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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

☆ Texas wildfires: Firefighters battling ‘monster’ blaze contend with winds and heat as residents grapple with lost homes
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Dalia Faheid | Camila Bernal | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —The biggest inferno in Texas history is being fueled by winds and high temperatures as it rages Sunday, threatening to incinerate more buildings, cattle and livelihoods across the Texas Panhandle while residents sift through ashes of what used to be homes. The fire, which is just one of five blazes currently scorching the Texas Panhandle, has already killed two people and destroyed over 500 structures, state officials said Saturday. Texas A&M Forest Service spokesperson Jason Nedlo told CNN Saturday that the blaze could grow over the weekend due to the weather conditions. Because the Texas Panhandle had higher-than-average rainfall this winter, there is more grass – fuel – to burn. A “red flag” warning, which indicates critical fire weather conditions, remains in effect for Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle through midnight Sunday.

Persons: Jason Nedlo, Crews, Nedlo, Cindy Owen, Jennifer Mitchell, Owen’s, Joyce Blankenship, “, ”, Nathan Blankenship, could’ve, GoFundMe, Lokman Vural, Susan, Ronnie Johnson’s, ” Ronnie, “ We’ve, ” Susan, Greg Abbott, ” Abbott, it’s, Scott Olson, Sid Miller, It’s, ” Miller, CNN’s Omar Jimenez, We’ve, ” “, Miller Organizations: CNN, Texas Panhandle, National Weather Service, M Forest, Texas, M, Service, Texans, Connect, Services, Getty, Texas Gov, Agriculture Locations: Texas, Oklahoma, Moore County, Gray County, Oldham County, Hutchinson County, Pampa , Texas, Hemphill County, Fritch, Stinnett , Texas, Anadolu, Fritch , Texas

☆ How Their Corporate Speak Turned Into a Language of Love
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Tammy Lagorce | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The message he finally got back six weeks later wasn’t quite as playful. “I’m thinking he’s going to be like, ‘Hey, Big Papa,’” Mr. McCaskill said with a laugh. Though the corporate speak they settled into just after wasn’t exactly a love language, Mr. McCaskill, then an independent diversity, equity and inclusion consultant in Harlem, felt a tug to pay it forward. Especially one who was younger.”Mr. McCaskill, 46, told Mr. Johnson, 30, to send him his résumé. “I was at a crossroads,” Mr. Johnson said, about a potential move between corporate jobs in Atlanta, where he lived.

Persons: Andrew McCaskill, Marcus Dwayne Johnson’s, he’s, Big Papa, ’, McCaskill, “ Marcus, Hi Drew, ”, ” Mr, Johnson, “, Mr Locations: Harlem, Atlanta

☆ Opinion | With So Many Flavors of Inflation, Which Should We Care About?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Peter Coy | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

As a kid I was dazzled that Howard Johnson’s had 28 flavors of ice cream, including lemon stick and strawberry ripple. As an adult I am equally impressed by the number of flavors of inflation. There are dozens of ways to measure price changes, each serving a different purpose. The big news on Thursday was an increase in one particular flavor of inflation, the price index for core services excluding housing. In other words, the inflation you experience depends on the things you buy.

Persons: Howard Johnson’s Organizations: Federal Reserve, of Labor Statistics, Labor Department, Commerce Department Locations: U.S

☆ Congress passes stopgap bill to avert government shutdown
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Clare Foran | Ted | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The House and Senate both passed a stopgap bill on Thursday to avert a partial government shutdown at the end of the week. The House vote was 320 to 99 with 113 Republicans voting in favor and 97 Republicans voting against. “The appropriations process is ugly,” Johnson told reporters on Thursday. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, who will vote against the stopgap bill, swiped at the speaker over cutting a deal with Democrats on government funding. Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee, who was one of the eight Republicans who voted to oust McCarthy, said he opposed the stopgap bill and broader funding deal but was sympathetic to Johnson’s circumstances.

