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☆ McConnell says ‘MAGA movement is completely wrong’ and Reagan ‘wouldn’t recognize’ Trump’s GOP
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-23 | by ( Morgan Rimmer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell delivered a scathing assessment of the modern Republican Party in an upcoming biography, saying the “MAGA movement is completely wrong” and that Ronald Reagan “wouldn’t recognize” the party today. The Republican leader eventually voted to acquit Trump during the second impeachment trial, focused on the former president’s involvement in the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. However, Tackett reports that McConnell had leaned towards voting to convict at certain points. However, McConnell has endorsed Trump, and met with him back in June of this year during Trump’s meeting with Senate Republicans off the Hill. McConnell also expressed support for special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into Trump’s actions around the 2020 election and the insurrection.

Persons: Mitch McConnell, MAGA, Ronald Reagan “, Trump, Ronald Reagan, ” McConnell, Michael Tackett, Power ”, McConnell, “ Trump, haven’t, ”, “, it’s, acquit Trump, “ I’m, he’s, Elaine Chao, Chao, Coco Chow ”, ” Tackett, Donald Trump, Donald Trump’s, JD Vance, Lindsey Graham, Sen, Rick Scott, Senate Republicans ’, Scott, Rick, Clarence Thomas “, I’m, Thomas, Thomas ’, Jack Smith’s, hasn’t, CNN’s Manu Raju, Ted Barrett Organizations: CNN, Republican Party, Associated Press, Republicans, Republican, Capitol, GOP, Kentucky Republican, Senate, Senate Republicans Locations: ”, China

☆ McConnell privately called Trump a 'despicable human' and unfit for office, new book says
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Frank-Thorp-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Frank Thorp V | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON — Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has endorsed Donald Trump for president this year. But in a new book, the powerful Kentucky Republican is quoted after the 2020 election disparaging Trump as a “despicable human being,” “stupid” and “ill-tempered." McConnell did not deny his statements about Trump as quoted in the book, when asked about it Thursday. In late December 2020, a month after Democrat Joe Biden defeated Trump in the presidential election, McConnell skewered Trump for holding up billions of dollars in Covid relief funds. Trump is “stupid as well as being ill-tempered and can’t even figure out where his own best interests lie,” McConnell said at the time.

Persons: Mitch McConnell, Donald Trump, Trump, McConnell, sobbed, Power, Michael Tackett, JD Vance, Lindsey Graham, ” McConnell, Democrat Joe Biden, McConnell skewered Trump Organizations: Kentucky Republican, Capitol, NBC News, The Associated Press, Trump, AP, Democrat, Peach State, Republicans Locations: WASHINGTON, The, Peach

☆ Despite Trump’s embrace of Orbán, Senate Republicans sound alarms over Hungary’s democratic backsliding
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-11 | by ( Morgan Rimmer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Washington CNN —If there is one area where senior Senate Republicans have chosen to break with former President Donald Trump, it is his embrace of Hungary’s far-right Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. He added, “Hungary also continues to disregard the concerns raised by its allies and partners about deepening its ties with China. Orbán has endorsed Trump, and Trump has touted the prime minister’s backing, even noting it during September’s presidential debate. GOP Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina restarted the U.S. Senate NATO Observer Group in 2018, co-chairing the group alongside Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire. This led Tillis and Shaheen to introduce a Senate resolution condemning Hungary’s democratic backsliding and its delay in allowing Sweden to join the alliance.

Persons: Donald Trump, Viktor Orbán, –, Sen, John Cornyn of, Jerry Moran, ” Moran, Cornyn, Republican appropriator, Susan Collins of, John Hoeven of, John Boozman of, Orbán, ”, Trump, “, Mitch McConnell, ” McConnell, Josh Hawley, Kari Lake, Orbán “, Andy Harris of, Paul Gosar, Orbán’s, McConnell, ’, GOP Sen, Thom Tillis, Democratic Sen, Jeanne Shaheen of, Tillis, Shaheen, ” Tillis Organizations: Washington CNN, Republicans, GOP, Conservative, “, Republican, European Union, Parliament, Kentucky Republican, NATO, ., Trump, Caucus, “ Republicans, CNN, Reagan Republicans, Senate, U.S . Senate NATO Observer Group, Democratic Locations: Budapest, John Cornyn of Texas, Hungary, Kansas, Russia, China, “, “ Hungary, Susan Collins of Maine, Sens, John Hoeven of North Dakota, John Boozman of Arkansas, Ukraine, Mar, Lago, Germany, France, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Andy Harris of Maryland, Arizona, U.S, Washington, North Carolina, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Sweden, NATO

