Former Florida governor and first-term Senator Rick Scott announced Wednesday that he is gunning to replace Mitch McConnell as Senate Republican leader after trying and failing to do so following the 2022 midterm election.
“I believe that our voters want us to use this leadership election to make a choice to upend the status quo in Washington,” Scott wrote in a letter to his Republican colleagues, the Wall Street Journal reported. “If you also believe this to be true and want a leader dedicated to that principle, I would be honored...
“I believe that our voters want us to use this leadership election to make a choice to upend the status quo in Washington,” Scott wrote in a letter to his Republican colleagues, the Wall Street Journal reported. “If you also believe this to be true and want a leader dedicated to that principle, I would be honored...
- 5/23/2024
- by Jeremy Childs
- Rollingstone.com
Updated: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky) said that he is stepping down as the Republican leader in the Senate, ending a tenure longer than anyone else in that position.
McConnell, 82, said on the Senate floor, “This will be my last term as Republican leader of the Senate.” He said that it was “time to move on,” although he said that he intended to remain in the Senate through the end of his term, which runs through 2027.
Elected in 1984, McConnell has served as Senate leader longer than anyone else, but his future in that position has increasingly been in doubt after a couple of incidents last year when he froze up as he was speaking to reporters. He had been hospitalized earlier in the year after suffering injuries from a fall.
McConnell also has seen increasing fissures in his party on issues that were once a given for Republican support,...
McConnell, 82, said on the Senate floor, “This will be my last term as Republican leader of the Senate.” He said that it was “time to move on,” although he said that he intended to remain in the Senate through the end of his term, which runs through 2027.
Elected in 1984, McConnell has served as Senate leader longer than anyone else, but his future in that position has increasingly been in doubt after a couple of incidents last year when he froze up as he was speaking to reporters. He had been hospitalized earlier in the year after suffering injuries from a fall.
McConnell also has seen increasing fissures in his party on issues that were once a given for Republican support,...
- 2/28/2024
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
For months now, Republicans in the House of Representatives have been holding major legislation hostage and threatening a full-blown government shutdown over their demands for hardline, extreme immigration reforms. Now, as congressional leadership works to finalize a Biden-endorsed immigration reform package, Trump is trashing the deal publicly, and privately referring to anyone in his party who supports it as “stupid.”
Trump has recently told confidants in influential conservative media and political circles that “stupid” Republicans, particularly “RINOs” in the Senate, seem eager to hand Biden a win as he’s sunk in 2024 polls,...
Trump has recently told confidants in influential conservative media and political circles that “stupid” Republicans, particularly “RINOs” in the Senate, seem eager to hand Biden a win as he’s sunk in 2024 polls,...
- 1/18/2024
- by Nikki McCann Ramirez and Asawin Suebsaeng
- Rollingstone.com
In a Republican conference lunch at the Capitol on Thursday, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) came to the aid of Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) when she started to choke.
Paul reportedly performed the Heimlich maneuver on Ernst.
Ernst later thanked Paul on X where she made a joke about the cause of the incident.
Can’t help but choke on the woke policies Dems are forcing down our throats. Thanks, Dr. @RandPaul! https://t.co/OJDdqpQXjR
— Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) November 30, 2023
Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-South Dakota), who attended the lunch, clarified to the public that Ernst choked on food, not policies.
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) had posted a picture to X in celebration of that day’s Iowa-inspired meal. The photo of the meal featured dishes such as pork chops and beef sandwiches.
Multiple Republicans expressed their gratitude for Paul’s quick action. Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming) praised Paul.
Paul reportedly performed the Heimlich maneuver on Ernst.
Ernst later thanked Paul on X where she made a joke about the cause of the incident.
Can’t help but choke on the woke policies Dems are forcing down our throats. Thanks, Dr. @RandPaul! https://t.co/OJDdqpQXjR
— Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) November 30, 2023
Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-South Dakota), who attended the lunch, clarified to the public that Ernst choked on food, not policies.
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) had posted a picture to X in celebration of that day’s Iowa-inspired meal. The photo of the meal featured dishes such as pork chops and beef sandwiches.
Multiple Republicans expressed their gratitude for Paul’s quick action. Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming) praised Paul.
- 12/3/2023
- by Baila Eve Zisman
- Uinterview
Bloomberg Originals is launching a new series called Breaking Bread, which will feature in-depth conversations with some of America’s political leaders over their favorite meals.
The series will see author, journalist and host Alexander Heffner (PBS’ The Open Mind) break bread, literally and figuratively, with politically and geographically diverse U.S. governors and senators. Together, they’ll discuss everything from the state of American democracy and the economy, to the nation’s security and morale, to artificial intelligence and natural resources.
