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☆ Exclusive: Russia attempting to develop nuclear space weapon to destroy satellites with massive energy wave, sources familiar with intel say
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Katie Bo Lillis | Jim Sciutto | Kristin Fisher | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The weapon is still under development and is not yet in orbit, Biden administration officials have emphasized publicly. But Russia has recently made progress in its efforts to develop a nuclear EMP — a related but far more alarming technology. This would almost certainly be “a last-ditch weapon” for Russia, the US official and other sources said — because it would do the same damage to whatever Russian satellites were also in the area. According to those sources, the intelligence community is now scrambling to figure out how to preserve its access. Russia has withdrawn from several arms control treaties in recent years, leaving the post-Cold War arms control architecture all but gutted.

Persons: Mike Turner of, Joe Biden, Turner, Biden, ”, John Kirby, “, ” Kirby Organizations: CNN, Republican, House Intelligence, The Defense Department, National Security, National Intelligence, Defense Department, National Security Council, Pentagon, Capitol, Biden Locations: Russia, –, Mike Turner of Ohio, Washington, Russian, Earth, America, Ukraine, Moscow

What makes the retirements particularly noteworthy is that none of the chairs were at risk of losing their position due to the term limits that House Republicans impose on their committee leaders. “They would clearly rather be home with their family than in Washington with a dysfunctional Congress,” said Republican strategist Doug Heye. Photos You Should See View All 33 ImagesThe second retirement announcement came from the new chair of a special committee focused on China. Lucas, who chairs the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, said he's not considering stepping down any time soon. Heye, the Republican strategist, said the retirements of McMorris Rodgers, Green and Gallagher wouldn't make sense in normal times.

Persons: ”, Doug Heye, “, ” McMorris Rodgers, Billy Tauzin, Henry Waxman, Gallagher, Alejandro Mayorkas, Green, ” Green, McMorris Rodgers, she's, I've, ” Gallagher, Frank Lucas, ” Lucas, “ It's, there's, they're, Lucas, he's, Don Young, ‘ Lucas, Byron Donalds, “ We're, ” Donalds, Pete Aguilar, Gallagher “, ” Aguilar, Richard Hudson, ” “ I'm, ” Hudson, Heye, ” Heye Organizations: WASHINGTON, GOP, Energy, Commerce, impeaching, Fox, Electoral, Wednesday, Homeland Security Committee, Science, Technology, Rep, House Democratic Caucus, Republicans, Republican, House Republican, Democratic, “ Locations: Washington, China, Wisconsin, Alaska

☆ Russia could 'blind' the US by taking out satellites using a nuclear space weapon, says ex-CIA chief
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Panetta told CNN the weapon could disable US satellites. AdvertisementFormer CIA Director Leon Panetta said that Russia could "blind" the US by using a nuclear-capable weapon to disable satellites in space. Multiple media reports, citing US officials, said the threat was Russia developing a nuclear weapon to be deployed against satellites. AdvertisementOther reports described it differently: PBS News reported its sources saying the satellite would be powered by a nuclear reactor but was not itself a nuclear weapon. Security experts have long believed that if the US and Russia were to go to war, attacks to disable satellites could be among the first moves.

Persons: Leon Panetta, Panetta, —, Barack Obama, Michael Turner of, Biden Organizations: CIA, CNN, Service, CNN Wednesday, Pentagon, Republican, House Intelligence Committee, ABC News, The New York Times, PBS News, Times, Soviet Union, Republicans Locations: Russian, Russia, Michael Turner of Ohio, Ukraine

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A longtime public utilities regulator announced her candidacy on Thursday for North Dakota's lone U.S. House seat. North Dakota has an open race for its House seat because Republican Rep. Kelly Armstrong, first elected in 2018, is running for governor. Photos You Should See View All 22 ImagesOther Republican House candidates include former state representative Rick Becker, a plastic surgeon, and former state senator Tom Campbell, a potato farmer. A Democrat hasn't won a statewide election in North Dakota since 2012. If elected, she would be the first woman to represent North Dakota in the U.S. House.

