Trump Administration Issues New Sanctions Against Iran Over Ballistic Missile Program

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The Trump administration issues a new set of sanctions against Iran over its ballistic missile program, and destabilizing actions in the Middle East.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Department of Treasury said it was targeting 16 entities and individuals for supporting illicit Iranian actors, or transnational criminal activity.
The State Department has additionally issued sanctions against two Iranian organizations involved in the country’s ballistic missile program.
This comes after the White House certified to Congress that Iran is complying with the nuclear deal.
Administration officials say they will continue to target Iran’s hostile activity.

Clinton Foundation Cartoons

Health bill stalls as more GOP senators announce opposition

Republican Senators Mike Lee, of Utah, and Jerry Moran, of Kansas, announced late Monday they would not support the GOP's most recent verison of the Senate health care bill, effectively stalling the legislation.

In a statement released Monday night, Sen. Lee said he will vote no on the Better Care Reconciliation Act.

“After conferring with trusted experts regarding the latest version of the Consumer Freedom Amendment, I have decided I cannot support the current version of the Better Care Reconciliation Act,” Sen. Lee said. “In addition to not repealing all of the Obamacare taxes, it doesn’t go far enough in lowering premiums for middle class families; nor does it create enough free space from the most costly Obamacare regulations.”
Sen. Moran tweeted his official statement in which he voiced his opposition to the Senate's latest bill, stating, "We should not put our stamp of approval on bad policy."
The two senators join Senators Rand Paul, of Kentucky, and Susan Collins, of Maine, who both made clear last week they would not support the bill.
With a 52-48 majority, the two senators' opposition to the bill means it is effectively dead in the Senate.
Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said the Senate's second failure at attempting to repeal and replace ObamaCare is "proof" that the bill is "unworkable."
The legislation, which was strongly backed by President Donald Trump, is the second failure in the Senate for Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who had to cancel voting on an earlier version of the bill last month when it became clear it wouldn't pass. McConnell had planned to "move to proceed" on the health care bill this week.
The Senate bill eliminated mandates and taxes under ObamaCare, and unraveled a Medicaid expansion. But for conservatives like Lee and Paul it didn't go far enough in delivering on Republican Party promises to undo Obama's law, while moderates like Collins viewed the bill as too extreme in yanking insurance coverage from millions.

Trump to Republicans: Let's repeal ObamaCare

When all else fails, kill it.

President Trump tweeted late Monday that Republicans should “just REPEAL” ObamaCare after two key Republican Senators announced they would not support the bill, ending any chance the bill had of passing the Senate.

Republican Senators Mike Lee, of Utah and Jerry Moran, of Kansas joined Senators Rand Paul, of Kentucky and Susan Collins of Maine. Republicans hold onto a 52-48 majority and the two senators’ opposition means the bill is effectively dead.
“Republicans should just REPEAL failing ObamaCare now & work on a new Healthcare Plan that will start from a clean slate. Dems will join in!” Trump tweeted.
Trump appears confident that a straight repeal of ObamaCare is a shoo-in, but moderate Republicans may feel pressure to vote against the legislation. It is also unclear how many Democrats would support the move.
Trump's tweet was in stark contrast to his faith in the Senate just hours before when he predicted the legislation would pass.
Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., acknowledged the roadblock and, like Trump, said he plans a repeal vote. McConnell also mentioned a two-year delay for a substitute.
"Regretfully, it's now apparent that the effort to repeal and immediately replace the failure of Obamacare will not be successful," McConnell said in a statement. "So, in the coming days, the Senate will vote to take up the House bill with the first amendment in order being what a majority of the Senate has already supported in 2015 and that was vetoed by then-President Obama: a repeal of Obamacare with a two-year delay to provide for a stable transition period to a patient-centered health care system that gives Americans access to quality, affordable care."
It was the second straight failure for McConnell, who had to cancel a vote on an earlier version of the bill last month when defeat became inevitable.
Trump failed to rally support for what has been the GOP's trademark issue for seven years — ever since President Obama and the Democrats passed the Affordable Care Act in 2010.
Republicans won the White House and full control of Congress in large part on the basis of their promises to repeal and replace the health law but have struggled to overcome their deep internal divisions and deliver.
The Associated Press reported that Democrats "could barely contain their glee."
"This second failure of Trumpcare is proof positive that the core of this bill is unworkable," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said. "Rather than repeating the same failed, partisan process yet again, Republicans should start from scratch and work with Democrats on a bill that lowers premiums, provides long term stability to the markets and improves our health care system."

