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Senate Republicans blocked a major bipartisan border deal and foreign aid package with assistance for Ukraine and Israel in a key vote on Wednesday amid a torrent of attacks on the bill by former President Donald Trump and top House Republicans. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer plans to force a procedural vote on an emergency aid package for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan — and drop the border deal. Bob Menendez of New Jersey and Alex Padilla of California have both forcefully attacked the border deal. Schumer has harshly criticized Senate Republicans for opposing the package, accusing them of following Trump’s marching orders. “And instead of standing up to Donald Trump, Senate Republicans are ready to kill our best chance at fixing the border.”“They want amendments?

Persons: Donald Trump, – James Lankford of, Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, Schumer, Mike Johnson, McConnell, Johnson, – Lankford, Sen, Kyrsten, Democratic Sen, Chris Murphy, Sinema, Lankford, Democratic Sens, Bob Menendez, Alex Padilla, Menendez, ” Padilla, “, ” Schumer, ” McConnell, CNN’s Kristin Wilson Organizations: House Republicans, Republicans, White, Republican, Senate GOP, Trump, Democratic, Israel, West Bank, Bob Menendez of New, Senate Republicans, CNN Locations: Ukraine, Israel, – James Lankford of Oklahoma, Trump, Taiwan, Arizona, Connecticut, Russia, Gaza, Bob Menendez of, Bob Menendez of New Jersey, California, America

Fewer than 24 hours after a long-awaited, bipartisan border deal and foreign aid package was unveiled in the Senate, opposition is rapidly mounting in the chamber – making it increasingly possible the bill will not survive a key vote expected this week. The grim odds facing the bill in the Senate come as former President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson have continued to attack the deal, ratcheting up pressure on Senate Republicans to oppose it or risk facing a conservative backlash. So far, 18 Republican senators have publicly criticized the bill, including Montana Sen. Steve Daines, a member of Senate GOP leadership. For all of these reasons I will vote no when the bill is brought to the Senate floor this week,” he said. It’s unclear, however, whether a foreign aid package would be able to pass on its own as many Senate Republicans have demanded tighter border security in exchange for aid to those allies.

Persons: Donald Trump, Mike Johnson, Johnson, hasn’t, Democratic Sen, Chris Murphy of, Sen, Kyrsten, James Lankford of, Montana Sen, Steve Daines, Texas Sen, John Cornyn, ”, New Jersey Sen, Bob Menendez, California Sen, Alex Padilla, Menendez, ” Padilla, Bernie Sanders, Benjamin Netanyahu, ” Lankford, CNN’s Kristin Wilson Organizations: Republicans, Israel, West Bank, Democratic, GOP, Republican, National Republican Senatorial, House Republicans, California, Trump, ICE, Border Patrol Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Gaza, Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Arizona, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Montana, Texas, New Jersey, America, Vermont, United States, Israel

Under California rules, Democrats and Republicans appear on the same primary ballot and the two candidates with the most votes advance to the general election, regardless of political party. Come November, the seat is expected to stay in Democratic hands in a state where Republicans haven’t won a U.S. Senate election since 1988. Gavin Newsom appointed Laphonza Butler, a longtime Democratic organizer, to fulfill Feinstein's term, and Butler chose not to seek election to the seat. In 2016 and 2018, GOP Senate candidates performed so poorly that two Democrats appeared on the November ballot. Porter opposes earmarks — where lawmakers direct federal spending to a specific project or institution back home — while Schiff and Lee endorsed them.

Persons: Democratic Sen, Dianne Feinstein, Adam Schiff, Donald Trump’s, Schiff, He’s, Barbara Lee, Katie Porter, Steve Garvey, Republicans haven’t, Garvey, ” Schiff, Garvey “, Porter, ”, Feinstein, Gavin Newsom, Laphonza Butler, Butler, Joe Biden's, Donald Trump, . Garvey, Eric Early, spotlighting, Alex Padilla, Mark Meuser, wasn’t, “, … I’ve, I’ve, Nancy Pelosi, Lee Organizations: ANGELES, Senate, Democratic, Democratic U.S . Rep, Democratic House, Republican, Los Angeles Dodgers, National League MVP, Republicans, U.S, GOP, Congress, Democrats, White, Trump, Dodger, Capitol Locations: U.S, California, ”, Los Angeles, Israel, Gaza, Russia

☆ A GOP representative says new border legislation is the 'worst screwing in the Senate since that Dem staffer filmed his porno on Klobuchar's desk'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

One Republican said it was the "worst screwing" in the Senate since a recently revealed sex tape. "This bill is the worst screwing in the Senate since that Dem staffer filmed his porno on Klobuchar's desk," Collins wrote, comparing it to a recently unearthed video from December 2018 that shows a former Senate staffer having sex with another man where the senator from Minnesota typically sits. If passed, the nearly 300-page border bill would give the Department of Homeland Security the power to close down the border and halt further movement into the country if the average of immigrants exceeds certain numbers. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise promised Sunday evening the legislation would never even receive a vote on the House floor. And Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said, "If this bill reaches the House, it will be dead on arrival."

