therightscoop--2020-12-22--Ted Cruz has a plan to keep Biden from rejoining disastrous Iran deal and Paris climate accord, but

Ted Cruz has a plan to keep Biden from rejoining disastrous Iran deal and Paris climate accord, but he needs Trump’s help…

Ted Cruz has a plan to try and keep Biden from rejoining the disastrous Iran deal and the Paris climate accord .
Which is , in short , to get Trump to send both treaties to the Senate for ratification so they can fail : RCP – In the waning days of the Trump administration , Sen. Ted Cruz has quietly been urging the president to submit both the Iran nuclear deal and the Paris climate agreement to the Senate for ratification .
But not because they would succeed ; rather , because they would inevitably fail .
The equivalent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s gambit would force a showdown between the Senate and President-elect Joe Biden .
President Trump pulled out of the agreements ; Biden has promised to recommit the United States to both without congressional approval .
In a letter obtained by RealClearPolitics , the Texas senator is pressing both the president and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to submit the pacts before Trump leaves office .
“ Your administration has rightly changed course as a matter of substantive policy by withdrawing from both the Iran Deal and the Paris Agreement .
This was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Cruz wrote .
“ I urge you now also to remedy the harm done to the balance of powers by submitting the Iran Deal and the Paris Agreement to the Senate as treaties , ” Cruz continued .
“ Only by so doing will the Senate be able to satisfy its constitutional role to provide advice and consent in the event any future administration attempts to revive these dangerous deals.
” Cruz has become a stalwart Trump ally , and if the president takes his advice , he could throw a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration before Biden can even fully nominate his Cabinet .
The incoming president has promised that he would rejoin the Paris Agreement “ on day one , ” and pledged to revive the Iranian nuclear deal he helped negotiate as vice president .
Republicans , meanwhile , are unified in their opposition to both .
A vote against them would signal GOP opposition to the world and , they hope , undermine any unilateral action by Biden to rejoin the agreements .
One senior congressional aide told RCP that sending them to die @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final nail in the coffin.
” Central to Cruz ’ s argument is the contention that the Paris accords and Iran deal are actually treaties .
As such , they are subject to the Senate ’ s Article 2 “ advice and consent ” role and require two-thirds of the chamber for ratification .
A 2015 concurrent resolution , co-sponsored by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Majority Whip John Thune , condemned President Obama for joining the Paris agreement without Senate approval and called on the White House to submit it to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such complaints .
Although now more than four years removed , Cruz is banking on lingering Republican resentment to spark last-minute action .
Cruz isn ’ t the only one pushing for this… Cruz isn ’ t alone in trying to force another showdown .
Sen. Lindsey Graham , another Trump ally , tweeted last week that he is working behind the scenes to secure a vote on the two pacts .
He warned that rejoining the Iran nuclear deal “ would be the most destructive decision a Biden administration could make regarding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the climate agreement , he added , would mean “ a big win for China and India.
” I sincerely hope Trump follows Cruz ’ s advice because this really is a big deal .

Ted Cruz has a plan to try and keep Biden from rejoining the disastrous Iran deal and the Paris climate accord. Which is, in short, to get Trump to send both treaties to the Senate for ratification so they can fail:
RCP – In the waning days of the Trump administration, Sen. Ted Cruz has quietly been urging the president to submit both the Iran nuclear deal and the Paris climate agreement to the Senate for ratification. But not because they would succeed; rather, because they would inevitably fail. The equivalent of a constitutional tripwire, Cruz’s gambit would force a showdown between the Senate and President-elect Joe Biden. President Trump pulled out of the agreements; Biden has promised to recommit the United States to both without congressional approval. In a letter obtained by RealClearPolitics, the Texas senator is pressing both the president and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to submit the pacts before Trump leaves office.
Last night I urged POTUS to submit the Iran Deal & Paris Agreement to the Senate as treaties. By submitting these disastrous deals to the Senate, we can provide advice & consent if a future administration attempts to revive them. Read my letter 👇 pic.twitter.com/0Qa8Fps5Yb — Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) December 22, 2020
“Your administration has rightly changed course as a matter of substantive policy by withdrawing from both the Iran Deal and the Paris Agreement. This was a great accomplishment for the American people,” Cruz wrote. “I urge you now also to remedy the harm done to the balance of powers by submitting the Iran Deal and the Paris Agreement to the Senate as treaties,” Cruz continued. “Only by so doing will the Senate be able to satisfy its constitutional role to provide advice and consent in the event any future administration attempts to revive these dangerous deals.” Cruz has become a stalwart Trump ally, and if the president takes his advice, he could throw a wrench into the gears of the incoming administration before Biden can even fully nominate his Cabinet. The incoming president has promised that he would rejoin the Paris Agreement “on day one,” and pledged to revive the Iranian nuclear deal he helped negotiate as vice president. Republicans, meanwhile, are unified in their opposition to both. A vote against them would signal GOP opposition to the world and, they hope, undermine any unilateral action by Biden to rejoin the agreements. One senior congressional aide told RCP that sending them to die in the Senate “would be the final nail in the coffin.” Central to Cruz’s argument is the contention that the Paris accords and Iran deal are actually treaties. As such, they are subject to the Senate’s Article 2 “advice and consent” role and require two-thirds of the chamber for ratification. A 2015 concurrent resolution, co-sponsored by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Majority Whip John Thune, condemned President Obama for joining the Paris agreement without Senate approval and called on the White House to submit it to the chamber. The Obama administration waved away such complaints. Although now more than four years removed, Cruz is banking on lingering Republican resentment to spark last-minute action.
Cruz isn’t the only one pushing for this…
Cruz isn’t alone in trying to force another showdown. Sen. Lindsey Graham, another Trump ally, tweeted last week that he is working behind the scenes to secure a vote on the two pacts. He warned that rejoining the Iran nuclear deal “would be the most destructive decision a Biden administration could make regarding stability in the Middle East.” Rejoining the climate agreement, he added, would mean “a big win for China and India.”
I sincerely hope Trump follows Cruz’s advice because this really is a big deal.


therightscoop--2020-12-22--Here’s the six Republicans who voted AGAINST the omnibus/covid bill in the Senate

According to the official record , only six Republicans voted against the 5,600 page Omnibus/Covid-relief bill that no one had @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s a shame that only 6 out of a majority voted against this @ @ @ @ @ who voted for the bill , defended his decision on Twitter : But Ted Cruz @ @ @ @ @ reason why he voted against the bill : Just on the basis that they were @ @ @ @ @ and digest the bill , should all Republicans have voted against it .
Not to @ @ @ @ @ we could likely talk about for months .

According to the official record, only six Republicans voted against the 5,600 page Omnibus/Covid-relief bill that no one had a chance to read:
Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
Ted Cruz (R-TX)
Ron Johnson (R-WI)
Mike Lee (R-UT)
Rand Paul (R-KY)
Rick Scott (R-FL)
It’s a shame that only 6 out of a majority voted against this bill.
Josh Hawley, who voted for the bill, defended his decision on Twitter:
I will vote yes on #covid relief bill for one reason and one reason only: it contains direct assistance to working families. That assistance is not nearly enough, fraction of what it should be. But it is something, & for millions of working Americans, it’s help desperately needed — Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) December 22, 2020
But Ted Cruz disagrees, and wrote the reason why he voted against the bill:
Simply put, Democrats exploited the need for relief to advance their political agenda instead of working on standalone legislation months ago that would put our nation on the path to recovery. That’s wrong and the exact opposite of what the American people need right now. — Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) December 22, 2020
Just on the basis that they were given no time to read and digest the bill, should all Republicans have voted against it. Not to mention all the waste that we could likely talk about for months.


therightscoop--2020-12-24--BREAKING: President Trump pardons Roger Stone, Paul Manafort, and many more!