Breaking Bread features narration and interviews conducted across the country and will use food as a starting point for exploring the biographies, policy concerns and cuisine preferences of the selected leaders and the places they call home.
The show’s creators say the series will focus on the things that unite Americans, instead of the things that divide them, and how to solve problems together and promote a better understanding of democracy,...
The series will see author, journalist and host Alexander Heffner (PBS’ The Open Mind) break bread, literally and figuratively, with politically and geographically diverse U.S. governors and senators. Together, they’ll discuss everything from the state of American democracy and the economy, to the nation’s security and morale, to artificial intelligence and natural resources.
Breaking Bread features narration and interviews conducted across the country and will use food as a starting point for exploring the biographies, policy concerns and cuisine preferences of the selected leaders and the places they call home.
The show’s creators say the series will focus on the things that unite Americans, instead of the things that divide them, and how to solve problems together and promote a better understanding of democracy,...
- 7/3/2023
- by Christy Piña
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sen. Cory Booker (D-nj) noshes on vegan chicken and waffles, Sen. John Thune (R-Sd) likes cheeseburgers.
The rather simple concept for a series is actually the premise for wide ranging discussions of views and background of top political figures. The series, Breaking Bread, features host Alexander Heffner conversing with Booker and Thune, as well as other figures including New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Utah Governor Spencer Cox, Maine Governor Janet Mills and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-wv). One presidential candidate is in the mix on the ten-part series: North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, who sits for a meal of homegrown bison, potatoes and strawberries.
The series, to debut at 7 p.m. Et on July 4 on Bloomberg Originals, is designed to feature a diversity of political figures from different geographic regions of the country, with visits to some of the state’s attractions in the mix for some of the shows.
The rather simple concept for a series is actually the premise for wide ranging discussions of views and background of top political figures. The series, Breaking Bread, features host Alexander Heffner conversing with Booker and Thune, as well as other figures including New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Utah Governor Spencer Cox, Maine Governor Janet Mills and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-wv). One presidential candidate is in the mix on the ten-part series: North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, who sits for a meal of homegrown bison, potatoes and strawberries.
The series, to debut at 7 p.m. Et on July 4 on Bloomberg Originals, is designed to feature a diversity of political figures from different geographic regions of the country, with visits to some of the state’s attractions in the mix for some of the shows.
- 6/27/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Lauren Boebert’s resolution to impeach President Joe Biden caused drama with fellow Maga representative Marjorie Taylor Greene on Wednesday, and now Republican leadership has thrown a bucket of ice water on the ploy. Republicans punted the resolution to the House Judiciary and Homeland Security committees in a party-line vote on Thursday after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) reportedly raised concerns that they needed to pump the brakes on the process.
219-208: The House votes along party lines to send Rep. Lauren Boebert's (R-co) resolution to impeach President Biden...
219-208: The House votes along party lines to send Rep. Lauren Boebert's (R-co) resolution to impeach President Biden...
- 6/22/2023
- by Nikki McCann Ramirez
- Rollingstone.com
Republicans have responded to Monday’s shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville the same way they respond to most mass shootings: offering thoughts, prayers, and whatever linguistic gymnastics necessary to avoid taking action to address the epidemic of child slaughter.
Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) said it was “premature” to consider new gun legislation. Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) said it was too “emotional.” Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor now languishing toward the bottom of the polls for the the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, said on Tuesday that it...
Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) said it was “premature” to consider new gun legislation. Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) said it was too “emotional.” Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor now languishing toward the bottom of the polls for the the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, said on Tuesday that it...
- 3/29/2023
- by Ryan Bort
- Rollingstone.com
Following the killing of three children and three staff members at a Tennessee elementary school, President Joe Biden renewed calls for gun control legislation, including a plea to Congress to pass a proposed assault weapons ban.
When questioned by reporters if they would support increasing regulations on firearms in the wake of yet another school shooting, Republican lawmakers are already dumping cold water on the prospect of supporting new legislation.
Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) called discussions of proposed legislation “premature.” When a reporter pointed out that...
When questioned by reporters if they would support increasing regulations on firearms in the wake of yet another school shooting, Republican lawmakers are already dumping cold water on the prospect of supporting new legislation.
Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) called discussions of proposed legislation “premature.” When a reporter pointed out that...
- 3/28/2023
- by Nikki McCann Ramirez
- Rollingstone.com
2Nd Update, 12:27 Pm Pt: “Thank you, Mr. Chew, for bringing Republicans and Democrats together,” Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-tx) said to the CEO of TikTok as a marathon congressional hearing was winding down Thursday.
Lawmakers of both parties pilloried the company and expressed frustration at what they saw as CEO Shou Zi Chew’s evasive answers during the session before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. It was a rare congressional hearing where there was so much agreement on the criticism of a company and a witness, albeit not all members said that TikTok should be banned and some focused their comments on social media privacy in general.