Persons: —, Republican Julie Fedorchak, Fedorchak, ” Fedorchak, Kelly Armstrong, Rick Becker, Tom Campbell, Trygve Hammer, Democrat hasn't Organizations: N.D, North, Republican, Public Service Commission, GOP, Committee, Energy, Commerce, Democrat, Republican Party, Voters, U.S . House Locations: BISMARCK, North Dakota's, Bismarck, North Dakota, North, Fargo, U.S

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York’s bipartisan redistricting commission approved a new congressional map Thursday that makes modest changes to three competitive districts but does not substantially change the rest of the state's lines. New York's congressional redistricting process has been closely watched this year as suburban races in the state could have outsize influence on which party controls the House after the November elections. The redistricting commission was tasked with coming up with new districts after the state's highest court in December threw out the map used in the 2022 elections. The panel's new map plan leaves the most of the current congressional districts largely in place, a move that could help head off legal challenges against the proposal. The Independent Redistricting Commission was created under a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2014.

Persons: nix, Brandon Williams, Marc Molinaro, Pat Ryan, George Santos, Tom Suozzi, ”, Charles Nesbitt, ___ Izaguirre, Michael Hill Organizations: Democrat, Republicans, Republican Rep, New, Independent, Democrats, Associated Press Locations: ALBANY, N.Y, Syracuse, Auburn, Cortland, Woodstock, Molinaro's, Albany, New York City, Long, York, Lindenhurst , New York

☆ White House confirms US has intelligence on Russian anti-satellite capability
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Michael Williams | Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Washington CNN —The White House on Thursday confirmed that the national security threat flagged by the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee the previous day is related to “an anti-satellite capability that Russia is developing,” but sought to soothe concerns about the danger it presents to the United States. “This is not an active capability that’s been deployed,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Thursday. “There was notifications from the intelligence community that made it just clearer now than before,” Crenshaw said. “This was just the time.”The post from Turner called on President Joe Biden to declassify “all information” related to the threat. Kirby said the US intelligence community had “serious concerns” about a broad declassification of intelligence related to the threat.

Persons: that’s, John Kirby, ” Kirby, Mike Turner of, Turner, Matt Gaetz, “, Andy Ogles, Ogles, Kirby, Donald Trump, Dan Crenshaw, Crenshaw, ” Crenshaw, Joe Biden, declassify, Biden, Hans Kristensen, CNN’s Morgan Rimmer, Oren Liebermann, Katie Bo Lillis Organizations: Washington CNN, House Intelligence, ” National Security, House Intelligence Committee, Republican, Turner, Ukraine, Russia, Reuters, GOP, Intelligence, Texas Rep, Federation of American, CNN, 2022 Defense Intelligence Agency Locations: Russia, United States, Mike Turner of Ohio, Florida, ”, Tennessee, Ukraine, Russian

☆ House Republicans are giving up on Congress despite holding the majority: 'This place is so broken'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

House Republicans keep calling it quits, even though they're in the majority. Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin announced his retirement on Friday after facing backlash over his vote against it. But like other retiring Republicans, they've apparently decided it's just not worth it. Taking those factors into account, you're left with eight retiring Democrats and 15 retiring Republicans. — that I can go campaign on and say we did," said Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas in a November floor speech.

Persons: —, Mark Green of, he's, Alejandro Mayorkas, Green, Axios, Mike Gallagher, Gallagher, they've, it's, Jennifer Wexton, Patrick McHenry of, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Kevin McCarthy, George Santos, Chip Roy Organizations: Republicans, Service, Republican, Homeland Security, Wisconsin, House Press, Democratic, North, North Carolina Democrats Locations: Mark Green of Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, Washington, Texas

☆ George Santos trolls the Republican representatives who supported his ouster after his vacated seat goes to a Democrat
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Former GOP Rep. George Santos' vacated House seat was flipped to a Democrat in Tuesday's election. Santos trolled the Republican Reps who supported his ouster, blaming them for losing a GOP seat. Santos' seat will be filled by Democrat Tom Suozzi, shrinking the Republican majority in the House. Santos' former seat will be filled by Democrat Tom Suozzi, shrinking the thin Republican majority in the House. In a separate post, Santos wrote simply "-1," referring to the lost GOP seat.