Tonight President Trump pardoned Roger Stone , Paul Manafort , and the father of Jared Kushner : The actions bring to 49 the number of people who Trump in the last two days has granted clemency either through pardons or sentence commutations .
AP – President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued pardons and sentence commutations for 29 people , including former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and Charles Kushner , the father of his son-in-law .
Below is the full statement from the White House on all who were pardoned today , including the 3 commutations : Today , President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals and commuted part or all of the sentences of an additional 3 individuals .
James Kassouf — President Trump granted a full pardon to James Kassouf .
This pardon is supported by former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi , Representative David Joyce , Representative Darrell Issa , Pastor Darrell Scott , and many friends in Northeast Ohio .
Mr. Kassouf pled guilty in 1989 to one count of filing a false tax return .
Since his conviction , he has devoted extensive time and resources to supporting causes such as Doctors Without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his local church and fire department .
Mr. Kassouf ’ s pastor , who also writes in support of today ’ s action , highlights Mr. Kassouf ’ s “ vision ” to make his community a better place .
Mr. Kassouf is dedicated to revitalizing the city of Cleveland and has been intensely involved in the Northeast Ohio community .
Mary McCarty — President Trump granted Mary McCarty a full pardon .
Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and Christopher Ruddy are among those supportive of Ms. McCarty .
Ms. McCarty was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Florida , serving as one of its County Commissioners .
In 2009 , she pled guilty to one count of honest services fraud .
The Supreme Court has since interpreted that statute more narrowly , meaning that Ms. McCarty ’ s conduct might not be criminally prosecuted today .
Christopher Wade — President Trump granted a full pardon to Christopher Wade .
Wade ’ s pardon is supported by Isaac Perlmutter , Mark Templeton , and numerous current and former law-enforcement officials .
Mr. Wade served two years ’ probation after pleading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conviction , he has shown remorse and sought to make his community a safer place .
Christopher II X , formerly Christopher Anthony Bryant — President Trump granted a full pardon to Christopher II X , a prominent community leader .
This Federal pardon is supported by Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky as well as Tori Murden McClure , the President of Spalding University , among others .
Mr. II X is a powerful example of the possibility of redemption .
For a two-decade period ending in 1998 , Mr. II X battled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marijuana .
In this period he committed numerous state and federal offenses .
Since overcoming his drug dependency and following his release from prison for the last time over 20 years ago , Mr. II X has become an acknowledged community leader in his hometown of Louisville , Kentucky .
Today , Mr. II X runs a non-profit organization , Game Changers , which is dedicated to guiding youth to productive , meaningful lives .
He is also widely credited as a trusted voice of reason and peace in Louisville that both sides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police and local community .
In recognition of the many contributions to his community , in December 2019 Governor Matt Bevin of Kentucky issued Mr. II X a full pardon for each of his State crimes .
Today ’ s Federal pardon achieves the same for Mr. II X ’ s Federal cocaine offenses .
Cesar Lozada — President Trump granted a full pardon to Cesar Lozada .
This act of clemency is supported by U.S. Representative-elect Maria Elvira Salazar and members of Mr. Lozada ’ s community .
Mr. Lozada , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business cleaning and servicing pools in Miami-Dade County .
Since then , his business , now a pool equipment company , has grown and employs dozens of people .
Today ’ s pardon addresses a mistake Mr. Lozada made in 2004 of conspiring to distribute marijuana , for which Mr. Lozada took full responsibility , served his sentence of 14 months in prison and 3 years supervised release , and paid a $ 10,000 fine .
Mr. Lozada volunteers on weekends at a charity mission and serves food to the poor .
Joseph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Martin Stephens a full pardon .
Mr. Stephens ’ Federal conviction – a guilty plea in 2008 to being a felon in possession of a firearm – is predicated on a State felony conviction from 1991 , when he was 19 .
Although the state offered Mr. Stephens deferred adjudication , he turned it down .
When Federal authorities prosecuted him nearly 20 years later for possessing a firearm , he took full responsibility for his conduct and served a sentence of 18 months in prison and 3 years on supervised release .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ business associates .
Andrew Barron Worden — President Trump granted a full pardon to Andrew Barron Worden , an entrepreneur who has worked extensively in the solar energy field .
Mr. Worden has exhibited a decades-long commitment to philanthropy , including founding charitable foundations and teaching and research grant programs .
Mr. Worden enjoys the support of business associates and his community for this pardon , which pertains to a 1998 conviction for wire fraud .
At the time , Mr. Worden had just graduated from college and made mistakes in running an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Worden voluntarily stopped his wrongful conduct and began to repay his victims before any criminal charges were filed , an action his sentencing judge called “ extraordinary.
” Robert Coughlin — President Trump granted a full pardon to Robert Coughlin .
This act of clemency has the support of former interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeffrey Taylor and Adam Ciongoli , former counselor to Attorney General Ashcroft .
Mr. Coughlin pled guilty to a single count of conflict of interest in performing his duties as a Department of Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favors on matters before the Department of Justice in exchange for sports and concert tickets .
Mr. Coughlin voluntarily surrendered his law license and was sentenced to 30 days in a halfway house and 200 hours of community service .
Mr. Coughlin is remorseful and has volunteered in his community through organizations including Meals on Wheels and Toys for Tots .
Recently , he was reinstated to the D.C. Bar and wishes to put his mistakes behind him .
John Boultbee and Peter Atkinson — President Trump granted a full pardon to John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the former chief financial officer and Mr. Atkinson is the former vice president of Hollinger International .
Both men were convicted as part of an alleged fraud scheme involving Lord Conrad Black , and both served nearly a year in prison for mail fraud .
President Trump previously pardoned Lord Black , and for similar reasons and with the support of Lord Black , former Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald Safer , and David Nathanson , he has now granted a full pardon to Messrs. Boultbee and Atkinson .
Joseph Occhipinti — President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Occhipinti , a 70-year-old former Supervisory Special Agent with the Immigration and Naturalization Service .
This pardon is supported by the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association , National Association of Police Organizations , and Representative Christopher Smith .
In 1991 , Mr. Occhipinti was convicted of conspiracy to violate civil rights under the color of law and making false statements .
Mr. Occhipinti had a 22-year highly decorated career in which he earned 76 separate commendations , including three from Attorneys General .
Mr. Occhipinti ’ s 37 month long sentence was commuted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only 7 months ’ incarceration .
Rebekah Charleston — President Trump granted a full pardon to Rebekah Charleston .
Ms. Charleston ’ s pardon is supported by her friends , family , and even the Special Agent who arrested her in 2006 for tax evasion .
Ms. Charleston is a victim of sex trafficking who has suffered a litany of abuses and endured a life of forced prostitution .
Despite these hardships , Ms. Charleston has become a champion for survivors of all crimes , particularly sex trafficking .
She obtained a master @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has worked tirelessly to give a voice to the voiceless victims of sex trafficking .
Ms. Charleston volunteers much of her time helping those who are currently or have previously been victims .
Rickey Kanter — President Trump granted a full pardon to Rickey Kanter .
Mr. Kanter was the owner and CEO of Dr .
Comfort , a company which manufactures special shoes and inserts for diabetics .
Although there was no evidence that Dr.
Comfort ’ s customers were ever harmed by the company ’ s shoe inserts , the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court regarding shoe inserts that were technically non-compliant with Medicare regulations .
It was only after this point when the Federal Government filed a criminal action against Mr. Kanter .
Mr. Kanter pled guilty to one count of mail fraud and completed his sentence of one year and one day in 2012 .
Since his period of incarceration , Mr. Kanter has been a model member of his community .
Topeka Sam — President Trump granted a full pardon to Topeka Sam .
This pardon is supported by Alice Johnson and David Safavian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a story of redemption .
She has become a powerful advocate for criminal justice reform since she completed 3 years of a 130-month sentence she received in 2012 as a result of pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine .
Ms. Sam has since dedicated her life to helping other women in need turn from a path of despair towards a path of redemption .
Ms. Sam founded Ladies of Hope Ministries , where she helps formerly incarcerated women transition back into society through education , entrepreneurship , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with others , she championed the historic First Step Act that President Trump signed in to law in 2018 .
James Batmasian — President Trump granted a full pardon to James Batmasian .
Mr. Batmasian ’ s pardon is supported by Representative Brian Mast , Alice Johnson , and former Masters Champion Bernhard Langer , among many others from the South Florida community that Mr. Batmasian has done so much to serve through his extensive charitable works .
Mr. Batmasian runs an extensive property management business in South Florida .
Over a three-year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Batmasian made overtime payments without withholding for income taxes or FICA contributions .
While illegal , Mr. Batmasian recorded all of these payments and made no attempt to hide them when confronted by IRS investigators .
In 2008 , Mr. Batmasian pled guilty to willful failure to collect and remit payroll taxes .
Mr. Batmasian accepted full responsibility for his actions , fully repaid the IRS the money he owed , and served his 8-month sentence .
William J. Plemons , Jr. — President Trump granted a full pardon to William J. Plemons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generosity and service to children and the underprivileged .
His clemency is also supported by Richard Greene , former State Senator of Georgia .
Mr. Plemons served in the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged .
He has spent decades supporting the Boy Scouts , the Cure Childhood Cancer Hospital , and other charitable efforts .
Although he was convicted of various financial crimes in the late 1990s and early 2000s , he has taken responsibility for his conduct , served a sentence of 27 months in prison , and paid $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump granted a full posthumous pardon to Russell Plaisance .
His clemency is supported by numerous local officials , including the Sheriff of the parish .
The prosecutor on his case also does not object to a pardon .
In life , Mr. Plaisance built a tug boat business from the ground up that has grown into seven vessels and employment for over 50 individuals .
He has also contributed his time and resources to local charitable causes .
His Federal case , dating back to 1987 , involves a single count @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one conversation in which he participated .
The sentencing judge called the event “ totally inconsistent with [ Mr. Plaisance ’ s ] life history and [ his ] character.
” Mr. Plaisance is survived by his wife of 54 years , children , and grandchildren .
Daniela Gozes-Wagner — President Trump commuted the sentence and restitution order imposed upon Ms. Gozes-Wagner .
Numerous former law-enforcement officials , including U.S .
Attorneys General Michael Mukasey , Ed Meese , Ramsey Clark , and John Ashcroft ; Acting Attorneys General Peter Keisler and Matt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Solicitors General , and scores of U.S .
Attorneys , among others , have supported commutation for Ms. Gosez-Wager , arguing that she received a disproportionate sentence .
The Aleph Institute also supports her commutation .
Ms. Wagner is a single mother of two children who has been in federal custody since her 2017 conviction for health care fraud and money laundering .
Ms. Gozes-Wagner worked as a mid-level manager for a company that improperly received Medicare and Medicaid funds .
Of the individuals in Ms. Gozes-Wagner ’ s case , Ms. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to trial .
She received a sentence of 20 years ’ imprisonment and was ordered to pay $ 15.2 million in restitution .
This sentence was significantly more severe than the sentences imposed on the other defendants , several of whom played a more central role in the fraud .
Her sentence was criticized by numerous former high-ranking U.S. officials as disproportionate to her crime .
Mark Siljander — President Trump granted a full pardon to Mark Siljander .
His pardon is supported by Former United States Attorney General Edwin Meese , former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee , Alabama Congressman Robert Aderholt , and Pastor Andrew Brunson .
Mr. Siljander served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 6 years , representing the people of Michigan ’ s 4th district .
During his time in Congress , Mr. Siljander was one of Congress ’ most stalwart defenders of pro-life principles and the namesake of the “ Siljander Amendment , ” which prohibits U.S. funds from being used to lobby for or against abortion .
Mr. Siljander served a year in prison for obstruction of justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Agents Registration Act .
Since his incarceration , Mr. Siljander has devoted himself to traveling in the Middle East and Africa to promote peace and mutual understanding .
Stephanie Mohr — President Trump granted a full pardon to Stephanie Mohr .
Her clemency is supported by the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund and the Fraternal Order of Police .
Ms. Mohr was a police officer in Prince George ’ s County where she achieved the distinction of being the first female canine handler in the Department ’ s history .
She served 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partner on a burglary suspect in 1995 , resulting in a bite wound requiring ten stitches .
Officer Mohr was a highly commended member of the police force prior to her prosecution .
Today ’ s action recognizes that service and the lengthy term that Ms. Mohr served in prison .
Gary Brugman — President Trump granted a full pardon to Gary Brugman .
His clemency is supported by numerous elected officials , including Lt .
Governor Dan Patrick , Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn , Representative Louie Gohmert , Representative Ted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paul Gosar , Representative Walter Jones , Representative Brian Babin , and Representative John Culberson .
Others who support this pardon include Laura Ingraham , Sara Carter , Glenn Beck , Lou Dobbs , Bernie Kerik , and numerous members of the U.S. Border Patrol .
Mr. Brugman served this country for 8 years in the Coast Guard and then for 4 years as a U.S. Border Patrol agent .
While protecting our borders at Eagle Pass , Texas , Mr. Brugman intercepted nearly a dozen illegal immigrants , pursued them on foot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was accused of knocking one of the illegal immigrants to the ground and was prosecuted on that basis for deprivation of rights .
He served 27 months in prison , where other inmates sought to harm him because of his law enforcement background .
After being released from prison , Mr. Brugman went on to obtain his Bachelor ’ s degree in Business Administration and Management .
John Tate and Jesse Benton — President Trump granted John Tate and Jesse Benton full pardons .
This action is supported by Senator Rand Paul and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Federal Election Commission .
Both Mr. Tate and Mr. Benton were convicted based on indirect campaign payments to a state Senator .
According to Mr. Goodman , the reporting law violated was unclear and not well established at the time .
Each individual received 6 months home confinement and 2 years ’ probation .
Charles Kushner — President Trump granted a full pardon to Charles Kushner .
Former United States Attorney for the District of Utah Brett Tolman and the American Conservative Union ’ s Matt Schlapp and David Safavian support a pardon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentence in 2006 , Mr. Kushner has been devoted to important philanthropic organizations and causes , such as Saint Barnabas Medical Center and United Cerebral Palsy .
This record of reform and charity overshadows Mr. Kushner ’ s conviction and 2 year sentence for preparing false tax returns , witness retaliation , and making false statements to the FEC .
Margaret Hunter— President Trump granted a full pardon to Margaret Hunter .
According to former Federal Election Commission Commissioner Bradley Smith , the conduct forming the basis of Ms. Hunter ’ s 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to misuse campaign funds for personal expenses should have been treated as a civil case by the agency .
Mrs. Hunter was sentenced to three years ’ probation .
President Trump previously issued a full pardon to former Congressman Hunter for the same alleged conduct .
Paul Manafort—Today , President Trump has issued a full and complete pardon to Paul Manafort , stemming from convictions prosecuted in the course of Special Counsel Mueller ’ s investigation , which was premised on the Russian collusion hoax .
Mr. Manafort has already spent two years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time in solitary confinement – treatment worse than what many of the most violent criminals receive .
As a result of blatant prosecutorial overreach , Mr. Manafort has endured years of unfair treatment and is one of the most prominent victims of what has been revealed to be perhaps the greatest witch hunt in American history .
As Mr. Manafort ’ s trial judge observed , prior to the Special Counsel investigation , Mr. Manafort had led an “ otherwise blameless life.
” Since May , Mr. Manafort has been released to home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Roger Stone— Today , President Trump granted a full and unconditional pardon to Roger Stone , Jr. President Trump had previously commuted Mr. Stone ’ s sentence in July of this year .
Mr. Stone is a 68-year-old man with numerous medical conditions .
Due to prosecutorial misconduct by Special Counsel Mueller ’ s team , Mr. Stone was treated very unfairly .
He was subjected to a pre-dawn raid of his home , which the media conveniently captured on camera .
Mr. Stone also faced potential political bias at his jury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right the injustices he faced at the hands of the Mueller investigation .
Mark Shapiro and Irving Stitsky — President Trump granted commutations to Mark Shapiro and Irving Stitsky , for the remainder of both of their sentences .
Messrs. Shapiro and Stitsky founded a real estate investing firm , but hid their prior felony convictions and used a straw CEO .
Due to the 2008 financial crisis , the business lost millions for its investors .
Prior to trial , prosecutors offered Messrs. Shapiro and Stitsky plea agreements for 5 to 7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respectively .
Both declined the deal and exercised their Constitutional right to a jury trial .
Both men were found guilty and sentenced to 85 years imprisonment .
This sentence was over 10 times the plea offer for Mr. Shapiro and almost 10 times the plea offer for Mr. Stitsky .
Messrs. Shapiro and Stitsky have already served more time than their plea offers .
Since their incarceration , both men have become model prisoners , earning support and praise from their fellow inmates .
Mr. Shapiro has renewed his faith in Judaism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dishonesty , while Mr. Stitsky has reflected on the victims of his crime and the remorse that he now has .
This clemency is supported by the Aleph Institute , Alice Johnson , several criminal justice advocacy groups , former Attorney General Edwin Meese , former Deputy Attorney General Larry Thompson , former District Judge William Bassler , former United States Attorneys Brett Tolman and James Reynolds , Professors of Law Bennett Gershman and Harold Krent , and several of the victims .

