Republicans warn dismissing Mayorkas impeachment will set new precedent
House Republicans will wait to deliver articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate until the week of April 14. In February, the House charged him with willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law and breach of public trust.
Once the House delivers the articles, the Senate will hold a trial. The trial’s result is a foregone conclusion — Mayorkas will not be convicted or removed from office.
“Farce,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said when asked about the upcoming trial. “Absolute waste of time.”
Democrats are expected to make a motion to table the articles and immediately end the trial. The chamber’s second-ranking Democrat said Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has multiple options.
“I think it’ll be done quickly,” Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said. “I’ve talked to some Republicans who candidly tell me they don’t take it very seriously.”
“I think the Democrats are going to kill it,” Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said.
Fox News reported that Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Ron Johnson, R-Wis., convinced Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to hold the articles until Monday. They hoped to prevent the Senate from quickly dismissing the articles before the weekend.
Republicans agreed that the House-led effort to remove Mayorkas is not going anywhere. But many called for a full trial so representatives can present evidence to the public and require a Senate vote. They also warned that tabling impeachment articles will set a new precedent.
“This will be the end of impeachment,” Hawley said. “If they create this precedent, this is how every majority will handle impeachments going forward, that doesn’t want it, they’ll just move to table.”
Republicans contend that Democrats rushed both impeachments of Donald Trump and moved forward without gathering proper evidence and presenting their case. Some of the representatives said the same thing happened here.
“I feel like my Republican colleagues may have just followed the lead of the Democrats moving quickly before they actually have presented information that would rise to the standard of misdemeanor or high crime,” Sen. Thom Tillis. R-N.C., told reporters.
Tillis said without a full presentation of the evidence, it would be difficult for him to vote to convict.
DOJ launches resource center to keep guns out of hands of high-risk individuals
The Department of Justice announced the establishment of the National Extreme Risk Protection Order Resource Center (ERPO). According to the Justice Department, the ERPO Resource Center will provide training and technical assistance to individuals responsible for implementing laws to prevent those who pose a threat from accessing firearms.
People who will receive training include law enforcement, judges and victim service providers.
The initiative aims to establish a civil process similar to domestic violence protection orders, allowing intervention to temporarily restrict firearm access for those deemed at risk of harming themselves or others.
Attorney General Merrick Garland praised the initiative, stating it will equip partners nationwide with valuable resources to prevent firearm-related tragedies.
The ERPO has already stirred controversy among some Republicans, with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., calling it a “massive Red Flag Operation.”
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., expressed disapproval and labeled the move as “evil,” and Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Fla., raised concerns about Second Amendment rights.
During President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address earlier in March, he reaffirmed his commitment to a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
Biden considers executive action to handle crisis at U.S.-Mexico border: The Morning Rundown, Feb. 22, 2024
President Biden is reportedly considering taking executive action for the migrant crisis at the southern border. And it’s the return of “panda diplomacy” as China plans to send two giant pandas to the U.S.
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Reports: Biden considering executive action to handle border crisis
President Joe Biden is considering taking executive action to get a handle on the migrant crisis at the southern border. According to multiple reports citing officials within the administration, the changes being considered are not yet finalized and would be weeks away from taking effect.
CNN reported the Justice Department is reviewing the proposed executive action to determine if it could withstand legal challenges. In January, U.S. border patrol reported more than 124,000 migrant encounters along the U.S.-Mexico border. According to federal data, apprehensions dropped 50% from December 2023 amid ongoing talks between the U.S. and Mexico.
The news of a possible executive action comes after Republicans blocked a bipartisan bill in the Senate addressing immigration reform and foreign aid. A White House spokesperson released a statement in response to these reports criticizing Republicans for rejecting the border security bill.
“No executive action, no matter how aggressive, can deliver the significant policy reforms and additional resources Congress can provide,” the spokesperson added.
Boeing replaces head of 737 Max program after midair mishap
Investigators believed bolts needed to keep the panel in place were missing when it left the Boeing factory. The FAA later limited Boeing’s production of 737 Max jets. In an email to employees, Boeing said several leadership changes were underway as the company focuses on ensuring every one of its planes meets or exceeds safety requirements.
