EXCLUSIVE — Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s pledge for the United States to dole out hundreds of millions of dollars to the World Bank’s global Pandemic Fund is facing intense scrutiny by a Republican opponent.

Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO), in a letter sent to Yellen on Wednesday and first viewed by the Washington Examiner, accused the Biden Cabinet official of promulgating a proposal that is a “blatant waste of taxpayer dollars and a slap in the face” to Americans.

Last month, during the G20 world finance leaders’ meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Yellen committed that the U.S. will provide up to $667 million through 2026 as part of a broader $2 billion goal to raise money from developed nations for future pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response in low- and middle-income countries. Yellen’s pledge would mean the U.S. would have to provide another $217 million by the target date, as the U.S. has already provided $450 million.

Schmitt assailed the commitment as “yet another brazen attempt to fund unaccountable entities from the American taxpayer’s wallet.”

“In no world is this commitment a responsible use of taxpayer dollars,” he added.

The Department of the Treasury did not respond to a request for comment.

The money is anything but a done deal, however, despite Yellen’s vow. The funds are subject to congressional approval and face long odds in a divided Congress, amid GOP opposition, and in the run-up to the November elections. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) is among the House Republicans who, earlier this year, described the World Health Organization’s “pandemic treaty” as an “infringement” on national sovereignty.

Yellen hopes the U.S. pledge will spur other countries to double their initial commitments and for new donors to take part, including governments, the private sector, and philanthropies.

She said in a statement last month that the Pandemic Fund “will enable us to better prevent, prepare for, and respond to pandemics — protecting Americans and people around the world from the devastating human and economic costs of infectious disease threats.”

The fund was established in 2022 in the wake of COVID-19. In 2023, it delved out $338 million in its first round of grants to 37 countries. A second round of $500 million is expected to be released by the year’s end for new applicants, according to the treasury.

Countries and philanthropies have so far pledged to donate more than $1.6 billion, according to the fund, with the U.S. having committed the highest amount and having provided the largest single-nation donation.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Schmitt cited concerns about WHO’s involvement in the fund and its role in helping to determine who the money is distributed to due to its handling of both the pandemic and China’s role. He also chastised “wide-scale government overreach” of pandemic-era mandates and restrictions in the U.S.

“These brutal measures were encouraged and developed by international entities like the WHO, which has refused to hold the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) accountable for its responsibility in the origins of the COVID-19 virus,” Schmitt wrote to Yellen. “Now you are coming to citizens asking them for billions more to fund an even larger international scale operation of suppression and control for the next hypothetical pandemic.”

2024-08-07 20:12:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fnews%2Fsenate%2F3114154%2Fyellen-under-fire-senate-republican-big-ticket-pledge-global-pandemic-fund%2F?w=600&h=450, EXCLUSIVE — Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s pledge for the United States to dole out hundreds of millions of dollars to the World Bank’s global Pandemic Fund is facing intense scrutiny by a Republican opponent. Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO), in a letter sent to Yellen on Wednesday and first viewed by the Washington Examiner, accused the,

EXCLUSIVE — Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s pledge for the United States to dole out hundreds of millions of dollars to the World Bank’s global Pandemic Fund is facing intense scrutiny by a Republican opponent.

Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO), in a letter sent to Yellen on Wednesday and first viewed by the Washington Examiner, accused the Biden Cabinet official of promulgating a proposal that is a “blatant waste of taxpayer dollars and a slap in the face” to Americans.

Last month, during the G20 world finance leaders’ meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Yellen committed that the U.S. will provide up to $667 million through 2026 as part of a broader $2 billion goal to raise money from developed nations for future pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response in low- and middle-income countries. Yellen’s pledge would mean the U.S. would have to provide another $217 million by the target date, as the U.S. has already provided $450 million.

Schmitt assailed the commitment as “yet another brazen attempt to fund unaccountable entities from the American taxpayer’s wallet.”

“In no world is this commitment a responsible use of taxpayer dollars,” he added.

The Department of the Treasury did not respond to a request for comment.

The money is anything but a done deal, however, despite Yellen’s vow. The funds are subject to congressional approval and face long odds in a divided Congress, amid GOP opposition, and in the run-up to the November elections. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) is among the House Republicans who, earlier this year, described the World Health Organization’s “pandemic treaty” as an “infringement” on national sovereignty.

Yellen hopes the U.S. pledge will spur other countries to double their initial commitments and for new donors to take part, including governments, the private sector, and philanthropies.

She said in a statement last month that the Pandemic Fund “will enable us to better prevent, prepare for, and respond to pandemics — protecting Americans and people around the world from the devastating human and economic costs of infectious disease threats.”

The fund was established in 2022 in the wake of COVID-19. In 2023, it delved out $338 million in its first round of grants to 37 countries. A second round of $500 million is expected to be released by the year’s end for new applicants, according to the treasury.

Countries and philanthropies have so far pledged to donate more than $1.6 billion, according to the fund, with the U.S. having committed the highest amount and having provided the largest single-nation donation.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Schmitt cited concerns about WHO’s involvement in the fund and its role in helping to determine who the money is distributed to due to its handling of both the pandemic and China’s role. He also chastised “wide-scale government overreach” of pandemic-era mandates and restrictions in the U.S.

“These brutal measures were encouraged and developed by international entities like the WHO, which has refused to hold the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) accountable for its responsibility in the origins of the COVID-19 virus,” Schmitt wrote to Yellen. “Now you are coming to citizens asking them for billions more to fund an even larger international scale operation of suppression and control for the next hypothetical pandemic.”

, EXCLUSIVE — Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s pledge for the United States to dole out hundreds of millions of dollars to the World Bank’s global Pandemic Fund is facing intense scrutiny by a Republican opponent. Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO), in a letter sent to Yellen on Wednesday and first viewed by the Washington Examiner, accused the Biden Cabinet official of promulgating a proposal that is a “blatant waste of taxpayer dollars and a slap in the face” to Americans. Last month, during the G20 world finance leaders’ meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Yellen committed that the U.S. will provide up to $667 million through 2026 as part of a broader $2 billion goal to raise money from developed nations for future pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response in low- and middle-income countries. Yellen’s pledge would mean the U.S. would have to provide another $217 million by the target date, as the U.S. has already provided $450 million. Schmitt assailed the commitment as “yet another brazen attempt to fund unaccountable entities from the American taxpayer’s wallet.” “In no world is this commitment a responsible use of taxpayer dollars,” he added. The Department of the Treasury did not respond to a request for comment. The money is anything but a done deal, however, despite Yellen’s vow. The funds are subject to congressional approval and face long odds in a divided Congress, amid GOP opposition, and in the run-up to the November elections. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) is among the House Republicans who, earlier this year, described the World Health Organization’s “pandemic treaty” as an “infringement” on national sovereignty. Yellen hopes the U.S. pledge will spur other countries to double their initial commitments and for new donors to take part, including governments, the private sector, and philanthropies. She said in a statement last month that the Pandemic Fund “will enable us to better prevent, prepare for, and respond to pandemics — protecting Americans and people around the world from the devastating human and economic costs of infectious disease threats.” From left, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaks during a news conference in Philadelphia, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, and Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) delivers a victory speech, Nov. 8, 2022, in Maryland Heights, Missouri. (AP Photos/Matt Rourke, Jeff Roberson) The fund was established in 2022 in the wake of COVID-19. In 2023, it delved out $338 million in its first round of grants to 37 countries. A second round of $500 million is expected to be released by the year’s end for new applicants, according to the treasury. Countries and philanthropies have so far pledged to donate more than $1.6 billion, according to the fund, with the U.S. having committed the highest amount and having provided the largest single-nation donation. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Schmitt cited concerns about WHO’s involvement in the fund and its role in helping to determine who the money is distributed to due to its handling of both the pandemic and China’s role. He also chastised “wide-scale government overreach” of pandemic-era mandates and restrictions in the U.S. “These brutal measures were encouraged and developed by international entities like the WHO, which has refused to hold the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) accountable for its responsibility in the origins of the COVID-19 virus,” Schmitt wrote to Yellen. “Now you are coming to citizens asking them for billions more to fund an even larger international scale operation of suppression and control for the next hypothetical pandemic.”, , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/janet-yellen-eric-schmitt.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/, Ramsey Touchberry,

For more than a decade, former Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill held a crucial seat for Democrats in a state otherwise dominated by Republicans.

But in his first reelection since unseating two-term McCaskill in 2018, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) has turned the once-competitive Show-Me State seat into a GOP sanctuary that’s out of reach for Democrats and an afterthought for election forecasters.

“Claire McCaskill was the most talented Democratic Missouri politician of her generation,” said Gregg Kelly, a Missouri GOP strategist and former Hawley campaign political adviser. “She won elections she had no business winning for years in the state based on how progressive she was and yet how good of a politician she was.”

Hawley was unopposed in his primary on Tuesday. He’ll now face Democrat Lucas Kunce, who ran unsuccessfully for his party’s Senate nomination in 2022, in the November general election. The outcome is all but predetermined in Hawley’s favor. But that wouldn’t have always been the case.

His quick rise to GOP stardom can be attributed to several factors, including his alliance with former President Donald Trump, a constant quest for the media spotlight, a streak of populism, and an influential wife in conservative politics.

“It is no surprise he is in a great position to serve a second term,” Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO), the state’s other first-term senator, told the Washington Examiner.

Hawley ousted McCaskill in the 2018 midterm elections by roughly 6 percentage points, a wider-than-expected margin for a race with such national attention. That cycle, Republicans expanded their Senate majority by defeating McCaskill and several other Democratic incumbents, including in Florida, Indiana, and North Dakota.

Hawley’s seat is now considered as safe as it gets in the eyes of nonpartisan election watchers: “solid Republican.”

“I think that Josh recognized a populist bent of this state before a lot of other people, even on the Republican side, did,” Kelly said. “In some ways, I think he perfectly mirrors where your average Missouri family and average Missouri voter is.”

Hawley has, at times, forged some unexpected alliances, such as with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) for the duo’s vocal advocacy during the pandemic for a second round of $1,200 stimulus checks. In 2022, he was among a trio of GOP senators to vote with Democrats to provide a week of paid sick leave for rail workers threatening to go on strike.  

Hawley, one of the youngest senators at age 44, is widely believed to have future presidential aspirations. Much to the chagrin of Senate Republican leadership, he’s opposed establishment members like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and called for the party to bend more toward working-class voters and away from corporate executives.

Even House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) at one point found himself in Hawley’s warpath in recent months over a bill to compensate Missouri radiation victims under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. Opposed by Republicans due to its cost, Hawley has tried, so far unsuccessfully, to attach the bill to other must-pass measures. The fund expired in early June, and only the Democratic-led Senate has passed the bill.

“I always kind of laugh when Josh does something that the Chamber of Commerce crowd doesn’t like, and they think that he’s going to pay some sort of price for this at the ballot box,” Kelly said. “The exact opposite is true because Josh Hawley’s voters like it when he picks and chooses his spots to speak truth to power to entrenched Republican interests. It’s part of his allure. It’s a feature, not a bug.”

Hawley is a staunch supporter of Trump, who carried Missouri by roughly 16 points in 2020. In a now-infamous photo of Hawley raising his fist to the crowd of Trump supporters amassed outside the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, he was a leading proponent of overturning Electoral College results during Congress’s certification of the election.

In the same vein, perhaps his greatest skill, and most valuable as a senator, is the ability to land himself in the spotlight.

Hawley is one of the chattiest and most easily accessible senators for reporters at the Capitol, frequently pausing on his way to or from votes to talk at great lengths to those peppering him with questions. He’s eager to offer behind-the-scenes details about private meetings among Senate Republicans where others are often tight-lipped.

In the committee hearing rooms and in front of the cameras, Biden appointees testifying can often expect harsh lines of questioning from Hawley that become made-for-TV moments.