Secret Service advance agents did not request a surveillance team, which could have helped patrol the rally for approximately 15,000 attendees. The lead advance agent for the Secret Service could not even answer the committee when asked who secured the building. Other security requests deniedTrump’s Secret Service security detail requested Counter Assault Team liaisons ahead of the July 13 rally but were denied. The liaison would provide specialized tactical advice to other Secret Service agents and law enforcement on the ground. The lead advance agent also told the committee she requested 13 magnetometers from Secret Service, but only received 10.

Persons: Donald Trump, Thomas Matthew Crooks, Trump, Jill Biden, “, ” Sen, Richard Blumenthal, Abbott, Costello, ‘ who’s, ” Nobody, Butler, –, ”, Crooks, wasn’t, “ It’s, Sen, Rand Paul, whoever’s, ” Paul, ” Blumenthal, Kimberly Cheatle, “ I’m, there’ll, what’s Organizations: CNN, Secret, Secret Service, Service, Connecticut Democrat, Trump, Agents, Emergency Services Unit, Emergency, Unit, US Secret Service, Butler, FBI, SAIC, Trump’s, Kentucky Republican, Capitol Locations: Butler , Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Butler, Iran, Kentucky

That’s why, he said, he invested in AppHarvest, a startup that promised a high-tech future for farming and for the workers of Eastern Kentucky. Despite promising local jobs, the company eventually began contracting migrant workers from Mexico, Guatemala and other countries, numerous former employees told CNN. After about a week on the job, Vance took a meeting with AppHarvest founder Jonathan Webb, as Webb later recounted in a Fox News podcast interview. The company’s health care benefits attracted Morgan, a single father, who told CNN he took a pay cut to join the startup. Such comments ring hollow to some former AppHarvest workers, who argue Vance’s rhetoric as a candidate for vice president doesn’t align with the reality they experienced.

Persons: JD Vance, Vance, “ It’s, it’s, ” Vance, AppHarvest, Donald Trump’s, Kentuckians Vance, weren’t, ”, Anthony Morgan, “, Luke Schroeder, AppHarvest’s, JD, Jonathan Webb, Webb, Peter Thiel’s, Thiel, Steve Case, Vance “, Morgan, ” Morgan, ’ ” Anthony Morgan, Shelby Hester, Hester, ” Hester, Grist, Andrew Miller, David Attenborough, Bethany, Gary Broadbent, “ AppHarvest, Mitch McConnell, Hester’s, Mitch Smith, bigwigs, CNN AppHarvest, Martha Stewart, Broadbent, doesn’t Organizations: CNN, Fox, Republican, US Department of Labor, PayPal, AOL, Fox News, AppHarvest, Morehead State University, Workers, Kentucky’s Education, Labor Cabinet, Kentucky Center, Investigative, Kentucky Republican, Securities and Exchange Commission, Retirement Association, Senate, Republican National Convention Locations: AppHarvest, Eastern Kentucky, Kentucky, Mexico, Guatemala, Ohio, Silicon Valley, Morehead, Appalachia, gurneys, Plymouth, Massachusetts, Canada, ”

CNN —Thomas Matthew Crooks visited the Donald Trump rally location twice, his cell phone contained images of both Trump and President Joe Biden, and the would-be assassin’s search history included dates of the Democratic National Convention as well as future Trump events, three US officials told CNN. A US official briefed on the matter, however, later told CNN that investigators believe the account in his name is fake. Secret Service agents killed Crooks after he opened fire. The Secret Service director later offered to answer the senators’ questions at another time and moved to leave. You owe President Trump answers,” Blackburn said as the Secret Service director continued walking.

