The panel investigating the historic US Capitol riot will be voting on whether criminal charges should be pressed against former US president Donald Trump at their final public meeting to be held on Monday.

The final decision taken after voting will end the House of Representatives select committee’s 18-month investigation in which more than 1,000 witnesses were interviewed and explosive public hearings were held on the assault carried out at the US Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.

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Around five people had lost their lives after a mob, influenced by Trump's false claims of a rigged election and asked to storm into the Congress by the lost president, ransacked the US Capitol in a failed bid to stop President Joe Biden from taking up the power.&nbsp; &nbsp;

It is expected that the Justice Department will be urged by the committee to carry on Trump’s trial on at least three charges of violence which are obstructing an official work, conspiring to defraud the country and fuelling an insurrection.&nbsp;

The referrals made will be symbolic as the Justice Department holds control over charging decisions. Independent special prosecutor Jack Smith, who has been appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland, is carrying out his own investigation into the 2020 election and the role played by Trump in the Capitol riot.&nbsp;

WATCH|&nbsp;Five people shot dead by gunman at a residential unit in Toronto

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However, the move of lawmakers would be historic as no criminal referral has ever been made by Congress against a former or current president. The decision would be a major blow to Trump in the wake of his recent announcement of making a presidential bid to come back to the White House.

Democratic committee member Adam Schiff said, "I think that the evidence is there that Donald Trump committed criminal offenses in connection with his efforts to overturn the election.”

(With inputs from agencies)

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The panel investigating the historic US Capitol riot will be voting on whether criminal charges should be pressed against former US president Donald Trump at their final public meeting to be held on Monday.

The panel investigating the historic US Capitol riot will be voting on whether criminal charges should be pressed against former US president Donald Trump at their final public meeting to be held on Monday. The final decision taken after voting will end the House of Representatives select committee’s 18-month investigation in which more than 1,000 witnesses were interviewed and explosive public hearings were held on the assault carried out at the US Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. ALSO READ| Putin's rare visit to Belarus: Lukashenko urges unity with Russia in 'difficult times' Around five people had lost their lives after a mob, influenced by Trump's false claims of a rigged election and asked to storm into the Congress by the lost president, ransacked the US Capitol in a failed bid to stop President Joe Biden from taking up the power. It is expected that the Justice Department will be urged by the committee to carry on Trump’s trial on at least three charges of violence which are obstructing an official work, conspiring to defraud the country and fuelling an insurrection. The referrals made will be symbolic as the Justice Department holds control over charging decisions. Independent special prosecutor Jack Smith, who has been appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland, is carrying out his own investigation into the 2020 election and the role played by Trump in the Capitol riot. WATCH| Five people shot dead by gunman at a residential unit in Toronto However, the move of lawmakers would be historic as no criminal referral has ever been made by Congress against a former or current president. The decision would be a major blow to Trump in the wake of his recent announcement of making a presidential bid to come back to the White House. Democratic committee member Adam Schiff said, "I think that the evidence is there that Donald Trump committed criminal offenses in connection with his efforts to overturn the election.” (With inputs from agencies)

US Capitol riot panel set to vote on criminal charges against Trump

The United States House of Representatives passed legislation aimed at averting a crippling nationwide US freight rail strike, sending it to the Senate, which could take action as soon as this weekend.

US House passes bill to avert a rail strike

The US House of Representatives on Wednesday (November 30) approved a bill to block a potentially crippling railroad strike. The bill also has provisions for mandatory paid sick leave for rail workers. The bill was approved with 290 votes for and 137 votes against. The House separately voted 221 to 207, to give seven days of paid sick leave to railroad employees.

But it faces an uncertain fate in the Senate. Democrats and some Republicans have expressed outrage over the lack of paid short-term sick leave for railroad workers. It was feared that a rail strike could begin as early as December 9.&nbsp;

If a rail strike indeed takes place, it would freeze almost 30 per cent of US cargo shipments by weight. It may also increase the already high inflation. It will cost the economy $2 billion per day.

After the vote, President Joe Biden called on the Senate to act "urgently."

Railroads and the US Chamber of Commerce oppose amending the contract deal that was struck in September largely on the recommendations of an emergency board appointed by Biden.

The influential business lobby group said the sick leave, if passed and signed into law, "would impose an unworkable, one-sided modification to a labor agreement."

Biden on Monday (November 28) praised the proposed contract that includes a 24% compounded pay increase over five years and five annual $1,000 lump-sum payments, and had asked Congress to impose the agreement without any modifications.

There are no paid short-term sick days under the tentative deal after unions asked for 15 and railroads settled on one personal day.

Association of American Railroads Chief Executive Ian Jefferies said House action on sick leave could undermine future collective bargaining and argued the unions have historically bargained for higher overall wages and a more generous long-term leave policy.

Eight of 12 unions have ratified the deal. But some labor leaders have criticized Biden for asking Congress to impose a contract that workers in four unions have rejected over its lack of paid sick leave.

(With inputs from agencies)

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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The US House of Representatives on Wednesday (November 30) approved a bill to block a potentially crippling railroad strike. The bill also has provisions for mandatory paid sick leave for rail workers.

The US House of Representatives on Wednesday (November 30) approved a bill to block a potentially crippling railroad strike. The bill also has provisions for mandatory paid sick leave for rail workers. The bill was approved with 290 votes for and 137 votes against. The House separately voted 221 to 207, to give seven days of paid sick leave to railroad employees. But it faces an uncertain fate in the Senate. Democrats and some Republicans have expressed outrage over the lack of paid short-term sick leave for railroad workers. It was feared that a rail strike could begin as early as December 9. If a rail strike indeed takes place, it would freeze almost 30 per cent of US cargo shipments by weight. It may also increase the already high inflation. It will cost the economy $2 billion per day. After the vote, President Joe Biden called on the Senate to act "urgently." Railroads and the US Chamber of Commerce oppose amending the contract deal that was struck in September largely on the recommendations of an emergency board appointed by Biden. The influential business lobby group said the sick leave, if passed and signed into law, "would impose an unworkable, one-sided modification to a labor agreement." Biden on Monday (November 28) praised the proposed contract that includes a 24% compounded pay increase over five years and five annual $1,000 lump-sum payments, and had asked Congress to impose the agreement without any modifications. There are no paid short-term sick days under the tentative deal after unions asked for 15 and railroads settled on one personal day. Association of American Railroads Chief Executive Ian Jefferies said House action on sick leave could undermine future collective bargaining and argued the unions have historically bargained for higher overall wages and a more generous long-term leave policy. Eight of 12 unions have ratified the deal. But some labor leaders have criticized Biden for asking Congress to impose a contract that workers in four unions have rejected over its lack of paid sick leave. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

US House approves bill to avert rail strike that could cost economy $2bn per day

The US House of Representatives began debating a gun control bill recently. The bill would ban certain types of assault style rifles like the ones used in the recent mass shootings in America.

US House of Representatives begins debating over gun control bills

Nancy Pelosi, Speaker, House of Representatives of the United States has tested positive for coronavirus. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The 82-year-old leader does not seem to have any symptoms of the disease, her office said on Thursday. &nbsp;

This comes a day after the Democrat leader from California was standing next to US President Joe Biden at an event at the White House. &nbsp;

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The development is the latest in a series of Covid diagnoses for US government officials in Washington. &nbsp;

In a Twitter post, her deputy chief of staff Drew Hammill said, “After testing negative this week, Speaker Pelosi received a positive test result for COVID-19 and is currently asymptomatic.” &nbsp;&nbsp;

“The Speaker is fully vaccinated and boosted, and is thankful for the robust protection the vaccine has provided. The Speaker will quarantine consistent with CDC guidance, and encourages everyone to get vaccinated, boosted and test regularly,” Hammill added.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;US : North Korea could hold its nuclear weapons test next week&nbsp;

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If Biden dies or is incapacitated, Pelosi will be second in line in the order of presidential succession after Vice President Kamala Harris. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Attorney General Merrick Garland and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo had also tested positive for the COVID-19 on Wednesday. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Nancy Pelosi, Speaker, House of Representatives of the United States has tested positive for coronavirus. The 82-year-old leader does not seem to have any symptoms of the disease, her office said on Thursday.

Nancy Pelosi, Speaker, House of Representatives of the United States has tested positive for coronavirus. The 82-year-old leader does not seem to have any symptoms of the disease, her office said on Thursday. This comes a day after the Democrat leader from California was standing next to US President Joe Biden at an event at the White House. Also Read | Ketanji Brown Jackson: The first Black woman to be US Supreme Court judge The development is the latest in a series of Covid diagnoses for US government officials in Washington. In a Twitter post, her deputy chief of staff Drew Hammill said, “After testing negative this week, Speaker Pelosi received a positive test result for COVID-19 and is currently asymptomatic.” “The Speaker is fully vaccinated and boosted, and is thankful for the robust protection the vaccine has provided. The Speaker will quarantine consistent with CDC guidance, and encourages everyone to get vaccinated, boosted and test regularly,” Hammill added. Watch | US : North Korea could hold its nuclear weapons test next week × If Biden dies or is incapacitated, Pelosi will be second in line in the order of presidential succession after Vice President Kamala Harris. Attorney General Merrick Garland and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo had also tested positive for the COVID-19 on Wednesday. (With inputs from agencies)

US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi tests positive for COVID-19

US House of Representatives on Friday (April 1) cleared a bill to decriminalise marijuana. If the bill is okayed by the Senate and signed by President Biden, it will eliminate punishments for providing or possessing the drug.

The Democrats' Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act would remove its categorization alongside heroin and cocaine as a dangerous controlled narcotic under federal laws mandating tough sentences.

The bill was cleared by 220 votes to 204. Three Republicans crossed the aisle.

However, the bill is likely to have a tough time in Senate where Democrats would need 10 opposition lawmakers to support them.

The US government is out of line with three-quarters of states that have legalized marijuana for medical use and a third of states, like Colorado and Washington, that have freed it for recreational use, too.

"If states are the laboratories of democracy, it is long past time for the federal government to recognize that this experiment in legalization has been a resounding success," House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, one of the bill's sponsors, said.

Cannabis is one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States, with sales hitting $25 billion in 2021, according to influential cannabis website Leafly, and projected to reach $40.5 billion by 2025.

A report released in February by the Seattle-based company said the legalized cannabis industry provides work for more than 400,000 Americans and created some 280 new jobs a day last year.

California, the first state to legalize medical marijuana in 1996, made $1 billion in tax revenue in the first two years after expanding to full recreational use in 2018.

But it remains illegal under federal law, posing significant hurdles for businesses that find themselves barred from accessing financial services and unable to secure loans or open bank accounts.

(With inputs from&nbsp;agencies)

US House of Representatives on Friday (April 1) cleared a bill to decriminalise marijuana. If the bill is okayed by the Senate and signed by President Biden, it will eliminate punishments for providing or possessing the drug.

US House of Representatives on Friday (April 1) cleared a bill to decriminalise marijuana. If the bill is okayed by the Senate and signed by President Biden, it will eliminate punishments for providing or possessing the drug. The Democrats' Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act would remove its categorization alongside heroin and cocaine as a dangerous controlled narcotic under federal laws mandating tough sentences. The bill was cleared by 220 votes to 204. Three Republicans crossed the aisle. However, the bill is likely to have a tough time in Senate where Democrats would need 10 opposition lawmakers to support them. The US government is out of line with three-quarters of states that have legalized marijuana for medical use and a third of states, like Colorado and Washington, that have freed it for recreational use, too. "If states are the laboratories of democracy, it is long past time for the federal government to recognize that this experiment in legalization has been a resounding success," House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, one of the bill's sponsors, said. Cannabis is one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States, with sales hitting $25 billion in 2021, according to influential cannabis website Leafly, and projected to reach $40.5 billion by 2025. A report released in February by the Seattle-based company said the legalized cannabis industry provides work for more than 400,000 Americans and created some 280 new jobs a day last year. California, the first state to legalize medical marijuana in 1996, made $1 billion in tax revenue in the first two years after expanding to full recreational use in 2018. But it remains illegal under federal law, posing significant hurdles for businesses that find themselves barred from accessing financial services and unable to secure loans or open bank accounts. (With inputs from agencies)

US House of Representatives passes bill to decriminalise cannabis

The US House of Representatives is expected to vote on Friday on the President Joe Biden's 'Build Back Better Act'. The reconciliation bill devoted to climate change and social programs, and the bipartisan infrastructure bill has been already passed in the Senate in August.

US House expected to vote on Biden's social spending & climate change bill

The quickening pace of Democratic retirements in the House may be the clearest indication yet that the party’s hopes of maintaining its narrow majority are fading amid President Joe Biden’s sagging approval ratings, ongoing legislative struggles and the prospect of redrawn congressional districts that will put some seats out of reach.

In recent days, Reps. John Yarmuth, D-Ky.; David E. Price, D-N.C.; and Mike Doyle, D-Pa., have announced they will not seek reelection. In all, a dozen House Democrats have said they will retire or seek other offices next year, including powerful lawmakers like Yarmuth, chair of the Budget Committee, and members from the most politically competitive districts, such as Reps. Ron Kind, D-Wis., and Ann Kirkpatrick D-Ariz.

In interviews, the three representatives who most recently announced their retirement said personal issues were paramount in their decisions; they have served 72 years in the House between them. But they also cited three political factors: redistricting before the 2022 elections, Donald Trump’s continued power over Republicans and the rising balkanization of the Democratic Party that they said had made governance increasingly difficult and frustrating.

None of the three expressed concern about any particular bloc in their fractious party, which includes a growing progressive wing, an ardent group of moderates and the pro-business “New Democrats.” Rather, they said they were worried that none of the groups was willing to compromise, leaving two vital pieces of Biden’s agenda — a trillion-dollar infrastructure bill and an ambitious social policy and climate change measure — in limbo.

“That’s the danger I see for our party — these absolute positions emerging,” Doyle said. “It used to be you fought those fights in caucus, but when the caucus made a majority opinion, you moved forward.”

Price, a former political science professor at Duke University, agreed.

“I have a concern that we will have the ability to pull ourselves together, and not fracture among the caucuses the way the Republicans have,” he said.

Democrats face an uphill battle to retain control of Congress. They cannot afford to lose a single seat in the Senate, but they do not face gerrymandered maps there, and vulnerable Republican seats in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, North Carolina and Ohio make Democratic gains possible.

In the House, Democrats can afford to lose only three or four seats. The party holding the White House almost always loses seats in midterm elections, and with Biden’s approval rating well under 50%, the historical headwinds look strong. While 10 Republicans have said they will not seek reelection, the GOP sees the recent retirement announcements of prominent and long-serving Democrats as an acknowledgment of defeat.

“These Democrats spent decades accumulating power and seniority in Congress. They wouldn’t give up that power if they felt Democrats were going to hold the majority,” said Mike Berg, a spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Redistricting will make the Democratic road steeper. David Wasserman, who tracks new district maps for the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, said so far, Democratic fears look somewhat overblown; Republican state legislatures have already gerrymandered their maps so severely that they can only go so much further. Republicans appear more intent on shoring up their vulnerable incumbents than destroying Democratic seats, he said.

In contrast, Democratic legislatures, especially in New York and Illinois, may actually produce more partisan maps than their GOP brethren. In all, Wasserman said, Republicans could net up to five seats from new district lines, possibly enough to win the majority but far fewer than the 10-15 seats some Democrats fear.

