democrat committee, senator claire mccaskill, raised concerns cost benefit analysis done need wall compared homeland security initiatives facing cuts president budget decisions based politics, mccaskill said hearing nielsen responded decision resources needed risk based confirmed senate, nielsen would take reins department , employees responsible issues us border airport security, immigration policy, disaster response refugee admissions cyber security expert highlighted concerns opening remarks cyber criminals nation states continually looking ways exploit hyperconnectivity, nielsen said day hearing bipartisan group dozens former us homeland security officials sent letters supporting nomination nielsen served administration republican president george w bush special assistant president homeland security involved revising disaster relief policies hurricane katrina asked another democratic senator whether believed humans primary cause climate change, scientists linked worsening natural disasters, nielsen said absolutely believe climate changing many contributions

democrat ralph northam bitter race virginia governor tuesday, dealing setback president donald trump decisive victory republican adopted president combative tactics issues northam, state lieutenant governor, overcame barrage attack ads republican ed gillespie hit soft spoken democrat divisive issues immigration, gang crime confederate statues trump, endorsed gillespie campaign him, taken break asia trip send tweets record messages tuesday supporting former chairman republican national committee outcome, trump quickly distanced gillespie ed gillespie worked hard embrace stand for, trump tweeted economy record numbers, continue win, even bigger victory party, northam told supporters sweeping democratic win virginia sent message country virginia told us end divisiveness, condone hatred bigotry, end politics torn country apart, northam said virginia race highlighted slate state local elections also included governor race new jersey, democrat phil murphy, former investment banker ambassador germany, defeated republican kim guadagno right succeed republican chris christie murphy promised check trump democratic leaning new jersey guadagno, lieutenant governor, hampered association unpopular christie murphy win northam victory virginia, state democrat hillary clinton percentage points presidential election, provided much needed boost national democrats desperate turn grassroots resistance trump election victories democrats already lost four special congressional elections earlier year strong turnout democratic leaning northern virginia suburbs washington helped propel northam, end relatively easily nearly precincts reporting, led percent percent margin exit polls virginia showed one third voters went polls oppose trump, percent went support democrats also swept top statewide virginia races, winning offices lieutenant governor attorney general, gained seats virginia house delegates democrat danica roem beat long time republican incumbent become first transgender person win state legislative race comprehensive political victory statehouse courthouse thank donald trump democratic us representative gerald connolly virginia told northam supporters victory party northern virginia virginia, democrats worried gillespie won, republicans would see green light emphasize divisive cultural issues campaigns next year elections, seats us house representatives us senate seats come election republicans control chambers gillespie, speaking crestfallen supporters richmond, virginia, said run policy focused campaign voters arlington county

republican tax bill debated us house representatives would add trillion federal budget deficit years, recent changes put forth head tax writing panel estimated debt service costs included, nonpartisan congressional budget office said cbo estimate, additional debt service would boost year increase deficits trillion, office said letter wednesday representative richard neal, top democrat tax writing house ways means committee

us senate still track release thursday version bill overhaul nation tax code, congressional source told reuters senate finance committee chairman orrin hatch announced specific day bill release said would toward end week axios reported wednesday bill would delayed past thursday, source told reuters track released day friday us holiday senate session house representatives released version tax legislation backed republican president donald trump last week aiming vote bill next week, senior republican said passing tax overhaul priority trump, says stimulate economic growth create jobs republicans yet score major legislative accomplishment since president took office january, even though party controls also chambers congress

lavish pageantry uncharacteristic personal flourish, chinese president xi jinping wednesday rolled red carpet welcome us president donald trump forbidden city, ancient home china emperors north korea trade set dominate formal part visit, ends friday, china keen show importance puts trump visit, first foreign leader since end key communist party congress last month xi cemented power trump wife melania whisked beijing airport

bipartisan group lawmakers us senate house representatives introduced bills wednesday toughen us foreign investment rules amid growing concern chinese efforts buy us high tech companies senator john cornyn, member republican leadership senate intelligence committee, introduced senate bill broaden government power stop foreign purchases us firms strengthening committee foreign investment united states cfius representative robert pittenger, north carolina republican, introduced identical bill us house representatives bills republican democratic co sponsors bill focuses providing cfius updated tools address present future security needs, said senator dianne feinstein, california democrat senator cornyn working bill last eight months, hope build progress already made update cfius address national security threats addition cornyn, texas, feinstein, cosponsors senate bill include republicans marco rubio florida, john barrasso wyoming, james lankford oklahoma tim scott south carolina democratic co sponsors amy klobuchar minnesota, gary peters michigan joe manchin west virginia china buying american companies breathtaking pace legitimate business investments, many others part backdoor effort compromise us national security, said pittenger press statement house co sponsors include republicans devin nunes california, chris smith new jersey sam johnson john culberson, texas house democrats backing bill denny heck washington dave loebsack iowa pretty powerful collection members, makes think got good shot becoming law , said seth bloom, former general counsel senate judiciary committee subcommittee bills would expand cfius reach allow review, potentially reject, smaller investments add new national security factors cfius consider factors include whether information americans, social security numbers, would exposed part transaction whether deal would facilitate fraud bills would also allow cfius exempt certain transactions review investors country treaty ally another security arrangement united states cfius already reputation tough high tech deals involving china particular, blocked transactions involve sophisticated semiconductors become cautious since president donald trump inaugurated amid growing political economic tensions united states china since inauguration, panel balked approving broader range deals china, according lawyers specialize representing proposed transactions board

members us congressional defense committees said wednesday supported plan billion defense spending fiscal year , backing president donald trump call boost military house representatives senate armed services committees agreed national defense authorization act, ndaa, would increase troop levels purchases fighter jets ships federal fiscal year began oct act would increase active troop levels , includes plans buy stealthy f fighter jets made lockheed martin corp spending plan larger billion spending proposed trump may trump wants pay military spending increase slashing non defense spending trump proposal included funding department defense well nuclear weapons programs department energy national defense programs senior staff armed services committees said ndaa gives billion programs, total defense spending, including pentagon defense related programs federal bureau investigation agencies billion pentagon alone would get billion that, including billion ongoing operations iraq afghanistan become law ndaa must passed house senate signed law trump bill, one pieces legislation gets congress every year, passed every year since request defense spending well beyond last year billion, defying sequestration spending caps set budget control act caps would need lifted spending could approved addition active duty troops, spending plan incorporates additional money recently requested missile defense nl n nc q proposal also gives navy authorization additional five ships trump original budget request ships include arleigh burke class destroyer made general dynamics corp huntington ingalls industries inc total three littoral combat ships built lockheed martin australia austal ltd

