The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-impeachment-row-us-senate-in-stalemate-over-how-to-proceed-272003">White&nbsp;House</a>&nbsp;sent to Congress on Saturday&nbsp;formal&nbsp;notification of Friday's US&nbsp;drone&nbsp;strike&nbsp;that killed a top Iranian general,&nbsp;amid&nbsp;complaints&nbsp;from&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;that President Donald Trump did not notify&nbsp;lawmakers&nbsp;or seek advance approval for the attack.

The US&nbsp;strike&nbsp;that killed Iranian military commander <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-will-respond-to-soleimani-killing-any-time-in-any-manner-foreign-minister-zarif-272013">Qassem Soleimani</a> in&nbsp;Iraq&nbsp;has caused a dramatic rise in tensions between Iran and the United States and its allies.

The classified notification was sent under a 1973 US&nbsp;law called the War Powers Act, which requires the administration to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action or imminent actions.

White&nbsp;House&nbsp;national security adviser <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korean-leader-kim-jong-un-calls-for-positive-offensive-measures-to-ensure-safety-270976">Robert O'Brien</a> confirmed the&nbsp;notice&nbsp;had been sent and told Fox News on Saturday there were numerous legal grounds for the attack. He said Justice Department lawyers had signed off on the plan.

"This was an absolute legal operation," O'Brien said. "We feel very good about the legal basis for this military operation."

House&nbsp;of Representatives Speaker <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/treasurys-mnuchin-to-head-us-delegation-to-davos-conclave-271625">Nancy Pelosi</a>, a Democrat, said it raised more questions than it answered.

"This document prompts serious and urgent questions about the timing, manner and justification of the Administration's decision to engage in hostilities against Iran," Pelosi said in a statement.

She said the "highly unusual" decision to classify the entire document compounded her concerns and "suggests that the Congress and the American people are being left in the dark about our national security."

A senior Democratic aide described the notification as "brief and insufficient."

In the notification, Trump's administration was expected to have explained the circumstances, the authority under which the action was taken and the expected scope and duration of the military involvement. The&nbsp;White&nbsp;House&nbsp;declined to comment.

Senator <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/uk-labour-party-must-talk-values-to-win-back-the-asian-community-270978">Bernie Sanders</a>, a contender for the Democratic nomination to run against Trump in November's presidential election, said on Saturday that Congress must take immediate steps to restrain the president "from&nbsp;plunging our nation into yet another endless war."

Senator Elizabeth Warren, another Democratic presidential candidate, told reporters on Saturday that Trump has taken the United States "to the brink of war" and called his actions "reckless. He evidently has no plan."

Pelosi has said the&nbsp;strike&nbsp;in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-target-52-iranian-sites-if-americans-are-attacked-donald-trump-272166">Baghdad</a> was conducted without specific authorization&nbsp;from&nbsp;Congress and "without the consultation of the Congress."

On Saturday she described the administration's military engagement as "provocative, escalatory and disproportionate" and said it put US&nbsp;citizens, troops and their allies in danger.

The Pentagon on Friday briefed staff members&nbsp;from&nbsp;the&nbsp;House&nbsp;Armed Services Committee and Senate Armed Services Committee on the attack.

On Friday, Democratic US&nbsp;Senator Tim Kaine introduced a resolution to force a debate and vote in Congress to prevent further escalation of hostilities with Iran.

Republicans in Congress have generally backed Trump's action. Senate Majority Leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/treasurys-mnuchin-to-head-us-delegation-to-davos-conclave-271625">Mitch McConnell</a> said on Friday that "no man alive was more directly responsible for the deaths of more American service members than Qassem Soleimani."

The White House sent to Congress on Saturday formal notification of Friday's US drone strike that killed a top Iranian general, amid complaints from Democrats that President Donald Trump did not notify lawmakers or seek advance approval for the attack.

The White House sent to Congress on Saturday formal notification of Friday's US drone strike that killed a top Iranian general, amid complaints from Democrats that President Donald Trump did not notify lawmakers or seek advance approval for the attack. The US strike that killed Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in Iraq has caused a dramatic rise in tensions between Iran and the United States and its allies. The classified notification was sent under a 1973 US law called the War Powers Act, which requires the administration to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action or imminent actions. White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien confirmed the notice had been sent and told Fox News on Saturday there were numerous legal grounds for the attack. He said Justice Department lawyers had signed off on the plan. "This was an absolute legal operation," O'Brien said. "We feel very good about the legal basis for this military operation." House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, said it raised more questions than it answered. "This document prompts serious and urgent questions about the timing, manner and justification of the Administration's decision to engage in hostilities against Iran," Pelosi said in a statement. She said the "highly unusual" decision to classify the entire document compounded her concerns and "suggests that the Congress and the American people are being left in the dark about our national security." A senior Democratic aide described the notification as "brief and insufficient." In the notification, Trump's administration was expected to have explained the circumstances, the authority under which the action was taken and the expected scope and duration of the military involvement. The White House declined to comment. Senator Bernie Sanders, a contender for the Democratic nomination to run against Trump in November's presidential election, said on Saturday that Congress must take immediate steps to restrain the president "from plunging our nation into yet another endless war." Senator Elizabeth Warren, another Democratic presidential candidate, told reporters on Saturday that Trump has taken the United States "to the brink of war" and called his actions "reckless. He evidently has no plan." Pelosi has said the strike in Baghdad was conducted without specific authorization from Congress and "without the consultation of the Congress." On Saturday she described the administration's military engagement as "provocative, escalatory and disproportionate" and said it put US citizens, troops and their allies in danger. The Pentagon on Friday briefed staff members from the House Armed Services Committee and Senate Armed Services Committee on the attack. On Friday, Democratic US Senator Tim Kaine introduced a resolution to force a debate and vote in Congress to prevent further escalation of hostilities with Iran. Republicans in Congress have generally backed Trump's action. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Friday that "no man alive was more directly responsible for the deaths of more American service members than Qassem Soleimani."

White House gives lawmakers formal notice of Iraq strike amid complaints from Democrats

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-did-nothing-wrong-says-trump-ahead-of-impeachment-vote-in-us-house-269000">Donald&nbsp;Trump</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday became the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-on-track-to-become-third-us-president-to-be-impeached-268809">third&nbsp;US&nbsp;president to be impeached</a> as the&nbsp;House&nbsp;of Representatives formally charged him with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress in a&nbsp;historic&nbsp;step that will inflame partisan tensions across a deeply&nbsp;divided&nbsp;America.

Also Watch:&nbsp;Donald Trump impeached on two counts by US House

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trump-impeached-on-two-counts-by-us-house-269073/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The Democratic-led&nbsp;House's passage of two articles of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/how-does-the-impeachment-of-a-us-president-work-265766">impeachment</a> on a mostly party-line&nbsp;vote&nbsp;sets the stage for a trial next month in the Republican-controlled Senate, friendlier terrain for&nbsp;Trump, on whether to convict and remove him from office.

No president in the 243-year history of the United States has been removed from office by impeachment. That would require a two-thirds majority in the 100-member Senate, meaning at least 20 Republicans would have to join Democrats in voting against&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;and none have indicated they will.

The Senate's top Republican, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-impeachment-trial-first-priority-in-january-us-senate-leader-267756">Mitch McConnell</a>, has predicted there is "no chance" his chamber will remove&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;when it holds its trial.&nbsp;House&nbsp;Speaker <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-pens-a-blistering-letter-to-nancy-pelosi-accuses-democrats-of-attempted-coup-268812">Nancy Pelosi </a>said after the&nbsp;vote&nbsp;she would wait to name the&nbsp;House&nbsp;managers, or prosecutors, until she knew more about the procedures for the Senate trial. She did not specify when she would send the articles to the Senate.

"So far, we haven't seen anything that looks fair to us," Pelosi told reporters.

Trump, 73, is accused of abusing his power by pressuring Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden, a leading contender for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, as well as a discredited theory that Democrats conspired with Ukraine to meddle in the 2016 election.

Democrats said&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;held back $391 million in security aid intended to combat Russia-backed separatists and a coveted White&nbsp;House&nbsp;meeting for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as leverage to coerce Kiev into interfering in the 2020 election by smearing Biden.

The second article accused&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;of obstruction of Congress by directing administration officials and agencies not to comply with lawful&nbsp;House&nbsp;subpoenas for testimony and documents related to impeachment.

Trump, who is seeking another four-year term in the November 2020 presidential election, has denied wrongdoing and called the impeachment inquiry launched by Pelosi in September a "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-faces-two-impeachment-deadlines-as-inquiry-shifts-focus-265580">witch hunt</a>."

