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House Republicans, trying to win support from the far-right wing of the party, have loaded up their government funding packages with spending cuts and conservative policy priorities. Political Cartoons View All 1163 ImagesThe Senate strategy is being led by the first female duo to hold the top leadership spots on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sens. But as the Senate grinds toward votes on their funding bills, they have won plaudits from leadership in both parties. A few GOP senators allied with conservatives in the House are working to slow the Senate’s work on appropriations bills. They have also loaded the House's appropriations bills with conservative policy wins, ensuring Democratic opposition.

Persons: Patty Murray, Susan Collins, “, ” Murray, Murray, Collins, Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, Collins “, ” Collins, Kevin McCarthy, you’ve, ” McCarthy, Kay Granger, Rosa DeLauro, Conn, McCarthy, gavel, Joe Biden, Biden, ”, Hakeem Jeffries, Republican appropriators, Tom Cole of, ” “ We’re, Don Bacon Organizations: WASHINGTON, Capitol, House Republicans, GOP, Democrats, Associated Press, Republicans, Republican, Caucus, American, Democratic, “, Department of, Social Security Locations: United States, Ukraine, Maine, Washington, Kentucky, Kay Granger of Texas, Texas, New York, Tom Cole of Oklahoma

☆ At the Capitol, Even the Attending Physician Can’t Escape Politics
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Kayla Guo | More About Kayla Guo | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

When Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, 81, wanted to quiet concerns about his health after two alarming on-camera episodes in which he appeared unable to speak or move, he turned to Dr. Brian P. Monahan. Dr. Monahan, the low-profile and mild-mannered Navy doctor who has served for nearly 15 years as the on-site physician in the Capitol, quickly provided a clean bill of health for the longtime Republican leader. The brief and carefully worded statement matter-of-factly shot down several of the leading medical theories for what might be wrong with Mr. McConnell, including a seizure disorder, stroke and Parkinson’s disease. The note drew criticism from some physicians and medical experts — including at least one who as a senator is among Dr. Monahan’s patients — and shone a spotlight on the unique and politically tricky job of the attending physician of Congress. Dr. Monahan, whose job entails serving 535 members of Congress, the justices of the Supreme Court, staff aides and even tourists at the Capitol, has long sought to stay out of politics.

Persons: Mitch McConnell of, Brian P, Monahan, Dr . Monahan, McConnell, . Monahan Organizations: Capitol, Republican Locations: Mitch McConnell of Kentucky

☆ Republicans soften on federal marijuana reform in a shift that could make it a reality
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Julie Tsirkin | Liz Brown-Kaiser | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

The SAFE Banking Act would make it lawful for legal marijuana businesses to use major financial and banking institutions. Smart Approaches to Marijuana Action, a political organization opposed to marijuana legalization, urged Tuberville to oppose the legislation in a recent letter. Financial institutions, including small and community banks, have also put pressure on lawmakers, including Tuberville, to support the bill. There's been these attempts by the chairman of the Banking Committee to add a bunch of other stuff onto it, and I think that just completely torpedoes the chances." Ahead of his re-election campaign, President Joe Biden announced his intention to pardon federal convictions for simple marijuana possession offenses at the end of last year.

Persons: Chuck Schumer, We've, Sen, Steve Daines, Sherrod Brown, Kevin Cramer, Daines, Cramer, Dan Sullivan, Lisa Murkowski, Bill Cassidy of, Cynthia Lummis of, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Susan Collins of, Kevin McCarthy of California, McCarthy, Tommy Tuberville, Steve Stafford, Tuberville, Sullivan, Jeff Sessions, Trump, Sheriff Dan Springer, Springer, I've, Jeff Merkley, Jack Reed, It's, Cory Booker of, Dave Joyce, Alexandria Ocasio, Joe Biden Organizations: U.S, Capitol, Banking, Housing, Urban Affairs, SAFE, Republicans, Democrats, GOP, Auburn University, Smart, Senators, Republican, D.C, Sheriff, HOPE Locations: Ohio, GOP Sens, Alaska, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, Susan Collins of Maine, Washington, Gallatin County , Montana, Montana, Cory Booker of New Jersey, R, Alexandria, Cortez

☆ Six Takeaways From Romney’s Tea-Spilling Biography
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Annie Karni | More About Annie Karni | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Mr. Romney lives a hermitlike existence in Washington. Mr. Romney, 76, has few friends in Washington, and he did not follow President Harry S. Truman’s adage to get himself a dog. Publicly, Mr. Romney has long been on an island in a party subsumed by Trumpism. Mr. Romney also recalled a 2019 visit Mr. Trump made to the weekly Senate Republican lunch in the Capitol. But as soon as Mr. Trump left the room, the senators all burst out laughing.