Susan Rice to Testify on Capitol Hill Tuesday on Unmasking of Pres. Trump’s Team

Susan Rice is set to answer questions in front of the House Select Committee on Intelligence on Tuesday, July 17, 2017. (Kevin Lamarque / Reuters)

Susan Rice will be in the hot seat on capitol hill Tuesday facing questions from House lawmakers.
Obama’s National Security Adviser will be grilled on whether she “unmasked” top members of President Trump’s transition team.
President Trump says Rice may have committed a crime by asking government officials to release the names of his associates on intelligence reports.
Rice’s testimony before the House Select Committee on Intelligence will be closed to the public.
She has denied all claims, but has yet to go before a panel to answer questions.

Mysterious Deaths May Be Linked to the Clinton Foundation

A former Haitian government official is found dead ahead of his expected testimony on the Clinton Foundation’s corruption and malpractice.
One America’s Marty Golingan has more on how his suspected suicide and the death of a GOP operative may be tied to Hillary Clinton.

Sen. Chuck Schumer Cartoons

HHS' Price argues new ObamaCare overhaul bill could cover more Americans

Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price argued Sunday that more Americans would have insurance under the Senate Republicans’ new health care bill, compared to the 2010 ObamaCare law they've been trying to replace. But the Congressional Budget Office analysis of the bill, which would project those coverage numbers, will not be released Monday as anticipated.   

“One of the interesting things that's in this bill ... is the opportunity to make certain that those folks that actually fell into a gap below 100 percent of the poverty level, but above where a state might allow individuals on the Medicaid system... this bill provides for coverage for those individuals through the tax credit process," Price said on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures.” “That hole was not covered before.”

He suggested that tax credits in the new bill would in part help those who had previously fallen into that coverage gap.
“That’s something that’s new,” said Price, a doctor. “That also is one of the reasons that we believe we’re going to be able to cover more individuals on this bill than are currently covered.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., was expected to hold a key vote this week on the overhaul bill.
But the nonpartisan CBO apparently slowed its efforts to make that deadline after McConnell delayed the vote until Arizona GOP Sen. John McCain can return to Washington. He underwent surgery last Friday to removal a blood clot behind one eye and is expected to be gone at least a week.
The CBO’s analysis of Senate Republicans’ first ObamaCare overhaul bill this year -- released before Congress’ July 4 recess but which lacked enough support to even get a vote -- concluded 22 million more Americans would be uninsured, compared to ObamaCare.
Price and other Washington Republicans have argued that CBO projections are not exact and that the office was off on its ObamaCare numbers, too.
“CBO doesn’t even capture those individuals who say to the federal government, ‘I don’t want the plan that you think I need. I want the plan that I know I need for myself and for my family.’ So those numbers are so flawed in terms of what actually happens in the real world,” Price said.
Price also said he recently returned from the annual National Governors Association meeting where state leaders said they want the overhaul bill to have “flexibility” to designing a Medicaid program “for their own population” and want it to include adequate resources to insure the “vulnerable population.”

Schumer: McCain's return won't save health care bill

Ever watch the Wizard of OZ?

Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., told reporters Sunday there is no saving the Republicans’ health care bill despite the extra time they have in wake of Sen. John McCain’s emergency eye surgery.

McCain, R-Ariz., had surgery Friday to remove a blood clot over his left eye.