Tonight President Trump pardoned Roger Stone, Paul Manafort, and the father of Jared Kushner:
The actions bring to 49 the number of people who Trump in the last two days has granted clemency either through pardons or sentence commutations.
AP – President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued pardons and sentence commutations for 29 people, including former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law.
Below is the full statement from the White House on all who were pardoned today, including the 3 commutations:
Today, President Donald J. Trump granted Full Pardons to 26 individuals and commuted part or all of the sentences of an additional 3 individuals.
James Kassouf — President Trump granted a full pardon to James Kassouf. This pardon is supported by former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, Representative David Joyce, Representative Darrell Issa, Pastor Darrell Scott, and many friends in Northeast Ohio. Mr. Kassouf pled guilty in 1989 to one count of filing a false tax return. Since his conviction, he has devoted extensive time and resources to supporting causes such as Doctors Without Borders, the Red Cross, and his local church and fire department. Mr. Kassouf’s pastor, who also writes in support of today’s action, highlights Mr. Kassouf’s “vision” to make his community a better place. Mr. Kassouf is dedicated to revitalizing the city of Cleveland and has been intensely involved in the Northeast Ohio community.
Mary McCarty — President Trump granted Mary McCarty a full pardon. Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and Christopher Ruddy are among those supportive of Ms. McCarty. Ms. McCarty was a longtime public servant in Palm Beach, Florida, serving as one of its County Commissioners. In 2009, she pled guilty to one count of honest services fraud. The Supreme Court has since interpreted that statute more narrowly, meaning that Ms. McCarty’s conduct might not be criminally prosecuted today.
Christopher Wade — President Trump granted a full pardon to Christopher Wade. Wade’s pardon is supported by Isaac Perlmutter, Mark Templeton, and numerous current and former law-enforcement officials. Mr. Wade served two years’ probation after pleading guilty to various cyber-crimes. Since his conviction, he has shown remorse and sought to make his community a safer place.
Christopher II X, formerly Christopher Anthony Bryant — President Trump granted a full pardon to Christopher II X, a prominent community leader. This Federal pardon is supported by Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky as well as Tori Murden McClure, the President of Spalding University, among others. Mr. II X is a powerful example of the possibility of redemption. For a two-decade period ending in 1998, Mr. II X battled a severe addiction to both cocaine and marijuana. In this period he committed numerous state and federal offenses. Since overcoming his drug dependency and following his release from prison for the last time over 20 years ago, Mr. II X has become an acknowledged community leader in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. Today, Mr. II X runs a non-profit organization, Game Changers, which is dedicated to guiding youth to productive, meaningful lives. He is also widely credited as a trusted voice of reason and peace in Louisville that both sides turn to if tensions arise between the police and local community. In recognition of the many contributions to his community, in December 2019 Governor Matt Bevin of Kentucky issued Mr. II X a full pardon for each of his State crimes. Today’s Federal pardon achieves the same for Mr. II X’s Federal cocaine offenses.
Cesar Lozada — President Trump granted a full pardon to Cesar Lozada. This act of clemency is supported by U.S. Representative-elect Maria Elvira Salazar and members of Mr. Lozada’s community. Mr. Lozada, an immigrant from Cuba, started a small business cleaning and servicing pools in Miami-Dade County. Since then, his business, now a pool equipment company, has grown and employs dozens of people. Today’s pardon addresses a mistake Mr. Lozada made in 2004 of conspiring to distribute marijuana, for which Mr. Lozada took full responsibility, served his sentence of 14 months in prison and 3 years supervised release, and paid a $10,000 fine. Mr. Lozada volunteers on weekends at a charity mission and serves food to the poor.
Joseph Martin Stephens — President Trump granted Joseph Martin Stephens a full pardon. Mr. Stephens’ Federal conviction – a guilty plea in 2008 to being a felon in possession of a firearm – is predicated on a State felony conviction from 1991, when he was 19. Although the state offered Mr. Stephens deferred adjudication, he turned it down. When Federal authorities prosecuted him nearly 20 years later for possessing a firearm, he took full responsibility for his conduct and served a sentence of 18 months in prison and 3 years on supervised release. Clemency for Mr. Stephens is supported by business associates.
Andrew Barron Worden — President Trump granted a full pardon to Andrew Barron Worden, an entrepreneur who has worked extensively in the solar energy field. Mr. Worden has exhibited a decades-long commitment to philanthropy, including founding charitable foundations and teaching and research grant programs. Mr. Worden enjoys the support of business associates and his community for this pardon, which pertains to a 1998 conviction for wire fraud. At the time, Mr. Worden had just graduated from college and made mistakes in running an investment firm he founded. However, Mr. Worden voluntarily stopped his wrongful conduct and began to repay his victims before any criminal charges were filed, an action his sentencing judge called “extraordinary.”
Robert Coughlin — President Trump granted a full pardon to Robert Coughlin. This act of clemency has the support of former interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeffrey Taylor and Adam Ciongoli, former counselor to Attorney General Ashcroft. Mr. Coughlin pled guilty to a single count of conflict of interest in performing his duties as a Department of Justice official. He was charged for doing favors on matters before the Department of Justice in exchange for sports and concert tickets. Mr. Coughlin voluntarily surrendered his law license and was sentenced to 30 days in a halfway house and 200 hours of community service. Mr. Coughlin is remorseful and has volunteered in his community through organizations including Meals on Wheels and Toys for Tots. Recently, he was reinstated to the D.C. Bar and wishes to put his mistakes behind him.
John Boultbee and Peter Atkinson — President Trump granted a full pardon to John Boultbee and Peter Atkinson. Mr. Boultbee is the former chief financial officer and Mr. Atkinson is the former vice president of Hollinger International. Both men were convicted as part of an alleged fraud scheme involving Lord Conrad Black, and both served nearly a year in prison for mail fraud. President Trump previously pardoned Lord Black, and for similar reasons and with the support of Lord Black, former Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald Safer, and David Nathanson, he has now granted a full pardon to Messrs. Boultbee and Atkinson.
Joseph Occhipinti — President Trump granted a full pardon to Joseph Occhipinti, a 70-year-old former Supervisory Special Agent with the Immigration and Naturalization Service. This pardon is supported by the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, National Association of Police Organizations, and Representative Christopher Smith. In 1991, Mr. Occhipinti was convicted of conspiracy to violate civil rights under the color of law and making false statements. Mr. Occhipinti had a 22-year highly decorated career in which he earned 76 separate commendations, including three from Attorneys General. Mr. Occhipinti’s 37 month long sentence was commuted by President George H.W. Bush after only 7 months’ incarceration.
Rebekah Charleston — President Trump granted a full pardon to Rebekah Charleston. Ms. Charleston’s pardon is supported by her friends, family, and even the Special Agent who arrested her in 2006 for tax evasion.
Ms. Charleston is a victim of sex trafficking who has suffered a litany of abuses and endured a life of forced prostitution. Despite these hardships, Ms. Charleston has become a champion for survivors of all crimes, particularly sex trafficking. She obtained a master’s degree in criminal justice and has worked tirelessly to give a voice to the voiceless victims of sex trafficking. Ms. Charleston volunteers much of her time helping those who are currently or have previously been victims.
Rickey Kanter — President Trump granted a full pardon to Rickey Kanter. Mr. Kanter was the owner and CEO of Dr. Comfort, a company which manufactures special shoes and inserts for diabetics. Although there was no evidence that Dr. Comfort’s customers were ever harmed by the company’s shoe inserts, the company and Mr. Kanter settled claims in civil court regarding shoe inserts that were technically non-compliant with Medicare regulations. It was only after this point when the Federal Government filed a criminal action against Mr. Kanter. Mr. Kanter pled guilty to one count of mail fraud and completed his sentence of one year and one day in 2012. Since his period of incarceration, Mr. Kanter has been a model member of his community.
Topeka Sam — President Trump granted a full pardon to Topeka Sam. This pardon is supported by Alice Johnson and David Safavian.
Ms. Sam’s life is a story of redemption. She has become a powerful advocate for criminal justice reform since she completed 3 years of a 130-month sentence she received in 2012 as a result of pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine. Ms. Sam has since dedicated her life to helping other women in need turn from a path of despair towards a path of redemption. Ms. Sam founded Ladies of Hope Ministries, where she helps formerly incarcerated women transition back into society through education, entrepreneurship, spiritual empowerment, and advocacy. Along with others, she championed the historic First Step Act that President Trump signed in to law in 2018.
James Batmasian — President Trump granted a full pardon to James Batmasian. Mr. Batmasian’s pardon is supported by Representative Brian Mast, Alice Johnson, and former Masters Champion Bernhard Langer, among many others from the South Florida community that Mr. Batmasian has done so much to serve through his extensive charitable works.