Persons: Romney, Harry S, Ann, “ Ted Lasso ”, Saul, ”, Lisa Murkowski, Romney —, Trump, Mitch McConnell of, Donald J, ” Mr, Coppins, “ Organizations: Capitol, Republican, Publicly, Trumpism, Trump, Mr Locations: Washington, Alaska, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Russia

CNN —House Speaker Kevin McCarthy unilaterally gave his conference the green light to launch an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. “There has to be an aha moment.” Rep. Darrell Issa of California, a Republican member of the House Judiciary Committee, told CNN. McCarthy – who spoke for 15 minutes before a scheduled presentation on their Biden impeachment inquiry – also expressed annoyance over their spending struggles and inability to find consensus, saying “hell yeah” he is frustrated. “Until I see the evidence of an impeachable offense, I’m not in favor of impeachment inquiry or impeachment.”Some moderates in swing districts, though, are expressing support for the impeachment inquiry, and dismissing concerns that it could negatively impact the GOP. Some House Republicans cautioned that an impeachment inquiry does not make articles of impeachment inevitable.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Joe Biden, McCarthy, Biden –, Darrell Issa of, “, Hunter Biden, –, ” Issa, Republicans –, Jim Jordan, “ We’re, ” Jordan, ”, McCarthy –, Biden, impeaching Biden, Clinton, Tom Cole, Kat Cammack, Brian Mast, Dan Newhouse, Donald Trump, Tim Burchett, Jim Jordan’s, Republicans don’t, McCarthy’s, We’ve, Matt Gaetz, James Biden, “ Hunter Biden, Hunter, can’t, Scott Perry of, James Biden’s, ” Comer, James Comer, Jordan, Jason Smith of Missouri, They’ve, ” McCarthy, Nancy Pelosi, Mike Johnson, ” Newhouse, Comer, Jordan trekked, John Thune of, ” Sen, Lindsey Graham of, ” Graham, There’s, Ken Buck, Ken Buck of Colorado, Buck, ” Buck, I’m, Nick LaLota, ” Johnson, ” Mast Organizations: CNN —, House Republicans, ”, Republican, CNN, Republicans, Ohio Republican, Capitol, GOP, Senate, Dan Newhouse of Washington, hardliner, Hunter Biden, McCarthy’s, Democrats, Senate Republican, Biden Locations: Darrell Issa of California, Ohio, Florida, Dan Newhouse of, Tennessee, John Thune of South Dakota, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Ken Buck of, “, New York

CNN —House Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced Tuesday he is calling on his committees to open a formal impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, even as they have yet to prove allegations he directly profited off his son’s foreign business deals. While McCarthy has already publicly threatened to launch an inquiry, sources say that McCarthy has sent even stronger signals about his intentions behind closed doors. Punchbowl first reported McCarthy’s expected message on an impeachment inquiry. But Tuesday’s news will mark a real effort by McCarthy to start moving ahead and get House Republican skeptics on board with proceeding. House Republican leadership will need to formally whip votes at some point which they have not yet done.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Joe Biden, McCarthy, “, ”, Hunter, James Comer of, Jason Smith of, Jim Jordan of, Biden Organizations: CNN —, California Republican, Capitol, Representatives, Republicans, Republican, CNN, Republican House, House Republican Locations: California, James Comer of Kentucky, Jason Smith of Missouri, Jim Jordan of Ohio, Punchbowl

He added, “I think that is a national security problem and a national security issue. Defense officials say Tuberville is jeopardizing American national security. Senators in both parties, including Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, also have criticized Tuberville. Tuberville has refused to budge, saying will not drop the holds unless majority Democrats allow a vote on the policy. In the meantime, he said, “To hold up the top brass from being promoted and lower brass, I think is paralyzing our Department of Defense.”

