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Erik Wasson

@elwasson.bsky.social
596 followers 355 following 13 posts

Bloomberg News Congressional Reporter. Opinions are my own. RTs are not endorsements. Send tips to Ewasson @ Bloomberg.net

PostsRepliesMedia
Erik Wasson @elwasson.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
SHUTDOWN over www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
House Passes Spending Bill to End Record US Government Shutdown
A six-week clash between President Donald Trump and congressional Democrats that disrupted flights across the country and delayed food aid for millions is set to end within hours after the House passe...
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RobertNDouglass🇺🇳🇵🇸🇺🇦🇷🇺🇰🇷🇯🇵 @realantipartisan.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
Washington Journal #CSPAN #CSPANWJ Skeet at @c-span.bsky.social and cspanwj.bsky.social Bloomberg News Capitol Hill reporter @elwasson.bsky.social previews the week ahead in Congress, including efforts to avert a government shutdown at the end of the month Watch here: tinyurl.com/zse5akz6
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Steve Herman @w7voa.journa.host.ap.brid.gy · 19/08/2025
“An international broadcast company has ceased operations in the United States and will make a complete liquidation of their late model digital radio, video and podcast technology assets, studio equipment office and business equipment.” […] [Original post on journa.host]
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Erik Wasson @elwasson.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
End of federally funded TV and radio near www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
PBS, NPR Set to Lose Federal Funding as Senate Passes DOGE Cuts
Republicans are set to succeed in their decades-long quest to end federal funding for public broadcasting after the Senate passed a $9 billion package of cuts derived from Elon Musk’s Department of Go...
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Reuters Legal @legal.reuters.com · 13/06/2025
JUST IN: US judge blocks State Department's planned overhaul, mass layoffs reut.rs/3G2QYAe
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Catherine Rampell @crampell.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
Trump says we're overrun by "illegals." He's manifested those fever dreams into reality through a “de-documentation” campaign, stripping legal immigrants of their visas & work permits. He's not targeting criminals; he's criminalizing immigrants who follow the law. wapo.st/3HvBBka
wapo.st
Opinion | Trump might become the most pro-illegal immigration president ever
The president is rapidly turning legal immigrants into illegal ones.
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Michael McKee @mckonomy.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
(Bloomberg) -- President Donald Trump’s global tariffs were deemed illegal and blocked by the US trade court, a major blow. The ruling can now be appealed by the Trump administration in federal court. The court said justifying them on the basis of "national emergencies" exceeded his authority.
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Politico @politico.com · 28/05/2025
BREAKING: Termination notices are expected to go out to the 800 remaining Voice of America employees this week.
politico.com
Termination notices expected to go out to all remaining Voice of America employees this week
The move would add to the grueling battle between the network and Trump administration.
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Sahil Kapur @sahilkapur.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
Scalise on CNBC: "This bond downgrade is another serious blow that shows that America needs to get its fiscal house in order. We start to do that in this bill." NOTE: The bill is project to increase the debt by trillions of dollars, hence the pushback from the right. Via CRFB >
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Mark Joseph Stern @mjsdc.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
NEW: Judge Howell rules that Trump/DOGE's *entire takeover* of the U.S. Institute of Peace was unlawful—including the removal of board members and termination of programs. She reinstates the actual board members and invalidates everything the imposters did. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
The Constitution makes clear that the President’s constitutional authority only extends as
far as Article II, but even Article II does not grant him absolute removal authority over his
subordinates, under current binding caselaw precedent. Outside of Article II, he has little
constitutional authority to act at all. The President’s efforts here to take over an organization
outside of those bounds, contrary to statute established by Congress and by acts of force and
threat using local and federal law enforcement officers, represented a gross usurpation of power
and a way of conducting government affairs that unnecessarily traumatized the committed
leadership and employees of USIP, who deserved better.
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NPR @npr.org · 12/05/2025
Todd Blanche, a former personal lawyer for President Trump, is now acting Librarian of Congress. According to his public profile, Blanche has no experience working in libraries or archives.
npr.org
The President has named a new Acting Librarian of Congress. It's his former defense lawyer.
Todd Blanche, a former personal lawyer for President Trump, is now acting Librarian of Congress. According to his public profile, Blanche has no experience working in libraries or archives.
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Stephen West @stephenwest.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
The US Code doesn't actually seem to provide any mechanism for removal www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/...
law.cornell.edu
2 U.S. Code § 136-1 - Appointment and term of service of Librarian of Congress
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Science Magazine @science.org · 09/05/2025
Exclusive: National Science Foundation staff were told today that the agency’s 37 divisions—across all eight directorates—are being abolished and the number of programs within those divisions will be drastically reduced.
scim.ag
Exclusive: NSF faces radical shake-up as officials abolish its 37 divisions
Changes seen as a response to presidential directives on what research to fund
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Senator Martin Heinrich @heinrich.senate.gov · 09/05/2025
BREAKING: President Trump just fired our nation's Librarian. My statement here:
President Trump fired our nation’s Librarian, Dr. Carla Hayden, by email at 6:56pm tonight, taking his assault on America’s libraries to a new level. 

