Latest news with #SteveScalise
The Guardian
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
US House calls early summer recess amid turmoil over Epstein files
Republicans announced Tuesday that the House of Representatives will call it quits a day early and head home in the face of persistent Democratic efforts to force Republicans into voting on the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. The chamber was scheduled be in session through Thursday ahead of the annual five-week summer recess, but on Tuesday, the Republican majority announced that the last votes of the week would take place the following day. Democrats in turn accused the GOP of leaving town rather than dealing with the outcry over Donald Trump's handling of the investigation into the alleged sex trafficker. 'They are actually ending this week early because they're afraid to cast votes on the Jeffrey Epstein issue,' said Ted Lieu, the vice-chair of the House Democratic caucus. Republicans downplayed the decision to cut short the workweek, while arguing that the White House has already moved to resolve questions about the case. Last week, Trump asked the attorney general, Pam Bondi, to release grand jury testimony, although that is expected to be only a fraction of the case's documents. 'We're going to have committee meetings through Thursday, and there's still a lot of work being done,' said the majority leader, Steve Scalise. 'The heavy work is done in committee and there is a lot of work being done this week before we head out.' He declined to answer a question about whether votes were cut short over the Epstein files. At a press conference, the House speaker, Mike Johnson, insisted that Congress must be careful in calling for the release of documents related to the case, for fear of retraumatizing his victims. 'There's no purpose for Congress to push an administration to do something that they're already doing. And so this is for political games,' he said. 'I'm very resolute on this, we can both call for full transparency and also protect victims, and if you run roughshod, or you do it too quickly, that's not what happens.' Questions surrounding Epstein's 2019 death and his involvement in running a sex-trafficking ring that allegedly procured underage girls for global elites flared up earlier this month after the justice department announced its determination that he committed suicide in a federal prison, and he had no client list that could be released. The disclosure, along with the department's statement that it would release no further information about the case, sparked an uproar among many supporters of the president, who believed he would get to the bottom of a supposed 'deep state' plot to cover up Epstein's ties to global elites. Some of Trump's own officials had promoted such expectations, including Bondi, who in February told Fox News that Epstein's client list was 'sitting on my desk right now to review'. Congressional Democrats have sought to capitalize on the rare split between the president and his supporters, with an eye towards retaking the majority in the House next year. The venue for those efforts has been the rules committee, the normally low-key body that all legislation must pass through before it is considered by the full House. Democrats on the committee last week repeatedly offered amendments to unrelated legislation that were designed to compel the release of the Epstein files, forcing Republicans to vote them down – a politically difficult vote for many in the party, as it could potentially be used to accused them of wanting to keep the files secret. Frustration among the GOP peaked on Monday, when Democrats planned to use a rules committee hearing to offer more Epstein amendments, and the GOP reacted by refusing to vote on any more rules, essentially paralyzing the House floor. Johnson has attempted to stem the controversy by agreeing to allow a vote on a non-binding resolution on the file's release, but that won't happen before the August recess. On Tuesday, a House oversight subcommittee approved a subpoena proposed by Republican congressman Tim Burchett for the testimony of Ghislaine Maxwell, a close associate of Epstein who is serving a 20-year prison sentence related to the sex trafficking case. The justice department is also seeking to speak with her, and it is unclear when she might appear before Congress. Meanwhile, Thomas Massie, a libertarian-leaning Republican who has repeatedly broken with his party, and Democratic congressman Ro Khanna have collaborated on a legislative maneuver that will force a vote on releasing the Epstein files, though that is not expected to take place until after the House returns from its recess, in the first week of September. Joe Morelle, the number-two Democrat on the House appropriations committee, warned that cutting short the workweek costs time that lawmakers could use to consider spending legislation that must be passed by the end of September to prevent a government shutdown. 'We haven't done appropriation bills, and yet we're going to take extra days off simply because we don't want to go through the discomfort of pushing the president to do what he's promised to do, what the attorney general has promised to do, what the FBI director has promised to do, that they're now violating their pledge and their commitment to do,' Morelle said.
