Page 1702 – Texas Weekly Online

House passes $895 billion defense policy bill with 19.5% pay raise for junior troops

House passes 5 billion defense policy bill with 19.5% pay raise for junior troops

Congress’ annual defense policy bill passed the House on Friday after a week of voting on more than 300 amendments, during which conservatives scored several victories on diversity, critical race theory and gender surgeries. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) authorizes funding for military priorities across the Department of Defense and Department of Energy, with that funding later coming in the form of a defense appropriations bill. A marquee provision of this year’s bill is a 19.5% pay increase for junior enlisted troops. The NDAA is traditionally a widely bipartisan effort, but the fight over culture war provisions alienated Democrats up to the White House, which issued statements opposing those and other similar measures in the bill. MARATHON IN EVERY STATE: NAVY VET AND FORMER NYPD OFFICER RUNS ACROSS US TO HELP DESERVING NONPROFIT Republicans have argued that rolling back measures on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and other progressive issues would help increase military readiness and turn around the dire recruitment crisis the U.S. military is currently dealing with. Three amendments going after DEI roles in the Armed Forces passed this week – eliminating the role of Chief Diversity Officer, any DEI-related offices and their personnel, and enacting a hiring freeze on any future such roles. Another amendment that passed would prohibit promotion of critical race theory within the military, as well as any similar race-based theories. Two more measures prohibit any Pentagon-related health policy from funding gender transition surgeries and transgender-related medical care. A third would prevent the Pentagon from funding any abortion-related services. CONGRESS FEELING HEAT FROM GROUPS DEMANDING BAN ON CONTRACTS WITH CHINESE FIRM TAKING AMERICANS’ DNA This year’s NDAA authorizes $895.2 billion in military spending, a $9 billion increase from fiscal 2024. The underlying bill, which advanced in a 57 to 1 vote out of the House Armed Services Committee last month, looks to make significant improvements to service members’ quality of life. A cornerstone initiative of that is the pay raise for junior enlisted service members and a 4.5% increase for other military roles. “A very significant pay raise, particularly for our young enlisted, I think is really life-changing, and I hope will also be motivating for people to enlist and also to stay,” Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., a member of the Armed Services Committee and a veteran herself, told Fox News Digital earlier this week. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., another committee member and a retired general, said that military families – particularly in high-cost-of-living areas, had to resort to food banks to feed their families. BIDEN CAMP JABS AT TRUMP’S ‘FAILED’ BUSINESS RECORD AS FORMER PRESIDENT LOOKS TO SWAY NATION’S TOP CEOS “People working at fast-food restaurants are making more than our junior enlisted,” Bacon said. Both also pushed back on the Biden administration’s opposition to the 19.5% pay raise. “I can’t fathom why anybody wouldn’t want to give our men and women in uniform the pay that they deserve. And so, it’s a little bit frustrating,” Houlahan said.