Persons: Joe Biden, Mike Johnson, ” Johnson, –, we’ve, We’re, Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, swiped, CNN’s Manu Raju, Rep, Byron Donalds of, it’s, ”, Kevin McCarthy, Tim Burchett, McCarthy, CNN’s Lauren Fox, Manu Raju Organizations: GOP, CNN, Louisiana Republican, Agriculture, FDA, Commerce, Justice, Science, Energy, Water, Veterans Affairs and Transportation, Housing, Urban Development, Defense, Financial Services, General Government, Homeland Security, Labor, Health, Human Services, Legislative Branch, State, Foreign Locations: Washington, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Byron Donalds of Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee

☆ As Spending Talks Intensify, Johnson’s Bind Grows Tighter
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Luke Broadwater | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

At an intense meeting inside the Oval Office on Tuesday, Speaker Mike Johnson was the odd man out. President Biden made clear that the speaker’s positions were out of step with other leaders in government, as did Vice President Kamala Harris. leader on the other side of the Capitol, emphasized the need for the speaker to avoid a government shutdown and provide badly needed aid to Ukraine. To put it succinctly, Mr. Johnson is in a bind. “There is not a solution that will make everyone happy and unite the Republican Party.”

Persons: Mike Johnson, Biden, Kamala Harris, Mitch McConnell, Russia — Mr, Johnson, —, Ukraine’s, ”, Vin Weber, Kevin McCarthy Organizations: Capitol, Russia, Republican, Republican Party Locations: Ukraine, United States, Minnesota

☆ House Speaker Mike Johnson faces a defining dilemma on Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —House Speaker Mike Johnson has the fate of a democracy and a people in his hands. It’s not the United States, which will survive – even if the coming general election results in another existential test for the constitutional system. Johnson, a backbencher who was the last-ditch choice to lead the mutinous House GOP majority last year, could relieve Ukraine’s agony and help ensure its survival as an independent nation in the coming days. Nothing can be guaranteed in a fractious Congress, with a House GOP majority that has rendered the United States close to ungovernable and is threatening America’s global leadership role. And history is watching whether Speaker Johnson will put that bill on the floor.

Persons: Mike Johnson, It’s, Johnson, Vladimir Putin, –, Donald Trump, speakership, Joe Biden, Kevin McCarthy, Volodymyr Zelensky, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, McCarthy, Hakeem Jeffries, Mitch McConnell, Chuck Schumer —, ”, Jake Sullivan, ” Sullivan, Putin, ” Trump, Trump, Biden, ” Rep, Byron Donalds of, ” Zelensky, “, ” Johnson, David Cameron, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Radoslaw Sikorski, ” Sikorski, CNN’s “ Fareed Zakaria, Seth Moulton of, Xi, ” Moulton, Frederick Kagan Organizations: CNN —, GOP, Pentagon, Democratic Senate, White, Trump, Republican, Democratic, Ukraine, ” Biden, Biden, Washington, Democrats, House Republicans, ”, CNN, British, ” Democratic, Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, CNN News Central, NATO, American Enterprise Institute Locations: United States, Ukraine, Russia, Kyiv, Louisiana, Western, Moscow, ungovernable, “ State, America, America’s, Byron Donalds of Florida, Zelensky, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, British, Asia, Taiwan, Japan, China, Ukrainian

☆ A new Biden is on display and he’s trying to be a problem-solver
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Who is this new Joe Biden we’re seeing, just in time for election season? He’s getting directly involved in government funding, calling congressional leaders down to the White House to negotiate in front of a crackling fire. Talking about a ceasefireFacing a protest vote from pro-Palestinian Democrats in Michigan in Tuesday’s primary, Biden was sharing some optimism on the Middle East. “My hope is by next Monday, we’ll have a ceasefire,” Biden said, a massive cone of mint chip halfway to his mouth. The Democratic divide on the Middle East is a growing political issue at home for Biden.

