DonnyFerguson.com
Thursday, September 16, 2021
“Whatever the issue, let freedom offer us a hundred choices, instead of having government force one answer on everyone.” – Harry Browne
In today’s issue:
HONORING OUR HEROES
1) Sasse Honors Corporal Daegan William-Tyeler Page on Senate Floor
2) Ernst honors Marine Cpl. Daegan William-Tyeler Page, killed in Kabul attacks
COVID NEWS
3) 108 top conservative leaders demand Biden fire Fauci
4) Chip Roy and House Republicans demand Pelosi open investigations on COVID origins
FREEDOM UNDER ASSAULT
5) GOP congresswoman tells her own moving pro-life story in Defense of Hyde Amendment: “Be Warriors of Human Dignity”
6) AFP cheers setback for leftist drug pricing scheme
7) Biden flouting federal law to hide scheme to slash Medicare
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
8) Why isn’t Biden designating the Taliban a terrorist organization?
9) Mike Lee and Mike Braun introduce measure to place congressional controls on war funding
AT THE RACES
10) Dem senator ‘Jelly Kelly’ quivers when asked how he’ll vote on $5 trillion spending scheme
11) These vulnerable Dem senators blow through inflation red lights to plow economy into socialist fireball
12) Terrified of offending their liberal base, Senate Democrats refuse to call Taliban ‘terrorists’
13) Facing card-carrying Socialist in Dem Senate primary, Conor Lamb votes to Defund The Police and promote Critical Race Theory
14) Top Florida Dem Senate recruit hits campaign trail with liberal powerbroker who calls Christians ‘Taliban’
HONORING OUR HEROES
Sasse Honors Corporal Daegan William-Tyeler Page on Senate Floor
U.S. Senator Ben Sasse spoke on the Senate floor, honoring Nebraska hero Corporal Daegan William-Tyeler Page. Corporal Page gave his life defending Americans and our Afghan allies at the Kabul airport on August 26, 2021.
Full transcript is available below.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I rise today to speak in memory and in honor of Corporal Page, a 23-year-old Marine from Nebraska. He gave his life defending Americans and our allies in the chaos of the Kabul airport as many tried to escape the capture of Afghanistan by a band of blood-thirsty terrorists.
Corporal Page is one of thirteen heroes who gave his life that day defending the Kabul airport in the midst of that chaotic evacuation. The American people owe these men and women a debt of gratitude that we will never be able to repay. Corporal Page lost his life while honoring our nation’s promise that we would leave no one behind. He and his fellow Marines never wavered. They didn't fail in executing their duty. They were given an impossible mission and these men and women fought to the end.
It is now our duty to stand with these families - the families of each of these thirteen and to honor their sacrifices.
Last Friday, in Omaha, thousands and thousands and thousands of Nebraskans lined the streets to give Corporal Page a hero’s welcome as his body was returned home. And as his family said: “Our hearts are still broken, but we are the lucky few who know what it is to have the entire city of Omaha give you a hug.”
We are called to gather around one another. We are called to join with the grieving and to mourn the loss of these brave men and women.
Corporal Page was a Nebraskan who made his family, and his state, and his entire nation proud.
He left for boot camp shortly after graduating from Millard South High School, and he was proud to serve in the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment with his fellow Marines. He enjoyed playing hockey - one of my kids played hockey against him. He went to Millard South High School but he played hockey for Westside, and the Fremont team that my kids play on got to compete against him and know him as a competitor. He enjoyed hunting, he enjoyed being in the outdoors, he especially enjoyed the water. He was a boy scout in Troop 331. He loved spending time with his family and friends. He was a member of his local church, the Lutheran Church of Millard - St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Millard - and like so many Nebraskans he was a diehard sports fan - his favorite team being the Chicago Blackhawks.
Corporal Page gave the last full measure of devotion to his country. His mission was clear: In the chaos of Kabul, Corporal Page was there to protect and save lives. That’s exactly what he did. Marines held the line and pulled both Americans and our Afghan allies to safety. Marines pulled children out of hell, gave them water, and got them to safety. Corporal Page gave his life so that others would live.
