Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) is facing an uphill battle as she prepares for a competitive primary that shows her losing more ground each day against her pro-Israel opponent, a sign that she could be the next “Squad” member on her way out.

Bush is facing St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell on Tuesday in what has been a rocky campaign for the incumbent due, in part, to her vocal criticism of Israel’s response to the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack, calling the counteroffensive an “ethnic cleansing campaign.” The Israel-Hamas war has sowed divisions within the Democratic conference, which has spelled disaster for progressive “Squad” Democrats as pro-Israel organizations have made it their personal mission to remove them from office.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee has succeeded once already, after the lobbying group and its allies dumped millions into Rep. Jamaal Bowman’s (D-NY) race in New York’s 16th Congressional District. Bowman was ousted by Westchester County Executive George Latimer, who is likely to win the general election in November.

In Bush’s case, AIPAC’s PAC, the United Democracy Project, has spent $7 million to oust the Missouri congresswoman, according to campaign finance records. The $7 million is part of a larger $100 million plan to unseat Israel critics. 

Israel turns into flash point for Bush’s reelection

While Republicans are being hit for social matters, abortion, and gun control, Israel is a major thorn in the Democrats’ side after Hamas attacked the Jewish state on Oct. 7, 2023. Most congressional Democrats are staunch supporters of Israel, while progressives, such as Bush, Bowman, and Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), have called for a ceasefire and the Biden administration to stop funding Israel over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Bell, who has been vocally critical of the Missouri congresswoman’s calls to end the “occupation” of Israel, has significant local support in the district and has outpaced Bush in fundraising, ending April with $1.1 million cash on hand to Bush’s $528,000. As of that filing, the attorney had received more than $360,000 in individual contributions earmarked as having been directed to his campaign through AIPAC. 

AIPAC recently came under fire for claims that the United Democracy Project altered a photo of the congresswoman for a campaign mailer, a move that Bush slammed as racist and shameful. The PAC has denied the allegations. Bell did not respond to requests for comment on whether he denounced the distorted image.

Bush versus Bell matchup shaped by Black Lives Matter movement

Missouri’s 1st Congressional District is solidly Democratic — particularly after 10 years ago, when the death of Michael Brown, a black man, at the hands of a Ferguson police officer rocked the community and made national headlines. The district was an epicenter for the Black Lives Matter movement that only grew in 2020 after the death of George Floyd. 

Bush, a nurse-turned-activist, ousted longtime Democratic Rep. Lacy Clay in the 2020 elections in part thanks to the momentum and outrage from both Brown’s and Floyd’s deaths. In Bell’s case, the high-profile nature of Brown’s death helped him win a seat on the city council and eventually oust former St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch, who declined to charge Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson for shooting and killing Brown.

In the 2022 midterm elections, Bush outspent her more centrist Democratic opponent 5-to-1 and easily won the primary. However, now she is losing steam against Bell, who has outraised Bush 2-to-1 and leads Bush by 6 points, 48% to 42%, according to a poll from the Mellman Group on behalf of the Democratic Majority for Israel PAC.

Once a foregone conclusion that Bush would win reelection, now the congresswoman is in danger of losing her seat. Her statements about ending “Israeli military occupation and apartheid” and that she won’t be silent about “Israel’s ethnic cleansing campaign” angered many in the St. Louis Jewish community, which is divided between the 1st and 2nd Districts.

Support among black voters will be critical for Bell and Bush. Recent census figures show 46% of the 1st District’s population is black, and national polling shows that black voters are not making decisions on candidates based on their feelings about the Israel-Hamas war.

Bell has capitalized on Bush’s anti-Israel stance but also has focused on her voting record in Congress and recent controversies as a way to reach more voters. Bush also faces scrutiny over hiring her husband as her security detail. The congresswoman announced in January that she was the subject of a Justice Department investigation. She has continued to pay her husband for the last six months despite the inquiry.

Some groups, like the National Black Empowerment Action Fund, spent the days leading up to the primary going door to door to educate voters on Bush’s record. As a 501(c)(4) group, it cannot endorse. However, Darius Jones, leader of the organization, said the group is advocating against Bush in the primary due to her stance on key issues that don’t reflect the wishes of her constituents.

Jones told the Washington Examiner that the NBEAF went to over 10,000 doors in Missouri’s 1st District and found that “personally, Cori Bush is popular.”

“But what we noticed was that when folks learned more about her actual record in Congress, her legislative achievements or lack thereof, and also when they kind of learned her true positions on some major issues to the African American community … folks were profoundly disappointed in her leadership and in the direction that they think she’s taking the district,” Jones said.

A poll conducted by the organization and shared with the Washington Examiner found that 84% of black constituents preferred a member of Congress who focuses on governing on critical issues rather than far-out rhetoric and engaging in “divisive conversations.”

Jones said that when Bush was elected to Congress in the wake of Floyd’s death, there was a need for the community to focus on social justice matters. Now, while those issues are still important, Jones said, public safety and economic empowerment are top priorities for black constituents in Bush’s district.

The advocacy leader pointed to Bush’s comments about defunding the police and wanting to decriminalize drugs. 

“If you’re a black person and you already feel like you live in a community that’s not safe, knowing that your member of Congress is in D.C. pushing for these kind of policies that are not in your best interest — folks were alarmed when they heard that,” Jones said.

For her part, Bush is not going down without a fight. She has blasted Bell over his career as a prosecutor, including the fact that he did not reopen the case against Wilson. Her final campaign ad before the primary features Brown’s father, who says that Bell “never brought charges against the killer … [and] failed to reform the office.”

Bush has tried to tie Bell to Republicans over the support he received from AIPAC and Fairshake, a pro-Trump-funded venture capitalist firm. AIPAC supports both Democrats and Republicans. She has the endorsement of St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones and several key labor unions, while other labor unions that used to endorse Bush threw their support behind Bell. 

Ferguson Mayor Ella Jones has endorsed Bell. She told local NPR affiliate STLPR that one of Bell’s strengths is his visibility throughout St. Louis County, including in predominantly black cities that do not have trustworthy relationships with law enforcement agencies.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

“He does have a record here,” Jones said. “Every time there’s something going on in Ferguson, you see Wesley. If something is going on in Dellwood, you see Wesley. He’s visible. He’s just here for the people.”

The Washington Examiner reached out to Bell’s and Bush’s campaigns for comment.

2024-08-03 10:00:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fnews%2Fcampaigns%2Fcongressional%2F3108713%2Fcori-bush-squad-primary-election-missouri%2F?w=600&h=450, Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) is facing an uphill battle as she prepares for a competitive primary that shows her losing more ground each day against her pro-Israel opponent, a sign that she could be the next “Squad” member on her way out. Bush is facing St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell on Tuesday in,

Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) is facing an uphill battle as she prepares for a competitive primary that shows her losing more ground each day against her pro-Israel opponent, a sign that she could be the next “Squad” member on her way out.

Bush is facing St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell on Tuesday in what has been a rocky campaign for the incumbent due, in part, to her vocal criticism of Israel’s response to the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack, calling the counteroffensive an “ethnic cleansing campaign.” The Israel-Hamas war has sowed divisions within the Democratic conference, which has spelled disaster for progressive “Squad” Democrats as pro-Israel organizations have made it their personal mission to remove them from office.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee has succeeded once already, after the lobbying group and its allies dumped millions into Rep. Jamaal Bowman’s (D-NY) race in New York’s 16th Congressional District. Bowman was ousted by Westchester County Executive George Latimer, who is likely to win the general election in November.

In Bush’s case, AIPAC’s PAC, the United Democracy Project, has spent $7 million to oust the Missouri congresswoman, according to campaign finance records. The $7 million is part of a larger $100 million plan to unseat Israel critics. 

Israel turns into flash point for Bush’s reelection

While Republicans are being hit for social matters, abortion, and gun control, Israel is a major thorn in the Democrats’ side after Hamas attacked the Jewish state on Oct. 7, 2023. Most congressional Democrats are staunch supporters of Israel, while progressives, such as Bush, Bowman, and Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), have called for a ceasefire and the Biden administration to stop funding Israel over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Bell, who has been vocally critical of the Missouri congresswoman’s calls to end the “occupation” of Israel, has significant local support in the district and has outpaced Bush in fundraising, ending April with $1.1 million cash on hand to Bush’s $528,000. As of that filing, the attorney had received more than $360,000 in individual contributions earmarked as having been directed to his campaign through AIPAC. 

AIPAC recently came under fire for claims that the United Democracy Project altered a photo of the congresswoman for a campaign mailer, a move that Bush slammed as racist and shameful. The PAC has denied the allegations. Bell did not respond to requests for comment on whether he denounced the distorted image.

Bush versus Bell matchup shaped by Black Lives Matter movement

Missouri’s 1st Congressional District is solidly Democratic — particularly after 10 years ago, when the death of Michael Brown, a black man, at the hands of a Ferguson police officer rocked the community and made national headlines. The district was an epicenter for the Black Lives Matter movement that only grew in 2020 after the death of George Floyd. 

Bush, a nurse-turned-activist, ousted longtime Democratic Rep. Lacy Clay in the 2020 elections in part thanks to the momentum and outrage from both Brown’s and Floyd’s deaths. In Bell’s case, the high-profile nature of Brown’s death helped him win a seat on the city council and eventually oust former St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch, who declined to charge Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson for shooting and killing Brown.

In the 2022 midterm elections, Bush outspent her more centrist Democratic opponent 5-to-1 and easily won the primary. However, now she is losing steam against Bell, who has outraised Bush 2-to-1 and leads Bush by 6 points, 48% to 42%, according to a poll from the Mellman Group on behalf of the Democratic Majority for Israel PAC.

