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☆ Biden tries to lay to rest age concerns, but may have exacerbated them
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —A probe that spared President Joe Biden from criminal charges paradoxically dealt him a threatening political blow. The president’s defenders often get frustrated when the political conversation is dominated by Biden’s age – rather than Trump’s repeated challenges to the rule of law. In another CNN poll last week, 46% of Democrats were concerned about Biden’s age. Hur’s report rebuked Biden for willfully retaining classified information, including top secret documents after he left the vice presidency. North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis was kinder but his comments over Biden’s age were also cutting.

Persons: Joe Biden, Robert Hur’s, Biden, ” Biden fumed, Donald Trump’s, CNN’s MJ Lee, “, ”, Hur, Beau’s, ” Biden, he’s, Trump, Kamala Harris, —, Nikki Haley, Nancy Pelosi —, he’d, Trump’s, Hur’s, ” Hur, Beau, Florida Sen, Marco Rubio, North Carolina Republican Sen, Thom Tillis, I’m, ” Tillis, “ I’m, …, I’ve, Arizona Sen, Mark Kelly Organizations: CNN, White, Trump, Republican, Biden, Republicans, GOP, Twitter, North Carolina Republican Locations: Egypt, Mexico, America, Washington, Ukraine, Gaza, Lago, Afghanistan, Maryland, Florida, Arizona

But Republicans are divided about how to proceed, and GOP leaders were still scrambling to find a plan that their senators could back. It left Senate Republicans fractured and frustrated just as Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky is trying to find a way to squeeze the assistance for Ukraine through Congress. Ukraine supporters say the drop-off in U.S. support is already being felt on the battlefield and by civilians. “My priority is border security. It’s always been border security.

Persons: Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell of, Mike Johnson, ”, Sen, Thom Tillis, It’s, Roger Marshall, — Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, GOP, Republicans, Republican, Ukraine Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, United States, Kyiv, Russia

WASHINGTON (AP) — A bipartisan Senate deal intended to curb illegal crossings at the U.S. border with Mexico faced almost certain defeat Tuesday as Senate Republicans signaled their opposition, stranding President Joe Biden with no clear way to advance aid for Ukraine through Congress. He offered to delay a key test vote on the package until Thursday, but dared them to vote against border security — an issue they have long championed. He made no mention of the need for border security — a piece of the supplemental package that he last year insisted on including. The longtime Republican leader has not been able to convince his conference to warm to the compromises on border security after Trump, the likely Republican presidential nominee, has excoriated it. Even GOP senators who had been supportive of the border policies under discussion came out against the bill on Tuesday.

Persons: Joe Biden, Sen, Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, —, Donald Trump —, Schumer, “, Leader McConnell, ” Schumer, Vladimir Putin's, McConnell, Biden, ” McConnell, Mayorkas, Thom Tillis, Mike Johnson, ”, Hakeem Jeffries, Katherine Clark, Pete Aguilar, MAGA Organizations: WASHINGTON, Senate, Republicans, Democratic, Republican, United States Senate, Russia, Kentucky Republican, Trump, North Carolina Republican, House Democratic Locations: U.S, Mexico, Ukraine, Israel, Asia, Gaza, New York, Europe, Russia, Kentucky, East

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers are urging Hungary to immediately ratify Sweden's application to join NATO, saying patience with the Central European country is “wearing thin” as it continues to delay its approval for the Nordic nation. “Despite its numerous prior public commitments, Hungary is the last remaining NATO member to have not ratified Sweden’s bid and both time and patience are wearing thin. Hungary’s inaction risks irrevocably damaging its relationship with the United States and with NATO,” the senators wrote. Orbán, a staunch nationalist that has led Hungary since 2010, has long promised that his country wouldn't be the last NATO member to approve Sweden's application. Photos You Should See View All 45 ImagesA vote on the protocols for Sweden’s NATO accession hasn’t yet appeared on the Hungarian parliament’s agenda, and the matter is unlikely to go before lawmakers until at least late February when the parliament reconvenes.

Persons: Jeanne Shaheen, Thom Tillis, Viktor Orbán, Orbán, Sen, Ben Cardin, ” Cardin, Biden, Cardin, ”, “ Organizations: NATO, Central, New, New Hampshire Democrat, North Carolina Republican, Hungarian, Maryland Democrat, Senate Foreign Relations, U.S, Visa, Global, European Union Locations: BUDAPEST, Hungary, U.S, Nordic, Budapest, Sens, New Hampshire, United States, Ukraine, Maryland, Washington

☆ Meta, X, TikTok, Snap and Discord face growing appetite in Congress for tighter social media regulation
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Jonathan Vanian | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

(L-R) Shou Zi Chew, CEO of TikTok, Linda Yaccarino, CEO of X, and Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on January 31, 2024 in Washington, DC. Tillis and other lawmakers accused the tech executives of failing to protect children from sexual exploitation on their respective social media platforms. Growing appetite for regulationTo be sure, both Republican and Democratic senators were united in their conviction that social media firms are failing the American public and directly harming young people. Still, it takes time for bills to get passed, and all of these social media firms are still getting slammed for child-safety related issues, which could keep the topic fresh in the minds of politicians. Watch: Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg apologizes to parents at online child safety Senate hearing.

