Latest news with #HouseGop
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
113 House Dems vote against GOP resolution to condemn Boulder attack on pro-Israel activists
More than 100 Democrats voted against a House GOP-led resolution to condemn the accused terror attack in Boulder, Colorado. It passed 280-113, with 75 Democrats joining Republicans to vote for the bill. Six lawmakers, five Democrats and one Republican, voted "present." The legislation was introduced by Rep. Gabe Evans, R-Colo., last week in response to the attack. But Democrat lawmakers made clear they were opposed to language in the resolution that they felt was politically charged. In addition to condemning the attack, Evans' resolution also appeared to rebuke blue-leaning sanctuary jurisdictions that were at odds with federal immigration authorities, and he condemned illegal immigrants who overstay their visas as well. A second bill, led by Reps. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., and Joe Neguse, D-Colo., more broadly condemned the rise in antisemitic attacks in the U.S. That legislation netted much wider bipartisan support, passing 400-0, with just two lawmakers voting "present." House Gop Targets Another Dem Official Accused Of Blocking Ice Amid Delaney Hall Fallout Read On The Fox News App But Evans' resolution more specifically noted that the case of terror suspect Mohammed Sabry Soliman, who overstayed a tourist visa and a subsequent work authorization, "demonstrates the dangers of not removing from the country aliens who fail to comply with the terms of their visas." The Egyptian national is facing federal charges after allegedly attempting to set fire to peaceful demonstrators who were protesting Hamas' continued possession of Israeli hostages in Gaza. The Trump administration has vowed that he and his family will be deported from the U.S. Evans' resolution also "affirms that free and open communication between State and local law enforcement and their Federal counterparts remains the bedrock of public safety and is necessary in preventing terrorist attacks" and it "expresses gratitude to law enforcement officers, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel, for protecting the homeland." It comes as Democrat-controlled cities like Los Angeles and Nashville, Tennessee, have seen their leaders criticize the Trump administration's ICE crackdown. The Trump administration's handling of anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles has spurred an outpouring of scorn from Democrat officials, particularly the decision to send National Guard troops in to break up the demonstrations. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., criticized Evans' resolution in comments to reporters on Monday. "Who is this guy? He's not seriously concerned with combating antisemitism in America. This is not a serious effort," Jeffries said. "Antisemitism is a scourge on America. It shouldn't be weaponized politically." Jeffries also called Evans "a joke." Evans responded on X, "I served our nation in uniform in the Middle East, as a cop in Colorado, & now as a Congressman. This wildly offensive sentiment from Democrat's Leader is why antisemitism persists. The Left is unserious about finding real solutions." Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., who is Jewish, also criticized Evans' resolution. Meet The Trump-picked Lawmakers Giving Speaker Johnson A Full House Gop Conference "You weren't here, Mr. Evans, last term, but there were about 10 antisemitism resolutions that effectively said the same thing solely to score political points. We Jews are sick and tired of being used as pawns," Goldman said during debate on the bill. But Van Drew, who is leading a bipartisan resolution that similarly condemns antisemitism but does not discuss immigration, defended Evans' measure. "Yes, it is different than mine. Mine focused purely on antisemitism here in the world. But he brings up a valid point not only for Jews, but for many innocent victims. Whether it was Laken Riley, whether it was the women that were raped, the women and men that were killed, those that were beaten, those that were hurt, who were in law enforcement. Illegal immigration is not a good thing," Van Drew said. The two lawmakers who voted "present" on Van Drew's resolution were Reps. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., and Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga. Greene wrote on X after the vote, "Antisemitic hate crimes are wrong, but so are all hate crimes. Yet Congress never votes on hate crimes committed against white people, Christians, men, the homeless, or countless others. Tonight, the House passed two more antisemitism-related resolutions, the 20th and 21st I've voted on since taking office. Meanwhile, Americans from every background are being murdered — even in the womb — and Congress stays silent."Original article source: 113 House Dems vote against GOP resolution to condemn Boulder attack on pro-Israel activists
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Children take over White House briefing room with questions about Trump's favorite ice cream, superpower
