#sen. James Risch

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Kaili Joy Gray at Daily Kos:

The Wall Street Journal published a seemingly damning story on Tuesday night about President Joe Biden’s diminishing mental acuity, with a headline guaranteed to cause panic: “Behind Closed Doors, Biden Shows Signs of Slipping.” With a header like that, you might think the Journal really has the goods on Biden this time, with quotes from dozens of sources within the White House, likely speaking anonymously for fear of appearing to betray their boss with the damaging confessions about how he, in fact, is too old and unfit to be president for another term.

But no. Who does the Journal have? Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson. And former Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. And Idaho Sen. James Risch, who is—as you might have guessed—a Republican. Contrary to its terrifying headline, what the Journal has is a blatant hit piece from Republicans who are shamelessly pushing the Republican talking point that Biden—who is only four years older than Donald Trump—is oh so very, very old. Concerningly so.

[...] Well, there was The New York Times, where the opinion pages were filled with hand-wringing about Biden’s age and how voters are so much more concerned about the 81-year-old president than his 77-year-old opponent.

The Wall Street Journal wrote a brazen hit piece attacking Joe Biden’s supposed diminishing mental acuity by citing Republican sources and ignoring Democrats who praised Biden.

See Also:

MMFA: The Wall Street Journal’s story about Biden “slipping” is comically weak

MMFA: Leading Democrats say WSJ ignored their on-the-record comments praising Biden's mental acuity

[faerie-hideaway]

U.S. users email your representatives this, and make sure to include your zip code:

I am your constituent. I am strongly in favor of defunding Israel. I want my opinion logged on every single one of these pieces of legislation. It is an atrocity that the USA is sending our taxpayer dollars, weaponry, and other support to Israel in order to aid in the genocide of the Palestinian people. It does not reflect the will of your constituents, and I demand that you correct this by voting for/against the following bills, resolutions, and legislation.

To be frank, I will be basing my vote for you in upcoming elections on this issue. I will be watching closely to see how you vote on issues regarding funding to Israel. I will not vote for you in the next election if you vote to send any money, support, or weaponry to Israel. I will be voting for you if you vote to block money, support, and weaponry to Israel.

This is the current legislation I am for, and the current legislation I am against. I would like your office to record my opinion for each bill, and I would like you to take this into consideration when you vote.

I am FOR the following, and expect you to vote for this and co-sponsor, either now or when matching legislation reaches your office.

H.Res. 786: by Rep. Cori Bush

H.Res. 388 by Rep. Rashida Tlaib

H.R. 3103 by Rep. Betty McCollum

I am against Joe Biden’s proposal to spend billions of dollars on Israel via a package for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan, and the US border. Biden is asking for $100 BILLION for this package and it is only 1 YEAR'S worth of funding. This is ABSOLUTELY unacceptable, and I am against you voting for ANY bill that spends even $1 on Israel. I do not care what else is in the bill. If it gives money to Israel, I am against it.

I am AGAINST the following, and expect you to vote against this and not co-sponsor, either now or when matching legislation reaches your office.

S. 3083 by Sen. Bill Hagerty [R-TN]

S.Res. 417 by Sen. Charles “Chuck” Schumer [D-NY]

H.Res. 797 by Rep. Cory Mills [R-FL7]

S. 3081 by Sen. Steve Daines [R-MT]

H.Res. 796 by Rep. Ernest “Tony” Gonzales [R-TX23]

