Conflict rises in Washington over stimulus price tag

WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 30: (AFP OUT) U.S President Donald Trump looks on during a meeting. (Photo by Olivier Douliery – Pool/Getty Images)

 

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 1:50 PM PT – Saturday, December 26, 2020

Members of the Republican party debate the President’s push to raise the stimulus package from $600 to $2000.

In a tweet on Saturday, President Trump said he “simply wants to get our great people $2000, rather than the measly $600 that is now in the bill.”

Made many calls and had meetings at Trump International in Palm Beach, Florida. Why would politicians not want to give people $2000, rather than only $600? It wasn’t their fault, it was China. Give our people the money!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 25, 2020

“It’s called the COVID relief bill,” the President said. “But it has almost nothing to do with COVID.”

pic.twitter.com/v9Rdjz6DNu

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 23, 2020

President Trump’s desired revisions sent lawmakers on Capitol Hill scrambling, with some saying the changes are doable while others saying they are not.

I simply want to get our great people $2000, rather than the measly $600 that is now in the bill. Also, stop the billions of dollars in “pork”.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 26, 2020

On Thursday, Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) warned the President that attempting to change the bipartisan agreement in the Senate wouldn’t pass. He urged him to sign the year-end deal.

However, Republican senator and long-time ally of President Trump, Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.), praised the President’s critique of the bill. He added that the biggest winner of the proposal would be the American people.

Both are reasonable demands, and I hope Congress is listening. The biggest winner would be the American people.

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) December 26, 2020

Even Democrats have widely supported the re-working of the bill. For example, Rep. Darren Soto (D-Fla.) said the party is ready to “meet him at his offer.” Other major Democrat leaders also expressed their support, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. She responded to the President’s tweet with one of her own.

Republicans repeatedly refused to say what amount the President wanted for direct checks. At last, the President has agreed to $2,000 — Democrats are ready to bring this to the Floor this week by unanimous consent. Let’s do it! https://t.co/Th4sztrpLV

— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) December 23, 2020

The deal, which includes $10 million for ”gender programs” in Pakistan as well as money for two new national mall museums and millions for “internet freedom,” has faced criticism for its lack of focus on COVID-19 aid.

The bill arrived in Florida, where the President is staying for the holidays. It awaits his signature.

Officials of both parties worry the deal, which is months in the making, will be vetoed by President Trump without major changes to the legislation.

CARES Act unemployment benefits set to expire

The US Department of Labor Building on March 26, 2020, in Washington, DC. – (Photo by ALEX EDELMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 4:20 PM PT – Saturday, December 26, 2020

Federal unemployment benefits, which were created through the CARES Act, are coming to a halt.

Both the ‘Pandemic Unemployment Compensation’ and the ‘Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation’ expire Saturday. These programs provided assistance to millions of Americans, covering mainly long-term unemployed workers as well as gig-workers.

The hard cut-off of benefits could mean a lack of options for those with a lack of work.

“I lost my job entirely late April and it was really sad to see that awesome small business go,” Minnesota resident Cole Stevens said. “‘Grind Coffee and Creamer’ in Bloomington was all high school workers there and we lost that business…and so I did what anybody would do–I applied for unemployment benefits.”

The first program helped unemployed Americans who are not usually eligible for regular insurance benefits, such as business owners and the self-employed.

The second program provided up to 13 weeks of additional benefits to individuals who previously collected state or federal unemployment compensation, but exhausted those benefits.

President Donald Trump. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

 

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 11:05 AM PT – Saturday, December 26, 2020

President Trump is once again taking a stand against Big Tech and its Section 230 protections.

In a tweet on Saturday, the President denounced the ‘National Defense Authorization Act.’

I will not stand by and watch this travesty of a bill happen without reigning in Big Tech. End Section 230 now, before it is too late. So bad for our Country. Show courage, and do what’s right!!! https://t.co/V99lShpLCe

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 26, 2020

He said he will not stand by and “watch this travesty of a bill happen, without reigning in Big Tech.”

He added, “End section 230 now before it’s too late.” He went on to call it “so bad for our country,” while urging lawmakers to “show courage and do what’s right.”

Our $740 defense bill is a gift to China, Russia & Big Tech. It fails to terminate the internationally dangerous Section 230, won’t allow us to bring our troops back home (where they belong), renames & destroys our forts & National Monuments, & makes 5G almost impossible! https://t.co/txJle9Ezlg

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 26, 2020

House members have also spoken out against Section 230.

“Section 230…it needs to be repealed,” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) stated. “These technology companies are not acting in the manner of why 230 was created, and we see on a daily basis, they don’t need that protection any longer.”

The law protects tech platforms from liability when it comes to user-posted content and censorship.

