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☆ Who will be the next U.S. House speaker? A look at top candidates so far
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) speaks to reporters after he was ousted from the position of Speaker by a vote of the House of Representatives at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S. October 3, 2023. Jordan faces a challenge from Representative Steve Scalise, the No. 2 House Republican long considered to be McCarthy's heir apparent. IN: STEVE SCALISERepresentative Matt Gaetz, the lawmaker who spearheaded the push to oust McCarthy, has said he would support Steve Scalise taking over the role. Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, McHenry is a McCarthy ally who spoke in support of McCarthy before the ouster vote.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Jonathan Ernst, Donald Trump, Jim Jordan, Jordan, Steve Scalise, JIM JORDAN, McCarthy, Joe Biden, Trump, STEVE SCALISE, Matt Gaetz, Scalise, David Duke, KEVIN HERN Kevin Hern, PATRICK MCHENRY, Patrick McHenry, McHenry, Makini Brice, Scott Malone, Howard Goller Organizations: U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Republican, Ku Klux Klan, Committee, Republicans, Financial Services, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Ohio, Louisiana, Oklahoma, North Carolina

☆ House business is on ice while GOP finds new speaker
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The House calendar remained officially stuck on October 3 – Tuesday – the date when House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted and left the chamber without adjourning. “The House of Representatives is effectively frozen,” Rep. Garret Graves, a Louisiana Republican, told reporters. As speaker pro tempore, Republican Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina can perform tasks like recessing the House, adjourning the chamber and recognizing speaker nominations, according to the House Practices Guide. “Until we figure out how we have another speaker of the House, everything stops,” Rep. Kelly Armstrong, a North Dakota Republican on the House Oversight Committee, told CNN. While House Republicans intend to hold a candidate forum for would-be speakers on Tuesday, it could take time for Republicans to unify behind a single one.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Garret Graves, “, Patrick McHenry of, Joe Biden, Graves, ” Graves, ’, “ We’re, James Comer, we’ve, Michael McCaul, Kelly Armstrong, Tom Cole, Jim Jordan of, Steve Scalise, ” Organizations: DC CNN —, Representatives, ”, Louisiana Republican, Republican, CNN, Republicans, Kentucky, Foreign, Texas Republican, North Dakota Republican Locations: Washington, ”, Louisiana, Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma, Jim Jordan of Ohio, “

☆ These are the battle lines for the House GOP's chaotic future
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

House Republicans are offering competing demands for whoever wants to be the next speaker. AP Photo/Carolyn KasterBefore this week, no House speaker had ever been removed by the so-called "motion to vacate." His successor and House Republicans as a whole must now determine its future. Republicans vote amongst themselves — likely next week — behind closed doors for who should be the next speaker. Traditionally, Republicans would then vote for this candidate in the public vote on the House floor.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy's, Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan, —, Matt Gaetz, it's, Jim Jordan —, Carolyn Kaster, McCarthy, Carlos Giménez, Mitch McConnell, Jordan, Anna Paulina Luna, Florida, Jack Smith's, Donald Trump, Hunter Biden, Joe Biden, Trump, Marjorie Taylor Greene, he'd, Biden Organizations: GOP, Service, —, AP, House Republicans, Main Street Caucus, Republican Main Street Caucus, Ukraine, NBC News, Republicans, Democratic, Justice, Union, Reuters, queasy, Trump Locations: acquiesce, Florida, Ukraine, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia

☆ House speaker: What the heck is going on? How will it affect you?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

The House is without a speaker, the person who, according to the Constitution, is required to be its leader. For as long as the House is trying to find a new speaker, it’s unable to do much of anything else. What happened to the last House speaker? Rep. Kevin McCarthy had been House speaker since January, when he won the gavel after 15 rounds of balloting. McHenry booted Pelosi and former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Marlyand out of offices they kept in the Capitol building.