Once a foregone conclusion that Bush would win reelection, now the congresswoman is in danger of losing her seat. Her statements about ending “Israeli military occupation and apartheid” and that she won’t be silent about “Israel’s ethnic cleansing campaign” angered many in the St. Louis Jewish community, which is divided between the 1st and 2nd Districts.

Support among black voters will be critical for Bell and Bush. Recent census figures show 46% of the 1st District’s population is black, and national polling shows that black voters are not making decisions on candidates based on their feelings about the Israel-Hamas war.

Bell has capitalized on Bush’s anti-Israel stance but also has focused on her voting record in Congress and recent controversies as a way to reach more voters. Bush also faces scrutiny over hiring her husband as her security detail. The congresswoman announced in January that she was the subject of a Justice Department investigation. She has continued to pay her husband for the last six months despite the inquiry.

Some groups, like the National Black Empowerment Action Fund, spent the days leading up to the primary going door to door to educate voters on Bush’s record. As a 501(c)(4) group, it cannot endorse. However, Darius Jones, leader of the organization, said the group is advocating against Bush in the primary due to her stance on key issues that don’t reflect the wishes of her constituents.

Jones told the Washington Examiner that the NBEAF went to over 10,000 doors in Missouri’s 1st District and found that “personally, Cori Bush is popular.”

“But what we noticed was that when folks learned more about her actual record in Congress, her legislative achievements or lack thereof, and also when they kind of learned her true positions on some major issues to the African American community … folks were profoundly disappointed in her leadership and in the direction that they think she’s taking the district,” Jones said.

A poll conducted by the organization and shared with the Washington Examiner found that 84% of black constituents preferred a member of Congress who focuses on governing on critical issues rather than far-out rhetoric and engaging in “divisive conversations.”

Jones said that when Bush was elected to Congress in the wake of Floyd’s death, there was a need for the community to focus on social justice matters. Now, while those issues are still important, Jones said, public safety and economic empowerment are top priorities for black constituents in Bush’s district.

The advocacy leader pointed to Bush’s comments about defunding the police and wanting to decriminalize drugs. 

“If you’re a black person and you already feel like you live in a community that’s not safe, knowing that your member of Congress is in D.C. pushing for these kind of policies that are not in your best interest — folks were alarmed when they heard that,” Jones said.

For her part, Bush is not going down without a fight. She has blasted Bell over his career as a prosecutor, including the fact that he did not reopen the case against Wilson. Her final campaign ad before the primary features Brown’s father, who says that Bell “never brought charges against the killer … [and] failed to reform the office.”

Bush has tried to tie Bell to Republicans over the support he received from AIPAC and Fairshake, a pro-Trump-funded venture capitalist firm. AIPAC supports both Democrats and Republicans. She has the endorsement of St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones and several key labor unions, while other labor unions that used to endorse Bush threw their support behind Bell. 

Ferguson Mayor Ella Jones has endorsed Bell. She told local NPR affiliate STLPR that one of Bell’s strengths is his visibility throughout St. Louis County, including in predominantly black cities that do not have trustworthy relationships with law enforcement agencies.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

“He does have a record here,” Jones said. “Every time there’s something going on in Ferguson, you see Wesley. If something is going on in Dellwood, you see Wesley. He’s visible. He’s just here for the people.”

The Washington Examiner reached out to Bell’s and Bush’s campaigns for comment.

, Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) is facing an uphill battle as she prepares for a competitive primary that shows her losing more ground each day against her pro-Israel opponent, a sign that she could be the next “Squad” member on her way out. Bush is facing St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell on Tuesday in what has been a rocky campaign for the incumbent due, in part, to her vocal criticism of Israel’s response to the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack, calling the counteroffensive an “ethnic cleansing campaign.” The Israel-Hamas war has sowed divisions within the Democratic conference, which has spelled disaster for progressive “Squad” Democrats as pro-Israel organizations have made it their personal mission to remove them from office. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee has succeeded once already, after the lobbying group and its allies dumped millions into Rep. Jamaal Bowman’s (D-NY) race in New York’s 16th Congressional District. Bowman was ousted by Westchester County Executive George Latimer, who is likely to win the general election in November. In Bush’s case, AIPAC’s PAC, the United Democracy Project, has spent $7 million to oust the Missouri congresswoman, according to campaign finance records. The $7 million is part of a larger $100 million plan to unseat Israel critics.  Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) Israel turns into flash point for Bush’s reelection While Republicans are being hit for social matters, abortion, and gun control, Israel is a major thorn in the Democrats’ side after Hamas attacked the Jewish state on Oct. 7, 2023. Most congressional Democrats are staunch supporters of Israel, while progressives, such as Bush, Bowman, and Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), have called for a ceasefire and the Biden administration to stop funding Israel over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Bell, who has been vocally critical of the Missouri congresswoman’s calls to end the “occupation” of Israel, has significant local support in the district and has outpaced Bush in fundraising, ending April with $1.1 million cash on hand to Bush’s $528,000. As of that filing, the attorney had received more than $360,000 in individual contributions earmarked as having been directed to his campaign through AIPAC.  AIPAC recently came under fire for claims that the United Democracy Project altered a photo of the congresswoman for a campaign mailer, a move that Bush slammed as racist and shameful. The PAC has denied the allegations. Bell did not respond to requests for comment on whether he denounced the distorted image. St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell speaks during a press conference on Wednesday, May 1, 2019, at the Buzz Westfall Justice Center in Clayton, Missouri (Laurie Skrivan/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP) Bush versus Bell matchup shaped by Black Lives Matter movement Missouri’s 1st Congressional District is solidly Democratic — particularly after 10 years ago, when the death of Michael Brown, a black man, at the hands of a Ferguson police officer rocked the community and made national headlines. The district was an epicenter for the Black Lives Matter movement that only grew in 2020 after the death of George Floyd.  Bush, a nurse-turned-activist, ousted longtime Democratic Rep. Lacy Clay in the 2020 elections in part thanks to the momentum and outrage from both Brown’s and Floyd’s deaths. In Bell’s case, the high-profile nature of Brown’s death helped him win a seat on the city council and eventually oust former St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch, who declined to charge Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson for shooting and killing Brown. In the 2022 midterm elections, Bush outspent her more centrist Democratic opponent 5-to-1 and easily won the primary. However, now she is losing steam against Bell, who has outraised Bush 2-to-1 and leads Bush by 6 points, 48% to 42%, according to a poll from the Mellman Group on behalf of the Democratic Majority for Israel PAC. Once a foregone conclusion that Bush would win reelection, now the congresswoman is in danger of losing her seat. Her statements about ending “Israeli military occupation and apartheid” and that she won’t be silent about “Israel’s ethnic cleansing campaign” angered many in the St. Louis Jewish community, which is divided between the 1st and 2nd Districts. Support among black voters will be critical for Bell and Bush. Recent census figures show 46% of the 1st District’s population is black, and national polling shows that black voters are not making decisions on candidates based on their feelings about the Israel-Hamas war. Bell has capitalized on Bush’s anti-Israel stance but also has focused on her voting record in Congress and recent controversies as a way to reach more voters. Bush also faces scrutiny over hiring her husband as her security detail. The congresswoman announced in January that she was the subject of a Justice Department investigation. She has continued to pay her husband for the last six months despite the inquiry. Some groups, like the National Black Empowerment Action Fund, spent the days leading up to the primary going door to door to educate voters on Bush’s record. As a 501(c)(4) group, it cannot endorse. However, Darius Jones, leader of the organization, said the group is advocating against Bush in the primary due to her stance on key issues that don’t reflect the wishes of her constituents. Jones told the Washington Examiner that the NBEAF went to over 10,000 doors in Missouri’s 1st District and found that “personally, Cori Bush is popular.” “But what we noticed was that when folks learned more about her actual record in Congress, her legislative achievements or lack thereof, and also when they kind of learned her true positions on some major issues to the African American community … folks were profoundly disappointed in her leadership and in the direction that they think she’s taking the district,” Jones said. A poll conducted by the organization and shared with the Washington Examiner found that 84% of black constituents preferred a member of Congress who focuses on governing on critical issues rather than far-out rhetoric and engaging in “divisive conversations.” Jones said that when Bush was elected to Congress in the wake of Floyd’s death, there was a need for the community to focus on social justice matters. Now, while those issues are still important, Jones said, public safety and economic empowerment are top priorities for black constituents in Bush’s district. The advocacy leader pointed to Bush’s comments about defunding the police and wanting to decriminalize drugs.  “If you’re a black person and you already feel like you live in a community that’s not safe, knowing that your member of Congress is in D.C. pushing for these kind of policies that are not in your best interest — folks were alarmed when they heard that,” Jones said. For her part, Bush is not going down without a fight. She has blasted Bell over his career as a prosecutor, including the fact that he did not reopen the case against Wilson. Her final campaign ad before the primary features Brown’s father, who says that Bell “never brought charges against the killer … [and] failed to reform the office.” Two weeks from today is the 10th anniversary of Michael Brown’s death. His family deserves accountability for his killing. We fought for it. They were promised it. And that promise was broken. His still grieving family deserves this platform to share their story. pic.twitter.com/6pOxXT58L7 — Cori Bush (@CoriBush) July 26, 2024 Bush has tried to tie Bell to Republicans over the support he received from AIPAC and Fairshake, a pro-Trump-funded venture capitalist firm. AIPAC supports both Democrats and Republicans. She has the endorsement of St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones and several key labor unions, while other labor unions that used to endorse Bush threw their support behind Bell.  Ferguson Mayor Ella Jones has endorsed Bell. She told local NPR affiliate STLPR that one of Bell’s strengths is his visibility throughout St. Louis County, including in predominantly black cities that do not have trustworthy relationships with law enforcement agencies. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER “He does have a record here,” Jones said. “Every time there’s something going on in Ferguson, you see Wesley. If something is going on in Dellwood, you see Wesley. He’s visible. He’s just here for the people.” The Washington Examiner reached out to Bell’s and Bush’s campaigns for comment., , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/cori-bush-wesley-bell-primary.webp, Washington Examiner, Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cropped-favicon-32×32.png, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/feed/, Rachel Schilke,

Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good (R-VA) suffered defeat in the recount for his June primary, making him the first House Republican incumbent to lose a primary challenge this election cycle.