S.Res. 413 by Sen. Marco Rubio

H.R. 552 by Rep. Lance Gooden

H.R. 5959 by Thomas Tiffany

S. 3081 by Sen. Steve Daines

H.Res. 789 by Rep. Jefferson Van Drew

H.Res. 771 by Rep. Michael McCaul

H.R. 5932 by Rep. David Schweikert

H.Res. 768 by Rep. Michael McCaul

H.Res. 770 by Rep. Zachary (Zach) Nunn

H.Res. 701 by Rep. Bradley “Brad” Schneider

H.Con.Res. 61 by Rep. Janice “Jan” Schakowsky

S. 2587 by Sen. Jon Tester

H.Res. 606 by Rep. Andrew Ogles

S. 2413 by Sen. Robert “Bob” Menendez

S. 2438 by Sen. Christopher Coons

H.R. 4709 by Rep. Josh Gottheimer

S.Con.Res. 14: by Sen. Tom Cotton

H.Con.Res. 57 by Rep. August Pfluger

H.R. 4665 by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart

S. 2265 by Sen. Dan Sullivan

S. 2226 by Sen. John F. “Jack” Reed

H.Res. 581 by Rep. Gregory Steube

S. 2240 by Sen. Christopher Coons

H.R. 4564 by Rep. Claudia Tenney

H.R. 4365 by Rep. Ken Calvert

H.R. 4076 by Rep. Chris Pappas

H.R. 3932 by Rep. Michael Turner

H.R. 3907 by Rep. Lois Frankel

S. 1802 by Sen. Gary Peters

H.R. 3792 by Rep. Joe Wilson

S. 1777 by Sen. Jacky Rosen

H.R. 3393 by Rep. Carlos Gimenez

H.Res. 409 by Rep. Carlos Gimenez

S. 1637 by Sen. Marco Rubio

H.R. 3266 by Rep. Brad Sherman

S. 1504 by Sen. Tom Cotton

H.R. 3099 by Rep. Michael Lawler

S.Res. 188 by Sen. Robert “Bob” Menendez

H.Res. 346 by Rep. Randy Weber

H.R. 2973 by Rep. Cathy Anne McMorris Rodgers

S. 1334: by Sen. Jacky Rosen

S. 1300 by Sen. Benjamin Cardin

H.Res. 311 by Rep. Ann Wagner

H.R. 2670 by Rep. Mike Rogers

H.R. 2531 by Rep. Bradley “Brad” Schneider

S. 1143 by Sen. Jerry Moran

H.R. 1777 by Rep. Joe Wilson

H.R. 1218 by Rep. August Pfluger

H.R. 1102 by Rep. Chip Roy

S. 510 by Sen. Tom Cotton

S. 489 by Sen. Rick Scott

S. 430 by Sen. James Risch

S. 431 by Sen. James Risch

H.R. 987 by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz

H.Res. 92 by Rep. Josh Gottheimer

H.Res. 76 by Rep. Max Miller

H.R. 687 by Rep. Gregory Steube

H.R. 211 by Rep. Gregory Steube

S. 224 by Sen. Tom Cotton

S. 189 by Sen. Marco Rubio

I am against any legislation that allows troops to deploy to the Middle East in support roles for Israel, as proposed by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

I am against Netanyahu’s ground invasion of Gaza, which will inevitably lead to mass killings of Palestinian civilians and escalate violence. If there are any future bills supporting this, you need to vote against them and not co-sponsor.

The U.S. Constitution and the War Powers Act stipulate that only Congress can authorize the president to use military force in a foreign war, except in cases of self-defense. Previous administrations from both parties have ignored this, with unauthorized strikes in places like Syria and Libya. I want you to stand against ANY use of military force that supports Israel or hurts Palestine.

And of course, I am against the usual funding of $3.8 billion PER YEAR to Israel. This 10-year agreement began in 2016. I do not want a renewal in 2026, and in the next election, I will vote for representatives who WILL NOT VOTE TO FUND ISRAEL. I will be keeping track of how you vote now, and I will not vote for you if you decide to fund Israel in any way.

I am a single-issue voter for this. I want you to defund Israel. I do not want a single dollar spent on supporting Israel. I will be paying attention to how you vote in the upcoming weeks and months, and if you vote to fund or provide weapons, troops, or intelligence to Israel, I will NOT vote for you in the next election.

We are paying attention to the budget. We know when you're giving aid to a country committing genocide instead of helping your constituents in the USA. Both myself and tens of thousands of other constituents have spent years saying that we don’t want our hard-earned taxpayer dollars going to Israel. The lack of willingness to fund anything for American citizens, but the quickness with which you take action for Israel is telling. It is unacceptable.

As an elected official, you have the opportunity to listen to the public and stand against genocide. Israel is currently committing war crimes against Palestine. You can stop this by defunding Israel. THOUSANDS of Palestinian people have been killed, 1/3 of them children, in just a couple of days. One child every 15 minutes is being killed. YOU can prevent this by refusing to send additional weapons and funding to Israel.

We are currently spending BILLIONS of dollars EVERY YEAR on Israel. I do not want my money going towards the ethnic cleansing and genocide of Palestinians. Not a dollar more.

[mightyflamethrower]

President Joe Biden, 81, has been struggling behind closed doors during official meetings, according to an in-depth report published Tuesday that described a president in serious cognitive decline.

The Wall Street Journal spoke to more than 45 people — Republicans and Democrats — over several months about these meetings, including to some who said Biden mumbled and spoke so softly people struggled to hear him, closed his eyes for so long people wondered if he had “tuned out,” and had to read from notes to make “obvious points.”

