A selloff on Thursday erased some of the gains a day earlier.
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MadAboutPolitics.com - Featured News
Featured News
Today's Political News Compilation - Friday, January. 3, 2025
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Republican Mike Johnson reelected House speaker in dramatic floor vote
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Mike Johnson narrowly won reelection Friday as House speaker on a first ballot, overcoming hard-right GOP holdouts in a tense standoff and buoyed by a nod of support from President-elect Donald Trump.The uneasy scene brought an ominous start to the first day of the new Congress. A small collection of hardline Republicans convened in the back of the House chamber, one by one declining to vote or choosing another lawmaker. Johnson’s face turned grim, acknowledging fresh turmoil and signaling trouble ahead for him as Trump returns to the White House with unified GOP control of Washington.
In the end, however, Johnson was able to flip two holdouts who switched to support him, with help from Trump, who called the dissenting Republican lawmakers from the golf course. The final tally was 218-215.
Johnson, visibly relieved, vowed to “reject business as usual” in his first speech with the gavel.
“We’re going to drastically cut back the size and scope of government,” he promised.
Johnson’s weak grip on the gavel has threatened not only his own survival but Trump’s ambitious agenda of tax cuts and mass deportations as Republicans sweep to power in the House and the Senate. The stark vote tally laid bare the challenges he faces. Even backing from Trump himself, usually a surer bet for Republicans, was no guarantee of Johnson’s ability to stay in the speaker’s office. ...
READ THE FULL STORY - AP
Judge sets Trump's sentencing in hush money case for Jan. 10, but signals no jail time
In an extraordinary turn, a judge has set President-elect Donald Trump’s sentencing in his hush money case for Jan. 10 — little over a week before he’s due to return to the White House.
apnews.com
Biden to visit New Orleans Monday, in wake of Bourbon Street attack
President Biden and first lady Jill Biden will meet with families and community members during their visit, the White House said.
www.cbsnews.com
House Speaker Mike Johnson's victory came with a warning from hardline Republicans
Lawmakers reminded Johnson they have the numbers to remove him from the speakership if needed.
www.usatoday.com
New Majority Leader Thune kicks off Senate session with pledge to preserve filibuster
New Senate Majority Leader John Thune is kicking off the new session with a promise to preserve the filibuster, saying in his first floor speech as leader that his priority will be to “ensure the Senate stays the Senate.”
apnews.com
NY judge says Trump will face no penalties in his criminal hush money case but upholds conviction | CNN Politics
President-elect Donald Trump will face no legal penalties for his conviction in the hush money case, a New York judge ruled Friday.
www.cnn.com
Social Security Fairness Act set to get Biden's signature
Legislation granting full Social Security benefits to nearly 3 million retirees will soon get become law, advocates say.
www.cbsnews.comWhy are US flags being flown at half-staff on Inauguration Day?
President-elect Donald Trump has expressed frustration that flags will be flying at half-staff when he takes office later this month.
apnews.com
By blaming Biden for the New Orleans attack, Trump may be setting himself up for failure
Trump pointed to Biden's policies in the aftermath of the New Orleans terrorist attack. But the president-elect risks facing similar criticism if an attack happens while he is in office.
www.nbcnews.com
Mike Johnson re-elected House speaker as GOP mutiny threat dissolves
Speaker-designate Mike Johnson, R-La., won a majority of voting members in the House of Representatives.
On possible GOP votes against Trump nominees, Thune says no "clarity" yet
One of the first priorities for Senate Majority Leader John Thune is the confirmation of President-elect Donald Trump's expected nominees.
www.cbsnews.comSurgeon General calls for new label on drinks to warn Americans of alcohol's cancer risk
Alcohol is a leading cause of cancer, a risk that should be clearly labeled on drinks Americans consume, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy proposed on Friday.
apnews.com
How Johnson won over GOP holdouts to secure a second term as speaker - Washington Examiner
Johnson did not acquiesce to the sort of demands made of Kevin McCarthy, who gave conservatives outsize sway to win the speaker's gavel in 2021.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
How Mike Johnson pulled out a 2nd term as House speaker -- with Donald Trump's help
Mike Johnson secured the gavel in dramatic fashion, as he was on track to lose before two Republican defectors changed their vote after speaking to Donald Trump.