Nonetheless, the new maps are pushing Democrats toward retirement. Doyle said he expects his district, which was once dominated by the city of Pittsburgh, to expand into more Trump-friendly counties to allow some of his Democratic voters to shore up the swing district now held by Rep. Conor Lamb, D-Pa., who is running for the state’s open Senate seat.

He could still win, Doyle said, but he would have a whole new set of constituents, staff to hire, offices to open and hands to shake. After 26 years in the House, retirement was logical.

Republicans toyed with breaking Yarmuth’s Louisville district into three Republican parts, but that idea is meeting resistance, even from the Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

Price also did not personally see a threat, since the Republican Legislature redrawing North Carolina’s map will likely dump more Democratic voters into his district straddling the Research Triangle of Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill to make surrounding districts more Republican.

But as those maps become more partisan, the prospect of polarization grows, Price said. Doyle’s retirement opened the door for a considerably more liberal Democrat, Summer Lee, to jump into the race Tuesday, with the backing of Justice Democrats, which has pushed the Democratic Party to the left. An even more Democratic district in the Research Triangle could elect a Democrat to the left of Price.

As for the right, Price said, the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6 “has scarred the House and raised serious questions that I never thought would be raised, about the future of the rule of law, the acceptance of election results, the peaceful transfer of power and the very future of democracy.”

With far-right Republicans such as Reps. Madison Cawthorn, R-N.C., and Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., already calling for Biden’s impeachment, Yarmuth said, “the prospect of serving in the minority is horrifying.”

Still, Yarmuth reserved some of his harshest words for newcomers in his own party. Older members who helped draft the Affordable Care Act; the Dodd-Frank banking regulations in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis; and even President Barack Obama’s climate change bill, although it ultimately failed in the Senate, knew how to compromise, he said.

“The people in the House who have been drawing all the lines are people who have not served in a governing majority,” he said. “They all have come since 2010.”

And all of the newly announced retirees warned their colleagues that failure to pass the infrastructure bill and social policy “reconciliation” measure would be politically disastrous for the Democrats.

“We’re not having trouble getting reconciliation done because of Republicans; it’s because of ourselves,” Doyle said. “While people say they don’t like to watch sausage made, they like to eat the sausage in the end.”

The quickening pace of Democratic retirements in the House may be the clearest indication yet that the party’s hopes of maintaining its narrow majority are fading amid President Joe Biden’s sagging approval ratings, ongoing legislative struggles and the prospect of redrawn congressional districts that will put some seats out of reach.

The quickening pace of Democratic retirements in the House may be the clearest indication yet that the party’s hopes of maintaining its narrow majority are fading amid President Joe Biden’s sagging approval ratings, ongoing legislative struggles and the prospect of redrawn congressional districts that will put some seats out of reach. In recent days, Reps. John Yarmuth, D-Ky.; David E. Price, D-N.C.; and Mike Doyle, D-Pa., have announced they will not seek reelection. In all, a dozen House Democrats have said they will retire or seek other offices next year, including powerful lawmakers like Yarmuth, chair of the Budget Committee, and members from the most politically competitive districts, such as Reps. Ron Kind, D-Wis., and Ann Kirkpatrick D-Ariz. In interviews, the three representatives who most recently announced their retirement said personal issues were paramount in their decisions; they have served 72 years in the House between them. But they also cited three political factors: redistricting before the 2022 elections, Donald Trump’s continued power over Republicans and the rising balkanization of the Democratic Party that they said had made governance increasingly difficult and frustrating. None of the three expressed concern about any particular bloc in their fractious party, which includes a growing progressive wing, an ardent group of moderates and the pro-business “New Democrats.” Rather, they said they were worried that none of the groups was willing to compromise, leaving two vital pieces of Biden’s agenda — a trillion-dollar infrastructure bill and an ambitious social policy and climate change measure — in limbo. “That’s the danger I see for our party — these absolute positions emerging,” Doyle said. “It used to be you fought those fights in caucus, but when the caucus made a majority opinion, you moved forward.” Price, a former political science professor at Duke University, agreed. “I have a concern that we will have the ability to pull ourselves together, and not fracture among the caucuses the way the Republicans have,” he said. Democrats face an uphill battle to retain control of Congress. They cannot afford to lose a single seat in the Senate, but they do not face gerrymandered maps there, and vulnerable Republican seats in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, North Carolina and Ohio make Democratic gains possible. In the House, Democrats can afford to lose only three or four seats. The party holding the White House almost always loses seats in midterm elections, and with Biden’s approval rating well under 50%, the historical headwinds look strong. While 10 Republicans have said they will not seek reelection, the GOP sees the recent retirement announcements of prominent and long-serving Democrats as an acknowledgment of defeat. “These Democrats spent decades accumulating power and seniority in Congress. They wouldn’t give up that power if they felt Democrats were going to hold the majority,” said Mike Berg, a spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee. Redistricting will make the Democratic road steeper. David Wasserman, who tracks new district maps for the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, said so far, Democratic fears look somewhat overblown; Republican state legislatures have already gerrymandered their maps so severely that they can only go so much further. Republicans appear more intent on shoring up their vulnerable incumbents than destroying Democratic seats, he said. In contrast, Democratic legislatures, especially in New York and Illinois, may actually produce more partisan maps than their GOP brethren. In all, Wasserman said, Republicans could net up to five seats from new district lines, possibly enough to win the majority but far fewer than the 10-15 seats some Democrats fear. Nonetheless, the new maps are pushing Democrats toward retirement. Doyle said he expects his district, which was once dominated by the city of Pittsburgh, to expand into more Trump-friendly counties to allow some of his Democratic voters to shore up the swing district now held by Rep. Conor Lamb, D-Pa., who is running for the state’s open Senate seat. He could still win, Doyle said, but he would have a whole new set of constituents, staff to hire, offices to open and hands to shake. After 26 years in the House, retirement was logical. Republicans toyed with breaking Yarmuth’s Louisville district into three Republican parts, but that idea is meeting resistance, even from the Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. Price also did not personally see a threat, since the Republican Legislature redrawing North Carolina’s map will likely dump more Democratic voters into his district straddling the Research Triangle of Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill to make surrounding districts more Republican. But as those maps become more partisan, the prospect of polarization grows, Price said. Doyle’s retirement opened the door for a considerably more liberal Democrat, Summer Lee, to jump into the race Tuesday, with the backing of Justice Democrats, which has pushed the Democratic Party to the left. An even more Democratic district in the Research Triangle could elect a Democrat to the left of Price. As for the right, Price said, the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6 “has scarred the House and raised serious questions that I never thought would be raised, about the future of the rule of law, the acceptance of election results, the peaceful transfer of power and the very future of democracy.” With far-right Republicans such as Reps. Madison Cawthorn, R-N.C., and Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., already calling for Biden’s impeachment, Yarmuth said, “the prospect of serving in the minority is horrifying.” Still, Yarmuth reserved some of his harshest words for newcomers in his own party. Older members who helped draft the Affordable Care Act; the Dodd-Frank banking regulations in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis; and even President Barack Obama’s climate change bill, although it ultimately failed in the Senate, knew how to compromise, he said. “The people in the House who have been drawing all the lines are people who have not served in a governing majority,” he said. “They all have come since 2010.” And all of the newly announced retirees warned their colleagues that failure to pass the infrastructure bill and social policy “reconciliation” measure would be politically disastrous for the Democrats. “We’re not having trouble getting reconciliation done because of Republicans; it’s because of ourselves,” Doyle said. “While people say they don’t like to watch sausage made, they like to eat the sausage in the end.”

House Democratic retirements pile up as party fears losing majority

US lawmakers on Thursday gave a go-ahead to USD 1 billion funding to resupply Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system. The funding was passed separately after provision for it was removed from another bill that addressed a possible government shutdown.

The funding was passed by House of Representatives by a comfortable 420-9

"Passage of this bill reflects the great unity in Congress... for Israel's security," Nancy Pelosi, the leader of the House Democrats, said in a speech on the chamber floor.&nbsp;

"Assistance to Israel is vital, because Israel's security is an imperative for America's security."&nbsp;

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Iron Dome missile defense system has till now destroyed thousands of short-range rockets launched by Hamas from Gaza before they struck populated areas of Israel. The system was launched a decade ago and has been backed by the US.

Provision for fresh funding was initially removed from the legislation addressing government shutdown after section of Democratic Party lawmakers threatened to oppose the legislation unless Iron Dome funding was removed from the wording

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/harvard-poll-reveals-donald-trump-has-higher-positive-rating-than-biden-415194">Harvard poll reveals Donald Trump has higher positive rating than Biden</a>

This elicited disapproving remarks from several lawmakers from both parties.

House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy termed it a Democratic capitulation to "the anti-Semitic influence of their radical members."

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-crack-down-on-potent-class-of-greenhouse-gases-415169">US to crack down on potent class of greenhouse gases</a>

Dean Phillips, a Democratic congressman from Minnesota, tweeted he was "incredulous" that colleagues would object to defending "one of our most important allies and only Jewish nation in the world" from Hamas rockets.

Israel's Prime Minister Naftali Bennett thanked both parties for their commitment to the country's security and the American people for their "steadfast friendship."

(With inputs from agencies)

US lawmakers on Thursday gave a go-ahead to USD 1 billion funding to resupply Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system. The funding was passed separately after provision for it was removed from another bill that addressed a possible government shutdown.

US lawmakers on Thursday gave a go-ahead to USD 1 billion funding to resupply Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system. The funding was passed separately after provision for it was removed from another bill that addressed a possible government shutdown. The funding was passed by House of Representatives by a comfortable 420-9 "Passage of this bill reflects the great unity in Congress... for Israel's security," Nancy Pelosi, the leader of the House Democrats, said in a speech on the chamber floor. "Assistance to Israel is vital, because Israel's security is an imperative for America's security." Also Read | Biden huddles with Democrats as divisions threaten his agenda Iron Dome missile defense system has till now destroyed thousands of short-range rockets launched by Hamas from Gaza before they struck populated areas of Israel. The system was launched a decade ago and has been backed by the US. Provision for fresh funding was initially removed from the legislation addressing government shutdown after section of Democratic Party lawmakers threatened to oppose the legislation unless Iron Dome funding was removed from the wording Also Read | Harvard poll reveals Donald Trump has higher positive rating than Biden This elicited disapproving remarks from several lawmakers from both parties. House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy termed it a Democratic capitulation to "the anti-Semitic influence of their radical members." Also Read | US to crack down on potent class of greenhouse gases Dean Phillips, a Democratic congressman from Minnesota, tweeted he was "incredulous" that colleagues would object to defending "one of our most important allies and only Jewish nation in the world" from Hamas rockets. Israel's Prime Minister Naftali Bennett thanked both parties for their commitment to the country's security and the American people for their "steadfast friendship." (With inputs from agencies)

US House greenlights $1 billion for Israel's Iron Dome

A group of Republican Party lawmakers have introduced a bill in US Congress that aims to eliminate a programme that allows foreign students on F1 visa to stay in the US after completing their studies. The bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives. The bill seeks to amend Immigration and Nationality Act.

If the bill is passed, it will affect thousands of Indian students in the US.

Immigration and Nationality Act allows students on F1 visa to stay in the US and seek employment for a year.&nbsp;

The Republican lawmakers are alleging that the provisions of the program let American companies prefer foreign students as employees at low wages compared to American job seekers. About 80,000 Indian students are employed in the US under provisions of this act.

Republicans argue that students under this programme are exempt from payroll taxes. The lawmakers have expressed their opposition to the fact that this makes wages of the foreign workers 10-15 per cent lower making companies prefer them instead of local talent.

The bill has to pass in the House as well as Senate after which it will be sent to President Joe Biden for a go-ahead. However, this looks like a long path given that Democratic Party controls the House and the Senate.

A group of Republican Party lawmakers have introduced a bill in US Congress that aims to eliminate a programme that allows foreign students on F1 visa to stay in the US after completing their studies.

A group of Republican Party lawmakers have introduced a bill in US Congress that aims to eliminate a programme that allows foreign students on F1 visa to stay in the US after completing their studies. The bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives. The bill seeks to amend Immigration and Nationality Act. If the bill is passed, it will affect thousands of Indian students in the US. Immigration and Nationality Act allows students on F1 visa to stay in the US and seek employment for a year. The Republican lawmakers are alleging that the provisions of the program let American companies prefer foreign students as employees at low wages compared to American job seekers. About 80,000 Indian students are employed in the US under provisions of this act. Republicans argue that students under this programme are exempt from payroll taxes. The lawmakers have expressed their opposition to the fact that this makes wages of the foreign workers 10-15 per cent lower making companies prefer them instead of local talent. The bill has to pass in the House as well as Senate after which it will be sent to President Joe Biden for a go-ahead. However, this looks like a long path given that Democratic Party controls the House and the Senate.

US bill seeks to end extension of stay after study, Indian students may be affected

US House of Representatives panel passed an amendment this week to repeal US State Department's ability to waive sanctions on Russia's &nbsp;Nord steam 2 natural gas pipeline. This may put pressure on Biden administration to block the Russian project.

"These sanctions are mandatory not discretionary," said Representative Marcy Kaptur, a Democrat and a sponsor of the amendment to a foreign aid bill. The House panel passed it unanimously.

The amendment passed by the House of Representatives panel seeks to repeal sanctions waiver in fiscal year 2022. But the pipeline is 95 per cent finished. The bill however, has a long way to go before becoming a law. The amendment needs to pass another House committee, the full House, the Senate. Biden will then sign the bill into the law.

In May, the State Department sent to Congress a report that concluded that Nord Stream 2 AG and its CEO, Matthias Warnig, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, engaged in sanctionable activity. But Secretary of State Antony Blinken immediately waived those sanctions, saying it was in the U.S. national interest.

President Joe Biden, a Democrat, has opposed the $11 billion project that would take Russian gas from the Arctic to Germany, saying it is a bad deal for Europe. But Biden also wants to improve ties with Germany, an ally he needs to help deal with broader issues including climate change, the economic recovery and relations with Iran and China. The United States is an exporter of natural gas to Europe in the form of LNG, but Russian gas is cheaper.

Washington fears Russia could use Nord Stream 2 as leverage to weaken European Union states by increasing their dependency on Moscow. The project, now about 95% complete, would bypass Ukraine, depriving it of lucrative transit fees and potentially undermining its struggle against Russian aggression.

(With inputs from agencies)

US House of Representatives panel passed an amendment this week to repeal US State Department's ability to waive sanctions on Russia's Nord steam 2 natural gas pipeline.

