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☆ Johnson’s speakership hangs in the balance as ouster threat looms
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Clare Foran | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —House Speaker Mike Johnson pushed to pass a major foreign aid package over the objections of hardline conservatives. Looming over Johnson as lawmakers come back to Washington is the question of whether he will face a vote over his ouster. A number of conservatives, however, opposed the legislation — and sending further aid to Ukraine in particular. So far, two other House Republicans have publicly backed the effort — Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Paul Gosar of Arizona. Over the recess, Johnson appeared to be trying to quell conservative opposition by highlighting his support for causes and positions that motivate the GOP base.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Johnson “, doesn’t, I’ve, ” Johnson, ” Greene, Kevin McCarthy, Marjorie Taylor Greene gaggles, Greene, Kent Nishimura, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Paul Gosar, Chip Roy, Texas, @SpeakerJohnson, ” CNN’s Kit Maher, Lauren Fox Organizations: CNN —, Louisiana Republican, Republicans, GOP, ” Republican, CNN, Getty, Columbia University Locations: Louisiana, Ukraine, Israel, Washington, Georgia, Washington ,, Taiwan, Paul Gosar of Arizona, Johnson, Columbia

☆ Justice Department rebuffs Republican requests for audio of Biden interview with special counsel
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The Department of Justice doubled down on its decision to not release the audio files of President Joe Biden’s interview with special counsel Robert Hur to House Republicans, stating that Republicans have not established a legitimate legislative purpose for demanding these recordings, in a new letter obtained by CNN. The DOJ’s refusal to turn over the audio comes as Republicans find their impeachment inquiry into the president stalled now that the prospects of the investigation ending in impeachment are increasingly unlikely. Without the votes in their narrow majority or evidence of an impeachable offense, Republicans are now struggling with how to end their probe. Uriarte pointed to the possibility that audio files can be manipulated through “cutting, erasing, and splicing” in a way that increases the privacy concerns of the witness. Uriarte therefore accused Republicans of going after these audio files for the wrong reasons.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Robert Hur, Carlos Uriarte, James Comer, Jim Jordan, General Merrick Garland, Hur, Mark Zwonitzer, Uriarte, Biden, ” Uriarte, spokespeople, Comer, Jordan, “, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Zwonitzer, ” Organizations: CNN, Department, Justice, House Republicans, Republicans, DOJ, Ukrainian, Fox News, “

☆ Millennials are a lot better off financially than you may realize
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

In today's big story, we're looking at how millennials have seen their wealth explode over the past few years. Millennials, the oft-maligned generation , are a lot better off financially than you might realize. A new report found millennials saw their wealth double from the end of 2019 through 2023, writes BI's Juliana Kaplan. Whatever the case, millennials' wealth can keep growing. The Department of Justice is investigating the consultancy for its past work advising opioid companies about how to boost their sales , The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

Persons: —, Iurii Garmash, Tyler Le, millennials, BI's Juliana Kaplan, Harry Potter fanfiction didn't, Millennials, Gen Xers, eyeing, Juliana Kaplan, Gen, Chelsea Jia Feng, Jamie Dimon, Devin Nunes, Mark Zuckerberg, they've, There's, Nathan Congleton, Blackstone, Donald Trump's, Dan DeFrancesco, Jordan Parker Erb, Hallam Bullock, George Glover Organizations: Service, Business, Studio, Getty, millennials, Slaven, The New York Times, Nvidia, Trump Media, House Republicans, Meta, Green, Getty Images Google, Apollo, KKR, Justice, Street, Wednesday, McKinsey, NFL, US Locations: That's, Chelsea, premarket, NBCU, New York, London

☆ These 18 senators voted against Ukraine and Israel aid
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The Senate passed a bill to provide aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan — and force a sale of TikTok. Republicans opposed the Ukraine aid, while some Democrats took issue with Israel aid. Republicans generally voted against the package because of their long-standing opposition to Ukraine aid, while Democrats opposed the bill over the lack of conditions on Israel aid. AdvertisementThat included a vote on a nearly $61 billion Ukraine aid bill, a more than $26 billion Israel aid bill, Taiwan aid, and a bill that combined an amended version of a previously approved TikTok bill that was combined with a bill allowing the US to seize Russian assets to pay for Ukraine aid. Related stories37 House Democrats voted against Israel aid, while 112 House Republicans voted against Ukraine aid.