“I don’t think there is a Republican U.S. senator today who is better at earned media than Josh Hawley,” Kelly said. “Josh Hawley sees something that is newsworthy, and he and his team recognize it immediately. They are decisive. He knows what he believes in. He stakes out a position, and he makes that position clear.”

The senator isn’t the only well-known Hawley among Republicans, particularly those in Missouri.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Erin Morrow Hawley, the Yale Law graduate and former Supreme Court clerk married to the senator, is also a staple in conservative politics for her legal career on abortion-related cases.

As senior counsel for the conservative advocacy group Alliance Defending Freedom, she was on the legal teams responsible for getting Roe v. Wade overturned and the case that sought to restrict access to the popular medical abortion drug mifepristone.

2024-08-07 07:00:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fnews%2Fcampaigns%2Fcongressional%2F3112696%2Fjosh-hawley-turns-missouri-senate-seat-ruby-red%2F?w=600&h=450, For more than a decade, former Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill held a crucial seat for Democrats in a state otherwise dominated by Republicans. But in his first reelection since unseating two-term McCaskill in 2018, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) has turned the once-competitive Show-Me State seat into a GOP sanctuary that’s out of reach for Democrats,

For more than a decade, former Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill held a crucial seat for Democrats in a state otherwise dominated by Republicans.

But in his first reelection since unseating two-term McCaskill in 2018, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) has turned the once-competitive Show-Me State seat into a GOP sanctuary that’s out of reach for Democrats and an afterthought for election forecasters.

“Claire McCaskill was the most talented Democratic Missouri politician of her generation,” said Gregg Kelly, a Missouri GOP strategist and former Hawley campaign political adviser. “She won elections she had no business winning for years in the state based on how progressive she was and yet how good of a politician she was.”

Hawley was unopposed in his primary on Tuesday. He’ll now face Democrat Lucas Kunce, who ran unsuccessfully for his party’s Senate nomination in 2022, in the November general election. The outcome is all but predetermined in Hawley’s favor. But that wouldn’t have always been the case.

His quick rise to GOP stardom can be attributed to several factors, including his alliance with former President Donald Trump, a constant quest for the media spotlight, a streak of populism, and an influential wife in conservative politics.

“It is no surprise he is in a great position to serve a second term,” Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO), the state’s other first-term senator, told the Washington Examiner.

Hawley ousted McCaskill in the 2018 midterm elections by roughly 6 percentage points, a wider-than-expected margin for a race with such national attention. That cycle, Republicans expanded their Senate majority by defeating McCaskill and several other Democratic incumbents, including in Florida, Indiana, and North Dakota.

Hawley’s seat is now considered as safe as it gets in the eyes of nonpartisan election watchers: “solid Republican.”

“I think that Josh recognized a populist bent of this state before a lot of other people, even on the Republican side, did,” Kelly said. “In some ways, I think he perfectly mirrors where your average Missouri family and average Missouri voter is.”

Hawley has, at times, forged some unexpected alliances, such as with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) for the duo’s vocal advocacy during the pandemic for a second round of $1,200 stimulus checks. In 2022, he was among a trio of GOP senators to vote with Democrats to provide a week of paid sick leave for rail workers threatening to go on strike.  

Hawley, one of the youngest senators at age 44, is widely believed to have future presidential aspirations. Much to the chagrin of Senate Republican leadership, he’s opposed establishment members like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and called for the party to bend more toward working-class voters and away from corporate executives.

Even House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) at one point found himself in Hawley’s warpath in recent months over a bill to compensate Missouri radiation victims under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. Opposed by Republicans due to its cost, Hawley has tried, so far unsuccessfully, to attach the bill to other must-pass measures. The fund expired in early June, and only the Democratic-led Senate has passed the bill.

“I always kind of laugh when Josh does something that the Chamber of Commerce crowd doesn’t like, and they think that he’s going to pay some sort of price for this at the ballot box,” Kelly said. “The exact opposite is true because Josh Hawley’s voters like it when he picks and chooses his spots to speak truth to power to entrenched Republican interests. It’s part of his allure. It’s a feature, not a bug.”

Hawley is a staunch supporter of Trump, who carried Missouri by roughly 16 points in 2020. In a now-infamous photo of Hawley raising his fist to the crowd of Trump supporters amassed outside the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, he was a leading proponent of overturning Electoral College results during Congress’s certification of the election.

In the same vein, perhaps his greatest skill, and most valuable as a senator, is the ability to land himself in the spotlight.

Hawley is one of the chattiest and most easily accessible senators for reporters at the Capitol, frequently pausing on his way to or from votes to talk at great lengths to those peppering him with questions. He’s eager to offer behind-the-scenes details about private meetings among Senate Republicans where others are often tight-lipped.

In the committee hearing rooms and in front of the cameras, Biden appointees testifying can often expect harsh lines of questioning from Hawley that become made-for-TV moments.

“I don’t think there is a Republican U.S. senator today who is better at earned media than Josh Hawley,” Kelly said. “Josh Hawley sees something that is newsworthy, and he and his team recognize it immediately. They are decisive. He knows what he believes in. He stakes out a position, and he makes that position clear.”

The senator isn’t the only well-known Hawley among Republicans, particularly those in Missouri.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Erin Morrow Hawley, the Yale Law graduate and former Supreme Court clerk married to the senator, is also a staple in conservative politics for her legal career on abortion-related cases.

As senior counsel for the conservative advocacy group Alliance Defending Freedom, she was on the legal teams responsible for getting Roe v. Wade overturned and the case that sought to restrict access to the popular medical abortion drug mifepristone.

, For more than a decade, former Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill held a crucial seat for Democrats in a state otherwise dominated by Republicans. But in his first reelection since unseating two-term McCaskill in 2018, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) has turned the once-competitive Show-Me State seat into a GOP sanctuary that’s out of reach for Democrats and an afterthought for election forecasters. “Claire McCaskill was the most talented Democratic Missouri politician of her generation,” said Gregg Kelly, a Missouri GOP strategist and former Hawley campaign political adviser. “She won elections she had no business winning for years in the state based on how progressive she was and yet how good of a politician she was.” Hawley was unopposed in his primary on Tuesday. He’ll now face Democrat Lucas Kunce, who ran unsuccessfully for his party’s Senate nomination in 2022, in the November general election. The outcome is all but predetermined in Hawley’s favor. But that wouldn’t have always been the case. His quick rise to GOP stardom can be attributed to several factors, including his alliance with former President Donald Trump, a constant quest for the media spotlight, a streak of populism, and an influential wife in conservative politics. “It is no surprise he is in a great position to serve a second term,” Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO), the state’s other first-term senator, told the Washington Examiner. Hawley ousted McCaskill in the 2018 midterm elections by roughly 6 percentage points, a wider-than-expected margin for a race with such national attention. That cycle, Republicans expanded their Senate majority by defeating McCaskill and several other Democratic incumbents, including in Florida, Indiana, and North Dakota. Hawley’s seat is now considered as safe as it gets in the eyes of nonpartisan election watchers: “solid Republican.” “I think that Josh recognized a populist bent of this state before a lot of other people, even on the Republican side, did,” Kelly said. “In some ways, I think he perfectly mirrors where your average Missouri family and average Missouri voter is.” Hawley has, at times, forged some unexpected alliances, such as with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) for the duo’s vocal advocacy during the pandemic for a second round of $1,200 stimulus checks. In 2022, he was among a trio of GOP senators to vote with Democrats to provide a week of paid sick leave for rail workers threatening to go on strike.   Hawley, one of the youngest senators at age 44, is widely believed to have future presidential aspirations. Much to the chagrin of Senate Republican leadership, he’s opposed establishment members like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and called for the party to bend more toward working-class voters and away from corporate executives. Even House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) at one point found himself in Hawley’s warpath in recent months over a bill to compensate Missouri radiation victims under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. Opposed by Republicans due to its cost, Hawley has tried, so far unsuccessfully, to attach the bill to other must-pass measures. The fund expired in early June, and only the Democratic-led Senate has passed the bill. “I always kind of laugh when Josh does something that the Chamber of Commerce crowd doesn’t like, and they think that he’s going to pay some sort of price for this at the ballot box,” Kelly said. “The exact opposite is true because Josh Hawley’s voters like it when he picks and chooses his spots to speak truth to power to entrenched Republican interests. It’s part of his allure. It’s a feature, not a bug.” Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) listens during the Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearing on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Hawley is a staunch supporter of Trump, who carried Missouri by roughly 16 points in 2020. In a now-infamous photo of Hawley raising his fist to the crowd of Trump supporters amassed outside the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, he was a leading proponent of overturning Electoral College results during Congress’s certification of the election. In the same vein, perhaps his greatest skill, and most valuable as a senator, is the ability to land himself in the spotlight. Hawley is one of the chattiest and most easily accessible senators for reporters at the Capitol, frequently pausing on his way to or from votes to talk at great lengths to those peppering him with questions. He’s eager to offer behind-the-scenes details about private meetings among Senate Republicans where others are often tight-lipped. In the committee hearing rooms and in front of the cameras, Biden appointees testifying can often expect harsh lines of questioning from Hawley that become made-for-TV moments. “I don’t think there is a Republican U.S. senator today who is better at earned media than Josh Hawley,” Kelly said. “Josh Hawley sees something that is newsworthy, and he and his team recognize it immediately. They are decisive. He knows what he believes in. He stakes out a position, and he makes that position clear.” The senator isn’t the only well-known Hawley among Republicans, particularly those in Missouri. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Erin Morrow Hawley, the Yale Law graduate and former Supreme Court clerk married to the senator, is also a staple in conservative politics for her legal career on abortion-related cases. As senior counsel for the conservative advocacy group Alliance Defending Freedom, she was on the legal teams responsible for getting Roe v. Wade overturned and the case that sought to restrict access to the popular medical abortion drug mifepristone., , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/josh-hawley-turns-old-blue-seat-republican-stronghold.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/, Ramsey Touchberry,

The general election this cycle to replace retiring Gov. Jay Inslee (D-WA) will feature Attorney General Bob Ferguson (D-WA) and former Rep. Dave Reichert (R-WA).

The two were the highest vote-getters in Tuesday’s open primary featuring dozens of candidates, which means they’ll faceoff one-on-one in November in a state that’s a Democratic stronghold and has been absent a GOP governor for nearly 40 years.  

Nonpartisan election forecasters give the upper hand to Ferguson, but the open seat is still expected to be competitive in light of Inslee not seeking a fourth term.

The Associated Press called the race at 11:15 p.m. Eastern with just over half of the votes tallied. Ferguson led with just under 47% to Reichert’s roughly 27%. The next closest candidate was at just 9%.

Reichert is the former King County sheriff credited with the arrest and conviction in 2003 of the serial killer known as the Green River Killer, or Gary Ridgeway. Ridgeway killed 49 women, the first bodies of which were found dumped in the Green River in 1982.

Ferguson has served as attorney general of the Evergreen State since 2013 and is endorsed by top Democrats, including Inslee and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), third in line to the presidency as the Senate Pro Tempore.

The legacy left by Inslee, 73, is likely to center on his stature as a climate warrior who’s led the charge on implementing some of the nation’s most progressive policies to slash emissions. His 2020 presidential campaign branded himself as the climate change candidate.

Under Inslee, Washington instituted policies and target dates to achieve 100% clean electricity by 2045, and 100% of new light- and medium-duty vehicles sold to be electric by 2035.

“During a decade of dynamic change, we’ve made Washington a beacon for progress for the nation. I’m ready to pass the torch,” Inslee said in his retirement announcement last year.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The race between Ferguson and Reichert has largely focused on access to abortion, not unlike many other heated elections across the country. The two have also sparred over their public safety plans amid concerns from voters about crime.