Persons: —, Donald Trump, Mike Collins, Collins, who've, California Sen, Alex Padilla, New Jersey Sen, Bob Menendez, Steve Scalise, Mike Johnson Organizations: Senate, Service, Republican, Democratic, GOP, of Homeland Security, of Homeland Locations: Ukraine, Minnesota, California, New Jersey

☆ President Biden seizes on tougher border measures as he tries to fend off Trump attacks
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Priscilla Alvarez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —President Joe Biden is embracing tougher border measures, including shutting down the US-Mexico border, marking a stark shift from his early days in office as he tries to fend off former President Donald Trump’s attacks on immigration policy ahead of the election. “(The compromise) would give me, as President, a new emergency authority to shut down the border when it becomes overwhelmed. Johnson on Saturday attacked Biden over his endorsement of the potential border deal, arguing the president can take executive action without Congress to clamp down on migrant crossings. And in his first statement on the Senate deal, Johnson claimed that it would force the US to surrender to illegal migration. Immigrant advocates quickly slammed Biden over his statement — revealing the deepening rift between the president and the advocacy community.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump’s, Mike Johnson, ” Biden, Trump, Biden, ”, Johnson, ” Johnson, “, Stringer, Robyn Barnard, ” Barnard, Kerri Talbot, Democratic Sen, Alex Padilla, It’s, ‘, ’ ” Padilla, CNN’s Manu Raju, Trump’s Organizations: CNN, House Republicans, “, America, Republicans, Saturday, Senate, Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security, Biden, Trump, Getty, Human, Immigration, Democratic Locations: Mexico, America, United States, Chiapas State, AFP, Southern, ’, California

☆ Biden December fundraising blitz to star James Taylor, Spielberg
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Jarrett Renshaw | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during a reception at the White House ahead of the 46th Kennedy Center Honors gala, in Washington, U.S. December 3, 2023. "We're putting in the work across our fundraising program and look forward to again outperforming the MAGA field," Biden campaign spokesperson Kevin Munoz said. Next week, Biden will raise money in Pennsylvania and Maryland with the states' Democratic governors Josh Shapiro and Wes Moore. Recent polling has shown the GOP frontrunner leading Biden in hypothetical matchups in key swing states and on the national level. Hollywood and the entertainment industry overall lean Democratic, at least when it comes to fundraising, according to OpenSecrets, which tracks campaign contributions.

Persons: Joe Biden, Nathan Howard, Biden, James Taylor, Stephen Spielberg, Rob Reiner, Michael Smith, James Costos, Barack Obama's, Lenny Kravitz, Wendy Schmidt, Eric Schmidt, Rick Caruso, Robert Tuttle, outperforming, MAGA, Kevin Munoz, Josh Shapiro, Wes Moore, Kamala Harris, Gretchen Whitmer, Alex Padilla, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Donald Trump, Charles Koch's, Nikki Haley, Miriam Adelson, ouptaced Trump, Jarrett Renshaw, Heather Timmons, Bill Berkrot Organizations: White, 46th Kennedy Center, REUTERS, Democratic, Reuters, HBO, Los, Biden, Super, Trump, Democratic Party, Republican, Democratic National Committee, Hollywood, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Boston, California, Los Angeles, Spain, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Michigan, Alex Padilla of California

WASHINGTON (AP) — As record numbers of migrants surge at the southern U.S. border, many seeking asylum, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has told Congress the country's “broken” immigration system is in need of a top-to-bottom update. It comes as Mayorkas, the face of the administration’s immigration policy, bears down the threat of impeachment proceedings from House Republicans over what they view as failed border policies. “We’re at a point for three years we’ve been saying, ‘When are we going to secure the country? On Wednesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson told GOP senators behind closed doors that he needs real border security changes as part of Biden's broader war funding package. During recent hearings, Mayorkas told Congress the administration is working to manage the situation, even as Congress has failed to update the immigration system for decades.

Persons: Alejandro Mayorkas, Biden, “ We’re, ”, Republican Sen, James Lankford of, “, we’ve, Vladimir Putin's, Vanessa Cárdenas, Biden's, Thom Tillis, Mike Johnson, Chuck Schumer, Johnson, Mitch McConnell, ” “, ‘ We’re, ’ ” Schumer, they’ve, Donald Trump, Mayorkas, Sen, Alex Padilla, Dick Durbin of, Elliot Spagat, Seung Min Kim Organizations: WASHINGTON, Homeland, Republicans, House Republicans, Republican, Democrats, Eisenhower, Cato Institute, Congress, Defense Department, GOP, Associated Press, COVID, Capitol, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Press Locations: U.S, Ukraine, Israel, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Congress, North Carolina, Alex Padilla of California, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras

LOS ANGELES (AP) — An elevated Los Angeles freeway closed for more than a week because of an arson fire reopened ahead of Monday morning's commute, at least a day earlier than previously announced and weeks ahead of the original estimate. “Welcome back, Los Angeles!” Mayor Karen Bass posted late Sunday on X, formerly known as Twitter. Gavin Newsom said recent safety inspections showed the span was safe to start reopening Sunday evening and that the freeway would be “fully operational” before Monday's rush hour. State investigators repeatedly identified fire and safety hazards at a leased storage space under an elevated Los Angeles freeway before it burned in the fire, documents show. The California Department of Transportation, or Caltrans, released the documents Friday.

