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☆ House impeaches Alejandro Mayorkas, first Cabinet secretary to be impeached in almost 150 years
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Annie Grayer | Clare Foran | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The House of Representatives, by an extremely narrow margin, voted Tuesday to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, the first Cabinet secretary to be impeached in almost 150 years. The Department of Homeland Security said that House Republicans “will be remembered by history for trampling on the Constitution” following the vote to impeach. “Secretary Mayorkas and the Department of Homeland Security will continue working every day to keep Americans safe,” the statement said. Ken Buck, Tom McClintock, and Mike Gallagher are three House Republicans who voted against impeaching Mayorkas. Mayorkas has sent a letter to House Republicans to defend his record in public service in advance of the vote.

Persons: Alejandro Mayorkas, Mayorkas, Joe Biden, William Belknap, Republicans – Ken Buck, Republicans – Ken Buck of Colorado, Mike Gallagher of, Tom McClintock, California –, Republicans “, Mia Ehrenberg, Steve Scalise, Texas Democrat Al Green, Ken Buck, Mike Gallagher, impeaching Mayorkas, “, Troy Nehls, we’re, ”, Lance Gooden, Patrick McHenry of, Kevin McCarthy, Mike Johnson, “ He’s, Ian Sams, Chuck Schumer’s, Pro Tempore Patty Murray, ” Schumer, Johnson, Donald Trump, ” Mayorkas, CNN’s Morgan Rimmer, Manu Raju Organizations: Homeland, Republicans, Biden, Department of Homeland Security, “, Texas Democrat, AP, Getty, GOP, CNN, Texas, Democratic, Pro Tempore, House Republicans, ”, Communist, Democrats, Homeland Security, Republican, Border Patrol Locations: Republicans – Ken Buck of, Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, California, Israel, Texas, “, Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, Cuba

“I was embarrassed for our conference, for our party, because we can do better than we did last night,” said GOP Rep. Lance Gooden of Texas. It was a huge mistake,” said GOP Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, an ally to former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. And the stunning defeat, which prompted a chaotic scene on the House floor, completely overshadowed the Democratic opposition to the Israel bill. “The Democrats played hide and seek with us,” GOP Rep. Carlos Gimenez of Florida told CNN. We’ll put it back up.”For their part, Democrats took a victory lap in their maneuvering that led to a nail-biter vote and embarrassment for House Republicans.

Persons: Alejandro Mayorkas, Troy Nehls, “, we’re, ”, Lance Gooden, GOP Sen, Lisa Murkowski, I’ve, I’m, Nancy Pelosi, George Santos, Pelosi, Ralph Norman of, Patrick McHenry of, Kevin McCarthy, Mike Johnson, “ He’s, Jen Kiggans, Johnson, speakership, ” Johnson, Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell’s, James Lankford of, Kevin Dietsch, Mayorkas, Mike Gallagher of, impeaching Mayorkas, ” Gallagher, Hugh Hewitt, Dan Bishop of, Steve Womack, ” Womack, Mitch McConnell, Chip Somodevilla, they’re, ’, Steve Scalise, Tom Cole of, Al Green of, Carlos Gimenez, “ It’s, Scalise, We’ll, ” Pelosi, ” CNN’s Haley Talbot, Lauren Fox, Sam Fossum Organizations: Homeland, GOP, CNN, Texas, Republican, ”, Republicans, House Democrats, GOP Rep, Caucus, Congress, Navy, Capitol, Getty, Democratic, Democrat, Arkansas Republican, House Republicans Locations: “, Texas, Israel, Alaska, Ralph Norman of South Carolina, Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, Virginia, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Washington , DC, Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, Dan Bishop of North Carolina, Arkansas, ”, Washington ,, Tom Cole of Oklahoma, Al Green of Texas, Florida

☆ A new bill in Congress could wipe out the credit card rewards programs Americans rely on for their vacations, Southwest says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Southwest Airlines said a new bill in Congress could "completely end" loyalty rewards programs. It's taking aim at the Credit Card Competition Act, which seeks to lower credit card fees. "Our customers and employees use the Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card to earn points that can be redeemed for Southwest flights, car rentals, gift cards, and more." "This legislation is bad policy and would undermine, if not completely end, credit card rewards programs that millions of Americans rely on for their vacations or personal travel needs," Southwest added. The Credit Card Competition Act was originally introduced to the previous Congress in 2022, but never came to a vote.

