Politics

Florida Changed PAC Money Rule To Benefit DeSantis

NBC News reports: Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration has quietly changed state guidelines, essentially giving its blessing for a state-level political committee he previously ran to move millions of dollars to a super PAC helping his presidential campaign. For years, elections officials said such a transfer to federal super PACs would not be allowed. But in March — just months before …

Read More »

GOP Nevada Gov Signs Bill Protecting Abortion Access

The Associated Press reports: Nevada’s Joe Lombardo on Tuesday became one of the first Republican governors to enshrine protections for out-of-state abortion patients and in-state providers, adding the western swing state to the list of those passing new laws to solidify their status as safe havens for abortion patients. The legislation codifies an existing executive order from former Gov. Steve …

Read More »

Openly Gay Latvian Foreign Minister Elected President

Bloomberg News reports: Latvia’s parliament elected long-time Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics as the Baltic nation’s new president, making him the European Union’s first openly gay head of state. Fifty-two lawmakers in the 100-seat legislature in Riga voted for Rinkevics, who has served as Latvia’s top envoy for almost 12 years, to succeed President Egils Levits. Rinkevics has been a consistent …

Read More »

DeSantis: Global Warming Efforts Hurt Military Morale

Florida Politics reports: Ron DeSantis told a crowd in West Des Moines Tuesday of several issues of social consciousness that he believes are keeping people from signing up for the U.S. Armed Forces. “And it pains me when we see revered institutions like our very own military become more concerned with matters that are not central to the mission, whether …

Read More »

House Rules Committee Narrowly Advances Debt Bill

CNBC reports: The compromise bill to raise the debt ceiling passed its first major test Tuesday night in the House Rules Committee, where it advanced to the House floor in a 7-6 vote, with two of the panel’s nine Republicans opposing it. A floor vote on the Fiscal Responsibility Act is planned for around 8:30 p.m. ET Wednesday, according to …

Read More »

Axios: Christie To Launch White House Bid On Tuesday

Axios reports: Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is expected to announce his 2024 Republican candidacy for president next Tuesday in New Hampshire, Axios has learned. Christie, 60, is a former close Trump ally who now calls the former president a “coward” and “puppet of Putin.” He gives traditional Republicans a horse — but seems to have a narrow market …

Read More »

GOP Rep. Chris Stewart To Announce Resignation

The Salt Lake Tribune reports: U.S. Rep. Chris Stewart plans to resign his seat in Congress. That announcement could come as early as Wednesday morning. Multiple sources have confirmed to The Salt Lake Tribune that Stewart announced his plan to resign, citing ongoing health issues with his wife. It was unclear what those health issues may be. First elected by …

Read More »

MN Becomes 23rd State With Legal Recreational Weed

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports: Minnesota became the 23rd state in the country to legalize recreational marijuana for adults after Gov. Tim Walz signed the measure into law on Tuesday. The bill signing marked a watershed moment for Minnesota, which legalized medical cannabis about a decade ago but had seen efforts to allow recreational marijuana repeatedly stall at the state Capitol. …

Read More »

DeSantis To Launch 2024 Tour At Iowa Megachurch

Florida Politics reports: Ron DeSantis plans to kick off his presidential campaign in Iowa on Tuesday, the start of a busy week that will take him to 12 cities in three states as he tests his pitch as the most formidable Republican challenger to former President Donald Trump. The Florida Governor’s two-day trip to the leadoff caucus state — starting …

Read More »

Up To 60 GOP Reps Likely To Vote Against Debt Deal

Axios reports: House Republican leaders are signaling confidence they’ll round up enough GOP votes to pass House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s compromise with President Biden to raise the debt ceiling for two years. The leaders are trying to counter the notion that the loud complaints about the bill from members of the right-wing House Freedom Caucus — and other Republicans — …

Read More »

Ernst: “Dudes With Beards And Tattoos” Like The GOP

Politico reports: Joni Ernst sees WMDs as the secret to expanding the Republican Party’s appeal. No, she doesn’t mean that kind of weapon: “Women. Millennials. And Dudes with beards and tattoos. WMDs,” the Iowa senator explained in an interview. The acronym is ubiquitous in her office, a reminder of the work that lies ahead for the party to make inroads …

Read More »

Christie Super PAC Forms Ahead Of Likely WH Bid

The New York Times reports: Allies of former Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey have formed a super PAC to support him in the nascent Republican primary, as he makes preparations for a likely campaign kickoff in the next two weeks, according to an official with the group and others briefed on the matter. Mr. Christie’s candidacy is likely to …

Read More »

TX Gov Calls Immediate Special Session For Lawmakers

The Texas Tribune reports: Gov. Greg Abbott called an immediate special session Monday night, just hours after lawmakers completed the year’s regular legislative session without passing numerous key bills state leaders had identified as priorities. Abbott said in a statement the special session officially began at 9 p.m. Monday and will be focused on property tax relief and border security. …

Read More »

DeSantis Vows To De-Woke The Military On “Day One”

Florida Politics reports: The Governor has vowed to work against equity initiatives in the military, even saying he would act on his first day as President. During an interview on Good Morning Orlando, the new Republican presidential candidate spotlighted DEI and using various gender pronouns as “nonsense” ripe for instant removal. “I think it’s been politicized. I think you have …

Read More »

TX Gov Gets Bill Mandating Armed Guards At Schools

The Texas Tribune reports: Texas lawmakers sent a sweeping school safety measure to Gov. Greg Abbott on Sunday, including in their response to last year’s Uvalde massacre a requirement to post an armed security officer at every school and provide mental health training for certain district employees. The measure also gives the state more power to compel school districts to …

Read More »

Vatican Blasts Right Wing Bishops For Twitter Vitriol

Reuters reports: The Vatican urged bishops and high-profile lay Catholic leaders on Monday to tone down their comments on social media, saying some were causing division and stoking polemics that harmed the entire Church. The appeal was part of a 20-page document by the Vatican’s communications department titled, “Towards Full Presence. A Pastoral Reflection on Engagement with Social Media.” “The …

Read More »

DeSantis Rips Debt Deal: “Careening To Bankruptcy”

Politico reports: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday slammed the bipartisan debt ceiling deal, saying the country was still “careening towards bankruptcy.” “Prior to this deal, our country was careening towards bankruptcy, and after this deal, our country will still be careening towards bankruptcy, and to say you can do 4 trillion of increases in the next year and a …

Read More »

Cheney: Republicans Wanted Me To Lie About Trump

“After the 2020 election and the attack of January 6th, my fellow Republicans wanted me to lie. They wanted me to say the 2020 election was stolen, the attack of January 6th wasn’t a big deal, and Donald Trump wasn’t dangerous. “I had to choose between lying and losing my position in House leadership. Cleta Mitchell, an election denier and …

Read More »

TX Gov Gets Bill To Overturn Elections In Blue County

CNN reports: Texas Republicans have approved a pair of bills targeting the elections process in Harris County, the state’s largest and home to Houston, with voting rights activists accusing the GOP of plotting a “power grab” in an increasingly Democratic county. The measures, which passed the Republican-controlled state House and Senate, now head to the desk of GOP Gov. Greg …

Read More »

Turkey’s Erdogan Claims Victory In Presidential Runoff

Reuters reports: President Tayyip Erdogan claimed victory in Turkey’s presidential election on Sunday, a win that would steer his increasingly authoritarian rule into a third decade. Addressing supporters, Erdogan said voters had given him the responsibility to rule for the next five years. The election had been seen as one of the most consequential yet for Turkey, with the opposition …

Read More »