Persons: Joe Biden we’re, Donald Trump’s, He’s, Biden, we’ll, ” Biden, Seth Meyers, uncommitted ”, Trump President Joe Biden, ”, Trump, “, Melania, Mercedes, Kamala Harris, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Joe Biden, Evan Vucci, Meyers, He’ll, Jennifer Agiesta, there’s, Barak Ravid, Axios, Wolf Blitzer, Ravid, ” Ravid, “ I’m, Joe Biden’s, Alabas, –, ” Farhat, CNN’s Boris Sanchez, Melanie Zanona Organizations: CNN, Palestinian Democrats, Democratic, Biden, Arab, voters, Michigan, Trump President, Republican, Gallup, Republicans, Democrats, White, Capitol, Trump Locations: New York, Michigan, Manhattan, Israel, Ukraine, Brownsville , Texas, Eagle, , Texas, Gaza, Arab

☆ Why Zelensky’s plea will fall on many deaf Republican ears
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

CNN —There is a simple reason why many Republicans will snub Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s desperate plea for billions of dollars in arms and ammunition. He told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins in an interview in Kyiv Sunday that Republicans such as Trump ally Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance – who have been speaking out against more Ukraine aid – do not comprehend the stakes of the conflict. How Trump transformed the GOPThe Ukraine war funding showdown highlights how America’s domestic politics are already reverberating around the globe. The splits in the GOP over Ukraine were exposed last week when 26 Senate Republicans voted against the bill containing Israel and Ukraine aid while 22 backed it.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky’s, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, It’s, Zelensky, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, Ohio Sen, J.D, Vance –, –, ” Zelensky, Trump, Mitch McConnell, Vladimir Putin, Putin –, III, Biden –, Putin, Alexey Navalny, Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, George H.W, Bush, Matt Gaetz, ” Trump, Mike Johnson –, Biden, Johnson, ” Jake Sullivan, CNN’s Dana, •, • There’s, Vance, ” Vance, ’ ”, ” Zelensky –, CNN’s Collins, Avdiivka –, he’s Organizations: CNN, America, Republican, Kyiv Sunday, Trump, Ohio, GOP, NATO, Party, Trump Republicans, Conservative Political, Florida, Ukraine, White, Ukraine –, Munich, Conference, Republicans Locations: Europe, Russia, United States, Ukraine, Kyiv, Soviet, Washington, America, Mexico, “ State, South Carolina, European, China, Taiwan, Avdiivka, Israel, There’s

☆ How Johnson wooed Trump to back a GOP congressman targeted by Gaetz
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-25 | by ( Manu Raju | Melanie Zanona | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

“Seeing as how President Trump endorsed Mike Bost, Matt always finds himself on the wrong side of history,” Miller told CNN. After the GOP leadership’s candidate, Craig Riedel, was caught on tape criticizing Trump, multiple Republicans pulled their endorsement, including Miller and House GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik. And now, Miller is inserting herself into another incumbent primary race in Illinois: She also is backing Bailey over Bost, her House GOP colleague. But this time, Miller and Gaetz are on the opposite side of Trump in the race. “Darren Bailey proudly stands with President Trump despite disagreeing with him on this endorsement,” a campaign spokesman said.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Manu Raju ’, Mike Johnson, Donald Trump, Matt Gaetz, Johnson, Trump, Mike Bost, MAGA, Darren Bailey, Richard Hudson of, Max Miller, Bost, –, Kevin McCarthy, Matt, ” Miller, “, ” Darren Bailey, Terrence Antonio James, Tom Williams, Gaetz, Miller, Bailey, ” Gaetz, “ I’ve, he’s, Gaetz “, ” Bost, He’s, ”, Sen, Steve Daines, Republican leadership’s, Matt Rosendale, Craig Riedel, Elise Stefanik, Derek Merrin, Merrin, Byron Donalds of, JD Vance, Marcy Kaptur, Mary Miller of, Caucus hardliner, Rodney Davis, Davis, Bailey’s MAGA, Mike, ” Davis, that’s, it’s, “ Darren Bailey, Gaetz Gaetz, McCarthy, Carlos Gimenez, Don Bacon, I’ve, don’t, Reagan, shrugged, Sam Fossum, Morgan Rimmer, Christine Park Organizations: Republican, Rep, Republicans, Mar, Lago, Trump, Ohio, GOP, Florida Republican, CNN, Chicago Tribune, Getty, Capitol, Bost, Caucus, Air Force, Senate, Congressional, Democratic, House GOP, House Republican Conference, Getty Images Party, Republican JR Majewski, Street Caucus, ”, Nebraska Republican Locations: Illinois, Richard Hudson of North Carolina, Johnson, Hudson, Florida, Springfield , Illinois, Herrin , Illinois, McCarthy, Ukraine, Montana, House, Ohio’s, Ohio, Byron Donalds of Florida, Mary Miller of Illinois

