President Biden has submitted a proposal to Congress to forgive half of Ukraine's debt related to economic assistance, amounting to approximately $4.65 billion, said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller. In the spring, Congress approved the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, which allocated about $61 billion for Ukraine's security in April 2024. The legislation specifies that economic aid - around $10 billion - was provided to Ukraine as a conditional loan, not a grant. However, the document submitted by Biden grants him the authority to forgive 50% of this loan. The document also notes that the remaining 50% could be forgiven by the next US president after January 1, 2026. "We have taken the step that was outlined in the law to cancel those loans," Miller said. He noted that after the White House informs Congress about this decision, lawmakers may pass a resolution of disapproval. However, in his opinion, this will not happen.
The Biden administration is loosening some key immigration restrictions ahead of President-elect Trump's second term, opening the door for thousands more illegal immigrants to enter the country. Trump has indicated that he could declare a national emergency and use military assets to carry out mass deportations. The Biden administration, however, is taking steps to make Trump's plans for the border more difficult. The Biden Department of Homeland Security is launching an ICE Portal app in December that will allow migrants to skip their in-person check-ins at an ICE office and instead check in with immigration officials via an app on a phone or computer, according to reporting by The New York Post. The app reportedly has severe glitching issues and does not track a migrant's location if he or she is using an Android phone or laptop.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett didn't hold back when speaking about oppression in America during a DEI hearing on the House floor. On Wednesday (November 20), Crockett sent a clear message that white men in America have never been oppressed during the House Oversight Committee hearing on the "Dismantle DEI Act." The GOP-sponsored bill would eliminate all federal DEI offices and programs. Crockett called out her Republican colleagues for labeling themselves as oppressed due to DEI. She described their redefinition of the word "oppression" as "nails on a chalkboard." "It seems like you don't understand the definition of oppression and I'd ask you to just refer to Google to help you out," Crockett said.
Chicago bar and restaurant owners joined the opposition to Mayor Brandon Johnson's 2025 budget plan Wednesday, saying the 35% tax hike he wants on liquor sales would be ruinous to their businesses. "There is no negotiation on this tax. We will fight it to all levels," Pat Doerr, director of the Hospitality Business Association of Chicago, told reporters at the Haymarket Brewery in the West Loop. "We have done our part for the city coffers over the last four years, and there was not a point we could agree on in between on this after what we've paid in the past. We're good earners for the city. We've earned enough, and we need a break." read more
Pollster Nate Silver said President Biden should resign in a post on the social platform X on Wednesday. "Is there any particular reason to assume Biden is competent to be president right now? It's a very difficult job," Silver wrote in his post. "It's a dangerous world. Extremely high-stakes decisions in Ukraine. He should resign and let Harris serve out the last 2 months." Silver's post also featured a screenshot of a report from The Washington Post, and a link to the article. The Post reporting centered on Biden's relationship with the press as he prepares to exit the White House. Biden, according to the Post, did not spend much of his time talking publicly during his recent visit to South America. read more
I am going on record that she was a horrible pick with a horrible history in Florida, at least in the Panhandle.