Good lost the recount to John McGuire, a former Navy SEAL, who won the primary by just 374 votes. The recount, which began Thursday morning, narrowed the race by just four votes with Good losing by 370.

Because the margin of victory in the primary was above half a point, Good was responsible for paying for the recount himself. Circuit Judge Claude Worrell II said ahead of the recount that he estimated the cost of the recount at $96,500. If the updated results had revealed Good as the winner, the congressman would have been refunded. 

Good is the first House Republican to lose his seat in a primary upset and the second House member overall, the first being “Squad” Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY). The Virginia lawmaker is also the first House Freedom Caucus chairman to ever lose reelection.

Good, who has led the hard-line conservative caucus since January, has said he would resign early from his position as chairman if he loses the recount so a new leader can be elected before his term ends. The Washington Examiner reached out to Good’s campaign to see whether he plans to step down following the recount.

McGuire had the backing of several of Good’s Republican colleagues, including Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH), a Freedom Caucus member and the only one from the caucus to endorse Good’s challenger. Davidson was ousted from the caucus on July 8 after throwing his support behind McGuire. Following Davidson’s ousting, Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) said he would be leaving the caucus, as well.

The former Navy SEAl also had an endorsement from former President Donald Trump after Good threw his support behind Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) in the GOP presidential contest. Good later switched his endorsement to Trump after DeSantis suspended his campaign, but that wasn’t enough to appease the former president, who spent months calling Good a backstabber.

McGuire thanked his supporters, including Trump, and praised what people could do when “we work as a team.”

“Folks in the 5th District can rest assured that should they elect me in November, they will have an effective fighter in Congress who will get the job done,” McGuire said in a statement. “I look forward to working with Trump to defeat Kamala Harris and to helping elect Hung Cao in November. Now is the time to set our differences aside and unite as a party. Together we will Make America Great Again!”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

With McGuire’s win now solidified, he will go on to face Democratic candidate Gloria Witt. The seat is rated “solid Republican” with a 7-point advantage for the GOP with Good as the incumbent. It is likely to still favor Republicans with McGuire as the Republican candidate.

The Washington Examiner reached out to Good’s campaigns for comment.

2024-08-02 03:28:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fnews%2Fcampaigns%2Fcongressional%2F3106590%2Fbob-good-loses-recount-becomes-first-ousted-house-gop-incumbent%2F?w=600&h=450, Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good (R-VA) suffered defeat in the recount for his June primary, making him the first House Republican incumbent to lose a primary challenge this election cycle. Good lost the recount to John McGuire, a former Navy SEAL, who won the primary by just 374 votes. The recount, which began Thursday morning,

Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good (R-VA) suffered defeat in the recount for his June primary, making him the first House Republican incumbent to lose a primary challenge this election cycle.

Good lost the recount to John McGuire, a former Navy SEAL, who won the primary by just 374 votes. The recount, which began Thursday morning, narrowed the race by just four votes with Good losing by 370.

Because the margin of victory in the primary was above half a point, Good was responsible for paying for the recount himself. Circuit Judge Claude Worrell II said ahead of the recount that he estimated the cost of the recount at $96,500. If the updated results had revealed Good as the winner, the congressman would have been refunded. 

Good is the first House Republican to lose his seat in a primary upset and the second House member overall, the first being “Squad” Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY). The Virginia lawmaker is also the first House Freedom Caucus chairman to ever lose reelection.

Good, who has led the hard-line conservative caucus since January, has said he would resign early from his position as chairman if he loses the recount so a new leader can be elected before his term ends. The Washington Examiner reached out to Good’s campaign to see whether he plans to step down following the recount.

McGuire had the backing of several of Good’s Republican colleagues, including Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH), a Freedom Caucus member and the only one from the caucus to endorse Good’s challenger. Davidson was ousted from the caucus on July 8 after throwing his support behind McGuire. Following Davidson’s ousting, Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) said he would be leaving the caucus, as well.

The former Navy SEAl also had an endorsement from former President Donald Trump after Good threw his support behind Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) in the GOP presidential contest. Good later switched his endorsement to Trump after DeSantis suspended his campaign, but that wasn’t enough to appease the former president, who spent months calling Good a backstabber.

McGuire thanked his supporters, including Trump, and praised what people could do when “we work as a team.”

“Folks in the 5th District can rest assured that should they elect me in November, they will have an effective fighter in Congress who will get the job done,” McGuire said in a statement. “I look forward to working with Trump to defeat Kamala Harris and to helping elect Hung Cao in November. Now is the time to set our differences aside and unite as a party. Together we will Make America Great Again!”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

With McGuire’s win now solidified, he will go on to face Democratic candidate Gloria Witt. The seat is rated “solid Republican” with a 7-point advantage for the GOP with Good as the incumbent. It is likely to still favor Republicans with McGuire as the Republican candidate.

The Washington Examiner reached out to Good’s campaigns for comment.

, Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good (R-VA) suffered defeat in the recount for his June primary, making him the first House Republican incumbent to lose a primary challenge this election cycle. Good lost the recount to John McGuire, a former Navy SEAL, who won the primary by just 374 votes. The recount, which began Thursday morning, narrowed the race by just four votes with Good losing by 370. Because the margin of victory in the primary was above half a point, Good was responsible for paying for the recount himself. Circuit Judge Claude Worrell II said ahead of the recount that he estimated the cost of the recount at $96,500. If the updated results had revealed Good as the winner, the congressman would have been refunded.  Good is the first House Republican to lose his seat in a primary upset and the second House member overall, the first being “Squad” Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY). The Virginia lawmaker is also the first House Freedom Caucus chairman to ever lose reelection. Good, who has led the hard-line conservative caucus since January, has said he would resign early from his position as chairman if he loses the recount so a new leader can be elected before his term ends. The Washington Examiner reached out to Good’s campaign to see whether he plans to step down following the recount. McGuire had the backing of several of Good’s Republican colleagues, including Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH), a Freedom Caucus member and the only one from the caucus to endorse Good’s challenger. Davidson was ousted from the caucus on July 8 after throwing his support behind McGuire. Following Davidson’s ousting, Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) said he would be leaving the caucus, as well. The former Navy SEAl also had an endorsement from former President Donald Trump after Good threw his support behind Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) in the GOP presidential contest. Good later switched his endorsement to Trump after DeSantis suspended his campaign, but that wasn’t enough to appease the former president, who spent months calling Good a backstabber. McGuire thanked his supporters, including Trump, and praised what people could do when “we work as a team.” “Folks in the 5th District can rest assured that should they elect me in November, they will have an effective fighter in Congress who will get the job done,” McGuire said in a statement. “I look forward to working with Trump to defeat Kamala Harris and to helping elect Hung Cao in November. Now is the time to set our differences aside and unite as a party. Together we will Make America Great Again!” CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER With McGuire’s win now solidified, he will go on to face Democratic candidate Gloria Witt. The seat is rated “solid Republican” with a 7-point advantage for the GOP with Good as the incumbent. It is likely to still favor Republicans with McGuire as the Republican candidate. The Washington Examiner reached out to Good’s campaigns for comment., , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/AP24012678628887-1.jpg.optimal.jpg, Washington Examiner, Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cropped-favicon-32×32.png, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/feed/, Rachel Schilke,

Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) defeated his primary opponent on Thursday by a narrow margin despite a flood of outside spending from anti-Ogles groups who sought to capitalize on the freshman congressman’s controversies.

The Associated Press called the race for Ogles at 8:24 p.m., just minutes after the polls closed. Ogles defeated Courtney Johnston, a member of the Nashville Metro Council.

Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District was considered to be the state’s toughest House primary, with Johnston outspending and outraising Ogles significantly. Other than the 4th District, Ogles is the only Tennessee House member who faces a primary challenge.

Many House Republicans rallied to Ogles’s side in recent weeks, donating to his campaign and stumping for him in the state. Johnston hit Ogles over issues the congressman faced during and after his 2022 campaign regarding his campaign finances and record in Congress.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Ogles is one of a few Freedom Caucus members who have competitive primaries this year. Pro-Johnston PACs such as the Conservatives With Character PAC spent $640,000 as of July 24 and were expected to spend a total of $1.2 million by Thursday’s contest.

The congressman will go on to face Maryam Abolfazli, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. The Cook Political Report rates the race as “solid Republican” with a 9-point GOP advantage.

2024-08-02 01:48:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fnews%2Fcampaigns%2Fcongressional%2F3108066%2Ftennessee-primary-andy-ogles-courtney-johnston-race%2F?w=600&h=450, Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) defeated his primary opponent on Thursday by a narrow margin despite a flood of outside spending from anti-Ogles groups who sought to capitalize on the freshman congressman’s controversies. The Associated Press called the race for Ogles at 8:24 p.m., just minutes after the polls closed. Ogles defeated Courtney Johnston, a member,

Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) defeated his primary opponent on Thursday by a narrow margin despite a flood of outside spending from anti-Ogles groups who sought to capitalize on the freshman congressman’s controversies.

The Associated Press called the race for Ogles at 8:24 p.m., just minutes after the polls closed. Ogles defeated Courtney Johnston, a member of the Nashville Metro Council.

Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District was considered to be the state’s toughest House primary, with Johnston outspending and outraising Ogles significantly. Other than the 4th District, Ogles is the only Tennessee House member who faces a primary challenge.

Many House Republicans rallied to Ogles’s side in recent weeks, donating to his campaign and stumping for him in the state. Johnston hit Ogles over issues the congressman faced during and after his 2022 campaign regarding his campaign finances and record in Congress.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Ogles is one of a few Freedom Caucus members who have competitive primaries this year. Pro-Johnston PACs such as the Conservatives With Character PAC spent $640,000 as of July 24 and were expected to spend a total of $1.2 million by Thursday’s contest.

