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Bob Agnew
Reporting from Capitol Hill, Bob Agnew has updates on what’s going on in the Senate.
Sen. Cotton Opposes Lew Nomination to be ambassador to Israel
Mon, Oct 16, 2023 at 10:31 am
Senator Tom Cotton is accusing President Biden’s nominee to serve as ambassador to Israel of being an “Iran sympathizer”. Senator Cotton leveled the charge against Jacob Lew, the former Obama Treasury Secretary Cotton accuses of helping Iran evade U.S. sanctions and lying to Congress about it. Says Cotton “It’s bad for the United States. It’s bad for Israel to have an Iran sympathizer as our ambassador to that country. “.Lew came under fire in 2016 for handling Obama’s payment of $400 million to Iran, famously reported by the Wall Street Journal as being stacked on pallets and delivered to Iran in an unmarked cargo plane His nomination for comes up before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday.
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JPMorgan 3Q Profits Up 35% From Last Year. CEO Issues Bleak Forecast
Sat, Oct 14, 2023 at 12:22 pm
JPMorgan Chase’s third-quarter profit soared 35% from last year, fueled by a rapid rise in interest rates. All the news is not good. The bank’s CEO, Jamie Dimon, issued a sobering statement about the current state of world affairs and economic instability. Dimon said the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Palestinian wars, high levels of government debt and deficits and high inflation are contributing to what he calls “the most dangerous time the world has seen in decades.” Two other big Wall Street banks reported results Friday, with Wells Fargo also reporting a big increase in net income while Citigroup had a more modest gain in profits.
Listen DownloadSenator Schumer To Lead Weekend Delegation To Israel
Fri, Oct 13, 2023 at 2:35 pm
Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer [D-NY] will lead a delegation to Israel this weekend to show his support in the aftermath of the Hamas terrorist attack. Schumer cut short a visit to Asia this week to return to the U.S. and focus on the crisis. A spokesman says Schumer and a delegation of senators will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Israeli President Isaac Herzog. The spokesman says Senator Schumer-the highest ranking Jewish elected official in U.S. history—will “discuss what resources the United States can provide to support Israel on all fronts.”
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Senate Set To Pass Israel Support Resolution Next Week
Thu, Oct 12, 2023 at 3:57 pm
Leaders on the Senate Foreign Relations committee say they’ll introduce a bi-partisan resolution in support of Israel next week. Committee chairman Ben Cardin of Maryland and Ranking Republican Member James Risch of Idaho say now’s the time to show resolve in the face of the Hamas attack on Israel. Cardin writes in a statement that what he calls Hamas’ “brazen acts of terrorism against civilians must be met with a united response that strongly underscores America’s unwavering support for the people of Israel”. The resolution is expected to pass eaily by unanimous consent.
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Menendez Faces New Charge. “Foreign Agent” For Egypt
Thu, Oct 12, 2023 at 3:36 pm
Embattled Democrat senator Bob Menendez [D-NJ] is facing a new indictment. Menendez is now charged with acting—along with his wife—as a foreign agent of Egypt between 2018 and 2022. The indictment reads-quote-““Among other actions, Menendez provided sensitive U.S. Government information and took other steps that secretly aided the Government of Egypt,”. The charge comes on top of allegations less than a month ago that Menendez accepted bribes from Egypt in exchange for his poitical influence.
Listen DownloadTuberville Reports Death Threat To U.S. Capitol Police
Wed, Oct 11, 2023 at 5:14 pm
Republican senator Tommy Tuberville [R-Ark] says he’s received a death threat over his hold on military promotions. Senator Tuberville says he has informed the U.S. Capitol Police about what he says was a death threat from former CIA Director Michael Hayden. It came in Hayden’s response to a question on X -formerly known as Twitter- as to whether Tuberville should be removed from the Senate Armed Services Committee .Hayden’s response was -quote-“How about the human race?” Tuberville characterizes the tweet as promoting a “politically motivated assasination.”, and says Hayden —as a former hgh ranking government officials-must have known he was commtting a serious crime.