Nebraskans will never forget him.
Heroes like Corporal Page didn't fail us and we can't forget them. We must keep our promise to honor his family, to teach our families about their sacrifice, and to strive to live lives of gratitude.
It’s times like this where we rediscover the heart of our country; communities that pull together - as happened last Friday and will happen again this Friday at his funeral at St. Paul's Lutheran - we pray together; make meals for each other; and we are reminded of the sacrifices so many families have made.
Today and in the days to come, we in Nebraska will honor Corporal Page and we across this country will honor the thirteen that fell that day.
Your sacrifice is a debt we can never repay.
Ernst honors Marine Cpl. Daegan William-Tyeler Page, killed in Kabul attacks
U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a combat veteran of the Global War on Terrorism and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, spoke on the Senate Floor today to honor the life of Marine Corporal Daegan William-Tyeler Page of Red Oak, Iowa, who was one of the 13 U.S. servicemembers killed in a terrorist attack at the Kabul airport on August 26, 2021.
Senator Ernst’s full remarks can be read below:
“Words can’t describe the emotions I felt watching the ruthless Taliban once again seize control of Afghanistan, the very same country from where terrorists plotted the attacks on America two decades earlier.
“The world watched hopelessly as tens of thousands of people, including American citizens and our Afghan allies, desperately attempted to escape the terror and bleak future certain to return under the rule of the Taliban.
“Through the chaos and panic, the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces—who once freed the nation from the terrorist regime—stood as protectors at the Kabul airport for those desperately seeking to find a way out.
“Then, on August 26, a terrorist attack at the airport claimed the lives of 13 of these brave service members who were assisting with the evacuation, marking one of the deadliest days for U.S. forces during the 20 year conflict.
“Marine Corporal Daegan William-Tyeler Page was one of those killed in action on that day.
“Daegan was a young man from Red Oak, Iowa who truly represents the greatness of our state, our country, and the U.S. Marine Corps in which he proudly served.
“Daegan may have been just 23 years old, but he died a hero who lived a life of service to his community and his nation.
“Our hearts go out to those to whom he meant the most.
“His girlfriend Jessica, his parents—Wendy and Craig Adelson and Greg and Jenni Page, his grandparents, and his four siblings—Corey, Garrett, Mason, and Emerson—to whom Daegan has always been a hero, even before he became a Marine.
“The wounds of war aren’t just borne by the warrior. It is the family of the fallen who carry the scars of war for a lifetime.
“The hole left in their lives by the loss of Daegan can never be filled.
“So let’s also keep Daegan’s family in our prayers.
“Being from Red Oak, Iowa, I know Daegan’s family well. I’ve grown up with Dagean’s family.
“It was my best friend in Red Oak who texted me after that explosion at the Kabul airport. She’s the one who told me that Wendy’s son Daegan has been killed in this explosion. So I gave the family time to come together.
“And that next morning, I called Wendy’s mother Peggy. I love Peggy very much – and her entire family very much. And I told her I was so sorry about the loss of Daegan. And she told me, ‘Joni, just please let everyone know what an amazing young man that Daegan was. He was an extraordinary young man.’
“She told me before we ended our conversation: ‘Joni, give that precious Libby of yours a hug for me, like I used to do so many years ago when she was a little girl. You never know when you’ll get that last hug from someone you love.’
“And Peggy, I did. I gave my daughter Libby a hug.
“While Daegan was a tough Marine – he really was, again an amazing young man – was fun-loving with a giant heart and a soft spot for animals, especially his three dogs Shyia, Gracie, and Finn.
“Growing up in Red Oak and then the Omaha area, Daegan’s commitment to service began at a young age as a longtime member of the Boy Scouts.
“While he was just a child when the terrorists attacked America on September 11, 2001, after graduating from Millard South High School he answered the call to serve his country by joining the U.S. Marine Corps.
“Daegan’s family says, He loved the brotherhood of the Marines and was proud to serve as a member of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.
“Daegan was always a dedicated team member, according to his former hockey teammates, who together won the Nebraska state championship tournament.
“Omaha’s hockey community is fittingly paying tribute to Daegan by placing hockey sticks on their porches in his memory.
