Latest Marisa Schultz News | ӣ��Ƶ

Madison Cawthorn loses North Carolina GOP House primary after string of missteps

Tue, 17 May 2022 19:30:12 -0400

Rep. Madison Cawthorn, the youngest member of Congress, failed to hold onto his House seat, after critics said the 26-year-old brought too much negative attention to his North Carolina district.

Cawthorn Tuesday night made a concession phone call to state Sen. Chuck Edwards, whose legislative seat is within the House district. Edwards had the support of Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and various other GOP officials.

"This is simply incredible," Edwards said Tuesday night in declaring victory. "Against all odds, we fought hard to win this election and provide clear conservative leadership for the mountains."

Edwards told voters he has the track record to bring conservative results for the district.

"I believe that he may have gotten lost in the political stardom and forgot what his role was back here at home," Edwards said earlier this week of Cawthorn.

Cawthorn's congressional race has been one to watch during Tuesday's GOP primary election in North Carolina, as well as the Senate GOP primary.

Shortly after the polls closed, the Associated Press called the Republican race for Rep. Ted Budd, R-N.C. It was a victory for former President Trump, who endorsed Budd last summer for the open seat over former Gov. Pat McCrory and former Rep. Mark Walker.

Cawthorn's fall from grace marked a remarkable turnaround for the young Republican.

Once hailed as a rising star in the party who can counter the progressive Squad with an America First message, Cawthorn had a difficult re-election, with certain GOP congressional leaders losing faith in him following a string of questionable actions.

Cawthorn maintained his support from former President Trump, who urged supporters in a last minute message on his Truth Social site to not give up on the young congressman: "Recently, he made some foolish mistakes, which I don’t believe he’ll make again," Trump posted this week. "Let’s give Madison a second chance!"

LAWMAKERS BEHAVING BADLY: MADISON CAWTHORN

Heading into the primary and even during the vote tally, Cawthorn felt optimistic, while acknowledging it’s "closer than I thought it would be."

"We've got high hopes that we will win," Cawthorn told ӣ��Ƶ Digital shortly after 9 p.m. as he trailed Edwards. "I don't believe that this will go to a runoff."

He said the reason the race was so tight was because his party worked to oust him.

"The biggest thing is probably just the coordinated strike that's really been carried out by members of my own party," Cawthorn said. "I believe that there's a war going on between which version of conservatism and Republicanism is going to move forward."

Cawthorn drew seven GOP challengers. Aside from Edwards, Michele Woodhouse, the GOP chair of the North Carolina 11th congressional district, said it was time for Cawthorn to go.

Woodhouse said Cawthorn backed her to run in the 11th district as the "America First candidate" when he decided last year to run in a neighboring district that would have given him a bigger profile in the Charlotte media market. But when redistricting lines were redrawn, Cawthorn decided to run in the 11th, but by that point, Woodhouse didn't want to exit the race.

VOTERS DECIDE PENNSYLVANIA, NORTH CAROLINA, IDAHO PRIMARIES, IN TEST OF TRUMP'S CLOUT: LIVE UPDATES

Woodhouse told ӣ��Ƶ Digital she would bring "honor to the position … and never bring any salacious headlines to this district that are embarrassing to the voters here."

Cawthorn rose to political stardom during his Republican National Convention speech in 2020 where he dramatically stood up out of his wheelchair. Cawthorn was partially paralyzed in a car accident at the age of 18. He enjoys a strong social media following and talks about creating a "new Republican Party" that inspires young people.

But during his short political career, problems soon began piling up.

He faced sexual misconduct allegations, which he denied. He was twice stopped by airport security for trying to bring a loaded gun on a plane. In March, he was cited by North Carolina troopers for driving with a revoked license. That's on top of two previous traffic violations for speeding at 87 and 89 mph.

In March, Cawthorn drew widespread rebuke from his colleagues, including GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy, for claiming in a podcast interview he had been invited to "an orgy" in Washington, had been sexually solicited, and had seen leaders use cocaine. Cawthorn later said he wasn't talking specifically about his fellow GOP lawmakers. "He's lost my trust," McCarthy said in response to the controversy.

TRUMP'S GOP CLOUT ON THE LINE IN HIGH-PROFILE REPUBLICAN PRIMARIES IN PENNSYLVANIA, NORTH CAROLINA, IDAHO

In April, Politico published pictures of Cawthorn partying in lingerie. Then, the Daily Mail posted photos of Cawthorn's close aide and scheduler grabbing his crotch, along with an ethics complaint that alleged the congressman gave the staffer thousands of dollars in loans and gifts. Cawthorn's team said the photos were taken before he entered Congress and the aide is his cousin who helps him regularly with his disability.

Then earlier this month, a video was published of a naked Cawthorn making thrusting motions at what appeared to be another man's head.

Cawthorn explained the video was from years ago. "I was being crass with a friend, trying to be funny. We were acting foolish, and joking," he said on Twitter, adding: "Blackmail won't win. We will."

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., was actively trying to oust Cawthorn from Congress and even accused him of insider trading. He backed Edwards, saying the 11th Congressional District deserved someone who is "fully dedicated" to serving their constituents.

"Republicans chose Chuck Edwards tonight because he is the embodiment of Mountain values who will fight for them every single day in Congress with honor and integrity," Tillis said Tuesday night.

Under North Carolina primary rules, if no candidate got above 30%, there would have been a second primary run-off election on July 26 between the first and second-place finishers.

With 99% of the precincts counted, Edwards had 33.5% of the vote to Cawthorn's 31.7%. They were trailed by Matthew Burril at 9.5%; Bruce O'Connell at 6.9%; Rod Honeycutt at 6.5%; Michele Woodhouse at 5.3%; Wendy Nevarez at 5.1% and Kristie Sluder at 1.5%.

Edwards will face Democrat Jasmine Beach-Ferrara in the November election.

In the Senate race, the victory was an impressive turnaround for Budd. For months, Budd was unable to leverage the former president’s endorsement to boost his poll numbers and fundraising figures.

WATCH: TED BUDD MAKES HIS CLOSING CASE TO VOTERS IN FOX NEWS INTERVIEW

"I think it was huge," Budd told ӣ��Ƶ Digital Tuesday of Trump's endorsement. "But it really helps especially when you work hard like we've done. We've stayed focused. We've worked hard. Stay humble and go out and ask people for their prayers, their support and their vote."

Trump held a rally in North Carolina for Budd in early April, and in recent weeks the congressman surged to front-runner status in the increasingly contentious primary showdown.

Walker defied pressure from Trump to drop out of the Senate primary and instead run for a fourth term in the House with the former president's backing. McCrory entered the race with the highest visibility, having been governor from 2013 to 2017.

In November, Budd will face the Democratic nominee, Cheri Beasley, a former North Carolina Supreme Court chief justice.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

In the purple state, the general election should be close as both sides will pump millions into the race that will help decide control of the 50-50 split Senate.

ӣ��Ƶ' Austin Westfall, Matt Leach and Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.

Ted Budd says Trump endorsement was 'huge' for North Carolina Senate

Tue, 17 May 2022 19:35:33 -0400

Rep. Ted Budd, R-N.C., said backing from former President Trump has been a "huge" factor in his bid to become the next senator from North Carolina.

Budd earned Trump's endorsement last summer for the open seat and in recent weeks the congressman surged to front-runner status in the contentious primary showdown that also includes former Gov. Pat McCrory and former Rep. Mark Walker.

VOTERS DECIDE PENNSYLVANIA, NORTH CAROLINA, IDAHO PRIMARIES, IN TEST OF TRUMP'S CLOUT: LIVE UPDATES

In an interview Tuesday at a polling location in Belews Creek, N.C., Budd said he visited all 100 North Carolina counties in his bid to succeed the retiring GOP Sen. Richard Burr.

He said he'll follow through on his campaign promises. "Do what you say you're going to do," Budd said his grandfather instilled in his family. "So that's what I'm going to do."

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

In interviews with five voters at the polling location, three specifically said Trump's endorsement was a factor in their choice for the Senate race.

One voter, Joyce from Belews Creek, said the country today is in a "sad situation" and the former president was a "big time" influence her voting.

"I'm for him," she said of Trump. "He's my man."

ӣ��Ƶ' Paul Steinhauser and Matteo Cina contributed to this report.

Rep. Banks calls on Garland to prosecute pro-choice activists harassing conservative Supreme Court justices

Mon, 16 May 2022 12:04:00 -0400

EXCLUSIVE: The chair of the largest conservative caucus in Congress blasted Attorney General Merrick Garland for failing to prosecute pro-choice activists harassing conservative Supreme Court justices at their homes after a leaked opinion suggested they would overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade court ruling that legalized abortion.

Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., said Garland's treatment of the Supreme Court protesters stands in sharp contrast to how the Justice Department took "aggressive action" against parents at school board meetings and the "disproportionately harsh treatment" against defendants in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Banks, the leader of the Republican Study Committee, suggested Garland's prosecution choices are politically motivated.

"The evidence shows that under your leadership, the Department has one rule for the Biden administration’s friends, and a different, much harsher rule, for its opponents," Banks said in a letter to Garland obtained first by ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

"This is a dangerous path," Banks said of selective prosecution.

GRASSLEY: DOJ NEEDS 'ROBUST RESPONSE' TO PROTESTS AT JUSTICES' HOMES AFTER ACTION ON PARENTS LAST YEAR

A Justice Department spokesperson confirmed receipt of Banks' letter and said the department will review it.

Republicans contend that the protests at the homes of the six conservative Supreme Court justices – Clarence Thomas, John Roberts, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett – are illegal. A 1950 law establishes a criminal penalty of up to one year in prison for an individual who "pickets or parades" near a judge's residence with the intent of influencing that judge or impeding the administration of justice. Threats of violence against justices are also illegal.

In his letter to Garland, Banks condemned the recent destruction and disruptions at Catholic churches, as well as the firebombing of a Wisconsin pro-life group’s office where a message was spray-painted: "If abortions aren’t safe then you aren’t either."

AG MERRICK GARLAND ORDERS US MARSHALS TO BOLSTER SUPREME COURT SECURITY

"Your supine response to this unprecedented and ongoing attack on the Supreme Court, and the apparently coordinated threats to churches and to Americans who value life stands, in stark contrast to your aggressive action against parents protesting at school board meetings, and your disproportionately harsh treatment of the January 6 defendants for their alleged crimes of trespassing, obstruction, and parading or picketing," Banks wrote to Garland on Monday.

The Justice Department was initially silent about the continued protests by pro-choice activists outside conservative Supreme Court justices' homes, but on Wednesday spokesman Anthony Coley issued a statement saying Garland was dispatching extra security to the justice's residences.

OVER 40 HOUSE REPUBLICANS PUSH RESOLUTION TO CONDEMN SCOTUS OPINION LEAK, PROTESTS IN FRONT OF JUSTICES' HOMES

"Attorney General Garland continues to be briefed on security matters related to the Supreme Court and Supreme Court Justices," Coley said in a statement. "The Attorney General directed the U.S. Marshals Service to help ensure the Justices’ safety by providing additional support to the Marshal of the Supreme Court and Supreme Court Police."

Banks, however, says the Justice Department has taken "no obvious steps" to deter, investigate or prosecute the pro-choice activists. He told ӣ��Ƶ Digital that Garland has acted like "Joe Biden’s personal prosecutor."