US House of Representatives panel passed an amendment this week to repeal US State Department's ability to waive sanctions on Russia's Nord steam 2 natural gas pipeline. This may put pressure on Biden administration to block the Russian project. "These sanctions are mandatory not discretionary," said Representative Marcy Kaptur, a Democrat and a sponsor of the amendment to a foreign aid bill. The House panel passed it unanimously. The amendment passed by the House of Representatives panel seeks to repeal sanctions waiver in fiscal year 2022. But the pipeline is 95 per cent finished. The bill however, has a long way to go before becoming a law. The amendment needs to pass another House committee, the full House, the Senate. Biden will then sign the bill into the law. In May, the State Department sent to Congress a report that concluded that Nord Stream 2 AG and its CEO, Matthias Warnig, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, engaged in sanctionable activity. But Secretary of State Antony Blinken immediately waived those sanctions, saying it was in the U.S. national interest. President Joe Biden, a Democrat, has opposed the $11 billion project that would take Russian gas from the Arctic to Germany, saying it is a bad deal for Europe. But Biden also wants to improve ties with Germany, an ally he needs to help deal with broader issues including climate change, the economic recovery and relations with Iran and China. The United States is an exporter of natural gas to Europe in the form of LNG, but Russian gas is cheaper. Washington fears Russia could use Nord Stream 2 as leverage to weaken European Union states by increasing their dependency on Moscow. The project, now about 95% complete, would bypass Ukraine, depriving it of lucrative transit fees and potentially undermining its struggle against Russian aggression. (With inputs from agencies)

US House panel passes amendment seeking to repeal waivers on Nord Stream 2

US Republicans on Friday elected congresswoman Elise Stefanik, an outspoken defender of Donald Trump, as their new House conference chair, as the party scrambles to unify amid an explosive debate about its direction.

Stefanik, a 36-year-old former moderate representing upstate New York, easily overcame a late entrant to the race and won strong support from the Republican conference in a closed-door vote of 134 to 46.

"My focus is on unity, because that's what the American people and that's what our voters deserve," she told reporters after vaulting into the number three House Republican position -- becoming the party's most powerful woman in Congress.

"We are going on offense and are going to win back the majority in 2022" in the House of Representatives, said Stefanik, the party's new top messenger.

The vote came two days after the conference ousted Liz Cheney, a conservative stalwart and daughter of former vice president Dick Cheney, from the post over her repeated criticism of Trump and her refusal to embrace his false claim that Democrats stole the 2020 election.

With Trump retaining enormous influence, Republicans have been desperate to tamp down swelling discord within party ranks over its future.&nbsp;

Conservatives aim to craft a coherent message heading into next year's midterm elections, but some Republicans fear that failing to reject Trump's rhetoric about voter fraud could hurt the party at the polls.

But Stefanik made clear that Trump and Trumpism will remain vital in the effort to turn back the "destructive, radical, far-left socialist agenda" of President Joe Biden and his Democrats.

Trump an 'important voice'

Trump "is a critical part of our Republican team," Stefanik said.

"I support president Trump, voters support president Trump," she added. "He is an important voice in our Republican Party and we look forward to working with him."

Trump, whose grip on the party has tightened with Stefanik's elevation, immediately congratulated her for the "overwhelming" win.

"The House GOP is united and the Make America Great Again movement is Strong!" the former president said. 
Stefanik's ascension to leadership was the singular bright spot for Republicans in an otherwise difficult week.

On Thursday after a meeting with Biden and top congressional Democrats at the White House, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy made the dubious assertion that "I don't think anybody is questioning the legitimacy of the presidential election."

One day earlier during a contentious House hearing, Republicans sought to downplay the seriousness of the deadly January 6 attack on the US Capitol by Trump supporters, with congressman Andrew Clyde saying footage from the day of the insurrection appeared to show "a normal tourist visit" to the building.

And in a sign that tensions still haunt Congress six months after the election, Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has espoused wild conspiracy theories, aggressively confronted progressive Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, heightening concerns about security on Capitol Hill.

Ousted from leadership, Cheney has vowed to continue fighting for conservative principles and against a defeated leader who keeps spreading "the big lie" of voter fraud.

Stefanik is unapologetic in her defense of Trump and has promoted the ex-president's falsehoods about the 2020 election, but some Republicans have openly questioned her conservative credentials.&nbsp;

She voted against Trump's 2017 tax plan, dismissed his border wall as not "realistic" and worked hard to build a more diverse party and get more Republican women elected to Congress.

While the congressman who challenged Stefanik for the conference chair post, Texas Republican Chip Roy, received a 100 percent lifetime rating from the Club For Growth, the conservative group gave Stefanik a rating of just 35 percent.

Despite the pushback, Stefanik on Friday branded herself a "proud conservative Republican."

Asked whether there was a place in the party for vocal Trump critics like Cheney or congressman Adam Kinzinger -- both of whom voted to impeach Trump in January -- Stefanik sought to strike a unifying note.

"They are part of this Republican conference," she said, then added: "We are unified in working with president Trump."

US Republicans on Friday elected congresswoman Elise Stefanik, an outspoken defender of Donald Trump, as their new House conference chair, as the party scrambles to unify amid an explosive debate about its direction.

US Republicans on Friday elected congresswoman Elise Stefanik, an outspoken defender of Donald Trump, as their new House conference chair, as the party scrambles to unify amid an explosive debate about its direction. Stefanik, a 36-year-old former moderate representing upstate New York, easily overcame a late entrant to the race and won strong support from the Republican conference in a closed-door vote of 134 to 46. "My focus is on unity, because that's what the American people and that's what our voters deserve," she told reporters after vaulting into the number three House Republican position -- becoming the party's most powerful woman in Congress. "We are going on offense and are going to win back the majority in 2022" in the House of Representatives, said Stefanik, the party's new top messenger. The vote came two days after the conference ousted Liz Cheney, a conservative stalwart and daughter of former vice president Dick Cheney, from the post over her repeated criticism of Trump and her refusal to embrace his false claim that Democrats stole the 2020 election. With Trump retaining enormous influence, Republicans have been desperate to tamp down swelling discord within party ranks over its future. Conservatives aim to craft a coherent message heading into next year's midterm elections, but some Republicans fear that failing to reject Trump's rhetoric about voter fraud could hurt the party at the polls. But Stefanik made clear that Trump and Trumpism will remain vital in the effort to turn back the "destructive, radical, far-left socialist agenda" of President Joe Biden and his Democrats. Trump an 'important voice' Trump "is a critical part of our Republican team," Stefanik said. "I support president Trump, voters support president Trump," she added. "He is an important voice in our Republican Party and we look forward to working with him." Trump, whose grip on the party has tightened with Stefanik's elevation, immediately congratulated her for the "overwhelming" win. "The House GOP is united and the Make America Great Again movement is Strong!" the former president said. Stefanik's ascension to leadership was the singular bright spot for Republicans in an otherwise difficult week. On Thursday after a meeting with Biden and top congressional Democrats at the White House, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy made the dubious assertion that "I don't think anybody is questioning the legitimacy of the presidential election." One day earlier during a contentious House hearing, Republicans sought to downplay the seriousness of the deadly January 6 attack on the US Capitol by Trump supporters, with congressman Andrew Clyde saying footage from the day of the insurrection appeared to show "a normal tourist visit" to the building. And in a sign that tensions still haunt Congress six months after the election, Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has espoused wild conspiracy theories, aggressively confronted progressive Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, heightening concerns about security on Capitol Hill. Ousted from leadership, Cheney has vowed to continue fighting for conservative principles and against a defeated leader who keeps spreading "the big lie" of voter fraud. Stefanik is unapologetic in her defense of Trump and has promoted the ex-president's falsehoods about the 2020 election, but some Republicans have openly questioned her conservative credentials. She voted against Trump's 2017 tax plan, dismissed his border wall as not "realistic" and worked hard to build a more diverse party and get more Republican women elected to Congress. While the congressman who challenged Stefanik for the conference chair post, Texas Republican Chip Roy, received a 100 percent lifetime rating from the Club For Growth, the conservative group gave Stefanik a rating of just 35 percent. Despite the pushback, Stefanik on Friday branded herself a "proud conservative Republican." Asked whether there was a place in the party for vocal Trump critics like Cheney or congressman Adam Kinzinger -- both of whom voted to impeach Trump in January -- Stefanik sought to strike a unifying note. "They are part of this Republican conference," she said, then added: "We are unified in working with president Trump."

Republicans elect pro-Trump Stefanik to House leadership

The United States House of Representatives has narrowly voted to make Washington DC the 51st state. House voted 216-208 in favor of the bill. The democratic-controlled house has approved it without republicans support so far.

US lower house votes on making Washington DC the 51st state

Lawmakers in the House of Representatives passed two bills that would establish paths to citizenship or legal status for millions of undocumented immigrants in the United States.

US lower house passes two bills to protect migrants

The House of Representatives scrapped Thursday's session after authorities alerted of a possible "breach" of the US Capitol by a militia group.&nbsp;

"We have obtained intelligence that shows a possible plot to breach the Capitol by an identified militia group on Thursday, March 4," the US Capitol Police said on Thursday.&nbsp;

"We have already made significant security upgrades to include establishing a physical structure and increasing manpower to ensure the protection of Congress, the public and our police officers," the statement further added.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/news-alert-police-warn-of-militant-plot-to-breach-capitol-hill-367804/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

House lawmakers announced that the voting on two important bills on police reform and voting rights will no longer be held on Thursday and in fact, will take place late on Wednesday.&nbsp;

The threat comes after extremists groups supporting former president <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;claimed on the internet that he will return to Washington on March 4 for the inauguration of a second term.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-capitol-riot-security-officials-say-rioters-came-ready-for-war-365785">US Capitol riot: Security officials say rioters came 'ready for war'</a>

QAnon, a conspiracy theory group, engaged in online discussions that Trump will be inaugurated as the US president on March 4, a day when most US presidents swore in until 1933, when it was changed to January 20.&nbsp;

About two months before on the day of Joe Biden's certification of the election win, thousands of pro-Trump rioters stormed into the Capitol building, causing violence and vandalisation that left five people dead.

The incident sent shockwaves across the world of the threat to American democracy.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

The House of Representatives scrapped Thursday's session after authorities alerted of a possible "breach" of the US Capitol by a militia group. "We have obtained intelligence that shows a possible plot to breach the Capitol by an identified militia group on Thursday, March 4," the US Capitol Police said on Thursday.

The House of Representatives scrapped Thursday's session after authorities alerted of a possible "breach" of the US Capitol by a militia group. "We have obtained intelligence that shows a possible plot to breach the Capitol by an identified militia group on Thursday, March 4," the US Capitol Police said on Thursday. "We have already made significant security upgrades to include establishing a physical structure and increasing manpower to ensure the protection of Congress, the public and our police officers," the statement further added. Watch | House lawmakers announced that the voting on two important bills on police reform and voting rights will no longer be held on Thursday and in fact, will take place late on Wednesday. The threat comes after extremists groups supporting former president Donald Trump claimed on the internet that he will return to Washington on March 4 for the inauguration of a second term. Also read | US Capitol riot: Security officials say rioters came 'ready for war' QAnon, a conspiracy theory group, engaged in online discussions that Trump will be inaugurated as the US president on March 4, a day when most US presidents swore in until 1933, when it was changed to January 20. About two months before on the day of Joe Biden's certification of the election win, thousands of pro-Trump rioters stormed into the Capitol building, causing violence and vandalisation that left five people dead. The incident sent shockwaves across the world of the threat to American democracy.

Authorities alert of possible attack on US Capitol, House session scrapped

US House of Representatives on Saturday passed a huge USD 1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package. The relief measure has cleared the first hurdle four days after COVID-19 death toll in the US crossed 500,000 mark. The bill includes a provision to raise minimum wage to USD 15 an hour. Passage of the bill in the House of Representatives is being considered first major legislative victory for US President Joe Biden. Democratic Party has already hailed the bill as a critical step in funnelling new funding toward vaccinations, overburdened local governments, and millions of families devastated by the pandemic.

The bill was cleared in the House on a party-line vote of 219 to 212. It moves to Senate next where Democrats and Republican hold 50 votes each. Democratic Party holds a slight edge as Vice President Kamala Harris has a casting vote in case of a tie in the Senate

"The American people need to know that their government is there for them," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in debate on the House floor.

Republicans, who have broadly backed previous COVID-19 spending, said much of the current package was not necessary, highlighting elements like a subway near Pelosi's San Francisco district. Only 9% of the total would go directly toward fighting the virus, they said.

"It just throws out money without accountability," House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy said.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-report-says-saudi-prince-approved-murder-of-journalist-khashoggi-366550">US report says Saudi Prince approved murder of journalist Khashoggi</a>

The president has focused his first weeks in office on tackling the greatest U.S. public health crisis in a century, which has upended most aspects of American life.

Democrats aim to get the bill to him to sign into law before mid-March when enhanced unemployment benefits and some other types of aid are due to expire.

The bill's big-ticket items include $1,400 direct payments to individuals, a $400-per-week federal unemployment benefit through Aug. 29, and help for those in difficulty paying rents and home mortgages during the pandemic.

(With Reuters input)

US House of Representatives on Saturday passed a huge USD 1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package. The relief measure has cleared the first hurdle four days after COVID-19 death toll in the US crossed 500,000 mark.

US House of Representatives on Saturday passed a huge USD 1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package. The relief measure has cleared the first hurdle four days after COVID-19 death toll in the US crossed 500,000 mark. The bill includes a provision to raise minimum wage to USD 15 an hour. Passage of the bill in the House of Representatives is being considered first major legislative victory for US President Joe Biden. Democratic Party has already hailed the bill as a critical step in funnelling new funding toward vaccinations, overburdened local governments, and millions of families devastated by the pandemic. The bill was cleared in the House on a party-line vote of 219 to 212. It moves to Senate next where Democrats and Republican hold 50 votes each. Democratic Party holds a slight edge as Vice President Kamala Harris has a casting vote in case of a tie in the Senate "The American people need to know that their government is there for them," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in debate on the House floor. Republicans, who have broadly backed previous COVID-19 spending, said much of the current package was not necessary, highlighting elements like a subway near Pelosi's San Francisco district. Only 9% of the total would go directly toward fighting the virus, they said. "It just throws out money without accountability," House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy said. Also Read | US report says Saudi Prince approved murder of journalist Khashoggi The president has focused his first weeks in office on tackling the greatest U.S. public health crisis in a century, which has upended most aspects of American life. Democrats aim to get the bill to him to sign into law before mid-March when enhanced unemployment benefits and some other types of aid are due to expire. The bill's big-ticket items include $1,400 direct payments to individuals, a $400-per-week federal unemployment benefit through Aug. 29, and help for those in difficulty paying rents and home mortgages during the pandemic. (With Reuters input)

US House passes $1.9 trillion COVID relief package, minimum wage raised

Forget red and blue (states). The theme of the Biden inauguration was “America United,” and the colour of the day seemed to be purple — the shade that bridges the divide by bringing both colours together (not to mention one of the original signature colours of the suffragists, whose dreams are now being realized with the first female vice president).

“Purple is the colour of loyalty, constancy to purpose, unswerving steadfastness to a cause,” the National Woman’s Party wrote in a newsletter in 1913.

Though Jill Biden coordinated her blue Markarian coat with her husband’s blue Ralph Lauren tie, Vice President Kamala Harris served up a bipartisan message in a bright single-breasted coat and dress from Christopher John Rodgers, as did former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a grape Ralph Lauren pantsuit. And Michelle Obama, the former first lady, wore wine trousers with a coordinated turtleneck and long coat from Sergio Hudson, a young Black designer.

Masks were also part of the material culture of this inauguration. Jill Biden wore a sky blue mask that appeared custom-made to match her coat, and other members of her family chose a similar monochromatic theme. Harris opted for a shiny black number that complimented her purple outfit, one of her signature mask looks.

Many men opted for paper medical masks, but a few went for solid shades or face coverings that featured insignia. Former President George W. Bush sported a mask made by Rhoback, a company that was started by former Capitol Hill staffers.