Persons: Michael McCaul, CNN's, Alabama Sen, Tommy Tuberville, McCaul, Mitch McConnell of, Tuberville, “, ” Organizations: Alabama, of Defense, Pentagon, Defense, Senators, CNN Locations: Texas, CNN's “ State, American, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky

☆ Congress Embarks on Spending Battle as Shutdown Looms at End of September
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Carl Hulse | More About Carl Hulse | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Given the rapidly approaching deadline, leaders of both the House and the Senate agree that a temporary stopgap funding measure will be needed to avert a government shutdown beginning Oct. 1. But that usually routine legislation is facing major obstacles in the Republican-led House, making its path to President Biden’s desk unusually fraught. At the same time, senators of both parties want the stopgap bill to include billions of dollars in new assistance to Ukraine, a demand that House Republicans are resisting. House Democrats want nothing to do with any of the Republican bills, which have also been loaded with conservative social policy riders that have little chance of enactment. “Honestly, it’s a pretty big mess,” Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the minority leader, recently told an audience in his home state.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Biden’s, Donald J, Mitch McConnell Organizations: Senate, Republican, Trump, Republicans, Democrats Locations: Ukraine, Kentucky

☆ The Great College Pricing Sham
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( James S. Murphy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +21 min

I use quotation marks, because merit aid is granted to half the students at public colleges and 84% at private colleges. Today the average merit-aid discount at private colleges is $23,000 — leaving the student to cover the remaining $30,000 or $40,000. At four-year public colleges, tuition now accounts for 52% of operational revenue, versus 48% from state funding. To make college more accessible, we need to make greater public investments — at both the state and federal levels — in higher education. James S. Murphy is a higher education policy analyst at Education Reform Now.

Persons: Joe Biden, YouGov, Gen, Gen Zers, You'll, Pell Grant, Dominique Baker, —, Getty, Ben Sasse, who's, Sasse, David Feldman, William & Mary, Ford, Feldman, they're, Sandy Baum, It's, There's, Baum, They're, Josh Shapiro, Spencer Cox, shouldn't, James S, Murphy Organizations: Insider, Harvard, of California, Southern Methodist University, Ivy League, U.S . News, Honda, Porsche, University of Florida, McKinsey & Company, University of Oklahoma, University of Kentucky, Ford, Apple, Fordham, Appalachian, William &, Technology, West Virginia University, WVU, Urban Institute, Google, Reform, Twitter Locations: United States, Italian, Appalachian State, America, Pennsylvania, Utah

☆ Here Are the 20 Oldest Members of Congress
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Annie Karni | More About Annie Karni | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the 81-year-old longtime Republican leader, has batted away questions about his health after twice freezing on camera, insisting he has no plans to step down ahead of schedule as the leader of his party in the Senate. Representative Nancy Pelosi, 83, the long-serving former House speaker, announced she would run for re-election in 2024, surprising some colleagues and observers by seeking a 20th term that she would finish at age 86. Both were reminders that some veteran lawmakers are still hanging onto their jobs running the country at an age when most people are well into retirement. Ms. Pelosi, who runs predominantly on a diet of chocolate and hot dogs, still hustles around the Capitol in her signature stilettos and shows little sign of age slowing her down. She did, however, step aside from leadership at the end of last year after Democrats lost the House majority.

Persons: Mitch McConnell of, Nancy Pelosi, Ms, Pelosi Organizations: Republican, Capitol Locations: Mitch McConnell of Kentucky

☆ Fact Check-US swimmer did not reject ‘$3 million partnership with Nike’
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Former competitive swimmer Riley Gaines has not rejected a multimillion-dollar partnership with Nike on account of the brand being “woke.” The claim shared online stems from a parody website. Regardless, the claim was taken seriously online with one Facebook user sharing the image with the caption, “Go WOKE...go Broke....” (here). The meme was first shared by the official America’s Last Line of Defense Facebook page (here). Gaines previously spoke out against Nike for its partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney in April (here), (here). Swimmer Riley Gaines has not turned down a $3 million contract with Nike.