us house speaker paul ryan wednesday left door open possible delay republican tax cut plan would lower rates corporations, following media report senate republican version overhaul would push asked republicans us house representatives would consider phase in, ryan told fox news radio house corporate rate cut immediate permanent, chambers would work difference bills long process, said, adding could speak details senate plan

us president donald trump arrived china wednesday seeking help rein north korea, telling reclusive state leader putting country grave danger developing nuclear weapons trump used toughest language yet north korea wide ranging address seoul lodged specific accusations chilling human rights abuses called countries around world isolate pyongyang denying form support, supply acceptance underestimate us try us, trump told north korea wrapped visit south korea speech national assembly heading beijing, making first official visit trump painted dystopian picture reclusive north, saying people suffering gulags bribed government officials work slaves overseas rather live government home offered evidence support accusations trump return harsh, uncompromising language came day appeared dial back bellicose rhetoric fueled fears across east asia risk military conflict tuesday, trump even offered diplomatic opening pyongyang make deal went mostly attack wednesday speech promise path much better future north korea stopped developing ballistic missiles agreed complete, verifiable total denuclearization something pyongyang vowed never allow american cities threatened destruction intimidated, told south korean lawmakers let worst atrocities history repeated here, ground fought died secure north defends nuclear weapons missile programs necessary defense says us plans invade united states, , troops south korea, legacy korean war, denies intention world cannot tolerate menace rogue regime threatens nuclear devastation, trump said, speaking three us aircraft carrier groups sailed western pacific exercises

meetings us president donald trump chinese president xi jinping beijing week focus addressing trade imbalances two countries, us commerce secretary wilbur ross said wednesday ross speaking signing ceremony chinese capital commercial deals worth billion trump visit trump ratcheted criticism china massive trade surplus us

latest attempt overhaul us federal flood insurance program hit stumbling block, coalition business environmental groups renewed push wednesday lawmakers enact overhaul program expires dec smartersafer coalition sent letter members us house urging passage compromise legislation would extend federal program heavily utilized vast flooding hurricanes harvey irma legislative package moves flood program right direction contains needed reforms better protect harm way, environment, taxpayers, letter states, according copy seen reuters hurdle came house rules committee indefinitely postponed hearing bill scheduled tuesday night clearly trying make sure got ducks row got votes need, said steve ellis, conservative group taxpayers common sense, part coalition pushing reform program joshua saks, legislative director national wildlife federation, said one shortcomings compromise ensure money flood mitigation projects ever spent need apollo project mitigation right now, need billions right front, saks said, referring project put man moon two prominent republican members us house announced last week struck deal would extend life program covers nation flood prone properties house majority whip steve scalise louisiana house financial services committee chairman jeb hensarling texas brokered compromise said deal helps policy holders taxpayers last month, president donald trump signed billion disaster relief bill, including billion forgiveness debt national flood insurance program, insures million homes businesses

white house wednesday condemned missile attacks yemen houthi militias saudi arabia, saying threatened region security undermined efforts halt conflict saudi arabia said air defense forces intercepted ballistic missile fired warring yemen capital riyadh saturday rocket brought near king khaled airport northern outskirts capital saudi arabia crown prince mohammed bin salman said iran supply rockets militias yemen act direct military aggression could act war houthi missile attacks saudi arabia, enabled iran islamic revolutionary guard corps, threaten regional security undermine un efforts negotiate end conflict, white house said statement us president donald trump began visit chinese capital missile systems present yemen conflict, call upon united nations conduct thorough examination evidence iranian regime perpetuating war yemen advance regional ambitions, statement added said united states would continue working like minded partners respond attacks expose called iran destabilizing activities region iran denied behind missile launch wednesday, iranian president hassan rouhani said missile attacks yemen reaction called saudi aggression reaction missile, saudi led coalition closed air, land sea ports impoverished country also intensified air strikes areas controlled houthis including capital sanaa war killed , people triggered one worst man made humanitarian disasters recent history united nations tuesday called coalition open aid lifeline yemen, saying food medicine imports vital million people facing famine

iranian president hassan rouhani said wednesday missile attacks yemen houthis targeting saudi arabian capital riyadh reaction called saudi aggression yemeni people react bombardment country allowed use weapons stop bombardment first see yemenis would same, rouhani quoted saying tasnim news agency rouhani also said saudi arabia made strategic mistake considering united states israel friends iran enemy

democratic new york city mayor bill de blasio scored decisive victory tuesday bid secure second four year term charge united states biggest city percent city voting precincts reporting, de blasio, , nearly percent, margin percentage points republican opponent, state assemblywoman nicole malliotakis, according new york city board elections new york times media called race de blasio de blasio, held comfortable lead opinion polls leading election day, widely expected cruise victory city million people dominated democratic voters progressive liberal, de blasio past week campaigned us senator bernie sanders vermont, independent sanders backed de blasio call tax hike city residents earning , year, measure little chance passing state legislature albany mayor positioned one vocal critics republican president donald trump, received strong disapproval ratings voters native city daisy taberas, , immigrated peru years ago, said voted de blasio concerns trump stance immigration like way de blasio works children schools, trying protect city cares immigration, taberas said casting ballot manhattan polling site de blasio taken heat problems city aging subway system, largest united states mayor, faced complaints rising disruptions delays subway system, emphasized run state controlled authority, city also plagued accusations pay play culture within city hall former donor, jona rechnitz, recently testified corruption trial union boss established direct line de blasio administration raising money mayor election campaign years investigation, federal prosecutors said march would charge de blasio, point reiterated campaign trail mayor campaigned efforts increase affordable housing, establish universal pre kindergarten year olds maintain city historically low crime rates