Despite the very high fashion content of President Joe Biden’s swearing-in, which included Lady Gaga in a veritable ballgown from Schiaparelli, Ella Emhoff in a crystal-dusted tweed Miu Miu coat with a big white collar; and Jennifer Lopez in winter white Chanel, it was Sen. Bernie Sanders, not normally known for his style statements, whose choice of accessories may have had the widest effect. Specifically, Sanders’ woolly mittens, in a sort of brown and cream Himalayan sweater pattern, seemed to have charmed practically half the social media world, with commenters asking where they could buy a pair.

The mittens quickly got their own hashtag: #Berniesmittens. Even Vogue took note. Jen Ellis, a Vermont schoolteacher, claimed ownership in a tweet.

“I made Bernie’s mittens as a gift a couple of years ago,” she wrote, posting a photo of other similar creations. “They are made from repurposed wool sweaters and lined with fleece (made from recycled plastic bottles).”

In response a friend noted, “you better buy some titanium knitting-needles lol, you’ll need them, you just became the world’s most famous ‘mitten knitter’.” And thus the new administration appears to be keeping its vow to jump-start small businesses already.

Forget red and blue (states). The theme of the Biden inauguration was “America United,” and the colour of the day seemed to be purple — the shade that bridges the divide by bringing both colours together (not to mention one of the original signature colours of the suffragists, whose dreams are now being realized with the first female vice president).

Forget red and blue (states). The theme of the Biden inauguration was “America United,” and the colour of the day seemed to be purple — the shade that bridges the divide by bringing both colours together (not to mention one of the original signature colours of the suffragists, whose dreams are now being realized with the first female vice president). “Purple is the colour of loyalty, constancy to purpose, unswerving steadfastness to a cause,” the National Woman’s Party wrote in a newsletter in 1913. Though Jill Biden coordinated her blue Markarian coat with her husband’s blue Ralph Lauren tie, Vice President Kamala Harris served up a bipartisan message in a bright single-breasted coat and dress from Christopher John Rodgers, as did former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a grape Ralph Lauren pantsuit. And Michelle Obama, the former first lady, wore wine trousers with a coordinated turtleneck and long coat from Sergio Hudson, a young Black designer. Masks were also part of the material culture of this inauguration. Jill Biden wore a sky blue mask that appeared custom-made to match her coat, and other members of her family chose a similar monochromatic theme. Harris opted for a shiny black number that complimented her purple outfit, one of her signature mask looks. Many men opted for paper medical masks, but a few went for solid shades or face coverings that featured insignia. Former President George W. Bush sported a mask made by Rhoback, a company that was started by former Capitol Hill staffers. Despite the very high fashion content of President Joe Biden’s swearing-in, which included Lady Gaga in a veritable ballgown from Schiaparelli, Ella Emhoff in a crystal-dusted tweed Miu Miu coat with a big white collar; and Jennifer Lopez in winter white Chanel, it was Sen. Bernie Sanders, not normally known for his style statements, whose choice of accessories may have had the widest effect. Specifically, Sanders’ woolly mittens, in a sort of brown and cream Himalayan sweater pattern, seemed to have charmed practically half the social media world, with commenters asking where they could buy a pair. The mittens quickly got their own hashtag: #Berniesmittens. Even Vogue took note. Jen Ellis, a Vermont schoolteacher, claimed ownership in a tweet. “I made Bernie’s mittens as a gift a couple of years ago,” she wrote, posting a photo of other similar creations. “They are made from repurposed wool sweaters and lined with fleece (made from recycled plastic bottles).” In response a friend noted, “you better buy some titanium knitting-needles lol, you’ll need them, you just became the world’s most famous ‘mitten knitter’.” And thus the new administration appears to be keeping its vow to jump-start small businesses already.

From Kamala Harris to Michelle Obama: Purple was a popular colour at the inauguration

Donald Trump impeachment: These 10 Republicans voted against US president

The US House of Representatives has passed legislation that would establish an exchange initiative between the US and India to study the work and legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.

Written by civil rights icon John Lewis, who died early this year, and co-sponsored by Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera, the Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative Act authorises the State Department, in cooperation with the Indian government, to establish an annual educational forum for scholars from both countries that focuses on the legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.

This legislation honours the long-standing relationship between the US and people of India and advance his teachings and establish a development foundation that would allow India and the US to work together to address pressing issues like climate change, education and public health, Congressman Eliott Engel, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said on the House floor on Thursday.

Just like Gandhi and Dr King, Congressman Lewis shaped the world through his actions of non-violence and his commitment to human rights, equality, and justice for all.

The Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative Act is a fitting tribute to the incredible life and legacy of John Lewis, said Bera, the longest-serving Indian American lawmaker.

As the world's oldest and largest democracies, the US and India have long traditions of upholding these shared values championed by figures like Gandhi, King, and Congressman Lewis, he said.

But they are increasingly under threat in both countries.

I'm proud the House of Representatives passed this legislation, which will help these values endure and remind us that by holding true to them, we embody and live up to the best of our two nations, Bera said.

In 2009, Congressman Lewis led a congressional delegation visit to India to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Dr King Jr's pilgrimage to India.

Inspired by his visit, Congressman Lewis created the Gandhi-King Exchange Act to seek to apply the philosophies of Gandhi and Dr King Jr.

to conflict resolution efforts and current policy challenges.

The legislation also authorises to develop a professional development training initiative on conflict resolution based on the principles of non-violence; and establish a foundation to address social, environmental, and health priorities in India.

The measure authorises USD one million a year through fiscal 2025 for the Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative.

It authorises USD 2 million for FY 2021 for the Gandhi-King Global Academy, and USD30 million for 2021 for the US-India Gandhi-King Development Foundation.

The development foundation would also be authorised at USD 15 million per year from 2022 through 2025 - but only if India's private sector commits to match US government contributions.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the bill would cost USD 51 million over five years.

Congressman Michael McCaul said that after years of working with India to address their development challenges, the United States has seen impressive results.

"The best results so far is that India which once was a recipient of foreign aid is now a donor.

This is true when it comes to improving water sanitation, increasing education and empowering women," McCaul said.

The US House of Representatives has passed legislation that would establish an exchange initiative between the US and India to study the work and legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.

The US House of Representatives has passed legislation that would establish an exchange initiative between the US and India to study the work and legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. Written by civil rights icon John Lewis, who died early this year, and co-sponsored by Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera, the Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative Act authorises the State Department, in cooperation with the Indian government, to establish an annual educational forum for scholars from both countries that focuses on the legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. This legislation honours the long-standing relationship between the US and people of India and advance his teachings and establish a development foundation that would allow India and the US to work together to address pressing issues like climate change, education and public health, Congressman Eliott Engel, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said on the House floor on Thursday. Just like Gandhi and Dr King, Congressman Lewis shaped the world through his actions of non-violence and his commitment to human rights, equality, and justice for all. The Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative Act is a fitting tribute to the incredible life and legacy of John Lewis, said Bera, the longest-serving Indian American lawmaker. As the world's oldest and largest democracies, the US and India have long traditions of upholding these shared values championed by figures like Gandhi, King, and Congressman Lewis, he said. But they are increasingly under threat in both countries. I'm proud the House of Representatives passed this legislation, which will help these values endure and remind us that by holding true to them, we embody and live up to the best of our two nations, Bera said. In 2009, Congressman Lewis led a congressional delegation visit to India to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Dr King Jr's pilgrimage to India. Inspired by his visit, Congressman Lewis created the Gandhi-King Exchange Act to seek to apply the philosophies of Gandhi and Dr King Jr. to conflict resolution efforts and current policy challenges. The legislation also authorises to develop a professional development training initiative on conflict resolution based on the principles of non-violence; and establish a foundation to address social, environmental, and health priorities in India. The measure authorises USD one million a year through fiscal 2025 for the Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative. It authorises USD 2 million for FY 2021 for the Gandhi-King Global Academy, and USD30 million for 2021 for the US-India Gandhi-King Development Foundation. The development foundation would also be authorised at USD 15 million per year from 2022 through 2025 - but only if India's private sector commits to match US government contributions. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the bill would cost USD 51 million over five years. Congressman Michael McCaul said that after years of working with India to address their development challenges, the United States has seen impressive results. "The best results so far is that India which once was a recipient of foreign aid is now a donor. This is true when it comes to improving water sanitation, increasing education and empowering women," McCaul said.

US House of Representatives passes legislation to promote Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr's legacies

Democrats were on track early Wednesday to maintain a firm grip on the House, but their path to seizing the Senate majority from Republicans was rapidly narrowing as the two parties continued to fight for control of the levers of power in Congress with the fate of the presidency still uncertain.

Partial results suggested that House Democrats were running strong in many of the competitive districts they swept up in 2018, but they were struggling to make further inroads into the Republican-leaning suburbs, where they had expected a surge powered by discontent with President Donald Trump.

Instead, as votes continued to be counted, Republicans were newly optimistic they could claw back seats, particularly in rural areas and traditionally conservative strongholds in places like Oklahoma City and Staten Island.

The Senate outcome rested on a handful of states where Democrats still hoped to topple incumbent Republicans, but their pickup opportunities were dwindling fast on an unusually large battleground that stretched from Maine to Alaska and could tilt with the presidential results.

At stake was the ability of the next president to fill his Cabinet, appoint judges and pursue his agenda, and the two parties had waged a pitched battle to the end, pummeling voters with advertising backed by record sums of money, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.

Republicans scored crucial wins in Iowa, Alabama and Montana, and were running stronger than expected in North Carolina and Maine, where the results were still too close to call early Wednesday.

Democrats needed a net gain of three or four seats to take Senate control — depending on whether former Vice President Joe Biden, the Democratic nominee, won the presidency, which would allow his vice president, Kamala Harris, to cast tiebreaking votes.

They flipped seats in Colorado, where John Hickenlooper, the former Democratic governor, easily defeated Sen. Cory Gardner, and in Arizona, where Mark Kelly, a former astronaut, beat Sen. Martha McSally.

But Tommy Tuberville, the former Auburn football coach, easily won back deep-red Alabama from Sen. Doug Jones. In Iowa, the victory by Sen. Joni Ernst over Theresa Greenfield, a Democrat with roots in the state’s farming community, scuttled Democrats’ hopes for a key pickup. And in Montana, Sen. Steve Daines beat back a challenge from the state’s popular Democratic governor, Steve Bullock.

That left both sides closely watching Maine, North Carolina and Georgia, where partial returns showed exceedingly tight races between Republican incumbents and their Democratic challengers.

Earlier, Republicans had breathed a sigh of relief when Sen. John Cornyn was declared the winner in Texas, despite a record turnout, and again when Sen. Lindsey Graham, a close ally of Trump’s, won reelection in South Carolina after a tougher-than-expected race.

In Kentucky, Sen. Mitch McConnell, the top Republican, secured a seventh term, although it was unclear whether he would remain majority leader.

“Tonight, Kentuckians said, ‘We’re not finished yet,’” McConnell told supporters in Louisville. “Kentucky wants more of the policies that built the best economy in our nation’s modern history — not socialism.”

At least one Senate race taking place in Georgia, an unexpectedly competitive battleground this year, was headed for a winner-takes-all January runoff that could decide the balance of the Senate only weeks before Inauguration Day if Tuesday’s contests did not. The state’s other race could also end up in a runoff, but it was too early to be certain.

In the fight for the House, Democrats began the night more clearly on the offensive, bolstered by a stunning fundraising advantage, Republican recruitment failures and Trump’s eroding support in America’s cities and suburbs.

Two years after gaining 41 seats to reclaim the majority, Democrats were trying to push into suburban districts that Republicans had not lost in decades around St. Louis, Indianapolis, Atlanta, Phoenix, Omaha and even once ruby-red parts of Texas.

But while strategists in both parties had said a second blue wave could wash out 10 to 20 Republicans, by Wednesday morning, returns indicated that no such sweep had materialized. A handful of Republican incumbents in newly competitive suburban districts held onto their seats, and some Democrats who had been confident of victories were vanquished, including first-term Rep. Joe Cunningham of South Carolina, who was defeated by Nancy Mace, the first woman to graduate from the Citadel, in his Charleston-based district.

At the same time, Democrats fell short of snatching victories in solidly red districts that the party had hoped to make competitive, and lost more ground in the increasingly conservative rural Midwest, with the defeat of Rep. Collin Peterson of Minnesota, chairman of the Agriculture Committee, who served three decades in Congress.

“We have held the House and now, when — after all the votes are counted, we’ll see how much better we will do than that,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday night. But she also tried to play down Democrats’ lackluster performance.

“It’s not just about the quantity,” she added. “It’s about the quality of leadership that they provide for our country.”

Republicans began the cycle hoping to grab onto Trump’s coattails and a booming economy to wrest back the 30 or so districts he won in 2016 that Democrats claimed two years later. But those hopes were dashed by the pandemic, which has left the economy in tatters and the nation counting more than 230,000 deaths to date.

Still, they found some unexpected bright spots Tuesday night. With Trump making significant inroads among Cuban Americans in Miami, Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, a first-term Democrat, was edged out by Carlos Gimenez, the Miami mayor, and Rep. Donna Shalala lost to Maria Elvira Salazar, a former television anchor.

Republican veterans Ann Wagner of Missouri, Steve Chabot of Ohio and Rodney Davis of Illinois also held off stiff challenges, and Republicans were on track for better-than-expected result in a handful of Texas House races where Democrats had sought pickup opportunities.

The battle for the Senate was being waged on even friendlier turf for Republicans. Although they were defending 23 states, compared with just 12 for Democrats, almost all of them were places that Trump carried in 2016 — creating a real possibility that voters could render a split decision Tuesday, dividing power between the White House and Senate.

For the second election season in a row, Democrats ran with an almost singular focus on health care, blistering Republicans for their campaign to overturn the Affordable Care Act. The law, and its protections of preexisting conditions, took on further resonance in the face of a public health crisis unlike any the nation has seen in generations and the confirmation just a week before Election Day of a Supreme Court justice, Amy Coney Barrett, who Democrats argued would strike down the law.

In race after race, Republicans’ chances appeared to hinge on the unexpected strength of Trump, a polarizing leader who has enraptured their core supporters even as his inflammatory style and unorthodox policy positions have frustrated them and alienated crucial voting blocs. A few Republicans, like Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who was battling for political survival in the race of her career, were willing to wag their fingers at the president, but most knew they could not risk his ire, or the support of his loyal base, if they were to have any shot at reelection.

Worried about Trump’s chances, though, many Republicans closed their campaigns with warnings to voters of the risks posed by putting the White House and Congress under full Democratic control.

In North Carolina, Cal Cunningham, a telegenic Iraq War veteran who led for much of the year, was at grave risk of falling short in his effort to oust Republican Sen. Thom Tillis. Tillis had a lead of nearly 100,000 votes early Wednesday, but North Carolina accepts postmarked mail-in ballots until Nov. 12, making a final call premature.

The race in Maine has been just as steady, with the Democrat, Sara Gideon, the speaker of the state Legislature, threatening to unseat Collins, a four-term Republican and one of the last centrists left in her party. After easily winning reelection in 2014, Collins struggled to stay afloat as her race became a national referendum on the Republican Party, and she was battling to win a majority to avoid activating the state’s newly enacted ranked-choice voting system, which could badly hurt her chances.