“A memorial service to celebrate his life is being held Friday at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Omaha.
“Like his family, teammates, and fellow service members, we mourn the loss of Daegan, but also honor his heroism and his valor.
“He has been awarded the Purple Heart for making that ultimate sacrifice while in the line of duty.
“His life in Red Oak, Iowa and Omaha, Nebraska, and death remind us that this world is a very dangerous place with many wishing to do the United States harm. Our protection here at home depends upon the sacrifice and service of many heroes, those like Daegan.
“Let it not be forgotten, that thousands of other lives were rescued from pending doom because of the bravery of Daegan and the 12 other service members who lost their lives that day while standing guard to ensure the safe passage of others out of Afghanistan.
“While it’s heartbreaking that he was taken from this world too soon, Daegan will forever have the gratitude of our nation.“So Wendy and Greg, and to your families, please accept my heartfelt condolences on the loss of your beautiful son Daegan.
“The American people will never forget him, nor will they ever forget his life of service.
“Semper fidelis, Daegan, and Godspeed.”
COVID NEWS
108 top conservative leaders demand Biden fire Fauci
108 top conservatives Wednesday called on President Biden to immediately fire Dr. Anthony Fauci from his position as the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and from his position as Chief Medical Advisor to the President, the Independent Women’s Forum announced
It has become increasingly clear that Dr. Fauci can no longer direct a coherent and transparent leadership role in the national public health response to COVID-19. Release of documents, including Dr. Fauci’s own emails, show he misled the country with regard to masking, virus origin theories, and herd immunity based on his own beliefs about what he thought the country “needed to hear.”
Public health is not an invitation to dictatorship. Rather, it is a position of trust, empiricism, and guidance, one that Dr. Fauci has come to abuse through his overt politicking and lack of transparency with the public – including with Members of Congress.
In multiple congressional hearings, Dr. Fauci has denied that the National Institutes of Health, under his direction, funded gain-of-function research in China. Most recently in June, Dr. Fauci responded to questioning from Sen. Rand Paul by claiming that the NIH “has not ever and does not now fund gain-of-function research in the Wuhan Institute of Virology.” He went on, “if anyone is lying here, senator, it is you.”
Yet, documents recently obtained by The Intercept via a Freedom of Information Act request reveal that at least two NIH grants to the EcoHealth Alliance, which subcontracted to the Wuhan Institute, funded gain-of-function research. More specifically, the grant funding supported the Wuhan-based construction of a novel chimeric SARS-related coronavirus that resulted in viruses which could infect human cells. In other words, the United States government was funding research to super-charge bat coronaviruses for infection in humans – research that was, at different times, deemed too risky to fund, and barred by both the Obama and Trump administrations.
Research that modifies animal viruses for infection into humans is definitionally gain-of-function research, despite Dr. Fauci’s repeated claims to the contrary. Dr. Fauci knew this, and denied it in front of Congress – while calling a United States senator a liar, to boot. He is guilty of perjury.
We call on President Biden to fire Dr. Fauci, and if he does not, we call on Congress to impeach him and remove him from his public service positions at the White House and the NIAID.
Chip Roy and House Republicans demand Pelosi open investigations on COVID origins
Congressman Chip Roy (TX-21), joined by more than a dozen of his House colleagues, called on Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA-12) to open investigations and issue subpoenas for those “involved in approving, conducting, or funding gain-of-function or related research” with the Wuhan Institute of Virology — including NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci and the head of the nonprofit EcoHealth Alliance.
“Unfortunately, Members have attempted to get answers from public health officials to no avail. Officials, such as Dr. Fauci, have misled the public about the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) funding of gain-of-function research,” the letter reads. “Similarly, the Biden Administration’s supposed efforts to get answers on COVID-19’s origins were unhelpful as its Intelligence Community declassified report was inconclusive.”
Specifically, the letter urges subpoenas to be issued for Dr. Anthony Fauci, Dr. Francis Collins, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Acting FDA Commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock of FDA, and EcoHealth Alliance President Dr. Peter Daszak.
