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Johnson predicted the House will vote Friday evening on the separate bills. “My personal preference is to do it individually, but we’ll let the body decide.”Among the ways GOP leaders plan to address Ukraine aid: a bill to seize Russian assets, a lend-lease program for Ukraine military aid and convertible loans for humanitarian relief. Former President Donald Trump, who recently met with House Speaker Mike Johnson at Mar-a-Lago, has expressed openness to structuring Ukraine aid as a loan. The Senate passed its bill in February – a $95.3 billion foreign aid bill with assistance for Ukraine, Israel and other priorities. A significant number of House Republicans are opposed to sending further aid to Ukraine.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, ” Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, ” Greene, “, haven’t, that’s, we’ll, Donald Trump, Kevin Hern, Hakeem Jeffries, ” Jeffries, Greene, ”, “ He’s, he’ll, Marjorie, President Trump, CNN’s Morgan Rimmer, Kristin Wilson Organizations: CNN, Louisiana Republican, GOP, Republican, Senate, Republicans, Democratic, Internal Revenue Service, Fox News, White House Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Mar, Oklahoma, Louisiana, East, Eastern Europe

☆ Trump is recreating his web of chaos at home and abroad in a preview of what a second term could look like
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

CNN —Some top Democrats worry that Americans have forgotten the chaos that raged every day Donald Trump was president, and that voters’ faded recall of the uproar will end up handing him a second term. Trump ally Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is threatening to topple Johnson if he dares to pass it. — Nationwide chaos is, meanwhile, spreading in the wake of the Trump-built Supreme Court conservative majority overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022. — Bipartisan efforts to solve a border crisis are in tatters after Trump’s House followers in February killed the most sweeping and conservative bill in years. Yet Trump has vowed to end the war in 24 hours if he wins a second term.

Persons: Donald Trump, ’, Trump, Mike Johnson, Ukraine –, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Johnson, Roe, Wade, Trump’s, Joe Biden, —, Johnson –, Lago Trump, bucked Johnson, Bill Barr, CNN’s Annie Grayer, ” Barr, ”, Barr, “ We’re, Greene, “, ” Greene, CNN’s Manu Raju, We’re, laud, Ronald Reagan’s, Vladimir Putin’s, Volodymyr Zelensky, don’t, CNN’s Frederik Pleitgen, Putin, Christopher Cavoli, ” Cavoli, Biden, majority’s handiwork, he’d, didn’t, –, he’s Organizations: CNN, GOP, Republican, Trump, Washington, Trump -, Mar, Foreign Intelligence, FBI, FISA, Kremlin, Ukraine, European Command, House Armed Services Committee, Arizona Locations: Ukraine, Arizona, tatters, America, Washington, Russia, Georgia, Florida, Russian, Mar, Alabama

☆ Marjorie Taylor Greene escalates pressure on Speaker Johnson as ouster threat looms
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

In the letter, Greene laid out a detailed case against the speaker, accusing Johnson of failing to deliver on promises he ran on and breaking legislative procedural rules. She even blamed him for jeopardizing the House Republican majority by not doing more to prevent some retiring GOP members from leaving Congress early. Part of the argument to try and dissuade Greene from moving forward with the process, according to sources, is that ousting Johnson would only deliver Democrats the House majority. “And no, electing a new Republican Speaker will not give the majority to the Democrats. That only happens if more Republicans retire early, or Republicans actually vote for Hakeem Jeffries.

Persons: Marjorie Taylor Greene, Mike Johnson’s, Johnson, Greene, Marjorie, “ Mike Johnson, ” Greene, ”, “, Johnson’s, Thomas Massie, Chip Roy, Warren Davidson, CNN’s Manu Raju, ” “ I’ve, Kevin McCarthy, she’s, that’s, Mike Johnson, Trump, Hakeem Jeffries, It’s, Donald Trump, of Justice that’s, ” CNN’s Haley Talbot, Morgan Rimmer Organizations: CNN, GOP, House GOP, Louisiana Republican, Republican, Democratic, White House, Republicans, ”, of Justice Locations: Georgia, Washington, Louisiana, Ukraine

☆ House to delay sending Mayorkas impeachment articles to the Senate until next week
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Melanie Zanona | Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The House will send impeachment articles against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate next week – a delay that comes as Senate Republicans seek more time to make the public argument for a full trial since Democrats are expected to quickly dismiss the articles at the beginning of the trial. “To ensure the Senate has adequate time to perform its constitutional duty, the House will transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate next week. There is no reason whatsoever for the Senate to abdicate its responsibility to hold an impeachment trial,” Taylor Haulsee, a spokesperson for House Speaker Mike Johnson, told CNN in a statement. We’ll see if Senator Schumer honors the extra time.”Senate Republican Whip John Thune explained why some Senate Republicans are pushing for a delay in the impeachment articles being sent over from the House. He also said some members of his conference have been communicating with the House about the matter.