Persons: Sen, Dick Durbin of, Durbin, Scott Kirby, Lance Gooden Organizations: Southwest Airlines, Credit, Airlines, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Visa, Mastercard, Rapid, Southwest, United Airlines, Democratic, Republican, GOP, Texas Locations: Airlines

☆ Major US airlines are on the warpath with Congress over a bill they say would gut flyer miles
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

They say it will cut revenues of major payment networks, making them pull out of rewards programs. AdvertisementAdvertisementUS airlines are attacking a new bill in Congress that seeks to lower credit card swipe fees, saying it would effectively end most flyer miles programs. AdvertisementAdvertisementIn a statement to Insider, Southwest Airlines said the bill is a "bad policy" that would "undermine, if not completely end, credit card rewards programs." Notably, losing credit card rewards programs could create troubles for airlines that go beyond irate customers missing their free miles. "Their banks and airlines still offer points and miles programs," Durbin told Insider in a statement.

Persons: Sen, Dick Durbin of, Durbin, Ed Bastian, Bloomberg, Scott Kirby, they're, it's, Lance Gooden Organizations: Visa, Mastercard, Morning, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Air, Airlines for, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, United, European Union, GOP, Democratic, Republican Locations: Airlines for America, European, Texas

☆ The 'Rodeo Capital of Texas' is stuck in a debate over more support for Ukraine and the future of the town's economy
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Cork Gaines | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Mesquite, Texas, is set to open a plant to help fill the shortage of Ukraine's most important ammo. However, Mesquite's congressional representative, Lance Gooden, is among GOP reps who want to end US support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. Insider reported Ukraine may be firing more than 5,500 artillery shells daily, creating a global shortage. "What we need most is artillery shells, which are in short supply," Biden told the media. "The first thing on the list was, everywhere, the ammunition," Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas told the media after a meeting with EU leaders and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Persons: Lance Gooden, Kevin McCarthy, Gooden, Alexander Helgar, Joe Biden, Biden, Kaja Kallas, Volodymyr Zelenskyy Organizations: GOP, US, Service, The New York Times, Dynamics, Times, Ukraine, Russia, Mesquite Chamber of Commerce, EU Locations: Mesquite , Texas, Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Dallas, Russia, Mesquite, of Texas, Estonian

☆ As Ukraine Aid Benefits Their Districts, Some House Republicans Oppose It
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Karoun Demirjian | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

By early next year, this city best known for being the rodeo capital of Texas is on track to become a centerpiece of the American effort to increase artillery production vital to the war in Ukraine. For a city in the midst of engineering an economic renaissance, the General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems factory is a major boon. None of that appears to have persuaded Representative Lance Gooden, the Republican whose district will house the new plant, to support continuing U.S. aid to Kyiv. Over the summer, he joined dozens of his G.O.P. House colleagues in calling for an end to American support for Ukraine’s fight, voting for measures to strip $300 million in security assistance for the war-torn country from next year’s defense budget and prohibit Congress from approving any more funds for the conflict.

Persons: Lance Gooden, Ukraine’s Organizations: General Dynamics Ordnance, Tactical Systems, Republican Locations: Texas, Ukraine, Mesquite, Kyiv

"There is no country, none, that presents a broader, more comprehensive threat to our ideas our innovation our economic security than the Chinese government and the Chinese Communist Party," Wray testified. Wray said that Americans "would be shocked to hear" that virtually all companies doing business in China are required to allow those cells. Wray did not name specific companies who have been required to house CCP cells in China. It's not the first time Wray has raised concerns about Beijing's alleged efforts to enforce communist political views within foreign companies operating in China. "And it doesn't just apply to Chinese companies; it applies to foreign companies if they get to a certain size in China, as well," Wray told CNBC.

Persons: Christopher Wray, SAUL LOEB, Wray, China's, Antony Blinken, Janet Yellen, Lance Gooden, I've, Gooden, It's, Biden, — CNBC's Christina Wilkie Organizations: Federal Bureau of Investigation, AFP, Getty Images, Chinese, Party, Committee, Chinese Communist Party, CCP, FBI, U.S . Chamber of Commerce, Business, Apple, Nike, Street, Fidelity, Financial Times, HSBC, CNBC, Republican Locations: Washington ,, China, Beijing, Washington, Texas, British, BlackRock

☆ Ron DeSantis' month from hell just got even worse thanks to Disney's legal team
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | Warren Rojas | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Already this month, DeSantis has seen more fellow Florida Republicans back Trump instead of him. April was supposed to be the crescendo for the Florida governor before his widely expected presidential announcement. Instead, DeSantis has been pummeled on all sides, including by many of his fellow Florida Republicans. "Floridians want him focused on Florida," Rep. Greg Steube, yet another Florida Republican who endorsed Trump, told Politico, "which is the job they elected him to do." Last month, DeSantis began to punch back at Trump in a feisty Piers Morgan interview where he stressed that he was a "winner."