Persons: Shou Zi Chew, Linda Yaccarino, Mark Zuckerberg, Meta, Alex Wong, Sen, Thom Tillis, Tillis, Josh Hawley, Zuckerberg, Tom Cotton, Chew Organizations: Dirksen, Facebook, Republican, Democratic, Meta, New, Apple, Lawmakers, Chinese Communist Party Locations: Washington , DC, Cambridge, China

Mark Robinson remained the top fundraiser in the GOP primary campaign for North Carolina governor entering 2024, but a recent rival has used his own personal fortune to compete with him monetarily. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesMorgan’s campaign report said it raised $119,300 during the second half of 2023 and had $32,100 in cash entering January. Graham's campaign finance report said it had $161,600 in cash starting the new year. He was sitting on almost $1.3 million in cash entering January, which came in large part from $1 million he loaned his campaign last June. Robinson, in turn, has attacked Graham in speeches about his lawsuits involving hog farm operations in eastern North Carolina.

Persons: Mark Robinson, monetarily, Bill Graham, Graham, Josh Stein’s, Mike Morgan, Roy Cooper, Stein, Josh Stein, Robinson, Donald Trump, Dale Folwell, — Gary Foxx, Marcus Williams, Chrelle Booker —, weren’t, Folwell, Sen, Thom Tillis Organizations: — Republican, Gov, GOP, North Carolina, State Board, Republican, Associated Press, Democratic, Current Democratic, Israel Locations: RALEIGH, N.C, North, Salisbury, North Carolina

☆ Inside the right-wing subculture of Zyn-obsessed nicotine fiends
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. After Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called for a federal probe into "Zyn" nicotine pouches last week, the GOP backlash was swift. "Unfortunately Chuck Schumer is more focused on Zyn Pouches than he is about Fentanyl pouring over our border," wrote Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee. A 'pro-society' drugA variety of factors drive the proliferation of nicotine among the younger right-wing crowd. Containers of "Zyn" nicotine pouches.

Persons: Tucker Carlson, —, Chuck Schumer, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Schumer, Sen, Thom Tillis, Tim Burchett, Peter Thiel, JD Vance, Ohio, Vance, It's, Michael M, Carlson, Tucker Carlson's, that's, Saagar Enjeti, Greg Price, Andrew Huberman, Peter Attia, they're, There's, Enjeti, Tillis, Gregory Conley, Conley Organizations: Service, GOP, Rep, Fox News, Atlantic, Senate, Republican, State Freedom Caucus Network, Stanford University, Republicans, American Vapor Manufacturers Association, Capitol, Democrats Locations: North Carolina, Tennessee, mainstreaming Zyn, Swedish

☆ Trump poses dilemma for Senate GOP leaders after years of battling with McConnell
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Manu Raju | Melanie Zanona | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Watch CNN’s coverage of Senate GOP leadership and Donald Trump on ‘Inside Politics Sunday with Manu Raju’ at 11 a.m. Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell hasn’t spoken to Trump in more than three years and tries to avoid uttering his name in public. As Trump steamrolls to the nomination, there are ample questions in GOP circles about how – and whether – Trump can rebuild Senate alliances that were critical in his first term but are nonexistent now. But Mullin said that the next Senate GOP leader and Trump need to move past the bad blood if they take back the majority and the White House. Asked last week if he could work with Trump as president, Thune said: “We can work with everybody.”Pressed again if he could do so as GOP leader, Thune said: “Well, that’s a hypothetical.”And the elevator doors closed.

Persons: Donald Trump, Manu Raju ’, Mike Johnson, Donald Trump ., Mitch McConnell hasn’t, John Thune of, hasn’t, Trump, “, ”, Texas Sen, John Cornyn –, McConnell, – Sen, John Barrasso, Kari Lake, Bernie Moreno, – Trump, –, there’s, Sen, J.D, Vance, Mitch McConnell, Chip Somodevilla, Johns, he’s, Rick Scott, Scott, —, Markwayne Mullin, Mullin, ” Mullin, they’re, ” Sen, Marco Rubio, Nikki Haley, Haley, Kevin Cramer, Mitch, Thom Tillis, Tillis, Josh Hawley, ” Hawley, Trump’s, Elaine Chao, ” McConnell, John Thune, John Cornyn, J, Scott Applewhite, Cornyn, Joe Biden, ” Cornyn, Barrasso, Joe Biden …, ” Thune, Thune –, Tim Scott of, Thune, CNN’s Morgan Rimmer, Lauren Fox, Christine Park Organizations: GOP, Trump, Team Trump, Republican, Capitol, Trump -, Republicans, Ohio Republican, CNN, Oklahoma Republican, White, Kentucky Republican, North Dakota Republican, North Carolina Republican, New, New Hampshire, Texas, Wyoming –, Thune Locations: New Hampshire, John Thune of South Dakota, Wyoming, Iowa, Arizona, Ohio, Ukraine, Washington ,, Florida, Oklahoma, Marco Rubio of Florida, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Washington, Tim Scott of South Carolina