Persons: —, Joe Biden's, Mike Johnson, Donald Trump, Sen, Lindsey Graham of, Bernie Sanders, Vermont Jeff Merkley, Oregon Peter Welch of Organizations: Service, Republicans, Ukraine, Democratic, Republican Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Vermont, Oregon, Oregon Peter Welch of Vermont

☆ Biden signs foreign aid bill providing crucial military assistance to Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Michael Williams | Arlette Saenz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Washington CNN —President Joe Biden on Wednesday signed into law an aid package providing crucial military assistance to Ukraine, capping months of negotiations and debate. The aid package, passed by the Senate late Tuesday evening and worth $95 billion in total, includes nearly $61 billion in aid to Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel and $8 billion for the Indo-Pacific. Hardline House conservatives opposed further US funding to Kyiv and threatened to oust Johnson over his handling of the negotiations. Conservatives in Congress have opposed additional assistance for what they view as an unwinnable war. Earlier this year, Biden signaled his intentions to make significant immigration-related concessions if Congress were to move forward with the aid bill.

Persons: Joe Biden, Volodymyr Zelensky, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Biden, Bill Burns, Donald Trump, Trump, Sen, Bernie Sanders, ” Sanders, Benjamin ] Organizations: Washington CNN, Senate, House Republican, Conservatives, Congress, CIA, Ukraine, Republicans Locations: Ukraine, Israel, United States, Kyiv, Europe, Russia, Gaza

☆ House Speaker Mike Johnson calls for Columbia president's ousting, echoing a familiar and effective threat
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Grace Eliza Goodwin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

House Speaker Mike Johnson wants Columbia University's President out. Johnson and other House Republicans have criticized her handling of campus protests and antisemitism. AdvertisementHouse Speaker Mike Johnson wants Columbia University's president to resign, calling her "inept" and "weak." "This president, Shafik, is shown to be a very weak, inept leader. They cannot even guarantee the safety of Jewish students?

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, —, Israel's, UPenn, Claudine Gay, UPenn's Elizabeth Magill, Sally Kornbluth, Hugh Hewitt, it's, They're, Shafik, Harvard's Claudine Gay, they've, shouldn't, Anthony D'Esposito, Yuda Drizin Organizations: Columbia, Republicans, Service, Harvard, MIT, NYPD, Palestinian, NY Republican, The Washington, Columbia Jewish, Washington Post Locations: Israel, Gaza, America, Columbia

☆ Inside the White House’s monthslong push for Ukraine aid
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Arlette Saenz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Sullivan followed up four days later with a call to Johnson to highlight the measures in place to track aid in Ukraine. They spoke often with Johnson’s staff, including meetings at the White House and on Capitol Hill. Meanwhile, White House chief of staff Jeff Zients, Ricchetti and Goff spoke with Schumer and Jeffries and their staff almost daily to strategize on how to push Ukraine aid forward. Biden and Johnson spoke by phone the next day as the speaker briefed him on his plan to move the aid package forward. “We discussed the contents of the next US military aid package,” Zelensky said.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Joe Biden, Johnson –, speakership, Biden, Johnson, Vladimir Putin, Jake Sullivan, Shalanda Young, Sullivan, Taiwan –, Hamas, Putin, ” Biden, Hakeem Jeffries, Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, “, ”, Steve Ricchetti, Richetti, Shuwanza Goff, Ricchetti, Goff, Jeff Zients, Schumer, Jeffries, Young, McConnell, Michael McCaul, Intelligence Michael Turner, Bill Burns, Ukraine Bridget Brink, Chip Roy, Texas, Ralph Norman of, Biden’s, Anita Dunn, Jon, Lloyd Austin, Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky, National Intelligence Avril Haines, Donald Trump’s, Burns, ” Zelensky Organizations: Washington CNN, Ukraine, White House, GOP, Management, Senate, Biden, Russia, House Democratic, White, Capitol, House Foreign, Intelligence, CIA, Republican, The Defense Department, House Republicans, National Intelligence, Democratic, CNN Locations: Ukraine, Europe, Russia, Israel, Taiwan, Ricchetti, Ralph Norman of South Carolina, Washington ,, Johnson’s

☆ Aid to Ukraine Is on the Way. Here’s How It Might Help.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Lara Jakes | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Now that the Senate has approved a nearly $61 billion aid package to Ukraine, and with President Biden poised to sign it, desperately needed American weapons could be arriving on the battlefield within days. The weapons package — which has been delayed over political wrangling by House Republicans since last fall — is “a lifeline” for Kyiv’s military, said Yehor Cherniev, the deputy chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament’s national security committee. But it will not include everything that President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has asked for as his military struggles to hold firm after two years of war against invading Russian forces. Here is a look at what Ukraine says it needs, what it is expected to get in the American aid package and whether it will be enough to make an immediate difference.

