Latest news with #Unfair
Newsweek
14-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Marjorie Taylor Greene Rips Into Republican Colleague Over Tax Fight
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia ripped fellow GOP lawmaker Mike Lawler of New York for his vocal opposition to the State and Local Tax (SALT) cap in the Republican's "Big Beautiful Bill" backed by President Trump. Newsweek reached out to Lawler's D.C. office via voicemail Wednesday for comment. What To Know The GOP bill was unveiled this week and prompted an uproar from Democrats as sweeping cuts to Medicaid were revealed. The president has been vocal about getting his agenda passed through this bill, calling on Republicans to "unify" in backing it. Some Republicans, however, have floated opposition to the bill surrounding the SALT cap, arguing that there needs to be "good faith" negotiations and not a strongarming of a number. A SALT cap limits state and local taxes that can be deducted from federal tax returns, according to Forbes, and has been most controversial in high-tax states like New York, New Jersey, California and Connecticut. In 2018, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) capped $10,000 per year for joint filers and $5,000 for single filers. In the new GOP bill, the SALT cap has been raised to $30,000. Taking to X, formerly Twitter on Wednesday, Representative Greene took a swipe at Lawler over SALT saying, "Mike Lawler usually isn't the guy in the conference with the best ideas, after all we lost a Republican held seat to a Democrat the last time Republicans voted for one of his 'great' strategy." Greene continued, "Now Mike Lawler is a NO on Trump's big beautiful bill because he won't accept a SALT cap increase from $10K to $30K per year. And the deduction applies to those who make under $400,000 per year." The Georgia lawmaker noted that taxes in New York are "ridiculous" and said if the cap increase for those making under $400,000 a year is not good enough, "then you need to either vote Republican in NY or you need to move!" "The rest of America doesn't want to and shouldn't have to make up the difference!!!!!," Greene added while noting that Lawler's Congressional seat is "a toss up." Greene concluded, saying, "What's the point in Republicans fighting to protect and keep re-electing 'Republicans' if they constantly undermine the agenda America voted for???" Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene is seen speaks during the hearing on 'Unfair Play: Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" held by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Subcommittee at the U.S. Capitol on May 07,... Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene is seen speaks during the hearing on 'Unfair Play: Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" held by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Subcommittee at the U.S. Capitol on May 07, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by) More Lawler defended his position while speaking to CNN on Wednesday, saying on X, "My Republican colleagues need to remember that maintaining the majority means they have to work together with swing seats like mine, where SALT is a priority. It's time to negotiate; they need to pass the SALT, or I'm voting no." The House Ways and Means Committee voted to push through Trump's tax agenda in a portion of the "big beautiful bill" in an overnight markup-still leaving SALT cap deductions up in the air though. What People Are Saying Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, a Missouri Republican, in a statement on Wednesday: "America is one step closer to stopping the looming 22 percent average tax increase facing every American and, instead, rebuilding our economy for the working class." Smith continued: "This cornerstone of President Trump's economic agenda will put the interests and needs of working families and small businesses ahead of Washington, bring jobs and manufacturing back to America, and usher in a new golden era of prosperity. The average family will avoid a $1,700 tax increase and instead have $3,300 more in income, and 6 million jobs will be saved. It's sad that every single committee Democrat voted for the largest tax hike in American history and against additional tax relief for families, farmers, and small businesses." Concluding, Smith said, "Ways and Means Republicans will continue to work closely with President Trump and our House colleagues to get the One, Big, Beautiful Bill that delivers on the President's agenda to his desk as soon as possible." Lawler on X responding to Greene: "Shockingly the 'Jewish Space Laser' lady once again doesn't have a clue what she is talking about. By the way, the reason you enjoy a gavel is because Republicans like me have won our seats. Good luck being in the Majority if we don't." What Happens Next It is unclear if the House will come to a consensus surrounding SALT or if House Speaker Johnson will need to rally hold out lawmakers like Lawler.