Persons: George Santos, Santos trolled, Santos, Tom Suozzi, —, Suozzi, Republican Mazi Pilip, Nick LaLota, Anthony D'Esposito, LaLota Organizations: GOP, Republican, Service, Democrat, New, Hermes Locations: Tuesday's, New York, Botox

☆ Red states are big winners of Biden’s landmark laws
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Fitch defined red states as those that voted for former President Donald Trump in 2020 by more than three percentage points. “The reality is manufacturing was migrating to those states even before the CHIPS Act and the IRA. Relative to the size of their state economies, Arizona, Idaho and West Virginia are the biggest winners from the IRA and CHIPS Act investments, according to Fitch. New York leads blue state winnersNone of this is to say blue states aren’t benefiting from the IRA and the CHIPS Act. Micron cited the tax credits in the CHIPS Act as well as incentives provided by New York state aimed at luring semiconductor companies.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Fitch, Donald Trump, Olu Sonola, Sonola, ‘, ” Natalie Quillian, “, ”, Lauren Boebert, Quillian Organizations: New, New York CNN, Redwood Materials, Redwood, America’s, IRA, Republican, CNN, Fitch, Trump, Micron, White House, White, Lonestar, Samsung, Intel, IBM, Central, “, CS, Colorado Republican Locations: New York, South Carolina, Arizona, Georgia, Nevada , North Carolina , Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Idaho, Boise, America, Texas, Taylor , Texas, Austin, Russia, Canada, Arizona , Idaho, West Virginia, Chandler , Arizona, “ Arizona, . New York, Hudson Valley, Central New York, “ New York, Colorado, Pueblo , Colorado

WASHINGTON (AP) — A longshot bid to temporarily double a $10,000 cap on state and local tax deductions for most married couples went down to defeat Wednesday in the House. Republicans limited the deduction to help pay for other tax cuts in the 2017 package. They also cast the vote as an “election ploy to help New York Republicans win the next election.”“They created this problem that they now want to put a band-aid on,” Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, D-N.M., said of House Republicans. Nearly half of taxpayers in his district claimed the state and local tax deduction before the law was changed during the Trump administration. After the vote, Lawler said New York Republicans fought for their districts and the state, and “New York Democrats helped tanked the bill.” He said Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries urged colleagues to vote against the procedural rule.

Persons: Donald Trump's, It's, Joe Biden, Tom Suozzi, George Santos, Biden, ”, Anthony D'Esposito, Teresa Leger Fernandez, Mike Lawler, Lawler, Trump, ” Lawler, Hakeem Jeffries Organizations: WASHINGTON, Republican, New, Republican Rep, Republicans, New York Republicans, ”, House Republicans, “ New, “ New York Democrats, Democrats Locations: New York , New Jersey , California, New York, “ New York, New York , New Jersey

☆ AI could disrupt the 2024 US presidential election. What’s Congress doing about it?
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

But with just nine months until Americans head to the ballot box, there are few signs Congress is ready to pass any meaningful legislation on AI. Alex Wong/Getty ImagesSchumer has previously said that with the election nearing, he may seek to fast-track a bill that focuses specifically on AI and election security. Nothing looks likely to move.”Initial momentum on AI regulationFor months, Congress has focused on getting up to speed on the basics of AI. Still other ideas would require “high-risk” AI models to register for a government license, or create a dedicated new federal agency to oversee AI. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman testifies before a Senate Judiciary Privacy, Technology & the Law Subcommittee hearing titled 'Oversight of A.I.