russian deputy foreign minister sergei ryabkov said wednesday moscow never supported imposition complete embargo north korea, ria news agency reported ryabkov added attempts united states resolve problems sanctions extremely alarming crisis around north korea would addressed president vladimir putin meeting us counterpart donald trump ryabkov said clarity meeting take place, ria reported russian officials said putin trump would meet asia pacific economic cooperation forum vietnam week

us commerce secretary wilbur ross divested interests oil tanker company diamond shipping process selling holdings another shipping firm, navigator holdings, trump administration official said tuesday ross originally intended retain shipping interests following confirmation february year old investor came criticism disclosures sunday one navigator major clients russian gas company sibur, firm whose owners include members russian president vladimir putin inner circle information business ties navigator, operates gas carrying ships, sibur based leaked documents offshore law firm appleby part called paradise papers, show details business dealings wealthy people institutions ranging ross britain queen elizabeth trading firm glencore glenl reuters independently verified documents began divesting navigator interests may, administration official said ross nearing completion process office government ethics disclosure filed ross june showed sold interest navigator valued , , may official provide explanation ross divestitures ross owned stakes firms several partnerships ross, billionaire investor helping shape republican president donald trump trade policy, told us senators confirmation hearing january research showed retention shipping interests would present conflict interest us ocean shipping regulation handled federal maritime commission, separate, independent agency diamond shipping, based greenwich, connecticut, operates petroleum product tankers crude oil tankers operated flags hong kong, marshall islands malta ross told media monday nothing london based navigator relationship sibur never met sibur owners include putin son law, kirill shamalov, gennady timchenko, putin associate subject us treasury sanctions ross said multiple media interviews fully disclosed stake navigator holdings part government ethics requirements

china foreign ministry wednesday said china fully strictly implements un security council resolutions north korea investigate activities contravene resolutions china upholds resolving north korean nuclear issue via talks, ministry spokeswomen hua chunying added, speaking regular news briefing beijing us president donald trump ask china cut financial links north korea abide un sanctions meeting chinese president xi jinping beijing, senior white house official said wednesday trump arrived beijing wednesday afternoon south korea two night stop chinese capital part marathon asia tour

us president donald trump ask china cut financial links north korea abide un sanctions meeting chinese president xi jinping beijing, senior white house official said wednesday trump arrived beijing wednesday afternoon south korea two night stop chinese capital part marathon asia tour us president undecided whether declare north korea state sponsor terrorism end trip, official said, speaking reporters board air force one trump believes talks north would require reducing threats, ending provocations movement toward denuclearization deal achieved without denuclearisation, official added

voters maine tuesday approved ballot initiative expand state medicaid program obamacare, sending clear signal support federal healthcare law lawmakers state washington dc approval ballot question maine comes republicans washington failed several times last months pass legislation would dismantle affordable care act, former president barack obama signature healthcare law maine recently figured prominently nation debate reform healthcare us senator susan collins, moderate republican maine, helped block party efforts repeal obamacare year, angered president donald trump maine, becomes first us state approve medicaid expansion ballot initiative, one states expanded medicaid affordable care act percent voters maine approved ballot initiative, according bangor daily news newspaper tuesday ballot asked maine voters approve reject plan provide healthcare coverage medicaid adults age incomes percent federal poverty level, , single person , family two state republican governor, paul lepage, staunchly opposes expansion federal health care insurance, vetoing legislation several occasions said before, free expensive somebody, lepage said radio address last week , residents maine would eligible state medicaid program state officials certify results election lawmakers could vote repeal alter referendum, much like recently several citizen initiated referendums, bangor daily news reported responsibility duty governor legislature fully faithfully implement law, state speaker house, sara gideon, said statement legislature office fiscal program review maine estimated expansion medicaid would cost state million bring million federal money state year, according bangor daily news

republicans us house representatives forged ahead tuesday legislation reshape federal tax code, top credit ratings agency said bill would balloon budget deficit give temporary boost economy house tax committee weighed amendments bill democrats blasted give away corporations rich, washington tax reform debate fast shifting senate, republicans hold slim majority senate republicans expected unveil tax bill end week, early indications suggest could differ significantly house legislation house aiming vote bill next week, senior republican said tax reform priority president donald trump, says stimulate economic growth republicans yet score major legislative accomplishment since trump took office january, even though party controls chambers congress well white house trump made another pitch democratic support capitol hill, top aides met dozen senate democrats trump phoned asia trip said, look want bipartisan way, senator joe donnelly told reporters fitch ratings predicted republican tax plan would win passage chambers, see offering long term benefits reform would deliver modest temporary spur growth however, lead wider fiscal deficits add significantly us government debt, fitch said, revising medium term us government debt forecast us national debt exceeds trillion republicans firmly opposed adding debt, emphasis changed congress joint committee taxation jct said house bill would add nearly trillion national debt trump congressional republicans say proposed tax cuts would boost economic growth enough generate new revenues would offset tax cuts economists agree house bill slashes tax rates large corporations, small businesses wealthy americans, sharply reducing eliminating tax breaks benefit many middle class americans deductions state local taxes, college tuition home mortgage interest jct estimates house bill could raise taxes many million people earn , , per year, beginning house republicans, overwhelming majority, drafted bill secret, ignoring democrats house bill unlikely taken senate, republicans seat majority need pay heed moderates within ranks well democrats, lobbyists analysts said two conservative republican senators, ted cruz rand paul, already voiced concern house tax bill could raise taxes middle class americans senate bill could delay proposed corporate tax cut one year, may allow deductions local property taxes, may collapse current seven individual brackets four proposed house, according washington post republican leaders pushed house vote tax bill us thanksgiving holiday nov donors basically saying, get done ever call again, republican representative chris collins said us tax legislation must begin house bring floor next week, house ways means committee chairman kevin brady told fox news party line votes tuesday, brady tax committee voted eight democratic amendments would preserved expanded tax breaks middle class, nullified tax legislation increased deficit future years maintained taxes foreign profits us corporations brady offered sweeping amendment monday tweaked least half dozen provisions page bill one related carried interest income, share investment fund profits paid fund general partners represents large portion many fund managers incomes carried interest currently taxed capital gains rate, substantially lower personal income tax rate higher earners brady amendment would lengthen three years one time period assets must held order eligible capital gains tax rate amendment would also reduce amount carried interest income eligible lower rate

