David Sherfinski
Articles by David Sherfinski
Susan Collins, Maine senator: ‘Very difficult’ to see my support of Graham-Cassidy health care bill
Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said Sunday it's "very difficult" to see a scenario in which she would support the Obamacare repeal bill. Published September 24, 2017
Bob Corker, Pat Toomey reach tax cut agreement in Senate
Republican senators struck a deal this week paving the way for potentially $1.5 trillion in tax cuts over the next decade, suggesting broad outlines of a plan to be presented next week. Published September 21, 2017
Donald Trump says tax overhaul won’t force rich to pay more
President Trump said Thursday he doubts he'll have to hike tax rates for the rich in order to get a tax overhaul through Congress, dialing back his comments a day earlier that the wealthy could end up paying more under his plan. Published September 14, 2017
Conservative groups urge lawmakers to lower tax rates ‘across the board’
Nearly 100 conservative leaders and activists on Thursday released a letter urging lawmakers to pass a tax reform plan in 2017 that lowers rates "across the board" and simplifies the federal code. Published September 14, 2017
Donald Trump targets rich in tax reform
With President Trump demanding quick action on tax reform, Republican leaders on Capitol Hill said Wednesday that they will release a full framework by month's end and hope to set an aggressive schedule that would put a massive package on Mr. Trump's desk by year's end. Published September 13, 2017
Kevin Brady: ‘Consensus’ tax reform outline to be released week of Sept. 25
Republican congressional leaders on Wednesday said lawmakers plan to release a tax reform framework the week of Sept. 25, as President Trump urges Capitol Hill to get moving on the process. Published September 13, 2017
House panel weighs legislation that would loosen restrictions on gun silencers
Lawmakers on Tuesday kick-started a renewed debate over guns with a hearing on a sportsmen's bill that includes language loosening restrictions on gun sound suppressors, or silencers -- one of the top legislative priorities for gun-rights groups this year. Published September 12, 2017
Tax overhaul by GOP likely punted into 2018, beyond
Tax activists antsy over Congress' ability to overhaul the country's tax code this year are urging lawmakers to shift gears and work instead on a big tax cut, saying the GOP needs to post a win before it faces voters in 2018. Published September 11, 2017
Trump signs emergency disaster bill, keeps govt. open through December
President Trump signed a bill Friday afternoon to inject billions of dollars into disaster relief, racing to deliver the funds as Hurricane Irma bears down on Florida and as cleanup efforts from Hurricane Harvey get fully underway in Texas. Published September 8, 2017
Lamar Smith rolls out legislation to curb legal immigration, expand E-Verify
Rep. Lamar Smith, Texas Republican, on Thursday unveiled legislation that would cut legal immigration levels in half through a points-based system for people migrating to the U.S. and expand the use of the E-Verify system to include all new hires. Published September 7, 2017
Ivanka Trump teams with Grover Norquist, faith and family leaders to boost tax-reform efforts
Ivanka Trump, the president's daughter and a top adviser, jumped into the administration's tax reform push on Wednesday, joining conservatives to promote an expansion of the child tax credit and later appearing onstage with her father at an event in North Dakota. Published September 6, 2017
John Cornyn: Harvey relief to be tied to debt limit hike
Senate Republicans said Tuesday they will link a Hurricane Harvey relief package to an increase in the government's borrowing limit, disappointing conservatives who'd insisted each issue should be debated on its own merits. Published September 5, 2017
Congressional leaders warn against withdrawing from South Korean free trade pact
Top lawmakers on the U.S. House and Senate committees with jurisdiction over trade warned Tuesday against pulling out of a free trade agreement with South Korea, amid recent reports that President Trump is thinking about withdrawing from the pact, known as KORUS. Published September 5, 2017
Harvey price gouging punishment may backfire, economists say
Gouging has become a major fear in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, with federal and state officials warning of hell to pay for those who jack up prices in the midst of scarcity. Published August 31, 2017
John McCain urges delay in new catfish inspection rules
Sen. John McCain is mounting a last-minute plea to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to delay implementation of new catfish inspection rules slated to fully kick in Friday, saying all catfish inspections should be returned to the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration. Published August 31, 2017
Harvey brings new urgency to fight over federal flood insurance reform
Congress appears eager to approve federal aid for the victims of Hurricane Harvey, but it could have a tougher time as it races an end-of-September deadline to renew the National Flood Insurance Program, which is already $25 billion in debt thanks to past storms. Published August 30, 2017
Harvey breaks rainfall records, spreads more disaster
Hurricane Harvey's rainfall topped 50 inches in some spots, setting a record for the continental U.S., as flooding reached more neighborhoods in Texas on Tuesday, forced further evacuations, spurred thousands of heroic rescues and stranded many more people. Published August 29, 2017
Donald Trump: Harvey cleanup will be ‘costly proposition’
President Trump said Tuesday the recovery process after Hurricane Harvey will be a "costly proposition" and that the storm has already led to historic levels of damage. Published August 29, 2017
Sgt. Steve Perez identified as Houston police officer killed in Harvey flooding
Houston police on Tuesday confirmed that Sgt. Steve Perez died of drowning after he had attempted to drive to work in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Published August 29, 2017
Houston police chief: More than 3,500 people rescued amid Harvey recovery
Houston's police chief on Tuesday said more than 3,500 people have been rescued in the wake of torrential rains and flooding from Hurricane Harvey, and that officials are likely at least days away from moving to actual recovery portions of the response. Published August 29, 2017
