Republicans

The Guardian reports: Donald Trump’s nominee for US ambassador to the United Nations has endorsed Israeli claims of biblical rights to the entire West Bank during a Senate confirmation hearing, aligning herself with positions that could complicate diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. The New York congresswoman Elise Stefanik, a Republican, was confronted on Tuesday over her backing of a …

The Arizona Republic reports: U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs announced Tuesday that he is considering a run for Arizona governor in 2026, setting up a fight with President Donald Trump’s pick for the job. Biggs, R-Ariz., a longtime ally of Trump, began his political career in the state Legislature, rising through the ranks to become president of the Arizona Senate. He …

Politico reports: Senators should reject Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to lead the government’s health agencies because he’s an anti-vax conspiracy theorist, former heroin addict, supporter of marijuana and psychedelic drug legalization, and backer of abortion rights, a conservative group is arguing. Advancing American Freedom, the advocacy group founded by Mike Pence, is throwing everything at the wall in a …

Heartland Signal reports: Indiana state Sen. Jim Tomes (R-Wadesville) has introduced Senate Bill 204, a bill to allow lobbyists to carry firearms in the state capitol building. Tomes’ office did not respond to a Heartland Signal request to comment on why he introduced the bill and what impact it would have on the state of Indiana. The 76-year-old Tomes has …

NBC News reports: Senators received an affidavit Tuesday from the former sister-in-law of defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth in which she says his behavior caused his second wife to fear for her safety. The receipt of the affidavit comes after Senate Armed Services Committee staffers were in contact with Hegseth’s former sister-in-law for several days. The former sister-in-law, Danielle Hegseth, …

“No, Elon Musk did not do those salutes. I was not at the rally, but I can tell you I’ve been at many rallies with Elon Musk, who loves to cheer when President Trump says we need to send, you know, our U.S. space program to Mars. “Elon Musk is a visionary. I’m looking forward to his work in DOGE, …

NBC REPORTER JAY O’BRIEN: Senator Scott, what do you make of the President pardoning–. SEN. RICK SCOTT: I haven’t seen all of it but clearly– First off, so many people were unfairly prosecuted– O’BRIEN: What about those that assaulted police officers? SCOTT: I don’t believe anybody– if you violate the law, you should be prosecuted. O’BRIEN: But what about those …

Axios reports: A small core of Senate Republicans — including former GOP leader Mitch McConnell — has denounced President Trump’s near-blanket pardon of Jan 6 rioters. McConnell (R-Ky.) told Semafor “no one should excuse violence. And particularly violence against police officers.” Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said: “I’ve got concerns with any pardons for people who did any harm to police …

“I ask you, to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared. There are gay, lesbian, transgender children, Democratic, Republican, independent families — some who fear for their lives. The people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings, who labor in poultry farms and meatpacking plants, who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants …

From the voiceover as riot footage played: Kristi Noem: ‘We are all entitled to peacefully protest. Violence is not part of that. What is happening in the Capitol right now must stop.’ Ted Cruz: ‘A violent terrorist attack on the Capitol, where we saw the men and women of law enforcement risk their lives to defend the men and women …

“Strategically, when you look at it, it’s wealthy in resources. And when you see increased activity with Russia and China, the Arctic Circle and the increased activity with the shipping lanes, it’s important for the United States to assert itself and say, look, this is our doorstep, this is our area of operation. And we are, quite frankly, the dominant …

Florida Politics reports: Snow and ice is headed to North Florida, and Gov. Ron DeSantis recognizes the threat posed by the anomalous Winter weather headed across the “Gulf of America.” DeSantis is declaring an immediate state of emergency (EO 25-13) effective Monday evening given the “major disaster” looming from the Panhandle to the northeastern part of the Florida peninsula,” as …

Axios reports: The Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee cleared Kristi Noem to lead Department of Homeland Security with a vote of 13-2. It also approved Russell Vought for director of the Office of Management and Budget 8-7. The Intelligence panel voted 14-3 in favor of John Ratcliffe’s nomination to lead the CIA. Ratcliffe, a Trump loyalist, has faced accusations …

CNN reports: The Senate voted on Monday to confirm Marco Rubio as President Donald Trump’s secretary of state, the first high-level Cabinet official for the new administration to be approved by the chamber. The confirmation vote took place just hours after Trump was sworn in as president. Rubio has served as a Republican senator from Florida since 2011, and his …

NBC News reports: The Senate voted Monday to pass an immigration crackdown bill, the first piece of legislation congressional Republicans are hoping to send newly sworn-in President Donald Trump for a signature. The vote for final passage of the Laken Riley Act was 64-35, with 12 Democrats joining Republicans to approve it. The bill, which was amended in the Senate …

The Hill reports: The Senate Armed Services Committee on Monday voted to advance Pete Hegseth, President Trump’s nominee to serve as secretary of Defense, to the floor. The 14-13 vote was strictly along party lines. The strong opposition to Hegseth expressed by Democrats on the Armed Services panel signals they will use many of the procedural tools at their disposal …

Fox News reports: Republican lawmakers are reacting furiously to President Biden’s 11th-hour decision to pardon several allies who President-elect Trump and his circle have threatened retribution against, made hours before ceding power to the new commander in chief. “Implication is that they needed the pardons,” Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “So, let’s call them all before …

“When Americans see deportations or repatriations happen, they’re gonna be like ‘Thank you.’ When they see the border close, they’re gonna say ‘This is what I voted for. When they see peace starting to break out again around the world, they’re gonna be like ‘This is the stability that we were asking for.’ Daddy’s back, and that’s what you’re gonna …

Just in from Sen. Tom Cotton: Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Senator Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska) issued the following statement in response to the news that Amazon, Apple, Google, and Microsoft were among the U.S. companies to remove TikTok from their app stores in accordance with the bipartisan law passed by Congress. “We …

“I think it’s gonna be shock and awe. He’s going to parade down Pennsylvania Avenue, swing those doors open at the Oval Office, and sign 100 or more executive orders that overturn the damage of the last four years. “I don’t think he’s changed at all, but I think he learned a lot of lessons. He’s making it very clear …