Will the publicity surrounding the hearing compel lawmakers to move on legislation? Sen. Mark Warner (D-va) and Sen. John Thune (R-sd), who have proposed a bill that would allow the Commerce Secretary to ban TikTok and other apps connected to foreign countries,...
Lawmakers of both parties pilloried the company and expressed frustration at what they saw as CEO Shou Zi Chew’s evasive answers during the session before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. It was a rare congressional hearing where there was so much agreement on the criticism of a company and a witness, albeit not all members said that TikTok should be banned and some focused their comments on social media privacy in general.
Will the publicity surrounding the hearing compel lawmakers to move on legislation? Sen. Mark Warner (D-va) and Sen. John Thune (R-sd), who have proposed a bill that would allow the Commerce Secretary to ban TikTok and other apps connected to foreign countries,...
- 3/23/2023
- by Ted Johnson and Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
The White House is supporting a bipartisan measure to take action against TikTok and other companies subject to influence from foreign adversaries that could threaten national security.
A bill introduced on Monday would establish a new, unified framework for reviewing and addressing foreign technology. Under the measure, the Commerce Department would have the authority to review, block or otherwise mitigate a range of transactions involving foreign information and communications technology products and services.
The legislation, called the Restrict Act, also empowers Commerce Department Secretary Gina Raimondo to recommend to the president divestiture orders, which could include forcing ByteDance to sell TikTok. Outright bans of foreign-owned companies are not mentioned in the bill, but such measures are in play under far-reaching language directing the department to “deter, disrupt, prevent, prohibit and mitigate” risks arising from foreign adversaries.
The effort — led by Mark Warner, D-Va., the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee,...
A bill introduced on Monday would establish a new, unified framework for reviewing and addressing foreign technology. Under the measure, the Commerce Department would have the authority to review, block or otherwise mitigate a range of transactions involving foreign information and communications technology products and services.
The legislation, called the Restrict Act, also empowers Commerce Department Secretary Gina Raimondo to recommend to the president divestiture orders, which could include forcing ByteDance to sell TikTok. Outright bans of foreign-owned companies are not mentioned in the bill, but such measures are in play under far-reaching language directing the department to “deter, disrupt, prevent, prohibit and mitigate” risks arising from foreign adversaries.
The effort — led by Mark Warner, D-Va., the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee,...
- 3/8/2023
- by Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Days after the U.S. House of Representatives approved a measure that would ban TikTok and other apps with ties to the Chinese government, the other chamber of Congress has issued a response. A bipartisan group of Senators led by Mark Warner (D-va) and John Thune (R-sd) has introduced the Restrict Act, which could become the first piece of anti-TikTok legislation to land on the President’s desk.
The House of Representatives bill, named the Data Act, consummated years of anti-TikTok animus by promising to ban apps that send U.S. user data to China. By comparison, the Restrict Act (short for Restricting the Emergence of Security Threats that Risk Information and Communications Technology Act) has a broader scope and a slightly lighter touch. If enacted, Warner and Thune’s bill would target apps affiliated with nations like Russia and North Korea in addition to China. Lawmakers would have the...
The House of Representatives bill, named the Data Act, consummated years of anti-TikTok animus by promising to ban apps that send U.S. user data to China. By comparison, the Restrict Act (short for Restricting the Emergence of Security Threats that Risk Information and Communications Technology Act) has a broader scope and a slightly lighter touch. If enacted, Warner and Thune’s bill would target apps affiliated with nations like Russia and North Korea in addition to China. Lawmakers would have the...
- 3/7/2023
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
The Motion Picture Association has hired two executives for its U.S. government affairs team.
Hap Rigby will join as senior vice president, federal government affairs, leading lobbying efforts in Congress and the executive branch. He joins from from Wiley Rein, where he was senior policy advisor and advised clients in the communications and technology sectors. He previously worked for Sen. John Thune (R-Sd) on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, as well as for former Sen. Jim DeMint (R-sc) and for former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour (R-Ms).
Kenneth Mallory will serve as vice president, media policy and regulatory counsel, leading the MPA’s engagement with regulatory agencies including the FCC and the FTC. He most recently was the head of public policy in for Meta in the mid-Atlantic and southeast regions. He previously worked for the FCC, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners,...
Hap Rigby will join as senior vice president, federal government affairs, leading lobbying efforts in Congress and the executive branch. He joins from from Wiley Rein, where he was senior policy advisor and advised clients in the communications and technology sectors. He previously worked for Sen. John Thune (R-Sd) on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, as well as for former Sen. Jim DeMint (R-sc) and for former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour (R-Ms).
