Articles by USNN World News

National News

Cities go to extremes with quarantine crackdowns: Checkpoints, power shutoffs, steep fines

by USNN World NewsAugust 6, 2020August 6, 2020

Republicans and Democrats are trying to find a middle ground on several provisions in order to pass another coronavirus stimulus package, including whether to repeal a $10,000 cap on state and local tax deductions. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., unveiled a proposal in mid-July along with Congressman Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., to fully restore the deduction in the next relief package. However, Republicans have traditionally opposed repealing the cap – which was implemented as part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act – arguing that it primarily favors wealthy individuals in high-tax states, which have been accused of budget mismanagement prior to the pandemic. SALT CAP REPEAL THE 'SINGLE BEST' ACTION TO HELP NEW YORK, CUOMO SAYS Earlier this week, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blamed Democrats for holding up the package over “’an unrelated tax cut for rich people.” The Kentucky Republican made similar comments at the end of July. Schumer has maintained that the bill needs to support state and local governments. CORONAVIRUS HIT HIGH-TAX STATES RENEW SALT CAP REPEAL EFFORTS While the Republican-sponsored HEALS Act does not adjust the measure, House Democrats approved a stimulus proposal in May that called for reinstating the SALT deduction for 2020 and 2021. Repealing the cap could be helpful in high-tax states as they consider how to return to business as usual once the coronavirus crisis subsides. It has caused an exodus from these higher-tax states, which has, in turn, resulted in a loss of state tax revenues. “We need to bring our federal dollars back home and cushion the blow this virus –and this harmful SALT cap--has dealt so many homeowners and families locally,” Schumer said in a statement. Suozzi added that families would leave New York without the measure. The White House has repeatedly pushed back at efforts to overturn the provision for years. A legal challenge that was launched by New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland is making its way through the courts. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS A handful of local officials have been outspoken about repealing the provision, including New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is trying to get Manhattan’s wealthiest taxpayers to return to the city. Cuomo said in May that repealing the cap would be the “single best piece of action” to help the state, claiming it costs New York state about $29 billion per year. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy also said undoing the cap would be a form of “main street stimulus.”

Economy

In SALT cap stimulus square-off, lawmakers squabble over $10,000 deduction limit

by USNN World NewsAugust 5, 2020August 5, 2020

Economy

McConnell open to extending $600 unemployment boost in coronavirus stimulus deal

by USNN World NewsAugust 5, 2020August 19, 2024

National News

Pelosi blasts Trump for saying he may deliver convention speech from White House: ‘He can’t do that’

by USNN World NewsAugust 5, 2020August 5, 2020

National News

Trump downplays Republican concerns about giving nomination acceptance at White House: ‘It is legal, there is no Hatch Act’

by USNN World NewsAugust 5, 2020August 5, 2020

Economy

McConnell mocks Malibu for seeking stimulus funding to help with electric car conversion

by USNN World NewsAugust 5, 2020August 5, 2020

Trump calls Black Lives Matter a 'Marxist group,' rips athletes kneeling for anthem

National News

Trump rips athletes kneeling for anthem, calls Black Lives Matter a ‘Marxist group’

by USNN World NewsAugust 5, 2020August 5, 2020

Weather

Tropical Storm Isaias caused 147 mph wind gust atop Mount Washington in New Hampshire

by USNN World NewsAugust 5, 2020September 7, 2024

World

Beirut explosion: Rescue workers frantically search for survivors as Lebanon capital confronts massive devastation

by USNN World NewsAugust 5, 2020June 20, 2024

National News

Carolyn Maloney declared winner in New York congressional race marred by mail-in ballot problems

by USNN World NewsAugust 4, 2020February 26, 2025

Congress

Dem Senator walks out of Ted Cruz’s Antifa hearing: ‘I don’t think you listen’

by USNN World NewsAugust 4, 2020August 4, 2020

Economy

Stocks rally as slow coronavirus-relief talks move in ‘right direction’

by USNN World NewsAugust 4, 2020December 5, 2024

NATIONAL NEWS

Trump Signs Order to Ramp Up US Production of Critical Earth Minerals

By Jacob Burg President Donald Trump signed an executive order on March 20 to boost the mining and production of critical minerals in the United ...

68 Bridges Nationwide Need Urgent Evaluation in Wake of Baltimore Bridge Collapse, Says NTSB

By Rachel Acenas The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued an urgent safety recommendations to 30 owners of 68 bridges across 19 states to assess ...

Social Security Announces Cost Cutting Initiative Following Audit

By Naveen Athrappully The Social Security Administration (SSA) on March 19 announced a plan to reduce costs and enhance security measures following stakeholder feedback and ...

Trump to Sign Order to Eliminate Department of Education

By Zachart Stieber and Emel Akan WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order on March 20 that will facilitate the dismantling of ...

Federal Judge Declines to Block Firing of US Institute of Peace Leadership

By Stacy Robinson A federal judge on March 19 decided not to block the Trump administration from firing the leadership of the U.S. Institute for ...

DOGE Says It Entered Peace Institute Building With Police Escort Amid Alleged Standoff

By Jack Phillips The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) said its staffers, along with acting U.S. Institute of Peace President Kenneth Jackson, entered the institute’s ...

DOGE Says ‘Major Cleanup’ of Social Security Records Underway

By Jack Phillips The Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has said the Social Security Administration has undertaken a “major cleanup” of its records ...

What to Know About the Alien Enemies Act, a 1798 Law Invoked by Trump

By Joseph Lord Enemies Act, a 1798 law providing for deportations of noncitizens during times of war or invasion. The proclamation targets members of the Tren ...

Democrats Wrestle With DOGE and Musk

By Nathan Worcester WASHINGTON—During the first two months of the second Trump administration, few issues have united Democrats like opposition to Elon Musk and his ...

More Than 250 Tren de Aragua Gang Members Deported to El Salvador Prison: Rubio

By Jacob Burg Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on March 16 that the Trump administration had sent more than 250 Venezuelans accused of being ...

Trump Orders Military Strikes on Houthi Terrorists

By T.J. Muscaro President Donald Trump announced on March 15 that he ordered the U.S. military to “launch decisive and powerful” action against Houthi terrorists ...

Trump Signs Order to Dismantle 8 Federal Agencies, Including VOA Parent Entity

By Tom Ozimek President Donald Trump signed an executive order late Friday that seeks to dismantle eight federal agencies, with the latest action building on ...