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

"The pro-abortion rioters are attacking an entire branch of our government, and AG Garland must step up and start equally enforcing the law," Banks said.

Cassidy leads GOP Senate resolution to combat the violent crime spike

Mon, 16 May 2022 10:47:53 -0400

EXCLUSIVE: Decrying the nation's crime spike, surge in illegal immigrants and lax criminal justice policies, Republican senators are calling on the Biden administration to work with them on developing a strategy to "combat the violent crime epidemic within the country."

Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., is expected to introduce a resolution Monday with his Republican colleagues that outlines the wave of crime in America and links the uptick to an open southern border, progressive prosecutors declining to charge violent offenders, and certain bail reform policies that let "dangerous criminals" back on the streets.

"Rising violent crime destroys families and should be combated by criminal justice systems that prosecute the offenders as offenders, and not as victims," the resolution, first obtained by ӣ��Ƶ Digital, reads.

Murders across the nation spiked by nearly 30% in 2020 compared to the year prior, according to FBI data released in September, marking the largest single-year increase in killings since the agency began tracking the crimes. Among Black Americans, the number of deaths spiked by more than 32% compared to 2019.

HOUSE DEMOCRATS PUSH MEASURE TO INVEST IN LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS AMID STALL FROM LEADERSHIP

In all, more than 21,000 homicides were reported in 2020, 4,901 more than in 2019, the biggest leap since the 1960s. Overall violent crime – which includes homicides, rape, robbery and aggravated assault – increased by 5.6 % and property crimes dropped by nearly 8%, according to FBI data.

"If there was ever a time that the American people want to know that the president and Congress are working together to defeat the scourge of crime, the time is now," Cassidy said in a statement to ӣ��Ƶ Digital. "This resolution is to send the message that combating crime is what we are focused on."

Cassidy's resolution comes in time for National Police Week this May. The GOP senators want to signal Republicans are serious about addressing rising crime and the border crisis.

The resolution also draws attention to the 59% increase in murders of police officers in 2021, as noted by FBI Director Christopher Wray.

FBI DATA SHOWS LARGE INCREASE IN MURDERS IN 2020 NATIONWIDE

"Violence against law enforcement in this country is one of the biggest phenomena that I think doesn't get enough attention," Wray told CBS News' "60 Minutes" in April, adding that officers are being murdered at a rate of nearly "one every five days."

The White House Friday marked Peace Officers Memorial Day and national Police Week by issuing a proclamation honoring the sacrifices of police officers, touting efforts to crack down on "ghost" guns and encouraging more communities to tap federal resources for policing through the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Democrats passed last year.

FBI DIRECTOR SAYS VIOLENCE DIRECTED AT POLICE OFFICERS UNLIKE ANYTHING HE'S SEEN BEFORE

"The solution is not to defund our police," the White House proclamation said.

The White House said more than $10 billion has already been spent or committed for public safety through the American Rescue Plan by more than 300 communities and more than half of the states.

"We’ve inherited from the previous administration the largest year-over-year jump in murders in record history in 2020," outgoing White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Friday of the Trump administration. "Our focus from here has been putting more cops on the beat."

The FBI director said the coronavirus pandemic contributed to the crime spike.

"We're seeing more and more juveniles committing violent crime, and that's certainly an issue," Wray said. "We're seeing a certain amount of gun trafficking, interstate gun trafficking. That's part of it. And we're seeing an alarming frequency of some of the worst of the worst getting back out on the streets."

Signing onto the resolution are 28 Republicans.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

In addition to Cassidy, the co-sponsors are GOP Sens. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Mike Braun of Indiana, Ted Cruz of Texas, Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Tim Scott of South Carolina, Dan Sullivan of Alaska, Roger Wicker of Mississippi, Deb Fischer of Nebraska, James Inhofe of Oklahoma, John Barrasso of Wyoming, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, Mike Crapo of Idaho, Steve Daines of Montana, Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, John Hoeven of North Dakota, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, Roger Marshall of Kansas, Rob Portman of Ohio, James Risch of Idaho, Rick Scott of Florida, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Todd Young of Indiana and Joni Ernst of Iowa.

ӣ��Ƶ' Emma Colton and Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.

Pennsylvania governor's race: Trump endorses Mastriano over Barletta in GOP primary

Sat, 14 May 2022 12:03:55 -0400

Former President Trump threw his support behind Republican Doug Mastriano for Pennsylvania governor just three days before the primary election, citing Mastriano's efforts to go after the 2020 election "theft."

Mastriano, a state senator and retired U.S. Army colonel, already was leading the pack of GOP candidates, and Trump's endorsement is likely to cement his advantage over former GOP Rep. Lou Barletta, former federal prosecutor Bill McSwain and businessman Dave White in Tuesday's GOP primary.

KATHY BARNETTE SOARS IN PA ELECTION POLLS, GRABS MAJOR OUTSIDE SUPPORT IN GOP SENATE PRIMARY

Trump endorsed Barletta for the 2018 Senate race where he lost to Democratic Sen. Bob Casey.

"There is no one in Pennsylvania who has done more, or fought harder, for election integrity than state Senator Doug Mastriano," Trump said in his endorsement statement Saturday. "He has revealed the deceit, corruption, and outright theft of the 2020 presidential election, and will do something about it."

Mastriano floated a plan to overturn Trump's 2020 loss to now President Biden, and was at the U.S. Capitol when it was stormed on Jan. 6, 2021, by right-wing extremists aiming to disrupt congressional certification of Biden's Electoral College victory.

Some GOP leaders in Pennsylvania have fretted that Mastriano is too far right to win in a general election, including his peddling of unsubstantiated claims that widespread fraud marred the 2020 election. Mastriano earlier this week said the Republican establishment "is in a panic mode" over the prospect of him winning the GOP nomination on Tuesday.

FOX NEWS POLL: THREE-WAY RACE IN PENNSYLVANIA GOP SENATE PRIMARY ELECTION

Trump also recently endorsed in the volatile Pennsylvania Senate race, backing former TV doctor Mehmet Oz over veteran and political commentator Kathy Barnette and over hedge fund CEO David McCormick, whose wife, Dina Powell, served in Trump’s administration.

Barnette has been surging in the final days of campaigning and Oz's win is far from a sure thing. Trump is worried that Oz could lose, so his endorsement of Mastriano could be a way of hedging his bets on Tuesday, Axios reported.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

ӣ��Ƶ polling released Tuesday found that Mastriano was well on his way to victory Tuesday. He broke away from the pack and now leads with 29% support. The next tier includes Barletta at 17%, McSwain at 13% and White at 11%.

The GOP winner would face presumptive Democratic nominee, state Attorney General Josh Shapiro in November.

ӣ��Ƶ' Paul Steinhauser and Dana Blanton contributed to this report, as well as the Associated Press.

McConnell makes surprise trip to meet Zelenskyy in Ukraine

Sat, 14 May 2022 09:11:17 -0400

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell made a surprise visit to Ukraine where he met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv.

Zelenskyy's administration announced the visit on social media and posted pictures of the meetings.

RUSSIA WILL MANIPULATE KHERSON ELECTION RESULTS TO SUPPORT LEAVING UKRAINE, UK SAYS

"The president ended a meeting with influential American Republican senators. And the main thing is true friends of Ukraine," Andrij Sybiha, a member of Zelenskyy’s administration, posted on Facebook Saturday.

The post touted solid bipartisan support from "American friends" in Ukraine's ongoing fight to defeat the Russian invasion that will soon be approaching three months.

McConnell was accompanied by fellow GOP senators John Barrasso of Wyoming, Susan Collins of Maine and John Cornyn of Texas.

"It was inspiring to visit the historic capital of a beautiful country that has been forced to fight for its own survival," McConnell said in a statement Saturday.

"We saw firsthand the courage, unity, and resolve of the Ukrainian people. The Ukrainians are fighting bravely against a deranged invader and have already succeeded beyond skeptics’ wildest dreams. They are willing and determined to keep fighting to victory. Ukraine is not asking anybody else to fight their fight. They only ask for the tools they need for self-defense," McConnell said, adding that he assured Zelenskyy of the United States' support until Ukraine wins the war.

He also encouraged other allies to "continue to step up and do their part."

"For his part, President Zelenskyy asked us to relay Ukraine’s gratitude to the American people for our support in this dark hour," McConnell said.

"America’s support for Ukraine’s self-defense is not mere philanthropy. Defending the principle of sovereignty, promoting stability in Europe, and imposing costs on Russia’s naked aggression have a direct and vital bearing on America’s national security and vital interests. It is squarely in our national interest to help Ukraine achieve victory in this war and to help Ukraine and other countries deter other wars of aggression before they start," he said.

The visit comes as the Senate is weighing $40 billion in additional aid to Ukraine to help the country defeat Russia. Both McConnell and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., wanted the package passed immediately, but Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., held up the vote over concerns the money needs oversight.

HOUSE PASSES $40 BILLION UKRAINIAN AID PACKAGE

"My oath of office is to the U.S. Constitution, not to any foreign nation," Paul tweeted Thursday after he single-handed delayed a unanimous consent request to fast-track the bipartisan aid passage.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., last week visited Zelenskyy in Ukraine. The House on Tuesday passed the $40 billion Ukraine legislation with a strong bipartisan vote of 368-57 and sent the bill to the Senate.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Despite the initial delay in the Senate, Zelenskyy’s administration expressed optimism the $40 billion package will be decided next week.

"Everything will be Ukraine!" Sybiha posted.

ӣ��Ƶ' Chad Pergram and Nana Sajaia contributed to this report.

Russia will manipulate Kherson election results to support leaving Ukraine, UK says

Sat, 14 May 2022 09:01:24 -0400

Moscow is moving forward with its plan to annex the Ukrainian region of Kherson by carrying out a "rigged" election intended to manipulate local support for joining the Russia Federation, according to United Kingdom officials.

MOSCOW THREATENS TO RESPOND IF NATO MOVES NUKES ANY CLOSER TO ITS BORDERS

If Russia carries out a referendum election in Kherson, which borders Russian-annexed Crimea, "it will almost certainly manipulate the results to show a clear majority in favour of leaving Ukraine," the UK Ministry of Defence said in an intelligence update Saturday.

Russian forces took the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson in early March, but so far have not committed the atrocities against civilians like in other areas of Ukraine, according to the Associated Press. Locals suspected they had been spared because Russia has a special plan to stage a sham referendum to transform the territory into the "People’s Republic of Kherson" like the pro-Russian breakaway territories in eastern Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in April addressed residents of occupied Kherson about Russia's plan for an orchestrated referendum. He warned them to safeguard their personal data from attempts to falsify votes. "This is a reality. Be careful," he said.

DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY LEADER SAYS REPUBLICANS SHOULDN'T CRITICIZE BIDEN WHEN 'WE'RE AT WAR'

The Russian-imposed military-civilian administration in Kherson announced they will ask Russia to include Kherson in the Russian Federation, according to the UK Ministry of Defense.

"A central part of Russia’s original invasion plan was highly likely to use rigged referendums to place the majority of Ukraine’s regions under long-term pro-Russian authority," the UK intelligence update states.

"The fact that Russia has only succeeded in imposing a pro-Russian local leadership in Kherson highlights the failure of Russia’s invasion to make progress towards its political objectives in Ukraine."