Persons: CNN — Thomas Matthew Crooks, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Crooks, Kimberly Cheatle, Chris Wray, Paul Abbate, Abbate, briefers, Butler, Trump, Mike Johnson, Hakeem Jeffries, Rudy Giuliani, Fani Willis, Giuliani, Wray, Sen, Mike Lee, Tom Knights, Knights, “, ”, Police “, Cheatle, Johnson, Mitch McConnell, Tennessee Sen, Marsha Blackburn, ” Cheatle, Wyoming Sen, John Barrasso, You’re, ” Blackburn, McConnell Organizations: CNN, Trump, Democratic National Convention, Lawmakers, Service, FBI, Biden, Utah Republican, Police, Secret Service, ” Knights, Republican National Convention, Fiserv, Tennessee, Kentucky Republican Locations: Butler , Pennsylvania, Fulton County, Utah, Butler, Trump, Milwaukee, Wyoming, United States

☆ 5 ways a second Trump administration would be different from the first
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-23 | by ( Phil Mattingly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

Instead, they influenced the rapid buildup of a kind of shadow White House policymaking apparatus spearheaded by former Trump administration officials. The groups aren’t officially affiliated with Trump’s campaign and have at times gotten crosswise with Trump’s political advisers. Several of the outside groups designed to advance Trump’s policy goals are doubling as a clearinghouse for potential second-term job candidates. Their operations are led by former Trump White House aides who were instrumental in efforts to weed out officials who disagreed with Trump toward the end of his first term. The group he left quickly hired another former senior Trump White House personnel official to replace him.

Persons: Donald Trump, ”, “, Trump, He’s, Trump’s, they’ve, Joe Biden isn’t, Hillary Clinton, Alberto Mier, doles, Utah Sen, Mitt Romney, Jeff Flake, Pat Toomey, Bob Corker, Lamar Alexander, Roy Blunt, Rob Portman, Arizona Sen, John McCain, Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, Ryan, McConnell, Roe, Wade, Don McGahn, Steve Vladeck, –, It’s, Susie Wiles, Chris LaCivita, ” Trump, ” Troup, ” “, ” Hemenway, John McEntee Organizations: CNN, Republican, Republicans, Trump, Getty, Capitol, Ten, GOP, Arizona, Kentucky Republican, White, Georgetown University, America, Institute, Center, White House, Conservative, Trump White House, Republican Party Locations: Iowa, Washington, New York, Kentucky, America, Milwaukee, Gaza

☆ Hunter Biden conviction shatters Trump’s persecution narrative
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-12 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

In his first reaction to the verdict, Hunter Biden didn’t attack the judge or prosecutors, simply saying he was grateful for the love and support of his family and blessed to be clean again. The Hunter Biden verdict also contradicted the central rationale of Trump’s multiple legal defenses in his four criminal cases, several civil matters and his entire presidential campaign. “So much for the weaponization of the Justice Department to go after just the enemies of the other side,” Michael Zeldin, a former senior Justice Department official and federal prosecutor, said on CNN Max on Tuesday. Stephen Miller, Trump’s former White House domestic policy adviser, argued that the Justice Department had actually shown favoritism toward Hunter Biden by not charging him with 50 felonies over foreign influence peddling. “Hunter Biden just became the Deep State’s sacrificial lamb to show that Justice is ‘balanced’ while the other Biden crimes remain ignored,” she wrote on X.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Biden, Hunter, “, ”, Hunter Biden, Trump, ” Trump, Phil McGraw, couldn’t, ” Michael Zeldin, CNN Max, General Merrick, Garland, David Weiss, Weiss, “ Hunter Biden, ” Ken Buck, CNN’s Erin Burnett, ” Julian Zelizer, he’s, who’s, He’s, ” Zelizer, Democratic Sen, Robert Menendez, Henry Cuellar, Jamie Raskin, James Comer, Big Guy, ” Comer, Mike Johnson, Stephen Miller, Trump’s, ” Miller, Marjorie Taylor Greene, baselessly Organizations: CNN, Justice Department, Fox News, Trump, Democratic, Department, White House, Republican, Justice, Princeton University, “, Robert Menendez of New, Biden, Maryland Democrat, Kentucky Republican, Big, Louisiana Republican, BIG, Georgia Locations: America, Manhattan, Delaware, Robert Menendez of, Robert Menendez of New Jersey, New York, Henry Cuellar of Texas, Mexican, United States, Kentucky, Ukraine, China, Louisiana