☆ Speaker Mike Johnson once again stuck in the middle as funding deadline looms
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Lauren Fox | Melanie Zanona | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

“Now, we are in a fully Johnson-run House, and he’s got to own all the decision making in the 12 appropriations bills. Probably not best for public policy either,” Republican Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, said. Johnson is facing pressure from members of the House Freedom Caucus to include dozens of policy riders that would never pass in the Democratic-controlled Senate. Just a week later, funding for the rest of the government will also lapse. I think we will see another omnibus appropriation bill.”Asked if that causes a problem for Johnson, Bishop argued, “The speaker didn’t create those problems.”

Persons: Mike Johnson, Senate appropriators, Johnson, he’s, That’s, Patrick McHenry of, “, imploring, Alejandro Mayorkas’s, they’ll, can’t, Chuck Schumer, –, Kevin McCarthy, ” Rep, Don Bacon, “ It’s, Mayorkas, Warren Davidson, ’ ”, Davidson, Andy Biggs, “ We’ve, ” Biggs, Dan Bishop, ”, Bishop Organizations: Republicans, Senate, ” Republican, Financial Services, Caucus, Democratic, Homeland, FBI, HFC, Department of Agriculture, Veteran’s Affairs, Transportation, Housing, Energy, Water, CNN, Congress, ”, Republican, Defense Department, Foreign Intelligence, GOP, “ Locations: Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, Florida, Nebraska, Ukraine, Ohio, North Carolina

☆ Opinion: This overshadowed Trump ruling may be the one that matters most
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Opinion David Zurawik | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

If shareholders approve the merger, it would enable Trump Media to go public and Trump to own a stake worth about $4 billion. In the US, a political party’s presidential nominee has never owned a major media platform worth so much. Furthermore, the possibility of this added Truth Social muscle for Trump arrives as right-wing MAGA messaging finds more outlets at the national and grassroots levels. And, while Trump has stuck with Truth Social, X has become a haven for right-wing conspiracies of all kinds. MAGA-friendly, right-wing media is growing at the grassroots level as well.

Persons: David Zurawik, Donald Trump, David Zurawik Mich Rouse, Trump, MAGA, Jay Ritter, Julia Nikhinson, Joe Biden, Lyndon Johnson, Johnson, John F, Kennedy, Lady Bird, Elon Musk, Tucker Carlson, Vladimir Putin, Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Eric Bolling, That’s, David Smith, Sinclair Organizations: Goucher College, Baltimore Sun, CNN, Trump, Securities, Exchange Commission, SEC, Trump Media & Technology Group, Trump Media, University of Florida, Getty, Republican, Federal Communications Commission, Johnsons, Twitter, Facebook, Fox News, Russian, Fox, Tucker Carlson Network, Sinclair Broadcast Group, Digital Locations: Conway , South Carolina, AFP, Austin , Texas, Texas, Maryland

☆ US divisions over Putin’s Russia present grave global implications
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

CNN —US politics is now split by a fault line over Russia that could have far graver global implications even than condemning Ukraine to defeat after President Vladimir Putin’s invasion. Trump has also not repudiated his recent comment that he’d invite Russia to invade NATO nations that fell short of non-binding targets on defense spending. Aside from the mysterious hold that Putin appears to exert over Trump, the ex-president’s hostility towards Ukraine is easily explainable. Opposing aid to Ukraine is also an almost perfect issue for the ex-president and his allies in the GOP primary. These pressures weigh on Republican lawmakers as they cast increasingly tough votes on Ukraine aid.