At a raucous rally for his re-election in Battle Creek, Michigan, as the&nbsp;House&nbsp;voted,&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;said the impeachment would be a "mark of shame" for Democrats and Pelosi, and cost them in the 2020 election.

"This lawless, partisan impeachment is a political suicide march for the Democrat Party,"&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;said. "They're the ones who should be impeached, every one of them."

Here to defend democracy

During a daylong debate before the&nbsp;vote, Pelosi read the&nbsp;US&nbsp;Pledge of Allegiance and said: "We are here to defend democracy for the people."

"If we do not act now, we would be derelict in our duty. It is tragic that the president's reckless actions make impeachment necessary," Pelosi said.

Also Watch:&nbsp;Nancy Pelosi and Trump impeachment

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nancy-pelosi-and-trump-impeachment-269113/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

As the debate unfolded, Republicans accused Democrats of seeking to use an unfair, rigged process to nullify the 2016 election and influence the 2020&nbsp;vote.

"The matter before the&nbsp;House&nbsp;today is based solely on a fundamental hatred of our president. It's a sham, a witch hunt and it's tantamount to a coup against the duly elected president of the United States," Republican Representative Mike Rogers said.

Republican Representative <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-us-factories-falter-white-house-insists-economy-like-a-rock-254008">Mike Kelly</a> compared the impeachment to the Japanese attack on Hawaii's Pearl Harbor in 1941, calling the&nbsp;House&nbsp;proceedings another "date that will live in infamy", similar to the words Democratic President Franklin Roosevelt used to describe the raid that killed about 2,400 people and led to America's entry into World War Two.

The abuse of power article was passed on a 230-197&nbsp;vote&nbsp;and the obstruction article was passed 229-198. All of the&nbsp;House&nbsp;Republicans opposed the articles, and two Democrats, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-impeachment-effort-passes-first-test-in-divided-us-congress-259134">Collin Peterson and Jeff Van Drew</a>,&nbsp;voted no on both. Democrat Jared Golden&nbsp;voted against the obstruction charge but for abuse of power.

"The only part of the&nbsp;vote&nbsp;that was bipartisan was in opposition. The President is just getting stronger while support for the Democrats’ political theater has faded,"&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;campaign manager Brad Parscale said in a statement.

US&nbsp;Representative Tulsi Gabbard, a Democratic presidential candidate,&nbsp;voted present on both articles, declaring in a statement: "I could not in good conscience&nbsp;vote&nbsp;either yes or no."

Polarized Country

Trump's election has polarized the United States, dividing families and friends and making it more difficult for politicians in Washington to find middle ground as they try to confront pressing challenges like the rise of China and climate change.

The impeachment&nbsp;vote&nbsp;comes ahead of&nbsp;Trump's re-election campaign, which will pit him against the winner among a field of Democratic contenders, including Biden, who have repeatedly criticized&nbsp;Trump's conduct in office and promised to make it a key issue.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
President Trump abused his power, violated his oath of office, and betrayed our nation. This is a solemn moment for our country. But in the United States of America, no one is above the law — not even the President.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden/status/1207479041256755201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"President&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;abused his power, violated his oath of office, and betrayed our nation," Biden said on Twitter after the&nbsp;vote, adding: "In the United States of America, no one is above the law,&nbsp;not even the president."

Polls show that while most Democrats want to see him impeached, most Republicans do not. Televised hearings last month that were meant to build public support for impeachment appear to have pushed the two sides further apart.

The&nbsp;House&nbsp;vote&nbsp;on Wednesday was just the latest, but also unquestionably the biggest, in a string of controversies that have buffeted the turbulent presidency of the New York real estate mogul and former reality TV personality.

Central to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/house-panel-approves-trump-charges-sets-up-impeachment-vote-268182">impeachment inquiry </a>was a July 25 telephone call in which&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;asked Zelenskiy to investigate Biden and his son Hunter Biden, who had joined the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma while his father was&nbsp;US&nbsp;vice president.

Trump&nbsp;has accused the Bidens of corruption without offering evidence. They have denied wrongdoing.

A rough transcript of the call released by the White&nbsp;House&nbsp;showed&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;asking Zelenskiy, elected only three months earlier and eager for American support, to "do us a favor" and conduct the investigations in coordination with his personal lawyer <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/top-democrats-make-case-for-republicans-to-endorse-trump-impeachment-268418">Rudy Giuliani</a>.

Giuliani in the prior months had engaged in a concerted effort to persuade Ukraine to carry out the investigations. Testimony before&nbsp;House&nbsp;committees showed that Giuliani helped engineer&nbsp;Trump's removal last May of the&nbsp;US&nbsp;ambassador to Ukraine, who was perceived as a roadblock to those investigations.

Impeachment is a remedy devised by the United States' founders, wary of a monarch on American soil after breaking away from Britain and King George III in the 18th century, to enable Congress to remove a president who has committed "high crimes and misdemeanors."

Only two previous presidents have been impeached. The&nbsp;House&nbsp;in 1998 impeached President Bill Clinton on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice arising from a sexual relationship he had with a White&nbsp;House&nbsp;intern, but the Senate acquitted him. The&nbsp;House&nbsp;impeached President Andrew Johnson in 1868, focused on his removal of the secretary of war, but he was acquitted by one&nbsp;vote&nbsp;in the Senate.

In 1974, President Richard Nixon resigned after the&nbsp;House&nbsp;Judiciary Committee approved articles of impeachment in the Watergate corruption scandal but before the full&nbsp;House&nbsp;could pass them.

Donald Trump on Wednesday became the third US president to be impeached as the House of Representatives formally charged him with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress in a historic step that will inflame partisan tensions across a deeply divided America.