Persons: Karen Bass, Gavin Newsom, ” Newsom, Kamala Harris, Sen, Alex Padilla, Bass, ” Bass, Padilla, Investigators, ”, Newsom, Daryl Myatt, Mainak, hasn't, Marshall, ” D’Attaray, Izzy Gordon, Gordon, —, ” Brandon Richards, Richards, Sophia Tareen Organizations: ANGELES, Twitter, Gov, California Department of Transportation, Caltrans, Cal Fire, State Fire, Apex Development Inc, Apex, Apex Development, “ Apex, CalTrans, California’s, California Department of Forestry, Associated Press Locations: Los, Los Angeles, U.S, Angeles, Apex, Chicago

It would also require the Labor Department to compile a list of companies ineligible for federal contracts based on "serious, repeated, or pervasive violations of child labor laws." The Labor Department said earlier this month that in the 2023 fiscal year, which ended on Sept. 30, 2023, investigations had found close to 5,800 kids illegally employed in the U.S., an 88% increase from 2019. Another bipartisan Senate bill introduced on Thursday by Republican Marco Rubio from Florida, with Democrats Alex Padilla from California and John Hickenlooper from Colorado, and Republican Roger Marshall from Kansas, would require the Labor Department to report more details to lawmakers about the perpetrators and victims involved in child labor cases. A February 2022 Reuters story exposed child labor at Alabama chicken plants, revealing how unaccompanied Central American migrants in debt to human smugglers were working grueling factory shifts. Later, in November, the Labor Department filed a complaint against cleaning company Packers Sanitation Services Inc. (PSSI) for employing dozens of kids cleaning meatpacking plants around the country, some of whom suffered chemical burns and other injuries.

Persons: Cory Booker, Kevin Lamarque, Josh Hawley, Republican Marco Rubio, Alex Padilla, John Hickenlooper, Republican Roger Marshall, Rubio, Dick Durbin, Mica Rosenberg, Joshua Schneyer, Kristina Cooke, Aurora Ellis, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Capitol, REUTERS, Democratic, Labor Department, U.S . Department of Agriculture, The Labor Department, Republican, Central, Packers Sanitation Services Inc, Hyundai, Kia, Reuters, Democratic Senators, Senate, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, United States, U.S, New Jersey, Missouri, Florida, California, Colorado, Kansas, Alabama, Korean, Mexico, Illinois, New York

☆ Gavin Newsom's Senate appointee won't run for a full term in 2024. With the top 3 Democratic contenders looking to make their mark, where does the race stand?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

With Sen. Laphonza Butler not running for a full term, the California race remains wide open. Former MLB All-Star Steve Garvey, a Republican, jumped into the Senate race earlier this month. Sen. Laphonza Butler, center, will not run for a full Senate term in 2024. There will be two Senate races on the November 2024 ballot: a special election to fill the Senate term through January 2025 and a general election for the full Senate term ending in January 2031. Given the Democratic lean of the state, there's a strong chance of a Senate race between two Democrats.

Persons: Sen, Laphonza Butler, Adam Schiff, Burbank, Steve Garvey, —, Gavin Newsom, Butler, Newsom, Dianne Feinstein —, Barbara Lee, Katie Porter, Lee, Porter, Schiff, Alex Padilla, California's, Chip Somodevilla, Garvey, James P, Bradley, Eric Early, Ronald Martinez, Donald Trump — Organizations: MLB, Republican, Service, Democratic Gov, University of California, Democratic Reps, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Democratic, Sen, —, Institute of California, San, San Francisco Bay Area, Burbank, California Senate Locations: California, California's, Southern California, San Francisco Bay, Irvine, Oakland

☆ Laphonza Butler’s ascent to the Senate is a key moment for Black LGBTQ representation, advocates say
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Chandelis Duster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

“It’s about time,” Franco-Clausen, co-chair of the National Black Justice Coalition’s Good Trouble Network, an initiative that aims to advance policies that benefit the Black LGBTQ+ community, told CNN. She is currently the only Black woman serving in the Senate, and the third ever to serve in the chamber. But Franco-Clausen said she hopes the California senator will usher in a new era of representation. Among Democrats, 52 Black women have served in the House and three have served in the Senate. David Johns, the executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition, said he believes Butler’s presence in the Senate is reflective of the work of previous Black LGBTQ+ political leaders.