Persons: Riley Gaines, “, Gaines, “ Riley Gaines, “ I’m, “ Go, “ Dunning, influencer Dylan Mulvaney, Clay Travis, Buck Sexton, Read Organizations: Nike, Riley Gaines Center, Leadership Institute, Reuters, University of Kentucky, Defense, “ Dunning Kruger Times

☆ Top US Senate Republican McConnell to serve out term despite health concerns
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, Sept 6 (Reuters) - Top U.S. Senate Republican Mitch McConnell said on Wednesday he plans to serve the rest of his two-year term as party leader and his full six-year term in office, allowing for the possibility that he would step down from leadership before leaving office. KEY QUOTE"I am going plan to finish my term as leader and I'm going to finish my Senate term," McConnell told reporters. REUTERS/Julia Nikhinson Acquire Licensing RightsAlready the longest-serving party leader in U.S. Senate history, McConnell's current term as leader expires in January 2025, while his term as a senator runs through January 2027. McConnell did not address the two-year gap between the end of his current job as leader and end of his Senate term. * McConnell has served as Senate majority leader from 2015 to 2021 and as Senate minority leader since then.

Persons: Senate Republican Mitch McConnell, McConnell, Mitch McConnell, Julia Nikhinson, Nancy Pelosi, Katharine Jackson, Makini Brice, David Morgan, Scott Malone, Bill Berkrot Organizations: U.S, Senate Republican, REUTERS, Senate, Democratic, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, U.S, Washington, Kentucky

Beshear's campaign released a TV ad featuring a prosecutor denouncing the law's lack of exceptions for rape or incest. Matt Bevin played up his opposition to abortion while Beshear focused on education and other issues. Since then, Kentucky's “trigger law” abortion ban — passed in 2019 — took effect when Roe v. Wade was struck down. In Kentucky, Cameron’s office has gone to court to defend the trigger law ban and another anti-abortion state law that outlaws abortion after the sixth week of pregnancy. During a GOP primary debate in March, Cameron expressed support for the near-total abortion ban.

Persons: Andy Beshear, Daniel Cameron, Beshear, Erin White, Nobody, ”, Cameron, Beshear “, Joe Biden, Cameron “, Matt Bevin, —, Roe, Wade, ” Cameron, it’s, ” Beshear, ” Addia Wuchner, ” Wuchner, Tamarra Wieder, ” Wieder, “ Cameron, Tate Reeves, Brandon Presley, Emily Wagster Pettus, Sara Cline Organizations: — Democratic, Republican, Republicans, Supreme, Louisville Courier, Democrat Party, Democratic, U.S . Senate, Bluegrass State, U.S, Alliance, Republican Gov, Associated Press Locations: FRANKFORT, Ky, U.S, Kentucky's, Kentucky, ” Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Jackson, Miss, Baton Rouge, La

☆ McConnell's freeze-ups not stroke or seizure disorder -doctor
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Acquire Licensing Rights Read moreWASHINGTON, Sept 5 (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell's two episodes of freezing up while speaking in public appear not to be the result of a stroke or seizure disorder, Congress's doctor said in a statement on Tuesday that did not explain what caused the incidents. "There is no evidence that you have a seizure disorder or that you experienced a stroke, TIA or movement disorder such as Parkinson's disease," Monahan wrote. McConnell's office declined to answer a request for further detail on what doctors believe caused the incidents. Twice in the last six weeks, the Kentucky Republican froze up during public appearances. The two incidents have raised fresh questions among Republican and Democratic members of Congress about McConnell and other aging lawmakers.