Donald Trump on Wednesday became the third US president to be impeached as the House of Representatives formally charged him with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress in a historic step that will inflame partisan tensions across a deeply divided America. Also Watch: Donald Trump impeached on two counts by US House × The Democratic-led House's passage of two articles of impeachment on a mostly party-line vote sets the stage for a trial next month in the Republican-controlled Senate, friendlier terrain for Trump, on whether to convict and remove him from office. No president in the 243-year history of the United States has been removed from office by impeachment. That would require a two-thirds majority in the 100-member Senate, meaning at least 20 Republicans would have to join Democrats in voting against Trump and none have indicated they will. The Senate's top Republican, Mitch McConnell, has predicted there is "no chance" his chamber will remove Trump when it holds its trial. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said after the vote she would wait to name the House managers, or prosecutors, until she knew more about the procedures for the Senate trial. She did not specify when she would send the articles to the Senate. "So far, we haven't seen anything that looks fair to us," Pelosi told reporters. Trump, 73, is accused of abusing his power by pressuring Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden, a leading contender for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, as well as a discredited theory that Democrats conspired with Ukraine to meddle in the 2016 election. Democrats said Trump held back $391 million in security aid intended to combat Russia-backed separatists and a coveted White House meeting for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as leverage to coerce Kiev into interfering in the 2020 election by smearing Biden. The second article accused Trump of obstruction of Congress by directing administration officials and agencies not to comply with lawful House subpoenas for testimony and documents related to impeachment. Trump, who is seeking another four-year term in the November 2020 presidential election, has denied wrongdoing and called the impeachment inquiry launched by Pelosi in September a "witch hunt." At a raucous rally for his re-election in Battle Creek, Michigan, as the House voted, Trump said the impeachment would be a "mark of shame" for Democrats and Pelosi, and cost them in the 2020 election. "This lawless, partisan impeachment is a political suicide march for the Democrat Party," Trump said. "They're the ones who should be impeached, every one of them." Here to defend democracy During a daylong debate before the vote, Pelosi read the US Pledge of Allegiance and said: "We are here to defend democracy for the people." "If we do not act now, we would be derelict in our duty. It is tragic that the president's reckless actions make impeachment necessary," Pelosi said. Also Watch: Nancy Pelosi and Trump impeachment × As the debate unfolded, Republicans accused Democrats of seeking to use an unfair, rigged process to nullify the 2016 election and influence the 2020 vote. "The matter before the House today is based solely on a fundamental hatred of our president. It's a sham, a witch hunt and it's tantamount to a coup against the duly elected president of the United States," Republican Representative Mike Rogers said. Republican Representative Mike Kelly compared the impeachment to the Japanese attack on Hawaii's Pearl Harbor in 1941, calling the House proceedings another "date that will live in infamy", similar to the words Democratic President Franklin Roosevelt used to describe the raid that killed about 2,400 people and led to America's entry into World War Two. The abuse of power article was passed on a 230-197 vote and the obstruction article was passed 229-198. All of the House Republicans opposed the articles, and two Democrats, Collin Peterson and Jeff Van Drew, voted no on both. Democrat Jared Golden voted against the obstruction charge but for abuse of power. "The only part of the vote that was bipartisan was in opposition. The President is just getting stronger while support for the Democrats’ political theater has faded," Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale said in a statement. US Representative Tulsi Gabbard, a Democratic presidential candidate, voted present on both articles, declaring in a statement: "I could not in good conscience vote either yes or no." Polarized Country Trump's election has polarized the United States, dividing families and friends and making it more difficult for politicians in Washington to find middle ground as they try to confront pressing challenges like the rise of China and climate change. The impeachment vote comes ahead of Trump's re-election campaign, which will pit him against the winner among a field of Democratic contenders, including Biden, who have repeatedly criticized Trump's conduct in office and promised to make it a key issue. President Trump abused his power, violated his oath of office, and betrayed our nation. This is a solemn moment for our country. But in the United States of America, no one is above the law — not even the President. — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) December 19, 2019 × "President Trump abused his power, violated his oath of office, and betrayed our nation," Biden said on Twitter after the vote, adding: "In the United States of America, no one is above the law, not even the president." Polls show that while most Democrats want to see him impeached, most Republicans do not. Televised hearings last month that were meant to build public support for impeachment appear to have pushed the two sides further apart. The House vote on Wednesday was just the latest, but also unquestionably the biggest, in a string of controversies that have buffeted the turbulent presidency of the New York real estate mogul and former reality TV personality. Central to the impeachment inquiry was a July 25 telephone call in which Trump asked Zelenskiy to investigate Biden and his son Hunter Biden, who had joined the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma while his father was US vice president. Trump has accused the Bidens of corruption without offering evidence. They have denied wrongdoing. A rough transcript of the call released by the White House showed Trump asking Zelenskiy, elected only three months earlier and eager for American support, to "do us a favor" and conduct the investigations in coordination with his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani. Giuliani in the prior months had engaged in a concerted effort to persuade Ukraine to carry out the investigations. Testimony before House committees showed that Giuliani helped engineer Trump's removal last May of the US ambassador to Ukraine, who was perceived as a roadblock to those investigations. Impeachment is a remedy devised by the United States' founders, wary of a monarch on American soil after breaking away from Britain and King George III in the 18th century, to enable Congress to remove a president who has committed "high crimes and misdemeanors." Only two previous presidents have been impeached. The House in 1998 impeached President Bill Clinton on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice arising from a sexual relationship he had with a White House intern, but the Senate acquitted him. The House impeached President Andrew Johnson in 1868, focused on his removal of the secretary of war, but he was acquitted by one vote in the Senate. In 1974, President Richard Nixon resigned after the House Judiciary Committee approved articles of impeachment in the Watergate corruption scandal but before the full House could pass them.

Divided US House impeaches President Donald Trump in historic vote

US Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell Friday attacked President Donald Trump's decision to pull troops from Syria as "a strategic nightmare" that will help Washington's foes and hurt its allies.

"Withdrawing US forces from Syria is a grave strategic mistake," McConnell, the top Republican in Congress, wrote in an op-ed published in The Washington Post.

"It will leave the American people and homeland less safe, embolden our enemies, and weaken important alliances."

His comments come after Trump Wednesday defended his decision to pull US troops out of Syria as "strategically brilliant."

McConnell, usually a staunch supporter of the president, had earlier in the month condemned Trump's withdrawal of troops from northeast Syria, which sparked a week-long Turkish offensive against the Kurds who were allied with the US in the fight against Islamic State.

Fighting has continued despite a temporary ceasefire Vice President Mike Pence brokered with Ankara.

"The combination of a US pullback and the escalating Turkish-Kurdish hostilities is creating a strategic nightmare for our country," McConnell wrote in his opinion piece.

"Even if the five-day ceasefire announced Thursday holds, events of the past week have set back the United States' campaign against the Islamic State and other terrorists," he said.

McConnell did not mention Trump by name, though he did liken the Syria withdrawal to the foreign policy of Trump's Democratic predecessor Barack Obama.

"We saw the Islamic State flourish in Iraq after President Barack Obama's retreat. We will see these things anew in Syria and Afghanistan if we abandon our partners and retreat from these conflicts before they are won," McConnell wrote.

"America's wars will be 'endless' only if America refuses to win them," he added in an apparent jab at Trump's insistence that the withdrawal was necessary "to get out of these ridiculous Endless Wars."

The offensive has killed more than 500 people, including dozens of civilians, while some 300,000 civilians have been displaced within Syria, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor.

Turkey agreed to suspend its offensive for five days in northern Syria while Kurdish fighters withdraw from the area, following high-stakes talks with Pence in Ankara.

US Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell Friday attacked President Donald Trump's decision to pull troops from Syria as "a strategic nightmare" that will help Washington's foes and hurt its allies.

US Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell Friday attacked President Donald Trump's decision to pull troops from Syria as "a strategic nightmare" that will help Washington's foes and hurt its allies. "Withdrawing US forces from Syria is a grave strategic mistake," McConnell, the top Republican in Congress, wrote in an op-ed published in The Washington Post. "It will leave the American people and homeland less safe, embolden our enemies, and weaken important alliances." His comments come after Trump Wednesday defended his decision to pull US troops out of Syria as "strategically brilliant." McConnell, usually a staunch supporter of the president, had earlier in the month condemned Trump's withdrawal of troops from northeast Syria, which sparked a week-long Turkish offensive against the Kurds who were allied with the US in the fight against Islamic State. Fighting has continued despite a temporary ceasefire Vice President Mike Pence brokered with Ankara. "The combination of a US pullback and the escalating Turkish-Kurdish hostilities is creating a strategic nightmare for our country," McConnell wrote in his opinion piece. "Even if the five-day ceasefire announced Thursday holds, events of the past week have set back the United States' campaign against the Islamic State and other terrorists," he said. McConnell did not mention Trump by name, though he did liken the Syria withdrawal to the foreign policy of Trump's Democratic predecessor Barack Obama. "We saw the Islamic State flourish in Iraq after President Barack Obama's retreat. We will see these things anew in Syria and Afghanistan if we abandon our partners and retreat from these conflicts before they are won," McConnell wrote. "America's wars will be 'endless' only if America refuses to win them," he added in an apparent jab at Trump's insistence that the withdrawal was necessary "to get out of these ridiculous Endless Wars." The offensive has killed more than 500 people, including dozens of civilians, while some 300,000 civilians have been displaced within Syria, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor. Turkey agreed to suspend its offensive for five days in northern Syria while Kurdish fighters withdraw from the area, following high-stakes talks with Pence in Ankara.

Mitch McConnell slams Trump's Syria withdrawal as 'strategic nightmare'

Turkey said on Tuesday it had completed preparations for a military operation in northeast Syria after the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-opposes-syria-military-action-javad-zarif-tells-turkey-254396"> United States began pulling back troops</a>, opening the way for a Turkish attack on Kurdish-led forces long allied to Washington.

But US President Donald Trump warned he<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-threatens-to-obliterate-turkeys-economy-over-syria-254345"> would "obliterate" the NATO ally's economy</a> if it took action in Syria that he considered "off-limits" following his decision on Sunday to pull 50 American special forces troops from the border region.

The US withdrawal will leave its Kurdish-led partner forces in Syria vulnerable to an incursion by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), which brands them terrorists because of their links to Kurdish militants who have waged a long insurgency inside Turkey.

"The TSK will never tolerate the establishment of a terror corridor on our borders. All preparations for the operation have been completed," the Turkish Defence Ministry said on Twitter early on Tuesday.

"It is essential to establish a safe zone/peace corridor to contribute to our region's peace and stability, and for Syrians to achieve a safe life," it said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/disaster-in-the-making-top-republicans-outraged-over-trump-pullback-in-syria-254361">Trump's warning on Turkey's economy</a> appeared aimed at placating critics who accused him of abandoning the Syrian Kurds by pulling out US forces. The decision drew criticism from Democrats and a rebuke from some of Trump's fellow Republicans in Congress, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

"As I have stated strongly before, and just to reiterate, if Turkey does anything that I, in my great and unmatched wisdom, consider to be off-limits, I will totally destroy and obliterate the Economy of Turkey (I've done before!)" Trump tweeted.