“See, this is the great part,” Mr. McCarthy told reporters who questioned how — if he could barely get his colleagues to elect him — he would ever be able to govern his slim and unruly House Republican majority. Mr. McCarthy is set as early as Wednesday to bring to the floor his proposal to lift the debt ceiling for a year in exchange for spending cuts and policy changes. That includes soliciting “yes” votes from right-wing members who have never before voted to increase the debt ceiling and take pride in that fact. But after late-night wrangling on Tuesday, Mr. McCarthy appeared to have acquiesced at least in part, moving up the imposition of stricter requirements by a year, to 2024. “The last five votes, you’re standing there begging,” Mr. Gingrich said he has told Mr. McCarthy of his own experience with tough bills.

☆ DeSantis keeps losing home-state endorsements to Trump, and the Florida governor's recent visit to DC didn't produce any converts.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Warren Rojas | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Ron DeSantis bled support from the Florida congressional delegation this week. 3 more Florida GOP lawmakers are lining up behind Trump amid DeSantis' trip to DC. Ron DeSantis' personal appeal to congressional Republicans in DC on Tuesday night appears to have spectacularly backfired, as Florida lawmakers continue throwing their support behind Trump in the 2024 presidential race. And freshman Rep. Brian Mast told CNN that not only does he plan to endorse Trump, he'll also spearhead a "Veterans for Trump" group. Even if DeSantis had tried that, Crenshaw noted that he has no plans to endorse anyone in the GOP presidential primary, so that was off the table.

☆ Asian Americans are anxious about hate crimes. TikTok ban rhetoric isn’t helping
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-26 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +15 min

And the Chinese government’s authoritarian approach to numerous other issues clashes with important American values, said many Asian Americans interviewed for this article. Concerns about China have gone mainstream as US national security officials and lawmakers have publicly grappled with state-backed ransomware attacks and other hacking attempts. People rallied during a "Stop Asian Hate" march to protest against anti-Asian hate crimes on Foley Square in New York, on April 4, 2021. But to Chu, the incident was an example of the way politics surrounding China, technology and national security have fueled anti-Asian sentiment. “Asian American issues are American issues, and all Americans deserve to be treated with respect.

☆ Democratic Rep. Judy Chu, the first Chinese American woman elected to Congress, blasts a Texas GOP congressman after he questioned her loyalty to the US: 'It is racist'
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-25 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Judy Chu criticized Lance Gooden after he seemingly questioned her "loyalty" to the US on Fox News. "I think she has drug along the other Chinese American members to sign this letter. I very much doubt that he would be spreading these lies were I not of Chinese American descent." "Lance Gooden's slanderous accusation of disloyalty against Rep. Chu is dangerous, unconscionable and xenophobic," Jeffries said in a statement. Rep. Gooden accused Democrats of bringing up race after his criticism of Rep. Chu.

"Grateful for the long-overdue release of Brittney Griner today from Russian custody. "Thank you to every single person that kept Brittney Griner’s name alive #WEAREBG," tweeted one of her Phoenix Mercury teammates, Brianna Turner. The Biden administration wasn't able to secure Whelan's release because the Russian government is treating his case differently than Griner's, Biden said. “While we celebrate Brittney’s release, Paul Whelan and his family continue to suffer needlessly,” Blinken said. Share this -Link copiedWho is Viktor Bout, Russian arms dealer that the U.S. exchanged for Brittney Griner?

☆ Democratic Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas is the latest member of Congress to violate a federal conflict-of-interest law
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Dave Levinthal | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Rep. Lloyd Doggett, a Democrat from Texas, was days late disclosing four stock purchases. Congress is actively debating whether to ban lawmakers from trading individual stocks. I continue to hold the same seven individual stocks acquired long ago," Doggett said. A certified congressional disclosure from Rep. Lloyd Doggett, a Democrat from Texas, indicating he was days late reporting he purchased stock shares in four companies. "I am supportive of a ban on active trading of individual stocks," he said.

Lawmakers also asked the CEOs to condemn China's "human rights abuses," in a departure from previous hearings that tended to focus on domestic issues like housing and consumer protection. JPMorgan & Chase (JPM.N) CEO Jamie Dimon and Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser both concurred, saying their banks would follow government guidance if China were to invade Taiwan. When asked later by Republican Lance Gooden if she would condemn "ongoing human rights abuses in China," Fraser hesitated. JPMorgan's Dimon also warned the United States had to compete with global Chinese banks, which have grown in size over the last few years to become the biggest in the world. "I am going to do everything in my power to make sure we compete with the best Chinese banks in the world.

☆ Walmart and Target push to lower credit card fees
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | Cnn Business | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

A pair of bipartisan bills in Congress aim to lower the swipe fees, also known as interchange fees, that retailers pay every time a customer makes a purchase with their card. Visa V Mastercard MA anddominate more than 80% of the US credit card market. Proponents of these bills say they would generate more competition in the credit card network market and break Visa and Mastercard's hold over the industry. "Credit card swipe fees inflate the prices that consumers pay for groceries and gas," Durbin said in July. "Bringing real competition to credit card networks will help reduce swipe fees and hold down costs for Main Street merchants and their customers."

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