Page 4 - ARUBA TODAY

A4 U.S. NEWS
Friday 2 March 2018

GOP cautious, Dems elated, by Trump's stance on guns

said Democrats were Texas Sen. John Cornyn,
"stunned and surprised - the No. 2 Republican in the
many of us pleasantly - by Senate, said Trump host-
what we saw" from Trump ed "an amazing meeting"
at a televised meeting about how to respond to
Wednesday at the White the deadly Florida shoot-
House. ing, but his legislation to
Schumer said he was espe- strengthen the federal
cially pleased that Trump background check system
seemed to endorse univer- was "our best and only op-
sal background checks for tion to act in response."
gun purchases and even Cornyn and other Republi-
seemed open to a politi- cans have resisted a com-
cally controversial ban on prehensive approach to
assault weapons such as gun legislation, even as
the AR-15 rifle used in last Trump and Democrats say
month's shooting at a Flor- more must be done.
ida high school. Trump held a freewheel-
"The president started on ing, televised meeting with
the right foot, but we must lawmakers at the White
work together to get it House that stretched for
done," Schumer said Thurs- an hour Wednesday, and
day at a news conference he rejected both his party's
From left, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., and where he outlined new incremental approach and
Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., participate in a meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House, in Democratic proposals for its strategy that has stalled
Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018, with President Donald Trump and members of congress
to discuss school and community safety. gun control. "Words alone action on gun legislation.
(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) will not prevent the next Giving hope to Democrats,
mass shooting. One pub- he said he favored a “com-
By LISA MASCARO tiously Thursday to Presi- Democrats said they will try lic meeting will not close prehensive” approach to
MATTHEW DALY dent Donald Trump's call to hold Trump to his prom- background check loop- addressing gun violence.
CATHERINE LUCEY for quick and substantial ises. holes. One hour of tele- Trump again voiced sup-
WASHINGTON (AP) — Re- changes to the nation's Senate Minority Leader vision won't get assault port for expanded back-
publicans reacted cau- gun laws, while elated Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., weapons off our streets." ground checks.q

HUD: Carson asks agency to cancel $31k dining set

By JULIET LINDERMAN fused to bankroll a costly ment, Carson said he was ciated Press and said Wil- ter alleged she was demot-
WASHINGTON (AP) — Hous- remodeling of Carson's of- "as surprised as anyone to liams is not employed by ed after being repeatedly
ing and Urban Develop- fice, which she said came find out that a $31,000 din- HUD. asked to "find money" to
ment Secretary Ben Carson at Carson's wife's request. ing set had been ordered." It was unclear why Car- redecorate Carson's office
has asked to cancel an or- "At the request of the Sec- He said he "made it known son released a statement at Carson's wife's request,
der for an expensive dining retary, the agency is work- that I was not happy about through a friend and pri- despite a $5,000 statu-
set that prompted outrage ing to rescind the order for the prices being charged vate adviser rather than a tory maximum on such ex-
this week after revelations the dining room set," HUD and that my preference spokesman. penses. Foster's complaint
that it cost the agency spokesman Raffi Williams would be to find something Raffi Williams, the HUD was filed in November but
roughly $31,000, a spokes- said Thursday. more reasonable." spokesman, did not re- made public in news re-
man said Thursday. Carson has not comment- In Carson's statement, he spond to inquiries about ports Tuesday.
Reports of the purchase, ed publicly on the matter. said that his wife Candy the statement Thursday. Foster also alleged that
which HUD officials said But his longtime friend and asked if used furniture was The dining set controversy agency leadership ignored
was made without Car- PR consultant, Armstrong an option. immediately followed re- a $10.8 million budget
son's knowledge, came on Williams, released a state- Williams' spokesman Sher- ports of a whistleblower deficit that she discovered
the heels of allegations by ment to CNN and said it michael Singleton on Thurs- complaint filed by Helen and recommended be re-
a HUD employee that she was from Carson. day declined to provide Foster, HUD's former chief ported to appropriations
was demoted after she re- According to the state- the statement to The Asso- administrative officer. Fos- staff.q