Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, plans to bring up the 25th Amendment during a meeting with House Republicans, raising questions about President Biden’s fitness for office. This comes after several Democrats expressed concerns about Biden’s mental acuity and as calls for his replacement grow louder.
A group of House Republicans, led by Rep. Jim Banks and House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, introduced a bill called the No Tax Dollars For College Encampments Act. The bill aims to force colleges to be transparent about their policies on campus protests and ensure they are fairly enforced, following a wave of anti-Israel protests on campuses across the country. The bill comes after incidents of antisemitism and disruptions to campus life during the protests, sparking concerns among Jewish students and prompting investigations by House GOP.
The Justice Department has declined to pursue contempt charges against Attorney General Merrick Garland for refusing to release recordings of President Biden’s interview with special counsel Robert Hur. The House of Representatives had voted to hold Garland in contempt for withholding the audio. The decision comes after months of efforts by House Republicans to obtain the interview material. The story remains in development, and updates will be provided as they become available.
House Speaker Mike Johnson vowed to retaliate for the guilty verdict against former President Trump on Sunday, saying House Republicans would use “everything in our arsenal.” Johnson clarified, however, that Republicans must remain within the “rule of law.”
House Republicans are continuing their investigation into antisemitism at universities across the country, with closed-door interviews scheduled with presidents from Yale University and the University of Michigan. The probe follows a hearing earlier this month where presidents from Northwestern University, Rutgers University, and UCLA testified about antisemitic incidents on their campuses.
A group of Republican House members have requested a detailed accounting of federal spending on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Led by Rep. Eric Burlison, they argue that it is crucial to know how taxpayer dollars are being allocated before crafting spending bills for the next fiscal year. The letter outlines the specific information sought, including funding amounts, program names, and personnel involved in DEI initiatives across government agencies. They also seek information on planned or developmental programs related to DEI. The request reflects concerns among Republicans about the Biden administration’s emphasis on DEI, which they believe is divisive and counterproductive.
In response to ongoing anti-Israel protests on college campuses, a group of House Republicans has introduced a bill that would send anyone convicted of unlawful activity on campus to Gaza for at least six months. The bill, introduced by Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.), specifically targets illegal activity that occurred after Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas militants invaded Israel. The bill is unlikely to pass in the Democrat-controlled Senate, but it highlights the heightened tensions over Israel’s war with Hamas.
Amid reports that the International Criminal Court (ICC) is preparing arrest warrants against Israeli officials, House Republicans are demanding that President Biden threaten sanctions against ICC officials. The Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act, led by Reps. Chip Roy and Brian Mast, would force Biden to sanction the ICC if it investigates or prosecutes U.S. citizens, service members, or allies. The move comes as the Biden administration has reversed Trump-era sanctions on the ICC, despite concerns from Israel that the court is targeting it unfairly.
Amidst escalating antisemitic incidents at American universities, House Republicans, led by Rep. Elise Stefanik, have denounced university presidents for failing to protect Jewish students and faculty. Speaker Johnson and the party have announced plans to hold higher education institutions accountable for their negligence, threatening to revoke federal funding and favorable tax treatment. This follows the recent chaos at Columbia University, where a pro-Hamas mob seized Hamilton Hall, prompting police intervention. Similar incidents have occurred at various universities, including Harvard, Cooper Union, the University of Southern California, Yale, and UCLA, fueling concerns about the rampant antisemitism within academia.
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is spearheading a comprehensive investigation into antisemitism on college campuses, involving six House committees. The probe will delve into anti-Israel demonstrations, funding sources, legal compliance, and tax benefits received by universities. The committees involved include Education & the Workforce, Energy & Commerce, Oversight, the Judiciary, Ways & Means, and Science, Space & Technology.