“We’ve never given up because that is what we Mainers do — we work hard, we show up for work every day and we get the job done,” Collins told her supporters, addressing them in a snowy parking lot in Bangor. “I wish that I could thank each of you by name, that would take all night — on the other hand, we may be here all night.”

Democrats remained hopeful about two races in Georgia, where Jon Ossoff, a 33-year-old documentary filmmaker, had mounted a strong challenge to Sen. David Perdue, and the Rev. Raphael Warnock was challenging Sen. Kelly Loeffler in a special election to replace the retired Republican senator Johnny Isakson. With multiple Democratic and Republican candidates splitting the vote, Loeffler was headed to a runoff with Warnock, after Republican Rep. Doug Collins conceded. Ossoff and Perdue could end up in a runoff, too, but were both still jockeying to clear the 50% required under Georgia law to win outright.

McConnell, 78, handily beat back a challenge from Amy McGrath, a former fighter pilot. Democrats poured $100 million into the contest, but McGrath never commanded the kind of support in the solidly Republican state to make the incumbent nervous.

Both parties had other targets, but they were considered stretches. For Republicans, the best option was Michigan, where John James, a Black Iraq War veteran who ran for the Senate unsuccessfully in 2018, was trying to unseat Sen. Gary Peters. Democrats believed they had an outside shot of defeating Dan Sullivan in Alaska.

The outcome of the Senate contest promised to heavily shape the next two years in Washington. If Democrats were able to grab control of the House, Senate and White House at once for the first time since 2010, they could abolish the legislative filibuster — the last major vestige of minority rights in the Senate — and push through an ambitious slate of bills on voting rights, gun safety, policing and prescription drug prices. They would most likely reserve much of their political capital for expanding the Affordable Care Act and raising taxes on the wealthy to offset that and other new programs.

Nodding to the possibility of all-Democratic control, McConnell warned during his victory speech: “This is no time to declare war on our institutions because one side is angry that the framers made it hard to achieve radical change.”

But Democrats feared that even if Biden were to win, they could fall short in the Senate, saddling the incoming president with a Republican majority ready to oppose him on nearly every front, dashing liberal hopes and swiping his agenda off the table. Facing a Senate led by McConnell, Biden could even have an uphill battle winning its approval to fill his Cabinet, and he would certainly face opposition to liberal nominees to the federal courts.

Similarly, if Trump were reelected and Democrats controlled both the House and Senate, his second term could be a frustrating exercise in stalemate.

Democrats were on track early Wednesday to maintain a firm grip on the House, but their path to seizing the Senate majority from Republicans was rapidly narrowing as the two parties continued to fight for control of the levers of power in Congress with the fate of the presidency still uncertain.

Democrats were on track early Wednesday to maintain a firm grip on the House, but their path to seizing the Senate majority from Republicans was rapidly narrowing as the two parties continued to fight for control of the levers of power in Congress with the fate of the presidency still uncertain. Partial results suggested that House Democrats were running strong in many of the competitive districts they swept up in 2018, but they were struggling to make further inroads into the Republican-leaning suburbs, where they had expected a surge powered by discontent with President Donald Trump. Instead, as votes continued to be counted, Republicans were newly optimistic they could claw back seats, particularly in rural areas and traditionally conservative strongholds in places like Oklahoma City and Staten Island. The Senate outcome rested on a handful of states where Democrats still hoped to topple incumbent Republicans, but their pickup opportunities were dwindling fast on an unusually large battleground that stretched from Maine to Alaska and could tilt with the presidential results. At stake was the ability of the next president to fill his Cabinet, appoint judges and pursue his agenda, and the two parties had waged a pitched battle to the end, pummeling voters with advertising backed by record sums of money, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. Republicans scored crucial wins in Iowa, Alabama and Montana, and were running stronger than expected in North Carolina and Maine, where the results were still too close to call early Wednesday. Democrats needed a net gain of three or four seats to take Senate control — depending on whether former Vice President Joe Biden, the Democratic nominee, won the presidency, which would allow his vice president, Kamala Harris, to cast tiebreaking votes. They flipped seats in Colorado, where John Hickenlooper, the former Democratic governor, easily defeated Sen. Cory Gardner, and in Arizona, where Mark Kelly, a former astronaut, beat Sen. Martha McSally. But Tommy Tuberville, the former Auburn football coach, easily won back deep-red Alabama from Sen. Doug Jones. In Iowa, the victory by Sen. Joni Ernst over Theresa Greenfield, a Democrat with roots in the state’s farming community, scuttled Democrats’ hopes for a key pickup. And in Montana, Sen. Steve Daines beat back a challenge from the state’s popular Democratic governor, Steve Bullock. That left both sides closely watching Maine, North Carolina and Georgia, where partial returns showed exceedingly tight races between Republican incumbents and their Democratic challengers. Earlier, Republicans had breathed a sigh of relief when Sen. John Cornyn was declared the winner in Texas, despite a record turnout, and again when Sen. Lindsey Graham, a close ally of Trump’s, won reelection in South Carolina after a tougher-than-expected race. In Kentucky, Sen. Mitch McConnell, the top Republican, secured a seventh term, although it was unclear whether he would remain majority leader. “Tonight, Kentuckians said, ‘We’re not finished yet,’” McConnell told supporters in Louisville. “Kentucky wants more of the policies that built the best economy in our nation’s modern history — not socialism.” At least one Senate race taking place in Georgia, an unexpectedly competitive battleground this year, was headed for a winner-takes-all January runoff that could decide the balance of the Senate only weeks before Inauguration Day if Tuesday’s contests did not. The state’s other race could also end up in a runoff, but it was too early to be certain. In the fight for the House, Democrats began the night more clearly on the offensive, bolstered by a stunning fundraising advantage, Republican recruitment failures and Trump’s eroding support in America’s cities and suburbs. Two years after gaining 41 seats to reclaim the majority, Democrats were trying to push into suburban districts that Republicans had not lost in decades around St. Louis, Indianapolis, Atlanta, Phoenix, Omaha and even once ruby-red parts of Texas. But while strategists in both parties had said a second blue wave could wash out 10 to 20 Republicans, by Wednesday morning, returns indicated that no such sweep had materialized. A handful of Republican incumbents in newly competitive suburban districts held onto their seats, and some Democrats who had been confident of victories were vanquished, including first-term Rep. Joe Cunningham of South Carolina, who was defeated by Nancy Mace, the first woman to graduate from the Citadel, in his Charleston-based district. At the same time, Democrats fell short of snatching victories in solidly red districts that the party had hoped to make competitive, and lost more ground in the increasingly conservative rural Midwest, with the defeat of Rep. Collin Peterson of Minnesota, chairman of the Agriculture Committee, who served three decades in Congress. “We have held the House and now, when — after all the votes are counted, we’ll see how much better we will do than that,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday night. But she also tried to play down Democrats’ lackluster performance. “It’s not just about the quantity,” she added. “It’s about the quality of leadership that they provide for our country.” Republicans began the cycle hoping to grab onto Trump’s coattails and a booming economy to wrest back the 30 or so districts he won in 2016 that Democrats claimed two years later. But those hopes were dashed by the pandemic, which has left the economy in tatters and the nation counting more than 230,000 deaths to date. Still, they found some unexpected bright spots Tuesday night. With Trump making significant inroads among Cuban Americans in Miami, Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, a first-term Democrat, was edged out by Carlos Gimenez, the Miami mayor, and Rep. Donna Shalala lost to Maria Elvira Salazar, a former television anchor. Republican veterans Ann Wagner of Missouri, Steve Chabot of Ohio and Rodney Davis of Illinois also held off stiff challenges, and Republicans were on track for better-than-expected result in a handful of Texas House races where Democrats had sought pickup opportunities. The battle for the Senate was being waged on even friendlier turf for Republicans. Although they were defending 23 states, compared with just 12 for Democrats, almost all of them were places that Trump carried in 2016 — creating a real possibility that voters could render a split decision Tuesday, dividing power between the White House and Senate. For the second election season in a row, Democrats ran with an almost singular focus on health care, blistering Republicans for their campaign to overturn the Affordable Care Act. The law, and its protections of preexisting conditions, took on further resonance in the face of a public health crisis unlike any the nation has seen in generations and the confirmation just a week before Election Day of a Supreme Court justice, Amy Coney Barrett, who Democrats argued would strike down the law. In race after race, Republicans’ chances appeared to hinge on the unexpected strength of Trump, a polarizing leader who has enraptured their core supporters even as his inflammatory style and unorthodox policy positions have frustrated them and alienated crucial voting blocs. A few Republicans, like Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who was battling for political survival in the race of her career, were willing to wag their fingers at the president, but most knew they could not risk his ire, or the support of his loyal base, if they were to have any shot at reelection. Worried about Trump’s chances, though, many Republicans closed their campaigns with warnings to voters of the risks posed by putting the White House and Congress under full Democratic control. In North Carolina, Cal Cunningham, a telegenic Iraq War veteran who led for much of the year, was at grave risk of falling short in his effort to oust Republican Sen. Thom Tillis. Tillis had a lead of nearly 100,000 votes early Wednesday, but North Carolina accepts postmarked mail-in ballots until Nov. 12, making a final call premature. The race in Maine has been just as steady, with the Democrat, Sara Gideon, the speaker of the state Legislature, threatening to unseat Collins, a four-term Republican and one of the last centrists left in her party. After easily winning reelection in 2014, Collins struggled to stay afloat as her race became a national referendum on the Republican Party, and she was battling to win a majority to avoid activating the state’s newly enacted ranked-choice voting system, which could badly hurt her chances. “We’ve never given up because that is what we Mainers do — we work hard, we show up for work every day and we get the job done,” Collins told her supporters, addressing them in a snowy parking lot in Bangor. “I wish that I could thank each of you by name, that would take all night — on the other hand, we may be here all night.” Democrats remained hopeful about two races in Georgia, where Jon Ossoff, a 33-year-old documentary filmmaker, had mounted a strong challenge to Sen. David Perdue, and the Rev. Raphael Warnock was challenging Sen. Kelly Loeffler in a special election to replace the retired Republican senator Johnny Isakson. With multiple Democratic and Republican candidates splitting the vote, Loeffler was headed to a runoff with Warnock, after Republican Rep. Doug Collins conceded. Ossoff and Perdue could end up in a runoff, too, but were both still jockeying to clear the 50% required under Georgia law to win outright. McConnell, 78, handily beat back a challenge from Amy McGrath, a former fighter pilot. Democrats poured $100 million into the contest, but McGrath never commanded the kind of support in the solidly Republican state to make the incumbent nervous. Both parties had other targets, but they were considered stretches. For Republicans, the best option was Michigan, where John James, a Black Iraq War veteran who ran for the Senate unsuccessfully in 2018, was trying to unseat Sen. Gary Peters. Democrats believed they had an outside shot of defeating Dan Sullivan in Alaska. The outcome of the Senate contest promised to heavily shape the next two years in Washington. If Democrats were able to grab control of the House, Senate and White House at once for the first time since 2010, they could abolish the legislative filibuster — the last major vestige of minority rights in the Senate — and push through an ambitious slate of bills on voting rights, gun safety, policing and prescription drug prices. They would most likely reserve much of their political capital for expanding the Affordable Care Act and raising taxes on the wealthy to offset that and other new programs. Nodding to the possibility of all-Democratic control, McConnell warned during his victory speech: “This is no time to declare war on our institutions because one side is angry that the framers made it hard to achieve radical change.” But Democrats feared that even if Biden were to win, they could fall short in the Senate, saddling the incoming president with a Republican majority ready to oppose him on nearly every front, dashing liberal hopes and swiping his agenda off the table. Facing a Senate led by McConnell, Biden could even have an uphill battle winning its approval to fill his Cabinet, and he would certainly face opposition to liberal nominees to the federal courts. Similarly, if Trump were reelected and Democrats controlled both the House and Senate, his second term could be a frustrating exercise in stalemate.

Democrats battle for Senate control as they maintain grip on House majority

With less than a week to go for the final showdown between President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a> and his Democratic challenger Joe Biden for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/us-election">US election</a> 2020, the market of prediction is running wild.

The latest and perhaps the wildest prediction has been made by the Republican presidential candidate himself.

Trump has claimed that his party will retake control of the&nbsp;House&nbsp;of&nbsp;Representatives on November 3.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-surge-in-can-i-change-my-vote-donald-trump-says-trend-refers-to-him-338447">Voters' remorse? Surge in 'can I change my vote' as US election nears</a>

Speaking in reference to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi,&nbsp;Trump told reporters at the White&nbsp;House, ''After the election, we'll get the best stimulus package you've ever seen, because I think we're going to take back the House because of her."

Trump had made a similar prediction last week as well saying, "I think we are going to win the House.&nbsp;"We'll see. But I think we are going to win the House."

However, if nonpartisan political handicappers are to be believed the prediction is likely to fail.

David Wasserman,&nbsp;the polling guru who forecasted Republican candidate Donald Trump's 2016 win, is betting on Democratic candidate Joe Biden this time.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-polling-guru-who-forecasted-donald-trumps-2016-win-reveals-this-years-winner-338228">US election 2020: Polling guru who forecasted Donald Trump's 2016 win, reveals this year's winner</a>

"Overall, we're revising our outlook in the House from a Democratic net gain of five to ten seats to a gain of between five and 15 seats," he said.

Nathaniel Rakich,&nbsp;an elections analyst at <a href="https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/our-forecast-thinks-democrats-will-keep-the-house-and-maybe-even-gain-seats/">FiveThirtyEight</a>, said&nbsp;"Democrats have between a 92 and 97 percent chance of keeping control of the House."

Biden leads Trump nationally by 10 percentage points, according to the Reuters/Ipsos poll. The national online survey, conducted October&nbsp;23 to 27, found that 52 per cent&nbsp;of likely voters said they were backing Biden, while 42&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;&nbsp;were voting for Trump.

With less than a week to go for the final showdown between President Donald Trump and his Democratic challenger Joe Biden for the US election 2020, the market of prediction is running wild.

With less than a week to go for the final showdown between President Donald Trump and his Democratic challenger Joe Biden for the US election 2020, the market of prediction is running wild. The latest and perhaps the wildest prediction has been made by the Republican presidential candidate himself. Trump has claimed that his party will retake control of the House of Representatives on November 3. Also read: Voters' remorse? Surge in 'can I change my vote' as US election nears Speaking in reference to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Trump told reporters at the White House, ''After the election, we'll get the best stimulus package you've ever seen, because I think we're going to take back the House because of her." Trump had made a similar prediction last week as well saying, "I think we are going to win the House. "We'll see. But I think we are going to win the House." However, if nonpartisan political handicappers are to be believed the prediction is likely to fail. David Wasserman, the polling guru who forecasted Republican candidate Donald Trump's 2016 win, is betting on Democratic candidate Joe Biden this time. Also read| US election 2020: Polling guru who forecasted Donald Trump's 2016 win, reveals this year's winner "Overall, we're revising our outlook in the House from a Democratic net gain of five to ten seats to a gain of between five and 15 seats," he said. Nathaniel Rakich, an elections analyst at FiveThirtyEight, said "Democrats have between a 92 and 97 percent chance of keeping control of the House." Biden leads Trump nationally by 10 percentage points, according to the Reuters/Ipsos poll. The national online survey, conducted October 23 to 27, found that 52 per cent of likely voters said they were backing Biden, while 42 per cent were voting for Trump.

