Ted Cruz and Republicans critical of Covid-19 mitigation efforts have a new target: Big Bird from Sesame Street.
In the latest episode of The Point, CNN’s Chris Cillizza explains why the Texas senator is picking a fight with a Muppet and how it’s resonating with the Trump base.
US Supreme Court Rules on , Campaign Loan Repayment Limits, , a Victory for Sen. Ted Cruz.
NBC News reports the
United States Supreme Court ...
... nixed federal restrictions on political candidates who self-finance their campaigns.
The ruling is a win for Senator Ted Cruz,
the Republican from Texas who
challenged the restrictions.
Ruling 6-3, the court says the law,
enacted in 2002, was a direct violation
of a candidate's free expression.
The U.S. Supreme Court said as
money buys candidates the ability
to spread their message.
limiting a candidate's expenses
implicates the First Amendment.
According to NBC News, Cruz self-financed $260,000 for his re-election campaign in 2018.
The senator went above financial campaign limits to trigger a Supreme Court response.
US Chief Justice John Roberts said such limits
on self-financing increased the risk that
candidates wouldn't be repaid if they
loaned their campaigns too much.
That risk in turn may deter
some candidates from loaning
money to their campaigns when
they otherwise would, reducing
the amount of political speech, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts,
writing for the court's majority, via NBC News
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Ukraine Aid Funding Receives, Overwhelming Bipartisan Support, in US Senate.
Ukraine Aid Funding Receives, Overwhelming Bipartisan Support, in US Senate.
The Senate approved $40 billion in additional aid for Ukraine on May 19.
The vote was 86 to 11, a commanding show of bipartisanship in a deeply divided Senate.
President Joe Biden is expected to sign the bill into law immediately.
The total amount of U.S. aid supplied to the nation equates to $54 billion.
Ukraine has been battling an invasion of Russian forces since Feb. 24. .
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stated that passage of the aid means that more "help is on the way.".
We Americans — all of us, Democrat and Republican — cannot afford to stick our heads in the sand while Vladimir Putin continues his vicious belligerence against the Ukrainian people, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, (D-NY),
via 'The New York Times'.
Senate Minority Leader
Mitch McConnell stated
that passage of the aid is
good for American interests.
Aid for Ukraine goes far beyond charity; the future of America’s security and core strategic interests will be shaped by the outcome of this fight, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, (R-KY),
via 'The New York Times'.
McConnell accompanied a delegation of Republican senators to Ukraine over the weekend.
The bill passed by the Senate provides significantly
more aid than what was asked for by President Biden.
Its focus is almost equally divided on both weapons and humanitarian aid.
The humanitarian aid includes funding to
assist the Ukrainian government.
as well as support for refugees in the form of training, housing and trauma services
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Elon Musk Says He
'Will Vote Republican,' , Can 'No Longer Support' Democrats.
Musk made the statements via Twitter on May 18.
In the past I voted Democrat, because they were (mostly) the kindness party. , Elon Musk, via Twitter.
But they have become the party of division & hate, so I can no longer support them and will
vote Republican, Elon Musk, via Twitter.
Now, watch their dirty tricks campaign against me unfold, Elon Musk, via Twitter.
Tesla stocks fell by nearly seven percent after the statements were published.
Musk's tweets come about a week after he stated he would reverse Twitter's ban of former President Donald Trump
if his deal to purchase the platform is finalized.
The billionaire has also criticized Twitter for being biased to the "far-left.".
The headquarters for the company is based in CA,
a state that is often considered a model for progressive politics in the U.S.
CA is also the largest market for Tesla cars.
Musk recently moved the
Tesla headquarters to TX, which is known for its conservative politics. .
Many Twitter users seemed to mock the news that Musk would vote Republican.
Poor Elon might only be the 2nd or 3rd richest man in the
world now, Twitter user.
Poor Elon. No liberals are going to buy his cars anymore, when there's so many nicer options, Twitter user.