Kenneth Mallory will serve as vice president, media policy and regulatory counsel, leading the MPA’s engagement with regulatory agencies including the FCC and the FTC. He most recently was the head of public policy in for Meta in the mid-Atlantic and southeast regions. He previously worked for the FCC, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners,...
- 1/10/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
“Rest In Peace Mom, I love you, Homer.”
Thus reads the heartbreaking sign-off of a written tribute penned Friday by Homer Laffoon, the 20-year-old son of Anne Heche.
Reps for Heche said her heart was still beating Friday, but she had been declared brain-dead, which meets the legal definition of death in California. Heche succumbed to her injuries sustained last week in a horrifying single-car wreck.
Also Read:
Anne Heche, ‘Six Days, Seven Nights’ Actress, Dies of Crash Injuries at 53
Laffoon is Heche’s first of two children, born in 2002 to then-husband Coleman “Coley” Laffoon, whom she divorced in 2007. In 2009, she had a second son, now 13-year-old Atlas, with “Men in Trees” co-star James Tupper.
Homer Laffoon (age 7) and mom Anne Heche on October 27, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.
On Friday, Homer Laffoon released this statement, relayed to TheWrap by her reps:
From Homer:
My brother Atlas and I lost our Mom.
Thus reads the heartbreaking sign-off of a written tribute penned Friday by Homer Laffoon, the 20-year-old son of Anne Heche.
Reps for Heche said her heart was still beating Friday, but she had been declared brain-dead, which meets the legal definition of death in California. Heche succumbed to her injuries sustained last week in a horrifying single-car wreck.
Also Read:
Anne Heche, ‘Six Days, Seven Nights’ Actress, Dies of Crash Injuries at 53
Laffoon is Heche’s first of two children, born in 2002 to then-husband Coleman “Coley” Laffoon, whom she divorced in 2007. In 2009, she had a second son, now 13-year-old Atlas, with “Men in Trees” co-star James Tupper.
Homer Laffoon (age 7) and mom Anne Heche on October 27, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.
On Friday, Homer Laffoon released this statement, relayed to TheWrap by her reps:
From Homer:
My brother Atlas and I lost our Mom.
- 8/12/2022
- by Josh Dickey
- The Wrap
Update: The Senate on Sunday passed a 700 billion package to address climate change, curb the rising cost of prescription drugs and extend Affordable Care Act benefits.
Senate Democrats broke out in applause after Vice President Kamala Harris announced the 50-50 vote and broke the tie for passage.
The Inflation Reduction Act, a compromise forged by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-wv), next heads to the House, expected to vote on Friday.
The legislation will raise revenue in part through a 15 minimum take on major corporations that make profits of 1 billion a year.
The passage came after an all-night and all-day long series of votes on amendments to the legislation, a process that has been dubbed “vote-a-rama.”
“It has been a long sought winding road, but at a last we have arrived,” Schumer said on the floor before the final Senate vote. “I know it has been...
Senate Democrats broke out in applause after Vice President Kamala Harris announced the 50-50 vote and broke the tie for passage.
The Inflation Reduction Act, a compromise forged by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-wv), next heads to the House, expected to vote on Friday.
The legislation will raise revenue in part through a 15 minimum take on major corporations that make profits of 1 billion a year.
The passage came after an all-night and all-day long series of votes on amendments to the legislation, a process that has been dubbed “vote-a-rama.”
“It has been a long sought winding road, but at a last we have arrived,” Schumer said on the floor before the final Senate vote. “I know it has been...
- 8/7/2022
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
According to a forthcoming book by two New York Times reporters, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-w.Va.) in February 2021 told a group of three Republican senators that he would become an independent and caucus with the GOP if Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) were their leader in the Senate.
Asked about the excerpt from This Will Not Pass by Jonathan Martin and Alex Burns, Manchin on Thursday claimed his remark was being made out to be something it wasn’t. Many Republicans like to get on his case about why...
Asked about the excerpt from This Will Not Pass by Jonathan Martin and Alex Burns, Manchin on Thursday claimed his remark was being made out to be something it wasn’t. Many Republicans like to get on his case about why...
- 4/28/2022
- by William Vaillancourt
- Rollingstone.com
Over the past four years, many members of the Republican Party have gotten extremely good at doing a little dance with extremism. It’s a cute ritual. They flirt with a transgressive policy, make sure it has every possibility of becoming part of our lives, and then publicly express grave concern and disappointment when that policy becomes widespread. The best recent example of this has been the GOP’s reaction to the Jan. 6 insurrection and the Big Lie conspiracy theories that fuel the far-right’s desire to overturn President Biden’s election win.