Turkey does not appear "as of now" to have begun its expected incursion into northern Syria, a senior Trump administration official said on Monday.

Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said overnight it was Turkey's fundamental right to take necessary measures for its national security against terrorism threats from Syria.

"Turkey is determined to clear terrorists from the east of the Euphrates and protect its own security and survival while implementing a secure zone in order to achieve peace and stability," Aksoy said in a written statement.

President Tayyip Erdogan has said Turkey plans to resettle two million refugees in northern Syria and Turkish media has said the draft resettlement plan involves a 151 billion lira ($26 billion) construction project. Turkey hosts 3.6 million Syrian refugees.

The Trump administration official, briefing reporters on a conference call, said 50 U.S. troops in the region that Turkey has targeted would be redeployed elsewhere in Syria "where they aren't in the crossfire." The United States has about 1,000 troops in Syria.

Turkey's lira lost 2% of its value against the dollar to hit its weakest level since early September. It stood at 5.8385 early on Tuesday.

Turkey said on Tuesday it had completed preparations for a military operation in northeast Syria after the United States began pulling back troops, opening the way for a Turkish attack on Kurdish-led forces long allied to Washington.

Turkey said on Tuesday it had completed preparations for a military operation in northeast Syria after the United States began pulling back troops, opening the way for a Turkish attack on Kurdish-led forces long allied to Washington. But US President Donald Trump warned he would "obliterate" the NATO ally's economy if it took action in Syria that he considered "off-limits" following his decision on Sunday to pull 50 American special forces troops from the border region. The US withdrawal will leave its Kurdish-led partner forces in Syria vulnerable to an incursion by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), which brands them terrorists because of their links to Kurdish militants who have waged a long insurgency inside Turkey. "The TSK will never tolerate the establishment of a terror corridor on our borders. All preparations for the operation have been completed," the Turkish Defence Ministry said on Twitter early on Tuesday. "It is essential to establish a safe zone/peace corridor to contribute to our region's peace and stability, and for Syrians to achieve a safe life," it said. Trump's warning on Turkey's economy appeared aimed at placating critics who accused him of abandoning the Syrian Kurds by pulling out US forces. The decision drew criticism from Democrats and a rebuke from some of Trump's fellow Republicans in Congress, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. "As I have stated strongly before, and just to reiterate, if Turkey does anything that I, in my great and unmatched wisdom, consider to be off-limits, I will totally destroy and obliterate the Economy of Turkey (I've done before!)" Trump tweeted. Turkey does not appear "as of now" to have begun its expected incursion into northern Syria, a senior Trump administration official said on Monday. Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said overnight it was Turkey's fundamental right to take necessary measures for its national security against terrorism threats from Syria. "Turkey is determined to clear terrorists from the east of the Euphrates and protect its own security and survival while implementing a secure zone in order to achieve peace and stability," Aksoy said in a written statement. President Tayyip Erdogan has said Turkey plans to resettle two million refugees in northern Syria and Turkish media has said the draft resettlement plan involves a 151 billion lira ($26 billion) construction project. Turkey hosts 3.6 million Syrian refugees. The Trump administration official, briefing reporters on a conference call, said 50 U.S. troops in the region that Turkey has targeted would be redeployed elsewhere in Syria "where they aren't in the crossfire." The United States has about 1,000 troops in Syria. Turkey's lira lost 2% of its value against the dollar to hit its weakest level since early September. It stood at 5.8385 early on Tuesday.

All preparations for Syria operations completed, says Turkey

President Donald Trump said on Thursday he supports meaningful background checks for gun buyers, but he told reporters that those responsible for recent mass shootings were mentally ill and the United States should build more mental institutions.

President Donald Trump said on Thursday he supports meaningful background checks for gun buyers, but he told reporters that those responsible for recent mass shootings were mentally ill and the United States should build more mental institutions. Trump said he had been speaking with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and many other Republicans about the problem of gun violence and that "they don't want to have insane people, dangerous people, really bad people having guns." "We don't want crazy people owning guns," the president added. "It's them. They pull the trigger. The gun doesn't pull the trigger. They pull the trigger. So we have to look very seriously at mental illness." The president is under pressure to curb gun violence following mass shootings that killed dozens of people this month in Texas and Ohio. His comments came as he started a trip from New Jersey to speak to a campaign rally in New Hampshire. "We're looking at the whole gun situation," Trump said when asked whether he was pressing Republicans on tougher background checks for gun buyers. "I do want people to remember the words mental illness. These people are mentally ill. ... These are mentally ill people and people have to start thinking about it. I think we have to start building institutions again," he said, adding that many U.S. mental institutions were closed in the 1960s and 70s and their patients released onto the streets. "A lot of our conversation has to do with the fact that we have to open up institutions," Trump added. "We can't let these people be on the streets."

Trump blames mass shootings on mentally ill, calls for more mental institutions

President Donald Trump's re-election campaign and leading Republicans on Thursday vowed to spend no money on Twitter ads after the social media platform froze Senator Mitch McConnell's re-election account for breaking site rules.

Twitter locked the "Team Mitch" account after it posted a video of protesters outside the Senate majority leader's home in Kentucky shouting that he should die.

The video violated Twitter's violent threats policy, "specifically threats involving physical safety," the social media platform said.

The demonstration came after "Team Mitch" shared a picture over the weekend originally posted on Instagram of young McConnell supporters groping and choking a life-size cardboard cutout of New York Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

The conservative backlash over McConnell's frozen account was swift.

"Twitter's hostile actions toward Leader McConnell's campaign are outrageous, and we will not tolerate it," National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesman Jesse Hunt said in a statement.

Watch: Twitter suspends 100k Accounts; Fixes Abuse &amp; Harassment

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/twitter-suspends-100k-accounts-fixes-abuse-harasment-211046/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

He said his group "will suspend all spending with Twitter until further notice. We will not spend our resources on a platform that silences conservatives."

The Republican Party "and @TeamTrump stand with the @Team_Mitch and the @NRSC," tweeted Republican National Committee chief of staff Richard Walters.

"Any future ad $ either organization was planning to spend with @Twitter has been halted until they address this disgusting bias," he wrote.

Republicans often complain that social media platforms try to silence conservative voices.

The weekend photo posted by the Team Mitch account led Ocasio-Cortez herself to fire back.

"Hey @senatemajldr - these young men look like they work for you," she tweeted Monday.&nbsp;

"Just wanted to clarify: are you paying for young men to practice groping &amp; choking members of Congress w/ your payroll, or is this just the standard culture of #TeamMitch? Thanks."

The original Instagram photo was taken down and the user who posted it apologized - but McConnell's campaign manager, Kevin Golden, was unapologetic.

He complained that "the far-left and the media" were working hard "to demonize, stereotype, and publicly castigate every young person who dares to get involved with Republican politics," noting that the young men in the photo who wore Team Mitch t-shirts were high school supporters.

Golden then condemned "aggressive, suggestive, or demeaning act toward life-sized cardboard cutouts of any gender."

President Donald Trump's re-election campaign and leading Republicans on Thursday vowed to spend no money on Twitter ads after the social media platform froze Senator Mitch McConnell's re-election account for breaking site rules.

President Donald Trump's re-election campaign and leading Republicans on Thursday vowed to spend no money on Twitter ads after the social media platform froze Senator Mitch McConnell's re-election account for breaking site rules. Twitter locked the "Team Mitch" account after it posted a video of protesters outside the Senate majority leader's home in Kentucky shouting that he should die. The video violated Twitter's violent threats policy, "specifically threats involving physical safety," the social media platform said. The demonstration came after "Team Mitch" shared a picture over the weekend originally posted on Instagram of young McConnell supporters groping and choking a life-size cardboard cutout of New York Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The conservative backlash over McConnell's frozen account was swift. "Twitter's hostile actions toward Leader McConnell's campaign are outrageous, and we will not tolerate it," National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesman Jesse Hunt said in a statement. Watch: Twitter suspends 100k Accounts; Fixes Abuse & Harassment × He said his group "will suspend all spending with Twitter until further notice. We will not spend our resources on a platform that silences conservatives." The Republican Party "and @TeamTrump stand with the @Team_Mitch and the @NRSC," tweeted Republican National Committee chief of staff Richard Walters. "Any future ad $ either organization was planning to spend with @Twitter has been halted until they address this disgusting bias," he wrote. Republicans often complain that social media platforms try to silence conservative voices. The weekend photo posted by the Team Mitch account led Ocasio-Cortez herself to fire back. "Hey @senatemajldr - these young men look like they work for you," she tweeted Monday. "Just wanted to clarify: are you paying for young men to practice groping & choking members of Congress w/ your payroll, or is this just the standard culture of #TeamMitch? Thanks." The original Instagram photo was taken down and the user who posted it apologized - but McConnell's campaign manager, Kevin Golden, was unapologetic. He complained that "the far-left and the media" were working hard "to demonize, stereotype, and publicly castigate every young person who dares to get involved with Republican politics," noting that the young men in the photo who wore Team Mitch t-shirts were high school supporters. Golden then condemned "aggressive, suggestive, or demeaning act toward life-sized cardboard cutouts of any gender."