us house representatives tax panel continued debating amendments tuesday tax bill offered congressional republicans president donald trump following major provisions, grouped revenue losing tax cuts revenue gaining tax increases, based fiscal estimates congress nonpartisan joint committee taxation corporate rate cuts corporate income tax rate percent percent federal revenue loss trillion years pass throughs caps maximum tax rate small businesses non corporate enterprises percent, present top rate pass income percent sets rules distinguishing individual wage income actual pass business income block abuse loss billion territorial system ends worldwide system used united states tax corporations domestic foreign profits adopts territorial system making foreign profits brought country tax exempt ends deferral rule lets corporations hold foreign profits abroad tax free loss billion capital expensing allows businesses immediately write off, expense, full value certain new capital investments relaxes similar write requirements small businesses allows businesses use cash accounting simplified accounting formats loss billion corporate minimum repeals percent federal corporate alternative minimum tax loss billion repatriation imposes mandatory one time tax trillion foreign profits held abroad deferral rule, percent cash percent illiquid assets far percent rate corporations would owe brought profits country, repatriated them, present law tax due result one time tax would payable eight years gain billion interest deductions limits interest cost deductions percent taxable income exempts businesses average gross receipts million, public utilities real property trades gain billion nol carry tightens carry back carry forward businesses net operating losses nol gain billion foreign companies slaps percent excise tax large, foreign owned companies active us market import goods pay royalties tax deductible, non interest fees foreign parents exempts agree treat payments income connected us business subject overall us income tax gain billion domestic production repeals deduction domestic production activities gain billion minimum tax imposes new percent minimum tax us companies high profit foreign units gain billion veterans, disabled, kids repeals tax credits subsidize business costs testing rare diseases employer provided child care fixing historic buildings first year wage costs veterans, poor people, ex prisoners kids working summer jobs providing access disabled social security waiters waitresses tips gain billion stadiums repeals tax deduction government bonds subsidize stadiums projects gain billion fringe benefits curbs deductions entertainment, amusement recreation facilities gain billion like kind closes loophole taxpayers use avoid tax gains property values swapping similar property like kind exchanges gain billion clean energy repeals curtails tax credits producing electricity wind, biomass, geothermal, solar, municipal waste hydro power constructing alternative energy plants installing alternative energy equipment gain billion fdic premiums limits federal deductibility big banks federal deposit insurance corporation premiums gain billion statehouse lobbying restricts deductions incentives state local governments stop business relocating local government lobbying gain billion roll overs tightens rules rolling gains stock sales small business selling inventions, patents copyrighted material ending partnerships gain billion fewer brackets consolidates tax brackets seven following married couples filing jointly, zero tax income , percent , , percent , , percent , million percent million unmarried individuals married couples filing separately, bracket thresholds would half above, except percent bracket unmarried individuals would click , revenue loss trillion standard deduction increases standard deduction taxpayers , , individuals, , , married couples loss billion amt repeals alternative minimum tax high income taxpayers loss billion child tax credit expands child tax credit , , creates credit parent non child dependent preserves child dependent care credit loss billion inheritances doubles exemption estate tax inherited assets repeals tax six years loss billion personal exemption repeals , individual personal exemption revenue gain trillion mortgages, state local taxes lowers cap interest deduction new mortgages , million home debt repeals mortgage interest deduction second homes repeals deduction state local income sales tax paid individuals families, preserves business owners caps deduction state local property tax paid , repeals deductions personal casualty losses, tax preparation costs medical expenses repeals cap itemized deductions high earners gain trillion college costs repeals consolidates several tax breaks higher education costs gain billion moving, divorce repeals moving expense deduction income exclusion moving expense reimbursements ends alimony deduction gain billion identification required sets new identification requirements taxpayers claiming tax credits children, education costs earned income gain billion home gains restricts tax exemption gains home value imposes new residence requirements gain billion employees, teachers repeals tax break employee awards ends teacher expenses deduction ends tax break dependent care expenses gain billion elderly, adoptions curtails tax credits elderly disabled, child adoption expenses, mortgage credit certificates, plug electric vehicles gain billion

peace activist laughed us senator jeff sessions confirmation hearing become us attorney general longer prosecuted charges disrupting session congress demonstrating capitol us attorney district columbia filed court papers monday, notifying judge office dropping case desiree fairooz, children librarian fairooz faced six months jail , fine convicted charges trial belonged code pink, anti war group often stages protests politicians group accused federal prosecutors overreaching wasting money case hope scale back massive overreach success saw desiree case encourage people protest halls congress streets, code pink said statement tuesday fairooz laughed senate judiciary committee hearing january, lawmaker asserted sessions treated americans equally confirmation hearing sessions, republican senator alabama later confirmed become us attorney general fairooz shouted, man evil, pure evil police led away jury found fairooz guilty may disrupting session congress demonstrating capitol grounds judge district columbia superior court overturned guilty verdict july ordered new trial chief judge robert morin found unclear whether fairooz convicted laughter speaking removed, fairooz attorney, samuel bogash, said time spokesman us attorney district columbia said email tuesday office comment decision dismiss case second trial fairooz scheduled nov , morin canceled prosecutors dropped case

democrat phil murphy elected governor new jersey tuesday, cnn msnbc projected, sweeping victory race succeed unpopular republican governor chris christie liberal agenda included minimum wage increased school funding murphy, former investment banker ambassador germany, beat republican lieutenant governor kim guadagno, hampered association christie lagged fundraising one time presidential candidate, christie hit record low approval ratings closes eight year tenure democratic leaning state