Russian troops have occupied City Hall in Kherson, taking down the Ukrainian flag. Russians replaced the mayor with their own appointee last month.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Still, citizens in Kherson are likely to continue to demonstrate their opposition to Russian occupation, according to the UK Ministry of Defense.

The faux election tactic has been used before. In 2014, a disputed referendum in Crimea amid the Russian annexation was widely believed to be falsified, with results showing nearly 97% of voters supported joining Russia.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This is the abortion bill Republicans want if they regain Congress

Fri, 13 May 2022 17:56:58 -0400

House Republicans are prepared to move on abortion legislation on "Day One" if they retake Congress in the midterm elections, according to a top GOP leader.

Rep. Elise Stefanik, the House GOP conference chair, said Republicans are united around the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act that requires health care workers to provide hospitalization to babies that survive abortions and sets up criminal penalties for violators.

"The House Republicans' position that unifies all of our members — that all of our members are a co-sponsor of — is the Born Alive Act that provides protections for babies born alive at 15 weeks," Stefanik told ӣ��Ƶ Digital. "We are a pro-life conference. We are a pro-life Republican Party. That is what we want to move on Day One."

The abortion issue is in heightened focus after a draft Supreme Court opinion was leaked and signaled a majority of the justices were prepared to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision that legalized the right to an abortion nationwide. If Roe is overturned, abortion regulation would be left up to each state — unless Congress intervenes and passes a national law.

ELISE STEFANIK SAYS REPUBLICANS ARE ON TRACK TO WIN 'A HISTORIC MAJORITY'

Democrats have sought to pass legislation to guarantee a right to an abortion nationwide, but the effort failed in the Senate this week with all Republicans and one Democrat — Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia — voting against advancing the Women’s Health Protection Act. Democrats argue the legislation is needed immediately because Republicans are set on rolling back abortion access.

Asked by ӣ��Ƶ Digital if the Republican agenda would include banning abortion on the federal level, Stefanik said the one piece of legislation that has widespread support is the Born Alive bill, which would be a priority.

The Born Alive legislation was introduced by Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Mo., and has the support of 203 Republicans in Congress.

Under the legislation, a health care provider could face up to 5 years in prison for failing to provide care to a baby who survived an abortion. A person who kills or attempts to kill a child born alive would be prosecuted for murder. Health care practitioners or others who have knowledge of a failure to comply with care requirements have to report incidents to law enforcement — or face criminal prosecution.

"Killing a baby that was born alive is infanticide, there’s no other way to put it," the office of House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said in a statement last month backing the legislation and chiding Democrats for wanting abortions "to be performed up until birth."

SENATE FAILS TO ADVANCE BILL TO GUARANTEE ABORTION ACCESS NATIONWIDE

Meanwhile, House Democrats rallied outside the Capitol Friday calling for nationwide legislation to cement Roe into law. They condemned conservatives for wanting to roll back women's rights that have been in place for nearly 50 years.

"Already, Republicans across the nation are mobilizing around a dangerous and extreme agenda to criminalize all forms of reproductive health care, including IVF, contraception and post-miscarriage care. Think of that," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Friday.

DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS GONE TOO EXTREME ON ABORTION: PRO-LIFE DEMOCRATS

She chided Senate Republicans for voting against the Women’s Health Protection Act and said the GOP wants "a nationwide ban on abortion."

"Once Republicans shred longstanding precedent and privacy rights, they intend to wage an all-out assault on more of our rights, including access to contraception and marriage equality," Pelosi said.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

"As Republicans seek to control and criminalize women's reproductive health freedoms, Democrats are fighting to enshrine Roe v. Wade into law."

Elise Stefanik says Republicans are on track to win 'a historic majority'

Fri, 13 May 2022 13:56:36 -0400

Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., marks one year as chair of the House Republican Conference touting the "very strong" position Republicans are in to retake Congress during the midterm elections and highlighting the strides she's made in electing more GOP women who are "rising stars" in Washington.

Stefanik made history in 2014 when she became the youngest woman ever elected to Congress at the age of 30 – though Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., broke that record in 2018 when she was elected at the age of 29.

Shocked that in 2019 there were only 13 GOP women in the House, Stefanik set out to fund and support a new crop conservative women and her efforts paid off with 31 Republicans currently in office.

ELISE STEFANIK ENDORSES INDIANA VETERAN VYING TO MAKE HISTORY IN CONGRESS

Now 37, Stefanik is playing an outsized role in the 2022 midterm elections, coordinating GOP messaging against Democrats as conference chair while running her E-PAC leadership political action committee that is already backing 23 women candidates for Congress – with more endorsements and fundraising to come.

"I think we're in a very strong position to not only take back Congress, but to win a historic majority," Stefanik told ӣ��Ƶ Digital in an interview. "We do not measure the drapes. And we don't take anything for granted. We're going to work to earn this majority."

Eleven out of the 15 seats that flipped red in 2020 were won by Stefanik-endorsed Republican women. She'll be raising and donating more money to female candidates in 2022 than last cycle, according to E-PAC.

"I endorsed them because they're the strongest candidates," Stefanik said. "And I am so proud to see these women thrive as legislators. They're some of our most amazing rising stars."

A year ago, House Republicans were mired with infighting over the fallout of the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol and second impeachment of President Trump as Republicans were divided on whether to move on from Trump.

STEFANIK SAYS BECOMING A MOTHER MADE HER 'MORE EFFECTIVE LEADER,' SAYS MOMS IN CONGRESS 'ON A MISSION'

With Trump's backing, Stefanik successfully challenged Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., last May for the No. 3 GOP leadership spot in the House. Cheney ran afoul of her colleagues for voting in favor of Trump's impeachment for inciting the Jan. 6 attack, repeatedly calling out his false claims that the presidential election was stolen and saying she wouldn't support Trump in 2024.

Stefanik told ӣ��Ƶ Digital that Cheney was "attacking" Republican voters, colleagues and Trump himself, while ignoring the issues that Americans care about.

"She failed to unite her colleagues and you're not entitled to these positions in leadership. You have to earn them," said Stefanik, who is backing Cheney's primary challenger in Wyoming, Harriet Hageman.

Cheney, who now sits on the Jan. 6 select committee investigating the Capitol attack, hasn't backed down on her efforts to hold Trump and others accountable.

"Elise Stefanik abandoned any commitment to the truth a long time ago," Cheney spokesperson Jeremy Adler told ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

Taking the helm as conference chair, Stefanik said she had three priorities: have a "disciplined, unified message" that all Republicans can focus on, "go on offense every single day to prosecute the case against Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi," and shine a spotlight on individual members, including the freshman class, with their unique backgrounds.

In the year since, Stefanik says the Republican Party has united and she credits their messaging against Biden for the tanking of his approval ratings on issues like the economy, immigration and foreign policy.

"I believe that's a result of our hard work [in] unifying the conference and focusing on the issues that actually matter to the American people," said Stefanik, who this week has ramped up pressure on Biden for the baby formula shortage.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

In shoring up support from conservatives last year, Stefanik told colleagues on the fence she plans to serve just one term as conference chair. But if Republicans win back the House in November, she has her eye on other leadership positions, including becoming GOP whip – if Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., moves up to House majority leader and Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., becomes House speaker.

Stefanik is also weighing becoming chair of a committee, such as the House Education and Labor Committee, where she is a member.

"There was clearly a need for change in leadership and a lot of encouragement from my colleagues," Stefanik told ӣ��Ƶ Digital about her ascension a year ago. "So I took on this job to do the very best I can this cycle, but I haven't made a decision about what's next."

Pelosi suggests COVID death toll would be worse than 1 million without Biden in office

Thu, 12 May 2022 14:10:36 -0400

As COVID-19 deaths reach 1 million in the United States, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi suggested the situation would be much worse if President Biden wasn't in office.

"God knows how bad it would be if he had not taken the actions that he has taken," Pelosi said Thursday at her weekly news conference at the Capitol.

When Biden took office in January 2021, the number of COVID-19 deaths in the United States was about 400,000 under President Trump. Biden campaigned on beating COVID-19 and Pelosi reiterated the goal was to "crush the virus."

PRO-CHOICERS PICKET PELOSI'S HOUSE, CLAIM DEMOCRATS ARE 'COMPLICIT' IN POTENTIAL OVERHAUL OF ROE V. WADE

In the 16 months since Democrats have controlled the White House and Congress, an additional 600,000 some people died in the United States from COVID-19. Later Thursday, Pelosi will lead a moment of silence on the steps of the Capitol with House and Senate members to mark the tragic 1 million death toll count.

Asked by ӣ��Ƶ Digital Thursday whether Democrats could have done anything else to prevent the death toll, Pelosi said she's "proud" of how Biden has handled the crisis.

"I want to salute President Biden for what he has done in the fight against COVID," Pelosi said. "[He] made a drastic difference from the denial that our country was in before and the lack of attention that was given to it.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS CALL FOR BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO ADDRESS NATIONWIDE BABY FORMULA SHORTAGE

"[The] president is paying attention to science, science and science and the governance necessary to deal with it. I'm very proud of what he has done."

In the early weeks of Biden's presidency, Democrats swiftly moved to pass the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan which was designed to fight coronavirus and rebuild the economy.

Biden instituted vaccine requirements for the federal workforce, military personnel and other employees — though they have been legally challenged — and he launched a nationwide effort to get 70% of adults vaccinated with at least one dose by July 4, 2021. That goal was met about a month behind schedule. Now, about 83% of Americans age 5 and up are at least partially vaccinated.

Biden and Democrats now want more money to fight coronavirus, as highly contagious variants continue spread. But the funding has been stalled in Congress as Republicans want the package paid for.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Pelosi reiterated Thursday the need to get more coronavirus money passed and said she wants at least $22.5 billion to address the ongoing threat — beyond the $10 billion that Senate Republicans have suggested.

"The heartbreak continues," Pelosi said, in sending condolences to the families of the 1 million lives lost. "All the more reason why we must pass the COVID legislation so we can purchase vaccines, provide testing and treatments."

House Republicans call for Biden administration to address nationwide baby formula shortage

Wed, 11 May 2022 19:01:14 -0400

EXCLUSIVE: More than 100 House Republicans are calling on the Biden administration and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to immediately address the ongoing baby formula shortage that has left parents scrambling to feed their infants.

Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee led a letter with 106 GOP lawmakers to the White House and the FDA commissioner Robert M. Califf Wednesday seeking data on the nationwide shortages and demanding answers as to what the administration is doing to address the empty store shelves.

"This issue is a matter of life and death, and it is time this administration treats it with the appropriate urgency it deserves," the lawmakers wrote in a letter obtained first by ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

BABY FORMULA SHORTAGE SENDS TENNESSEE MOM OF 8-MONTH-OLD INTO A 'PANIC': 'I BROKE DOWN'

Parents across the nation have been panicked and desperate as supply disruptions and a massive safety recall by manufacturer Abbott have created widespread shortages. For the first week of May, the nationwide out-of-stock percentage for baby formula rose to 43%, according to Datasembly, which tracks product data for retailers. That's up from 30% at the start of April.

"This issue has been compounded by supply chain challenges, product recalls and historic inflation," CEO of Datasembly Ben Reich said in a statement to ӣ��Ƶ Digital. "The category started to see stocking challenges beginning in July 2021, and the situation has continued to worsen into 2022."