Mr. Batmasian runs an extensive property management business in South Florida. Over a three-year period from 2001 to 2003, Mr. Batmasian made overtime payments without withholding for income taxes or FICA contributions. While illegal, Mr. Batmasian recorded all of these payments and made no attempt to hide them when confronted by IRS investigators. In 2008, Mr. Batmasian pled guilty to willful failure to collect and remit payroll taxes. Mr. Batmasian accepted full responsibility for his actions, fully repaid the IRS the money he owed, and served his 8-month sentence.
William J. Plemons, Jr. — President Trump granted a full pardon to William J. Plemons, Jr. Business associates attest to his generosity and service to children and the underprivileged. His clemency is also supported by Richard Greene, former State Senator of Georgia.
Mr. Plemons served in the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged. He has spent decades supporting the Boy Scouts, the Cure Childhood Cancer Hospital, and other charitable efforts. Although he was convicted of various financial crimes in the late 1990s and early 2000s, he has taken responsibility for his conduct, served a sentence of 27 months in prison, and paid $400,000 in restitution.
Russell Plaisance — President Trump granted a full posthumous pardon to Russell Plaisance. His clemency is supported by numerous local officials, including the Sheriff of the parish. The prosecutor on his case also does not object to a pardon.
In life, Mr. Plaisance built a tug boat business from the ground up that has grown into seven vessels and employment for over 50 individuals. He has also contributed his time and resources to local charitable causes. His Federal case, dating back to 1987, involves a single count of conspiracy to import cocaine stemming from one conversation in which he participated. The sentencing judge called the event “totally inconsistent with [Mr. Plaisance’s] life history and [his] character.” Mr. Plaisance is survived by his wife of 54 years, children, and grandchildren.
Daniela Gozes-Wagner — President Trump commuted the sentence and restitution order imposed upon Ms. Gozes-Wagner. Numerous former law-enforcement officials, including U.S. Attorneys General Michael Mukasey, Ed Meese, Ramsey Clark, and John Ashcroft; Acting Attorneys General Peter Keisler and Matt Whitaker; an FBI Director, two U.S. Solicitors General, and scores of U.S. Attorneys, among others, have supported commutation for Ms. Gosez-Wager, arguing that she received a disproportionate sentence. The Aleph Institute also supports her commutation.
Ms. Wagner is a single mother of two children who has been in federal custody since her 2017 conviction for health care fraud and money laundering. Ms. Gozes-Wagner worked as a mid-level manager for a company that improperly received Medicare and Medicaid funds. Of the individuals in Ms. Gozes-Wagner’s case, Ms. Gozes-Wagner was the only defendant to go to trial. She received a sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and was ordered to pay $15.2 million in restitution. This sentence was significantly more severe than the sentences imposed on the other defendants, several of whom played a more central role in the fraud. Her sentence was criticized by numerous former high-ranking U.S. officials as disproportionate to her crime.
Mark Siljander — President Trump granted a full pardon to Mark Siljander. His pardon is supported by Former United States Attorney General Edwin Meese, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, Alabama Congressman Robert Aderholt, and Pastor Andrew Brunson.
Mr. Siljander served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 6 years, representing the people of Michigan’s 4th district. During his time in Congress, Mr. Siljander was one of Congress’ most stalwart defenders of pro-life principles and the namesake of the “Siljander Amendment,” which prohibits U.S. funds from being used to lobby for or against abortion.
Mr. Siljander served a year in prison for obstruction of justice and failing to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. Since his incarceration, Mr. Siljander has devoted himself to traveling in the Middle East and Africa to promote peace and mutual understanding.
Stephanie Mohr — President Trump granted a full pardon to Stephanie Mohr. Her clemency is supported by the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund and the Fraternal Order of Police.
Ms. Mohr was a police officer in Prince George’s County where she achieved the distinction of being the first female canine handler in the Department’s history. She served 10 years in prison for releasing her K-9 partner on a burglary suspect in 1995, resulting in a bite wound requiring ten stitches. Officer Mohr was a highly commended member of the police force prior to her prosecution. Today’s action recognizes that service and the lengthy term that Ms. Mohr served in prison.
Gary Brugman — President Trump granted a full pardon to Gary Brugman. His clemency is supported by numerous elected officials, including Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, Representative Louie Gohmert, Representative Ted Poe, Representative Steve King, Representative Paul Gosar, Representative Walter Jones, Representative Brian Babin, and Representative John Culberson. Others who support this pardon include Laura Ingraham, Sara Carter, Glenn Beck, Lou Dobbs, Bernie Kerik, and numerous members of the U.S. Border Patrol.
Mr. Brugman served this country for 8 years in the Coast Guard and then for 4 years as a U.S. Border Patrol agent. While protecting our borders at Eagle Pass, Texas, Mr. Brugman intercepted nearly a dozen illegal immigrants, pursued them on foot, and apprehended them. Mr. Brugman was accused of knocking one of the illegal immigrants to the ground and was prosecuted on that basis for deprivation of rights. He served 27 months in prison, where other inmates sought to harm him because of his law enforcement background. After being released from prison, Mr. Brugman went on to obtain his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management.
John Tate and Jesse Benton — President Trump granted John Tate and Jesse Benton full pardons. This action is supported by Senator Rand Paul and Lee Goodman, former Chairman of the Federal Election Commission. Both Mr. Tate and Mr. Benton were convicted based on indirect campaign payments to a state Senator. According to Mr. Goodman, the reporting law violated was unclear and not well established at the time. Each individual received 6 months home confinement and 2 years’ probation.
Charles Kushner — President Trump granted a full pardon to Charles Kushner. Former United States Attorney for the District of Utah Brett Tolman and the American Conservative Union’s Matt Schlapp and David Safavian support a pardon of Mr. Kushner. Since completing his sentence in 2006, Mr. Kushner has been devoted to important philanthropic organizations and causes, such as Saint Barnabas Medical Center and United Cerebral Palsy. This record of reform and charity overshadows Mr. Kushner’s conviction and 2 year sentence for preparing false tax returns, witness retaliation, and making false statements to the FEC.
Margaret Hunter— President Trump granted a full pardon to Margaret Hunter. According to former Federal Election Commission Commissioner Bradley Smith, the conduct forming the basis of Ms. Hunter’s 2019 guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to misuse campaign funds for personal expenses should have been treated as a civil case by the agency. Mrs. Hunter was sentenced to three years’ probation. President Trump previously issued a full pardon to former Congressman Hunter for the same alleged conduct.
Paul Manafort—Today, President Trump has issued a full and complete pardon to Paul Manafort, stemming from convictions prosecuted in the course of Special Counsel Mueller’s investigation, which was premised on the Russian collusion hoax. Mr. Manafort has already spent two years in prison, including a stretch of time in solitary confinement – treatment worse than what many of the most violent criminals receive. As a result of blatant prosecutorial overreach, Mr. Manafort has endured years of unfair treatment and is one of the most prominent victims of what has been revealed to be perhaps the greatest witch hunt in American history. As Mr. Manafort’s trial judge observed, prior to the Special Counsel investigation, Mr. Manafort had led an “otherwise blameless life.” Since May, Mr. Manafort has been released to home confinement as a result of COVID-19 concerns.
Roger Stone— Today, President Trump granted a full and unconditional pardon to Roger Stone, Jr. President Trump had previously commuted Mr. Stone’s sentence in July of this year. Mr. Stone is a 68-year-old man with numerous medical conditions. Due to prosecutorial misconduct by Special Counsel Mueller’s team, Mr. Stone was treated very unfairly. He was subjected to a pre-dawn raid of his home, which the media conveniently captured on camera. Mr. Stone also faced potential political bias at his jury trial. Pardoning him will help to right the injustices he faced at the hands of the Mueller investigation.
Mark Shapiro and Irving Stitsky — President Trump granted commutations to Mark Shapiro and Irving Stitsky, for the remainder of both of their sentences. Messrs. Shapiro and Stitsky founded a real estate investing firm, but hid their prior felony convictions and used a straw CEO. Due to the 2008 financial crisis, the business lost millions for its investors.
Prior to trial, prosecutors offered Messrs. Shapiro and Stitsky plea agreements for 5 to 7 years and 7 to 9 years, respectively. Both declined the deal and exercised their Constitutional right to a jury trial. Both men were found guilty and sentenced to 85 years imprisonment. This sentence was over 10 times the plea offer for Mr. Shapiro and almost 10 times the plea offer for Mr. Stitsky. Messrs. Shapiro and Stitsky have already served more time than their plea offers.
Since their incarceration, both men have become model prisoners, earning support and praise from their fellow inmates. Mr. Shapiro has renewed his faith in Judaism and taught fellow inmates the dangers of dishonesty, while Mr. Stitsky has reflected on the victims of his crime and the remorse that he now has.
This clemency is supported by the Aleph Institute, Alice Johnson, several criminal justice advocacy groups, former Attorney General Edwin Meese, former Deputy Attorney General Larry Thompson, former District Judge William Bassler, former United States Attorneys Brett Tolman and James Reynolds, Professors of Law Bennett Gershman and Harold Krent, and several of the victims.