Newsweek
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Who Is Damien Lehfeldt? USA Fencing Chief Attacked Over Transgender Rules
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Damien Lehfeldt, of the organization USA Fencing, testified in Congress yesterday during a hearing which examined the participation of transgender women in sport. He was questioned by House Republicans on his views on the matter, which has become one of the most contentious issues in sport. He said that transgender participation in fencing posed no greater safety risks than single or mixed-gender participation. Newsweek has reached out to USA Fencing via email for comment outside of regular working hours. Why It Matters The hearing comes amid a broader conversation about transgender women in sport, which is playing out across the world. Since his reelection, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order which banned transgender female athletes from competing in women's or girls' sports. Organizations such as the English Football Association, the regulatory body for soccer in the country, have put in place similar bans. USA Fencing board director Damien Lehfeldt speaks during the hearing on 'Unfair Play: Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" at the U.S. Capitol on May 7, 2025. in Washington, DC. USA Fencing board director Damien Lehfeldt speaks during the hearing on 'Unfair Play: Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" at the U.S. Capitol on May 7, 2025. in Washington, To Know Lehfeldt spoke at the at the hearing on "Unfair Play: Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" held by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Subcommittee at the U.S. Capitol. The decision from House Republicans to subpoena Lehfeldt follows an incident in March of this year. During USA Fencing's Cherry Blossom Open in Maryland on March 30, a fencer named Stephanie Turner took a knee rather than competing against a 20-year-old transgender woman, Redmond Sullivan. Turner forfeited the match and was hit with a 12-month probation period from the sport. USA Fencing rules stipulate that a fencer cannot refuse to compete against any qualified fencer who has entered a tournament. Any fencer who violates this rule is then automatically placed on a 12-month probation. The current policy of USA Fencing, which has been in place since 2023 allows transgender and nonbinary individuals to compete "in a manner consistent with their gender identity/ expression, regardless of the gender associated with the sex they were assigned at birth." Lehfeldt was questioned on this policy in Congress by lawmakers including Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Nancy Mace. Who Is Stephanie Turner? Turner is a 31-year-old fencer. The video of her refusing to compete against Sullivan went viral, and she has been commended by figures including J.K. Rowling and Mace, both of whom are known for their vocal opinions on trans people, for her decision not to compete. Turner told Fox News of her decision, "When I took the knee, I looked at the ref and I said, 'I'm sorry, I cannot do this. I am a woman, and this is a man, and this is a women's tournament. And I will not fence this individual." Speaking to the House DOGE subcommittee, she said that she felt betrayed by USA Fencing. "I had been defrauded of a women's tournament and sold a lie by USA Fencing she said." Turner added that she felt "isolated" and "strangled," by USA Fencing for disagreeing with their transgender policy. Who Is Damien Lefheldt? Lehfeldt is the chair of the board of directors for USA Fencing, which is the national governing body which oversees fencing in the U.S. He was elected to the organization's board of directors in 2023 and has served as chair since 2024. He has expressed support for transgender women in sport, though USA Fencing's policy on transgender women predates his position on the board. In a statement shared at the subcommittee, Lehfeldt said: "USA Fencing has long sponsored mixed-gender competitions in which men and women freely compete against each other. Indeed, the majority of USA Fencing tournaments—particularly at the local level—are mixed-gender competitions." The statement continued: "That significant body of experience has taught us that mixed-gender competition, in fencing at least, does not pose any significant safety risks above and beyond single-gender fencing competition. The same is true for fencing involving transgender participation." Lehfeldt's involvement in fencing spans decades. He began his journey as a young épée fencer, competing through his college years at Brandeis University and participating in events like the Maccabi Games. He later moved into coaching, including a tenure at the Richmond Fencing Club. What People Are Saying J.K. Rowling, the writer on X: "This woman will go down in sporting history as a heroine and USA Fencing will be remembered for their profound misogyny for forcing her and other women, into this situation." Shane Diamond, GLAAD's director of communications and transgender advocacy, said in an email shared with Newsweek: "Sport is a human right and should remain open and accessible to anyone who wants to participate, inclusive of their gender identity. " Representative Nancy Mace on X: "I asked if Fencing's Chair Damein Lehfeldt would apologize to women's fencing hero Stephanie Turner. For how they treated her for standing up for herself and standing against men in women's fencing. He refused. Real men protect women. This guy ain't one." Damien Lehfeldt, Chair of the Board of Directors of USA Fencing in a statement: "USA Fencing is committed to fairness, safety, and integrity. Those remain the organization's guiding principles. USA Fencing also is committed to complying with its obligations under the law. If the law and evidence around this issue change, so, too, will USA Fencing's policies." Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene on X: "I asked if USA Fencing's Chair Damien Lehfeldt would want his daughter changing in front of a man. He couldn't say "NO." That tells you EVERYTHING. These people have lost all common sense." What's Next Trump's executive order has reshaped transgender inclusion in sports. The future remains uncertain and the debate over fairness, inclusion, and athlete rights continues.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Risk and Compliance Expert Tim Stokes Joins Asurity Advisors as Managing Director
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Asurity Advisors, LLC ("Asurity Advisors"), a leading advisory firm specializing in consumer financial regulations, financial crimes, compliance, and risk management, is pleased to announce that Tim Stokes, CRCM, has joined the company as a Managing Director. With 25 years of industry experience, Tim brings broad expertise in regulatory compliance, fintech oversight, and strategic risk mitigation. Tim also has extensive experience with Bank Secrecy Act / Anti-Money Laundering (BSA/AML) laws and regulations. His background includes leadership roles in banks, financial technology companies, regulatory agencies, and professional service advisory firms, enabling him to deliver both tactical and strategic solutions to a broad spectrum of clients. "Tim's expertise and experience with the Bank Secrecy Act allows Asurity to expand on its offerings and add more value to its clients. Additionally, Tim's deep knowledge of compliance management, regulatory expectations, and operational risk management will be an invaluable asset to Asurity Advisors' clients," said Grace Brasington, Executive Managing Director of Asurity Advisors. "His experience strengthens our ability to support financial institutions navigating today's evolving regulatory requirements." Tim has a proven track record of assisting financial institutions in developing and executing remediation and settlement action plans in response to regulatory and legal enforcement actions, in areas related to Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts or Practices (UDAAP), the Federal Trade Commission Act, and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). In his role at the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), Tim provided guidance to financial institutions on how to build and maintain effective BSA/AML compliance programs. He also served as a liaison between FinCEN and prudential regulators. Tim has spoken at industry conferences, including the American Bankers Association Regulatory Compliance Conference, and has led regulatory risk assessment and risk management webinars for the Consumer Bankers Association. Tim Stokes said, "I am pleased to join the Asurity Advisors team and contribute to its mission of delivering regulatory compliance and risk management advisory services. Now more than ever institutions need trusted guidance. I look forward to leveraging my experience to help our clients in this dynamic regulatory environment." For more information on Asurity Advisors, visit or contact us at (202) 765-2150. About Asurity Advisors™Asurity Advisors™ is a financial services consulting firm established and led by industry experts with a passion for client service. With decades of collective experience helping financial institutions and mortgage industry participants navigate regulatory and operational challenges, the Asurity Advisors team brings a unique and highly informed perspective to every engagement. Founded by nationally recognized financial services lawyer and business leader, Andy Sandler, Asurity Advisors was established to effect Andy's vision of providing the financial services and mortgage industries with a full-scale ecosystem designed to meet their regulatory and compliance needs by combining best-in-class advisory services with Asurity®'s market leading compliance software products — RegCheck®, and Propel™. Our investment is in people and technology. This directly benefits our clients as they get to work with top-tier individuals in the financial services space using leading-edge products and processes to develop unique, cost-effective, and transformative solutions. Media Contact:Era WilliamsDirector of MarketingAsurity Technologies (214) 257-1763ewilliams@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Asurity
