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☆ House Democrats keep options open as effort to oust Johnson grows
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Lauren Fox | Kristin Wilson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

He’d let Putin take all of Europe,” Florida Rep. Jared Moskowitz said on CNN after Massie announced Tuesday he’d join Greene in her effort to oust Johnson. “Let’s just hope that that does not happen, and that we can do our responsibilities, protect and defend our own democracy as we protect theirs,” former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. “If Speaker Johnson wants to talk to Hakeem Jeffries, I think we’d be open to something like that. If only a handful of Republicans vote to oust Johnson, only a handful of Democrats would be needed to step in and help him keep his job. And that is where Democrats would have to decide if they’d help Johnson.

Persons: Mike Johnson, institutionalists, Johnson, Hakeem Jeffries, Kevin McCarthy, Israel, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Thomas Massie, He’d, Putin, Jared Moskowitz, Massie, he’d, Greene, Tom Suozzi, Johnson –, “ Let’s, Nancy Pelosi, “, Johnson’s, Sara Jacobs, ”, Jeffries, hypotheticals, McCarthy, Matt Gaetz, –, Chuck Schumer, ’ –, Alejandro Mayorkas –, wouldn’t, Ann Kuster, Mike Gallagher, they’d, ‘, ’ Jeffries, Gerry Connolly, “ It’s, Rosa DeLauro, We’ve, can’t, “ We’ve, Jamie Raskin, Jim Himes, “ Gerry, ” Himes Organizations: CNN — House, Democratic, Union, ”, CNN, New York Democratic, Republicans, California Democratic, Florida Rep, White, Foreign Intelligence, of Homeland, GOP, ” New Hampshire Democratic, Republican Rep, Louisiana Republican, Republican, Maryland Democratic, House Intelligence Locations: Israel, Europe, ” Florida, California, Ukraine, Louisiana, Haiti, Sudan, Gaza, “, Connecticut

☆ The White House says it's tracking a new Russian space weapon that violates a nuclear arms treaty
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The White House has confirmed that Russia is building a new weapon to be put in space. The weapon is thought to be nuclear-related, with the White House saying it would violate the Outer Space Treaty. AdvertisementThe White House confirmed on Thursday that it is monitoring Russia's development of a new weapon to be stationed in space. But the spokesperson also said the weapon would violate the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, of which Russia is still a participant. The treaty specifically bans the stationing of weapons of mass destruction in space, including nuclear arms.

Persons: it's, —, It's, John Kirby, Kirby, we've, hasn't, Mike Turner, Hakeem Jeffries, Jake Sullivan, MANDEL NGAN, Jim Himes Organizations: Service, White House, The New York Times, CNN, Center for Strategic, International Studies, US, Intelligence, GOP House, intel, National Security, Getty, Democratic, House Intelligence Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Hill, Washington ,, AFP, Jim Himes of Connecticut

☆ US lawmakers were just briefed on intel that Russia is trying to put a nuclear weapon in space: reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

US lawmakers were given intel on a new nuclear space weapon Russia is building, multiple outlets reported. AdvertisementUS leaders in Congress were briefed on Wednesday about new intelligence that Moscow is making progress on a nuclear weapon in space that can attack satellites, multiple media outlets reported. In a regular press briefing on Wednesday, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan declined to share details about the "national security threat" but acknowledged that Biden officials are meeting to discuss it with lawmakers. It's not immediately clear if the Russian space weapon in question is nuclear-powered or uses nuclear arms. However, Moscow has been pulling out of other nuclear weapon treaties in recent years, raising fears that the world could enter another Cold War-like environment.

Persons: Mike Turner, —, Biden declassify, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Joe Biden, Jim Himes, Himes, Mike, Jake Sullivan, Turner, Sullivan, It's Organizations: intel, CNN, Service, ABC News, New York Times, ABC, Intelligence, Administration, Times, Capitol, Democratic, National, Biden, Center for Strategic & International Studies Locations: Russia, Capitol HIll, Moscow, Jim Himes of Connecticut, Ukraine