Persons: Alejandro Mayorkas, “, ” Taylor Haulsee, Mike Johnson, Chuck Schumer, ”, Schumer, Louisiana GOP Sen, John Kennedy, –, John Thune, Johnson, Thune, he’s, ” CNN’s Kristin Wilson, Ted Barrett Organizations: CNN, Homeland, Republican, Republicans, Louisiana GOP, Senate Locations: Louisiana

☆ CIA refutes whistleblower claim pushed by Republicans leading Biden impeachment inquiry
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —House Republicans leading the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden were dealt their latest blow this week when the CIA informed them that an allegation they pushed was false, the latest example of House Republicans citing questionable information to make a serious claim. But the CIA has refuted that claim in a letter obtained first by CNN that was sent to Jordan and Comer. House Republicans are pushing back on the refutation. “I’ve made a document production in conjunction with the grand jury investigation,” Morris testified in his closed-door interview with Republicans conducting the inquiry in January. Republicans have raised questions about why Morris lent the president’s son millions of dollars and have sought to connect him to their impeachment inquiry into President Biden.

Persons: Joe Biden, Hunter Biden’s, undercutting, James Comer, Jim Jordan, Hunter Biden, Comer, Congressional Affairs James A, Catella, Russell Dye, Jamie Raskin, ” Raskin, Kevin Morris, Hunter, Morris, “ I’ve, ” Morris, “, ”, Biden, Gary Shapley, CNN’s Paula Reid Organizations: CNN — House Republicans, CIA, Republican, Department of Justice, FBI, IRS, CNN, “, Congressional Affairs, Republicans, Democrat Locations: Jordan, Delaware

For more on the effort to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson from his job and the fight over Ukraine aid, watch “Inside Politics Sunday with Manu Raju” at 8 a.m. “”The speaker wants to put wins on the board for House Republicans, and we better start doing that. But whether or not Johnson keeps his speaker’s gavel may hinge on how he handles the next divisive policy issue coming down the pike: funding for Ukraine in its war against Russia. Over the two-week Easter recess, Johnson has been quietly working with key lieutenants to chart a course on his Ukraine strategy. “It was a terrible deal.”Democrats are signaling that they will save Johnson if he moves a Ukraine bill they can support.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Manu Raju ”, Mike Johnson strategized, Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, “, we’ve, ” Gaetz, … I’m, Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Johnson don’t, Greene, Kevin McCarthy, —, Mike, ”, Chip Roy, Texas, Roy, Anna Moneymaker, Thomas Massie of, ” Massie, Bob Good, McCarthy, She’s grandstanding, ” Good, Good, Ralph Norman of, Andrew Clyde of Georgia, Drew Angerer, Hakeem Jeffries, there’s, Haley Talbot, Sheden Tesfaldet Organizations: CNN, House Republicans, Ukraine, Russia, GOP, won’t, Republican, Republicans, U.S, Capitol, Caucus, ” Locations: Ukraine, Florida, Johnson’s, Georgia, Washington , DC, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Virginia, America, Ralph Norman of South Carolina, Washington ,

☆ GOP Rep. Mike Lawler says he’s ‘confident’ Ukraine funding will get a vote after Easter recess
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-31 | by ( Jack Forrest | Andrew Millman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Rep. Mike Lawler, a moderate Republican from New York, expressed optimism on Sunday that a vote on funding for Ukraine’s war effort could land on the House floor when members return from recess early next month. Divisions in the House GOP have so far stymied progress on sending aid to the key US ally. I am not going to delve into the details of that conversation, but I am confident that he’s going to bring that bill to the floor and that we will have a vote,” Lawler said. Lawler called Greene’s effort to oust Johnson “idiotic.”“It’s not actually going to help advance the cause she believes in, and in fact it undermines our House Republican majority,” Lawler said. Democrats have signaled they may be willing to save Johnson if he moves a Ukraine aid bill they can support, but one including new border restrictions, as Lawler has suggested, falls outside their demands.