The other primary contenders the two successfully fended off on Tuesday included Democratic state Sen. Mark Mullet and military veteran and Republican Semi Bird.

2024-08-07 03:34:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fnews%2Fcampaigns%2Fstate%2F3113090%2Fjay-inslee-successor-governor-race-washington%2F?w=600&h=450, The general election this cycle to replace retiring Gov. Jay Inslee (D-WA) will feature Attorney General Bob Ferguson (D-WA) and former Rep. Dave Reichert (R-WA). The two were the highest vote-getters in Tuesday’s open primary featuring dozens of candidates, which means they’ll faceoff one-on-one in November in a state that’s a Democratic stronghold and has,

The general election this cycle to replace retiring Gov. Jay Inslee (D-WA) will feature Attorney General Bob Ferguson (D-WA) and former Rep. Dave Reichert (R-WA).

The two were the highest vote-getters in Tuesday’s open primary featuring dozens of candidates, which means they’ll faceoff one-on-one in November in a state that’s a Democratic stronghold and has been absent a GOP governor for nearly 40 years.  

Nonpartisan election forecasters give the upper hand to Ferguson, but the open seat is still expected to be competitive in light of Inslee not seeking a fourth term.

The Associated Press called the race at 11:15 p.m. Eastern with just over half of the votes tallied. Ferguson led with just under 47% to Reichert’s roughly 27%. The next closest candidate was at just 9%.

Reichert is the former King County sheriff credited with the arrest and conviction in 2003 of the serial killer known as the Green River Killer, or Gary Ridgeway. Ridgeway killed 49 women, the first bodies of which were found dumped in the Green River in 1982.

Ferguson has served as attorney general of the Evergreen State since 2013 and is endorsed by top Democrats, including Inslee and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), third in line to the presidency as the Senate Pro Tempore.

The legacy left by Inslee, 73, is likely to center on his stature as a climate warrior who’s led the charge on implementing some of the nation’s most progressive policies to slash emissions. His 2020 presidential campaign branded himself as the climate change candidate.

Under Inslee, Washington instituted policies and target dates to achieve 100% clean electricity by 2045, and 100% of new light- and medium-duty vehicles sold to be electric by 2035.

“During a decade of dynamic change, we’ve made Washington a beacon for progress for the nation. I’m ready to pass the torch,” Inslee said in his retirement announcement last year.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The race between Ferguson and Reichert has largely focused on access to abortion, not unlike many other heated elections across the country. The two have also sparred over their public safety plans amid concerns from voters about crime.

The other primary contenders the two successfully fended off on Tuesday included Democratic state Sen. Mark Mullet and military veteran and Republican Semi Bird.

, The general election this cycle to replace retiring Gov. Jay Inslee (D-WA) will feature Attorney General Bob Ferguson (D-WA) and former Rep. Dave Reichert (R-WA). The two were the highest vote-getters in Tuesday’s open primary featuring dozens of candidates, which means they’ll faceoff one-on-one in November in a state that’s a Democratic stronghold and has been absent a GOP governor for nearly 40 years.   Nonpartisan election forecasters give the upper hand to Ferguson, but the open seat is still expected to be competitive in light of Inslee not seeking a fourth term. The Associated Press called the race at 11:15 p.m. Eastern with just over half of the votes tallied. Ferguson led with just under 47% to Reichert’s roughly 27%. The next closest candidate was at just 9%. Reichert is the former King County sheriff credited with the arrest and conviction in 2003 of the serial killer known as the Green River Killer, or Gary Ridgeway. Ridgeway killed 49 women, the first bodies of which were found dumped in the Green River in 1982. Ferguson has served as attorney general of the Evergreen State since 2013 and is endorsed by top Democrats, including Inslee and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), third in line to the presidency as the Senate Pro Tempore. Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson speaks as Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, right, looks on before the signing of several bills aimed at protecting reproductive health and gender-affirming care on April 27, 2023, at the University of Washington’s Hans Rosling Center for Population Health in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) The legacy left by Inslee, 73, is likely to center on his stature as a climate warrior who’s led the charge on implementing some of the nation’s most progressive policies to slash emissions. His 2020 presidential campaign branded himself as the climate change candidate. Under Inslee, Washington instituted policies and target dates to achieve 100% clean electricity by 2045, and 100% of new light- and medium-duty vehicles sold to be electric by 2035. “During a decade of dynamic change, we’ve made Washington a beacon for progress for the nation. I’m ready to pass the torch,” Inslee said in his retirement announcement last year. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER The race between Ferguson and Reichert has largely focused on access to abortion, not unlike many other heated elections across the country. The two have also sparred over their public safety plans amid concerns from voters about crime. The other primary contenders the two successfully fended off on Tuesday included Democratic state Sen. Mark Mullet and military veteran and Republican Semi Bird., , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/washington-state-governors-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/, Ramsey Touchberry,

The stage is set for November in Michigan’s battleground Senate race, with Tuesday’s primaries teeing up a general election contest between Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and former House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers.

The “toss-up” race to replace retiring longtime Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) could determine party control of the Senate as Democrats fight to retain their one-seat margin.

Both candidates glided to victory in their respective primaries and ultimately faced minimal competition after receiving support from the campaign arms of Senate Republicans and Senate Democrats.

With just 6% of the vote tallied, Rogers was around 70% of the vote, compared to about 12% for Republican-turned-libertarian former Rep. Justin Amash and less than 10% for physician Sherry O’Donnell.

Slotkin was at 75% with 9% of the vote tallied shortly after 9 p.m. when the Associated Press called the race. Actor and small business owner Hill Harper was at 25%.

Recent polling gives Slotkin a several-point advantage, but it remains within the margin of error. Democrats must retain both the seat and the White House to keep the Senate majority.

A significant element favoring Slotkin is her status as a fundraising juggernaut. She’s outraised Rogers by a nearly 5-to-1 margin so far, raking in $24 million this cycle with $8.7 million cash on hand compared to his $5.4 million raised and $2.5 million in the bank.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

But Rogers comes with his own advantages. He’s looking to clinch a Michigan Senate seat for Republicans in what would be the first time in two decades. With an open seat, thanks to the retirement of Stabenow, who is 74 and was first elected to the upper chamber in 2000, Republicans see their greatest opportunity in decades to flip the state.

The race was downgraded for Democrats in the Great Lakes State from “lean Democrat” to “toss-up” by the nonpartisan election forecaster Cook Political Report due to President Joe Biden’s potential down-ballot drag before he ended his campaign. Slotkin was among the Democrats who sounded the alarm over Biden’s ability to beat former President Donald Trump, who endorsed Rogers.

2024-08-07 01:10:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fnews%2Fcampaigns%2Fcongressional%2F3112914%2Fbattle-set-michigan-senate-seat-slotkin-rogers%2F?w=600&h=450, The stage is set for November in Michigan’s battleground Senate race, with Tuesday’s primaries teeing up a general election contest between Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and former House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers. The “toss-up” race to replace retiring longtime Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) could determine party control of the Senate as Democrats fight to,

The stage is set for November in Michigan’s battleground Senate race, with Tuesday’s primaries teeing up a general election contest between Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and former House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers.

The “toss-up” race to replace retiring longtime Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) could determine party control of the Senate as Democrats fight to retain their one-seat margin.

Both candidates glided to victory in their respective primaries and ultimately faced minimal competition after receiving support from the campaign arms of Senate Republicans and Senate Democrats.

With just 6% of the vote tallied, Rogers was around 70% of the vote, compared to about 12% for Republican-turned-libertarian former Rep. Justin Amash and less than 10% for physician Sherry O’Donnell.

Slotkin was at 75% with 9% of the vote tallied shortly after 9 p.m. when the Associated Press called the race. Actor and small business owner Hill Harper was at 25%.

Recent polling gives Slotkin a several-point advantage, but it remains within the margin of error. Democrats must retain both the seat and the White House to keep the Senate majority.

A significant element favoring Slotkin is her status as a fundraising juggernaut. She’s outraised Rogers by a nearly 5-to-1 margin so far, raking in $24 million this cycle with $8.7 million cash on hand compared to his $5.4 million raised and $2.5 million in the bank.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

But Rogers comes with his own advantages. He’s looking to clinch a Michigan Senate seat for Republicans in what would be the first time in two decades. With an open seat, thanks to the retirement of Stabenow, who is 74 and was first elected to the upper chamber in 2000, Republicans see their greatest opportunity in decades to flip the state.

The race was downgraded for Democrats in the Great Lakes State from “lean Democrat” to “toss-up” by the nonpartisan election forecaster Cook Political Report due to President Joe Biden’s potential down-ballot drag before he ended his campaign. Slotkin was among the Democrats who sounded the alarm over Biden’s ability to beat former President Donald Trump, who endorsed Rogers.

, The stage is set for November in Michigan’s battleground Senate race, with Tuesday’s primaries teeing up a general election contest between Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and former House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers. The “toss-up” race to replace retiring longtime Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) could determine party control of the Senate as Democrats fight to retain their one-seat margin. Both candidates glided to victory in their respective primaries and ultimately faced minimal competition after receiving support from the campaign arms of Senate Republicans and Senate Democrats. With just 6% of the vote tallied, Rogers was around 70% of the vote, compared to about 12% for Republican-turned-libertarian former Rep. Justin Amash and less than 10% for physician Sherry O’Donnell. Slotkin was at 75% with 9% of the vote tallied shortly after 9 p.m. when the Associated Press called the race. Actor and small business owner Hill Harper was at 25%. Recent polling gives Slotkin a several-point advantage, but it remains within the margin of error. Democrats must retain both the seat and the White House to keep the Senate majority. From left to right, Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) during a campaign rally in 2022 and former Rep. Mike Rogers speaks during the Republican National Convention, July 16, 2024. (AP Photos/Paul Sancya, Carlos Osorio) A significant element favoring Slotkin is her status as a fundraising juggernaut. She’s outraised Rogers by a nearly 5-to-1 margin so far, raking in $24 million this cycle with $8.7 million cash on hand compared to his $5.4 million raised and $2.5 million in the bank. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER But Rogers comes with his own advantages. He’s looking to clinch a Michigan Senate seat for Republicans in what would be the first time in two decades. With an open seat, thanks to the retirement of Stabenow, who is 74 and was first elected to the upper chamber in 2000, Republicans see their greatest opportunity in decades to flip the state. The race was downgraded for Democrats in the Great Lakes State from “lean Democrat” to “toss-up” by the nonpartisan election forecaster Cook Political Report due to President Joe Biden’s potential down-ballot drag before he ended his campaign. Slotkin was among the Democrats who sounded the alarm over Biden’s ability to beat former President Donald Trump, who endorsed Rogers., , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Elissa-Slotkin-Mike-Rogers-Michigan-Senate-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/, Ramsey Touchberry,

He’s among the few Senate Democrats yet to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris. He’s also fighting for reelection in a state dominated by former President Donald Trump.

Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) is keeping his party’s presidential nominee at arm’s length despite helping launch Harris’s Senate career and endorsing her in 2020 when she was tapped as President Joe Biden’s running mate.

Facing one of the most competitive Senate races of the cycle, Tester has undergone a delicate evolution in recent weeks with the top of the Democratic ticket.

In what was believed to be his first public acknowledgment of Harris replacing Biden, Tester conceded to the Washington Examiner on Thursday that she was going to be the nominee.

“It appears that’s the situation,” he said.

Harris made it all but official on Friday after clenching enough votes from Democratic delegates during a virtual roll call to win the party’s nomination.

Tester was among the handful of Senate Democrats who last month called on Biden to drop out of the race over deepening concerns about his ability to defeat Trump and signs of advanced aging. He advocated an open nomination process.

Even after a groundswell of Democrats rallied around Harris after Biden’s exit and she became the presumptive nominee by locking up enough pledges from Democratic delegates, Tester told the Washington Examiner her nomination wasn’t a “done deal.”

