119th United States Congress – Virgin Islands Free Press

US government opens back up but deep political divisions remain

WASHINGTON (Reuters) — The U.S. government is due to lumber back to life today after the longest shutdown in U.S. history snarled air traffic, cut food assistance to low-income Americans…

John McCarthy November 13, 2025

Breaking News Business News National News

Bill to end government shutdown would ban THC hemp products

There’s an unexpected consequence inside the deal to end the federal government shutdown: making hemp products illegal. As part of the Senate compromise to end the shutdown, THC would be…

John McCarthy November 12, 2025

Breaking News Business News Health News

Judge orders administration to distribute SNAP contingency money amid shutdown

PROVIDENCE (ABC) — A federal judge in Rhode Island has temporarily ordered the Trump administration to continue funding benefits for SNAP, the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. "The court is orally…

John McCarthy October 31, 2025

Breaking News Crime News National News

House Republicans continue blocking Arizona Democrat from being sworn in during government shutdown

WASHINGTON — House Democrats are criticizing Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., for failing to swear in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva amid the government shutdown, accusing the top Republican of stonewalling her support to…

John McCarthy October 16, 2025

Breaking News Caribbean News Military News

Trump has yet to provide Congress hard evidence that targeted boats carried drugs

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has yet to provide underlying evidence to lawmakers proving that alleged drug-smuggling boats targeted by the U.S. military in a series of fatal strikes were in…

John McCarthy October 9, 2025

Breaking News Health News National News

In July 4 ceremony, Trump signs tax and spending bill into law

WASHINGTON (Reuters) — U.S. President Donald Trump signed into law a massive package of tax and spending cuts at the White House on Friday, staging an outdoor ceremony on the Fourth of…

John McCarthy July 4, 2025

Breaking News Business News Government House News

Bryan hails ‘major step forward in rum cover-over extension efforts’

WASHINGTON — Governor Albert Bryan said today that the Virgin Islands' long-standing push to secure an extension of the rum cover-over at the $13.25 per proof-gallon rate has advanced significantly…

John McCarthy June 28, 2025

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‘Kill the bill’: Musk continues broadsides against the Republican megabill

Elon Musk is still trying to rally Republicans against the “big beautiful bill” that he spent most of Tuesday bashing and which caused an uproar among GOP lawmakers. “Call you…

John McCarthy June 5, 2025

Breaking News Business News Health News

10.9 million more people projected to lose insurance in 2034 from GOP tax bill cuts

WASHINGTON — The Congressional Budget Office estimates an increase of 10.9 million people without health insurance under President Donald Trump‘s big bill, including 1.4 million who are in the country without legal status…

John McCarthy June 4, 2025

Breaking News Business News Community Affairs

Private delivery packages delayed in the USVI. Plaskett looking into it.

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — The Delegate to Congress' office received word of numerous complaints regarding private delivery package service delays in the territory, particularly St. John, and met with U.S. Customs…

John McCarthy May 24, 2025