Audio
Bob Agnew
Reporting from Capitol Hill, Bob Agnew has updates on what’s going on in the Senate.
Montana Senator Tester First Democrat To Co-Sponsor Laken Riley Act
Thu, May 9, 2024 at 5:02 pm
Red-state Democrat Senator Jon Tester [D-MT] is taking some Republican-friendly positions as he aims to hold on to his seat this November. Tester on Thursday became the first Democrat to co-sponsor the Laken Riley act. It would require federal officials to arrest illegals who commit certain crimes until they can be deported. On Wednesday Tester used a committee hearing to confront Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin about the crisis at the southern border, something the senator called “unacceptable”.
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Sen. Rick Scott: Biden Now Part of Pro-Hamas Wing Of Democrat Party
Thu, May 9, 2024 at 3:05 pm
Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu has said repeatedly eliminating Hamas is the only way to prevent another terrorist attack like the one that killed some 1,200 Israeli’s on October 7th. But Senator Scott [R-FL] told Fox News that President Biden cares only about winning enough support from Hamas supporters in his party to win re-election. So-quote-“ we’ve got a pro-Hamas group of the Democrat Party, and he’s part of it now,” Scott also condemns Biden’s support for the UN Relief and Works Agency, despite revelations some of it’s members took part in the October 7th attack.
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Likely Senate GOP Leader Cornyn Blasts Biden Threat To Cut Arms Shipments To Israel
Thu, May 9, 2024 at 1:28 pm
Texas Senator John Cornyn [R-TX[ is joining the chorus of Republicans blasting President Biden for his threat to cut off arms shipments to Israel if it invades Rafah. Cornyn and other Republicans blasting the president for showing more deference to the Hamas terrorists than to a long-time ally like Israel. Analysts warn without shipments of precision weapons, Israel will be foreced to use less accurate munitions, something likely to cause even more civilian casualties.
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Senator Graham: Trump Re-election Would Put End To Anti-Jewish Protests
Wed, May 8, 2024 at 1:55 pm
Senator Lindsey Graham [R-SC] says re-electing Donald Trump is the only way to put an end to the anti-Israel demonstrations disrupting college campuses. Graham says the best way to address the demonstrations is to find out who’s been funding them, an investigation he says will happen if Trump is re-elected. He told Fox News “Here’s what I can promise you, if Donald Trump were president of the United States, his attorney general would be all over this.” And he says college presidents would be under pressure to put an end to the ant-Jewish demonstrations.
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Progressive Fetterman Breaks Ranks With Left, Defends Israel, Blames Hamas
Wed, May 8, 2024 at 1:24 pm
Democrat Senator John Fetterman [D-PA] continues to defy the left wing of his party by maintaining strong support for Israel. Fetterman says the situation in Gaza is a “tragedy”, but also puts the blame on Hamas. “They started this” he told USA Today, and also accused the terrorist group of hiding behind civilian infrastructure in places like hospitals and schools. Fetterman is one of the most progressive Democrats in the Senate but has broken ranks with the left wing by calling blaming Hamas for the conflict, and codemning anti-Israel campus demonstrations for making Jewish studets feel unsafe.
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Rep. Mike Waltz: Biden Mining Regulations Threaten U.S. Defense
Wed, May 8, 2024 at 11:36 am
Representative Mike Waltz [R-FL] of Florida says having Democrats in power means more regulations on mining. Meaning that of the 35 minerals deemed by the Interior Department to be essential for the U.S. economy, 22 are fully dependent on foreign countries and 14 depend on China. Waltz tells the Salem Radio Network that includes minerals critical for the manufacture of ammunition.
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Senator Braun Wins Indiana’s GOP Gubernatorial Primary
Wed, May 8, 2024 at 10:39 am
Senator Mike Braun [R-Ind] has won the GOP primary to replace term-limited Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb. Braun [R-Ind] —bolstred by an endorsement from frmer President Trump- outpaced several well-funded rivals to win the party’s nod. Victory should come easily in a state that has not elected a Democrat governor in 20 years. The chance to replace Braun in the Senate goes to Congressman Jim Banks [R-Ind]. Banks also has history on his side in November as indiana has not elected a Democrat senator in more than a decade. Banks won unoposed in the primary, and enjoyed the endorsement of former President Trump.
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Senator Marshall Amendment Would Place Antisemitic Protestors on No Fly List
Wed, May 8, 2024 at 5:16 am
Senator Roger Marshall [R-KS] of Kansas has proposed an amendment to the FAA reauthorization bill that would place antisemitic campus protestors on the “No Fly” list. The No Flights For Terrorists Act would impose new consequences on violent anti-Jewish protestors, in connection with the pro-Hamas demonstrations on college campuses across the country. It would apply to students, faculty, professors and paid agitators who’ve crossed the line by calling for violence against Jewish people, or pledging their allegiance to terrorist grous like Hamas. Senator Marshall calls them “radical Marxists” who he says don’t just hate Israel, but -quote-“hate America and everything we stand for.”.
