All articles tagged with #republican congressman
Republican congressman Tim Walberg suggested using nuclear weapons on Gaza as a metaphor to support Israel's elimination of Hamas, while also opposing humanitarian aid for the Palestinian territory. His remarks have sparked widespread condemnation from fellow politicians, including calls for his resignation, and criticism from advocacy groups for what they see as a dehumanization of the Palestinian people.
Republican Congressman Chris Smith has introduced a bill to permanently ban US funding to UNRWA over its ties to Hamas, following accusations that the agency's staffers assisted or supported Hamas terror attacks. The Biden administration has temporarily paused additional funding to UNRWA in response to these allegations, and several other countries have joined the boycott. UNRWA has faced scrutiny for not doing enough to prevent aid from reaching Hamas terrorists and for spreading anti-Semitic propaganda. Smith is set to host a hearing to examine the mission and failures of UNRWA, calling for a complete reform and restructuring of the agency.
Representative George Santos, a first-term Republican congressman from New York, is facing new charges in a superseding indictment that includes 10 additional felony counts. The charges accuse Santos of stealing the identities and credit cards of campaign donors, charging their cards without authorization, and distributing the funds to his own campaign, other candidates' campaigns, and his personal bank account. The indictment also alleges conspiracy, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, access device fraud, false statements to the Federal Election Commission, and falsifying records. Santos' campaign treasurer, Nancy Marks, recently pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States and admitted to her role in fraudulently reporting a fictional $500,000 loan to Santos' campaign. Santos has pleaded not guilty to the previous charges and is seeking re-election in 2024.
Republican congressman Jason Smith struggled to answer questions about allegations that President Joe Biden influenced the Department of Justice (DOJ). Smith highlighted evidence of corruption and misconduct tied to Biden, including a message from Hunter Biden suggesting a connection between his family's brand and Joe Biden's political power. When pressed on the timing and how Biden could exert influence if he wasn't in office or a candidate, Smith sidestepped the question. The Republican-led investigations into Biden and his family have not produced evidence of the president's involvement in his son's business dealings or the government's investigation. The Ways and Means Committee voted along party lines to release documents from IRS whistleblowers, with Republicans claiming the material is vital to understanding efforts to protect Joe Biden. Democrats argue that no conclusive new information has been presented.
The wife of Rep. Jeff Duncan, a Republican congressman from South Carolina, has filed for divorce, accusing him of having multiple extramarital affairs and leaving their home to live with another woman. In the filing, Melody Duncan alleged that her husband admitted to the ongoing sexual relationship with his paramour, Liz Williams, a lobbyist in Washington, D.C. The complaint also claimed that Duncan has presented a narrative of a loveless marriage to justify the hypocrisy of his public statements and private actions. Melody Duncan is seeking alimony, possession of their marital residence, and other financial obligations. Rep. Duncan's office has not yet responded to the allegations.
Republican congressman Derrick Van Orden from Wisconsin faced bipartisan criticism after yelling and cursing at high school-aged Senate pages during a late-night tour of the Capitol. Van Orden used profanity to describe the pages as lazy and ordered them off the floor of the Capitol Rotunda. Senate leaders, including Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell, rebuked Van Orden for his behavior and thanked the pages for their service. Van Orden, a former Navy Seal, defended his actions and embraced the presence of alcohol in his office. Critics called him an embarrassment and a hypocrite, referencing a previous incident of harassment.
Former Republican Congressman Madison Cawthorn pleaded guilty to bringing a loaded handgun through a TSA checkpoint at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport and was fined $250 without probation. This was the second time in just over a year that airport authorities had stopped Cawthorn with a gun. Cawthorn was first elected to Congress in 2020 as a strong ally of President Donald Trump but lost in the Republican primary to Chuck Edwards in his bid for a second term.