☆ How Donald Trump Divided Republicans on Immigration
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Annie Karni | More About Annie Karni | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

With more than half of Senate Republicans now officially backing Trump’s candidacy, those entreaties are becoming harder to ignore as mere prattle from Palm Beach. Trump and most House Republicans want to block migrants from living and working temporarily without visas in the United States while they await the outcome of their immigration claims. Speaker Mike Johnson, who talks about immigration regularly with Trump, has said that a Senate deal without those policies would be dead on arrival in the House. The collapse of a dealYesterday, Republican supporters of a border deal were livid at the notion that Trump might tank their work. “We have to have people here who support Trump, who have endorsed President Trump, go to him and tell him what a compelling case this is,” Thom Tillis, a North Carolina senator, said.

Persons: “, ”, Trump, Biden, Mike Johnson, ” Thom Tillis Organizations: Trump, Republicans, Senators, Democrats, Republican Locations: Palm Beach, United States, Mexico, North Carolina

Sen. Todd Young speaks to reporters before a Republican Senate policy luncheon at the US Capitol Building on September 19, 2023 in Washington, DC. Samuel Corum/Getty ImagesStatus of border talks remains unclearFrustration reigned inside the Senate GOP on Thursday amid lingering confusion over the status of a border deal. Pressed on whether it was realistic to pass a border deal with Trump opposing it, Young said: “It may be possible. This is about security for our own country and so let’s keep pushing to get this border deal,” she said. Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, one of the Democrats involved in the border talks, expressed frustration about Trump seeking to inject chaos into the situation.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, doesn’t, Joe Biden, Mitch McConnell, McConnell, Biden, ”, GOP Sen, Mitt Romney, ’ ”, ’ ” GOP Sen, Todd Young, “, James Lankford, ” Young, Sen, Anna Moneymaker, Underscoring, Thom Tillis, North Carolina –, –, Tillis, ” Tillis, McConnell –, “ We’re, ” McConnell, ” Sen, John Thune, we’ll, ” Thune, Samuel Corum, Young, you’ve, Ron Johnson of, ” Johnson, “ James Lankford, It’s McConnell, Republican Sen, Lisa Murkowski, “ I’m, Murkowski, Chris Murphy of, Donald Trump –, ” Murphy Organizations: Republicans, Trump, GOP, Capitol, ’ ” GOP, Republican, Building, CNN, Getty Locations: Ukraine, Utah, Indiana, Washington , DC, North Carolina, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, “, Alaska, Chris Murphy of Connecticut

☆ Senate GOP offers cautious embrace of Trump amid fears over his electability
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Manu Raju | Melanie Zanona | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

On Tuesday night, the Texas Republican endorsed Trump and called for GOP unity after the New Hampshire primary. “Twenty percent of GOP voters will not vote for him,” the Republican member said. “Independent voters think Biden is weak, but they hate Trump. And that’s exactly what Trump’s going to do,” Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, told CNN. “And I think President Trump, in many people’s minds, is the answer to that status quo,” he said.

Persons: Sen, John Cornyn, Donald Trump’s, Trump, Trump’s electability, ” Cornyn, “, he’s, ”, John Thune, CNN’s, Nikki Haley, Haley, Biden, Republican holdouts, Trump’s, GOP Sen, Deb Fischer, Brandon Williams, Joe Biden, ” Sen, Thom Tillis, They’re, Lindsey Graham of, Mike Rounds, Fischer, President Trump, Mitch McConnell, McConnell, ” McConnell, I’ve, I’ll, Susan Collins of, ” Collins, she’d, Collins, “ I’m, Donald Trump, J.D, Vance of, Haley’s, What’s, ” Vance, Mitt Romney, Markwayne Mullin, CNN’s Ted Barrett, Sam Fossum, Kristin Wilson, Haley Talbot, Lauren Fox Organizations: Texas Republican, New, CNN, Republicans, GOP, Republican, Trump, South Carolina Gov, House Republican, “, Nebraska, North Carolina Republican, South Dakota Republican, Nebraska Republican Locations: New Hampshire, Iowa, New York, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Susan Collins of Maine, Vance of Ohio, Utah, Washington, ” Washington, Oklahoma

