Sen. Tim Scott ends candidacy, exits GOP presidential primary
U.S. Sen. Tim Scott suspended his 2024 campaign for president late Sunday, just days after falling short of making a big impression in the third Republican presidential debate in Miami. Scott, of South Carolina, announced his departure from the race on Fox News and said he would not be endorsing any of his former GOP primary opponents. “The best for me to be helpful is to not weigh in,” he told Fox’s “Sunday Night in America.” Scott has lagged in the polls, receiving just 2% support in the latest The Center Square Voters’ Voice Poll. Former President Donald Trump holds a huge lead in that poll, as he has in polling for months. Scott’s exit comes just about two weeks after former Vice President Mike Pence also dropped out of the race. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former U.S. Ambassador and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley are a distant second and third behind Trump in The Center Square poll. Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
Megyn Kelly tapped to host Alabama Presidential debate
On Thursday, the Hill announced that NewsNation, the cable news channel launched in 2021 by Nexstar Media Group, will host the fourth Republican presidential primary debate next month in Tuscaloosa at the University of Alabama. Megyn Kelly will be one of the hosts of the debate, along with Elizabeth Vargas and Eliana Johnson. The December 6 debate will air from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on NewsNation and be simulcast in the Eastern and Central time zones on Nexstar’s broadcast television network, The CW. The debate will have three moderators, including Megyn Kelly, the former Fox News and TODAY show host who has started a popular podcast since leaving the television business. Elizabeth Vargas hosts a show in prime time on NewsNation. Eliana Johnson is the editor-in-chief of the conservative website The Washington Free Beacon. Kelly has moderated five Republican primary debates during her career in the media, including the first GOP primary debate of the 2016 election cycle while at Fox. That debate was watched by a record 24 million viewers. Donald Trump famously said to Kelly that he could see “blood coming out of her eyes … blood coming out of her wherever,” as she questioned him. Kelly said that no ill will exists between her and the former President. Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl said that bringing the debate to Alabama has involved a lot of work and planning. “I am extremely excited that the national Republican Party is working on a debate for the state of Alabama,” Chairman Wahl said just prior to the official announcement. “This has been in the works for months, and I am thrilled we are getting close. Seeing Alabama host its first-ever official presidential debate is something that has been very important to me as ALGOP Chairman, and I am incredibly thankful for Debate Committee Chairman David Bossie and RNC Chairman Ronna McDaniel for their efforts to make this happen. There is still some work to be done, but I hope this historic event can be finalized soon.” Trump is the front-runner for the Republican nomination in 2024. He has skipped the previous three debates and is not expected to participate in the fourth, even though he is still wildly popular in Alabama. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, U.S. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie participated in the third debate on Thursday. The Republican National Committee requires that candidates be polling at six percent or better in the four early primary/caucus states to participate in the Tuscaloosa debate. NewsNation and The Hill are both owned by Nexstar Media Group. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
John Wahl says plan for Republican Presidential Debate in Alabama has been in works for months
The New York Times is reporting that the fourth Republican Presidential debate will be in Tuscaloosa on December 6. Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl released a statement that neither confirms nor denies that reporting but does acknowledge that planning for an RNC Presidential Debate coming to Alabama has been underway for months. “I am extremely excited that the national Republican Party is working on a debate for the state of Alabama,” said Chairman Wahl. “This has been in the works for months, and I am thrilled we are getting close. Seeing Alabama host its first-ever official presidential debate is something that has been very important to me as ALGOP Chairman, and I am incredibly thankful for Debate Committee Chairman David Bossie and RNC Chairman Ronna McDaniel for their efforts to make this happen. There is still some work to be done, but I hope this historic event can be finalized soon.” There is a whole host of Republican presidential contenders, but former President Donald J. Trump is dominating the polls and the conversation. Trump and Vivek Ramaswamy were the only two Republicans who had successfully qualified for the Alabama ballot by the close of the business day on Friday, but Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Senator Tim Scott, and others are expected to qualify by the November 10 deadline. Former Vice President Mike Pence has recently dropped out of the race. How many of those candidates will be on the debate stage for the fourth debate remains an open question. Will Trump be present, or will he continue to be a no-show at the GOP debates? Trump is the early frontrunner, but serious legal questions continue to swirl about