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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate's border proposal was one of the toughest bipartisan bills to emerge on the issue in decades. Republicans have campaigned on border security for years, and public frustration is running high with the record number of illegal U.S. border crossings. Cruz’s likely Democratic opponent, Texas Rep. Collin Allred, said he’s already talking about the border deal on the campaign trail. Murphy agreed that Democrats should remain committed to broad immigration reforms, including pathways to citizenship for migrants who are already here. But he argued that may only be possible once Democrats first show voters they are serious about tough border enforcement.

Persons: —, Donald Trump, Chuck Schumer, “, Tom Suozzi, Schumer, New York “, Joe Biden, Biden, Sen, John Cornyn, Republicans aren’t, ”, Suzan, ” Schumer, Mike Johnson, ” Trump, He's, Republican Sen, James Lankford, Trump, Ted Cruz, Cruz, Mitch McConnell, Cruz’s, Collin Allred, he’s, ” Allred, doesn’t, Lois Clinco, “ I’m, Clinco, Connecticut Sen, Chris Murphy, Ro Khanna, ” Khanna, John F, Kennedy, Barack Obama, Todd Schulte, Murphy, Lisa Mascaro, Philip Marcelo Organizations: WASHINGTON, Republican, Republicans, Democratic, Texas Republican, Trump, Washington Democrat, Border Patrol, Democrats, Texas, Texans, New, New York City —, Rep, California Democrat, Associated Press Locations: New York, Texas, South Carolina, Long, Levittown, New York City, Connecticut, United States, California, America, Levittown , New York

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Former Illinois lawmaker and gubernatorial candidate William “Sam” McCann abruptly pleaded guilty on Thursday to nine felony counts of wire fraud, money laundering and tax evasion, halting his federal corruption trial over misusing up to $550,000 in campaign contributions. The seven counts of wire fraud and single count of money laundering each carry a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison. But a complex set of advisory guidelines before Lawless, who set sentencing for June 20, will likely yield a far shorter term. “Are you pleading guilty because you are in fact guilty?” Lawless asked. McCann's trial was repeatedly delayed.

Persons: William “ Sam ” McCann, McCann, Colleen Lawless, Jason Vincent, Lawless, ” Lawless, he’s, “, Timothy Bass, McCann's, “ God's, McCann didn't, Vincent, Instagram, Michael Madigan, ’ ” McCann, I’m, ’ Organizations: Ill, Former Illinois, U.S, Conservative Party of Illinois, International Union of Operating Engineers, FBI, IRS Locations: SPRINGFIELD, Springfield, ”, St, Louis

☆ House Republicans are giving up on Congress despite holding the majority: 'This place is so broken'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

House Republicans keep calling it quits, even though they're in the majority. Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin announced his retirement on Friday after facing backlash over his vote against it. But like other retiring Republicans, they've apparently decided it's just not worth it. Taking those factors into account, you're left with eight retiring Democrats and 15 retiring Republicans. — that I can go campaign on and say we did," said Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas in a November floor speech.

Persons: —, Mark Green of, he's, Alejandro Mayorkas, Green, Axios, Mike Gallagher, Gallagher, they've, it's, Jennifer Wexton, Patrick McHenry of, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Kevin McCarthy, George Santos, Chip Roy Organizations: Republicans, Service, Republican, Homeland Security, Wisconsin, House Press, Democratic, North, North Carolina Democrats Locations: Mark Green of Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, Washington, Texas

☆ 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

The House Judiciary Committee, chaired by conservative firebrand Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, will hold a hearing with special counsel Robert Hur on March 12, according to two people familiar with the plans who spoke anonymously to discuss the yet-to-be-announced hearing. The committee has spearheaded much of the House GOP's investigations into Biden, including the effort to impeach him. While that effort has floundered, Republicans want to hear from Hur after his report last week offered an unflattering assessment of Biden's competency and age. The hearing is sure to spill into a political spectacle as House Republicans have consistently sought to use hearings to punch holes in Biden's political weaknesses. Trump has bragged about his own memory, but at certain times in legal proceedings said he does not recall certain events.

