https://www.scmp.com/rss/524450/feed The latest news and updates on Susan Collins, a long-serving Republican who has represented Maine in the US Senate since 1997, establishing a reputation as a centrist and effective legislator. Her career includes prior roles in state government and the Small Business Administration. Known for her bipartisan approach, she has championed legislation in areas such as healthcare, national defence, and small business development. Collins has chaired significant committees, including Appropriations,... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Bloomberg Bloomberg US President Donald Trump’s pressure campaign to unify his party behind his takeover of Venezuela succeeded Wednesday when all but three Senate Republicans voted to block a resolution opposing further military action in the country. US Vice-President J.D. Vance broke a tie vote in order to stop the resolution. The 51-50 vote followed fiery phone calls from Trump to Republican defectors who last week voted to advance the resolution. Trump’s success in flipping votes effectively ends one of the... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/americas/article/3339940/trump-prevails-us-senate-showdown-over-venezuela-war-powers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/americas/article/3339940/trump-prevails-us-senate-showdown-over-venezuela-war-powers?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Jan 2026 01:17:28 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press The US Senate advanced a resolution on Thursday that would limit US President Donald Trump’s ability to conduct further attacks against Venezuela, sounding a note of disapproval for his expanding ambitions in the western hemisphere. Democrats and five Republicans voted to advance the war powers resolution on a 52-47 vote and ensure a vote next week on final passage. It has virtually no chance of becoming law because Trump would have to sign it if it were to pass the Republican-controlled... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3339242/us-senate-rejects-trumps-venezuela-threats-war-powers-vote?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3339242/us-senate-rejects-trumps-venezuela-threats-war-powers-vote?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Jan 2026 18:41:12 +0000 Bochen Han Bochen Han Cuts to federal research would weaken America’s scientific edge against Beijing, said Raja Krishnamoorthi, the top Democrat on the US House committee focused on China, who is pressing budget chief Russ Vought on whether his office has assessed their impact. “While the United States is dismantling the very foundations that have sustained our STEM and innovation leadership for generations, Beijing has announced its plans to continue accelerating its investments in science, technology, and... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3331542/top-democrat-challenges-us-budget-chief-over-science-cuts-beijing-boosts-research?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3331542/top-democrat-challenges-us-budget-chief-over-science-cuts-beijing-boosts-research?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 04 Nov 2025 18:47:30 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press US President Donald Trump has moved to unilaterally cancel US$4.9 billion in federal funding authorised by Congress, escalating the fight over who controls the nation’s spending. In a letter posted online late on Thursday, Trump told House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson that he plans to withhold funding for 15 international programmes. The US Constitution grants funding power to Congress, which every year has to pass legislation to fund government operations. The White House must secure... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3323717/trump-bypasses-congress-cut-us5-billion-foreign-aid-using-tool-not-seen-50-years?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3323717/trump-bypasses-congress-cut-us5-billion-foreign-aid-using-tool-not-seen-50-years?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 29 Aug 2025 14:20:08 +0000 Reuters Reuters The US Senate early on Thursday approved President Donald Trump’s plan for billions of dollars in cuts to funding for foreign aid and public broadcasting, handing the Republican president another victory as he exerts control over Congress with little opposition. The Senate voted 51 to 48 in favour of Trump’s request to cut US$9 billion in spending already approved by Congress. Most of the cuts are to programmes to assist foreign countries suffering from disease, war and natural disasters, but... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3318595/us-senate-passes-aid-public-broadcasting-cuts-victory-trump?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3318595/us-senate-passes-aid-public-broadcasting-cuts-victory-trump?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Jul 2025 09:17:00 +0000