“We’ll let the process work out, then we’ll figure it out,” he said July 23. “The process needs to work its way through.”

Fast-forward to last week, Tester began pivoting to talk about his own race when prompted by reporters on his lack of Harris endorsement.

“We’re working on my race right now. Focused totally on that. Believe it or not, I am, and we’re going to win,” Tester said Wednesday. “We’ll deal with the presidential race when we have time to do that. I’m also dealing with the defense bill that’s pretty damn important.”

Tester has insisted Harris and her more liberal stances will make zero impact on his race in a state Trump carried by more than 16 percentage points in 2020.

“Because we run our own race,” he explained this week. “I develop my own enthusiasm.”

Democrats can neither lose Tester’s seat nor any of the other half-dozen competitive Senate races in order to keep the chamber majority. Former Navy SEAL and Republican nominee Tim Sheehy is challenging Tester, a third-term senator who doubles as a multi-generational dirt farmer.

Republicans are eyeing Montana as one of their greatest pickup opportunities. The chairman of the Senate GOP’s campaign arm, Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT), also hails from Big Sky Country.

As one of Tester’s potential vulnerabilities, the GOP is elevating his past close ties to Harris and her liberal voting record as a senator. As the former chairman of his party’s Senate campaign arm, Tester recruited Harris to run for Senate in 2016.

“It’s surprising that Jon Tester is trying to distance himself from Kamala Harris after he recruited her to run for Senate, strongly endorsed her for Vice President, and voted with her 100% of the time on her tie-breaking Senate votes,” National Republican Senatorial Committee spokeswoman Maggie Abboud said. “It seems like Tester is trying to fool voters in an election year.”

Tester’s strategy on Harris stands in stark contrast to other vulnerable Senate Democrats who have not only endorsed the new nominee but embraced her, including Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Bob Casey (D-PA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV).

But there’s a “big difference” between them and Tester, noted Democratic strategist Brad Bannon: “He’s not in a [presidential] battleground state.”

“There’s no question at all that Trump’s going to win in Montana,” Bannon said. “What you’re talking about here is the difference between deep red states and purple states.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Harris’s virtual roll call nomination will conclude Monday, but Democrats won’t get to celebrate formally until later this month in Chicago at the Democratic National Convention Aug. 19-22. Tester is not expected at the convention when Harris accepts the nomination, instead hosting a “Rock on with Jon” event in Missoula with the band Pearl Jam.

Bannon predicted Tester will ultimately “endorse Harris but not embrace her.”

2024-08-05 10:00:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fnews%2Fcampaigns%2Fcongressional%2F3109300%2Fjon-tester-stance-kamala-harris-montana%2F?w=600&h=450, He’s among the few Senate Democrats yet to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris. He’s also fighting for reelection in a state dominated by former President Donald Trump. Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) is keeping his party’s presidential nominee at arm’s length despite helping launch Harris’s Senate career and endorsing her in 2020 when she was tapped,

He’s among the few Senate Democrats yet to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris. He’s also fighting for reelection in a state dominated by former President Donald Trump.

Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) is keeping his party’s presidential nominee at arm’s length despite helping launch Harris’s Senate career and endorsing her in 2020 when she was tapped as President Joe Biden’s running mate.

Facing one of the most competitive Senate races of the cycle, Tester has undergone a delicate evolution in recent weeks with the top of the Democratic ticket.

In what was believed to be his first public acknowledgment of Harris replacing Biden, Tester conceded to the Washington Examiner on Thursday that she was going to be the nominee.

“It appears that’s the situation,” he said.

Harris made it all but official on Friday after clenching enough votes from Democratic delegates during a virtual roll call to win the party’s nomination.

Tester was among the handful of Senate Democrats who last month called on Biden to drop out of the race over deepening concerns about his ability to defeat Trump and signs of advanced aging. He advocated an open nomination process.

Even after a groundswell of Democrats rallied around Harris after Biden’s exit and she became the presumptive nominee by locking up enough pledges from Democratic delegates, Tester told the Washington Examiner her nomination wasn’t a “done deal.”

“We’ll let the process work out, then we’ll figure it out,” he said July 23. “The process needs to work its way through.”

Fast-forward to last week, Tester began pivoting to talk about his own race when prompted by reporters on his lack of Harris endorsement.

“We’re working on my race right now. Focused totally on that. Believe it or not, I am, and we’re going to win,” Tester said Wednesday. “We’ll deal with the presidential race when we have time to do that. I’m also dealing with the defense bill that’s pretty damn important.”

Tester has insisted Harris and her more liberal stances will make zero impact on his race in a state Trump carried by more than 16 percentage points in 2020.

“Because we run our own race,” he explained this week. “I develop my own enthusiasm.”

Democrats can neither lose Tester’s seat nor any of the other half-dozen competitive Senate races in order to keep the chamber majority. Former Navy SEAL and Republican nominee Tim Sheehy is challenging Tester, a third-term senator who doubles as a multi-generational dirt farmer.

Republicans are eyeing Montana as one of their greatest pickup opportunities. The chairman of the Senate GOP’s campaign arm, Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT), also hails from Big Sky Country.

As one of Tester’s potential vulnerabilities, the GOP is elevating his past close ties to Harris and her liberal voting record as a senator. As the former chairman of his party’s Senate campaign arm, Tester recruited Harris to run for Senate in 2016.

“It’s surprising that Jon Tester is trying to distance himself from Kamala Harris after he recruited her to run for Senate, strongly endorsed her for Vice President, and voted with her 100% of the time on her tie-breaking Senate votes,” National Republican Senatorial Committee spokeswoman Maggie Abboud said. “It seems like Tester is trying to fool voters in an election year.”

Tester’s strategy on Harris stands in stark contrast to other vulnerable Senate Democrats who have not only endorsed the new nominee but embraced her, including Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Bob Casey (D-PA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV).

But there’s a “big difference” between them and Tester, noted Democratic strategist Brad Bannon: “He’s not in a [presidential] battleground state.”

“There’s no question at all that Trump’s going to win in Montana,” Bannon said. “What you’re talking about here is the difference between deep red states and purple states.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Harris’s virtual roll call nomination will conclude Monday, but Democrats won’t get to celebrate formally until later this month in Chicago at the Democratic National Convention Aug. 19-22. Tester is not expected at the convention when Harris accepts the nomination, instead hosting a “Rock on with Jon” event in Missoula with the band Pearl Jam.

Bannon predicted Tester will ultimately “endorse Harris but not embrace her.”

, He’s among the few Senate Democrats yet to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris. He’s also fighting for reelection in a state dominated by former President Donald Trump. Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) is keeping his party’s presidential nominee at arm’s length despite helping launch Harris’s Senate career and endorsing her in 2020 when she was tapped as President Joe Biden’s running mate. Facing one of the most competitive Senate races of the cycle, Tester has undergone a delicate evolution in recent weeks with the top of the Democratic ticket. In what was believed to be his first public acknowledgment of Harris replacing Biden, Tester conceded to the Washington Examiner on Thursday that she was going to be the nominee. “It appears that’s the situation,” he said. Harris made it all but official on Friday after clenching enough votes from Democratic delegates during a virtual roll call to win the party’s nomination. Tester was among the handful of Senate Democrats who last month called on Biden to drop out of the race over deepening concerns about his ability to defeat Trump and signs of advanced aging. He advocated an open nomination process. Even after a groundswell of Democrats rallied around Harris after Biden’s exit and she became the presumptive nominee by locking up enough pledges from Democratic delegates, Tester told the Washington Examiner her nomination wasn’t a “done deal.” “We’ll let the process work out, then we’ll figure it out,” he said July 23. “The process needs to work its way through.” Fast-forward to last week, Tester began pivoting to talk about his own race when prompted by reporters on his lack of Harris endorsement. “We’re working on my race right now. Focused totally on that. Believe it or not, I am, and we’re going to win,” Tester said Wednesday. “We’ll deal with the presidential race when we have time to do that. I’m also dealing with the defense bill that’s pretty damn important.” Tester has insisted Harris and her more liberal stances will make zero impact on his race in a state Trump carried by more than 16 percentage points in 2020. “Because we run our own race,” he explained this week. “I develop my own enthusiasm.” Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) talks to reporters after a closed-door briefing at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Democrats can neither lose Tester’s seat nor any of the other half-dozen competitive Senate races in order to keep the chamber majority. Former Navy SEAL and Republican nominee Tim Sheehy is challenging Tester, a third-term senator who doubles as a multi-generational dirt farmer. Republicans are eyeing Montana as one of their greatest pickup opportunities. The chairman of the Senate GOP’s campaign arm, Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT), also hails from Big Sky Country. As one of Tester’s potential vulnerabilities, the GOP is elevating his past close ties to Harris and her liberal voting record as a senator. As the former chairman of his party’s Senate campaign arm, Tester recruited Harris to run for Senate in 2016. “It’s surprising that Jon Tester is trying to distance himself from Kamala Harris after he recruited her to run for Senate, strongly endorsed her for Vice President, and voted with her 100% of the time on her tie-breaking Senate votes,” National Republican Senatorial Committee spokeswoman Maggie Abboud said. “It seems like Tester is trying to fool voters in an election year.” Tester’s strategy on Harris stands in stark contrast to other vulnerable Senate Democrats who have not only endorsed the new nominee but embraced her, including Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Bob Casey (D-PA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV). But there’s a “big difference” between them and Tester, noted Democratic strategist Brad Bannon: “He’s not in a [presidential] battleground state.” “There’s no question at all that Trump’s going to win in Montana,” Bannon said. “What you’re talking about here is the difference between deep red states and purple states.” CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Harris’s virtual roll call nomination will conclude Monday, but Democrats won’t get to celebrate formally until later this month in Chicago at the Democratic National Convention Aug. 19-22. Tester is not expected at the convention when Harris accepts the nomination, instead hosting a “Rock on with Jon” event in Missoula with the band Pearl Jam. Bannon predicted Tester will ultimately “endorse Harris but not embrace her.”, , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/jon-tester-holds-out-endorsing-kamala-harris.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/, Ramsey Touchberry,

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), found guilty of 16 counts in a bribery and public corruption scheme, was nowhere to be found during the Senate’s final summer working days before vacating his seat.

His absence the past two weeks ahead of his Aug. 20 resignation was to the relief of his fellow Democrats, who reiterated calls for the third-term senator to resign immediately following his July 16 felony conviction.

“I think he’s going to be laying low,” Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), who has not spoken with Menendez since the conviction, told the Washington Examiner this week. “I doubt if we’ll see him again.”

The Senate embarked Thursday afternoon on its annual August recess that will last until Sept. 9. Given that the chamber was only in session roughly two weeks between Menendez’s conviction and his effective resignation, Democrats felt it unnecessary to drudge through expulsion proceedings.

The last time Menendez cast a Senate vote was May 9 due to his Manhattan court proceedings. His office did not respond to a request for comment on whether he made any recent appearances in his Senate office.

Menendez used campaign funds to rack up nearly $2,600 to stay at the luxury Millennium Downtown New York hotel during his trial, according to FEC records reviewed by the Washington Examiner. Menendez lives just 16 miles from the hotel in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.

Menendez’s postponed Aug. 20 resignation will allow him to collect an extra month’s pay of his $174,000 annual salary. His last full paycheck will be disbursed on Aug. 20, followed by a partial paycheck for his final few days on Sept. 5, according to the Senate’s payroll calendar.

In his resignation letter to Gov. Phil Murphy (D-NJ), Menendez stated his delayed departure was to “give time for my staff to transition to other possibilities, transfer constituent files that are pending, allow for an orderly process to choose an interim replacement, and for me to close out my Senate affairs.”

Murphy has yet to name Menendez’s interim replacement until the November election, in which Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ) is expected to win.