The Tesla CEO's mother hit back at the tweets, referring to them as "nasty comments" and "troll or bot" accounts.
Musk's $44 billion deal to purchase Twitter has stalled in recent days
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Elon Musk might be on the fence about Twitter, but he knows exactly where he stands politically ... he's going full Republican. The world's richest man says he's.. TMZ.com
According to the Union Health ministry's data, India added 1,675 Covid cases and 31 Covid-related deaths in the last 24 hours.
#CovidIndia #Covid19 #CovidCases #CoronaDeaths
With a total of 14,841 active Covid cases, the share of active cases in the country is currently 0.03 per cent. A total of 1,635 patients recovered from the.. IndiaTimes
Monkeypox may be less transmittable than COVID, but the virus is exploding and most folks aren't immune to its effects ... so says, Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding. The.. TMZ.com
Photos of Boris Johnson at a lockdown social gathering during Covid lockdown in November 2020 have emerged, just days before Sue Gray's report is expected to be published.
Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Senate Unanimously , Confirms Bridget Brink As, New US Ambassador to Ukraine.
Politico reports that the career Foreign Service officer, who is currently the U.S. ambassador to Slovakia,
was confirmed on the evening of May 18.
Politico reports that the career Foreign Service officer, who is currently the U.S. ambassador to Slovakia,
was confirmed on the evening of May 18.
Her appointment as ambassador to Ukraine follows a three-year period in which there has been no American envoy in Kyiv.
Her appointment as ambassador to Ukraine follows a three-year period in which there has been no American envoy in Kyiv.
Marie Yovanovitch, the previous ambassador to Ukraine, was removed from her post by President Donald Trump in 2019.
Marie Yovanovitch, the previous ambassador to Ukraine, was removed from her post by President Donald Trump in 2019.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer spoke about the urgency of having an accomplished diplomat such as Brink in Ukraine amid Russia's invasion.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer spoke about the urgency of having an accomplished diplomat such as Brink in Ukraine amid Russia's invasion.
To have an ambassador there at this critical time as the United States continues to help the Ukrainian people … is a wonderful thing, is a good thing, and will help advance the cause of peace, security and freedom, Chuck Schumer, Senate Majority Leader, via statement, as reported by Politico.
To have an ambassador there at this critical time as the United States continues to help the Ukrainian people … is a wonderful thing, is a good thing, and will help advance the cause of peace, security and freedom, Chuck Schumer, Senate Majority Leader, via statement, as reported by Politico.
I have every
confidence she will
be an outstanding
ambassador, Chuck Schumer, Senate Majority Leader,
via statement, as reported by Politico.
Politico reports that the U.S. has also formally reopened its embassy in the war-torn country. .
Brink, who speaks Russian, was previously
the deputy assistant secretary in the
Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs.
Brink, who speaks Russian, was previously
the deputy assistant secretary in the
Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs.
She has also worked with U.S. embassies in Uzbekistan, Georgia, Cyprus and Serbia
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
If Trump Wins 2024 Election, , Fauci Says He’s Leaving the White House.
Fox News reports that in
a recent interview with CNN, .
Fauci was asked if he would remain the White House's chief medical adviser should former President
Donald Trump be appointed to office again in 2024.
Fauci was asked if he would remain the White House's chief medical adviser should former President
Donald Trump be appointed to office again in 2024.
He reportedly laughed and said "no.".
If you look at the history of what the response was during the administration,
I think, you know, at best, you can say it wasn’t optimal. And I think just, history will speak for itself about that, Dr. Anthony Fauci, via interview with CNN, as reported by Fox News.
Trump and Fauci repeatedly butted heads amid the government's fight against COVID.
People are tired of hearing Fauci and all these idiots, these people. Every time he goes on TV, there's a bomb, but there's a bigger bomb if you fire him, Donald Trump, via an October 2020 campaign conference call,
as reported by Fox News.