☆ These 20 GOP senators still haven't endorsed Trump — and some of them probably never will
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Yet in the Senate, long a bastion of Republican resistance (or at least hesitancy) to Trump, there are still a number of holdouts. As of January 24, there are still 20 Republican senators — out of 49 total — who have not endorsed Trump's 2024 bid. AdvertisementSome of those senators can be expected to get behind Trump when his nomination becomes official, or at least uncontested. Four current GOP senators — Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Mitt Romney of Utah — voted to convict Trump for incitement of an insurrection following January 6. AdvertisementYet GOP lawmakers have faced pressure, both from Trump and their voters, to fall in line.

Persons: —, Donald Trump's, Nikki Haley, Haley, Ralph Norman of, Trump's, Trump, Mitch McConnell, Bill Cassidy of, Susan Collins of, Lisa Murkowski, Mitt Romney, Utah —, it's, Sen, Todd Young, Young, JD Vance, Ohio, I've, haven't, John Boozman, Arkansas Shelly Moore Capito, West Virginia Bill Cassidy, Louisiana Susan Collins, Maine Joni Ernst, Chuck Grassley, Iowa Ron Johnson, Wisconsin John Kennedy of, Wisconsin John Kennedy of Louisiana James Lankford of, Wisconsin John Kennedy of Louisiana James Lankford of Oklahoma Mitch McConnell, Jerry Moran, Kansas Lisa Murkowski, Alaska Rand Paul of Kentucky Pete Ricketts, Nebraska Mitt Romney, Utah Mike Rounds, South Dakota Dan Sullivan, Alaska John Thune of, Alaska John Thune of South Dakota Thom Tillis, North Carolina Todd Young Organizations: Service, Republican, Business, Trump, Republicans, Senate, Todd Young of Indiana, New, Nebraska, South Dakota, Alaska John Thune of South Dakota, North Carolina Locations: Iowa, New Hampshire, Ralph Norman of South Carolina, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Alaska, Utah, Arkansas, West, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Wisconsin John Kennedy of Louisiana, Wisconsin John Kennedy of Louisiana James Lankford of Oklahoma, Alaska John Thune of South, Indiana

☆ Senators Seek Answers From Pentagon on Troops’ Blast Exposure
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Dave Philipps | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A bipartisan group of senators is demanding to know what steps the military is taking to protect troops from brain injuries caused by the blasts from firing their own weapons. The senators — Elizabeth Warren, Democrat of Massachusetts; Joni Ernst, Republican of Iowa; and Thom Tillis, Republican of North Carolina — made the demand in a detailed letter sent on Thursday to Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III. It was incited by recent research by the Defense Department and reporting by The New York Times showing that repeated blast exposure from weapons like artillery and rocket launchers can cause lasting and profound brain damage, but that the military often fails to protect troops, or even recognize the risks, from the blasts. “Our service members have been suffering the health consequences of blast overexposure for far too long, and they’re still not seeing real action to limit and track these risks,” Ms. Warren said in a statement.

Persons: Elizabeth Warren, Joni Ernst, Thom Tillis, North Carolina —, Lloyd J, Austin III, they’re, Ms, Warren Organizations: Republican, Defense Department, The New York Times Locations: Massachusetts, Iowa, North Carolina

☆ FBI is investigating the SEC hack after its fake bitcoin post
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-10 | by ( Matt Egan | Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —The Securities and Exchange Commission said Wednesday the FBI is investigating the hack of the agency’s social media account that rocked the bitcoin world earlier this week ahead of the regulator’s approval of a bitcoin exchange-traded fund late Wednesday. One crypto exchange, Coinbase, even posted a celebratory message on social media Tuesday. However, 15 minutes later SEC Chair Gary Gensler said the agency’s account was “compromised,” allowing for an “unauthorized” tweet to get posted. A spokesperson for X later said that the SEC’s social media account lacked the basic security measure of two-factor authentication, raising serious questions about the agency’s cybersecurity protocols. That alleged lack of security is particularly befuddling, given the SEC’s previous ruling that social media posts could serve as public announcements for investors.

Persons: “, ”, bitcoin, Gary Gensler, “ I’m, ” Sen, Sherrod Brown, Brown, JD Vance, Thom Tillis, Gensler, Nick Smart, X, Nicole Goodkind Organizations: New, New York CNN, Securities, Exchange Commission, FBI, SEC, SEC’s, ”, Banking Committee, Republican Sens Locations: New York

WASHINGTON (AP) — As record numbers of migrants surge at the southern U.S. border, many seeking asylum, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has told Congress the country's “broken” immigration system is in need of a top-to-bottom update. It comes as Mayorkas, the face of the administration’s immigration policy, bears down the threat of impeachment proceedings from House Republicans over what they view as failed border policies. “We’re at a point for three years we’ve been saying, ‘When are we going to secure the country? On Wednesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson told GOP senators behind closed doors that he needs real border security changes as part of Biden's broader war funding package. During recent hearings, Mayorkas told Congress the administration is working to manage the situation, even as Congress has failed to update the immigration system for decades.

