Another Republican is challenging Dade Phelan for Texas House speaker
The Texas House speaker race is becoming increasingly crowded. Phelan, who is under fire from his right, says he plans to seek the leadership position again.
On Capitol Hill, it’s ‘back to school’ all over again
It’s back to school time on Capitol Hill. But not really until next week. What? Even though millions of kids returned to school just after Labor Day, the end of August, or, in some cases, even earlier in August, Congress still isn’t in session yet for the fall term. REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK: WHAT THE END OF THE YEAR LOOKS LIKE IN CONGRESS That comes on Monday, September 9. That’s when the House and Senate come back for legislative action for the first time in more than a month. The Senate last voted on August 1. The House was supposed to be in session until then as well. But the House shaved an entire week off its schedule in July, abandoning Washington a week earlier. But things around the Capitol are starting to return to normal. And yours truly – along with some members of the Congressional press corps – began filtering back into the Capitol this week. My mother taught second grade for decades in Ohio. And she would usually return to school for a few days in late August for meetings and to prepare her room for the new school year. So, some Congressional aides, the administrative staff and some reporters came back to the Capitol this week to “prepare their rooms” for the new school year. But the analogies of Congress returning to session just like students filing back into the classroom is imperfect. This isn’t the start of a new Congress. People don’t have new teachers and new lockers. There aren’t new kids from other schools. The promise and energy of opportunity associated with a new year doesn’t permeate the air. Everything is pretty much the same as it was on Capitol Hill in September as it was in July. The “true” start of the “school year” comes at noon on January 3, 2025 when they swear-in the 119th Congress. That’s when new people appear. There are new chairmen and chairwomen of committees. Some lawmakers get new offices. The Capitol usually throbs with optimism. BORDER SENATOR AND FORMER HARRIS VP SHORT-LISTER CLAIMS ‘NO EVIDENCE’ ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS VOTE The only thing students and Members of Congress have in common at this time of year is the desire to get out of school. That universal yearning is common year round among students and lawmakers. Everyone wants to get out. Be free. Be on recess. Perhaps it’s only appropriate that they call a Congressional break “recess.” However, some optics-conscious lawmakers frequently refer to such respites as the more dignified and anodyne “district work period.” Can you imagine students referring to anything after 7th period as “the homework period?” The “Algebra II Augmentation?” How about the “Earth Science Addendum?” Pray tell, what would college students call spring break in Panama City? “Sprint Semester By the Sea.” Perhaps “A Guide To Local Open Container Laws.” Maybe “A Survey of Legal Systems in the Caribbean.” But back to Congress. It’s an election year. And lawmakers utterly can’t wait to get out of here – even though they haven’t really been here all summer. THE HOME STRETCH: VP HARRIS FILLS DEMOCRATS WITH OPTIMISM AS ELECTION DAY NEARS The legislative traffic in Congress was light all year. The assassination attempt of former President Trump and the backroom struggle among Democrats to convince President Biden to step aside consumed the bulk of everyone’s attention this summer. The last major bills Congress tackled came in April. Congress finally approved a set of bills to fund the government – which were due last October. And Congress greenlighted assistance to Israel and Ukraine. Other than that, Congress didn’t have a lot to do other than to get through the conventions. Now it’s on to the election where both the House and Senate are divided by a razor’s edge. The same with the Presidential election. So there’s not a lot to do on Capitol Hill. And lawmakers who are retiring or lost their primaries are more than happy to skip out of Washington early. So this is hardly “back to school.” In Congressional terms, the fall is often reminiscent of what students encounter in the spring. It’s getting hot out. The mind wanders. Teachers struggle to keep everyone focused. Everyone is looking forward to summer break. It’s a little like the seasons are reversed in Congress. The House is slated to meet next week for four days. Then four days the week of September 15. And finally, five days the week of August 22. That’s it until Tuesday, November 12. But there is even chatter that the House could (I’ll underscore could) give back the final week of September – if Congress has funded the government and there’s no chance of a shutdown on October 1. That’s when the government’s new fiscal year begins. Yes, like school, Congress must complete its work before recess. But sometimes Congress doesn’t meet the deadline and needs a remedial course. “Summer school.” Only that’s “fall and winter school” in the eyes of Congress. Or even “spring school.” Remember, it took Congress until this past April to fully fund the government last time. They burned through three seasons alone right there. It’s not quite clear what the principal would have done with students as delinquent as this Congress finishing its work. But like students, Congress has similar motivations. Anything to get home. Go to the beach. Take a break. Or, in this case, campaign. REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK: WHAT A ‘YACHT ROCK’ SUMMER LOOKS LIKE ON CAPITOL HILL House Republicans are struggling with fundraising. Democrats are on the charge after the switch out with Vice President Harris. Both parties know the House will hinge on a handful of seats. And it’s likely that whichever party captures the White House will dictate the party in control of the House in 2025. So both sides have equal motivation. It’s similar in the Senate – although it’s a tougher challenge for the Democrats to maintain their narrow 51-49 majority. West Virginia is likely gone after the retirement of Sen. Joe
Trump plans to plead not guilty to Jack Smith’s revised federal election interference charges