Persons: Mike Lawler, “, ” Lawler, CNN’s Dana, shirk, Jared Golden of, Brian Fitzpatrick, Mike Johnson, Mike Turner, Johnson, Congress ’, CBS’s, ” “, Vladimir, Putin, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lawler, “ It’s, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, CNN’s Melanie Zanona, Annie Grayer, Manu Raju, Clare Foran, Ted Barrett, Morgan Rimmer Organizations: CNN —, GOP, House Foreign Affairs, Union, Democratic, Republican, House, Congress, Ohio Republican, Russia, Republicans, House Republicans, CNN Locations: New York, “ State, Jared Golden of Maine, Pennsylvania, Ukraine, Louisiana, Israel, Mexico

☆ 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

☆ Morgan Stanley sees upside for these senior housing stocks as the U.S. population ages
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Michelle Fox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Americans are getting grayer — and that could be a windfall for senior housing. Both own senior housing properties. In addition, there is a rising need for senior care. "This population of seniors that may need higher quality services and care is significantly greater than the ~3.0% of seniors that are currently living in senior housing facilities," the firm's analysts said. American Healthcare should see the greatest operating upside from senior housing facilities, they said.

Persons: grayer, Morgan Stanley, Sarah Wolfe, Welltower Organizations: Healthcare, National Center for Health Statistics

☆ Lev Parnas invited by House Oversight Democrats as witness for Biden impeachment hearing
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-19 | by ( Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

House Democrats on the Oversight Committee have selected an indicted associate of Rudy Giuliani, who played a role in former President Donald Trump’s first impeachment trial, to be their witness at the panel’s hearing on Wednesday, a source with Oversight Committee Democrats told CNN. House Republicans had embraced the dirt Parnas was peddling but he has since called it out as nonsense. Hunter Biden declined the invitation from Republicans to appear at this hearing. Last year, Parnas sent House Oversight Chair James Comer a letter discrediting the many theories peddled by Republicans and called on Comer to end his investigation into the Biden family. “There is simply no merit to investigating this matter any further.”Prior to selecting Parnas, Democrats had been considering Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen to be their witness.

Persons: Rudy Giuliani, Donald Trump’s, Lev Parnas, Giuliani, Trump, Joe Biden, Hunter, Parnas, “ Lev Parnas, ”, Jamie Raskin, “, Tony Bobulinski, Biden, Jason Galanis, Hunter Biden, Devon Archer, Joe Biden corruptly, Republican pushback, James Comer, Comer, ” Parnas, Michael Cohen, “ Cohen Organizations: CNN, Republicans, GOP, Maryland, Republican, Biden, FBI Locations: Ukrainian, Ukraine

☆ Why does Biden keep mentioning January 6? Because Trump won’t stop talking about it
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-16 | by ( Edward-Isaac Dovere | Steve Contorno | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

It’s Biden’s campaign aides who have been surprised how much that’s true. A running mate litmus testBiden aides say January 6 and the footage from it will be a central feature of their advertising campaigns, the convention and beyond. Trump, for his part, keeps talking about it and his aides aren’t really trying to stop him. About 56 percent of independent voters continue to believe Trump was largely responsible for it, virtually unchanged during that stretch. But Biden aides say that’s a big part of why the images and memories of January 6 itself are so important.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, Joe Biden, It’s, ”, Mike Donilon, “, We’re, ’, Kamala Harris, CNN —, reverberating, Biden, Jan, litmus, aren’t, Mike Pence, Elise Stefanik, Ohio Sen, J.D, Vance, South Carolina Sen, Tim Scott, Ben Carson, Doug Burgum, Pence, Scott, Burgum, ’ Biden, didn’t, it’s, ” Donilon, there’s, Mike Johnson, Barry Loudermilk, That’s, Loudermilk, Matt Gaetz, Tim Burchett, Jeff Van Drew, insurrectionists, they’ll, Harris, Matt Barreto –, –, Barreto, ” Barreto, ” Biden, Kari Lake’s, denialism, Chris DeLuzio, —, ” DeLuzio, ” Will Rollins, Ken Calvert —, ” Rollins, Annie Grayer, Ariel Edwards, Levy Organizations: CNN, Capitol, Democratic, Biden, Trump, South, North Dakota Gov, Republicans, Trump voters, Washington Post, University of Maryland, White, Congressional Republicans, GOP, Republican, House Republican Conference, ”, Trump Republicans, Democratic National Committee, —, Democrat, Southern Californians, GOP Rep Locations: Wilmington, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, America, Charlottesville, Valley Forge, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, New Jersey, Ukraine, Israel, U.S, Arizona, Pennsylvania