therightscoop--2020-12-23--BREAKING: Trump vetoes defense bill!

BREAKING: Trump vetoes defense bill!

President Trump just vetoed the NDAA defense bill just as he said he would , forcing Congress to come back and override his veto : THE HILL – President Trump followed through Wednesday on his threat to veto a massive annual defense policy bill , setting up what could be the first and only veto override of his presidency .
Congress passed the fiscal year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act ( NDAA ) earlier this month with more than the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto , though it is unclear how many Republicans will buck the president in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the $ 740 billion policy legislation because it did not include a provision repealing Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act , a law that provides a legal shield to tech companies like Twitter and Facebook .
Trump also threatened to veto the legislation because it included a provision requiring Confederate military bases to be renamed within three years and has recently complained that he views the bill as weak on China , despite a litany of provisions aimed specifically at Beijing .
Trump , who had 10 days excluding Sundays to act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waited until the last day he could to veto it .
Both the Senate and House will now need to vote to override Trump ’ s veto to enact the massive bill , which outlines Pentagon policy for the coming year and typically attracts broad bipartisan support .
The bill already passed the Senate in an 84-13 vote and the House in a 355-78 vote .
Below is the full text of Trump ’ s veto : McConnell has already made a deal with Schumer to come back on the 29th to attempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) announced early Tuesday morning that the Senate will return to Washington on Dec. 29 to respond to a potential veto from President Trump of a mammoth defense bill .
McConnell , speaking from the Senate floor , said that he had struck a deal with Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer ( D-N.Y. ) for the chamber to return for a rare post-Christmas session during which he said they will “ process ” a veto override , if it ’ s passed by the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ensure the Senate continues fulfilling our obligation to the men and women of our armed forces .
I hope the president will not veto this bill , ” McConnell said from the Senate floor .
“ In the event that President Trump does elect to veto this bipartisan bill , it appears the House may choose to return after the holidays to set up a vote to consider the veto .
… In the event that the president has vetoed the bill , and the House has voted to override the veto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to process a veto override at that time , ” McConnell added .
Even if the Senate returns on Dec. 29 , it could still be days before a final vote takes place on whether to override a potential veto from Trump of the National Defense Authorization Act ( NDAA ) .
It won ’ t be that many days because this year ’ s session ends in the first week of January .
Also since the bill passed with overwhelming majorities , they will likely be able to override the veto .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who joined Democrats to pass the bill , be willing to put their proverbial neck on the line and oppose Trump on this one .

President Trump just vetoed the NDAA defense bill just as he said he would, forcing Congress to come back and override his veto:
THE HILL – President Trump followed through Wednesday on his threat to veto a massive annual defense policy bill, setting up what could be the first and only veto override of his presidency. Congress passed the fiscal year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) earlier this month with more than the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto, though it is unclear how many Republicans will buck the president in an override vote. Trump objected to the $740 billion policy legislation because it did not include a provision repealing Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, a law that provides a legal shield to tech companies like Twitter and Facebook. Trump also threatened to veto the legislation because it included a provision requiring Confederate military bases to be renamed within three years and has recently complained that he views the bill as weak on China, despite a litany of provisions aimed specifically at Beijing. Trump, who had 10 days excluding Sundays to act after Congress sent him the bill, waited until the last day he could to veto it. Both the Senate and House will now need to vote to override Trump’s veto to enact the massive bill, which outlines Pentagon policy for the coming year and typically attracts broad bipartisan support. The bill already passed the Senate in an 84-13 vote and the House in a 355-78 vote.
Below is the full text of Trump’s veto:
Full text of the memo from @POTUS to the House on his veto of the #NDAA. pic.twitter.com/i5oQXHiIcb — Steve Herman (@W7VOA) December 23, 2020
McConnell has already made a deal with Schumer to come back on the 29th to attempt an override of Trump’s veto:
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced early Tuesday morning that the Senate will return to Washington on Dec. 29 to respond to a potential veto from President Trump of a mammoth defense bill. McConnell, speaking from the Senate floor, said that he had struck a deal with Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) for the chamber to return for a rare post-Christmas session during which he said they will “process” a veto override, if it’s passed by the House. “My intention was and is to ensure the Senate continues fulfilling our obligation to the men and women of our armed forces. I hope the president will not veto this bill,” McConnell said from the Senate floor. “In the event that President Trump does elect to veto this bipartisan bill, it appears the House may choose to return after the holidays to set up a vote to consider the veto. … In the event that the president has vetoed the bill, and the House has voted to override the veto, the Senate would have the opportunity to process a veto override at that time,” McConnell added. Even if the Senate returns on Dec. 29, it could still be days before a final vote takes place on whether to override a potential veto from Trump of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
It won’t be that many days because this year’s session ends in the first week of January. Also since the bill passed with overwhelming majorities, they will likely be able to override the veto. The question is will all Republicans, who joined Democrats to pass the bill, be willing to put their proverbial neck on the line and oppose Trump on this one.


therightscoop--2020-12-23--Newt Gingrich: Why I will NOT accept Joe Biden as president