Persons: Joe Biden, Chuck Schumer, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, “, Schumer, Sen, Todd Young, Martin Heinrich, Michael Rounds, Alex Wong, New Mexico Democratic Sen, South Dakota Republican Sen, Mike Rounds, Indiana Republican Sen, didn’t, Paul Gallant, Cowen, ”, Gallant, we’re, Sam Altman, Altman, Heinrich, Rounds, Young, Julia Nikhinson, Sundar Pichai, Jensen Huang, Mike Johnson, Marcus Molinaro, Johnson, Drake, Tom Hanks, Tennessee Republican Sen, Marsha Blackburn, Hakeem Jeffries, Don Beyer, it’ll, Alan Davidson, Biden, Elizabeth Frantz, ” Davidson, —, Sarah Myers West Organizations: Washington CNN, mayoral, U.S, Senate, Capitol, Artificial Intelligence, “, CNN, New, New Mexico Democratic, South Dakota Republican, Indiana Republican, Cowen Inc, United, International Atomic Energy Agency, Intelligence, Reuters, Google, Nvidia, New York Republican, The Washington Post, Commerce, Tennessee Republican, ITI, Virginia Democratic Rep, State of, Republican, House Energy, European Union, EU, Congress, Commerce Department, White House, Privacy, Technology, Democrats, Federal Trade Commission Locations: Washington ,, New Mexico, South, Washington , U.S, Washington

☆ The Mayorkas impeachment was a classic example of performance politics
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Republicans in the House of Representatives successfully —but just barely — voted to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Tuesday. Put bluntly, Mayorkas' impeachment is a classic case of "performance politics." After the impeachment vote succeeded on Tuesday, Green told Politico the party's more than willing to keep impeaching DHS secretaries until someone does the job to its liking. "If that person doesn't do his job well, we will impeach his ass too," he said.

Persons: Alejandro Mayorkas, Joe Biden's, Mayorkas, Donald Trump, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Mark Green, didn't, Green Organizations: Service, Republicans, Homeland, Democrat, Business, Senate, Republican, Homeland Security, Politico, National Border Patrol Council

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina House has given key approval to a bill allowing liquor stores to stay open on Sundays for a few hours if their local governments allow it. Supporters said it is time to update antiquated, centuries-old rules based on religion that designated Sunday as a day of rest. But liquor stores have remained closed. Only a handful of states still don’t allow liquor stores to open on Sunday, including North Carolina, Texas and Pennsylvania. “One of our long time values in South Carolina is a day of rest," said McCravy.

Persons: ”, Gil Gatch, “, John McCravy Organizations: COLUMBIA, South Carolina House, Republicans, Republican, Walmart, South Carolina, BMW Locations: South Carolina, Summerville, Carolina, South, U.S, North Carolina , Texas, Pennsylvania

☆ Even some Republicans are nervous about how Mayorkas' impeachment could backfire
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewHomeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is only the second Cabinet secretary to be impeached in American history. The three Republicans who voted to oppose Mayorkas' impeachment have each warned about establishing a new precedent for the action some lawmakers place only below authorizing a war. Still, the vote to impeach Trump for inciting the Capitol riot was the most bipartisan presidential impeachment vote in history. As The New York Times pointed out during Trump's first impeachment, one out of every four presidents have had articles of impeachment written up against them. Gallagher announced his decision just days after bucking his party on the first vote to impeach Mayorkas.

Persons: —, Alejandro Mayorkas, Biden, Mike Gallagher of, Mayorkas, hasn't, Tom McClintock of, Donald Trump, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Nancy Pelosi, Donald Trump's, Gallagher, Trump, Trump's, there's, George W, Dennis J, Kucinich, Bush, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Machiavelli, Bryan Metzger, Adam Schiff, Jonathan Turley, Ken Buck, Ken Buck of Colorado Organizations: Service, Business, Republican, Homeland, House Homeland Security, Trump, Capitol, New York Times, Ohio Democrat, Republicans, Georgia Republican, California Democrat, George Washington University Law, Daily Locations: Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, Tom McClintock of California, Ohio, Georgia, California, Ken Buck of

☆ 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

☆ Democrats see New York special election win as a blueprint for defeating Trump in November
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Stephanie Keith | Getty ImagesDemocrats aren't just breathing a sigh of relief after flipping a red seat blue in New York's special election — they're taking notes. On the same day as the special election in New York, House Republicans voted to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Republicans backing Pilip, who was born in Ethiopia and served in the Israel Defense Forces, worked hard to make the special election a referendum on immigration. Special election, special circumstancesDespite Murphy's warning, many political watchers are quick to note that the New York special election is far from a perfect bellwether for the general election. New York Republican Chair Ed Cox in a statement Tuesday night blamed "the specific circumstances that brought about this special election" for Pilip's loss.