According to the House Foreign Affairs Committee Minority Report, “The Origins of COVID-19,” Daszak, the President of EcoHealth Alliance — which received millions of federal tax dollars for disease research — organized a statement on behalf of a Chinese researcher dispelling the possibility of a lab-leak as a “conspiracy.” Further, an EcoHealth NIAID grant for the Wuhan lab was published by the Intercept that showed Daszak and NIAID were aware of the dangers involved with their research in Wuhan.
“This pandemic has impacted the life of every American,” the letter concludes. “Investigating the origin and finding the truth of how this virus came to be is imperative to Congress doing everything we can to prevent this from happening again.”
Full text of the letter is available below:
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker of the House
The Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Speaker Pelosi,
We write to you today for the purpose of seeking answers to questions surrounding the origins of COVID-19.
Unfortunately, Members have attempted to get answers from public health officials to no avail. Officials, such as Dr. Fauci, have misled the public about the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) funding of gain-of-function research.[2] Similarly, the Biden Administration’s supposed efforts to get answers on COVID-19’s origins were unhelpful as its Intelligence Community declassified report was inconclusive. In fact, it states:
“The IC—and the global scientific community—lacks clinical samples or a complete understanding of epidemiological data from the earliest COVID-19 cases. If we obtain information on the earliest cases that identified a location of interest or occupational exposure, it may alter our evaluation of hypotheses.”[3]
Incidentally, EcoHealth Alliance, an organization that received millions of tax dollars for research, recently had its NIAID grant documents for coronavirus research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology revealed to the public.[4] These documents show that the researchers and NIAID were aware of the risks of human infection due to its research with coronaviruses: “Fieldwork involves the highest risk of exposure to SARS or other CoVs, while working in caves with high bat density overhead and the potential for fecal dust to be inhaled. There is also some risk of exposure to pathogens…” [5] Regardless, EcoHealth’s President, Peter Daszak, organized a statement on behalf of Chinese researchers in February 2020 that stated its signatories “strongly condemned conspiracy theories suggesting that 2019-nCoV does not have a natural origin.”[6] Further, in March 2021, Daszak made claims about SARS-CoV-2 suggesting that he had access or knowledge of the WIV viral sequence and sample database that was taken down in September 2019.[7] This pattern of behavior raises serious concerns about the origin of the virus and the kinds of research funded by the American people.
The pandemic, and the national response to it, has decimated millions of lives and livelihoods. Lockdown measures resulted in thousands of businesses permanently closing their doors, students falling behind in school, and record amounts of Americans overdosing or falling into addiction, among numerous other mental health issues. [8] Americans have also faced multiple COVID-19 mandates – most recently, President Biden’s broad employer vaccine mandate that will require certain businesses to require their employees to prove vaccination status – regardless of prior infection.[9]
This pandemic has impacted the life of every American. Investigating the origin and finding the truth of how this virus came to be is imperative to Congress doing everything we can to prevent this from happening again.
Congress has the authority and duty to get answers about the origins of this virus. Therefore, we urge you to do just that by directing the House committees of jurisdiction to gather evidence and testimony from public health officials who are involved in approving, conducting, or funding gain-of-function or related research; are in communication with researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology; or are U.S. public health officials.
Specifically, we urge you to direct committees of jurisdiction to issue subpoenas for:
Dr. Peter Daszak, President of EcoHealth Alliance
Dr. Anthony Fauci, NIAID Director
Dr. Francis Collins, Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Dr. Janet Woodcock, Acting Commissioner of the Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
Congress needs to do its job and pursue the truth wherever it leads.
GOP congresswoman tells her own moving pro-life story in Defense of Hyde Amendment: ‘Be Warriors of Human Dignity’
Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered remarks in this week’s markup defending the Hyde Amendment and upholding the dignity of all life.
Excerpts and highlights from her prepared remarks:
THE POLITICS OF ABORTION
“Perhaps abortion is the most divisive issues in America today. It’s one that drives passion and politics.
“Should the government be involved? What about the church? What is my personal conviction? What is my political position? People have strongly held beliefs and stories.
“The question before this committee today is whether taxpayer money should be used to fund abortions.