Persons: Mitch McConnell, Mitch McConnell's, Brian Monahan, Monahan, McConnell, Makini Brice, David Morgan, Jasper Ward, Scott Malone, Doina Chiacu, Howard Goller Organizations: U.S ., U.S . Senate, U.S, Senate Republican, Kentucky Republican, Capitol, Republican, Democratic, Senate, Thomson Locations: Washington, Kentucky, Washington , U.S, WASHINGTON

☆ US Senate races ahead of House on spending bills, aims to avoid gov't shutdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Richard Cowan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Democrats and Republicans in the Senate Appropriations Committee have backed the 12 separate spending bills that would finance most government operations for fiscal 2024, while their House Appropriations Committee has been producing bills with only Republican support. Some hardline House Republicans have dismissed the risks of a government shutdown, saying it could be a cudgel for achieving deeper spending cuts to address the $31.4 trillion national debt. 'A PRETTY BIG MESS'Top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell has voted for every one of the 12 fiscal 2024 bills advanced by the Senate Appropriations Committee, as have nearly all of his fellow committee Republicans. Meanwhile, as some hardline House Republicans push for defense spending cuts instead of a buildup, there is pushback within their 222-member caucus. He was referring to a special House-Senate negotiating team that likely would be tasked with ironing out differences between House and Senate defense appropriations bills.

Persons: Kevin Wurm, Joe Biden's, Biden, Republican Kevin McCarthy, Chuck Schumer, McCarthy, Andrew Bates, William Hoagland, Senate Republican Mitch McConnell, McConnell, Tom Cole, we'll, Richard Cowan, Trevor Hunnicutt, Scott Malone, William Maclean Organizations: U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, Democrats, Senate, Republicans, Democratic, Republican, White, Center, Senate Republican, House Republicans, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, U.S, Ukraine, Kentucky

☆ Mitch McConnell brain scans found no stroke, seizures after second freeze, doctor says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Brain scans conducted on Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell found no evidence he has a seizure disorder or experienced a stroke in connection with the most recent of two episodes of freezing up as he spoke in public, a doctor said Tuesday. "There are no changes recommended in treatment protocols as you continue recovery from your March 2023 fall," Monahan wrote. Monahan in his letter wrote that he examined McConnell after the second "brief episode." That exam "including several medical evaluations: brain MRI imaging, EEG study and consultations with several neurologists for a comprehensive neurology assessment." In addition to ruling out a stroke, Monahan also ruled out the chance that McConnell had a transient ischemic attack, which is "a stroke that lasts only a few minutes," according to the National Institutes of Health.

Persons: Mitch McConnell, Brian Monahan, McConnell, Monahan, National Institutes of Health . Monahan Organizations: U.S . Senate, Congress, Kentucky Republican, National Institutes of Health Locations: Washington, Kentucky, Washington ,

☆ Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear won't say if he'd follow the state's new Senate vacancy law and appoint another Republican if McConnell steps down
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( Katie Balevic | John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A 2021 law would require Beshear to appoint a Republican to the Senate should McConnell step down. Beshear attempted to veto that law at the time and could defy it if McConnell ever vacated his seat. AdvertisementAdvertisement"If Mitch does leave office, I think (Beshear) will appoint who he wants to appoint and let them challenge it in court. Some Kentucky Republicans, however, have said McConnell should have stepped down last year. Scott Jennings, a McConnell advisor, told The Post that the senator seemed fine during a Wednesday evening GOP fundraiser.

Persons: Andy Beshear, Mitch McConnell's, Beshear, McConnell, Mitch McConnell, Beshear —, — wouldn't, I'm, Brian P, Monahan, McConnell vacates, Michael Abate, Abate, he's, Jared Smith, Beshear's, Mitch, That's, Smith, Bob Barney, didn't, Scott Jennings, Jennings Organizations: Republican, Service, GOP, Democrat, Washington Post, Capitol, Kentucky Republicans, Louisville Courier, Republican Party, Courier, Post Locations: Wall, Silicon, Kentucky, Louisville, Frankfort, Jessamine County

☆ McConnell’s frozen moment renews questions about America’s aged leaders
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Also in the Senate, California’s Dianne Feinstein, 90, has been ill and displayed apparent cognitive decline in public in recent months. But given that Biden, McConnell and Feinstein are public officials, voters are entitled to a high level of transparency. Biden, for instance, would be 86 by the time his second term ends, which represents his biggest vulnerability in the 2024 election. Remarkably, in an age where major questions divide on party lines, 69% of Democrats shared that view. Should Biden, if he wins a second term, experience a similar moment to McConnell, questions about the continuity of US leadership would reverberate around the world and offer openings for US adversaries.