- 2/8/2022
- by Jack Crosbie
- Rollingstone.com
Congress is once again challenging TikTok. News that the platform has changed its terms of service to allow the collection of faceprints and voiceprints has prompted concerns from both Democrat and Republican lawmakers this week. Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and John Thune (R-sd) are asking TikTok to respond to a number of concerns by Aug. […]
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Visit Tubefilter for more great stories.
- 8/18/2021
- by James Hale
- Tubefilter.com
A rash of new evidence has made clear that Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the legitimate results of the 2020 election were more sophisticated and far-reaching than Americans knew in real time.
Trump’s pressure on the Department of Justice, in particular, was relentless. He reportedly plotted to elevate a staunch loyalist, and fellow election conspiracy theorist, Jeffrey Bossert Clark, to the post of attorney general. Newly uncovered documents show how Clark had endeared himself to Trump by circulating a draft letter in December that would have demanded the Georgia...
Trump’s pressure on the Department of Justice, in particular, was relentless. He reportedly plotted to elevate a staunch loyalist, and fellow election conspiracy theorist, Jeffrey Bossert Clark, to the post of attorney general. Newly uncovered documents show how Clark had endeared himself to Trump by circulating a draft letter in December that would have demanded the Georgia...
- 8/13/2021
- by Tim Dickinson
- Rollingstone.com
Weekend Update tackled the House’s late-night passing of the Covid relief package as well as Cpac, the Frasier revival and the new Potato Head on the latest episode of Saturday Night Live.
“Just like me when I’m drunk, Congress decided to spend a lot of money at 2:30 in the morning. They passed a $1.9 trillion spending bill, and Republicans are calling it ‘a liberal wishlist,'” co-anchor Colin Jost said.
“I don’t know, I think a liberal wishlist would be avocado toast with Chrissy Teigen, free college for pets,...
“Just like me when I’m drunk, Congress decided to spend a lot of money at 2:30 in the morning. They passed a $1.9 trillion spending bill, and Republicans are calling it ‘a liberal wishlist,'” co-anchor Colin Jost said.
“I don’t know, I think a liberal wishlist would be avocado toast with Chrissy Teigen, free college for pets,...
- 2/28/2021
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Americans want a $15-per-hour minimum wage.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Thursday found 59 recent of the nation supports the long-debated wage hike Democrats are trying to work into the coronavirus spending bill. Only 34 percent oppose it. But if we know one thing about Republicans, it’s that they’re not going to let the will of the people upend their relentless conviction to screw over poor people at every turn imaginable.
Some of them are defending their opposition to bumping the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour, where it’s been...
A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Thursday found 59 recent of the nation supports the long-debated wage hike Democrats are trying to work into the coronavirus spending bill. Only 34 percent oppose it. But if we know one thing about Republicans, it’s that they’re not going to let the will of the people upend their relentless conviction to screw over poor people at every turn imaginable.
Some of them are defending their opposition to bumping the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour, where it’s been...
- 2/25/2021
- by Ryan Bort
- Rollingstone.com
This article was originally published by Grist and is republished here as part of an ongoing collaboration.
Americans won’t be getting a Green New Deal as a late Christmas present, or even a carbon tax. Barring a Democratic sweep of a Senate runoff election in Georgia, Republicans will hold on to the Senate, effectively eliminating the odds of large-scale climate legislation passing anytime soon.
The last time Senator Mitch McConnell led Republican senators under a Democratic president, he rebuffed President Barack Obama’s attempts at bipartisan cooperation and stuck...
Americans won’t be getting a Green New Deal as a late Christmas present, or even a carbon tax. Barring a Democratic sweep of a Senate runoff election in Georgia, Republicans will hold on to the Senate, effectively eliminating the odds of large-scale climate legislation passing anytime soon.
The last time Senator Mitch McConnell led Republican senators under a Democratic president, he rebuffed President Barack Obama’s attempts at bipartisan cooperation and stuck...
- 12/3/2020
- by Nathanael Johnson
- Rollingstone.com
The Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court battle has turned into one of the most contentious nominations in our nation’s history. President Trump’s nominee has been accused of past sexual assaults and of being dishonest before the Senate.
Despite testimony by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, Kavanaugh’s nomination cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee on a party-line vote on September 28th. Following an unaccountably incomplete investigation by the FBI, Kavanaugh’s nomination cleared a key procedural hurdle, setting up a final vote this weekend.
On Friday, Sen. Susan Collins (R-me) delivered...
Despite testimony by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, Kavanaugh’s nomination cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee on a party-line vote on September 28th. Following an unaccountably incomplete investigation by the FBI, Kavanaugh’s nomination cleared a key procedural hurdle, setting up a final vote this weekend.