Persons: CNN —, Nancy Pelosi, hasn’t, Patrick McHenry, it’s, White, Tim Lister, Kevin McCarthy, Republicans –, McCarthy, “, Matt Gaetz, Joe Biden, Gaetz, Republicans squirm, Biden, Hakeem Jeffries, McHenry, Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, Marlyand, Hoyer, Scott Jennings, ” Jennings, Trump, Donald Trump, CNN’s Stephen Collinson, Republicans ’, He’s, ”, CNN’s Kristen Holmes, Alayna Treene, Steve Scalise –, Scalise, Jim Jordan –, Kevin Hern –, Patrick McHenry –, Read Organizations: CNN, North Carolina Republican, White, Senate, Republican, Republicans, Florida, Caucus, California Republican, Democratic, Congress, Capitol, Trump, Republican Party, Louisiana Republican, Jim Jordan – The Ohio Republican, Freedom Caucus, Kevin Hern – The Oklahoma Republican, GOP, Patrick McHenry – The North Carolina Republican, Capitol Hill Locations: CNN — Washington, Washington, Ukraine, California, New York, Capitol Hill, Patrick McHenry – The

WASHINGTON, Oct 4 (Reuters) - The race to replace ousted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy took shape on Wednesday as Steve Scalise, the chamber's No. 2 Republican, and Jim Jordan, a leading antagonist of Democratic President Joe Biden, said they would seek the post. "Everybody's just taking a breath and in listening mode, without any serious commitments," said Republican Representative Dan Crenshaw. The last Republican speaker, Paul Ryan, retired from Congress after struggling to work with Trump, a fellow Republican. The entire House - Republicans and Democrats - vote for speaker, who would hold the position until early January 2025, unless they were deposed as well.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan, Joe Biden, McCarthy, Jordan, Biden, Donald Trump, Scalise, Kevin Hern, Patrick McHenry, Everybody's, Dan Crenshaw, Paul Ryan, John Boehner, Matt Gaetz, Garret Graves, Gaetz, Hakeem Jeffries, David Morgan, Moira Warburton, Richard Cowan, Andy Sullivan, Scott Malone, Cynthia Osterman, Howard Goller Organizations: Democratic, Republicans, Committee, Trump, U.S . House, Representatives, Texas Republican House, U.S, Republican, Congress, Democrats, Thomson

☆ Who could succeed Republican Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the US House?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) speaks to reporters after he was ousted from the position of Speaker by a vote of the House of Representatives at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S. October 3, 2023. 2 House Republican and has long been favored to take over the head of the Republican Party in the chamber after McCarthy's tenure ended. TOM EMMERRepresentative Tom Emmer is the House Republican whip and had headed the House Republicans' campaign arm during the 2022 midterm elections, when Republicans recaptured the House majority from President Joe Biden's Democrats. Chair of the House Financial Services Committee, McHenry is a McCarthy ally who spoke in support of McCarthy prior to the vote. KEVIN MCCARTHYRepresentative Kevin McCarthy told reporters on Tuesday he would not make another run for speaker.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Jonathan Ernst, McCarthy, STEVE SCALISE, Matt Gaetz, Steve Scalise, Scalise, Tom Emmer, Joe Biden's, JIM JORDAN, Jim Jordan, Donald Trump, BYRON DONALDS, Byron Donalds, PATRICK MCHENRY, Patrick McHenry, McHenry, DONALD TRUMP, Biden, Gaetz, Andy Ogles, Trump, HAKEEM JEFFRIES, Hakeem Jeffries, KEVIN MCCARTHY, Makini Brice, Scott Malone, Howard Goller Organizations: U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, U.S . House, Republican, Republican Party, TOM, Republicans, Committee, Financial Services, Trump, Democratic, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, U.S

☆ After McCarthy's ouster, House GOP leaders are scrambling to boost their rank
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

On Tuesday, the House voted to remove Kevin McCarthy as speaker. As it stands, Rep. Steve Scalise is still the majority leader, Rep. Tom Emmer is the majority whip, and Rep. Elise Stefanik serves as the Republican conference chairman. He'll face off against Rep. Jim Jordan, the chair of the House Judiciary Committee, as well as Oklahoma Rep. Kevin Hern. Guy Reschenthaler, the GOP's chief deputy whip, also declared his desire on Wednesday to replace Emmer as whip if given the opportunity. AdvertisementAdvertisementDespite the ongoing movement amongst Republican House leadership at the moment, the House is out of session until next week.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Steve Scalise, Tom Emmer, —, McCarthy, Matt Gaetz, Patrick McHenry, Elise Stefanik, Scalise, He'll, Jim Jordan, Kevin Hern, Stefanik, who's, Guy Reschenthaler, Emmer, Greg Steube, Joe Biden Organizations: Service, Democratic, Republican, House, Rep, Committee, GOP Locations: Oklahoma

