Politics

NBC News reports: Rep. Jody Arrington, R-Texas, told reporters that he’s considering a bid for speaker. He was heard on the phone talking to his wife about his prospects. “What do you think, honey?” he asked his wife. Arrington said Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, is also contemplating running for speaker. Texas’s congressional delegation is the largest among Republicans and the …

Politico reports: Acting Speaker Patrick McHenry for the first time Friday publicly said he’s open to a vote that would formally expand his powers as the top House Republican. Such a vote, which centrist GOP lawmakers have been floating for more than a week, would allow legislative business to function in the lower chamber after 17 turbulent days without a …

CBS News reports: GOP Rep. Jim Jordan’s third attempt to win the speakership on the House floor takes place at 10 a.m. Friday, after two failed rounds of voting. There has been no clear evidence so far that he can convert enough of the 22 Republicans who voted against him Wednesday to prevail in this next round of voting, but …

Reuters reports: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Friday she had separated from her television journalist partner Andrea Giambruno, who has drawn criticism in recent weeks for sexist comments. The split comes as the 46-year-old prime minister celebrates her first year in office at the head of a right-wing coalition government that has defended the traditional family as one …

The Meidas Touch reports: Desperately seeking traction for his failing campaign, Desantis offered up state funds to pay for an effort already underway by a private organization to bring Americans home from Israel. It was obvious that Desantis was doing what he always does – using taxpayer money to augment his going-broke presidential campaign while pretending he actually cares about …

NBC News reports: In a closed-door meeting tonight, McHenry told GOP colleagues he might resign as speaker pro tempore if Republicans push him to try to move legislation on the floor without an explicit vote to expand his powers, according to multiple lawmakers in the room. “If you guys try to do that, you’ll figure out who the next person …

The New York Times reports: Laphonza Butler, who was appointed 18 days ago to fill the Senate seat left vacant by Dianne Feinstein’s death, said on Thursday that she would not run for the office next year, clearing the way for a truly open race in California that features three Democratic congressional members and a former Major League Baseball star. …

The Washington Post reports: A Montgomery County police officer was arrested Thursday and accused of taking part in the mob violence against D.C. police guarding the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, before he joined the force. Justin Lee, 25, of Rockville, Md., was indicted on seven charges, including assaulting a D.C. police officer and impeding police during a civil …

Reuters reports: Hardline conservative Jim Jordan vowed to continue his floundering bid for speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday, after his fellow Republicans abandoned a backup plan to allow the leaderless chamber to resume business. Jordan, who has lost two votes for speaker this week, emerged from an hours-long closed door meeting with fellow Republicans to say …

NBC News reports: Rep. Pat Fallon, R-Texas, said this afternoon that “two-thirds” of the Republican House members oppose empowering McHenry, and have mentioned “four or five” names besides Jordan’s. “I oppose the resolution for a very simple reason. We were elected by three quarters of a million people, each and every one of us to lead, not kick the can …

The Messenger reports: Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips is trying to hire top Democratic operatives with presidential campaign experience for his longshot primary challenge against President Joe Biden, according to multiple sources familiar with conversations. The outreach is the latest sign that Phillips is not only serious about running for president but has begun to put the pieces together to mount …

The Messenger reports: As she weighs a reelection bid, Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema has garnered support from big-money donors who have given thousands of dollars to Republican committees over the past few election cycles. Sinema raised $197,400 from GOP donors who have given thousands of dollars over the years to Republican candidates and causes. Many of these donors have given …

Politico reports: The idea of empowering acting Speaker Patrick McHenry to temporarily move legislation is gaining traction in the Democratic Caucus. Maine Rep. Jared Golden is now openly calling to increase McHenry’s powers, at least to avoid a government shutdown. In an interview with us, the centrist Democrat said he supports allowing McHenry to move bills on a temporary basis, …

Fox News reports: Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, intends to hold a third round vote for speaker on Thursday, a source familiar told Fox News Digital. “We’re going to keep going,” Jordan’s spokesman told Fox News Digital earlier when asked if there will be a third round. All House Democrats and 22 Republicans voted against Jordan’s bid for speaker on …

CBS News reports: As the second round of voting began Wednesday afternoon, Jordan began to see more Republican defections. Rep. Vern Buchanan of Florida became the first initial Jordan voter to switch loyalties, casting his vote for fellow Floridian, Rep. Byron Donalds. Rep. Drew Ferguson of Georgia, who initially voted for Jordan, followed, casting his vote for Majority Leader Steve …

NBC News reports: The House is scheduled to take a second vote on Rep. Jim Jordan’s nomination for speaker at 11 a.m. after the Ohio Republican fell short on the first round of voting Tuesday. Jordan was nominated last week after House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., withdrew from the race. Jordan will likely need the support of 217 of …

“Terrible thing, it’s a shame. We’ve got to get it working over there. It should’ve never happened. The attack on Israel should’ve never happened, and it wouldn’t have happened if they had a different president. I can tell you that.” – Trump, after reporters asked for his response to the hospital bombing in Gaza that left hundreds dead. Trump, who …

Courthouse News reports: Governor Roy Cooper sued the State of North Carolina, the President Pro Tempore of the North Carolina Senate and the Speaker of the North Carolina House, claiming that the North Carolina General Assembly limited his constitutional duties as governor and violated the constitutional separation of powers. Session Law 2023-139, previously Senate Bill 749, removed Cooper’s ability to …

Politico reports: As the GOP has drifted steadily right, their ranks have steadily thinned and their crucial role in making Congress work has become increasingly threatened. Being called a “moderate” these days isn’t even really ideological — it’s about keeping your head down, building the relationships and making the compromises that have kept American democracy on track for 247 years. …

“The funny thing is that when people always call Jim Jordan a fighter, and I always wonder who he’s fighting for, because he had a real opportunity to fight for us and the people that he coached and the people that he recruited at the Ohio State, and all he’s done is turn his back on us, so I don’t …