china united states common interests relationship needs careful handling, chinese state run media said wednesday ahead us president donald trump visit beijing north korea trade expected dominate trump trip, us leader likely push chinese president xi jinping rein pyongyang nuclear missile programs address china large trade surplus united states ruling communist party official people daily said commentary china becomes strong, repeat old fashioned zero sum thinking handling ties, work united states construct cooperative mutually profitable relationship conflict realizing denuclearization korean peninsula, protecting peace stability korean peninsula, china united states common interests, said two sides respect one another interests, maintain close communication consultation, make unremitting efforts promote thorough resolution korean peninsula nuclear issue trump heads china later wednesday visiting japan south korea first legs marathon asian tour trump attempt make surprise visit heavily fortified border separating north korea south korea aborted wednesday dense fog prevented helicopter landing doorstep north korean nuclear standoff china daily, editorial preceded announcement abortive trump trip border, said trump going demilitarised zone dmz north korea recently carrying nuclear missile tests hopeful sign prefer find peaceful solution predicaments china promised state visit plus trump, released details, beijing attaching great importance visit trump expected go forbidden city, possibly guided xi hospitality rarely seen modern china, influential tabloid global times, published people daily, said editorial beijing enthusiasm reflects positive part attitude diversified world holds toward us, realistic international outlook rising china

us president donald trump arrived china wednesday seeking help rein north korea, telling reclusive state leader putting country grave danger developing nuclear weapons trump used toughest language yet north korea wide ranging address seoul lodged specific accusations chilling human rights abuses called countries around world isolate pyongyang denying form support, supply acceptance underestimate us try us, trump told north korea wrapped visit south korea speech national assembly heading beijing, making first official visit trump painted dystopian picture reclusive north, saying people suffering gulags bribed government officials work slaves overseas rather live government home offered evidence support accusations trump return harsh, uncompromising language came day appeared dial back bellicose rhetoric fueled fears across east asia risk military conflict tuesday, trump even offered diplomatic opening pyongyang make deal went mostly attack wednesday speech promise path much better future north korea stopped developing ballistic missiles agreed complete, verifiable total denuclearization something pyongyang vowed never allow american cities threatened destruction intimidated, told south korean lawmakers let worst atrocities history repeated here, ground fought died secure north defends nuclear weapons missile programs necessary defense says us plans invade united states, , troops south korea, legacy korean war, denies intention world cannot tolerate menace rogue regime threatens nuclear devastation, trump said, speaking three us aircraft carrier groups sailed western pacific exercises

democrat ralph northam elected tuesday virginia next governor, us media projected, handing party sorely needed victory beating back challenge republican opponent embraced president donald trump combative campaign style northam, state lieutenant governor, seen lead opinion polls diminish late race face hard edged ads republican ed gillespie touching divisive issues immigration, gang crime confederate statues

south korean president moon jae initially suggested tuesday us president donald trump make visit demilitarized zone dmz north south korea, blue house official told reporters wednesday trump told moon considering trip, moon said would accompany trump us president decide visit dmz, official said us president aborted surprise visit dmz wednesday morning due fog two attempts

us senate banking committee unanimously backed new sanctions targeting chinese banks business north korea tuesday, president donald trump visits beijing first time since taking office well strengthening existing sanctions congressional oversight, measure target foreign financial institutions

democratic senator said tuesday wants answers top justice department officials career prosecutor asked resign days special counsel unveiled first criminal charges investigation russia role us election dana boente asked quit late october us attorney eastern district virginia, whose district played important role investigation days later, special counsel robert mueller investigators charged president donald trump former campaign manager paul manafort another aide, rick gates, conspiring launder money charges also announced oct third former trump adviser, george papadopoulos, pleaded guilty earlier month charge lying fbi us senator chris coons, member senate judiciary committee, said writing us attorney general jeff sessions deputy attorney general rod rosenstein ask boente departure normal justified concerned abrupt departure dana boente career federal prosecutor lot circumstances connect ongoing mueller investigation eastern district, coons said interview department justice spokesman said agency comment personnel matters boente could immediately reached comment investigations whether republican trump campaign associates colluded russia last year help defeat democratic nominee hillary clinton presidency arose us intelligence agencies concluded russia carried campaign hacking propaganda interfere election russia repeatedly denied meddling allegations trump denied collusion justice department veteran, boente stepped help stabilize law enforcement agency frequent periods turmoil first year trump administration boente also temporarily serving acting assistant attorney general department national security division previously acting attorney general trump fired prosecutor post, sally yates that, boente also briefly acting deputy attorney general person familiar matter confirmed sessions, former alabama republican senator close trump ally, asked boente tender resignation late october boente step head national security division trump nominee john demers confirmed senate that, boente continue head eastern district alexandria, virginia, replaced trump yet nominated anyone post eastern district post fourth powerful position department line succession judge district approved search warrant alexandria, virginia home former trump campaign manager manafort july grand jury district earlier year became part mueller probe former national security adviser michael flynn, scrutiny work lobbyist turkish businessman

kentucky county clerk drew worldwide attention refusal issue marriage licenses gay couples two years ago run election next year, attorney said tuesday rowan county clerk kim davis run retain seat despite suggestions people run higher local statewide political position, said mat staver, founder liberty counsel davis spent five days jail september refusing court order issue marriage licenses following supreme court decision legalizing sex marriage davis claimed sex marriage went apostolic christian beliefs staver organization represented davis resulting lawsuit filed four couples interested office, staver said last month, davis representative liberty counsel traveled romania, sex marriage seek referendum issue fall, meet religious political leaders, staver said davis case drew hundreds protesters supporters office morehead, rural eastern kentucky jail, republican presidential candidates mike huckabee ted cruz visited less month released jail, davis, election office democrat, changed affiliation republican party rowan county democratic party officials could reached comment prior election, davis served deputy mother, jean bailey, served county clerk nearly four decades case, kentucky lawmakers removed county clerks names state marriage license form federal judge later ruled new law made suits moot, couples attorneys still entitled legal fees earliest davis able file election wednesday, according kentucky secretary state office