“We know that the vast majority of Americans believe taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund abortions or subsidize insurance plans that cover abortions.”
CATHY’S STORY
“As a pro-life woman, I want to share with you my story.
“I’ve never had an abortion but I have thought in my younger years of what I would do if I found myself pregnant and alone.
“It would have been a desperate situation.
“I can imagine an abortion seeming like an easy solution.
“It breaks my heart to think anyone would consider abortion as their only option or the best option.
“Growing up, I was not much of a baby person. I was 35 and single when I was elected to Congress. I didn’t know if becoming a mom would happen for me.
“Today, I can testify that bringing a new life into the world was the most amazing thing.
“Being a mom to three beautiful children is the best part of life.
DOWN SYNDROME
“Our oldest, Cole, now 14, was born with an extra 21st chromosome.
“It’s the most common chromosomal abnormality, Down syndrome.
“In this debate over abortion, Down syndrome has been at the forefront.
“Many of my colleagues have heard our friend Frank Stephens tell the world, ‘I’m a man with Down syndrome and my life is worth living.’
“When Cole was first born, I wanted to change the name of Down syndrome wondering who came up with that name. Then, I read Dr. John Landon Down’s biography.
“He was an extraordinary individual who in the mid-1850s first identified the common characteristics that we know today as Down Syndrome.
“Maybe we should call it, Dr. John Down Syndrome.
“He went on to build a home and provide support for people who were often cast aside from society.
“I also want to share the story of Dr. Jerome Lejeune He was pro-life and first discovered the genetic cause of Down syndrome in 1958, an extra 21st chromosome.
“It was only a few years earlier they identified that people have 23 pairs of chromosomes.
“Near the same time, western countries were beginning to draft pro-abortion laws.
“Dr. Lejeune has said himself that because he’s pro-life, he was passed up for a Nobel Prize even though his research was the first to unlock the mysteries of the 46 chromosomes and he helped advance new cures and discoveries.
“Today, the results of his research are often used to identify chromosomal abnormalities and unfortunately is used many times to identify that early and terminate a pregnancy.
“Nearly a decade before Dr. Lejeune’s discovery, a neurologist shared the Nobel Prize for the discovery of the lobotomy.
“The procedure was controversial for its initial use and is now rejected as an inhumane form of treatment for mental disorders.”
BEING WARRIORS FOR HUMAN DIGNITY
“We learned from the science, research, and technology.
“My hope is that learn again and reject abortion because it is inhumane.
“As Pope Francis calls it, we have adopted a ‘throwaway’ culture for the weak, disabled, and disposable.
“It’s not science. It’s not the latest research. And because of technology today you can see the baby develop day-by-day in the womb and doctors perform prenatal surgeries.
“For those of us who stand for life, we must do a better job of loving. I can only imagine the fear and despair of an unwanted pregnancy.
“My challenge before us all is to be warriors of human dignity and win the future.
“Let’s focus on the very foundation of our laws – that they MUST uphold the value and potential of every person’s life.
“I urge my colleagues to join me and save the Hyde Amendment.”
AFP cheers setback for leftist drug pricing scheme
The U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce Committee deadlocked on a vote to approve legislation that would put the federal government in charge of drug prices. The tie vote means the measure does not advance out of this committee for now, and dramatically reduces the likelihood of the bill becoming law later this year.
“We applaud Reps. Peters, Rice, and Schrader for joining with other lawmakers and standing with patients who desperately depend on current and future lifesaving cures,” said Dean Clancy, Senior Health Policy Fellow at Americans for Prosperity. “While we all agree that more can be done to make prescription drugs more affordable, putting Washington in charge would hurt the very people who need help the most. We encourage lawmakers to unite behind legislation that would lower prescription costs while ensuring that patients continue to access the medications they rely on.”
Biden flouting federal law to hide scheme to slash Medicare
House Budget Committee Republican Leader Jason Smith (MO-08) highlighted the Biden Administration’s failure to follow the law and transparently account for pending cuts to government programs and services as a result of legislation enacted and proposed by Washington Democrats so far this year.