Politico
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Rep. Andrew Garbarino elected chair of the House Homeland Security Committee
House Republicans will scrap several votes this week as internal party drama over Jeffrey Epstein derails a key committee that handles legislation on its way to the floor. The House Rules Committee came to a standstill Monday night as GOP leaders struggled to contain rank-and-file Republicans and their Democratic allies clamoring for a floor vote to compel the publication of materials related to the late disgraced financier and convicted sex offender. Committee Democrats had planned to force a vote that evening on legislation that would call for the release of the materials, as the panel worked to tee up floor consideration on a slate of unrelated bills. It was poised to be a repeat of what transpired last Thursday inside Rules, which gummed up the works for several hours. But rather than this time work through the Democratic disruption, Republicans chose instead Monday to recess the rest of the Rules meeting altogether, with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) saying it was 'unlikely' that the panel would reconvene this week at all. Later, lawmakers said there were no plans to return at all. That means House members will depart for August recess at the week's end without being able to vote on legislation that would not otherwise be able to pass on the chamber floor with a simple majority vote, including an immigration-related bill that would increase penalties for individuals who enter the country illegally and a water-permitting measure. The House will still vote on measures that can be taken up under an expedited procedure typically reserved for noncontroversial legislation that can pass with a two-thirds majority of those present and voting, such as a bill that would establish new ZIP Codes for certain communities and deter China in the ongoing Taiwan conflict. 'See you in September,' said Rules Committee ranking member Jim McGovern (D-Mass.). He was spearheading the effort to call up a vote on the legislation from Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.). The two men are working to force a floor vote on that bill through a procedural maneuver known as a discharge petition, which allows members to put a bill on the floor without leadership approval if the effort gets 218 signatures. Scalise blamed Democrats for the meltdown. 'At the end of the day, look, Democrats are yelling and screaming,' he said in an interview. 'They spent four years covering up for Epstein, and you know, at least President Trump's in the courts right now trying to get documents released, and I really think you're gonna see, hopefully, a lot unsealed from that and then we've got some other options.' Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), a member of the Rules Committee, also accused Democrats of 'grandstanding' and said Republicans refused to give the minority party 'an endless microphone.' McGovern, in a statement, accused Republicans of making their own mess. 'Democrats on the Rules Committee gave Republicans a choice — either vote to release the Epstein Files, or keep them a secret. Republicans are so afraid of taking that vote that they are torching their own agenda instead of doing something they promised the voters they would do,' he said. 'Trump and his top allies have been pushing this for years — and people aren't going to forget about it in a month.' Massie, speaking to reporters Monday night, was unrepentant. He'd just been seeing walking onto the House floor with a binder labeled 'The Epstein Files: Phase 2,' and the bill number of his resolution with Khanna. 'Their Epstein bill resolution is non-binding so it's kind of fake. The resolution I have with Khanna would be binding on the President,' Massie said, explaining the breakdown between Republican leaders and other members of the House. Rules leadership last week teed up compromise legislation that would simply support the release of Epstein materials, which opponents called two week and which Speaker Mike Johnson has since said he won't bring to the floor, anyway. Scalise reiterated that decision, saying in a brief interview, 'the Trump administration's petitioned the courts to release some of the sealed documents. Hopefully, the court acts swiftly. It'd be important if they got that out.' Trump last week instructed Attorney General Pam Bondi to begin the process of unsealing grand jury testimony in Epstein's criminal case. It followed publication of a Wall Street Journal report alleging Trump sent Epstein a racy birthday letter several decades ago, though Trump has said the letter is fake and is now seeking billions in a defamation lawsuit against the paper.
