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Bob Agnew
Reporting from Capitol Hill, Bob Agnew has updates on what’s going on in the Senate.
Ohio Senator-Elect Moreno Vows To Rebuild Working Class
Wed, Nov 27, 2024 at 3:12 pm
Ohio’s incoming senator, Bernie Moreno [R-OH] says rebuilding the middle class is critical not only to his state but to the overall U.S. economy, and even national security. He told the Salem Radio Network he’ll focus on rebuilding the U.S. auto industry once he’s sworn-in as part of the 119th Congress.
Listen DownloadSenator Cotton Blasts Biden Pressure For Israel To Accept Ceasefire
Wed, Nov 27, 2024 at 2:34 pm
A U.S. senator says it was wrong for the Biden white house to pressure Israel into accepting a ceasefire with Hezbollah. Senator Tom Cotton [R-Ark] calls the ceasefire “blackmail”. Cotton says Israel likely agreed to the ceasefire to avoid President Biden’s threat of a U.S. Security Council resolution condemning Israel. And with Hezbollah on the ropes in southern Lebanon, Cotton says it’s hard to see how imposing a ceasefire on israel now amounts to anything but a pro-Hezbollah move.
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Senate Panel Takes Aim At Airline “Junk” Fees
Tue, Nov 26, 2024 at 4:57 pm
A Senate committee is taking aim at a barrage of fees being charged by airlines. A Homeland Security subcommittee has issued a report that claims airlines are raking in large amounts of money by charging customers a-l-carte for a wide range of services that used to be included in the price of a ticket. The report names the three major carrier, American, United, and Delta, as well as low-cost carriers Frontier and Spirit Airlines. The report comes just days before some SIX million Americans are expected to catch flights to holiday destinations.
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Senator Blocks Promotion For General In Charge Of Afghanistan withdrawal
Mon, Nov 25, 2024 at 5:27 pm
Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin [R-OK] is blocking the promotion of the U.S. Army general who oversaw the botched pullout of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Senator Mullin [R-OK] has blocked the promotion of .of Lt. Gen. Chris Donahue to four-star general as the commander of US Army Europe-Africa. He was in charge of the pullout of U.S. tropps from Afghanistan in August of 2021, when a terrorist attack left 13 U.S srervice members dead, and 45 wounded. Mullin explicityly named Donahue earlier this year when he complained that -quote-““not one person has been held accountable for the disaster”. President-elect Trump has said he’ll demand the resignation of every. Senior official who was involved in the botched pullout.
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Senate Deal Will Allow Trump To Fill Four Appellate Seats
Fri, Nov 22, 2024 at 2:37 pm
Senate Democrats and Republicans have made a deal on the confirmation of federal judges. Under the deal achieved this week, Republicans will allow Democrats to move forward with votes on several nominees to federal district courts. In exchange, Democrats will not pursue confirmation on four appellate nomination, leaving them to be filled by incoming president Donald Trump. Democrats are scrambling to try and confirm more Biden nominees to the federal court than President Trump’s 245, by the time his term ends in January.
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Analyst Says GOP Breathing A Sigh Of Relief Over Gaetz Withdrawal
Fri, Nov 22, 2024 at 1:57 pm
One Washington insider says president-elect Trump and GOP senators should be breathing a sigh of relief now that Matt Gaetz (R-FL) has dropped his bid to become Attorney General. Political observer Ben Domenech says all presidents have at least one controversial nominee. However, it’s something that can prove to be a major distraction. The last thing, Domenech says, that any new president needs during his first 100 days in office.
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Jim Talent: For Trump, Ending War In Ukraine A Matter Of “Carrots and Sticks”
Fri, Nov 22, 2024 at 1:52 pm
Foreign policy expert and former U.S Senator Jim Talent [R-MO] says he expects president-elect Donald Trump to use a negotiated settlement to end the war in Ukraine. Talent says Donald Trump wrote “the Art of the Deal” so when it comes to ending the war in Ukraine it’s a simple matter of “carrots and sticks”. And he says Trump knows Vladimir Putin may be ready to make a deal, after nearly three years of war, and a number of setbacks in Ukraine.
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Some GOP Senators Relieved As Gaetz Drops Bid For Attorney General
Thu, Nov 21, 2024 at 2:58 pm
GOP senators are breathing a sigh of relif now that Matt Gaetz (R-Fl)has withdrawn as President-elect Trump’s nominee for Attorney General. Gaetz has faced a blistering storm of criticism over the past several days over allegations of sexual misconduct. Several GOP senators say he faced an uphill climb getting the votes he needed for confirmation. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.)—the incoming chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee,—says Gaetz’s decision to withdraw is a “positive development”. In pulling out Gaetz acknowledged that the allegations had become a distraction.