Persons: Vladimir Putin’s, Donald Trump, Trump, Mike Johnson –, Johnson, Joe Biden, Biden, Volodymyr Zelensky, Russia’s, ” Biden, Zelensky, –, Alexey Navalny, Hungary’s Viktor Orban, Putin’s, Putin, Trump’s, Kevin McCarthy’s, hasn’t, Ohio Sen, JD Vance, Ukraine “, Vladimir Putin, ” Vance, Barack Obama, “, ”, Vance, Nikki Haley, Haley, Sen, Pete Ricketts, Ricketts, ’ ” Ricketts, ‘, ’ ”, It’s, Mitch McConnell Organizations: CNN, Donald Trump Republicans, NATO, Trump, GOP, Senate, Republican, Soviet, European Union, Russian, Republican Party, Republicans, Munich, Ohio, United, Chicago Council, Global Affairs, Trump Republicans, Ukraine Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Europe, Avdiivka, Russian, Kremlin, America, United States, Munich, China, “, Ohio, Crimea, East Asia, Beijing, Moscow, Iran, North Korea, we’re, ’ ” The Nebraska, Soviet Union

☆ 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

The GOP has been softening its stance on Russia ever since Trump won the 2016 election following Russian hacking of his Democratic opponents. Now the GOP's ambivalence on Russia has stalled additional aid to Ukraine at a pivotal time in the war. Things are changing just not fast enough.”Those who oppose additional Ukraine aid bristle at charges that they are doing Putin's handiwork. Even before Trump, Republican voters were signaling discontent with overseas conflicts, said Douglas Kriner, a political scientist at Cornell University. Skeptics of Ukraine aid argue the war has already decimated the Russian military and that Putin won't be able to target other European countries.

Persons: Republican Sen, Ron Johnson of, Vladimir Putin, “, Johnson, “ Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, Putin, Mike Johnson, ”, “ Putin, ” Republican Sen, Thom Tillis, Mitch McConnell of, Alexei Navalny, Joe Biden, Tillis, ” Johnson, Missouri Sen, Eric Schmitt, ” Alabama Sen, Tommy Tuberville, Tucker Carlson’s, Matt Gaetz, Trump, Douglas Kriner, ” Kriner, ” Trump, didn’t, Olga Kamenchuk, ” Kamenchuk, That’s, “ He's, he's, ” Henry Hale, Russell Vought, Sergey Radchenko, Joey Cappelletti, Mary Clare Jalonick, Lisa Mascaro Organizations: Republican, GOP, Trump, Democratic, Republicans, NATO, ” Republican, Republican Party, ”, Cornell University, Northwestern University, Ukraine, Pew Research, George Washington University, Management, Center, Johns Hopkins ’ School, International Studies, Associated Press Locations: Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Ukraine, Russian, Russia, Europe, U.S, North Carolina, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, America, Missouri, ” Alabama, Waterford Township , Michigan, ” Russia, “, Moscow, Soviet Union, Putin's U.S, Israel, Taiwan, Western Europe, Soviet, Lithuania, Estonia, Washington

☆ 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

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Jimmie Johnson and his Legacy Motor Club race team welcomed Creed to NASCAR with arms wide open. So singer Scott Stapp and the rest of the multi-platinum rock band filled them — they handed Johnson an autographed guitar. Johnson, a two-time Daytona 500 winner, joked he quickly needed lessons. 84 Toyota on the scoring pylon and now the band and the seven-time NASCAR champion are in the Daytona 500. Legacy Motor Club reached an associate sponsorship deal with the band to give Creed a spot on the Toyota for Sunday’s Daytona 500.

