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Bob Agnew
Reporting from Capitol Hill, Bob Agnew has updates on what’s going on in the Senate.
Senator Tim Scott [R-S.C.] To Visit Southern Border
Wed, Aug 2, 2023 at 3:16 pm
GOP presidential candidate Senator Tim Scott [R-SC] is planning a trip to the southern border. Scott’s campaign says he’ll travel to the border Friday to witness first-hand the crisis brought on in part by President Biden’s lax immigration policies. He’ll travel to Yuma, Arizona where-aftdr a tour of the border-he’ll hold a roundtable with community leaders. The focus wil be twofold, 1) stopping the flow of ilegals, and 2), confronting the threat of Mexican drug cartels. In 767a statement Scott characterized his concerns abut the border -quote-““If you don’t control your back door at your house, it’s not your house. If you don’t control your southern border, it might not be our country,”
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Senator Cotton: New Trump Indictment Reads Like MSNBC Script
Wed, Aug 2, 2023 at 3:12 pm
Senator Tom Cotton told Fox News after skimming the indictment it seems like what he calls “something that you’d get from an MSNBC producer for a special on that channel,” The indictment charges Trump with conspiracy to defraud the U.S. over his claims of election fraud cost him the 2020 election. Senator Cottonnotes the former president’s words and actions folowing the election were all constitutionally protected. Trump supporters say a string of indictments-this is the THIRD- are designed to keep the former president from reclaiming the white house in 2024.
U.S. Senator Katie Britt Recovering From Numbness In Face
Tue, Aug 1, 2023 at 4:02 pm
Doctors for Senator Britt says the sudden onset of numbness was likely brought on by the swelling of a facial nerve due to a post viral infection. In a statement the freshman senator writes “My condition is not life-threatening, and recovery could take several weeks.” Britt was first elected to the Senate last year. As a member of the Appropopriation Committee she’ll play an important role in budget talks when senators return from their August recess after Labor Day.
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GOP Letter Urges EPA To Drop Proposed Regulations For Power Plants
Tue, Aug 1, 2023 at 2:34 pm
The EPA proposal would require coal plants to capture 90 percent of their emissions by 2030. Gas powered plants would have to do the same by 2025, or switch to run on hydrogen energy by 2038. In a letter signed by 39 members —including Minority leader Mitch McConnell- the senators argue the mandate amounts to a shut down order for coal plant as the carbon capture and clean hydrogen technology is in its beginning stages. Repblicans also say the Supreme Court ruled just last year the EPA has no authority to mandate a systemwide shift to cleaner energy sources.
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Cruz’s “Verdict” Podcast Among Most Popular On Internet
Tue, Aug 1, 2023 at 2:00 pm
A podcast by Senator Ted Cruz [R-TX] is among the most popular on the internet. Senator Cruz started his Verdict podcast tree years ago during the first Trump impeachment trial. Since then it’s popularity has soared as millions tune in to hear Cruz dismantle his political opponents, a promote GOP talking points. According to the podcast tracking site PodBay, Verdict ranks among the top podcasts in the “politics” category . It’s among the top 25 among all “news” podcasts,
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Trump Escalates Rhetoric Against Senate GOP Critics
Tue, Aug 1, 2023 at 1:40 pm
Former President Trump is blasting GOP senators for not doing more to investigate President Biden’s alleged history of corruption. The former president says all GOP senators who refuse to demand answers about the Biden family’s finances should be primaried. The ramped-up rhetoric comes even as many GOP senators openly oppose Trump winning he party’s presidential nomination, and are taking a wait-and-see attitude about the investigatios into then Vice President Biden’s alleged influence peddling during the Obama administration. Many Senate Republicans remain leery of supportibg Trump in hhis legal battles, given hsi polariing effect on some moderate Republican and Indeoendent voters.
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AP-NORC Survey: Majority Of Americans Believe In Angels.