Chipmaker Nvidia’s profits surge amid growing demand for AI
The California company makes chips for AI systems developed by Microsoft and Meta. Nvidia currently accounts for around 70% of all AI semiconductor sales. The company said revenue for the current quarter is expected to be $24 billion, an increase of 233% from 2023.
President Biden’s dog ‘bit staff 24 times in one year’
Secret Service records released recently have unveiled that President Joe Biden’s German shepherd, Commander, was involved in at least 24 biting incidents over the past year, more than what was initially reported. The disclosure, which includes 269 pages of related emails, sheds light on the severity and frequency of these incidents.
The emails document the concern among Secret Service agents, with at least 11 of these incidents necessitating medical attention. The situation has highlighted the challenges faced by security personnel in managing the First Family’s pet within the confines of the White House.
Commander, Biden's banished German shepherd, had at least 25 biting incidents in a year https://t.co/ntR2hK6jhB
Commander, a gift to Biden from his brother James in December 2021, had to be removed from the White House premises in October. The decision came after one particularly severe incident where a Secret Service agent was bitten and required medical treatment. The two-year-old German shepherd’s behavior has sparked discussions about pet management and safety protocols within the presidential residence.
China to send more pandas to US, bringing back panda diplomacy
The announcement came months after a family of pandas who had lived at the Smithsonian National Zoo since 1972 was sent back to China, and as the last remaining family of pandas living in the U.S. at the Atlanta Zoo is set to return to China next year. According to San Diego Zoo officials, if all goes to plan, the zoo could welcome the new pandas as soon as the end of summer 2024. In return, the Associated Press reports, zoos typically pay the China Wildlife Conservation Association $1 million per year.
At a meeting in San Francisco in November 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Biden reportedly talked about panda diplomacy, which has long been a part of U.S.-China relations. While those relations have been rocky, Xi said at the meeting that China would again begin to lend the U.S. pandas to strengthen relations between our “two peoples.”
Odysseus, @Int_Machines’ uncrewed Moon lander, is targeted to touch down at the lunar South Pole at 5:30pm ET (2230 UTC) Feb. 22. Watch live with us as this Moon delivery brings science instruments to study the region. https://t.co/7U0WfJG56bpic.twitter.com/9JXBdD4y6K
NASA paid $118 million for the private spacecraft to deliver six experiments, including a stereo camera and radio receiver. The agency will be live-streaming the landing on its NASA TV service. Odysseus hopes to be the first private spacecraft ever to touch down on the moon and the first American moon landing since 1972.
FBI informant charged with lying about Biden family’s ties to Burisma
An FBI informant has been charged with falsely reporting a multimillion-dollar bribery scheme involving President Joe Biden, his son Hunter, and Ukrainian energy company Burisma. The charges were filed by Special Counsel David Weiss, who is leading the investigation against Hunter Biden, charging him with firearm and tax violations.
According to the indictment, Alexander Smirnov, 43, lied to the FBI in 2020 when he said Burisma paid both Bidens $5 million. Prosecutors said Smirnov “expressed bias” against Joe Biden, who was running for president then. Smirnov’s claims have been central to House Republicans’ efforts to impeach the president over his family business dealings.
“In short, the Defendant transformed his routine and unextraordinary business contacts with Burisma in 2017 and later into bribery allegations against Public Official 1, the presumptive nominee of one of the two major political parties for President, after expressing bias against Public Official 1 and his candidacy,” the indictment said.
Democrat Tom Suozzi wins New York House seat to replace George Santos
Democrats have flipped a seat in the House after a special election in New York on Tuesday, Feb. 13, to replace former Republican Congressman George Santos, who was expelled last year. Democrat Tom Suozzi defeated Republican Mazi Pilip in New York’s 3rd Congressional District, narrowing the GOP’s already slim majority in the chamber of 219-213.
