Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is pushing to force a vote on holding Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress and potentially arresting him for refusing to hand over audio recordings of special counsel Robert Hur’s interviews with President Biden. This comes after the House previously held Garland in contempt for the same refusal, but chose to refer him for criminal charges instead of using the more drastic power of inherent contempt.
Amidst the implementation of new gun export regulations and other Biden administration actions perceived as hostile towards gun rights, a Texas Republican has introduced a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives. The resolution highlights support for the Second Amendment and opposes efforts by the Biden administration to undermine it. It specifically disapproves of President Biden’s executive orders on gun control, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ (ATF) administrative rule changes restricting Americans’ firearm rights, and the Bureau of Industry and Security’s policies limiting lawful firearm exports. The resolution has garnered support from several gun rights organizations, including the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Festus Keyamo, has announced the indefinite suspension of the Air Nigeria Airline project, after revealing that the airline was not actually Nigerian and was using a foreign airline to pose as the national carrier. This decision follows a recommendation by the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation last year to suspend the establishment of Nigeria Air and take legal action against individuals involved in its unveiling by the previous administration.
Four top aides in House Speaker Mike Johnson’s office have announced plans to leave within 24 hours of each other, leading to significant staff turnover within the Republican leadership. Policy advisers Brittan Specht, Jason Yaworske, and Preston Hill are departing to join a lobbying firm, while deputy chief of staff for communications Raj Shah is also planning an exit. These departures come amid challenges faced by House Republicans, who hold a slim majority and face an uphill battle in the upcoming November 2024 elections.
The House of Representatives passed a resolution condemning violence against law enforcement and calls to defund the police on Friday. The resolution passed 337 to 61, with 134 Democratic “yes” votes and 61 Democrats voting against the measure. The resolution text indirectly cited the summer 2020 protests, arguing “respect for the rule of law and law enforcement officials diminished” since then. It appeared to go after progressive policies that critics have panned as soft-on-crime, claiming “policies implemented at several state and local jurisdictions have increased the difficulty and added significant risks for law enforcement to do their jobs effectively and safely.”
Amid former President Trump’s criminal trial in New York, House Speaker Mike Johnson has emerged as a vocal supporter. Johnson, a staunch ally of Trump, has attended the trial and met with the former president, expressing concern over the proceedings.
Johnson has a close working relationship with Trump, according to multiple sources. They reportedly communicate frequently and stay informed on major legislative initiatives. This relationship is seen as beneficial to both the House and the Republican Party as a whole.
Despite differences in personality and background, Trump and Johnson are said to have a mutual respect and understanding of the need for unity. Johnson has defended Trump amidst his trials and even floated the idea of defunding Special Counsel Jack Smith.
Trump has also expressed support for Johnson, backing him against potential leadership challenges. Their relationship extends beyond politics, with Johnson sharing personal experiences with Trump, who reportedly reached out to the speaker after a near-drowning incident involving his sons.
In a significant rebuke of President Biden’s policy towards Israel, several House Democrats joined Republicans in passing the Israel Security Assistance Support Act. The bill condemns the administration’s withholding of offensive aid to Israel and mandates the expeditious delivery of previously approved weapons shipments. The move highlights growing concerns within the Democratic Party over Biden’s handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The House of Representatives is set to vote on a bill to stop President Biden from blocking offensive weapons aid to Israel. The bill, known as the Israel Security Assistance Support Act, would condemn the president’s posture on Israel’s Gaza invasion and compel the Biden administration to expeditiously send any weapons shipments already approved by Congress. The bill has bipartisan support, but it’s expected to face opposition from Democrat leaders in the House and White House. The issue of Israel has become a contentious political issue, with some Democrats increasingly critical of the U.S.’s unconditional support for Israel.
The House of Representatives passed a bill on Wednesday aimed at deporting illegal immigrants who assault police officers. The bill, known as the Detain and Deport Illegal Aliens Who Assault Cops Act, passed in a 265 to 148 vote with 54 Democrats voting with the GOP. The bill would require undocumented migrants to be detained by federal authorities until they can be deported. It would also create a new category for migrant inadmissibility specifically dealing with migrants who were accused of assaulting police. The bill comes after several instances of migrants attacking police have gained national attention recently, as the country continues to grapple with the ongoing migrant crisis at the southern border.
The House of Representatives approved a bill that would add a citizenship question to the 2020 census, with Republicans arguing that it’s necessary to ensure accurate representation in Congress. Democrats opposed the bill, claiming it would suppress participation and lead to inaccurate data. Adding a citizenship question to the census has been a controversial issue in the past, with the Supreme Court blocking former President Trump’s attempts to include it in the 2020 census. The current bill faces an uncertain future in the Senate, where it is likely to face opposition from Democrats.
