Republicans

The Bangor Daily News reports: Sen. Susan Collins of Maine told reporters on Friday that she is working with a “fairly small group” of fellow Republican senators toward a goal of ensuring witnesses can be called in the chamber’s impeachment trial of President Donald Trump. The Maine senator has said she’s open to calling witnesses during the trial, while other …

The Hill reports: President Trump said his order to launch the drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani came amid pressure from Senate Republicans he views as key allies in his upcoming impeachment trial, the Wall Street Journal reported and New York Times reported this week. The articles did not name the GOP senators, but many of Trump’s allies …

The Christian Post reports: Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts signed a proclamation Wednesday declaring Jan. 22 a “statewide day of prayer” as abortion rights advocates prepare to celebrate the anniversary of the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide. “I, Pete Ricketts, Governor of the State of Nebraska, do hereby proclaim the 22nd day of January 2020 …

Roll Call reports: Republican senators were told by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Thursday to keep their schedules flexible for the end of next week when they might take up impeachment. Congress is scheduled to leave Washington for a weeklong break at the end of next week that includes the MLK Day holiday on Jan. 20. An attendee at …

The Hill reports: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is backing a resolution to change the Senate’s rules to allow for lawmakers to dismiss articles of impeachment against President Trump before the House sends them over. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) announced on Thursday that McConnell has signed on as a co-sponsor to the resolution, which he introduced earlier this week. …

Politico reports: Rep. Duncan Hunter’s San Diego-area seat will remain vacant until 2021 once Hunter steps aside, potentially undercutting the GOP’s prospects for holding the district. While Hunter pleaded guilty to misusing campaign funds in December, he waited until Monday to formally set his resignation date for next week. Now California Gov. Gavin Newsom has confirmed he will not call …

Mediaite reports: Congressman Doug Collins (R-GA), following criticism of the airstrike which took out Qasem Soleimani from many on the Left, accused Democrats of being “in love with terrorists.” “The Democrats are, tomorrow, talking about constraining [President Donald Trump’s] authorities as the commander-in-chief, vis-a-vis Iraq,” Lou Dobbs said. “How venal, how vapid can one party become?!” “They’re in love with …

The Hill reports: Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) fired back at Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) after the South Carolina Republican accused him of emboldening Iran, saying Graham “insults the Constitution” and is making a “low, gutter type of response.” Graham told reporters on Wednesday that he thought Paul and Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) were “overreacting” by criticizing comments made during a …

Raw Story reports: Conservative Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) blasted the Trump administration on Wednesday for their “unconstitutional” briefing on why President Donald Trump assassinated Iranian General Qassim Suleimani. “It’s un-American, it’s unconstitutional, and it’s wrong,” Lee said. CBS News reporter Kathryn Watson described Lee as “ANGRY.” He will now support a vote on the war pushed by Sen. Tim Kaine …

NJ.com reports: President Donald Trump is making a campaign stop in deep-blue New Jersey later this month to reward U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew for switching parties and voting against his impeachment. Trump will travel to Wildwood, New Jersey, in Van Drew’s district on Jan. 28 to hold a rally, his campaign announced. Trump endorsed the Democrat-turned-Republican during an Oval …

Courthouse News reports: An elected official in metro Phoenix resigned Tuesday, months after being charged with running a human smuggling operation that paid pregnant women from the Marshall Islands to give up their babies in the US. The resignation of Maricopa County Assessor Paul Petersen came after leaders in the one of the nation’s most populous counties suspended and pressured …

Media Matters reports: On Wednesday morning’s edition of Fox & Friends, Fox News contributor Newt Gingrich pushed for regime change in Iran, insisting that it’s the best long-term option and that Iran is not “too big” of a country. In making his case, Gingrich claimed that Iran “get[s] away with an amazing number of things, including court findings and 9/11 …

The Associated Press reports: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Wednesday that he will launch President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial on his terms, without any agreement on whether to call witnesses, when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sends the abuse and obstruction articles to the Senate. “There will be no haggling with the House over Senate procedure,” said McConnell, R-Ky. “We …

The Military Times reports: Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) blocked passage of a resolution on Tuesday that classified attacks on cultural sites as “war crimes.” Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) tried to get unanimous consent to pass the resolution, arguing that the Senate should go on record amid Trump’s threats to target Iranian cultural sites. Under the Senate’s …

The Washington Post reports: Rep. Duncan D. Hunter will resign from Congress effective Jan. 13, two congressional aides with knowledge of the move said Tuesday, more than one month after the California Republican pleaded guilty in federal court to misusing campaign funds. Hunter submitted his letter of resignation to congressional leaders Tuesday, according to the aides, who spoke on condition …

The New York Times reports: Senator Mitch McConnell, the majority leader, informed Republicans on Tuesday that he planned to move forward with President Trump’s impeachment trial without committing to additional witnesses or admitting new evidence, over the objections of Democrats who are insisting on both. Mr. McConnell shared his intentions with senators over lunch in the Capitol, declaring that he …

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports: Wisconsin Republicans blocked President Donald Trump’s GOP opponents Tuesday from appearing on the state’s primary ballot. The move comes after Trump’s backers in other states have canceled their primaries, even though Trump has an easy path to winning his party’s nomination for a second term. Two Republicans are mounting long-shot campaigns against Trump — former …

Politico reports: Senate Republican leaders are preparing to move forward on a set of impeachment trial rules without Democratic support. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is on the verge of having sufficient backing in his 53-member caucus to pass a blueprint for the trial that leaves the question of seeking witnesses and documents until after opening arguments are made, according …

Fox News reports: Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley blasted Democrats Monday for their continued criticism of Trump’s directive to kill Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani via drone strike last week, a decision Haley said showed “great resolve” on the part of the president. “You don’t see anyone standing up for Iran,” Haley said on “Hannity” Monday. “You’re …

Politico reports: Sen. Mitt Romney said Monday that he wants to hear from John Bolton after the former national security adviser offered to testify in the Senate’s impeachment trial. “Of course,” said the Utah Republican when asked if he wants Bolton to testify. “He has firsthand information and, assuming that articles of impeachment reach the Senate, I’d like to hear …