Texas and 15 states sue Biden admin over climate agenda targeting gas projects
A coalition of 16 Republican states, led by Texas and Louisiana, filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration, challenging its recent climate action pausing proposed energy projects. The multistate coalition filed its complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, listing President Biden, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and the Department of Energy (DOE) among the defendants in the case. According to the complaint, the DOE’s move earlier this year pausing major liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal projects violated long-standing federal energy laws. “Biden’s unilateral decree disregards statutory mandates, flouts the legal process, upends the oil and gas industry, disrupts the Texas economy, and subverts our constitutional structure,” said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. “The ban will drive billions of dollars in investment away from Texas, hinder our ability to maximize revenue for public schools, force Texas producers to flare excess natural gas instead of taking it to market, and annihilate critical jobs,” he continued. “I will not stand by while Biden attacks Texas.” GOP LEADERS CONFRONT BIDEN’S NEW CLIMATE CZAR ON KEY SECURITY RISKS LURKING IN GREEN AGENDA According to Paxton, the LNG export moratorium is unconstitutional, ignores the 1938 Natural Gas Act’s “presumption in favor of exports” and discards decades of DOE energy policy. In arguing the alleged unconstitutionality of the policy, the states’ complaint notes Article I of the Constitution vests Congress with “[a]ll legislative Powers,” including the power “[t]o regulate Commerce with foreign Nations.” Therefore, since blocking LNG exports can be considered a regulation of commerce, the DOE violated the Constitution, according to the lawsuit. TIKTOK ACTIVIST SAYS HE ADVISED WHITE HOUSE ON BIDEN’S NEW NATURAL GAS MORATORIUM “The LNG Export Ban implicates an issue of profound national importance. LNG exports account for billions of dollars to the economy and thousands of jobs,” the complaint states. “They also raise serious questions of national security. And this is an issue that has been the subject of proposed legislation and public attention in and outside of Congress.” The complaint accuses DOE of violating the Administrative Procedure Act which governs the procedures of administrative law. The states highlight that DOE failed to host any public comment period before finalizing its LNG policy without “good cause to forego the notice and comment requirement.” Additionally, the states argue the DOE failed to properly consider the Natural Gas Act and its provision that states the agency issue an export license before hearing from the public. DOZENS OF FORMER TOP FEDERAL OFFICIALS CALL ON CONGRESS TO STRIKE DOWN BIDEN’S NATURAL GAS CRACKDOWN “The Biden administration’s illegal attacks on American energy jeopardizes the livelihoods of thousands of hard-working Louisiana men and women, millions of dollars in tax revenue, and billions of dollars in infrastructure,” said Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill. “LNG continues to have an enormous positive economic impact for our state — especially on our hard-hit coastal communities, which continue to recover from a recent series of devastating hurricanes. Jobs like these grow the economy, reduce crime, and help address the out-migration problem,” she continued. “The people of Louisiana are proud to power this nation. I’m ready to fight for them.” In a surprise move in January, Biden ordered the DOE to pause pending permits for LNG export facilities while federal officials conduct a rigorous environmental review assessing the projects’ carbon emissions, which could take more than a year to complete. The action was lauded by climate activists who have loudly called for such a move, which they said would help combat global warming. However, the move was blasted by industry groups, former federal officials and bipartisan lawmakers, who noted energy exports are vital for aiding allies in Europe and Asia. In the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine two years ago, U.S. LNG largely filled the void left by Russian natural gas as U.S. allies sought to wean off Russian exports and punish the nation’s economy, a plan Biden endorsed at the time. Opponents also argued that LNG exports bolster domestic energy production and boost the U.S. economy. Fossil fuel industry groups recently cited research indicating that LNG exports could add as much as $73 billion to the U.S. economy by 2040, create 453,000 American jobs and increase U.S. purchasing power by $30 billion.