Republicans vow to not buy Twitter ads after Mitch McConnell account blocked

After initial hesitation, a growing number of Republicans in the US Congress including almost half the Ohio delegation in the House have openly criticised <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-has-discussed-iran-nuclear-standoff-with-macron-white-house-234187">President Donald Trump</a> over his racially charged attacks on four Democratic lawmakers.

Three Republicans from Texas, a solidly pro-Trump state, also voiced some level of concern about his comments targeting the four minority women, joining the critics from Ohio, a key battleground state for Trump as he seeks re-election in 2020.

Fear of retribution from the president, who readily inveighs on Twitter against almost anyone he perceives as an opponent, has kept most Republicans quiet in the House of Representatives and the Senate almost since Trump took power in January 2017.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-trump-criticised-for-racist-rant-236528/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

But as of late Tuesday, about three dozen of the 250 in Congress, or 14 per cent, had called him out on his statements.

Texas Representative Will Hurd, for instance, called Trump's tweets from the weekend "racist and xenophobic" and "unbecoming of the leader of the free world."

Fellow Texan Pete Olson also distanced himself, saying he is proud to represent "the most diverse Congressional district in America," and urged the president to disavow his comments.&nbsp;

Ohio Representative Mike Turner called Trump`s words "racist." Another four Ohio Republicans joined Turner in condemning the tweets.

Trump tweeted during the weekend that the four congresswomen should “go back and help fix the totally broken and crime-infested places from which they came.” All four are US citizens and three were born in the United States.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, while refraining from directly criticizing Trump, said on Tuesday that public debate should be about ideas, not personal attacks.

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy dismissed the debate and an effort by House Democrats to pass a resolution condemning the president`s remarks as "all politics."

Republicans who criticise Trump risk his enduring ire, said Alex Conant, a Republican political strategist who worked for Florida Senator Marco Rubio in the 2016 presidential primaries.

“Trump never forgets a Republican who is disloyal to him,” Conant said, adding that “Republicans are very wary of criticising Trump because they don’t want to face his retribution in the primaries.”

In 2020, Trump will ask US voters to re-elect him. All 435 House seats are also up for grabs and a third of the 100 Senate seats. Of the nearly one dozen Republican senators who criticized Trump`s remarks, only three face serious re-election challenges.&nbsp;

But Senate Republicans in swing states may find that "a little bit of independence from Trump" helps, Conant noted.

"Every member has their own calculus and certainly some of them are taking a principled position, regardless of the politics," Conant said.

"But for the vast majority of Republican members, the lesson of the last two years is don`t comment on Trump`s tweets because they have a short shelf life, but the damage you can do to yourself can be permanent."

After initial hesitation, a growing number of Republicans in the US Congress including almost half the Ohio delegation in the House have openly criticised President Donald Trump over his racially charged attacks on four Democratic lawmakers.

After initial hesitation, a growing number of Republicans in the US Congress including almost half the Ohio delegation in the House have openly criticised President Donald Trump over his racially charged attacks on four Democratic lawmakers. Three Republicans from Texas, a solidly pro-Trump state, also voiced some level of concern about his comments targeting the four minority women, joining the critics from Ohio, a key battleground state for Trump as he seeks re-election in 2020. Fear of retribution from the president, who readily inveighs on Twitter against almost anyone he perceives as an opponent, has kept most Republicans quiet in the House of Representatives and the Senate almost since Trump took power in January 2017. But as of late Tuesday, about three dozen of the 250 in Congress, or 14 per cent, had called him out on his statements. Texas Representative Will Hurd, for instance, called Trump's tweets from the weekend "racist and xenophobic" and "unbecoming of the leader of the free world." Fellow Texan Pete Olson also distanced himself, saying he is proud to represent "the most diverse Congressional district in America," and urged the president to disavow his comments. Ohio Representative Mike Turner called Trump`s words "racist." Another four Ohio Republicans joined Turner in condemning the tweets. Trump tweeted during the weekend that the four congresswomen should “go back and help fix the totally broken and crime-infested places from which they came.” All four are US citizens and three were born in the United States. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, while refraining from directly criticizing Trump, said on Tuesday that public debate should be about ideas, not personal attacks. House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy dismissed the debate and an effort by House Democrats to pass a resolution condemning the president`s remarks as "all politics." Republicans who criticise Trump risk his enduring ire, said Alex Conant, a Republican political strategist who worked for Florida Senator Marco Rubio in the 2016 presidential primaries. “Trump never forgets a Republican who is disloyal to him,” Conant said, adding that “Republicans are very wary of criticising Trump because they don’t want to face his retribution in the primaries.” In 2020, Trump will ask US voters to re-elect him. All 435 House seats are also up for grabs and a third of the 100 Senate seats. Of the nearly one dozen Republican senators who criticized Trump`s remarks, only three face serious re-election challenges. But Senate Republicans in swing states may find that "a little bit of independence from Trump" helps, Conant noted. "Every member has their own calculus and certainly some of them are taking a principled position, regardless of the politics," Conant said. "But for the vast majority of Republican members, the lesson of the last two years is don`t comment on Trump`s tweets because they have a short shelf life, but the damage you can do to yourself can be permanent."

In 'GOP base' Texas & key battleground state Ohio, Republicans criticise Trump over 'racist' tweets

US President Trump will sign a spending bill averting a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-ready-to-sign-border-deal-averting-shutdown-reports-197220">government shutdown</a> but will also issue an emergency declaration to fund his controversial border wall, the White House and lawmakers said on Thursday.

Top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell told colleagues that he spoke by phone with Trump, who "indicated he's prepared to sign the bill. He will also be issuing a national emergency declaration at the same time."

The White House confirmed the plan minutes later.

"He will also take other executive action - including a national emergency - to ensure we stop the national security and humanitarian crisis at the border," Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said.

Declaring such an <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-economist-says-economy-strong-despite-shutdown-195142">emergency, a rare </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-economist-says-economy-strong-despite-shutdown-195142">step</a>, would free Trump to seek to redirect federal funds from elsewhere to help pay for a wall along the US-Mexico border.

Trump saying he will sign the spending bill, expected ahead of a Friday midnight deadline, eases some pressure in Washington after he had openly expressed concern about the deal reached earlier in the week between Republicans and Democrats.

The measure includes only $375 billion for border barriers or fencing, far from the $5.7 billion that Trump has demanded for his long-sought border wall.

Trump's misgivings put the fate of the bill in question. But minutes after McConnell announced Trump's intention, the Senate took up the measure and advanced it overwhelmingly.

A final Senate vote was to follow, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said her chamber would vote later Thursday.

Pelosi, Trump's Democratic nemesis, expressed disdain for the president's upcoming emergency declaration, warning that he was doing "an end run around Congress." "It's not an emergency, what's happening at the border," she said.

Trump's declaration is expected to be challenged in court.

The compromise package funds until September 30th. The government operations would lapse if the bill is not signed by Trump by the midnight Friday deadline.

US President Trump will sign a spending bill averting a government shutdown but will also issue an emergency declaration to fund his controversial border wall, the White House and lawmakers said on Thursday.

US President Trump will sign a spending bill averting a government shutdown but will also issue an emergency declaration to fund his controversial border wall, the White House and lawmakers said on Thursday. Top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell told colleagues that he spoke by phone with Trump, who "indicated he's prepared to sign the bill. He will also be issuing a national emergency declaration at the same time." The White House confirmed the plan minutes later. "He will also take other executive action - including a national emergency - to ensure we stop the national security and humanitarian crisis at the border," Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said. Declaring such an emergency, a rare step, would free Trump to seek to redirect federal funds from elsewhere to help pay for a wall along the US-Mexico border. Trump saying he will sign the spending bill, expected ahead of a Friday midnight deadline, eases some pressure in Washington after he had openly expressed concern about the deal reached earlier in the week between Republicans and Democrats. The measure includes only $375 billion for border barriers or fencing, far from the $5.7 billion that Trump has demanded for his long-sought border wall. Trump's misgivings put the fate of the bill in question. But minutes after McConnell announced Trump's intention, the Senate took up the measure and advanced it overwhelmingly. A final Senate vote was to follow, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said her chamber would vote later Thursday. Pelosi, Trump's Democratic nemesis, expressed disdain for the president's upcoming emergency declaration, warning that he was doing "an end run around Congress." "It's not an emergency, what's happening at the border," she said. Trump's declaration is expected to be challenged in court. The compromise package funds until September 30th. The government operations would lapse if the bill is not signed by Trump by the midnight Friday deadline.