Sat, Jul 29, 2023 at 2:12 pm
Do you believe in angels? About 7 in 10 U.S. adults do, according to a new AP-NORC poll. The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey shows Americans more optimistic about the existence of positive spirituality than negative. 7 in 10 respondents say they believe in Angels, more than believe in Demons. Fewer believe in Hell, reincarnation, or that physical things can have spiritual energies. Angels have credibility across an array of world views, and mean different things to different people. The nation that deceased loved ones become angels is not unusual. Neither is it universal.`
Listen DownloadCruz Applauds Committee Passage Of Bill To Keep AM Radio In Vehicles
Fri, Jul 28, 2023 at 1:57 pm
Senator Ted Cruz [R-TX] is applauding committee passage of a bill that would require automakers to keep AM Radio in vehicles. Cruz introduced the bi-partisan AM Radio For Every Vehicle Act along with Democrat Ed Markey. It would direct the National Highway Traffic Administration to issue a rule that requires automakers to maintain AM broadcast radio in their vehicles without a separate or additional payment. Cruz -who serves as the ranking Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee- says AM Radio serves a critical function during emergencies. And, he says , it serves a vital function for free speech. In his words it ” it allows Americans, especially conservatives, to communicate their points of view
Listen DownloadPaul Cautions GOP To Avoid The “Trap” Of Impeachment
Thu, Jul 27, 2023 at 4:14 pm
GOP Senator Rand Paul [R-KY] is urging fellow Republicans to proceed with caution as they consider impeaching President Biden. Senator Paul is warning against what he calls the “trap” of impeachment. He told the Fox Business Network ““It’s not good for the republic to keep impeaching presidents and indicting presidents,” Paul joins a host of fellow Republicans pushing back on the idea of impeaching Biden. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy raised the possibility of impeachment this week when—on Fox News—he said the president has engaged in the “weaponization of government to benefit his family and deny Congress the ability to have oversight.”
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Scott Prospects As 2024 Trump Challenger Rise As DeSantis Declines
Thu, Jul 27, 2023 at 3:44 pm
Senator Tim Scott [R-SC] is gaining more appeal among some GOP voters as a likely challenger to Donald Trump for the party’s 2024 nomination. As hopes begin to fade that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will emerge as a serious challenger to Trump, Senator Scott is seeing a corresponding rise in popularity. Since launching his campaign in May, Senator Scott has climbed his way into contention as one of the top two or three names posing a chalenge to the former president. A pair of recent Fox Business polls showed Scott with double-digit support, in fourth place at TEN percent in South Carolina, and in third place with 11 percent in Iowa.
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Senate Bill Would Create New Commission To Oversee Tech Giants
Thu, Jul 27, 2023 at 12:31 pm
The bill is called the Digital Consumer Protection Commission Act and is jointly sponsored by senators Elizabeth Warren [D-Mass] and Lindsey Graham [R-S.C.]. The bill would creat an agency with the job of regulating tech behemoths like Meta, Google and Amazon. It would focus on guaranteeing industry competition, and protecting consumers personal information online. The commission woud work alongside the Federal Trade Commission and the DOJ, which currently fill the role of anti-trust enforcers.
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Senate NDAA Wrap-Up Unlikely By Thursday PM Deadline
Thu, Jul 27, 2023 at 12:24 pm
Both Democrats and Republicans hope to wrap up work on the NDAA so they can get away for their extended August recess. And both sides agree they can pass the NDAA without much of the partisan wrangling that characterized the House bill .Majority Leader Schumer calls the NDAA-quote-“ an opportunity for the Senate to show we can work on the biggest issues facing our country through bipartisanship, cooperation, honest debate,” Yedt GOP pointman Senator John Thune [R-S.D.] says the massive defense bill has “lot of moving parts” and warned senators likely wont put the finishing touches on their version of the bill until Friday.
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Rasmussen: Trump Dominates Rivals For GOP Nomination In 2024
Mon, Jul 24, 2023 at 2:34 pm
A vast majority of likely GOP voters say they favor former President Trump as the party’s candidate in 2024. 57% of likely voters responding to the latest Rasmussen Reports survey say they favor the former president in next years primaries. The closest competition comes from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who gets just 13%. Former Vice President Mike Pence and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie each get only 5%.
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Compromise On NDAA Unlikely Before August Break
Mon, Jul 24, 2023 at 2:04 pm
It’s looking less likely Congress will be able to wrap up its work on the National Defense Authorization bill before the Senate breaks for it’s August recess. Majority Leader Charles Schumer has said he wants to finish work on the massive Defense bill this week, but all indications are the goal may be too ambitious.
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Senator Dick Durbin Diagnosed Third Time With Covid
Mon, Jul 24, 2023 at 1:25 pm
Senator Dick Durbin [R-Ill] is recovering from his third case of Covid-19 in the past year. Testing positive means the Senate Majority Whip will have to miss critical votes this week as the Senate wraps up its business before the August recess.
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Trump Blasts Senate GOP For Silence On Biden Corruption Evidence
Mon, Jul 24, 2023 at 1:22 pm
Trump complains that while the GOP-led House is investigating numerous allegations involving the president and his son the Senate has been relatively quiet. Hde writes on Truth Social “ “Joe Biden is the most corrupt President in the history of the United States, which is being undeniably proven in the House of Representatives every single day,” And he asks How long does America have to wait for the Senate to ACT?” The former president has soe allies in the Senate, butn GOP leader Mitch McConnel is a harsh Trump critic.