☆ House rejects Israel aid bill amid fight over bipartisan border package
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Summer Concepcion | Megan Lebowitz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The House failed to pass a standalone bill to provide aid to Israel amid congressional infighting over a bipartisan Senate border bill that also included foreign aid to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan. The Senate released the text of the bipartisan border bill Sunday, which combines Israel and Ukraine with a package of stricter border security and asylum laws. The standalone Israel bill includes $17.6 billion in military aid to the country "as well as important funding for U.S. The Israel aid bill comes as Republican hard-liners try to thwart the $118 billion bipartisan Senate border bill. House Democratic leadership came out against the stand-alone Israel bill Tuesday morning.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Amir Ohana, Jim Himes, Donald Trump, Ken Calvert, Johnson, Kay Granger, Joe Biden, Biden, — Johnson, Steve Scalise, Tom Emmer, Elise Stefanik, ", Hakeem Jeffries, Katherine Clark of, Pete Aguilar, MAGA, Israel Organizations: U.S, Capitol, Minnesota Democrat, Democratic, House Intelligence, Intelligence, Republicans, Saturday, Senate, U.S . Forces, Israel, United States, Management, Republican, GOP, House Republicans, Freedom Caucus, Caucus Locations: Washington , U.S, Jim Himes of Connecticut, Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan, R, Texas, United, Johnson's speakership, Louisiana, Minnesota, New York, United States, Katherine Clark of Massachusetts, Pete Aguilar of California, East

☆ Biden has to deal with a second war he didn’t want. His task is to contain it
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

— Hezbollah, a pro-Iranian group based in Lebanon, has been waging a low-grade war against Israel. — Iran has blamed Israel for an attack that killed a number of Revolutionary Guard officers in Damascus, Syria. Hawkish Republicans like South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham are demanding he attack Iran on Iranian soil. “The only answer to these attacks must be devastating military retaliation against Iran’s terrorist forces, both in Iran and across the Middle East. And on a purely strategic level, risking a major Middle East war that could cause massive US casualties to avenge the deaths of three soldiers, as terrible as their deaths are, would not represent a sound equation.

Persons: they're, Joe Biden —, Jordan Sunday –, Biden, haven’t, —, Israel, it’s, Antony Blinken, ” Aaron David Miller, CNN’s Jim Acosta, “, ”, William Rivers, Kennedy Sanders, Breonna Moffett, South Carolina Sen, Lindsey Graham, Nikki Haley, Biden’s, Donald Trump, Jim Himes, what’s, CNN’s Oren Liebermann, Natasha Bertrand, Katie Bo Lillis, Blinken, CNN’s Alex Marquardt, Joe Biden, Arkansas Sen, Tom Cotton, Haley, Qasem Soleimani, Trump, John Kirby, It’s Biden Organizations: Republicans, White House CNN, Jordan Sunday, Hezbollah, Israel, Israel Defense Forces, Britain, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Revolutionary Guard, ”, GOP, Rep, Intelligence, Islamic, United Nations, –, Iran Locations: Washington, Tehran, Iran, Israel, Gaza, Jordan, United States, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, —, Syria, Baghdad, Beirut, Lebanon –, Damascus, East, South Carolina, Connecticut, Hamas, Qatar, Egypt, Islamic Republic, Arkansas, There’s

But the deal is already wobbling, as House Speaker Mike Johnson faces intense pressure from Trump and his House allies to demand more sweeping concessions from Democrats and the White House. “I do not think we should do a Border Deal, at all, unless we get EVERYTHING needed to shut down the INVASION of Millions & Millions of people,” Trump posted on social media this week. During Iowa's Republican caucuses last week, which Trump won, immigration was a top issue. They argue that the changes would actually pave the way for Trump to implement his border agenda if he wins the election. Even beyond Trump, Johnson is dealing with far-right House members who are furious over his willingness to work with Democrats to pass legislation.

Persons: Donald Trump, Mike Johnson, “, ” Trump, It's, Trump, Joe Biden, ”, Greg Abbott’s, “ It’s, Sen, Michael Bennet, “ I’m, ” Bennet, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, we’ve, Joaquin Castro, Mitch McConnell, He's, Biden's, Oklahoma Sen, James Lankford, Lankford, Johnson, “ We’re, ” Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Greene, Biden, I’ve, Republican that’s, Jim Himes, Conn, We've, ” Himes, Lisa Mascaro Organizations: WASHINGTON, Trump, White, Republicans, Democratic, Russia, Republican, AP, Texas Gov, Colorado Democrat, Denver Mayor, Texas Democrat, U.S, Oklahoma, Republican Party, Associated Locations: Ukraine, U.S, Mexico, Colorado, United States, Texas, Israel, Trump, Iowa

Among the evidence that’s been gathered is a blast analysis that suggests it was a ground explosion rather than an airstrike that hit the hospital, one of the sources said. That analysis is one datapoint that’s led intelligence officials to lean toward assessing that the attack on the hospital was a rocket launch gone wrong. Still, the blast analysis is just one of the things being examined by the intelligence community, which has surged intelligence collection assets to the region. US intelligence officials have not made a final assessment and are still gathering evidence, the officials said. Not long after landing in Israel on Wednesday, Biden weighed in on who was behind the strike on the hospital.