Persons: Biden, Yehor Cherniev, Volodymyr Zelensky Organizations: House Republicans, Ukrainian Locations: Ukraine, Russian

☆ Live Updates: Biden Speaks About Aid Package for Ukraine and Israel
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Zolan Kanno-Youngs | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +7 min

Artillery ammunition has been in short supply for the Ukrainian military for more than a year. Now that the Senate has approved a nearly $61 billion aid package to Ukraine, and with President Biden poised to sign it, desperately needed American weapons could be arriving on the battlefield within days. The Senate has approved a nearly $61 billion aid package to Ukraine. The Pentagon has prepared what a U.S. official said on Tuesday was a $1 billion military aid package to be rushed to Ukraine once Mr. Biden signs the funding bill. Jens Stoltenberg, NATO’s secretary general, said on Tuesday that the American aid package would allow for “advanced air-defense systems” to Ukraine but did not specify which kind.

Persons: Biden, Yehor Cherniev, Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky, Mr, —, Doug Mills, ATACMS, Lynsey Addario, Jens Stoltenberg, Stoltenberg, Mark Warner, ” Mr, Brendan Hoffman, Oksana Markarova, Markarova, “, Ms Organizations: Artillery, House Republicans, Ukrainian, Tactical Missile Systems, New York Times Artillery, NATO, Pentagon, U.S, Reuters, Artillery Rocket Systems, The New York Times, Patriot, “, Air Force, Democrat, Senate Intelligence, NBC, ., The New York Times Weapons, Ukrainska Pravda Locations: Donetsk, Ukraine, Russian, Russia, United, Kherson, United States, Germany, ”, American, Virginia, Kyiv, Ukraine’s, Europe

Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, speaks during an impeachment inquiry hearing in Washington, Nov. 13, 2019. Trump Media CEO Devin Nunes on Tuesday urged House Republican committee leaders to investigate possible "unlawful manipulation" of the company's stock. Trump Media, which began trading on the Nasdaq on March 26 after completing a lengthy public merger, was far and away the most expensive U.S. stock to short as of early April. The letter comes as the stock price of Trump Media, which created the social media app Truth Social and is majority-owned by former President Donald Trump, continues to trend down in volatile trading sessions. The stock dropped nearly 5% early Wednesday but turned positive before noon, trading around $33 per share.

Persons: Devin Nunes, Nunes, Patrick McHenry, Jim Jordan, Jason Smith, James Comer, Donald Trump, DJT Organizations: House Intelligence, Trump Media, Republican, GOP, Nasdaq, Financial Locations: Washington, R, Ohio, Spokespeople

☆ How the House GOP’s Biden impeachment effort fell apart
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Annie Grayer | Melanie Zanona | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

“To me, success is impeachment from the House,” GOP Rep. Brian Mast said. Comer’s co-leads, House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan and House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith, are also fully behind the work. I don’t think that’s an impeachable offense,” GOP Rep. Jodey Arrington said. Even GOP Rep. Darrell Issa remarked after the first hour of questioning that Hunter Biden was prepared for the interview. There’s an election in seven months from now,” GOP Rep. Nick LaLota, who represents a New York district Biden won in 2020, told CNN.

