Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Wisconsin Republican bill blocks Tony Evers pledge
The Republican-led Wisconsin Legislature is rushing to pass legislation that would bar the incoming governor and attorney general, both Democrats, from fulfilling a campaign promise to leave a lawsuit seeking to overturn most of Obamacare. Published December 4, 2018
China declares fentanyl illegal amid Trump pressure
One week before the midterm elections, seven members of Congress jetted to China with specific marching orders from the Trump administration and Ambassador Terry Branstad: Urge Beijing to crack down on fentanyl, the No. 1 killer in the U.S. overdose crisis. Published December 3, 2018
George H.W. Bush lies in state at U.S. Capitol
Americans began to get a chance to pay their respects in person Monday to former President George H.W. Bush, whose body was brought to the U.S. Capitol to lie in state, joining just 31 other heroes so honored. Published December 3, 2018
Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ebola outbreak now second-worst in history
New case counts from the Democratic Republic of Congo indicate its lingering Ebola outbreak is now the worst in recorded history behind the massive outbreak that killed thousands in West Africa earlier this decade. Published November 30, 2018
House Democrats unveil sweeping political reform bill as ‘HR1’
House Democrats set to retake the majority unveiled a political-reform bill Friday that would bolster ethics rules in Congress, push for automatic voter registration and require presidential nominees to release their tax returns -- a direct rebuke of President Trump. Published November 30, 2018
Donald Trump outlines ways states can duck Obamacare’s strictures
The Trump administration on Thursday outlined ways that states can skirt Obamacare, freeing adventurous governors and legislators to spend federal money on health plans that don't meet the strict standards of the law's exchanges. Published November 29, 2018
Nancy Pelosi short on votes to be House speaker
The House Democratic Caucus voted 203-32 to name Nancy Pelosi speaker-designee, showing she is well within striking distance of the 218 total she will need Jan. 3. Published November 28, 2018
Steny Hoyer selected by House Democrats as majority leader
House Democrats backed Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland to serve as majority leader in the new Congress, extending his lengthy reign in the top ranks of party leadership. Published November 28, 2018
Pelosi wins Democratic nomination for speaker
Rep. Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday moved a step closer to securing another stint as speaker of the House, winning over enough of her Democratic colleagues to set up final vote on the House floor next month that will serve as the last chance for her foes to stop the most powerful woman in U.S. politics. Published November 28, 2018
Pelosi confident she has votes for House speaker
Rep. Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday she is confident she will grab the floor votes she needs to regain the speaker's gavel, brushing aside rebel Democrats who griped over the lack of a clear transition plan to a new leader down the road. Published November 28, 2018
Hakeem Jeffries selected as caucus chair by Democrats
House Democrats on Wednesday selected Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, a rising party star, to be their caucus chair when they retake the majority in the new year. Published November 28, 2018
White House works on backup plan for Obamacare
The Trump administration is formulating a backup plan to ensure that Obamacare customers can still get insurance if a state-driven lawsuit is successful in striking down the 2010 health law. Published November 28, 2018
Trump admin forming ‘contingency plans’ if lawsuit kills Obamacare
The Trump administration is forming a backup plan to ensure that sicker Americans can still get insurance if a state-driven lawsuit is successful in striking down Obamacare, the chief of federal insurance programs said Tuesday. Published November 27, 2018
FDA lifts romaine lettuce ban
It's OK to eat romaine lettuce again, the Food and Drug Administration said late Monday, lifting a nationwide ban on its sale and consumption but leaving it in place for a growing region in California. Published November 26, 2018
Trump administration proposes Medicare Part D changes to bolster negotiating power
The Trump administration on Monday proposed letting private plans in Medicare refuse to cover drugs in a set of "protected classes" if prices rise faster than inflation, saying it will pry deeper discounts from drug makers. Published November 26, 2018
DRC launches randomized trial of Ebola drugs
The Democratic of Republic of Congo is using an unfolding Ebola outbreak within its borders to conduct a groundbreaking trial of multiple drugs that could combat the deadly disease, the public arm of the U.N. said Monday. Published November 26, 2018
Pace of Obamacare sign-ups lagging, three weeks in
Sign-ups on Obamacare's main portal aren't coming in as fast as they were last year, according to a federal "snapshot" on Wednesday that looked at consumer interest three weeks into the 2019 enrollment period. Published November 21, 2018
Marcia Fudge backs Nancy Pelosi for House speaker
Rep. Marcia Fudge of Ohio said Tuesday she will not run for speaker and backed current Democratic leadership, giving Rep. Nancy Pelosi a major boost in her bid to take up the gavel as opponents struggle to find an alternative candidate. Published November 20, 2018
CDC issues sweeping warning to avoid romaine lettuce, citing E. coli
Americans should not eat romaine lettuce, retailers shouldn't sell it and restaurants shouldn't serve any until federal officials get a handle on a serious outbreak of E. coli in the greens, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday. Published November 20, 2018
Marcia Fudge, mulling speaker bid, faces Ohio firestorm
Rep. Marcia Fudge, the Ohio Democrat mulling a bid for speaker, tried to distance herself Tuesday from 2015 statements she made in support of former judge who admitted to beating his wife and is now suspected in her death. Published November 20, 2018