☆ Marjorie Taylor Greene creates headaches for House GOP as leaders weigh how much attention to give the Trump loyalist
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( Melanie Zanona | Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

And I’m not leaving,” Greene told CNN of what she relayed to Comer, a Kentucky Republican. GOP Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska framed the internal debate over how to handle Greene in familial terms: “You can only do so much. The American people don’t give a sh*t,” Greene told CNN last week after her meeting with Johnson. It’s not the first time Greene has tried the unpopular move of undermining the committee process and House GOP leadership. “I don’t think that you cure one hasty ill-advised action with another,” GOP Rep. Nick LaLota of New York said of Greene’s proposals.

Persons: Marjorie Taylor Greene, Kevin McCarthy, Mike Johnson, Greene, Johnson, Georgia Republican —, —, Donald Trump’s, Joe Biden, of Justice —, Carlos Giménez, MAGA, General Merrick Garland, Jasmine Crockett’s, James Comer, “, ” Greene, Comer, ”, Lauren Boebert, Bob Good, Ron DeSantis, “ I’ve, “ I’m, Ralph Norman of South, McCarthy, Don Bacon of Nebraska, Trump, Biden, It’s, Alejandro Mayorkas, impeaching, impeaching Biden, Nick LaLota, ” Johnson, Anthony Fauci, Brad Wenstrup, Wenstrup Organizations: CNN, GOP, Republican, Georgia Republican, Caucus, GOP Conference, of Justice, Republicans, Trump, Democratic Rep, Kentucky Republican, Florida Gov, Ralph Norman of South Carolina, impeaching Department of Homeland, Democratic, Justice Department, Ohio Republican Locations: Florida, Las Vegas, Kentucky, Colorado, Virginia, “, MAGA, New York

☆ With Ukraine Funded, New Fight Emerges in Congress Over Pentagon Spending
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Carl Hulse | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Just weeks after Congress settled its long-running fight over military assistance to Ukraine, lawmakers have engaged in a new battle over the level of Pentagon spending for next year. Senator Mitch McConnell, the Kentucky Republican and minority leader, is pressing along with other Republicans for a significant increase in money for the military and to break the longstanding Democratic rule that domestic funding must rise equally with Pentagon spending. “This is the most dangerous time in the world since the Berlin Wall came down, and the military spending needs to reflect the needs of our country, which clearly argues against having an arbitrary line that doesn’t spend more on defense than domestic,” Mr. McConnell said. “So I certainly do disagree with that, and we’re going to have a vigorous discussion about it.”Democrats have demanded parity between domestic and military funding in recent years. They argue that social programs are as deserving as defense and should not get shortchanged — or absorb deeper cuts to accommodate more Pentagon spending.

Persons: Mitch McConnell, Mr, McConnell Organizations: Kentucky Republican, Democratic, Pentagon Locations: Ukraine

☆ Johnson looks to unify GOP with crack down on college campus protests
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Annie Grayer | Melanie Zanona | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

“Anti-Israel protests on college campuses threaten Jewish students,” says the ad, which was shared first with CNN. While supporters of the legislation say it will help combat antisemitism on college campuses, opponents argue it overreaches and threatens to chill free speech. Some Democrats see the new investigative effort into college campuses and Johnson’s recent visit to Columbia University as a divisive political ploy. “Clearly it’s a very high priority for him,” GOP Rep. Frank Lucas of Oklahoma, the chairman of the House Science Committee, told CNN. House GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, who sits on the Education panel, is also expected to play a prominent role in the effort.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, speakership, ” Johnson, “, ”, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Donald Trump, Nick Fuentes, Pramila Jayapal, Joe Biden, James Comer, Lisa McClain, Biden, “ I’ve, Frank Lucas of Oklahoma, Virginia Foxx, Elise Stefanik, Jim Jordan, Comer, ” Comer, ” CNN’s Haley Talbot Organizations: CNN, Republican, House Democratic, GOP, Louisiana Republican, Columbia University, Democrats, White, Department, Education, International Holocaust, Alliance, Columbia, Michigan, House Education, Workforce Committee, House Science, North Carolina, Yale University, University of California, University of Michigan, House GOP, New York Republican, Science, Republicans, George Washington University, Kentucky Republican Locations: Louisiana, Israel, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Lago, Washington, Columbia, University of California Los Angeles, “, Ohio

