Portman among 47 GOP senators to sign letter to Iran WASHINGTON — In a move Democrats denounced as trying to sabotage the Obama administration’s foreign policy, Sen. Rob Portman and 46 other Senate Republicans yesterday warned Iran’s leadership that any agreement to limit Tehran’s apparent efforts to build a nuclear bomb would need Senate approval to stay in effect beyond 2016. More
GOP boycotts health care advisory board House and Senate Republican leaders told President Barack Obama Thursday that they will refuse to nominate candidates to serve on an advisory board that is to play a role in holding down Medicare costs under the new health care act. More
US medicine spending shows rare dip Total U.S. spending on prescription medicines declined last year, a first in more than half a century. The dip was 1 percent, to $325.8 billion — a 3.5 percent drop after accounting for population growth and economic expansion, according to the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics. More
Where the Budget Cut Pain Is Really Being Felt "It's in areas like health care, education and job training," Packer said. "Programs are closing or are being cut, layoffs are happening. It's not just waiting in line a bit longer at the airport." More
The Senate Democrat races Senate Democratic races Many New Mexicans are trying to snag a seat and nametag on the state Senate floor with the Democrats. There are seven contested Democratic primary races for the Senate, the ... 05/31/2024 - 4:01 pm | View Link
Morning Report — Trump jury begins Day 2 of deliberations Twelve New York jurors, including two lawyers, spent much of Wednesday afternoon deliberating whether former President Trump is guilty of 34 felony charges that boil down to an alleged fraudulent ... 05/29/2024 - 11:37 pm | View Link
Illinois lawmakers pass bill to expand reporting of sexual abuse in health care settings Under the bill, doctors’ offices and clinics affiliated with hospitals would have to report allegations of patient abuse to the Illinois Department of Public Health, triggering an investigation by the ... 05/29/2024 - 1:30 pm | View Link
Health Care Roundup: Market Talk Find insight on Roche, Bristol Myers Squib and more in the latest Market Talks covering the Health Care sector. 05/29/2024 - 9:30 am | View Link
Morning Report — Trump verdict could come this week; GOP lawmakers weigh in Former President Trump’s legal fate will rest with New York jurors within days. There is no clear consensus among legal experts who have followed the Manhattan trial closely about whether a hung ... 05/27/2024 - 11:30 pm | View Link
Politico: “It’s easily one of the most dazzling feats of jurisprudence the nation has seen — and the sort of accomplishment that could launch him on a political rocket ship to Washington.”
“Yet there were no Champagne baths in Bragg’s office after the verdict. When the jury’s decision was announced in Manhattan Criminal Court, Bragg stuck to the apolitical tone he has adopted throughout the prosecution.
A new Reuters/Ipsos poll finds 10% of Republican registered voters say they are less likely to vote for Donald Trump following his felony conviction for falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to a porn star.
Also important: “Among independent registered voters, 25% said Trump’s conviction made them less likely to support him in November, compared to 18% who said they were more likely and 56% who said the conviction would have no impact on their decision.”
Playbook: “The numbers stand as counterpoint to the GOP bravado, led by the Trump campaign, about how Trump’s 34 felony convictions and potential jail sentence will have no effect on the election.”
“I don’t think there’s anything to lose and a lot to gain, because I am convinced there’s a swath of people out there who are going to be very, very troubled by this at this point and haven’t really completely followed it, wondered about it — but now all of a sudden, this is a game changer.”
— Former Sen.
Todd Blanche told the Associated Press there was a chance Donald Trump might be sentenced to jail time.
Said Blanche: “On the one hand, it would be extraordinary to send a 77-year-old to prison for a case like this. A first-time offender who was also president of United States, I mean, I think almost unheard of.”
However, he added “this is a very highly publicized case” in which some might argue Trump deserves a harsher punishment because he faces charges elsewhere.
Playbook: “Watch the prosecution’s filings in the run-up to the July 11 sentencing to see if they raise the 54 other charges pending against Trump as a reason Trump should face jail time — in addition to his lack of remorse, attacks on the justice system and ten contempt citations.”
“I was shocked at how he took the verdict. He just stood there and just kind of took it. And I think had a lot of appropriate solemnness for the moment that made me very proud to be sitting next to him when it, when it was happening.”
— Todd Blanche, Donald Trump’s attorney, quoted by the Associated Press.
Associated Press: “It’s more than drugs and border crossings. As criminals take control of territory south of the border, the U. S. could lose its top trading partner and potentially strongest ally.”