While Trump has not publicly
announced a 2024 presidential bid.
he's been hosting rallies across America and teasing he'll throw his hat into the ring once more.
he's been hosting rallies across America and teasing he'll throw his hat into the ring once more.
While speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference at the beginning of the year, .
he alluded to running for office by referencing the Democratic Party's slim chances of victory.
They're going to find out the hard way starting Nov. 8 and even more so starting November 2024, Donald Trump, at the Conservative Political Action Conference
in February, via Fox News
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
On Friday, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk took a dig at US President Joe Biden. Taking to Twitter, Elon Musk wrote, "Biden's mistake is that he thinks he was elected to transform the country, but actually everyone just wanted less drama."
#ElonMusk #JoeBiden #DonaldTrump
Jan 6
Panel Subpoenas , House Minority
Leader McCarthy, , 4 Other GOP Reps.
The five subpoenaed Representatives had all declined a voluntary meeting with the
House special committee. .
In addition to
House Minority Leader
Kevin McCarthy.
the Jan. 6 panel also subpoenaed
PA Rep. Scott Perry.
OH Rep. Jim Jordan.
AZ Rep. Andy Biggs ...
... and AL Rep. Mo Brooks.
It is rare for a House committee to issue subpoenas against its own members.
The Special House Committee will hold
public hearings in June pertaining to the
U.S. Capitol riots that occurred on Jan. 6.
In a statement confirming
the subpoenas, democratic
MS Rep. Bennie Thompson
explained the panel's decision.
The select committee has learned that several of our colleagues have information relevant to our investigation into the attack on Jan. 6 and the events leading
up to it. , Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS),
via 'The New York Times'.
Before we hold our hearings next month, we wished to provide members the opportunity to discuss these matters with the committee voluntarily. , Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS),
via 'The New York Times'.
Regrettably, the individuals receiving subpoenas today have refused and we’re forced to take this step to help ensure the committee uncovers facts concerning Jan. 6, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS),
via 'The New York Times'.
The subpoenas come after weeks of research and internal debate among committee members as to whether the action was necessary.
Minority Leader McCarthy is said to have consulted with counsel as to how to fight the subpoena.
The panel reportedly wishes to question McCarthy about his post-Jan. 6 conversations concerning former President Donald Trump
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Significant 2020 Census Miscounts , Affected 14 States, , US Census Bureau Admits.
The U.S. Census Bureau released its report on the
2020 Census Post-Enumeration Survey (PES) on May 19.
Significant net undercount rates were discovered in Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas.
Significant net overcount rates were discovered in Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota,
New York, Ohio, Rhode Island and Utah.
No census is perfect, Robert Santos, Census Bureau Director,
via NPR News.
And the PES allows us to become more informed about the 2020 census by estimating what portion of the population was correctly counted, Robert Santos, Census Bureau Director,
via NPR News.
... where we missed people and where some people were counted that shouldn't have been, Robert Santos, Census Bureau Director,
via NPR News.
It's a monumental task to count everybody. And this helps us inform how well we do, Timothy Kennel, Census Bureau Assistant Division Chief, via NPR News.
Lawmakers across the country have already begun to use the 2020 Census data to establish new voting districts in their states.
Voting-rights activists say that 2020 grassroots efforts seemed to have mitigated significant miscounts in their respective areas.
A lot of the southern states were hit with disasters, hurricanes while door-to-door work was going on, Allison Plyer, The Data Center, via NPR News.
But the one thing that states have control over is their own get-out-the-count efforts, Allison Plyer, The Data Center, via NPR News.
We know that Texas invested very little in get-out-the-count, and when they did so, it was very late in the process, Allison Plyer, The Data Center, via NPR News.
Texas was found to have had a significant net undercount rate of 1.92 percent.
More data and demographic detail are needed for a full understanding of our communities and who does —
or does not — have access to
critical resources, Meeta Anand, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Right, via NPR News.