☆ Sanders voices support for pro-Palestinian protests as he condemns ‘all forms of bigotry’
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Michelle Shen | Jalen Beckford | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

That is a reality.”Sanders’ comments come as college campuses across the United States have erupted with pro-Palestinian protests. As the war continues, reports of antisemitic acts have surged across campuses, and Islamophobia has run rampant, too. The recent rise in protests has inflamed those tensions, forcing university leaders to decide when free speech on campus crosses a line and becomes threatening. Antisemitism is a disgusting and vile form of bigotry which has killed millions of people,” Sanders, Independent from Vermont, said Sunday. College officials’ responses to Israel-Hamas war protests have unfolded alongside a global debate over the US role in the conflict, as well as an intensifying race for the White House and for control of Congress.

Persons: CNN — Sen, Bernie Sanders, ” Sanders, CNN’s Dana, ”, “, Hitler, Democratic Sen, Chris Murphy, Murphy, Mitch McConnell, CNN’s Dakin Andone, Casey Gannon, Annie Grayer Organizations: CNN, Union, Independent, Democratic, Fox News, ”, Kentucky Republican, CBS News . College, White, Elite Locations: Gaza, “ State, United States, Israel, Vermont

☆ How the House GOP’s Biden impeachment effort fell apart
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Annie Grayer | Melanie Zanona | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

“To me, success is impeachment from the House,” GOP Rep. Brian Mast said. Comer’s co-leads, House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan and House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith, are also fully behind the work. I don’t think that’s an impeachable offense,” GOP Rep. Jodey Arrington said. Even GOP Rep. Darrell Issa remarked after the first hour of questioning that Hunter Biden was prepared for the interview. There’s an election in seven months from now,” GOP Rep. Nick LaLota, who represents a New York district Biden won in 2020, told CNN.

Persons: James Comer, Joe Biden, –, Comer, Biden, “ Comer, Jesus, Alejandro Mayorkas, Comer –, “, Anna Paulina Luna –, Hunter Biden, it’s, ” Luna, ”, missteps, Brian Mast, Mike Johnson, Comer’s, Jim Jordan, Jason Smith, ” Johnson, Steve Scalise, Elise Stefanik, Kevin McCarthy, ” Bruce Dubinsky, McCarthy, Samuel Corum, Johnson, Jodey Arrington, Darrell Issa, …, Doug LaMalfa, Mayorkas, Tony Gonzales, Austin Scott, ” Comer, Donald Trump, Jordan, doesn’t, There’s, Nick LaLota, Jamie Raskin, Raskin Organizations: Washington CNN —, Republican, CNN, Kentucky Republican, Homeland, Biden, GOP, Republicans, Getty, White, Democratic, ”, Department of Justice Locations: Kentucky, ”, Washington , DC, –, Texas, New York

☆ Schumer says senators struggling to reach deal to pass FISA before deadline
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Ted | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

There is broad support in the Senate for Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, and it will eventually be approved. We want to get FISA done as soon as we can, because it’s very important for our national security. So, both sides need to fully cooperate, if we want to get FISA done,” Schumer said on the floor. Under FISA’s Section 702, the government hoovers up massive amounts of internet and cell phone data on foreign targets. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell also pressed for passage of FISA bill, which he said has a number of changes in it to address past “abuses” by the FBI.

Persons: Chuck Schumer, “ We’re, ” Schumer, Critics, Schumer, ”, Mitch McConnell, McConnell, Katie Bo Lillis Organizations: Washington CNN, Republicans, Foreign Intelligence, FISA, The New York Democrat, FBI, Kentucky Republican Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan

☆ House conservatives have a special group dedicated to preserving their power. Of course, it's called the FART team.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

House conservatives have organized a crack team to monitor to potential ways to undermine their power. The House Freedom Caucus has formed a Floor Action Response Team. AdvertisementThe far-right House Freedom Caucus has formed a crack team of conservative lawmakers to monitor the House floor lest Speaker Mike Johnson or other Republicans try to limit their power. Massie is also not a member of the Freedom Caucus, whose membership is technically secret, but he does support many of the caucus' broader aims. Gaetz teamed up with seven other House Republicans and House Democrats to boot McCarthy from power.