Abbott in February recalled powdered formula sold under the labels Similac, Alimentum and EleCare after four infants were sick with bacterial infections, including two who died. Abbott closed its plant in Sturgis, Mich., that produced the formula.

STEFANIK, HINSON DEMAND FDA ADDRESS BABY FORMULA SHORTAGE, BLAME BIDEN'S POLICIES: 'FAMILIES DESERVE BETTER

Both the White House and the FDA said they are working to address the shortages.

"Ensuring that infant formula is safe and available for families across the country is a top priority to the White House and this administration," Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House principal deputy press secretary, said Wednesday.

She said April sales of formula were up about 10 percent from March and consumers should be able to find general powdered infant formula in stores as the FDA is working with the industry to maximize production capabilities and supply lines here and abroad.

"This is an urgent issue that the FDA, as you all know, and the White House is working 24/7 to address," Jean-Pierre told reporters.

The FDA issued an update on Tuesday on its plan to address the baby formula shortages. In a statement to ӣ��Ƶ Digital, the agency said it is "using all available tools" to ensure access to safe products. The agency said it is closely working with Abbott to resume the safe resumption of production at the Sturgis facility.

PARENTS 'PANICKING' TO FIND BABY FORMULA SOUND ALARM ON NATIONWIDE SHORTAGE: 'NOTHING ON THE SHELVES'

"Our first and foremost priority is ensuring that any recalled product remains off the market and we are working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and manufacturers to ensure that parents have access to alternative, safe infant formula," the FDA said in a statement to ӣ��Ƶ Digital on Tuesday. "We will and must continue focusing on taking all steps possible to protect the health of those who rely on safe powdered infant formula."

Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee announced Wednesday they would convene a hearing on the baby formula shortages on May 25.

Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, D-N.J., said he commended the Biden administration and the FDA's recent actions to increase the supply. The focus of the hearing will be on better understanding the causes of the shortages and what more needs to be done.

"The nationwide infant formula shortages are increasingly alarming and demand Congress’ immediate attention," Pallone said in a statement.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

But Republicans on the committee – led by Ranking Member Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington – said the Biden administration was "too late" in addressing the shortages. They submitted a series of questions to the administration on the scope of the problem.

"Baby formula shortages are an urgent problem that must be addressed immediately," the lawmakers wrote. "House Republicans call on the administration to do more to help parents across this country."

ӣ��Ƶ' Kelly Laco contributed to this report.

Senate fails to advance bill to guarantee abortion access nationwide

Wed, 11 May 2022 16:26:03 -0400

A Democratic-led bill to guarantee abortion access nationwide failed to advance in the Senate Wednesday in a show vote designed to draw sharp political lines ahead of the midterm elections.

Vice President Kamala Harris presided over the vote on the Women’s Health Protection Act. It needed 60 votes to advance, but died in a 51 to 49 tally with West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin joining with all 50 Republicans in voting no.

President Biden immediately condemned Republicans for blocking the abortion rights legislation at a time when "women’s constitutional rights are under unprecedented attack." He called on voters to elect more Democrats in November, so the legislation can get passed next year.

"Republicans in Congress – not one of whom voted for this bill – have chosen to stand in the way of Americans’ rights to make the most personal decisions about their own bodies, families and lives," Biden said in a statement. "To protect the right to choose, voters need to elect more pro-choice senators this November, and return a pro-choice majority to the House."

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., pushed a vote on the legislation after a leaked Supreme Court opinion signaled the court would overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade opinion that legalized abortion nationwide. He called the bill "urgent" to prevent states from passing extreme anti-abortion legislation that "would send women's rights back into the Stone Age."

MANCHIN TO VOTE NO ON DEMS' ROE V. WADE BILL, SAYING IT GOES TOO FAR

Manchin, a pro-life Democrat, said the legislation goes far beyond codifying the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision by wiping away state regulations, including bans on abortion earlier than 24 weeks.

"Make no mistake, it is not Roe v. Wade codification," Manchin said. "It is an expansion."

Even two pro-choice GOP senators -- Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine – rejected the legislation as going too far by undercutting state limits on abortion, including bans on gender-based abortion. They wanted narrower legislation that would enshrine the legal right to abortion while protecting certain state regulations permitted under Roe.

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, decried the Women’s Health Protection Act as a "radical, abortion on-demand bill" that will sweep away protections for religious liberty, conscience, taxpayer funding and partial-birth abortions. It "essentially makes abortion available on demand from the time of conception till the time of delivery," he said.

Democrats, however, framed the debate as chance for senators to show where they stand on women's rights and warned that many will be hurt if abortion rights are rolled back and women are forced to stay pregnant.

"Let's get something straight: overturning Roe isn't going to stop abortions. It's only going to stop women from getting safe abortions and women will die as a result," said Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., said women's freedoms are in jeopardy with trigger laws already in place in at least 13 states that immediately roll back abortion access if Roe v. Wade is overturned.

"The people of this country do not want to go backwards," Klobuchar said.

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., harkened back to the suffragette and civil rights movements. He said those who vote against the Women’s Health Protection Act are standing in the way of equality.

"It's a vote against women, plain and simple," Leahy said.

DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS GONE TOO EXTREME ON ABORTION: PRO-LIFE DEMOCRATS

The House already passed its version of the legislation back in September. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, was the only Democrat to vote against the legislation. Cuellar and Manchin are the only two reliably pro-life Democrats left in Congress.

Without a nationwide federal law on abortion, states would be left to decide abortion access if Roe v. Wade is overturned. That could set up a patchwork system where abortion is banned or severely restricted in sections of the country, but allowed in other parts – where women may have to travel great distances to see abortion providers.

Recent ӣ��Ƶ polling shows more than six in 10 registered voters continue to believe the U.S. Supreme Court should uphold Roe v. Wade, but more than half favor banning abortions after 15 weeks.

SCHUMER TO FORCE DOOMED ABORTION 'SHOW VOTE,' AS TOUGH MIDTERMS LOOM FOR DEMOCRATS

The national poll was completed shortly before the recent leak of Associate Justice Samuel Alito’s draft majority opinion showing the high court may be poised to strike down the landmark Roe ruling.

At issue for the Supreme Court is a Mississippi law that would ban abortions, except in certain cases, after 15 weeks of pregnancy and return the question of abortion and its legality back to the states.

Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., said while the Democratic proposal was too extreme he wants to work across the aisle to build up care for pregnant women.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

"I want to lock arms with pro-life Democrats and work to build a culture of life," Sasse said. "If we can pair pro-life laws with increased spending on prenatal care and safety nets for struggling moms, great – let’s do it."

ӣ��Ƶ' Caroline McKee and Victoria Balara contributed to this report.

Democratic Party has gone too extreme on abortion: Pro-life Democrats

Tue, 10 May 2022 18:56:02 -0400

Pro-life Democrats say the party has gone too extreme on abortion and worry the legislation leadership is pushing this week to expand abortion access nationwide will alienate voters in an already tough midterm election.

Currently, there are only two consistently pro-life Democrats left in Congress – one in each chamber – as the national Democratic Party has taken the position that abortion is an essential health care. With the Supreme Court poised to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, Democrats in the Senate will seek to codify the right to an abortion into federal law with a vote Wednesday that is doomed to fail, but will lay the groundwork for midterm campaigning.

But in a very crowded Democratic primary election in Chicago to succeed retiring Rep. Bobby Rush, one candidate is running on a pro-life platform that he hopes will propel him to Congress and force the Democratic Party to rethink its abortion stance.

PRO-LIFE DEMOCRATS SOUND OFF ON SUPREME COURT LEAK, DISTANCE THEMSELVES FROM NATIONAL PARTY LEADERS

"My pro-life position is a distinguishing factor which is important in a 17-way race," Democratic candidate Chris Butler told ӣ��Ƶ Digital. "If folks want to vote for somebody who is going to go to Congress and take the very unpopular position of abortion on-demand up to the ninth month of birth paid for by tax dollars… they've got 16 people to choose from."

"That's the thing about the Democratic primary, if you do not sign on to that extreme orthodoxy, then you have only one candidate."

Butler, 37, is a pastor at Chicago Embassy Church Network and said it's a "huge mistake" for the Democratic Party to position itself as pro-abortion which signals to certain people of faith there's "no room" for them. Butler is endorsed by former Democratic Rep. Dan Lipinski, a longtime anti-abortion Democrat in Congress who was booted out of office by a pro-choice challenger, Marie Newman, in 2020.

If he wins, Butler says his victory should "stir something" on the national level and help "the party to see that Democrats need to make room for pro-life Democrats in the party."

The bill Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is bringing for a vote Wednesday is the Women's Health Protection Act. It's been criticized by pro-choice Republican Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, as "overly broad," including striking down state limits on abortion, even bans on gender-based abortion.

SCHUMER TO FORCE DOOMED ABORTION 'SHOW VOTE,' AS TOUGH MIDTERMS LOOM FOR DEMOCRATS

Kristen Day, executive director of Democrats For Life of America, called out the Democratic Party for actively pushing out anti-abortion Democrats and going "way off the rails" with extreme abortion legislation, including the Women's Health Protection Act.

"It's a huge mistake," Day said of Schumer forcing a vote on the abortion bill. "He thinks he's motivating his base, which maybe he is, but he already has that base. So who is he trying to reach? Because he's alienating people like me with doubling down on this extreme abortion policy goes further than Roe. It's like Roe on steroids. It basically eliminates all health and safety regulations across the nation."

Day worries the party is alienating some 20 million pro-life Democrats with its legislative agenda and official stance that "abortion is health care." She calls that messaging "ridiculous." Abortion, she said, "is the death penalty."

The House passed the Women’s Health Protection Act back in September and just one Democrat voted against it — moderate Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar — in a sign that the pro-life Democratic caucus is in the verge of extinction on the federal level.

As a life-long Catholic, Cuellar said he's pro-life and won't support "extreme" positions like late-term or partial birth abortion.

Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., announced Tuesday he would join with Democrats in voting in favor of the bill to ensure access to abortion nationwide despite calling himself "pro-life." The announcement is notable since he's the son of the prominent pro-life former Pennsylvania Gov. Bob Casey who is the namesake of the landmark 1992 Supreme Court case on abortion restrictions, Planned Parenthood v. Casey.

Day said the elder Casey was unapologetically pro-life and slammed the senator's stance on Tuesday. "His spine must be made of jelly," she said.

For his part, Sen. Casey said he's concerned about a number of states banning abortion outright if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, as expected by the leaked draft opinion. He's also troubled by Republicans in Congress seeking legislation to impose a six-week ban nationwide.

"I don’t support a ban on abortion," Casey said Tuesday.

The Senate abortion bill marks a political line in the sand, but it's expected to fail Wednesday without the necessary 60 votes.

Republicans oppose the measure and they are likely to get the support from the one remaining pro-life Democrat, Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said the vote is needed to show Americans exactly "where their elected representatives in Congress stand."

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

"Every senator will have to explain whether they defend the right of every person to have control over their own bodies and their own futures," Warren said in a speech Tuesday. "Or whether they will stand by as women’s constitutional rights are brazenly stripped away."

Butler, the Democrat running in Chicago, said there should be no litmus test on abortion for Democrats. He wants the pro-life Democratic caucus in Congress to grow beyond Cuellar and Manchin.

Pro-life Democrats who could be outstanding candidates are too afraid to run because "they know that the party … would rather smack them down on this one issue than see them provide leadership," Butler said.