Persons: CNN — Shay Franco, Clausen, Laphonza Butler, Franco, Sen, Dianne Feinstein, “, ” Franco, Coalition’s, Butler, ”, Kamala Harris –, Feinstein, Gavin Newsom, Charles Schumer, Alex Padilla, Tom Williams, Feinstein … Laphonza, “ Sen, Dianne Feinstein’s, ” Butler, Adam Schiff, Katie Porter, Barbara Lee, Hillary Clinton’s, Kamala Harris ’, who’s, Arnulfo De, Arnulfo De La Cruz, “ Laphonza, Laphonza, Shirley Chisholm, Melanie Campbell, David Johns Organizations: CNN, National Black, Network, Senate, San Francisco, of Supervisors, Committee, Senate Intelligence, Inc, Getty, Washington , D.C, Democratic, Congressional Black Caucus, House Democratic, Jackson State University, University of California, Regents, National Children’s Defense, Service Employees International Union, SEIU, Center for American Women, Republican, Victory, National Coalition, Black, National Black Justice Coalition Locations: California, D, Washington ,, Mississippi, Arnulfo De La, Congress

The Hamas terrorist attack on Israel is reprehensible. Israel is under heavy attack right now by Hamas and taking action to defend itself and its people. Israel has every right to defend itself.”Sen. Jon Tester, Montana Democrat“I strongly condemn the terrorist attacks launched by Hamas against our ally Israel. I will continue to closely monitor the situation.”Sen. Maggie Hassan, New Hampshire Democrat“Hamas’s terrorist attack on Israel is nothing short of horrifying. Israel has every right to defend itself from this unjust war.”Sen. Ron Wyden, Oregon Democrat“The terrorist attack on Israel is appalling.