Persons: Alejandro Mayorkas, Biden, “ We’re, ”, Republican Sen, James Lankford of, “, we’ve, Vladimir Putin's, Vanessa Cárdenas, Biden's, Thom Tillis, Mike Johnson, Chuck Schumer, Johnson, Mitch McConnell, ” “, ‘ We’re, ’ ” Schumer, they’ve, Donald Trump, Mayorkas, Sen, Alex Padilla, Dick Durbin of, Elliot Spagat, Seung Min Kim Organizations: WASHINGTON, Homeland, Republicans, House Republicans, Republican, Democrats, Eisenhower, Cato Institute, Congress, Defense Department, GOP, Associated Press, COVID, Capitol, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Press Locations: U.S, Ukraine, Israel, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Congress, North Carolina, Alex Padilla of California, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras

☆ Sen. Markwayne Mullin is now fundraising off of his near-brawl in a Senate hearing — because of course he is
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Sen. Markwayne Mullin nearly came to blows with a witness at a hearing on Tuesday. If you donate $35 to his Senate campaign, you'll get a shirt that says "Anytime, Anyplace." That's the lesson that Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma appears to have taken from his near-brawl with Teamsters President Sean O'Brien at a hearing of the Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee on Tuesday. "Anyplace, Anytime cowboy," he wrote. Anyplace, Anytime cowboy.

Persons: Sen, Markwayne Mullin, you'll, —, Sean O'Brien, — Markwayne Mullin, @MarkwayneMullin, Mullin, he's, O'Brien, Greedy, JNvT7IsA6m, Sean M, Republican Sen, Thom Tillis Organizations: Service, Health, Education, Labor, Senate, Republican Locations: @TeamsterSOB, North Carolina

☆ FDIC Chair takes heat over stunning allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination at agency
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Elisabeth Buchwald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Chair Martin Gruenberg testified Tuesday that he was unaware of the allegations of widespread sexual harassment and discrimination at the agency detailed in a Wall Street Journal investigation. “I did not know about the individual cases,” Gruenberg told him. Martin Gruenberg, chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, told senators on Tuesday he was troubled by the allegations detailed in a Wall Street Journal investigation. The report also referenced a 2019 survey conducted by the inspector general that found 8% of the 2,376 respondents experienced sexual harassment between January 2015 to April 2019. The 2020 inspector general report made 15 recommendations to prevent and address sexual harassment at the agency, which Gruenberg said in his testimony on Tuesday had been implemented but acknowledged “didn’t change the culture” at the FDIC.

Persons: Martin Gruenberg, Gruenberg, “, we’ve, ”, Mike Rounds, Thom Tillis, ” Gruenberg, Michael Barr, Michael Hsu, Urban Affairs Gruenberg, Jelena McWilliams Organizations: New, New York CNN, Federal Deposit Insurance, Street, Senate, Street Journal, FDIC, Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Banking, Housing, Urban Affairs, Financial Locations: New York, South Dakota, North Carolina, “, U.S

☆ GOP lawmakers call for VA to slash reliance on China for medical supplies
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —A pair of Republicans leading powerful House committees are calling for the Department of Veterans Affairs to speed up efforts to decrease the agency’s reliance on China for medical supplies, CNN has learned. The Covid-19 pandemic laid bare a dangerous vulnerability in America’s medical supply chains that resulted in shortages of masks, respirators and other life-saving gear. “The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the national security and public health risks of failing to guarantee adequate medical supplies. As the biggest buyer of medical supplies among federal agencies, it has considerable influence. Congress has attempted to take steps to boost the resilience of the nation’s medical supply chain by easing dependence on goods from less friendly nations like China.

Persons: Mike Gallagher, Mike Bost, Denis McDonough, Bost, Gallagher, “, ” Terrence Hayes, Joe Biden, Health Richard Stone, ” Bost, McDonough, Democratic Sen, Tom Carper, Republican Sen, Thom Tillis, ” Organizations: New, New York CNN, Department of Veterans Affairs, CNN, Veterans ’, Chinese Communist Party, CCP, Department of Veteran Affairs, Defense Department, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Health, Human Services, Republicans, Health, World Trade Organization, Congress, Democratic, Republican Locations: New York, China, United States, America, Covid, Mexico, Malaysia

☆ Mitch McConnell warns GOP senators they’ll face ‘incoming’ if they back Hawley bill to limit corporate giving in campaigns
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Manu Raju | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

According to multiple sources familiar with the Tuesday lunch meeting, McConnell warned GOP senators that they could face “incoming” from the “center-right” if they signed onto Hawley’s bill. On that list of senators: Hawley himself, according to sources familiar with the matter. But there’s also no love lost between McConnell and Hawley, who has long criticized the GOP leader and has repeatedly called for new leadership atop their conference. In an interview, Hawley defended his bill and said that corporate influence should be limited in elections. “I think that’s wrong,” Hawley told CNN.

