Latest news with #D-N.H.
Axios
a day ago
- Business
- Axios
Senator demands Musk's Starlink explain allegations it's being used by scammers
Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) on Monday demanded answers from Elon Musk about allegations that scam networks in Southeast Asia are using Starlink to facilitate fraud. The big picture: The senator in her letter cited media, UN and Treasury Department reports saying the satellite-communications network is being misused by transnational criminal groups to scam Americans. Driving the news: In a letter to Musk, the senator asked for information about SpaceX's efforts to prevent the alleged misuse of Starlink. "While SpaceX has stated that it investigates and deactivates Starlink devices in various contexts, it seemingly has not publicly acknowledged the use of Starlink for scams originating in Southeast Asia — or publicly discussed actions the company has taken in response," Hassan wrote. "Scam networks in Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos, however, have apparently continued to use Starlink despite service rules permitting SpaceX to terminate access for fraudulent activity." Hassan, who is on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, requested answers by Aug. 18 about whether SpaceX was aware scammers were using Starlink and if so, when they first learned about it and what they're doing about the issue.
The Hill
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Top Democrat: Shorter Trump Russia deadline ‘long overdue'
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, praised President Trump for shortening Russia's deadline to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine but said the move is 'long overdue.' 'Too many innocent lives are at stake for President Trump to let Putin continue playing him for time. This shorter deadline is a positive step, but long overdue,' Shaheen said in a statement. Trump on Monday said he plans to shorten the timeline for Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine to 'about 10 or 12 days from today,' adding, 'We just don't see any progress being made.' Trump on July 14 said Russia would face additional sanctions and tariffs if it did not stop fighting in Ukraine within 50 days, putting the deadline at Sept. 2. But Monday, the president indicated he would push up that time frame to early August. 'We thought we had that settled numerous times, and then President Putin goes out and starts launching rockets into some city like Kyiv and kills a lot of people in a nursing home or whatever,' Trump said standing alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. 'You have bodies lying all over the street. And I say that's not the way to do it. So we'll see what happens with that. I'm very disappointed. I'm disappointed in President Putin. 'I'm going to reduce that 50 days. I gave him to a lesser number, because I think I already know the answer what's going to happen,' Trump added. Shaheen urged the president to make good on his warning, saying Congress must also do its part in moving a sanctions package forward against Russia. 'The President needs to match his words with real action and not let Putin cross yet another red line,' Shaheen said. 'At the same time we must continue to press forward in Congress on bipartisan legislation to impose punishing sanctions on the Kremlin and ensure Ukraine has the support it needs to finally bring Putin to the negotiating table,' she continued.
The Hill
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Gallego headed to New Hampshire amid 2028 speculation
Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) is traveling to New Hampshire next month, ramping up speculation about potential presidential ambitions ahead of 2028. Gallego is heading to the Granite State to participate in a 'Politics & Eggs' event, hosted by the New England Council and the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College, on Aug. 22. The event has a long history of acting as a forum for potential White House candidates and aspiring politicians to test their reception in the early presidential primary state. Gallego will also be campaigning for Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.), who is running for Senate to succeed Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and headline a town hall with Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.). The Arizona senator's travels to New Hampshire would come nearly two weeks after traveling to Iowa for several events. Iowa and New Hampshire are both early presidential primary states, further encouraging speculation that Gallego is eyeing a White House bid in 2028. He also released a presidential campaign-looking video teasing his appearance in Iowa. 'Has it ever crossed my mind? F—ing of course, I'm an elected official, it crosses my mind,' Gallego told NBC News in May when asked if running for the White House has crossed his mind. 'Am I thinking about it right now? Absolutely not,' he added to the news outlet.
Politico
5 days ago
- Politics
- Politico
Waltz nomination overcomes Rand Paul hurdle
Mike Waltz's nomination to serve as UN ambassador has cleared a key hurdle, after Senate Foreign Relations Committee Republicans found a way to overcome a blockade from one of their own members. The panel voted 12-10 to advance the nomination Thursday, with ranking member Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) siding with GOP members to overcome opposition from Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) that had derailed committee plans to vote on Waltz the day before. Paul told members of the panel that he was willing to help move Waltz out of committee with no recommendation, instead of favorably. Other Republicans on the committee, however, were loath to go that route, because it would be viewed as a blemish on Waltz's record. Waltz is already under scrutiny for using an insecure messaging platform to discuss war plans, which cost him his job as President Donald Trump's national security adviser earlier this year. Shaheen agreed to vote in favor of Waltz to allow Republicans to move forward with a favorable recommendation — a sign of bipartisan goodwill toward Chair Jim Risch (R-Idaho) but not to be construed, said the Democratic lawmaker, as meaning she'd necessarily vote for Waltz's confirmation. She said Thursday she disagrees with some of Waltz's positions, but she would support him in committee because he 'represents a moderating force within the administration.' She elaborated in a subsequent statement how Waltz has challenged administration officials who would prefer to exercise a more restrained U.S. foreign policy posture around the world. 'That said,' Shaheen said during the Thursday markup, 'I do intend to hold him accountable through the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's oversight role.' Shaheen also said the Trump administration had committed to distributing $75 million in 'life saving' global assistance. Waltz was removed as national security adviser in May following reports that he added the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic to a Signal chat with top administration officials, where sensitive attack plans to strike Houthi militants were shared by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Democrats at his confirmation hearing slammed Waltz for claiming no classified information was sent in the chat and for his misleading claims about how Atlantic Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg was added to the chat. Waltz, a former House Republican lawmaker from Florida who had been a Trump campaign national security surrogate, had already rankled other top administration officials and allies , including chief of staff Susie Wiles and far-right activist Laura Loomer. Paul's decision to seek to briefly derail Waltz's nomination defied expectations of a full Republican embrace of Trump's pick to be U.N. ambassador. It also suggests that some corners of the GOP are still very unhappy with the aftermath of the Signalgate scandal and the administration's hawkish direction on many foreign policy matters to date.
Axios
5 days ago
- Business
- Axios
Shaheen cuts foreign aid deal to support Waltz
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) agreed to support former Rep. Mike Waltz's nomination to be ambassador to the UN after securing an agreement with the State Department to release $75 million in foreign aid for Haiti and Nigeria. Why it matters: Waltz will now likely be confirmed by the full Senate. "In a Situation Room filled with people like Vice President Vance and Under Secretary Colby, who want to retreat from the world, and like Secretary Hegseth, I think we're better off having someone like Mike Waltz present," Shaheen said in a statement provided to Axios. "That is particularly true when you consider the alternatives to Mr. Waltz as a nominee," she said. "And I welcome the Administration's commitment to distribute $75 million of lifesaving assistance." Driving the news: Shaheen voted to report Waltz out of committee with favorable recommendation on Thursday. He was reported out 12-10. Waltz's prospects looked uncertain on Wednesday after Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) informed Sen. Jim Risch, the committee chair, that he would only vote to advance Waltz "without recommendation." Waltz has been working with several Democratic senators to find common ground between his America First approach to the UN and their key priorities, including China and Western hemisphere hotspots like Haiti, according to a source close to Waltz. Zoom in: In the last 24 hours, Shaheen worked out a deal with Risch and the Trump administration to unlock previously authorized spending, including $25 million for Nigeria and $50 million for Haiti in food and medical assistance, according to a Shaheen adviser. In last week's confirmation hearing for Michael Rigas to be deputy secretary of state for management and resources, Democrats raised the issue of food assistance. Zoom out: Some Democrats were also concerned that Trump might nominate someone like Richard Grenell if Waltz's nomination failed, according to a person familiar with the matter.
