Latest news with #R-Texas
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Senior Trump DOJ official expected to depart, run for Texas AG
Senior Department of Justice official Aaron Reitz is expected to depart the Trump administration as soon as next week and pursue a run for Texas attorney general, according to two people familiar with the situation. Reitz currently serves as the assistant attorney general for the DOJ's Office of Legal Policy. Confirmed at the end of March on a party-line vote, Reitz has focused at DOJ on recommending legal actions aimed at pushing corporations to end certain DEI initiatives, as well as other priorities. Trump described Reitz as 'a true MAGA warrior' when announcing his nomination in December. Prior to the DOJ, Reitz served as chief of staff to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and also worked as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's deputy. Paxton recently announced a challenge to Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. Reitz, the DOJ, and the White House did not respond to requests for comment. The Office of Legal Policy plays a key role at the DOJ: Reitz and his team not only advise Attorney General Pam Bondi, but also work with Congress and are often involved with helping select federal judges. Reitz is expected to enter what could become a crowded attorney general race in Texas, though it remains wide open as of now. Republican state Sen. Mayes Middleton announced his bid for the post a few weeks ago. John Bash, one of Elon Musk's lawyers, briefly entered the race but dropped out last week, citing a health scare in his family. It remains unclear who Trump will nominate to replace Reitz. Reitz came under scrutiny for thousands of deleted social media posts during his confirmation process, CBS News reported.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Handful of Republicans sink Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' in key House committee
President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill" failed to pass the House Budget Committee on Friday, in what appears to be a massive blow to House GOP leaders' plans to hold a House-wide vote next week. Republican Reps. Chip Roy of Texas, Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma, Andrew Clyde of Georgia and Ralph Norman of South Carolina all voted against the legislation. A fifth House Republican, Rep. Lloyd Smucker of Pennsylvania, also switched his vote from "yes" to "no," though it was a procedural maneuver that allows him to bring the legislation up again. Smucker told reporters he was "quite confident" in the bill's success. House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, said the panel would likely not meet again on Friday, and could reconvene on Monday. The committee met to mark up and debate the bill, a massive piece of legislation that's a product of 11 different House committees' individual efforts to craft policy under their jurisdictions. The result is a wide-ranging bill that advances Trump's priorities on the border, immigration, taxes, energy, defense and raising the debt limit. Anti-abortion Provider Measure In Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' Could Spark House Gop Rebellion Read On The Fox News App Emotions ran high in the hallway outside the House Budget Committee's meeting room from the outset, however, giving the media little indication of how events would transpire. Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, who had been at home with his wife and newborn baby, surprised reporters when he arrived at the Cannon House Office Building after he was initially expected to miss the committee meeting. His appearance gave House GOP leaders some added wiggle room, allowing the committee to lose two Republican votes and still pass the bill, rather than just one. But at least four House Republicans went into the meeting warning they were opposed to the bill. Shortly before the meeting was expected to begin, Roy, Norman, Clyde and Brecheen abruptly left the room while saying little to reporters on the way out. Brown University In Gop Crosshairs After Student's Doge-like Email Kicks Off Frenzy Each came back a short while later and criticized the legislation in their opening remarks. The fiscal hawks are frustrated about provisions curbing Medicaid in the bill not going into effect until 2029, and had similar issues with the delay in phasing out green energy subsidies from former President Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act. "Only in Washington are we expected to bet on the come that in five years, then everything will work. Then we will solve the problem," Roy said during debate. "We have got to change the direction of this town. And to my colleagues and other side of the aisle, yes, that means touching Medicaid. At one point, Norman came out of the room and called for the committee to recess in order to work through the fiscal hawks' concerns. "If they call for a vote now, it's not going to end well," he said, adding he was still waiting on commitments from House GOP leaders. Minutes later, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., who is not a member of the committee but had been meeting with holdouts, told reporters he wanted the legislation to advance through the Budget panel "as soon as possible." When asked about Norman's comments, he said, "I just walked out of the meeting with him a few minutes ago as well. We're working on some questions that Ralph and others have, and we're going to be getting them answers as soon as we get them back from the Trump administration." Roy said on X after the vote, "We were making progress, but the vote was called, and the problems were not resolved, so I voted no. I am staying in Washington this weekend to deliver." "Medicaid Work requirements must start NOW not 2029 & the Green New Scam must be fully repealed, as President Trump called for," Roy wrote on X. Earlier, Trump took to Truth Social where he suggested those opposing the bill were "grandstanders" and he pressed Republicans to unite behind it. His message appeared to have little effect on the rebels, however — though it's notable Trump is not in Washington, and is currently en route back from a diplomatic trip to the Middle East. House Republicans are working to pass Trump's agenda via the budget reconciliation process, which allows the party controlling the House, White House, and Senate to pass broad pieces of legislation while completely sidelining the minority party. It does so by lowering the Senate's threshold for passage from 60 votes to 51, provided the legislation deals with spending, taxes or the national debt. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has said he wants the legislation to pass the House by Memorial Day, with a goal of syncing up with the Senate and getting a bill to Trump's desk by the Fourth of July. That's still possible if Republicans on the House Budget Committee strike an agreement to advance the legislation on Monday. Afterwards, it would head to the House Rules Committee for any potential changes, before a House-wide vote sometime later in the week. But Republican senators have already indicated they want to see some changes to the bill, meaning the House will need to hash out their differences with their counterparts in the upper chamber before the legislation is finished. The House Freedom Caucus, which the bill's four Budget Committee opponents belong to, has said its members would stay in Washington through the weekend to continue working. "We are continuing to negotiate. We are not leaving right now. We have been making progress and are continuing to work on the legislation," a Freedom Caucus spokeswoman told Fox News article source: Handful of Republicans sink Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' in key House committee
New York Post
15-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Trump border czar fires back at AOC over DOJ probe remarks: ‘Why doesn't she pass some legislation?'