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U.S. Senators Request Two Iron Dome Batteries Be Sent To Israel
Wed, Oct 11, 2023 at 5:12 pm
A bi-partisan group of senators is asking Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to give Israel TWO Iron Dome missile defense batteries to protect itself from terrorist rockets. Leading the effort is Senate Jacky Rosen [D-Nev] who says Iranian-backed Hamas has already fired thousands of rockets into civilian areas of Israel. In a letter to the Defense Secretary the senators note that the U.S. Army is currently in possession of two Iron Dome batteries that have no operational use inside the United States. Transferring them to Israel, they say, would “provide tangible, life-saving and sustained support to our ally as it faces rocket and missile salvos that threaten to overwhelm its defenses. “ Republican signatories include Senators Mike Rounds [R-S.D.] of South Dakota and Rick Scott [R-Fl] of Florida.
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McConnell, Cotton Call For Re-Freezing Iran’s Six Billion Dollars
Wed, Oct 11, 2023 at 4:55 pm
Two GOP senators are calling on the president to freeze the return of SIX-billion dollars in Iranian assets in the wake of the Hamas invasion of Israel. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senator Tom Cotton [R-Ark] of Arkansas have unveiled legislation to immediately freeze the funds which had been set for return to Iran as part of a prisoner exchange deal last month. The attack by Hamas—an Iran proxy-has lawmakers on both sides of the aisle calling for a halt on returning the funds. In a statement McConnell writes that the civilized world must re-impose serious consequences on what he calls “the regime that aids and abets murderous evil against innocent Israelis.” He says the U.S must lead by example and calls freezing Iranian assets “an important first step”.
Listen DownloadTuberville Won’t End Military Holds Despite War In Israel
Tue, Oct 10, 2023 at 5:05 pm
Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville [R-Ark] says the war in Israel will not cause him to end his hold on military promotions. Critics says with international tensions on the rise it’ no time to delay the promotions of more than 300 military personnel. A Tuberville spokesman said in a statement the hold is-quote-“still not affecting our readiness and it’s certainly not affecting the readiness of other countries.” Tuberville placed his hold on promotions back in March, over what he says is the illegal Pentagon policy of using federal dollars to help service members pay for abortions.
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Majority Leader Schumer Cuts Asia Trip Short To Deal With Israel Crisis
Tue, Oct 10, 2023 at 5:02 pm
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer [D-NY] is cutting short a visit to Asia to focus on the crisis in Israel. Schumer announced on Tuesday he’’ll forego a planned visit to Japan and return to the U.S. Thursday to get a classified briefing on the situation in Israel. Schumer says he’ll meet with community leaders in Brooklyn, attend Shabbat services, and spend time reflecting with family on the Hamas incursion, which Secretary of Statr Antony Blnken has called the worst attack on Israel since the Yom Kippur war in 1973.
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Gallup: Biggest Majority In 30 Years Prefers Republicans On Economy
Wed, Oct 4, 2023 at 2:32 pm
A new poll finds the strongest majority in more than 30 years believes Republicans can do a better job handling the economy than Democrats. The numbers come from a new Gallup poll in which 53% said Republicans are the best party to handle the economy, compared to 39% who said Democrats. The 14 point edge is the largest Republicans have enjoyed since 1991. Overall about three-QUARTERS say they’re pessimistic about the economy. The numbers don;t bode well for President Joe Biden as he seeks a SECOND term.