Leaders dropped $6 billion in Ukraine aid from the temporary funding measure passed Saturday as they focused on passing it quickly, just hours before the government would have shut down. Supporters of Ukraine aid — including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who visited the Capitol to plead for the money in person just two weeks ago — say it’s essential that additional funding is included. He said he would address Ukraine aid soon. But any dealmaking is on hold as House Republicans try to find a new leader. Jordan has made clear his opposition to additional Ukraine aid and reiterated it Wednesday.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Joe Biden, “, ” Biden, ”, Democratic Sen, Chris Murphy, ” Sen, Joe Manchin, Republicans “, Manchin, Biden, Lindsey Graham, Jim Jordan, Steve Scalise, Kevin Hern, Jordan, ” Jordan, Hern, Scalise, Kelly Armstrong, ” Armstrong, Adam Smith, Michael McCaul, McCaul, “ It’s, ” McCaul, Stephen Groves, Josh Boak, videojournalists Dan Huff, Nathan Ellgren Organizations: WASHINGTON, Republicans, Russia, Capitol, House Democrats, Ukraine, Senate, Democrats, Democratic, ”, Oklahoma Rep, Republican, House Armed Services Committee, Foreign, Associated Press Locations: Ukraine, “, Connecticut, United States, Russia, U.S, Ohio, Jordan, Washington, Texas

There was no immediate indication of who might succeed McCarthy, but the next speaker could quash more Ukraine aid before a proposal reaches the House floor if that person opposes the idea. A Ukraine "report card" by Defending Democracy Together's "Republicans for Ukraine" campaign rated the leading candidates on the strength of their support for past Ukraine aid. Representative Tom Emmer, the House Republican whip, got the highest rating, an A. 2 House Republican, has long been favored to take over as speaker after McCarthy and received one notch lower, a B. McCarthy, who got a B-minus grade, early this week denied accusations by Gaetz that he had cut "a secret deal" with Biden to allow the House to vote on Ukraine aid.

Persons: Alexander Ermochenko, Kevin McCarthy's, McCarthy, Together's, Tom Emmer, Steve Scalise, Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, Jim Jordan, Byron Donalds, McCarthy's speakership, Biden, Joe Biden, Patricia Zengerle, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S . House, The, Republicans, Republican, Thomson Locations: Nova, Russia, Ukraine, Hola, Kherson, Russian, U.S, Kyiv, United States

☆ US Aid to Ukraine May Hinge Partly on Who Takes Over as House Speaker
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

Persons: Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON, Kevin McCarthy's, McCarthy, Together's, Tom Emmer, Steve Scalise, Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, Jim Jordan, Byron Donalds, McCarthy's speakership, Biden, Joe Biden, Patricia Zengerle, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: U.S . House, The, Republicans, Republican Locations: U.S, Ukraine, Kyiv, United States

CNN —Following Kevin McCarthy’s historic ouster as House speaker, names have started to emerge as possible successors to take over the gavel. Jordan replied “yes,” when asked if he is running for speaker and said he had just talked to House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, the No. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images/FILELouisiana Rep. Steve Scalise, who serves as House majority leader, announced on Wednesday his intention to succeed McCarthy. As he exited a GOP meeting, he told reporters, “Steve Scalise has been a friend for a long time. Kevin HernRep. Kevin Hern leaves a meeting of the House Republican Conference at the Capitol Hill Club on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy’s, McCarthy, Tuesday’s, Jim Jordan Rep, Jim Jordan, Anna Moneymaker, Jim Jordan of Ohio, Jordan, “, Steve Scalise, Fani Willis, Attorney Alvin Bragg, Trump, Hunter Biden, ” Scalise, Scalise, ”, David Duke, Tom Emmer, Tom Williams, Emmer, “ Steve Scalise, Kevin Hern, ”, I’ve, ” Hern, Hern Organizations: CNN, GOP, Republican, Committee, Manhattan, Attorney, Justice Department, Freedom Caucus, Building, Congress, Ku Klux, House Republican Conference, Capitol, Minnesota Republican, Louisiana Rep, Minnesota, Financial Services, Capitol Hill Club, Oklahoma Republican, Caucus, McDonalds, Small Business Locations: Washington , DC, Benghazi, Trump, Fulton County, Louisiana, Alexandria , Virginia, New Orleans ’, Minnesota, Texas