Persons: Israel “, Joe Biden’s, Adrienne Watson, ” Watson, that’s, Biden, ” Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, ”, Israel, Daniel Hagari, “ I’m, Jim Himes, Mick Mulroy, Mulroy, Mark Hertling, ” Hertling, it’s “, ” “, “, We’re, ’, Rishi Sunak, ” Sunak, It’s Organizations: CNN, National Security Council, Palestinian, NSC, Islamic, Wednesday, Israeli, Defense Department, ”, Israel Defense Forces, House Intelligence, Capitol, Defense, CIA, intel, Hamas Locations: Gaza, Israel, States, Jim Himes of Connecticut, Al, Ahli, Iran

☆ Congress hands the crypto industry two wins and a loss before August recess
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Chelsey Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The House Financial Services Committee advanced a measure Thursday to establish a clear regulatory framework for the issuance of payment stablecoins. The bills' approvals, after a roughly 14-month debate between committee Republicans and Democrats, can be viewed as wins for the crypto industry, whose reputation on Capitol Hill was battered by the failure of crypto giant FTX last fall. Late Thursday night, the Senate passed a massive defense funding bill that included several measures from different bills the digital-assets industry has opposed. Warren also highlighted the National Defense Authorization Act rider this week by reintroducing her bill, the Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering Act. The House crypto bills would likely garner enough support to pass in the Republican-controlled House, but struggle to gain traction in the Democratic-controlled Senate

Persons: Elizabeth Warren, Patrick McHenry, Jim Himes, Josh Gottheimer, Crypto, Sen, Warren, Democratic Sen, Joe Manchin, Roger Marshall of, Lindsey Graham of Organizations: Banking, Housing, Urban Affairs Committee, WASHINGTON — Lawmakers, Capitol, Financial Services Committee, Financial Services, Connecticut, Republicans, Democrats, Treasury Department, Treasury, Defense, Money, Democratic, Senate, Republican Locations: Massachusetts, Washington , DC, R, New Jersey, crypto's, Roger Marshall of Kansas, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina

The crypto industry has been in the regulatory crosshairs since investors were burned last year by sudden collapses of Celsius Network, Voyager Digital, FTX and other companies. A handful of Democrats, including Reps. Jim Himes and Ritchie Torres, joined committee Republicans in voting for the bill. The bill has galvanized many in the crypto industry, who say that with Democrats' support, the bill could have a shot in the Senate. But some Democrats, including Representative Maxine Waters, the top Democrat on the Financial Services committee, fiercely oppose the bill. "This bill heeds the calls from the crypto industry while disregarding the views of the administration, the Securities and Exchange Commission and consumer and investor advocates," she said.

Persons: Jim Himes, Ritchie Torres, Patrick McHenry, we've, Kristin Smith, Miller Whitehouse, Levine, Maxine Waters, Waters, Sherrod Brown, Hannah Lang, Matthew Lewis, Mark Porter, Diane Craft Organizations: Capitol, Voyager, House Financial, Trading, Securities, Exchange, Republicans, Agriculture, Financial Services, Blockchain Association, DeFi, Securities and Exchange Commission, Democratic, Banking, SEC, Politico, Thomson Locations: Singapore, Australia, United States, McHenry, Washington

But Representative Patrick McHenry, the chair of the committee, said on Thursday at the outset of a hearing that he had not reached a deal with Representative Maxine Waters, the committee's top Democrat. "We had high hopes 48 hours ago that we were going to come to a conclusion and then the White House reviewed where we were and disagreed," said McHenry. The stalemate comes just a day after the committee advanced a bipartisan bill that aims to develop a regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies and clarify when a token is a security or a commodity. A handful of House Democrats, including Jim Himes and Ritchie Torres, joined committee Republicans in voting for that bill, which is also being considered by the House Agriculture Committee on Thursday. Reporting by Hannah Lang in Washington; Editing by Bill BerkrotOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Patrick McHenry, Maxine Waters, McHenry, Jim Himes, Ritchie Torres, Hannah Lang, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Republican, Democrat, U.S . House Financial, ., U.S . Federal, White House, Democrats, Republicans, House, Thomson Locations: Washington