Trump will sign shutdown bill but will also issue emergency declaration: Senator McConnell

US Senate leaders have agreed to vote Thursday on competing proposals to end a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/without-a-wall-our-country-can-never-have-national-security-says-trump-as-government-shutdown-enters-second-month-192081">government shutdown</a> now in its second month, but the chances are slim that either will reopen federal agencies.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and top Democrat Chuck Schumer announced an agreement on the Senate floor Tuesday for a pair of test votes.

The first would be a procedural step on a measure that funds all shuttered branches of government through September and includes President Donald Trump's demand for border wall funding and his proposal on immigration policy.

A second vote would be on a stop-gap measure that funds government until February 8, to allow for debate over border security and immigration, while also letting Trump's upcoming State of the Union address before Congress proceed.

It also would include disaster relief money already passed in the House.&nbsp;

Each proposal would require 60 votes to advance in the 100-member body, a high threshold, given the current level of partisan rancor over who is to blame for the shutdown.

A senior Republican Senate aide told AFP it was unlikely Republicans would sign on to the short-term funding bill, and that even if they did, the president would not sign it.

But the Democratic leader took to the floor to say the votes "could break us out of the morass we are in," and he specifically encouraged Republicans to sign on to the stop-gap bill to briefly open government.

"It will allow us to then debate, without hostage-taking, without temper tantrum... How we can best do border security," he said.

US Senate leaders have agreed to vote Thursday on competing proposals to end a government shutdown now in its second month, but the chances are slim that either will reopen federal agencies.

US Senate leaders have agreed to vote Thursday on competing proposals to end a government shutdown now in its second month, but the chances are slim that either will reopen federal agencies. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and top Democrat Chuck Schumer announced an agreement on the Senate floor Tuesday for a pair of test votes. The first would be a procedural step on a measure that funds all shuttered branches of government through September and includes President Donald Trump's demand for border wall funding and his proposal on immigration policy. A second vote would be on a stop-gap measure that funds government until February 8, to allow for debate over border security and immigration, while also letting Trump's upcoming State of the Union address before Congress proceed. It also would include disaster relief money already passed in the House. Each proposal would require 60 votes to advance in the 100-member body, a high threshold, given the current level of partisan rancor over who is to blame for the shutdown. A senior Republican Senate aide told AFP it was unlikely Republicans would sign on to the short-term funding bill, and that even if they did, the president would not sign it. But the Democratic leader took to the floor to say the votes "could break us out of the morass we are in," and he specifically encouraged Republicans to sign on to the stop-gap bill to briefly open government. "It will allow us to then debate, without hostage-taking, without temper tantrum... How we can best do border security," he said.

US Senate to vote on opposing bids to end shutdown

When the US Congress reconvenes on November 13, it will face a deadline less than a month later to fund parts of the federal government and a possible showdown over money for President Donald Trump's proposed US-Mexico border wall.

Taking a confrontational position on the issue, Trump said at a news conference on Wednesday he could not commit to avoiding a partial government shutdown if Congress refuses to provide him all the funding he wants for his wall.

"We need the money to build the wall, the whole wall, not pieces of it," Trump told reporters, days before Congress reconvenes for its mid-November to mid-December "lame duck" session.

Trump has issued ultimatums about wall funding before, with little impact, even with his own Republican Party in majority control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Even though Tuesday's congressional elections gave the Democrats majority control of the House, the Republicans will still control both chambers until January.

That means that they will need Democratic support for any funding bills in the Senate, where Republicans have 51 of 100 seats. They will need 60 votes to advance legislation.

Having won control of the House in the elections, Democrats said they will be even less motivated than before to meet Trump's wall demands.

If the two parties cannot reach a funding deal, there would be a partial government shutdown, with so-called "essential services," including some at the Department of Homeland Security, likely remaining in operation.

"We need to work this out," Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said on Wednesday. "Seventy-five per cent of the government was funded before the end of September."

Lawmakers reached a bipartisan agreement in September to fund much of the federal government. The fight over money for the wall was delayed until after the elections by including only temporary funding until December 8 for some government services, including Homeland Security.

"We're going to do the best we can to try to achieve the president's priorities and hopefully we will not be headed down that path," McConnell said of a partial shutdown.

He said Congress would also try to finalize a five-year reauthorization of the farm bill during the "lame duck" session. The legislation expired at the end of September but most of its programs remain in place through the end of the year.

When the US Congress reconvenes on November 13, it will face a deadline less than a month later to fund parts of the federal government and a possible showdown over money for President Donald Trump's proposed US-Mexico border wall.

When the US Congress reconvenes on November 13, it will face a deadline less than a month later to fund parts of the federal government and a possible showdown over money for President Donald Trump's proposed US-Mexico border wall. Taking a confrontational position on the issue, Trump said at a news conference on Wednesday he could not commit to avoiding a partial government shutdown if Congress refuses to provide him all the funding he wants for his wall. "We need the money to build the wall, the whole wall, not pieces of it," Trump told reporters, days before Congress reconvenes for its mid-November to mid-December "lame duck" session. Trump has issued ultimatums about wall funding before, with little impact, even with his own Republican Party in majority control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Even though Tuesday's congressional elections gave the Democrats majority control of the House, the Republicans will still control both chambers until January. That means that they will need Democratic support for any funding bills in the Senate, where Republicans have 51 of 100 seats. They will need 60 votes to advance legislation. Having won control of the House in the elections, Democrats said they will be even less motivated than before to meet Trump's wall demands. If the two parties cannot reach a funding deal, there would be a partial government shutdown, with so-called "essential services," including some at the Department of Homeland Security, likely remaining in operation. "We need to work this out," Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said on Wednesday. "Seventy-five per cent of the government was funded before the end of September." Lawmakers reached a bipartisan agreement in September to fund much of the federal government. The fight over money for the wall was delayed until after the elections by including only temporary funding until December 8 for some government services, including Homeland Security. "We're going to do the best we can to try to achieve the president's priorities and hopefully we will not be headed down that path," McConnell said of a partial shutdown. He said Congress would also try to finalize a five-year reauthorization of the farm bill during the "lame duck" session. The legislation expired at the end of September but most of its programs remain in place through the end of the year.

Battle looms in US Congress over money for Trump's border wall

A US&nbsp;Senate committee approved the nomination of President Donald Trump's choice for secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, on Monday after a Republican senator who had been opposed threw his support behind the CIA director in the face of party pressure.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the nomination on a party-line vote, with all 11 Republicans backing him, nine Democrats opposed and one Democrat, Chris Coons, voting "present" because one Republican was at a funeral out of town.

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said there were enough votes in the full Senate to confirm Pompeo this week. That would allow Pompeo to attend a NATO summit on Friday.

Pompeo became one of Trump's closest advisers during his 15 months as CIA director. He most recently has been deeply involved in preparations for Trump's summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, including meeting with him three weeks ago.

While many Democrats consider Pompeo too hawkish and worry about past harsh statements on homosexuality and Islam, he has the support of at least three Democratic senators not on the committee who is running for re-election in states Trump won easily in 2016. That all but assures Pompeo will be confirmed.

"I do not believe Director Pompeo is someone who will always prioritize diplomacy over conflict, particularly in the context of the aggressive foreign policy voices growing around him," said Senator Robert Menendez, the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, citing Pompeo's past openness to regime change in North Korea and Iran.

No Republican besides Senator Rand Paul, who changed his vote on Monday, had announced opposition.

Paul's late switch meant Pompeo avoided the embarrassment of being the first nominee for secretary of state to fail to secure the committee's endorsement since it began considering them in the late 19th century.

That would have weakened Pompeo's reputation internationally and cast a cloud over Trump's push to overhaul his national security team after firing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and replacing his national security adviser, HR&nbsp;McMaster, with John Bolton, also known as a hawk.

The White House and Republican Party had thrown their weight behind the nomination, with unceasing attacks on Democrats for opposing Trump's pick.

