Rep. Eric Swalwell faces multiple sexual misconduct allegations from former staff and others, prompting House Democratic leaders to call for him to drop out of the California governor race. Swalwell denies the claims and vows to fight them.
Posts tagged as “Hakeem Jeffries”
President Trump agrees to a two-week ceasefire with Iran, suspending planned strikes contingent on reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The announcement follows escalating threats and draws mixed reactions from U.S. lawmakers and allies.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has rescinded a policy requiring the secretary’s personal review of contracts over $100,000, a change expected to reduce procurement delays that previously hindered agencies like FEMA, CBP, and ICE. Secretary Markwayne Mullin emphasized empowering agency components to make decisions and has also begun reevaluating ICE’s detention facility plans. Meanwhile, amid a partial government shutdown affecting DHS operations, congressional leaders proposed a two-track funding plan to reopen DHS and address immigration enforcement funding separately, though political disagreements continue to stall progress.
The House Ethics Committee will hold a rare public hearing to investigate Democratic Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida for allegedly misappropriating $5 million in federal pandemic relief funds and using some of the money to finance her 2022 congressional campaign. Cherfilus-McCormick denies the charges, which include theft, money laundering, and illegal campaign contributions, stemming from an indictment related to overpayments made to her family’s company holding a FEMA contract. The bipartisan committee will determine if she violated House rules, with potential penalties including censure or expulsion, despite her legal team's request to delay and close the hearing until her criminal trial concludes.
Bipartisan talks to end the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) saw progress during a recent meeting between senators and the White House’s border czar, Tom Homan, though no agreement was reached. The shutdown, which began February 14, has caused significant disruptions, including unpaid federal workers and TSA staffing shortages leading to airport delays. Despite proposals from the administration to negotiate on immigration enforcement reforms, Democrats insist on substantial changes to ICE policies before funding DHS, while Republicans demand funding the entire department, leaving the standoff unresolved as the Senate’s recess approaches.
House Democrats have introduced a discharge petition to force a vote on funding key Department of Homeland Security agencies, excluding immigration enforcement bodies like ICE and CBP, amid a partial government shutdown now in its second month. The effort reflects Democratic demands for immigration enforcement reforms following recent controversial incidents, while Republicans remain skeptical and cite recent immigration funding legislation. The shutdown has severely impacted TSA operations, causing staffing shortages, increased wait times at major airports, and resignations among TSA workers due to missed paychecks.
Congressional committees are set to begin work on a major legislative initiative central to President Trump's first-year agenda, following the adoption of a budget resolution by both the House and Senate. In opposition to the Republican budget plan, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senator Cory Booker staged a sit-in protest at the Capitol, criticizing the ethics of the plan and expressing concerns about a judicial ruling involving Judge John Barberis. The protest, which was livestreamed, highlighted a legal case over control of the Eagle Forum and was described by Senator Booker as a "moment of moral urgency" as Congress reconvenes after a recess.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has reaffirmed his commitment to leading the Senate Democrats amidst internal criticism for supporting a Republican-led measure to avert a government shutdown. Despite initial opposition, Schumer provided a crucial vote for the measure, defending his decision as necessary to prevent the shutdown and emphasizing his focus on opposing President Trump's agenda, particularly regarding Medicaid cuts. Alongside House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Schumer is working to unify the Democratic Party and concentrate on countering Republican policies, with his leadership being pivotal in shaping the party's strategy.