Musk is 'misjudged and certainly misinformed' over UK grooming attacks, says senior minister
A senior British minister has pushed back on Elon Musk’s criticism of the government's handling of a historic child grooming scandal.
apnews.com
Briton among dead in New Orleans vehicle attack
The family of London man Edward Pettifer mourn a "wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew and friend".
www.bbc.comNew Orleans attacker had suspected bomb materials at home, reserved truck weeks ago, officials say
The attack along Bourbon Street killed 14 people, along with the driver, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who officials said was inspired by the Islamic State militant group.
apnews.com[URL...
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House to vote on censuring Rep. Al Green for outburst during Trump speech
Washington — The House is expected to vote Thursday morning to reprimand Democratic Rep. Al Green of Texas for disrupting President Trump during his address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday.
Green suggested in a social media post Thursday morning that the outcome is a foregone conclusion.
"During the 10:00 hour ET, Congressman Al Green will be censured this morning for standing up to President Trump," Green wrote on X.
Republican Rep. Dan Newhouse of Washington, who introduced the resolution to censure Green, said the move was not...
Continue reading...Green suggested in a social media post Thursday morning that the outcome is a foregone conclusion.
"During the 10:00 hour ET, Congressman Al Green will be censured this morning for standing up to President Trump," Green wrote on X.
Republican Rep. Dan Newhouse of Washington, who introduced the resolution to censure Green, said the move was not...
Biden-nominated federal judge extends hold on Trump NIH research funding cuts
A federal judge has further blocked the National Institutes of Health from implementing a policy to crackdown on how much money it doles out for indirect costs associated with grants it awards.
NIH announced a plan last month to set the rate at 15% across the board.
"The United States should have the best medical research in the world. It is accordingly vital to ensure that as many funds as possible go towards direct scientific research costs rather than administrative overhead. NIH is accordingly imposing a standard indirect cost rate on all...
Continue reading...NIH announced a plan last month to set the rate at 15% across the board.
"The United States should have the best medical research in the world. It is accordingly vital to ensure that as many funds as possible go towards direct scientific research costs rather than administrative overhead. NIH is accordingly imposing a standard indirect cost rate on all...
Speaker Johnson slams Dem Rep. Green's 'egregious behavior' during Trump's address
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., scolded Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, for engaging in "shameful and egregious behavior" during President Donald Trump’s Tuesday night address to a joint session of Congress. The speaker, who booted Green from the House chamber, accused the lawmaker of violating House rules "deliberately."
The speaker’s post on X condemning Green’s behavior comes just hours after a resolution to censure the Texas Democrat survived an attempt by his party to table it.
RESOLUTION PUNISHING AL GREEN CLEARS DEM BLOCKADE, ADVANCES TO...
Continue reading...The speaker’s post on X condemning Green’s behavior comes just hours after a resolution to censure the Texas Democrat survived an attempt by his party to table it.
RESOLUTION PUNISHING AL GREEN CLEARS DEM BLOCKADE, ADVANCES TO...
Trump could sell Nancy Pelosi Federal Building 'at fair market value' under new GOP bill
FIRST ON FOX: A House GOP lawmaker wants to clear the path for President Donald Trump to sell off a federal building named after former Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
The Stop Wasteful Allocations of Money for Pelosi (SWAMP) Act, led by Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., would direct the General Services Administration (GSA) to "dispose of the property" or sell it "at fair market value and for the highest and best use," according to bill text obtained by Fox News Digital.
It is the latest effort by House Republicans to enact Trump's agenda through legislative means...
Continue reading...The Stop Wasteful Allocations of Money for Pelosi (SWAMP) Act, led by Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., would direct the General Services Administration (GSA) to "dispose of the property" or sell it "at fair market value and for the highest and best use," according to bill text obtained by Fox News Digital.
It is the latest effort by House Republicans to enact Trump's agenda through legislative means...
GOP lawmaker credits Trump's business prowess for major investment in state: 'Knows how to make deals'
The recent announcement by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) to pour another $100 billion into the United States will have a direct impact on Arizona, but the debate on the future of the semiconductor industry persists after President Donald Trump's address on Tuesday night.
Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Ariz., said that Trump’s influence played a critical role in the company building on their existing investment in the Grand Canyon State, as the announcement happened at the White House earlier this week.
"He knows how to make deals and...
Continue reading...Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Ariz., said that Trump’s influence played a critical role in the company building on their existing investment in the Grand Canyon State, as the announcement happened at the White House earlier this week.
"He knows how to make deals and...
'Star Trek shield' technology gets $250M boost to knock drone swarms from the sky with high-powered microwave
A new high-powered microwave system that can knock swarms of drones out of the sky at once is going to "touch every aspect of warfare," according to Epirus founder, Joe Lonsdale.