☆ House GOP Biden inquiry stalls as impeachment becomes less likely
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

Hunter Biden arrives at the Thomas P. O'Neil Jr. House Office Building for a closed door deposition on February 28, in Washington, DC. Abbe Lowell makes a statement to the press following a closed-door deposition before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and House Judiciary Committee in the O'Neill House Office Building on February 28, in Washington, DC. “He was well-prepared for the kind of questions,” Issa recounted of Hunter Biden. GOP focus shifts away from impeachment probeInvestigating the Biden family and going after President Biden was a top priority for House Republicans when they reclaimed the majority and got control of committees. GOP Rep. Ryan Zinke of Montana said the three Republican chairmen leading the impeachment inquiry have the same message: “They say we’re not in a position to go forward on impeachment.”

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Hunter Biden, James Comer, Jim Jordan, Comer, Donald Trump, Thomas P, O'Neil Jr, Countess, Merrick, Justice won’t, ” Comer, Mike Johnson, “, Jordan, Johnson, “ I’m, ” Johnson, Ralph Norman of, Troy Nehls, impeaching Biden, We’ve, Let’s, ”, ” Nehls, Alejandro Mayorkas, I’m, Trump, weaponized, ” Jordan, Vernon, Ed Siskel, ” Siskel, Hunter, Mary, ” Hunter, Abbe Lowell, Samuel Corum, Hunter Biden’s, Darrell Issa, ” Issa, Robert Hur, Garret Graves, Chip Roy, Texas, Lisa McClain, Richard Hudson of, it’s, Nick LaLota, ” Norman, Ryan Zinke Organizations: House Republicans, Department of Justice, CNN, Fox News, Merrick Garland’s Department, Justice, Louisiana Republican, ” Staff, GOP, Caucus, Democratic, Homeland, Senate, Trump, White, Getty, Committee, Republican, of, Hunter Biden, Republicans, Internal Revenue Service, Judiciary, House, House Republican, “ Locations: Washington ,, Merrick Garland’s, Louisiana, House, Ralph Norman of South Carolina, Texas, Georgia, Miami, Vernon Hill, Florida, O'Neill, Washington , DC, California, Lisa McClain of Michigan, Richard Hudson of North Carolina, New York, Montana

The sun rises through the North Portico of the White House in Washington, DC, on March 11. Jim Watson/AFP/Getty ImagesWhite House officials are planning a real-time, rapid-response and fact-checking operation for Robert Hur’s testimony on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, according to a White House official. Hur’s highly anticipated appearance comes weeks after he released a controversial report on his investigation into Biden’s handling of classified materials. The White House has pushed back forcefully on Hur’s report, both in its substance and its motivation. “We are preparing to make clear yet again that the conclusion of the investigation was that there was no case here,” the White House official said.

Persons: Jim Watson, Robert Hur’s, Hur’s, Hur, Biden, ”, Beau, “ Organizations: White, Getty, Capitol, White House Locations: Portico, Washington ,, AFP

After a yearlong investigation, Hur concluded that Biden mishandled classified material and improperly disclosed classified information as a private citizen. Here are four key things to look for in Tuesday’s high-stakes hearing:What will Hur say about Biden’s age and memory? (At 81, Biden is the oldest US president in history, though Donald Trump is only a few years younger at 77.) House Republicans are looking for Hur’s public testimony to provide fresh momentum to their sputtering impeachment inquiry into Biden. Hur’s approach will determine how easy, or hard, it is for lawmakers to extract the political moments that they want.

