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Bob Agnew
Reporting from Capitol Hill, Bob Agnew has updates on what’s going on in the Senate.
McConnell To Step Down As Senate Republican Leader In November
Wed, Feb 28, 2024 at 2:51 pm
At 82 McConnell is the longest serving Senate leader in history and has navigated his party through numerous challenges over the past two decades. Though sometimes at odds recent years with some America First Republicans he leaves a legacy some say makes him the greatest Senate leader of the past several decades. He managed the confrmation of THREE Trump nomnees to the Supreme Court, an accomplishment that lead to the historic overturnig of Roe vs. Wade.
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Top Republicans Call For Full Senate Impeachment Trial For Mayorkas
Tue, Feb 27, 2024 at 4:45 pm
The Senate’s top Republican leaders are calling for a full Senate trial for Homeland security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Mayorkas was impeached by the republican controlled House but that doesn’t mean Democrat Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer will hold a trial. Now Senate Minorty Leader Mitch McConnell and his numbder TWO John Thune say a trial is the best way forward. Many conservatives are demanding a trial over Mayorkas’ alleged wrongdoing at the southdern border. Some Republicans question the timing and fear an impeachmednt trial could complicate the party’s effort to regain the majority in the 2024 election.
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ATT To Issue $5 Refunds To Customers Impacted By Network Outage
Mon, Feb 26, 2024 at 8:54 am
AT&T says it will give affected customers $5 each to compensate for last week’s network outage. Many customers were left without cellphone service for hours on Thursday. The company now says on its website that customers will get a $5 credit on their account within two billing cycles. The credit doesn’t apply to AT&T Business, prepaid service or Cricket, its low-cost wireless service. AT&T blamed the outage on an error in coding, and says it was not the result of a cyberattack.
Listen DownloadGOP Observers Eyeing Strong Showing In November Races
Wed, Feb 21, 2024 at 2:56 pm
Political observers say things are looking good for Senate Republicans hoping to regain the majority in the November election. Much of the optimism comes from the here fact that Democrats have far more seats up for re-election in 2024 than Republicans. 20 democrats, and THREE Independents who caucus with the Democrats, against only TEN Republicans. Add to that recent developments in Maryland where popular former GOP governor Larry Hogan may give his party the best chace in decades to a a statewide federsl electioj in decades. And in Montana businessman Tim Sheehy is seen as a candidate strong enough to flip the seat of rare red-state Democrat Jon Tester.
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Senate GOP Leader McConnell Cites Reagan In Pitch For Ukraine Spending
Wed, Feb 21, 2024 at 2:53 pm
In an op-ed piece in the Northern Kentucky Tribune McConnell compares those resisting more Ukraine aid with some who opposed Reagan’s strong defense spending during the Cold War. He writes “ “Today, much like in the Washington President Reagan faced, it has become popular in some circles to bet against American resolve and bemoan the global responsibilities that come with global power,” It’s an apparent shot at House conservatives reluctant to pass BILLIONS for Ukraine while Congress has yet to address the crisis at the U.S. border
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Senator Roger Marshall On Hand As Shots Rang Out At KC Chiefs Parade
Wed, Feb 14, 2024 at 6:10 pm
Among those to survive today’s (Wednesday’s) shooting in Kansas City was Senator Roger Marshall, on hand for the parade to celebrate the team’s 2nd consecutive Super Bowl. Marshall said in a statement he joined thousands of fans who came together to celebrate a great season and honor the Super Bowl victory he says “has brought so much joy to our state.” He also devribes himself devastated and angered and the act of violence that in his words “turned a day of celebration for our community into a complete tragedy. “ Senator Marhsall praised the first responders and said his prayers are with th victims and their families.
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Democrats Urge Looser Border Rules At Rafah Crossing
Wed, Feb 14, 2024 at 6:05 pm
A group of Senate Democrats is urging the State Department to relax the standards by which Americans and their relatives are allowed to leave Gaza through the Rafah border crossing. In a letter the 16 Democrat and Independent senators make their appeal to Secretary of State Blinkin and Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas. They’re asking that U.S border assistance be expanded beyond Americans and their immediate relatives. The coalition -lead by Senator Cory Booker- is also seeking more assistance for relatives of American citizens who have already managed to depart from Gaza and are hoping to unite with family inside he United States.
