Boehner Ready To Let Funding Lapse For Homeland Security Agency
WASHINGTON John Boehner, the Republican House of Representatives speaker, said he is willing to let funding for the Department of Homeland Security lapse as part of a Republican push to roll...
By: Vallerie Russel
See the original post:
Boehner Ready To Let Funding Lapse For Homeland Security Agency - Video
NBC/Marist Poll Shows Walker Among 2016 Republican Frontrunners
In the most recent NBC/Marist poll, seven different potential GOP candidates for president have double digit support in at least one state.
By: nbc26
Originally posted here:
NBC/Marist Poll Shows Walker Among 2016 Republican Frontrunners - Video
Download Audio
House Republicans expressed skepticism over Governor Bill Walkers plan to expand Medicaid in a hearing Monday morning.
The subcommittee hearing of the House Health and Social Services Committee was the first chance for lawmakers to publicly question Health Commissioner Valerie Davidson on the subject.
Medicaid expansion is a complicated topic. Davidson and lawmakers dug into the details, like reimbursement rates in Alaska and efforts to combat Medicaid fraud.
An hour and a half into the hearing, subcommittee chair Dan Saddler, a Republican from Eagle River, was ready to ask a bigger picture question:
Given the federal governments debt load, thats also projected to increase tremendously over future decades. does it cause you any concern or to question the wisdom of expanding Medicaid?
The federal government would cover Medicaid expansion at 100% until the end of next year, then that match gradually decreases to 90% in 2020. The money would pay for health coverage for mostly childless adults who are near or below the federal poverty level.
Davidson said they are mostly the working poor and she told Saddler she didnt have a problem accepting federal funds to give them access to health care.
She pointed out that federal highway funds have a similarly generous match rate.
We can build roads, she said. We can build all kinds of opportunities, but if we dont have Alaskans who are healthy enough to participate in that economy, then we have done ourselves a disservice and so I am comfortable moving forward with expansion just as I am comfortable driving on roads that have the potholes replaced at those corresponding matches.
See the original post:
Republican Lawmakers Express Doubts On Medicaid Expansion
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - New Jersey Republican Gov. Chris Christie's first target Monday in a speech that sounded like a presidential pitch wasn't President Barack Obama or likely Democratic nominee Hillary Rodham Clinton. Instead, he took a swipe at his New Hampshire counterpart, Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan.
"She will use this platform as a way to increase her own visibility and run for the next job," Christie said, referring to Hassan's possible bid for U.S. Senate in 2016. "Let's be careful. We've got enough of those types in Washington, D.C., already. We don't need you to send any more there."
Christie, serving his second term, made his comments while delivering the keynote address at the Concord and Merrimack County GOPs' annual dinner. He has delivered recent speeches in the first-caucus state of Iowa and another in Illinois and has taken a trip to London as he builds the groundwork for a likely presidential campaign. As chairman of the Republican Governors Association leading up to the November election he campaigned with candidates in 37 states.
He campaigned with Hassan's opponent Walt Havenstein five times last summer and fall. During those visits, he often kept the focus off of his political future. But as the star of Monday's event, he pitched himself as a straight-talking politician who, using his experience governing a blue state, can enact real reforms in education, public pension systems and the economy.
About 250 people paid to hear his speech.
Democrats scoffed at Christie's criticism of Hassan.
"It's more than a little surprising that the governor of New Jersey, who is traveling out of state to run for higher office, would make such ridiculous attacks," New Hampshire Democratic Party chairman Ray Buckley said.
Christie also took aim at what he called Obama's weak foreign policy and criticized Clinton's attempts to "reset" the country's relationship with Russia.
Performing well in the New Hampshire primary would be critical to Christie's ability to secure the Republican nomination. Establishment-minded candidates typically fare well in New Hampshire, and Christie could face stiff competition in the state from contenders such as former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.
Read more:
In New Hampshire speech, Christie takes aim at Gov. Hassan
Governor John Kasich on the Republican party
Ohio Governor John Kasich on Republicans WEWS NewsChannel5 is On Your Side with breaking news weather updates -- NewsChannel 5 brings you the latest truste...
By: WEWS NewsChannel5
See more here:
Governor John Kasich on the Republican party - Video