Persons: Robert Hur, Joe Biden’s, Hur, Biden, wouldn’t, Donald Trump, Beau, Barack Obama, seething Biden, “, ” Biden, ”, Jack Smith, Trump, ” Hur, Will Hur, Hunter, Steve Ruark, Mr, Biden’s, Hunter Biden, Robert Mueller, John Durham, Bill Barr, – Hur, he’ll, Biden’s feebleness Organizations: CNN, GOP, Justice Department, Republicans, National Archives, Department of Justice, Court, Ukrainian, Justice, Internal Revenue Service, White, Trump, Democratic, Capitol Locations: Washington, Tuesday’s, Israel, Florida, Ukrainian, Baltimore, Maryland, Russia

☆ James Biden walked lawmakers through the two loans he received from brother Joe Biden, transcript shows
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

James Biden walked lawmakers through the process of receiving two interest free loans from his brother Joe Biden, who at the time was a private citizen, and how he paid those loans back, according to a transcript of the interview shared publicly Friday. “I repaid two loans that I secured from my brother,” James Biden said. Then on January 12, 2018, Joe Biden loaned his brother $200,000 via Monzack, and James Biden repaid him on March 1 of that year, he confirmed. The wire transfers from Joe Biden and James Biden’s loan repayments ran through an attorney trust account controlled by Monzack. But, James Biden said there were no official documents memorializing these wire transfers.

Persons: James Biden, Joe Biden, “, ” James Biden, Melvyn Monzack, Mel, Joe, ” Biden, ”, Joe Biden’s, Monzack, James Biden’s, Americore, Americore ” Biden Organizations: Republicans, United States Congress, Monzack

☆ What to watch for out of Hunter Biden’s closed-door depositions with Republicans on Capitol Hill
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Jeremy Herb | Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Hunter Biden has been the focus of Republicans in Congress since they won the majority over a year ago. Regardless, Hunter Biden’s appearance is expected to create a spectacle on Capitol Hill, even as he will be testifying behind closed doors. Not surprisingly, the committees are expecting more lawmakers to show up for Hunter Biden than typical for depositions. “You are the epitome of White privilege,” GOP Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina told Hunter Biden from the dais. The stand-off led to contempt proceedings against Hunter Biden, after he showed up on Capitol Hill the day the committees scheduled his deposition.

Persons: Hunter Biden, Joe Biden’s, Joe Biden, –, Biden, There’s, Hunter, ’, Hunter Biden won’t, James Comer, that’s, Hunter Biden’s, Alexander Smirnov, Donald Trump’s, White, Nancy Mace, weren’t, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Greene, Where’s Hunter, ” Hunter Biden Organizations: Congress, Republican, FBI, Republicans, GOP, CNN, Justice Department, Capitol, South Carolina Locations: Ukrainian, Georgia

Hunter Biden’s appearance Wednesday represents the most significant testimony to date for the two congressional committees leading the impeachment inquiry into President Biden, a probe that’s heavily focused on Hunter Biden’s foreign business dealings. But it comes as a key allegation that launched the impeachment inquiry has been discredited. Sources familiar with terms negotiated between Hunter Biden’s team and congressional Republicans told CNN that Wednesday’s deposition will have several unique features that are different from the other interviews the committees have conducted to date. While Hunter Biden’s lawyers insisted that he would only testify publicly, Comer insisted that a public hearing would follow the private deposition. Republicans repeatedly pointed to Smirnov’s allegations as a reason for opening the impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden last fall.

Persons: Hunter Biden, Joe Biden’s, –, Hunter, Biden, Hunter Biden’s, James Comer’s, Comer, Joe Biden, Department’s, Alexander Smirnov, Jim Jordan, Jordan, Burisma, wouldn’t, Abbe Lowell, Lowell Organizations: Capitol, CNN, FBI, Republicans, GOP, Justice Department Locations: Washington

☆ Republicans to grill James Biden behind closed doors in critical interview as GOP looks for lifeline in impeachment probe
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Hunter Biden is expected to show for his closed-door interview next week, after intense deliberations that almost collapsed. The first check Republicans revealed went to Joe Biden in 2018 for $200,000 from James Biden and James’ wife Sara Biden. What other Biden family business associates have saidBeyond Fox and Langston, Republicans have recently interviewed a number of key Biden family business associates. Walker also attended a 2017 business meeting with Hunter Biden and Chinese business associates, where Joe Biden made an appearance. Another longtime Biden family business associate, Eric Schwerin, performed administrative and bookkeeping tasks for then-Vice President Joe Biden from 2009 to 2017.