Marjorie Taylor Greene files motion to oust Speaker Johnson
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., told reporters on Friday that she filed a motion to vacate Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., accusing him of having “betrayed” the “confidence” of the House GOP Conference by ushering through a bipartisan $1.2 trillion federal funding bill to avoid a partial government shutdown. Johnson won the gavel in late October after his predecessor was ousted by a motion to vacate resolution earlier that month. “It’s more of a warning and a pink slip,” Greene told reporters after filing the motion. “There’s not a time limit on this, it doesn’t have to be forced… But I’m not saying that it won’t happen in two weeks, or it won’t happen.” HOUSE PASSES $460 BILLION GOVERNMENT FUNDING BILL BLASTED BY GOP HARDLINERS Earlier, while the House was voting on the package, three GOP lawmakers on the House floor told Fox News Digital that Greene made the consequential move. During the vote, Fox News Digital witnessed Greene sign a paper at the front of the chamber and pass it off to House staff. Her office has not responded to multiple requests for comment. Johnson’s office told Fox News Digital in a statement, “Speaker Johnson always listens to the concerns of members, but is focused on governing. He will continue to push conservative legislation that secures our border, strengthens our national defense, and demonstrates how we’ll grow our majority.” GOP HARDLINERS FURIOUS AT JOHNSON FOR PASSING ANOTHER SHORT-TERM SPENDING BILL WITH DEMS: ‘USUAL C–P’ Greene filing a motion to vacate does not necessarily require a vote, as was the case with ex-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., being booted. It would only mandate action if she filed it as a “privileged resolution,” meaning House leaders would need to act on it within two legislative days. Even so, it would likely have to wait – Congress is leaving Washington on Friday for a two-week recess. Fox News Digital heard from a fourth GOP lawmaker on Friday morning who believed Greene would be filing the motion. Asked why they thought so, the lawmaker said Greene “went in” with McCarthy as an ally and “got burned by the base” of conservative voters. “She’s trying to redeem herself,” they added. HOUSE SPEAKER JOHNSON SAYS WHITE HOUSE DOESN’T ‘CALL THE SHOTS’ ON WHEN IMPEACHMENT IS OVER In her remarks to reporters on Friday, Greene blasted Johnson for the massive $1.2 trillion spending deal, calling it “a dream and a wish list for Democrats and for the White House.” “I respect our conference. I paid all my dues to my conference. I’m a member in good standing and I do not wish to inflict pain on our conference. But this is basically a warning for us to go through the process, take our time, and find a new speaker of the House that will stand with Republicans,” Greene said.
House passes $1.2 trillion government spending bill to avert government shutdown
The House of Representatives narrowly passed a $1.2 trillion federal spending package along bipartisan lines on Friday, taking a step closer to averting a partial government shutdown at midnight. The package, comprised of six appropriations bills that account for roughly 70% of discretionary government spending, was unveiled around 3 a.m. on Thursday night. It’s aimed at funding the government through the remainder of fiscal year 2024, which ends Sept. 30. It puts Congress one step closer to ending a months-long war that’s spurred historic levels of dysfunction within the House GOP’s razor-thin majority. HOUSE PASSES $460 BILLION GOVERNMENT FUNDING BILL BLASTED BY GOP HARDLINERS The bill was aimed at funding the departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Education, Health & Human Services (HHS), and the legislative branch. Both Republican and Democratic negotiators walked away declaring victory on striking a deal – Johnson touted cuts to funding for non-governmental organizations (NGOs), a 6% cut to overall foreign aid funds, and policies like banning the State Department from flying non-official flags at diplomatic facilities. Democrats cheered the exclusion of enforcement measures of the House GOP’s H.R.2 border security bill – something conservatives demanded in order to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – as well as increased federal child care funding and a $1 billion increase for climate and green energy programs.
DGCA slaps Rs 80 lakh fine on Air India for violations of…
Aviation watchdog DGCA on Friday imposed a fine of Rs 80 lakh on Air India for violations of norms related to flight duty time limitations and fatigue management system of flight crew.
Top Trump VP prospect plans summer wedding weeks after GOP convention
Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, who is considered a top prospect to serve as former President Donald Trump’s running mate on the 2024 Republican presidential ticket, is planning an early August wedding to fiancée Mindy Noce. The wedding would take place during a relatively quiet period on the presidential campaign trail, following the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee (July 15-18) and ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago (August 19-22), and likely during the Summer Olympics in Paris (July 26-August 11). The wedding will take place in South Carolina, Scott spokesman Nate Brand confirmed to Fox News Digital. WHEN TIM SCOTT KNEW HIS FIANCE WAS ‘THE ONE’ As he ran for the White House last year, the now-58-year-old senator grabbed attention as the only major Republican presidential candidate who’s never been married. Scott spotlighted at a political event in Iowa in September that he was “dating a lovely Christian girl,” as he addressed a large group of influential voters of faith in the state that traditionally leads off the GOP presidential nominating calendar. TRUMP VP AUDITIONS: SCOTT AND OTHERS HIT THE TRAIL ON BEHALF OF FORMER PRESIDENT And in early November, moments after the end of the third Republican presidential primary debate, Scott appeared on stage for the first time with Noce, a Charleston-area interior designer and mother of three who was previously married. Scott, who two decades ago was previously engaged but never married, announced that he was introduced to Noce at church in South Carolina more than a year ago. SCOTT TO APPEAR AT MAJOR PALM BEACH FUNDRAISER FOR TRUMP Scott ended his presidential bid on November 13 after failing to gain traction. In mid-January, just ahead of the New Hampshire primary, he traveled to the first-in-the-nation presidential primary state and endorsed Trump as they appeared together at a campaign event. That same weekend, Scott took to social media to say that he and Noce were engaged. Trump, at the time, praised the engagement news, calling it “the biggest story out there.” “We never thought this would happen,” Trump joked on the campaign trail. “What’s going on?” Scott, who enjoys high favorable ratings among GOP voters and who is the only Black Republican in the Senate, is considered one of a small group of people Trump is seriously considering as his vice presidential nominee, according to sources in the former president’s political orbit. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.