On Friday, Sen. Susan Collins (R-me) delivered...
- 10/5/2018
- by Tim Dickinson
- Rollingstone.com
Washington — The MPAA sent a letter to senators leading Tuesday’s hearing with Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg to urge greater accountability for internet platforms, long an issue as the trade organization presses sites to police their platforms for piracy.
“There was a vision for the internet, and this is not it,” MPAA Chairman Charles Rivkin wrote in his letter, referring to the scandals that have plagued Facebook and other sites.
“The moment has come for a national dialogue about restoring accountability on the internet,” he added. “Whether through regulation, recalibration of safe harbors, or the exercise of greater responsibility by online platforms, something must change.”
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-s.D.) submitted the letter into the record at the end of Tuesday’s five-hour hearing.
Studios have long chafed at the “safe harbor” provision of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which gives online platforms immunity for user-generated content on their sites.
“There was a vision for the internet, and this is not it,” MPAA Chairman Charles Rivkin wrote in his letter, referring to the scandals that have plagued Facebook and other sites.
“The moment has come for a national dialogue about restoring accountability on the internet,” he added. “Whether through regulation, recalibration of safe harbors, or the exercise of greater responsibility by online platforms, something must change.”
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-s.D.) submitted the letter into the record at the end of Tuesday’s five-hour hearing.
Studios have long chafed at the “safe harbor” provision of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which gives online platforms immunity for user-generated content on their sites.
- 4/11/2018
- by Ted Johnson
- Variety Film + TV
The Golden State Warriors did Not visit the White House during their trip to D.C. -- instead, they worked with kids in the community ... and the move is getting praised by a republican senator. We spoke with John Thune [R-sd] who commended the NBA stars for taking local students to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. "I just think that they are a bunch of athletes who see themselves also serving...
- 3/1/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
[[tmz:video id="0_btrs1dgs"]] Senator John Thune knows ... the folks in Washington D.C. are not above the abuses we're now seeing in Hollywood. Our fearless photog Colin got the South Dakota Republican strolling near the Capitol Wednesday -- a beautiful day we might add -- and it quickly became apparent, Harvey Weinstein news made it coast to coast. The Senator acknowledges ... where there's power, there's abuse. It's happened in D.C. before with the infamous intern scandal, among other famous misdeeds.
- 10/19/2017
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Cases of beer were wheeled into the Capitol, cheers rang out in the House chamber and President Trump tweeted an invitation to a celebratory press conference in the White House Rose Garden.
But whatever joy or relief House Republicans felt after capping a seven-year struggle to gut Obamacare, the victory laps were premature. The party-line vote, which squeaked through the House by a 217-213 tally, merely sends the charged issue to the Senate, where the entire process will start from scratch—if it gets off the ground at all.
The Gop repeal-and-replace plan faces daunting hurdles on the other side of the Capitol.
But whatever joy or relief House Republicans felt after capping a seven-year struggle to gut Obamacare, the victory laps were premature. The party-line vote, which squeaked through the House by a 217-213 tally, merely sends the charged issue to the Senate, where the entire process will start from scratch—if it gets off the ground at all.
The Gop repeal-and-replace plan faces daunting hurdles on the other side of the Capitol.
- 5/4/2017
- by Alex Altman
- PEOPLE.com
This article originally appeared on Time.com.
In a historic move, Senate Democrats just orchestrated the first partisan filibuster of a Supreme Court nominee, causing Republicans to change the confirmation rules by invoking the nuclear option.
Sixty votes are required to overcome a filibuster, and Republicans didn’t have those votes. So they invoked the “nuclear option,” Capitol Hill-speak for amending long-standing Senate rules requiring a 60-vote threshold to confirm Supreme Court nominees, which would allow the Gop to install Gorsuch with a simple majority vote.
It is almost certain this move will result in Gorsuch’s confirmation to the Supreme Court.
In a historic move, Senate Democrats just orchestrated the first partisan filibuster of a Supreme Court nominee, causing Republicans to change the confirmation rules by invoking the nuclear option.
Sixty votes are required to overcome a filibuster, and Republicans didn’t have those votes. So they invoked the “nuclear option,” Capitol Hill-speak for amending long-standing Senate rules requiring a 60-vote threshold to confirm Supreme Court nominees, which would allow the Gop to install Gorsuch with a simple majority vote.
It is almost certain this move will result in Gorsuch’s confirmation to the Supreme Court.
- 4/6/2017
- by Alana Abramson
- PEOPLE.com
[[tmz:video id="0_5eafx0gl"]] Senator John Thune revealed to our photog ... the only place on Capitol Hill where Democrats and Republicans can put aside their differences is in the Senate weight room. We got the South Dakota Republican at Reagan National Airport Monday and he vouched for NY Senator Chuck Schumer, saying his tears were real because he's an emotional guy, even at the gym. That opened the door to talking about the super exclusive Senate gym, and who...