US election 2020: President Donald Trump's wildest prediction till date

Slamming China's aggression over India, the US House of Representatives has unanimously passed an amendment to the National Defence Authorization Act. The amendment states that India and China should work against de-escalating the situation along the LAC. Watch report.

US lower house stands against China: Anti-US amendment passed against China

US House passes 8.3 billion dollar emergency bill as the coronavirus death toll in the country rises to 11. The House of Representatives passed the bipartisan bill and a group of members and staff for the appropriations panels in both the House and Senate unveiled the legislation on Wednesday after several days of talks. They released details of the plan, which will boost funding for testing of the coronavirus and lower costs for related medical treatments.

US House passes $8 billion Bipartisan bill to battle Coronavirus

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../china-virus-death-toll-passes-100-as-us-canada- issue-travel-warning-276958">Donald Trump</a>'s impeachment trial was expected to be a mere formality, but the Republican-dominated Senate has virtually ruled out removing their President. Or so it seemed before Trump's former national security adviser John Bolton dropped a bombshell in the form of evidence that cuts directly at the root of Trump's defence. The President's lawyers have argued that he never leveraged aid to Ukraine to acquire damaging information against Joe Biden and his son Hunter.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-top-court-sides-with-trump-on-immigrant-welfare-benefits-276959">Also read: US top court sides with Trump on immigrant welfare benefits</a>

But from a leaked page of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../trump-had-ukraine-aid-withheld-reveals-boltons -new-book-276814">John Bolton</a>'s upcoming book, it seems the president told his top aide that aid to Ukraine will be withheld. This has increased pressure on Republican senators to give in to the demand for new witnesses, especially since Bolton had expressed his desire to testify, given how the Democrats need only 4 Republicans to join them for a bipartisan majority. Republican senators Mitt Romney and Susan Collins said the leaked excerpts highlight the necessity of witness testimony from individuals such as John Bolton.

Trump's team largely avoided the Bolton issue on the floor of the Senate, stating that there was nothing new in the former NSA's leaked accounts. The possibility of Trump's team trying to prevent Bolton from testifying and also discrediting his public comments is plausible. Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani was called a 'human hand grenade' in the Ukraine scandal by former National Security Advisor John Bolton.&nbsp;

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These claims were dismissed by Jane Raskin, Donald Trump's impeachment attorney who called <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../trump-caught-saying-get-rid-of-ukraine- ambassador-on-tape-report-276592">Giuliani</a> a "colourful distraction, a household name, a legendary federal prosecutor who took down the mafia, corrupt public officials, wall street racketeers. Crime busting mayor, who cleaned up new york and turned it around. A national hero. America's mayor after 9/11. And after that, an internationally recognized expert on fighting corruption."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../white-house-lawyers-say-voters-should-decide- trumps-fate-276578">Joe Biden</a>'s son, Hunter Biden also received a lot of hostility from the President's team, who said that Hunter's decision to join a Ukraine-based company had raised many eyebrows. Pam Bondi, an attorney on Trump's legal team said that "Hunter Biden's decision to join Burma raised flags almost immediately. One article from may 2014 stated the appointment of Joe Biden's son to the board of Ukrainian gas firm Burisma has raised eyebrows the world over. Even an outlet with a bias for Democrats pointed out Hunter Biden's activities created a conflict of interest for Joe Biden. The article stated the move raises questions about a potential conflict of interest for Joe Biden."&nbsp;

But this leak could not have come at a better time for the Democrats, as it helps them to push their case for including new testimonies in the trial. So far the Senate Republicans have rejected this orthodox approach along partisan lines. "I certainly hope so. There seems to be a real shift in where the Republican senators are, and I think it's very hard for them to maintain that they wanted a fair trial. Wanted to know all the facts when there's a witness who said, I'm ready, I've got something to say. We have an outline of what he has to say. It's really hard to say we're not going to hear that," said Adam Schiff, lead House Impeachment Manager.

Donald Trump's impeachment trial was expected to be a mere formality, but the Republican-dominated Senate has virtually ruled out removing their President. Or so it seemed before Trump's former national security adviser John Bolton dropped a bombshell in the form of evidence that cuts directly at the root of Trump's defence.

Donald Trump's impeachment trial was expected to be a mere formality, but the Republican-dominated Senate has virtually ruled out removing their President. Or so it seemed before Trump's former national security adviser John Bolton dropped a bombshell in the form of evidence that cuts directly at the root of Trump's defence. The President's lawyers have argued that he never leveraged aid to Ukraine to acquire damaging information against Joe Biden and his son Hunter. Also read: US top court sides with Trump on immigrant welfare benefits But from a leaked page of John Bolton's upcoming book, it seems the president told his top aide that aid to Ukraine will be withheld. This has increased pressure on Republican senators to give in to the demand for new witnesses, especially since Bolton had expressed his desire to testify, given how the Democrats need only 4 Republicans to join them for a bipartisan majority. Republican senators Mitt Romney and Susan Collins said the leaked excerpts highlight the necessity of witness testimony from individuals such as John Bolton. Trump's team largely avoided the Bolton issue on the floor of the Senate, stating that there was nothing new in the former NSA's leaked accounts. The possibility of Trump's team trying to prevent Bolton from testifying and also discrediting his public comments is plausible. Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani was called a 'human hand grenade' in the Ukraine scandal by former National Security Advisor John Bolton. × These claims were dismissed by Jane Raskin, Donald Trump's impeachment attorney who called Giuliani a "colourful distraction, a household name, a legendary federal prosecutor who took down the mafia, corrupt public officials, wall street racketeers. Crime busting mayor, who cleaned up new york and turned it around. A national hero. America's mayor after 9/11. And after that, an internationally recognized expert on fighting corruption." Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden also received a lot of hostility from the President's team, who said that Hunter's decision to join a Ukraine-based company had raised many eyebrows. Pam Bondi, an attorney on Trump's legal team said that "Hunter Biden's decision to join Burma raised flags almost immediately. One article from may 2014 stated the appointment of Joe Biden's son to the board of Ukrainian gas firm Burisma has raised eyebrows the world over. Even an outlet with a bias for Democrats pointed out Hunter Biden's activities created a conflict of interest for Joe Biden. The article stated the move raises questions about a potential conflict of interest for Joe Biden." But this leak could not have come at a better time for the Democrats, as it helps them to push their case for including new testimonies in the trial. So far the Senate Republicans have rejected this orthodox approach along partisan lines. "I certainly hope so. There seems to be a real shift in where the Republican senators are, and I think it's very hard for them to maintain that they wanted a fair trial. Wanted to know all the facts when there's a witness who said, I'm ready, I've got something to say. We have an outline of what he has to say. It's really hard to say we're not going to hear that," said Adam Schiff, lead House Impeachment Manager.

Impeachment trial of Donald Trump: All-Star Defence team scared of going near Bolton

Lead House&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;manager <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/adam-schiff-to-lead-prosecution-in-us-senate-on-trump-impeachment-trial-pelosi-274484">Adam Schiff</a> called dramatically for the Senate to remove President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-to-sign-trade-accord-with-mexico-canada-next-week-276253">Donald Trump</a> from office Thursday, saying the US leader cannot be trusted to put the country's interests ahead of his own.

"The American people deserve a president they can count on, to put their interest first," said Schiff.

His impassioned words capped a long day in which Democrats detailed Trump's illicit scheme to pressure <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-accuse-trump-at-impeachment-trial-of-corrupt-scheme-to-pressure-ukraine-276105">Ukraine</a> to help his 2020 reelection campaign.&nbsp;

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-accuse-trump-at-impeachment-trial-of-corrupt-scheme-to-pressure-ukraine-276105"> Democrats accuse Trump at impeachment trial of corrupt scheme to pressure Ukraine</a>

"You know, you can't trust this president to do what is right for this country. You can trust he will do what's right for Donald Trump," Schiff added.

"He'll do it now. He's done it before. He'll do it for the next several months. He'll do it in the election if he's allowed to. This is why, if you find him guilty, you must find that he should be removed."

"Because right matters. And truth matters. Otherwise, we are lost."

Also watch:&nbsp;Donald Trump's Impeachment: Democrats lay out abuse of power case

&nbsp;

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'It is illegal'

As the 100 senators sat as jurors and millions of Americans watched on television, House&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;managers mustered scores of videos, internal documents and extensive witness testimony to lay out a strong case that the US leader abused his powers.

Schiff's prosecution team detailed how Trump flagrantly undertook last year to force <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bodies-of-ukrainian-victims-of-downed-plane-repatriated-from-iran-275279">Kiev </a>to help him tarnish his possible 2020 reelection rival, former vice president Joe Biden.

"President Trump used the powers of his office to solicit a foreign nation to interfere in our elections for his own personal benefit," House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerry Nadler told the chamber.

"Since President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/george-washington-gold-coin-sells-for-17-million-159678">George Washington </a>took office in 1789, no president has abused his power in this way," Nadler said.

"The president has repeatedly, flagrantly, violated his oath... The president's conduct is wrong. It is illegal. And it is dangerous."

'Unfair and corrupt'

Over nine hours the Democrats methodically dismantled Republican claims that Trump did nothing wrong.&nbsp;

They left few doubts that Trump's sole motivation in secretly freezing aid to Ukraine last July was to force Ukraine President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/volodymyr-zelensky-says-ukraine-getting-tired-of-trump-scandal-263215">Volodymyr Zelensky</a> to announce one investigation into Biden and a second into an unsupported story that Kiev helped Democrats in the 2016 election.

To puncture a key White House argument that the US constitution requires a specific crime to remove a president, they played old videos in which two of Trump's closest defenders, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and storied criminal defense attorney Alan Dershowitz, said that abuse of power itself is a clear impeachable offense.&nbsp;

And they detailed the extensive role of Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani in the scheme to pressure Zelensky, even while US intelligence and diplomatic chiefs disagreed with it.

"Donald Trump chose Rudy Giuliani over his own intelligence agencies. He chose Rudy Giuliani over his own national security advisors... That makes him dangerous to our country," said Schiff, who leads the House Intelligence Committee.

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/impeachment-dream-team-meet-us-president-trumps-star-studded-legal-team-274978">&nbsp;Impeachment dream team: Meet US President Trump's star-studded legal team</a>

Uphill battle&nbsp;

Yet, three days into arguments into the historic trial, there were few signs that any of the Republican majority that Trump commands in the Senate would buy into the evidence and turn against him.

<img alt="Donald Trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="51672510-212d-4906-8c46-95972b7ed0a6" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/2020-01-22T231541Z_1_LYNXMPEG0L2GF_RTROPTP_3_USA-TRUMP-IMPEACHMENT-POLL.JPG" />

"What we heard from the managers yesterday, the day before, it is the same thing, day after day after day," said Republican Senator John Barrasso.

"We're hearing the same things over and over," said Trump attorney Jay Sekulow. "We will be putting on vigorous defense of both facts and rebutting what they've said."

At the White House, Trump unleashed a barrage of tweets attacking the process as "loaded with lies and misrepresentations."

"Most unfair &amp; corrupt hearing in Congressional history!" he tweeted

Witness issue

Democratic prosecutors will complete their arguments Friday with a focus on the second&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;charge, obstruction of Congress, before Trump's legal team holds the floor in his defense for three days.

Democrats are hoping their arguments will at least persuade some Republicans, who hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, to support their call to issue subpoenas next week for four top current and former Trump aides to testify, and for internal White House records about the Ukraine affair.

But all indications were that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, in coordination with the White House, will seek to stifle witness requests and bring the trial to a close with a vote to acquit Trump by the end of next week.

Both Trump and McConnell said early this week that the White House could claim executive privilege to refuse the subpoenas, forcing a court challenge that could prolong the case well into February.

Lead House impeachment manager Adam Schiff called dramatically for the Senate to remove President Donald Trump from office Thursday, saying the US leader cannot be trusted to put the country's interests ahead of his own.

Lead House impeachment manager Adam Schiff called dramatically for the Senate to remove President Donald Trump from office Thursday, saying the US leader cannot be trusted to put the country's interests ahead of his own. "The American people deserve a president they can count on, to put their interest first," said Schiff. His impassioned words capped a long day in which Democrats detailed Trump's illicit scheme to pressure Ukraine to help his 2020 reelection campaign. Also read: Democrats accuse Trump at impeachment trial of corrupt scheme to pressure Ukraine "You know, you can't trust this president to do what is right for this country. You can trust he will do what's right for Donald Trump," Schiff added. "He'll do it now. He's done it before. He'll do it for the next several months. He'll do it in the election if he's allowed to. This is why, if you find him guilty, you must find that he should be removed." "Because right matters. And truth matters. Otherwise, we are lost." Also watch: Donald Trump's Impeachment: Democrats lay out abuse of power case 'It is illegal' As the 100 senators sat as jurors and millions of Americans watched on television, House impeachment managers mustered scores of videos, internal documents and extensive witness testimony to lay out a strong case that the US leader abused his powers. Schiff's prosecution team detailed how Trump flagrantly undertook last year to force Kiev to help him tarnish his possible 2020 reelection rival, former vice president Joe Biden. "President Trump used the powers of his office to solicit a foreign nation to interfere in our elections for his own personal benefit," House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerry Nadler told the chamber. "Since President George Washington took office in 1789, no president has abused his power in this way," Nadler said. "The president has repeatedly, flagrantly, violated his oath... The president's conduct is wrong. It is illegal. And it is dangerous." 'Unfair and corrupt' Over nine hours the Democrats methodically dismantled Republican claims that Trump did nothing wrong. They left few doubts that Trump's sole motivation in secretly freezing aid to Ukraine last July was to force Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to announce one investigation into Biden and a second into an unsupported story that Kiev helped Democrats in the 2016 election. To puncture a key White House argument that the US constitution requires a specific crime to remove a president, they played old videos in which two of Trump's closest defenders, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and storied criminal defense attorney Alan Dershowitz, said that abuse of power itself is a clear impeachable offense. And they detailed the extensive role of Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani in the scheme to pressure Zelensky, even while US intelligence and diplomatic chiefs disagreed with it. "Donald Trump chose Rudy Giuliani over his own intelligence agencies. He chose Rudy Giuliani over his own national security advisors... That makes him dangerous to our country," said Schiff, who leads the House Intelligence Committee. Also read: Impeachment dream team: Meet US President Trump's star-studded legal team Uphill battle Yet, three days into arguments into the historic trial, there were few signs that any of the Republican majority that Trump commands in the Senate would buy into the evidence and turn against him. "What we heard from the managers yesterday, the day before, it is the same thing, day after day after day," said Republican Senator John Barrasso. "We're hearing the same things over and over," said Trump attorney Jay Sekulow. "We will be putting on vigorous defense of both facts and rebutting what they've said." At the White House, Trump unleashed a barrage of tweets attacking the process as "loaded with lies and misrepresentations." "Most unfair & corrupt hearing in Congressional history!" he tweeted Witness issue Democratic prosecutors will complete their arguments Friday with a focus on the second impeachment charge, obstruction of Congress, before Trump's legal team holds the floor in his defense for three days. Democrats are hoping their arguments will at least persuade some Republicans, who hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, to support their call to issue subpoenas next week for four top current and former Trump aides to testify, and for internal White House records about the Ukraine affair. But all indications were that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, in coordination with the White House, will seek to stifle witness requests and bring the trial to a close with a vote to acquit Trump by the end of next week. Both Trump and McConnell said early this week that the White House could claim executive privilege to refuse the subpoenas, forcing a court challenge that could prolong the case well into February.