Trump’s candidacy. Was January 6th, 2021, an “insurrection,” and if so, was Trump’s involvement consequential enough for him to be barred from running under the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution? Secondly, Trump faces over 130 indictments in four different trials – trials that some believe were timed by partisan prosecutors to take place during the 2024 primary season. If even one of those many indictments produces a guilty verdict, does that disqualify Trump from running? Would Trump, as the Republican nominee, be barred from the ballot in some states? Will GOP voters abandon Trump over these legal concerns? The third Republican presidential debate will be Thursday in Miami. NBC News host Lester Holt will be the moderator. The deadline for candidates to qualify with both major parties is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 10. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Donald Trump commuted fraud sentence of exec who now owes $74 million in restitution
By Tom Joyce | The Center Square contributor The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon announced that the former CEO of Sunwest Management and associated companies must pay over $74 million to over 1,400 victims. John Michael Harder, 58, of Canyonville, Oregon, pleaded guilty to one of the largest financial fraud schemes in state history in 2015. He pled guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering. When Harder conducted this fraud, he controlled a network of companies that bought, constructed, and managed assisted living facilities. At its peak, Sunwest Management and its related companies owned about 300 assisted living facilities that served more than 15,000 residents. Between 2006 and 2008, he defrauded over 1,400 investors out of about $120 million. The scheme made false promises to investors, including that they would be investing money in specific assisted living facilities and that Sunwest was a successful company. Instead, Harder laundered the money and took large portions of it to support his expensive lifestyle. A federal grand jury in Portland returned a 56-count indictment charging Harder with mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering in 2012. Three years later, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release. However, Harder only served just over five years of his 15-year prison sentence after then-President Donald Trump commuted his prison sentence on January 13, 2021. The IRS-Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the FBI, and the Justice Department’s U.S. Trustee Program investigated the case. Claire M. Fay, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, litigated the restitution in this case. Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
New speaker lays out legislative agenda, receives broad support from party
By Casey Harper | The Center Square U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has laid out his vision for the House and legislative goals, but he faces the daunting task of reuniting a divided party in a slim majority and funding the government before the partial shutdown deadline in the middle of November. Before the vote to elect Johnson as speaker on Wednesday, Johnson sent a memo to his fellow Republicans asking for their support and promising an “ambitious” legislative agenda. “In the interest of time, I would propose that we seek consensus to discharge the last two appropriations bills-Labor, HHS, and Education and Commerce, Justice, and Science-from the Appropriations Committee,” Johnson said. “We should also create a new working group to address Member concerns with the Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration appropriations bill. As all of this is being completed, if another stopgap measure is needed to extend government funding beyond the November 17 deadline, I would propose a measure that expires on January 15 or April 15 (based on what can obtain Conference consensus), to ensure the Senate cannot jam the House with a Christmas omnibus.” Johnson went on to suggest an immediate schedule for the House floor: Week of October 23: Energy and Water Week of October 30: Legislative Branch, Interior and Environment, THUD Week of November 6: FSGG, CIS Week of November 13: Labor/HHS, Ag In his acceptance speech, Johnson said support for Israel would be a top priority. Johnson, though, has been skeptical of more funding for Ukraine, which could complicate President Joe Biden’s latest request for about $60 billion for the embattled nation. “Our nation’s greatest ally in the Middle East is under attack,” Johnson said in his acceptance speech. “The first bill that I’ll bring to this floor in just a little while will be in support of our dear friend, Israel. And we’re overdue in getting that done.” At the same time, Johnson must deal with a controversial item almost immediately: a motion filed by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., to censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Minn., for Tlaib’s “antisemitic activity, sympathizing with terrorist organizations” like Hamas and leading an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, an apparent reference to an Oct. 18 protest where anti-Israel protestors took over a House office building. Because of House rules, Johnson must take the motion up for a vote, which is politically charged because of its direct comparison to the Jan. 6 storming of the Capitol and the attacks Democrats have levied against Republicans to this day over the incident. Notably, former President Donald Trump faces an indictment