Two dozen House members sign letter to Biden and Blinken advocating ceasefire in Israel-Hamas war



Two dozen House lawmakers joined together in a letter to President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken advocating for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

"We write to you to express deep concern about the intensifying war in Gaza, particularly grave violations against children, and our fear that without an immediate cessation of hostilities and the establishment of a robust bilateral ceasefire, this war will lead to a further loss of civilian life and risk dragging the United States into dangerous and unwise conflict with armed groups across the Middle East," the lawmakers' letter states. "Further, we write urging clarity on your strategic objectives for achieving de-escalation and stability in the region."

Israel went to war last month after Hamas terrorists perpetrated heinous atrocities including rape, murder, and kidnapping.

Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, who was one of the U.S. lawmakers who viewed footage from the attacks, recalled, "We saw images of mutilated infants, defiled corpses, and families burned alive in their homes."

While speaking to Samaritan's Purse president and CEO Franklin Graham, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted that the country is seeking to "minimize civilian casualties."

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But Netanyahu has said that Hamas blocks civilians from fleeing to safety. "While Israel is doing everything to keep civilians out of harm's way, Hamas is doing everything to keep them in harm's way," Netanyahu has tweeted. "Israel provides civilians in Gaza humanitarian corridors and safe zones, Hamas prevents them from leaving at gunpoint."

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AOC responds to the news that Byron Donalds is running for House speaker



Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York has responded to the news that Republican Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida is mounting a bid to become House speaker.

"Donalds has only served 1 full term in the House. His most recent work involved submitting falsified evidence in an impeachment investigation. These people are not serious," tweeted Ocasio-Cortez, who is currently serving her third term in office.

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Donalds and a number of other Republicans have thrown their hats into the ring since Rep. Jim Jordan's speakership bid collapsed. Donalds had voted for Jordan, an Ohio Republican, during all three rounds of balloting this week. But in each round, Jordan was unable to earn sufficient support to secure the speakership.

"TONIGHT, I AM ANNOUNCING MY CANDIDACY FOR SPEAKER OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. MY SOLE FOCUS WILL BE SECURING OUR BORDER, FUNDING OUR GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBLY, ADVANCING A CONSERVATIVE VISION FOR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, AND EXPANDING OUR REPUBLICAN MAJORITY," Donalds said in a statement.

"UNDER MY LEADERSHIP, THE HOUSE WILL LEAD THE CHARGE TO ADVANCE A SIMPLE OBJECTIVE: PUT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FIRST, KEEP THEM SAFE, AND MAKE THEIR LIVES EASIER," he noted. "I LOOK FORWARD TO SECURING THE VOTES OF A MAJORITY OF MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES TO BECOME THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN SPEAKER, THE FIRST SPEAKER FROM THE GREAT STATE OF FLORIDA, AND THE NEXT SPEAKER OF THE 118TH CONGRESS."

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Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida, who did not back Jordan during the three votes this week, has thrown his support behind Donalds. "@ByronDonalds is an honorable leader and respected by the entire conference. That is why it is a privilege to endorse Byron for speaker," he tweeted.

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AOC is the subject of an upcoming biography examining 'one of today’s most influential political and cultural icons'



Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) will be the subject of a forthcoming biography titled, "Take Up Space: The Unprecedented AOC."

The book, which has a Feb. 1, 2022 release date, will provide "a dynamic and comprehensive look at one of today’s most influential political and cultural icons," the description states.

Some of the material in the work will include "an essay on the role that her beauty plays in her public perception," an "analysis of her social media greatest hits," "an essay on her rare authenticity," and comments on "how today’s teens see her as the politician of their futures."

Ocasio-Cortez has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2019. In 2018 at the age of 29-years-old, she made history by becoming the youngest woman ever elected to Congress.

The progressive lawmaker has promoted radical policy positions such as the Green New Deal and has become a frequent target of conservative critics.

Earlier this month, Geraldo Rivera was criticized by some on Twitter after he tweeted that the congresswoman "outshines every other member of Congress in eloquence and passionate sincerity."

"This is a stupid tweet and you should feel stupid for having tweeted it," Blaze Media's Steven Crowder wrote.

Another person who responded to Rivera's post by tweeting, "You are embarrassing your own mustache."

You are embarrassing your own mustache.https://twitter.com/GeraldoRivera/status/1461056356186837002\u00a0\u2026
— Chanah Angelica Kamen (@Chanah Angelica Kamen) 1637203535