Persons: Joe Biden's, Jim Jordan, Robert Hur, Biden, Hur, Donald Trump, Mike Johnson, ” Trump, Trump Organizations: WASHINGTON, Republicans, Justice Department, firebrand Rep, Republican, Trump, Oval Locations: Ohio, U.S, Maryland

☆ Mitch McConnell says both Biden and Trump have an 'age issue' that will be 'front and center' in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The recent special counsel report raised questions about Biden's memory and age. "The age issue is obviously front and center for both candidates," said McConnell. AdvertisementAfter a special counsel report spelled out concerns about President Joe Biden's age and memory, many Republicans immediately moved to make it an issue. "The age issue is obviously front and center for both candidates," McConnell told CNN. AdvertisementOn Friday, the special counsel release a report that did not recommend charges against Biden for mishandling classified documents.

Persons: McConnell, who's, Biden, isn't, —, Joe Biden's, Mike Johnson, Mitch McConnell, Donald Trump, Beau, Trump, Nikki Haley, Nancy Pelosi, Alexandria Ocasio, Cortez, Cortez of New York Organizations: Service, Republicans, GOP, Oval, CNN, Biden, Democratic Locations: Alexandria, Cortez of New, Cortez

☆ More than 400 personnel take part in Ukraine aid oversight, US watchdog says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Oren Liebermann | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —More than 400 personnel take part in the oversight of Ukraine aid, according to a new report from a US government watchdog, underscoring the massive effort to manage billions of dollars in US assistance. In total, the report said there are more than 400 personnel working across the US, Germany, Ukraine and Europe to audit and evaluate US assistance to Ukraine. The report comes as some Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, have demanded more oversight over Ukraine aid before they agree to any additional funding. The State Department watchdog has more than 100 staff members working on Ukraine oversight, three of whom are in Kyiv. The USAID watchdog has another 80 personnel working on Ukraine.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, Volodymyr Zelensky, Biden, – Organizations: CNN, Defense Department, State Department, United States Agency for International, Representatives, Ukrainian, Operation Atlantic, NATO, The Defense Department Office, The State Department, USAID, Ukraine – Locations: Ukraine, Europe, Ukrainian, Germany, Russia, Crimea, Kyiv, Romania, North Korea, Iran

☆ AI could disrupt the 2024 US presidential election. What’s Congress doing about it?
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

But with just nine months until Americans head to the ballot box, there are few signs Congress is ready to pass any meaningful legislation on AI. Alex Wong/Getty ImagesSchumer has previously said that with the election nearing, he may seek to fast-track a bill that focuses specifically on AI and election security. Nothing looks likely to move.”Initial momentum on AI regulationFor months, Congress has focused on getting up to speed on the basics of AI. Still other ideas would require “high-risk” AI models to register for a government license, or create a dedicated new federal agency to oversee AI. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman testifies before a Senate Judiciary Privacy, Technology & the Law Subcommittee hearing titled 'Oversight of A.I.

Persons: Joe Biden, Chuck Schumer, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, “, Schumer, Sen, Todd Young, Martin Heinrich, Michael Rounds, Alex Wong, New Mexico Democratic Sen, South Dakota Republican Sen, Mike Rounds, Indiana Republican Sen, didn’t, Paul Gallant, Cowen, ”, Gallant, we’re, Sam Altman, Altman, Heinrich, Rounds, Young, Julia Nikhinson, Sundar Pichai, Jensen Huang, Mike Johnson, Marcus Molinaro, Johnson, Drake, Tom Hanks, Tennessee Republican Sen, Marsha Blackburn, Hakeem Jeffries, Don Beyer, it’ll, Alan Davidson, Biden, Elizabeth Frantz, ” Davidson, —, Sarah Myers West Organizations: Washington CNN, mayoral, U.S, Senate, Capitol, Artificial Intelligence, “, CNN, New, New Mexico Democratic, South Dakota Republican, Indiana Republican, Cowen Inc, United, International Atomic Energy Agency, Intelligence, Reuters, Google, Nvidia, New York Republican, The Washington Post, Commerce, Tennessee Republican, ITI, Virginia Democratic Rep, State of, Republican, House Energy, European Union, EU, Congress, Commerce Department, White House, Privacy, Technology, Democrats, Federal Trade Commission Locations: Washington ,, New Mexico, South, Washington , U.S, Washington