Persons: Tom Suozzi, George Santos, Stephanie Keith, they're, Mazi Pilip, Mike Johnson, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Alejandro Mayorkas, Pilip, Suozzi, Trump, Sen, Chris Murphy, Conn, Tom Suozzi's, Murphy, Santos, Ed Cox, Biden Organizations: Democratic U.S ., Republican, Getty, Rep, Democratic, GOP, Republicans, Biden, Homeland, Israel Defense Forces, NBC News, New, Congressional, Congress, Democrats Locations: Woodbury , New York, U.S, Mexico, New York, Ethiopia

So far, Idaho has been the only state to enact a so-called “ abortion trafficking ” law. Yet even as legal questions linger in the Idaho case, other states like Tennessee are moving forward with implementing their own versions. Photos You Should See View All 22 Images“This bill is simply a parental rights bill,” said Republican Rep. Jason Zachary, who is sponsoring the proposal. Tennessee law bans abortion throughout all stages of pregnancy but contains exemptions for very narrow instances for saving the life of a mother. On the eastern side of the state, a clinic has relocated to Virginia after operating along the Tennessee border for years.

Persons: Roe, Wade, ”, Jason Zachary, Zachary, John Ray Clemmons, Bill Lee Organizations: GOP, Supreme, Republican, quizzed, Democratic, Republican Gov, Centers for Disease Control, Guttmacher Institute Locations: Tenn, Tennessee, U.S, Idaho, Missouri, Oklahoma, Memphis, Nashville, Carbondale , Illinois, Virginia

Twenty-seven other states allow open carry of guns without a permit, including nearly every state in the Deep South. To encourage training, the Senate bill would pay at least $4 million to hold free classes across the state. The Senate's version left plenty of supporters of the open carry idea unhappy, including gun rights groups. Palmetto Gun Rights said it believes in “100% firearms liberty” and is an affiliate of the National Association for Gun Rights. He put the blame squarely on the South Carolina House, saying last week that representatives are keeping “the ‘revolving door’ for career violent criminals wide open.”

Persons: ”, Bobby Cox, Shane Massey, “, Tommy Dimsdale, Henry McMaster’s, don’t Organizations: COLUMBIA, South Carolina's General Assembly, Republican, National Rifle Association, Palmetto, Rights, South, South Carolina Republicans, Palmetto Gun Rights, National Association for Gun Rights, Gov, South Carolina House Locations: South Carolina's, Greer, South Carolina, “

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans are critical of diversity and inclusion programs within the federal government and elsewhere, but they see recruiting women and minority candidates, along with veterans, as key to expanding their slim majority in November. “These are not run-of-the-mill generic Republicans," Hudson said. And so we’re using that same formula.”When asked what she makes of the House Republican focus on recruiting females and minorities, the chair of the campaign arm for House Democrats was skeptical. It's not just House Republicans seeking to end such programs. Hudson sidestepped on whether the focus on attracting female and minority candidates as House Republican candidates clashes with efforts to clamp down on diversity and inclusion programs within the federal government and elsewhere.

Persons: Richard Hudson, Prasanth Reddy, Alison Esposito, Hudson, George Logan, there's Kevin Lincoln, Mayra Flores, prognosticators, ” Hudson, “ That’s, “, ”, Suzan DelBene, It's, Hudson sidestepped, George Santos, Tom Suozzi, Mazi, She's, Elise Stefanik's, Alexandria Ocasio, ” Stefanik, ” Steven Horsford, ” Horsford Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, Republicans, National Republican Congressional Committee, GOP, House Democrats, Democrats, Republican, “, Associated, Democratic, Ethiopian, Pew Research Center, PAC, Republican Party, Congressional Black Caucus, Women, Puerto Rico Locations: India, Kansas, New York, Guatemala, Connecticut, Stockton , Calif, Mexican, ”, Alexandria, Cortez, Puerto