Persons: Mitch McConnell, Sen, Josh Hawley, McConnell, Hawley, there’s, ”, Chuck Schumer, ” Hawley, “, Chris Christie, Donald Trump, Mike Braun, Kevin Cramer of North, Marsha Blackburn of, Dan Sullivan, Joni Ernst of Iowa, Roger Marshall of Kansas, Susan Collins of, Steve Daines, Thom Tillis, Lindsey Graham of, Katie Britt, Alabama, Lisa Murkowski, Eric Schmitt of Missouri, Ted Budd of, JD Vance, Ohio, Ron Johnson Organizations: CNN, GOP, Kentucky Republican, Fund, McConnell, New, New York Democrat, Missouri Republican, Indiana Locations: New York, Ukraine, Israel, Colorado, Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, Montana, North Carolina, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Ted Budd of North Carolina, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin

☆ Republicans are desperate for attention — and it's decimating their ability to govern
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +15 min

In the end, the only man who could unify House Republicans behind him was a relatively little-known and mild-mannered evangelical Christian from Louisiana. AdvertisementAdvertisementAs the speaker saga wore on, it provoked questions among some House Republicans: How could it be that they had failed to elect a speaker for so long? While Gaetz maintains otherwise, his angry GOP colleagues have plenty of evidence to make their case that it was an attention ploy. Rep. Matt Gaetz surrounded by reporters and cameras after the House voted to oust Kevin McCarthy from the speakership. The attention economy doesn't preclude an ability to govern — an effective politician might seek to harness their celebrity towards worthy ends.

Persons: Mike Johnson's, Matt Gaetz, Kevin McCarthy, Garrett Graves, Sen, Thom Tillis, Madison Cawthorn, Tillis, Drew Angerer, Greg Murphy of, Nancy Mace, McCarthy, Mace, I'm, Win McNamee, Josh Hawley, Ronald Reagan, Donald Trump's, Nicole Wallace, Obama, JD Vance, Ohio, Vance, Ted Cruz, Jose Luis Magana, denialism, Jim Jordan, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Brett Kavanaugh, Jen Psaki, Symone Sanders, it's, Rep, Alexandria Ocasio, Cortez, Kelly Armstrong, Adam Schiff, Chip Somodevilla, Bob Good, Virginia, Gaetz, —, Ken Buck, Colorado, Hawley deadpanned, Mike Lawler, I've, Cruz, Buck, Joe Biden, Liz Cheney Organizations: Republicans, GOP, North Carolina Republican, Getty, Twitter, South Carolina, Republican, Rep, Fox News, Republican Party, Conservative Political, Conference, AP, Cannon, South, Democratic, Supreme, Biden, MSNBC, Democrats, Capitol, New York Post, Colorado Locations: Louisiana, Florida, Greg Murphy of North Carolina, Missouri, Hollywood, California, South Carolina, Alexandria, Cortez of New York, Ukraine, New York, Ted Cruz of Texas

☆ Between 100 and 300 believed killed in Gaza hospital blast, according to preliminary US intelligence assessment
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Jeremy Herb | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

“Israel Probably Did Not Bomb Gaza Strip Hospital: We judge that Israel was not responsible for an explosion that killed hundreds of civilians yesterday [17 October] at the Al Ahli Hospital in the Gaza Strip,” the assessment states. The intelligence community “observed only light structural damage at the hospital,” with no observable damage to the main hospital building and no impact craters, according to the assessment. “We see only light damage to the roofs of two structures near the main hospital building, but both structures remained intact,” the assessment states. “We continue to work to corroborate whether the explosion resulted from a failed PIJ rocket,” the ODNI assessment states. “We are still assessing the likely casualty figures and our assessment may evolve, but this death toll still reflects a staggering loss of life,” the assessment states.

Persons: Israel, “, Joe Biden, ” Biden, Biden, Jon, ”, hasn’t, Israel —, Jordan, ” Sen, Thom Tillis Organizations: CNN, Al, Ahli Baptist Hospital, Capitol, National Intelligence, Hospital, National Security Council, National, Palestine, United, Republican Locations: Ahli, Gaza, ”, “ Israel, Israel, Egypt, North Carolina

The Hamas terrorist attack on Israel is reprehensible. Israel is under heavy attack right now by Hamas and taking action to defend itself and its people. Israel has every right to defend itself.”Sen. Jon Tester, Montana Democrat“I strongly condemn the terrorist attacks launched by Hamas against our ally Israel. I will continue to closely monitor the situation.”Sen. Maggie Hassan, New Hampshire Democrat“Hamas’s terrorist attack on Israel is nothing short of horrifying. Israel has every right to defend itself from this unjust war.”Sen. Ron Wyden, Oregon Democrat“The terrorist attack on Israel is appalling.

