The House of Representatives voted 216 to 210 to remove California Republican Kevin McCarthy from his position as House Speaker, the first time a Speaker has been ousted through a vote of the full House in the middle of a congressional term. This comes after McCarthy reached an 11th-hour deal to avert a government shutdown with the help of House Democrats, but a faction of his own party forced his ouster. It is unclear who will take his place as House Speaker, and the vote is a reminder of the deep divisions within the Republican Party.
Posts tagged as “Black Californian”
Laphonza Butler Sworn In as 12th Black Senator in U.S. History, Third Black Woman to Serve in Senate
Laphonza Butler Sworn In as 12th Black Senator in U.S. History, Third Black Woman to Serve in Senate
Vice President Kamala Harris swore in Laphonza Butler as the newest U.S. Senator from California, making her the first Black, openly LGBTQ+ woman to serve in either chamber of Congress. Butler was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to finish out the late Senator Dianne Feinstein's term, and her swearing-in ceremony was met with applause. Her appointment marks a historic moment for the U.S. Senate and a testament to the progress made in the fight for equality and representation.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has called a vote on Rep. Matt Gaetz's resolution to oust him from the speaker's office, which is set to take place later today. McCarthy has received opposition from the majority of Freedom Caucus members, but with such narrow margins in the House, Gaetz doesn't need many mutineers to get it done. McCarthy and his allies are now looking to quickly take on the so-called motion to vacate, with the outcome of the vote providing an indication of the support for McCarthy's leadership.
Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, pleaded not guilty to three federal firearms charges after a plea deal imploded. The judge overseeing the case set conditions of release, including supervision, actively seeking employment, not possessing a gun, not using alcohol or drugs, and submitting to drug testing and substance abuse counseling. The outcome of the case could have implications for the 2024 election.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and President Biden are facing scrutiny over a potential secret side deal on Ukraine funding, which was not included in a recent spending bill. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) has accused McCarthy of cutting the deal and plans to file a motion to oust him as speaker. President Biden has refused to comment on the matter, and some Republican lawmakers have called for McCarthy's ouster. The truth of the alleged side deal remains unknown.
Laphonza Butler has been appointed to the U.S. Senate by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, making her the first out Black LGBTQ+ U.S. senator. She is the president of EMILYs List, a Democratic group dedicated to electing women who support abortion rights, and is ready to serve. Her appointment is a testament to the progress that can be made when women are given the opportunity to lead, and will continue the legacy of Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
The Supreme Court has rejected John Eastman's request to throw out court rulings that identified him as a key figure in former President Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election, affirming lower court decisions that resulted in Capitol riot investigators getting access to Eastman's emails. U.S. District Judge David Carter had previously found that Eastman lied to a federal court in Georgia, and the emails sought by the Jan. 6 committee are seen as key evidence in the investigation. The implications of this ruling for Eastman remain unclear.
Apple has announced an update to the iOS17 system to address complaints of its recently released iPhone 15 lineup becoming uncomfortably hot. The company is blaming a software bug and other issues tied to popular apps such as Instagram and Uber for the issue, and is working with app developers to make changes to prevent the phones from overheating. An update to the operating system is expected to be released soon to fix the glitch.