Congress
Dems join Republicans to boost defense spending in Trump agenda bill
The House Armed Services Committee advanced its $150 billion portion of Republicans’ megabill on Tuesday with the support of several Democrats, even as most lambasted it as a “blank check” for a Pentagon in chaos and a defense chief who can’t be trusted.
The 35-21 committee vote came after Republicans thwarted more than 20 Democrat amendments aimed at gutting key funding provisions and highlighting complaints about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s leadership.
Five Democrats sided with Republicans on the final vote to increase defense spending: Reps. Jared Golden of Maine, Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico, Don Davis of North Carolina, George Whitesides of California and Eugene Vindman of Virginia. But most, if not all, Democrats are expected to oppose the broader Republican measure of tax cuts and reductions to domestic programs, such as Medicaid.
Democrats immediately dove into Hegseth’s now infamous decision to share sensitive military details on a Signal chat. Top Armed Services Democrat Adam Smith introduced an amendment that would have restricted 75 percent of the new defense funding until the Pentagon develops a plan to prevent the sharing of classified information outside of approved systems.
“They have not even begun to prove that there’s a chance in hell that they will spend this money intelligently,” said Smith. His amendment failed in a 26-29 party-line vote.
Another amendment from Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) would have prevented any of the new Pentagon money from being spent until Hegseth steps down as Defense secretary. Her amendment was voted down 24-31, with Democrats Davis and Golden opposing it.
Democrats also highlighted other controversies surrounding Hegseth. Rep. Sara Jacobs of California put forward an amendment that would have blocked funding for a Pentagon makeup studio, following a report that he had ordered a room retrofitted to use before television appearances. Hegseth has denied the report. The measure was defeated in a 26-29 partisan vote.
Congress
Senate GOP ready to move on elections bill
Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso told reporters Monday the chamber will vote Tuesday to take up a House-passed elections bill known as the SAVE America Act.
The Wyoming Republican, whose job it is to help round up support, said he is “doing everything I can to make sure we get on this bill tomorrow.”
Republicans will need a simple majority to begin debate on the partisan legislation; they can lose three members and still let Vice President JD Vance break a tie.
So far, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) has said he’s a “no,” while Republicans are also watching GOP Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
Congress
Jesse Jackson’s family withdraws posthumous endorsement in Illinois Senate primary
The family of the late Rev. Jesse Jackson walked back a posthumous endorsement of Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton’s Senate campaign on Monday, after the family said Jackson’s endorsements for Tuesday’s primaries were not completed before his death.
On Saturday, Stratton’s campaign touted an endorsement from Jackson, who died last month, and his son Yusef. The announcement came after Stratton saw Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Jackson family’s organziation, passing out sample ballots — which were also obtained by Blue Light News — that recommended Stratton.
“[Jackson’s] example has been a north star for me, and I’m deeply honored to have received his trust, support, and endorsement before his passing,” Stratton said in a statement on Saturday.
But on Monday, Yusef Jackson, who is the organization’s COO, said the draft sample ballot was “released without authorization” and that the Jackson family and Rainbow PUSH Coalition are not making political endorsements this cycle.
His father “began the process of reviewing candidates and identifying those he intended to support in the upcoming primary election,” Yusef Jackson said in the statement. “However, given his passing just over a month ago, the process was never fully completed. Out of respect for my father, we decided not to publicly release his intended selections given the process had not been finalized.”
The Stratton campaign said on Monday that officials with Rainbow PUSH Coalition said she had been endorsed by Jackson.
“Juliana spoke on Saturday at Rainbow PUSH for a Women’s History Month event and officials told her she received the endorsements. Organizers shared the sample election ballot that was already being distributed and encouraged her to share the news,” the Stratton campaign said in a statement.
The endorsement mix-up draws further scrutiny on the split among Black Democrats in Illinois between Stratton and Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), who are both seeking to succeed retiring Sen. Dick Durbin. Some Democrats in the state have expressed concern that Stratton and Kelly could split the vote in Tuesday’s primary, creating a path for Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) to win the nomination.
Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.) told Blue Light News prior to the family’s statement that his father “never got in on Black-on-Black fights.”
Jonathan Jackson added that the races the late Jesse Jackson “was excited about” were himself and former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.’s comeback bid.
“He wouldn’t do that. He was always pushing the community forward,” Jackson said. “This smells of desperation.”
Congress
Johnson on Trump’s Hormuz plan
Speaker Mike Johnson said he supports President Donald Trump’s effort to build a global coalition ensure safe passage of commerce through the Strait of Hormuz — even if Trump “didn’t anticipate it” being necessary before launching airstrikes against Iran.
Speaking to reporters after attending a Washington event with Trump, Johnson said the president told him that “he anticipated the strait of Hormuz would be closed.”
“I don’t know that he didn’t anticipate it in the front end, but now it’s necessitated,” Johnson said. He added that the coalition is “a reasonable thing” for other countries to assist with and “it would be helpful.”
Asked about how much a potential supplemental package to fund the military action would cost, Johnson said, “We don’t know yet.” Estimates for the cost of the war have exceeding $1 billion per day.
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