Paul had opposed Pompeo for weeks, holding a news conference to announce his opposition to him, as well as Trump's pick to replace him at the CIA, Deputy CIA Director Gina Haspel.

Haspel, whose Senate confirmation hearing is next month, also faces a tough confirmation fight. Democrats and some Republicans are concerned about her links to the CIA's past use of "harsh interrogation techniques," widely seen as torture.

Paul has repeatedly threatened opposition to policy positions staked out by Trump, before changing his mind at the last minute. Trump recently predicted he would come around again on Pompeo, calling Paul "a good man" who has "never let us down."

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the nomination on a party-line vote, with all 11 Republicans backing him, nine Democrats opposed and one Democrat, Chris Coons, voting 'present' because one Republican was at a funeral out of town.

A US Senate committee approved the nomination of President Donald Trump's choice for secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, on Monday after a Republican senator who had been opposed threw his support behind the CIA director in the face of party pressure. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the nomination on a party-line vote, with all 11 Republicans backing him, nine Democrats opposed and one Democrat, Chris Coons, voting "present" because one Republican was at a funeral out of town. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said there were enough votes in the full Senate to confirm Pompeo this week. That would allow Pompeo to attend a NATO summit on Friday. Pompeo became one of Trump's closest advisers during his 15 months as CIA director. He most recently has been deeply involved in preparations for Trump's summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, including meeting with him three weeks ago. While many Democrats consider Pompeo too hawkish and worry about past harsh statements on homosexuality and Islam, he has the support of at least three Democratic senators not on the committee who is running for re-election in states Trump won easily in 2016. That all but assures Pompeo will be confirmed. "I do not believe Director Pompeo is someone who will always prioritize diplomacy over conflict, particularly in the context of the aggressive foreign policy voices growing around him," said Senator Robert Menendez, the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, citing Pompeo's past openness to regime change in North Korea and Iran. No Republican besides Senator Rand Paul, who changed his vote on Monday, had announced opposition. Paul's late switch meant Pompeo avoided the embarrassment of being the first nominee for secretary of state to fail to secure the committee's endorsement since it began considering them in the late 19th century. That would have weakened Pompeo's reputation internationally and cast a cloud over Trump's push to overhaul his national security team after firing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and replacing his national security adviser, HR McMaster, with John Bolton, also known as a hawk. The White House and Republican Party had thrown their weight behind the nomination, with unceasing attacks on Democrats for opposing Trump's pick. Paul had opposed Pompeo for weeks, holding a news conference to announce his opposition to him, as well as Trump's pick to replace him at the CIA, Deputy CIA Director Gina Haspel. Haspel, whose Senate confirmation hearing is next month, also faces a tough confirmation fight. Democrats and some Republicans are concerned about her links to the CIA's past use of "harsh interrogation techniques," widely seen as torture. Paul has repeatedly threatened opposition to policy positions staked out by Trump, before changing his mind at the last minute. Trump recently predicted he would come around again on Pompeo, calling Paul "a good man" who has "never let us down."

Senate committee paves way for Pompeo to become top US diplomat

The US Senate adjourned late Sunday without reaching a deal on re-opening government, as the Republican leadership postponed a vote on ending the shutdown until noon on Monday.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had sought to move up a 1:00 am (0600 GMT) Monday vote to 10:00 pm Sunday night, but top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer objected. He said that despite continuing negotiations, &quot;we have yet to reach agreement on a path forward that will be acceptable for both sides.&quot;

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-suggests-nuclear-option-to-end-us-government-shutdown-30280" target="_blank">Trump suggests &#39;nuclear option&#39; to end US government shutdown</a>

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-tries-to-fix-government-shutdown-over-phone-30273" target="_blank">Trump tries to fix government shutdown over phone</a>

The postponement to mid-day Monday means the United States will begin its upcoming work week with much of the federal government shuttered.

The postponement means the United States will begin its work week with much of the federal government shuttered

The US Senate adjourned late Sunday without reaching a deal on re-opening government, as the Republican leadership postponed a vote on ending the shutdown until noon on Monday. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had sought to move up a 1:00 am (0600 GMT) Monday vote to 10:00 pm Sunday night, but top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer objected. He said that despite continuing negotiations, "we have yet to reach agreement on a path forward that will be acceptable for both sides." Also read: Trump suggests 'nuclear option' to end US government shutdown Also read: Trump tries to fix government shutdown over phone The postponement to mid-day Monday means the United States will begin its upcoming work week with much of the federal government shuttered.

US Senate postpones vote on ending shutdown to noon Monday

US President Donald Trump today suggested Republicans to go for the so-called &quot;nuclear-option&quot; which requires a simple majority in the 100-member Senate as against 60, as intense negotiations with the Democrats were on to end the government shutdown, the first in five years.

Rarely used in US Congressional proceedings, the nuclear or constitutional option is a parliamentary procedure that allows the US Senate to override a rule or precedent by majority vote.

However, the Republicans are unlikely to opt for this, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said.

Hundreds of thousands of federal government employees would not return to work tomorrow as the Senate -- the upper chamber of the United States Congress -- did not pass a legislation required to fund the expenses of the federal government beginning yesterday due to opposition from the Democratic Senators.

The last time that a government shutdown happened was in 2013 for more than a fortnight.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-tries-to-fix-government-shutdown-over-phone-30273" target="_blank">Trump tries to fix government shutdown over phone</a>

In a procedural vote to fund the government, even for a short-term four-week period till February 16, the Republican last night got 51 votes as against 60 required to move ahead with the legislation.

&quot;Great to see how hard Republicans are fighting for our military and safety at the border. The Democrats just want illegal immigrants to pour into our nation unchecked. If stalemate continues,

Republicans should go to 51 per cent (nuclear-option) and vote on real, long-term budget, no CR&#39;s!&quot; Trump said in a tweet today.

McConnell ruled out using nuclear option in budget legislations.

&quot;The Republican Conference opposes changing the rules on legislation,&quot; his spokesman said.

The issue had come up during internal party deliberations.

Both the Democratic and Republican leaders in the Senate said that they were continuing with their negotiations and short out their differences so as to end the government shutdown.

But the White House alleged that the Democrats want to prolong it for days or at least till Trump delivers his State of the Union address on January 30.

&quot;It could go several days because I think there&#39;s other Democrats who want to see the president give the State of the Union during a shutdown,&quot; the Director of Office of Management of Budget Mick Mulvaney told Fox News.

&quot;That&#39;s nine or 10 days, yes,&quot; he said, adding that the ending of the government shutdown depends on Democrats.

&quot;You have to ask the Senate Democrats. They could open this today if they wanted to,&quot; Mulvaney said.

The Democrats were quick in opposing the nuclear option.

&quot;This is another example of President Trump growing a tweet in the middle of bipartisan negotiations that are making progress,&quot; Democratic Senator Chris Coons told the TV channel.

Ending the government shutdown is president&#39;s responsibility, he said.

&quot;He should, instead of throwing tweets from the White House, pull together the four leaders of the House and the Senate on a bipartisan basis today and negotiate.

&quot;I spent all day not going to the floor, not going on cable news, not denouncing Republicans, but meeting with them, listening to them, with a small group that grew and grew, and by the end of the day,

we had 20 Republican and Democratic senators listening to each other, trying to not just get out of the shutdown, but address and fix some of the underlying problems that have left us with so many of the priorities that have stacked up over the last couple of months,&quot; Coons said.

Top Democratic leader Dick Durbin refused to say when the shutdown would end.

&quot;I&#39;m not going to make that prediction,&quot; Durbin told NBC News, adding that Democrats are not willing to extend short- term funding after January.

Meanwhile the White House, on its public telephone and general email, has put an auto-responder which alleges that the Democrats have put the government to hostage.

&quot;Thank you for calling the White House. Unfortunately, we cannot answer your call today because congressional Democrats are holding government funding, including funding for our troops and other national security priorities, hostage to an unrelated immigration debate,&quot; says a woman&#39;s voice when one calls the White House general number.

&quot;Due to this obstruction, the government is shutdown. In the meantime, you can leave a comment for the President. We look forward to taking your calls as soon as the government re-opens,&quot; it said.

A similar email gives an auto reply sent to those White House staffers who are not working due to the shutdown.