The congressman will go on to face Maryam Abolfazli, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. The Cook Political Report rates the race as “solid Republican” with a 9-point GOP advantage.

, Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) defeated his primary opponent on Thursday by a narrow margin despite a flood of outside spending from anti-Ogles groups who sought to capitalize on the freshman congressman’s controversies. The Associated Press called the race for Ogles at 8:24 p.m., just minutes after the polls closed. Ogles defeated Courtney Johnston, a member of the Nashville Metro Council. Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District was considered to be the state’s toughest House primary, with Johnston outspending and outraising Ogles significantly. Other than the 4th District, Ogles is the only Tennessee House member who faces a primary challenge. Many House Republicans rallied to Ogles’s side in recent weeks, donating to his campaign and stumping for him in the state. Johnston hit Ogles over issues the congressman faced during and after his 2022 campaign regarding his campaign finances and record in Congress. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Ogles is one of a few Freedom Caucus members who have competitive primaries this year. Pro-Johnston PACs such as the Conservatives With Character PAC spent $640,000 as of July 24 and were expected to spend a total of $1.2 million by Thursday’s contest. The congressman will go on to face Maryam Abolfazli, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. The Cook Political Report rates the race as “solid Republican” with a 9-point GOP advantage., , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/AP24137782281147.webp, Washington Examiner, Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cropped-favicon-32×32.png, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/feed/, Rachel Schilke,

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) sailed to victory in her reelection primary, defeating her opponent by over 30,000 votes as of 8:23 p.m.

The Associated Press called the race for Blackburn at 8:08 p.m. Eastern, just eight minutes after the polls closed. The senator received 92.5%of the vote compared to Tres Wittum’s 7.5% at the time the race was called.

“It is an honor to represent the Volunteer State in the U.S. Senate, and Chuck and I are grateful for Tennesseans’ strong support tonight,” Blackburn said in a statement. “In the U.S. Senate, I will continue to champion conservative, America First policies by working to lower taxes, secure the border, support our veterans, hold Big Tech accountable, and ensure our adversaries fear us again.

“This November, Republicans must unite to take control of the U.S. Senate, keep the House of Representatives, and elect President Donald Trump to the White House,” the senator continued. “Together, let’s preserve the American Dream. Together, let’s protect Tennessee and protect America.” 

Blackburn was favored to win the primary, setting her up for a general election in a seat that is rated solid Republican.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The primary for Blackburn’s Democratic challenger was crowded, with Democratic state Rep. Gloria Johnson winning the contest at 8:13 p.m. Johnson gained national attention as one of the “Tennessee Three” whom state Republicans tried to expel for engaging in a House floor gun control protest. Her colleagues, state Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, were expelled, while Johnson was saved by a one-vote margin.

The seat is ranked solid Republican, meaning Blackburn is likely to win in November.

2024-08-02 01:04:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fnews%2Fcampaigns%2Fcongressional%2F3108244%2Ftennessee-primary-senate-marsha-blackburn%2F?w=600&h=450, Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) sailed to victory in her reelection primary, defeating her opponent by over 30,000 votes as of 8:23 p.m. The Associated Press called the race for Blackburn at 8:08 p.m. Eastern, just eight minutes after the polls closed. The senator received 92.5%of the vote compared to Tres Wittum’s 7.5% at the time,

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) sailed to victory in her reelection primary, defeating her opponent by over 30,000 votes as of 8:23 p.m.

The Associated Press called the race for Blackburn at 8:08 p.m. Eastern, just eight minutes after the polls closed. The senator received 92.5%of the vote compared to Tres Wittum’s 7.5% at the time the race was called.

“It is an honor to represent the Volunteer State in the U.S. Senate, and Chuck and I are grateful for Tennesseans’ strong support tonight,” Blackburn said in a statement. “In the U.S. Senate, I will continue to champion conservative, America First policies by working to lower taxes, secure the border, support our veterans, hold Big Tech accountable, and ensure our adversaries fear us again.

“This November, Republicans must unite to take control of the U.S. Senate, keep the House of Representatives, and elect President Donald Trump to the White House,” the senator continued. “Together, let’s preserve the American Dream. Together, let’s protect Tennessee and protect America.” 

Blackburn was favored to win the primary, setting her up for a general election in a seat that is rated solid Republican.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The primary for Blackburn’s Democratic challenger was crowded, with Democratic state Rep. Gloria Johnson winning the contest at 8:13 p.m. Johnson gained national attention as one of the “Tennessee Three” whom state Republicans tried to expel for engaging in a House floor gun control protest. Her colleagues, state Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, were expelled, while Johnson was saved by a one-vote margin.

The seat is ranked solid Republican, meaning Blackburn is likely to win in November.

, Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) sailed to victory in her reelection primary, defeating her opponent by over 30,000 votes as of 8:23 p.m. The Associated Press called the race for Blackburn at 8:08 p.m. Eastern, just eight minutes after the polls closed. The senator received 92.5%of the vote compared to Tres Wittum’s 7.5% at the time the race was called. “It is an honor to represent the Volunteer State in the U.S. Senate, and Chuck and I are grateful for Tennesseans’ strong support tonight,” Blackburn said in a statement. “In the U.S. Senate, I will continue to champion conservative, America First policies by working to lower taxes, secure the border, support our veterans, hold Big Tech accountable, and ensure our adversaries fear us again. “This November, Republicans must unite to take control of the U.S. Senate, keep the House of Representatives, and elect President Donald Trump to the White House,” the senator continued. “Together, let’s preserve the American Dream. Together, let’s protect Tennessee and protect America.”  Blackburn was favored to win the primary, setting her up for a general election in a seat that is rated solid Republican. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER The primary for Blackburn’s Democratic challenger was crowded, with Democratic state Rep. Gloria Johnson winning the contest at 8:13 p.m. Johnson gained national attention as one of the “Tennessee Three” whom state Republicans tried to expel for engaging in a House floor gun control protest. Her colleagues, state Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, were expelled, while Johnson was saved by a one-vote margin. The seat is ranked solid Republican, meaning Blackburn is likely to win in November., , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Blackburn-podcast-scaled-1024×683.webp, Washington Examiner, Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cropped-favicon-32×32.png, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/feed/, Rachel Schilke,

Chelsea Clinton, the daughter of former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, joined a “Women for Harris” Zoom call on Monday night to rally voters and fundraise for Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the 2024 election.

Clinton said she is confident that Harris is “uniquely positioned” to prosecute the “case against Donald Trump for all of the unique dangers that he poses” to the country.

“Unlike 2016, Donald Trump is not theoretical,” Clinton said. “We now have a record that he can hold him to account for and we have an extraordinary candidate in Vice President Harris.”

“Shirley Chisholm put a big crack in that glass ceiling, my mom put a few more cracks in that glass ceiling, and Vice President Harris is going to obliterate that glass ceiling,” Clinton added.

The “Women for Harris” Zoom call drew in over 120,000 attendees, according to National Engagement Director Rhonda Foxx, and brought in Clinton and other top women activists such as Gloria Steinem, Moms Demand Action founder Shannon Watts, and Hollywood actresses Yvette Nicole Brown and Connie Britton. It is the latest call to take place as several voting blocs are organizing virtual events to try and rally support and funds for Harris.

The vice president is continuing to capitalize on the momentum and energy that has infused the Democratic Party over the last week since President Joe Biden stepped aside as the nominee and endorsed Harris. Voting blocs of different genders and ages have created these online Zoom events to bring thousands of attendees together to raise money for Harris.

Win With Black Women hosted a Zoom call on July 21 that the group said attracted 44,000 attendees and raised more than $1.5 million. The next day, Win With Black Men hosted a call that an organizer said brought in nearly 54,000 attendees and raised $1.3 million. On Thursday night, a call intended for white women who support Harris drew 164,000 participants and raised $2 million, according to an organizer. 

Another speaker, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, took a swipe at Sen. J.D. Vance’s (R-OH) comments regarding “childless cat ladies” and women in abusive relationships, remarks that Vance has said have been taken out of context. 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

“This is a choice between 2025 and 1925,” Shuler said, blasting Republicans for calling Harris a “Harris.”

“So the next few months, no matter what they throw at us, whether it’s sexism, racism, they’re going to call us ‘childless cat ladies’ — which some of us have dogs, by the way, J.D. Vance — but when we hear that stuff, we know it means they’re scared,” Shuler said.

2024-07-30 01:52:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fnews%2Fcampaigns%2Fpresidential%2F3103761%2Fchelsea-clinton-rallies-women-for-harris-latest-campaign-zoom-call%2F?w=600&h=450, Chelsea Clinton, the daughter of former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, joined a “Women for Harris” Zoom call on Monday night to rally voters and fundraise for Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the 2024 election. Clinton said she is confident that Harris is “uniquely positioned” to prosecute the “case against Donald Trump for all of,

Chelsea Clinton, the daughter of former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, joined a “Women for Harris” Zoom call on Monday night to rally voters and fundraise for Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the 2024 election.

Clinton said she is confident that Harris is “uniquely positioned” to prosecute the “case against Donald Trump for all of the unique dangers that he poses” to the country.

“Unlike 2016, Donald Trump is not theoretical,” Clinton said. “We now have a record that he can hold him to account for and we have an extraordinary candidate in Vice President Harris.”

“Shirley Chisholm put a big crack in that glass ceiling, my mom put a few more cracks in that glass ceiling, and Vice President Harris is going to obliterate that glass ceiling,” Clinton added.