Persons: —, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Greene, Thomas Massie, Massie, Lauren Boebert, Boebert, I'm, Kevin McCarthy, Matt Gaetz, McCarthy's, Gaetz, McCarthy, Chip Roy, Ralph Norman, Mike Lawler, Lawler Organizations: Service, Politico, Caucus, Freedom Caucus, Georgia Republican, Kentucky Republican, Republican, Colorado Republican, Blaze Media, Republicans, House Democrats, GOP, New York Republican Locations: Georgia, Ukraine, Kentucky, Colorado, Florida

The Senate is set for a showdown over the articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas as Democrats are expected to move quickly to dismiss the articles, while Republicans insist there must be a full trial. The House transmitted the articles of impeachment to the Senate on Tuesday and senators are expected to be sworn in as jurors Wednesday. Every time there’s a policy agreement in the House, they send it over here and tie the Senate in knots to do an impeachment trial? Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Tuesday that senators have a “rare” and “solemn” responsibility to consider the impeachment articles and said he would oppose any effort to table the articles. The deal faced a torrent of attacks from former President Donald Trump and top House Republicans.

Persons: Alejandro Mayorkas, Chuck Schumer, —, Mayorkas, ” Schumer, “, Mitch McConnell, ”, Democratic Sen, Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, CNN’s Manu Raju, Casey, you’ve, It’s, Jon Tester, Montana, Pro Tempore Patty Murray, Biden, Donald Trump Organizations: Homeland, Republicans, Kentucky Republican, Biden, Republican, Democratic, Senate, ICE, CNN, Pro Tempore, Homeland Security, DHS, House Republicans Locations: Kentucky, Washington

☆ Everything to know about the long, drawn-out race to succeed Mitch McConnell as Senate GOP leader
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Mitch McConnell is stepping down from being Senate GOP leader after more than 17 years in the job. John Thune and John Cornyn are already campaigning for the job, but others could jump in later. AdvertisementMitch McConnell's reign as Senate Republican leader is set to end next January, capping off what will ultimately be an 18-year tenure — the longest of any Senate leader in American history. John Thune and John Cornyn. McConnell's penchant for bipartisanship and support for Ukraine aid in particular have rankled a small segment of GOP senators, and that cohort could be influential in determining who GOP senators succeed in November.

Persons: Mitch McConnell, John Thune, John Cornyn, —, Mitch McConnell's, Johns Organizations: GOP, Service, Republican, Kentucky Republican, Republicans Locations: Sens, Ukraine

☆ Comer invites Biden to testify before the Oversight Committee
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

“Comer knows 20+ witnesses have testified that POTUS did nothing wrong. Yet, in his letter to Biden, Comer outlined the four phases of his investigation that included obtaining bank records and witness testimony that led him to seeking the president’s testimony. Various Biden family business associates have testified they have had surface level interactions with Biden, but none have said they discussed business with the president, either while he was in office or as a private citizen. “What do you think they would do if we Impeached Biden?” Comer wrote earlier this week. House Speaker Mike Johnson announced Thursday that the House will send over the Mayorkas impeachment articles to the Senate on April 10.

Persons: James Comer, Joe Biden, –, ” Comer, “ Comer, POTUS, he’s, ”, Ian Sams, Biden, Comer, James Biden, Alejandro Mayorkas, Mike Johnson Organizations: Republicans, White, Kentucky Republican, GOP, Department of Justice, Internal Revenue Service, House Republicans, Democratic, CNN, Department of Homeland, Senate

☆ New Senate Leadership Tussle Is a Throwback to the Old Days
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Carl Hulse | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

When Senator Mitch McConnell, the Kentucky Republican and longest-serving Senate leader, decided to step aside from his leadership role at the end of the year, it signaled the turning of a new page in the chamber. For all the power they wield in Congress, Senate leaders have not had to fight too hard for their positions in recent years. Mr. McConnell, the current record-holder with almost 18 years at the top, did not face an opponent when he first won the job in 2006. Before Senator Harry Reid’s retirement in 2017, the Nevada Democrat and party leader passed the reins seamlessly to Senator Chuck Schumer of New York. Mr. Reid himself had quickly sewn up the Democratic job when it suddenly came open in 2004.

