Politics

New England politics news

Massachusetts lawmakers unveil $1 billion tax relief deal; votes planned this week

The tax package is estimated to save taxpayers $561 million this fiscal year, and will eventually climb to just over $1 billion once it goes into full effect, according to legislative officials.

‘A true scandal’: Legislature considers bill to protect benefits owed to kids in foster care
“Instead of enjoying the freedom of being 18, I resented it,” Marissa Pike told legislators Tuesday. “Not only do I owe this to the children entering the foster care system today, but the young adult I once was that didn’t see a way out of the darkness.”

Nantucket group files appeal in lawsuit against wind turbine farm off Martha’s Vineyard; alleges right whales in danger
A group opposing an offshore wind turbine farm under construction south of Martha’s Vineyard is arguing that a “gravely flawed environmental review” failed to consider the dangers the farm poses to the vulnerable North Atlantic Right Whale population.

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National Parks have closed during past shutdowns. The National Park Service estimated that Acadia National Park in Maine contributed nearly $500 million to the local economy last year.

A federal government shutdown would have wide-ranging impacts in New England

Senator Bob Menendez spoke during a news conference at Hudson County Community College's North Hudson Campus in Union City, New Jersey, on Monday.

Warren and Markey join key Democrats in calling on Menendez to resign in wake of corruption charges

Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro will deliver the keynote address during the New Hampshire Democratic Party's convention on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023.

Important dates as N.H.’s presidential primaries approach

The Statue of Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. On Saturday, a Boston-based auction house sold a pair of tickets to the performance President Lincoln attended on the night of his assassination in 1865.

Tickets to Ford’s Theatre on night of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination sell for $262,500, Boston-based auction house says

National politics news

Senator Robert Menendez spoke at a news conference in Union City, N.J., on Monday.

Senator Booker says fellow New Jersey Democrat Bob Menendez should resign over ‘shocking’ bribe allegations

Senator Cory Booker’s statement came as a growing number of Democratic senators — more than 15 so far — are calling for the three-term senator to step aside. He has firmly rejected that idea.

Congress is moving into crisis mode as time runs short to avoid a government shutdown

The House is expected to vote Tuesday evening on a package of bills to fund parts of the government, but it’s not at all clear that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has the support needed to move ahead.

A federal government shutdown would have wide-ranging impacts in New England

More than 60,000 federal employees work in the region, and they could be facing halted paychecks.

Warren and Markey join key Democrats in calling on Menendez to resign in wake of corruption charges

“These are serious charges, and it’s time for Senator Menendez to step away from the Senate and concentrate on his legal defense,” Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren said in a phone interview with a Globe opinion writer.

Warren and Markey join key Democrats in calling on Menendez to resign in wake of corruption charges

Supreme Court allows drawing of new Alabama congressional map to proceed, rejecting state’s plea

The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed the drawing of a new Alabama congressional map with greater representation for Black voters to proceed, rejecting the state’s plea to retain Republican-drawn lines that were struck down by a lower court. 10:31 a.m.

Former president Donald Trump, a Republican presidential candidate, examined a customized Glock pistol decorated with his name and likeness during a visit the Palmetto State Armory location in Summerville, S.C., on Monday.

Trump admires a Glock handgun — but stops short of buying — as he campaigns in South Carolina

Former president Donald Trump began his trip to small-town Summerville with a visit to a local gun store, where he admired a Glock handgun and posed for photos. “I want to buy one,” Trump said, according to video of the stop. 9:47 a.m.

The Capitol in Washington, Sept. 20, 2021.

The federal government is headed into a shutdown. What does it mean, who’s hit, and what’s next?

Federal agencies will stop all actions deemed non-essential, and millions of federal employees, including members of the military, won’t receive paychecks. 8:55 a.m.

Hunter Biden departed the federal courthouse in Wilmington, Del., on July 26, 2023.

Hunter Biden sues Rudy Giuliani over alleged illegal use of computer data

Hunter Biden sued Rudy Giuliani and attorney Robert Costello over their alleged use of data from his laptop computer, as he stepped up a litigation effort in the wake of his indictment on firearms charges. 8:43 a.m.

The seven GOP candidates who will be participating in the second presidential debate, plus Donald Trump.

Who’s in, who’s out, who’s boycotting: The seven candidates expected on stage for the second GOP debate

Seven candidates have qualified for Wednesday night's debate at Ronald Reagan's presidential library in California, the Republican National Committee said, confirming that former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson did not make the cut this time 7:41 a.m.

Ukrainian servicemen "Beha" (left) and "Crash" (right) of "Code 9.2" drone carry their equipment at the frontline near Klishchiivka, Donetsk region, Ukraine, on Sept. 24.

Money for Ukraine at center of Senate bid to avert shutdown

With budget discussions bogged down in the House, senators are taking steps toward an emergency spending bill that would keep dollars flowing to federal agencies after the current fiscal year ends at midnight Saturday. 8:06 p.m.

Important dates as N.H.’s presidential primaries approach

The calendar is a bit quieter this week for presidential campaigns on the ground in New Hampshire. That makes sense since the second GOP debate is Wednesday night on the opposite side of the country. 4:45 p.m.