Stories from Washington D.C. · United States

Over 1.5 million signatures have been collected to trigger a vote on the Billionaire Tax Act. This number is more than double the amount required to bring the act to a vote. The election is scheduled to take place on Election Day in November. The initiative aims to address budget cuts proposed by the Trump administration. Supporters claim to have collected double the required signatures to place the tax on the November ballot. Proponents argue the tax will fund healthcare, while Governor Newsom opposes it, citing potential business exodus. The measure proposes a one-time 5 percent tax on the total wealth of California-resident billionaires, including stocks and real estate, and is set for a November vote. Google co-founder Sergey Brin has commented on a proposed California tax measure scheduled for a November vote.

The US administration is pushing to expand the president's image on official items. Plans include placing the president's signature on US dollar notes and creating a commemorative gold coin. A gold American flag encircled by stars and the number 250 will appear on the back cover of a commemorative document. Democratic lawmakers have criticized the move, suggesting Secretary of State Marco Rubio should focus on other priorities instead.

Space technology company True Anomaly has secured $650 million in new funding, bringing its total valuation to $2.2 billion. The capital is intended to support the company's entry into the Golden Dome program to develop interceptor satellites.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is scheduled to testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday. He will be joined by General Dan Cain, Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the acting Comptroller. The budget includes funding for the Golden Dome Missile Defense System, aircraft procurement, drones, and the construction of over a dozen Navy warships. Some Senate Republicans are reportedly questioning Hegseth's leadership and the removal of senior military officials. The head of the Pentagon is facing scrutiny regarding budget matters, according to reports. Defense Secretary Pete Hegsted and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Kaine participated in a hearing regarding the Pentagon's $1.45 trillion budget request. This marks the first such hearing involving these officials since the war started in February.

The US Treasury Department announced that banknotes will bear Donald Trump's signature, marking the first time an incumbent president will sign currency. A gold coin featuring Trump's image will also be issued.

The Trump administration is reviewing a policy to exclude AI startup Anthropic from government procurement.

The Senate passed a vote of 224 to 204 to extend temporary protections for Haitian neighbors. Representative Ayanna Pressley and members of the caucus supported the measure. The vote included participation from Republicans, Independents, and Democrats.

A US court has rejected legislation intended to restrict the powers of Donald Trump regarding Cuba. The US leadership is maintaining oversight of shipping movements as part of efforts to restrict exports linked to Iran. An appeals court has denied Donald Trump's request to rehear the E. Jean Carroll verdict.

The Pentagon is refusing to transfer $400 million to Kyiv, according to a report from Radio Rossii. The Pentagon has refused to deploy a Patriot air defense battalion equipped with long-range Tomahawk missiles.

A shooting in northwest Washington D.C. The current temperature in Washington is 54 degrees Fahrenheit with a projected high of 65 to 70 degrees. Two men and a five-year-old child were hospitalized following a shooting in the Truxton Circle area of Northwest Washington D.C. on Tuesday evening. Police reported that a parent transported the child from the scene before officers arrived. All three victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries, according to the source. DC Police Chief Jeff Carroll is monitoring the situation. DC Police Chief Jeff Carol stated that the wounds for all victims appear to be non-life-threatening. All victims were taken to local hospitals for treatment. The Metropolitan Police Department is asking anyone with information to contact them. during the early morning hours of Wednesday, April 29.