The octogenarian reportedly told House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) a recent policy change was “just a study,” prompting Johnson to believe Biden forgot the details of his own policy. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) told the newspaper, “I used to meet with him when he was vice president. I’d go to his house. … He’s not the same person.”

The newspaper said the White House “kept close tabs” on which Democrats they were interviewing, and some of those Democrats shared with the White House recordings or details of the interviews, and requested to speak again and emphasized Biden’s strengths.

One of those Democrats, Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY), told the WSJ, “They just, you know, said that I should give you a call back.”

RELATED: Just Another Tuesday — Biden Stumbles, Coughs Through Boring SpeechWhite House

During a January 17, 2024, meeting on Ukraine with nearly two dozen lawmakers, much of the conversation reportedly “didn’t include him,” and when questions came directly to him, he would turn to staffers. “You couldn’t be there and not feel uncomfortable,” said one person who attended told the paper. “I’ll just say that.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), who was there, argued that Biden was “incredibly strong, forceful and decisive.” Sen. James Risch (R-ID), who was also there, disagreed, saying, “What you see on TV is what you get.”

“These people who keep talking about what a dynamo he is behind closed doors—they need to get him out from behind closed doors, because I didn’t see it,” he said.

In the incident with Johnson, Biden reportedly pulled the speaker aside for a chat about what it would take to bring Ukraine aid to the House floor for a vote. Johnson reportedly brought up a new Biden administration policy that halted future permits for shipping LNG to countries while the issue was being studied. Biden told Johnson that it was not true that future permits were being halted, and said it was only a study.

While the White House called the account “false” and said the halt does not affect current exports, no new Energy Department permits for LNG exports have been issued since the policy was announced.

Biden also performed poorly during a May 2023 meeting with Republicans over increasing the debt limit, according to some Republicans there.

RELATED: OOPS! Biden Baffled, Calls Volodymyr Zelensky “Vladimir” at G7 MeetingWhite House

“He would ramble,” McCarthy said. “He always had cards. He couldn’t negotiate another way.” McCarthy said Biden did call him one day from Air Force One, and that he was “more with it than any other time.” However, the next day, during a meeting, Biden lacked that same vigor. “He was going back to all the old stuff that had been done for a long time,” McCarthy told the paper. “And he was shocked when I’d say: ‘No, Mr. President. We talked about that meetings ago. We are done with that.’”

During that meeting, Biden reportedly told the same story more than once about his experiences with the DuPont company during his time as a Delaware senator. White House aides pushed back against the characterizations, calling him a “savvy and effective leader,” and “sharp and engaged.”

“Congressional Republicans, foreign leaders and nonpartisan national-security experts have made clear in their own words that President Biden is a savvy and effective leader who has a deep record of legislative accomplishment,” White House spokesman Andrew Bates told the WSJ. “Now, in 2024, House Republicans are making false claims as a political tactic that flatly contradict previous statements made by themselves and their colleagues.”

RELATED: GET IT TOGETHER, JOE! Biden Appears Confused During Veterans Day CeremonyC-SPAN

Still, not much will likely change public perspectives of Biden. In a March WSJ survey of voters in seven battlegrounds states, only 28 percent said Biden was better suited physically and mentally for the presidency, while 48 percent said Trump. And the WSJ noted, there have been few opportunities to see Biden in unscripted moments.

According to the paper, by the end of April, he had given fewer interviews and press conferences than any of his recent predecessors. His last wide-ranging town-hall-style meeting with an independent news outlet was in October 2021 — more than two years ago, the paper noted. Biden is expected to debate former Trump later this month, on June 27.

[algebraicvarietyshow]

Sen. James E. Risch, the top Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee, is halting a $735 million U.S. arms sale to Hungary as punishment for the country’s refusal to approve NATO membership for Sweden, a rare move aimed at pressuring Budapest into greenlighting the military alliance’s expansion ahead of a major summit next month.

oh, a republikánus barátaink!!

In a statement to The Washington Post, Risch (Idaho) said Hungary must allow Sweden into NATO if it wants the arms package, which includes 24 HIMARS rocket launcher batteries, and more than 100 rockets and pods along with associated parts and support.

The decision to slam the brakes on new arms sales to Budapest demonstrates the growing anger toward Hungary by NATO backers like Risch, who rarely holds up arms sales to countries in any part of the world.

“For some time now, I have directly expressed my concerns to the Hungarian government regarding its refusal to move forward a vote for Sweden to join NATO,” he said.

[msclaritea]

33 Senate Democrats join Republicans to block DC crime bill | The Hill

Senators on Wednesday overwhelmingly voted to block the District of Columbia’s updated criminal code from becoming law, marking the first time in more than three decades that a D.C.-passed bill has been nixed by Congress and the White House. 