Donald Trump 'should be removed': Adam Schiff

Democrats&nbsp;accused President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kem-chho-trump-us-president-to-visit-ahmedabad-delhi-in-february-275056">Donald&nbsp;Trump</a>&nbsp;at his&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;trial&nbsp;on Wednesday of a&nbsp;corrupt&nbsp;scheme&nbsp;to&nbsp;pressure&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;to help him get re-elected and warned that America's global prestige would suffer if the US&nbsp;Senate acquits him.

The Republican&nbsp;Trump, who has denied wrongdoing, sounded a defiant note, telling reporters in Switzerland the&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;did not have enough evidence to find him guilty and remove him from office.

In a two-hour opening argument for the prosecution after days of procedural wrangling, US&nbsp;Representative Adam Schiff said&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;had pushed Ukrainian President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-mike-pompeo-to-meet-ukraines-president-volodymyr-zelenskiy-on-friday-271101">Volodymyr Zelenskiy</a> to investigate former Vice President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-unveils-17-trillion-climate-plan-to-end-us-carbon-emissions-by-2050-224374">Joe Biden</a> and Biden's son on unsubstantiated&nbsp;corruption charges last year.

<img alt="Donald Trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3739d001-a792-432b-a9c2-3951a11ce9d4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2858%29_0.jpg" />

"To implement this&nbsp;corrupt&nbsp;scheme, President&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;pressured the president of&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;to publicly announce investigations into two discredited allegations that would benefit President&nbsp;Trump's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/giuliani-says-trump-did-not-pay-for-his-push-for-biden-probe-252746">2020 presidential campaign</a>," said Schiff, leading the House&nbsp;Democrats' prosecution team of “managers."

The Democratic team pressed its case against&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;in eight hours of arguments, which will resume on Thursday.

They contend that&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;was trying to find dirt on Biden, a leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination for the November election, and his son Hunter Biden who had served on the board of a Ukrainian gas company, to help the president win a second term.

Trump&nbsp;was impeached last month by the Democratic-controlled <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-of-representatives-curbs-trumps-war-power-amid-iran-tensions-273283">House of Representatives</a> on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress for his dealings with&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;and impeding the inquiry into the matter.

Trump&nbsp;is almost certain to be acquitted by the Republican-controlled 100-member Senate, where a two-thirds majority is needed to remove him from office. But the&nbsp;trial's effect on his re-election bid is unclear.

His fellow Republicans in the Senate say his behavior does not fit the description of "high crimes and misdemeanors" outlined in the US&nbsp;Constitution as a reason to oust a US&nbsp;president.

"We believe without question that the president will be acquitted,"&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;lawyer Jay Sekulow told reporters at the end of Wednesday's session.

Democrats&nbsp;have two more days to make their case.&nbsp;Trump's defense team will have three days after that for rebuttal in a&nbsp;trial&nbsp;that could potentially conclude next week.

<img alt="Donald Trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="88829e2f-5219-4d3c-8206-ec5e3cf93062" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2857%29_1.jpg" />

The case against&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;is focused on a July 25 telephone call in which he asked Zelenskiy to open a&nbsp;corruption investigation into the Bidens as well as a discredited theory that&nbsp;Ukraine, not Russia, meddled in the 2016 US&nbsp;election. US&nbsp;military aid to&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;was frozen for a period of time.

"We have the evidence to prove President&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;ordered the aid withheld, he did so to force&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;to help his re-election campaign ... we can and will prove President&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;guilty of this conduct and of obstructing the investigation into his conduct," Schiff said as the day concluded.

Making references to 18th century US&nbsp;founding father Alexander Hamilton and the late Republican President Ronald Reagan, Schiff said the world was watching.

"For how can any country trust the United States as a model of governance if it's one that sanctions precisely the political&nbsp;corruption and invitation to foreign meddling that we have long sought to eradicate in burgeoning democracies around the world?"

He said senators would "also undermine our global standing" if they did not oust&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;three years into his tumultuous presidency.

<img alt="Donald Trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8dea501e-b2f9-4a95-ad1c-6dff40ab11be" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2856%29_2.jpg" />

Tuesday's start of the&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;trial&nbsp;drew about 11 million TV viewers, according to Nielsen ratings data, a figure that fell short of the roughly 13.8 million who watched last November for the first day of the House&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;inquiry into&nbsp;Trump.

It is the third presidential&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;trial&nbsp;in US&nbsp;history. The opening days have been dominated by arguments over Democratic requests for more witnesses and records.

The&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;administration has not complied with subpoenas for documents and has urged officials like former national security adviser John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo not to participate in the&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;investigation.

A Reuters-Ipsos poll released on Wednesday found a bipartisan majority of Americans wanting to see new witnesses testify in the&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;trial.

It said about 72&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;agreed that the&nbsp;trial&nbsp;"should allow witnesses with firsthand knowledge of the&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;charges to testify," including 84&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;of&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;and 69 per cent&nbsp;of Republicans.

In Davos, Switzerland,&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;told reporters at the World Economic Forum that he was happy with the way the&nbsp;trial&nbsp;was going.

"I thought our team did a very good job. But honestly, we have all the material. They don't have the material,"&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;said.

Democratic US&nbsp;Representative Val Demings, one of the House&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;managers, said&nbsp;Trump's comment amounted to boasting about obstruction of Congress.

"This morning, the president not only confessed to it, but he also bragged about it: 'Honestly, we have all the material. They don't have the material,'" she said.

But a senior administration official asked to explain what&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;was referring to, said: "What he's clearly saying is we have all the facts on our side, and those facts prove he's done nothing wrong."

Trump&nbsp;said allowing Bolton to testify at the&nbsp;trial&nbsp;would present national security concerns.

"He knows some of my thoughts, he knows what I think about leaders. What happens if he reveals what I think about a certain leader and it's not very positive?"&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;said.

Bolton, a foreign policy hawk who was fired by&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;last year, has disdainfully described the&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;pressure&nbsp;campaign as a "drug deal" and testimony from him could be awkward for the president.

A parade of current and former officials spoke at House&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;hearings last year of a coordinated&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;effort to&nbsp;pressure&nbsp;Ukraine.

But those televised hearings did little to change support for and against&nbsp;Trump's&nbsp;impeachment. Reuters/Ipsos polling since the inquiry began shows&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;and Republicans responding largely along party lines.

Democrats accused President Donald Trump at his impeachment trial on Wednesday of a corrupt scheme to pressure Ukraine to help him get re-elected and warned that America's global prestige would suffer if the US Senate acquits him.

Democrats accused President Donald Trump at his impeachment trial on Wednesday of a corrupt scheme to pressure Ukraine to help him get re-elected and warned that America's global prestige would suffer if the US Senate acquits him. The Republican Trump, who has denied wrongdoing, sounded a defiant note, telling reporters in Switzerland the Democrats did not have enough evidence to find him guilty and remove him from office. In a two-hour opening argument for the prosecution after days of procedural wrangling, US Representative Adam Schiff said Trump had pushed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and Biden's son on unsubstantiated corruption charges last year. "To implement this corrupt scheme, President Trump pressured the president of Ukraine to publicly announce investigations into two discredited allegations that would benefit President Trump's 2020 presidential campaign," said Schiff, leading the House Democrats' prosecution team of “managers." The Democratic team pressed its case against Trump in eight hours of arguments, which will resume on Thursday. They contend that Trump was trying to find dirt on Biden, a leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination for the November election, and his son Hunter Biden who had served on the board of a Ukrainian gas company, to help the president win a second term. Trump was impeached last month by the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress for his dealings with Ukraine and impeding the inquiry into the matter. Trump is almost certain to be acquitted by the Republican-controlled 100-member Senate, where a two-thirds majority is needed to remove him from office. But the trial's effect on his re-election bid is unclear. His fellow Republicans in the Senate say his behavior does not fit the description of "high crimes and misdemeanors" outlined in the US Constitution as a reason to oust a US president. "We believe without question that the president will be acquitted," Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow told reporters at the end of Wednesday's session. Democrats have two more days to make their case. Trump's defense team will have three days after that for rebuttal in a trial that could potentially conclude next week. The case against Trump is focused on a July 25 telephone call in which he asked Zelenskiy to open a corruption investigation into the Bidens as well as a discredited theory that Ukraine, not Russia, meddled in the 2016 US election. US military aid to Ukraine was frozen for a period of time. "We have the evidence to prove President Trump ordered the aid withheld, he did so to force Ukraine to help his re-election campaign ... we can and will prove President Trump guilty of this conduct and of obstructing the investigation into his conduct," Schiff said as the day concluded. Making references to 18th century US founding father Alexander Hamilton and the late Republican President Ronald Reagan, Schiff said the world was watching. "For how can any country trust the United States as a model of governance if it's one that sanctions precisely the political corruption and invitation to foreign meddling that we have long sought to eradicate in burgeoning democracies around the world?" He said senators would "also undermine our global standing" if they did not oust Trump three years into his tumultuous presidency. Tuesday's start of the impeachment trial drew about 11 million TV viewers, according to Nielsen ratings data, a figure that fell short of the roughly 13.8 million who watched last November for the first day of the House impeachment inquiry into Trump. It is the third presidential impeachment trial in US history. The opening days have been dominated by arguments over Democratic requests for more witnesses and records. The Trump administration has not complied with subpoenas for documents and has urged officials like former national security adviser John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo not to participate in the impeachment investigation. A Reuters-Ipsos poll released on Wednesday found a bipartisan majority of Americans wanting to see new witnesses testify in the impeachment trial. It said about 72 per cent agreed that the trial "should allow witnesses with firsthand knowledge of the impeachment charges to testify," including 84 per cent of Democrats and 69 per cent of Republicans. In Davos, Switzerland, Trump told reporters at the World Economic Forum that he was happy with the way the trial was going. "I thought our team did a very good job. But honestly, we have all the material. They don't have the material," Trump said. Democratic US Representative Val Demings, one of the House impeachment managers, said Trump's comment amounted to boasting about obstruction of Congress. "This morning, the president not only confessed to it, but he also bragged about it: 'Honestly, we have all the material. They don't have the material,'" she said. But a senior administration official asked to explain what Trump was referring to, said: "What he's clearly saying is we have all the facts on our side, and those facts prove he's done nothing wrong." Trump said allowing Bolton to testify at the trial would present national security concerns. "He knows some of my thoughts, he knows what I think about leaders. What happens if he reveals what I think about a certain leader and it's not very positive?" Trump said. Bolton, a foreign policy hawk who was fired by Trump last year, has disdainfully described the Ukraine pressure campaign as a "drug deal" and testimony from him could be awkward for the president. A parade of current and former officials spoke at House impeachment hearings last year of a coordinated Trump effort to pressure Ukraine. But those televised hearings did little to change support for and against Trump's impeachment. Reuters/Ipsos polling since the inquiry began shows Democrats and Republicans responding largely along party lines.

Democrats accuse Trump at impeachment trial of corrupt scheme to pressure Ukraine

US President Donald Trump's legal team on Saturday released a renegotiation report of the impeachment of the House of Representatives, calling the allegations against Trump as an attack on the democracy.

Trump Impeachment Saga: Trump's legal team files response to senate summons

The House of Representatives on Thursday voted to approve a resolution aimed at restraining the President's ability to use military action against Iran without congressional approval, amid simmering tensions between the US and the country.

House votes to restrain Trump's Iran war powers

&nbsp;A&nbsp;US&nbsp;congressional&nbsp;report released on Wednesday called for&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;against&nbsp;China&nbsp;over&nbsp;human rights abuses, and for&nbsp;US&nbsp;officials to keep rights concerns in mind during dealings with Beijing, including trade negotiations.

The annual human rights report from the&nbsp;Congressional-Executive Commission on&nbsp;China&nbsp;said human rights and rule of law conditions worsened in&nbsp;China&nbsp;from August 2018 to August 2019, the period studied.

The report detailed&nbsp;China's crackdown on religious minorities, labor activists and the press, and focused extensively on the treatment of the minority <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-repression-of-uighur-muslims-china-to-edit-quran-and-bible-to-reflect-socialist-values-270572">Muslim Uighur </a>population in Xinjiang, "where the Commission believes Chinese authorities may be committing crimes&nbsp;against&nbsp;humanity."

"In addition, the Administration should develop talking points for&nbsp;US&nbsp;Government officials including those engaged in trade negotiations that consistently link freedoms of press, speech, and association to the US&nbsp;and Chinese interests," the report said.

It was only the latest salvo from Washington&nbsp;over&nbsp;China's human rights record, particularly the treatment of Uighur Muslims in the northwestern Xinjiang region, where at least a million people have been detained in what is seen by many in the West as a grave abuse of human rights and religious freedom.&nbsp;China&nbsp;rejects the charges.

The Commission is led by Democratic Representative Jim McGovern and Republican Senator <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-stops-abruptly-to-drink-water-while-giving-a-speech-and-internet-cant-stop-having-a-laugh-24351">Marco Rubio</a>.

Negotiators were working on a new version of a bill that would require President Donald Trump's administration to toughen its response to&nbsp;China's crackdown on its Muslim minorities, the two lawmakers said at a press conference unveiling the report.

China&nbsp;had reacted angrily when the Democratic-led <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-panel-launches-probe-into-possible-obstruction-by-trump-200941">House of Representatives</a> passed the bill late last year. It stalled in the Senate, which passed its own, less stringent bill earlier in the year, amid trade talks between Washington and&nbsp;China.

Rubio said he expected a version of the bill that could pass the Senate unanimously avoiding procedural snafus that could block legislation in that chamber - and pass the House and be signed into law by Trump.

McGovern said he expected a compromise bill would move forward in 2020, "hopefully soon," in both the Senate and House, and he expected Trump would sign it.

"We will get to 'yes.' That is my belief," McGovern said.

Some lawmakers at the news briefing called&nbsp;China's treatment of the Uighurs&nbsp;a "crime&nbsp;against&nbsp;humanity."

In Xinjiang, the Chinese government has used facial-recognition cameras and mobile telephone-monitoring systems to create an "open-air prison," the report said.

"US&nbsp;foreign policy must prioritize the promotion of universal human rights and the rule of law in&nbsp;China, not only to respect and protect the basic dignity of the people of&nbsp;China but to better promote security and prosperity for all of humanity," it said.

To address the abuses, the&nbsp;study&nbsp;recommended tightening access to&nbsp;US&nbsp;capital markets for Chinese companies that provide support or technical capabilities for repression.

It recommended rights&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;against&nbsp;businesses and officials involved in the mass internment and surveillance of Uighurs.

And it backed controlling the sale of facial-recognition systems, machine learning, and biometric technology by placing agencies on the Department of Commerce's "Entity List," preventing purchases from&nbsp;US&nbsp;suppliers.