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Senate Republicans Throw Support Behind Kari Lake In Arizona Race
Tue, Feb 13, 2024 at 5:36 pm
Senate Republicans have thrown their support behind Kari Lake in the Arizona Senate race. Senator Steve Daines [R-MT], who heads up the GOP campaign arm for 2024, calls Lake one of the most talented candidates in the country. One who in his words “has what it takes to flip Arizona’s Senate seat in November,” She’ll be joined on the campaign trail later this month by the Senate’s #3 Republican John Barasso. The Democrat campaign committee mocked the GOP support, calling Lake -quote-“the perfect candidate to lose the race.”
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McConnell Urges Swift House Action On Aid Bill
Tue, Feb 13, 2024 at 4:55 pm
Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell is urging the House to take action soon on the $95-BILLION aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. In a media interview McConnell called on House Speaker Mike Johnson [R-ALA] to allow a vote on the aid package. McConnell tried to avoid crossing too far out of his own lane, saying he would not be—in his words—“so presumtuous as to tell him how to do it.” Johnson has called for border protections be added back into the bill, a prospect immediately rejected by Majority Leader Charles Schumer.
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Senate Approves $95 BILLION Aid Bill
Tue, Feb 13, 2024 at 4:39 pm
The Senate has approved a $95-BILLION aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The vote was 70-29 as 22 Republicans sided with nearly all Democrats in passing the bill. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who worked closely with Republican Leader Mitch McConnell on the legislation.—said the bill. -quote—“declares that American leadership will not waiver, will not falter, will not fail,” Passage came after months of growing political divisions in the Republican Party over the role of the United States abroad.
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Former Maryland Governor Hogan To Run For Senate Seat
Fri, Feb 9, 2024 at 3:00 pm
Senate Republicans are cheering the news that Maryland’s popular former governor is running for the state’s open Senate seat. Hogan announced he’s decided to run for the Senate, saying there’s a need for what he calls “leaders willing to stand up to both parties — leaders that appreciate that no one of us has all the answers or all the power,”. Despite the fact Hogan left office with a 77% approval rating Democrats remain optimistic they’ll hold the seat of retiring Senator Ben Cardin. Party officials say Democrats have won every statewide election for the past 44 years and predict nothing will channge in 2024.
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“Unmitigated Disaster”: Lee Says Border Bill Underscores Need For New GOP Leadership
Mon, Feb 5, 2024 at 2:54 pm
Some GOP senators say their party leader has been working too closely with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer [D-NY]. Utah conservative Mike Lee [R-Utah] blames what he has previously labeled a legislative “bromance” between Schumer and GOP leader Mitch McConnell for the bi-partisan border compromise he calls ”an unmitigated disaster”. And he added to his post on “X”- quote WE NEED NEW LEADERSHIP-NOW”. In a separate post Lee accused what he called the “Law firm of Schumer and McConnell” of trying to normalize a corrupt approach to law making.
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DOA: Conservatives Quick To Condemn Border Compromise
Mon, Feb 5, 2024 at 2:51 pm
The Senate border bill was unveiled Sunday night to almost immediate condemnation from conservative Republicans. Tennessee’s Marsha Blackburn said in a statement “I will not support this bill”. Senator Joh Hawley writes on social media “This is an open-borders bill if I’ve ever seen one. The Democrats are celebrating already,”. Prospects look even worse in the House where Speaker Mike Johnson says the package is even worse than he expected an that -quote- “If this bill reaches the House, it will be dead on arrival.”
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CNN Poll: Most Americans Have Little Or No Trust In SCOTUS On Elections
Mon, Feb 5, 2024 at 2:48 pm
A new poll shows most Americans are uncomfortable with the U.S. Supreme Court playing a role in elections. Asked how much they trust the High Court to make the right decisions in cases related to the 2024 election 58% responding to the CNN poll answered either “Not at all” or “ just some”. Only 11% said they trust the Court “a great deal”. The Court is set to hear arguments this month in Donald Trump’s challenge to a state supreme court ruling in Colorado barring him from appearing on the state’s primary ballot.
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GOP 2024 Election Point Man Daines Rejects Border Compromise
Mon, Feb 5, 2024 at 2:45 pm
The Republican point man for Senate elections in 2024 says he’s a “no” on the border compromise with Democrats. As head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Senator Steve Daines of Montana is responsible to see his party does well in this year’s election. Something he and other conservatives say won’t happen if Republicans give too much ground on the border. In a post on “X” Daines sums up his opposition-QUOTE-“I can’t support a bill that doesn’t secure the border, provides taxpayer funded lawyers to illegal immigrants and gives billions to radical open borders groups. I’m a no,”
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Apple Vision Pro Headset Hits Store Shelves
Sat, Feb 3, 2024 at 11:57 am
That means you’re probably going to start to see more people wearing the futuristic googles that are supposed to usher in the age of “spatial computing.” It’s an esoteric mode of technology that Apple executives and their marketing gurus are trying to thrust into the mainstream. This while avoiding other more widely used terms such as “augmented reality” and “virtual reality” to describe the transformative powers of a product that’s being touted as a tipping point that could become as monumental as the changes wrought after the iPhone came out in 2007.