Specifically, Smith called out the fact that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under President Biden has failed thus far to transparently account for all their spending as required by U.S. law. The Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (Statutory PAYGO) requires OMB to make public and continuously update scorecards that provide important information to Congress and the public indicating whether automatic cuts to mandatory programs, such as Medicare, will occur at the end of a session of Congress. Such cuts are the consequence of unpaid spending legislation that has been enacted. Since entering the White House on January 20th, President Biden and his Administration have failed to publish a single scorecard reflecting any spending that has occurred since the start of his administration.
“The Biden Administration and Congressional Democrats continue to claim that trillions in reckless partisan spending will not have a negative impact on the American people, while at the same time refusing to follow the law and disclose how their spending will trigger cuts to critical government programs and services millions of Americans rely on, including millions of seniors,” said House Budget Committee Republican Leader Smith. “America is confronting multiple crises created by this Administration, whether it’s the humanitarian and national security crisis at the border, the rampant inflation crisis sweeping our nation, or the crisis of leadership in the Oval Office. The American people deserve a full accounting of the impact of new spending Democrats have enacted will have before they try to ram through another $3.5 trillion in reckless spending and tax increases.”
“Public Law 117-2, enacted on March 11, 2021, included budgetary effects that would cause balances on the PAYGO scorecards of approximately $1.9 trillion. This law alone triggers cuts to the Medicare program amounting to more than $500 billion over the next 10 years, including $36 billion next year. However, since the Biden Administration has failed to follow the law and publish PAYGO scorecards, Congress does not have an explicit accounting of the total magnitude of government spending additions made by Congressional Democrats and the White House,” Smith wrote in a letter to OMB.
Smith’s letter also recognizes that the Biden Administration’s failure to follow the Statutory PAYGO, a law born out of a previous debt limit debate, undermines confidence in the ability of the White House and Congress to engage in meaningful debate around government spending and waste, or address the nation’s debt limit.
“This is a timely concern given that the current debt limit suspension expired on July 31, 2021, and the Department of Treasury is currently relying on extraordinary measures to cover the federal government’s expenses. Congressional Democrats have thus far failed to address the expired debt limit or propose any meaningful solution to doing so other than prioritizing a new $3.5 trillion spending plan, which demonstrates to the American people that Congress does not believe it should have to abide by its own rules or enact fiscal reforms to stay within the federal government’s budget,” Smith wrote.
In the letter, Smith calls on OMB to immediately release updated PAYGO scorecards to the American public and Congress, noting that the automatic cuts triggered by sequestration will only grow worse as the Biden Administration and Congressional Democrats move ahead with trillions in new spending.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Why isn’t Biden designating the Taliban a terrorist organization?
U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a veteran of the Global War on Terrorism and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, led her colleagues in calling on the Biden Administration to recognize the Taliban as a terrorist organization.
In a letter to Secretary of State Blinken, Ernst and her colleagues write, “Since reestablishing control of Afghanistan, the Taliban resumed the same murderous and oppressive habits that characterized their leadership tenure prior to the arrival of U.S. forces in 2001. Even as the administration concluded the withdrawal of U.S. and allied forces from Afghanistan, we saw public attacks on individuals, beatings of women and girls, and search teams actively pursuing allies and partners. Most concerning to us is that among those beaten and chased by Taliban forces were American citizens and their families still living in Afghanistan.”
They go on to say, “The Taliban appointed Sirajuddin Haqqani, the leader of the Haqqani network and a known terrorist wanted by the FBI for the murder of American citizens, as Interior Minister and allowed terror organizations to join the government. Given their history of supporting terror attacks on the United States, their brutal style of governance, their continued display of atrocities against Americans and our allies, and now, their enhanced military capability, the current version of the Taliban government presents a significant threat to the United States…We believe the Taliban easily meets all three criteria and urge you to consider designating the Taliban as a foreign terrorist organization and treating them as such to the maximum extent of the law.”
Last week, Ernst joined fellow Senate Armed Services Committee members in calling on Chairman Jack Reed (D-R.I.) to exercise the committee’s authority by holding hearings on the mishandled U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Ernst also pressed the Biden Administration on details regarding the status and recovery methods of American citizens, green card holders, and Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants in Afghanistan, including what measures the administration is taking to keep these people safe until they can get out of Afghanistan.