Persons: Hakeem Jeffries, “, Steve Scalise, ” Kevin McCarthy, ” Chuck Schumer, –, Herzog –, ” Mitch McConnell, ” Tom Emmer, ” Katherine Clarke, ” Dick Durbin, ” John Thune, ” Sen, Debbie Stabenow, Michigan Democrat “, Israel, Amy Klobuchar, Mark Warner, Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts Democrat “, Bernie Sanders, Cory Booker, Cory Booker , New Jersey Democrat “, Joe Manchin, West Virginia Democrat “, Tammy Baldwin, Wisconsin Democrat “, Gary Peters, Gary Peters , Michigan Democrat “, Catherine Cortez Masto, Brian Schatz, Hawaii Democrat “, Jeff Merkley, Oregon Democrat “, John Barrasso, Joni Ernst, Iowa Republican “, Sen, Shelley Moore Capito, West Virginia Republican “, Steve Daines, Montana Republican “, Mike Lee, Mike Crapo, Chuck Grassley, Tommy Tuberville, Katie Britt, Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, Kyrsten, Mark Kelly, John Boozman, Tom Cotton, Arkansas Republican “, Alex Padilla, Laphonza Butler, California Democrat “, today’s, Michael Bennet, Colorado Democrat “, John Hickenlooper, Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut Democrat “, Chris Murphy, Tom Carper, Delaware Democrat “, Chris Coons, Marco Rubio, Rick Scott, Jon Ossoff, Georgia Democrat “, Anat Sultan, Raphael Warnock, “ I’m, Mazie, Tammy Duckworth, Todd Young, Mike Braun, Jerry Moran, Kansas Republican “, Hamas’s, Roger Marshall, Netanyahu, Rand Paul, Kentucky Republican “, Bill Cassidy, John Kennedy, Susan Collins, Maine Republican “, Ben Cardin, Maryland Democrat “, Chris Van Hollen, Ed Markey, Tina Smith, Minnesota Democrat “, Roger Wicker ,, Roger Wicker , Mississippi Republican “, Cindy Hyde, Josh Hawley, Eric Schmitt, Jon Tester, Montana Democrat “, Deb Fischer, Nebraska Republican “, Pete Ricketts, Jacky Rosen, Nevada Democrat “, Jeanne Shaheen, Jeanne Shaheen , New Hampshire Democrat “, Maggie Hassan, Maggie Hassan , New Hampshire Democrat “, Bob Menendez, Bob Menendez , New Jersey Democrat “, Martin Heinrich, New Mexico Democrat “, Biden, Ben Ray Lujan, Kirsten Gillibrand, New York Democrat “ I'm, Thom Tillis, Ted Budd, North Carolina Republican “, John Hoeven, John Hoeven , North Dakota Republican “, Kevin Cramer, Sherrod Brown, Ohio Democrat “, J.D, ”, Vance, James Lankford, Markwayne Mullin, Israel –, Ron Wyden, Bob Casey, John Fetterman, craven, Jack Reed, Sheldon Whitehouse, Lindsey Graham, Tim Scott, South Carolina Republican “ I’m, Mike Rounds, South Dakota Republican “ Shocked, Marsha Blackburn, Marsha Blackburn , Tennessee Republican “ Israel, Bill Haggerty, Tennessee Republican “, John Cornyn, John Cornyn , Texas Republican “, Ted Cruz, Mitt, Vile, Peter Welch, Vermont Democrat “, Tim Kaine, Patty Murray, Washington Democrat “, Maria Cantwell, Ron Johnson, Wisconsin Republican “ Israel, Cynthia Lummis, Wyoming Republican “, Jim Jordan, Jared Moskowitz, Abigail Spanberger, Elissa Slotkin, Don Bacon, perpetrating, Cori Bush, Missouri Democrat “, Kevin Hern, Kevin Hern , Oklahoma Republican “, ” Rep, Ritchie Torres, Ritchie Torres , New York Democrat “, Michael McCaul, Michael McCaul , Texas Republican “ I, Ilhan Omar Organizations: Palestinian, Hamas, Biden, House, Michigan Democrat, Minnesota Democrat, Virginia Democrat “, Senate Intelligence, Massachusetts Democrat, Islamic, Cory Booker , New, Cory Booker , New Jersey Democrat, West Virginia Democrat, Wisconsin Democrat, Gary Peters , Michigan Democrat, Nevada Democrat, Hawaii Democrat, State, Oregon Democrat, John Barrasso , Wyoming Republican, Iowa Republican, West Virginia Republican, Montana Republican, Utah Republican, Idaho Republican, Alabama Republican, Alaska Republican, Alaska Republican “, Arizona Democrat, John Boozman , Arkansas Republican “, Jewish, Arkansas Republican, California Democrat, Colorado Democrat, Connecticut Democrat, Delaware Democrat, Israel, Florida Republican, Georgia Democrat, Hawaii Democrat “, Indiana Republican, Indiana Republican “, Kansas Republican, Kentucky Republican, Louisiana Republican, Maine Republican, Maryland Democrat, Roger Wicker , 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☆ Analysis: Zelensky's mixed reception in Washington may be a taste of political storm to come
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Washington CNN —The blue-and-gold flag draped hero worship of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s last Washington trip, which stirred comparisons to Winston Churchill’s wartime stand against Nazism, was a distant memory on Thursday. And in public appearances, Zelensky’s patience sometimes frayed – especially when berating the United Nations for failing to protect its members from aggression. There’s also a question of whether Zelensky’s relentless efforts to shame the world into action might be reaching the point of diminishing returns. Trump exacerbates such concerns by warning that Biden’s help for Ukraine could trigger World War III with Russia. With no end in sight for the biggest war in Europe since World War II, Ukraine’s fate seems increasingly aligned with Biden’s own political destiny.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky’s, Winston, Zelensky, Donald Trump’s, Franklin Roosevelt, There’s, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong, Biden, Mr, ” Biden, Jake Sullivan, –, Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, we’re, Carolina Sen, Thom Tillis, Kamala Harris, Nancy Pelosi, Kevin McCarthy, McConnell, we’ve, you’ve, ” McCarthy, “, McCarthy, Trump, Putin, Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, Trump’s, Ohio Sen, J.D, Vance, Zelensky –, ” Vance, Missouri Sen, Josh Hawley, ” Hawley Organizations: Washington CNN, Republican, CNN, United Nations, United States, Oval, Tactical Missile Systems, NATO, Kyiv, Democratic, GOP, Senate, Trump, Ukraine, “, Twitter Locations: Washington, Russia, United States, Ukraine, United, Russian, Russia’s Far, Poland, Warsaw, US, Poland’s, ”, Carolina, Ukrainian, Southern, America, New Hampshire, American, Moscow, Missouri, Europe