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Trump Holds Big Lead Over DeSantis In Latest Granite State Poll
Tue, Jul 18, 2023 at 3:17 pm
37% of Republicans responding to a Granite State poll say the support the fiomer president, compared to just 23% who say the same of DeSantis. Trump has seen a slight drop since he garnered 42 percent in the same poll back in April, but DeSantis has only seen a ONE point rise. Some if the GOP support now going to South Carolina senator Tim Scott [R-SC]—EIGHT percent. 35% say under no circumstances will they vote for harsh Trump critic Chris Christy.
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Tuberville Lightning Rod Status Bolsters Popularity In Alabama
Tue, Jul 18, 2023 at 2:11 pm
Senator Tommy Tuberville’s pushback against pro-abortion policies in the military is winning him more popular support in his home state of Alabama. Since March Tuberville has placed “holds” on some 250 military promotions, something that’s drawn widespread criticism from liberals. He says he’ll drop the holds of the Pentagon allows lawmakers to vote on it’s policy of paid leave and reimbursement for service member who travel across state lines to obtain an abortion. Republican political observers say becoming a lightning rod for Demcrat and liberal media attacks has only served to bolster Tuberville’s standing in Alabama.
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House GOP Blasts DOJ For Targeting Trump In January 6th Probe.
Tue, Jul 18, 2023 at 2:02 pm
GOP lawmakers are rushing to the defense of former President Trump after news he’s a target of the federal January 6th investigation. Revelations the former president is among the targets has drawn fierce criticism of the DOJ from several GOP lawmakers. House Speaker McCarthy cites recent polls showing the former president leading Joe Biden in a potential 2024 rematch. “What do they do now” McCarthy said to reporters,”Weaponize government to go after their No. 1 opponent.”
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North Korea Detains U.S. Soldier Who Crossed Border From S.Korea
Tue, Jul 18, 2023 at 1:41 pm
A U.S. soldier is being detained by North Korea after crossing the country’s heavily fortified border from South Korea. U.S. officials have described the soldier as having crossed the border “willfully and without authorization.” The American-led U.N. Command overseeing the area tweeted earlier Tuesday that the detained U.S. citizen was on a tour of a Korean village at the time. He is believed to be in North Korean custody and the U.N. Command is working with its North Korean counterparts to resolve the incident.
Listen DownloadManchin Stokes Third Party Rumors With “No Labels” Appearance
Mon, Jul 17, 2023 at 2:48 pm
West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin [D-WV] continues to stoke speculation he’ll run for president as a third party candidate by speaking at a New Hampshire event sponsored by the group No Labels. Democrats worry a Manchin bid could deal a double whammy to his party, drawing support away from President Biden in the presidental hunt, and leaving his West Virginia Senate seat even more vulnerabe to being flipped by Republicans.
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Senate Expected To Take Up National Defense Authorization Act
Mon, Jul 17, 2023 at 1:38 pm
The Senate takes up its version of the National Defense Authorization Act this week. The upper chamber will vote on Tuesday on a motion to advance the bill for consideration. The Senate is crafting it’s own version of the NDAA, rather than working with the version passed by the House last week. The Democrat controlled Senate will likely try to sidestep a number of conservative amendments found in the House version, addressing progressive priorities such as abortion, transgender rights, diversity and inclusion.
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Ramaswamy: Senators Cruz, Lee On List Of Potential SCOTUS Nominees
Mon, Jul 17, 2023 at 12:23 pm
Senators Cruz and Lee are on Ramaswamy’s list of potential nominees he says he would select if elected president. The list also includes several judges that have ruled along constitutional rather than progressived lines. In a statement Ramaswami says it seems President Biden’s priority has been diversity, race and gender wheh nominating judges but that he would select candidates with what he calls an “unwavering commitment to an originalist understanding of the U.S. Constitution, who also understand the unique threats to liberty in the 21st century.”
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Senate Amendment Would Protect Gas Stoves From Government Ban
Fri, Jul 14, 2023 at 12:51 pm
Language that would block the government from banning gas stoves has found it’s way into a bi-partisan appropriations bill in the Senate. Late last year a commissioner with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said the the panel was considering regulations or even a ban on gas stoves, citing safety concerns.
Senator Joe Manchin sponsored the gas stove amendment and says “It’s past time for Washington bureaucrats to stop overreaching and telling American families how to cook their dinner.”
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