All articles tagged with #republican lawmaker
Michigan state Rep. Neil Friske, a Republican from Charlevoix, is facing potential felony charges, including one for alleged sexual assault, following his arrest. Ingham County Prosecutor John Dewane has called for further investigation by Lansing police before any charges are issued.
Colorado Republican state Rep. Don Wilson apologized for leaving a loaded 9 mm Glock handgun unattended in a bathroom at the State Capitol, stating that he takes full accountability and is committed to responsible handling procedures. The incident has sparked calls for legislation to prohibit carrying firearms in the Capitol, with Democratic leaders emphasizing the need for gun safety policies. This is not the first time a gun has been mishandled in the Colorado State Capitol, as a similar incident involving another lawmaker occurred in 2022.
Republican lawmaker Rep. Michael Lemelin of Chelsea sparked outrage by suggesting that the mass shooting in Lewiston was God's punishment for Maine's expanded access to abortion. His comments were ruled out of order by Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross, drawing condemnation from multiple lawmakers. The House ultimately voted to advance a bill protecting medical professionals who provide abortions and gender-affirming care, despite opposition citing concerns about parental rights and criminal activity. The proposal has also attracted national attention, with 16 attorneys general from conservative states threatening legal action if the bill becomes law.
The House Intelligence Committee chair has stated that Russian propaganda has permeated parts of the GOP, with a Republican lawmaker acknowledging that it has "infected a good chunk" of the party's base, highlighting concerns about the spread of misinformation within the political landscape.
The Michigan House of Representatives removed Republican lawmaker Josh Schriver from his staff and a committee position after he shared a post promoting a racist conspiracy theory. House Speaker Joe Tate accused Schriver of promoting racist rhetoric and hate speech, while Schriver denied being racist. The "great replacement theory" has been associated with white nationalists and has inspired violence. Politicians from both parties condemned Schriver's posts, with Governor Gretchen Whitmer stating that the rhetoric goes against state and national values.
Two Democratic lawmakers in the US House have initiated a move to force a vote to expel Republican Representative George Santos, who has been charged with corruption since his election in 2022. The motion requires a two-thirds majority in the House, which is currently controlled by Republicans. This comes after a scathing report by the Republican-majority Ethics Committee, which called into question the integrity of Santos' election and recommended his expulsion. Santos has previously pleaded not guilty to federal charges of campaign finance violations. If expelled, Santos would be the sixth lawmaker to be ousted by a vote of the House.
Republican lawmaker Rep. Mike Flood of Nebraska is urging conservatives to sign a unity pledge to support the next speaker nominee, stating that rank and file Republicans are tired of the chaos surrounding the House speaker position. The pledge targets lawmakers involved in the speakership turmoil, including those who voted against former Speaker Kevin McCarthy and those who withheld support for House Majority Leader Steve Scalise. Flood hopes that signing the pledge will bring an end to the deadlock in selecting a new speaker.
Republican congressman Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska revealed that his personal and campaign email accounts were breached by suspected Chinese hackers, making him the first known lawmaker to be targeted in an alleged Chinese espionage campaign. The hackers also accessed the unclassified email accounts of senior State Department and Commerce Department officials. Bacon's support for Taiwan and criticism of China's treatment of the Uyghur minority group may have made him a target. The FBI confirmed the hack, indicating an ongoing investigation, while tensions between the US and China have escalated due to the cyberattacks.