Politico
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Politico
New Pirro committee vote set for Thurs
House Republicans will scrap several votes this week as internal party drama over Jeffrey Epstein derails a key committee that handles legislation on its way to the floor. The House Rules Committee came to a standstill Monday night as GOP leaders struggled to contain rank-and-file Republicans and their Democratic allies clamoring for a floor vote to compel the publication of materials related to the late disgraced financier and convicted sex offender. Committee Democrats had planned to force a vote that evening on legislation that would call for the release of the materials, as the panel worked to tee up floor consideration on a slate of unrelated bills. It was poised to be a repeat of what transpired last Thursday inside Rules, which gummed up the works for several hours. But rather than this time work through the Democratic disruption, Republicans chose instead Monday to recess the rest of the Rules meeting altogether, with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) saying it was 'unlikely' that the panel would reconvene this week at all. Later, lawmakers said there were no plans to return at all. That means House members will depart for August recess at the week's end without being able to vote on legislation that would not otherwise be able to pass on the chamber floor with a simple majority vote, including an immigration-related bill that would increase penalties for individuals who enter the country illegally and a water-permitting measure. The House will still vote on measures that can be taken up under an expedited procedure typically reserved for noncontroversial legislation that can pass with a two-thirds majority of those present and voting, such as a bill that would establish new ZIP Codes for certain communities and deter China in the ongoing Taiwan conflict. 'See you in September,' said Rules Committee ranking member Jim McGovern (D-Mass.). He was spearheading the effort to call up a vote on the legislation from Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.). The two men are working to force a floor vote on that bill through a procedural maneuver known as a discharge petition, which allows members to put a bill on the floor without leadership approval if the effort gets 218 signatures. Scalise blamed Democrats for the meltdown. 'At the end of the day, look, Democrats are yelling and screaming,' he said in an interview. 'They spent four years covering up for Epstein, and you know, at least President Trump's in the courts right now trying to get documents released, and I really think you're gonna see, hopefully, a lot unsealed from that and then we've got some other options.' Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), a member of the Rules Committee, also accused Democrats of 'grandstanding' and said Republicans refused to give the minority party 'an endless microphone.' McGovern, in a statement, accused Republicans of making their own mess. 'Democrats on the Rules Committee gave Republicans a choice — either vote to release the Epstein Files, or keep them a secret. Republicans are so afraid of taking that vote that they are torching their own agenda instead of doing something they promised the voters they would do,' he said. 'Trump and his top allies have been pushing this for years — and people aren't going to forget about it in a month.' Massie, speaking to reporters Monday night, was unrepentant. He'd just been seeing walking onto the House floor with a binder labeled 'The Epstein Files: Phase 2,' and the bill number of his resolution with Khanna. 'Their Epstein bill resolution is non-binding so it's kind of fake. The resolution I have with Khanna would be binding on the President,' Massie said, explaining the breakdown between Republican leaders and other members of the House. Rules leadership last week teed up compromise legislation that would simply support the release of Epstein materials, which opponents called two week and which Speaker Mike Johnson has since said he won't bring to the floor, anyway. Scalise reiterated that decision, saying in a brief interview, 'the Trump administration's petitioned the courts to release some of the sealed documents. Hopefully, the court acts swiftly. It'd be important if they got that out.' Trump last week instructed Attorney General Pam Bondi to begin the process of unsealing grand jury testimony in Epstein's criminal case. It followed publication of a Wall Street Journal report alleging Trump sent Epstein a racy birthday letter several decades ago, though Trump has said the letter is fake and is now seeking billions in a defamation lawsuit against the paper.