ӣ��Ƶ' Caroline McKee and Tyler Olson contributed to this report.

Elise Stefanik endorses Indiana veteran vying to make history in Congress

Thu, 05 May 2022 16:31:08 -0400

EXCLUSIVE: An Indiana congressional race once considered solidly Democratic is getting national attention as a possible GOP pick-up opportunity in November — with a history-making candidate.

Jennifer-Ruth Green, an Air Force veteran, pilot and backer of former President Trump's "America First" policies, won the GOP primary election Tuesday to represent the state's 1st Congressional District. If successful on Nov. 8, she'd be poised to become the only Republican Black woman in Congress.

"I have the opportunity to be a different kind of messenger," Green told ӣ��Ƶ Digital of bringing Republican policies to minority communities. "Eighteen months ago, we were better off. I think that resonates across the board. But having someone who looks like you say it, it's been an opportunity for me to be able to get into places where perhaps other people couldn't."

INDIANA VETERAN COULD BECOME ONLY BLACK GOP CONGRESSWOMAN: 'I'M EXHIBIT A AGAINST CRT'

Green, who already has an endorsement from former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, got another big boost Thursday with Rep. Elise Stefanik, the House GOP conference chairwoman, backing her candidacy. The endorsement of Stefanik's E-PAC carries with it campaign cash, support and a publicity boost.

"Jennifer-Ruth honorably serves as a Lt. Col in the Indiana Air National Guard, and when she wins on November 8, she will make history as the first Black woman veteran ever to serve in Congress," Stefanik said in a statement to ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

"As Republicans continue to make historic gains with Hispanic, Black and other minority communities, I couldn't be prouder to endorse Jennifer-Ruth and help elevate her voice and incredible story."

Green, 40, is the founder of MissionAero Pipeline, a non-profit group that teaches at-risk youth the aerospace industry. Green is one of about 150 Black female professional pilots in the United States, and she's striving to expand that number through her nonprofit youth work.

AIR FORCE VETERAN WINS PRIMARY, RUNS TO BECOME ONLY BLACK WOMAN REPUBLICAN IN CONGRESS

Green said she's humbled by Stefanik's support during her first run at public elected office.

"She's just a powerhouse," Green said of Stefanik, who made history in 2014 when she became the youngest woman ever elected to the House at the age of 30.

"She stands for the America First movement. And her goal of electing women in Congress is something that she's taken to heart," Green added. "She continues to push forward to encourage others to be effective. That's a sign of leadership. Leaders build leaders and that's what she does."

Green will face incumbent Democratic Rep. Frank Mrvan in November. Mrvan entered Congress in 2020 with the endorsement of longtime retiring Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., and the help of name recognition from his father, Frank Mrvan, who worked in Indiana Democratic politics for more than 40 years until retiring from the state Senate this year at the age of 88.

The First District, based in Gary, Indiana, has been reliably Democratic for nearly a century. A Republican has not won the seat since 1928. Mrvan won the 2020 election with 56.6% of the vote.

But national Republican groups have been eyeing the seat this year, thinking that President Biden's low approval ratings and an anticipated red wave could mean Mrvan is vulnerable. Green also notes the district became a little more purple after redistricting, the once-a-decade redrawing of congressional lines.

REP. FRANK MRVAN SAYS DEMOCRATIC PARTY NEEDS TO DELIVER FOR WORKING MEN AND WOMEN

Matt Calderon, Mrvan's campaign manager, told ӣ��Ƶ Digital that Mrvan will serve the people of northwest Indiana better than his "extreme conservative opponent."

"Congressman Mrvan is running for re-election to continue to be a public servant and address the pressing issues of the day on behalf of the residents and families of the 1st Congressional District of Indiana," Calderon said in a statement. "He is proud of his record in his first term in office, supporting the American Rescue Plan to rescue our economy, working families, schools and small businesses."

Calderon touted Mrvan's work as the co-chair of the Congressional Steel Caucus and advancing strong Buy America requirements to support domestic manufacturing.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

"Frank’s extreme conservative opponent and national Republicans do not know or represent the interests of Northwest Indiana," Calderon said, "and Frank trusts that the voters will support his district-centric record of accomplishments that have helped get communities past the pandemic and made critical investments in the Northwest Indiana economy and have helped create more good-paying job opportunities."

Stefanik's E-PAC aims to increase the number of conservative women in Congress. Green is Stefanik's 19th endorsement for the 2022 midterms. This cycle, E-PAC has already raised and donated more than $700,000 directly to GOP women running for Congress.

"Vulnerable far-left Democrat Frank Mrvan is asleep at the wheel, while Jennifer-Ruth is fighting hard each day to bring the red tsunami to northwest Indiana," Stefanik said in statement. "I look forward to working closely with Jennifer-Ruth to flip this key seat red and usher in the most historic and diverse class of GOP women ever in our nation's history."

Republicans blast Mayorkas for pushing 'absolutely shameful' narrative about 'domestic terrorism'

Sat, 30 Apr 2022 17:03:32 -0400

The inability of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas this week to name a single case of domestic terrorism that his department has referred to the Department of Justice for prosecution has outraged Republicans and amplified their calls for Mayorkas to resign or be impeached.

During testimony before the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday, Mayorkas reaffirmed his assessment that "domestic violent extremism represents the greatest terrorism-related threat to the homeland."

Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., pressed Mayorkas for data on any referrals he has made to the DOJ on the grounds of domestic terrorism. Mayorkas did not offer any, saying he would provide it after the hearing.

MAYORKAS WON'T NAME 1 DOMESTIC TERROR, WHITE SUPREMACY CASE REFERRED TO DOJ

Steube told ӣ��Ƶ Digital he hasn't heard back from DHS, and he's doubtful he'll ever get a response.

In interviews with several GOP lawmakers following the testy exchange, Republicans accused the Biden Administration of overstating or even fabricating the threat of domestic terrorism as a way to avoid the real issue of the surge of migrant border crossings that have reached historically high numbers.

"It tells you that they haven't referred anybody from Homeland Security to DOJ on domestic terrorism or White nationalism-related charges," Steube told ӣ��Ƶ Digital. "And it just goes to show you that the narrative that the Biden administration is trying to create that the No. 1 threat to the homeland is White nationalism and domestic terrorism isn't true."

Steube supports Mayorkas' impeachment if the GOP retakes Congress.

"They're trying to avoid the clear threat to our democracy and to the safety and security of the American people at the southern border," Steube said.

DHS did not respond to requests for comment from ӣ��Ƶ Digital seeking data on domestic terrorism criminal referrals and further information on the DHS assessment that domestic terrorism is a greater threat to the homeland than the surge of immigrants at the border.

There were more than 1.7 million migrant encounters in FY 2021, and FY 2022 is on pace to exceed that, with what is expected to be more than 1 million encounters in the first six months of the fiscal year alone. At least 23 people coming across the southern border in 2021 were on the terror watch list.

BORDER PATROL STOPPED 23 PEOPLE ON TERRORIST DATABASE AT SOUTHERN BORDER IN 2021: CBP DATA

"Democrats are absolutely gaslighting the American people," Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., said of Mayorkas' domestic terrorism claims. "I do not believe that is the biggest threat to our homeland. Our biggest threat is the southern border and the invasion that is taking place."

Boebert backs impeachment and Friday authored legislation to defund another Mayorkas' initiative — the "Disinformation Governance Board," which is designed to root out misinformation.

Rep. Jim Banks, the chairman of the Republican Study Committee, accused President Biden's homeland security chief of spreading falsehoods. Banks already led a letter with 130 fellow Republicans, including GOP leadership, that questioned Mayorkas' "suitability for office."

"The Biden administration continues to shamelessly lie to the American people and uses ‘disinformation’ as a label to slander and discredit their critics," Banks, R-Ind., said in a statement to ӣ��Ƶ Digital. "Mayorkas’s inability to cite a single case of White supremacist terrorism, despite claiming it’s the single greatest threat to the nation, is exactly why DHS has created a new ‘Disinformation Governance Board.'"

LAUREN BOEBERT LEADS EFFORT TO DEFUND BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S 'DISINFORMATION' BOARD

House Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry, R-Pa., scolded Mayorkas for focusing more on U.S. citizens than the "criminals and potential terrorists" crossing the border.

"His goal is to stigmatize Democrat political opponents by accusing them of being domestic terrorists but couldn’t name a single prosecution referral made to the Justice Department," Perry told ӣ��Ƶ Digital. "He should be securing our nation from the invasion on our southern border and protecting Americans, instead of acting as the handmaiden for the messaging machine of the radical left."

During the hearing, Mayorkas touted efforts to root out domestic terrorism, including creating a new Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) to help communities prevent radicalization to violence and designating domestic violent extremism as a national priority area in FEMA grant programs. He also touted the creation of a dedicated domestic terrorism branch within the Department’s Office of Intelligence & Analysis that "has been disseminating an unprecedented level of information and intelligence" to state and local partners to counter threats.

"We remain vigilant against all forms of terrorism and targeted violence," Mayorkas said. "The nature of these threats has evolved, but our vigilance and resolve are constant."

Mayorkas is not alone in his assessment that domestic violent extremism is the greatest terrorism related threat to the homeland. Other high-ranking officials in the Biden administration and congressional Democrats have shared the same message.

MAYORKAS SAYS WHITE SUPREMACISTS POSE 'MOST PROMINENT THREAT' TO US HOMELAND

Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Christopher Wray have testified before Congress that domestic violent extremist groups, including White supremacists, pose a growing threat to the United States.

"The threat of lethality is higher than it ever was ... I have not seen a more dangerous threat to democracy than the invasion of the U.S. Capitol" on Jan. 6, Garland told a Senate committee in May, according to Reuters.

Wray said in September 2021 the FBI has "surged" resources to handle a growing caseload, which has jumped from about 1,000 investigations in the spring of 2020 to about 2,700 investigations.

Wray said in congressional testimony the greatest terrorist threat in the U.S. is from lone actors. That includes homegrown jihadists espousing ISIS ideologies, as well as domestic violent extremists "radicalized by personalized grievances ranging from racial and ethnic bias to anti-government, anti-authority sentiment to conspiracy theories," he said.

Wray classified the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol as "domestic terrorism."

Though Mayorkas didn't mention this in his response to Steube Thursday, the Homeland Security leader previously pointed to the "repeated and persistent bomb threats" against Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as reason for concern. In talking about the threat of domestic violent extremism earlier this month, Mayorkas further specified that "the most prominent threat is the threat of White supremacists."

This year, more than one-third of the country’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have received bomb threats, according to the White House. No explosive devices were found, but the campus disruptions and the fears the threats generated prompted the Biden Administration to announce new grant funding in March to HBCUs ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 per school affected.

The FBI has investigated at least 59 threats of violence against HBCUs, including Howard University, since the beginning of the year, according to Inside Higher Ed. The threats are classified as racially motivated violent extremism and hate crimes, according to the FBI.

"This investigation is of the highest priority for the Bureau," the FBI said in February.

House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., agrees with Mayorkas that domestic violent extremism represents the greatest terrorism threat to the homeland. His committee has held hearings examining the domestic terrorism threat, including against Black churches and colleges.