The “Women for Harris” Zoom call drew in over 120,000 attendees, according to National Engagement Director Rhonda Foxx, and brought in Clinton and other top women activists such as Gloria Steinem, Moms Demand Action founder Shannon Watts, and Hollywood actresses Yvette Nicole Brown and Connie Britton. It is the latest call to take place as several voting blocs are organizing virtual events to try and rally support and funds for Harris.

The vice president is continuing to capitalize on the momentum and energy that has infused the Democratic Party over the last week since President Joe Biden stepped aside as the nominee and endorsed Harris. Voting blocs of different genders and ages have created these online Zoom events to bring thousands of attendees together to raise money for Harris.

Win With Black Women hosted a Zoom call on July 21 that the group said attracted 44,000 attendees and raised more than $1.5 million. The next day, Win With Black Men hosted a call that an organizer said brought in nearly 54,000 attendees and raised $1.3 million. On Thursday night, a call intended for white women who support Harris drew 164,000 participants and raised $2 million, according to an organizer. 

Another speaker, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, took a swipe at Sen. J.D. Vance’s (R-OH) comments regarding “childless cat ladies” and women in abusive relationships, remarks that Vance has said have been taken out of context. 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

“This is a choice between 2025 and 1925,” Shuler said, blasting Republicans for calling Harris a “Harris.”

“So the next few months, no matter what they throw at us, whether it’s sexism, racism, they’re going to call us ‘childless cat ladies’ — which some of us have dogs, by the way, J.D. Vance — but when we hear that stuff, we know it means they’re scared,” Shuler said.

, Chelsea Clinton, the daughter of former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, joined a “Women for Harris” Zoom call on Monday night to rally voters and fundraise for Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the 2024 election. Clinton said she is confident that Harris is “uniquely positioned” to prosecute the “case against Donald Trump for all of the unique dangers that he poses” to the country. “Unlike 2016, Donald Trump is not theoretical,” Clinton said. “We now have a record that he can hold him to account for and we have an extraordinary candidate in Vice President Harris.” “Shirley Chisholm put a big crack in that glass ceiling, my mom put a few more cracks in that glass ceiling, and Vice President Harris is going to obliterate that glass ceiling,” Clinton added. The “Women for Harris” Zoom call drew in over 120,000 attendees, according to National Engagement Director Rhonda Foxx, and brought in Clinton and other top women activists such as Gloria Steinem, Moms Demand Action founder Shannon Watts, and Hollywood actresses Yvette Nicole Brown and Connie Britton. It is the latest call to take place as several voting blocs are organizing virtual events to try and rally support and funds for Harris. The vice president is continuing to capitalize on the momentum and energy that has infused the Democratic Party over the last week since President Joe Biden stepped aside as the nominee and endorsed Harris. Voting blocs of different genders and ages have created these online Zoom events to bring thousands of attendees together to raise money for Harris. Win With Black Women hosted a Zoom call on July 21 that the group said attracted 44,000 attendees and raised more than $1.5 million. The next day, Win With Black Men hosted a call that an organizer said brought in nearly 54,000 attendees and raised $1.3 million. On Thursday night, a call intended for white women who support Harris drew 164,000 participants and raised $2 million, according to an organizer.  Another speaker, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, took a swipe at Sen. J.D. Vance’s (R-OH) comments regarding “childless cat ladies” and women in abusive relationships, remarks that Vance has said have been taken out of context.  CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER “This is a choice between 2025 and 1925,” Shuler said, blasting Republicans for calling Harris a “Harris.” “So the next few months, no matter what they throw at us, whether it’s sexism, racism, they’re going to call us ‘childless cat ladies’ — which some of us have dogs, by the way, J.D. Vance — but when we hear that stuff, we know it means they’re scared,” Shuler said., , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/AP23262850670829.webp, Washington Examiner, Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cropped-favicon-32×32.png, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/feed/, Rachel Schilke,

Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) will lead the 13-member bipartisan task force charged with investigating the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump and exposing the security failures that led up to it at his Butler, Pennsylvania, rally.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) announced the seven House Republicans and six Democrats who will make up the panel on Monday. The task force will look into communication errors between federal and local law enforcement that allowed a 20-year-old man to climb onto a nearby building and take shots at rally attendees, leaving one attendee dead and three, including the former president, injured.

Kelly, whose hometown is Butler, represents the district, and he is the author of the resolution that established the task force when it passed last week.

The other Republicans on the task force will be Reps. Mark Green (R-TN), Dave Joyce (R-OH), Laurel Lee (R-FL), Michael Waltz (R-FL), Clay Higgins (R-LA), and Pat Fallon (R-TX). All of the GOP lawmakers have either former military or law experience. Their committee assignments span across Homeland Security, Oversight, and Intelligence.

The six Democrats on the task force are Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) as ranking member and Reps. Lou Correa (D-CA), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Glenn Ivey (D-MD), and Jared Moskowitz (D-FL).

Moskowitz and Houlahan both issued statements after the announcement expressing their gratitude to Johnson and Jeffries (D-NY) for selecting them.

“America deserves to know all the failures that day and to make sure we fix them for the future,” Moskowitz said in a post to X. “After the shooting at my high school in Parkland, I helped create the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Commission to investigate the failures that led to 17 people being killed.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Many of the 13 members selected to sit on the task force traveled to the site of the shooting on the day of the House Oversight Committee hearing where former Secret Service Kimberly Cheatle provided a lackluster testimony, resulting in many members on both sides of the aisle calling on her to resign. Cheatle at first brushed off calls to resign but later stepped down from her position one day later.

The acting Secret Service director, Ronald L. Rowe, Jr., will testify before a joint hearing with the Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security committees on Tuesday.

2024-07-29 18:48:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fnews%2Fhouse%2F3102977%2Ftrump-assassination-attempt-task-force-led-butler-pennsylvania-republican%2F?w=600&h=450, Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) will lead the 13-member bipartisan task force charged with investigating the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump and exposing the security failures that led up to it at his Butler, Pennsylvania, rally. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) announced the seven House Republicans and six,

Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) will lead the 13-member bipartisan task force charged with investigating the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump and exposing the security failures that led up to it at his Butler, Pennsylvania, rally.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) announced the seven House Republicans and six Democrats who will make up the panel on Monday. The task force will look into communication errors between federal and local law enforcement that allowed a 20-year-old man to climb onto a nearby building and take shots at rally attendees, leaving one attendee dead and three, including the former president, injured.

Kelly, whose hometown is Butler, represents the district, and he is the author of the resolution that established the task force when it passed last week.

The other Republicans on the task force will be Reps. Mark Green (R-TN), Dave Joyce (R-OH), Laurel Lee (R-FL), Michael Waltz (R-FL), Clay Higgins (R-LA), and Pat Fallon (R-TX). All of the GOP lawmakers have either former military or law experience. Their committee assignments span across Homeland Security, Oversight, and Intelligence.

The six Democrats on the task force are Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) as ranking member and Reps. Lou Correa (D-CA), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Glenn Ivey (D-MD), and Jared Moskowitz (D-FL).

Moskowitz and Houlahan both issued statements after the announcement expressing their gratitude to Johnson and Jeffries (D-NY) for selecting them.

“America deserves to know all the failures that day and to make sure we fix them for the future,” Moskowitz said in a post to X. “After the shooting at my high school in Parkland, I helped create the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Commission to investigate the failures that led to 17 people being killed.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Many of the 13 members selected to sit on the task force traveled to the site of the shooting on the day of the House Oversight Committee hearing where former Secret Service Kimberly Cheatle provided a lackluster testimony, resulting in many members on both sides of the aisle calling on her to resign. Cheatle at first brushed off calls to resign but later stepped down from her position one day later.

The acting Secret Service director, Ronald L. Rowe, Jr., will testify before a joint hearing with the Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security committees on Tuesday.

, Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) will lead the 13-member bipartisan task force charged with investigating the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump and exposing the security failures that led up to it at his Butler, Pennsylvania, rally. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) announced the seven House Republicans and six Democrats who will make up the panel on Monday. The task force will look into communication errors between federal and local law enforcement that allowed a 20-year-old man to climb onto a nearby building and take shots at rally attendees, leaving one attendee dead and three, including the former president, injured. Kelly, whose hometown is Butler, represents the district, and he is the author of the resolution that established the task force when it passed last week. The other Republicans on the task force will be Reps. Mark Green (R-TN), Dave Joyce (R-OH), Laurel Lee (R-FL), Michael Waltz (R-FL), Clay Higgins (R-LA), and Pat Fallon (R-TX). All of the GOP lawmakers have either former military or law experience. Their committee assignments span across Homeland Security, Oversight, and Intelligence. The six Democrats on the task force are Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) as ranking member and Reps. Lou Correa (D-CA), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Glenn Ivey (D-MD), and Jared Moskowitz (D-FL). Moskowitz and Houlahan both issued statements after the announcement expressing their gratitude to Johnson and Jeffries (D-NY) for selecting them. “America deserves to know all the failures that day and to make sure we fix them for the future,” Moskowitz said in a post to X. “After the shooting at my high school in Parkland, I helped create the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Commission to investigate the failures that led to 17 people being killed.” CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Many of the 13 members selected to sit on the task force traveled to the site of the shooting on the day of the House Oversight Committee hearing where former Secret Service Kimberly Cheatle provided a lackluster testimony, resulting in many members on both sides of the aisle calling on her to resign. Cheatle at first brushed off calls to resign but later stepped down from her position one day later. The acting Secret Service director, Ronald L. Rowe, Jr., will testify before a joint hearing with the Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security committees on Tuesday., , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/butler-pennsylvania-trump-rally.webp, Washington Examiner, Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cropped-favicon-32×32.png, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/feed/, Rachel Schilke,

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) is pushing for a regular audit of the Internal Revenue Service after a new inspector general report found that nearly 6,000 employees owe nearly $50 million in back taxes.

The July 24 report, requested by Ernst and conducted by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, found that while 96% of employees were compliant with tax obligations, over 5,800 IRS and contractor employees owed nearly $50 million in overdue taxes, and only 20 of the agency’s employees who were failing to pay taxes were terminated.