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DeSantis Predicts Rubio Replacement Selection By Early January
Mon, Nov 18, 2024 at 4:34 pm
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis [R-FL] says he’ll likely select a replacement for Senator Marco Rubio [R-FL] by early January. DeSantis is vowing to find the. best candidate to replace Rubio, who’s been tapped by President-elect Trump to serve as Secretary of State. Facing GOP pressure by some to appoint Trump’s daughter in law Lara Trump DeSantis said in a statement Florida needs a senator who can help President Trump deliver on his promises but also one that -quote- “has a proven record of results,” Those pushing for Lara Trump include strong Trump allies senators Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and Rick Scott of Florida.
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“Lawlessness”: GOP Files Multiple Lawsuits Over PA Senate Recount
Mon, Nov 18, 2024 at 4:30 pm
Republicans are crying “foul” over the Democrats’ push for a recount in the Pennsylvania senate race. National and state Republicans have filed at least a dozen lawsuits over incumbent Bob Casey’s [D-PA] demand for a statewide recount, several days after th Associated Press called the race for Republican challenger Dave McCormick [R-PA].State officials in Democrat controlled Pennsylvania say they still hsve to count some 80,000 provisional, absentee, an mail-in ballots. Republicans are suing over plans by election officials in strong democrat countires to count mail-in ballots with missing or incorrect dates, something they say flies in the face of a recent election integrity ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court.
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Business Group Says Policy Changes In 2025 Will Secure 2026 GOP Win
Mon, Nov 18, 2024 at 2:30 pm
Akash Chogule with Americans For Prosperity says the best way to prepare for 2026 is to pass better policies in 2025. For the AFP, Chogule says that means going from knocking on doors for the 2024 election, to climbing the steps on Capitol Hill. The AFP is lobbying hard to extend the Trump Tax cuts, and reversing what they see as bad policy on energy and immigration.
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Ben Domenech Offers Rave Reviews Of Trump Nominees
Fri, Nov 15, 2024 at 2:16 pm
Washington insiders continue to weigh-in on President-elect Trump’s cabinet nominations. Editor-at-Large for The Spectator Ben Domenech gives high marks for Trump’s selection of North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum for secretary of the Interior. Domenech also applauds the choice of decorated war veteran Pete Hegseth for Defense secretary, as one who has recently served in combat. And yes, selecting a Fox News host for the role may seem “out of left field” for some Washington insiders, but Domenech says it was always expected Trump would offer up some “roll of the dice” nominations.
The Lancet: 3-in-4 U.S. Adults Overweight Or Obese
Fri, Nov 15, 2024 at 1:07 pm
Some bad news about Americans and obesity from Britain’s The Lancet medical journal. The Lancet says 3-in-4 U.S adult can be classified as either obese or overweight. If current trends continue, researchers predict what one called the “epidemic” will affect 80% of U.S. adults by the year 2050. The research comes even as President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services secretary. He has blasted the obesity epidemic as part of a faied U.S. health ecosystrm, and called for a shift away from weight loss drug and toward more healthy lifestyles.
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DeSantis Under Pressure To Select Lara Trump As Rubio Replacement
Thu, Nov 14, 2024 at 4:45 pm
A member of President Trump’s family may soon be a member of the U.S. Senate. The expected departure of GOP Senator Marco Rubio to take on he. Role of secretary of States laves it up to Republican Governor Ron DeSantis to appoint a replacement. There’s growing support among Republicans on the for the idea DeSantis should select Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump. . Senator Lindsey Graham told Fox News it’s Governor DeSantis’ choice but that -quote-“ we could not do better on the Republican side than Lara Trump.”
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Tuberville [R-Ala] Says GOP Senators Who Oppose Trump Nominees Should “Geet Out Of The Way.”
Thu, Nov 14, 2024 at 4:43 pm
A pro-Trump senator is warning GOP colleagues not to oppose th president-elect’s cabinet nominees. Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville [R-Ala] is a staunch Trump ally, warns GOP colleagues who oppose his nominees or legislation hat -quote-“ “we’re gonna try to get you out of the Senate”. He told Fox Business News Republicans who oppose trump nominees should “get out of the way.” In fact the U.S. Constitution calls on senators to “advise and consent” on nominations, but Tuberville says Trump’s big margin of victory give him a strong mandate, and that he deserves to assemble the team he wants to carry out his agenda.
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Cotton Elected Conference Chair, Media Point Man For Senate GOP
Wed, Nov 13, 2024 at 3:33 pm
Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton [R-Ark] has become part of the Senate GOP leadership team. Senator Cotton has been elected by fellow Republicans to serve as conference chair. Cotton managed to edge out Iowa Senator Joni Ernst [R-IA] who also sought the coveted position. And he replaces Senator John Barrasso who advances to the position of GOPWhip. As conference chair Cotton now assumes the role of chief messenger for the Senate GOP.