Persons: Mitch McConnell, John Cornyn of, John Thune of, McConnell, Rick Scott of, Harry Reid’s, Chuck Schumer, Reid Organizations: Kentucky Republican, Nevada Democrat, Democratic Locations: John Cornyn of Texas, John Thune of South Dakota, Rick Scott of Florida, New York

☆ Some in Congress don’t like extreme partisanship either
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —There was an interesting and telling exchange recently between Sen. Lisa Murkowski, the Alaska Republican, and CNN’s Manu Raju. In the hallway exchange, Murkowski expressed frustration that former President Donald Trump is her party’s presidential nominee. CNNWhen Raju pushed Murkowski about whether she might leave the Republican Party, she said this: “I am navigating my way through some very interesting political times. Moreno won the Republican nomination in last week’s primary and he did so by aligning himself with Trump. Gallagher follows Rep. Ken Buck, the hardline Colorado Republican who resigned early in frustration over Republican election denialism and because House lawmakers are unable to set aside differences to get much done.

Persons: Sen, Lisa Murkowski, CNN’s Manu Raju, Murkowski, Donald Trump, “, ”, Raju, ’ Murkowski, Trump, ” Sen, Raju, Let’s, Bernie Moreno, Moreno, “ We’ve, Mitch McConnell, McConnell, it’s, Kyrsten, Joe Manchin, Kyrsten Sinema, Sinema, Manchin, Jon Tester, Sherrod Brown, CNN RAJU, Mitt Romney, Joe Biden –, Rob Portman, Lamar Alexander, Bob Corker, Mitch McConnell’s, Mike Gallagher, Alejandro Mayorkas, Gallagher, Ken Buck, CNN’s Dana Bash, he’d Organizations: CNN, Alaska Republican, Capitol, Republican Party, Trump, Republican, Capitol Hill, GOP, Republicans, Kentucky Republican, Democratic, Senate, Getty, Democratic Party, Montana Democrat, Sen, Homeland, Colorado Republican Locations: Alaska, Cleveland, Ohio, Sens, Arizona, West Virginia, Montana, Wisconsin

☆ A speech that sent shockwaves from Washington to Jerusalem
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Schumer’s rebuke of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Thursday contained extraordinarily strong language for a senior US politician criticizing the Israeli government. He also voiced support for a two-state solution to the long conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, a position that Netanyahu has rejected. He was almost immediately accused of deserting a US ally in a time of war and of trying to interfere in Israeli politics. McConnell added: “Israel is not a colony of America whose leaders serve at the pleasure of the party in power in Washington. Biden himself last week warned Netanyahu was “hurting Israel more than helping Israel” with his assault on the Palestinian enclave.

Persons: Chuck Schumer’s, Israel, ”, Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden’s, Schumer –, –, Netanyahu, “, ” Schumer, Schumer, Israel’s, United States Michael Herzog, Mitch McConnell, doesn’t, McConnell, Obama, Donald Trump, Biden’s, Biden, Kamala Harris, Israel ”, Biden – Organizations: CNN, New York Democrat, Hamas, Likud, Democratic, Kentucky Republican, Senate, Progressives, Democrats, Biden, White, Israel, Israel Democrats Locations: Israel, Gaza, United States, Ukraine, America, Washington, Iran, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Michigan

Speaker Mike Johnson told Republican senators during their closed-door retreat Wednesday that he was committed to finding a path ahead for Ukraine aid in the House of Representatives, a sign GOP senators took to mean that aid to the embattled country isn’t yet dead in Congress. McCaul said Johnson will put such a House foreign aid bill on the floor after the appropriations process is done. McCaul dismissed the concept of sending Ukraine aid through a discharge petition, saying he is “worried” about that approach, highlighting instead the REPO Act and formatting aid as a loan. “You know, it feels like Speaker Johnson makes up his strategy one or two days at a time. “Speaker Johnson doesn’t need to make up a new plan.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Sen, Markwayne Mullin, Johnson, wouldn’t, Michael McCaul, Ukraine –, Donald Trump, McCaul, ” McCaul, “ I’ve, Republican Sen, Lindsey Graham, ”, Roger Wicker of, “, ” “, Joni Ernst of Iowa, Thom Tillis, we’ve, Mitch McConnell, ” McConnell, “ We’ve, Democratic Sen, Chris Murphy, Johnson doesn’t, that’s, CNN’s Morgan Rimmer Organizations: Republican, CNN, Republicans, House Foreign, Texas Republican, GOP, Senate Armed Services Committee, Kentucky Republican, Democratic, “, Senate, ” Republican Locations: Ukraine, Oklahoma, Texas, West Virginia, Roger Wicker of Mississippi, Israel, Taiwan, North Carolina, Russia, Connecticut, Arkansas