and criminal charges for his role in protesting the results of the 2020 election, which critics say led to the Jan. 6 protests. A vote on that censure resolution is expected next week. “Tlaib led a pro-Hamas insurrection into the Capitol complex, has repeatedly displayed her anti-Semitic beliefs, and shown her hatred for Israel,” Green wrote on X. “She must be held accountable and censured.” After his election as speaker, Republicans were quick to praise Johnson, who received unanimous Republican support, after he received the speakership. “House Speaker Mike Johnson is a proven conservative who is honorable, smart, and will do a great job leading the House Republican Conference,” Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., said in a statement. “I’m excited to work hand-in-hand with Speaker Johnson to advance the policies we need to secure our southern border, increase support for Israel, and bring relief to working-class Americans who are struggling to get by in President Joe Biden’s economy.” Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., was one of the handful of Republicans who voted to oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., which kicked off more than three weeks of scrambling to find a new speaker. She released a statement after Johnson’s vote saying that while the process was difficult, it was “well worth it.” “Eight of us had the audacity to listen to the American people and vote to vacate the former Speaker,” she said.“We told the American people they deserved someone who would be honest and represent their interests, not Washington’s. “While we fully understand we don’t always see eye-to-eye with Mike Johnson, today the American people can finally be proud of their speaker,” she added. Johnson thanked his supporters this week and called for leadership with “bold, decisive action.” “It has been an arduous few weeks and a reminder that the House is as complicated and diverse as the people we represent,” Johnson wrote on X. “The urgency of this moment demands bold, decisive action to restore trust, advance our legislative priorities, and demonstrate good governance. Our House Republican Conference is united, and eager to work. As Speaker, I will ensure the House delivers results and inspires change for the American people. We will restore trust in this body.” Trump, who was actively campaigning for and against different speaker nominees, congratulated Johnson when talking to reporters, saying, “he will be a great speaker of the House.” Johnson promised an array of accomplishments upon taking the speakership, but whether he can succeed in the divided House remains to be seen. “We will advance a comprehensive conservative policy agenda, combat the harmful policies of the Biden Administration, and support our allies abroad,” Johnson said in a statement after winning the speakership. “And we will restore sanity to a government desperately in need of it. Let’s get back to work.” Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
Rep. Terri Sewell calls new Speaker of the House Mike Johnson a MAGA extremist
After 22 days of internal GOP battles over which faction got to pick the Speaker and little House business getting done, the U.S. House of Representatives finally agreed upon a Speaker of the House Wednesday. Republicans chose Congressman Mike Johnson as the 56th Speaker of the House. Johnson represents his native Shreveport and the state’s fourth district. On Wednesday, Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL07) released a statement regarding the election of Rep. Johnson as Speaker of the House of Representatives. Sewell expressed her concerns about Johnson and called him a “MAGA extremist.” “While I am grateful that House Republicans have finally ended their stalemate and selected a new House Speaker, I am gravely disappointed that my colleagues across the aisle have rejected our calls for bipartisanship and empowered yet another MAGA extremist,” said Sewell. “I have very serious concerns about Mike Johnson’s record, namely his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, his hostility toward our hard-fought rights and freedoms, and his work to slash Social Security and Medicare,” Sewell said. “I will work with Speaker Johnson where we can agree but make no mistake; when it comes to protecting our democracy, our freedoms, and the programs that Americans rely on, I will not back down.” Since President Donald Trump’s (R) election in 2016, new Republican candidates elected to Congress have tended to become more in line with his “Make America Great Again” agenda. Meanwhile, many moderate Republicans in swing districts and blue states lost or retired from Congress when House Republicans lost the majority in 2018. The GOP regained the majority in 2022, but those new Republicans and the old GOP leadership who had served for decades under multiple presidents had a clash of agendas and personalities. The Speaker’s battle effectively repudiated the entire Republican leadership team. MAGA Republicans, many of them in the Freedom Caucus, ousted Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-California) and then respectively rejected both the House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minnesota). Moderates and more mainstream conservatives formed a block to reject Freedom Caucus Founding Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), but it was clear to everyone after the rejection of Emmer on Tuesday that the House Republican Conference was ready to move in a new, more rightward direction. Johnson is an attorney, a former state legislator, a