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GOP Candidate Hovde May Seek Recount In Close Wisconsin Senate Race
Wed, Nov 13, 2024 at 2:22 pm
Republican candidate Eric Hovde (HUVV’-dee) says he may seek a recount after a paper-thin loss to incumbent Democrat Tammy Baldwin [D-Wisc] in the Wisconsin senate race. Hovde can request a recount because his margin of defeat was less than 1 percentage point, at about 29,000 votes. But he hasn’t said yet whether he will request one, explaining in a video directed at his supporters that he wants to review all of the information and options that are available. Hovde also cites what he says were irregularities in the election. He notes that some precincts in the Democrat stronghold of Milwaukee saw turnout that was higher than the number of registered voters posted on the county’s website.
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S.D. Senator John Thune Wins Election As Senate Majority Leader
Wed, Nov 13, 2024 at 1:48 pm
Republicans have elected South Dakota Senator John Thune [R-SD] the next Senate majority leader. Thune, 63, is in his fourth Senate term and has promised to work closely with Trump, despite differences the two have had over the years, and will be a crucial part of the incoming president’s efforts to push through his policy agenda. Thune managed to beat two opponents—Rick Scott of Florida and John Cornyn of Texas—both with stronger pro-Trump credentials. In a statement, Thune said he was “extremely honored to have earned the support of my colleagues.”
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Sen. Rick Scott Says As GOP Leader He Would Accomplish Trump Agenda
Tue, Nov 12, 2024 at 1:39 pm
Florida Senator Rick Scott [R-FL] says he’s committed to the Trump agenda. Scott tells the Salem Radio Network his business experience taught him how to accomplish big goals. Scott is competing for the party’s top job against party Whip John Thune of South Dakota, and Texas Senator John Cornyn.
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Schumer Relents, Invites Republican McCormick To Orientation
Tue, Nov 12, 2024 at 11:15 am
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer [D-NY] now says two freshmen senators will be allowed to attend Senate orientation this week. Schumer drew criticism when he refused to invite Senator-elect David McCormick to orientation, despite the fact his race had been called days ago by the Associated Press. Democrat winner in Arizona, Ruben Gallego [D-AZ] will also be allowed to attend. Some of the criticism of Schumer came from Arizona’s now Independent Senator Kirsten Sinema [I-AZ]. She wrote on X that she when she won election as a Democrat in 2018, she was allowed to attend orientation even though her race had not yet been called.
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Fetterman Says He’ll Vote To Confirm Rubio As Secretary Of State
Tue, Nov 12, 2024 at 10:38 am
Pennsylvania Democrat Senator John Fetterman [D-PA] says he’ll vote to confirm Senator Marco Rubio [R-FL] as President Trump’s Secretary of State. Fetterman was quick to speak out after news broke that Trump is expected to nominate Rubio to serve as his top diplomat. Fetterman writes on X that it’s no surprise he has political differences with the Florida Republican but that-quote- “Rubio is a strong choice and I look forward to voting for his confirmation.”. Rubio’s expected departure will temporarily reduce the Republican majority in the Senate, until a temporary replacement is selected by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
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Senator Eric Schmitt Has No Wish To Be US Attorney General
Mon, Nov 11, 2024 at 4:16 pm
Republican Senator Eric Schmitt [R-Mo] says he doesn’t want to be considered for the job of Attorney General. Schmitt—a long time Trump ally-say’s he’s pulling his name from the list of potential U.S. Attorney General nominees. Schmitt -a former Missouri Attorney General-is expected to focus on helping Trump judicial nominees navigate their way through the upper camber. Schmitt writes on X that -“I ran for the U.S. Senate to represent the people of the Show Me State and I’m just getting started,”
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Schumer: Declared GOP Winner Of PA Senate Race Not Invited To Orientation
Mon, Nov 11, 2024 at 3:43 pm
The declared winner of Pennsylvania’s Senate race won’t be allowed to attend this week’s new members’ orientation meeting. Despite being declared the winner over Democrat incumbent Bob Casey [D-PA], Republican David McCormick [won’t b allowed to join other incoming members to learn the ropes when the Senate holds it’s orientation sesson this week. A spokesperdon for Schumer defends the decision, saying with some “100,000 ballots left to be counted in Pennsylvania, the race has not been decided.” As a custom, Schumer’s office says the winner will be invited once all the votes are counted.
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Trump Wins In Arizona. Sweeps All Seven 2024 Swing States
Sat, Nov 9, 2024 at 10:04 pm
Donald Trump has been declared the winner in Arizona, allowing him to complete a sweep of all seven swing states in this year’s election. Arizona, which holds 11 Electoral College votes, had been trending blue in recent years, with many statewide jobs held by Democrats, but the former president brought it back to Republicans. The victory returns Arizona and its 11 electoral votes to the Republican column after Joe Biden’s 2020 victory. The win over Kamala Harris marks Trump’s second in Arizona since 2016. Trump campaigned on border security and the economy, tying Harris to inflation and record illegal border crossings during Biden’s administration.
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