☆ US intel report details increasing importance of Chinese technology to Russia’s war in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The report says Chinese firms are “probably” helping Moscow to evade these sanctions – though it is “difficult to ascertain the extent” of that help. Those supplies have been largely banned by the US and Europe in an attempt to cut off Russia’s war chest. “Russia’s war against Ukraine has been enabled in no small part by China’s willingness to support them, in direct and indirect ways. The US believes that at the outset of the war, China intended to sell Russia lethal weapons for use in Ukraine, a US official previously told CNN. China has claimed neutrality over the war in Ukraine and called for peace in the conflict.

Persons: Russia ”, China “, ”, Jim Himes, “, Biden, Vladimir Putin, Li Shangfu Organizations: Washington CNN, National Intelligence, Russian, ” Semiconductor, ” CNN, Congress, House Intelligence, ” Democratic, CNN, Chinese Defense Locations: China, Russia, Ukraine, People’s Republic of China, Moscow, Beijing, Washington ,, Europe, United States

WASHINGTON, May 28 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden said on Sunday he had finalized a budget agreement with U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to suspend the $31.4 trillion debt ceiling and that the deal was ready to move to Congress for a vote. "I strongly urge both chambers to pass that agreement," Biden said, adding that he expected McCarthy to have the necessary votes for the deal to pass. The deal has drawn fire from hardline Republicans and progressive Democrats, but Biden and McCarthy believe they have enough votes from moderates on both sides. [1/2] U.S. President Joe Biden speaks on his deal with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) to raise the United States' debt ceiling at the White House in Washington, U.S., May 28, 2023. But McCarthy dismissed threats of opposition within his own party, saying "over 95%" of House Republicans were "overwhelmingly excited" about the deal.

Hours later, the Democratic president said he was confident the legislation would pass both chambers of Congress to avoid a U.S. government default. Biden and McCarthy were due to speak later on Sunday to finalize the agreement, which has drawn fire from hardline Republicans and progressive Democrats. House Republicans expected on Sunday to unveil legislation to pass the deal. But McCarthy dismissed threats of opposition within his own party, saying "over 95%" of House Republicans were "overwhelmingly excited" about the deal. The deal would also impose a 1% across-the-board spending cut should Congress fail to enact 12 appropriations bills by Oct. 1.

WASHINGTON, May 28 (Reuters) - Republican U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Sunday dismissed vehement opposition among party hardliners to a new agreement with President Joe Biden to suspend the $31.4 trillion debt ceiling, predicting that most House Republicans would support the deal. House Republicans expected to unveil legislation to pass the deal later on Sunday. But McCarthy dismissed threats of opposition within his own party, saying "over 95%" of House Republicans were "overwhelmingly excited" about the deal. "This is a good strong bill that a majority of Republicans will vote for," the California Republican told reporters in the U.S. Capitol. Progressive Democrats in both chambers have said they would not support any deal that has additional work requirements for food and healthcare programs.

☆ Rep. Himes on debt limit showdown: Our job is to negotiate
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailRep. Himes on debt limit showdown: Our job is to negotiateRep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the latest in debt ceiling negotiations and whether a bipartisan deal can be reached.

Qaem-5 precision-guided munition, documented by Conflict Armament Research in Ukraine. Shahed-131 UAV documented by Conflict Armament Research in Ukraine. Circuit boards of four different items of Russian military equipment found in Ukraine by Conflict Armament Research investigators. Electronic components documented by Conflict Armament Research investigators in Ukraine. Source: Conflict Armament Research

☆ Analysis: 21-year-old's arrest exposes larger classified documents problem
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

If the many earlier and ongoing scandals regarding classified information aren’t a wakeup call that the US government has a problem, maybe the arrest of Jack Teixeira will do the trick. Classified material scandals aplentyOne thing that should be abundantly clear from the string of leaks and improperly handled pieces of classified information beyond this story is that the system has problems. The New York Times reported Wednesday that witnesses questioned as part of the Trump investigation have been asked if he was showing off a map with sensitive intelligence information. There are additional people who have security clearance but don’t currently have access to information. Gen. Pat Ryder, compared the method by which classified information is stored to a locked house where people with clearance can get a key.