Over the course of her tenure, Dr. Hayden brought the Library of Congress to the people, with initiatives that reached into rural communities and made the Library accessible to all Americans, in person and online. 

While President Trump wants to ban books and tell Americans what to read – or not to read at all, Dr. Hayden has devoted her career to making reading and the pursuit of knowledge available to everyone.

Be like Dr. Hayden.
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Steve Herman @newsguy.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
"The Society of Professional Journalists is alarmed by the proposal to replace Voice of America news feeds from its own journalists and other internationally respected news organizations with One America News." www.spj.org/spj-views-proposed-voa-…
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Save VOA @savevoa.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
On May 4, our Save VOA account on X was mistakenly flagged as “inauthentic,” but today we’ve regained access. Save VOA are genuine accounts run by volunteers who want to #SaveVOA. And we need your support too! Please contact your reps and ask them to keep VOA alive!
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Save VOA @savevoa.bsky.social · 04/05/2025
At 12:33 PM on May 4, the SaveVOA team received a notice that our X account (@savevoanow) has been suspended for allegedly “violating rules against inauthentic accounts.” We are appealing this decision. 🧵
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Ryan Goodman @rgoodlaw.bsky.social · 03/05/2025
2/ The DC Circuit decision on Voice of America is more particular and peculiar. The Court halts part 1 (staff terminations) and part 2 (any grants) of the Apr 22 district court preliminary injunction below.⤵️ The Court leaves in place part 3 (which the USG did not seek to stay).
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Chris Geidner @chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 03/05/2025
BREAKING: DC Circuit panel allows the Trump administration to block funding for and take other actions against Voice of America and similar media orgs during DOJ's appeal of losses below. Majority by Judges Katsas and Rao, both Trump appointees. Judge Pillard, an Obama appointee, dissents.
BEFORE: Pillard*, Katsas, and Rao, Circuit Judges

*Judge Pillard dissents from the grant of the motions for stay.