“When IRS auditors can’t even pass my audit, it’s clear they can’t be trusted by the taxpayers,” Ernst said in an exclusive statement to the Washington Examiner. “Between their tax evasion and rampant misconduct, the Biden-Harris administration’s army of IRS agents can’t even clear the most basic of hurdles. I’m working to end the double standard and hold these bureaucrats accountable to the same rules they enforce on hardworking Americans.”

Ernst is introducing the Audit the IRS Act on Monday afternoon, which would require regular tax audits of agency employees and prohibit the IRS from hiring or continuing to employ tax evaders, according to bill text obtained by the Washington Examiner. The junior Iowa senator asked the agency to support the bill in a letter sent to IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel on Monday.

“I would also like to know what actions you are taking to ensure 100 percent tax compliance by IRS employees and contractors,” Ernst wrote to Werfel. “To hold the IRS accountable and to demonstrate the agency takes its own warning that ‘tax evasion is a serious crime,’ I would strongly urge you to routinely check the tax status of every employee and fire every employee and contractor who is delinquent on their taxes and not enrolled in a payment plan.”

Ernst said her legislation would create a “zero-tolerance policy” for tax evasion and misconduct while “ensuring these IRS bureaucrats are no longer allowed to live by one set of rules and enforce another on honest, hardworking Americans.”

The senator also took issue with a figure in the report that found over 500 former IRS employees with tax compliance issues or performance issues, “including criminal misconduct, sexual misconduct, inability to perform duties, fighting and assault, and unauthorized access to tax return information,” were rehired. Of the rehires, 282 had multiple previously documented conduct and performance issues.

“There is absolutely nothing fair about forcing hardworking Americans to pay the salaries of tax evading tax collectors while the IRS targets lower-income and middle-class Americans with nearly two-thirds of the new audits,” Ernst said in the letter.

Ernst said any repeat employee offenders should be referred to the Justice Department to be subjected to the same imprisonment and fines that are listed as punishments for tax evasion on the IRS’s website.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The Washington Examiner reached out to the IRS for comment on the letter. In a notice at the end of the audit report, IRS Human Capital Officer Traci DiMartini said of the 72 contractors who were found to have unfiled tax returns, 59 have “already been disapproved for staff-like access to IRS facilities and systems.”

The IRS also disagreed with one of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration’s recommendations, which suggested the chief human capital officer should ensure that all unfiled tax returns identified in the report have been resolved. The IRS disagreed and said the officer does not have tax collection authority. Instead, the agency said all tax compliance issues are being addressed “consistently with IRS’s policies and procedures.”

2024-07-29 18:41:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fnews%2Fsenate%2F3102697%2Firs-audit-employees-back-taxes%2F?w=600&h=450, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) is pushing for a regular audit of the Internal Revenue Service after a new inspector general report found that nearly 6,000 employees owe nearly $50 million in back taxes. The July 24 report, requested by Ernst and conducted by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, found that while 96% of,

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) is pushing for a regular audit of the Internal Revenue Service after a new inspector general report found that nearly 6,000 employees owe nearly $50 million in back taxes.

The July 24 report, requested by Ernst and conducted by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, found that while 96% of employees were compliant with tax obligations, over 5,800 IRS and contractor employees owed nearly $50 million in overdue taxes, and only 20 of the agency’s employees who were failing to pay taxes were terminated.

“When IRS auditors can’t even pass my audit, it’s clear they can’t be trusted by the taxpayers,” Ernst said in an exclusive statement to the Washington Examiner. “Between their tax evasion and rampant misconduct, the Biden-Harris administration’s army of IRS agents can’t even clear the most basic of hurdles. I’m working to end the double standard and hold these bureaucrats accountable to the same rules they enforce on hardworking Americans.”

Ernst is introducing the Audit the IRS Act on Monday afternoon, which would require regular tax audits of agency employees and prohibit the IRS from hiring or continuing to employ tax evaders, according to bill text obtained by the Washington Examiner. The junior Iowa senator asked the agency to support the bill in a letter sent to IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel on Monday.

“I would also like to know what actions you are taking to ensure 100 percent tax compliance by IRS employees and contractors,” Ernst wrote to Werfel. “To hold the IRS accountable and to demonstrate the agency takes its own warning that ‘tax evasion is a serious crime,’ I would strongly urge you to routinely check the tax status of every employee and fire every employee and contractor who is delinquent on their taxes and not enrolled in a payment plan.”

Ernst said her legislation would create a “zero-tolerance policy” for tax evasion and misconduct while “ensuring these IRS bureaucrats are no longer allowed to live by one set of rules and enforce another on honest, hardworking Americans.”

The senator also took issue with a figure in the report that found over 500 former IRS employees with tax compliance issues or performance issues, “including criminal misconduct, sexual misconduct, inability to perform duties, fighting and assault, and unauthorized access to tax return information,” were rehired. Of the rehires, 282 had multiple previously documented conduct and performance issues.

“There is absolutely nothing fair about forcing hardworking Americans to pay the salaries of tax evading tax collectors while the IRS targets lower-income and middle-class Americans with nearly two-thirds of the new audits,” Ernst said in the letter.

Ernst said any repeat employee offenders should be referred to the Justice Department to be subjected to the same imprisonment and fines that are listed as punishments for tax evasion on the IRS’s website.

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The Washington Examiner reached out to the IRS for comment on the letter. In a notice at the end of the audit report, IRS Human Capital Officer Traci DiMartini said of the 72 contractors who were found to have unfiled tax returns, 59 have “already been disapproved for staff-like access to IRS facilities and systems.”

The IRS also disagreed with one of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration’s recommendations, which suggested the chief human capital officer should ensure that all unfiled tax returns identified in the report have been resolved. The IRS disagreed and said the officer does not have tax collection authority. Instead, the agency said all tax compliance issues are being addressed “consistently with IRS’s policies and procedures.”

, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) is pushing for a regular audit of the Internal Revenue Service after a new inspector general report found that nearly 6,000 employees owe nearly $50 million in back taxes. The July 24 report, requested by Ernst and conducted by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, found that while 96% of employees were compliant with tax obligations, over 5,800 IRS and contractor employees owed nearly $50 million in overdue taxes, and only 20 of the agency’s employees who were failing to pay taxes were terminated. “When IRS auditors can’t even pass my audit, it’s clear they can’t be trusted by the taxpayers,” Ernst said in an exclusive statement to the Washington Examiner. “Between their tax evasion and rampant misconduct, the Biden-Harris administration’s army of IRS agents can’t even clear the most basic of hurdles. I’m working to end the double standard and hold these bureaucrats accountable to the same rules they enforce on hardworking Americans.” Ernst is introducing the Audit the IRS Act on Monday afternoon, which would require regular tax audits of agency employees and prohibit the IRS from hiring or continuing to employ tax evaders, according to bill text obtained by the Washington Examiner. The junior Iowa senator asked the agency to support the bill in a letter sent to IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel on Monday. “I would also like to know what actions you are taking to ensure 100 percent tax compliance by IRS employees and contractors,” Ernst wrote to Werfel. “To hold the IRS accountable and to demonstrate the agency takes its own warning that ‘tax evasion is a serious crime,’ I would strongly urge you to routinely check the tax status of every employee and fire every employee and contractor who is delinquent on their taxes and not enrolled in a payment plan.” Ernst said her legislation would create a “zero-tolerance policy” for tax evasion and misconduct while “ensuring these IRS bureaucrats are no longer allowed to live by one set of rules and enforce another on honest, hardworking Americans.” The senator also took issue with a figure in the report that found over 500 former IRS employees with tax compliance issues or performance issues, “including criminal misconduct, sexual misconduct, inability to perform duties, fighting and assault, and unauthorized access to tax return information,” were rehired. Of the rehires, 282 had multiple previously documented conduct and performance issues. “There is absolutely nothing fair about forcing hardworking Americans to pay the salaries of tax evading tax collectors while the IRS targets lower-income and middle-class Americans with nearly two-thirds of the new audits,” Ernst said in the letter. Ernst said any repeat employee offenders should be referred to the Justice Department to be subjected to the same imprisonment and fines that are listed as punishments for tax evasion on the IRS’s website. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER The Washington Examiner reached out to the IRS for comment on the letter. In a notice at the end of the audit report, IRS Human Capital Officer Traci DiMartini said of the 72 contractors who were found to have unfiled tax returns, 59 have “already been disapproved for staff-like access to IRS facilities and systems.” The IRS also disagreed with one of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration’s recommendations, which suggested the chief human capital officer should ensure that all unfiled tax returns identified in the report have been resolved. The IRS disagreed and said the officer does not have tax collection authority. Instead, the agency said all tax compliance issues are being addressed “consistently with IRS’s policies and procedures.”, , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IRS-scaled-1024×683.webp, Washington Examiner, Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cropped-favicon-32×32.png, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/feed/, Rachel Schilke,

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) is resuming her credibility attacks on the Supreme Court in lieu of sweeping reforms proposed by President Joe Biden as Democrats question whether justices have made ethical violations.

Warren previewed Biden’s proposal, which could include term limits, an enforceable ethics code, and a constitutional amendment that would eliminate presidential immunity, in a Sunday interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper on State of the Union.

“We’re working on changes to the Supreme Court,” Warren said. “It can be term limits. It could be adding the number of justices, things we can do without having to have a constitutional amendment.”

“We also have to change our Supreme Court, because right now we have a Supreme Court that has basically jumped the guardrails and is out there giving power to the president, saying that the president can commit any act that the president wants, saying that Congress cannot authorize agencies to act,” the senator continued. “So we’ve got a Supreme Court that is actively undermining our democracy.”