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt fielded questions from the children of journalists and White House officials to celebrate Take Our Sons and Daughters to Work Day on Tuesday. The children's questions focused mainly on President Donald Trump, with Leavitt being forced to reveal the president's favorite flavor of ice cream, what super power he most wants to have, and whether he likes to give hugs. "Oh, does he like to give hugs? You know, I think he does. I have seen him give many hugs to children and his family and our beautiful first lady. So, yes, I do think he likes to gives hugs," Leavitt told her first questioner. "What is the funnest part about your job, and the hardest part?" the next child asked. Meet The Trump-picked Lawmakers Giving Speaker Johnson A Full House Gop Conference "I think the most fun part about my job is doing things like this with all of you in the briefing room and answering so many great questions. I think that the hardest part of my job is also doing things like this in the briefing room and answering all of these questions," she responded, to laughter. Read On The Fox News App House Gop Targets Another Dem Official Accused Of Blocking Ice Amid Delaney Hall Fallout "And reading the news is a big part of my job every day. I wake up and read the newspaper and watch the news and listen to all of the things that your parents are reporting on in the news, and that's a big part of my job every day," she added. The next child asked about Trump's favorite food, and Leavitt said he prefers steak to anything else. Leavitt informed the next child that Trump's favorite ice cream flavor is a classic ice cream sundae. "If the president could have a superpower, what would it be? That is a very good question," Leavitt responded to the next child. "I think if he had a superpower it would be to just snap his fingers and solve all of our country's problems just like that, because he likes to get things done very quickly but sometimes it takes a little bit longer. "Like today, he had to go to Capitol Hill to convince people to vote for his one big beautiful bill. I bet if he had a superpower he would snap his fingers and get it passed immediately, but Life doesn't work that way, unfortunately," she added. First lady Melania Trump also spent time with kids outside the White House. Many of them could be seen wearing dark blue hats that said "Gulf of America" in bright red article source: Children take over White House briefing room with questions about Trump's favorite ice cream, superpower
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Capitol Police arrest protesters disrupting budget markup as Cory Booker thanks them for defending Medicaid
More than two dozen protesters were arrested for disrupting the House Energy and Commerce's budget reconciliation markup on Tuesday, as Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., thanked those holding court in the hallway. "Around 2 p.m., 26 people were arrested for illegally demonstrating in the Rayburn House Office Building. They were arrested for 22-1307 Crowding, Obstructing, and Incommoding. It is against the law to protest inside the Congressional Buildings," the U.S. Capitol Police Department told Fox News Digital. Dozens of protesters, many in wheelchairs, filled the halls outside the John D. Dingell Room in the Rayburn House Office Building on Tuesday afternoon, chanting, "No cuts to Medicaid!" Several protesters, who were blocking the entrance to the committee room, were wheeled away and arrested by Capitol police after multiple warnings. A defiant Booker walked by the budget markup during its first hour and was greeted by the cheers and whistles of those protesting Medicaid cuts. Booker, who spent more than 12 hours protesting President Donald Trump's agenda on the steps of the U.S. Capitol just two weeks ago, thanked the protesters for showing up to protect Medicaid. House Gop Unveils Medicaid Work Requirements In Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' A Capitol police officer confirmed to Fox News Digital that disruptors were arrested for protesting and would be processed and released immediately. Many protesters remained in the hallway during the first few hours of the markup as others were removed for shouting during the representative's testimonies and subsequently arrested. Read On The Fox News App Anti-abortion Provider Measure In Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' Could Spark House Gop Rebellion "The audience is supportive that you're all here and participating. We want you here. You're part of the process. We want you to be here, but we have to proceed. And the rules of the House, and the law is that – if you're disruptive, you'll be removed, and you're subject to arrest. I don't make that decision, the Capitol Police does," Kentucky Republican Rep. Brett Guthrie, Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, said following one of several disruptions by protesters. Inside the budget markup, Democrats and Republicans sparred over rhetoric about Medicaid cuts. Democrats claimed the Republican budget bill would cut vital access to Medicaid, with many representatives sharing stories of their constituents who have benefited from its services. Meanwhile, Republicans accused Democrats of lying to