Former President Trump plans to plead not guilty to the revised charges in the federal election inference case against him, a new court document shows. According to a court filing obtained by Fox News, Trump signed an entry of not guilty plea. In the document, which was filed on Tuesday, Trump also waived his right to be present at his arraignment. “I authorize my attorneys to enter a plea of not guilty on my behalf to each and every count of the superseding indictment, Doc. 226,” the document says. “I further state that I have received a copy of the superseding indictment and reviewed it with my counsel.” The case pertains to Trump’s alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Last week, the former president was indicted and given revised criminal charges by Special Counsel Jack Smith, who alleges that the Republican candidate pressured former Vice President Pence to reject legitimate electoral votes, in addition to mounting fake electors in key states that went to President Biden, to attest to Trump’s electoral victory. TRUMP UNLEASHES ON HARRIS, TALKING IMMIGRATION, CHINA IN EXCLUSIVE ‘LIFE, LIBERTY & LEVIN’ INTERVIEW Smith revised the charges after a recent Supreme Court ruling extended presidential immunity for official White House acts in a 6-3 decision. The recent indictment retains the criminal charges against Trump, including conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding; and conspiracy against rights. Trump had previously pleaded not guilty to those charges. Speaking with Shannon Bream during Sunday’s episode of “Fox News Sunday,” Trump said he had “every right” to do what he did after the 2020 presidential election. ‘FOR ELECTION PURPOSES’: CRITICS BALK AT HARRIS’ CLAIM SHE WILL ‘ENFORCE OUR LAWS’ AT SOUTHERN BORDER “Whoever heard you get indicted for interfering with a presidential election where you have every right to do it?” Trump said. Vice President Harris’s presidential campaign released a statement blasting Trump on Monday and claimed that the Republican candidate’s recent comments “make it clear that he believes he is above the law.” “Now, Trump is claiming he had ‘every right’ to interfere in the 2020 election. He did not,” a Harris campaign spokesperson said in the statement. Reuters and Fox News Digital’s Adam Shaw contributed to this report.
With national brand growing, TCU draws majority of students from outside Texas
The school has had more out-of-state students than in-state students since 2018. Most of them come from California.
Kamala Harris still unclear on whether she would stop weapons shipments to Israel
After the United Kingdom paused some arms shipments to Israel on Monday, it’s not entirely clear whether Vice President Kamala Harris could follow the same path. The Democratic presidential candidate is under intense pressure from progressives to get tough on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the war with Hamas drags on for nearly a year. Harris insists she’s committed to Israel’s defense. But as a peace deal continues to evade the war in Gaza, Harris has declined to answer questions on whether the U.S. could use its soft power in halting weapons shipments to a top ally in the Middle East to affect policy change under her leadership. Last week, Harris was pressed on whether she would do anything differently from President Joe Biden with Israel and the war in Gaza. She answered in the negative, but quickly pivoted to the need for a peace deal. The Harris campaign did not respond to a request from Fox News Digital on whether halting weapons shipments would be on or off the table if Harris takes the White House. “President Biden has tried unsuccessfully to end the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. He’s been doing it for months and months, along with you. Would you do anything differently? For example, would you withhold some U.S. weapons shipments to Israel?” CNN’s Dana Bash asked the vice president on Thursday. “Let me be very clear. I’m unequivocal and — and unwavering in my commitment to Israel’s defense and its ability to defend itself,” she said, before detailing the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks and noting “too many Palestinian civilians have been killed.” HARRIS TEAM MAY BE OPEN TO ‘NEW DIRECTION’ ON ISRAEL POLICY: REP RO KHANNA Some 42,000 Palestinians have died in the conflict since October, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. “We have to get a deal done. This war must end,” she went on. “Let’s get the hostages out. Let’s get the ceasefire done.” “But no change in policy in terms of arms and — and so forth?” Bash pressed again. “No. We have to get a deal done. Dana, we have to get a deal done. When you look at the significance of this to the families, to the people who are living in that region — a deal is not only the right thing to do to end this war but will unlock so much of what must happen next.” “I remain committed, since I’ve been on Oct. 8, to what we must do to work toward a two-state solution where Israel is secure and in equal measure the Palestinians have security and self-determination — and dignity.” Israel said last week the U.S. had shipped more than 50,000 tons of arms and military equipment since war broke out in October. Congress passed a bill that included $26 billion in arms assistance for Israel and aid for Gaza in April. The United Kingdom on Monday paused dozens of weapons exports to Israel over concerns those arms could be used to violate international law. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy told lawmakers on Monday that the decision related to about 30 of 350 export licenses for equipment that includes parts for military aircraft and drones and items used for ground targeting. Lammy said the British government believes the equipment “is for use in the current conflict in Gaza” and represents a “clear risk” that some could be used to “commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law.” Back home, Netanyahu is under attack from all sides after it was revealed that six Israeli hostages were found dead in a Hamas tunnel. Protesters took to the streets to demand a hostage deal over the weekend. Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a 23-year-old Israeli-American whose parents made an emotional plea for a hostage deal at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) last month, was among the dead. President Joe Biden replied “no” over the weekend when asked if Netanyahu is doing enough to secure the hostages. Over the weekend, Biden and Harris worked on a hostage deal with their negotiating team as the news of the additional deaths broke. The president said “we’re very close” to securing a hostage deal that all sides could agree to, though such a deal has evaded negotiators for months. “Hope springs eternal,” he said.