Had Menendez declined to resign, Democratic leaders were prepared to force him out of office.

“If he wasn’t going to resign, he should have been expelled,” Durbin told reporters in the days following the conviction. “I think he knows the sensitivity of the situation. I don’t think he should be treated as a sitting senator when it comes to anything confidential.”

The jury found Menendez guilty across the board on charges including extortion, wire fraud, obstruction of justice, acting as a foreign agent for Egypt, bribery, and conspiracy. They deliberated for more than 12 hours over the course of three days.

Sentencing is on Oct. 29. Menendez, 70, faces a maximum of 222 years in prison, but any sentences would likely run concurrently. The most serious charges of extortion and wire fraud carry a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years.

In what are believed to be his most recent public remarks, a defiant Menendez maintained his innocence to reporters gathered outside the courthouse after the verdict.

“I have never been anything but a patriot of my country and for my country,” he said. “I have never, ever been a foreign agent. And the decision arrived to by the jury today would put at risk every member of the United States Senate in terms of what they think a foreign agent would be.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The bribes Menendez accepted included hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, a luxury convertible, and 13 gold bars in exchange for steering aid to the Egyptian government, establishing a lucrative halal meat monopoly, and interfering in criminal investigations to benefit friends and family.

Menendez is the seventh sitting senator to be convicted of a federal crime but was the first to be charged with acting as a foreign agent. A previous public corruption case against him in 2017 ended with a mistrial due to a hung jury.

Barnini Chakraborty and Ross O’Keefe contributed to this report.

2024-08-02 16:31:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fnews%2Fsenate%2F3108814%2Fmenendez-relegated-to-senate-outcast%2F?w=600&h=450, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), found guilty of 16 counts in a bribery and public corruption scheme, was nowhere to be found during the Senate’s final summer working days before vacating his seat. His absence the past two weeks ahead of his Aug. 20 resignation was to the relief of his fellow Democrats, who reiterated calls,

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), found guilty of 16 counts in a bribery and public corruption scheme, was nowhere to be found during the Senate’s final summer working days before vacating his seat.

His absence the past two weeks ahead of his Aug. 20 resignation was to the relief of his fellow Democrats, who reiterated calls for the third-term senator to resign immediately following his July 16 felony conviction.

“I think he’s going to be laying low,” Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), who has not spoken with Menendez since the conviction, told the Washington Examiner this week. “I doubt if we’ll see him again.”

The Senate embarked Thursday afternoon on its annual August recess that will last until Sept. 9. Given that the chamber was only in session roughly two weeks between Menendez’s conviction and his effective resignation, Democrats felt it unnecessary to drudge through expulsion proceedings.

The last time Menendez cast a Senate vote was May 9 due to his Manhattan court proceedings. His office did not respond to a request for comment on whether he made any recent appearances in his Senate office.

Menendez used campaign funds to rack up nearly $2,600 to stay at the luxury Millennium Downtown New York hotel during his trial, according to FEC records reviewed by the Washington Examiner. Menendez lives just 16 miles from the hotel in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.

Menendez’s postponed Aug. 20 resignation will allow him to collect an extra month’s pay of his $174,000 annual salary. His last full paycheck will be disbursed on Aug. 20, followed by a partial paycheck for his final few days on Sept. 5, according to the Senate’s payroll calendar.

In his resignation letter to Gov. Phil Murphy (D-NJ), Menendez stated his delayed departure was to “give time for my staff to transition to other possibilities, transfer constituent files that are pending, allow for an orderly process to choose an interim replacement, and for me to close out my Senate affairs.”

Murphy has yet to name Menendez’s interim replacement until the November election, in which Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ) is expected to win.

Had Menendez declined to resign, Democratic leaders were prepared to force him out of office.

“If he wasn’t going to resign, he should have been expelled,” Durbin told reporters in the days following the conviction. “I think he knows the sensitivity of the situation. I don’t think he should be treated as a sitting senator when it comes to anything confidential.”

The jury found Menendez guilty across the board on charges including extortion, wire fraud, obstruction of justice, acting as a foreign agent for Egypt, bribery, and conspiracy. They deliberated for more than 12 hours over the course of three days.

Sentencing is on Oct. 29. Menendez, 70, faces a maximum of 222 years in prison, but any sentences would likely run concurrently. The most serious charges of extortion and wire fraud carry a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years.

In what are believed to be his most recent public remarks, a defiant Menendez maintained his innocence to reporters gathered outside the courthouse after the verdict.

“I have never been anything but a patriot of my country and for my country,” he said. “I have never, ever been a foreign agent. And the decision arrived to by the jury today would put at risk every member of the United States Senate in terms of what they think a foreign agent would be.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The bribes Menendez accepted included hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, a luxury convertible, and 13 gold bars in exchange for steering aid to the Egyptian government, establishing a lucrative halal meat monopoly, and interfering in criminal investigations to benefit friends and family.

Menendez is the seventh sitting senator to be convicted of a federal crime but was the first to be charged with acting as a foreign agent. A previous public corruption case against him in 2017 ended with a mistrial due to a hung jury.

Barnini Chakraborty and Ross O’Keefe contributed to this report.

, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), found guilty of 16 counts in a bribery and public corruption scheme, was nowhere to be found during the Senate’s final summer working days before vacating his seat. His absence the past two weeks ahead of his Aug. 20 resignation was to the relief of his fellow Democrats, who reiterated calls for the third-term senator to resign immediately following his July 16 felony conviction. “I think he’s going to be laying low,” Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), who has not spoken with Menendez since the conviction, told the Washington Examiner this week. “I doubt if we’ll see him again.” The Senate embarked Thursday afternoon on its annual August recess that will last until Sept. 9. Given that the chamber was only in session roughly two weeks between Menendez’s conviction and his effective resignation, Democrats felt it unnecessary to drudge through expulsion proceedings. The last time Menendez cast a Senate vote was May 9 due to his Manhattan court proceedings. His office did not respond to a request for comment on whether he made any recent appearances in his Senate office. Menendez used campaign funds to rack up nearly $2,600 to stay at the luxury Millennium Downtown New York hotel during his trial, according to FEC records reviewed by the Washington Examiner. Menendez lives just 16 miles from the hotel in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. Menendez’s postponed Aug. 20 resignation will allow him to collect an extra month’s pay of his $174,000 annual salary. His last full paycheck will be disbursed on Aug. 20, followed by a partial paycheck for his final few days on Sept. 5, according to the Senate’s payroll calendar. In his resignation letter to Gov. Phil Murphy (D-NJ), Menendez stated his delayed departure was to “give time for my staff to transition to other possibilities, transfer constituent files that are pending, allow for an orderly process to choose an interim replacement, and for me to close out my Senate affairs.” Murphy has yet to name Menendez’s interim replacement until the November election, in which Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ) is expected to win. Had Menendez declined to resign, Democratic leaders were prepared to force him out of office. “If he wasn’t going to resign, he should have been expelled,” Durbin told reporters in the days following the conviction. “I think he knows the sensitivity of the situation. I don’t think he should be treated as a sitting senator when it comes to anything confidential.” Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) arrives at a Manhattan federal court on Monday, March 11, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Jeenah Moon) The jury found Menendez guilty across the board on charges including extortion, wire fraud, obstruction of justice, acting as a foreign agent for Egypt, bribery, and conspiracy. They deliberated for more than 12 hours over the course of three days. Sentencing is on Oct. 29. Menendez, 70, faces a maximum of 222 years in prison, but any sentences would likely run concurrently. The most serious charges of extortion and wire fraud carry a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years. In what are believed to be his most recent public remarks, a defiant Menendez maintained his innocence to reporters gathered outside the courthouse after the verdict. “I have never been anything but a patriot of my country and for my country,” he said. “I have never, ever been a foreign agent. And the decision arrived to by the jury today would put at risk every member of the United States Senate in terms of what they think a foreign agent would be.” CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER The bribes Menendez accepted included hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, a luxury convertible, and 13 gold bars in exchange for steering aid to the Egyptian government, establishing a lucrative halal meat monopoly, and interfering in criminal investigations to benefit friends and family. Menendez is the seventh sitting senator to be convicted of a federal crime but was the first to be charged with acting as a foreign agent. A previous public corruption case against him in 2017 ended with a mistrial due to a hung jury. Barnini Chakraborty and Ross O’Keefe contributed to this report., , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Menendez-absent-Senate-before-resignation.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/, Ramsey Touchberry,

Sen. Joe Manchin’s (I-WV) ability to keep reporters and fellow senators guessing on his nearly every move is perhaps second to none.

So when the Democrat-turned-independent declared last year he wouldn’t seek reelection against long odds in the ruby red state, reporters still sought to confirm he hadn’t had a change of heart long after.

West Virginia’s filing deadline for independent candidates seeking political office came and went on Thursday. True to Manchin’s word, the secretary of state’s online candidate list bore no mention of the 76-year-old’s name.

In the days leading up, Manchin quipped that perhaps he may still launch an 11th-hour campaign for some sort of office in the Mountain State.

“We still have a lot of time left,” he told the Washington Examiner earlier this week. “Nah, I’m messing with you. I don’t think so. I’m pretty sure I’m not. I’m just kidding, I’m not.”

Last year, Manchin weighed a third-party presidential run against President Joe Biden but decided against it. Last month, in the midst of the fallout from Biden’s exit from the race, a close Manchin ally suggested the senator was considering a switch back to the Democratic Party to seek the nomination. However, he quickly batted down the notion and opted instead to advocate a contested primary.

Manchin’s party switch in June came just one day before the deadline by which he needed to become an independent should he have wanted to run for an office by the Thursday filing deadline, fueling further speculation he may not retire from Washington politics.

Manchin’s departure from the Senate, which he’s served in since 2010, at the end of his term in January 2025 will take with it one of the chamber’s most centrist voices — and a key seat for Democrats.

Gov. Jim Justice (R-WV) is expected to glide to victory as Manchin’s successor in November, a gut-punching flip for Democrats’ one-seat majority. That means to keep the chamber with a 50-50 tie, the party must successfully defend all of its competitive races in seven other states and Vice President Kamala Harris must win the White House.

If former President Donald Trump prevails, or if Republicans can flip any additional seats, the Senate will fall to the GOP.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

As for Manchin’s horizon, he’s vowed to become more active in his daughter’s nonprofit centrist political group, Americans Together, and travel the country to speak about centrist politics.

“I just want to bring the country together, and we’ll still do that,” he said.

2024-08-02 07:00:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fnews%2Fsenate%2F3107930%2Fmanchin-not-seeking-reelection-filing-deadline-passes%2F?w=600&h=450, Sen. Joe Manchin’s (I-WV) ability to keep reporters and fellow senators guessing on his nearly every move is perhaps second to none. So when the Democrat-turned-independent declared last year he wouldn’t seek reelection against long odds in the ruby red state, reporters still sought to confirm he hadn’t had a change of heart long after.,

Sen. Joe Manchin’s (I-WV) ability to keep reporters and fellow senators guessing on his nearly every move is perhaps second to none.

So when the Democrat-turned-independent declared last year he wouldn’t seek reelection against long odds in the ruby red state, reporters still sought to confirm he hadn’t had a change of heart long after.

West Virginia’s filing deadline for independent candidates seeking political office came and went on Thursday. True to Manchin’s word, the secretary of state’s online candidate list bore no mention of the 76-year-old’s name.

In the days leading up, Manchin quipped that perhaps he may still launch an 11th-hour campaign for some sort of office in the Mountain State.

“We still have a lot of time left,” he told the Washington Examiner earlier this week. “Nah, I’m messing with you. I don’t think so. I’m pretty sure I’m not. I’m just kidding, I’m not.”

