Cassandra Semyon

3 weeks ago | spectrumnews1.com | Cassandra Semyon

When California voters approved the construction of a high-speed rail line from Los Angeles to San Francisco, the project was expected to cost around $33 billion and be completed in 2020. But in 2022, only 22 miles of the 400-mile route was ready for track, and the High-Speed Rail Authority estimated that the cost had more than tripled to $105 billion. And this week, the California Legislative Analyst’s Office projected there are even bigger financial hurdles ahead.

4 weeks ago | spectrumnews1.com | Cassandra Semyon

WASHINGTON — As Republicans prepare to shepherd President Donald Trump’s budget and tax agenda through Congress, hundreds of demonstrators showed up on Capitol Hill Wednesday to voice their opposition to the plan and the continued federal funding cuts by the Trump administration. “They're trying to fight every nickel they can to fund tax breaks for the wealthy, tax breaks for billionaires, tax breaks for the largest corporations in the world. That's their agenda,” said Sen.

4 weeks ago | spectrumnews1.com | Cassandra Semyon

This week during a cabinet meeting, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had a suggestion. “We're going to eliminate FEMA,” Noem said, referring to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which falls under her purview at Homeland. Her comments created an immediate ripple effect on Capitol Hill. “I think it’s dangerous. It's the wrong idea at the wrong time,” said Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Calif. “This is an incredibly bad idea, it’s offensive” said Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif.

4 weeks ago | spectrumnews1.com | Cassandra Semyon

When the Republican-led budget resolution went to the floor late last month, there was one individual that drew quite a bit of attention: Sam Pettersen. But Sam Pettersen isn’t a member of Congress; in fact, he’s a newborn. He traveled with his mom, Rep. Brittany Pettersen, D-Colo., across the country at just 4 weeks old so she could cast her vote against the measure, which was passed by a razor thin margin.

1 month ago | spectrumnews1.com | Joseph Konig |Cassandra Semyon

WASHINGTON — Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, D-Ca., told reporters Tuesday that Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer should “of course” remain in his role after she criticized her Senate colleagues last week for conceding the fight on the Republican spending bill. Pelosi also said her successor, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, is the leader the party needs headed into next year’s midterm elections. She encouraged him to take a page out of the playbooks of fellow New York Rep.