☆ Is the End of the Filibuster Near?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Carl Hulse | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Time may be finally running out on the filibuster, the signature dilatory tactic in the Senate embraced by some as a protector of minority rights and reviled by others as an outdated weapon of partisan obstruction. With the announcement by Senator Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona that she will not seek re-election, the filibuster is now on track to lose the two senators who preserved it in 2022 over the objections of the rest of their party. She and her fellow filibuster defender, Senator Joe Manchin III of West Virginia, who is also retiring, left Democrats just two votes short of ending the filibuster when it came to voting law changes that were backed by a majority. Perhaps just as significantly, Senator Mitch McConnell, the Kentucky Republican who has enthusiastically deployed the filibuster to his advantage for decades, is stepping down from his top party leadership post, reducing the influence of one of the chief practitioners and defenders of filibuster maneuvering. Depending on how the November elections shake out, the pressure to reduce the power of the procedural tool — which effectively requires 60 votes to move any legislation forward in the Senate — could be substantial.

Persons: Kyrsten Sinema, Joe Manchin III, Mitch McConnell Organizations: Kentucky Republican Locations: Arizona, West Virginia

☆ Robert Kennedy Jr. says he's seriously considering Jets QB Aaron Rodgers to be his running mate
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

According to The New York Times, Kennedy has talked to Jets QB Aaron Rodgers. AdvertisementLongshot presidential hopeful Robert Kennedy Jr. told The New York Times that he is considering both Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and former Minnesota Gov. Per the Times, Rodgers has welcomed Kennedy's interest, and someone registered the domain kennedyrodgers.com last week. The former NFL MVP is still under contract with The New York Jets. As the Times noted, Kennedy must name a running mate relatively soon to comply with state ballot access deadlines.

Persons: Kennedy, Aaron Rodgers, Jesse Ventura, —, Robert Kennedy Jr, Joe Biden, Ventura, Rodgers, Andrew Yang, Tulsi Gabbard, Sen, Rand Paul, Travis Kelce, Anthony Fauci, Jimmy Kimmel, Jeffrey Epstein, Kimmel, Epstein Organizations: RFK Jr, The New York Times, Minnesota Gov, Service, New York Times, Jets, Rodgers, Times, NFL, The New York Jets, Green Bay Packers, Democratic, Kentucky Republican, Chiefs, Pfizer Locations: Kentucky

☆ Poised and Precise, Hur Enters Fray Over Special Counsel’s Report on Biden
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( Glenn Thrush | Luke Broadwater | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The former special counsel Robert K. Hur, denounced by Democrats for his unsparing description of President Biden’s memory lapses, had one of his own during his testimony on Tuesday before the House Judiciary Committee. Representative James R. Comer, a Kentucky Republican, made passing reference to Dana A. Remus, a Democratic lawyer who had served as White House counsel under Mr. Biden from January 2021 to July 2022. Mr. Hur crinkled an eyebrow and corrected him: No, he said, she occupied that post under President Obama. The misstep was an isolated moment in an otherwise poised and precise appearance by Mr. Hur, 51, who was testifying about his report on the investigation into Mr. Biden’s handling of classified documents. Mr. Hur, a Trump-era Justice Department official known among former colleagues for keeping a cool head in high-stress, high-stakes situations, incited a furor after describing the president as a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.”

Persons: Robert K, Hur, James R, Comer, Dana A, Remus, Biden, Mr, Obama, Mr . Hur, . Hur, ” Organizations: Kentucky Republican, Democratic, White, -, Department Locations: Kentucky

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