Supreme Court strikes down federal ban on bump stocks

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that a bump stock does not transform a firearm into an automatic weapon, striking down a federal rule that banned bump stocks. In a 6-3 decision, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote, “Congress has long restricted access to “‘machinegun[s],’” a category of firearms defined by the ability to “shoot, automatically more than one shot . . . by a single function of the trigger.” “Semiautomatic firearms, which require shooters to reengage the trigger for every shot, are not machineguns. This case asks whether a bump stock—an accessory for a semi-automatic rifle that allows the shooter to rapidly reengage the trigger (and therefore achieve a high rate of fire)—con- verts the rifle into a ‘machinegun.’ We hold that it does not,” he wrote. The case, Garland v. Cargill, asked the court whether a “bump stock” device is a “machine gun” as defined by federal law because it is designed and intended for use in converting a rifle into a weapon that fires “automatically more than one shot … by a single function of the trigger.” TEXAS GUN STORE OWNER SAYS SUPREME COURT SHOULD LIMIT GOVERNMENT ‘POWER’ IN ‘BUMP STOCK’ BAN CASE The high court’s majority found that the statutory definition of a “machinegun” is any weapon capable of firing “automatically more than one shot…by a single function of the trigger.” “We hold that a semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock is not a ‘machinegun’ because it cannot fire more than one shot ‘by a single function of the trigger.’ And, even if it could, it would not do so ‘automatically,’” Thomas wrote. “ATF therefore exceeded its statutory authority by issuing a Rule that classifies bump stocks as machineguns,” he said. After a 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas that left 60 people dead and 500 more wounded, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) issued an interpretive rule concluding that “bump stocks” are machine guns. “This tragedy created tremendous political pressure to outlaw bump stocks nationwide. Within days, Members of Congress proposed bills to ban bump stocks and other devices ‘designed to accelerate the rate of fire of a semiautomatic rifle,’” Thomas wrote in Thursday’s opinion. The Trump administration initiated a ban on the devices — reversing earlier regulations — and President Biden’s Justice Department defended it in court. READ THE SUPREME COURT OPINION – APP USERS, CLICK HERE: Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, dissented from the majority saying, “the Court puts bump stocks back in civilian hands. To do so, it casts aside Congress’s definition of ‘machinegun’ and seizes upon one that is inconsistent with the ordinary meaning of the statutory text and unsupported by context or purpose.” “When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck. A bump-stock-equipped semiautomatic rifle fires ‘automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. Because I, like Congress, call that a machinegun, I respectfully dissent,” Sotomayor wrote. NYC SHOP OWNER WITH CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT FACES 7 YEARS FOR INADVERTENTLY SHOOTING WOULD-BE THIEF A bump stock is an attachment that replaces a semi-automatic weapon’s standard stock, the part of the long weapon that rests on the shoulder. Michael Cargill, owner of Central Texas Gun Works, sued the government after he was forced to surrender several “bump stocks” under the ATF’s rule. He argued the agency overstepped its administrative authority to impose a ban, absent any congressional action. “Over five years ago I swore I would defend the Constitution of the United States, even if I was the only plaintiff in the case. I did just that,” Cargill, an Army veteran, said Friday. Mark Chenoweth, president of the New Civil Liberties Alliance and lawyer for Cargill, praised Friday’s ruling as having vindicated “our client’s position that ATF does not have the power to rewrite criminal laws.” “The statute Congress passed did not ban bump stocks, and ATF does not have the power to do so on its own. This result is completely consistent with the Constitution’s assignment of all legislative power to Congress. Any scare-mongering by bump-stock opponents should be directed at Congress, not the Court, which faithfully applied the statute in front of it,” said Chenoweth. “The rule that the Court set aside today unlawfully confiscated over 500,000 lawfully purchased bump stocks from American citizens. It never should have been approved, and the bureaucrats responsible for this injustice should hang their heads in shame,” he said. JAN 6 RIOTERS, ABORTION, GUN RIGHTS: A LOOK AHEAD AT LANDMARK CASES SCOTUS WILL HEAR IN 2024 Bump stocks came into circulation early this century, as one of a number of devices that can be attached to semi-automatic weapons. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP As the shooter applies forward thrust on the barrel, the device harnesses the recoil energy so that the trigger will “bump” against the stationary finger, which then allows another round to be fired. The effect is more rapid shots than with a standard stock. The ATF says more than a half million bump stocks were in circulation when the federal ban came into effect five years ago, requiring them to be turned in or destroyed.

Iowa Dem scrubbed anti-Trump tweets from X account to appear more moderate, Republicans charge