The Census Bureau also needs to be adequately funded to ensure that inequities from inaccurate counts do not persist into 2030 and beyond, Meeta Anand, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Right, via NPR News
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Texas are showing just how desperate some people are to hide drugs, catching a woman who allegedly smuggled.. TMZ.com
Oklahoma Legislature , Passes the Most Restrictive , Abortion Ban in the Nation.
Oklahoma Legislature , Passes the Most Restrictive , Abortion Ban in the Nation.
On May 19, the Oklahoma Legislature passed a bill , banning abortions at conception.
On May 19, the Oklahoma Legislature passed a bill , banning abortions at conception.
The bill only needs to be
signed by the governor to
go into effect immediately.
The bill only needs to be
signed by the governor to
go into effect immediately.
If that happens, it would become the , most restrictive abortion ban , in the United States.
ABC News reports that there are exceptions
in the bill that include cases of saving
the life of the mother, rape or incest.
The bill reportedly includes an enforcement policy
that has drawn comparisons to a controversial
Texas law that went into effect last year.
The Oklahoma bill would allow
civilians to file lawsuits against anyone
who performs or seeks an abortion.
The Oklahoma bill would allow
civilians to file lawsuits against anyone
who performs or seeks an abortion.
Earlier this month, Oklahoma Governor
Kevin Stitt signed a bill into law that banned
abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.
Earlier this month, Oklahoma Governor
Kevin Stitt signed a bill into law that banned
abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.
ABC reports that Planned Parenthood
has already announced plans to challenge
the state's latest proposed abortion ban.
The Oklahoma legislature just
passed a total ban on abortion,
enforced by private citizens, Planned Parenthood, via Twitter.
This ban will take effect as soon as
the governor signs the bill, making Oklahoma
the first state to outlaw abortion entirely —
even while Roe v. Wade still stands, Planned Parenthood, via Twitter.
This ban will take effect as soon as
the governor signs the bill, making Oklahoma
the first state to outlaw abortion entirely —
even while Roe v. Wade still stands, Planned Parenthood, via Twitter
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Texas Supreme Court Rules , State Can Investigate Parents
of Trans Kids.
The ruling by the Texas Supreme Court was handed down on May 13.
It overrules the injunction of a lower court that disallowed state officials to investigate parents for child abuse who allow gender-affirming care for their trans kids.
Republican TX Governor Greg Abbott had issued
a directive on Feb. 22 that equated
"sex change procedures" to "child abuse.".
Furthermore, his office ordered the Texas Department
of Family and Protective Services (DFPS)...
... to "investigate the parents of a child who is subjected to these abusive gender-transitioning procedures." .
I hereby direct [DFPS] to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of any reported instances of these abusive procedures in the state of Texas, ACLU of Texas, via NPR News.
The Texas Supreme Court's ruling was unanimous and surely to be contentious.
While it
overrules the injunction
placed upon Abbott's order, .
it also states that child welfare agencies are
"not compelled" to follow the views of Abbott or his
Attorney General, Ken Paxton.
Just as the governor lacks authority to issue a binding 'directive' to DFPS, the court of appeals lacks authority to afford statewide relief to nonparties, Texas Supreme Court, via NPR News.
In responding to the ruling, advocacy groups seemed to recognize the nuances of how the court responded.
Denying healthcare to trans kids is life-threatening, ACLU of Texas, via NPR News.
Multiple court rulings have now made clear that enforcement of this policy causes harm to youth and their families, ACLU of Texas, via NPR News.
According to NPR,
Gov. Abbott's order has
caused some families who
support their trans children
to leave Texas
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Republicans Outraged, After Big Bird Used, to Promote Vaccination.
Conservatives have criticized a November 6 tweet
by Big Bird in which the Sesame Street character
announced that he had been..
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) accused Big Bird of spreading government propaganda after the “Sesame Street” character tweeted about receiving his Covid-19 vaccine. CNN’s John Berman lists other American..
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