Persons: Hakeem Jeffries, “, Steve Scalise, ” Kevin McCarthy, ” Chuck Schumer, –, Herzog –, ” Mitch McConnell, ” Tom Emmer, ” Katherine Clarke, ” Dick Durbin, ” John Thune, ” Sen, Debbie Stabenow, Michigan Democrat “, Israel, Amy Klobuchar, Mark Warner, Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts Democrat “, Bernie Sanders, Cory Booker, Cory Booker , New Jersey Democrat “, Joe Manchin, West Virginia Democrat “, Tammy Baldwin, Wisconsin Democrat “, Gary Peters, Gary Peters , Michigan Democrat “, Catherine Cortez Masto, Brian Schatz, Hawaii Democrat “, Jeff Merkley, Oregon Democrat “, John Barrasso, Joni Ernst, Iowa Republican “, Sen, Shelley Moore Capito, West Virginia Republican “, Steve Daines, Montana Republican “, Mike Lee, Mike Crapo, Chuck Grassley, Tommy Tuberville, Katie Britt, Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, Kyrsten, Mark Kelly, John Boozman, Tom Cotton, Arkansas Republican “, Alex Padilla, Laphonza Butler, California Democrat “, today’s, Michael Bennet, Colorado Democrat “, John Hickenlooper, Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut Democrat “, Chris Murphy, Tom Carper, Delaware Democrat “, Chris Coons, Marco Rubio, Rick Scott, Jon Ossoff, Georgia Democrat “, Anat Sultan, Raphael Warnock, “ I’m, Mazie, Tammy Duckworth, Todd Young, Mike Braun, Jerry Moran, Kansas Republican “, Hamas’s, Roger Marshall, Netanyahu, Rand Paul, Kentucky Republican “, Bill Cassidy, John Kennedy, Susan Collins, Maine Republican “, Ben Cardin, Maryland Democrat “, Chris Van Hollen, Ed Markey, Tina Smith, Minnesota Democrat “, Roger Wicker ,, Roger Wicker , Mississippi Republican “, Cindy Hyde, Josh Hawley, Eric Schmitt, Jon Tester, Montana Democrat “, Deb Fischer, Nebraska Republican “, Pete Ricketts, Jacky Rosen, Nevada Democrat “, Jeanne Shaheen, Jeanne Shaheen , New Hampshire Democrat “, Maggie Hassan, Maggie Hassan , New Hampshire Democrat “, Bob Menendez, Bob Menendez , New Jersey Democrat “, Martin Heinrich, New Mexico Democrat “, Biden, Ben Ray Lujan, Kirsten Gillibrand, New York Democrat “ I'm, Thom Tillis, Ted Budd, North Carolina Republican “, John Hoeven, John Hoeven , North Dakota Republican “, Kevin Cramer, Sherrod Brown, Ohio Democrat “, J.D, ”, Vance, James Lankford, Markwayne Mullin, Israel –, Ron Wyden, Bob Casey, John Fetterman, craven, Jack Reed, Sheldon Whitehouse, Lindsey Graham, Tim Scott, South Carolina Republican “ I’m, Mike Rounds, South Dakota Republican “ Shocked, Marsha Blackburn, Marsha Blackburn , Tennessee Republican “ Israel, Bill Haggerty, Tennessee Republican “, John Cornyn, John Cornyn , Texas Republican “, Ted Cruz, Mitt, Vile, Peter Welch, Vermont Democrat “, Tim Kaine, Patty Murray, Washington Democrat “, Maria Cantwell, Ron Johnson, Wisconsin Republican “ Israel, Cynthia Lummis, Wyoming Republican “, Jim Jordan, Jared Moskowitz, Abigail Spanberger, Elissa Slotkin, Don Bacon, perpetrating, Cori Bush, Missouri Democrat “, Kevin Hern, Kevin Hern , Oklahoma Republican “, ” Rep, Ritchie Torres, Ritchie Torres , New York Democrat “, Michael McCaul, Michael McCaul , Texas Republican “ I, Ilhan Omar Organizations: Palestinian, Hamas, Biden, House, Michigan Democrat, Minnesota Democrat, Virginia Democrat “, Senate Intelligence, Massachusetts Democrat, Islamic, Cory Booker , New, Cory Booker , New Jersey Democrat, West Virginia Democrat, Wisconsin Democrat, Gary Peters , Michigan Democrat, Nevada Democrat, Hawaii Democrat, State, Oregon Democrat, John Barrasso , Wyoming Republican, Iowa Republican, West Virginia Republican, Montana Republican, Utah Republican, Idaho Republican, Alabama Republican, Alaska Republican, Alaska Republican “, Arizona Democrat, John Boozman , Arkansas Republican “, Jewish, Arkansas Republican, California Democrat, Colorado Democrat, Connecticut Democrat, Delaware Democrat, Israel, Florida Republican, Georgia Democrat, Hawaii Democrat “, Indiana Republican, Indiana Republican “, Kansas Republican, Kentucky Republican, Louisiana Republican, Maine Republican, Maryland Democrat, Roger Wicker , Mississippi Republican, Smith , Mississippi Republican, Josh Hawley , Missouri Republican, Missouri Republican, Montana Democrat, Nebraska Republican, Jeanne Shaheen , New, Jeanne Shaheen , New Hampshire Democrat, Maggie Hassan , New Hampshire Democrat, Bob Menendez , New, Bob Menendez , New Jersey Democrat, New Mexico Democrat, New, New York Democrat, United, North Carolina Republican, John Hoeven , North Dakota Republican, Kevin Cramer , North Dakota Republican “, Ohio Democrat, Vance , Ohio Republican, James Lankford , Oklahoma Republican, Oklahoma Republican, “ Hamas, Rhode, Lindsey Graham , South Carolina Republican, South Carolina Republican, South Dakota Republican, Marsha Blackburn , Tennessee Republican, Tennessee Republican, John Cornyn , Texas Republican, Ted Cruz , Texas Republican, Vermont Democrat, Washington Democrat, Wisconsin Republican, Wyoming Republican, ”, Ohio Republican “, Missouri Democrat, Kevin Hern , Oklahoma Republican, Ritchie Torres , New, Ritchie Torres , New York Democrat, Jewish State, Michael McCaul , Texas Republican Locations: Israel, United States, Tehran, The United States, Iran, Michigan, U.S, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Vermont, Cory Booker ,, Cory Booker , New Jersey, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Gary Peters , Michigan, Nevada, Hawaii, Oregon, John Barrasso , Wyoming, America, Iowa, West, Montana, Iranian, Utah, Idaho, Alabama, Alaska, Alaska Republican “ America, @Israel, Kyrsten Sinema, Arizona, John Boozman , Arkansas, Jewish State, Arkansas, Saudi Arabia, California, Gaza, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Mazie Hirono, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Palestine, Roger Wicker , Mississippi, Smith , Mississippi, Josh Hawley , Missouri, Missouri, Nebraska, Jeanne Shaheen ,, Jeanne Shaheen , New Hampshire, Maggie Hassan , New Hampshire, Bob Menendez ,, Bob Menendez , New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North, John Hoeven , North, Kevin Cramer , North, Ohio, Vance , Ohio, James Lankford , Oklahoma, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Lindsey Graham , South, South, States, Marsha Blackburn , Tennessee, Tennessee, John Cornyn , Texas, Ted Cruz , Texas, Mitt Romney, Virginia, “ Hamas, Washington, Wyoming, Ohio Republican “ America, Kevin Hern , Oklahoma, Ritchie Torres ,, Ritchie Torres , New York, Michael McCaul , Texas

☆ Newsom's selection of Laphonza Butler to fill Feinstein's Senate seat came together so quickly that Butler's mother learned of the appointment from a news alert
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

After Sen. Feinstein's death in September, Gov. Newsom would eventually tap Laphonza Butler, a well-connected former union leader and ex-UC regent. The selection process was so swift that Butler's mother learned of the appointment from a news alert, per Politico. The Senate selection process had been so swift that Butler's mother found out about the appointment through a news alert, according to two individuals with knowledge of the timeline who spoke with the news outlet. Democratic Reps. Barbara Lee, Katie Porter, and Adam Schiff are the leading officeholders already in the race for the Senate seat.