“Despite all the lies about Tom Suozzi and the Squad, about Tom Suozzi being the godfather of the migrant crisis, about ‘Sanctuary Suozzi,’ despite the dirty tricks, despite the vaunted Nassau County Republican machine: We won,” Suozzi said during his victory speech.
During Suozzi’s victory speech, a protester accusing him of supporting genocide in Gaza ran on stage with a Palestinian flag but was quickly removed according to reports.
According to NBC reporting, Suozzi could seek to be sworn into the House of Representatives as early as Thursday, Feb. 15. If Suozzi is not sworn in on Thursday, Feb. 15, he may have to wait until the House gets back from the extended recess for President’s Day.
House GOP impeaches Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas: The Morning Rundown, Feb. 14, 2024
In their second attempt, House Republicans vote to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. And a driver is killed after crashing into the emergency room of a Texas hospital, leaving others critically injured. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024.
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The GOP had the votes Tuesday night, Feb. 13, after failing to pass the measure on Tuesday, Feb. 6, thanks to the return of House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., who had been absent while seeking blood cancer treatment. The articles of impeachment passed by a vote of 214-213, with three Republicans siding with Democrats to oppose impeaching Mayorkas. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said that Mayorkas fueled “the worst border catastrophe in American history.”
While a spokesperson for DHS said the impeachment was done “without a shred of evidence or constitutional grounds.” The issue now heads to trial in the Democrat-controlled Senate, which is unlikely to vote to remove Mayorkas from office.
Tuesday’s vote marked only the second time in U.S. history that the House has impeached a cabinet member. The last time was in 1876.
Democrat Tom Suozzi wins NY election to replace George Santos
Voters battled through a winter storm to make it to the polls. With 93% of the votes in, Suozzi won 54% compared to 46% for Pilip.
Suozzi is returning to the House after giving up his seat in 2022 to run for Governor. He previously served three terms.
Driver dead 5 others injured after vehicle crashes into Austin ER
The driver was killed after crashing into an Austin, Texas, emergency room, while five others were left injured in the incident. Footage taken by a bystander right after the crash happened shows hospital staff and responders clearing the lobby and moving the injured through a cloud of smoke while the sounds of screeching tires continue in the background.
According to police, the crash occurred shortly after 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, and does not appear to have been intentional. The crash left five people hurt. Two children and one adult were transported to a local children’s hospital. One of the kids is said to be in critical condition. Another adult was taken to a different area hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries. The fifth person injured was treated on-site at the emergency room.
According to the chief medical officer at the Austin hospital, eight others in the emergency room who were not injured in the crash were transported to other hospitals in the area so the emergency room could regroup after the incident.
Uber, Lyft, Doordash drivers to walk off job, hold rallies at airports
SpaceX postpones launch of private company’s moon lander
If you are looking to see a video of the latest launch of a private company’s moon lander, you’ll have to wait at least one more day. SpaceX is postponing Wednesday morning’s Feb. 13 launch of its Falcon 9 rocket carrying Intuitive Machines of Houston’s robotic lunar lander, Odysseus. SpaceX said a liquid methane temperature issue was the cause of the delay.
The launch is now scheduled for early Thursday morning, Feb. 15, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A Friday, Feb. 16 launch is also possible if another issue arises.
Should this mission be successful, unlike last month’s attempt by another private company, it will be the first American spacecraft to land on the moon’s surface since 1972.
Record spending on significant others expected this Valentine’s Day
It’s Valentine’s Day 2024. While The Beatles famously sang, “money can’t buy me love,” that won’t stop many from spending on their loved ones today. According to the National Retail Federation, people are expected to spend a record $14.2 billion this year on their significant others, or $101.84per person. Total spending is expected to reach $25.8 billion, with an average of $185 per person.
The top gift of choice? Candy, followed by greeting cards, flowers, and an evening out. Over half of Americans said they plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, while about a third of those who aren’t still said they want to mark the occasion by either getting together with single friends or treating themselves to something special.