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Conservatives mourn death of Heritage Foundation founder
The death of Ed Feulner, the co-founder of the Heritage Foundation, has sparked an outpouring of support from Republican lawmakers and leaders. Feulner helped start the Heritage Foundation in 1973 and served as its president for nearly 40 years. 'In the passing of Dr. Ed Feulner, the conservative movement has lost one of its true giants, and I have lost a mentor and cherished friend,' former Vice President Mike Pence wrote on the social media platform X. 'Ed simply understood that free markets, strong families and a robust national defense allow America to lead the world not just with strength, but by example.' The foundation is most recently known for leading Project 2025, the blueprint that has widely influenced the Trump administration's consolidation of power and aggressive pursuit of right-wing policies. Feulner also helped found the Republican Study Committee, the party's conservative caucus. 'Ed Feulner was one of the architects who built the conservative movement in this country,' Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.), the House majority leader and a former chair of the RSC, wrote on social media. Established during the Nixon administration, the Heritage Foundation played a prominent role in the policies of former President Reagan, who called it a 'vital force.' The think tank's current alumni in government include White House budget chief Russ Vought and border czar Tom Homan. In mourning Feulner, Republicans referred to him as an influential force who laid the groundwork in Washington for conservatism: a 'giant of the conservative movement' by Sen. Mike Lee (Utah), a 'lion for conservative causes' by Rep. Andy Biggs (Ariz.). 'His longtime leadership of @Heritage not only made it the intellectual engine of the Reagan Revolution, but forged a visionary philosophy that continues to shape our nation's public policy,' Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) wrote. 'The America we have — and the America we can secure in the future — is attributable to Ed in more ways than most people know,' Kevin Roberts, the current president of the Heritage Foundation, wrote on social media. 'ONWARD, sir—count on it—ALWAYS,' he added, ending with an American flag. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
House passes public media, foreign aid clawbacks after Epstein scramble
Six months into Donald Trump's presidency, Congress finally codified a small piece of the hundreds of billions of dollars his Department of Government Efficiency pinpointed as 'waste.' House Republicans gave final approval just after midnight Friday to Trump's proposal to claw back $9 billion in public media and foreign assistance, greenlighting the Senate's changes to the measure that will bake in proposed DOGE cuts to public media and foreign aid. The package now heads to the president's desk. The House's 216-213 vote to clear the Senate-amended package comes less than 24 hours after the Senate voted to tweak the administration's original proposal that would have cut an additional $400 million from the global AIDS fighting program, PEPFAR. Senate Republicans also added language vowing that certain food assistance programs would be protected, and staved off impacts to other food aid, maternal health, malaria and tuberculosis-related initiatives. 'This bill tonight is part of continuing that trend of getting spending under control. Does it answer all the problems? No. Nine billion dollars is a good start,' said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise. Two House Republicans, Reps. Mike Turner of Ohio and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, voted against the measure for the second time, having also opposed it when the House first voted on the package last month. But Republican Reps. Nicole Malliotakis of New York and Mark Amodei of Nevada flipped to "yes," heartened by the Senate deal to strike the proposed cut to AIDS-prevention efforts. The package was advanced in the House under a fast-track process: Instead of voting directly on the bill, lawmakers triggered passage by voting for a procedural measure that's typically used to set up debate. It meant lawmakers would not have to take an additional vote. It also helped House Republicans move quickly to pass the bill, which needed to be shipped to Trump's desk by Friday night or the rescissions request would expire and the administration would be forced to spend the money as Congress originally intended. This rescissions package is the first to succeed in more than 30 years, and it's already causing trouble for the annual appropriations process just 10 weeks before the Sept. 30 deadline to reach a funding deal or launch a government shutdown. In the Senate, where spending bills need 60 votes to pass, Republicans will need Democratic support to approve even a short-term funding patch to avoid a lapse in federal operations. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer already warned in a letter to his caucus earlier this month of consequences if Republicans continued to go it alone on government funding. In the House, the chamber's top Democratic appropriator, Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, said Republicans' approval of the clawbacks package was tantamount to 'a rubber stamp on the Trump administration's stealing' from the American people. 'This rescissions bill is another effort to subvert the Congress' power of the purse,'' she said. Meanwhile, White House budget chief Russ Vought said Thursday morning that another rescissions package is likely coming 'soon' to Capitol Hill, setting up another chance for Republicans to vote to cancel funding passed on a bipartisan basis – and further inflame partisan tensions. House Republicans also teed up a procedural measure earlier Thursday evening to trigger passage of a non-binding resolution expressing support for the release of documents related to late-disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. GOP leaders are promoting the measure, to be considered at a later date, as a release valve for rank and file lawmakers who wanted to vote on the matter but not actually go on record in favor of making materials public. It was the culmination of a daylong scramble that delayed eventual passage of the rescissions bill. Nicholas Wu and Mia McCarthy contributed to this report.