ORDER
Upon consideration of the motions for stay pending appeal filed in the above-captioned cases, the responses thereto, and the replies; and the administrative stay entered on May 1, 2025, it is
ORDERED that the motions for stay pending appeal be granted. The following orders, or parts thereof, are stayed pending further order of the court:
In No. 25-5144, provisions (1) and (2) of the district court's preliminary injunction filed April 22, 2025;
In No. 25-5145, the district court's preliminary injunction filed April 22, 2025, to the extent the relief granted falls within provisions (1) and (2) of the April 22, 2025 preliminary injunction in No. 25-5144;
In No. 25-5150, the district court's preliminary injunction filed April 25, 2025;
In No. 25-5151, the district court's preliminary injunction filed April 25, 2025.
A per curiam concurring statement and a dissenting statement of Judge Pillard are attached. It is
FURTHER ORDERED that the administrative stay entered in Nos. 25-5144, 25-
5150, and 25-5151 be dissolved.
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Erik Wasson @elwasson.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
BUDGET: An White House official told reporters it is important to defund international human rights and democracy promoting non-governmental organizations because they are are irking foreign regimes and thus interfering with Trump's ability to conduct foreign policy.
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Josh Marshall @joshtpm.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
I am told that DOGE showed up at the peace corps this morning. If you’re there or know details please contact me at joshtpm.99 on signal.
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Olivia of Troye @oliviaoftroye.com · 22/03/2025
Journalists working for Voice of America & U.S. international media risk everything to report the truth—often facing threats, reprisals from foreign regimes, and serious hardship. Given the abrupt closing of this agency—please consider supporting them here: secure.givelively.org/donate/usagm...
secure.givelively.org
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Craig Silverman @craigsilverman.bsky.social · 16/03/2025
BREAKING: The head of the $42 billion federal BEAD program that aims to bring broadband internet to rural and unserved areas has left the Commerce Dept. He sent a departing email warning of "deeply negative outcomes" for people if the Trump admin shifts $$ from fiber internet to Musk's Starlink:
“Stranding all or part of rural America with worse internet so that we can make the world's richest man even richer is yet another in a long line of betrayals by Washington,” said former BEAD director Evan Feinman
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Stef "inclusion is a human right" Christensen @wikisteff.bsky.social · 15/03/2025
Voice of America is silent. I remember in the Cold War when the Soviet Union wanted nothing more than to silence the Voice of America. Today's the day it happened.
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David Folkenflik @davidfolkenflik.bsky.social · 15/03/2025
News: "Bloody Saturday" for Voice of America and other U.S.-funded international networks Mass indefinite suspensions at Voice of America, Radio/TV Marti Federal contracts severed for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia & more My NPR story www.npr.org/2025/03/15/n...
npr.org
'Bloody Saturday' at Voice of America and other U.S.-funded networks
Federal officials placed 1,000 employees at Voice of America on indefinite paid leave, while severing contracts with Radio Free Asia and other U.S.-funded networks.
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Erik Wasson @elwasson.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
Senate Clears Way for GOP Spending Bill as Shutdown Threat Ebbs www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
Senate Clears Way for GOP Spending Bill as Shutdown Threat Ebbs
The Senate moved forward with a Republican spending plan in a crucial vote that effectively swept away the threat of a US government shutdown while exacerbating a furious struggle within the Democrati...
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Erik Wasson @elwasson.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
DEM AND IND Yes on House GOP spending bill: Schumer, Durbin, Gillibrand, Hassan, Peters, Fetterman, Schatz, Cortez Masto, Shaheen, King
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Erik Wasson @elwasson.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
*SENATE HAS ENOUGH VOTES ON KEY TEST FOR STOPGAP BILL
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Senator Tim Kaine @kaine.senate.gov · 14/03/2025
I’m voting NO on cloture and NO on the House Republican’s disastrous government spending bill. Here’s why:
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Catherine Rampell @crampell.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
Johns Hopkins University said it had begun laying off more than 2,000 workers across the globe after the institution lost $800 million in federal grants cut by the Trump administration. www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
washingtonpost.com
Johns Hopkins University to cut more than 2,000 jobs after $800M in federal cuts
Johns Hopkins University said it is laying off more than 2,000 workers across the globe after the Trump administration cut $800 million in federal grants.
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Robert Jameson @rhjameson.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