Mike Lee and Mike Braun introduce measure to place congressional controls on war funding
Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Mike Braun (R-IN) introduced the Restraining Emergency War Spending Act to place Congressional controls on the use of emergency funding for enduring wars. Congress has appropriated over $2 Trillion of defense emergency funds over the past two decades with largely amorphous requirements, and the funds have been spent on everything from operations in Afghanistan and Iraq to standard deterrence missions in the European theater.
These reforms would prescribe a statutory definition to classify emergency war spending, and establish a permanent budget point of order against measures that include emergency war spending outside the definition.
Of the bill Sen. Lee said, “The days of endless wars and trillion-dollar defense slush funds must come to an end. Congress needs to better control, define, and oversee emergency defense spending to make sure American blood and treasure is not committed and lost needlessly. This bill will allow Congress to better perform its constitutional roles of overseeing our nation’s defense budget and wars.”
The bill is endorsed by National Taxpayers Union, the R Street Institute, the Project on Government Oversight, and Concerned Veterans for America. Andrew Lautz of the National Taxpayers Union said of the bill, “National Taxpayers Union applauds Sen. Lee for introducing this new legislation to put guardrails on the future use of off-budget war accounts. As Sen. Lee and NTU have pointed out, the Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) account morphed from a contingency fund in the immediate years after 9/11 to a slush fund for wasteful projects and programs that couldn’t make it into the military’s regular budget. Though OCO is gone for the upcoming year, Congress must guard against future abuse of off-budget designations like OCO. Sen. Lee’s legislation would give Congress some much-needed muscle against the abuse of war funding.”
AT THE RACES
Dem senator ‘Jelly Kelly’ quivers when asked how he’ll vote on $5 trillion spending scheme
Details of the Democrats’ $3.5 trillion (actually $5 trillion) reckless tax and spending spree are circulating around the Senate, but those details haven’t seemed to find Mark Kelly yet. This week when asked by CNN whether or not he would support his party’s “cradle to grave” socialism, Mark Kelly gave the same answer he’s given for months:
“I’m not setting a line in the sand on a number, but I do recognize that’s a significant amount of money,” said Sen. Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat facing reelection next year, when asked about the price tag. “And I’m going to look at the details of what are we going to get for whatever the top line number happens to be and then how are we going to pay for it.”
No matter the issue of the day, Mark Kelly never seems to have an answer. That’s because he is a reliable vote for D.C. Democrats and special interest groups, not Arizonans. As the Wall Street Journal put it:
“Unlike the other Democratic senator in the Grand Canyon state, Sen. Mark Kelly isn’t causing trouble for party leaders.”
Mark Kelly doesn’t cause any problems because Joe Biden, Chuck Schumer, and Bernie Sanders know he is 100% on their side when it comes to passing their far-Left, partisan agenda.
Statement from NRSC Spokeswoman Katharine Cooksey: “Mark Kelly is Washington Democrats’ favorite Senator because unlike his Arizona colleague, Kelly’s vote for their radical, socialist agenda is already in the bag. Mark Kelly’s focus isn’t on doing what is best for Arizonans, it’s staying out of trouble with his D.C. bosses.”
These vulnerable Dem senators blow through inflation red lights to plow economy into socialist fireball
It’s obvious how Senate Democrats’ reckless tax and spending spree will hurt American families through its job-killing tax hikes, but what about the harmful impacts of their out-of-control spending?
Already this year, American families are seeing inflation skyrocket because of the Democrats’ partisan spending sprees, starting with $1.9 trillion in so-called COVID relief they jammed through earlier this year. American families are already seeing the negative impacts of this out-of-control government spending, whether it is higher prices at the pump and grocery stores or struggling to afford a new car. In July, a key inflation indicator reached a 30-year high, previewing a record-high level for producer prices in August.
Despite all inflation indicators flashing red, Democrats are committed to barreling through an additional $3.5 trillion (more like $5.5 trillion) in reckless spending in order to completely remake the U.S. economy into a socialist utopia.