Border Patrol chief suggests ‘jail time,’ tougher ‘consequences’ to stop illegal US-Mexico border crossings
The chief of the U.S. Border Patrol is suggesting “jail time” and tougher “consequences” to help America crack down on the number of migrants crossing illegally over the U.S.-Mexico border. Jason Owens made the remark Thursday to CBS News as a large group of illegal immigrants were captured on video bursting through razor wire and surging towards a border wall in El Paso, Texas. “I’m talking about jail time. I’m talking about being removed from the country, and I’m talking about being banned from being able to come back, because you chose to come in the illegal way instead of the established lawful pathways that we set for you,” Owens said. Owens added, “I think we need to take a look at the asylum laws and make it where only people that have a legitimate claim can claim asylum.” ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS STORM US BORDER IN EL PASO, KNOCK OVER GUARDS DURING STANDOFF OVER TEXAS LAW “If there’s no motivation to do it the right way — and the right way, it is causing people to have to wait a little bit longer — well naturally, they’re going to choose to come between the ports of entry,” Owens also told CBS News. “We need to take that off the table and make sure everybody’s coming through the front door.” This week, the Supreme Court briefly allowed Texas’ anti-illegal immigration law, which allows police to arrest illegal immigrants, to go into effect despite a legal challenge from the Biden administration. The case was kicked back down to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which then blocked the law again hours later as arguments proceed on the merits. MIDWEST STATE ON VERGE OF DEFYING BIDEN WITH TEXAS-STYLE BILL TO COMBAT ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION The Biden administration has claimed that the law encroaches upon federal responsibility over immigration enforcement. “S.B. 4 will not only make communities in Texas less safe, it will also burden law enforcement, and sow chaos and confusion at our southern border. S.B. 4 is just another example of Republican officials politicizing the border while blocking real solutions, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement this week. But Owens told CBS News on Thursday that the law is “not going to stop us from doing our job,” and there is “no better partner for the Border Patrol than the Texas Department of Public Safety.” “We have worked hand in hand with that agency for as long as I’ve been around, and I don’t see that ever stopping,” he added. “They have always been very good at complementing our mission. They back us up when we’re out in the field, and we do for them as well. So, whatever the laws are that they’re going to be enforcing, our mission remains constant. Their mission remains constant.” Fox News’ Adam Shaw, Bill Melugin and Michael Lee contributed to this report.