Persons: Sen, Newsom, Laphonza Butler, —, Dianne Feinstein, Gavin Newsom, Chuck Schumer, State Shirley Weber, Butler, Feinstein, Democratic Sen, Alex Padilla, wouldn't, she'll, Barbara Lee, Katie Porter, Adam Schiff Organizations: Gov, UC, Politico, Service, eventual, New York, University of California, State, Golden State, Democratic, Senate Locations: California

☆ With McCarthy out as Speaker, Pelosi no longer in party leadership, and Feinstein's death, California's clout in Congress has taken a major hit. The Golden State is now at a political crossroads.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-08 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The upcoming elections will also test the longstanding political sway of the San Francisco Bay Area. Dianne Feinstein is pictured on March 21, 1984, during her tenure as mayor of San Francisco. For generations, the center of political gravity in California has been in the San Francisco Bay Area. AdvertisementAdvertisementVice President Kamala Harris is a former San Francisco District Attorney. And Feinstein, a former San Francisco mayor, served in the Senate from 1992 until her death last month.

Persons: —, Nancy Pelosi, Kevin McCarthy, Dianne Feinstein —, McCarthy, Pelosi, Andrew Harnik, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Steve Poizner, Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan, Hakeem Jeffries, Gavin Newsom, Sen, Feinstein, Dianne Feinstein, Eric, Kamala Harris, Newsom, Jerry Brown, Barbara Boxer, Ron Dellums, Southern California . Sen, Alex Padilla, Harris, Laphonza Butler, Butler, Katie Porter, Adam Schiff —, Barbara Lee Organizations: San Francisco Bay Area, Service, Capitol, House Democratic Caucus, Senate Intelligence, AP, California Republican, Gov, San Francisco, Oakland, San, Southern California ., Democratic, Southern California . Rep, — Locations: California, San Francisco Bay, Bakersfield, San Francisco, Louisiana, Ohio, New York, Eric Risberg, San, Southern California, Los Angeles, Bay, Orange

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former union leader and Democratic insider Laphonza Butler was sworn in as the newest member of the Senate on Tuesday, replacing California Sen. Dianne Feinstein after her death and becoming only the third Black female senator in history. On the Senate floor Tuesday, Butler was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris, who served as the second Black female senator until she resigned in 2021 to join President Joe Biden in the White House. The first was Democratic Sen. Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois, who served one term in the 1990s. In the Senate, Feinstein was the first female chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and the first female top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee. “Laphonza will carry the baton left by Sen. Feinstein (and) continue to break glass ceilings and fight for all Californians in Washington D.C.,” Newsom said.

Persons: Laphonza Butler, California Sen, Dianne Feinstein, Butler, Gavin Newsom, Feinstein, Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, Democratic Sen, Carol Moseley Braun, Steven Horsford, Newsom, “, ” Newsom, Harris ’, Katie Porter, Adam Schiff, Barbara Lee, ” Butler, Uber, Sen, Alex Padilla, Harris, Barbara Boxer, Moseley Braun, Sen . Feinstein Organizations: WASHINGTON, Democratic, California Gov, Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois, Congressional, Caucus, Senate, CBC, House Democrats, California, Senate Intelligence, Washington D.C Locations: California, Washington, Carol Moseley Braun of, Butler, “, U.S, San Francisco

☆ Butler sworn in to replace late California Sen. Feinstein, becoming third Black female senator in U.S. history
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Former union leader and Democratic insider Laphonza Butler was sworn in as the newest member of the Senate on Tuesday, replacing California Sen. Dianne Feinstein after her death and becoming only the third Black female senator in history. The first was Democratic Sen. Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois, who served one term in the 1990s. She was a giant in California politics, having been the first female mayor of San Francisco and a force in the state's Democratic circles. In the Senate, Feinstein was the first female chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and the first female top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee. "Laphonza will carry the baton left by Sen. Feinstein (and) continue to break glass ceilings and fight for all Californians in Washington D.C.," Newsom said.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Laphonza Butler, Dianne Feinstein, Neneki Lee, California Sen, Butler, Gavin Newsom, Feinstein, Joe Biden, Democratic Sen, Carol Moseley Braun, Steven Horsford, Newsom, Harris, Katie Porter, Adam Schiff, Barbara Lee, Uber, Sen, Alex Padilla, Barbara Boxer, Moseley Braun, Sen . Feinstein Organizations: Senate, Capitol, Democratic, California Gov, Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois, Congressional, Caucus, CBC, House Democrats, California, Senate Intelligence, Washington D.C Locations: U.S, Washington , U.S, California, Washington, Carol Moseley Braun of, Butler, San Francisco

☆ Laphonza Butler sworn in as California’s newest senator
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Jack Forrest | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Washington CNN —Democratic Sen. Laphonza Butler made history Tuesday when she was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris as the first out Black lesbian to enter Congress and the only Black woman presently serving in the Senate. Gavin Newsom to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, becomes only the third Black woman to serve as a US senator. Harris, formerly the sole Black woman in the Senate, vacated her seat in 2021 after her election as vice president. Newsom was under intense pressure within California to choose a Black woman to succeed her, but instead appointed Alex Padilla, then California’s secretary of state, who became the first Latino senator from the state. Newsom later pledged to appoint a Black woman to Feinstein’s seat should the senator resign before her term’s end.