A Democrat running in a competitive Iowa district scrubbed his X account of dozens of anti-Trump and pro-Biden posts prior to winning the congressional primary earlier this month, according to archival website information found by the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC). Combat veteran and former USDA official Lanon Baccam won Iowa’s Third Congressional District Democratic nomination on June 4 in a landslide over rival Melissa Vine. He now faces Republican Zach Nunn in November. A veteran of Democratic political campaigns, Baccam previously served as President Biden’s Iowa deputy state director in addition to earlier work on the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign and for Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and other Democratic campaigns and causes. But in what the NRCC says is a move to appear more moderate, Baccam scrubbed his X account of numerous partisan posts which remain accessible online through the archival site Wayback Machine. “It’s clear Lanon Baccam is desperately trying to run from his past as a paid political activist, hide his extreme stances and lie to the voters of Iowa,” National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) spokesperson Mike Marinella told Fox News Digital about the scrubbed posts. “Voters deserve to know the real Lanon Baccam outside his phony campaign ads and tampered-with social media.” “We’re within my heavy-whipping-cream’s expiration days to the election,” one scrubbed post read. “Make a plan to vote now and you can toss out Trump when I toss this in the trash.” Another post read, “Joe Biden will be a commander in chief who understands and supports our veterans, service members, and military families when confronted with the hardest situations. A little empathy goes a long way, especially when none exists currently with the President.” IOWA GOP REP NUNN WILL FACE DEMOCRAT BACCAM IN GENERAL ELECTION FOR CD-3 As of June 13, Baccam’s account has no mention of former President Trump or President Biden, appearing to distance the candidate online from both the Republican and Democratic nominee for president in the General Election. When reached for comment, Baccam offered the following statement: “From helping veterans transition to careers in agriculture, to implementing critical investments in our communities and expanding access to rural broadband, I’m proud of the work we accomplished at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. As a rural Iowa native, combat veteran, and public servant, I’ve dedicated my life to helping working families get ahead and strengthening our communities. That’s why I’m running for Congress and it’s exactly what I’ll continue to do if elected.” REPUBLICANS FLIP CRUCIAL IOWA HOUSE SEAT RED WITH ZACH NUNN’S WIN TRUMP, BIDEN FACE TESTS IN FINAL 2024 PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES Nunn flipped Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District from blue to red in 2022. Democrats are keen to take the seat back before Nunn’s power of incumbency increases with multiple terms.

Federal judge blocks Biden Title IX rule in 4 states: ‘Abuse of power’

A federal judge has blocked President Biden’s expansion of Title IX in four states, calling the mandatory gender identity protections an “abuse of power.” U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty granted a preliminary injunction on Thursday, and referred to the Biden administration’s unilateral Title IX changes as a “threat to democracy.” “This case demonstrates the abuse of power by executive federal agencies in the rulemaking process,” Doughty said in his ruling. “The separation of powers and system of checks and balances exist in this country for a reason.” Doughty ruled that the changes were inadmissible because the term “gender discrimination” as used in the establishment of Title IX “only included discrimination against biological males and females at the time of enactment.” ‘PUTTING OUR GIRLS AT RISK’: BIDEN’S TITLE IX CHANGES CHALLENGED BY NEARLY 70 GOP LAWMAKERS Doughty ruled that the changes were inadmissible because the term “gender discrimination” as used in the establishment of Title IX “only included discrimination against biological males and females at the time of enactment.” The ruling blocks implementation of the changes in Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana and Idaho. Title IX is a longstanding civil rights law prohibiting sex-based discrimination in schools and other education centers that receive federal funding. SIX STATES SUE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION OVER NEW TITLE IX PROTECTIONS FOR TRANS ATHLETES IN GIRLS’ SPORTS Under the administration’s new rules, sex discrimination would include discrimination based on gender identity as well as sexual orientation. READ THE JUDGE’S RULING – APP USERS, CLICK HERE: The latest update, from April, expands the definition of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity – a move that critics say would undermine hard-won protections for women and girls. A school would not be able to separate or treat people differently based on sex, except in limited circumstances, under the provisions. Critics say that the change will allow locker rooms and bathrooms to be based on gender identity. LGBTQ+ students who face discrimination would be entitled to a response from their school under Title IX, and those failed by their schools can seek recourse from the federal government. Advocates have hailed the change as necessary to protect transgender students. The rule is set to take effect Aug. 1. Lawsuits against the Biden administration’s changes — similar to the Louisiana case — are underway in states across the country. Fox News’ Elizabeth Elkind and Joshua Q. Nelson contributed to this report.

Karnataka HC directs CID to not arrest former CM Yediyurappa in POCSO case

It also directed the veteran BJP leader to appear before CID, which is probing the case, on June 17