Trump says he has nearly $500M in cash, suggests he could afford bond in New York AG case, slams ‘hack’ judge
Former President Trump says he has nearly $500 million in cash, suggesting he has the money to post bond in the New York civil fraud case on Monday as required by a judge. Trump and his legal team have appealed and requested a stay on his $454 million civil fraud judgment. He is required to post that bond by Monday. TRUMP LEGAL TEAM BLASTS ‘UNCONSTITUTIONAL’ ATTEMPTS TO FORCE PROPERTY SALE AS DEADLINE FOR $454M FINE NEARS “Through hard work, talent, and luck, I currently have almost five hundred million dollars in cash, a substantial amount of which I intended to use in my campaign for president,” Trump posted on his Truth Social Friday morning. “The often overturned political hack judge on the rigged and corrupt A.G. case, where I have done nothing wrong, knew this, wanted to take it away from me, and that’s where and why he came up with the shocking number which, coupled with his crazy interest demand, is approximately $454,000,000,” Trump said, referring to New York Judge Arthur Engoron, who presided over New York Attorney General Letitia James’ case against him. NY AG ASKS COURT TO IGNORE TRUMP CLAIM THAT POSTING $464M BOND IS ‘PRACTICAL IMPOSSIBILITY’ “I did nothing wrong except win an election in 2016 that I wasn’t expected to win, did even better in 2020, and now lead, by a lot, in 2024,” Trump continued. “This is communism in America.” “No trial, no jury, no crime, no victim, only a crooked judge and a corrupt, Trump hating attorney general who takes her orders directly from the White House,” Trump said of Engoron and James. “Election interference at a level never seen before!!!” Trump wrote both of his posts in all-capital letters. Trump lawyers on Monday said that “ongoing diligent efforts have proven that a bond in the judgment’s full amount is a ‘practical impossibility,’” amid attempts to approach about 30 surety companies. The lawyers said the “enormous magnitude” of the bond requirement, which effectively requires cash reserves approaching $1 billion, is “unprecedented for a private company.” NEW YORK ATTORNEY GENERAL TAUNTS TRUMP ABOUT INTEREST HE OWES ON CIVIL FRAUD JUDGMENT James has pushed back, calling Trump’s request for a stay “extraordinary” and “improper.” James has said that Trump should be able to secure the entire value via multiple sureties or offer his real estate holdings as collateral. But Trump attorney Clifford S. Robert on Thursday sent a letter to the Appellate Division of New York’s Supreme Court, arguing James’ efforts are “unconstitutional.” Fox News Digital has learned that Trump and his legal team are exploring “all options on the table.” A source familiar told Fox News Digital that his team plans “to exhaust all options.” “The Trump team is continuing to look at every conceivable option,” the source said, adding that they are “hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst.” If the Trump team’s appeal is granted, the judgment bond could be slashed considerably. It is unclear whether the court will rule on his appeal.
House GOP lawmakers expect tight vote on $1.2T government spending package
The fate of a $1.2 trillion government spending package is unclear as of Friday morning, with the House of Representatives expected to vote on it in just hours. Congressional leaders introduced the 1,012-page bill around 3 a.m. on Thursday morning, less than 48 hours before the midnight Friday government funding deadline. The package must pass the House and Senate, then be signed by President Biden to avert a partial government shutdown. Multiple sources, two GOP lawmakers and one senior GOP aide, said they believe the package will pass but that it would be a tight margin. SPEAKER JOHNSON FLOATS STAND-ALONE ISRAEL AID PLAN AFTER SCHUMER’S COMMENTS MADE SITUATION ‘EVEN MORE URGENT’ One GOP lawmaker told Fox News Digital they had to go home for a family emergency on Thursday but were asked by House Republican leadership to return for the Friday morning vote. The bipartisan deal suffered a blow late on Thursday afternoon when one of its negotiators announced he would vote against it on the House floor. He cited some Democratic senators’ inclusion of home district funding priorities, including for LGBTQ centers and facilities that provide late-term abortions. HOUSE PASSES $460 BILLION GOVERNMENT FUNDING BILL BLASTED BY GOP HARDLINERS Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala., chairman of the House Appropriations subcommittee on Labor and Health & Human Services (HHS), announced Thursday, “This is not the bill that my subcommittee produced and supported. The Senate has taken liberties with their Congressionally Directed Spending requests that would never stand in the House.” “The House did not include these partisan funding projects in its Labor-HHS legislation. Based on these principles, the Senate shouldn’t either,” Aderholt said. “I have multiple concerns, among them are the many new social services that this bill would create for the millions of illegal immigrants streaming across our border. Additionally, it would fund facilities providing routine abortion services, including late-term abortions. The Senate must respect the work of the House. In good conscience, I cannot and will not vote for these projects or this bill.” CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS STRIKE SHORT-TERM DEAL TO AVOID GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN It is also being opposed by the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus, which has accused House GOP leadership of walking away without scoring conservative victories – something leadership has pushed back against. The package accounts for roughly 70% of discretionary government spending. Discretionary spending is allocated by Congress, in contrast with mandatory spending like federal entitlements. It includes funding for the Department of Defense, Homeland Security, Education, HHS and the legislative branch. It is six of 12 total bills that Congress must pass each fiscal year to fund the government. Congress passed six others, totaling roughly $460 billion, earlier this month.