The Senate advanced the resolution, 81-14, with 33 Democrats voting alongside every Republican and Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.). 

Senate Democrats of all stripes joined with the GOP, including some of the party’s leadership. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) and Sen. Debbie Stabenow (Mich.) both backed the resolution.

Sen. Dick Durbin (Ill.), the No. 2 Democrat in the upper chamber, however, split with Schumer to vote “no.”

Unsurprisingly, the most vulnerable Senate Democrats up for reelection in 2024, headlined by Sens. Joe Manchin (W.Va.), Jon Tester (Mont.) and Sherrod Brown (Ohio), all supported the resolution.

Fourteen senators who caucus with the Democrats voted against the measure: Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Durbin. 

Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) voted present. Sens. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Tom Carper (D-Del.) and James Risch (R-Idaho) were absent.

The Senate Democrats had political cover to vote “yes” after President Biden told them last week he would not veto the resolution if it reached his desk — reversing a statement of administration policy backing Washington, D.C., home rule prior to the House vote last month.

The House passed the resolution to block the crime bill on a 250 to 173 vote, with 31 Democrats voting with all Republicans.

The D.C. City Council passed its crime bill unanimously in January and overrode a veto by Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) in February, 12-1. 

It has been the subject of intense criticism from Republicans and some Democrats for some provisions, such as the lower penalties for a number of violent crimes, including robberies and carjackings. 

“Carjackings and car thefts have become a daily routine. Homicides are racking up at a rate of four per week,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said during a speech on the Senate floor on Wednesday. “This is our capital city. But local politicians have let its streets become a danger and an embarrassment.”

In his tweet last week announcing his decision, Biden specifically mentioned sentences for carjackings as a reason. According to the Metropolitan Police Department, there have been 101 carjackings across the District this year alone, roughly the same as the 106 reported by this point last year. Half have involved juveniles. Twenty-two of this calendar year’s cases have been closed, and 14 people have been arrested on related charges. 

“I just think it needs more work,” Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) told reporters of the D.C. bill, citing the mayor’s veto of the bill earlier this year. 

But the 180-degree turn by the administration has infuriated some House Democrats who have complained that the White House put them in a bad spot. 

It also handed House Republicans a gift on the messaging side, as the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) launched an ad campaign against 15 Democrats who voted against doing away with the crime bill. 

“Forget safe streets and neighborhoods — House Democrats remain more concerned with promoting policies that appease violent criminals,” Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), the NRCC’s chairman, said in a statement. “This is just a preview of how these extremist House Democrats will be held accountable for coddling criminals all cycle long.”

The crime bill has also been criticized for other reasons, including that it would increase the number of jury trials for misdemeanor offenses. Sen. Angus King (I-Maine.) who voted for the resolution blocking the bill, told The Hill earlier in the week that there’s not “enough jurors in the world to do that.”

D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson on Monday attempted to withdraw the bill and keep it from being brought up for a vote. However, the Home Rule Act, which governs the District, does not allow for the withdrawal of legislation. 

A number of Senate Democrats, however, stood by the District and opposed the resolution. Cardin told reporters earlier in the week that the matter is “a D.C. issue.”

“The Senate shouldn’t be voting on that,” Cardin said. “To me, it’s a fundamental issue of home rule.”

So-called Progressives at it again. This is the same action that's keeping San Francisco filled with crime; Socialists deliberately letting crime go wild to hurt Democrats. It's not just random juveniles committing these carjackings. It's just one of the easiest crimes to pull. Everyone should remember the ones who voted against protecting citizens and all of them, Booker and Dick Durbin should be challenged for their seats. Booker plays the Righteous Brother well but he's not with Dems and Durbin tried to pull a sleazy move months ago, by throwing Senator Fienstein under the bus, causing the drama on the judicial committee. I'm guessing the D.C. Council are a bunch who got in on a sympathetic wave post George Floyd. To vote against the Mayor is huge red flag.

[dertaglichedan]

Senate Democrats quash bid to create audit office for Ukraine aid

By Monica Showalter

What are they hiding?

That's about all one can ask now that Democrats have quashed two measures to set up an independent Ukraine aid auditing office under one audit umbrella.

According to Fox News, the plan was this:

Amid the Democratic-controlled Senate’s ongoing National Defense Spending Authorization Act (NDAA) talks, GOP Sens. Josh Hawley, James Risch, Roger Wicker and John Kennedy drafted an amendment to create an exclusive Ukraine spending oversight office, led by the president’s choice.