☆ Who leads the House now? The top Republicans who could be the next House speaker.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

AdvertisementAdvertisementFor the first time in American history, House lawmakers have ejected the Speaker of the House from power. 3 House Republican and formerly led the House GOP's campaign arm. Donalds, who is not in House leadership, did not speak on the floor before the historic vote. She was catapulted into House leadership after Republicans booted then-Rep. Liz Cheney from her post as the N0. Once a more liberal Republican, Stefanik has become one of the biggest Trump supporters in the entire House Republican conference.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, —, Matt Gaetz's, McCarthy, Tom Emmer, Steve Scalise, Elise Stefanik, Here's, Minnesota Republican Nathan Howard, Andy Biggs, Anna Moneymaker, Scalise, Byron Donalds Rep, Byron Donalds of, Michael M, Donalds, Ron DeSantis, Jim Jordan Rep, Jim Jordan, Drew Angerer, Jordan can't, Jordan, Joe Biden, Andrew Harnik, Donald Trump's, Liz Cheney, Donald Trump, Stefanik, Kevin McCarthy Kevin McCarthy Drew Angerer, he's, Gaetz, Trump, There's, Aaron Sorkin's Organizations: Service, Minnesota Republican, Getty, Republican, Politico, Caucus, Washington Post, GOP, Louisiana Republican, Congressional, Florida Republican, Florida, Gov, Ohio Republican, The Ohio Republican, New York Republican, Republicans, Trump, Capitol Locations: Minnesota, Louisiana, Byron Donalds of Florida, Ohio, Washington

Republican Rep. Patrick McHenry, now the acting speaker, declared the House in recess until both parties can decide on a path forward. There is no obvious successor to lead the House Republican majority now that McCarthy has opted not to run for the job again. Immediately after the vote, McHenry, a close McCarthy ally, was named temporary speaker or speaker pro tempore. McCarthy turned over that private list to the House clerk in January when he was first elected speaker. Some members left the chamber Tuesday determined to renominate McCarthy and vote for him for speaker until it passes.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Matt Gaetz, McCarthy, Patrick McHenry, Here's, McHenry, Steve Scalise, Tom Emmer, Kevin Hern, Jim Jordan, Lisa Mascaro Organizations: WASHINGTON, Democrats, —, California Republican, Republican, North Carolina Republican, Committee, AP Locations: McHenry

☆ House GOP’s impeachment witnesses say there's no evidence yet Joe Biden committed a crime
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Rebecca Shabad | Dareh Gregorian | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

One of the panel's expert witnesses, law professor Jonathan Turley, acknowledged that the evidence Republicans had gathered so far, however, doesn't prove their case. The House Republicans, Raskin said, were acting "like flying monkeys on a mission for the Wicked Witch of the West." The Democrats' witness was Michael J. Gerhardt, a law professor at the University of North Carolina who testified during Trump's first impeachment inquiry. House Republicans have said they are looking into whether Biden improperly aided his son or profited off his business dealings. The White House has repeatedly rejected the House GOP's assertion that Biden abused the power of his office to enrich his family.

Persons: James Comer, Joe Biden, Hunter, Biden, Trump, Comer, Jim Jordan, Jonathan Turley, Jamie Raskin, they've, Donald Trump, Raskin, Turley, Bruce Dubinsky, Eileen O'Connor, Michael J, Gerhardt, Trump's, Bill Clinton's, They've, Ian Sams, Jim Jordan of, Jordan, " Sams, Kevin McCarthy Organizations: House Republican Conference, U.S, Capitol, Republican, Constitution, Republicans, GOP, The House Republicans, George Washington University, House Democrats, Justice Department's Tax, University of North, Democratic, FBI, Justice Department, White, Trump Locations: Ky, Ohio, University of North Carolina, Jim Jordan of Ohio, Kentucky

