After McConnell it’s the battle of ‘the three Johns’ |
Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), the longest serving GOP Senate leader ever, announced Wednesday that he’ll be stepping down from his leadership duties later this year.
That leaves the question of who will replace McConnell? Odds are, the person could be named John.
The top members of Senate GOP leadership behind McConnell are colloquially known as “the three Johns” — Sens. John Thune (S.D.), John Cornyn (Texas) and John Barrasso (Wyo.) — and all are thought to be vying for McConnell’s vacancy.
The trio of senators have all endorsed former President Trump, the likely GOP presidential nominee, who holds significant sway over the Republican party. McConnell has yet to endorse Trump.
McConnell, a staunch conservative who was elected to the Senate in 1984, became the Senate minority leader in 2007 then senate majority leader in 2014.
“One of life’s most underappreciated talents is to know when it’s time to move on to life’s next chapter. So I stand before you today … to say that this will be my last term as Republican leader of the Senate,” McConnell announced on the Senate floor Wednesday afternoon, catching many of his colleagues by surprise. While McConnell will be stepping down from his leadership duties, he will not be leaving the Senate, at least until the end of his term in 2027. |
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Biden ‘fit for duty’: Doctor
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He may be 81 years old, but President Biden got the all clear from his doctors at his annual physical Wednesday, as he tries for a second term in November.
“The President feels well and this year’s physical identified no new concerns. He continues to be fit for duty and fully executes all of his responsibilities without any exemptions or accommodations,” Dr. Kevin O’Connor, the doctor who examined Biden, wrote in a memo shared with reporters. |
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Mississippi prisons violated law with violence, poor conditions: DOJ
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The Justice Department has found three Mississippi prisons broke the law in how prisoners were treated, citing violence, poor conditions and staffing shortages, according to a new report.
A 60-page report out Wednesday of an investigation into the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility, South Mississippi Correctional Institution and Wilkinson County Correctional Facility, detailed the alleged crimes.
The report found conditions at the prisions were violating the Eighth Amendment, which bars cruel and unusual punishment, and the 14th Amendment, which requires incarcerated populations to be treated with equal protection. |
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Join The Hill’s State of the Union Watch Party
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President Biden’s State of the Union address will reach the largest audience of the year for him to outline his administration’s policy achievements and priorities. Join The Hill, in partnership with Samsung Electronics America, for a State of the Union watch party with pre-speech analysis, bingo, food, and drinks.
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It’s still very hot in here…
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Forget “Hot Girl Summer” — the U.S. is in “Hot Girl February.” Much of the interior U.S. is getting a sneak preview of what’s to come this summer, according to weather forecasters. It’s also unfortunately bringing unexpected fires. (The Hill)
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Gaetz claims credit after McConnell says he’ll step down from leadership
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“We’ve now 86’d: McCarthy, McDaniel, McConnell,” Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) wrote online this week. “Better days are ahead for the Republican Party.”
He was talking about Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.), who announced he was stepping down from his leadership post this year while serving out the rest of his term into 2027.
Gaetz previously led the effort to oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) from the Speakership. Former President Trump has also called for replacing Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel atop the Republican National Committee.
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6 days until Super Tuesday.
251 days until the 2024 presidential election. |
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Tomorrow is a free day to enjoy life. Because of Leap Year we get an extra day on Feb. 29. |
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