☆ Even some Republicans are nervous about how Mayorkas' impeachment could backfire
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewHomeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is only the second Cabinet secretary to be impeached in American history. The three Republicans who voted to oppose Mayorkas' impeachment have each warned about establishing a new precedent for the action some lawmakers place only below authorizing a war. Still, the vote to impeach Trump for inciting the Capitol riot was the most bipartisan presidential impeachment vote in history. As The New York Times pointed out during Trump's first impeachment, one out of every four presidents have had articles of impeachment written up against them. Gallagher announced his decision just days after bucking his party on the first vote to impeach Mayorkas.

Persons: —, Alejandro Mayorkas, Biden, Mike Gallagher of, Mayorkas, hasn't, Tom McClintock of, Donald Trump, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Nancy Pelosi, Donald Trump's, Gallagher, Trump, Trump's, there's, George W, Dennis J, Kucinich, Bush, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Machiavelli, Bryan Metzger, Adam Schiff, Jonathan Turley, Ken Buck, Ken Buck of Colorado Organizations: Service, Business, Republican, Homeland, House Homeland Security, Trump, Capitol, New York Times, Ohio Democrat, Republicans, Georgia Republican, California Democrat, George Washington University Law, Daily Locations: Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, Tom McClintock of California, Ohio, Georgia, California, Ken Buck of

House Speaker Mike Johnson has known, as so many of us have, that the Mayorkas impeachment was doomed to fail from the start. But at its core, impeachment is a political process, not a legal one. Over the past year, Congress’ use of impeachment has gone from merely political to politically gratuitous. House Republicans opened an impeachment inquiry into President Biden himself last year over only the murkiest of corruption charges. The Mayorkas impeachment is, in essence, about policy disagreements that Republicans would like to air to the public in an election year.

Persons: Alejandro Mayorkas, Mayorkas, Mike Johnson, we’ve, Tyler Hughes, Gregory Koger, Barack Obama’s, – Obama, Donald Trump, Impeaching Mayorkas, Bill Clinton, Trump’s, Biden, Trump Organizations: U.S . House, Homeland, Republicans, Democrat, Louisiana Republican, White House, California State University – Northridge, University of Miami, Biden, it’s, Trump Locations: Louisiana, Ukraine, Israel

In his opening remarks to the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a regular gathering of about 50 member countries that coordinate military support for Ukraine, Austin said Wednesday he’d intended to be with the group in person, “but I had to return to the hospital for non-surgical procedures." Austin was released from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Monday after being treated for a bladder issue. The Pentagon has been out of funds to send weapons and ammunition to Ukraine since December. Since then European allies have continued to send some support but the loss of regular shipments of ammunition to Ukraine is having an impact. The Pentagon has argued that the Ukraine and Israel funding package is also good for the U.S. economy.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Austin, he’d, Mike Johnson, Joe Biden’s Organizations: WASHINGTON, Ukraine Defense Contact, Ukraine, Walter Reed National Military Medical, Pentagon, West Bank Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Russia, Israel, U.S, Taiwan, China, Gaza

☆ McConnell defends push for Ukraine aid amid attacks from Trump wing of GOP: ‘Every argument against this is wrong’
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Manu Raju | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

“I feel strongly this is in our best interest, America’s best interest and the world’s best interests to do this. Meantime, the House GOP has aligned itself closely with Trump and taken steps that have made some Republican senators uneasy – including impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over the problems at the border. But McConnell didn’t think the flap would have much of an impact on Senate races. “I think that every one of these races will hash that out one way or another,” McConnell said. “The age issue is obviously front and center for both candidates,” McConnell said when asked about the matter.