Trump administration 'border czar' Tom Homan fired back at Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., after she responded to questions Tuesday about the potential of being investigated by the Department of Justice (DOJ) for holding a webinar meant to help migrants deal with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. When asked by Fox News Digital about Ocasio-Cortez saying she had yet to hear from DOJ or even know if she truly is under investigation, Homan said to check with the department itself. Advertisement The DOJ did not respond to an earlier related inquiry on the matter. 'I wish she'd do her job. She's a legislator, right? Why doesn't she pass some legislation… and actually improve this country like President Donald Trump is already doing?' Homan later added. 'I'm doing my job: the border is secure. We arrested three times more criminals than [former President Joe] Biden did. We're doing our job. She should try doing her job.' Earlier, he answered in the affirmative when pressed on whether Democratic lawmakers who were accused of storming an ICE facility in Newark, New Jersey, should face consequences. Advertisement 3 White House border czar Tom Homan speaks to reporters at the White House, Monday, May 5, 2025, in Washington. AP 'Yes,' he added when asked if they should face censure or removal of their committee assignments. Another reporter followed up by asking about a specific warning from Ocasio-Cortez on the matter. 'You lay a finger on [New Jersey Congresswoman] Bonnie Watson Coleman or any of the representatives that were there – you lay a finger on them, and we're going to have a problem,' Ocasio-Cortez said on Instagram. Advertisement Homan was on Capitol Hill Wednesday at the invitation of Republican Study Committee Chairman August Pfluger, R-Texas, to speak with his large House GOP group about immigration and border security. 3 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) listens during a mark up meeting with the House Committee on Energy and Commerce committee on Capitol Hill on May 13, 2025 in Washington, DC. Getty Images Three Democratic members of Congress from New Jersey – Coleman, Robert Menendez and LaMonica McIver – joined protesters and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka earlier this week outside the Delaney Hall detention center in Newark. Baraka was notably arrested at the site. In response to that question about AOC's warning, Homan turned around and laughed loudly before quipping, 'I'm extremely intimidated.' Advertisement At the time of her first brush with Homan over the webinar, Ocasio-Cortez told a Queens town hall crowd, 'I'm using my free speech rights in order to advise people of their constitutional protections. To that I say: 'Come for me, do I look like I care?'' 3 U.S. President Donald Trump's 'border czar' Tom Homan speaks to the media outside the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May, 5, 2025. REUTERS Homan said after the event, 'I'm working with the Department of Justice and finding out where is that line… So maybe AOC is going to be in trouble now.' The Democratic trio, along with party leaders, have consistently argued that the lawmakers had a right to be at Delaney Hall as federal officials. Republicans, meanwhile, are mulling possible consequences.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump border czar fires back at AOC over DOJ probe remarks: 'Why doesn't she pass some legislation?'
