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

Biden Confirms He’s Considering Preemptive Pardons

By Zachary Stieber President Joe Biden in a Jan. 5 interview confirmed that he is considering whether to issue preemptive pardons. White House officials have said ...

Thousands of Californians Flee Massive Palisades Fire Fueled by Strong Winds

By Jill McLaughlin A fast-moving wildfire erupted in the Southern California coastal city of Pacific Palisades, about 20 miles west of Los Angeles, destroying homes ...

House Speaker Details GOP Plan to Raise Debt Ceiling in Reconciliation Bill

By Tom Ozimek House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said on Jan. 7 that congressional Republicans plan to raise the nation’s borrowing limit through a party-line ...

Congress Certifies Trump’s Election Victory

By Jackson Richman and Joseph Lord WASHINGTON—The U.S. Congress on Jan. 6 certified President-elect Donald Trump’s electoral victory in the 2024 election, marking the official ...

Trump Urges GOP to Pass ‘One Powerful Bill’ to Advance His Agenda

By Aldgra Fredly President-elect Donald Trump has called on Republican lawmakers to pass “one powerful bill” to advance his policies on border security and tax ...

Biden Bans New Oil and Gas Drilling in 625 Million Acres of Federal Waters

By Zachary Stieber President Joe Biden on Jan. 6 said he is banning new oil and gas drilling in more than 625 million acres of ...

Biden Signs Law to Increase Social Security Benefits for Millions

By Joseph Lord President Joe Biden on Jan. 5 signed into law a bill that would increase Social Security benefits for millions of U.S. citizens ...

New Orleans Mourns Victims of Truck Attack With Tearful Vigil and Celebration of Life

By The Associated Press NEW ORLEANS—New Orleans mourned, wept, and danced at a vigil Saturday evening along the famous thoroughfare where a man rammed a ...

Biden Awards 7 Veterans With Medal of Honor, 8 First Responders With Medal of Valor

By Jacob Burg President Joe Biden on Jan. 3 awarded seven Korean and Vietnam War veterans with the Medal of Honor for “acts of gallantry ...

Stalled Minnesota Copper-Nickel Mine Could Break Ground With Trump Back in White House

By John Haughey A fiercely contested Minnesota copper-nickel mining proposal is among stymied mineral and energy development projects President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to quickly ...

Congress Prepares to Certify Trump’s Election Victory on Jan. 6

By Tom Ozimek Congress will hold a joint session on Jan. 6 to count the Electoral College votes, marking the official certification of President-elect Donald ...

Johnson Sworn In as Speaker

By Jackson Richman House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has been sworn in as the 56th speaker. This followed him winning on the first ballot after three ...