Persons: Mitch McConnell, Donald Trump, McConnell, –, “ It’s, ” McConnell, Trump, Mike Johnson, McConnell harkened, – we’ve, Johnson, “, ” Johnson, I’ve, we’ve, Alejandro Mayorkas, hadn’t, Oklahoma GOP Sen, James Lankford, ”, Tom Suozzi, Biden, Robert Hur’s, ” CNN’s Clare Foran, Morgan Rimmer Organizations: GOP, CNN, Trump, Republican, “, Kentucky Republican, Homeland, Oklahoma GOP, Wall Street, Washington Post, Republicans, Democrats, New, Democrat Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, Oklahoma, New York

Haley, Trump's former U.N. ambassador and his last major rival in the GOP presidential race, has been condemning Trump's remarks for days about her husband Michael Haley, who is deployed in Africa with the National Guard. Biden has also excoriated Trump for his remarks about NATO, calling them “dangerous," “un-American,” and “shocking." Both Biden, 81, and Trump, 77, face widespread questions among voters about their age and readiness for a second term. They have something in common.”Though Haley has had more campaign appearances lately than Trump, she did not appear at any events Wednesday. “You’re a much better candidate for me than you were for yourself,” Trump told Scott.

Persons: Donald Trump, Russia “, they’re, we’re, Trump, Nikki Haley’s, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Biden, ” Trump, Haley, Trump's, Michael Haley, Nikki Haley, Joe Biden, he's, excoriated Trump, ”, Nancy Pelosi, I’m, Nikki, Pelosi, didn't, Tricky Nikki, “, Don Bolduc, South Carolina Sen, Tim Scott, Scott, Nalin, “ Sen, Judas, Jesus Christ Organizations: White, NATO, GOP, National Guard, U.S ., Trump, New Hampshire Senate, SFA Inc, South Carolina, U.S . Senate Locations: CHARLESTON, S.C, Russia, South Carolina, Africa, Ukraine, U.S, New Hampshire, Trump’s, South

☆ Interest on national debt could threaten U.S. economic stability, CBO director tells House panel
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Ryan Anastasio | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

CBO Director Phillip Swagel testifies during the House Budget Committee hearing titled "The Congressional Budget Office's Budget and Economic Outlook," in Longworth Building on Wednesday, February 14, 2024. The director of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office warned House lawmakers Wednesday that the ballooning national debt and the cost of paying interest on it could become an existential threat to the U.S. economy. "Rising interest costs will crowd out other possible uses of government resources, and then also pose a risk to our economic stability" in the coming decade, CBO director Phillip Swagel told the budget committee at a hearing on Capitol Hill. Swagel's testimony centered around CBO's semi-annual report on the federal budget and the economy, released Feb. 7. The CBO report projected that the yearly U.S. budget deficit would grow by an estimated $1 trillion over the next 10 years.

Persons: Phillip Swagel, Swagel, Kevin McCarthy, Dan Kildee, Donald Trump's, Joe Biden's Organizations: Economic, Capitol, CBO, Republicans, GOP, Democrat, Congress Locations: Longworth, U.S, CBO's, Michigan

☆ Speaker Johnson’s historically narrow House majority will shrink further after Democrats flip seat in New York
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Clare Foran | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson is overseeing one of the smallest House majorities in history – and Democrat Tom Suozzi’s win in a New York special election will shrink it further. With a breakdown of 219 to 213, House Republicans will only be able to lose only two votes to pass legislation on party-line votes if all members are present and voting. Former New York Democratic Rep. Brian Higgins resigned from Congress earlier this month, former Ohio GOP Rep. Bill Johnson resigned last month and former Speaker Kevin McCarthy resigned at the end of last year. The exact size of the far right of the House Republican Conference can vary from issue to issue. The fate of these politically vulnerable members will be key to whether the GOP can hold on to its majority.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Tom Suozzi’s, Suozzi, Republican Mazi Pilip, George Santos, Brian Higgins, Bill Johnson, Kevin McCarthy, Johnson, McCarthy, Chuck Schumer, Joe Biden, Santos Organizations: Republican, GOP Rep, Republicans, Former New York Democratic, Ohio GOP, House Republican, Democratic, GOP Locations: –, New York