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VP Harris To Swear In Senate’s First Ever Black Lesbian Senator
Tue, Oct 3, 2023 at 5:26 am
Vice President Kamala Harris will be do the honors when Laphonza Butler is sworn in this week to serve in the U.S. Senate. California Governor Gavin Newsom selected the long time abortion advocate to fill the seat vacated last week with the passing of long-time California Senator Diane Feinstein [D-CA]. The 44 year old Butler makes history as the first Blacl lesbian and the first LGBTQ person to represenat California in the upper chamber. She’s only the third black woman elected to the Senate. She’ll be sworn in by Kamala Harris who also represented California in the Senate until she left to bec ome U.S. Vice President in 2021.
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Newsom Selects Laphonza Butler To Fill Feinstein Senate Seat
Mon, Oct 2, 2023 at 6:26 pm
California governor Gavin Newsom has selected Democratic strategist Laphonza Butler to fill the U.S. Senate seat made vacant by the death of Sen. Dianne Feinstein. In choosing Butler on Sunday, Newsom fulfilled his pledge to appoint a Black woman if Feinstein’s seat became open. Butler will be the only Black woman serving in the U.S. Senate and the first openly LGBTQ+ person to represent California in the chamber.
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Judge Sets Trial Date For Dem Senator Menendez
Mon, Oct 2, 2023 at 6:22 pm
A trial date has been set for U.S. Senator Bob Menendez [D-NJ] and his wife Nadine. A federal judge has set Monday, May 6th of next year as the start date in the trial for Menendez and his wife on federal charges of bribery, fraud and extortion. The U.S. Attorny for the southern district of New York has accused Menendez of accepting “hundreds of thousands” of dollars in bribes from three businessmen in New Jersey. The senator allegedly used his influence as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relation Committee to aid the businessmen and the government of Egypt.
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No Compromise. Schumer Prepares To Blame House GOP For Shutdown
Fri, Sep 1, 2023 at 1:22 pm
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer [D-NY] is laying the groundwork to blame House Republicans for an expected government shutdown at the end of the month. In a letter to his Democrat colleagues Schumer writes that any shutdown will be the result f what he calls “political games” by House Republicans. Fiscal House conservatives are demanding 2024 spending cuts deeper than those already agreed to by Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and the white house. And they’ve vowed not to budge, even if the budget stalemate leads to a shutdown at the end of September. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell has said the senate GOP will not support House bills demanding the deeper than agreed upon cuts.
Listen DownloadPresident Biden Says McConnell Was “His Old Self” In Phone Call
Fri, Sep 1, 2023 at 6:10 am
President Biden is giving Senator Mitch McConnell [R-KY] a clean bill of health after the two spoke on the phone about the senator’s recent bouts of confusion during press conferences. President Biden has been the target of recent criticism about his advanced age, and occasional episodes of physical or verbal missteps in public. He was quick to contact the senior senator from Kentucky after McConnell froze during a press conference this week and says of McConnell ”He was his old self on the telephone.” The president also notes McConnell’s issues arent unusual given he’s still recovering from a concussion suffered during a fall earlier this year.
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Former Senator: “Huge Difference” Between Biden, McConnell Confusion
Thu, Aug 31, 2023 at 4:53 pm
A former U.S. senator says there’s no comparison between Senator Mitch McConnell’s [R-KY] confused pauses during two press conferences and President’s Biden’s numerous stumbles while speaking in public. Former Senator Jim Talent [R-MO] says the biggest difference is between being President of the United States…and a lawmaker. And while a recent associated Press NORC poll found more than THREE-quarters of Americans feel President Biden is too old to serve a second term, Talent insists the same cannot be said of McConnell.
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“Medically Clear”. Capitol Doctor Says McConnell Fit To Perform Duties
Thu, Aug 31, 2023 at 4:47 pm
The Capitol doctor has given Minority Leader Mitch McConnell [R-KY] a clean bill of health to continue his duties in the Senate. Capitol attending physician Brian Monahan says McConnell is “medically clear to continue with his schedule as planned.” On Wednesday McConnell appeared to freeze up in confusion while taking questions from reporters in Kentucky. In a statement Monahan notes McConnell is still recovering from a concussion sustained in March and writes “Occasional lightheadedness is not uncommon in concussion recovery and can also be expected as a result of dehydration.”.