House Republicans fail to impeach Mayorkas, pass Israel funding bill: The Morning Rundown, Feb. 7, 2024
House Republicans fail to impeach the Homeland Security secretary and pass an Israel aid bill. And voters in Nevada send a message as a winner of the state’s GOP primary is declared. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024.
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House GOP fails to impeach Mayorkas, pass Israel funding bill
It was a busy night on Capitol Hill Tuesday, Feb. 6, and a rough one for House Republicans as two of their efforts failed to pass a full House vote, impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and a standalone Israel aid bill.
Democrats hope a bipartisan package in the Senate, including funding for Israel, Ukraine, and border security, will gain traction. However, its outlook is bleak, with Republicans challenging it in both chambers.
House Republicans also failed in their effort to impeach DHS Secretary Mayorkas over his handling of the border crisis, with four Republicans voting no, siding with Democrats that Mayorkas’ conduct does not constitute an impeachable offense.
A spokesperson for the DHS called the impeachment “baseless” and said it “should have never moved forward.” Despite the loss, GOP leaders say they plan to bring up the impeachment vote again soon.
Nikki Haley loses to ‘none of these candidates’ in Nevada primary
Former President Donald Trump did not compete in the primary, opting to participate in Thursday’s, Feb. 8, caucuses, which will award Nevada’s delegates to the winner. Haley becomes the first candidate for either the GOP or Democratic party to lose to the “none of these candidates” option since it was introduced in Nevada in 1975. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden easily won the state’s Democratic primary.
Mother of school shooter found guilty of involuntary manslaughter
Crumbley was convicted on four counts, one for each of the students who were killed during the mass shooting at Oxford High School on Nov. 30, 2021. Her son, Ethan Crumbley, who was 15 years old at the time, was sentenced to life in prison last year after pleading guilty to 24 charges, including first-degree murder.
The Associated Press reporting that prosecutors are asking for consecutive sentences on the four counts which means Crumbley is facing up to 60 years in prison. Crumbley’s sentencing is scheduled for April.
NTSB: Alaska Airlines flight was missing bolts before panel flew off
The panel that flew off an Alaska Airlines plane midflight in January 2024 was missing four bolts needed to keep it in place, according to a new report by the NTSB. Investigators said the panel, known as a door plug, likely left a Boeing factory without the bolts in place. The incident resulted in the FAA grounding all Boeing 737 Max 9 airplanes.
A Boeing spokesperson said the company will review the findings and continue to work with investigators. The report came out on the same day the FAA’s top official, Michael Whitaker, testified before House lawmakers. He said the current inspection system is not working and the FAA will take appropriate actions to keep flying safe for all passengers.
Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson to interview Putin
The New York Times reported that the Kremlin has yet to confirm the interview is happening. Still, Russian state-run media has reported every move of Carlson’s trip to Moscow, only increasing anticipation of the potential interview. Carlson said that the interview will be aired unedited on his website and on “X.” Carlsom added that he also requested to interview Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
ESPN, Fox, Warner Bros. Discovery to launch sports streaming service
Most sports are a team effort; now, that same group mentality goes for streaming sports as three of the biggest broadcasters are banding together to form a new streaming service. Disney’s ESPN, the Fox Corporation, and Warner Bros. Discovery announced they will launch a new service in the fall to showcase their sports assets.
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this report stated that the Oxford High School shooting occurred on Nov. 30, 2022 The shooting occurred on Nov. 30, 2021 and SAN has updated this report. SAN regrets the error.
Biden threatens to veto House GOP’s standalone bill for Israel aid
With the Senate scheduled to hold an initial vote Wednesday, Feb. 7, on a $118 billion bill focusing on border security and aid to Ukraine and Israel, House Republicans are looking to push forward with a standalone bill of their own that would provide aid only to Israel. In response, President Joe Biden has come out to say he would veto the House bill. In a statement, the White House called the standalone bill a “political ploy” that “does nothing to help secure the border” or “defend the people of Ukraine.”