“Time is not the problem in the present health care bill,” Schumer said, according to the New York Daily News. “The problem is the substance. It slashes Medicaid, which has become something that helps middle class New Yorkers and millions of Americans.”
Schumer has led the Democrats’ charge in trying to kill the bill.
“This bill should be scrapped because it hurts middle class Americans too much at the same time that it gives tax breaks to the wealthy,” he said. “Instead, have Democrats and Republicans sit down and work together on improving Obamacare, specifically making premiums lower and health care better.”
Despite growing pessimism, Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price said in an interview on “Sunday Morning Futures” that more Americans would have insurance under the GOP health bill, compared to the 2010 ObamaCare law they have been working to replace.
“One of the interesting things that's in this bill ... is the opportunity to make certain that those folks that actually fell into a gap below 100 percent of the poverty level, but above where a state might allow individuals on the Medicaid system... this bill provides for coverage for those individuals through the tax credit process," Price said. “That hole was not covered before.”
Price also said that tax credits in the new bill would in part help those who had previously fallen into that coverage gap.
Despite Price’s pep talk, support of the health care bill seemed to diminish even further. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who does not favor the proposed bill, said he did not think Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., had enough votes to get the bill through the Senate.
“I don’t think he does” have the votes,” Paul said in an interview on “Fox News Sunday.” “We won four elections on repealing ObamaCare … but this doesn’t.”
Paul has argued that the measure gives too much subsidy money to health insurance companies in the ObamaCare program.
“That is not a Republican idea, to give taxpayer money to a private industry,” Paul, a doctor, said about the bill's so-called “temporary stabilization fund” that is now at about $200 billion.
Republicans had hoped to get a vote to the floor this week, but McCain’s surgery pushed it back.
The Congressional Budget Office also will not release its score of the Senate GOP bill. An earlier report said the last proposal would leave 22 million people without health insurance by 2026.

Sen. Majority Whip: Debate on Health Care Bill Will be ‘Open Process’

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In an effort to pass health care reform, the Senate Majority Whip says the debate over the latest bill will be an ‘open process’.
On Sunday, Texas Senator John Cornyn claimed republicans and democrats will be able to offer an amendment to the current draft.
He also blasted democrats for their lack of cooperation saying if the left won’t participate in health care reform, GOP leaders will have to come up with another plan.
Cornyn also expects a vote on the latest bill to take place when Arizona Senator John McCain returns to congress after recovering from surgery.
The vote on the Senate’s health care legislation was suppose to take place this week, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the vote will be delayed until McCain returns.

Pres. Trump to Kick-Off New Made in America Messaging Campaign Monday

Look out Wal Mart

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The Trump Administration is set to kick-off a new ‘Made in America’ messaging campaign at the White House Monday.
The event will reportedly celebrate American companies that manufacture their products in the U.S.
The ‘Made in America’ showcase will host locally made products from all 50 states and display them on the White House lawn.
And later this week, President Trump is expected to reiterate the importance of American manufacturing as he commissions a new aircraft carrier in Virginia.
The new campaign will continue throughout the rest of July.

Insurance Company Cartoons

Major insurance groups call part of health bill 'unworkable'

America's Health Care Plans

If Company's try to dictate whats right and wrong for the American people, who benefits the most?

Two of the insurance industry's most powerful organizations say a crucial provision in the Senate Republican health care bill allowing the sale of bare-bones policies is "unworkable in any form," delivering a blow to party leaders' efforts to win support for their legislation.

The language was crafted by conservative Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and leaders have included it in the overall bill in hopes of winning votes from other congressional conservatives. But moderates have worried it will cause people with serious illnesses to lose coverage, and some conservatives say it doesn't go far enough.