...and according to the New York Post, it got this:

Senate Democrats banded together Wednesday night to oppose the creation of a new office to audit US military assistance for Ukraine as part of a provision in the annual defense spending bill.

Forty-five Democrats — including every member of the Senate Armed Services Committee — voted down an amendment to establish an Office of the Lead Inspector General for Ukraine Assistance as part of the fiscal year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

...and...

If passed, it would have allotted $10 million from the NDAA’s $886 billion budget toward the creation of a 30-person inspector general’s office.

A second proposal, which might have been an even better one, was to transfer the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction auditor's office to Ukraine, meaning, the guys inspecting how the Ukraine cash is spent would be the same experienced professionals who monitored Afghanistan and would not be appointed by Joe Biden. That, too, was rejected. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who has called for audits from the start, favored that one.

The U.S. has already shelled out either $113 billion or $192 billion in aid to the beleaguered country, depending on the source, with no significant oversight.

Why anyone could oppose these measures is beyond reason, and suggests something funny is going on, such as protecting war-profiteering Democrats, or worst still, potential corruption from Hunter and Joe Biden

[shahananasrin-blog]

[ad_1] A few unlikely Senate Republicans teamed up on an amendment to the military defense bill that would create an office solely for auditing aid to Ukraine.Amid the Democratic-controlled Senate's ongoing National Defense Spending Authorization Act (NDAA) talks, GOP Sens. Josh Hawley, James Risch, Roger Wicker and John Kennedy drafted an amendment to create an exclusive Ukraine spending oversight office, led by the president's choice.However, both Risch and Wicker have previously questioned how much additional oversight of Ukrainian aid is needed, making the unusual collaboration with Hawley—a longtime vocal critic of Ukraine spending—the latest twist in the ongoing NDAA talks."Congress has imposed more than two dozen detailed oversight requirements and numerous transparency provisions on aid to Ukraine, but Senate Republicans feel there is still more work to do to improve the process," Wicker told Fox News Digital Wednesday.GOP ANTI-WAR FACTION PUSHING TO TANK UKRAINE FUNDING IN DEFENSE SPENDING BILL From left to right, Sen. Josh Hawley, Sen. James Risch, Sen. Roger Wicker and Sen. John Kennedy. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call/Anna Moneymaker/Photo by Caroline Brehman/CQ-Roll Call/Getty Images)With the lead inspector general obligated to provide timely briefings upon committee or congressional member requests within 15 days, the proposed amendment allocates $10 million from the $886 billion NDAA budget, establishing a team of 30 government employees.U.S. aid to Ukraine surpassed $100 billion since the Russian invasion in February 2022.AMERICANS REVEAL MOST COMPELLING REASON TO OPPOSE CONTINUED AID TO UKRAINE: SURVEY In this photo provided by the National Police of Ukraine, a police officer and a rescue worker walk in front of a restaurant RIA Pizza destroyed by a Russian attack in Kramatorsk, Ukraine, Tuesday, June 27, 2023. (National Police of Ukraine via AP)Hawley has been particularly critical of that aid, previously calling for an independent inspector general to audit spending."I guess all of a sudden we have billions of dollars laying around that we can just give to Ukraine," Hawley told Fox News Channel’s Laura Ingraham in March. "It’s an affront to the American taxpayers, the American people, and it’s gotta stop."US LEADS THE REST OF THE WORLD WITH $196 BILLION GIVEN TO UKRAINE AMID WAR WITH RUSSIAHawley has argued that money should be spent instead in the U.S., like in rural Missouri, East Palestine, Ohio, or the southern border. Clothes, shoes and garbage liter the southern border near Del Rio, Texas. (Matt Leach/Fox News Digital)Kennedy’s support of the amendment comes from a separate piece of legislation he introduced with independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema on Ukraine auditing earlier this year."American taxpayers deserve to know that their money is helping Ukraine defeat Putin effectively, and Congress needs to guarantee that oversight," Kennedy told Fox News Digital Wednesday.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPIt is unclear whether the Senate will adopt the amendment, but it will be heard on the floor as early as Wednesday before Congress breaks for a five-week recess.When lawmakers return, the House and Senate will have to agree on the final military defense package. The House passed its version of the bill earlier this month.  Jamie Joseph is a writer who covers politics. She leads Fox News Digital coverage of the Senate.  [ad_2]

[nordnews]

James Risch said he would stop selling HIMARS batteries until Budapest approves Sweden's application to join the military bloc Top Republican Sen. James Risch is...