“The administration strongly opposes this ploy, which does nothing to secure the border, does nothing to help the people of Ukraine defend themselves against Putin’s aggression, fails to support the security of American synagogues, mosques and vulnerable places of worship, and denies humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, the majority of whom are women and children,” The White House Office of Management and Budget said in a statement.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told CNN on Monday, Feb. 5, that Biden’s veto threat is “a betrayal of our great ally and friend Israel in their time of desperate need.”
“Israel is at war, fighting for its very right to exist, while our brave men and women in uniform are in harm’s way on his orders to deter Iran,” Rep. Johnson said. “In threatening to veto aid to Israel and to our military forces, President Biden is abandoning our ally in its time of greatest need. I urge friends of Israel and opponents of Iran to call the president’s bluff and pass this clean aid package.”
The speaker has said that the Senate’s bill would be dead on arrival in the House, but it might not get to that point, as on Monday night, Feb. 5, Senate Republicans held a closed-door meeting, threatening to block the bipartisan package.
Senators unveil $118 billion bill for border, Israel, Ukraine
A bipartisan group of senators unveiled a $118 billion package on Sunday, Feb. 4, that includes changes to America’s border policies while providing additional aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies. The 370-page bill includes $60 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel and $10 billion in humanitarian aid — including for people in Gaza and the West Bank.
As for immigration reform, the bill includes approximately $20 billion for border security. Republican Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma, Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut and independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona negotiated the bill.
The bill calls for a mandated border shutdown should the daily average of migrant crossings reach 5,000. The bill also ends the practice known as “catch and release,” where migrants caught crossing the border illegally are released into the U.S. while they wait for their asylum application to be processed.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the Senate would begin the process of moving forward with the legislation this week. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell endorsed the bipartisan bill, but it is already facing opposition.
Just hours after the release of the bill’s text, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R, spoke out against it.
“I’ve seen enough,” Johnson said. “This bill is even worse than we expected, and won’t come close to ending the border catastrophe the President has created. As the lead Democrat negotiator proclaimed: Under this legislation, ‘the border never closes.’ If this bill reaches the House, it will be dead on arrival.”
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said the bill “will not receive a vote in the House.”
Senate Republicans tell House GOP they won’t get better immigration deal with Trump
After nearly three months of negotiations, senators believe they are close to an agreement on an aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific. As Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. put it, “We’re down to the last ten yard line.”
Why the new sense of optimism? Because the package now includes what Republicans describe as meaningful reforms to immigration policy including asylum, expedited removal, parole and more.
“The work’s not done on the supplemental but I am really hopeful that negotiations are in the right direction,” Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said. “We are closer than we have ever been. And the sense of cooperation between Leader McConnell and myself and the leadership of both sides, you’ve heard what Senators Thune and Cornyn have said lately, bodes very well, bodes very well for getting things done.”
But if the Senate comes to an agreement, it won’t be easy to get through the House where Republicans say they want nothing short of HR2, their signature border bill that Democrats describe as extreme.
“Border, border, border,” Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said. “We have to take care of our own house. We have to secure our own border before we talk about anything else.”
Conservative House Republicans think they could get an even better deal if former President Donald Trump is reelected in November. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., told NBC News she would personally file a motion to force a vote on ousting Speaker Johnson if he brings forward a deal that provides funding for Ukraine, regardless of what immigration reforms it includes.
But Senate Republicans are very publicly telling their House Republican colleagues that this deal is as good as any they’re going to get, so support it now while they have the chance.
“To get this kind of border security without granting a pathway to citizenship is really unheard of,” Sen. Graham said. “So if you think you’re going to get a better deal, next time, in ‘25 if President Trump’s president, Democrats will be expecting a pathway to citizenship for that.”
“If we had a 100% Republican government – President, House, Senate – we probably would not be able to get a single Democratic vote to pass what Senator Lankford and the administration are trying to get together on,” Sen. Minority leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told reporters.
After a meeting with President Joe Biden and other Congressional leaders on Wednesday, Jan. 17, Speaker Johnson told CNN that he will not commit to putting the package on the House floor for a vote.