bipartisan group dozens former us homeland security officials sent letters supporting nomination kirstjen nielsen new head department ahead confirmation hearing wednesday senate homeland security committee among signers former homeland security dhs secretaries tom ridge michael chertoff, republicans served former president george w bush ms nielson engaged counter terrorism, hazard risk mitigation, critical infrastructure protection, response policy earliest days know homeland security, two former secretaries wrote latter viewed reuters separate letter signed former national security agency director keith alexander former dhs officials charles e allen, james loy john mclaughlin letter also signed jane holl lute alejandro mayorkas, served secretaries dhs former president barack obama confirmed senate, nielsen would take reins sprawling department , employees responsible us border airport security, immigration policy, disaster response, refugee admissions matters nielsen, , cyber security expert considerable resume homeland security work includes service department transportation security administration former republican president george w bush white house homeland security council nominated role john kelly, previous secretary, named white house chief staff summer nielson worked kelly deputy white house prior nominated october

us senate republican leader mitch mcconnell said tuesday senate republicans would unveil tax reform proposal friday mcconnell also told reporters republican senator rand paul, injured confrontation neighbor kentucky home sunday, would return congress next week

national football league said tuesday opposes tax bill proposed us house representatives republicans could force teams put money fund stadium construction legislation unveiled last week, local governments could longer fund building renovation professional sports stadiums issuing tax exempt, public purpose bonds, sort bonds typically used fund schools, libraries public transit according nfl, building new stadiums enhances economic development cities home venues federal tax breaks available look around country see economic development generated stadiums, nfl spokesman joe lockhart told conference call sorts infrastructure projects long history benefits obvious many communities around country, continue make opposition known president donald trump called end subsidy, least nfl, players angered republican president kneeling national anthem protest racial bias criminal justice system democratic predecessor, barack obama, also proposed ending tax break stadiums report last year brookings institution, washington based social sciences research group, found major league stadiums built overhauled since , least partly funded tax exempt municipal bonds nfl oakland raiders expected begin playing las vegas construction new stadium already underway lockhart refused what, any, impact bill could viability new stadium hypothetical point see final bill comes out, said gets proposed writing committee party control often eventually signed law, see goes

top democrat house representatives committee accused republican leaders launching spurious investigation hillary clinton divert attention inquiries alleged links donald trump presidential campaign russia representative elijah cummings, senior democrat house oversight government reform committee, tuesday wrote panel chairman, trey gowdy, complaining republicans rushed launch investigation purported scandal involving clinton robert mueller, special counsel investigating allegations trump campaign contacts russia consultation democrats, republicans rushed launch latest investigation secretary clinton mr mueller directly president trump initiated twitter campaign days earlier distract ongoing russia investigations, cummings wrote investigation

us attorney general jeff sessions testify house judiciary committee issues facing justice department nov , committee confirmed tuesday hearing take place gmt , said statement reuters reported monday committee would hold hearing sessions next week offer democrats first opportunity question past statements regarding contacts president donald trump election campaign russian intermediaries letter sessions tuesday, democratic members judiciary committee told attorney general would question past denials communications trump campaign russian government court filings made special counsel robert mueller, investigating russia role election, indicate trump foreign policy adviser george papadopoulos made sessions aware contacts russian representatives appear committee, intend ask inconsistencies providing notice advance expect respond, ranking committee democrat rep john conyers colleagues wrote sessions separately, although congressional aides expected sessions also appear closed session house intelligence committee nov , justice department spokesman said plans

president donald trump wrap visit seoul wednesday major speech north korea shift focus china, expected press reluctant president xi jinping tighten screws pyongyang, us officials say trump address south korea national assembly come day seemed take balanced approach threatening use america full military might north korea needed, also offering diplomatic opening make deal end nuclear standoff trump presented specific solution toughest global security challenge, conciliatory rhetoric toward north korea could help lower tensions washington pyongyang put much east asian region edge prospects military conflict contrasted markedly trump earlier threats totally destroy north korea threatened united states, personal insults exchanged north korean leader kim jong un remains seen, however, whether unpredictable trump, final day north korea doorstep, build approach return bellicose language characterized handling north korean issue trump official talking points asia tour show intends use speech part contrast south korea amazing rise north korea sad, backward state urge resolve pyongyang, according confidential document reviewed reuters also expected condemn pyongyang poor human rights record trump fly beijing where, according senior administration officials, try convince xi squeeze north korea steps limits oil exports, coal imports financial transactions previewing beijing visit, trump told news conference seoul tuesday china north korea giant neighbor, russia, among countries whose cooperation crucial getting north korea rein nuclear missile programs president xi helpful find helpful soon, trump said far clear xi, consolidated power communist party congress, agree china says leverage pyongyang exaggerated west, points support un security council recent sanctions north korea evidence curtail isolated nation nuclear missile tests issue, china position stance already clear staunch, chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman hua chunying said monday everyone see clearly need anybody tell us trump appearing crack open door diplomacy north korea something china long urged may better chance securing promises intensify economic pressure north korea, relies beijing percent trade north korean leader kim jong un, however, seemed willing risk snubbing china deems useful pursues development nuclear tipped missile capable hitting us mainland time, xi may mindful trump held trade actions china loudly threatened presidential campaign give beijing time make progress north korea part, xi also looking maintain good personal chemistry two leaders developed trump hosted mar lago estate florida april bromance set continue xi returns favor laying lavish welcome trump visit starting wednesday trump expected go forbidden city, possibly guided xi, participate inspection chinese troops, though china released details

us house republicans plan bring tax overhaul bill vote next week, us house ways means committee chairman kevin brady said tuesday, adding expects plan pass bring floor next week, brady told fox news interview goal pass next week house

eight years obama administration, business lobbyists often found gates white house closed tight open president donald trump altogether unexpected new york real estate developer campaign presidential election promise elevate needs business, argued would fuel economic growth surprise lobbyists, however, sheer number wins getting trump administration roll back delay unfavorable regulations first months occurring despite white house dysfunction distraction lobbyists say stark departure approach obama administration, reputation aloofness toward business sought limit influence lobbyists, saw beholden special interests trump white house listening them, say returning phone calls working eliminate regulations view detrimental ability prosper lobbyists business leaders recently held talks trump administration officials energy infrastructure climate change, surprised officials opening question regulation could put list try eliminate something impeding growing moment, one lobbyists meeting knew new era opening way obama administration approached meetings, said night day, trump obama administrations, said james thurber, professor public affairs school american university, studies lobbying effects trump promised drain swamp, oath came plans curb lobbying end culture corruption campaign stump speech line populist appeal, one person swamp dweller another job creator lobbyists spanning nine different industries interviewed reuters acknowledged many people view part problem washington, solution, growing influence may seen negative spending far year lobbyists pace exceed spending , according opensecrets website, billion spent first nine months compared billion point taking office january, trump quickly made easier get white house reversed president barack obama restrictions sought keep lobbyists bay physically barring many white house