Last year, Manchin weighed a third-party presidential run against President Joe Biden but decided against it. Last month, in the midst of the fallout from Biden’s exit from the race, a close Manchin ally suggested the senator was considering a switch back to the Democratic Party to seek the nomination. However, he quickly batted down the notion and opted instead to advocate a contested primary.

Manchin’s party switch in June came just one day before the deadline by which he needed to become an independent should he have wanted to run for an office by the Thursday filing deadline, fueling further speculation he may not retire from Washington politics.

Manchin’s departure from the Senate, which he’s served in since 2010, at the end of his term in January 2025 will take with it one of the chamber’s most centrist voices — and a key seat for Democrats.

Gov. Jim Justice (R-WV) is expected to glide to victory as Manchin’s successor in November, a gut-punching flip for Democrats’ one-seat majority. That means to keep the chamber with a 50-50 tie, the party must successfully defend all of its competitive races in seven other states and Vice President Kamala Harris must win the White House.

If former President Donald Trump prevails, or if Republicans can flip any additional seats, the Senate will fall to the GOP.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

As for Manchin’s horizon, he’s vowed to become more active in his daughter’s nonprofit centrist political group, Americans Together, and travel the country to speak about centrist politics.

“I just want to bring the country together, and we’ll still do that,” he said.

, Sen. Joe Manchin’s (I-WV) ability to keep reporters and fellow senators guessing on his nearly every move is perhaps second to none. So when the Democrat-turned-independent declared last year he wouldn’t seek reelection against long odds in the ruby red state, reporters still sought to confirm he hadn’t had a change of heart long after. West Virginia’s filing deadline for independent candidates seeking political office came and went on Thursday. True to Manchin’s word, the secretary of state’s online candidate list bore no mention of the 76-year-old’s name. In the days leading up, Manchin quipped that perhaps he may still launch an 11th-hour campaign for some sort of office in the Mountain State. “We still have a lot of time left,” he told the Washington Examiner earlier this week. “Nah, I’m messing with you. I don’t think so. I’m pretty sure I’m not. I’m just kidding, I’m not.” Last year, Manchin weighed a third-party presidential run against President Joe Biden but decided against it. Last month, in the midst of the fallout from Biden’s exit from the race, a close Manchin ally suggested the senator was considering a switch back to the Democratic Party to seek the nomination. However, he quickly batted down the notion and opted instead to advocate a contested primary. Manchin’s party switch in June came just one day before the deadline by which he needed to become an independent should he have wanted to run for an office by the Thursday filing deadline, fueling further speculation he may not retire from Washington politics. Manchin’s departure from the Senate, which he’s served in since 2010, at the end of his term in January 2025 will take with it one of the chamber’s most centrist voices — and a key seat for Democrats. Gov. Jim Justice (R-WV) is expected to glide to victory as Manchin’s successor in November, a gut-punching flip for Democrats’ one-seat majority. That means to keep the chamber with a 50-50 tie, the party must successfully defend all of its competitive races in seven other states and Vice President Kamala Harris must win the White House. If former President Donald Trump prevails, or if Republicans can flip any additional seats, the Senate will fall to the GOP. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER As for Manchin’s horizon, he’s vowed to become more active in his daughter’s nonprofit centrist political group, Americans Together, and travel the country to speak about centrist politics. “I just want to bring the country together, and we’ll still do that,” he said., , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/manchin-declines-to-file-for-political-office.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/, Ramsey Touchberry,

EXCLUSIVE — Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ), a top candidate to be Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate on the presidential ticket, is minimizing the role that Chinese investing played in a high-altitude surveillance company that the former astronaut co-founded.

Tucson-based World View, which was created in 2012 and contracts with the federal government and private companies, received an unknown amount of funding in the years that followed from Chinese tech giant Tencent in at least two rounds of venture capital funding.

Kelly’s former ties to World View, which he separated from prior to becoming a senator but maintains a financial stake in, received fresh scrutiny in 2023 after Chinese spy balloons flew in American airspace and again this month as his name floated to the top of Harris’s vice presidential list. Kelly’s company is not linked to the Chinese spy balloons that were shot down over U.S. airspace.

However, the incidents brought renewed attention to the financial ties Chinese companies have in American companies such as Kelly’s. Kelly declined to address to the Washington Examiner on Wednesday the role that Chinese investing played in the firm.

“Myself and some other folks formed a company that has supported Department of Defense, NOAA [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration], special operations, to provide our warfighters with capabilities that they need,” said Kelly, who is also a former U.S. Navy combat pilot.

Kelly disclosed to the Senate in July 2021 that he’d placed his stock in World View, valued between $100,001-$250,000, in a blind trust, according to a financial disclosure report. He ceased working with the company in 2019 prior to unseating former Sen. Martha McSally (R-AZ) in 2020.

Kelly’s career is under the microscope amid vetting by Harris’s team to potentially join her on the ticket, and such episodes from his past that would be put further in the spotlight as a vice presidential candidate could present political liabilities for both Harris and some down-ballet Democrats.

Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), one of the Senate’s most vulnerable members this cycle as Democrats fight to keep their one-seat majority, also downplayed Kelly’s connections, telling the Washington Examiner that he had never heard of Kelly’s ties to the company before.

“That son of a bitch,” Tester quipped. “What you just told me is the first time I’ve heard of it.”

Montana, home to nuclear missile silo fields, was among the states where a Chinese spy balloon was spotted flying over in 2023.

Tencent contributed at least twice in separate rounds of venture capital funding, including one in 2016 that was valued at $15 million. Tencent’s portion was unclear. An earlier investment in 2014 was also for an undisclosed amount.

Tencent previously told Axios it maintains “a very small stake” in World View that does not include a board seat or investment rights. Once World View shifted from its earlier focus on space tourism to its more current role as a U.S. government contractor, Tencent said they “stopped investing and no longer have any active communications with the company.”

Kelly met with the head of Tencent’s U.S. operations in 2014, according to an interview former World View CEO Jane Poynter gave that year to Chinese news outlet Pengpai. The article, when translated to English, reported that Poynter credited Kelly for having “introduced him to space travel technology” and said Tencent was “very interested and was willing to invest at this stage.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Kelly described that conversation with Tencent in a 2020 Arizona Republic pre-election interview as a “very brief conversation with one individual that lasted about 30 seconds, maybe a minute.”

The campaign arm of Senate Republicans at the time accused Kelly of having “sold out in order to persuade Chinese communist executives to invest in his space company.”

2024-07-31 20:53:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fnews%2Fsenate%2F3106307%2Fharris-vp-contender-mark-kelly-downplays-founding-chinese-funded-spy-balloon-company%2F?w=600&h=450, EXCLUSIVE — Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ), a top candidate to be Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate on the presidential ticket, is minimizing the role that Chinese investing played in a high-altitude surveillance company that the former astronaut co-founded. Tucson-based World View, which was created in 2012 and contracts with the federal government and private,

EXCLUSIVE — Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ), a top candidate to be Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate on the presidential ticket, is minimizing the role that Chinese investing played in a high-altitude surveillance company that the former astronaut co-founded.

Tucson-based World View, which was created in 2012 and contracts with the federal government and private companies, received an unknown amount of funding in the years that followed from Chinese tech giant Tencent in at least two rounds of venture capital funding.

Kelly’s former ties to World View, which he separated from prior to becoming a senator but maintains a financial stake in, received fresh scrutiny in 2023 after Chinese spy balloons flew in American airspace and again this month as his name floated to the top of Harris’s vice presidential list. Kelly’s company is not linked to the Chinese spy balloons that were shot down over U.S. airspace.

However, the incidents brought renewed attention to the financial ties Chinese companies have in American companies such as Kelly’s. Kelly declined to address to the Washington Examiner on Wednesday the role that Chinese investing played in the firm.

“Myself and some other folks formed a company that has supported Department of Defense, NOAA [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration], special operations, to provide our warfighters with capabilities that they need,” said Kelly, who is also a former U.S. Navy combat pilot.

Kelly disclosed to the Senate in July 2021 that he’d placed his stock in World View, valued between $100,001-$250,000, in a blind trust, according to a financial disclosure report. He ceased working with the company in 2019 prior to unseating former Sen. Martha McSally (R-AZ) in 2020.

Kelly’s career is under the microscope amid vetting by Harris’s team to potentially join her on the ticket, and such episodes from his past that would be put further in the spotlight as a vice presidential candidate could present political liabilities for both Harris and some down-ballet Democrats.

Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), one of the Senate’s most vulnerable members this cycle as Democrats fight to keep their one-seat majority, also downplayed Kelly’s connections, telling the Washington Examiner that he had never heard of Kelly’s ties to the company before.

“That son of a bitch,” Tester quipped. “What you just told me is the first time I’ve heard of it.”

Montana, home to nuclear missile silo fields, was among the states where a Chinese spy balloon was spotted flying over in 2023.

Tencent contributed at least twice in separate rounds of venture capital funding, including one in 2016 that was valued at $15 million. Tencent’s portion was unclear. An earlier investment in 2014 was also for an undisclosed amount.

Tencent previously told Axios it maintains “a very small stake” in World View that does not include a board seat or investment rights. Once World View shifted from its earlier focus on space tourism to its more current role as a U.S. government contractor, Tencent said they “stopped investing and no longer have any active communications with the company.”

Kelly met with the head of Tencent’s U.S. operations in 2014, according to an interview former World View CEO Jane Poynter gave that year to Chinese news outlet Pengpai. The article, when translated to English, reported that Poynter credited Kelly for having “introduced him to space travel technology” and said Tencent was “very interested and was willing to invest at this stage.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Kelly described that conversation with Tencent in a 2020 Arizona Republic pre-election interview as a “very brief conversation with one individual that lasted about 30 seconds, maybe a minute.”

The campaign arm of Senate Republicans at the time accused Kelly of having “sold out in order to persuade Chinese communist executives to invest in his space company.”

, EXCLUSIVE — Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ), a top candidate to be Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate on the presidential ticket, is minimizing the role that Chinese investing played in a high-altitude surveillance company that the former astronaut co-founded. Tucson-based World View, which was created in 2012 and contracts with the federal government and private companies, received an unknown amount of funding in the years that followed from Chinese tech giant Tencent in at least two rounds of venture capital funding. Kelly’s former ties to World View, which he separated from prior to becoming a senator but maintains a financial stake in, received fresh scrutiny in 2023 after Chinese spy balloons flew in American airspace and again this month as his name floated to the top of Harris’s vice presidential list. Kelly’s company is not linked to the Chinese spy balloons that were shot down over U.S. airspace. However, the incidents brought renewed attention to the financial ties Chinese companies have in American companies such as Kelly’s. Kelly declined to address to the Washington Examiner on Wednesday the role that Chinese investing played in the firm. “Myself and some other folks formed a company that has supported Department of Defense, NOAA [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration], special operations, to provide our warfighters with capabilities that they need,” said Kelly, who is also a former U.S. Navy combat pilot. Kelly disclosed to the Senate in July 2021 that he’d placed his stock in World View, valued between $100,001-$250,000, in a blind trust, according to a financial disclosure report. He ceased working with the company in 2019 prior to unseating former Sen. Martha McSally (R-AZ) in 2020. Kelly’s career is under the microscope amid vetting by Harris’s team to potentially join her on the ticket, and such episodes from his past that would be put further in the spotlight as a vice presidential candidate could present political liabilities for both Harris and some down-ballet Democrats. Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), one of the Senate’s most vulnerable members this cycle as Democrats fight to keep their one-seat majority, also downplayed Kelly’s connections, telling the Washington Examiner that he had never heard of Kelly’s ties to the company before. “That son of a bitch,” Tester quipped. “What you just told me is the first time I’ve heard of it.” Montana, home to nuclear missile silo fields, was among the states where a Chinese spy balloon was spotted flying over in 2023. Tencent contributed at least twice in separate rounds of venture capital funding, including one in 2016 that was valued at $15 million. Tencent’s portion was unclear. An earlier investment in 2014 was also for an undisclosed amount. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., stops to talk with reporters as he boards an elevator in the basement of the U.S. Capitol Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.) Tencent previously told Axios it maintains “a very small stake” in World View that does not include a board seat or investment rights. Once World View shifted from its earlier focus on space tourism to its more current role as a U.S. government contractor, Tencent said they “stopped investing and no longer have any active communications with the company.” Kelly met with the head of Tencent’s U.S. operations in 2014, according to an interview former World View CEO Jane Poynter gave that year to Chinese news outlet Pengpai. The article, when translated to English, reported that Poynter credited Kelly for having “introduced him to space travel technology” and said Tencent was “very interested and was willing to invest at this stage.” CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Kelly described that conversation with Tencent in a 2020 Arizona Republic pre-election interview as a “very brief conversation with one individual that lasted about 30 seconds, maybe a minute.” The campaign arm of Senate Republicans at the time accused Kelly of having “sold out in order to persuade Chinese communist executives to invest in his space company.”, , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/mark-kelly-downplays-chinese-funding-spy-balloon-company.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/, Ramsey Touchberry,

Presidents are tasked with making a whopping 4,000 political appointments across the federal government, roughly 1,200 of which require Senate confirmation.

