Tag: republican

Lindsey Graham dies suddenly at 71, remembered as champion for life, an advocate for the persecuted

Posted on by Leave a comment
Man in suit and tie speaking at a Senate podium with American flag in background

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., died unexpectedly on Saturday at age 71 from a “sudden illness” after emergency personnel responded to a call at his Washington home. He is being remembered as a champion for the pro-life cause and an ally to persecuted Christians worldwide. Around 8:30 p.m., emergency services took a call about chest pains at a Capitol Hill residence. About 25 minutes later, personnel said CPR had begun and that a man at the address was in cardiac arrest, The Washington Post reports, citing an emergency responder scanner. In a statement, Graham’s office said he died after a “brief and sudden illness.” Graham ran for president during the 2016 election cycle. He served in the U.S. Senate for over two decades, was an ally of President Donald Trump and often introduced legislation to institute nationwide restrictions on abortion.

An official cause of death has not yet been determined. On Sunday, Trump told NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that Graham was “like a member of the family.” The president praised Graham’s ability to work across the political aisle. “He was such an advocate. If he wanted to get something, he had a unique ability to deal with Democrats and Republicans,” Trump said. “If [I] had a problem – a real problem – I wouldn’t often ask. But if I had a problem with a Democrat, he could work it out. He was a great politician, actually.” On his Truth Social page, Trump called Graham “one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known.” Pro-life and Christian conservative advocacy organizations are mourning Graham’s death. “Lindsey Graham was an unwavering pro-life champion and a friend,” said SBA Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser, who added, “There will be no replacements for Lindsey Graham.” “A man of vision and tenacity, he gave wise counsel and advocacy in countless difficult moments fighting for the rights of the unborn child. He expended himself to the work he was called to do, stepping up when no one else would.

On the fundamental value of the not-yet-born child to live, he said to all who would listen: ‘It’s not about geography!’ Indeed, his ability to persuade transcended geographic and political boundaries.” Tony Perkins, president of the Washington-based Family Research Council, called Graham a “true leader” and a “voice for the defenseless.” “He used his influence to advance the cause of life. When others grew quiet, Lindsey stepped forward and gave his colleagues a way to speak — clearly, courageously, and compassionately — about the dignity of every human life. He was also a consistent advocate for persecuted Christians around the world, those who suffer simply because they refuse to deny their faith.” Graham had been in good enough health days earlier to travel abroad, and a top staffer said there had been no sign he was feeling unwell before he died, according to NBC News. He had been scheduled to appear on Sunday on “Meet the Press,” the network’s flagship Sunday political program. Graham recently returned from Kyiv, where he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday, CNN notes. Tributes also came from abroad. Ruslan Stefanchuk, the speaker of Ukraine’s parliament, called Graham a steadfast friend who understood that his country’s struggle was a fight for freedom and democracy.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel said the senator had grasped that his country’s safety and America’s could not be separated, and that Israel had lost one of its closest friends. Graham was raised in Central, South Carolina, where the family ran a restaurant and pool hall, and he became the first of his family to attend college before earning a law degree from the University of South Carolina. He served 33 years in the Air Force, the Air Force Reserve and the South Carolina Air National Guard, retiring in 2015 as a colonel. He served in the House from 1995 before winning the Senate seat in 2002 that the retiring Strom Thurmond had held. Graham’s death narrows the Republican majority in the Senate, where the party had held a 53-47 edge and was already braced for the absence of one member, Sen. Mitch McConnell, 84, who has been in the hospital since last month. A spokesperson has said the former GOP leader is continuing to recover without giving further details. Under South Carolina law, Gov. Henry McMaster, a Republican, can appoint a successor immediately to serve until Jan. 3 of next year, when the term ends.

State Republicans must now choose a new nominee, and a special primary is expected by Aug. 11.

Source: Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally, dies after sudden illness | Politics

For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’
Acts 13:47

Isaiah 45:2

“I will go before you and level the exalted places, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron, This verse reminds us that God can…

Keep reading

Proverbs 21:23

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. This verse emphasizes that people who carefully watch what they say will protect themselves from serious trouble. “Guarding your mouth and…

Keep reading

Slow to Speak: The Secret to Wise Reactions

Talk less, listen more, because wisdom speaks after it understands, not before. If you want stronger relationships and real influence, master this: control your tongue, calm your anger, and lead with quiet strength.…

Keep reading

Psalm 5:8

Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me. In the verse David is praying in the morning while people who hate him are watching,…

Keep reading

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

Planned Parenthood Can Get Taxpayer Funding Again as Republicans Fail to Renew Ban

Posted on by 1 Comment

Pro-life advocates are outraged at Republicans in Congress after they allowed a one-year ban on taxpayer funds for Planned Parenthood to expire. As of July 5, Planned Parenthood clinics can once again bill the federal government for services such as contraception and health screenings. Medicaid payments amount to more than $800 million in revenue to Planned Parenthood, according to The Hill.  Sign the petition to permanently end tax-funded abortion. Marjorie Dannenfelser, the president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, highlighted the fundamental American freedoms stripped away from unborn life in the nation due to the expired ban.