Newt Gingrich wrote an op-ed this week explaining why he will not accept Joe Biden as president .
Here ’ s part of what he said and it ’ s not as much about the election as some might think : WASHINGTON TIMES – In 2016 , I supported an outsider candidate , who was rough around the edges and in the Andrew Jackson school of controversial assaults on the old order .
When my candidate won , it was blamed on the Russians .
We now know ( four years later ) Hillary Clinton ’ s own team financed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Members of the FBI twice engaged in criminal acts to help it along — once in avoiding prosecution of someone who had deleted 33,000 emails and had a subordinate use a hammer to physically destroy hard drives , and a second time by lying to FISA judges to destroy Gen. Michael Flynn and spy on then-candidate Donald Trump and his team .
The national liberal media aided and abetted every step of the way .
All this was purely an attempt to cripple the new president and lead to the appointment of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing .
Now , people in my world are told it is time to stop resisting and cooperate with the new president .
But we remember that the Democrats wanted to cooperate with Mr. Trump so much that they began talking about his impeachment before he even took office .
The Washington Post ran a story on Democrat impeachment plots the day of the inauguration .
In fact , nearly 70 Democratic lawmakers boycotted his inauguration .
A massive left-wing demonstration was staged in Washington the day after , where Madonna announced she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to widespread applause .
These same forces want me to cooperate with their new president .
I find myself adopting the Nancy Pelosi model of constant resistance .
Nothing I have seen from Mr. Biden since the election offers me any hope that he will reach out to the more than 74 million Americans who voted for President Trump .
So , I am not reacting to the votes so much as to the whole election environment .
When Twitter and Facebook censored the oldest and fourth largest newspaper ( founded by Alexander @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that could hurt Mr. Biden ’ s chances — where were The New York Times and The Washington Post ?
The truth of the Hunter Biden story is now becoming impossible to avoid or conceal .
The family of the Democrat nominee for president received at least $ 5 million from an entity controlled by our greatest adversary .
It was a blatant payoff , and most Americans who voted for Mr. Biden never heard of it — or were told before the election it was Russian disinformation .
Once they did hear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have switched their votes , according to a poll by the Media Research Center .
That ’ s the entire election .
The censorship worked exactly as intended .
Typically , newspapers and media outlets band together when press freedom is threatened by censorship .
Where was the sanctimonious “ democracy dies in darkness ?
” Tragically , The Washington Post is now part of the darkness .
The election process itself was the final straw in creating the crisis of confidence which is accelerating and deepening for many millions of Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegations of outright fraud , there are some specific outrages — any one of which was likely enough to swing the entire election .
Officials in virtually every swing state broke their states ’ own laws to send out millions of ballots or ballot applications to every registered voter .
It was all clearly documented in the Texas lawsuit , which was declined by the U.S. Supreme Court based on Texas ’ procedural standing — not the merits of the case .
That ’ s the election .
In addition , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essentially suspended normal requirements for verifying absentee ballots .
Rejection rates were an order of magnitude lower than in a normal year .
In Georgia , rejection rates dropped from 6.5 % in 2016 to 0.2 % in 2020 .
In Pennsylvania , it went from 1 % in 2016 to .003 % in 2020 .
Nevada fell from 1.6 % to .75 % .
There is no plausible explanation other than that they were counting a huge number of ballots — disproportionately for Mr. Biden — that normally would not have passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Newt details more in his op-ed that he finds incredibly disturbing , but here is how he ends it : For more than four years , the entire establishment mobilized against the elected president of the United States as though they were an immune system trying to kill a virus .
Now , they are telling us we are undermining democracy .
You have more than 74 million voters who supported President Trump despite everything — and given the election mess , the number could easily be significantly higher .
The truth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deeply alienated and angry .
If Mr. Biden governs from the left — and he will almost certainly be forced to — that number will grow rapidly , and we will win a massive election in 2022 .
Given this environment , I have no interest in legitimizing the father of a son who Chinese Communist Party members boast about buying .
Nor do I have any interest in pretending that the current result is legitimate or honorable .
It is simply the final stroke of a four-year establishment-media power grab .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broken the law , cheated the country of information , and smeared those of us who believe in America over China , history over revisionism , and the liberal ideal of free expression over cancel culture .
I write this in genuine sorrow , because I think we are headed toward a serious , bitter struggle in America .
This extraordinary , coordinated four-year power grab threatens the fabric of our country and the freedom of every American .
Newt is as brilliant as they come and laid this out in a way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As he said in his closing , the election was simply a final stroke in a game Democrats and their media defenders have been playing for the last four years .
They couldn ’ t get Trump with the Mueller report .
They couldn ’ t get Trump with the Ukraine call and they couldn ’ t impeach him .
The last resort was to use the pandemic against him and even that didn ’ t work .
So they used the pandemic as a front to steal the election with mail-in ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the case , and not even the Supreme Court would step in to stop the steal .
And yet , as they ’ ve been doing since November 3rd , the media and Democrats are now demanding that we all bend down and kiss Joe Biden ’ s ring , as if everything is legitimate about his ‘ victory ’ and the last four years of trying to destroy Trump never happened .

Newt Gingrich wrote an op-ed this week explaining why he will not accept Joe Biden as president. Here’s part of what he said and it’s not as much about the election as some might think:
WASHINGTON TIMES – In 2016, I supported an outsider candidate, who was rough around the edges and in the Andrew Jackson school of controversial assaults on the old order. When my candidate won, it was blamed on the Russians. We now know (four years later) Hillary Clinton’s own team financed the total lie that fueled this attack. Members of the FBI twice engaged in criminal acts to help it along — once in avoiding prosecution of someone who had deleted 33,000 emails and had a subordinate use a hammer to physically destroy hard drives, and a second time by lying to FISA judges to destroy Gen. Michael Flynn and spy on then-candidate Donald Trump and his team. The national liberal media aided and abetted every step of the way. All this was purely an attempt to cripple the new president and lead to the appointment of a special counsel — who ultimately produced nothing. Now, people in my world are told it is time to stop resisting and cooperate with the new president. But we remember that the Democrats wanted to cooperate with Mr. Trump so much that they began talking about his impeachment before he even took office. The Washington Post ran a story on Democrat impeachment plots the day of the inauguration. In fact, nearly 70 Democratic lawmakers boycotted his inauguration. A massive left-wing demonstration was staged in Washington the day after, where Madonna announced she dreamed of blowing up the White House to widespread applause. These same forces want me to cooperate with their new president. I find myself adopting the Nancy Pelosi model of constant resistance. Nothing I have seen from Mr. Biden since the election offers me any hope that he will reach out to the more than 74 million Americans who voted for President Trump. So, I am not reacting to the votes so much as to the whole election environment.
HUNTER BIDEN:
When Twitter and Facebook censored the oldest and fourth largest newspaper (founded by Alexander Hamilton) because it accurately reported news that could hurt Mr. Biden’s chances — where were The New York Times and The Washington Post? The truth of the Hunter Biden story is now becoming impossible to avoid or conceal. The family of the Democrat nominee for president received at least $5 million from an entity controlled by our greatest adversary. It was a blatant payoff, and most Americans who voted for Mr. Biden never heard of it — or were told before the election it was Russian disinformation. Once they did hear of it, 17% said they would have switched their votes, according to a poll by the Media Research Center. That’s the entire election. The censorship worked exactly as intended. Typically, newspapers and media outlets band together when press freedom is threatened by censorship. Where was the sanctimonious “democracy dies in darkness?” Tragically, The Washington Post is now part of the darkness.
THE ELECTION:
The election process itself was the final straw in creating the crisis of confidence which is accelerating and deepening for many millions of Americans. Aside from a constant stream of allegations of outright fraud, there are some specific outrages — any one of which was likely enough to swing the entire election. Officials in virtually every swing state broke their states’ own laws to send out millions of ballots or ballot applications to every registered voter. It was all clearly documented in the Texas lawsuit, which was declined by the U.S. Supreme Court based on Texas’ procedural standing — not the merits of the case. That’s the election. In addition, it’s clear that virtually every swing state essentially suspended normal requirements for verifying absentee ballots. Rejection rates were an order of magnitude lower than in a normal year. In Georgia, rejection rates dropped from 6.5% in 2016 to 0.2% in 2020. In Pennsylvania, it went from 1% in 2016 to .003% in 2020. Nevada fell from 1.6% to .75%. There is no plausible explanation other than that they were counting a huge number of ballots — disproportionately for Mr. Biden — that normally would not have passed muster. That’s the election.
Newt details more in his op-ed that he finds incredibly disturbing, but here is how he ends it:
For more than four years, the entire establishment mobilized against the elected president of the United States as though they were an immune system trying to kill a virus. Now, they are telling us we are undermining democracy. You have more than 74 million voters who supported President Trump despite everything — and given the election mess, the number could easily be significantly higher. The truth is tens of millions of Americans are deeply alienated and angry. If Mr. Biden governs from the left — and he will almost certainly be forced to — that number will grow rapidly, and we will win a massive election in 2022. Given this environment, I have no interest in legitimizing the father of a son who Chinese Communist Party members boast about buying. Nor do I have any interest in pretending that the current result is legitimate or honorable. It is simply the final stroke of a four-year establishment-media power grab. It has been perpetrated by people who have broken the law, cheated the country of information, and smeared those of us who believe in America over China, history over revisionism, and the liberal ideal of free expression over cancel culture. I write this in genuine sorrow, because I think we are headed toward a serious, bitter struggle in America. This extraordinary, coordinated four-year power grab threatens the fabric of our country and the freedom of every American.
Newt is as brilliant as they come and laid this out in a way that I believe is very compelling. As he said in his closing, the election was simply a final stroke in a game Democrats and their media defenders have been playing for the last four years. They couldn’t get Trump with the Mueller report. They couldn’t get Trump with the Ukraine call and they couldn’t impeach him. The last resort was to use the pandemic against him and even that didn’t work. So they used the pandemic as a front to steal the election with mail-in ballots, something Trump had long said would be the case, and not even the Supreme Court would step in to stop the steal. And yet, as they’ve been doing since November 3rd, the media and Democrats are now demanding that we all bend down and kiss Joe Biden’s ring, as if everything is legitimate about his ‘victory’ and the last four years of trying to destroy Trump never happened.
I stand with Newt! Read the full op-ed here.


therightscoop--2020-12-23--Rand Paul releases his Waste of 2020 report and there are some real DOOZIES

Rand Paul released his Waste of 2020 report today to highlight tons of government waste from this year , and @ @ @ @ @ in this list : Just from the first few in the list , they literally @ @ @ @ @ people would eat ground up bugs ?
And then , in an apparent contradiction , @ @ @ @ @ trying to get Eastern Mediterranean youth to stop smoking hookah ” , only to turn @ @ @ @ @ to adolescent kids.
” I wish I ’ d have been involved in this study @ @ @ @ @ tubbing can lower stress.
” I guessing that 2 million bought a lot of hot @ @ @ @ @ list and post your ‘ favorite ’ one below .
Here is Paul ’ s @ @ @