☆ Five takeaways from the FTC's 172-page antitrust lawsuit against Amazon
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Washington CNN —An antitrust lawsuit from 17 states and the Federal Trade Commission this week against Amazon represents the US government’s biggest regulatory challenge yet against the e-commerce juggernaut. The landmark case targets Amazon’s retail platform, alleging that it’s harmed shoppers and sellers alike on a massive scale. Here are five of the biggest highlights and takeaways from the plaintiffs’ 172-page lawsuit. Just this month, the FTC added three Amazon officials to a separate consumer protection case dealing with Amazon Prime. Instead, the plaintiffs have to show that Amazon is part of a well-defined geographic and economic market that it dominates.

Persons: Lina Khan, Amazon, David Zapolsky, ” Khan, Khan, Douglas Farrar, ” Farrar, superstores, ” What’s, Jeff Bezos, “, ” Organizations: Washington CNN, Federal Trade Commission, Amazon, US, Walmart, Target, eBay, Amazon Music, Bloomberg News, CNN, Amazon Prime, FTC Locations: Seattle, United States

"With its missionary zeal for consumers, Amazon has marched toward monopoly by singing the tune of contemporary antitrust," Khan, then 29, wrote in the Yale Law Journal. Six years later, Khan, who became the FTC's chair in 2021, is leading the agency's antitrust charge against the online retailer. The FTC's lawsuit filed on Tuesday asks a court to consider forcing the company to sell assets to stop what it said was ongoing harm to consumers. Amazon has fought back and rejected the antitrust lawsuit filed on Tuesday. "By contrast, the FTC's 2021 budget topped out at only $351 million, or slightly more than 1% of Amazon's earnings."

Persons: Lina M, Khan, Bill Nelson, Graeme Jennings, Lina Khan, Andy Jassy, Jeff Bezos, Bezos, David Shepardson, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Commerce, Science, NASA, Capitol, Rights, Federal Trade, Amazon.com, Amazon, Yale Law, FTC, Apple, Facebook, Google, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, United States, Washington

☆ DOJ says Hunter Biden prosecutor David Weiss can testify to House Judiciary Committee in 'near term'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. Attorney David Weiss speaks during a press conference on May 3, 2018, at his district office in Wilmington, Del. The Department of Justice said that David Weiss — the special counsel prosecuting Hunter Biden — in the "near term" will be able to testify to the House Judiciary Committee as part of its own probe of the son of President Joe Biden. But the DOJ in a letter Friday to the House panel did not commit to making Weiss available by mid-October, as committee chairman Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, has asked. And it is not clear when Weiss will be allowed to appear by the DOJ. "However, any additional testimony and documents shared at this early juncture must continue to be appropriately limited to protect the ongoing matter and important confidentiality interests."

Persons: David Weiss, David Weiss —, Hunter Biden —, Joe Biden, Weiss, Jim Jordan, Biden, Carlos Uriarte, Uriarte Organizations: The, Justice, DOJ, Department Locations: Wilmington, Del, Ohio

WASHINGTON, Sept 22 (Reuters) - The looming U.S. government shutdown that some hardline Republicans, including Donald Trump, are cheering for could slow one of their other priorities: The recently launched impeachment inquiry of Democratic President Joe Biden. In 2018-2019 shutdown, the White House furloughed 1,100 of 1,800 staff in the Executive Office of the President. House Republicans alleged that the elder Biden benefited from his son's work but have produced no evidence of that. The White House says President Biden has done nothing wrong and that Republicans have no basis for the inquiry. House Republicans say they plan to seek personal and business records for Hunter Biden and James Biden, the president's brother, and to seek testimony from certain officials.