“Thanks to Majority Leader Thune, Speaker Mike Johnson, and our pro-life majority in Congress we saw a historic victory last year when taxpayers were no longer forced to prop up an industry that profits from killing babies in the womb. Now this hard-won progress stands on the brink of reversal. On our nation’s 250th anniversary when we celebrate the self-evident truth that all men are created equal with the unalienable right to life, our taxpayer dollars will once again flow to abortion businesses that profit from the destruction of nearly half a million unborn children every year,” said Dannenfelser.  Dannenfelser is pushing for Republicans to fix the problem with new pro-life measures. 

“Defunding Big Abortion is now the default expectation of the pro-life movement. When they return to D.C., Republicans must do all they can through reconciliation to once again block taxpayer dollars from Planned Parenthood and abortion businesses,” Dannenfelser added. 

Other pro-life groups are more aggressively criticizing the GOP leadership for allowing the funding ban to expire. Students for Life Action has now given every legislator an “F” on its pro-life report card. Students For Life leader Kristan Hawkins points out that healthcare money is a tool either used for or against the pro-life cause. “The bottom line, pro-life voters want to see healthcare money invested with those who intend for their patients to survive with their lives and fertility intact,” Hawkins said in a press release.

Source: Planned Parenthood Can Get Taxpayer Funding Again as Republicans Fail to Renew Ban | CBN News

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

Sen. Rick Scott Rallies Senate Republicans to Advance Trump’s Priorities

Posted on by Leave a comment
Man in suit speaking at Senate podium in legislative chamber

Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) called on Senate Republicans to work with President Donald Trump and advance the SAVE America Act, urging lawmakers in a Monday social media post to “hit the ground running” as Congress returns to Washington. “Let’s hit the ground running this week,” Scott wrote in a message posted on social media. “The Senate needs to come together, have conversations, work with President Trump, and get the SAVE America Act done.” According to Scott’s proposal, Republicans should focus on preventing another government shutdown and passing the SAVE America Act, legislation that would require proof of citizenship when registering to vote.

“I hope we can continue to have robust conversations as a conference this week as to how we should spend our time between now and the November elections. President Trump is scheduled to be at our Wednesday lunch. I hope everyone will be vocal as to what they think is the best path forward, but here is mine,” Scott wrote in his letter obtained by the Hill. Scott said Republicans should make clear distinctions between the two parties on government funding and election security as lawmakers prepare for upcoming spending battles and the midterm elections. Scott said he does not expect Democrats to support passage of all 12 annual appropriations bills before the Sept. 30 funding deadline, saying that Republicans should instead pursue a continuing resolution to avert a shutdown. “We need to make it clear to all Americans that Democrats want to shut down government and don’t care how it impacts federal workers or the economy and Republicans want to fund the government,” he wrote.

“We need to make it clear Republicans want election security and Democrats want fraud.” President Donald Trump is expected to meet with Senate Republicans on Wednesday as lawmakers continue discussions on spending, government funding, and election-related legislation.

Source: Sen. Rick Scott Rallies Senate Republicans to Advance Trump’s Priorities

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2

A study of the Mesha Stele

The Mesha Stele, also famously known as the Moabite Stone, is a 3-foot-tall black basalt monument dating back to circa 840 BCE. It is one of the most vital archaeological discoveries…

Keep reading

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

Congress passes $70B for DHS — funding ICE immigration enforcement for rest of Trump’s term

Posted on by Leave a comment
ICE police officer wearing uniform and tactical vest with crossed arms

WASHINGTON — Congress has finally passed a $70 billion funding bill for federal immigration enforcement on Tuesday, putting to rest a four-month fight over the fate of President Trump’s mass deportations agenda. House Republicans, in a party-line vote of 214-212, approved the spending for the Department of Homeland Security after the Senate had passed the measure last Friday. Democrats were universally opposed and joined in that opposition by Rep. Kevin Kiley (I-Calif.), who recently left the GOP.

