Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
China posts slowest growth in nearly 30 years; Trump says tariffs are having a ‘major effect’
China's economy grew at its slowest rate in almost three decades, officials said Monday, prompting President Trump to claim the upper hand in the U.S.'s trade war with the Asian superpower. Published July 15, 2019
Trump: China isn’t buying farm products, as promised
President Trump on Thursday complained that China is "letting us down" by failing to purchase U.S. farm products in exchange for his decision to hit the pause button on tariffs in the ongoing trade war. Published July 11, 2019
White House retreats on drug-rebate rule; spending increases were key concern
The administration said Thursday it is canceling plans to require Medicare to pass drug-rebate savings on to seniors, saying the benefits would have been swamped by increased premiums they'd pay for their prescription drug plans. Published July 11, 2019
Donald Trump announces shake-up of kidney industry, seeks to slash disease by 25% by 2030
President Trump ordered a shakeup of the kidney care market Wednesday, saying the current way of doing things is too expensive for taxpayers, vexing for patients, and costing lives. Published July 10, 2019
Obamacare ‘individual mandate’ constitutionality doubted by appeals court judges
A federal appeals court sympathized Tuesday with Republicans who say Obamacare's "individual mandate" to hold insurance is no longer constitutional, though signaled they're reluctant to decide which parts of the program should fall with it. Published July 9, 2019
Jeremy Hunt defends Theresa May, Kim Darroch amid leaked memo scandal
British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt on Tuesday defended Prime Minister Theresa May and embattled Ambassador Kim Darroch amid a dust-up over leaked memos that called the White House dysfunctional and "inept." Published July 9, 2019
Judge Amit Mehta rejects Trump rule to help rein in drug prices
A federal judge in the District of Columbia has struck down President Trump's efforts to rein in prescription-drug prices, ruling that federal bureaucrats cannot require companies to disclose their prices in TV ads. Published July 8, 2019
South Korea 5G cell network embrace hit by Huawei blacklist
South Korea appears to have the early lead if the launch of next-generation 5G cellular networks truly is a global race. Published July 8, 2019
Donald Trump cuts off U.K. ambassador after leaked memos: ‘We will no longer deal with him’
Britain's ambassador to the United States is now a persona non grata -- at least at the White House. Published July 8, 2019
Democrats go on offense ahead of Obamacare showdown
Democrats highlighted the political peril Monday of an anti-Obamacare lawsuit that's set for argument before a federal appeals court later this week, vowing to punish President Trump and anyone else backing the attempt to overturn the 2010 health law. Published July 8, 2019
Bennie Thompson, Democrats vow immigrant detention center probe
Lawmakers return to Washington this week more divided than ever and facing a series of new immigration policy crises, with an urgency to troubling conditions at the border for illegal immigrants, with President Trump sparking a clash over the 2020 census, and with the Homeland Security Department preparing a round of deportations of illegal immigrant families. Published July 7, 2019
Trump, 2020 field congratulate U.S. women’s soccer team on World Cup win
President Trump congratulated the women's national soccer team for their record fourth World Cup title on Sunday. Published July 7, 2019
Citizenship question will be on 2020 census, Ken Cuccinelli predicts
Ken Cuccinelli, the acting chief of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, said Sunday he thinks a citizenship question will find its way onto the 2020 census. Published July 7, 2019
Jeff Merkley, 2016 Bernie Sanders supporter, withholds 2020 endorsement
Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon was the first Democratic senator to endorse Bernie Sanders in 2016, but he's holding back ahead of the 2020 primary, saying Sunday there are plenty of bold Democrats in the field. Published July 7, 2019
Ken Cuccinelli: ICE agents ready to ‘perform their mission’ as deportation raid reprieve ends
Ken Cuccinelli, the acting chief of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, on Sunday said agents are ready to "perform their mission," as President Trump's two-week reprieve on deportation raids runs out. Published July 7, 2019
Kevin McAleenan defends performance at border
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan on Sunday defended his agency's performance against mounting claims that illegal immigrants are being detained in inhumane conditions at the border. Published July 7, 2019
Justin Amash says distaste for GOP, two-party system preceded Donald Trump
Newly independent Rep. Justin Amash on Sunday said President Trump has added to the rancor in Washington, but that political discourse began breaking down long before, thanks to the top-down control of congressional leaders in a rigid two-party system. Published July 7, 2019
Trump teases ‘favored nations’ order on drug prices
President Trump said Friday his administration is working on a "favored nations" order on prescription drugs, clearing the way for the U.S. to pay no more than the country with the lowest price. Published July 5, 2019
Trump defends Ivanka: ‘Foreign leaders love her’
President Trump gave his daughter, Ivanka, rave reviews for her performance at the G20 Summit in Japan but said he is not grooming her for office, as some suspect. Published July 5, 2019
Donald Trump says Mike Pence canceled NH trip due to issue there, not in DC
President Trump said Vice President Mike Pence suddenly canceled a recent trip to New Hampshire because of a problem up in New England, and not palace intrigue in Washington. Published July 5, 2019