Thompson’s office points to the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) 2022 official threat assessment report that said lone wolves and small terrorist cells motivated by various ideologies "probably present the greatest terrorist threat to the United States," including racial/ethnic violent extremism and militia extremism.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., shares a similar concern. He opened the Mayorkas hearing on Thursday sounding the alarm on domestic terrorism.

TOP HOUSE REPUBLICANS QUESTION MAYORKAS' ‘SUITABILITY FOR OFFICE’ AMID BORDER CRISIS

"America faces a multitude of challenges," Nadler said Thursday. "But one of the greatest modern threats to our homeland is the danger posed by violent far-right extremists and White supremacists."

Nadler added that "2020 had the highest number of domestic terror incidents and plots in over 30 years; 66% of those were by White supremacists, extremist militia members and other violent far-right extremists."

But Texas GOP Rep. August Pfluger, a former Air Force fighter pilot and former national security adviser to President Trump, said the American people just don't believe the Biden administration's threat assessment.

"His testimony in front of Congress was absolutely shameful," Pfluger told ӣ��Ƶ Digital. "He should be deployed to the southern border right now."

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Pfluger, who has called for Mayorkas' resignation, said the pressing threats are not from domestic White supremacists, but from Russia, China, cyberattacks and people on the terror watch list coming across the southern border.

"I've spent my entire professional career analyzing threats, fighting against those threats [and] strategizing how to put our country into a better position to deter those [threats]," Pfluger said. "It's 100% political narrative. At what point in time is Secretary Mayorkas going to put patriotism over politics?"

Lauren Boebert leads effort to defund Biden Administration's 'disinformation' board

Fri, 29 Apr 2022 18:39:31 -0400

EXCLUSIVE: Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., has authored legislation to shut down a new Department of Homeland Security board designed to police misinformation.

Boebert's legislation would defund the "Disinformation Governance Board" and ensure the federal government doesn't have role in defining what truth is for the American people.

PSAKI DEFENDS NINA JANKOWICZ, CLAIMS DHS 'DISINFORMATION' BOARD CONTINUATION OF WORK UNDER TRUMP

"This kind of stuff is terrifying. We in Congress have the power of the purse. It is our duty to shut down this department immediately," Boebert told ӣ��Ƶ Digital Friday in an interview. "I'm calling on leadership in the Republican Party — Leader [Kevin] McCarthy, Whip [Steve] Scalise and others — to join me in calling for this department to be shut down and defunded."

Representatives for McCarthy did not immediately respond to whether he backs this bill or efforts to impeach DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, which Boebert also wants. Scalise supports Boebert's bill.

Both Scalise and McCarthy recently signed onto a letter questioning Mayorkas' suitability for office but didn't specifically raise impeachment.

The issue is a newly announced Disinformation Governance Board that DHS says will counter disinformation from Russia and misinformation circulated by human smugglers to get migrants to cross the U.S.-Mexico border, according to the Associated Press. Nina Jankowicz, who previously served as a disinformation fellow at the Wilson Center, will head the board as executive director.

CRITICS SLAM TIMING OF BIDEN'S ‘MINISTRY OF TRUTH’ TO POLICE INTERNET FOR ‘DISINFORMATION’

Republicans – already leery of censorship following Big Tech's efforts to shut down the New York Post's story on Hunter Biden's laptop after Democrats labeled it Russian disinformation – were aghast at the new department.

"No tax dollars should go to where Biden can use the power of the federal government to silence truthful stories like Big Tech did with the Hunter Biden story," Boebert said.

Boebert compared the effort to government surveillance from George Orwell's "1984" novel.

"Democrats took that [book] not as a warning, but as a guide," she said.

WATCH: BIDEN DISINFORMATION CZAR GOES VIRAL FOR TIKTOK SONG

White House press secretary Jen Psaki defended the Disinformation Governance Board and Jankowicz, telling ӣ��Ƶ White House correspondent Jacqui Heinrich that the effort is a continuation of work from former President Trump's administration.

"We know there has been a range of [disinformation] out there about a range of topics, I mean, including COVID for example, and also elections and eligibility," Psaki said.

Describing Jankowicz, Psaki claimed she is "an expert on online disinformation" and insisted she is "a person with extensive qualifications."

Jankowicz suggested during the 2020 presidential election that Hunter Biden’s laptop, which has been verified by multiple media outlets, was a "Russian influence op."

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Jankowicz retweeted her comment on Wednesday, claiming that she was simply live-tweeting the presidential debate between Biden and Trump.

Boebert is collecting cosponsors for her legislation and plans to formally introduce it next week.

"This really is a department of propaganda," Boebert said of the disinformation board. "To say that the federal department has a say in what's right and what's wrong. What's truth and what is not. This is a very dangerous place that we've come to."

ӣ��Ƶ' Andrew Mark Miller and Kyle Morris contributed to this article.

Progressives push Biden to repeal 'racist' Title 42 border measure

Thu, 28 Apr 2022 18:46:23 -0400

Progressive lawmakers Thursday demanded President Biden repeal the Title 42 border measure and urged fellow Democrats to not cave into political pressure by embracing a "xenophobic" Trump-era immigration policy.

"We reiterate our support for President Biden's repeal of this fundamentally racist, unjust and cruel Title 42 order," said Massachusetts Democratic Rep. Ayanna Pressley, an original member of the so-called Squad.

Flanked by immigration activists, Pressley and progressive lawmakers held a news conference outside the Capitol Thursday to come out strong against Title 42, at a time when a chorus of moderate Democrats are urging Biden to delay the planned May 23 repeal.

"This unconscionable, racist, and xenophobic Trump-era policy was in effect for too long," Pressley said. "It did nothing but inflict unspeakable hurt and harm on migrants, particularly Black and Brown migrants — denying millions their fundamental right to seek asylum."

BIDEN’S PLAN TO END TITLE 42 IS ‘SET UP TO FAIL,' DEMOCRATS CONTEND

The Title 42 health order was implemented in March 2020 under former President Donald Trump's administration as a way to keep COVID-19 outside American borders and expel the majority of migrants seeking asylum at the border. President Biden's administration kept it in place amid warnings rescinding it could only worsen the border crisis. But the CDC recently announced that Title 42 expulsions will end May 23 because the public health order is "no longer necessary."

"I want to reiterate to President Biden that we expect him to follow through on his promise to end Title 42 provisions by May 23," said Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, D-Ill.

The Biden Administration said they will move forward with the May 23 rollback, unless a short-term court order keeping Title 42 in place is still in effect.

Progressives also called out their moderate Democratic colleagues who have warned of a crisis at the border if Title 42 were lifted now — shortly before the midterm elections.

DHS PUBLISHES PLAN TO DEAL WITH POST-TITLE 42 MIGRANT SURGE, AMID BIPARTISAN PUSHBACK

"To my fellow Democrats who will be caving under political pressure, I want to reiterate, it would be a huge mistake for Democrats to shy away from dismantling this cruel plank of Trump's anti-immigrant agenda," Garcia said.

Republicans have blasted Biden for moving to undo Title 42, saying it will lead to a surge at the U.S. Mexico-border when law enforcement and border officials are already overwhelmed. The progressives, however, blamed Republicans for failing to work with them on passing comprehensive immigration reform and accused the GOP of preventing a fix so they can stoke anti-immigrant hate for political gain.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

"Shame on anyone — Republican or, frankly, Democrat — who uses or buys into the use of immigrants as a political football at the same time that they — as do all of us — benefit from the labor and the contributions of undocumented and documented immigrants," said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., the leader of the House Progressive Caucus.

She urged her Democratic colleagues to "not be afraid to lean into" the issue and counter "Republican xenophobia" with an embrace of immigrants and the fight for a "fair and humane immigration system."

"That is who we are," Jayapal said. "Title 42 is a policy failure, plain and simple."

Stefanik gets involved in Washington Senate race against Patty Murray

Wed, 27 Apr 2022 18:41:40 -0400

EXCLUSIVE: Rep. Elise Stefanik, the House GOP conference chairwoman, is throwing her support behind a first-time Republican candidate who’s running to defeat longtime Democratic Sen. Patty Murray in Washington.

Stefanik is backing Tiffany Smiley and will put the resources of her political action committee, Elevate PAC, into flipping the traditionally blue state during the 2022 midterm elections.

ELISE STEFANIK UNVEILS NEW ENDORSEMENTS FOR 2022 MIDTERM ELECTIONS

"I am proud to endorse Tiffany Smiley for United States Senate," Stefanik said in statement first obtained by ӣ��Ƶ. "While I'm laser-focused on taking back the House, this Senate race is becoming a key battleground in the fight to fire Chuck Schumer."

Smiley is a nurse, mother and advocate for wounded veterans — including her husband.

"Tiffany took on the Pentagon for her husband, she demanded VA reform for our returning heroes, and Tiffany Smiley is the fighter the people of Washington will be able to count on as their next senator," Stefanik said.

NURSE, MILTIARY WIFE, AND VETERANS ADVOCATE LAUNCHES GOP SENATE BID IN WASHINGTON STATE

While political pundits have largely put the Washington Senate seat safely in the blue column, Stefanik's team sees an opening for a GOP pickup.

Stefanik views this "as an overlooked race" pointing to Smiley's "solid" fundraising and President Biden's low approval ratings that have dogged Democrats in blue states, according to her campaign.

Smiley said she's grateful for Stefanik's backing in her effort to defeat Murray.

"Sadly, Patty Murray has lost sight of the need to deliver for the people of Washington and has simply become a rubberstamp for President Biden's failed agenda," Smiley said in a statement. "I will never forget where I came from."

Murray became the first female senator from Washington state after her 1992 election, and has been re-elected four times since. She has been a part of Democratic leadership since 2007.

Murray was the first female chair of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and the first female chair of the Senate Budget Committee. She currently leads the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

"It’s no surprise Tiffany Smiley is getting support from other MAGA Republicans like her," Washington State Democratic Party chair Tina Podlodowski said in a statement to ӣ��Ƶ. "They know she wants to put Mitch McConnell back in power, and would back their extreme agenda, whether it’s raising taxes on Washington state workers and retirees, gutting Medicare and Social Security, or threatening our democracy."

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Smiley grabbed national attention after her Army officer husband was permanently blinded during a suicide bomber attack in Iraq in 2005. She told ӣ��Ƶ last year that her efforts on behalf of her husband "opened my eyes to the failure of the federal government to protect and support our men and women in uniform."

Her push for reforms landed her on national TV and helped to push the Trump administration and Congress to pass reforms at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Former President Donald Trump signed a bill into law in 2017 that gave leadership at the VA more power to fire failed employees and protect those who uncover agency wrongdoing.

Smiley earned the second E-PAC endorsement ever in a U.S. Senate race, behind Jane Timken in Ohio. E-PAC helps recruit and elect more Republican women to Congress.

ӣ��Ƶ' Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.

Marjorie Taylor Greene confronts DOJ about alleged 'entrapping' of defendants in Gov. Whitmer kidnapping plot

Wed, 27 Apr 2022 17:32:47 -0400

EXCLUSIVE: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., is seeking answers from the Justice Department (DOJ) on whether the FBI "entrapped" defendants in the Gov. Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot and whether the high-profile charges in Michigan were politically motivated to hurt former President Trump before the 2020 presidential election.

Greene on Wednesday sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Christopher Wray that backs defense lawyer claims that four defendants charged with conspiring to kidnap Whitmer were steered by undercover FBI agents and informants.

