The U.S. Capitol building in Washington on Dec. 18, 2025. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times The Republican-led House passed a permit reform bill designed to trim environmental reviews and judicial timelines for the development of federal public lands in a 221–196 vote on Dec. 18. The Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act, co-filed in
NEW YORK—Former aide to New York governors Linda Sun has been on a month-long trial over allegations that she acted as a Chinese agent while employed by the state. The prosecution presented evidence suggesting Sun’s connections with Chinese authorities, including text messages, transaction records, and photos involving both Sun and Chinese officials and agents. We
President Donald Trump addresses the nation from the Diplomatic Room of the White House on Dec. 17, 2025. Doug Mills-Pool/Getty Images President Donald Trump’s Dec. 17 primetime speech touting his economic record landed with an added tailwind after fresh inflation data on Dec. 18 showed a sharp slowdown. Affordability has been top of mind for
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and other members of the House Democratic Caucus speak during a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol building in Washington on Dec. 18, 2025. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times House Democrats on Dec. 18 demanded Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) bring legislation extending Affordable Care Act tax credits to the House
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend the 48th annual Kennedy Center Honors at the Kennedy Center in Washington on Dec. 7, 2025. Allison Robbert/Getty Images WASHINGTON—The Kennedy Center board unanimously voted on Dec. 18 to rename the institution the Trump-Kennedy Center, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on social media. “I
A marijuana grow site in California’s Mendocino County on Oct. 9, 2025. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Dec. 18 directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to expedite the reclassification of cannabis for the purpose of allowing medical research. “We have people begging for me to do this, people that
U.S. inflation slowed in November, with the Consumer Price Index rising 2.7 percent from a year ago—with core inflation also cooling. A $7 million SNAP benefit scheme was busted in Boston on Thursday. Two men are now facing food stamp fraud charges. Health Secretary R Read More Original News Source Link – Epoch TimesRunning For