Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has called on House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to lead the way in crafting a solution to the looming debt ceiling deadline, with the Treasury Department warning of economic calamity if the US does not act by June 5. McConnell has suggested that McCarthy consider spending cuts as part of a debt limit extension, and that the debt ceiling could originate in either the House or the Senate.
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Republican Rep. Victoria Spartz of Indiana has publicly opposed Speaker Kevin McCarthy's efforts to remove three Democrats from committees, signaling potential complications for the House GOP's efforts. McCarthy has the power to keep members off the Intelligence panel, but not the Foreign Affairs Committee, which is a standing committee. Spartz's opposition may be enough to sway the outcome of the dispute, which is expected to continue in the coming days.
In his new memoir, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has criticized the international reaction to the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, dismissing him as an "activist" rather than a journalist. Pompeo wrote that the media helped spread "faux outrage" and should have been more clear about Khashoggi's background and motives for writing his opinion articles. His comments come as the international community continues to grapple with the implications of Khashoggi's killing, which sparked outrage around the world.
Mike Pence's lawyer has informed the National Archives that a "small number of documents" containing potentially sensitive or classified information were found in Pence's personal home. The documents were "inadvertently boxed and transported" to Pence's home at the end of the last administration and Pence is willing to cooperate with any appropriate inquiry. The National Archives has not yet commented on the situation and it is unclear what the documents contain or what will happen to them.
Senate Republicans are refusing to back House Republicans' plans to use the debt ceiling as leverage, despite warnings from corporate America and Wall Street investors. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is seeking spending cuts to vital programs, but Senate Republicans are instead vowing to seek spending cuts in exchange for passing legislation. This is a stark contrast to the Republicans' traditional alignment with the business community, and the early June deadline is looming.
Following a mass shooting in Monterey Park, California, Gov. Gavin Newsom has called for stricter gun control measures and blasted the Second Amendment as a "suicide pact". He clarified that he has no opposition to people who responsibly own guns and get background checks and training. Newsom said California will continue implementing gun control measures and urged Congress to pass meaningful gun control legislation.
New York Rep. George Santos is facing increased scrutiny due to revelations that he embellished or invented portions of his biography. This has put increased scrutiny on powerful New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, who was a vocal supporter of Santos during his 2022 campaign, and has led to questions about whether Santos will be able to address the allegations and deliver on his campaign promises. Despite pledging to voters that he would explain himself prior to Christmas, Santos has only scratched the surface of the allegations he faces, and has yet to address the full scope of the allegations.
This article discusses a hearing in Atlanta, Georgia where a judge will decide whether to release a report from a special grand jury that investigated whether former President Donald Trump and his allies broke any laws in their attempts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. The grand jury has completed its seven-month investigation and has recommended that the report be made public. It is unclear when the judge will make a decision on the matter.