- 1/31/2017
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Barack Obama is still the president of the United States until Jan. 20, but Republican senators don’t want the Federal Communications Commission to do much of anything before Donald Trump takes over. In a Wednesday letter to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler — one day before the commission is set to meet — Sen. John Thune urged the agency not to take on any “complex, partisan, or otherwise controversial” initiatives, and said anything the FCC did or plans to do post-election day will get a closer look. “Any action taken by the FCC following Nov. 8, 2016, will receive particular scrutiny,” Thune...
- 11/17/2016
- by Matt Pressberg
- The Wrap
2:45 Pm Pst -- Senator and former Presidential hopeful John McCain just announced he's withdrawn his support for Trump.Donald Trump isn't backing down from his bid for Prez ... even though he's taking major heat from the heavy hitters in the Republican Party asking him to call it quits. Trump spoke with The Washington Post Saturday, saying, "I'd never withdraw. I've never withdrawn in my life." He continues, "No, I'm not quitting. I have tremendous support.
- 10/8/2016
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Facebook’s internal investigation of its Trending Topics section has found “no evidence” of a political bias in the selection of stories, the company said on Monday. In a response to U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, the social media giant claimed that its analysis of the feature found that “conservative and liberal topics” are featured equally. “We were also unable to substantiate any of the specific allegations of politically-motivated suppression of particular subjects or sources,” Facebook General Counsel Colin Stretch wrote. “In fact, we confirmed that most of the subjects mentioned in media reports were included as trending topics on multiple occasions.
- 5/24/2016
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee has sent a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg requesting information regarding claims that the social media platform purposely keeps conservative and right-wing news out of its trending topics section. The letter asks that Facebook “arrange for your staff, including employees responsible for trending topics, to brief committee staff on this issue,” according to Gizmodo. Sen. John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota who is chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, signed the letter. The letter also asks Facebook to describe “organization structure for the Trending Topics feature, and the steps for determining included topics,...
- 5/10/2016
- by Brian Flood
- The Wrap
[[tmz:video id="0_aqx2066a"]] Senator John Thune got some sage advice from our photog ... if you want to be Donald Trump's Vice President ... pretend that you don't. We got the senator from South Dakota at Reagan National Airport Monday, and he took a page from the Paul Ryan playbook ... he's happy with what he's doing now. There's a buzz he could get tapped by Trump. If so, a real baller could become VP. Check out the Capitol Hill boyz on the court.
- 5/10/2016
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
The chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday rebuked President Obama for putting the FCC on a path toward broad but controversial net neutrality, calling him “an increasingly imperious president,” while promising to push substitute legislation.
Speaking at the American Enterprise Institute, Sen. John Thune, R-s.D., warned that the approach FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler is due to unveil Feb. 5 could create uncertainty about Internet investment for years as challenges to the agency’s action make their way through the courts. Thune suggested Congress take quick action to avoid the uncertainty.
“Today with a determined, self-confident FCC chairman pushed...
Speaking at the American Enterprise Institute, Sen. John Thune, R-s.D., warned that the approach FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler is due to unveil Feb. 5 could create uncertainty about Internet investment for years as challenges to the agency’s action make their way through the courts. Thune suggested Congress take quick action to avoid the uncertainty.
“Today with a determined, self-confident FCC chairman pushed...
- 1/28/2015
- by Ira Teinowitz
- The Wrap
Amid fight over whether Congress or the FCC should act, the two parties finally hint a compromise may be in the works
Congressional Democrats and Republicans offered widespread agreement Wednesday that the time has finally come for the government to step in and take action to preserve net neutrality. Then again, they disagreed strongly on the shape that protection should take.
As they argued, Republicans dropped hints that bipartisan talks could yet bring the two sides much closer together to craft a compromise measure in which Congress would step in to avert controversial FCC net neutrality regulation and legal wrangling over its legality.
Congressional Democrats and Republicans offered widespread agreement Wednesday that the time has finally come for the government to step in and take action to preserve net neutrality. Then again, they disagreed strongly on the shape that protection should take.
As they argued, Republicans dropped hints that bipartisan talks could yet bring the two sides much closer together to craft a compromise measure in which Congress would step in to avert controversial FCC net neutrality regulation and legal wrangling over its legality.
- 1/21/2015
- by Ira Teinowitz
- The Wrap
Face the Nation guest host Major Garrett pressed Senator John Thune (R-sd) Sunday morning over his colleague Richard Burr's comments about veterans organizations not actively calling for Veterans Affairs Secretary General Eric Shinseki's resignation. The Veterans of Foreign Wars responded in a stern letter to Burr Saturday, which Thune declined to directly address even as Garrett questioned him about it.