Persons: — Jimmie Johnson, Creed, Scott Stapp, Johnson, ” Stapp, Gibson, Erik Jones ’, Jones, “ We’re, ”, Mark Tremonti, Richard Petty, “, Stapp, Tremonti, Brian Marshall, Scott Phillips, Madison Marsh, DJ Khaled, Dwayne “, ” Johnson, Pitbull, ” Tremonti Organizations: DAYTONA, Motor, NASCAR, Toyota, of Fame, GNR, Daytona Locations: Fla

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Friday that the apparent death of Russian anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny brings new urgency to the need for Congress to approve tens of billions of dollars for Ukraine to stave off Moscow's invasion. Speaking at the White House, Biden said that no matter the cause, he holds Russian President Vladimir Putin responsible for Navalny's death. He added, “I hope to God it helps” push U.S. lawmakers to send more aid to Ukraine. Photos You Should See View All 33 ImagesThe president sharply criticized House Republicans for letting the chamber enter a two-week recess without moving on the Ukraine funding. “President Biden pledged ‘devastating’ consequences should Navalny die in prison; now he must follow through.

Persons: Joe Biden, Alexei Navalny, Biden, Vladimir Putin, hasn't, ” Biden, ”, Mike Johnson, “, Putin, ” Johnson, Donald Trump, Johnson, Hakeem Jeffries, ” Jeffries, Vladimir Putin’s, Republican Sen, Tom Cotton of, Trump’s Putin, Illinois Sen, Dick Durbin, Carolina Sen, Thom Tillis, Navalny, ” Tillis, eyeing, Harry Truman Organizations: WASHINGTON, White, Republicans, Ukraine, GOP House, Democratic, Senate, Republican, America, ” Lawmakers, Trump, NATO Locations: Russian, Ukraine, U.S, United States, Baltic, Russia, Israel, Taiwan, Vladimir Putin’s Russia, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Illinois, ., Carolina, America

☆ Trump Fully Devours the Republican Establishment
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Michael C. Bender | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Donald J. Trump is stamping out the final flashes of independence inside Republican institutions with astonishing speed, demonstrating that his power continues to expand over the new party establishment he has created. At the Republican National Committee, he is moving to replace longtime supporters with allies even more closely bound to him, including his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump. Most vividly, Speaker Mike Johnson — ostensibly the party’s top-ranking official — backtracked on an endorsement in a crucial Senate race because Mr. Trump disagreed. On Thursday, Mr. Johnson’s candidate ended his campaign less than one week after opening it. In the Senate, which has been less beholden to Mr. Trump, his influence over a failed border bill made one of the party’s most effective lawmakers, Mitch McConnell, look weak.

Persons: Donald J, Lara Trump, Mike Johnson —, Trump, Johnson’s, Mitch McConnell Organizations: Trump, Republican National Committee, House, Senate

☆ McConnell defends push for Ukraine aid amid attacks from Trump wing of GOP: ‘Every argument against this is wrong’
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Manu Raju | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

“I feel strongly this is in our best interest, America’s best interest and the world’s best interests to do this. Meantime, the House GOP has aligned itself closely with Trump and taken steps that have made some Republican senators uneasy – including impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over the problems at the border. But McConnell didn’t think the flap would have much of an impact on Senate races. “I think that every one of these races will hash that out one way or another,” McConnell said. “The age issue is obviously front and center for both candidates,” McConnell said when asked about the matter.

Persons: Mitch McConnell, Donald Trump, McConnell, –, “ It’s, ” McConnell, Trump, Mike Johnson, McConnell harkened, – we’ve, Johnson, “, ” Johnson, I’ve, we’ve, Alejandro Mayorkas, hadn’t, Oklahoma GOP Sen, James Lankford, ”, Tom Suozzi, Biden, Robert Hur’s, ” CNN’s Clare Foran, Morgan Rimmer Organizations: GOP, CNN, Trump, Republican, “, Kentucky Republican, Homeland, Oklahoma GOP, Wall Street, Washington Post, Republicans, Democrats, New, Democrat Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, Oklahoma, New York