Trump administration "border czar" Tom Homan fired back at Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., after she responded to questions Tuesday about the potential of being investigated by the Department of Justice (DOJ) for holding a webinar meant to help migrants deal with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. When asked by Fox News Digital about Ocasio-Cortez saying she had yet to hear from DOJ or even know if she truly is under investigation, Homan said to check with the department itself. The DOJ did not respond to an earlier related inquiry on the matter. "I wish she'd do her job. She's a legislator, right? Why doesn't she pass some legislation… and actually improve this country like President Donald Trump is already doing?" Homan later added. Nyc Council Moderates 'Thrilled' At Homan Visit, Pledging To Help Border Czar Fight Progressive Monopoly "I'm doing my job: the border is secure. We arrested three times more criminals than [former President Joe] Biden did. We're doing our job. She should try doing her job." Read On The Fox News App Earlier, he answered in the affirmative when pressed on whether Democratic lawmakers who were accused of storming an ICE facility in Newark, New Jersey, should face consequences. "Yes," he added when asked if they should face censure or removal of their committee assignments. Another reporter followed up by asking about a specific warning from Ocasio-Cortez on the matter. Aoc Says Doj Won't Respond To Her Inquiry On Potential Probe "You lay a finger on [New Jersey Congresswoman] Bonnie Watson Coleman or any of the representatives that were there – you lay a finger on them, and we're going to have a problem," Ocasio-Cortez said on Instagram. Homan was on Capitol Hill Wednesday at the invitation of Republican Study Committee Chairman August Pfluger, R-Texas, to speak with his large House GOP group about immigration and border security. Three Democratic members of Congress from New Jersey – Coleman, Robert Menendez and LaMonica McIver – joined protesters and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka earlier this week outside the Delaney Hall detention center in Newark. Baraka was notably arrested at the site. In response to that question about AOC's warning, Homan turned around and laughed loudly before quipping, "I'm extremely intimidated." At the time of her first brush with Homan over the webinar, Ocasio-Cortez told a Queens town hall crowd, "I'm using my free speech rights in order to advise people of their constitutional protections. To that I say: 'Come for me, do I look like I care?'" Homan said after the event, "I'm working with the Department of Justice and finding out where is that line… So maybe AOC is going to be in trouble now." The Democratic trio, along with party leaders, have consistently argued that the lawmakers had a right to be at Delaney Hall as federal officials. Republicans, meanwhile, are mulling possible consequences. Fox News Digital's Michael Dorgan contributed to this article source: Trump border czar fires back at AOC over DOJ probe remarks: 'Why doesn't she pass some legislation?'
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Republican gov slams city for considering 'antisemitic' resolution, threatens to pull funding
A city in Texas could lose its state funding over a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and an arms embargo against Israel. Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, wrote a letter to San Marcos Mayor Jane Hughson admonishing the City Council, which voted to bring the resolution to a formal vote on May 6. In his letter, Abbott pointed out that while the council was considering a resolution for a "permanent ceasefire in occupied Palestine," it had not done the same to condemn Hamas following the Oct. 7 massacre. Ut Austin Anti-israel Agitators Freed After Governor Said They 'Belong In Jail' "Israel is a stalwart ally of the United States and a friend to Texas. I have repeatedly made clear that Texas will not tolerate antisemitism. Anti-Israel policies are anti-Texas policies," Abbott wrote. The governor said he was "proud" to have signed a law banning Texas government entities from supporting efforts to boycott, divest from and sanction (BDS) Israel. The BDS movement argues that Israel should not receive financial support due to its actions in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Abbott Signs Executive Order To Curb Antisemitism On Texas Campuses, Demands 'Appropriate Punishments' Read On The Fox News App Texas law, specifically Code § 2271.002, states that government entities are prohibited from entering into a contract worth $100,000 or more without a written guarantee that the contracting entity does not boycott Israel. Under the law, "boycott Israel" is defined as "refusing to deal with, terminating business activities with, or otherwise taking any action that is intended to penalize, inflict economic harm on, or limit commercial relations specifically with Israel..." Government entities that violate the law put their funding at risk. Abbott wrote in his letter that his office had already begun "reviewing active grants with San Marcos to determine whether the city has breached terms by falsely certifying compliance with Texas law." Additionally, he said that if the city moves to pass the resolution, his office would not enter into future grant agreements with the city and would terminate active grants. Ut Austin Protests Descend Into Chaos, Anti-israel Students Yell At Police: 'Pigs Go Home!' The City Council agenda description of the April 15 discussion read: "Hold a discussion regarding a possible resolution calling for the immediate and permanent ceasefire in occupied Palestine, an arms embargo on Israel, recognition of Palestinian sovereignty, and the protection of constitutional rights for all people under national and international law." San Marcos City Council member Alyssa Garza, who apparently put the resolution on the agenda, spoke at the April 15 meeting, framing the resolution as a way to fight big government. Garza listed the ways in which she believes larger government entities are threatening smaller ones and insisted that Texans could not rely on the same government "to stop a genocide." "[It's] clear to me that when they fund bombs, but cut aid for housing and education and so on here, that's connected. When they silence protests here and crush dissent abroad, that's connected. When they defund local governments and nonprofits and they call us 'distractive' for standing up, that's absolutely connected," Garza said. Gaza Ceasefire Negotiations Seeing 'Significant Breakthrough' In Cairo: Sources Another council member, Amanda Rodriguez, said the resolution wasn't political, but rather a "moral litmus test." She also described the war in Gaza as a "genocide." Additionally, Rodriguez made a plea to Jews who did not attend the meeting because "there has been such a conflation with this resolution being compared to antisemitism." As part of the plea, she then said, "You cannot tell me that Judaism as a religion supports this." In just five days, the San Marcos City Council is set to vote on the resolution and if it passes, Abbott's office is expected to evaluate its grants to the city. Hughson, Garza and Rodriguez have yet to respond to a Fox News Digital request for article source: Republican gov slams city for considering 'antisemitic' resolution, threatens to pull funding