the American people about Medicaid cuts – a word Guthrie deterred his colleagues from using. "I want to send one very clear message: you're being lied to. The other side is telling you a lot of things about this legislation. I'm not sure they have read this legislation," Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., who chairs the Republican Congressional Campaign Committee, said. Republicans mostly avoided the deep cuts to Medicaid pushed by fiscal conservatives in the House Republican Conference, which could serve to benefit moderate Republicans who have fielded relentless attacks from Democrats over potential Medicaid cuts. House Republicans, however, have vowed to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in the Medicaid program. The committee's budget markup includes increased regulations and program cuts to Medicaid, including tightened address verification requirements, ensuring deceased individuals are not enrolled, more provider screening requirements, removing excess Medicaid payments, revising home equity limits for determining eligibility, prohibiting illegal immigrants from obtaining Medicaid services, ensuring accurate payments, prohibiting funding for gender transition procedures for minors and requirements for states to establish Medicaid community engagement programs. "This budget does not cut Medicaid, Medicare or Social Security benefits for the Americans who truly need them. We are strengthening and protecting Medicaid for pregnant women, children, individuals with disabilities, low-income seniors and vulnerable families. These Americans will continue to have access to the care they need and deserve. What we are doing is eliminating waste, fraud and abuse," Rep. Erin Houchin, R-Indiana, told the committee. But despite Republicans' assurances that the proposed budget does not cut Medicaid, Democrats testified, one after the other, about the threats program cuts pose to Americans. "They are cutting this Medicaid care and these Medicaid dollars to pay for tax cuts for Elon Musk and billionaires, so this money isn't even going towards funding better care for people who are eligible… We are cutting money and health care from people and families who are suffering, to pay for tax cuts for the rich. It is a crime happening in front of the American public right now," Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., said. The proposed legislation would put a new 80-hour-per-month work requirement on certain able-bodied adults receiving Medicaid, aged 19 through 64. It would also put guardrails on states spending funds on their expanded Medicaid populations. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) allowed states to expand Medicaid coverage to adults who make up to 138% of the poverty level. More specifically, states that provide Medicaid coverage to illegal immigrants could see their federal Medicaid reimbursement dollars diminished, putting more of that cost on the state itself. The bill would also require states with expanded Medicaid populations to perform eligibility checks every six months to ensure the system is not being abused. The Energy & Commerce Committee, which has broad jurisdiction, including over federal health programs, telecommunications and energy, was tasked with finding at least $880 billion in spending cuts to pay for other priorities in Trump's "big, beautiful bill." Guthrie told House Republicans on a lawmaker-only call on Sunday night that the panel had found "north of $900 billion" in article source: Capitol Police arrest protesters disrupting budget markup as Cory Booker thanks them for defending Medicaid
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
DeSantis blasts newly elected Florida GOP congressman, continuing history of attacks: 'He's a squish'
Ron DeSantis intensified his attacks on Randy Fine Wednesday, blaming the representative-elect's "unique problems" for a thin special election victory in a district known as a Republican stronghold. The Trump-endorsed candidate won Tuesday night's special election to take over former Congressman Mike Waltz's seat by 14 points, the slimmest margin of victory for a Republican in the district since 2018. DeSantis, who had already been criticizing Fine's ability to pull out a victory, called the representative-elect a "squish" who Republican voters didn't even want to cast their ballots for Tuesday night. "The president really had to bail him out at the end because this race would have been much closer had the president sat on the sidelines," DeSantis said. "I think these were voters who didn't like Randy Fine but who basically were like, 'You know what? We're going to take one for the team.'" Exclusive: Jubilant Mike Johnson Claims Victory As Florida Helps House Gop Grow Majority The governor also challenged media reports characterizing the close race as a reflection of President Donald Trump's agenda. Read On The Fox News App "I don't think that's true at all for this district," DeSantis said at the press conference. "I think you have a candidate in Randy Fine, who, one, he's a squish." DeSantis added that Fine "repels" people, including his former colleagues in the state legislature. During the press conference Wednesday, the governor