☆ House Speaker Mike Johnson in no rush to address foreign aid request while others weigh rewriting Senate-passed plan
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Melanie Zanona | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

But some conservatives say they won’t support any Ukraine aid, even if it’s just narrow military aid. “There’s the possibility that the Republican majority would support Ukraine aid paid for, with real border security attached to it,” Good said. Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, also a Freedom Caucus member, laid out a number of conditions he would need in order to support Ukraine aid. One option that was discussed during the meeting was stripping the aid package of its humanitarian assistance for Ukraine and only including military aid for Ukraine. And I think we should have been focused on military aid,” Rep. Don Bacon, a swing district Republican from Nebraska, told CNN.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Brian Fitzpatrick, “, ” Fitzpatrick, Fitzpatrick, Joe Biden, Dan Crenshaw, Bob Good, ”, Chip Roy, ” Roy, ” Rep, Don Bacon, Ann Wagner, ” Johnson, Hakeem Jeffries, “ Mike Johnson, Jeffries, ” “, Vladimir Putin, Wagner, Bacon, ” Wagner, ” Bacon, CNN’s Manu Raju, Mario Diaz, “ I’ll, we’re, CNN’s Annie Grayer, Manu Raju, Sam Fossum Organizations: Republican Conference, GOP, Republican, Pentagon, Virginia Republican, Freedom Caucus, Caucus, ”, Republicans, CNN, “, Missouri Republican, Democrat Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Taiwan, Dan Crenshaw of Texas, Texas, United States, Nebraska, Missouri, Florida

The long-awaited indictments marked the latest development in what has been labeled the largest corruption case in Ohio history. In July 2021, Yost asked a judge in Columbus to add Jones, Dowling and Randazzo to his office's lawsuit against FirstEnergy. It identified 84 phone contacts between Jones and Householder and 14 phone contacts between Dowling and Householder. FirstEnergy admitted to its role in the bribery scheme as part of a July 2021 deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice. A statement of facts signed by then-FirstEnergy CEO and President Steven Strah, who retired in 2022, detailed the involvement of Jones, Dowling, Randazzo and others in the bribery scheme.

Persons: Chuck Jones, Michael Dowling, Dave Yost, Sam Randazzo, Larry, Matt Borges, Jones, Dowling, Susan Baker Ross, Randazzo, Baker, Columbus, FirstEnergy, Mike DeWine, Carole Rendon, ”, Matthew Meyer, Richard Blake, Borges, Juan Cespedes, Jeffrey Longstreth, Neil Clark, Householder’s, Bill, Yost, Steven Strah Organizations: FirstEnergy Corp, Republican, Public Utilities Commission, Summit, FBI, Republican Gov, GPS, Industrial Energy, Randazzo, Sustainability, of Ohio, FirstEnergy, U.S . Department of Justice Locations: COLUMBUS , Ohio, Ohio, Akron, Naples , Florida, FirstEnergy, U.S, Cincinnati, Columbus

☆ Senate passes $95 billion aid bill for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan, but getting it through the House is another matter
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Read previewThe US Senate passed a $95 billion emergency defense aid bill for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan early Tuesday morning. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote on X that Putin "will regret the day he questioned America's resolve." AdvertisementHowever, the bill will now need to go to the House of Representatives, where it is expected to face stiff opposition. House Speaker Mike Johnson preemptively rejected the bill on Monday evening, saying that it failed to address US-Mexico border security and was therefore a nonstarter. AdvertisementIt does not include any border security provisions after Schumer stripped the border security language from the bill last week, per Reuters.