“With today’s vote, House and Senate Republicans have officially ended the third Democrat government shutdown of this Congress,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) in a statement. “And here’s the end result of Democrats’ record-setting obstruction: CBP and ICE will now be funded for the remainder of President Trump’s term and Democrats will have no ability to defund these agencies in the 119th or 120th Congresses.” DHS had been unfunded mostly from mid-February to April, with some immigration enforcement-focused agencies still requiring funding after that.

The measure now moves to Trump’s desk for his signature. Republicans had quibbled over including provisions for $1 billion for beefed up security at Trump’s White House ballroom, as well as a potential prohibition against using any funds for a $1.776 billion judgment fund to compensate perceived victims of “weaponized” prosecutions. Neither item was tucked into the bill after weeks of deliberations — despite some GOP senators offering amendments to do away with the fund — and the legislation was passed by a simple majority in both chambers through a process known as budget reconciliation. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) was the only Republican to oppose it.

Democrats in the upper chamber had delayed passage for three months before that, refusing to back an earlier spending measure in January in protest of federal immigration officers’ fatal shootings of two Americans in Minneapolis. The Secure America Act provides more than $9.5 billion in funding to help hire and pay Border Patrol agents; nearly $3.5 billion for new border surveillance technologies and efforts to combat fentanyl or other drug trafficking; and almost $7.5 billion for retaining more Homeland Security Investigations agents. The spending allows both Immigration and Customs Enforcement as well as Customs and Border

Protection to be fully funded through 2029, with an extra $2.5 billion for other Department of Homeland Security programs. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Democrats had opposed the DHS funding after the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both 37, who were fatally shot while protesting a surge of federal officers to the Twin Cities for deportations. The Democrats had pressed for universal body cameras — a concession that border czar Tom Homan said was already being implemented — as well as for ICE and CBP officers to go maskless and be forced to obtain judicial warrants for arrests

Source: Congress passes $70B for DHS — funding ICE immigration enforcement for rest of Trump’s term

Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:3

Choosing life amid a prenatal diagnosis

After losing their first baby to miscarriage, Alex and Sarah Kennedy were thrilled late last year to find out they were pregnant again. “We went in for our first ultrasound around eight weeks,”…

Keep reading

Finding Truth and Life in Jesus

In a world filled with competing voices, confusing paths, and endless distractions, Jesus doesn’t simply show us the way He declares, ‘I am the way.’ When everything around you tries to pull your…

Keep reading

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

Senate fails to extend FISA surveillance program as deadline nears, with 7 Republicans joining Democrats

Posted on by Leave a comment
Smiling child wearing an elephant costume with ears, trunk, and tusks in a green park

Washington — The Senate on Friday blocked an extension of a key warrantless surveillance program used by U.S. intelligence agencies, meaning Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act will expire on June 12 without further intervention.  Seven Republicans joined Democrats in the 47-52 vote against a procedural motion that would have set up a final vote on the extension next week. The vote comes amid concerns over President Trump’s controversial pick of federal housing finance regulator Bill Pulte to serve as acting director of national intelligence.

But a key objection from Republicans who blocked the reauthorization is that the law can be used to spy on Americans without a warrant. The seven Republicans who voted with Democrats were Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri, Mike Lee of Utah, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Eric Schmitt of Missouri, Rick Scott of Florida, John Kennedy of Louisiana and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama. Democratic Sen. John Fetterman was the only Democrat who voted to move ahead with the reauthorization vote.  “No warrant to protect Americans? No FISA,” Lee posted on X.  Senate Majority Leader John Thune said following the vote that the Senate “will take another run at it” next week but that Democrats’ opposition is a “terribly irresponsible position,” even though some of the conservatives in his conference voted with Democrats. 

“The naming of Pulte to that position, although the timing arguably wasn’t the best, I still don’t think it ought to derail something that’s this important,” Thune said.  Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, a longtime critic of the surveillance system, said the bipartisan vote was proof that “reform efforts transcend red and blue.” “It’s a message that Americans aren’t going to stand for law-abiding people being spied on,” Wyden told The Associated Press.  The vote marked the latest setback for Mr. Trump and intelligence officials, who have spent months pushing to extend a key provision of FISA that allows agencies such as the CIA, National Security Agency and FBI to collect communications from foreign targets without a warrant.