three us aircraft carrier strike groups exercise together western pacific coming days rare show force president donald trump visits asia warnings nuclear threat north korea, us officials say drill include uss nimitz, ronald reagan, theodore roosevelt accompanying warships, first time three us aircraft carrier strike groups exercised together region decade japanese destroyer, inazuma, join armada, two japanese government officials said, following separate three day exercise reagan two indian warships sea japan ended monday us officials previously said drill consideration planning way decision soon go forward exercise western pacific previously published four us officials two japanese sources discussed drill reuters spoke condition anonymity, disclose precise date location exercise pentagon navy pacific fleet declined comment future operations reuters aware plans trump visit carriers trump reiterated tough rhetoric north korea nuclear missile programs since starting day trip asia sunday speaking tokyo monday, trump renewed warning era strategic patience north korea us leader, began visit south korea tuesday, rattled allies vow totally destroy north korea necessary defend united states allies, dismissal north korean leader kim jong un rocket man suicide mission kim called trump mentally deranged us dotard last time three us carrier strike groups exercised together , nimitz, along john c stennis kitty hawk carrier strike groups participated drills near guam large scale drills serve potent reminder us ability rapidly mobilize military force, capability trump administration keen emphasize pyongyang races ahead tests build nuclear tipped missile capable striking united states since taking office, trump vowed expand fleet us carriers, even military strategists experts believe massive ships would increasingly vulnerable modern chinese russian weapons conflict singapore based military expert tim huxley said presence us carriers still sent unmistakable message, one carrying odd aircraft beyond capability project military power great range, ability project political psychological power arguably unmatched, seeing play out, said huxley, international institute strategic studies war china, us carriers might vulnerable, conflict north koreaand three us carriers deliver tremendous amount airpower carrier commanders say strike groups kept combat ready times, jet fighters surveillance planes flying constantly flight decks maintain protective screen us defense officials noted recently presence three us carriers region reassuring allies, even though long scheduled demonstrate capability nation world do, joint staff director lieutenant general kenneth mckenzie jr said earlier month chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman hua chunying called restraint regular news briefing tuesday asked carriers, saying situation korean peninsula complex severe relevant sides exercise restraint, avoid irritating other, dedicate lowering tense situation peninsula, time make positive efforts get north korean nuclear issue back track resolution via talks soon possible, hua said, reiterating long held chinese position cia said north korea could months away developing ability hit united states nuclear weapons, scenario trump vowed prevent us defense secretary jim mattis, trip late last month south korea, pains stress diplomacy america preferred course get north korea give nuclear weapons still, warned pyongyang military match us south korean alliance, diplomacy effective backed credible military force

carter page, former foreign policy adviser president donald trump, testified us lawmakers met russian deputy prime minister two trips moscow consulted senior trump campaign staff one visit testimony made public monday, page initially said meet senior russian officials trip july later said briefly greeted russian deputy prime minister arkady dvorkovich, saw dinner december asked private meeting dvorkovich second trip, page replied

republican lawmakers monday began revising proposed overhaul us tax code, democrats pointed loss popular deductions proof legislation assault middle class draft bill unveiled last week republicans house representatives, enacted, would biggest restructuring tax system since first major legislative victory trump presidency one first changes agreed monday, related carried interest, would go toward fulfilling one president donald trump campaign promises republican representative kevin brady, chairman house tax writing panel, offered make smaller portions wall street financiers income eligible lower capital gains tax rate one many revisions expected house ways means committee amends tax bill brady pledged lawmakers would chance propose changes let assure beginning tax reform process, told committee although republicans generally support bill broader themes, including sharp cut corporate income tax, rumblings dissent elements, including repeal deduction state local income tax salt payments new york, california high tax states would hard hit removal deduction, fact seized upon democrats bolster argument trump plan gift wealthiest americans corporate sector lot people expecting tax cut big losers bill, representative bill pascrell new jersey, democrat house ways means committee, said tax writing panel convened consider bill analysis taxpayers would impacted bill nonpartisan tax policy center issued monday later withdrawn due error tpc said analysis contained error related proposed child tax credit would release revised version soon possible white house argues tax cuts needed boost economic growth create jobs linchpin plan reduction corporate tax rate percent percent establishment percent tax rate pass businesses, currently pay income tax rates high percent democrats united opposition plan, republican defections traditionally democratic leaning states could enough torpedo house brady already agreed retain deduction property tax payments cap , part salt compromise said would open raising brady carried interest provision would lengthen three years one amount time wall street financiers must hold assets order eligible lower tax rate carried interest share investment fund profits typically percent beyond return guaranteed investors goes general partners private equity, venture capital hedge funds current law, high income fund partners pay long term capital gains rate percent carried interest income, instead percent individual tax rate applies ordinary wage income high earners securing congressional passage tax plan critically important trump, yet get major legislation congress since taking office january, including healthcare overhaul promised candidate last year investors adding pressure expectation deep tax cuts helped fuel stock market rally trump time president, broad p index spx percent senate, republicans majority, developing version tax legislation, would eventually reconciled house version sent trump signing several republican senators said would problem voting tax bill significantly increased deficit house bill projected add trillion years trillion national debt fitch ratings said monday house bill could add fiscal strain states local jurisdictions limiting tax raising flexibility republican leaders pushing house vote revised tax bill us thanksgiving holiday nov said draft senate bill could ready end week republican tax plan devised without democratic input last major tax restructuring, republican former president ronald reagan overhaul, received significant input support democrats