Persons: —, Joe Biden's, Peter Welch of, Jeff Merkley, Bernie Sanders of, Sen, Chuck Schumer, Putin, America's, Mike Johnson preemptively, ”, Schumer, JD Vance, won’t, Hakeem Jeffries Organizations: Service, Senate, Democratic, Business, Representatives, Associated Press, Republican Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan, Peter Welch of Vermont, Oregon, Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Mexico, “, China, Gaza

House Republicans last week were thrown for a loop when their first impeachment attempt went awry. But with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise back this week from undergoing treatment for blood cancer, House Speaker Mike Johnson is ready to try again. House Republicans have accused Mayorkas of not complying with immigration law regarding the southern border with Mexico, where the U.S. has been grappling with a surge of migrants. The House has focused on Mayorkas as efforts to impeach President Joe Biden have been met with less enthusiasm. “The House Republicans need to do serious work, work that actually matter(s),” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during a briefing Tuesday.

Persons: Alejandro Mayorkas, Steve Scalise, Mike Johnson, George Santos, Joe Biden, Biden, Karine Jean, Pierre, ” Mayorkas Organizations: Homeland, House Republicans, GOP, Republican, Democratic, Republicans Locations: New York, Mexico

☆ U.S. Senate approves Ukraine, Israel aid, but bill faces tough path through House
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Ukraine sympathizers fly a Ukrainian flag outside as the Senate works through the weekend on a $95.3 billion foreign aid bill with assistance for Ukraine and Israel at the U.S. Capitol on February 11, 2024 in Washington, DC. Senators voted early Tuesday to approve a $95 billion aid package providing funds for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, but its future remains uncertain amid intense lawmaker opposition. The bill passed by 70-29 votes in the Democrat-led legislature, according to NBC News. The package includes $61 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel and $4.83 billion to support partners in the Indo-Pacific, including Taiwan, along with facilities for humanitarian aid. Republicans have said the bill must include provisions on U.S. border security.

Persons: Mike Johnson Organizations: U.S, Capitol, Democrat, NBC, Republican, Representatives Locations: Ukraine, Ukrainian, Israel, Washington , DC, Taiwan, U.S

NATO describes the threshold as a “guideline,” and it is not a requirement that would put any nation in delinquency. The NATO charter also provides that if any NATO country is attacked, the other members will come to its aid. You can be sure that they all cheered when they heard Donald Trump and heard what he said," Biden said. For as long as I'm president, if [Russian President Vladimir] Putin attacks a NATO ally, the United States will defend every inch of NATO territory." But House Speaker Mike Johnson, Louisiana Republican, has signaled he will not allow a floor vote on the bill, a measure Trump opposes.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Biden, Trump, Putin, –, Republicans –, Trump's, Sen, Marco Rubio, Vladimir, Mike Johnson, Johnson Organizations: Office, GOP, Trump, White, Republican Party, NATO, Republicans, America, Louisiana Republican Locations: NATO, Ukraine, America, U.S, Russia, Russian, Marco Rubio of Florida, United States, Israel, Louisiana

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate early Tuesday passed a $95.3 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, pushing ahead after months of difficult negotiations and amid growing political divisions in the Republican Party over the role of the United States abroad. But a bipartisan deal on border security struck by Republican Sen. James Lankford fell apart just days after its unveiling, a head-spinning development that left negotiators deeply frustrated. After the border bill collapsed, the two leaders abandoned the border provisions and pushed forward with passing the foreign aid package alone — as Democrats had originally intended. In an unusually raw back-and-forth, GOP senators who support the aid challenged some of the opponents directly on the floor. Turner posted on X, formerly Twitter, after the trip that “I reiterated America’s commitment to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia.”But Speaker Johnson is in a tough position.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, It’s, ”, Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, Jeff Merkley, Peter Welch of, Sen, Bernie Sanders, Donald Trump, Mike Johnson, Joe Biden's, Schumer, McConnell, “, ” McConnell, Republican Sen, James Lankford, J.D, Vance, Russia's Putin, Putin, Kentucky Sen, Rand Paul, Carolina Sen, Thom Tillis, ” Tillis, ” Sen, Jerry Moran, Moran, Trump, Russia “, Mike Turner, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Turner, Johnson, Kevin McCarthy, ” Johnson, Abigail Spanberger, Zelenskyy, ” Spanberger, Lisa Mascaro, Kevin Freking Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, Republican Party, Ukraine, Republican, Republicans, Sens, Ukraine —, GOP, U.S . Senate, Trump, Ohio Republican, Kentucky, NATO, House Republicans, House Intelligence, Russia, ”, Senate, Virginia Democrat, Associated Press Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, United States, U.S, Oregon, Peter Welch of Vermont, Russia, Kyiv, China, Gaza, Ohio, Carolina, Europe, America, Virginia