Persons: James Comer, Joe Biden, –, Comer, Biden, “ Comer, Jesus, Alejandro Mayorkas, Comer –, “, Anna Paulina Luna –, Hunter Biden, it’s, ” Luna, ”, missteps, Brian Mast, Mike Johnson, Comer’s, Jim Jordan, Jason Smith, ” Johnson, Steve Scalise, Elise Stefanik, Kevin McCarthy, ” Bruce Dubinsky, McCarthy, Samuel Corum, Johnson, Jodey Arrington, Darrell Issa, …, Doug LaMalfa, Mayorkas, Tony Gonzales, Austin Scott, ” Comer, Donald Trump, Jordan, doesn’t, There’s, Nick LaLota, Jamie Raskin, Raskin Organizations: Washington CNN —, Republican, CNN, Kentucky Republican, Homeland, Biden, GOP, Republicans, Getty, White, Democratic, ”, Department of Justice Locations: Kentucky, ”, Washington , DC, –, Texas, New York

☆ Tommy Tuberville misses Ukraine aid vote after railing against it
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewAhead of a final Senate vote to send Ukraine aid to President Joe Biden's desk, Sen. Tommy Tuberville made one last stand against it. Paul has long been an opponent of Ukraine aid, while Scott said in a statement on Tuesday that he supports the bill. The more than $61 billion in Ukraine aid was wrapped up in a larger $95 billion package that included more than $14 billion for Israel, $9 billion in humanitarian aid, aid for Taiwan, and a bill to force a sale of TikTok. AdvertisementThe Alabama senator has long been an opponent of Ukraine aid. In May 2022, he was one of just 11 Republican senators to vote against a $40 billion aid package for the country.

Persons: —, Joe Biden's, Sen, Tommy Tuberville, Tuberville, It's, Sens, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Tim Scott of, Paul, Scott, Katie Britt, Tuberville's, Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump Organizations: Service, Alabama Republican, Republican, Business, Democratic Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Tim Scott of South Carolina, Tuberville's Alabama, Israel, Taiwan, Alabama, Soviet Union

☆ Trump Media has gotten Congress involved in its crusade against short sellers
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Yuheng Zhan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Trump Media CEO Devin Nunes wrote a letter to lawmakers asking them to look into "unlawful manipulation" of the firm's stock. Citadel Securities last week called Nunes a "loser" for blaming shorts for the stock's decline. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementTrump Media stock has been on a roller coaster ride since its IPO at the end of last month, hitting $35.05 a share Wednesday, up almost 8% after a 54% drop from its peak.

Persons: Devin Nunes, Nunes, there's, —, Donald Trump Organizations: Trump Media, Citadel Securities, Service, Social, —, Securities, VIRTU, Jane, Capital, Nasdaq, Trump Locations: VIRTU Americas

Dr. Shafik herself was preparing to confer with the university senate, which could censure her as soon as Friday. On Monday, police were called in to make dozens of arrests at Yale and New York University. Mr. Johnson’s visit to campus will not include a meeting with Dr. Shafik. The university senate could vote on a resolution to censure Dr. Shafik as soon as Friday — not long after the 48-hour negotiation period concludes. By calling in the police anyway, the resolution said, Dr. Shafik had endangered both the welfare and the futures of the arrested students.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Nemat Shafik, Shafik, Kathy Hochul, Emerson, Johnson’s, Columbia, —, “, ” Brendan O’Flaherty, Grayson, Kirk’s, Dr, O’Flaherty, Shafik’s, Liset Cruz, Eryn Davis, Annie Karni, Santul Nerkar, Katherine Rosman, Karla Marie Sanford, Ed Shanahan Organizations: Columbia University, New York Police Department, National Guard, Gov, Guard, Yale, New York University, Tufts, University of California, Hamas, New York City Police, Johnson’s, Republicans Locations: York, Gaza, Berkeley, Israel, ”, Washington, Columbia, New

☆ Congress just passed a potential TikTok ban. Here’s what happens next
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Washington CNN —Congress finalized legislation on Tuesday that could lead to a nationwide TikTok ban, escalating a massive threat to the company’s US operations. What does the TikTok legislation do? The earlier TikTok bill had been passed by the House, but it stalled in the Senate. In a procedural move, House Republicans this month attached the revised TikTok bill to the foreign aid package in hopes of forcing the Senate to vote on the TikTok legislation. Bundling the bill with the foreign aid — a top US priority — fast-tracked the TikTok bill and made it more likely to pass.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Biden, there’s, Will Biden, Jennifer Gay, Mariam Zuhaib, —, TikTok, Shou Chew, ”, Nadine Farid Johnson, ByteDance Organizations: Washington CNN —, Republicans, Senate, White, U.S . Capitol, U.S, TikTok, Columbia University, “ Locations: Israel, Ukraine, United States, Washington, China