The director of the Secret Service, the agency tasked with protecting some of the most important U.S. political leaders, isn’t one of them. But that could soon change.

“We confirm everybody, like the deputy undersecretary to the elevators,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) told the Washington Examiner. “You’ve kind of got me by surprise there. I would have assumed that it would be a Senate-confirmed position already.”

Murkowski isn’t alone. It’s why the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump has spurred a bipartisan push for the Senate to add the position to its exhaustive list of confirmations.

Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) are lobbying their colleagues to pass a bill that would require any future Secret Service directors to receive confirmation and serve no more than a 10-year term after former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned Tuesday amid mounting bipartisan calls for her ouster.

“Our bill is a crucial step toward providing the transparency and accountability that Congress and the American people deserve from the Secret Service,” Grassley said.

Cortez Masto noted the proposal would “ensure the same level of oversight as other federal law enforcement agencies,” such as the FBI, CIA, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, immigration enforcement and border patrol, and the U.S. Marshals.

The intrigue is particularly palpable among Republican senators, who are usually more likely to oppose increased layers of government but are especially incensed about their presidential nominee nearly being assassinated during a campaign rally.

Proponents say Senate confirmation would make directors more beholden to not just the White House but also Congress, which approves the Secret Service’s budget, which has swelled to more than $3 billion annually.

“I think it’s time for oversight review of the budget,” Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD) told the Washington Examiner. “There are some big picture issues about who answers to whom, and how they go about the work they do. It just seems like that’s lacking, and I think having somebody who is subject to more oversights and a confirmation process might fix that.”

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), who is running against Thune, and Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), who will be Sen. Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) successor as GOP leader, agreed.

“Clearly, what we’re doing now is not working,” Cornyn said. “It’s pretty shameful.”

Others, including Murkowski, are open to the prospect but haven’t previously considered it. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) said she was “open” to the idea because “there would be more accountability.”

But not everyone is on board. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) appeared skeptical of senators’ ability to contribute significantly and was indifferent to changing the current process.

“I don’t know that we’re any better at making that evaluation than the administration,” he told the Washington Examiner. “I really don’t have an opinion on that. I don’t care one way or the other.”

Former Secret Service agent Tim Gobble, now on Tennessee’s Board of Parole, told the Washington Examiner that additional congressional scrutiny by way of Senate confirmation may not be a bad idea — so long as Washington politics doesn’t get in the way.

“As long as the process wasn’t politicized … and became a partisan fight, I don’t see a real problem with that,” Gobble said in an interview. “The Senate could handle it very similar to what they do with other agencies, and I think that it would probably, in the long run, be a positive thing for the Secret Service.”

A recent study by the nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service think tank warned that more appointees mean more unfilled positions due to an overwhelmed Senate. The number of roles requiring confirmation has ballooned by nearly 60% since 1960, per the group. Lower-level positions often take more than a year to be filled after a president’s inauguration.

The Washington Post’s Political Appointee Tracker, which keeps tabs on 817 of the roughly 1,200 confirmed positions in collaboration with the think tank, shows 96 roles currently have no nominees and 77 are awaiting Senate approval.

Both political parties are already behind on starting their possible transition planning, the think tank said this week. Transition support and resources from the General Services Administration will be available to the party nominees starting Aug. 27.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Republicans are currently fast-tracking the bipartisan legislation to get a write-off on their side of the aisle in the Senate Judiciary Committee, which it would need to clear before coming to the floor. Cortez Masto’s office did not respond to an inquiry about progress being made among Democrats.

The Senate departs for summer recess at the end of next week and won’t return until September. President Joe Biden has not yet installed a new Secret Service director.

2024-07-28 09:00:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fnews%2Fsenate%2F3101111%2Ftrump-assassination-attempt-secret-service-director-confirmation%2F?w=600&h=450, Presidents are tasked with making a whopping 4,000 political appointments across the federal government, roughly 1,200 of which require Senate confirmation. The director of the Secret Service, the agency tasked with protecting some of the most important U.S. political leaders, isn’t one of them. But that could soon change. “We confirm everybody, like the deputy,

Presidents are tasked with making a whopping 4,000 political appointments across the federal government, roughly 1,200 of which require Senate confirmation.

The director of the Secret Service, the agency tasked with protecting some of the most important U.S. political leaders, isn’t one of them. But that could soon change.

“We confirm everybody, like the deputy undersecretary to the elevators,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) told the Washington Examiner. “You’ve kind of got me by surprise there. I would have assumed that it would be a Senate-confirmed position already.”

Murkowski isn’t alone. It’s why the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump has spurred a bipartisan push for the Senate to add the position to its exhaustive list of confirmations.

Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) are lobbying their colleagues to pass a bill that would require any future Secret Service directors to receive confirmation and serve no more than a 10-year term after former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned Tuesday amid mounting bipartisan calls for her ouster.

“Our bill is a crucial step toward providing the transparency and accountability that Congress and the American people deserve from the Secret Service,” Grassley said.

Cortez Masto noted the proposal would “ensure the same level of oversight as other federal law enforcement agencies,” such as the FBI, CIA, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, immigration enforcement and border patrol, and the U.S. Marshals.

The intrigue is particularly palpable among Republican senators, who are usually more likely to oppose increased layers of government but are especially incensed about their presidential nominee nearly being assassinated during a campaign rally.

Proponents say Senate confirmation would make directors more beholden to not just the White House but also Congress, which approves the Secret Service’s budget, which has swelled to more than $3 billion annually.

“I think it’s time for oversight review of the budget,” Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD) told the Washington Examiner. “There are some big picture issues about who answers to whom, and how they go about the work they do. It just seems like that’s lacking, and I think having somebody who is subject to more oversights and a confirmation process might fix that.”

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), who is running against Thune, and Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), who will be Sen. Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) successor as GOP leader, agreed.

“Clearly, what we’re doing now is not working,” Cornyn said. “It’s pretty shameful.”

Others, including Murkowski, are open to the prospect but haven’t previously considered it. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) said she was “open” to the idea because “there would be more accountability.”

But not everyone is on board. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) appeared skeptical of senators’ ability to contribute significantly and was indifferent to changing the current process.

“I don’t know that we’re any better at making that evaluation than the administration,” he told the Washington Examiner. “I really don’t have an opinion on that. I don’t care one way or the other.”

Former Secret Service agent Tim Gobble, now on Tennessee’s Board of Parole, told the Washington Examiner that additional congressional scrutiny by way of Senate confirmation may not be a bad idea — so long as Washington politics doesn’t get in the way.

“As long as the process wasn’t politicized … and became a partisan fight, I don’t see a real problem with that,” Gobble said in an interview. “The Senate could handle it very similar to what they do with other agencies, and I think that it would probably, in the long run, be a positive thing for the Secret Service.”

A recent study by the nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service think tank warned that more appointees mean more unfilled positions due to an overwhelmed Senate. The number of roles requiring confirmation has ballooned by nearly 60% since 1960, per the group. Lower-level positions often take more than a year to be filled after a president’s inauguration.

The Washington Post’s Political Appointee Tracker, which keeps tabs on 817 of the roughly 1,200 confirmed positions in collaboration with the think tank, shows 96 roles currently have no nominees and 77 are awaiting Senate approval.

Both political parties are already behind on starting their possible transition planning, the think tank said this week. Transition support and resources from the General Services Administration will be available to the party nominees starting Aug. 27.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Republicans are currently fast-tracking the bipartisan legislation to get a write-off on their side of the aisle in the Senate Judiciary Committee, which it would need to clear before coming to the floor. Cortez Masto’s office did not respond to an inquiry about progress being made among Democrats.

The Senate departs for summer recess at the end of next week and won’t return until September. President Joe Biden has not yet installed a new Secret Service director.

, Presidents are tasked with making a whopping 4,000 political appointments across the federal government, roughly 1,200 of which require Senate confirmation. The director of the Secret Service, the agency tasked with protecting some of the most important U.S. political leaders, isn’t one of them. But that could soon change. “We confirm everybody, like the deputy undersecretary to the elevators,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) told the Washington Examiner. “You’ve kind of got me by surprise there. I would have assumed that it would be a Senate-confirmed position already.” Murkowski isn’t alone. It’s why the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump has spurred a bipartisan push for the Senate to add the position to its exhaustive list of confirmations. Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) are lobbying their colleagues to pass a bill that would require any future Secret Service directors to receive confirmation and serve no more than a 10-year term after former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned Tuesday amid mounting bipartisan calls for her ouster. “Our bill is a crucial step toward providing the transparency and accountability that Congress and the American people deserve from the Secret Service,” Grassley said. Cortez Masto noted the proposal would “ensure the same level of oversight as other federal law enforcement agencies,” such as the FBI, CIA, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, immigration enforcement and border patrol, and the U.S. Marshals. The intrigue is particularly palpable among Republican senators, who are usually more likely to oppose increased layers of government but are especially incensed about their presidential nominee nearly being assassinated during a campaign rally. Proponents say Senate confirmation would make directors more beholden to not just the White House but also Congress, which approves the Secret Service’s budget, which has swelled to more than $3 billion annually. “I think it’s time for oversight review of the budget,” Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD) told the Washington Examiner. “There are some big picture issues about who answers to whom, and how they go about the work they do. It just seems like that’s lacking, and I think having somebody who is subject to more oversights and a confirmation process might fix that.” Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), who is running against Thune, and Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), who will be Sen. Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) successor as GOP leader, agreed. “Clearly, what we’re doing now is not working,” Cornyn said. “It’s pretty shameful.” Others, including Murkowski, are open to the prospect but haven’t previously considered it. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) said she was “open” to the idea because “there would be more accountability.” But not everyone is on board. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) appeared skeptical of senators’ ability to contribute significantly and was indifferent to changing the current process. “I don’t know that we’re any better at making that evaluation than the administration,” he told the Washington Examiner. “I really don’t have an opinion on that. I don’t care one way or the other.” Former Secret Service agent Tim Gobble, now on Tennessee’s Board of Parole, told the Washington Examiner that additional congressional scrutiny by way of Senate confirmation may not be a bad idea — so long as Washington politics doesn’t get in the way. “As long as the process wasn’t politicized … and became a partisan fight, I don’t see a real problem with that,” Gobble said in an interview. “The Senate could handle it very similar to what they do with other agencies, and I think that it would probably, in the long run, be a positive thing for the Secret Service.” A recent study by the nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service think tank warned that more appointees mean more unfilled positions due to an overwhelmed Senate. The number of roles requiring confirmation has ballooned by nearly 60% since 1960, per the group. Lower-level positions often take more than a year to be filled after a president’s inauguration. The Washington Post’s Political Appointee Tracker, which keeps tabs on 817 of the roughly 1,200 confirmed positions in collaboration with the think tank, shows 96 roles currently have no nominees and 77 are awaiting Senate approval. Both political parties are already behind on starting their possible transition planning, the think tank said this week. Transition support and resources from the General Services Administration will be available to the party nominees starting Aug. 27. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Republicans are currently fast-tracking the bipartisan legislation to get a write-off on their side of the aisle in the Senate Judiciary Committee, which it would need to clear before coming to the floor. Cortez Masto’s office did not respond to an inquiry about progress being made among Democrats. The Senate departs for summer recess at the end of next week and won’t return until September. President Joe Biden has not yet installed a new Secret Service director., , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/secret-service-directors-senate-confirmation.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/, Ramsey Touchberry,

The White House is keeping its work on proposed changes to the Supreme Court under wraps from key Senate Democrats even as some seek to offer their two cents on policies they would play a crucial role in passing during President Joe Biden’s final months in office.