Persons: Joe Biden, Hunter, James, Wednesday, Biden, Hunter Biden, Mike Johnson, —, David Weiss, Hunter Biden’s, Alexander Smirnov, Robert Hur’s, Biden’s, James Biden, James ’, Sara Biden, ”, James Comer, Comer, Carol Fox, ‘ Biden, ’, Fox, James Biden’s, Joseph Langston, Langston, “, “ Jimmy Biden, ” Langston, Rob Walker, Walker, Biden —, ” Walker, ‘, ’ ”, Eric Schwerin, ” Schwerin, Mervyn Yan, Kevin Morris, Tony Bobulinski, Georges Bergès, White, Bergès, ” Bergès Organizations: Republicans, GOP, CNN, FBI, Burisma Holdings, undercutting, White, Democratic, Banking, Republican, Biden, Kentucky Republican, Fox, Langston, “, White House Locations: South Korea, Washington ,, China, Kentucky, Americore, Romania, American

☆ Schism over Russia drives Republicans apart
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Zachary Wolf | Analysis Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —There are emerging signs of a deep schism in the Republican Party over how or even whether the US should stand up to authoritarianism in Russia. With a not-so-subtle nod to Trump’s failure to criticize Russia for Navalny’s death, she compared elections in democracies to those in autocracies. Compare it with House Speaker Mike Johnson, who, at Trump’s behest, is refusing to bow to pressure to allow a vote on US aid to Ukraine. If it is clear where Haley and Trump stand on opposing Russia and helping Ukraine, what’s in Johnson’s mind is a secret. “If there is a Mike Johnson plan, there aren’t any House Republicans that are aware of its existence.” Read their full report.

Persons: Donald Trump, It’s, Nikki Haley, Haley, Alexey Navalny, ” Haley, Trump, CNN Haley’s intransigence, Mike Johnson, ” Johnson, @realDonaldTrump Organizations: CNN, Republican Party, Republicans, United, Republican, “, Mar, Trump, Twitter, ’ Locations: Russia, Ukraine, South Carolina, Russian, autocracies ., Soviet

☆ Speaker Mike Johnson faces critical decision on Ukraine aid as international pressure grows to act
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Melanie Zanona | Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —Speaker Mike Johnson is facing international criticism over his lack of swift action on Ukraine aid, which is ratcheting up pressure to make a critical decision that will not only have massive implications for his rookie speakership but also for Ukraine’s ongoing war effort against Russia. “If there is a Mike Johnson plan, there aren’t any House Republicans that are aware of its existence.”The pressure cooker Johnson is facing has exposed some frustration over how he has approached his speakership. At a time when House Republicans are looking to their leader to make a decisive choice, the speaker has instead elevated members to bring forward their own ideas without articulating his own preferences. “Ukraine is in desperate need of the US aid, passed by an overwhelming bipartisan vote on the floor of the United States Senate. “We’re looking at a number of options on our leadership team.”Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has repeatedly hammered Johnson over his inaction.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, –, Alexei Navalny, Kevin McCarthy, Donald Trump, Sen, J.D, Vance, Johnson —, Warren Davidson, ” Davidson, Virginia Sen, Mark Warner, ”, Ben Cardin, “, ” Cardin, It’s, Brian Fitzpatrick, someone’s, Mitch McConnell, Vladimir Putin, ” Johnson, Steve Scalise, Trump, ” Scalise, Joe Biden, ” Biden, NATO … I’ve, Biden, Chuck Schumer, Putin “, Vladimir Putin’s, ” Schumer, it’s, There’s, Mike Turner, ” CNN’s Alex Marquardt Organizations: CNN, Russia, Democratic, Congress, Global, Security, Republicans, Republican, NATO, GOP, Caucus, languishes, Senate Intelligence, United, United States Senate, Senate, NATO …, New, New York Democrat, House Intelligence, Ohio Republican, Press, Ukraine Locations: Ukraine, Russian, Warren Davidson of Ohio, “, Munich, United States, Russia, Pennsylvania, Baltic, Florida, New York, Washington

CNN —House Republicans were shocked by some of the recent high-profile retirements announced by their colleagues, which have included powerful committee chairs and rising stars inside the GOP. And on the Energy and Commerce Committee alone – a highly sought-after assignment – there are eight Republicans who are retiring. “So, yeah, I’m very worried about it.”Others, however, said the turnover is completely normal, especially since the House GOP has self-imposed term limits for chairs, which they argued allows them to inject new blood into the ranks. We probably need a few more retirements.”McCarthy – who resigned at the end of last year – suggested that was perhaps the goal of hard-liners like Good and GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida who voted to oust him. It’s just a number of things piling up,” said House Science Committee Chair Frank Lucas, reflecting on the retirements.