Persons: Washington CNN — Democratic Sen, Laphonza Butler, Kamala Harris, Butler, Gavin Newsom, Democratic Sen, Dianne Feinstein, Jersey Sen, Bob Menendez’s, Sen, Harris ’, Harris, Newsom, Alex Padilla, Adam Schiff, Nancy Pelosi, Katie Porter, Barbara Lee, Lexi Reese, Eric Early Organizations: Washington CNN — Democratic, California Gov, Democratic, House Democrats, Intelligence, Congressional Progressive Caucus, Congressional Black Caucus, House Democratic Locations: Jersey, California

Once she is sworn in, Butler will be the only Black woman in the Senate and the first openly LGBTQ+ California senator. That, alongside her background in the labor and women's rights movements, helps harden Newsom’s ties to important national Democratic constituencies. She is expected to be sworn in Tuesday in Washington by Harris, the last Black woman to serve in the Senate. At the time, Newsom was under pressure to select a Black woman to fill the seat of Harris, who is Black. His choice of Padilla, the state’s first Latino senator, rankled Black leadership in the state who saw the seat as their own.

Persons: Gavin Newsom, Dianne Feinstein, Laphonza Butler, Butler, Newsom, Butler's, “, Kamala Harris's, ”, Jack Pitney, Katie Porter, Adam Schiff, Barbara Lee, haven’t, Bill Essayli, Harris, Lee, Feinstein, snubbing Lee, Sen, Steven Bradford, ” Aimee Allison, “ Laphonza, Arnuflo De, Arnuflo De La Cruz, Jerry Brown, La Cruz, ” De La Cruz, Maria Elena Durazo, ” Durazo, ” Butler, Uber, Alex Padilla, Padilla, rankled, ___ Organizations: ANGELES, California Gov, Senate, Democratic, workaday Democratic, Claremont McKenna College, House Democrats, California Legislative Black Caucus, Gov, Los Angeles Federation of Labor Locations: U.S, California, San Francisco, Washington, Arnuflo De La, Sacramento

☆ California Gov. Gavin Newsom chooses Laphonza Butler to fill Dianne Feinstein's Senate seat
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Adam Edelman | Amanda Terkel | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Gavin Newsom has chosen Laphonza Butler, the president of EMILY's List, to fill the seat of the late Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the governor's office confirmed to NBC News. Feinstein, the longest-serving woman in the Senate, died Thursday at the age of 90. Newsom, a Democrat, had provided substantial clues in recent months about how he'd choose Feinstein's replacement, if her seat were to become vacant. He had previously said that he would appoint a Black woman if either of California's Senate seats opened up. Butler, however, will not have any constraints on her future plans and will be free to run for the seat if she chooses.

Persons: Gavin Newsom, Laphonza Butler, Democratic Sen, Dianne Feinstein, Feinstein, Butler, Kamala Harris, Newsom, NBC's, Barbara Lee, Adam Schiff, Katie Porter, Lee, Alex Padilla Organizations: Democratic, NBC News, SEIU, University of California, Regents, Airbnb, Democrat, Press, Congressional, Caucus Locations: California, North America

Gavin Newsom will name Laphonza Butler, a Democratic strategist and adviser to Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, to fill the vacant U.S. Senate seat held by the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a spokesman in his office said Sunday. In choosing Butler, Newsom fulfilled his pledge to appoint a Black woman if Feinstein’s seat should become open. Butler will be the only Black woman serving in the U.S. Senate, and the first openly LGBTQ person to represent California in the chamber. Butler leads Emily’s List, a political organization that supports Democratic women candidates who favor abortion rights. Emily's List, the group Butler leads, focuses on electing Democratic women who support abortion rights.

Persons: Gavin Newsom, Laphonza Butler, Kamala Harris ’, Sen, Dianne Feinstein, Butler, Newsom, Barbara Lee, Emily’s, Feinstein, Lee, Katie Porter, Adam Schiff, Anthony York, It’s, Kamala Harris, Alex Padilla Organizations: ANGELES, —, Democratic, U.S, Senate, U.S . Senate, SEIU, Associated Press, Democratic U.S, Reps, Airbnb Locations: — California, U.S, California, Maryland, U.S .

☆ Progressives are pressing California Gov. Gavin Newsom to reverse his earlier vow to tap a Senate caretaker and instead appoint Barbara Lee to succeed Dianne Feinstein
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Progressives want Gavin Newsom to tap Rep. Barbara Lee to succeed Dianne Feinstein in the Senate. But such a move would reverse Newsom's earlier pledge to appoint a caretaker to the seat. "When Newsom appointed Padilla for VP seat he didn't appoint a caretaker," Khanna wrote. "She would be most prepared to step in and carry forth the work Senator Feinstein has worked on for so many decades," she told the newspaper. Lee said earlier in September that she was "troubled" by Newsom's thinking on what was then a hypothetical Senate appointment.