Several Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee surveyed by the Washington Examiner said they have not heard from the White House on the matter despite weeks of reports on the subject, including panel Chairman Dick Durbin (D-IL).

“I haven’t heard anything directly from the White House,” Durbin, the chamber’s second-ranking Democrat as majority whip, said.

Instead, the White House appears to be leaning on a single Senate Democrat who, like Durbin, is a longtime advocate of implementing oversight measures on the high court: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).

“I don’t want to characterize it, but yeah, we were in touch,” Whitehouse told the Washington Examiner.

Informed that fellow Democrats on the committee have not been in contact with administration officials, Whitehouse reiterated, “We were.”

The White House did not respond to a request for comment or whether it has engaged with other lawmakers on the subject.

In his first remarks since dropping out of the presidential race, Biden on Wednesday laid out policy goals for his final few months as president in a speech from the Oval Office. Among them was Supreme Court reform.

“I’m going to call for Supreme Court reform because this is critical to our democracy,” Biden said.

The high court’s rightward slant that solidified under former President Donald Trump for years to come has fueled progressive calls for adding seats to the nine-justice body in a bid to, as Democrats describe it, level the playing field in the courtroom. Recent failures by justices to disclose lavish gifts from conservative GOP donors or proceeds made outside their government roles, as well as declining to recuse themselves from cases where Democrats have claimed they have conflicts of interest, have exacerbated Democratic demands for Congress to impost ethics laws.

Biden’s work-in-progress proposal reportedly includes endorsing term limits for justices and a legally enforceable ethics code, which would take precedence over the high court’s self-imposed ethics pledge. The prospects of such measures becoming law in a divided Congress are virtually zero, but the legislation would energize Democrats’ base just months before the election.

“I couldn’t be happier that they’re moving in this direction,” Whitehouse said. “It’s time, and I think that Vice President Harris will be completely on board and maybe even [give] a little bit more oomph.”

Other Democrats are likewise prepared to embrace such proposals, but some prodded the White House for better collaboration with Capitol Hill.

“I hope to have conversations with them because I am all for court reform,” Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) told the Washington Examiner. “I have discussion drafts on some of those kinds of bills, and I’ve signed on to some of those bills.”

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) advocated term limits, replacing justices on a staggered basis, and enforceable ethics because he said the court “acts as though it’s responsible to no one.”

“I anticipate we’ll be having a robust conversation over these next few weeks,” he said.

Sens. Peter Welch (D-VT) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) were also not contacted by the White House.

Other Democrats not on the Judiciary Committee, such as Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA), want the party to go far further by packing the high court with four new justices.

But no matter Biden’s ultimate policy endorsements, the court’s most ardent defenders on the Republican side of the aisle are vowing to stop all reforms in their tracks.

“It’s a separate branch,” Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) told the Washington Examiner. “Keep the nose of Congress and the administration out of it.”

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) said the only measure he would greenlight is his constitutional amendment to ensure there will never be more than nine justices.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Carrie Severino, a former law clerk for Justice Clarence Thomas and head of the conservative legal advocacy group Judicial Crisis Network, assailed Biden for weighing any changes.

“Biden seems intent on pleasing his dark money benefactors with his pledge to pursue so-called court reform,” she said. “While he is still short on specifics, we can expect him to try to do an end run around the Constitution in his farewell effort to destroy the court.”

Haisten Willis contributed to this report.

2024-07-26 10:00:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fnews%2Fsenate%2F3100211%2Fbiden-keeps-democrats-guessing-supreme-court-changes-some-seek-input%2F?w=600&h=450, The White House is keeping its work on proposed changes to the Supreme Court under wraps from key Senate Democrats even as some seek to offer their two cents on policies they would play a crucial role in passing during President Joe Biden’s final months in office. Several Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee surveyed,

The White House is keeping its work on proposed changes to the Supreme Court under wraps from key Senate Democrats even as some seek to offer their two cents on policies they would play a crucial role in passing during President Joe Biden’s final months in office.

Several Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee surveyed by the Washington Examiner said they have not heard from the White House on the matter despite weeks of reports on the subject, including panel Chairman Dick Durbin (D-IL).

“I haven’t heard anything directly from the White House,” Durbin, the chamber’s second-ranking Democrat as majority whip, said.

Instead, the White House appears to be leaning on a single Senate Democrat who, like Durbin, is a longtime advocate of implementing oversight measures on the high court: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).

“I don’t want to characterize it, but yeah, we were in touch,” Whitehouse told the Washington Examiner.

Informed that fellow Democrats on the committee have not been in contact with administration officials, Whitehouse reiterated, “We were.”

The White House did not respond to a request for comment or whether it has engaged with other lawmakers on the subject.

In his first remarks since dropping out of the presidential race, Biden on Wednesday laid out policy goals for his final few months as president in a speech from the Oval Office. Among them was Supreme Court reform.

“I’m going to call for Supreme Court reform because this is critical to our democracy,” Biden said.

The high court’s rightward slant that solidified under former President Donald Trump for years to come has fueled progressive calls for adding seats to the nine-justice body in a bid to, as Democrats describe it, level the playing field in the courtroom. Recent failures by justices to disclose lavish gifts from conservative GOP donors or proceeds made outside their government roles, as well as declining to recuse themselves from cases where Democrats have claimed they have conflicts of interest, have exacerbated Democratic demands for Congress to impost ethics laws.

Biden’s work-in-progress proposal reportedly includes endorsing term limits for justices and a legally enforceable ethics code, which would take precedence over the high court’s self-imposed ethics pledge. The prospects of such measures becoming law in a divided Congress are virtually zero, but the legislation would energize Democrats’ base just months before the election.

“I couldn’t be happier that they’re moving in this direction,” Whitehouse said. “It’s time, and I think that Vice President Harris will be completely on board and maybe even [give] a little bit more oomph.”

Other Democrats are likewise prepared to embrace such proposals, but some prodded the White House for better collaboration with Capitol Hill.

“I hope to have conversations with them because I am all for court reform,” Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) told the Washington Examiner. “I have discussion drafts on some of those kinds of bills, and I’ve signed on to some of those bills.”

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) advocated term limits, replacing justices on a staggered basis, and enforceable ethics because he said the court “acts as though it’s responsible to no one.”

“I anticipate we’ll be having a robust conversation over these next few weeks,” he said.

Sens. Peter Welch (D-VT) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) were also not contacted by the White House.

Other Democrats not on the Judiciary Committee, such as Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA), want the party to go far further by packing the high court with four new justices.

But no matter Biden’s ultimate policy endorsements, the court’s most ardent defenders on the Republican side of the aisle are vowing to stop all reforms in their tracks.

“It’s a separate branch,” Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) told the Washington Examiner. “Keep the nose of Congress and the administration out of it.”

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) said the only measure he would greenlight is his constitutional amendment to ensure there will never be more than nine justices.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Carrie Severino, a former law clerk for Justice Clarence Thomas and head of the conservative legal advocacy group Judicial Crisis Network, assailed Biden for weighing any changes.

“Biden seems intent on pleasing his dark money benefactors with his pledge to pursue so-called court reform,” she said. “While he is still short on specifics, we can expect him to try to do an end run around the Constitution in his farewell effort to destroy the court.”

Haisten Willis contributed to this report.

, The White House is keeping its work on proposed changes to the Supreme Court under wraps from key Senate Democrats even as some seek to offer their two cents on policies they would play a crucial role in passing during President Joe Biden’s final months in office. Several Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee surveyed by the Washington Examiner said they have not heard from the White House on the matter despite weeks of reports on the subject, including panel Chairman Dick Durbin (D-IL). “I haven’t heard anything directly from the White House,” Durbin, the chamber’s second-ranking Democrat as majority whip, said. Instead, the White House appears to be leaning on a single Senate Democrat who, like Durbin, is a longtime advocate of implementing oversight measures on the high court: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). “I don’t want to characterize it, but yeah, we were in touch,” Whitehouse told the Washington Examiner. Informed that fellow Democrats on the committee have not been in contact with administration officials, Whitehouse reiterated, “We were.” The White House did not respond to a request for comment or whether it has engaged with other lawmakers on the subject. In his first remarks since dropping out of the presidential race, Biden on Wednesday laid out policy goals for his final few months as president in a speech from the Oval Office. Among them was Supreme Court reform. “I’m going to call for Supreme Court reform because this is critical to our democracy,” Biden said. The high court’s rightward slant that solidified under former President Donald Trump for years to come has fueled progressive calls for adding seats to the nine-justice body in a bid to, as Democrats describe it, level the playing field in the courtroom. Recent failures by justices to disclose lavish gifts from conservative GOP donors or proceeds made outside their government roles, as well as declining to recuse themselves from cases where Democrats have claimed they have conflicts of interest, have exacerbated Democratic demands for Congress to impost ethics laws. Biden’s work-in-progress proposal reportedly includes endorsing term limits for justices and a legally enforceable ethics code, which would take precedence over the high court’s self-imposed ethics pledge. The prospects of such measures becoming law in a divided Congress are virtually zero, but the legislation would energize Democrats’ base just months before the election. “I couldn’t be happier that they’re moving in this direction,” Whitehouse said. “It’s time, and I think that Vice President Harris will be completely on board and maybe even [give] a little bit more oomph.” President Joe Biden speaks during a meeting with Democratic lawmakers in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Other Democrats are likewise prepared to embrace such proposals, but some prodded the White House for better collaboration with Capitol Hill. “I hope to have conversations with them because I am all for court reform,” Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) told the Washington Examiner. “I have discussion drafts on some of those kinds of bills, and I’ve signed on to some of those bills.” Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) advocated term limits, replacing justices on a staggered basis, and enforceable ethics because he said the court “acts as though it’s responsible to no one.” “I anticipate we’ll be having a robust conversation over these next few weeks,” he said. Sens. Peter Welch (D-VT) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) were also not contacted by the White House. Other Democrats not on the Judiciary Committee, such as Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA), want the party to go far further by packing the high court with four new justices. But no matter Biden’s ultimate policy endorsements, the court’s most ardent defenders on the Republican side of the aisle are vowing to stop all reforms in their tracks. “It’s a separate branch,” Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) told the Washington Examiner. “Keep the nose of Congress and the administration out of it.” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) said the only measure he would greenlight is his constitutional amendment to ensure there will never be more than nine justices. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Carrie Severino, a former law clerk for Justice Clarence Thomas and head of the conservative legal advocacy group Judicial Crisis Network, assailed Biden for weighing any changes. “Biden seems intent on pleasing his dark money benefactors with his pledge to pursue so-called court reform,” she said. “While he is still short on specifics, we can expect him to try to do an end run around the Constitution in his farewell effort to destroy the court.” Haisten Willis contributed to this report., , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/biden-supreme-court-changes.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/, Ramsey Touchberry,