"The American people deserve a transparent justice system and law enforcement that keeps them safe, not entraps them in serious criminal activity in order to sway the outcome of a democratic election," Greene and 11 other GOP lawmakers wrote in a letter obtained by ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

After a 20-day trial, two of the four men were acquitted on April 8 of a conspiracy to kidnap Whitmer. Jurors couldn't reach a verdict on charges against two other defendants, resulting in a mistrial. Their lawyers alleged entrapment, and the federal judge in the case allowed jurors to consider whether the FBI engaged in the prohibited practice of cajoling or tricking individuals into committing crimes.

Prosecutors sought to show that the defendants were talking about the kidnapping plot before the FBI sting with one defendant posting a video saying, "We need to use brutal force against the government" in 2019, months before he met any agents or informants. In May 2020, another defendant was talking about "hanging" the governor.

MICHIGAN GOV. WHITMER KIDNAPPING PLOT: 2 MEN ACQUITTED, JURY DEADLOCKED ON 2 OTHERS

Spokespeople for both the FBI and the Justice Department confirmed receipt of the GOP letter but declined to comment further.

In an interview with ӣ��Ƶ Digital, Greene sought to make a link between FBI "entrapping" the Whitmer defendants and the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol. She questioned whether the FBI had any involvement or knowledge of those who broke into the Capitol and disrupted the House and Senate proceedings to certify President Biden's Electoral College win.

"The comparison of the two incidents, that's what most people are just really concerned about – between Governor Whitmer and that whole conspiracy that looks to be completely possibly led by the FBI, which is terrifying, and the comparison of what happened on January 6," Greene said.

In the letter, the lawmakers ask Garland why the FBI was "paying confidential informants and special agents with histories of unethical conduct to entrap American citizens in a plot to kidnap the Governor of Michigan, and were they doing the same throughout the time leading up to the January 6, 2021, protest at the U.S. Capitol?"

MCCARTHY GETS ‘STANDING OVATION’ DURING HOUSE GOP MEETING AFTER LEAKED AUDIO TAPES

The letter comes as the House votes this week on H.R. 350, the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act, aimed at providing the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with more tools and resources to monitor, investigate and prosecute domestic terrorism cases and to root out neo-Nazi and White supremacist groups.

DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas says the greatest terrorism threat is domestic violent extremism.

Greene says she doesn't trust the people in charge of the FBI and DOJ and worries what they will do with more authority to go after those "they have deemed to be domestic terrorists – but yet the FBI could have been involved somehow [in] basically creating the domestic terrorism."

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

She said she doesn't want to see ordinary Americans "talked into doing things that they hopefully would never do in the first place."

The letter was also signed by Republican Reps. Matt Gaetz of Florida, Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Dan Bishop of North Carolina, Louie Gohmert of Texas, Andrew Clyde of Georgia, Andy Harris of Maryland, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Paul Gosar of Arizona, Bob Good of Virginia and Mary Miller of Illinois.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

McCarthy gets ‘standing ovation’ during House GOP meeting after leaked audio tapes

Wed, 27 Apr 2022 10:38:15 -0400

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy got a "standing ovation" at a House GOP meeting Wednesday, as the conference appears to be rallying behind him after leaked phone calls.

"Standing ovation and Kevin will be speaker," Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., said to reporters.

CHENEY, SCALISE DENY INVOLVEMENT AFTER LEAKED RECORDINGS REVEAL MCCARTHY RECOMMENDED TRUMP RESIGN

"Yes," Rep. Jay Obernolte, R-Calif., said when asked by ӣ��Ƶ Digital about the ovation.

"He addressed them and I think the conference is satisfied," Obernolte added of what McCarthy said about the tapes.

The New York Times has recently published recorded phone calls showing McCarthy disparaging former President Donald Trump, including one in which he said he would call for him to resign in the wake of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol by his supporters.

McCarthy also said that some of his members may be putting people in danger with their rhetoric, particularly on Trump’s false claims the 2020 election was stolen.

OHIO SENATE SHOWDOWN: MATT GAETZ, MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE TO CAMPAIGN WITH JD VANCE BEFORE KEY GOP PRIMARY

Top House Democrats Wednesday attacked Republicans for their continued support of Trump, and for some, his election claims.

Republicans, House Democratic Caucus Vice Chair Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., said, "continue to support the big lie, lie about everything else, lie when they're caught, and then giving standing ovations."

"The radical right playbook is simple. It's not complicated," House Democratic Caucus Chair Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said. "It's a five point playbook. Number one, lie. Number two, lie. Number three, lie. Number four, lie. Number five, lie again."

Jeffries continued to say that Republicans, "lie with impunity. Facts don't matter. Hypocrisy is not a constraint to their behavior. And they think that shamelessness is a superpower."

Not all Republicans appeared to accept McCarthy’s explanation Wednesday. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., was asked if he has confidence in McCarthy.

"No more or less than usual," Gaetz said.

The rabble-rousing Republican has often criticized McCarthy and this week slammed the GOP leader for the content of the phone calls.

During the meeting, Gaetz spoke up and was very upset – "rightfully so", Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., said – about House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., suggesting in one call reported by the New York Times that Gaetz broke the law with some of his comments.

MUSK COULD TURN TWITTER ‘UPSIDE DOWN,’ DEMS SAY, WHILE REPUBLICANS CELEBRATE: ‘THE LEFT’S GOING CRAZY'

The Florida Republican already blasted Scalise and McCarthy on Twitter as "weak men" after the New York Times reported on their private comments following the Jan. 6 attack.

Greene also spoke at the meeting saying leadership should apologize.

"I said that I would like to hear an apology because I've had to be held accountable … for my words," Greene told ӣ��Ƶ.

"It’s appropriate at times that we show humility, and that's a good thing to apologize to one another when we have wronged one another and said something we shouldn't say."

Greene said everyone wants to know who released the audio tapes. If it was a staffer, he or she should be fired, she said.

After McCarthy and other members addressed the leaked conversations, Greene said Republicans left the meeting on a more positive note.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

A source in the room also told ӣ��Ƶ Digital that Greene thanked McCarthy and his lawyer for helping her in an effort to restore her personal Twitter account, which was permanently suspended by the platform.

"But I still think there's more conversations that need to be had and I want to see it come together," Greene said. "I don't want to see people staying mad."

Asked if she got the apology, Greene didn’t mention getting one on the spot. "I just said I think the appropriate thing to do is if you said something you didn't mean to or offended Matt Gaetz or anyone else [is to] apologize. I think that's the right thing."

McCarthy has rebutted the Times reporting as "totally false and wrong" and maintains that he has never asked Trump to resign. Trump and McCarthy remained on good terms last week following the first leaked audio tapes, according to a source familiar.

Biden’s plan to end Title 42 is ‘set up to fail,' Democrats contend

Wed, 27 Apr 2022 12:32:48 -0400

A pair of Democrats with national defense backgrounds says Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas needs to explain his plan for dealing with the fallout of rescinding Title 42 when he faces Congress this week.

Democratic Reps. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Abigail Spanberger of Virginia already wrote a letter to the Biden administration urging the White House to delay lifting the Title 42 public health order that has been used to expel a majority of migrants at the border during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now, in interviews with ӣ��Ƶ late Tuesday, the former CIA officers said rescinding Title 42 in the midst of an expected spring border surge of migrants will create "a significant problem" and lead to border officials being "constantly overwhelmed."

DHS PUBLISHES PLAN TO DEAL WITH POST-TITLE 42 MIGRANT SURGE, AMID BIPARTISAN PUSHBACK

"We both spent time in our prior lives trying to protect the country from homeland attacks," Slotkin told ӣ��Ƶ. "And as someone who now sits on the Homeland Security Committee, it just felt like we were kind of leaving ourselves open to … a significant problem this spring."

They are concerned Mayorkas doesn't have a strategy to deal with the surge of migrants.

"When we heard that the administration was about to reverse Title 42 without presenting a plan, it just struck … both of us that it was just set up to fail, basically," Slotkin said.

Slotkin is a former CIA analyst and Department of Defense official. Spanberger is a former postal inspector and CIA officer. Slotkin and Spanberger both entered Congress in 2019 by flipping red seats and they have been prime targets for Republicans ever since in their bid to retake the House.

REPS. ELISSA SLOTKIN, ABIGAIL SPANBERGER WARN BIDEN ADMINISTRATION OF BORDER 'SECURITY CRISIS'

Democrats have been split on whether to lift Title 42. Progressives and some members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus have been pressuring Biden to lift the health order that started under President Trump. They've argued it was cruel and discriminatory to expel more than 1.7 million migrants who were seeking refuge in the U.S. from dire situations – and vaccines are now widely available to alleviate any public health coronavirus concerns.

Spanberger said regardless of anyone's position on Title 42, there must be preparations in place for its eventual rescission.

"The reality is that we need to have a plan in place for when we lift it, regardless of what one thinks of the policy," Spanberger told ӣ��Ƶ. "It has been in place for two years and we have staffing, we have infrastructure, we have resources positioned along the border that have been in place for two years related to the number of people who have been crossing the border with Title 42 in place. When Title 42 is lifted, there will be a significant shift … and we have to be prepared for it."

In response to bipartisan criticism, the Department of Homeland Security late Tuesday published its plan to deal with a post-Title 42 migrant surge, while conceding the surge will "substantially strain" resources at the border. The public health order will end on May 23 – unless a court orders it kept it in place.

The 20-page plan is mostly a more detailed version of a strategy the agency outlined ahead of the April 1 announcement that Title 42 would be lifted. The memo outlines what it calls "a whole-of-government plan to prepare for and manage increased encounters of noncitizens at our Southwest Border."

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Slotkin and Spanberger were both still reviewing the latest DHS memo but said they want Mayorkas to acknowledge a "robust plan" must be in place before such a major policy shift.

"I want to hear him speak to the impact on the men and women who work at our borders and our ports of entry," Spanberger said. "The challenges that they faced over the past two years during the pandemic, how they have adapted to work under Title 42, and … what he's advocating for on behalf of the men and women of the Department of Homeland Security."

Mayorkas testified before the House Appropriations Committee Wednesday morning and will speak to the House Homeland Security Committee Wednesday afternoon. On Thursday, he'll return to Congress for testimony before the House Judiciary Committee.

ӣ��Ƶ' Adam Shaw contributed to this report.

Schumer says he's keeping discussions with Feinstein on her ability to serve private

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 15:53:49 -0400

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said "no" Democrats have approached him with concerns about Sen. Dianne Feinstein's health following reports that lawmakers have been questioning her mental capability.

Senators and other officials are reportedly concerned that Feinstein, 88, is no longer mentally competent enough to do her job as a lawmaker, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The critics of the California Democrat, however, have declined to speak on the record and asked to have their names withheld.

DIANNE FEINSTEIN'S MEMORY FADING AND SHE MAY NO LONGER BE FIT TO SERVE, SENATORS SAY

Pressed about the reporting at a news conference Tuesday and whether Democratic lawmakers raised these concerns with him, Schumer said, "No. They have not."

Schumer stopped short of offering a resounding endorsement for Feinstein's fitness for office.

"I've had a good number of discussions with Senator Feinstein, but I'm keeping them to myself," Schumer said when asked if he has confidence in her capabilities.

DIANNE FEINSTEIN DEFENDS JOB PERFORMANCE, DECLINES INTERVIEW WITH SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

Feinstein was first elected to the Senate in 1992. Her current term is up in January 2025.