Why is the UK government limiting some of its arms exports to Israel?
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has attacked a move by its key ally. The United Kingdom’s government says it will stop some of its arms exports to Israel, fearing the use of certain weapons could break international law. Israel’s prime minister called the move “shameful” and said it will help Hamas, the Palestinian group that governs Gaza. But what are the implications of this decision? Presenter: Folly Bah Thibault Guests: Jeremy Corbyn – an independent member of the UK Parliament Francesca Albanese – UN special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories Sam Perlo-Freeman – Research coordinator at the Campaign Against Arms Trade, a UK-based organisation working to end the international arms trade Adblock test (Why?)
Journalist presses State Department for answers on arms sales to Israel
NewsFeed A journalist pressed US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller on the UK’s decision to suspend some arms sales to Israel, asking how the US has not reached similar conclusions about possible violations of international law. Published On 3 Sep 20243 Sep 2024 Adblock test (Why?)
Why South Africans and Nigerians are fighting online
NewsFeed You may have seen the scandal over South African student Chidimma Adetshina being crowned Miss Nigeria. But did you know rivalry between the two countries has flared as people seek ways to get back at each other? Here’s how a beauty queen, a taxi prank, and xenophobia are all connected. Published On 3 Sep 20243 Sep 2024 Adblock test (Why?)
Bexar County will mail voter registration forms, defying Ken Paxton’s threat to sue
The move escalates a brewing fight with Texas Republicans over initiatives to proactively send applications to unregistered voters.
Top Democrats defend Harris’ shifting policy positions, calling her a ‘good leader’
Over the long Labor Day weekend, Democratic officials defended Vice President Kamala Harris from criticisms that she has been flip-flopping on various policy positions. “I think it’s a sign of a good leader, that they learn and evolve over time,” Colorado Gov. Jared Polis told ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday. “Most voters recognize that as you get more information, as you get more experience, perhaps as you hold a different job… that there would be a natural evolution,” echoed Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Penn., during a Labor Day appearance on CNN. Meanwhile, Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., took a different approach when he appeared on NBC’s “Meet The Press” over the weekend, describing her as a “progressive who [is] pragmatic” and one who is “consistent” in her policy approach. BILL MAHER MOCKS FLIP FLOPS FROM HARRIS AND WALZ IN CNN INTERVIEW: ‘JUST INSULTING MY INTELLIGENCE’ During her first interview as the Democratic nominee on Thursday, Harris insisted she would “enforce” the law against illegal border crossings, something Harris indicated she was against while running her 2019 campaign to become president. ‘FOR ELECTION PURPOSES’: CRITICS BALK AT HARRIS’ CLAIM SHE WILL ‘ENFORCE OUR LAWS’ AT SOUTHERN BORDER Harris also argued that she made it clear as the vice presidential nominee in 2020 that she does not wish to ban fracking, despite indicating as a presidential nominee in 2019 that she was “in favor of banning fracking” on federal land. “This idea that she hasn’t been consistent — I mean what about Donald Trump’s flip-flops? What about his flip-flops on abortion?” Khanna questioned Sunday. “I think the vice president is consistent on the position on fracking. It’s exactly how Joe Biden ran.” On healthcare, campaign officials have said Harris does not support Medicare for All. However, Harris has yet to share publicly that she is not in favor of a single-payer health care system after indicating during a 2019 debate that she would “abolish” private healthcare in favor of a “government-run plan.” Fox News Digital reached out to the Harris campaign for clarity on Harris’ position when it comes to healthcare, but did not receive a response. “I ran against her as a co-chair of Bernie Sanders’ campaign — she was not for Medicare for All in that 2020 primary,” Khanna said. Polis and Boyle, meanwhile, acknowledged Harris’ changing positions but argued they were signs of good leadership. “Whether it’s a move to the middle, the left, the right, it’s really about what works. Kamala Harris is a pragmatic leader who looks at data and science and makes the best decisions she can,” Polis said. “I do not have 100% of the same positions today that I first had 15 years ago when I was first elected to office,” Boyle told CNN in reference to Harris’ stance on fracking. “That’s part of growing. I think that’s natural. The bottom line is, did you ultimately arrive at the position that is right on policy, and in the case of Kamala Harris, she did.” Boyle also charged Trump with being far more inconsistent on his policy positions than Harris. “There just is no comparison between Kamala Harris and the constant, unending flip-flops, on most issues, of Donald Trump,” he said.