recounted how lawmakers in the state requested he nominate Fine to be the president of Florida Atlantic University so he would not have to serve in the legislature anymore. Time Tebow, Wife Pay Visit To Trump, Fellow Florida Alum Marco Rubio In Oval Office "I did, and the whole board [at Florida Atlantic] would have resigned rather than make him president," DeSantis said. DeSantis and Fine have had a contentious relationship for some time, which can be traced back to at least 2023, when Fine was the first Florida Republican to switch his endorsement from DeSantis to Trump during the 2024 Republican presidential nomination battle. Fine articulated his decision to endorse Trump over DeSantis during the 2024 presidential primary in a subsequent op-ed that slammed the Florida governor for failing to tamp down antisemitism after Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on innocent Israelis. According to DeSantis, Fine has supported restrictions on the Second Amendment, tried to defeat his immigration proposal earlier this year aimed at boosting the enforcement of immigration laws and tried to enact a de facto sanctuary city policy. 3 Takeaways From Florida's Special Election In response to DeSantis' criticisms, Fine responded on X alongside video of the governor's remarks at the press conference Wednesday. "A dying star burns hottest before it fades into oblivion. I'm focused on working with President Donald Trump to stop Democrats from taking this country backwards, not working with them," Fine wrote. "Let's go." Allies of Fine have been unhappy about DeSantis' public criticisms of the representative-elect, who will now add another crucial vote to the GOP's narrow House majority that had dwindled as a result of several members going to work in the Trump administration. "Ron and Casey DeSantis are disloyal and consistently put their agenda ahead of the president's," a national Republican operative in Trump's orbit told Fox News Digital. "With the congressional majority on the line in their own backyard, Ron and Casey didn't lift a finger to help President Trump's endorsed candidates. Worse, Ron undermined President Trump, openly attacked his candidates leading up to the special election, which could have suppressed Republican turnout, and then crowed about it on Fox News. "DeSantis' personal politics once again betrayed the Trump agenda and the MAGA movement." Gov. DeSantis' office declined to provide comment for this article source: DeSantis blasts newly elected Florida GOP congressman, continuing history of attacks: 'He's a squish'
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Houston-area midwife arrested for providing illegal abortions in first criminal case under state ban: Texas AG
A Houston-area midwife has been arrested for allegedly providing illegal abortions, the first such arrest under Texas' near-total abortion ban. Maria Margarita Rojas, 48, who identified herself as "Dr. Maria" is charged with the illegal performance of an abortion, a second-degree felony, as well as practicing medicine without a license, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced. Clinton-era Law 'Weaponized' By Biden Against Pro-lifers Must Go, Pence Group Urges House Gop "In Texas, life is sacred," Paxton said in a statement. "I will always do everything in my power to protect the unborn, defend our state's pro-life laws, and work to ensure that unlicensed individuals endangering the lives of women by performing illegal abortions are fully prosecuted." "Texas law protecting life is clear, and we will hold those who violate it accountable," he added. Rojas allegedly operated a network of clinics in the Houston suburbs of Waller, Cypress and Spring. The clinics "unlawfully employed unlicensed individuals who falsely presented themselves as licensed medical professionals," Paxton's office said. Read On The Fox News App Fda Chief Counsel Who Defended Abortion Pill Access Under Biden Resigns Two Days Into Job Rojas herself is accused of performing illegal abortions in the clinics, in violation of the Under the Texas Human Life Protection Act of 2021. Abortions are banned in Texas, except in certain circumstances to save the life of a pregnant woman. Texas holds abortion providers, not patients, criminally responsible for illegal procedures, Paxton's office said. John Seago, president of Texas Right to Life, a pro-life group that opposes abortion, praised the arrest. "Abortionists haven't given up their fight for Texas; they've gone online and underground," Seago said. "God made every child in His image. That's why preborn babies killed in illegal abortions deserve justice." Waller County District Attorney Sean Whittmore referred the case to Paxton's office. "In Waller County, we respect all life," Whittmore told Fox News Digital. "We expect people to follow the law in the state of Texas." Fox News Digital has reached out to the clinics where the alleged abortions were performed. In addition to the arrest, the Healthcare Program Enforcement Division of the Attorney General's Office filed for a temporary restraining order to shut down the article source: Houston-area midwife arrested for providing illegal abortions in first criminal case under state ban: Texas AG