college professor, a former conservative talk radio host, and a spokesman for groups advocating for religious liberty. In January 2021, Johnson was elected Vice Chairman of the House Republican Conference. Johnson also serves as a Deputy Whip for the 118th Congress. Johnson was elected to Congress while Trump was in office but has quickly risen through the GOP ranks. In 2021, Johnson was elected Vice Chairman of the House Republican Conference. In 2022, he was also selected as a Deputy Whip. Now, he is the 56th Speaker of the House, with far fewer years of congressional tenure than McCarthy, Scalise, Jordan, or Emmer, and the second most powerful person in the U.S. government. Johnson had the support of all six Republican members of the Alabama Congressional delegation. Sewell is in her seventh term representing Alabama’s Seventh Congressional District. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Mike Johnson elected speaker of the House after three weeks of infighting
By Casey Harper | The Center Square The U.S. House of Representatives voted Wednesday to elect Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., as speaker of the House, ending more than three weeks without a speaker and a string of chaotic meetings and votes on Capitol Hill. Johnson received multiple standing ovations from his colleagues Wednesday before securing the speakership. The final vote was 220-209, with Democrats supporting Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. “Today is the day that House Republicans will humbly look in our hearts and elect Mike Johnson as speaker of the people’s House,” Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., said in a speech from the House floor ahead of the vote, calling Johnson “a man of deep faith,” and “a deeply respected Constitutional lawyer.” “Mike is strong, tough, and fair, and above all, Mike is kind,” Stefanik added. Stefanik announced on Sunday nine candidates that were making a bid to be speaker, but that number was slowly whittled down as lawmakers dropped out. “Today is the day we get this done,” Stefanik said in her Wednesday speech. U.S. Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., gave a speech from the floor to nominate Jeffries for speaker and attack Republicans. Jeffries blasted Republicans for “all of the infighting, all of the disarray just to end up where we were three weeks ago.” Johnson pitched Republicans on an aggressive legislative agenda over the next few weeks. Under his leadership, the House will face a looming partial government shutdown deadline in the middle of November as well as ongoing calls to fund Ukraine and Israel in their respective wars. “We must govern well and expand our majority next year,” Johnson said in a letter to his fellow Republicans over the weekend, asking for support in the speakership race. President Joe Biden called on Congress last week for more than $100 billion to that end, as well as funding for Taiwan, the immigration issue, and other priorities. That proposal was met with immediate pushback from Republicans in the House and Senate. Some funding for Israel, though, is likely to pass. More funding for Ukraine has become a divisive issue for Republicans, and it remains unclear how many more billions lawmakers will be willing to send to Ukraine. Notably, U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern, chairman of the Republican Study Committee, was running for speaker but later dropped out and told reporters he was supporting Johnson. The chaotic three-week battle for a speaker began when U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., filed a motion to vacate former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. At that point, Majority Leader Steve Scalise won the nomination but quickly backed out after being unable to secure the needed votes. After that, House Judiciary Chair Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, won the nomination but lost it days later after three failed votes on the House floor, with 25 Republicans ultimately voting against him. Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., was next to secure the nomination but almost immediately withdrew after failing to gain support. Notably, former President Donald Trump campaigned against Emmer. Before the vote Wednesday, Johnson posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, a picture of the American flag in the House Chamber, which has inscribed above it, “In God We Trust.” Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
Mike Johnson is GOP’s fourth choice to be Speaker of the House
House Republicans have nominated Congressman Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) for Speaker of the House on Tuesday night after Tuesday morning’s nominee crashed and burned. Congressman Barry Moore (R-AL02) told Alabama Today on Saturday that he really liked Johnson. Congressman Dale Strong (R-AL05) announced his support for Johnson on the social media site X. “Since day 1 I have called for our party to unite around a conservative speaker,” Strong said. “I am proud to announce that the conference has selected Mike Johnson from Louisiana and I look forward to supporting him on the floor.” On Tuesday morning, the GOP started with nine candidates, including Alabama’s own Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL06). Palmer dropped out of the race, pledging to support whoever became the Speaker of the House. The House Republican Conference then chose House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minnesota) after five rounds of voting. The ousted Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy (R-California), endorsed Emmer. Former President Donald Trump was not an Emmer fan and denounced Emmer as a “Globalist RINO” on Truth Social. More than two dozen Republican House members were refusing to support Emmer. Trump’s rebuke made it apparent that the moderate from a blue state had no chance, so he dropped out. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) explained in a post on X, formerly Twitter, why she didn’t back Emmer: his voting record. “Today I voted against Tom Emmer on all rounds of voting including the spoken roll call vote because he has a voting record I can’t support,” Green said. “He voted for Democrat gay marriage bill, voted with Democrats to overturn President Trump’s transgender military ban, voted for every penny of Ukraine funding, at one time supported the Soros national popular vote scheme, and voted to certify Biden’s 2020 election. We need a Republican Speaker that reflects the values of Republican voters that can lead our conference.” Johnson was chosen by Republicans in a conference vote on Tuesday night. He follows Emmer, Jim Jordan, and Steve Scalise as the party’s nominee. Johnson represents Louisiana’s Fourth District. He represents the nearly 760,000 residents of 16 parishes in the northwest and western regions of the state. He was first elected in 2016. In January 2021, Johnson was elected Vice Chairman of the House Republican Conference. Johnson also serves as a Deputy Whip for the 118th Congress. Johnson is an attorney with two decades of previous experience in Constitutional law. He serves on the House Judiciary Committee and is the chairman of its Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government. He also serves on the Select Committee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government and the House Armed Services Committee. Johnson is a husband and father of four. In his legal career, he was a leading defender of the right to life, religious liberty, free speech, the Second Amendment, and free market principles. He served in the Louisiana Legislature from February 2015 to January 2017, where he was appointed Vice Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and the Select Committee on Leadership. He is the eldest son of a Shreveport firefighter who was critically burned and disabled in the line of duty. Johnson has also been a college professor, conservative talk radio host and columnist, a media spokesman for America’s largest religious liberty organizations, a constitutional law seminar instructor, and a board member for national organizations and numerous community groups and ministries. Johnson has a law degree from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University. He earned his undergraduate degree from LSU. A vote could occur as soon as Wednesday morning. Johnson needs 217 votes to win. The biggest thing Johnson has going for him is the whole absurdity of this situation. Republican House members realize that this situation does not make them look good, and they have to move on to regular business, including budgets and the President’s request for military aid for Ukraine and Israel. Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL04) said on X, “We have got to find consensus on a Speaker. Time is of the essence. Democrats are the only ones who benefit from this impasse.” To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Tom Emmer drops bid to be Speaker: House Republicans back to square one
On Tuesday, the House Republican Conference met to decide who would be their next nominee to be the Speaker of the House. They chose House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minnesota). Emmer had the endorsement of ousted Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-California). It was the safe choice. Emmer had waited his turn behind McCarthy and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana), and he was respected on Capitol Hill. It was also a doomed choice. Emmer won a narrow victory and excited no one in the conservative base that appears to want unprecedented influence on how the GOP actually governs and who it elects to the Speakership. Former President Donald Trump (R) criticized the selection, as did a number of conservative influences. Within a few hours of being elected as the nominee, Emmer admitted his cause was hopeless and withdrew from the race. Emmer was criticized by conservatives for voting for the Respect for Marriage Act, voting to certify the 2020 election results, and for being the number three person on the leadership team that some conservatives felt had not represented them. Alabama Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL06) withdrew from the Speaker’s race the morning before the Conference even voted. “If withdrawing my name can help expedite that process even a little, then I will gladly step aside,” Palmer said in a statement. “The candidate forum and individual conversations have given me great hope for the future of the 118th Congress.” In the vote of the Conference, Emmer narrowly beat Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Oklahoma) for the nomination. Hearn is back in the running for the spot to be the fourth nominee, as well as Rep. Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana). Scalise had been the Conference’s first choice, but he could not get the support of the ultra-right Freedom Caucus members, so he withdrew without a floor vote. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) was the next nominee. Jordan had the support of Trump, but it was not enough. Despite bringing his case to the floor three separate times, Jordan could not win over GOP moderates who were angry at conservatives for having failed to support Scalise. Conservatives have now rejected Emmer as being too much of a moderate. The Republicans control the chamber by a 221 to 212 margin. Democrats continue to vote for their candidate, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York). The House Republican Conference is expected to meet on Wednesday to seek a new nominee. Election as Speaker requires a minimum of 217, so only a small faction of 5 or more Republicans is sufficient to sabotage any Republican nominee for the post. Long gone are the days when Republican Congressmen would carry out the will of the majority of their Conference and show no public divisions. This Caucus appears to be bitterly divided and is unashamed to make those divisions all too public. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Justin Holcomb to challenge Robert Aderholt for Congression District 4
On Monday, Justin Holcomb qualified to run in the Republican primary for Alabama’s Fourth Congressional District (CD4). Holcomb is challenging incumbent Congressman Robert Aderholt, who has represented CD4 for 27 years. Alabama Today spoke with Holcomb at the Tuscaloosa County BamaCarry event in Northport Monday night. Holcomb said he did not want to be a career politician but instead wanted to represent the people for two terms and then return home. Holcomb, a businessman, said that he is self-funding his campaign. Holcomb told the BamaCarry group that if the federal government tries to take their guns, “They will have to arrest me first.” Holcomb promised to abolish the FBI and the ATF if elected. “The alphabet soup federal agencies were not the intent of the Founders,” Holcomb explained. Holcomb said that he previously started a corporation that he took public and which is now being traded on the Nasdaq stock exchange. Holcomb said in a statement that he has “spent the last eight years fighting for Alabama’s core values nationwide, working to defend and promote President Donald Trump and his initiatives, and spent several of those years working in the private sector creating jobs and entering a company into the public market via the Nasdaq.” Holcomb promised to “bring institutional change to the federal government.” “Our campaign has visited nearly every county in the Fourth District over the past two weeks, and there is one resounding concern we hear time and time again: we need new leaders in Washington,” Holcomb said. “The People of Alabama shouldn’t be underestimated, but we have been for far too long. We will change that on March 5th, putting the country and the world on notice that we will never be taken advantage of again by career politicians who try and sedate our strong political beliefs and desires with feel-good stories about doing the absolute bare minimum in Washington, while cowering at the rear as President Trump takes shot after shot from the left and fake Republicans. We don’t send leaders to Washington to protect their own careers while they endlessly steer our government into chaotic wars and economic disasters; we send them to make our People more powerful, respected, and competitive in the global arena. Change is necessary in our system of government, and we will show the world what change looks like on March 5th.” On Monday, Aderholt appeared to acknowledge that he would be facing a challenger in the primary. “I’m confident a Republican can win back the White House next year,” Aderholt said in a statement. “And that’s why the House of Representatives needs to stay in Republican control and why we need experienced leadership ready to tackle our nation’s problems on day one. This is not the time for on-the-job training.” Aderholt added, “In the 2022 election, I was humbled to receive 84% of the vote, the most of any Congressional candidate in Alabama. I thank you for that vote of confidence. But I never take your vote for granted, and I am asking for your vote again.” Aderholt has represented CD4 since 1996. He has not had a Republican primary opponent since 2018, when he received 81.5% of the GOP primary vote over Anthony Blackmon. Holcomb is undeterred. “We are on track to have a resounding victory, one that will shake up the political landscape and put Alabama on the map as a leader in the country that gets the respect we rightfully deserve,” Holcomb concluded. Holcomb is a native Alabamian. He has a degree from UAB and attended the United States Naval War College. Holcomb spent some time as a conservative writer before going to work on Capitol Hill. He worked for President Trump before starting his own company. The major party primaries will be on March 5th. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Senator Tommy Tuberville cosponsors bill to cut funding to UN relief agency