Concerns that the program can incidentally sweep up Americans’ communications left Republican leaders only able to pass short-term extensions while negotiations continued. Critics wanted a warrant requirement when those communications are accessed. Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee who had worked to negotiate the bill, voted against it. He said earlier Thursday that he and committee Chair Sen. Tom Cotton had reached what he described as a “compromise” on a “strong bill,” but that the “complete irresponsibility of putting forward” Pulte had changed the equation. Pulte has seen pushback to his appointment from both Democrats and Republicans for his lack of experience and past controversies. Thune said the position shouldn’t be “weaponized” and the office should be led by “professionals.” 

“Does anybody think it makes good sense to give him the keys to the 18 intelligence agencies?” Warner said. A letter obtained by CBS News Saturday sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio from Cotton and Sen. Chuck Grassley requested that the State Department “plan for a potential significant gap in foreign intelligence collection” in the event that Section 702 of FISA lapses next week. Cotton and Grassley called on Rubio to “identify all intelligence targets on which the United States may lose valuable intelligence information,” and “determine alternative lawful and constitutional intelligence-collection methods by which the United States could continue collecting intelligence on these individuals.”  It also called on the White House, “if necessary,” to “draft a new Executive Order to remedy the gap left by the lapse” of Section 702. 

Mr. Trump on Thursday said Pulte would not be his “permanent” choice for the critical security post. But the president may not have helped his case for Pulte’s appointment when he said he may investigate “rigged elections.” Tulsi Gabbard, the outgoing director, raised eyebrows even among Republicans when she joined an FBI search of an election center in Fulton County, Georgia, earlier this year.  “It’s an acting position, it’s not permanent, he’s not going to be permanent because, you know, I don’t think he’d want to be permanent,” Mr. Trump said in the Oval Office. “But he’s a very smart guy and he may find out some things about the rigged elections, etc., etc. I think he’d like to do it. I’d like to — I think he wants to do it very much. Got a lot of energy. But he’ll be very good. Again, it’s not a permanent position.

We’re looking at, we’re interviewing people right now. But it’s somebody just to take it over for a little while.”  The Senate is expected to revisit the legislation when lawmakers return next week.  Any agreement would still need to clear the chamber’s 60-vote threshold before heading to the House, where lawmakers have yet to resolve differences over a provision restricting a central bank digital currency that House Republican leaders added to secure support for the bill.

Source: Senate fails to extend FISA surveillance program as deadline nears, with 7 Republicans joining Democrats – CBS News

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23

Hope in the dark

Pip: A mountain village, a wandering stranger, a mother weaving a basket by the river — Drink of Jesus has been building a world where ancient scripture lands like it’s happening…

Keep reading

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

House passes pro-union bill after 20 Republicans defy party, in latest move to bypass GOP leadership

Posted on by Leave a comment

Washington — House Democrats, with the help of several Republicans, bypassed GOP leadership on Tuesday to force a successful vote on legislation that would accelerate negotiations on newly-formed unions’ first collective bargaining agreements.  The legislation, titled the Faster Labor Contracts Act, was introduced in September by Democratic Rep. Donald Norcross of New Jersey. It passed in a 230 to 193 vote, with 20 Republicans voting in favor.  In late April, Norcross launched a discharge petition, seeking to bring the bill to the floor.

The procedural maneuver allows members to circumvent leadership and force a floor vote on legislation if they secure a majority support — 218 signatures. The petition hit the threshold within a month, with seven Republicans signing on.  Norcross’ discharge petition is the seventh this session to hit the threshold, a sign of discontent with GOP leadership.  The measure would amend the National Labor Relations Act and require employers to begin contract negotiations with newly-certified unions within 10 days of receiving a written request. It also sets a timeline for mediation and lays out next steps if no agreement is reached after 90 days. 

“Right now, employers can delay negotiations on first contracts for years,” Norcross said in a statement in April, adding that his bill “will force employers to act in good faith and come to the negotiating table quickly.”  During debate on the bill, GOP Rep. Tim Walberg of Michigan argued the measure would fast-track “government intrusion into private workplaces” and erode “workers’ rights faster than we have ever seen before.”  “It is the latest attempt to put workers under the thumb of the federal bureaucrats,” Walberg said, referring to the arbitration process laid out in the bill. 

Source: House passes pro-union bill after 20 Republicans defy party, in latest move to bypass GOP leadership – CBS News

O LORD, You are my God. I will exalt You, I will praise Your name, For You have done wonderful things; Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.
Isaiah 25:1

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

Politics; What Should we do?

Posted on by Leave a comment

Bible Politics 2

Dear Heavenly Father, place your hand on all of the upcoming elections and the process of the political elections. Help them to look to you for guidance and supervision. In Jesus Name Amen.