Two of the 52 GOP senators have already said they will oppose the legislation. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell cannot lose any others for the legislation to survive a showdown vote expected next week.
The overall measure represents the Senate GOP's attempt to deliver on the party's promise to repeal President Barack Obama's health care law, which they've been pledging to do since its 2010 enactment.
The criticism of Cruz's provision was lodged in a rare joint statement by America's Health Care Plans and the BlueCross BlueShield Association. The two groups released it late Friday in the form of a letter to McConnell, R-Ky.
"It is simply unworkable in any form," the letter said. They said it would "undermine protections for those with pre-existing medical conditions," increase premiums and lead many to lose coverage.
The provision would let insurers sell low-cost policies with skimpy coverage, as long as they also sell policies that meet a stringent list of services they're required to provide under Obama's law, like mental health counseling and prescription drugs.
Cruz says the proposal would drive down premiums and give people the option of buying the coverage they feel they need.
Critics say the measure would encourage healthy people to buy the skimpy, low-cost plans, leaving sicker consumers who need more comprehensive coverage confronting unaffordable costs. The insurers' statement backs up that assertion, lending credence to wary senators' worries and complicating McConnell's task of winning them over.
The two groups say premiums would "skyrocket" for people with preexisting conditions, especially for middle-income families who don't qualify for the bill's tax credit. They also say the plan would leave consumers with fewer insurance options, so "millions of more individuals will become uninsured."
According to an analysis by the BlueCross BlueShield Association, major federal consumer protections would not be required for new plans permitted by the Cruz amendment.
Among them: guaranteed coverage at standard rates for people with pre-existing conditions, comprehensive benefits, coverage of preventive care -- including birth control for women -- at no added cost to the consumer, and limits on out-of-pocket spending for deductibles and copayments.
The bill provides $70 billion for states to use to help contain rising costs for people with serious conditions. But the insurance groups' statement says that amount "is insufficient and additional funding will not make the provision workable for consumers or taxpayers."
The Cruz provision language in the bill is not final. McConnell and other Republicans are considering ways to revise it in hopes of winning broader support.
McConnell and top Trump administration officials plan to spend the next few days cajoling senators and home-state governors in an effort to nail down support for the bill.
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office is expected to release its analysis of McConnell's revised bill early next week, including an assessment of Cruz's plan.
The office estimated that McConnell's initial bill would have caused 22 million additional people to be uninsured.

McConnell delays action on health care after McCain surgery

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell R-Ky announced Saturday that he was delaying consideration of health care legislation in light of Sen. John McCain’s absence from recent surgery.

McConnell released a statement on Saturday night saying that he was deferring action on the measure as McCain recovers at his home in Arizona.

"While John is recovering, the Senate will continue our work on legislative items and nominations, and will defer consideration of the Better Care Act," McConnell said.
Surgeons in Phoenix removed a blood clot from above McCain's left eye on Friday. The 80-year-old Senate veteran was advised by doctors to remain in Arizona next week, his office said.
A procedural vote expected in the coming days had been cast as a showdown over the measure designed to replace Obamacare once and for all.
With a 52-48 majority, Republicans can afford to only lose two votes. Vice President Mike Pence would break a tie for final passage.
Two Republicans, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Susan Collins of Maine, have already said they'll vote against the measure.
McConnell and other GOP leaders have been urging senators to at least vote in favor of opening debate, which would allow senators to offer amendments. In recent days GOP leaders have expressed optimism that they were getting closer to a version that could pass the Senate.

The Left just loves Crap like this.

VP Pence Touts President’s Agenda During Pro-Business Speech

Vice President Mike Pence speaks at the Maverick PAC annual Mavericks Conference in in Washington, Saturday, July 15, 2017. The Mavericks Conference is the annual gathering of conservative young professionals. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

July 15, 2017
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Vice President Mike Pence touts the Trump Administration’s successes in front of a pro-business Super-PAC.
Pence spoke at the Mavericks Conference on Saturday and said the U.S. economy is back because of President Trump.
He says 800,000 jobs have been added since the President took office and claims he has cut through more Federal red tape than any president in history.
Pence also praised the President for his effort in securing the border, saying border crossings are down 60% since January.
He’s added the administration is firmly behind the Senate Republican Health Care bill and anticipates a vote next week.

Border Wall Construction May Start in Texas

In this Jan. 25, 2017, file photo, an agent of the border patrol, observes near the Mexico-U.S. border fence, on the Mexican side, separating the towns of Anapra, Mexico and Sunland Park, N.M. (AP Photo/Christian Torres, File) July 15, 2017

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The first segment of President Trump’s border wall could start in South Texas.
On Friday, Customs and Border Protection officials announced they are looking to begin construction in the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge in January.
Officials say the area was chosen because the property is already owned by the Federal Government.
Customs and Border Protection plans to build an 18-foot levee wall through 3 miles of the refuge.
The site is located on the Texas-Mexico border, about 10 miles Southeast of MCallen in the Rio Grande Valley.