[rnewspost]

Bipartisan Group Of Senators Renew Effort To Label Russia’s Invasion Of Ukraine A Genocide

Only days ahead of the one-year anniversary of the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a bipartisan group of senators is again trying to get it declared a genocide. The group is led by Sen. James Risch (R-Idaho), the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.). “One year into Putin’s brutal and unjustified war against Ukraine, it is beyond clear…

[pashterlengkap]

21 GOP senators tell colleagues to oppose same-sex marriage bill unless it allows discrimination

A group of 21 Republican senators has signed a letter urging their Republican colleagues to support an amendment that would help gut anti-discrimination protections in a bill requiring states to recognize same-sex marriages. Earlier this month, 12 Republican senators voted to advance The Respect for Marriage Act. If the bill goes to a Senate floor vote, those senators would help ensure that it passes the filibuster and gets signed into law. The bill would officially repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the 1996 law that forbade the federal government from legally recognizing same-sex marriages. In its place, the act would require the federal and state governments to recognize same-sex marriages as long as they occur in states where they are legal. If any state refuses to recognize such marriages, the act says, the spouses can sue. However, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) has introduced an amendment that would “ensure that federal bureaucrats do not take discriminatory actions against individuals, organizations, nonprofits, and other entities based on their sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions about marriage by prohibiting the denial or revocation of tax exempt status, licenses, contracts, benefits, etc.” In short, the amendment wants to allow anti-LGBTQ discrimination against queer couples and to restrain government officials from intervening to stop it. In a letter addressed to the 12 Republican senators who supported the bill, 21 of their colleagues wrote, “[We] ask that you oppose cloture on the Respect for Marriage Act unless the Lee amendment is added… The free exercise of religion is absolutely essential to the health of our Republic. We must have the courage to protect it.” The letter neglects to mention that religious people of numerous faiths support the freedom to solemnize and recognize same-sex marriages. We still have time to protect religious liberty. We’re asking our colleagues to support my amendment. pic.twitter.com/y7JXkxNXTZ — Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) November 19, 2022 The letter was signed 21 Republican Senators, including Lee, Mike Braun (IN), Cindy Hyde-Smith (MS), John Cornyn (TX), Rand Paul (KY), Marco Rubio (FL), John Thune (SD), Ron Johnson (WI), Marsha Blackburn (TN), Tommy Tuberville (AL), Kevin Cramer (ND), Rick Scott (FL), John Boozman (AR), Roger Marshall (KS), Roger Wicker (MS), Tim Scott (SC), James Risch (ID), Tom Cotton (AR), Lindsay Graham (SC), Josh Hawley (MO), and Ted Cruz (TX). Despite these senator’s worries, a revised version of the bill submitted earlier this month guarantees to uphold all “religious liberty and conscience protections” currently defined by federal law. It states that no individual or group will be forced to “solemnize” same-sex marriages and that the legislation will threaten no individual or group’s tax-exempt status. The bill is expected to receive a vote after the Thanksgiving holiday. http://dlvr.it/SdPCFv

[feelingbluepolitics]

Funny? Not so much. This is a United States Senator who is evidently both stupid and insane.

Sen. James Risch (R-ID).

"The 'widely reported' story that Risch was referencing was a conspiracy theory that President Joe Biden has been intentionally 'cut off' by staff as he takes questions from reporters, a story reported by conservative-leaning sites like Fox News, The New York Post, and The Sun."

Who's got the button? And what does it operate?

It's difficult to tell whether he believes the conspiracy theory that Biden is propped up and manipulated by handlers, the conspiracy theory that "Biden" is a substituted body double, or the conspiracy theory that Biden is a high tech construct not human at all. Or some other conspiracy theory.

But what's clear from the frustration and repetition Risch exhibits is that he believes some crazy shit and is not qualified mentally for the position he holds.

[little-catholic-diva]

"There is no such person," Blinken answered, adding that Biden "speaks very clearly and very deliberately for himself. No one else does." 

Oh please. Joe Biden can’t even form a coherent sentence. Stop lying for this pos.  I’m glad someone is finally saying it out loud though..

[saltiestgempearl]

It is worth noting that seven Republican senators did vote to convict Trump for inciting the January 6 insurrection on the US Capitol:

Sen. Richard Burr

Sen. Bill Cassidy

Sen. Susan Collins

Sen. Lisa Murkowski

Sen. Mitt Romney

Sen. Ben Sasse

Sen. Pat Toomey

And while two of these senators (Burr and Toomey) are retiring at the end of their current term (and thus not worried about re-election), the other five are not. They will likely be running for re-election in a couple years, and I think we would all do well to remember which Republican senators still have a spine. Because make no mistake, their votes did not come without consequence. All seven senators above got backlash from their party for voting the way they did, several of which got formal censures from their state parties.