☆ Speaker Johnson’s historically narrow House majority will shrink further after Democrats flip seat in New York
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Clare Foran | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson is overseeing one of the smallest House majorities in history – and Democrat Tom Suozzi’s win in a New York special election will shrink it further. With a breakdown of 219 to 213, House Republicans will only be able to lose only two votes to pass legislation on party-line votes if all members are present and voting. Former New York Democratic Rep. Brian Higgins resigned from Congress earlier this month, former Ohio GOP Rep. Bill Johnson resigned last month and former Speaker Kevin McCarthy resigned at the end of last year. The exact size of the far right of the House Republican Conference can vary from issue to issue. The fate of these politically vulnerable members will be key to whether the GOP can hold on to its majority.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Tom Suozzi’s, Suozzi, Republican Mazi Pilip, George Santos, Brian Higgins, Bill Johnson, Kevin McCarthy, Johnson, McCarthy, Chuck Schumer, Joe Biden, Santos Organizations: Republican, GOP Rep, Republicans, Former New York Democratic, Ohio GOP, House Republican, Democratic, GOP Locations: –, New York

The Senate early Tuesday passed a bill that includes billions of dollars for Ukraine and Israel in their wartime efforts, though its final approval is far from certain amid opposition from House GOP leadership. Twenty-two Republicans voted in favor of the measure, which also includes funds for humanitarian aid in conflict zones like Gaza. Supporters of the package have emphasized the aid is desperately needed as Ukraine continues to battle Russian forces nearly two years after the country’s invasion. Republicans certainly aren’t united behind the standalone foreign aid package, either. Still, Schumer remained optimistic about the package’s future, hoping the bipartisan support in the Senate will pressure the House to act.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, America’s, Chuck Schumer, Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell’s, “, ” McConnell, ”, Trump, hadn’t, Sen, Lindsey Graham of, ” Graham, Mike Johnson, ” Johnson, sidestep Johnson, Schumer Organizations: House GOP, “, NATO, ”, United States Senate, GOP, Senate Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, U.S, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, America

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago won't renew its ShotSpotter contract and plans to stop using the controversial gunshot detection system later this year, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office announced Tuesday. The system, which relies on an artificial intelligence algorithm and network of microphones to identify gunshots, has been criticized for inaccuracy, racial bias and law enforcement misuse. Chicago's $49 million contract with SoundThinking, a public safety technology company, expires Friday. The city plans to wind down use of ShotSpotter technology by late September, according to city officials. The Stop ShotSpotter Coalition praised the announcement but said Chicago should end the use of the technology sooner.

Persons: Brandon Johnson’s, ”, didn't, Johnson, Larry Snelling Organizations: CHICAGO, Associated Press, SoundThinking, “, ”, AP, Chicago, ShotSpotter Coalition Locations: Chicago

☆ McCarthy foes face blowback as primary threats grow and GOP donors shut wallets
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Melanie Zanona | Manu Raju | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

CNN —Donors no longer want to contribute to their campaigns. So we obliged her,” one House Republican told CNN. Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee told CNN some “very wealthy folks” shut their wallets to him in the aftermath of his vote. “If you’ve watched, just her philosophy and the flip-flopping, I don’t believe she wins reelection,” McCarthy told CNN. “We are an incumbent-driven organization and support all House Republican incumbents call,” said a spokesman for the National Republican Campaign Committee.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Jurors in the trial of two men charged with killing Young Dolph will come from outside of Memphis because of intense media coverage of the fatal shooting in the rapper’s hometown, a judge ruled Friday. A jury will be be brought to Memphis from outside of Shelby County for the June 3 trial of Johnson and Cornelius Smith Jr. Both men have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges in the daytime ambush of Young Dolph, who was buying cookies at a Memphis bakery when he was gunned down in November 2021. Young Dolph, whose real name was Adolph Thornton Jr., was a rapper, producer and independent music label owner. A neighborhood street was named after Young Dolph after his death.

Persons: Young Dolph, Jennifer J, Mitchell, Justin Johnson’s, Johnson, Cornelius Smith Jr, ” Mitchell, Adolph Thornton Jr, Luke Evans, Evans, Paul Hagerman, Hagerman, ” Hagerman, “ We're, Hernandez Govan, Jermarcus Johnson, Smith, Justin Johnson Locations: MEMPHIS, Tenn, Memphis, Shelby County, “, Castalia

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