House lawmakers on Tuesday voted to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in Republicans’ second attempt to hold the official accountable for what they allege is a willful failure to handle the migrant crisis on the southern border. The House vote Tuesday coincided with a special election in New York to replace disgraced former Republican congressman George Santos. President Joe Biden also blasted House Republicans in a statement after the impeachment vote. “History will not look kindly on House Republicans for their blatant act of unconstitutional partisanship that has targeted an honorable public servant in order to play petty political games,” the president said. If the chamber does reach that threshold, Mayorkas would no longer be Homeland Security secretary.

Persons: Alejandro Mayorkas, Republicans ’, George Santos, Mayorkas, Mike Johnson, “, ”, Joe Biden, haven’t, Biden, Donald Trump Organizations: Homeland, Republicans, Republican, GOP, Louisiana Republican, Department of Homeland Security, House Republicans, Democrat, Senate, Associated Press Locations: New York, Mexico, Louisiana

☆ A GOP congressman who voted against Alejandro Mayorkas' impeachment won't budge on his stance: 'The Constitution hasn't changed since last week'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

After coming up short last week, House Republicans are set to hold a new impeachment vote Tuesday. “Well, the Constitution hasn’t changed since last week, so my vote is not going to change,” the congressman said. "Mayorkas is guilty of maladministration on a cosmic scale, but that's not grounds for impeachment," McClintock told NewsNation. Despite the high-stakes nature of the vote, McClintock told NewsNation that House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana didn't "pressure" him when they spoke about the vote. Last week, the Mayorkas impeachment vote failed 214-216, with McClintock and GOP Reps. Ken Buck of Colorado, Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, and Blake Moore of Utah voting against the secretary's impeachment.

Persons: Tom McClintock, NewsNation, impeaching Mayorkas, hasn’t, ”, —, Alejandro Mayorkas, McClintock, Donald Trump, it’s, Mayorkas, shouldn't, Mike Johnson, Mike, Ken Buck, Ken Buck of Colorado, Mike Gallagher of, Blake Moore, Moore, Steve Scalise, Joe Biden, Trump Organizations: Monday, Republicans, Service, Homeland, GOP, Congressional, Homeland Security Locations: California, Mexico, impeachments, Louisiana, Ken Buck of, Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, Utah

☆ Opinion | Biden’s Age Is a Campaign Problem, Not a Governing One
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Michelle Goldberg | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Last fall I found myself at a dinner party that included a former Biden administration official and a Democratic donor, and the conversation turned, naturally, to President Biden’s age and his prospects for re-election. The gulf in their perceptions, I think, speaks to the fact that Biden’s age has impaired his ability to campaign much more than his ability to govern, which has created an impossible dilemma for the Democratic Party. I’m not aware of any leaks from the White House suggesting that Biden is confused, exhausted or forgetful when setting priorities or making decisions. His words brought to the surface deep, terrifying doubts about Biden’s ability to do the one part of his job that matters above all others, which is beating Donald Trump. Since Hur decided not to charge Biden with any crimes, his comments about Biden’s age, particularly his claim that Biden couldn’t remember the year his son Beau died, seemed designed to shiv him politically.

Persons: Biden’s, Biden, he’s, there’s, I’m, It’s, Kevin McCarthy, “, McCarthy, — Biden, Golda Meir, Robert Hur’s, Donald Trump, Hur, Merrick Garland, Beau, shiv Organizations: Biden, Democratic, Democratic Party, Biden shouldn’t, Politico, Labor Zionist, Trump Locations: Israel, Gaza

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