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McConnell Calls Spending Talks “A Pretty Big Mess”.
Wed, Aug 30, 2023 at 5:08 pm
The Senate’s top Republican isn’t sounding very optimistic about reaching a compromise spending bill. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell notes he supported a compromise struck in May that raised the debt ceiling but kept spending levels below those sought by the white house. After House fiscal conservatives later passed bills calling for even lower levels McConnell told reporters “. “Without stating an opinion about that, that’s not going to be replicated in the Senate.” There’s growing talk about the likely need for a continuing resolution, with lawmakers not expected to reach a compromise by the end of September.
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Former Congressman Mike Rogers Set To Announce 2024 Senate Bid
Wed, Aug 30, 2023 at 4:24 pm
A former Congressman may throw his hat in the ring for a shot at Michigan’s open Senate seat in 2024. Former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, a Republican who served in the U.S. House for seven terms and chaired its intelligence committee, is expected to soon announce a bid for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat. Rogers would become the first prominent Republican in the state to announce a campaign more than eight months after longtime Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow announced that she would retire next year after her fourth term. His announcement could immediately make the race one of the most competitive in the country in 2024, when Republicans are looking to take control of the chamber from Democrats, who hold a slim 51-49 majority.
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McConnell Freezes For 30 Seconds During Kentucky Press Conference
Wed, Aug 30, 2023 at 2:36 pm
For the second time in a matter of weeks Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell [R-KY] has frozen in apparent confusion for several seconds during a press conference. It happened as McConnell was speaking with reporters in Covington, Kentucky and one asked about his thoughts on running for re-election in 2026. In a video posted on “X”—the platform formerly known as Twitter-McConnell can be heard apparently mumbling a phrase, and then staring ahead in silence for about 30 seconds. Mc Connell suffered a similar episode while addressing reporters at the Capitol last month.
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More Dog Owners Skeptical About Pet Vaccines
Tue, Aug 29, 2023 at 5:00 pm
A new study shows a majority of dog owners are growing more skeptical about the use of vaccines for their pet’s health—including the vaccine to prevent rabies. 52% responding to a survey in the medical journal Vaccine express doubt about the safety, effectiveness, and necessity of vaccines. Pet owners who feel that way are said to have a case of “Canine Vannine Hesitancy”—or CVH. Some officials fear a rise in CVH cases may lead to a corresponding rise in dogs spreading rabies to humans. A fatal disease that claims 59,000 lives every year according to the WHO.
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GOP Differences Place Additional Ukraine Aid In Doubt
Tue, Aug 29, 2023 at 1:53 pm
House and Senate Republicans appear headed toward an internal battle over additional funding for Ukraine. Republicans are divided between those with traditional national security views, who favored more aid to Ukraine and those who espouse the “America First” outlook that’s gaining traction among Trump, aligned Republicans . A nationwide poll of adults, conducted by a nationwide poor, conducted by CNN last month show the majority of all Americans, 55% and 71% of Republicans are opposed to Congress approving more funds for Ukraine. President Biden is seeking $24-billion in additiona funds and he’ll need at least somesupport from Republicans in the House and Senate to get it passed.
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Poll: Oregonians Ready To Reverse Course On De-Criminalizing Drugs
Tue, Aug 29, 2023 at 12:45 pm
Oregonians are starting to regret their first-in-the-nation anti-drug enforcement law passed back in 2020. TWO-thirds of Oregonians responding to a survey from the Foundation For Drug Policy Solutions say they want to repeal some or all of the controversial measure 110. Passed by the voters in 2020, it effectively legalized possession of fentnyl, cocaine and heroine in favor of expanding addiction treatment, all to be funded by the state’s cannabis tax. More than half of poll respondents now say measure 110 should be repealed, blame it for unsafe streets, and a growing homeless population.
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