The push for full federal recognition of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina has taken a significant step forward with the U.S. House of Representatives passing the Lumbee Fairness Act. The bill, which aims to provide federal services and benefits to the Lumbee people, passed with a vote of 311-96 on Tuesday. While the bill received broad support, it also saw opposition from Reps. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) and Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.). Notably, Reps. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) and Wiley Nickel (D-N.C.) did not vote.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) has become the first Republican to publicly announce he will not support Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) in the upcoming January speakership vote, following backlash over a massive spending bill released Tuesday evening. The bill, a 1,537-page continuing resolution (CR), has sparked outrage among conservative lawmakers, who argue it contradicts the mandate given by voters in the November elections.
The Federal Reserve made its third consecutive interest rate cut on Wednesday, reducing its benchmark rate by a quarter of a percentage point. The move, widely anticipated by investors and financial markets, brings the federal funds rate to a target range of 4.25 percent to 4.50 percent. Since beginning its rate cuts in September, the Fed has now lowered rates by a total of 100 basis points, or one percentage point.
Congress is preparing to vote on legislation that would restrict U.S. investments in China as part of a broader government funding bill, lawmakers announced Tuesday.
The Pinellas County Commission has approved a $312.5 million bond issue to finance its part of a new $1.3 billion stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays. The 5-2 vote, which was delayed twice, allows the county to move forward with selling the bonds, contingent on the Rays meeting their obligations under the deal. The approval follows the St. Petersburg City Council’s earlier vote to approve its $287.5 million share of the project on December 6.
More than 120 retired U.S. generals and admirals signed a letter in "strong support" for Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense.
