Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., appeared confused during a vote on a defense appropriations bill Thursday, prompting a fellow Democratic senator to step in. Feinstein, 90, had been away from Washington, D.C., for shingles and complications from shingles earlier this year, and the bill was passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday. It provides $823 billion in funding for the Department of Defense and other national security programs, and will now move to the full Senate for consideration.
Posts tagged as “Arizona Senate”
On July 14th, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) experienced a mishap while disembarking from a plane at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, resulting in a "face plant" according to a passenger who did not witness it. Though McConnell was not seriously hurt, he was seen later that day at the Capitol and is expected to make a full recovery. His office has not commented on the incident, but his spokesperson said he is "doing well."
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) experienced a health scare on Wednesday during a press conference, causing concern among his colleagues and raising questions about his health. His office has not released any further information, but he has continued on with his duties as usual.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) was briefly escorted away from a press conference on Wednesday after freezing up mid-sentence while giving his opening remarks. Concerned aides and colleagues came to his side, and he returned a few minutes later to take questions as normal. McConnell's office released a statement saying he was "feeling fine" and had simply "lost his train of thought," raising questions about his health and ability to continue to serve in the Senate.
Alabama lawmakers have passed a new map with one majority-Black congressional district and a second district that is approximately 40% Black, in response to a Supreme Court order to give minority voters a greater voice in elections. Civil rights groups have argued that the new map does not go far enough to ensure that minority voters have an equal voice, and the map could still face legal challenges. The new map could also have an impact on the 2022 congressional elections, as the boundaries could shift the balance of power in the state.
The Senate Judiciary Committee has advanced legislation that would require the Supreme Court to adopt an ethics code, tighten financial disclosures, and bolster recusal requirements for justices. This bill, sponsored by Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, is seen as a crucial first step in restoring confidence in the court and addressing the “steady stream of reports of justices’ ethical failures”. If passed, it would be the first time the Supreme Court has been required to adopt an ethics code.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Tuesday that sixteen Michigan residents have been charged with eight felony counts for falsely claiming to be presidential electors for former President Donald Trump. The charges include conspiracy to commit forgery, forgery, conspiracy to commit election law forgery and election law forgery. The individuals were part of a national effort to try to reverse Trump's loss in the 2020 election, and face serious consequences, including up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Nessel's office is committed to protecting the integrity of the electoral process and will continue to investigate and prosecute any individuals who attempt to undermine it.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged senators to swiftly confirm more than 60 nominees to key foreign policy positions, warning that leaving the roles unfilled would damage America's global standing and national security interests. Senator Rand Paul has blocked the confirmation of the nominees while seeking information on the origins of Covid-19, and Blinken has asked for the senators' leadership to swiftly confirm the nominees and reconsider or work with the Department to find a reasonable and expedited path forward. The confirmation of the nominees is seen as critical to the Biden administration's foreign policy agenda.