☆ SVB Congressional hearings: Rep. Jim Himes on what to expect
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailSVB Congressional hearings: Rep. Jim Himes on what to expectRep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) joins ‘The Exchange’ to discuss what to expect from Tuesday's congressional hearings on the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank.

Since the Senate on March 1 passed the bill - by unanimous consent - it now goes to the White House for Biden to sign into law or veto. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on his intentions. The debate was refueled last month, when the Wall Street Journal first reported that the U.S. Energy Department had concluded the pandemic likely arose from a Chinese laboratory leak, an assessment Beijing denies. Four other U.S. agencies still judge that COVID-19 was likely the result of natural transmission, while two are undecided. Representative Mike Turner, the Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said as he urged support for the measure.

☆ The top Democrat and Republican on the House Intel committee say the FBI hasn't been forthcoming about what's exactly in the classified docs seized from Biden, Pence, and Trump
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-05 | by ( Kenneth Niemeyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Top House Intel committee members told NBC News the FBI hasn't told them what's in seized documents. The DOJ has seized classified documents from Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and Mike Pence. "Administration after administration is apparently sloppy and messy" with such docs, Rep. Turner said. Ohio Republican Rep. Mike Turner said on NBC's "Meet the Press" that the "FBI is not being forthcoming. The FBI also searched one of Biden's old offices last year after aides said they found classified documents there.

☆ How many Chinese spy balloons did we miss and when did they start flying above the U.S.?
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-17 | by ( Dan De Luce | Ken Dilanian | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

There are currently five known Chinese balloon flights into U.S. territory, including two during the Biden administration and three during Donald Trump's presidency, according to the Biden administration's public statement. The congressman said he expected more Chinese balloon flights to be identified. Other countries are also examining whether Chinese balloon flights over their territory went undetected. British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said his government will review the country's security in light of the Chinese balloon flight over the U.S.Australia was not aware of any Chinese surveillance balloons flying over its territory, an Australian official said. It remains unclear if new information could indicate that those balloon sightings were in fact Chinese surveillance airships.

☆ As new high-altitude objects are shot down over North America, lawmakers say they need more information
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-12 | by ( Ashley Capoot | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

A jet flies by a suspected Chinese spy balloon as it floats off the coast in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, U.S. February 4, 2023. On Feb. 4, the U.S. military shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon that had been transiting across the country for several days. The White House announced a second object had been shot down on Friday that was flying over Alaska at about 40,000 feet. Gen. Pat Ryder said Canadian authorities are conducting recovery operations to help both countries learn more about the nature of the object downed in Canada. He said he suspects that since the objects were downed in remote areas, there is not a lot of information to share yet.

☆ Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) on crypto: Situations like FTX will keep happening until these entities are supervised
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailRep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) on crypto: Situations like FTX will keep happening until these entities are supervisedDemocratic Representative Jim Himes of Connecticut joins 'The Exchange' to discuss the latest news in the FTX bankruptcy case and the possible pathways for crypto regulation, as well as American investment in FAA system infrastructure.

☆ Washington turns up heat on crypto 'darling' Sam Bankman-Fried following FTX bankruptcy
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( Brian Schwartz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Sam Bankman-Fried, founder and chief executive officer of FTX Cryptocurrency Derivatives Exchange, during a Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022. As FTX teeters on the brink of collapse, former CEO Sam Bankman-Fried has fallen out of favor as the industry "darling" in Washington and drawn scrutiny from regulators and lawmakers in both parties. Bankman-Fried stepped down as CEO of the cryptocurrency exchange he founded, and FTX filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the company announced Friday. A spokesman for FTX and Sam Bankman-fried didn't return a request for comment. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Thursday the near collapse of FTX proves more regulation is needed.

☆ Democrats in Congress are supporting another huge defense budget while ignoring a threat they've warned about for decades
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-13 | by ( Yint Hmu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

In debates about defense spending and foreign policy, Democrats have failed to deliver on climate. The depth and scope of the IRA's approach to confronting climate change is unparalleled. Yet 180 House Democrats voted for the bill, which expanded our budget for conducting a polluting, militaristic foreign policy to nearly $850 billion. US foreign policy, militarism, and climate policy must go together. The national security community is acutely aware of the effects of climate change — they've been thinking, planning, and gaming out scenarios since the late 2000s.

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