☆ Senate advances long-awaited aid for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan, and TikTok bill
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Senators passed a crucial procedural vote with wide bipartisan support, signaling that the foreign aid package has the strength to pass a final vote. The funding includes roughly $60 billion for Ukraine aid, $26 billion for Israel and $8 billion for Taiwan and Indo-Pacific security. Spending-wise, the legislation is similar to the $95 billion foreign aid bill passed by the Senate in February, which has been effectively shelved in the House in the weeks since. TikTok has pushed back on this proposal since the House passed it over the weekend. Those political threats, along with an increasingly razor-thin House Republican majority led Johnson to effectively table the Senate's $95 billion foreign aid bill for weeks.

Persons: Charles Schumer, Chuck Schumer, Joe Biden, TikTok, Biden, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Iran's, Donald Trump's, Trump, John Fredericks Organizations: U.S, Capitol, Senate, NBC News, House Republicans, Rep, Republican Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan

☆ Opinion: Shaking off the Trump effect
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Richard Galant | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +19 min

We’re looking back at the strongest, smartest opinion takes of the week from CNN and other outlets. CNN —“We are most deeply asleep at the switch,” wrote Annie Dillard, “when we fancy we control any switches at all. When the Senate voted to send new aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan two months ago, House Speaker Mike Johnson took no action. With the help of Democrats, the House approved aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan on Saturday. Writing for CNN Opinion, he emphasized that there are legal principles that require universities to prohibit expressions of antisemitism.

Persons: CNN —, ”, Annie Dillard, “, time’s, —, Mike Johnson, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Trump, Biden, Sleepy Joe ”, Israel, Johnson, MAGA, Julian Zelizer, Walt Handelsman, Marjorie Taylor Greene’s, Kevin McCarthy’s, Clay Jones, Fareed Zakaria, Alejandro Mayorkas, “ Biden, ” Zakaria, Bill Clinton, ” Trump, Jack Ohman, Agency Donald Trump’s, dozed, Elliot Williams, Patrick T, Brown, …, ‘, ’, Attorney Alvin Bragg, ” Will, Jeffrey Abramson, ” “, Norm Eisen, Stormy Daniels, ” Eisen, Michael Cohen, Elie Honig, Frida Ghitis, Benjamin Netanyahu, ” Lisa Benson, GoComics.com Peter Bergen, Daniel R, DePetris, Dean Obeidallah, Susanne DeWitt, ” David Schizer, ” Schizer, Danielle Campoamor, Caitlin Clark, Simone Biles, Campoamor, Latika Bourke, John Howard, Justin J, Pearson, Winston Churchill, Holly Thomas, Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak’s, It’s, ” Thomas, YouGov, ” Don’t, Drew Sheneman, Agency David M, Perry, Frankie de la, Angel Reese, Roy Schwartz, Joni Mitchell —, Raul A, Reyes, Sonia Sotomayor, Jules Boykoff, Jaime M, Valiathan, Ed Manning, Sara Stewart, Noah Berlatsky, Taylor Swift Amy Bass, Taylor Swift, Swift, Department ”, ” Bass, “ Swift, Joe, Alwyn, Diana, they’re, Clara Bow, Dylan Thomas, Patti Smith — Organizations: CNN, Republicans, MAGA Republicans, Agency, Congress, Biden, Homeland, National Guard, ‘, Manhattan, Attorney, New York Democrats, Twitter, Facebook, New York Times, Trump, Berkeley, Nazism, Columbia, Nike, Team USA, Sydney, Port, Conservative, Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force, Central Press, Hulton, National Health Service, WNBA, Ungentlemanly, Department Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, Manhattan, Iran, Russia, China, ‘, New, CNN Iran, “ Israel, Gaza, Israeli, Damascus, Iraq, America, Dearborn, Nazi Germany, Berkeley , California, Berkeley, East Bay, Sydney, Port Arthur, Tennessee, Surrey, Croydon, Quebec, Britain, Vancouver, London, Welsh