&quot;Unfortunately, I am out of the office today because congressional Democrats are holding government funding -- including funding for our troops and other national security priorities -- hostage to an unrelated immigration debate,&quot; one of those emails said.&nbsp;

Rarely used in US Congressional proceedings, the nuclear or constitutional option is a parliamentary procedure that allows the US Senate to override a rule or precedent by majority vote

US President Donald Trump today suggested Republicans to go for the so-called "nuclear-option" which requires a simple majority in the 100-member Senate as against 60, as intense negotiations with the Democrats were on to end the government shutdown, the first in five years. Rarely used in US Congressional proceedings, the nuclear or constitutional option is a parliamentary procedure that allows the US Senate to override a rule or precedent by majority vote. However, the Republicans are unlikely to opt for this, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said. Hundreds of thousands of federal government employees would not return to work tomorrow as the Senate -- the upper chamber of the United States Congress -- did not pass a legislation required to fund the expenses of the federal government beginning yesterday due to opposition from the Democratic Senators. The last time that a government shutdown happened was in 2013 for more than a fortnight. Also read: Trump tries to fix government shutdown over phone In a procedural vote to fund the government, even for a short-term four-week period till February 16, the Republican last night got 51 votes as against 60 required to move ahead with the legislation. "Great to see how hard Republicans are fighting for our military and safety at the border. The Democrats just want illegal immigrants to pour into our nation unchecked. If stalemate continues, Republicans should go to 51 per cent (nuclear-option) and vote on real, long-term budget, no CR's!" Trump said in a tweet today. McConnell ruled out using nuclear option in budget legislations. "The Republican Conference opposes changing the rules on legislation," his spokesman said. The issue had come up during internal party deliberations. Both the Democratic and Republican leaders in the Senate said that they were continuing with their negotiations and short out their differences so as to end the government shutdown. But the White House alleged that the Democrats want to prolong it for days or at least till Trump delivers his State of the Union address on January 30. "It could go several days because I think there's other Democrats who want to see the president give the State of the Union during a shutdown," the Director of Office of Management of Budget Mick Mulvaney told Fox News. "That's nine or 10 days, yes," he said, adding that the ending of the government shutdown depends on Democrats. "You have to ask the Senate Democrats. They could open this today if they wanted to," Mulvaney said. The Democrats were quick in opposing the nuclear option. "This is another example of President Trump growing a tweet in the middle of bipartisan negotiations that are making progress," Democratic Senator Chris Coons told the TV channel. Ending the government shutdown is president's responsibility, he said. "He should, instead of throwing tweets from the White House, pull together the four leaders of the House and the Senate on a bipartisan basis today and negotiate. "I spent all day not going to the floor, not going on cable news, not denouncing Republicans, but meeting with them, listening to them, with a small group that grew and grew, and by the end of the day, we had 20 Republican and Democratic senators listening to each other, trying to not just get out of the shutdown, but address and fix some of the underlying problems that have left us with so many of the priorities that have stacked up over the last couple of months," Coons said. Top Democratic leader Dick Durbin refused to say when the shutdown would end. "I'm not going to make that prediction," Durbin told NBC News, adding that Democrats are not willing to extend short- term funding after January. Meanwhile the White House, on its public telephone and general email, has put an auto-responder which alleges that the Democrats have put the government to hostage. "Thank you for calling the White House. Unfortunately, we cannot answer your call today because congressional Democrats are holding government funding, including funding for our troops and other national security priorities, hostage to an unrelated immigration debate," says a woman's voice when one calls the White House general number. "Due to this obstruction, the government is shutdown. In the meantime, you can leave a comment for the President. We look forward to taking your calls as soon as the government re-opens," it said. A similar email gives an auto reply sent to those White House staffers who are not working due to the shutdown. "Unfortunately, I am out of the office today because congressional Democrats are holding government funding -- including funding for our troops and other national security priorities -- hostage to an unrelated immigration debate," one of those emails said.

Trump suggests 'nuclear option' to end US government shutdown

At least 40 people were arrested for protesting the Trump administration&#39;s anticipated cuts to Medicaid. Yesterday, US Senate leaders unveiled a draft of the legislation they want to replace the Afforcable Care Act, informally known as Obamacare.

It proposes to kill a tax on the wealthy that pays for it, and reduces aid to the poor, Reuters reports.

Dozens of disabled men and women were arrested after their pariticpation in a &quot;die-in&quot; protest outside Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnel&#39;s Washington office, the <a href="http://www.latimes.com/politics/washington/la-na-essential-washington-updates-43-protesters-arrested-in-die-in-at-1498161963-htmlstory.html" target="_blank">LA Times</a> reports. The demonstration was organised by the national disability group ADAPT in response to the GOP&#39;s healthcare plan which proposes to drastically cut Medicaid.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
A picture is worth a 1000 soulless words... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AHCA?src=hash">#AHCA</a> <a href="https://t.co/TjK04aboPE">pic.twitter.com/TjK04aboPE</a>
&mdash; Jeffrey Lieber (@JeffLieber) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffLieber/status/877976665065889792">June 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Here is footage of one&nbsp;woman forcibly&nbsp;removed from her wheelchair:

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
A horrific metaphor for Trumpcare: this disabled woman literally being ripped from her wheelchair. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StopTrumpcare?src=hash">#StopTrumpcare</a> <a href="https://t.co/F5kmz8rnCv">pic.twitter.com/F5kmz8rnCv</a>
&mdash; Matt McDermott (@mattmfm) <a href="https://twitter.com/mattmfm/status/877932005593300993">June 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

President Barack Obama, whose legacy is the&nbsp;Affordable Care Act, weighed in with a Facebook post that has gone viral. He began by appealing to the non-partisan nature of access to&nbsp;healthcare&nbsp;before explicitly calling the Republican&#39;s proposed plan: &quot;a&nbsp;massive transfer of wealth from middle-class and poor families to the richest people in America. It hands enormous tax cuts to the rich and to the drug and insurance industries, paid for by cutting health care for everybody else&quot;.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="281" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fbarackobama%2Fposts%2F10154996557026749&amp;width=500" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" width="500"></iframe>

<h3>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/republicans-unveil-meaner-senate-health-bill-but-lack-votes-to-pass-it-17172" target="_blank">Republicans unveil &#39;meaner&#39; Senate health bill, but lack votes to pass it</a></h3>

&nbsp;

The draft is unlikely to succeed: Senator Rand Paul and three other conservative Republicans said they were &quot;not ready&quot; to vote for it. Democrats need only three Republicans to nix the measure in the Republican-led chamber.

The proposal, worked on in secret by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other Republicans, was welcomed by Donald Trump, Reuters reports.

&nbsp;

As the first draft of the ACA's replacement was released, President Barack Obama criticised it harshly

At least 40 people were arrested for protesting the Trump administration's anticipated cuts to Medicaid. Yesterday, US Senate leaders unveiled a draft of the legislation they want to replace the Afforcable Care Act, informally known as Obamacare. It proposes to kill a tax on the wealthy that pays for it, and reduces aid to the poor, Reuters reports. Dozens of disabled men and women were arrested after their pariticpation in a "die-in" protest outside Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnel's Washington office, the LA Times reports. The demonstration was organised by the national disability group ADAPT in response to the GOP's healthcare plan which proposes to drastically cut Medicaid. A picture is worth a 1000 soulless words... #AHCA pic.twitter.com/TjK04aboPE — Jeffrey Lieber (@JeffLieber) June 22, 2017 × Here is footage of one woman forcibly removed from her wheelchair: A horrific metaphor for Trumpcare: this disabled woman literally being ripped from her wheelchair. #StopTrumpcare pic.twitter.com/F5kmz8rnCv — Matt McDermott (@mattmfm) June 22, 2017 × President Barack Obama, whose legacy is the Affordable Care Act, weighed in with a Facebook post that has gone viral. He began by appealing to the non-partisan nature of access to healthcare before explicitly calling the Republican's proposed plan: "a massive transfer of wealth from middle-class and poor families to the richest people in America. It hands enormous tax cuts to the rich and to the drug and insurance industries, paid for by cutting health care for everybody else". Also read: Republicans unveil 'meaner' Senate health bill, but lack votes to pass it The draft is unlikely to succeed: Senator Rand Paul and three other conservative Republicans said they were "not ready" to vote for it. Democrats need only three Republicans to nix the measure in the Republican-led chamber. The proposal, worked on in secret by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other Republicans, was welcomed by Donald Trump, Reuters reports.

US healthcare Bill: 43 protesters arrested, dozens ripped from wheelchairs

mitch-mcconnell

Mitch Mcconnell, News on Mitch Mcconnell, stories on Mitch Mcconnell, articles on Mitch Mcconnell, Mitch Mcconnell stories at Wion, Mitch Mcconnell news, Mitch Mcconnell latest news

mitch mcconnell