us commerce secretary wilbur ross said monday probably would keep holdings shipping company business ties russian president vladimir putin inner circle fully properly disclosed investments pressed whether would retain interest navigator holdings, ross told bloomberg television actually selling anyway, ross, billionaire investor helping shape republican president donald trump trade policy, criticized several media outlets reported failed disclose one navigator clients russian gas petrochemical company sibur sibur owners include putin son law, kirill shamalov, gennady timchenko, putin associate subject us treasury sanctions information based leaked documents offshore law firm appleby part called paradise papers, show details business dealings wealthy people institutions ranging ross britain queen elizabeth trading firm glencore glenl obtained germany sueddeutsche zeitung newspaper shared international consortium investigative journalists icij media outlets published sunday reuters independently verified documents paradise papers second release kind icij, last year published panama papers, leaked documents panama law firm mossack fonseca chronicled shadowy world offshore holdings hidden wealth ross said multiple media interviews fully disclosed stake navigator holdings part government ethics requirements disclosure, impropriety people draw contrary conclusion papers twisted story made something there, ross told bbc us media said partnerships used ross percent stake navigator holdings, included ross page public financial disclosure report filed december, officially joined trump administration richard blumenthal, democrat us senate commerce committee, said ross deceived public well lawmakers confirmed appointment trump cabinet promised divest holdings posed conflicts blumenthal called investigation hearings fails present clear compelling explanation, ought resign, blumenthal told msnbc senate commerce committee spokesman frederick hill said ross interest navigator disclosed panel, added committee expects secretary ross follow advice department ethics officials determination holding creates conflict interest navigator come ross confirmation hearing january, asked decision retain interest diamond shipping, operates petroleum product tankers ross said research showed ocean shipping cases ever come commerce department ocean shipping regulated federal maritime commission, independent agency asked democratic senator maria cantwell would look additional areas possible recusals potential conflicts interest, ross replied intend quite scrupulous recusal topic slightest scintilla doubt scrutiny ties russia trump administration officials intensified investigations allegations us intelligence agencies russia interfered us election campaign potential collusion trump campaign kremlin denied meddling trump denied collusion officials navigator could reached comment appleby released statement late sunday saying release documents result illegal computer hack leak work anybody works appleby, firm offices bermuda, cayman islands, hong kong offshore jurisdictions said appleby said evidence wrongdoing

please note story usa tax study headlined wealthy win us house tax bill, taxes rise

us attorney general jeff sessions due testify congressional committee next week, three sources familiar matter said monday, offering democrats chance question past statements president donald trump campaign exchanges russian intermediaries sessions testimony house judiciary committee, publicly announced, confirmed justice department spokesman two congressional aides open hearing, tentatively scheduled nov , part committee regular oversight justice department, russia appears almost certain topic separately, sessions due appear closed session house intelligence committee nov , source familiar panel plans said senate democrats last week demanded sessions recalled testify trump campaign russia contacts disclosure effort set meeting republican candidate trump russian president vladimir putin that, said, conflicted sessions earlier statements congress effort set trump putin meeting

us district judge declined ease bail conditions president donald trump former campaign manager paul manafort business associate richard gates monday, saying still needed provide financial information judge amy berman jackson said concerned million assets manafort offered security get court lift house arrest allow stop wearing electronic monitoring device manafort gates pleaded guilty count indictment part special counsel robert mueller investigation alleged russian interference presidential election potential collusion trump associates charged conspiring launder money, conspiracy united states failing register foreign agents ukraine former pro russian government jackson said especially worried life insurance policies manafort offered part effort secure better bail conditions policies, valued million held trust wife name relative serving surety, guarantor policy, jackson said, problematic anyone serving capacity needs provide details assets liabilities, said life insurance policies held trust tend many restrictions also subject asset forfeiture case conviction, judge said lot details need nailed said prosecutors also say yet satisfied enough details value manafort properties, including condo trump tower, president signature building new york manafort, longtime republican operative, ran trump presidential campaign several months last year kremlin repeatedly denied meddling election trump denied collusion associates russia, calling investigations witch hunt judge last week also denied requests manafort gates easing bail conditions jackson grant request gates allowed leave virginia home tuesday vote monday, judge said likely grant requests freedom travel internationally inclined require pair stay washington area work, unless trips cleared advance currently, manafort promised pay million gates million fail appear future court appearances manafort seeking permission travel new york clients, well fort lauderdale, florida, attorney kevin downing said telecommunications business involving secure virtually indestructible cell phones spokesman manafort could immediately provide details business asked reuters monday judge also held setting future trial date, ordered parties return status hearing dec

us president donald trump asked congress monday billion support missile defense counter threat north korea, ahead first visit south korea since taking office january request supports additional efforts detect, defeat, defend north korean use ballistic missiles united states, deployed forces, allies, partners, trump wrote letter congress trump repeated request congress provide billion build wall us border mexico trump plan construct wall centerpiece successful presidential campaign, questioned fellow republicans, well democrats, congress made request maiden trip asia president, featuring repeated meetings regional partners others largely focused address north korea nuclear ballistic missile programs trump originally asked billion year ended sept , , missile defense, lawmakers dismissed low trump request included , repair damage navy ships recent fatal collisions, billion increased troop levels afghanistan administration south asia strategy supplemental budget request budget request said funds south asia would support deployment , troops republican leaders senate house representatives armed services committees, senator john mccain representative mac thornberry, said joint statement welcomed trump request looked forward giving serious consideration deserves members two committees working final version annual national defense authorization act, ndaa, sets policy pentagon mccain thornberry said submission budget amendment work completed means ndaa conferees able consider whether incorporate additional funding final agreement request also underscores threat posed rogue north korean regime urgent need boost missile defense capabilities meet it, mccain thornberry said statement billion missile defense makes bulk request would pay missiles could intercept incoming intercontinental ballistic missiles icbms launched north korea, network radars, equipment designed protect united states boeing co ban prime contractor anti ballistic missiles, known ground based interceptors, raytheon co rtnn makes missile kill vehicle, pops top defending missile earth atmosphere seeks destroys attacking missile warhead request also includes money lockheed martin corp made lmtn terminal high altitude area defense thaad interceptors united states thaad interceptors guam guard intermediate range ballistic missile attacks north korea