Listen DownloadPoll: More Americans Living “Paycheck To Paycheck” Under Bidenomics
Thu, Feb 1, 2024 at 4:46 pm
More Americans say that under “Bidenomics” they’re living paycheck-to-paycheck. 64% of those responding to the latest Issues and Insights/TIPP poll say they’re having a hard time making ends meet. More than half of those in the highest earning bracket–earning $75,000 or more- and more than half of the who invest , say they’re living paycheck to paycheck. Few say they’ve managed to put money away. About 20% say they’ve put aside just $1000 for emergencies. 24% say they have no savings.
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Cruz Adds Voice To Border Bill Opposition
Thu, Feb 1, 2024 at 4:44 pm
Senator Ted Cruz [R-TX] is helping lead the charge for conservative Republicans opposed to the senate border compromise. At a party luncheon on Wednesday Cruz told fellow Republicans the bill has become a messaging tool for Democrats -quote-“to, number one, do nothing to actually secure the border but, number two, blame the chaos at the border on Republicans,” Even for GOP leadership-that had hoped to push the bill through-the writing is on the wall. An aid says top party leaders wanted to win the support of 25-30 GOP members but now acknowledge privately they just don’t have the votes.
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Meghan And Harry Praise Senate Online Child Safety Hearing
Thu, Feb 1, 2024 at 4:41 pm
Senators from both parties are getting a Royal round of applause. The accolades are coming from none other than Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. They say Wednesday’s online child safety hearing before the Senate Judicary Committee shows the issue transcends “division and party lines.” The estranged Royal couple also praised the thousands of parent’s whose concerns gave rise to the hearing-quote-“”The best parenting in the world cannot keep children safe from these platforms,”
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Some GOP Senators Ramp Up Attacks on House Conservatives
Wed, Jan 31, 2024 at 12:47 pm
Some GOP senators are throwing shade on their House colleagues taking a firm stand on border reforms. Senate Republicans have been engaged for weeks in negotiations over the border and the resulting deal is expected to be released soon. Moderate GOP senator s are blasting House Republicans -including Speaker Mike Johnson- for signaling the compromise laden deal will be DOA in the lower chamber Many also oppose House plans to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro, Mayorkas arguing he’s merely implementing policies from the White House and that any replacement would wind up doing the same
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McConnell Sides With Drug Companies Against Biden Price Controls
Wed, Jan 31, 2024 at 12:44 pm
The senate’s top Republican says drug companies have good reason to push back on a price fixing scheme from the Biden administration. Senator Mitch McConnell supports the drug companies in their lawsuit against government price fixing in the Inflation Reduction Act
Under the law, McConnell says drug companies that fail to comply with price limits imposed by non-elected bureaucrats must pay a high excise tax, or withdraw from participation in Medicare and Medicaid programs
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Senator Sanders Calls For Renewed U.S. Funding For Pro-Hamas UN Agency
Wed, Jan 31, 2024 at 12:41 pm
Leftist Senator Bernie Sanders is calling on the U.S. to restore funding to a United Nations aid group with ties to the October 7th attack on Israel. Senator Sanders is calling on the U.S. and its allies to restore funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees . He warns a failure to do so could lead to a major humanitarian crisis. The White House froze funding after Israel alleged a dozen members of the aid group took part in the October 7th terrorist attack. The UN has since fired NINE of the workers accused of aiding Hamas.
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Top House China Expert Calls Chinese Border Crossers “Massive National Security Risk”
Wed, Jan 31, 2024 at 12:38 pm
Conservatives are concerned about news some 25,000 Chinese nationals made their way across the southern U.S. border last year. Congressman Mike Gallagher [R-Wisc] says he’s yet to hear back from Intelligence officials as to whether it’s an economic migration, or something much more dangerous. Gallagher is Chairman of the House Select Committee on China.
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Senate Democrats Urge DEA To Deschedule Marijuana Altogether
Tue, Jan 30, 2024 at 3:33 pm
11 Democrats signed their name to a letter sent to Attorney General Merrick Garland and the head of the DEA Anne Milgram. They write “Marijuana’s placement in the [Controlled Substances Act] has had a devastating impact on our communities and is increasingly out of step with state law and public opinion.” The senators also note that nearly half the states have legalized recreational marijuana use since the last time its scheduling was considered in 2016.
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