Persons: Mitch, “, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, California’s Dianne Feinstein, Feinstein, –, Strom Thurmond, Robert Byrd of, Biden, McConnell, Jonathan Reiner, CNN’s Erica Hill, ”, Reiner, Trump, Karine Jean, Pierre, CNN’s Jake Tapper, Tapper, Jean, Nikki Haley, – Trump, Haley, Kamala Harris, Harris, ” Haley, Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, they’ve, Sen, Shelley Moore Capito, CNN’s Manu Raju, John Thune, McConnell “, Jim Banks, CNN’s Raju, Sprightly Iowa GOP Sen, Chuck Grassley, who’s Organizations: CNN, Kentucky Republican, Senate, George Washington University, United States Senate, Associated Press, White, White House, Former South Carolina Gov, GOP, Republicans, Biden, Fox News, Democratic, Supreme, Labor, West Virginia Republican, Republican, prudential, Indiana, Sprightly Iowa GOP, California Democrat, Capitol Locations: Kentucky, South Carolina, Robert Byrd of West Virginia, Rehoboth Beach , Delaware, Ukraine, Washington, Dakota, Sprightly Iowa, California, It’s

On Wednesday, McConnell was speaking to reporters in Kentucky when he froze for more than 30 seconds. McConnell had been sidelined from Congress earlier this year, after he tripped in March and was hospitalized for a concussion and a minor rib fracture. "I have informed Leader McConnell that he is medically clear to continue with his schedule as planned. Senator Dianne Feinstein, 90, was absent from the Senate for months earlier this year, after she suffered complications from shingles. "He was his old self on the telephone," said Biden, who served with McConnell in the Senate.

Persons: Senate Republican Mitch McConnell, Mitch McConnell, McConnell, Congress's, Brian Monahan, Dianne Feinstein, Joe Biden, Biden, Biden's, Donald Trump, Makini Brice, Scott Malone, Chris Reese, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: U.S, Senate Republican, Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, ABC, U.S . Capitol, Senate, Lawmakers, Democratic U.S, Democrats, Democratic, Thomson Locations: Covington , Kentucky, U.S, WASHINGTON, Kentucky, Washington, United States

☆ What Happens if Mitch McConnell Retires Before His Senate Term Ends?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Neil Vigdor | More About Neil Vigdor | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

For the second time in a little over a month, Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the longtime Republican leader, froze up during a news conference on Wednesday, elevating concerns about his health and his ability to complete his term that ends in January 2027. At an event hosted by the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Mr. McConnell, 81, who was elected to his seventh term in 2020, paused for about 30 seconds while responding to a reporter’s question about his re-election plans. The abrupt spell — like one at the U.S. Capitol in July — happened in front of the cameras. He suffered at least two other falls that were not disclosed by his office. Mr. McConnell has brushed off past questions about his health, but speculation is swirling again about what would happen in the unlikely event that he retired in the middle of his term.

Persons: Mitch McConnell of, McConnell Organizations: Republican, Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Mr, U.S, Capitol Locations: Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, —

☆ Capitol physician medically clears McConnell after health scares prompt new questions over his leadership position
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Manu Raju | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Washington CNN —Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell is medically cleared to continue his schedule, the US Capitol physician said Thursday, after he froze for the second time in as many months in public. “I have consulted with Leader McConnell and conferred with his neurology team. Even if they have a meeting, there’s no mechanism to force a vote on the party’s leadership. “The leader sounded like his usual self and was in good spirits,” said Ryan Wrasse, a spokesman for Senate GOP Whip John Thune, who spoke to the GOP leader. “Obviously his first responsibility is to the voters of Kentucky,” GOP Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota told CNN in July.