Persons: Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Kevin McCarthy, Hunter Biden, McCarthy, " McCarthy, Hunter, Biden, James Biden, Troy Nehls, Darrell Issa, Makini Brice, Scott Malone, Alistair Bell Organizations: Democratic, Republican, White, Fox News, Republicans, Judiciary, Thomson Locations: U.S, House

☆ Menendez Indictment Appears to Undercut Claims of ‘Two-Tiered System’ of Justice
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Glenn Thrush | More About Glenn Thrush | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

On Wednesday, Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee repeatedly accused Attorney General Merrick B. Garland of singling out former President Donald J. Trump for selective prosecution, slamming him for what they call a “two-tiered system” of justice. Forty-eight hours later, the Justice Department indicted one of the most powerful Democrats in the Senate — Bob Menendez of New Jersey, the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee — on bribery charges, making public a trove of evidence, including cash and gold bars stashed at his house. The department’s aggressive pursuit of Mr. Menendez appeared to undercut claims that Mr. Trump is the victim of pervasive political bias that targets leaders on the right while shielding transgressors on the left. The entanglement of electoral politics and law enforcement is becoming the norm, and the prosecution of a top Democrat up for re-election in 2024 has political as well as legal reverberations. And the indictment, brought by federal prosecutors in Manhattan with limited participation from the Justice Department’s national security division in Washington, comes at a politically opportune moment for the besieged department.

Persons: Merrick B, Garland, Donald J, Trump, Bob Menendez, Menendez Organizations: Justice Department, Bob Menendez of New, Foreign Relations, Justice Department’s Locations: House, Bob Menendez of, Bob Menendez of New Jersey, Manhattan, Washington

☆ FTC sues Texas anesthesiology provider to bust monopoly
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Lina Khan testifies before a House Judiciary Committee hearing on "Oversight of the Federal Trade Commission," on Capitol Hill in Washington, July 13, 2023. The Federal Trade Commission on Thursday sued the largest anesthesiology provider in Texas, claiming the company has wielded monopoly power to drive up prices for patients and boost its profits. The FTC asked a federal judge in Houston, Texas, to break up U.S. Anesthesia Partners alleged monopoly power and permanently bar the company from engaging in anticompetitive practices. The agency claims that New York-based private equity firm Welsh, Carson and Stowe founded U.S. Anesthesia Partners in 2012 to pursue an aggressive consolidation strategy that exploited Texas' fragmented market for anesthesiology providers. The FTC complaint says that Welsh Carson sought to make USAP the dominant provider in Texas by hoovering up the numerous independent practices that previously competed against each other, keeping prices lower.

Persons: Lina Khan, Stowe, Welsh Carson, hoovering Organizations: Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Anesthesia Partners Locations: Washington, Texas, Houston , Texas, New York, Carson

☆ US Attorney General Merrick Garland tells Republicans defunding FBI would be 'catastrophic'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Sarah N. Lynch | Thomson Reuters | Sarah N. Lynch Is The Lead Reporter For Reuters Covering The U.S. Justice Department Out Of Washington | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The Justice Department works for the American people." [1/3]U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and attendees in the room hold their hands over their hearts for the U.S. Republicans have also been critical of the department's handling of a five-year-long tax investigation into Hunter Biden, 53. Hunter Biden lives in California. Republicans on Wednesday grilled Garland about the Hunter Biden case.

Persons: General Merrick Garland, Garland, Donald Trump, Joe Biden's, Hunter Biden, Biden, Hunter, Jerrold Nadler, Jack Smith, Trump, Smith, Tanya Chutkan, David Weiss, Weiss, Mike Johnson, Sarah N, Lynch, Scott Malone, Matthew Lewis, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: U.S, FBI, Justice Department, Republican, Department of Justice, Democratic, Department, Trump, Capitol, Chinese Communist Party, House, U.S . Department of Justice, Republicans, Attorney, Internal Revenue, Justice, D.C, DOJ, Thomson Locations: U.S, New York, Georgia, Delaware, Washington, Central California, California

Attorney General Merrick Garland said he was not instructed to charge Donald Trump with federal crimes, pushing back against comments made by the former president over the weekend. Trump told NBC that the charges he’s facing as part of special counsel Jack Smith’s classified documents and election interference probes are “Biden political indictments,” and that Biden “said to the attorney general ‘indict him.’”Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff of California asked Garland to respond to the allegation, “Was [Trump] telling the truth or was he lying when he said the president told you to indict him?”“No one has told me to indict,” Garland said, “and in this case the decision to indict was made by the special counsel.”“So that statement the president made on Sunday was false,” Schiff asked. Garland again repeated that “no one has told me who should be indicted in any matter like this, and the decision about indictment was made by Mr. Smith,” referring to special counsel Jack Smith.

