Stephen Dinan
Articles by Stephen Dinan
China ‘birth tourism’ operation prompts federal charges
Federal prosecutors announced an indictment Thursday against 19 people accused of running "birth tourism" operations in Southern California that helped thousands of pregnant Chinese women visit the U.S. just in time to give birth -- thus securing American citizenship for their children. Published January 31, 2019
Senate defies Trump in vote against ‘precipitous’ pullout in Syria, Afghanistan
The Senate voted Thursday to stiffen President Trump's spine and reassure allies that the U.S. is committed to its military efforts in Syria and Afghanistan, in a vote that tied Democrats in knots. Published January 31, 2019
GOP demands answers on possible Medicaid fraud
Top congressional investigators sounded an alarm Thursday over potentially massive fraud in Medicaid and asked the Trump administration for a plan to combat overpayments, saying it's possible that billions of dollars are being wasted on people who shouldn't qualify. Published January 31, 2019
Democrats’ border security plan takes fire from the left
An influential group of immigration activists lashed out at Democrats on Thursday, saying the party's new border security plan is still too cruel toward illegal immigrants and should instead focus on granting citizenship rights. Published January 31, 2019
Pennsylvania says noncitizens on voter rolls lower than 8,700
The number of noncitizens identified on Pennsylvania's voter rolls is fewer than 8,700, the state says, pushing back on an announcement by state lawmakers and voter integrity activists that the total is higher than 11,200. Published January 31, 2019
Democrats’ border security counteroffer doesn’t include wall funding — yet
House Democrats revealed the outlines of their border security counteroffer Wednesday, saying they will pump money into stopping drugs and providing care for illegal immigrants -- including cutting the number of detention beds to hold them for deportation. Published January 30, 2019
Dems’ border security proposal would release illegal immigrants into U.S.
Democrats' new border security proposal would cut the number of detention beds available to hold illegal immigrants for deportation, effectively forcing Homeland Security to release more people into communities. Published January 30, 2019
Pennsylvania admits to 11,000 noncitizens registered to vote
A top Pennsylvania lawmaker called on the state Wednesday to immediately expunge the names of 11,198 noncitizens whom the state confirmed are registered to vote, despite not being eligible. Published January 30, 2019
How the Republican-controlled Congress failed President Trump
To hear the White House and Republican leaders on Capitol Hill tell it, the just-concluded 115th Congress was a master class in bipartisan achievements. Published January 30, 2019
Dinged by illegal hires, Trump companies agree to use E-Verify
President Trump's business empire will start to use the federal E-Verify program to weed out workers who are in the country illegally, the Trump Organization announced this week, after another set of workers came forward to say they had been employed at one of his golf courses. Published January 30, 2019
John Rood, Defense undersecretary: Pentagon can build parts of wall without Trump declaration
President Trump wouldn't need to make an emergency declaration to have the Pentagon build at least some of his border wall, a top Defense Department official told Congress Tuesday, though he said no final decisions have been made. Published January 29, 2019
Washington Times Legislative Activity Index finds Trump, 115th Congress historically ineffective
To hear the White House and Republican leaders on Capitol Hill tell it, the just-concluded 115th Congress was a master class in bipartisan achievements. The numbers suggest something altogether different. Published January 29, 2019
Stacy Abrams, failed candidate for Georgia governor, to deliver Democratic response to Trump SOTU
Democrats have tapped failed Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams to deliver their response to President Trump's State of the Union speech next week, giving her a major national platform. Published January 29, 2019
Voters trust Pelosi over Trump on border security: Quinnipiac poll
More voters trust House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over President Trump on the big issues facing the country, according to a new Quinnipiac University Poll released Tuesday that finds the president is losing the border wall battle in the public. Published January 29, 2019
U.S. tracking three migrant caravans, one with 12,000 people
The U.S. government is tracking three separate migrant caravans, one of them estimated to be more than 12,000 people in size, heading north toward the U.S., a top Pentagon official said Tuesday. Published January 29, 2019
Donald Trump moves are damaging U.S. economy, CBO concludes
The government shutdown President Trump orchestrated will sap $3 billion from the U.S. economy, his tariffs will take another bite, and the sugar high from his tax cuts will soon wear off, leaving a federal budget gasping for relief, the Congressional Budget Office said Monday. Published January 28, 2019
Trump officials prepared to shut down government for second time
The Trump administration said Monday that the country "could sustain" another government shutdown, as Congress begins talks on trying to avert one by striking a deal on border wall money. Published January 28, 2019
Pelosi sets Feb. 5 date for new State of the Union
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a new invitation Monday to President Trump to deliver his delayed State of the Union address on Feb. 5. In a response letter Mr. Trump said it was "my great honor" to accept the new date. Published January 28, 2019
First round of border wall negotiations to take place Wednesday
Congressional negotiators scheduled the first public round of negotiations on the border wall for Wednesday. Published January 28, 2019
Trump’s shutdown, tariffs ding economy
The government shutdown sapped the economy of $3 billion last year and another $8 billion this month, the Congressional Budget Office calculated Monday, putting a hard dollar total to the monthlong standoff. Published January 28, 2019