Schumer Says He Won’t Block GOP Bill to Avert Shutdown www.bloomberg.com/news/article... via @bloomberg.com @elwasson.bsky.social
bloomberg.com
Schumer Says He Won’t Block GOP Bill to Avert Shutdown
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer dropped his threat to block a Republican spending bill, opening the way to avoid a US government shutdown.
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Arthur Delaney @delaneyrules.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
Sheldon Whitehouse suggested if Democrats get a vote on their 30 day stopgap, they’d provide votes for cloture on the GOP bill, meaning game over. He told me “it’s not an unreasonable ask to say, if you want cloture, you’d better give us a vote.”
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Drew Harwell @drewharwell.com · 11/03/2025
"Wow. That's beautiful. ... Everything's computer"
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RobertNDouglass🇺🇳🇵🇸🇺🇦🇷🇺🇰🇷🇯🇵 @realantipartisan.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
Washington Journal #CSPAN #CSPANWJ Skeet at @c-span.bsky.social and cspanwj.bsky.social Bloomberg congressional reporter Erik Wasson @elwasson.bsky.social discusses efforts to avoid a govt shutdown this coming Friday as another deadline to fund FEDGOV looms Watch here: tinyurl.com/4yvxkr92
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Devon Heinen @devonheinen.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
NEW (#GovernmentShutdown) via @bloomberg.com's @elwasson.bsky.social: "House Republicans announced a spending bill to keep government agencies open through Sept. 30, daring Democrats to vote against it and risk a disruptive March 15 shutdown." www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
House Unveils Trump-Backed Bill to Avert US Government Shutdown
House Republicans announced a spending bill to keep government agencies open through Sept. 30, daring Democrats to vote against it and risk a disruptive March 15 shutdown.
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Erik Wasson @elwasson.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
Key House Republican Warns Debt-Ceiling Breach Possible in May www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
Key House Republican Warns Debt-Ceiling Breach Possible in May
A key House Republican projected Wednesday that the US could hit the debt ceiling as soon as mid-May, several months sooner than projected.
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Sahil Kapur @sahilkapur.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
The language did not change, and Rep. Victoria Spartz flipped to YES. This has become a pattern for her; colleagues have grown accustomed to calling her bluff.
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Erik Wasson @elwasson.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
Senate Budget Vote Leaves Hurdles For Trump Tax Cuts, Debt Limit www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
Senate Budget Vote Leaves Hurdles For Trump Tax Cuts, Debt Limit
The budget plan the Senate passed before dawn on Friday leaves large hurdles for President Donald Trump’s tax cut agenda and for raising the debt ceiling before a possible payments default in the summ...
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Erik Wasson @elwasson.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
Trump Backs $4.5 Trillion Tax Cut in House GOP Budget Plan
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Kyle Cheney @kyledcheney.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
JUST IN: A federal judge has ordered the reinstatement of Cathy Harris atop the Merit Systems Protection Board, ruling that Trump's decision to fire her exceeded his authority. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
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Erik Wasson @elwasson.bsky.social · 16/02/2025
Steve Bannon, US Hospitals Join Moderate GOP Rebellion Over Medicaid Cuts www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
Steve Bannon, US Hospitals Join GOP Rebellion Over Medicaid Cuts
A quiet rebellion among Republicans representing working-class and low-income areas against President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda has picked up some powerful new allies: US hospitals and conserv...
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Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
Breaking — All probationary employees at OPM were just fired in a mass phone call. Acting Director Chuck Ezell told staffers, "I encourage you to use this as an opportunity for your next step forward," per recording I reviewed. On site staffers were given less than an hour to leave.
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Erik Wasson @elwasson.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
NEWS: House GOP Takes First Step Toward Tax Cuts, Debt Limit Increase www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
House GOP Takes First Step Toward Tax Cuts, Debt Limit Increase
House Republican leaders took the first step Wednesday toward enacting trillions of dollars in tax cuts and raising the nation’s $36 trillion debt limit, offering a plan that risks rankling quarreling...
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Erik Wasson @elwasson.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
I’M BACK: What did I miss ? Grateful for the paternity leave to bond with my new son. Excited to jump back into covering Congress, budget, tax news for Bloomberg! Send tips my way ewasson @ Bloomberg.net
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