The&nbsp;study&nbsp;also described a "further erosion" of Hong Kong’s autonomy and fundamental freedoms and said months of pro-democracy protests reveal "deep discontent" at a grassroots level.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Office in Hong Kong said the&nbsp;study&nbsp;"distorts the truth," in a statement posted on its website Thursday. Hong Kong residents' rights and freedoms are fully protected, it said, and the "black hand" of the United States is responsible for inciting protests.

A US congressional report released on Wednesday called for sanctions against China over human rights abuses, and for US officials to keep rights concerns in mind during dealings with Beijing, including trade negotiations.

A US congressional report released on Wednesday called for sanctions against China over human rights abuses, and for US officials to keep rights concerns in mind during dealings with Beijing, including trade negotiations. The annual human rights report from the Congressional-Executive Commission on China said human rights and rule of law conditions worsened in China from August 2018 to August 2019, the period studied. The report detailed China's crackdown on religious minorities, labor activists and the press, and focused extensively on the treatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population in Xinjiang, "where the Commission believes Chinese authorities may be committing crimes against humanity." "In addition, the Administration should develop talking points for US Government officials including those engaged in trade negotiations that consistently link freedoms of press, speech, and association to the US and Chinese interests," the report said. It was only the latest salvo from Washington over China's human rights record, particularly the treatment of Uighur Muslims in the northwestern Xinjiang region, where at least a million people have been detained in what is seen by many in the West as a grave abuse of human rights and religious freedom. China rejects the charges. The Commission is led by Democratic Representative Jim McGovern and Republican Senator Marco Rubio. Negotiators were working on a new version of a bill that would require President Donald Trump's administration to toughen its response to China's crackdown on its Muslim minorities, the two lawmakers said at a press conference unveiling the report. China had reacted angrily when the Democratic-led House of Representatives passed the bill late last year. It stalled in the Senate, which passed its own, less stringent bill earlier in the year, amid trade talks between Washington and China. Rubio said he expected a version of the bill that could pass the Senate unanimously avoiding procedural snafus that could block legislation in that chamber - and pass the House and be signed into law by Trump. McGovern said he expected a compromise bill would move forward in 2020, "hopefully soon," in both the Senate and House, and he expected Trump would sign it. "We will get to 'yes.' That is my belief," McGovern said. Some lawmakers at the news briefing called China's treatment of the Uighurs a "crime against humanity." In Xinjiang, the Chinese government has used facial-recognition cameras and mobile telephone-monitoring systems to create an "open-air prison," the report said. "US foreign policy must prioritize the promotion of universal human rights and the rule of law in China, not only to respect and protect the basic dignity of the people of China but to better promote security and prosperity for all of humanity," it said. To address the abuses, the study recommended tightening access to US capital markets for Chinese companies that provide support or technical capabilities for repression. It recommended rights sanctions against businesses and officials involved in the mass internment and surveillance of Uighurs. And it backed controlling the sale of facial-recognition systems, machine learning, and biometric technology by placing agencies on the Department of Commerce's "Entity List," preventing purchases from US suppliers. The study also described a "further erosion" of Hong Kong’s autonomy and fundamental freedoms and said months of pro-democracy protests reveal "deep discontent" at a grassroots level. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Office in Hong Kong said the study "distorts the truth," in a statement posted on its website Thursday. Hong Kong residents' rights and freedoms are fully protected, it said, and the "black hand" of the United States is responsible for inciting protests.

US congressional study urges sanctions on China over 'crimes against humanity'

Republicans are prepared to press ahead with rules for US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/global-stocks-rattled-after-donald-trump-says-no-deadline-on-us-china-trade-deal-266025">Donald Trump</a>'s impeachment trial, the Senate leader said Tuesday, ignoring opposition Democrats who want assurances that witnesses can be called.

Mitch McConnell said he has the backing in his majority caucus to pass a set of rules for the trial unilaterally leaving the issue of witnesses and documents until after the historic proceedings have begun.

"We have the votes, once the impeachment trial has begun, to pass a resolution (setting up) what could best be described as a phase one," that lays out arguments of the prosecution and defense, and a period of written questions by senators, McConnell said.

No action can be taken, though, until House Speaker Nancy Pelosi transmits the articles of impeachment&nbsp;one for abuse of power, the other for obstruction of Congress to the Senate.

Pelosi has withheld the articles since the House impeachment vote in December, in a bid to press Republicans for fair trial rules.

"They sat on the papers now for three weeks," he said, following the first party lunch since a holiday break. "I hope that'll end this week."

The Democratic-controlled <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-panel-launches-probe-into-possible-obstruction-by-trump-200941">House of Representatives</a> has accused Trump of using military aid and other incentives as leverage to get Ukraine to investigate Democrat Joe Biden, his potential November presidential opponent, and then preventing Congress from fully investigating.

McConnell said he wants the ground rules for the upcoming trial to mirror those from 1999 when president <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/bill-clinton-to-george-w-bush-us-presidents-who-toured-dmz-between-north-and-south-korea-510">Bill Clinton</a> faced his impeachment trial.

Senators at the time voted unanimously to approve the first set of rules, only afterward debating the relevance of calling witnesses.

"All we're doing here is saying we're going to get started in exactly the same way that 100 senators agreed to 20 years ago," McConnell said.

"We'll get around to the discussion of witnesses."

Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer cried foul, insisting "there will be votes" on whether to subpoena key documents and four witnesses whom Democrats want to testify.

They include Secretary of State <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/mike-pompeo-attempts-us-reset-in-the-middle-east-191020">Mike Pompeo</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-calls-us-national-security-advisor-john-bolton-human-defect-221893">John Bolton</a>, Trump's former national security advisor who said Monday he would testify if subpoenaed.

Bolton could be a critical witness as he is known to have spoken directly with Trump about the freeze on aid to Ukraine.

Schumer issued a challenge to Republicans, mindful that he needs just four defectors to pass a rule allowing witnesses.

"Will they stand for bringing evidence forward?" he asked. "Or will they be engaging in a cover-up?"

Trump said he was ready for the trial, come what may.

"Whatever it is, it's a hoax," he told reporters at the White House.

Republicans are prepared to press ahead with rules for US President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, the Senate leader said Tuesday, ignoring opposition Democrats who want assurances that witnesses can be called.

Republicans are prepared to press ahead with rules for US President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, the Senate leader said Tuesday, ignoring opposition Democrats who want assurances that witnesses can be called. Mitch McConnell said he has the backing in his majority caucus to pass a set of rules for the trial unilaterally leaving the issue of witnesses and documents until after the historic proceedings have begun. "We have the votes, once the impeachment trial has begun, to pass a resolution (setting up) what could best be described as a phase one," that lays out arguments of the prosecution and defense, and a period of written questions by senators, McConnell said. No action can be taken, though, until House Speaker Nancy Pelosi transmits the articles of impeachment one for abuse of power, the other for obstruction of Congress to the Senate. Pelosi has withheld the articles since the House impeachment vote in December, in a bid to press Republicans for fair trial rules. "They sat on the papers now for three weeks," he said, following the first party lunch since a holiday break. "I hope that'll end this week." The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives has accused Trump of using military aid and other incentives as leverage to get Ukraine to investigate Democrat Joe Biden, his potential November presidential opponent, and then preventing Congress from fully investigating. McConnell said he wants the ground rules for the upcoming trial to mirror those from 1999 when president Bill Clinton faced his impeachment trial. Senators at the time voted unanimously to approve the first set of rules, only afterward debating the relevance of calling witnesses. "All we're doing here is saying we're going to get started in exactly the same way that 100 senators agreed to 20 years ago," McConnell said. "We'll get around to the discussion of witnesses." Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer cried foul, insisting "there will be votes" on whether to subpoena key documents and four witnesses whom Democrats want to testify. They include Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and John Bolton, Trump's former national security advisor who said Monday he would testify if subpoenaed. Bolton could be a critical witness as he is known to have spoken directly with Trump about the freeze on aid to Ukraine. Schumer issued a challenge to Republicans, mindful that he needs just four defectors to pass a rule allowing witnesses. "Will they stand for bringing evidence forward?" he asked. "Or will they be engaging in a cover-up?" Trump said he was ready for the trial, come what may. "Whatever it is, it's a hoax," he told reporters at the White House.

US Senate leader ready to pass impeachment trial rules without Democrats

The head of the US&nbsp;Senate&nbsp;Judiciary Committee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-impeachment-looms-as-us-house-committee-approves-charges-268218">Lindsey Graham</a>&nbsp;said on Sunday he wants the&nbsp;Senate&nbsp;to launch an&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;trial&nbsp;of President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-impeachment-row-us-senate-in-stalemate-over-how-to-proceed-272003">Donald&nbsp;Trump</a>&nbsp;within days and wrap it up this month, even if it means changing&nbsp;Senate&nbsp;rules.

The Democratic-controlled <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-gives-lawmakers-formal-notice-of-iraq-strike-amid-complaints-from-democrats-272196">House of Representatives</a> last month voted to impeach&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;for abuse of power in pressuring Ukraine to investigate a political rival and for obstructing the House&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;probe.

House Speaker <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-impeachment-row-us-senate-in-stalemate-over-how-to-proceed-272003">Nancy Pelosi</a>, however, has not yet sent the articles of&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;to the&nbsp;Republican-led&nbsp;Senate, where the president would be tried, as Democrats have sought to pressure&nbsp;Republicans to call witnesses.

Speaking on Fox News Channel's "Sunday Morning Futures,"&nbsp;Republican&nbsp;Senator Lindsey Graham said he wants to&nbsp;change&nbsp;the&nbsp;Senate&nbsp;rules to&nbsp;kick&nbsp;start&nbsp;a&nbsp;trial&nbsp;if Pelosi does not send the articles of&nbsp;impeachment.

Senate&nbsp;Majority Leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/treasurys-mnuchin-to-head-us-delegation-to-davos-conclave-271625">Mitch McConnell</a>, a&nbsp;Republican, said on Friday the&nbsp;Senate&nbsp;cannot proceed with a&nbsp;trial&nbsp;under its&nbsp;rules until it receives them.

McConnell has argued that any decision on potential witnesses should come after senators have heard opening arguments and have had a chance to ask questions.

"My goal is to&nbsp;start&nbsp;this&nbsp;trial&nbsp;in the next coming days," Graham said. "If we don't get the articles this week, then we need to take matters in our own hands and&nbsp;change&nbsp;the&nbsp;rules."

"This thing needs to be over with in January," he said, arguing that a delay denies&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;an opportunity to confront the accusations and impedes Congress' ability to pursue other business.

McConnell's office on Sunday did not comment on Graham's call for a possible&nbsp;rule&nbsp;change.

An aide to Pelosi referred to a statement she issued on Friday in which she accused McConnell of being complicit in&nbsp;Trump's "cover-up of his abuses of power."

US&nbsp;Representative <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/top-democrats-make-case-for-republicans-to-endorse-trump-impeachment-268418">Adam Schiff</a>, the Democratic Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee that led the House&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;proceedings said on CNN: "Both Democrats and&nbsp;Republicans are now having to go on the record and say, do we want witnesses? Do we want to see the documents? Do we want the American people to hear the evidence? Do we want a real&nbsp;trial? Or do we want a cover-up? It's clear, I think, from the president and Mitch McConnell they don't want a&nbsp;trial&nbsp;anymore."

With no agreement in sight on how to proceed, senators on Monday are expected to resume consideration of a nominee to head the Small Business Administration as they return to town for business after a holiday break.

Trump&nbsp;is accused of abusing his power by asking Ukraine to announce a corruption investigation of former Vice President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-may-consider-obama-as-supreme-court-judge-if-he-becomes-president-271019">Joe Biden</a>, a leading candidate for the Democratic nomination to face&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;in the November presidential election.

He was also accused of obstructing Congress by directing administration officials and agencies not to cooperate with the House&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/facing-blowback-biden-clarifies-stance-on-impeachment-trial-testimony-270786">impeachment&nbsp;inquiry</a>.

Trump&nbsp;says he did nothing wrong and has dismissed his&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;as a partisan bid to undo his 2016 election win.

With&nbsp;Trump's fellow&nbsp;Republicans controlling the&nbsp;Senate&nbsp;with a 53-47 majority, he is unlikely to be convicted and removed from office, which would require a two-thirds majority vote.

Democrats, however, hope they could peel off a few&nbsp;Republicans to push through a resolution for witnesses, which would only require a simple majority.

Allowing witness testimony could bring up new evidence damaging to&nbsp;Trump.

"We need the truth,"&nbsp;Senate&nbsp;Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said on Twitter. "Not a cover-up. Not a nationally televised mock&nbsp;trial&nbsp;with no evidence."

The head of the US Senate Judiciary Committee Lindsey Graham said on Sunday he wants the Senate to launch an impeachment trial of President Donald Trump within days and wrap it up this month, even if it means changing Senate rules.

The head of the US Senate Judiciary Committee Lindsey Graham said on Sunday he wants the Senate to launch an impeachment trial of President Donald Trump within days and wrap it up this month, even if it means changing Senate rules. The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives last month voted to impeach Trump for abuse of power in pressuring Ukraine to investigate a political rival and for obstructing the House impeachment probe. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, however, has not yet sent the articles of impeachment to the Republican-led Senate, where the president would be tried, as Democrats have sought to pressure Republicans to call witnesses. Speaking on Fox News Channel's "Sunday Morning Futures," Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said he wants to change the Senate rules to kick start a trial if Pelosi does not send the articles of impeachment. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, said on Friday the Senate cannot proceed with a trial under its rules until it receives them. McConnell has argued that any decision on potential witnesses should come after senators have heard opening arguments and have had a chance to ask questions. "My goal is to start this trial in the next coming days," Graham said. "If we don't get the articles this week, then we need to take matters in our own hands and change the rules." "This thing needs to be over with in January," he said, arguing that a delay denies Trump an opportunity to confront the accusations and impedes Congress' ability to pursue other business. McConnell's office on Sunday did not comment on Graham's call for a possible rule change. An aide to Pelosi referred to a statement she issued on Friday in which she accused McConnell of being complicit in Trump's "cover-up of his abuses of power." US Representative Adam Schiff, the Democratic Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee that led the House impeachment proceedings said on CNN: "Both Democrats and Republicans are now having to go on the record and say, do we want witnesses? Do we want to see the documents? Do we want the American people to hear the evidence? Do we want a real trial? Or do we want a cover-up? It's clear, I think, from the president and Mitch McConnell they don't want a trial anymore." With no agreement in sight on how to proceed, senators on Monday are expected to resume consideration of a nominee to head the Small Business Administration as they return to town for business after a holiday break. Trump is accused of abusing his power by asking Ukraine to announce a corruption investigation of former Vice President Joe Biden, a leading candidate for the Democratic nomination to face Trump in the November presidential election. He was also accused of obstructing Congress by directing administration officials and agencies not to cooperate with the House impeachment inquiry. Trump says he did nothing wrong and has dismissed his impeachment as a partisan bid to undo his 2016 election win. With Trump's fellow Republicans controlling the Senate with a 53-47 majority, he is unlikely to be convicted and removed from office, which would require a two-thirds majority vote. Democrats, however, hope they could peel off a few Republicans to push through a resolution for witnesses, which would only require a simple majority. Allowing witness testimony could bring up new evidence damaging to Trump. "We need the truth," Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said on Twitter. "Not a cover-up. Not a nationally televised mock trial with no evidence."

Senator Lindsey Graham wishes to kick start trump impeachment trial even if it means changing Senate rules