(AP) — Montana Republicans gathered in a hotel ballroom this weekend aiming to unite ahead of the 2024 election and defeat three-term incumbent Democrat U.S. Sen. Jon Tester. Rosendale's move laid bare deep fissures within the Montana GOP at a time when Republicans can ill afford it. Outside observers and even some Republicans say an intraparty skirmish leading up to Montana's June primary could undermine those hopes. Rosendale’s entry into the Senate contest capped months of speculation that the hard-right lawmaker wanted a rematch six years after losing to Tester in 2018. Those Democrats are egging on the division in the GOP Senate race, hopeful it will drain Republican funds and alienate independent voters before the general election.

Persons: HELENA, —, Sen, Jon Tester, Matt Rosendale, Rosendale's, Steve Daines, “ I’ve, boisterously, Greg Gianforte, Tim Sheehy, “, Donald Trump, Sheehy, ” Gianforte, Trump, Rosendale, Kevin McCarthy, Mitch McConnell, ”, I’ve, irk, Theresa Manzella, George Nikolakakos, Nikolakakos, Steve Bullock Organizations: — Montana Republicans, Democrat U.S, U.S . Rep, Montana GOP, Republican, National Republican, Committee, U.S . Navy, Senate, Montana Gov, GOP, Montana Freedom Caucus, Rosendale, GOP Senate, Democratic Party, Trump, Biden, Republicans Locations: Mont, Montana, Montana , Ohio, West Virginia, U.S, Rosendale, Helena, Belgrade , Montana, Afghanistan, Washington, Great Falls, “, Rosendale . Montana, Daines

☆ These 17 GOP senators voted to advance a $95.3 billion Ukraine and Israel aid package — without the controversial border provisions that Republicans have rejected
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

On Wednesday, 17 Republican senators joined with Democrats to begin debate on a version of the foreign aid bill that no longer includes any of the border security provisions. AdvertisementThe $95.34 billion package contains $60 billion in new aid to Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel, and $9.15 billion for humanitarian assistance, including for Gaza. In May 2022 — the last time the Senate voted on a bill primarily dealing with Ukraine aid — 39 GOP senators supported it. Several Democratic senators are hoping to impose new conditions on Israel aid amid the devastating war in Gaza, and Republicans may offer amendments of their own. Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia has threatened to call a vote on ousting Johnson from the speakership if he allows another vote on Ukraine aid.

Persons: —, Mitch McConnell, Chuck Schumer, Mike Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Johnson, Sen, Bernie Sanders Organizations: Service, House Republicans, Republican, Democrats, Business, GOP, —, Democratic, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, United States, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Vermont

☆ House Republicans are mourning the departures of George Santos and Kevin McCarthy after their failed vote to impeach Mayorkas
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

House Republicans narrowly failed to impeach DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Tuesday. That wouldn't have happened if George Santos hadn't been expelled or Kevin McCarthy hadn't resigned. AdvertisementOn Tuesday, House Republicans suffered an embarrassing setback — they narrowly failed to impeach DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas after 3 Republicans voted against it. But Tuesday's failed vote was the first time House Republicans have suffered at the hands of their slowly shrinking majority, which has been driven by retirements and expulsions in recent months. AdvertisementTwo prominent names who weren't around to vote on Tuesday: former Rep. George Santos of New York and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Persons: Alejandro Mayorkas, George Santos hadn't, Kevin McCarthy hadn't, I've, Santos, Matt Gaetz, —, Steve Scalise, Tuesday's, Marjorie Taylor Greene, George Santos, Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, Mayorkas —, Gaetz, I’ve, oCtNPjIPdB, Anna Paulina Luna, Florida, Mayorkas, Thomas Massie of, Massie Organizations: Republicans, Service, GOP, George Santos of New, Twitter, Independent, New York Republicans Locations: Georgia, George Santos of, George Santos of New York, Florida, Santos, Thomas Massie of Kentucky

A border security package instantly collapsed in the Senate. Congress failed in stunning fashion this week as Republicans in both the House and the Senate revolted in new and unimaginable ways against their own agenda. But it’s not a way to govern," said Republican Rep. Victoria Spartz of Indiana. Now, without naming Trump, McConnell says he will support the Republican Party's eventual nominee for president, though it's clear the two have a deteriorated relationship. First-term Republican Rep. Cory Mills of Florida acknowledged the week's setbacks were not why he came to Congress after a military career.

