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Trump’s team still hasn’t signed transition of power agreements, White House says

Trump’s team still hasn’t signed transition of power agreements, White House says

The Trump-Vance transition team has still not signed documents required to formally begin the transition of power, the White House says.  Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Thursday that “Our teams continue to stay in touch” and “as of now… the Trump-Vance transition team has not yet entered into the agreements with the White House and the General Service Administration (GSA).”  Not signing the documents means the government can’t provide security clearances and briefings to incoming administration officials and the FBI can’t screen Trump’s picks for the Cabinet and other key posts. The agreements also provide “office space, IT equipment, office supplies, fleet vehicles, mail management, and payment of compensation and other expenses,” according to the GSA.  “President Biden met with the president-elect to show that transition of power and obviously offering, any assistance, needed to make sure that happens in a way that is peaceful, obviously, and efficient,” according to Jean-Pierre.  PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP ANNOUNCES PAM BONDI AS HIS NEW PICK FOR US ATTORNEY GENERAL  “So were going to continue to engage with the Trump transition team, to ensure that we do have that efficient, effective, transition of power,” she added. “And in those conversations, we certainly are stressing that the White House and the administration stand ready to provide assistance and that access to services and information certainly outlined in the GSA, and the White House memorandum of agreement. So, those conversations continue. And we want this to go smoothly, and that’s what we’re trying to get to.”  The continued delay on agreeing to start the formal transition process may eventually force senators to vote on Trump’s Cabinet picks without the benefit of the usual background checks, the Associated Press reported.  REPUBLICAN SENATOR DEBUTS BILL TO ABOLISH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOLLOWING TRUMP CAMPAIGN PROMISE  That process is designed to uncover personal problems, criminal histories and other potential red flags that would raise questions about a nominee’s suitability for key jobs.  It’s unclear why the documents haven’t been signed yet.   Transition spokesman Brian Hughes said earlier this month that the team’s “lawyers continue to constructively engage with” lawyers and officials from President Joe Biden’s outgoing administration and promised updates “once a decision is made.”  The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Incumbent Iowa Republican says Dem House opponent ‘wasting taxpayer money’ with recount

Incumbent Iowa Republican says Dem House opponent ‘wasting taxpayer money’ with recount

An incumbent Iowa Republican seeking re-election to the House has accused her Democratic opponent of “wasting taxpayer money” by pursuing a recount of their close contest. The Associated Press has not yet called the race in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, where Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, leads Democratic challenger Christina Bohannan by just 801 votes. Bohannan requested a recount last week. “Four counties in IA-01 have completed their recounts and I’ve gained 2 votes. Once again Christina Bohannan and the Dems are wasting taxpayer money,” Miller-Meeks posted on X Thursday. She has previously declared victory and her campaign is confident in her lead.  CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION OBSERVERS DEPLOY TO IOWA FOR RECOUNT IN UNCALLED HOUSE RACE Congressional election observers from the House Committee on Administration were deployed to Iowa to monitor the uncalled race this week. Bohannan’s campaign said in a statement last week that they want to ensure “every voter is heard” and pledged to “accept the results regardless of outcome.”  Republicans have already clinched a razor-thin House majority, but a GOP victory in Iowa would allow the factious conference some room for dissent without log jamming President-elect Trump’s agenda in the next Congress. DEMOCRAT BOB CASEY CONCEDES PENNSYLVANIA SENATE RACE TO DAVE MCCORMICK, ENDING RECOUNT Republican incumbents held onto Iowa’s three other congressional seats, including the competitive 3rd District where Zach Nunn fended off a challenge from Democrat Lanon Baccam. Republican incumbents Ashley Hinson in the 2nd District and Randy Feenstra in the 4th District won decisively. Hinson defeated Democrat Sarah Corkery. Feenstra defeated Democrat Ryan Melton. DEMOCRATS ADVANCE 5 MORE BIDEN JUDICIAL NOMINEES So far, Republicans have claimed 219 seats in the House of Representatives while Democrats have held on to 213.  There are still two uncalled races in California’s 13th and 45th Congressional Districts, where Republican incumbents are defending their seats by extremely close margins.  CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The race in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District is a rematch. Miller-Meeks previously defeated Bohannan by a much larger margin of 7 percentage points in 2022.  Miller-Meeks earned a first term in Congress representing Iowa’s 2nd District when she defeated Democrat Rita Hart by just six votes in 2020. Fox News Digital’s Danielle Wallace and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

Mitch McConnell announces his new posts for the 119th Congress

Mitch McConnell announces his new posts for the 119th Congress

Outgoing Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., announced that he will chair the Senate Rules Committee as well as the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense during the 119th Congress. “America’s national security interests face the gravest array of threats since the Second World War. At this critical moment, a new Senate Republican majority has a responsibility to secure the future of U.S. leadership and primacy,” McConnell said in a statement.  “I intend to play an active role in this urgent mission as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, and I look forward to working closely with incoming Chair Susan Collins to accomplish our shared goal,” he noted. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, is currently the vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.  RICK SCOTT OUTLINES CONSENSUS FOR ‘DRAMATIC CHANGE’ TO SENATE OPERATION IN POST-MCCONNELL ERA “The Senate Rules Committee will also have important work to accomplish in the 119th Congress, and I look forward to leading it as Chairman,” McConnell said in the statement. “Defending the Senate as an institution and protecting the right to political speech in our elections remain among my longest-standing priorities. Ranking Member Deb Fischer has done an outstanding job advancing these causes, and I know she will remain a key partner in the committee’s ongoing work,” he noted. McConnell, 82, has served in the U.S. Senate since 1985, which means he will soon reach his 40-year-anniversary in the chamber. His current term ends in early 2027. MITCH MCCONNELL STEPPING DOWN AS REPUBLICAN LEADER While he has helmed the Senate GOP since 2007, McConnell announced earlier this year that his current term as Senate Republican leader would be his last in the position. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D. has been tapped to succeed McConnell in the role next year.  Republicans won the Senate majority during the 2024 elections — Thune will be Senate majority leader. THUNE SAYS TRUMP’S BORDER PLAN IS 1ST UP IN RIGOROUS PRIORITY LIST FOR NEW CONGRESS: ‘REAL WORK BEGINS’ “John Thune’s election is a clear endorsement of a consummate leader. The confidence our colleagues have placed in John’s legislative experience and political skill is well deserved,” McConnell said in a statement. “The American people elected Republicans to restore stability and order after four years of Washington Democrats’ failure. John Thune will take the reins with a tremendous opportunity to lead this transformation, and Senate Republicans stand behind him, ready to get to work,” he added.