Unforunately, that leaves the 43 Republican senators who decided to vote to acquit Donald Trump. Their names are worth remembering as well:

John Barrasso 

Marsha Blackburn 

Roy Blunt 

John Boozman 

Mike Braun 

Shelley Capito 

John Cornyn 

Tom Cotton 

Kevin Cramer 

Mike Crapo 

Ted Cruz 

Steve Daines 

Joni Ernst 

Deb Fischer

Lindsey Graham 

Chuck Grassley 

Bill Hagerty 

Josh Hawley 

John Hoeven 

Cindy Hyde-Smith 

Jim Inhofe 

Ron Johnson 

John Kennedy 

James Lankford 

Mike Lee 

Cynthia Lummis 

Roger Marshall 

Mitch McConnell 

Jerry Moran 

Rand Paul 

Rob Portman 

James Risch 

Mike Rounds 

Marco Rubio 

Tim Scott

Rick Scott 

Richard Shelby 

Dan Sullivan

John Thune 

Thom Tillis 

Tommy Tuberville 

Roger Wicker 

Todd Young

[americanmysticom]

Attorney Lin Wood comments on the Special Prosecutor John Durham charges ex-attorney for Clinton campaign with Lying to FBI.

Lin Wood Fireside Chat 24 | Durham, the Actions of General Milley and the Biden Mandated Vaccines Thrivetime Show: Business School without the BS Published  September 18, 2021 

https://rumble.com/vmnwin-lin-wood-fireside-chat-24-durham-the-actions-of-general-milley-and-the-bide.html

Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, claimed Tuesday that someone in the White House other than President Biden is "calling the shots." - Senator demands to know 'who is in charge' at White House after Biden cut off mid-sentence

President Trump’s Recent Comments - If the story of “Dumbass” General Mark Milley, the same failed leader who engineered the worst withdrawal from a country, Afghanistan, in U.S. history, leaving behind many dead and wounded soldiers, many American citizens, and $85 Billion worth of the newest and most sophisticated Military equipment in the world, and our Country’s reputation, is true, then I assume he would be tried for TREASON in that he would have been dealing with his Chinese counterpart behind the President’s back and telling China that he would be giving them notification “of an attack.” Can’t do that! https://www.donaldjtrump.com/news/news-qa3ys5wmcc672

John Durham Biography - John Henry Durham is an American lawyer who served as the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut from February 2018 to February 2021. In April 2019 he was assigned to investigate the origins of the FBI's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections, and in October 2020 he was appointed Special Counsel for the Department of Justice on those matters, a position he still holds.

[No one has a handle on Revelation except G-d]

[verycleverboy]

The Trump administration on Friday cited a national security "emergency" allegedly caused by Iran to bypass Congress and rush through arms sales worth billions of dollars to Saudi Arabia and other Middle East allies, in a move that drew condemnation from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

Citing a rarely used provision of arms control law, the administration informed lawmakers it was declaring a national security emergency, allowing it to go ahead with the sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan without congressional approval, according to administration letters sent to senators and obtained by NBC News.

"I have determined that an emergency exists which requires the proposed sale in the national security interest of the United States, and, thus, waives the congressional review requirements," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrote in a letter to Sen. James Risch, the Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The decision affected various arms packages worth roughly $8 billion, including deals for precision-guided bombs and related gear for Saudi Arabia and the UAE, according to the documents and congressional aides.

The two countries are staunch U.S. allies that support President Donald Trump's policies on Iran and have been waging a war since 2015 in support of the Yemeni government against Houthi rebels backed by Tehran.

The move came despite growing bipartisan opposition to any arms sales to Saudi Arabia amid outrage over the killing of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last year, as well as over Riyadh's air war in Yemen that has caused high numbers of civilian casualties.

A bipartisan majority in Congress has voted to halt U.S. support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen but President Donald Trump vetoed the legislation last month.[...]

The Trump administration has refrained from public criticism of the Saudi-led coalition's campaign in Yemen and has focused on Iran's support of Houthi rebels in the conflict, accusing Tehran of fueling the war.

But some experts and former officials say the war in Yemen benefits Iran and Al Qaeda-linked militants and that the U.S. needs to use its influence with the Saudis to bring an end to the fighting.

"The longer the civil war in Yemen continues, the more opportunity Tehran will have to undermine the interests of the U.S. and our security partners," said Bradley Bowman of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, a Washington think tank.