Persons: Mayorkas, —, it’s, Victoria Spartz, Kevin McCarthy, Mike Johnson, Mitch McConnell, Donald Trump's, Johnson, ”, Sen, Mitt Romney, “ Let’s, Romney, “ We’ve, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Hal Rogers, impeaching Mayorkas, I’m, ” Mayorkas, Al Green of, Nancy Pelosi, George Santos, Steve Scalise, They're, Katherine Clark of, McConnell, Mike Lee of, Ted Cruz, ” Lee, Chuck Schumer, Trump, “, I've, Democratic Sen, Patty Murray, Donald Trump, Cory Mills, “ We're, Mills, “ We’re, there’ll, Kevin Freking, Stephen Groves, Mary Clare Jalonick, Rebecca Santana, Ken Ritter Organizations: WASHINGTON, — Homeland, Congress, Republican Rep, Victoria, Republican House, Republican Party, Republican, GOP, Trump, Biden, Super Bowl, Republicans, Democratic, GOP Rep, Senate, Capitol, realigning, Press Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Victoria Spartz of Indiana, U.S, R, Utah, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Mexico, Washington, Las Vegas, Al Green of Texas, New York, Katherine Clark of Massachusetts, Mike Lee of Utah, Ted Cruz of Texas, Israel, Taiwan, Florida, American

Alabama is one of few states without a state lottery, after lawmakers in 1999 rejected a proposal to allow one. The gambling bill, now backed by Republican Gov. Supporters pitched the bill as a means to crack down on small electronic gambling machines that have cropped up in convenience stores and small gambling halls. The controversial bill to enact absentee ballot restrictions would make it a misdemeanor to deliver someone else's absentee completed ballot or distribute an absentee ballot application prefilled with someone else's name. Supporters say the change is needed to combat voter fraud, but opponents say it would discourage voting by absentee ballot.

Persons: ”, Andy Whitt, Kay Ivey, Chris Blackshear, Republican Sen, Garlan Gudger, Gudger, Tari Williams, Sen, Linda Coleman Madison Organizations: Alabama, Republican, Republican Gov, Democratic, ” Republican, Indians, Poarch, Confederate Locations: MONTGOMERY, Ala, . Alabama, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Birmingham

☆ Opinion: MAGA’s gift to Putin
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Opinion Frida Ghitis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

She is a weekly opinion contributor to CNN, a contributing columnist to The Washington Post and a columnist for World Politics Review. Russian President Vladimir Putin didn’t even have to wait until the 2024 election and Trump’s possible return to the White House to have cause for celebration. Trump’s congressional toadies quickly fell into line even before they saw the border bill. There’s talk of a separate bill of aid for Ukraine, but Trump’s supporters have echoed his skepticism. For Putin and his regime, no amount of champagne would be enough to do justice to the significance of that win.

Persons: Frida Ghitis, Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin didn’t, Frida Ghitis CNN Trump, Putin, MAGA, Trump, Biden, Biden’s, It’s, toadies, Sen, Brian Schatz, “ gobsmacked, Bill Burns, Liz Cheney, ”, they’re, “ Trump, Putin’s, Volodymir Zelensky, hasn’t, Moscow –, it’s, Tucker Carlson, Fox provocateur, Carlson, parroted, Ukraine’s Organizations: CNN, Washington Post, Politics, Kremlin, Republicans, Republican, Trump, CIA, Ukraine, NATO, Capitol Locations: Moscow, Russian, Ukraine, United States, Gaza, Red, Iran, Taiwan, China, Russia, Kyiv, Israel, Baltic, NATO, Capitol Hill, Europe, Netherlands

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