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Mike Johnson

Mike Johnson
The latest news and top stories on Mike Johnson, current Speaker of the US House of Representatives, who was elected in October 2023. A constitutional lawyer by background, he previously served as a US Representative for Louisiana’s 4th congressional district since 2017, and in the Louisiana House of Representatives. He chaired the Republican Study Committee and was Vice Chairman of the House Republican Conference. Known as a social conservative, his expertise lies in constitutional law, particularly religious freedom.
US Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson speaks during a press conference in Washington on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
United States

4 Republicans defy House speaker to force vote on extending Obamacare subsidies

The revolt comes as millions in America face soaring health insurance costs when their Affordable Care Act tax credits expire at year’s end.

Donald Trump

‘Punishable by death’: Trump suggests ‘seditious’ Democrats should be executed

Donald Trump

US Congress approves release of Epstein files, sending bill to Trump

Donald Trump

US House pushes forward on Epstein files vote after Trump reversal

The House of Representatives looks all but certain to vote on one of modern America’s most notorious case files.

A billboard in New York’s Times Square about the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Photo: AFP
Jeffrey Epstein

In reversal, Trump says House should vote to release the Epstein files

The president’s shift follows a fierce fight within the Republican Party over the files, including an increasingly nasty split with Marjorie Taylor Greene.

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United States

End of shutdown starts long process of rebooting the US government

US agencies face backlogs to resume normal operations, while billions in losses may never be recouped.

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United States

Trump signs funding bill to end longest US government shutdown

The signing came just hours after the Republican-controlled US House passed a measure to end the record 43-day shutdown.

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US President Donald Trump after signing the funding bill to end the US government shutdown. Photo: Reuters
United States

Democrat Grijalva sworn in, providing last signature needed for Epstein vote

Republican Speaker Mike Johnson had refused to seat the new congressman for over seven weeks while the House was out of session.

United States

US Supreme Court lets Trump continue food aid cuts, even as shutdown nears end

Reopening the government would restart the programme that helps 42 million Americans, but it’s not clear how soon full payments can resume.

United States

End to US shutdown in sight as Senate passes deal, sending it to House

The US shutdown is on a path to end this week, as the House of Representatives convenes as early as Wednesday for a final vote.

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Miniature American flags across the National Mall near the Capitol in Washington. Photo: AP
United States

US court orders Trump to fund food aid amid shutdown chaos

On Saturday, the US Department of Agriculture directed states to ‘undo’ any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits during the shutdown.

People carry bags of groceries during a free food distribution in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Sunday. Photo: AFP
United States

US Senate clears first hurdle to end longest government shutdown

Sunday’s vote marked a political breakthrough, but does not immediately put an end to the record-long US shutdown.

5
United States

38-day US government shutdown far worse than expected: Hassett

White House adviser Kevin Hassett told reporters he expects an economic recovery after the government reopens, but did not declare a recession.

United States

US cuts over 1,000 flights due to shutdown, with Thanksgiving just weeks away

Forty airports are affected, including major hubs in Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles.

People travel through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Friday, which marks day 38 of the government shutdown. Photo: Getty Images/AFP
United States

Trump blames ‘kamikaze’ Democrats for longest ever government shutdown

The Republican president told a breakfast meeting at the White House that the Democrats would ‘take down the country if they have to’.

US President Donald Trump speaks during a lunch with Republican Senators in the Rose Garden of the White House last month. Photo: EPA
United States

US government shutdown becomes longest in history

Shutdown has disrupted the lives of millions of Americans with federal programme cuts, flight delays and workers going without pay.

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United States

‘Won’t be extorted’: Trump vows no negotiation as US shutdown nears record

US president blames Democrats, pushes Republicans to change Senate rules as the US government shutdown drags on.

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United States

Trump says ready to continue Snap aid, doesn’t want Americans to go hungry

The US president’s comments come after two judges ordered his administration to keep paying for the programme despite the shutdown.

A worker sorts fresh fruit and vegetables at La Colaborativa’s food pantry in Chelsea, Massachusetts, on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
United States

‘Starting to become real’: as Washington bickers, America goes hungry

As the US government shutdown enters its second month, 42 million Americans face hunger as food programme funding is set to run out this weekend.

Donald Trump

Trump says ‘it’s too bad’ he can’t run for a third presidential term

House Speaker Johnson says there’s ‘no path’ for the US president to stay in the White House beyond a second term.

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United States

US begins sending nuclear workers home as shutdown drags on

Some 1,400 NNSA federal employees are being placed on unpaid furlough as the US endures its longest full government shutdown ever.

The sun rises behind the Capitol Building in Washington, weeks into the continuing US government shutdown. Photo: Reuters
United States

US shutdown near end after ‘No Kings’ rallies: Hassett

White House adviser expects shutdown to end this week, citing ‘bad optics’ for Democrats during ‘No Kings’ rallies; hints at cuts if it persists.

Clouds appear to curve around the dome of the US Capitol during the continuing government shutdown in Washington. Photo: Reuters
United States

Anti-Trump protesters out in force for ‘No Kings’ rallies across US

Over 2,600 demonstrations are planned, with top Democrats including Chuck Schumer and Bernie Sanders joining in.

United States

Vance warns of ‘painful’ and ‘deeper’ cuts as US shutdown continues

US vice-president blames Democrats as thousands of federal employees already furloughed face termination.

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United States

‘Substantial’ shutdown firings have begun, White House says

Trump is using mass lay-offs to put pressure on his Democrat opponents as the crisis looks set to go into a third week.

The US Capitol is silhouetted by the glare of the morning sun as a government shutdown begins its 10th day on Friday. Photo: AP
United States

US government shutdown to drag into next week, as Senate funding vote fails

With the House in recess and the Senate not planning to meet over the weekend, Republicans and Democrats are trading blame for the crisis.

A stop light is seen at a security checkpoint outside the US Capitol building on Friday. Photo: AFP
United States

Trump piles pain on Democrats over US government shutdown

The US president says he will meet budget chief Russell Vought to discuss cuts, as the White House warns mass firings are ‘imminent’.

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China-Latin America relations

China slams US over Mexico remarks as trade dispute escalates

Chinese embassy accuses the US of using Mexico as a tool in supply chain politics, and that their tactics amount to ‘economic bullying’.

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