☆ McCaul commends Speaker Johnson’s transformation following foreign aid vote
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Avery Lotz | Michelle Shen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul applauded House Speaker Mike Johnson Sunday for bringing foreign aid legislation to his chamber’s floor, characterizing the move as “a profile in courage.”“I am so proud of the speaker, Mike Johnson,” the Texas Republican, who has been a staunch supporter of passing additional foreign aid, said on ABC’s “This Week.” “He went through a transformation. At the end of the day, a profile in courage is putting the nation above yourself, and that’s what he did. Asked if he believes Johnson’s job is in jeopardy following the successful vote, McCaul argued “stock in Mike Johnson has gone way up” and that the speaker has “garnered a lot of respect” from both sides of the aisle. But Trump has not commented publicly about the package the House passed on Saturday and has previously expressed support for Johnson’s speakership. “What (Trump) wants is for a lifeline to be given to Ukraine,” McCaul contended, “so that when he gets into office … he can then negotiate and save it.”

Persons: Michael McCaul, Mike Johnson, ”, ‘, ’, Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, —, ” McCaul, “, McCaul, Donald Trump, Trump Organizations: CNN — House Foreign, Texas Republican, Senate, Republicans, firebrand Rep, House, Louisiana Republican, CNN, House Republicans, Russia, NATO, Johnson’s Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Louisiana, United States

☆ Necessity Gives Rise to Bipartisanship — for Now
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Carl Hulse | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

When Congress convened in 2023, an empowered far-right Republican faction in the House threatened to upend Washington and President Biden’s agenda. But the intransigence of that bloc instead forced Republicans and Democrats into an ad hoc coalition government that is now on the verge of delivering long-delayed foreign military aid and a victory to the Democratic president. The House approval on Saturday of money for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan over angry objections from the extreme right was the latest and perhaps most striking example of a bipartisan approach forged out of necessity. The coalition first sprang up last year to spare the government a catastrophic debt default, and has reassembled at key moments since then to keep federal agencies funded. Unable to deliver legislation on their own because of a razor-thin majority and the refusal of those on the right to give ground, House Republicans had no choice but to break with their fringe members and join with Democrats if they wanted to accomplish much of anything, including bolstering Ukraine in its war against Russia.

Persons: Biden’s Organizations: Republican, Democrats, Democratic, Republicans Locations: Washington, Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, Russia

How the House Voted on Foreign Aid to Ukraine, Israel and TaiwanVotes on the Foreign Aid Bills Source: Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of RepresentativesThe House passed a long-stalled foreign aid package on Saturday that gives funding to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, with a majority of lawmakers backing money for American allies across the globe. A majority of Republicans voted against Ukraine aid on Saturday, in a reflection of the stiff resistance within the G.O.P. to continuing to aid Ukraine against President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia’s invasion. While all Democrats voted in favor of aid to Ukraine and all but Ms. Tlaib supported funding to Taiwan, 37 left-leaning Democrats defected to vote against the Israel aid bill. The opposition to the Israel aid represented a minority of Democrats, but reflected the deep resistance to unconditional aid and the divisions in the party on Gaza.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Kevin McCarthy’s, Mr, McCarthy, Vladimir V, Putin, Elise Stefanik, Rashida Tlaib, Bob Good, Good, “, Tlaib, Jamie Raskin, Donald S, Beyer Jr, Earl Blumenauer of, John Garamendi of Organizations: Foreign Aid, Foreign, House, Senate, House Progressive Caucus, Fund, Caucus, Republican, Republicans, ”, Maryland, Democrats Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, New York, Michigan, Virginia, Gaza, Earl Blumenauer of Oregon, John Garamendi of California, United States

☆ House passes Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan aid, potential TikTok ban
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., conducts a news conference in the U.S. Capitol after the House passed the foreign aid package rule on Friday, April 19, 2024. The bills earmark over $60 billion for Ukraine aid, more than $26 billion for Israel and over $8 billion for Taiwan and Indo-Pacific security. The House's approval is a critical next step for foreign aid, which has been in limbo since President Biden first proposed it in October. Despite that looming political backlash, Speaker Johnson was persuaded to revisit the foreign aid package after Iran's attempted strike on Israel last weekend. In response, Johnson put the foreign aid package at the top of the House's agenda.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Joe Biden, Johnson, Leader Jeffries, Biden, Chuck Schumer, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, China's, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Greene, Iran's, Johnson's, Steve Scalise Organizations: U.S, Capitol, United States House, Representatives, Democrats, Republicans, Rep, NBC News Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan

☆ Ukraine Aid Divides Republicans, After Trump Tones Down His Resistance
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Jonathan Weisman | Michael Gold | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The House vote on Saturday to provide $61 billion in American aid to Ukraine was the clearest sign yet that at least on foreign policy, the Republican Party is not fully aligned with former President Donald J. Trump and his “America First” movement. But more Republicans voted against the aid than for it, showing just how much Mr. Trump’s broad isolationism — and his movement’s antipathy to Ukraine — has divided the G.O.P. Mr. Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for the third time, had actually soft-pedaled his opposition to Ukraine aid in recent days as the dam began to break on the House Republican blockade. He stood by Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, who assembled the complicated aid packages for Ukraine, Israel and America’s Asian allies, and against threatened efforts to bring down Mr. Johnson’s speakership and plunge the House back into chaos. And he stayed quiet on Saturday, declining to pressure Republicans to vote no.

Persons: Donald J, Trump, Ukraine —, Mike Johnson of, Johnson’s Organizations: Republican Party, Republican, House Republican Locations: Ukraine, Mike Johnson of Louisiana, Israel

☆ What to know about the TikTok ban bill the House passed
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —House lawmakers have once again passed legislation that could lead to a nationwide TikTok ban, renewing a massive threat to the company’s US operations. In March, House lawmakers approved a bill that would give TikTok roughly six months to sell. Another factor that’s shaking things up is how House Republicans inserted the TikTok bill into a much larger foreign aid package. Biden endorsed the prior version of the TikTok bill, which suggests he may quickly sign any foreign aid package that includes similar language targeting TikTok. In addition to complying with the legislation, TikTok could challenge it in court and has made no secret that it might do so.

Persons: TikTok, Joe Biden, there’s, who’ve, Washington Democratic Sen, Maria Cantwell, Paul Gallant, Cowen, Gallant, Joe Biden’s, Biden, —, Shou Chew, ”, Nadine Farid Johnson, ByteDance Organizations: CNN —, White, Washington Democratic, Republicans, House, Senate, Inc, Columbia University, “, TikTok Locations: United States, Ukraine, Israel, China

☆ Senate passes reauthorization of a key U.S. surveillance program after midnight deadline
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

After its midnight deadline, the Senate voted early Saturday to reauthorize a key U.S. surveillance law after divisions over whether the FBI should be restricted from using the program to search for Americans' data nearly forced the statute to lapse. The legislation approved 60-34 with bipartisan support would extend for two years the program known as Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. "If you miss a key piece of intelligence, you may miss some event overseas or put troops in harm's way," Sen. Marco Rubio, the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said. One of the major changes detractors had proposed centered around restricting the FBI's access to information about Americans through the program. "I think that is a risk that we cannot afford to take with the vast array of challenges our nation faces around the world," Democratic Sen. Mark Warner, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Friday.

Persons: Chuck Schumer, Alejandro Mayorkas, Joe Biden's, Jake Sullivan, Biden, Ayman al, Sen, Marco Rubio, shouldn't, General Merrick Garland, Garland, Schumer, Dick Durbin, Durbin, Democratic Sen, Mark Warner Organizations: Homeland, U.S, Capitol, Foreign Intelligence, White House, FISA, Republican, Senate Intelligence, Justice Department, United, Justice, Biden, U.S . Capitol, Democratic Locations: Washington , U.S, U.S, harm's, United States

☆ Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene blasts Speaker Mike Johnson, says will wait on potential move to vacate
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Jake Piazza | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., leaves the U.S. Capitol after filing a motion to vacate Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., from his post on Friday, March 22, 2024. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene says she will let her fellow House Republicans hear from their constituents before deciding whether to move forward with a vote to remove Speaker Mike Johnson. "I do not support Mike Johnson, he's already a lame duck," Greene told reporters. Greene filed a motion for a vote to force Johnson to vacate the Speaker position in March, but no further action has been taken since then. Speaker Johnson, who spoke to reporters after the votes as well, voiced a similar sentiment.

Persons: Marjorie Taylor Greene, Mike Johnson, Greene, China's ByteDance, Johnson, he's, Chuck Schumer, Joe Biden, — CNBC's Rebecca Picciotto Organizations: U.S, Capitol, CNN, Senate Locations: Taiwan, Ukraine, Israel

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