Persons: Mitch McConnell, McConnell, “, Dr, Brian Monahan, ”, Monahan, –, hasn’t, McConnell’s, Sen, John Barrasso, Jim Banks, McConnell didn’t, Banks, Joe Biden, neurosurgeons, ” Biden, Ryan Wrasse, John Thune, Kelley Moore, Shelley Moore Capito, “ Sen, Capito, ” Capito’s, GOP Sen, Kevin Cramer of North, ” Cramer, John Cornyn, Cornyn Organizations: Washington CNN, GOP, Capitol, CNN, Republican, West Virginia Republican, Senate, Kevin Cramer of North Dakota Locations: Covington , Kentucky, Indiana, Kentucky, “

☆ McConnell Freezes Up a Second Time While Addressing Reporters
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Annie Karni | More About Annie Karni | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the longtime Republican leader who suffered a serious head injury in a fall earlier this year, experienced another alarming freeze-up at a news conference on Wednesday in Covington, Ky., the second such episode caught on camera in recent weeks. Mr. McConnell, 81, was taking questions from reporters after an event hosted by the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce when he was asked for his thoughts on running for re-election in 2026. Mr. McConnell, who appeared thinner and frailer than he has in recent months, began to answer the question with a slight chuckle when he abruptly stopped speaking, standing motionless behind a lectern with his mouth pursed and his eyes wide. When an aide approached to ask if he had heard the question, he mumbled “yes,” but he seemed unable to continue speaking or to move. It was the second such incident in two months, and the scene intensified questions about Mr. McConnell’s future in the Senate.

Persons: Mitch McConnell of, McConnell, McConnell’s Organizations: Republican, Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Mr Locations: Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Covington , Ky

The nation’s best-known public universities have been on an unfettered spending spree. Over the past two decades, they erected new skylines, poured money into big-time sports programs and hired layers of administrators. Then they passed the bill along to students. The Gatton Student Center courtyard at the University of Kentucky. Photo: Jon Cherry for The Wall Street Journal

Persons: Jon Cherry Organizations: The Gatton Student, University of Kentucky, Wall Street

☆ Republicans are already delegitimizing the DOJ's newly-appointed special counsel to investigate Hunter Biden
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

US Attorney David Weiss, who's investigating Hunter Biden, has been appointed special counsel. "David Weiss can't be trusted," wrote the Twitter account for House Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee, which is chaired by Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio. A whistleblower from the IRS previously claimed in June that the Department had hampered Weiss' worked and denied his request to be named special counsel, claims that Weiss firmly rejected. Nonetheless, the special counsel appointment could complicate things for House Republicans. Additionally, Republicans including Jordan have previously called for the appointment of a special counsel to investigate Hunter Biden.

Persons: David Weiss, who's, Hunter Biden, They're, Weiss, General Merrick Garland, Joe Biden's, Garland, Donald Trump, Jim Jordan of Organizations: Service, Republicans, Committee, Rep, Biden, GOP Locations: Wall, Silicon, Delaware, House, Jim Jordan of Ohio

☆ Hunter Biden: US attorney leading Hunter Biden criminal probe is now a special counsel after plea talks break down and a trial looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Marshall Cohen Hannah Rabinowitz Devan Cole | Marshall Cohen | Hannah Rabinowitz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Washington CNN —The Trump-appointed US attorney who is investigating Hunter Biden has been given special counsel status after plea talks between the Justice Department and the president’s son fell apart. It’s the latest dramatic turn in the long-running criminal investigation of Hunter Biden that’s impacted President Joe Biden’s White House and has been a priority of congressional Republicans. The probe appeared to reach its conclusion when a plea deal was announced in June. The GOP had criticized the plea deal, accusing Weiss of giving Hunter Biden preferential treatment. Two career IRS agents who worked on the Hunter Biden probe went public as whistleblowers, claiming there was political meddling in the probe.

Persons: Hunter Biden, David Weiss, Merrick Garland, Weiss, It’s, Joe Biden’s, Hunter, Maryellen Noreika, ”, “, Garland, Jim Jordan, “ David Weiss can’t, ” Jordan, Russell Dye, “ Weiss, James Comer of, Biden, coverup, California Weiss, Hunter Biden’s, Chris Clark, Robert Mueller, John Durham, ” Garland Organizations: Washington CNN, Trump, Justice Department, Republicans, GOP, Department, Hunter Biden, Ohio Republican, Biden, Central District of, District of Columbia, District of Locations: Ohio, James Comer of Kentucky, DC, California, Delaware, Washington, Central District, Central District of California, District, Delaware , Washington, “, District of Delaware

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