Warren’s comments come after the Supreme Court ruled that former President Donald Trump may have some immunity from prosecution related to actions he took after the 2020 election. The ruling enraged many Democrats who have argued that the conservative majority, generated by Trump, is eroding the institution of the high court.

Biden is expected to unveil his proposal on Monday. Democrats have called for an ethics code in the wake of controversy surrounding Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. These concerns have largely been panned by Republicans as smear campaigns attacking the legitimacy of the court.

Thomas has been criticized for accepting luxurious “gifts” from wealthy donors without disclosing them. He has maintained that he was not required to do so. Alito has refused to recuse himself from cases involving Trump and Jan. 6, 2021, defendants over an upside-down flag in 2021 and an “Appeal to Heaven” flag outside his New Jersey beach home, arguing that his wife had legal rights to fly the flag that is associated with those who stormed the Capitol.

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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) filed impeachment articles against Alito and Thomas on July 10 as a response to the “unchecked corruption crisis on the Supreme Court” that has “spiraled into a Constitutional crisis.”

Warren has previously been critical of the Supreme Court, regarding the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the high court’s interference with Biden’s plan to cancel student debt.

2024-07-28 21:09:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fnews%2Fsenate%2F3102243%2Felizabeth-warren-resumes-attack-supreme-court-democracy%2F?w=600&h=450, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) is resuming her credibility attacks on the Supreme Court in lieu of sweeping reforms proposed by President Joe Biden as Democrats question whether justices have made ethical violations. Warren previewed Biden’s proposal, which could include term limits, an enforceable ethics code, and a constitutional amendment that would eliminate presidential immunity, in,

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) is resuming her credibility attacks on the Supreme Court in lieu of sweeping reforms proposed by President Joe Biden as Democrats question whether justices have made ethical violations.

Warren previewed Biden’s proposal, which could include term limits, an enforceable ethics code, and a constitutional amendment that would eliminate presidential immunity, in a Sunday interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper on State of the Union.

“We’re working on changes to the Supreme Court,” Warren said. “It can be term limits. It could be adding the number of justices, things we can do without having to have a constitutional amendment.”

“We also have to change our Supreme Court, because right now we have a Supreme Court that has basically jumped the guardrails and is out there giving power to the president, saying that the president can commit any act that the president wants, saying that Congress cannot authorize agencies to act,” the senator continued. “So we’ve got a Supreme Court that is actively undermining our democracy.”

Warren’s comments come after the Supreme Court ruled that former President Donald Trump may have some immunity from prosecution related to actions he took after the 2020 election. The ruling enraged many Democrats who have argued that the conservative majority, generated by Trump, is eroding the institution of the high court.

Biden is expected to unveil his proposal on Monday. Democrats have called for an ethics code in the wake of controversy surrounding Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. These concerns have largely been panned by Republicans as smear campaigns attacking the legitimacy of the court.

Thomas has been criticized for accepting luxurious “gifts” from wealthy donors without disclosing them. He has maintained that he was not required to do so. Alito has refused to recuse himself from cases involving Trump and Jan. 6, 2021, defendants over an upside-down flag in 2021 and an “Appeal to Heaven” flag outside his New Jersey beach home, arguing that his wife had legal rights to fly the flag that is associated with those who stormed the Capitol.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) filed impeachment articles against Alito and Thomas on July 10 as a response to the “unchecked corruption crisis on the Supreme Court” that has “spiraled into a Constitutional crisis.”

Warren has previously been critical of the Supreme Court, regarding the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the high court’s interference with Biden’s plan to cancel student debt.

, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) is resuming her credibility attacks on the Supreme Court in lieu of sweeping reforms proposed by President Joe Biden as Democrats question whether justices have made ethical violations. Warren previewed Biden’s proposal, which could include term limits, an enforceable ethics code, and a constitutional amendment that would eliminate presidential immunity, in a Sunday interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper on State of the Union. “We’re working on changes to the Supreme Court,” Warren said. “It can be term limits. It could be adding the number of justices, things we can do without having to have a constitutional amendment.” “We also have to change our Supreme Court, because right now we have a Supreme Court that has basically jumped the guardrails and is out there giving power to the president, saying that the president can commit any act that the president wants, saying that Congress cannot authorize agencies to act,” the senator continued. “So we’ve got a Supreme Court that is actively undermining our democracy.” Warren’s comments come after the Supreme Court ruled that former President Donald Trump may have some immunity from prosecution related to actions he took after the 2020 election. The ruling enraged many Democrats who have argued that the conservative majority, generated by Trump, is eroding the institution of the high court. Biden is expected to unveil his proposal on Monday. Democrats have called for an ethics code in the wake of controversy surrounding Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. These concerns have largely been panned by Republicans as smear campaigns attacking the legitimacy of the court. Thomas has been criticized for accepting luxurious “gifts” from wealthy donors without disclosing them. He has maintained that he was not required to do so. Alito has refused to recuse himself from cases involving Trump and Jan. 6, 2021, defendants over an upside-down flag in 2021 and an “Appeal to Heaven” flag outside his New Jersey beach home, arguing that his wife had legal rights to fly the flag that is associated with those who stormed the Capitol. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) filed impeachment articles against Alito and Thomas on July 10 as a response to the “unchecked corruption crisis on the Supreme Court” that has “spiraled into a Constitutional crisis.” Warren has previously been critical of the Supreme Court, regarding the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the high court’s interference with Biden’s plan to cancel student debt., , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Elizabeth-Warren-scaled-1024×682.webp, Washington Examiner, Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cropped-favicon-32×32.png, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/feed/, Rachel Schilke,

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said he felt obligated to attend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s joint address to Congress last week but did not feel it necessary to shake the leader’s hand.

“I went to this speech because the relationship between Israel and America is ironclad, and I wanted to show that,” Schumer said when asked why he did not shake Netanyahu’s hand in a Sunday interview with Robert Costa on CBS News’s Face the Nation. “But at the same time, as everyone knows, I have serious disagreements with the way Benjamin Netanyahu has conducted these policies.”

Netanyahu’s speech before Congress on Wednesday was received well by most of the attendees but also prompted backlash from top Democrats and pro-Palestinian protesters outside the U.S. Capitol. Over half of the Democratic conferences in both the Senate and House did not attend his speech, boycotting due to Israel’s methods of fighting its war against Hamas in Gaza.

Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), in particular, expressed disappointment in Netanyahu’s address, calling it “by far the worst presentation of any foreign dignitary invited and honored with the privilege of addressing the Congress of the United States.” Asked on Sunday about Pelosi’s comments, Schumer said the relationship between Israel and the U.S. should not rely on one leader.

“As I’ve said, I wanted to show our ironclad commitment to Israel that transcends any one prime minister or any one president,” Schumer said. “No matter how much you might disagree with that prime minister.”

During Netanyahu’s speech, several people attending the speech in the House chamber were arrested for wearing “Seal the Deal NOW” yellow shirts. In total, 23 people were arrested by law enforcement for engaging in various protests in response to Netanyahu’s presence in Washington, D.C. At one point, a protest at Union Station turned tense after demonstrators tore down the American flag, burned it on the ground, and raised Palestinian flags outside the Metro station.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

At least 11 of the 23 protesters have had their misdemeanor charges dropped as of Thursday evening. Additionally, at least seven people charged by the U.S. attorney’s office in Washington were released pending their next court hearing, according to Washington Superior Court records obtained by the Washington Examiner.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), the only Palestinian American in Congress, attended Netanyahu’s address despite many of her fellow progressive “Squad” Democrat colleagues boycotting and attending alternate programs and meetings. She attended wearing a keffiyeh, a symbol of Palestinian nationalism, and held a sign that said “War Criminal” on one side and “Guilty of Genocide” on the other.

2024-07-28 20:27:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fnews%2Fsenate%2F3102208%2Fschumer-did-not-shake-netanyahus-hand-joint-address-serious-disagreements-with-leader%2F?w=600&h=450, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said he felt obligated to attend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s joint address to Congress last week but did not feel it necessary to shake the leader’s hand. “I went to this speech because the relationship between Israel and America is ironclad, and I wanted to show that,” Schumer,

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said he felt obligated to attend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s joint address to Congress last week but did not feel it necessary to shake the leader’s hand.

“I went to this speech because the relationship between Israel and America is ironclad, and I wanted to show that,” Schumer said when asked why he did not shake Netanyahu’s hand in a Sunday interview with Robert Costa on CBS News’s Face the Nation. “But at the same time, as everyone knows, I have serious disagreements with the way Benjamin Netanyahu has conducted these policies.”

Netanyahu’s speech before Congress on Wednesday was received well by most of the attendees but also prompted backlash from top Democrats and pro-Palestinian protesters outside the U.S. Capitol. Over half of the Democratic conferences in both the Senate and House did not attend his speech, boycotting due to Israel’s methods of fighting its war against Hamas in Gaza.

Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), in particular, expressed disappointment in Netanyahu’s address, calling it “by far the worst presentation of any foreign dignitary invited and honored with the privilege of addressing the Congress of the United States.” Asked on Sunday about Pelosi’s comments, Schumer said the relationship between Israel and the U.S. should not rely on one leader.

“As I’ve said, I wanted to show our ironclad commitment to Israel that transcends any one prime minister or any one president,” Schumer said. “No matter how much you might disagree with that prime minister.”

During Netanyahu’s speech, several people attending the speech in the House chamber were arrested for wearing “Seal the Deal NOW” yellow shirts. In total, 23 people were arrested by law enforcement for engaging in various protests in response to Netanyahu’s presence in Washington, D.C. At one point, a protest at Union Station turned tense after demonstrators tore down the American flag, burned it on the ground, and raised Palestinian flags outside the Metro station.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

At least 11 of the 23 protesters have had their misdemeanor charges dropped as of Thursday evening. Additionally, at least seven people charged by the U.S. attorney’s office in Washington were released pending their next court hearing, according to Washington Superior Court records obtained by the Washington Examiner.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), the only Palestinian American in Congress, attended Netanyahu’s address despite many of her fellow progressive “Squad” Democrat colleagues boycotting and attending alternate programs and meetings. She attended wearing a keffiyeh, a symbol of Palestinian nationalism, and held a sign that said “War Criminal” on one side and “Guilty of Genocide” on the other.

, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said he felt obligated to attend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s joint address to Congress last week but did not feel it necessary to shake the leader’s hand. “I went to this speech because the relationship between Israel and America is ironclad, and I wanted to show that,” Schumer said when asked why he did not shake Netanyahu’s hand in a Sunday interview with Robert Costa on CBS News’s Face the Nation. “But at the same time, as everyone knows, I have serious disagreements with the way Benjamin Netanyahu has conducted these policies.” Netanyahu’s speech before Congress on Wednesday was received well by most of the attendees but also prompted backlash from top Democrats and pro-Palestinian protesters outside the U.S. Capitol. Over half of the Democratic conferences in both the Senate and House did not attend his speech, boycotting due to Israel’s methods of fighting its war against Hamas in Gaza. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), in particular, expressed disappointment in Netanyahu’s address, calling it “by far the worst presentation of any foreign dignitary invited and honored with the privilege of addressing the Congress of the United States.” Asked on Sunday about Pelosi’s comments, Schumer said the relationship between Israel and the U.S. should not rely on one leader. “As I’ve said, I wanted to show our ironclad commitment to Israel that transcends any one prime minister or any one president,” Schumer said. “No matter how much you might disagree with that prime minister.” During Netanyahu’s speech, several people attending the speech in the House chamber were arrested for wearing “Seal the Deal NOW” yellow shirts. In total, 23 people were arrested by law enforcement for engaging in various protests in response to Netanyahu’s presence in Washington, D.C. At one point, a protest at Union Station turned tense after demonstrators tore down the American flag, burned it on the ground, and raised Palestinian flags outside the Metro station. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER At least 11 of the 23 protesters have had their misdemeanor charges dropped as of Thursday evening. Additionally, at least seven people charged by the U.S. attorney’s office in Washington were released pending their next court hearing, according to Washington Superior Court records obtained by the Washington Examiner. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), the only Palestinian American in Congress, attended Netanyahu’s address despite many of her fellow progressive “Squad” Democrat colleagues boycotting and attending alternate programs and meetings. She attended wearing a keffiyeh, a symbol of Palestinian nationalism, and held a sign that said “War Criminal” on one side and “Guilty of Genocide” on the other., , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/AP24206761035487.webp, Washington Examiner, Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cropped-favicon-32×32.png, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/feed/, Rachel Schilke,

Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki extended an apology to the families of the 13 Gold Star military service members who died in the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 on Friday.

During a transcribed interview, Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) asked Psaki about her comments that she wrote in her book, Say More, that stated President Joe Biden never looked at his watch during a ceremony in late August 2021 honoring soldiers killed in Afghanistan returning home.  

“The chairman asked Ms. Psaki about her comments regarding President Biden looking at his watch while at Dover [Air Force Base] and asked her if she had anything she wanted to say to the families on the record,” Leslie Shedd, Foreign Affairs Committee majority spokeswoman, said in a statement to the Washington Examiner. “After pressing her multiple times if she had something she wanted to say to them, Ms. Psaki asked the chairman to pass along her apology to the families and to express her regret for the pain she caused them. He has done that.”

Biden’s demeanor during the return of the service members killed in Afghanistan has been used by Republicans and former President Donald Trump as evidence to claim that Biden is an unempathetic leader. Psaki’s statement that the incident of checking his watch never occurred contrasted with several photographs taken of the day by news agencies, including the Associated Press.

Mark Schmitz, the father of Marine Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, told Congress in August 2023 that “while I stood there on the tarmac watching you check your watch over and over again, all I wanted to do was shout out, ‘It’s 2 f***ing 30, ass****.’” The day after the ceremony, Shana Chappell, the mother of Marine Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, wrote, “I watched you disrespect us all 5 different times by checking your watch!!! What the f*** was so important that you had to keep looking at your watch????” in a post on Facebook.

Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL), the first U.S. Army Green Beret to be elected to Congress, spoke to Psaki’s apology in a post to X on Friday afternoon.

“Just left the House Foreign Affairs interview with Jen Psaki,” Waltz said. “She agreed to apologize to the 13 Afghanistan Gold Star families whom she falsely contradicted in her book when she said Biden didn’t look at his watch.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

“This isn’t a partisan or gotcha moment,” Waltz continued. “This is the right thing to do as fellow Americans and I pray she follows through.”

Psaki’s transcribed interview began at 11 a.m. on Friday and is expected to go on for a few more hours as of 5:30 p.m., per a source familiar.

2024-07-26 22:57:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fnews%2Fhouse%2F3101403%2Fjen-psaki-apology-afghanistan-gold-star-families%2F?w=600&h=450, Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki extended an apology to the families of the 13 Gold Star military service members who died in the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 on Friday. During a transcribed interview, Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) asked Psaki about her comments that she wrote in her book,

Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki extended an apology to the families of the 13 Gold Star military service members who died in the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 on Friday.

During a transcribed interview, Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) asked Psaki about her comments that she wrote in her book, Say More, that stated President Joe Biden never looked at his watch during a ceremony in late August 2021 honoring soldiers killed in Afghanistan returning home.  

“The chairman asked Ms. Psaki about her comments regarding President Biden looking at his watch while at Dover [Air Force Base] and asked her if she had anything she wanted to say to the families on the record,” Leslie Shedd, Foreign Affairs Committee majority spokeswoman, said in a statement to the Washington Examiner. “After pressing her multiple times if she had something she wanted to say to them, Ms. Psaki asked the chairman to pass along her apology to the families and to express her regret for the pain she caused them. He has done that.”

Biden’s demeanor during the return of the service members killed in Afghanistan has been used by Republicans and former President Donald Trump as evidence to claim that Biden is an unempathetic leader. Psaki’s statement that the incident of checking his watch never occurred contrasted with several photographs taken of the day by news agencies, including the Associated Press.

Mark Schmitz, the father of Marine Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, told Congress in August 2023 that “while I stood there on the tarmac watching you check your watch over and over again, all I wanted to do was shout out, ‘It’s 2 f***ing 30, ass****.’” The day after the ceremony, Shana Chappell, the mother of Marine Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, wrote, “I watched you disrespect us all 5 different times by checking your watch!!! What the f*** was so important that you had to keep looking at your watch????” in a post on Facebook.

Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL), the first U.S. Army Green Beret to be elected to Congress, spoke to Psaki’s apology in a post to X on Friday afternoon.

“Just left the House Foreign Affairs interview with Jen Psaki,” Waltz said. “She agreed to apologize to the 13 Afghanistan Gold Star families whom she falsely contradicted in her book when she said Biden didn’t look at his watch.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

“This isn’t a partisan or gotcha moment,” Waltz continued. “This is the right thing to do as fellow Americans and I pray she follows through.”

Psaki’s transcribed interview began at 11 a.m. on Friday and is expected to go on for a few more hours as of 5:30 p.m., per a source familiar.

, Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki extended an apology to the families of the 13 Gold Star military service members who died in the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 on Friday. During a transcribed interview, Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) asked Psaki about her comments that she wrote in her book, Say More, that stated President Joe Biden never looked at his watch during a ceremony in late August 2021 honoring soldiers killed in Afghanistan returning home.   “The chairman asked Ms. Psaki about her comments regarding President Biden looking at his watch while at Dover [Air Force Base] and asked her if she had anything she wanted to say to the families on the record,” Leslie Shedd, Foreign Affairs Committee majority spokeswoman, said in a statement to the Washington Examiner. “After pressing her multiple times if she had something she wanted to say to them, Ms. Psaki asked the chairman to pass along her apology to the families and to express her regret for the pain she caused them. He has done that.” Biden’s demeanor during the return of the service members killed in Afghanistan has been used by Republicans and former President Donald Trump as evidence to claim that Biden is an unempathetic leader. Psaki’s statement that the incident of checking his watch never occurred contrasted with several photographs taken of the day by news agencies, including the Associated Press. President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, behind Biden, and others attend a casualty return as a carry team finishes placing a transfer case containing the remains of Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan W. Page, 23, of Omaha, Nebraska, into a transfer vehicle Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Mark Schmitz, the father of Marine Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, told Congress in August 2023 that “while I stood there on the tarmac watching you check your watch over and over again, all I wanted to do was shout out, ‘It’s 2 f***ing 30, ass****.’” The day after the ceremony, Shana Chappell, the mother of Marine Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, wrote, “I watched you disrespect us all 5 different times by checking your watch!!! What the f*** was so important that you had to keep looking at your watch????” in a post on Facebook. Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL), the first U.S. Army Green Beret to be elected to Congress, spoke to Psaki’s apology in a post to X on Friday afternoon. “Just left the House Foreign Affairs interview with Jen Psaki,” Waltz said. “She agreed to apologize to the 13 Afghanistan Gold Star families whom she falsely contradicted in her book when she said Biden didn’t look at his watch.” Just left the House Foreign Affairs interview with Jen Psaki. She agreed to apologize to the 13 Afghanistan Gold Star families whom she falsely contradicted in her book when she said Biden didn’t look at his watch. This isn’t a partisan or gotcha moment. This is the right…— Rep. Mike Waltz (@michaelgwaltz) July 26, 2024 CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER “This isn’t a partisan or gotcha moment,” Waltz continued. “This is the right thing to do as fellow Americans and I pray she follows through.” Psaki’s transcribed interview began at 11 a.m. on Friday and is expected to go on for a few more hours as of 5:30 p.m., per a source familiar., , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Jen-Psaki.webp, Washington Examiner, Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cropped-favicon-32×32.png, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/feed/, Rachel Schilke,