Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
White House says Iran drone taken down, despite Tehran’s denials
The White House said Friday there is "no question" the U.S. Navy shot down an Iranian drone over international waters in the Strait of Hormuz, despite Tehran's denials. Published July 19, 2019
Mnuchin: Democratic leaders have agreed to top-line budget numbers
The Trump administration and Democratic negotiators said Thursday they're closer to a two-year budget deal that also raises the debt ceiling but added that sticking points remain, notably how to offset spending. Published July 18, 2019
Donald Trump at North Carolina rally: ‘Winning it by a lot’ with attacks on ‘squad’
Fresh from his condemnation by House Democrats, President Trump exulted Wednesday that he's winning his feud against a "squad" of liberal lawmakers, pointing to an uptick in his polling and claiming victory with boisterous supporters at a campaign rally in North Carolina. Published July 17, 2019
Obamacare ‘Cadillac tax’ on health insurance plans repealed by House
The House voted Wednesday to repeal Obamacare's "Cadillac tax" on high-cost health insurance plans, doling out a win to labor unions and some employers while threatening to balloon deficits and remove a tool that economists favor as a way to control health spending. Published July 17, 2019
Trump says he’s winning the fight against the Democrats’ ‘squad’
Fresh from his condemnation by House Democrats, President Trump exulted Wednesday that he's winning his feud against a "squad" of liberal lawmakers, pointing to an uptick in his polling as he prepared to celebrate with boisterous supporters at a campaign rally in North Carolina. Published July 17, 2019
WHO says Ebola outbreak in DRC is a global emergency
The World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak in Congo to be a global emergency Wednesday, elevating the nearly yearlong crisis and issuing a global cry for more help despite the reservations of local officials. Published July 17, 2019
Republicans launch ‘Women for Trump’ coalition in Pennsylvania
President Trump's daughter-in-law launched a "Women for Trump" coalition in greater Philadelphia on Tuesday, as the GOP strives to improve its standing among suburban female voters. Published July 16, 2019
Donald Trump says a ‘long way to go’ on China trade
The U.S. could impose new tariffs on China "if we want," President Trump said Tuesday, warning there's a "long way to go" in sealing a trade pact as the Chinese drag their feet on a commitment to American farmers. Published July 16, 2019
Bipartisan group wants to write Huawei ban into law
Senators from both parties filed legislation Tuesday that writes President Trump's decision to blacklist Chinese company Huawei into law. Published July 16, 2019
Treasury airs concerns about cryptocurrency, Facebook’s Libra
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Monday said the Trump administration, fearing the misuse of shadowy banking channels, will force Facebook or other providers of cryptocurrency to behave like traditional financial institutions if they move forward with their plans. Published July 15, 2019
Donald Trump demands higher standards for ‘Made in America’ goods
President Trump signed an executive order Monday requiring firms to produce 75% of their materials in the U.S. to claim "Made In America" status, up from 50%. Published July 15, 2019
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