The San Francisco Chronicle report cited interviews from anonymous Democratic lawmakers that Feinstein's mental health is "bad, and it’s getting worse." Another lawmaker said Feinstein used to be totally in command and in charge, but "all of that is gone."

Feinstein, the oldest sitting senator, pushed back against claims that she was deteriorating mentally and could no longer fulfill her job requirements. She defended any perceived distractions as a consequence of her husband's tragic death due to cancer earlier this year.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

"The last year has been extremely painful and distracting for me, flying back and forth to visit my dying husband who passed just a few weeks ago," she said in a previous statement to ӣ��Ƶ Digital. "But there’s no question I’m still serving and delivering for the people of California, and I’ll put my record up against anyone’s."

ӣ��Ƶ' Timothy Nerozzi contributed to this report.

Absent Democratic lawmaker also working as airline pilot returns to Washington after bad headlines

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 14:30:26 -0400

A Hawaii Democrat who hasn't reported to work in Washington in months has returned to Congress following a string of bad headlines about his absences.

Rep. Kai Kahele, D-Hawaii, was spotted Tuesday afternoon in the Capitol rotunda snapping pictures with a group of people that appeared to be on a tour. It marks the first time Kahele has shown up to Congress for votes since January.

In a brief interview with ӣ��Ƶ Digital, Kahele defended his absences and noted that he's never technically missed votes while staying behind in Hawaii.

"I haven't missed a single vote this entire year. Not a single one," Kahele said.

HAWAII DEMOCRAT HASN'T BEEN TO DC IN MONTHS, STILL WORKING AS AIRLINE PILOT

The House instituted proxy voting during the coronavirus pandemic that allows a colleague to vote on behalf of an absent lawmaker. Kahele has previously cited legitimate COVID-19 concerns regarding new variants and living in a "multi-generational home" for his absences and prolonged use of proxy voting.

The Honolulu Civil Beat first reported that Kahele had only shown up for five votes in 2022 while still working part-time as a pilot for Hawaiian Airlines.

Kahele's office previously defended his work at Hawaiian Airlines as being permitted by House ethics rules and argued his flight experience brings a positive perspective to Congress – including on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee that handles aviation policy.

ABSENT DEM LAWMAKER SITS ON COMMITTEE HANDLING BILLS AFFECTING HIS EMPLOYER, HAWAIIAN AIRLINES

Asked Tuesday if he intends to still work for Hawaiian Airlines while in Congress, "Yeah, absolutely," Kahele told ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

Kahele's office previously said he flies for Hawaiian Airlines only on occasion to maintain his pilot certification and within the limits of House ethics rules, which capped annual outside income at $29,895 in 2022.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

His salary as a member of Congress is $174,000.

Ukraine prime minister goes to Congress, asks for more help against Russia

Thu, 21 Apr 2022 14:24:54 -0400

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told Ukraine's prime minister Thursday that more U.S. aid is on the way to help fight off the "horrible" Russian invasion.

"We want to do more," Pelosi said Thursday, speaking of funding beyond the $13.6 billion that was already approved. "The president said he will be asking Congress for more. We'll learn about that in the next day or so to be taken up as soon as we can next week."

Congress returns from Easter recess next week. A Pelosi aide later clarified that the House will receive the White House request for more Ukraine aid next week, but a vote has not yet been scheduled.

Pelosi made the announcement during a meeting with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal at the Capitol on day 57 of Russia's ongoing assault on Ukraine. Shmyhal thanked the U.S. for ongoing support while asking for more "finances" to help with the ongoing humanitarian and refugee crisis.

BIDEN ANNOUNCES ANOTHER $800 MILLION IN MILITARY ASSISTANCE FOR UKRAINE

"More than 10 million people are suffering because there is no food, no water, no electricity or water supply," Shmyhal said of the toll of the war.

With the ongoing support from the U.S. and other countries, "we hope that we will win" the war against Russia, he said.

Pelosi praised the people of Ukraine and condemned Russia.

"What Russia is doing in Ukraine is outside the circle of civilized human behavior. Horrible," Pelosi said. "Words are almost inadequate to describe it."

Shmyhal also met Thursday with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and President Biden. The visit coincided with Biden's morning announcement that the U.S. will provide an additional $800 million in security assistance and $500 million in economic support to Ukraine.

Pelosi praised Biden's handling of Russia's war on Ukraine, calling him a "unifier."

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

"We're very proud to be working with our president, President Biden, who has been a unifier — a unifier within NATO, a unifier in terms of the U.S. government, and now a unifier with the Ukrainian people in so many ways," Pelosi said.

Congress already approved nearly $14 billion in Ukraine aid in March.

The Ukrainian prime minister had a bipartisan meeting at the Capitol with Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md.; and Reps. Jason Crow, D-Colo; Jim Himes, D-Conn.; Barbara Lee, D-Calif.; Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio; Adam Schiff, D-Calif.; Chris Smith, R-N.J.; and Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., who just returned from a visit to her native country of Ukraine.

Democratic Reps. Elissa Slotkin, Abigail Spanberger warn Biden administration of border 'security crisis'

Thu, 21 Apr 2022 12:00:56 -0400

EXCLUSIVE: Two frontline Democrats have teamed up to warn the Biden administration of a looming immigration crisis if border agents no longer have a Trump-era tool to expel migrants from the country.

Democratic Reps. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Abigail Spanberger of Virginia wrote a letter to the Biden Administration urging the White House to delay lifting the Title 42 public health order that has been used to expel a majority of migrants at the border during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Given our backgrounds in national security, we know the Executive Branch is accustomed to planning for contingencies, and it is for this reason that we submit to you the below requests for actions to be taken before the administration lifts the Title 42 order, so that we prevent a humanitarian and security crisis," the lawmakers wrote in a letter obtained first by ӣ��Ƶ.

MIDTERM ELECTIONS: IMMIGRATION, TITLE 42 LEAVE DEMOCRATS IN 'BAD SHAPE,' CAMPAIGN EXPERTS SAY

The letter from Slotkin and Spanberger adds to the growing chorus of moderate Democrats pounding on the White House ahead of the midterm elections to keep Title 42 in place or risk overwhelming already strained border agents. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) estimates 18,000 more migrants will be processed in the U.S. each day — compared to more than 7,000 currently — if Title 42 is lifted as planned next month, the lawmakers note.

"We are concerned about how DHS will contend with an increase of people — including children and families — that will more than triple the department's capacity without ample and robust planning," they wrote. "And while the administration gave itself two months to prepare, what has been shared with us to date seems like too little, too late — especially when the removal of Title 42 will occur at the same time that a spike in seasonal migration occurs."

Pollsters recently told ӣ��Ƶ that Title 42 fallout is poised to make an already rough midterm cycle even worse for Democrats. More disorder at the border will hurt Democrats already bogged down by high inflation and President Biden's sagging approval ratings, they say.

Citing an individual with knowledge of internal discussions, Axios reported Tuesday that the White House is mulling whether to continue with the repeal of Title 42 next month amid blowback from members of Biden's own party.

Slotkin and Spanberger called on the Biden administration to take three steps to mitigate the crisis.

First, delay the planned May 23 lifting of Title 42 until there is a plan to deal with a "surge" of migrants at the border. Second, institute in-country immigration processing in Central America so that migrants won't pay human smugglers to travel more than 1,000 miles to the southern border. And finally, plan for continued migration surges with a "swift, coordinated response."

WHITE HOUSE DEFENDS TITLE 42 TERMINATION AS ‘RETURN’ TO IMMIGRATION ‘STANDARD’ AS MORE DEMS BUCK BIDEN

They addressed their April 19 letter to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Susan Rice, Biden's domestic policy adviser.

"At this point, generations of Democrats and Republicans in the White House and in Congress have failed to provide the laws and policies needed to properly handle immigration in this country," the lawmakers wrote. "While you inherited this problem, it is now your responsibility — with necessary help from Congress — to address our broken immigration system."

The Title 42 order was implemented in March 2020 under former President Donald Trump's administration as a way to keep COVID-19 outside American borders. President Biden's administration kept it in place amid warnings rescinding it could only worsen the border crisis. But the CDC recently announced that Title 42 expulsions will end May 23 because the public health order is "no longer necessary."

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said this week that it is "important to remember" that Title 42 "is not an immigration authority" or "an immigration plan."

"There is no question we have a broken immigration system," Psaki said Monday. "There’s more we need to do. We’ve been saying that from the first day the president took office, and anyone who wants to work on that, Democrats, Republicans, anyone, how we can put smarter security in place, how we can have an asylum processing system that works, we would love to do that."

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Rescinding Title 42 was cheered by progressives. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., said Title 42 was "cruel and discriminatory" by expelling more than 1.7 million migrants who were seeking refuge in the U.S. from dire situations.

But a growing number of Democratic senators and candidates have been urging the Biden Administration to reconsider until there is a plan in place to deal with the migrant surge, including Sens. Mark Kelly of Arizona, Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, Jon Tester of Montana, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Michael Bennet of Colorado, Raphael Warnock of Georgia, Gary Peters of Michigan, Chris Coons of Delaware, Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, Ohio Senate candidate Tim Ryan and Pennsylvania Senate candidate John Fetterman.

ӣ��Ƶ' Caroline McKee and Brooke Singman contributed to this report.

Latest Marisa Schultz News | ӣ����Ƶ

Madison Cawthorn loses North Carolina GOP House primary after string of missteps

Ted Budd says Trump endorsement was 'huge' for North Carolina Senate

Rep. Banks calls on Garland to prosecute pro-choice activists harassing conservative Supreme Court justices

Cassidy leads GOP Senate resolution to combat the violent crime spike

Pennsylvania governor's race: Trump endorses Mastriano over Barletta in GOP primary

McConnell makes surprise trip to meet Zelenskyy in Ukraine

Russia will manipulate Kherson election results to support leaving Ukraine, UK says

This is the abortion bill Republicans want if they regain Congress

Elise Stefanik says Republicans are on track to win 'a historic majority'

Pelosi suggests COVID death toll would be worse than 1 million without Biden in office

House Republicans call for Biden administration to address nationwide baby formula shortage

Senate fails to advance bill to guarantee abortion access nationwide

Democratic Party has gone too extreme on abortion: Pro-life Democrats

Elise Stefanik endorses Indiana veteran vying to make history in Congress

Republicans blast Mayorkas for pushing 'absolutely shameful' narrative about 'domestic terrorism'

Lauren Boebert leads effort to defund Biden Administration's 'disinformation' board

Progressives push Biden to repeal 'racist' Title 42 border measure

Stefanik gets involved in Washington Senate race against Patty Murray

Marjorie Taylor Greene confronts DOJ about alleged 'entrapping' of defendants in Gov. Whitmer kidnapping plot

McCarthy gets ‘standing ovation’ during House GOP meeting after leaked audio tapes

Biden’s plan to end Title 42 is ‘set up to fail,' Democrats contend

Schumer says he's keeping discussions with Feinstein on her ability to serve private

Absent Democratic lawmaker also working as airline pilot returns to Washington after bad headlines

Ukraine prime minister goes to Congress, asks for more help against Russia

Democratic Reps. Elissa Slotkin, Abigail Spanberger warn Biden administration of border 'security crisis'

Latest Marisa Schultz News | ӣ��Ƶ