"It is in U.S. national security interests to end the civil war in Yemen and address the horrible humanitarian crisis there — both of which are pushing the Houthis deeper into the welcoming arms of Tehran."

See also: Humanitarian crisis in Yemen remains the worst in the world, warns UN (UN.org from February on the stakes of what this maneuver would be prolonging)

[india-times]

Lawmakers say new Iran nuclear deal unlikely

 Senators in both parties briefed recently by senior Biden administration officials on negotiations with Iran say they doubt Tehran will agree to any new deal to limit its development of nuclear weapons.  

Lawmakers say the administration has an offer on the table, but that Iran is showing little willingness to reestablish the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which placed significant restrictions on its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.  

Former President Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States from the 2015 deal, which was one of former President Obama’s biggest foreign policy accomplishments.  

Biden officials said in January that they were on the cusp of restoring the agreement but cautioned at the time that it would be up to Tehran to accept it.  

Four months later, Iran still hasn’t shown any serious interest in accepting the offer from the United States and its European allies, which means one of President Biden’s top foreign policy priorities remains in limbo.   

“I’m not optimistic there will be such a deal. The administration believes that strategically it makes sense to keep the offer on the table, but I don’t see the pathway forward. That’s my own view,” Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) told The Hill.  

Menendez said accepting a new accord is a divisive proposition within Iran’s political establishment, which is making it difficult to revive the agreement.  

“I think there’s conflict inside Iran, so there’s no clear pathway forward,” he said.  

Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Foreign Relations Committee, said, “You just don’t know what the Iranians are thinking.” 

“My guess is, at this stage, that it is unclear whether the Iranians want a deal or not. There’s some disagreements within Iran itself,” he said. “The U.S. has put forward a proposal. The ball is really in the Iranians’ court.”

A senior Republican senator on the Foreign Relations panel who attended the administration’s briefing Wednesday on the talks said the prospects of a deal are “not encouraging.” 

And Sen. James Risch (Idaho), the senior Republican on Foreign Relations, said he didn’t know what was happening in the talks when they started but has now been brought up to date. 

“I do know where the negotiations stand and they should’ve been over. They promised us it was going to end in February if there wasn’t a deal,” he said, referring to what some senators thought was an assurance by administration officials not to let the talks drag on without buy-in from Iran.  

Several senators said there are signs that Iran doesn’t want to cooperate with Western allies by allowing oversight of its nuclear program.

Iran earlier this month turned off two surveillance cameras used by the U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency to monitor one of its nuclear facilities. 

The United States, Britain, Germany and France submitted a draft resolution to the U.N. earlier this month criticizing Iran for not explaining why trace amounts of uranium were found at undeclared nuclear sites.  

One senator who requested anonymity to discuss the negotiations said Iran is making “an unreasonable demand” of the administration by asking it to waive the designation of its Islamic Revolutionary Guard as a foreign terrorist organization as part of any new nuclear deal. 

“The odds of them getting a deal without relinquishing on that is tiny,” the lawmaker said of Iran’s demand.  

The Biden administration has so far refused the request.  

The senator also cited the shutoff of U.N. monitoring cameras as troublesome.  

“The administration has publicly said they’re still willing to negotiate to a JCPOA 2.0, but the actions taken by the Iranian regime make that harder and harder every day,” the lawmaker said. “I do not think a deal is imminent.”  

Some foreign policy experts think Iran is less desperate for sanctions relief than it was during the Obama administration because it’s collecting substantial revenue through oil exports.  

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said last month that his country’s oil exports have doubled since August.  

Iran’s central bank reported in February that it had made $18.6 billion in oil sales during the first half of the Persian year, even before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent embargo of Russian oil exports sent prices soaring.  

Danielle Pletka, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute specializing in foreign policy and defense policy, said “the problem is the ball’s in Iran’s court.”  

She said the administration has “given up a ton” in concessions to get Iran to agree to a new plan but so far without success.  

“The Iranians haven’t shown any sign of shifting,” she said. “They’re exporting vast amounts of oil at this moment.” 

“Plus they’re doing illicit business with the Russians, and that’s earning them some money,” she added. “From their perspective, the geopolitical circumstances are going to be advantageous to Iran and to their entire notion of a resistance economy. They’re going to be part of this network with China and Russia that will be able to do business together.”  

The United States last month announced it would place sanctions on an oil smuggling network supported by senior Russian government officials and ones in Iran’s Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force.

Read more : https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/3528366-lawmakers-say-new-iran-nuclear-deal-unlikely/