Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., has been hit with new charges accusing him of accepting bribes from a foreign government and acting as a foreign agent. The superseding indictment follows an initial indictment from last month, alleging that Menendez and his wife received gifts and payments in exchange for official acts. If convicted, Menendez and his wife could face up to 20 years in prison. Menendez has denied the charges, calling them “baseless” and “unfounded” and vowing to fight them.
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Kaitlin Armstrong, a 35-year-old Texas woman charged with the murder of an elite cyclist, attempted to escape custody while being escorted to a correctional vehicle following an off-site medical appointment. She was apprehended by two corrections officers and transported back to the Travis County Correctional Complex. An investigation is underway to determine any disciplinary action against the officers involved, and Armstrong is currently being held on a $1 million bond with her next court appearance scheduled for June 2022.
Ricky Dority, who had been serving a life sentence in Oklahoma’s Joseph Harp Correctional Center, was released after more than two decades in prison due to inconsistencies found by the Oklahoma Innocence Project. Dority used his pandemic relief funds to hire a private investigator and is now adjusting to his newfound freedom with his son's family. The Oklahoma Innocence Project has exonerated seven people since its founding in 2011 and is dedicated to helping those wrongfully convicted.
The Social Security Administration announced a 3.2% cost of living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security benefits in 2024, which is higher than the historical norm of 2.6%. This will result in an average monthly payment increase of $50 to $1,907, and is intended to help seniors and other beneficiaries keep up with the rising cost of living. However, experts warn that with inflation still far from pre-pandemic levels, recipients may be at risk of losing financial ground with the smaller adjustment.
House Republicans have elected Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) as their House Speaker, despite criticism from Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) who cited Scalise's past association with and comments about white supremacists. Scalise won the caucus vote 113 to 99, and the floor vote was moved up to this afternoon, presumably to get the vote done before anyone could make trouble. Mace said she would be doing an “enormous disservice” to the voters she represents in South Carolina if she voted for Scalise.
Key takeaways: Steve Scalise has won the Republican nomination for House Speaker, but the full House vote to elect him is still uncertain. Scalise won…
Darryl George, an 18-year-old Black high school student in Texas, has been removed from his school and sent to a disciplinary alternative education program after being suspended for his dreadlocks. The incident has sparked outrage among civil rights groups, who argue that the school district is discriminating against George, and has raised questions about the school district's policies and the potential for discrimination against students of color. It has also highlighted the need for more inclusive policies that take into account the cultural and religious backgrounds of students.
New York Republicans are introducing a resolution to expel Rep. George Santos from the House of Representatives due to new federal charges of identity theft, credit card fraud and more. The resolution is being co-sponsored by fellow New York House Republicans and will be introduced on the House floor later this week. The House Ethics Committee is also investigating Santos for alleged violations of House rules, but the outcome of the resolution is still unclear.