Rubio says being Trump running mate would be ‘incredible honor’
After reports that he is being considered to be former President Trump’s running mate, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio said it would be an “honor” to serve, but said he has not heard from the Trump campaign. Rubio, a Republican from Florida, said Thursday that being offered the chance to be a presidential running mate would be “an incredible opportunity to serve our country.” “If anybody has been offered the chance to be vice president, they should consider that an honor and an incredible opportunity to serve our country,” Rubio said Thursday, according to Politico. “But that hasn’t happened, I haven’t spoken to anybody on his campaign about it. Never once have I talked to [Trump] about vice presidency.” Rubio had nothing but good things to say about Trump, despite a past marked by competition and frequent barbs traded back and forth on the 2016 campaign trail. TRUMP SWEEPS MARCH 19 REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES “We’ve had a great working relationship — we ran against each other, so at one point we were competitors — but since 2016, especially when he was president, we worked really well together,” the senator continued, according to Politico. TRUMP REVEALS VP SHORTLIST INCLUDES DESANTIS, RAMASWAMY, NOEM, DONALDS, GABBARD Recent rumors that Rubio was being considered seemed to come out of left field, as the senator was left out of previous discussions about the Trump campaign’s shortlist. During an interview on Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle” last month, Trump was asked about half a dozen potential running mate choices: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, multimillionaire biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida, and former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, a Democrat turned independent. “Are they all on your shortlist?” host Laura Ingraham asked the former president during the interview. “They are,” Trump answered. “Honestly, all of those people are good. They’re all good, they’re all solid.” Rubio on Thursday also quashed rumors circulating among Republicans that he has any ambitions of becoming the conference leader, emphatically denying that he is interested. “No, I have never talked to anyone about running for leader, either,” Rubio said. “That’s something I’ve never been interested in doing.” Fox News’ Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.
Federal judge dismisses lawsuit challenging DC noncitizen voting law
A federal judge on Thursday tossed a conservative legal group’s lawsuit against a controversial Washington, D.C. law that allows noncitizens — including illegal immigrants and foreign embassy staff members — to vote in municipal elections. In a 12-page opinion, Judge Amy Berman Jackson said the plaintiffs, a group of U.S. citizen voters represented by the Immigration Reform Law Institute (IRLI), lacked standing to challenge the law because they could not demonstrate how they are harmed by noncitizens who vote and run for local office. The complaint “does not include facts showing plaintiffs’ right to vote has been denied, that they have been subjected to discrimination or inequitable treatment or denied opportunities when compared to another group, or that their rights as citizens have been ‘subordinated merely because of [their] father’s country of origin,” Jackson wrote. “They identify nothing that has been taken away or diminished and no right that has been made subordinate to anyone else’s.” WASHINGTON DC LAW ALLOWING NONCITIZENS TO VOTE IN ELECTIONS CHALLENGED BY LAWSUIT The Local Resident Voting Rights Act, passed by the D.C. Council in October 2022, states that if a noncitizen is otherwise qualified to vote, they can do so in local elections so long as they have resided in Washington, D.C., for at least 30 days. It also permits noncitizen residents to run for D.C. government offices and serve on the city’s Board of Elections, according to court documents. READ THE JUDGE’S OPINION BELOW – APP USERS, CLICK HERE: The law proved highly controversial and prompted an unsuccessful effort in Congress to overturn it. The IRLI lawsuit claimed that by permitting noncitizens to vote, the law “dilutes the vote of every U.S. citizen voter in the District.” “Because it does so, the D.C. Noncitizen Voting Act is subject to review under both the equal protection and the substantive due process components of the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution,” the legal group argued. ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS STROM US BORDER IN EL PASO, KNOCK OVER GUARDS AMID STANDOFF OVER TEXAS LAW Plaintiffs asked the court to issue an injunction that would halt enforcement of the law and prevent the Board of Elections from registering noncitizens to vote or counting their votes. However, the judge agreed with defendants that the complaint should be dismissed because the plaintiffs lacked standing to sue. “In sum, plaintiffs have not alleged that they have personally been subjected to any sort of disadvantage as individual voters by virtue of the fact that noncitizens are permitted to vote, too,” Jackson wrote. 7.2 MILLION ILLEGALS ENTERED THE US UNDER BIDEN ADMIN, AN AMOUNT GREATER THAN POPULATION OF 36 STATES “They may object as a matter of policy to the fact that immigrants get to vote at all, but their votes will not receive less weight or be treated differently than noncitizens’ votes; they are not losing representation in any legislative body; nor have citizens as a group been discriminatorily gerrymandered, ‘packed’ or ‘cracked’ to divide, concentrate, or devalue their votes,” the judge continued. “At bottom, they are simply raising a generalized grievance which is insufficient to confer standing.” The Immigration Reform Law Institute and D.C. Board of Elections did not immediately respond to requests for comment. New York City had passed a similar bill that also had a 30-day requirement in December 2021. That bill quickly faced a legal challenge, and in June 2022 a New York judge ruled that it was illegal, violating the state’s constitution. A state appeals court upheld that decision in January. Fox News Digital’s Adam Shaw contributed to this report. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.