Will Senate Democrats like Maggie Hassan, Mark Kelly, Raphael Warnock, Catherine Cortez Masto, and Michael Bennet finally speak out against their party’s inflation-inducing spending, or will they continue to turn a blind eye to the negative impacts their far-Left policies have on American families?
Terrified of offending their liberal base, Senate Democrats refuse to call Taliban ‘terrorists’
The Biden Administration’s calamitous withdrawal from Afghanistan has thrust the murderous Taliban back into power. Not only have they brought back their brutally oppressive Islamic law, but they have also made no effort to cut ties with al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations. Thanks to the Administration’s lack of pre-conditions and contingencies, Afghanistan is once again a safe haven for terrorism just as it was pre-9/11.
President Biden has laughably urged the Taliban to keep in mind how they are viewed by the international community, as if oblivious to their history. Now, Senate Republicans are calling on the Administration to rightfully label the Taliban a terrorist organization once again.
Unfortunately, Senate Democrats have not joined Republicans in calling this Islamofascism regime what they are – terrorists. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the Administration will see how the group behaves before making a determination.
What more do they need to see? When will Senate Democrats stand up and call evil by its name?
Statement from NRSC Spokesman T.W. Arrighi: “Without pre-conditions or contingencies, President Biden yanked out forces from Afghanistan leaving a trail of death and destruction in our wake. It’s a true national embarrassment that has once again made Afghanistan a terrorist safe haven. Even in light of those facts, the Administration and Senate Democrats are silent on labeling the Taliban as terrorists. But the Taliban are who they have always been, ruthless thugs and killers, and it’s time we call them by their name: radical Islamic terrorists.”
Facing card-carrying Socialist in Dem Senate primary, Conor Lamb votes to Defund The Police and promote Critical Race Theory
During the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure markup of the Dems’ reckless tax and spending bill, PA Senate hopeful Congressman Conor Lamb again sided with House Democrats and voted against bettering the lives of hardworking Pennsylvania families on a number of issues.
Let’s take a look:
Inflation: Lamb voted against protecting Americans from skyrocketing inflation caused by reckless spending.
Hurricane Ida: Lamb voted against relief for victims of Hurricane Ida, which caused extreme flooding and damage in his state of Pennsylvania.
Critical Race Theory: Lamb voted to allow Critical Race Theory to be taught to our armed forces.
Energy: Lamb voted to prioritize oil production from OPEC countries over energy production in America, even though energy jobs are one of the main drivers of his state’s economy, providing tens of thousands of jobs in Pennsylvania.
Police: Lamb voted to allow funding to jurisdictions that have defunded the police.
Statement from NRSC Spokeswoman Lizzie Litzow: “No surprise here. Conor Lamb once again voted along party lines, caving to his party’s leadership over protecting and bettering the lives of Pennsylvanians. As history shows, Lamb will always side with Washington Democrats. Pennsylvanians deserve a leader who will put them before party leadership and that is not Conor Lamb.”
Top Florida Dem Senate recruit hits campaign trail with liberal powerbroker who calls Christians ‘Taliban’
Val Demings sure knows how to pick ‘em. In June she accepted the endorsement of former socialist party-member Luis Gutierrez, and just this past weekend she was spotted campaigning with radical, progressive activist Amy Siskind.
Demings’ inner circle is a clear picture of exactly the kind of candidate she is: radical, Socialist, and wrong for Florida.
Fox News: Rep. Val Demings, Florida Senate candidate, campaigns with activist who repeatedly compared GOP to Taliban
Amy Siskind, author of “The List: A Week-by-Week Reckoning of Trump’s First Year,” hosted Demings for a campaign event at her home in Mamaroneck, New York, on Sunday. She also hosted a virtual discussion about domestic terrorism with Demings, a former police chief, back in March.
On Sept. 1, two days after the last of the U.S. troops left Afghanistan following the country’s rapid collapse to the Taliban, Siskind tweeted: “LIBERTY! (except for women controlling their own bodies). GOP, America’s Taliban. #YallQaeda”