"It’s kind of like a Star Trek shield," Lonsdale, founder of Epirus and a co-founder of fast-rising defense technology company Palantir, explained of its Leonidas counter-drone system. "It’s able to turn them off from very far away."
"This is going to touch every aspect of warfare over the next decade," said Lonsdale. "We can knock down some pretty advanced drones."...
Continue reading..."It’s kind of like a Star Trek shield," Lonsdale, founder of Epirus and a co-founder of fast-rising defense technology company Palantir, explained of its Leonidas counter-drone system. "It’s able to turn them off from very far away."
"This is going to touch every aspect of warfare over the next decade," said Lonsdale. "We can knock down some pretty advanced drones."...
Nigerian senator suspended after making sexual harassment claims
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan had accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment.
Continue reading...Number of Americans filing for jobless benefits falls as labor market remains sturdy
Applications for U.S. jobless benefits fell last week as the labor market remains sturdy ahead of an expected purge of federal government employees
Continue reading...WATCH: Golden retriever takes 'retriever' identity very seriously
Brooks the golden retriever loves collecting sticks and is determined to carry a massive stick home through the streets of Charleston, South Carolina.
Continue reading...Education Department executive order could be issued as soon as today
Washington — President Trump is expected to issue an executive order as soon as Thursday directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to start the process of dissolving the Education Department, CBS News confirmed.
Sources confirm the details of a Wall Street Journal report, which first reported the news, are accurate. According to the Journal, there is a draft version of the executive order.
Completely eliminating the department would require congressional approval and 60 votes in the Senate, which is unlikely given the current makeup.
Mr...
Continue reading...Sources confirm the details of a Wall Street Journal report, which first reported the news, are accurate. According to the Journal, there is a draft version of the executive order.
Completely eliminating the department would require congressional approval and 60 votes in the Senate, which is unlikely given the current makeup.
Mr...
GOP rep says she'll refer sanctuary city mayors for criminal prosecution
A Republican congresswoman said she is referring the Democratic sanctuary city mayors who testified before Congress on Wednesday to the Justice Department for criminal prosecution.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., said that the mayors who testified during a House Oversight Committee hearing on sanctuary cities were in violation of Title 8, U.S. Code § 1324, a federal law that makes it illegal to bring in and harbor unauthorized aliens. It also prohibits the unlawful employment of aliens.
"I just referred the sanctuary city mayors to the Department...
Continue reading...Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., said that the mayors who testified during a House Oversight Committee hearing on sanctuary cities were in violation of Title 8, U.S. Code § 1324, a federal law that makes it illegal to bring in and harbor unauthorized aliens. It also prohibits the unlawful employment of aliens.
"I just referred the sanctuary city mayors to the Department...
Democrats turn on each other over Trump address stunts
Democrats displayed their internal party divisions in the wake of President Donald Trump's first address to Congress.
Democrats who are a part of leadership or more aligned with the establishment are clashing with progressives, many of whom heckled Trump throughout his more than 90-minute speech on Tuesday. The party is facing pressure from grassroots organizations to take a more combative approach – in lieu of decorum – to the Trump administration's dismantling of the federal bureaucracy.
While moderate Democrats are frustrated over the...
Continue reading...Democrats who are a part of leadership or more aligned with the establishment are clashing with progressives, many of whom heckled Trump throughout his more than 90-minute speech on Tuesday. The party is facing pressure from grassroots organizations to take a more combative approach – in lieu of decorum – to the Trump administration's dismantling of the federal bureaucracy.
While moderate Democrats are frustrated over the...
GOP fights back against ‘Trump-proof’ sanctuary jurisdictions
Republicans are pushing back against so-called sanctuary cities and jurisdictions as President Donald Trump ramps up plans for mass deportations.
"All of the mayors here today are actively working to harm the American people you represent," Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., told the mayors of four sanctuary cities during a House Oversight Committee hearing on Wednesday. "You all have blood on your hands."
The comments, which were addressed to Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and New York City Mayor Eric...
Continue reading..."All of the mayors here today are actively working to harm the American people you represent," Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., told the mayors of four sanctuary cities during a House Oversight Committee hearing on Wednesday. "You all have blood on your hands."
The comments, which were addressed to Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and New York City Mayor Eric...
US 'destroying' world order, Ukraine's ambassador to UK says
Valerii Zaluzhnyi's comments come amid an apparent cooling of tensions between Kyiv and Washington.
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