Rand Paul released his Waste of 2020 report today to highlight tons of government waste from this year, and boy are there some doozies in this list:
Just from the first few in the list, they literally spent millions to see if people would eat ground up bugs?
And then, in an apparent contradiction, they spent more millions “trying to get Eastern Mediterranean youth to stop smoking hookah”, only to turn around and “give cigarettes to adolescent kids.”
I wish I’d have been involved in this study: “Tested if hot tubbing can lower stress.” I guessing that 2 million bought a lot of hot tubs.
Go through the list and post your ‘favorite’ one below. Here is Paul’s full report.


therightscoop--2020-12-23--Trump has really thrown a wrench into the COVID relief bill – [UPDATED]

Trump ’ s call last night to amend the COVID relief bill so that Americans get $ 2,000 has apparently thrown a wrench into the process : Trump didn ’ t actually threaten to veto the bill , but that was his implicit suggestion based on his demand to amend the bill .
Manu Raju says lawmakers refuse to renegotiate the bill but socialists Rashida Tlaib and AOC are on Trump ’ s side , saying they are ready to go with the amendment : And according to Chad Pergram , House Democrats will try to pass this ( or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consent : Even if they did that and no one objected , the Senate would then have to approve it as well and given how they torpedoed Josh Hawley ’ s efforts to send people $ 1200 checks , I don ’ t see that happening .
Lastly , some are suggesting that Trump could use a pocket veto to torpedo this entire bill and make them start from scratch in a new legislative session .
I don ’ t think that ’ s the case , assuming Pelosi waits to adjourn the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is January 3rd .
Trump can only hold the bill for ten days , which does not count Sundays .
Assuming he received the bill on his desk yesterday , then the last possible day he can hold it is until January 1st , New Year ’ s day .
If he vetoes it then , lawmakers can come back on the 2nd and override the veto , assuming they have the numbers to do that .
If Pelosi adjourns Congress before the 3rd , then it ’ s possible Trump could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubt that will happen .

Trump’s call last night to amend the COVID relief bill so that Americans get $2,000 has apparently thrown a wrench into the process:
Trump’s call to amend relief package is implausible, per lawmakers and aides. There’s no way Congress can renegotiate a carefully crafted deal that passed both chambers with veto-proof majorities and was a product of intense talks with his team. Hope on Hill is he doesn’t veto — Manu Raju (@mkraju) December 23, 2020
Trump didn’t actually threaten to veto the bill, but that was his implicit suggestion based on his demand to amend the bill.
Manu Raju says lawmakers refuse to renegotiate the bill but socialists Rashida Tlaib and AOC are on Trump’s side, saying they are ready to go with the amendment:
Me and @AOC have the amendment ready. Send the bill back, and we will put in the $2,000 we’ve been fighting for that your party has been blocking. pic.twitter.com/GGXtJt77D9 — Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) December 23, 2020
And according to Chad Pergram, House Democrats will try to pass this (or something like it) tomorrow via unanimous consent:
1) House Democrats will try to approve $2,000 stimulus checks via unanimous consent on House floor on Christmas Eve Day, daring GOPers to object. — Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) December 23, 2020
2) This would come during the pro forma session scheduled for Christmas Eve Day. Democrats will dare GOPers to obect..if any are there. Entire process will take 30 seconds. — Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) December 23, 2020
3) All it takes is one GOPer to object — Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) December 23, 2020
Even if they did that and no one objected, the Senate would then have to approve it as well and given how they torpedoed Josh Hawley’s efforts to send people $1200 checks, I don’t see that happening.
Lastly, some are suggesting that Trump could use a pocket veto to torpedo this entire bill and make them start from scratch in a new legislative session. I don’t think that’s the case, assuming Pelosi waits to adjourn the Congress until the last possible day, which is January 3rd. Trump can only hold the bill for ten days, which does not count Sundays. Assuming he received the bill on his desk yesterday, then the last possible day he can hold it is until January 1st, New Year’s day. If he vetoes it then, lawmakers can come back on the 2nd and override the veto, assuming they have the numbers to do that.
If Pelosi adjourns Congress before the 3rd, then it’s possible Trump could use a pocket veto. But I doubt that will happen.
UPDATE: From Lindsey…
Appreciate the fact that Speaker Pelosi supports President @realDonaldTrump's idea to increase direct payments to $2,000 per person. The American people are hurting and deserve relief. I know there is much bipartisan support for this idea. Let’s go further. — Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) December 23, 2020
I hope Speaker Pelosi will agree with President Trump that Big Tech needs to be reined in by winding down Section 230 liability protections. I have reason to believe this combination will lead to President Trump supporting the NDAA and COVID19 omnibus bills. — Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) December 23, 2020
Let’s go big for the American people. — Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) December 23, 2020


therightscoop--2020-12-24--Supreme Court sets response deadline in Trump campaign lawsuit, but Team Trump isn’t going to like t

Supreme Court sets response deadline in Trump campaign lawsuit, but Team Trump isn’t going to like the date…

The Supreme Court has just set the deadline for a response from Pennsylvania in the Trump campaign ’ s latest case at the high court , but there ’ s a big problem with the date : FOX NEWS – The justices this week set a reply deadline for Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar and the other respondents named in the case of Jan. 22 .
The campaign had asked for the Supreme Court to order those on the other side of the litigation to respond by Wednesday and have reply briefs from the Trump campaign submitted by Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rule by Jan. 6 .
But the court did not oblige .
January 22nd is one day after the inauguration , which means… This means that by the time Boockvar and the others the Trump campaign is seeking to take to the Supreme Court even respond to the petition , President-elect Joe Biden will already be sworn in .
At that point , the court could simply decline to hear the case , saying it is moot or impossible for them to resolve at that point .
Congress will have already counted electoral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that meeting happens on Jan. 6 .
The Trump campaign , however , argued in its brief that even Inauguration Day would not make the court “ moot ” because such issues could happen in the future , and therefore the court should resolve them ahead of time .
I think with a response deadline after the inauguration , it ’ s pretty clear that the high court is snubbing the Trump campaign , making clear that it will not be involved in overturning the election results .

The Supreme Court has just set the deadline for a response from Pennsylvania in the Trump campaign’s latest case at the high court, but there’s a big problem with the date:
FOX NEWS – The justices this week set a reply deadline for Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar and the other respondents named in the case of Jan. 22. The campaign had asked for the Supreme Court to order those on the other side of the litigation to respond by Wednesday and have reply briefs from the Trump campaign submitted by Thursday. It also asked the court to rule by Jan. 6. But the court did not oblige.
January 22nd is one day after the inauguration, which means…
This means that by the time Boockvar and the others the Trump campaign is seeking to take to the Supreme Court even respond to the petition, President-elect Joe Biden will already be sworn in. At that point, the court could simply decline to hear the case, saying it is moot or impossible for them to resolve at that point. Congress will have already counted electoral votes and certified the next president — that meeting happens on Jan. 6. The Trump campaign, however, argued in its brief that even Inauguration Day would not make the court “moot” because such issues could happen in the future, and therefore the court should resolve them ahead of time.
I think with a response deadline after the inauguration, it’s pretty clear that the high court is snubbing the Trump campaign, making clear that it will not be involved in overturning the election results.


therightscoop--2020-12-24--Jenna Ellis shoots down suggestion that Trump declare martial law and redo election

There ’ s been a call by some , including Lin Wood , for the president to declare martial law in the wake of the stolen election .
I ’ ve already weighed in on this here , but last night Trump ’ s attorney Jenna Ellis also weighed in on it , shooting down the prospect as undermining the law : FOX NEWS – Jenna Ellis , a senior legal adviser to the Trump campaign who has argued for many of its failed legal efforts to overturn the result of the presidential election , Wednesday evening panned calls for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold a new presidential election .
Ellis was responding to a tweet from a professional wrestler who had tweeted that Trump needs “ to call martial law & redo the whole presidential election !
!
!
” But the calls for what would be an unprecedented usurpation of the Constitution have come from other higher-profile sources as well .
Former Trump National Security Adviser Michael Flynn essentially called for the same thing in a Newsmax appearance , telling Trump to “ take military capabilities and place them in those states and basically rerun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Below is the tweet from Ellis : “ It doesn ’ t work like that , ” Ellis said in a tweet .
“ We have a constitutional process for the Electoral College and remedies for corrupted elections .
I totally understand Americans ’ passion , but we have to uphold the law , not undermine it.
” Ellis has made clear her desire for the courts to step in and rule for the president in some of the cases she and other Trump allies have pursued and excoriated them for not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out , Kurt Schlichter agrees with her : At this point , assuming the rest of Trump ’ s challenges fail in the courts , the best that can be done is for the DOJ to investigate and expose all of the election fraud AND for the states to ensure that this doesn ’ t happen again in 2024 by fixing their laws .
Martial law and a military-run election is not the answer .