Massachusetts bill banning ‘revenge porn’ lands on Gov. Healey’s desk

A bill aimed at outlawing “revenge porn” has been approved by lawmakers in the Massachusetts House and Senate and shipped to Democratic Gov. Maura Healey, a move advocates say was long overdue. If signed by Healey, the bill — which bars the sharing of explicit images or videos without the consent of those depicted in the videos — would leave South Carolina as the only state not to have a law specifically banning revenge porn. Supports say the bill, which landed on Healey’s desk Thursday, would align Massachusetts with the other 48 states that have clear prohibitions on disseminating sexually explicit images and videos without the subject’s consent. It is a form of abuse that advocates say has grown increasingly common in the digital age, subjecting people to social and emotional harm often inflicted by former romantic partners. NFL FREE AGENT XAVIEN HOWARD SHARED ‘REVENGE PORN’ WITH VICTIM’S CHILD, LAWSUIT ALLEGES The bill would make disseminating nude or partially nude photos of another person without their permission criminal harassment. Offenders would face up to two and a half years in prison and a fine of $10,000. On subsequent offenses, the punishment would increase to up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $15,000. “No person’s life should devolve into chaos because a private photo was shared without their permission, and no person should fear coercion or be threatened with the sharing of such a photo,” Senate President Karen Spilka said. The bill explicitly states that even though a person might consent to the initial creation of an explicit image or video that doesn’t mean they are also agreeing that it can be distributed without their additional consent in the future. The advent of artificial intelligence and deepfake technology in the creation of revenge porn has added to the concerns of lawmakers. Supporters said the bill opens the door to legislation further addressing the implications of the emerging technology. MASSACHUSETTS SENATE PASSES BILL CRIMINALIZING ‘REVENGE PORN’ Karissa Hand, an aide to Healey, said the governor, who was previously the state’s attorney general, “has long supported legislation to ban revenge porn and hold accountable those who would engage in abusive, coercive and deeply harmful behavior” and looks forward to reviewing any legislation that reaches her desk. The legislation establishes a definition for coercive control to account for non-physical forms of abuse such as isolation, threatening harm toward a family member or pet, controlling or monitoring activities, damaging property, publishing sensitive information, and repeated legal action. Advocates describe coercive control as a pattern of deliberate behavior by an abuser that substantially restricts another person’s safety and autonomy. By expanding the statute of limitation for domestic violence charges to 15 years, the bill would also give survivors a longer time to seek justice. Under current law, minors who possess, purchase or share explicit photos of themselves or other minors are charged with violating child sexual abuse image laws and are required to register as sex offenders. The bill would instead require the state attorney general to develop an educational diversion program to provide adolescents who engage in revenge porn with information about the consequences and life-altering effects caused by engaging in the behavior. District attorneys would still have the authority to petition the court to bring criminal charges in extreme cases. Jane Doe Inc., the Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, called passage of the bill in the Legislature “a milestone for survivors in Massachusetts.” “Non-consensual sharing of intimate images impacts thousands of people in Massachusetts every year, and increases an individual’s likelihood of further sexual harm,” the group said in a written statement. “This bill takes a thoughtful approach to addressing the problem – one that balances strong protections for survivors with a recognition that younger people who cause this harm often can and should benefit from educational diversion over prosecution,” the group added.

Trump says there ‘could be’ alien life forms, but it’s ‘not my thing’

Former President Trump talked at length about his beliefs regarding outer space and the existence of aliens on a podcast this week. While appearing on YouTuber Logan Paul’s talk show “Impaulsive,” Trump was asked what information he was given access to regarding extraterrestrials. “I met with pilots [who looked] like beautiful Tom Cruise but taller — handsome, perfect, people,” Trump told Paul, recalling one pilot telling him, “‘Sir, there was something there that was round in form and going like four times faster than my super jet fighter plane.’” “And I looked at these guys, and they really mean it,” Trump added. DONALD TRUMP PRAISES ‘ONE-OF-A-KIND’ UFC CEO DANA WHITE: ‘SOMEBODY YOU REALLY HAVE TO RESPECT’ Despite the testimony from elite pilots, Trump said he would not call himself a believer in aliens. Trump told Paul, “Am I a believer? No, I probably I can’t say I am. But I have met with people that are serious people that say there’s some really strange things that they see flying around out there.” TRUMP PREDICTS THERE’S A ‘10% CHANCE’ CNN WILL BE FAIR TO HIM AT FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE The former president also made a brief joke about illegal immigration, telling Paul that he was more concerned about “illegal aliens” at the southern border than extraterrestrials. “When you say aliens, I say, ‘Are they illegal aliens?’” Trump quipped. “These [UFOs] might be illegal, but we don’t want to test them.” The former president’s representatives initially contacted Paul’s team and requested the sit down, a source familiar with the matter told Fox News Digital. Paul’s team also contacted President Biden’s representatives and invited him to be a guest on a future episode of the podcast, the source said. Fox News’ Chantz Martin contributed to this report.

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