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West Virginia Watch
U.S. Senate sends to the House a $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly early Tuesday to approve a $95 billion emergency spending package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. The measure now goes to the U.S. House, where Speaker Mike Johnson hasn’t committed to putting the bill on the floor for debate and votes amid opposition to the military and humanitarian assistance […] The post U.S. Senate sends to the House a $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Drivers keep passing stopped school buses, despite use of cameras to catch them
In December, a mom on Long Island, New York, watched her young daughter get onto a school bus, then had to jump out of the way when a car came speeding past on the shoulder. That same month in Minnesota, a child leaving his school bus had to run to avoid being hit by a […] The post Drivers keep passing stopped school buses, despite use of cameras to catch them appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Some GOP senators shy away from Trump threat he won’t aid ‘delinquent’ NATO allies
WASHINGTON — Republican and Democratic senators on Monday distanced themselves from comments Donald Trump made about NATO over the weekend, when the GOP front-runner said the United States might not assist those countries should Russia expand its war in Europe. Speaking at a rally in South Carolina, Trump recalled a conversation he had when he […] The post Some GOP senators shy away from Trump threat he won’t aid ‘delinquent’ NATO allies appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Trump asks U.S. Supreme Court to pause federal trial over presidential immunity question
WASHINGTON – Former President Donald Trump asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday to further delay his federal criminal trial on charges he attempted to subvert the 2020 election, contending his actions were protected by presidential immunity. In a 40-page application to the Supreme Court late Monday, Trump and his attorneys asked the justices to pause […] The post Trump asks U.S. Supreme Court to pause federal trial over presidential immunity question appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Senate passes elementary school discipline bill; lack of funding for resources still a top concern
A bill that meant to back elementary teachers removing violent students from their classrooms passed through the West Virginia Senate on Monday. There are still concerns about how the legislation, which comes with no funding, could play out in public schools that don’t have resources like behavioral intervention programs, social workers and more. Senate Education […] The post Senate passes elementary school discipline bill; lack of funding for resources still a top concern appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Bill banning smoking in cars with kids passes Senate, on to House
The state Senate on Monday passed a bill to prohibit adults from smoking in cars with minors, marking the first time in 10 years that either body of the Legislature has considered — much less approved — the proposed legislation. Senate Bill 378 levies a $25 fine for anyone over 18 who is pulled over […] The post Bill banning smoking in cars with kids passes Senate, on to House appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Congress is looking at expanding the child tax credit again. Who would benefit?
WASHINGTON — The bipartisan tax package passed by the U.S. House last month is not a done deal, but the proposal’s supporters say it could restore some poverty-reducing benefits that reached millions under the pandemic-era child tax credit expansion. A majority of low-income families who do not currently qualify for the full credit would see […] The post Congress is looking at expanding the child tax credit again. Who would benefit? appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
House Republicans’ ‘Women’s Bill of Rights’ amended to recognize marital rape
House Democrats tried on Friday to amend legislation known as a “Women’s Bill of Rights,” proposing additions to the bill like equal pay protections, eight weeks of paid family leave and getting rid of the tax on feminine hygiene products. The controversial legislation, House Bill 5243, would put into state code that any mention of […] The post House Republicans’ ‘Women’s Bill of Rights’ amended to recognize marital rape appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Democrats allege RFK Jr. campaign took illegal help to collect signatures in states
The Democratic National Committee on Friday accused Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of illegally coordinating with a super PAC to gather signatures for his independent presidential campaign. In a complaint to the Federal Election Commission, the DNC alleged American Values 2024, a super PAC supporting Kennedy, collected signatures to put Kennedy’s name on the ballot in […] The post Democrats allege RFK Jr. campaign took illegal help to collect signatures in states appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
West Virginia House passes bills targeting gift card, phone fraud
The West Virginia House of Delegates on Friday passed two bills aimed at preventing gift card and phone fraud. House Bill 5250, would target gift card fraud and House Bill 5251, would enact a state version of the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act. The bills are two of four pieces of legislation that AARP West […] The post West Virginia House passes bills targeting gift card, phone fraud appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
The 2024 legislative session is halfway over. Here’s a look at where some things stand.
The 2024 regular legislative session is halfway over, leaving lawmakers with just 30 days to consider the passage of more than 2,200 proposed bills that have been introduced so far. To date, only 10 pieces of legislation — five from the House and five from the Senate — have been passed by both chambers and […] The post The 2024 legislative session is halfway over. Here’s a look at where some things stand. appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
School safety bill debate in House derails into clash over the existence of systemic racism
A bill up for passage in the House of Delegates on Thursday was meant to help schools hire security personnel. Debate on the measure derailed as lawmakers spent more than an hour arguing over the existence of systemic racism. House Bill 4851, was intended to bolster kids’ safety in school. It would allow public and […] The post School safety bill debate in House derails into clash over the existence of systemic racism appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Manchin blasts White House for siding with climate activists in natural gas pause
Members of the U.S. Senate Energy Committee on Thursday questioned the Biden administration’s recent move to pause approvals of some liquified natural gas exports, saying the move appeared to be taken for political purposes. Committee Chair Joe Manchin III, a moderate Democrat from West Virginia, urged President Joe Biden to back out of the Department […] The post Manchin blasts White House for siding with climate activists in natural gas pause appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
No prosecution of Biden in classified documents case, DOJ special counsel says in report
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Justice Department released a lengthy report Thursday concluding that while President Joe Biden “willfully retained” classified materials following his time as vice president, he won’t be charged with a crime. Special Counsel Robert K. Hur wrote in the 388-page report that prosecutors considered “that, at trial, Mr. Biden would likely present […] The post No prosecution of Biden in classified documents case, DOJ special counsel says in report appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Most speakers tell lawmakers ‘Women’s Bill of Rights’ does nothing for women
A public hearing over legislation dubbed a “Women’s Bill of Rights” drew largely opposition from speakers, many of whom felt it was a misnamed bill aimed at hurting the state’s transgender population. Many speakers said — in 90 seconds — that the bill did nothing for women in West Virginia, who face poor maternal health, […] The post Most speakers tell lawmakers ‘Women’s Bill of Rights’ does nothing for women appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
U.S. Senate advances $95.3 billion bill that includes emergency funding for Ukraine, Israel
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate moved past a procedural hurdle Thursday to begin work on a $95 billion emergency spending bill that would provide military and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. The strong 67-32 vote, which could predict eventual approval, came after a tense week on Capitol Hill that began Sunday evening when […] The post U.S. Senate advances $95.3 billion bill that includes emergency funding for Ukraine, Israel appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Immigration advocates seek restart after Senate deal flops
WASHINGTON — Immigrant advocacy groups that opposed the bipartisan Senate deal to overhaul U.S. immigration law called for restarting policy discussions as the bill failed Wednesday in the U.S. Senate. Several advocacy organizations opposed the deal, which was defeated in a 49-50 procedural Senate vote Wednesday after all but four Republicans declined to support it. […] The post Immigration advocates seek restart after Senate deal flops appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
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West Virginia Watch is an independent, nonpartisan news service based in Charleston. Our journalists will hold public officials and agencies accountable, and inform West Virginians of what’s going on behind closed doors. We focus on issues that affect our state every day – such as poverty, access to health care, the foster care system – with an aim of filling the gaps in coverage caused by shrinking newsrooms. The Watch is part of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit network supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers. We retain full editorial independence. West Virginia Watch is free to read without paywalls or subscription fees.
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