Persons: Merrick Garland, Donald Trump, Trump, Jack Smith’s, Biden “, ‘, ’, Adam Schiff of, Garland, “, ”, ” Garland, ” Schiff, Smith, Jack Smith Organizations: NBC, Biden, Democratic, Adam Schiff of California

☆ US attorney general to tell House Republicans: 'I am not Congress's prosecutor'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Sarah N. Lynch | Thomson Reuters | Sarah N. Lynch Is The Lead Reporter For Reuters Covering The U.S. Justice Department Out Of Washington | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

This will be Garland's first testimony before Congress since two historic firsts: the department's criminal charges against a former U.S. president, Trump, and against a sitting president's adult child. Republicans have also been critical of the department's handling of a five-year-long tax investigation into Hunter Biden, 53. Weiss' office this month charged Hunter Biden with three counts related to purchase and possession of a firearm while he was using illegal drugs. Hunter Biden intends to plead not guilty. "Singling out individual career public servants who are just doing their jobs is dangerous," Garland plans to say.

Persons: General Merrick Garland, David Weiss, Hunter Biden, Joe Biden, Bonnie Cash, Garland, Republican Donald Trump, Joe Biden's, Trump, Biden, Hunter, Jack Smith, Smith, Tanya Chutkan, Weiss, Sarah N, Lynch, Scott Malone, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Justice Department, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Republican, House, Democratic, Department, Republicans, Delaware U.S, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, U.S, New York, Georgia, Delaware, Washington

☆ DOJ 'will not be intimidated' by partisan attacks, Attorney General Garland tells House panel
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Christina Wilkie | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland testifies during a hearing of the House Judiciary Committee on oversight of the Department of Justice, on Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C., Sept. 20, 2023. WASHINGTON — Attorney General Merrick Garland delivered a full-throated defense of federal law enforcement officers and the Department of Justice in testimony Wednesday before the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee. Even the official announcement of the oversight hearing underscored Jordan's political agenda, explaining that lawmakers intended to "examine how the Justice Department has become politicized and weaponized under the leadership of Attorney General Merrick Garland." Our job is not to take orders from the president, from Congress, or from anyone else, about who or what to criminally investigate," the attorney general said. Garland said, "All of us at the Justice Department recognize that with this work comes public scrutiny, criticism, and legitimate oversight."

Persons: General Merrick Garland, Garland, Jim Jordan, Jordan, Donald Trump, Joe Biden's, Hunter Biden, Jack Smith, Delaware David Weiss, Weiss, Trump, Smith Organizations: Department of Justice, Capitol, Washington , D.C, Ohio Republican, WASHINGTON —, Republican, Justice Department, House Republicans, Trump, U.S, Attorney Locations: Washington ,, WASHINGTON, Delaware

When David C. Weiss, the U.S. attorney in Delaware, asked for special counsel status, the Justice Department says Mr. Garland approved his request quickly. A widely respected federal judge before becoming attorney general, Mr. Garland has become a favorite target of House Republicans after the Justice Department launched investigations that resulted in felony charges against former President Donald J. Trump. At the heart of the issue are assurances Mr. Weiss and Mr. Garland have given to lawmakers that Mr. Weiss had ultimate authority over the Hunter Biden case and when and where to bring charges. But they have vouched generally for the statements about Mr. Weiss’ limited authority, describing a more nuanced scenario in which Mr. Weiss had sought to partner with prosecutors in Washington, D.C., and California, only to be rebuffed, causing him to try a different approach. When Mr. Weiss eventually asked for special counsel status, the Justice Department says Mr. Garland approved his request quickly.

Persons: David C, Weiss, Garland, General Merrick B, Donald J, Biden’s, Hunter, Justice Department hadn’t, Kevin McCarthy, David Weiss, Merrick Garland’s weaponization, Biden, Hunter Biden, Gary Shapley, “, Kenny Holston, Shapley’s, Shapley, Weiss ’ Organizations: Justice Department, Republicans, Trump, Twitter, “ U.S, Committee, DOJ, Veteran, New York Times, Washington , D.C, Departmental Locations: U.S, Delaware, Washington ,, California

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