- 5/25/2014
- by Evan McMurry
- Mediaite - TV
On behalf of the Bering Sea crab fleet featured on the hit Discovery Channel series "Deadliest Catch," Capt. Keith Colburn of the F/V Wizard sat down with CNN's Jake Tapper and then headed to Capitol Hill on Friday (Oct. 11) to testify before the Senate Commerce Committee on how the current government shutdown is going to delay the start of the fall king-crab season, which is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Oct. 15.
The panel included committee chairman Sen. Jay Rockfeller (D-w.V.), Colburn's own Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.). and Sen. John Thune (R-s.D.), who came in late after dealing with the deaths of up to 100,000 cattle in a freak blizzard that hit his agriculture-dependent home state.
To the legislators, Colburn said, "On behalf of all fishermen, I'm asking Congress to end the shutdown now. I'm a small businessman in a big ocean with big bills. I need to go fishing.
The panel included committee chairman Sen. Jay Rockfeller (D-w.V.), Colburn's own Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.). and Sen. John Thune (R-s.D.), who came in late after dealing with the deaths of up to 100,000 cattle in a freak blizzard that hit his agriculture-dependent home state.
To the legislators, Colburn said, "On behalf of all fishermen, I'm asking Congress to end the shutdown now. I'm a small businessman in a big ocean with big bills. I need to go fishing.
- 10/12/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
Republican Senator John Thune (R-sd) told Fox News host Martha MacCallum Thursday that with the fiscal cliff looming, there may be enough Republican support in the House of Representatives to implement a plan which raises taxes. Most Republican Senators have resisted a tax increase, and have instead supported closing loopholes and eliminating deductions, coupled with government spending cuts. Thune was asked by MacCallum whether House Republicans were "willing to hold the line" with the President and state, "we will never agree to a deal that involves an increase in taxes." While Thune made clear that any such deal wouldn't enjoy full "Republican support," he also said "there may be enough Republicans who would vote for something like that to pass it in the House of Representatives, they need to get to 218 votes."...
- 11/29/2012
- by Anjali Sareen
- Mediaite - TV
Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) has been working really hard since he made it to the Senate to hone his bipartisan image -- and also his abs.
He appears to be succeeding on both fronts, according to Capitol Hill staffers surveyed by Washingtonian magazine for its September issue.
Brown, once famously featured nude in a Cosmo spread, ranked as the No. 2 male "Hottie" in the Senate, after Sen. John Thune (R-s.D.), with each tickling fancies on both sides of the aisle. "Thune and Brown have bipartisan appeal," Washingtonian wrote.
Brown also took the runner-up spot for "Gym Rat" behind Thune, with the magazine noting, "How do you think they stay so hot?"
Brown's campaign declined to weigh in on the beauty pageant rankings, but did point to the category that it found most relevant to the Massachusetts contest against the senator's Democratic challenger, Elizabeth Warren: Washingtonian's insiders also dubbed Brown the least partisan senator,...
He appears to be succeeding on both fronts, according to Capitol Hill staffers surveyed by Washingtonian magazine for its September issue.
Brown, once famously featured nude in a Cosmo spread, ranked as the No. 2 male "Hottie" in the Senate, after Sen. John Thune (R-s.D.), with each tickling fancies on both sides of the aisle. "Thune and Brown have bipartisan appeal," Washingtonian wrote.
Brown also took the runner-up spot for "Gym Rat" behind Thune, with the magazine noting, "How do you think they stay so hot?"
Brown's campaign declined to weigh in on the beauty pageant rankings, but did point to the category that it found most relevant to the Massachusetts contest against the senator's Democratic challenger, Elizabeth Warren: Washingtonian's insiders also dubbed Brown the least partisan senator,...
- 9/17/2012
- by The Huffington Post
- Huffington Post
Was Wednesday’s big Gop event a convention or a roast? Judging purely from the night’s speeches, it was often hard to tell. Though Jack Donaghy ex Condoleezza Rice and New Mexico governor Susana Martinez played it straight with poignant, heartfelt addresses, fellow Republicans like Mike Huckabee and especially Tim Pawlenty could easily use their speeches as Last Comic Standing audition material. Don’t believe me? Here’s a sampling of Day 2′s most noteworthy zingers:
Senator John Thune of South Dakota, on the president’s basketball prowess: “President Obama would be easy to defend… because you know he...
Senator John Thune of South Dakota, on the president’s basketball prowess: “President Obama would be easy to defend… because you know he...
- 8/30/2012
- by Hillary Busis
- EW.com - PopWatch
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