Persons: Gavin Newsom, Barbara Lee, Dianne Feinstein, Lee, Feinstein, Adam Schiff, Katie Porter, —, Dianne Feinstein's, Newsom, Barbara Lee —, who's, Ro Khanna, Sen, Alex Padilla, Padilla, Kamala Harris, Khanna, Newsom's, Aprill Turner, Turner, Anish Mohanty, didn't Organizations: Service, San Francisco, Golden State, Oakland, Lee's Senate, Senate, America PAC, Heights, Washington Post, Democratic Party Locations: California, San, Golden

☆ Dianne Feinstein is dead. Here's what happens next, and what it means for Democrats.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Sen. Dianne Feinstein's death will temporarily narrow Senate Democrats' razor-thin majority. Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee, a trailblazing Black lawmaker who's running to replace Feinstein, has expressed frustration over this limitation. Before Newsome qualified his vow, Lee was widely viewed as a leading candidate to replace Feinstein. Senate Democrats' majority is going to narrow temporarilyDemocrats now hold an effective 50-49 majority, including the three independent senators that caucus with them. AdvertisementAdvertisementFeinstein also leaves seats open on powerful committeesAs one of the most senior Democrats, Feinstein held seats on the powerful Senate Judiciary and Intelligence committees.

Persons: Sen, Dianne Feinstein's, California's Gavin Newsom, Newsom, —, Dianne Feinstein, Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris, Barbara Lee, who's, Feinstein, Newsome, Lee, Alex Padilla, Harris, It's, he's, Chuck Schumer, Joe Biden's, Chuck Grassley, Biden, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Schumer, Adam Schiff, Katie Porter, Schiff, Trump's, Porter, Elizabeth Warren, Trump, James Bradley, Steve Garvey Organizations: Democrats, Service, Democratic, Judiciary, Intelligence, Senate, House Intelligence, Republican, GOP, Los Angeles Dodgers Locations: California, Iowa

☆ Student-loan borrowers eligible for debt cancellation might be 'forced back into repayment' anyway because of their servicer's poor customer service, 6 Democratic senators say
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Six Democratic lawmakers requested the Education Department look into student-loan company MOHELA. They said they're concerned with paperwork delays that could force borrowers who qualify for PSLF relief back into repayment. Federal student-loan payments are resuming on October 1. "With the restart of repayments, these issues are likely to worsen for borrowers," the lawmakers said in the letter. "Borrowers who are eligible to have their debt cancelled under the PSLF program should not be forced back into repayment due solely to MOHELA's processing delays, which cause difficult financial situations for so many borrowers.

Persons: MOHELA, New Jersey Sen, Bob Menendez, Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Secretary Miguel Cardona, they've, Angus King, Alex Padilla, Ed Markey, Cory Booker, Cardona, Katie Porter, Joe Courtney, Scott Giles, that's, Scott Buchanan, servicers — Organizations: Democratic, Education Department, Federal, Service, Secretary, Public, MOHELA, Department, Student Loan, — Locations: Wall, Silicon, New Jersey, PSLF, Sens

☆ The White House blasts Republicans' budget plans, saying they want to slash Social Security and Medicare and 'force seniors to pay even higher drug costs so Big Pharma can fill more swimming pools wit
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Juliana Kaplan | Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

They said the GOP wants to slash earned benefits and hand out tax cuts for the wealthy. For instance, the Republican Study Committee released a report on spending priorities and reforms that would, among other measures, adjust the Social Security retirement age. "We will not now or ever support cutting or delaying retirement benefits for any senior in or near retirement," it said. "While the GOP tries to cut its funding, Democrats are committed to protecting Social Security for all Americans." "It's Medicare, Social Security, interest on the debt."

Persons: Biden, Andrew Bates, Bates, reconvenes, that's, California Sen, Alex Padilla, Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, Sen, Ron Wyden Organizations: House, Republicans, GOP, Service, Privacy, White, Republican, Security, Labor, Health, Human Services, Education, Social Security, Big, Democratic, Social, Fox News, Senate Finance, AP News Locations: Wall, Silicon, California

☆ Biden throws his support behind Hollywood actors' strike
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

230712Count President Joe Biden among the supporters of the actors strike in Hollywood. "The President believes all workers — including actors — deserve fair pay and benefits," White House spokesperson said Robyn Patterson in a statement Friday. "The President supports workers' right to strike and hopes the parties can reach a mutually beneficial agreement." Biden, a proponent of organized labor, previously backed striking members of the Writers Guild of America in May, when Hollywood's scribes started picketing. Disney CEO Bob Iger told CNBC this week that he believes the writers and actors' expectations are "just not realistic."

Persons: Joe Biden, —, Robyn Patterson, Biden, They're, Bob Iger, Sen, Alex Padilla, Barbara Lee, Adam Schiff Organizations: NATO, Vilnius University, Writers Guild of America, Ford, General Motors, Screen, American Federation of Television, Radio Artists, Alliance, Television Producers, Hollywood, CNBC, Democratic, U.S, Reps, SAG Locations: Vilnius, Lithuania, Hollywood, California, Democratic California

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