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Trump Endorsement Of MAGA Utah Senate Candidate Worries GOP
Tue, May 7, 2024 at 4:41 pm
Former President Trump is endorsing a long-shot candidate in Utah’s GOP Senate primary. The former president is known as a kingmaker when it comes to Senate candidates, but even staunch supporters are unsure if his endorsement of MAGA conservative Trent Staggs for the nomination will pan out. Many fear the selection of Staggs over more well-funded Republicans candidates may split the GOP vote, giving an edge to moderate John Curtis . Voters will select their candidate to fill the seat of the retiring Mitt Romney on June 25th.
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Senators Marshall, Blackburn Propose No Fly List For Antisemitic Protestors
Tue, May 7, 2024 at 2:19 pm
Listen DownloadSenators Roger Marshall of Kansas and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee have unveiled a bill they call the NO FLIGHTS FOR TERRORISTS ACT. It would place on the No Fly list any student, faculty member, professor or paid agitator if they have called for violence against Jewish people, been disciplined by a school for such activity, or for pledging allegiance to terrorist groups. Marshall says under the Biden administration the protestors are promoting terrorism with no fear of consequences.
Trump, Johnson To Hold Joint Press Conference At Mar A Lago
Wed, Apr 10, 2024 at 4:14 pm
Election integrity will take center stage on Friday as House Speaker Mike Johnson [R-LA] and former President Trump hold a joint press conference at Trump’s Mar a Lago resort in Florida. The two have long had amicable relations..Johnson supportive of Trump’s effort to challenge certification of the 2020 election, and has endoresd his bid for reelection. The joint apperance also comes at a time when Johnson can benefit from a strong show of support from the former Commander in Chief. He’s facing the threat of being ousted as Speaker , an effort being lead by fellow Trump supporter , Georgia Repreentative Marjorie Taylor Green.
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Senator J.D. Vance Shaping Up As Likely Trump Running Mate
Wed, Apr 10, 2024 at 1:38 pm
There’s rising speculation that Ohio GOP Senator J.D. Vance [R-OH] could become former President Trump’s running mate. Axios reported by in January that Vance [R-OH] was on a shortlist of likely running mates, and since then the first-term senator has only solidified his status as one of Trump’s top supporters. Vance has been a regular defender of the former president, and has labeled as “preposterous” fears that Trump would abuse his power if re-elected. Many observers consider Vance’s state of Ohio a key battleground in Donald Trump’s bid for the White House.
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McConnell Says Failure To Pass Ukraine Aid Would Be “Strategic And Moral Malpractice”
Wed, Apr 10, 2024 at 1:05 pm
Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell [R-KY] says failure to pass a Ukraine aid bill would amount to what he calls “strategic and moral malpractice.” McConnell is ramping up pressure on House Speaker Mike Johnson to pass the Ukraine aid bill the Senate passed almost two months ago. He says failure to do so -quote-“risks condemning Ukraine and undermining our own national interest,” He’s also opposed to alternative funding methods to appease fiscal conservatvies. Ideas like giving the aid in the form of a loan. McConnell notes that even the smallest change could delay passage of the bill by weeks.
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Pew: Republicans Making Big Gains In Party Affiliation Among Registered Voters
Tue, Apr 9, 2024 at 6:10 pm
The latest Pew Research Center survey shows Republicans making big gains over Democrats in party affiliation among registered voters. The new poll shows 49% of registered voters identify as or lean toward Democrats, and 48 percent identify as or lean toward Republicans. In the lead-up to th 2020 election Democrats enjoyed a much larger advantage, 51%-46%. Blacks who indentify as democrat have dropped from 91% when President Trump was first elected in 2016 to just 83% last year.
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Politics Take Center Stage After Arizona Court Upholds 1864 Abortion Law
Tue, Apr 9, 2024 at 4:53 pm
Arizona has become center stage in the national abortion debate, after the state’s Supreme Court ruled that the state may enforce a strict abortion ban on the books since 1864. The ruling has Democrats hoping to strike fear in the hearts of American voters that GOP victories in November will translate into new abortion restrictions both at the state and federal levels. Vice President Harris will echo that message as she visits the state on Friday. In the past GOP Senate candidate Kari Lake has praised the 1864 law, but after the court decision is now calling on the governor and state lawmkers to replace it with a more moderate alternative.