There’s been a call by some, including Lin Wood, for the president to declare martial law in the wake of the stolen election. I’ve already weighed in on this here, but last night Trump’s attorney Jenna Ellis also weighed in on it, shooting down the prospect as undermining the law:
FOX NEWS – Jenna Ellis, a senior legal adviser to the Trump campaign who has argued for many of its failed legal efforts to overturn the result of the presidential election, Wednesday evening panned calls for President Trump to impose martial law and hold a new presidential election. Ellis was responding to a tweet from a professional wrestler who had tweeted that Trump needs “to call martial law & redo the whole presidential election!!!” But the calls for what would be an unprecedented usurpation of the Constitution have come from other higher-profile sources as well. Former Trump National Security Adviser Michael Flynn essentially called for the same thing in a Newsmax appearance, telling Trump to “take military capabilities and place them in those states and basically rerun an election in each of those states.”
Below is the tweet from Ellis:
It doesn’t work like that. We have a constitutional process for the Electoral College and remedies for corrupted elections. I totally understand Americans’ passion, but we have to uphold the law, not undermine it. https://t.co/6iWk8WcBuj — Jenna Ellis (@JennaEllisEsq) December 24, 2020
“It doesn’t work like that,” Ellis said in a tweet. “We have a constitutional process for the Electoral College and remedies for corrupted elections. I totally understand Americans’ passion, but we have to uphold the law, not undermine it.” Ellis has made clear her desire for the courts to step in and rule for the president in some of the cases she and other Trump allies have pursued and excoriated them for not doing so.
As Fox News points out, Kurt Schlichter agrees with her:
This is correct. What happened during the election is an outrage. From what I saw personally I believe this election was unfairly stolen. We have a process to deal with that and it is imperfect. We have not even approached the frontier of extraconstitutional remedies. https://t.co/m56rArkDDF — Kurt Schlichter (@KurtSchlichter) December 24, 2020
At this point, assuming the rest of Trump’s challenges fail in the courts, the best that can be done is for the DOJ to investigate and expose all of the election fraud AND for the states to ensure that this doesn’t happen again in 2024 by fixing their laws. Martial law and a military-run election is not the answer.


therightscoop--2020-12-24--House fails to pass Trump’s $2,000 paycheck amendment, but it’s not over yet…

The House today , in a pro-forma session , failed to increase the amount individuals get in the COVID relief @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t know which Republican objected , but I don ’ t think @ @ @ @ @ never going to pass via unanimous consent .
But it ’ s not over yet @ @ @ @ @ the House to vote on this on Monday .
Since they control the House , @ @ @ @ @ could pass at that point : If the House passes it , the Senate will @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s possible that it could pass the Senate if McConnell puts it @ @ @ @ @ a few Republicans join Democrats .
I guess we ’ ll see what happens .

The House today, in a pro-forma session, failed to increase the amount individuals get in the COVID relief bill to $2,000:
HOYER just asked for unanimous consent to vote on a bill to increase COVID relief direct payments from $600 to $2000 (Pres Trump's request). He is told that the @GOPLeader McCarthy needs to consent (he does not), so the bill fails. — Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) December 24, 2020
Rep WITTMAN then asked for unanimous consent to vote on bill to revisit the foreign aid in the omnibus spending bill, which Trump objected to in his video (but which lines up w/ his budget request). He's told he needs support of Speaker and Min Leader (he does not), so it fails. — Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) December 24, 2020
I don’t know which Republican objected, but I don’t think it matters. It was never going to pass via unanimous consent.
But it’s not over yet. Pelosi will bring back the House to vote on this on Monday. Since they control the House, it’s possible it could pass at that point:
Pelosi announces she'll bring the House back Monday for a recorded vote on the bill to provide $2K direct payments after Republicans just blocked the unanimous consent. Here's the text. pic.twitter.com/eHfwsC1YAd — Kadia Goba (@kadiagoba) December 24, 2020
If the House passes it, the Senate will have to deal with it. It’s possible that it could pass the Senate if McConnell puts it up for a vote and a few Republicans join Democrats. I guess we’ll see what happens.


therightscoop--2020-12-25--There is no Christmas without Christ, so Merry Christmas everyone!

I know 2020 has been a disaster of a year , with the pandemic and the election thus far , but I wanted to encourage you to be of good cheer .
When everything around us seems to be headed in the wrong direction , we must remember that God has everything under His dominion and His second coming can ’ t be too far off .
That is what Christmas is about , after all – celebrating Christ ’ s first coming as we eagerly await his second .
And remembering what His first coming was all about is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who walked in darkness have seen a great light ; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness , on them has light shined .
For the yoke of his burden , and the staff for his shoulder , the rod of his oppressor , thou hast broken as on the day of Mid′ian .
For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire .
For to us a child is born , to us a son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be upon his shoulder , and his name will be called “ Wonderful Counselor , Mighty God , Everlasting Father , Prince of Peace.
” Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end , upon the throne of David , and over his kingdom , to establish it , and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and for evermore .
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this .
So while you ’ re out with your family or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , take time to remember that God gave everything He had just so we could be with Him forever .
And His greatest gift to us is what we celebrate today , the incarnation of God made man , so he could rescue us from our sin and separation .
To God be the glory , for he has truly done great things !

Merry Christmas everyone!
I know 2020 has been a disaster of a year, with the pandemic and the election thus far, but I wanted to encourage you to be of good cheer.
When everything around us seems to be headed in the wrong direction, we must remember that God has everything under His dominion and His second coming can’t be too far off.
That is what Christmas is about, after all – celebrating Christ’s first coming as we eagerly await his second. And remembering what His first coming was all about is what gives us hope:
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shined.
For the yoke of his burden,
and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor,
thou hast broken as on the day of Mid′ian.
For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government will be upon his shoulder,
and his name will be called
“Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom,
to establish it, and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and for evermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
So while you’re out with your family or by yourself on this cold Christmas day, take time to remember that God gave everything He had just so we could be with Him forever. And His greatest gift to us is what we celebrate today, the incarnation of God made man, so he could rescue us from our sin and separation.
To God be the glory, for he has truly done great things!


therightscoop--2020-12-26--‘LIKELY’ SUICIDE BOMBING: Police identify, search home of ‘person of interest’ in Christmas Day blas

‘LIKELY’ SUICIDE BOMBING: Police identify, search home of ‘person of interest’ in Christmas Day blast in Nashville

Police have identified a “ person of interest ” in Friday ’ s RV bomb blast in downtown Nashville , and on Saturday searched a residence in Tennessee in relation to the investigation .
Updates below .
Agents from the FBI and the ATF , as well as officers from the Nashville metro area PD , were on scene and on camera in Antioch .
A team wearing tactical gear marked with both ATF and FBI insignias entered the residence and cleared the home around 2:30 p.m .
The bomb squad confirmed no one was inside , according to FBI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team entered the residence around that time to conduct a search .
Neighbors told The Tennessean an RV similar to the one in the explosion was parked at the home within the last two weeks .
There was no sign of a similar vehicle at the Antioch residence on Saturday .
Authorities declined to comment on the activity in Antioch during an afternoon update .
The man who has reportedly been identified as a person of interest appears to have run a private electronics business that specializes in custom alarms … something people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went off before the RV in question exploded .
Photos and video from the scene were shared online , and individual users found information from varied sources , including Google maps .
It does appear that the RV seen in Google Maps is believed to be the one that exploded .
( updated ) Also this afternoon the Federal Emergency Management Agency confirmed that the tissue found on the scene was indeed “ human remains.
” The AP also reported that the investigation is moving FAST .
There were other signs of progress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revealed that it was looking at a number of individuals who may be connected to it .
Officials also said no additional explosive devices have been found — indicating no active threat to the area .
Investigators have received around 500 tips and leads .
That ’ s one day into this .
At the press conference they said many times they don ’ t think there ’ s any continuing threat to the city .
So keeps seeming more likely that the person or persons responsible is in fact dead .
UPDATE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” a suicide bombing , say investigators , who for some reason talked to CNN .
PREVIOUSLY : Our original post is here , and this has more on the cops who saved lives .

Police have identified a “person of interest” in Friday’s RV bomb blast in downtown Nashville, and on Saturday searched a residence in Tennessee in relation to the investigation. Updates below.
Agents from the FBI and the ATF, as well as officers from the Nashville metro area PD, were on scene and on camera in Antioch.
The Tennessean reports:
A team wearing tactical gear marked with both ATF and FBI insignias entered the residence and cleared the home around 2:30 p.m. The bomb squad confirmed no one was inside, according to FBI personnel at the scene. An evidence team entered the residence around that time to conduct a search. Neighbors told The Tennessean an RV similar to the one in the explosion was parked at the home within the last two weeks. There was no sign of a similar vehicle at the Antioch residence on Saturday. Authorities declined to comment on the activity in Antioch during an afternoon update.
TMZ adds:
The man who has reportedly been identified as a person of interest appears to have run a private electronics business that specializes in custom alarms … something people say jibes with the evacuation alarm that went off before the RV in question exploded.
Here’s more:
Photos and video from the scene were shared online, and individual users found information from varied sources, including Google maps.
Google 3D Image showing RV behind house believed to be owned/rented by person of interest, Anthony Quinn Warner. pic.twitter.com/2T6w41Xqt0 — JLSeagull (@seaJLgull) December 26, 2020
It does appear that the RV seen in Google Maps is believed to be the one that exploded. (updated)
Neighbors we spoke to say an RV has been parked at that property. Investigators believe the RV seen via Google Street View at the house is the same one at the center of the explosion, a law enforcement source said, but they can’t be certain because it was destroyed in the blast. — Natasha Chen (@NatashaChenCNN) December 26, 2020
Also this afternoon the Federal Emergency Management Agency confirmed that the tissue found on the scene was indeed “human remains.”
The AP also reported that the investigation is moving FAST.
There were other signs of progress in the investigation, as the FBI revealed that it was looking at a number of individuals who may be connected to it. Officials also said no additional explosive devices have been found — indicating no active threat to the area. Investigators have received around 500 tips and leads.
That’s one day into this.
At the press conference they said many times they don’t think there’s any continuing threat to the city. So keeps seeming more likely that the person or persons responsible is in fact dead.
UPDATE: Looks like dead. “Likely” a suicide bombing, say investigators, who for some reason talked to CNN.
CNN: Investigators looking into the Christmas day explosion in Nashville believe the blast was likely the result of a suicide bombing, according to 2 law enforcement sources w/direct knowledge of the investigation -@ShimonPro / @evanperez https://t.co/2inIoUNYdY — Vaughn Sterling (@vplus) December 26, 2020
PREVIOUSLY:
Our original post is here, and this has more on the cops who saved lives.