U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) joined Sen. James Risch (R-Idaho) and nineteen other colleagues in cosponsoring the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Accountability and Transparency Act which would cut United Nation’s funding over allegations of antisemitism. The legislation comes in the wake of the attacks on the people of Israel by the terrorist group Hamas. The Trump Administration previously pulled U.S. funding from the controversial agency in 2018 over its institutional antisemitism that has included the indoctrination of Palestinian children against Israel and the U.S. and to embrace terrorism, but the Biden State Department restored the funds. “President (Donald) Trump defunded UNRWA because of its ties to antisemites and terrorists,” said Sen. Tuberville. “Joe Biden came in and cut UNRWA a big check for nearly a billion dollars. The contrast couldn’t be clearer. Now our closest ally, Israel, is under attack by Hamas terrorists. It’s time we do what President Trump did and restrict the flow of American tax dollars to UNRWA.” This legislation would cease U.S. contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, a successor entity, or to the U.N. regular budget for the support of UNRWA unless the Secretary of State certifies every 180 days to Congress that UNRWA meets strict accountability and transparency criteria. The Senators assert that the UNRWA has a history of employing individuals affiliated with Hamas, an Iranian-backed, U.S.-designated terrorist organization. Additionally, UNRWA schools have been used to store Hamas weapons and promote anti-Semitic education in their textbooks. The Biden Administration restarted funding and has thus far provided more than $682 million to UNRWA. The UNRWA Accountability and Transparency Act would: · Ensure that UNRWA refugees are true refugees and do not have citizenship in other countries · Require that the U.S. withholds UNRWA contributions unless the Secretary of State certifies every 180 days that the following conditions are met: · No UNRWA employee, consultant, contractor, etc., has ties to a foreign terrorist organization, including Hamas engaged in terrorist activity propagated or disseminated anti-American, anti-Israel, or anti-Semitic material express support for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) · No UNRWA facility has been used by a foreign terrorist organization or as a tunnel for terrorist activities · UNRWA is subject to a comprehensive audit by an independent third party agreed to by the PA and Israel · No UNRWA facility uses textbooks or other educational material that is anti-American, anti-Israel or anti-Semitic · No recipient of UNRWA funds or loans is a member of a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) or engaged in terrorist activities · UNRWA holds no accounts or other affiliation with financial institutions that the US considers to be complicit in money laundering or terrorist financing · Does not allow the US to contribute more money to UNRWA than the highest amount contributed by a member of the League of Arab States or more than the proportion that the US contributes to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) · Requires a report by the Secretary of State on progress made Congressman Mike Rogers (R-AL03) has gone much further, calling for the U.S. to get out of the United Nations altogether and has introduced legislation the that effect. “The UN has repeatedly proven itself to be an utterly useless organization & the WHO lost all credibility when they chose to put public health second to the Chinese Communist Party,” Rogers said. “My legislation would withdraw the U.S. from the UN & WHO.” Tuberville serves as a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, and HELP Committees. He was elected to the Senate in 2020. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Jim Jordan fails in first ballot to be Speaker of the House
On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to consider Republican Party nominee Representative Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) for Speaker of the House. Jordan failed to get the 217 votes necessary to be elected. Six Republicans who voted NO on Jordan’s quest for the top spot in the House of Representatives are in swing districts and are considered highly vulnerable in 2024. Jordan, who voted to invalidate the 2020 election results, has the endorsement of former President Donald Trump. Jordan received only 200 votes on the first ballot. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies (D-New York) received 212. Both were short of the 217 needed to get the position. Jordan seeks to succeed Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-California) as Speaker. The first choice of the Conference, Rep. Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana), withdrew late on Thursday night after he could not get enough conservative support to win the nomination. Jordan then defeated Rep. Austin Scott (R-Georgia) for the GOP nomination in a meeting of the GOP conference on Friday. Scalise and McCarthy both got votes on that first ballot, though neither is a candidate. Six Republicans announced on Monday night that they would not support Jordan. Others had kept their decisions private until the vote. Jordan is the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee investigating President Joe Biden. and his son Hunter Biden, as well as the President’s alleged dereliction of duty on the U.S. southern border. Jordan was a founding member and the first chairman of the conservative Freedom Caucus. Jordan had the support of Alabama’s six Republican Congressmen. Congressman Jerry Carl (R-AL01) said on X, “I voted for @Jim_Jordan for Speaker. He is the conservative leader we need so we can get to work delivering results for the American people. It’s time to come together as a party, get our country back on track, and hold @JoeBiden accountable.” Jordan can either bring another vote in hopes that recalcitrant Republican lawmakers change their minds, or the GOP Conference can meet again and select another nominee to run for Speaker of the House – one who is seen as less divisive than Jordan. At this point, it seems unlikely that Jordan can reach the 217 needed for victory. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