Illegal Alien Cartoons

Sessions says when cities protect illegal immigrants, 'criminals take notice'

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said he will not stand back and let the national murder rate continue to rise.

During a stop in Las Vegas on Wednesday, the attorney general said he plans to hire 300 additional federal prosecutors to fight violent gangs like MS-13, a ruthless criminal enterprise with roots in El Salvador.

The national murder rate has increased 10 percent the past year. According to Sessions, that’s the largest increase since 1968.
Sessions was in the City of Lights to continue his fight against Sanctuary Cities. He said too many jurisdictions are still refusing to cooperate with federal authorities and are protecting criminal who, under federal law, should be deported.
SESSIONS SAYS SANCTUARY CITIES RISK LOSING DOJ, DHS GRANTS
The Justice Department is threatening to withhold federal funding from cities that don’t cooperate with federal officials in enforcing immigration laws.
"When cities like Philadelphia, Boston or San Francisco advertise that they have these policies, the criminals take notice," Sessions said in Vegas.
He said lax immigration enforcements leads to increased violence. He pointed to Kate Steinle, who was killed by an illegal immigrant in San Francisco who allegedly moved to that city because of its sanctuary status.
"Her death was preventable — and it should have been prevented," Sessions said. "He walked the streets freely because San Francisco refuses to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In fact, he admitted that one reason he was in San Francisco that day was that he knew the city had these policies in place."
SANCTUARY CITIES LOSE ACCESS TO FEDERAL GRANTS THAT REQUIRE COMPLYING WITH FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAW – CUE THE HISTORIANS
Right now, four cities, four counties and two sanctuary states are undergoing a legal review by Sessions, including Vegas, where he urged Clark County to cooperate with ICE. In all, he said, some 300 jurisdictions refuse to cooperate with federal immigration officials.
“These jurisdictions,” he said, “are protecting criminals rather than their law-abiding residents.”
He said cooperation will help the government dismantle gangs like MS-13, which is wreaking havoc across the country.
“To take these gangs off of our streets,” he said, “we need cooperation between law enforcement at the federal, state and local levels.”

All eyes on Nevada’s Republican senator mulling ObamaCare decision

Republicans are not in the position to lose votes if they hope to repeal ObamaCare, so pressure is being placed on senators like Sen. Dean Heller, R- Nev., to declare allegiance on the newly crafted bill.

If Heller supports the bill, he would likely be parting ways with Nevada's popular GOP Gov. Brian Sandoval in a state that did not support President Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election.

But if he opposes the bill, conservative groups will likely come after them like they did earlier this year after he opposed the GOP's initial health care bill.
And Democrats plan to target his seat either way in next year's mid-term elections.
Trump on Friday tweeted encouragement to Republicans on the Hill to "do what is right for the people" and get their "failed ObamaCare replacement approved."
Trump declared a day earlier that failure would make him "very angry" and that he would blame Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
“I will be at my desk, pen in hand!” Trump tweeted.
The reworked bill Sen. Mitch McConnell presented to fellow Republicans aims to win conservatives' support by letting insurers sell low-cost, skimpy policies. At the same time, he seeks to placate hesitant moderates by adding billions to combat opioid abuse and help consumers with skyrocketing insurance costs.
Fox News' Sean Hannity took aim Thursday night at Republican senators who expressed skepticism of or opposition to the revised health care measure that would repeal and replace ObamaCare.
"You made us a promise, the American people, for seven years. You guaranteed you’d end ObamaCare," the "Hannity" host said. "You assured all of us you would develop a health care bill that actually worked for the American people. Stop your whining, roll up your sleeves, get to work, put your egos aside, get it done."
Last month, a pro-Trump group reportedly planned to launch the seven-figure ad campaign against Heller.
Heller is up for re-election in 2018 and is considered one of the most vulnerable GOP senators.
"Obamacare is collapsing. This is a crisis for the American people. There is no excuse for any Republican or Democrat to oppose the Senate health care bill outright," Brian Walsh, president of the group, said in a statement at the time. "Senator Heller ... appears to be heading down a path with Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer and the radical left."

