You would think that during the two weeks since Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, President Donald Trump would have found the proper message for the people of the U.S. territory as they struggle to reassemble their homes and lives.
It’s easy to envision any of our past presidents bringing words of comfort and hope to Puerto Rico, along with a pledge of federal support to assist in the recovery. But Trump is no normal president and his overdue visit to the island on Tuesd...
ThinkProgress
Trump complains about the cost of the humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico
Visiting Puerto Rico on Tuesday — the first time since a devastating hurricane hit two weeks ago — President Trump downplayed the criticism leveled at his administration’s slow response to the island’s crisis, while emphasizing the cost of recovery.
“I hate to tell you, Puerto Rico, but you’ve thrown our budget a little out of whack — because we’ve spent a lot of money on Puerto Rico,” Trump said in a press briefing. A beat later, he added, “...
Asked about guns, Paul Ryan talks about the need for corporate tax cuts
During a news conference on Tuesday, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) was asked whether House Republicans still plan to forge ahead with a bill to deregulate gun silencers on the same week as the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.
But instead of addressing the question head-on, Ryan quickly pivoted to touting the need for corporate tax cuts.
Pushed about the so-called Sportsmen Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act (SHARE Act), Ryan said he’s not sure whe...
Mental illness rates are spiking, and its victims feel forgotten by the Trump administration
The first week of October marks the National Alliance on Mental Illness’ (NAMI’s) Mental Illness Awareness Week. Nine months into Donald Trump’s presidency — and nearly one year after his victory sparked a flurry of self-care and self-help articles — the new normal is taking a toll on Americans, and there’s still no sign of change in our policies.
Nicole Nadeau, a 26-year-old from Georgia, suffers from severe anxiety, which, she says, became noticeably worse after Trump ...
Interior Department launches third investigation into Sec. Zinke’s alleged misconduct
From taking chartered flights for non-business-related matters to allegedly calling Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R) to threaten her if she did support the Republicans’ attempt repeal Obamacare, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke’s alleged misconduct is under growing scrutiny not only from the press but from with his own agency.
Speaking at a right-wing think tank last Friday, Zinke vowed not to change his travel habits, but his defiance came as the Department of the Int...
Puerto Rico’s Medicaid block grant stands in the way of its hurricane recovery efforts
President Donald Trump will be visiting Puerto Rico on Tuesday to witness first-hand the damage caused by Hurricane Maria and meet with residents who still lack basic necessities. The island — home to more than 3.4 million U.S. residents — is mostly without electricity or running water since Maria made landfall as a major Category 4 hurricane on September 20.
The political and public response to the catastrophe has been muted compared to that of Hurricane Harvey and Irma...
Federal judge blocks law requiring anyone offering abortion advice to register with the state
A federal judge in Florida blocked a law on Friday that would have required anyone offering advice about abortions to register with the state and provide those seeking advice with a detailed explanation of the abortion procedure and alternatives.
The law, which was signed by Gov. Rick Scott last year, would have required abortion “advisers” to pay a $200 fee and offer a “full and complete” definition of abortion and its benefits and drawbacks. What that definition needed to include ...
Federal judge blocks law requiring anyone offering abortion advice to register with the state
A federal judge in Florida blocked a law on Friday that would have required anyone offering advice about abortions to register with the state and provide those seeking advice with a detailed explanation of the abortion procedure and alternatives.
The law, which was signed by Gov. Rick Scott last year, would have required abortion “advisers” to pay a $200 fee and offer a “full and complete” definition of abortion and its benefits and drawbacks. What that definition needed to include ...
Trump dismisses criticism of Puerto Rico response as ‘fake news,’ spends afternoon watching golf
Puerto Rico, an American territory with over 3 million people, is still reeling from the impact of Hurricane Maria.
As of Sunday, just 5 percent of the island has electrical power and only 14 percent of the nation’s cell phone towers are working. Large swaths of the island still lack drinking water. Most roadways are in shambles.
None of that, apparently, has convinced President Trump to change his plans. On Sunday afternoon, he took Marine One from his golf course in B...
Republican senator calls health care, food, and shelter a ‘privilege’
When asked by a high school student in Wisconsin whether he considered health care a right or a privilege, Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) compared access to health care to access to food and shelter, arguing that all three should be considered “privileges” for those who can afford them.
“I think it’s probably more of a privilege,” Johnson said in response to the question. “Do you consider food a right? Do you consider clothing a right? Do you consider...