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Bill To Protect American’s Data Moves Forward In House And Senate
Tue, Apr 9, 2024 at 3:52 pm
Lawmakers are one step closer to passing sweeping legislation to protect American’s privacy. It’s unusual for a bill to draw. Bi-cameral, bi-partisan input and support, but the American Privacy Rights Act of 2024 is doing just that. It enjoys support from the chairs of both the House and Senate Commerce Committees. Both will separately mark up their own versions but each will center on the goal of. giving Americans more control over their data.
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McConnell Throws Support Behind TikTok Bill
Tue, Apr 9, 2024 at 1:26 pm
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell [R-KY] has thrown his support behind a bill that would ban TikTok unless the Chinese controlled app is sold to new owners. A bill that would ban TikTok unless it’s sold to new owners passed the House last month. The bill is not an outright ban, but would force ByteDance to sell the platform to ownerrs not controlled by the Chinese government. McConnell noted that today 170 million Americans are active users of TikTok, owned by what McConnell calls Americana’s “most Strategic rival.” He accuses the People’s Republic of China of treating TikTok as what he calls “a tool of surveillance and propaganda.”
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Ukraine Aid Tops Busy Week For Returning House Members
Tue, Apr 9, 2024 at 5:53 am
House lawmakers hit the ground running today as they return from their Easter break. House Speaker Mike Johnson has promised to make funding for Ukraine job one but debate will center on outright opposition, to a proposal to offer the aid in the form of a loan. House Impeachment managers are schedule to deliver their articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Myorkas to the Senate. And lawmakers must decide whether to renew the government’s controversial warrantless surveillance program.
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Ukraine Front And Center As House Returns From Easter Break
Mon, Apr 8, 2024 at 4:52 pm
It’s crunch time this week for House Speaker Johnson [R-LA] as he decides if, and how, to funnel more aid to Ukraine. Johnson has promised lawmakers will take up Ukraine aid first thing this week as they return from their easter recess. The White House is asking form $92-Billion in aid, the lion’s share for Ukraine and money also for Israel and defense of U.S. interests in Indo-Pacific. Some conservative Republicans -most notably Marjorie Taylor Green of Georgia-oppose TENS of BILLIONS in new aid for Ukraine while little has been done to secure the U.S. southern border.
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Lindsey Graham Veers From Trump On 15-Week Abortion Ban
Mon, Apr 8, 2024 at 4:51 pm
Senator Lindsey Graham [R-SC] is holding fast to his push for federal legislation to protect unborn children at 15-weeks. Despite the fact former President Trump is backing away from a 15-week abortion ban, his close ally Senator Graham says he’ll still push for 15-weeks, a standard embraced by many European nations. Graham calls 15 weeks “the civilized world’s position.” Graham says at the very least he’ll push for mandatory anesthesia for babies aborted after 15 weeks. He told The Hill -quote- ““It is common medical practice to administer anesthesia to operate on an unborn child at fifteen weeks to save their life,”
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Former Congressman Urges Never Trumpers To Vote For Former President
Mon, Apr 8, 2024 at 4:48 pm
Former Representative John Campbell [R-CA] is urging “never Trumpers” in the GOP to rally around the former president for the good of the party, and the country.
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Green Doubles Down On Threat To Seek Ouster Of House Speaker
Thu, Apr 4, 2024 at 2:25 pm
Green is still angry that Johnson used Democrat votes to override republican concerns about a $1.2-TRILLION dollar spending bill to avoid a government shutdown. Green reprtedly told CNN Johnson has -quote- “literally turned into Mitch McConnell’s twin and worse. He’s a Democrat.” Johnson is defending his compromise as the simple reality of governing in a divided Congress.
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Schumer Expected To Quickly Dismiss Mayorkas Impeachment Charges
Thu, Apr 4, 2024 at 1:59 pm
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer [D-NY] is expected to quickly dismiss impeachment articles against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas when they are delivered by the House next week. One Senate GOP aid says schumer is expected to schedule a vote on a motion to dismiss or a motion to “table” the charges shortly after they are delivered. Schumer is facing little presure to hold a full trial, with even many Republicans saying it would amount to an unwanted distraction this election year. Some blame for failures at th southern border belongs to President Biden, not Mayorkas for implementing White House policies.
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Senator Warren To Oppose New F15’s To Israel
Thu, Apr 4, 2024 at 1:30 pm
Democrat Senator Elizabeth Warren [D-MASS] says she’ll seek to stop the sale of F-15’s to Israel. Warren said on CNN Congress has a responsibility to act after Israel accidentally killed SEVEN aid workers this week in Gaza. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described the incident as a “tragic event in which our forces unintentionally harmed non-combatants in the Gaza Strip.” The strike came even as the. U.S. weighs a major new arms sale to Israel…including up to 50 new F-15’s.
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