Ariz. Border Patrol Arrest Over 500 Illegal Aliens Under “One and Done Initiative”

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Officials along the U.S.-Mexico Border nab over 560 illegal aliens in just one month alone.
The Customs and Border Protection Agency prosecuted 565 people who were arrested on their first attempt at crossing the border near Tucson, Arizona in June.
Crossing illegally just one time results in a misdemeanor charge, while multiple crossings become a felony.
Before June, most illegal immigrants were not charged on their first attempt at crossing the border.
Officials say the “one and done initiative” was reinstated to prevent illegals from injury or death while crossing the Sonoran Desert.
Last month Border Patrol rescued 80 illegals who were lost in that desert.

Sonoran Desert

House Backs Massive Increase in Defense Spending

The House passes its version of a massive defense bill backing President Trump’s desire for a bigger and stronger military.
The 344 to 81 vote passed the National Defense Authorization Act, which sets military policy and authorizes nearly $700 billion in spending for the Department of Defense.
The measure also increases spending on missile defense by 25%, adds thousands of more active duty troops to the army, provides new ships for the navy, and a salary increase for u-s troops.
It also creates a new Space Corps military service.
The Senate will vote on its version of the bill later this year.

ObamaCare Cartoons

Hannity to Senate GOP on ObamaCare repeal: 'Get this thing over the finish line'

Fox News' Sean Hannity took aim Thursday night at Republican senators who expressed skepticism of or opposition to the revised health care measure that would repeal and replace ObamaCare.

"You made us a promise, the American people, for seven years. You guaranteed you’d end ObamaCare," the "Hannity" host said. "You assured all of us you would develop a health care bill that actually worked for the American people. Stop your whining, roll up your sleeves, get to work, put your egos aside, get it done."

"You were elected to lead, make tough decisions," Hannity added. "Get this thing over the finish line and do it for the American people ... They didn’t elect you to capitulate and whine and complain and fall down on your face."
In a blistering mini-monologue, Hannity singled out Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Susan Collins of Maine, both of whom had criticized the bill in recent days. Collins went so far as to promise that she would vote against a motion to bring the bill to the Senate floor for debate.
"These are the same pathetic, weak Republicans, spineless Republican senators [who] vowed to completely repeal and replace ObamaCare," Hannity noted. "They said, 'give us the House in 2010,' 'give us the Senate in 2014,' 'give us the presidency in 2016, we’ll get this done.'"
"If you can’t replace it, then do what you said," he added. "Repeal it! You have no excuses left."

Trump travel ban: Hawaii judge expands list of relatives exempted from order

IDIOT

A federal judge in Hawaii on Thursday expanded the list of “bona fide” family relationships needed by people seeking new visas from six majority Muslim countries to avoid President Trump’s travel ban.

U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson ordered the U.S. not to enforce the travel ban on grandparents, grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins of people in the U.S.

"Common sense, for instance, dictates that close family members be defined to include grandparents," Watson said in his ruling. "Indeed grandparents are the epitome of close family members."
The travel ban affects those trying to enter the U.S. from Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya, Iran and Yemen.
Hawaii Attorney General Douglas S. Chin applauded the ruling late Thursday, saying the court makes it clear that the administration “may not ignore the scope of the partial travel ban as it sees fit.”
"Family members have been separated and real people have suffered enough,” he said.
Last month, the Supreme Court exempted visa applicants from the ban if they could prove a “bona fide” relationship with a U.S. citizen or entity. The White House had previously said the ban would not apply to citizens of six countries with a parent, spouse, fiancé, son, daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, or sibling already in the U.S.
Hawaii said grandparents, uncles and aunts and other close relatives should also be exempted. The state asked Watson, who blocked the president's revised travel ban in March, to clarify that those family members are also exempt from the ban.
Watson rejected Hawaii's request, saying the state should go to the U.S. Supreme Court since it was seeking to clarify that court's requirement of a "bona fide relationship."
Hawaii appealed Watson's ruling to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, but the court said Watson's ruling was not appealable under federal judicial laws. The 9th Circuit, however, said Watson had the authority to interpret the Supreme Court's order and block any violation of it. Hawaii then renewed its last week request with Watson in a different form.
"Because plaintiffs now seek such injunctive relief, the court reaches the merits of their request, consistent with the Ninth Circuit's guidance," Watson wrote.