In some ways, attaching Ukraine aid to other pressing matters could improve the odds of passing it quickly. Some lawmakers will be more inclined to vote for Ukraine assistance if it gets included with say, disaster relief for their home state. He said the focus needs to be on first passing an overall defense spending bill as well as the other spending bills. House Republicans hope to bring up for a vote this week a stopgap spending bill that doesn't include Biden's aid package for Ukraine. Still, Rep. Michael McCaul, the top Republican on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, voiced confidence that Ukraine aid will continue.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskyy's, Joe Biden, ”, Kevin McCarthy, Zelenskky, “, Nancy Pelosi, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump's “, McCarthy, Mitch McConnell, McConnell, ” McConnell, Chuck Schumer, Zelenskyy, Sen, Thom Tillis, ” Tillis, Putin, Ken Calvert, ” Calvert, Mike Garcia, he's, ” Garcia, ” Schumer, Michael McCaul, ” McCaul Organizations: WASHINGTON, Ukraine, Republican, Republicans, House Republicans, Washington, ”, Foreign Affairs, NATO Locations: Washington, United States, Russia, Ukraine, Ukrainian, U.S, R

☆ Senators spar over whether CFPB has the power to root out junk fees
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Chelsey Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The committee's first hearing comes as the Biden administration takes a range of steps to root out junk fees, which the CFPB says includes credit card late fees, overdraft fees and surcharges on ticket purchases. Among other actions, the agency recently fined Bank of America $150 million for charging its customers multiple overdraft fees. In his testimony, Brian Johnson, managing director of financial regulatory consultancy Patomak Global Partners, said the CFPB "has been the most enthusiastic among regulators" in targeting junk fees. Democrats argued the power to target junk fees fits within the CFPB's core duties. "And let's not forget, these are the same banks that are bankrolling the attacks on the CFPB," Warren added.

Persons: Biden, Sen, Thom Tillis, Brian Johnson, Johnson, Donald Trump, Elizabeth Warren, JP Morgan Chase, Warren, Wells, Michelle Henry, Henry, Raphael Warnock, Warnock Organizations: WASHINGTON, Financial, Biden, Bank of America, prudential, Consumer Protection, Patomak Global Partners, CNBC, Pennsylvania, Georgia Democrat Locations: Wells Fargo, Georgia

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