Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Senate panel advances Trump’s trade deal with Mexico, Canada
The Senate Finance Committee advanced President Trump's rewrite of the North American trade deal Tuesday, moving a campaign-year achievement closer to ratification even as the full chamber grapples with whether to remove the president. Published January 7, 2020
Trump Organization properties add to security woes amid U.S.-Iran tensions
Security specialists said the Trump Organization is certain to review its precautions in light of the rising tensions between Tehran and Washington over the U.S. killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani last week. Published January 6, 2020
Bernie Sanders uses Iran airstrike to attack Biden
Sen. Bernard Sanders is welcoming the opportunity to weigh in on President Trump's airstrike against Iran's top security and intelligence commander, using it as a chance to remind Democratic primary voters what makes him different from some of his top rivals for the presidential nomination. Published January 5, 2020
Schumer hopes 4 GOP senators will join Democrats in demanding key witnesses for impeachment trial
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer said Sunday he still hopes four Republican senators will join Democrats in demanding key witnesses for a "fair" trial as Congress returns from the holiday recess still embroiled in a standoff over how to proceed with the impeachment of President Trump. Published January 5, 2020
Bernie Sanders surging, Elizabeth Warren lagging in Iowa, New Hampshire: Poll
Sen. Bernard Sanders of Vermont starts 2020 with his best standing yet in the tight Democratic primary for president, enjoying a first-place tie with former Vice President Joseph R. Biden and Pete Buttigieg in Iowa and a slight edge on the field in New Hampshire, according to a poll released Sunday. Published January 5, 2020
Adam Schiff: Unclear if Qassem Soleimani strike disrupted plotting against the U.S.
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said Sunday that Iranian General Qassem Soleimani may have plotted against Americans for some time but it's unclear whether President Trump's decision to kill him will stop that plotting or if planned attacks were imminent enough to warrant the action. Published January 5, 2020
Elizabeth Warren suggests Qassem Soleimani strike timed for Donald Trump impeachment trial
Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Sunday questioned the timing and worth of President Trump's decision to kill Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and said the U.S. should be working to wind down wars in the Middle East instead of expanding them. Published January 5, 2020
Pete Buttigieg questions Qassem Soleimani killing
Presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg on Sunday said Iranian General Qassem Soleimani was a bad man with American blood on his hands but that President Trump must justify his decision to take him out, citing potential backlash in the volatile Middle East. Published January 5, 2020
Donald Trump kicks off evangelical outreach, says ‘God is on our side’
President Trump launched his campaign outreach to evangelical voters Friday, telling thousands of Christian supporters at a megachurch in Florida that "God is on our side." Published January 3, 2020
Trump says he ordered death of Iranian Gen. Soleimani ‘to stop a war’
President Trump said Friday he ordered the attack that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani "to stop a war," but warned Iran that the U.S. has other targets lined up and he won't hesitate to launch more strikes to defend Americans. Published January 3, 2020
Blue states to Supreme Court: Take up Obamacare lawsuit now
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and a coalition of blue states asked the Supreme Court on Friday to take up and resolve a case that argues Obamacare is no longer constitutional because Congress zeroed out the law's tax penalty for shirking insurance. Published January 3, 2020
Trump campaign set to launch evangelicals coalition
The Trump campaign will start an "Evangelicals for Trump" coalition in Miami Friday to fortify a pivotal voting bloc in the wake of a Christian magazine's editorial calling for his removal and foreign policy moves that disturbed some supporters. Published January 2, 2020
Trump camp raises $46M in final quarter; reelect team says impeachment drove best haul to date
President Trump's reelection campaign said Thursday it raised $46 million during the last quarter of 2019, marking its best-ever haul despite impeachment fervor. Published January 2, 2020
Mosquito-borne Zika virus more dangerous to newborns than ever, scientists say
The United States hasn't seen mosquito-borne Zika cases in two years, but scientists warn that complacency could be crippling or deadly for newborns. Published December 29, 2019
Chinese fentanyl in U.S. crosshairs as DEA safeguards set to expire
The U.S. is stemming the flow of opioid painkillers, but Washington remains nervous about deadly synthetics like fentanyl, saying federal safeguards will expire in February and China should be sanctioned if it doesn't rein in the No. 1 killer in the U.S. drug crisis. Published December 26, 2019
Donald Trump eyes bigger wins in runaway prescription drug price battle
President Trump claims that he made a dent in one of America's thorniest problems -- runaway prescription drug prices -- and he is eyeing bigger wins on that front heading into 2020. Published December 25, 2019
Trump to student voters: ‘No case’ on impeachment
Trapped in impeachment limbo, President Trump sought holiday succor by promoting his Space Force and telling young supporters in Florida that House Democrats are too chicken to send charges against him to the Senate. Published December 21, 2019
CDC: Mysterious vaping illnesses ‘strongly linked’ to THC additive
Federal officials said Friday the wave of vaping-related lung problems that killed more than 50 people and hospitalized thousands this year is "strongly linked" to a sticky substance used to dilute products with THC, a psychoactive chemical in cannabis. Published December 20, 2019
Trump speaks to Xi about trade signing ceremony
President Trump on Friday said he spoke to Chinese President Xi Jinping about arranging a formal signing of the two countries' "phase-one" trade deal. Published December 20, 2019
House votes to implement Donald Trump’s NAFTA rewrite
House Democrats and Republicans linked arms and overwhelmingly approved President Trump's rewrite of the North American trade deal Thursday, less than 24 hours after members evoked Pearl Harbor and Pontius Pilate in a nasty impeachment debate on the same floor. Published December 19, 2019