Persons: “ They’ve, we’re, ”, Ken Buck, Don Bacon of Nebraska, ” Bacon, Carlos Gimenez, Kevin McCarthy, “, it’s, –, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Mike Gallagher of, Alejandro Mayorkas, Greg Pence, Pfluger, Tom Cole, I’ve, I’m, Bob Good, ” Good, ” McCarthy –, Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, ” McCarthy, Frank Lucas, Mark Green of, Debbie Lesko of, McCarthy, ” Lesko, can’t, Brian Fitzpatrick, Steve Womack, Donald, Trump, Kelly Armstrong of, ’, Erin Houchin, Patrick McHenry of, Chuck Fleischmann of Tennessee Organizations: CNN — House Republicans, CNN, GOP, Energy, impeaching Homeland, Commerce, Indiana, Republicans, Congress, Capitol, ”, House Homeland Security Committee, Representatives, Financial Locations: Ken Buck of Colorado, Carlos Gimenez of Florida, Washington, China, Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, Texas, Congress, Florida, Mark Green of Tennessee, Debbie Lesko of Arizona, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, New York, Kelly Armstrong of North Dakota, Erin Houchin of Indiana, Patrick McHenry of North Carolina

☆ House Republicans seek to downplay FBI informant charges that undermine Biden impeachment inquiry
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —House Republicans leading the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden tried to downplay the importance of an FBI informant whose claims they once championed after he was charged with fabricating foreign bribery allegations involving the president and his son. Special counsel David Weiss charged the FBI informant, Alexander Smirnov, with lying to the FBI and creating false records. The indictment is just the latest setback to House Republicans who are struggling to build momentum to impeach the president. In the wake of the charges, President Joe Biden called out the informant for lying and said Republicans should end their impeachment inquiry. In the wake of the charges, Republicans have seized on the idea that Smirnov was initially presented as a credible witness.

Persons: Joe Biden, David Weiss, Alexander Smirnov, Smirnov, Biden, Jim Jordan, Jordan, James Comer, Comer, Jason Smith, Joe Biden corruptly, Hunter, Donald Trump’s, Alejandro Mayorkas, ”, Jamie Raskin, “, Johnson, Scott Brady, Brady, ” Brady, Tony Bobulinski, ” Comer, Raskin, Hunter Biden, James, CNN’s Marshall Cohen Organizations: CNN — House Republicans, FBI, Republicans, CNN, Fox, of Homeland, House Republicans, Hunter Biden, CHS, GOP Locations: Ukraine, Ukrainian

CNN —House Intelligence Committee Chair Mike Turner has made intelligence around a “serious national security threat” available to all members of Congress to review. Two sources familiar with the matter and a US official tell CNN the threat is related to Russia. “That’s been on the books. He declined to elaborate on the nature of the threat. “I’m not in a position to say anything further from this podium at this time,” he said.

Persons: Mike Turner, Turner, ” Turner, Joe Biden, declassify, Jake Sullivan, “, ” Sullivan, “ That’s, “ I’m, ”, Biden Organizations: CNN — House, CNN, House Intelligence, ” National Locations: Russia, United States

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

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

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

☆ House impeaches Alejandro Mayorkas, first Cabinet secretary to be impeached in almost 150 years
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Annie Grayer | Clare Foran | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The House of Representatives, by an extremely narrow margin, voted Tuesday to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, the first Cabinet secretary to be impeached in almost 150 years. The Department of Homeland Security said that House Republicans “will be remembered by history for trampling on the Constitution” following the vote to impeach. “Secretary Mayorkas and the Department of Homeland Security will continue working every day to keep Americans safe,” the statement said. Ken Buck, Tom McClintock, and Mike Gallagher are three House Republicans who voted against impeaching Mayorkas. Mayorkas has sent a letter to House Republicans to defend his record in public service in advance of the vote.

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