The U.S. economy beat expectations in December, adding 312,000 jobs, according to the official figures released by the Department of Labor on Jan. 4.
Wall Street analysts expected the United States to gain 180,000 jobs in December. The official numbers beat the Wall Street estimate by 43 percent. The jobs gain is the biggest in 10 months
By Mark Penn
The government is in partial shutdown and full gridlock. The Mueller report is overdue. The Democrats are starting a raft of investigations. China is in a tailspin. Economists are predicting a recession and the stock market is gyrating. The generals are quitting over Syrian withdrawal plans. And the Democratic left is rising as the presidential cycle is starting.
By Larry Elder
This is not our first partial government shutdown. Somehow, someway, from 1976 through 2017, the nation has survived 18 shutdowns, the longest lasting 21 days. In this case, President Donald Trump insists that the next budget deal contain $5 billion to construct a wall on part of our southern border with Mexico.
Trump, say the Democrats, is “unwilling to compromise.” But
White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders says President Trump isn’t backing down from his calls for border security. Speaking to reporters Friday morning, she said the president has always been willing to negotiate, but won’t put national security at risk.
President Donald Trump entered the White House briefing room Thursday to introduce border patrol agents who emphasized the necessity of a wall along the U.S. southern border.
Trump introduced the agents, including National Border Patrol Council President Brandon Judd and two of his vice presidents. Each border patrol agent declared emphatically that a wall is
President Trump highlights the need for more border security as the new Congress takes over.
During a surprise press briefing Thursday, the president said he wants to get a lot done with bipartisan support now that Democrats control the House.
Congressional leaders will return to the White House Friday for talks to resolve the ongoing government shutdown.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Hogan Gidley told reporters the proposed meeting would take place a little before noon on Friday.
The holidays are a time for family gatherings and, in keeping with that tradition, one evening our family gathered around for a fun, but rather challenging building block game called Jenga. The game becomes more and more exciting for both the players and onlookers, especially as it gets closer to the visually unstable ending, where one bad-move, as President Trump might call it,
Senate Republicans agree to hold off on confirming any more federal judges, in exchange for Democrat support on dozens of other nominations.
The deal struck between Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer, allowed the upper chamber to clear 77 nominees by voice vote on Wednesday night.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky. arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019, as the 116th Congress begins. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Chinese officials respond to a shift in policy direction at the Defense Department, under Acting Secretary Patrick Shanahan.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Lu Kang tried to smooth over relations at a press conference Thursday, in response to Shanahan reportedly making efforts to counter Beijing as his top priority.
The official touted the “relatively good communication” between the U.S. and China in recent weeks, but warned the country is not afraid to protect itself when necessary.