Pres. Trump Grants Afghan Girls Robotics Team Visas

Teenagers from the Afghanistan Robotic House, a private training institute, practice in Herat, Afghanistan. (AHMAD SEIR/AP)

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President Donald Trump stepped in and granted a group of Afghan girls visas so they can compete in an international robotics competition next week.
The teenagers were denied access to the U.S. under the president’s executive order on travel after making multiple trips to their country’s capital depsite the dangers of the war-torn region.
The State Department worked with Homeland Security on this specific case.
Once the issue reached the president, he urged a reversal of the initial decision to deny the girls temporary access to the U.S.
Officials say the administration could not be prouder of these young female scientists.
Another team from Gambia is also being granted visas to attend the event put on by an organization know as First Global.

Senate Republicans Release Latest Health Care Draft

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks to members of the media on Capitol Hill in Washington Thursday, July 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

OAN Newsroom
Senate republicans release the latest version of their health care bill, including several key changes in hopes of garnering party support.
The bill includes a revision from Senator Ted Cruz, allowing insurers to offer cheaper “bare-bones” policies.
In order to do so, insurance companies would have to sell at least one plan that meets Obamacare rules, but then could sell plans that do not meet current health care regulations.
Additionally, the new version keeps some of Obamacare’s taxes, increases funding for the opioid crisis, and would allow people to use tax credits on catastrophic health plans.
It also increases funding for states in order to bring down premiums.

Political Cartoons from TownHall

Chinese trade with North Korea jumped more than 10 percent in first half of year, official says

China’s trade with sanctions-riddled North Korea increased more than 10 percent in the first half of the year from last year, a Chinese official said Wednesday.

China’s customs spokesman Huang Songping said China’s trade with North Korea rose by 10.5 percent to $2.55 billion in the first six months of 2017. While imports from North Korea dropped 13.2 percent to $880 million in the period, exports to North Korea rose 29.1 percent to $1.67 billion, Huang said.

"As neighbors, China and North Korea maintain normal business and trade exchanges," he said.
Huang also said the exports were driven by textile products and other traditional goods not on the U.N. embargo list.
Being its largest ally, Beijing has been under pressure from the U.S. to do more to rein in North Korea, according to Reuters.
President Trump denounced China’s trade with North Korea last week, saying it grew almost 40 percent in the first quarter and questioned how much it was doing to help counter the growing threat from Pyongyang.

While China has contended it is doing nothing wrong by continuing normal trade operations with the isolated regime, U.S. is reportedly preparing to go after Chinese banks accused of funneling cash to North Korea.
The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this week that recent unsealed court filings show that the White House is ready to constrict cash flow to North Korea. The Justice Department pointed to “offshore U.S. dollar accounts” associated with a handful of companies linked to Chinese national Chi Yungpeng.
The Justice Department said the Chi’s network hid transactions which helped fund North Korea’s military and arms programs, the newspaper reported. While the network is not under U.S. sanctions, analysts believe can be cutoff the same way a separate Chinese firm last year.
Meanwhile, the U.S. is also said to be preparing to unilaterally tighten sanctions on North Korea.
The U.S. circulated a draft resolution that would impose new sanctions on North Korea following its first test of an intercontinental ballistic missile, two U.N. diplomats told the Associated Press on Monday.
The resolution has been circulated to China, as well as the three other permanent members of the U.N. Security Council – Russia, Britain and France, the diplomats said.