Twas the Night before Christmas Story

 

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Millions of Americans projected to travel between now and Jan. 3

People walk near a Christmas tree inside the Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) on December 18, 2020 in Arlington, Virginia, as the Christmas holiday travel starts despite the Coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Daniel SLIM / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL SLIM/AFP via Getty Images)

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 7:55 PM PT – Wednesday, December 23, 2020

The holiday season is in full swing and millions of Americans are making their way to their Christmas destinations.

Whether it be by plane, car or public transport, Americans are set to travel this Christmas.

According to Triple A’s annual holiday forecast, 84.5 million people are expected to travel between Wednesday and January 3. While this is still a hefty number, the total amount of travelers this year is nearly 30 percent, or 34 million, fewer travelers than last year.

Meanwhile, states and counties continue to impose varying travel restrictions due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“Please celebrate outside,” President of System Enterprises with Sutter Health Dr. Rishi Sikka said. “Please wear your mask and please avoid non-essential travel.”

However, for many, seeing family and loved ones is just too valuable to miss.

“We know we’re taking a risk, but we want to see the family and it has been a long time due to the COVID-19,” holiday traveler Daliza Rodriguez stated. “We want to see them and have fun.”

Rodriguez is flying from New York to Texas to see her loved ones.

More than 81 million people will travel to their holiday destination by car. Another 2.9 million will fly, while the remaining 480,000 Americans will use some form of public transportation, such as trains or busses.

Wherever you are spending the holidays, One America News wishes you a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

MORE NEWS: CDC Report Shows MSM, WHO Misinterpreting COVID-19 Data

 

President Trump warns Iran after weekend strike on Baghdad embassy | One America News Network

 

WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 23: President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk on the south lawn of the White House on December 23, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 6:45 PM PT – Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Following a missile attack on the U.S. Embassy over the weekend, President Trump issued a warning to Iran.

In a pair of tweets on Wednesday, the President posted a photo of three rockets that failed to launch during the attack. He added there was evidence they were made in Iran.

…Some friendly health advice to Iran: If one American is killed, I will hold Iran responsible. Think it over.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 23, 2020

According to the U.S. Central Command, the attack was the largest on the Iraqi capital’s Green Zone in a decade. In a tweet, the President also said that he’s now “hearing chatter of additional attacks against Americans in Iraq.”

A general view shows the US embassy across the Tigris river in Iraq’s capital Baghdad on January 3, 2020.  (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images)

President Trump also noted, “Some friendly health advice to Iran: If one American is killed, I will hold Iran responsible. Think it over.”

Wasteful gov’t spending galore in Dems’ omnibus bill

WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 20: U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) arrives on Capitol Hill on December 20, 2020 in Washington, DC. Republicans and Democrats in the Senate finally came to an agreement on the coronavirus relief bill and a vote is expected later today. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 4:20 PM PT – Wednesday, December 23, 2020

As he pushes for more relief in the coronavirus stimulus package, President Trump is calling for wasteful items to get cut from the year-end spending bill.

As Americans struggle to put food on their family’s tables and to keep a roof over their head, they can “rest easier” knowing the Jordanian border is more secure.

At least that’s the suggestion from D.C. bureaucrats and lobbyists, who combined a $900 billion stimulus package with a $1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill.

From foreign spending to Democrat-socialist agenda items, the nearly 6,000-page bill is filled with hundreds of billions of dollars in questionable spending and allocations.

“And it really fits into the scheme of things, politicians like it,” former Congressman Dr. Ron Paul (R-Texas) stated. “If they’re warmongers, we just run up the tab, and if the people just want more welfare, we’ll just run up the deficit, and take it and print it.”

The massive spending bill includes $500 million for the Kingdom of Jordan to enhance their border security and armed forces. Additionally, it includes $250 million for enhanced border security in Lebanon, Egypt, Tunisia and Oman while defunding America’s own border security.

The bill slashes funds from immigration and customs enforcement while maintaining the status quo at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Furthermore, it includes $33 million for so-called ‘democracy programs’ in Venezuela as well as $10 million for so-called ‘gender programs’ in Pakistan.

Trump emphasized that Congress found plenty of money for foreign countries, lobbyists and special interests, but they sent the bare minimum to the American people who so desperately need it.

As the bill helps push the liberal agenda abroad, it does the same here at home. It will spend roughly $35 billion of U.S. taxpayer money on so-called ‘climate change’ interests as well as to promote ‘diversity in the workforce’ with a focus on the ‘intelligence community.’

The bill also includes funding for a women’s history museum and a ‘National Museum of the American Latinos’ at the Smithsonian.

While the legislation racks up significant national debt for the American people, $231 million will be handed to Sudan to help the country pay down its own national debt.

“‘Free money for everyone,’ they cry, and yet if free money were the answer; if money really grew on trees, why not give more free money?” questioned Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) “Why not give it out all the time?”

While there is some funding for vaccines, child care and small businesses, it seems the American people– who will get just $600 each–are footing the bill of a “massive pork-filled spending bill.”

 

How America use to be.