Adam Schiff resigns from House early, set to be sworn in the Senate



Sen.-elect Adam Schiff of California resigned from his post in the House of Representatives earlier than expected on Friday in order to be sworn in to his Senate seat on Monday.

Schiff was elected to represent California in the Senate on November 5 in order to replace former Democratic Sen. Laphonza Butler, who was appointed following the death of Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein in September 2023. Although Butler has served in the Senate since, she opted not to run for another term.

Notably, Schiff was at the forefront of the now-debunked Russia-collusion hoax during the 2016 election cycle.

"I am so privileged to have been chosen by the voters of California to serve as their next United States Senator, following in the footsteps of a true giant of the Senate and a mentor of mine, former U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein," Schiff said in his resignation letter Friday.

"It has been my honor to represent the people of California's 30th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives for the last 24 years," Schiff continued. "I am so grateful to my constituents for giving me the chance to serve them in the House, and to the residents of the state of California for now providing me this new opportunity in the Senate to serve the entire state I love."

Schiff is now set to be sworn in on Monday alongside Democratic Sen.-elect Andy Kim of New Jersey. Kim was elected to replace former Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, who resigned in August a month after a jury convicted him on charges of federal bribery.

"I look forward to representing all of the people of California, and doing my utmost to make sure that our state continues to provide opportunity, creativity, innovation, and a wonderful quality of life for generations to come," Schiff said in the letter.

The Biden administration has reportedly been weighing pre-emptive pardons for various government officials like former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and even Schiff.

Notably, Schiff was at the forefront of the now-debunked Russia-collusion hoax during the 2016 election cycle. The allegations against Trump, which have now been found to be baseless, could put the senator-elect in the path of Trump's retribution following his inauguration. Schiff has stated that he does not want the pre-emptive pardon.

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Dem Senators Urge Biden to Trump-Proof Immigration Policies

Three Democratic senators are urging President Joe Biden to "act decisively" and lock down immigration policies to shield illegal immigrants from President-elect Donald Trump’s deportation efforts, Politico reported.

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Hill Dems hammer Biden over Hunter pardon, citing 'two-tier' justice system



After President Joe Biden announced a sweeping pardon for his son Hunter Biden, several lawmakers from his own party came out against him.

Despite repeatedly asserting that he would not pardon his son, Biden is now allowing Hunter to evade legal repercussions for crimes committed from January 1, 2014, to December 1, 2024. This pardon was issued amid Hunter's most recent felony conviction on gun charges as well as his scandalous background surrounding felony tax offenses and his role in the Ukrainian gas company Burisma.

'This was an improper use of power, it erodes trust in our government, and it emboldens others to bend justice to suit their interests.'

Biden previously insisted that he would not pardon Hunter, reaffirming that "no one is above the law." Over the weekend, Biden announced the decision to pardon Hunter, claiming that he was being "selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted."

"The charges in his cases came about only after several of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to attack me and oppose my election," Biden said in a statement released Sunday.

"No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter’s cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son — and that is wrong," Biden continued.

However, lawmakers from Biden's own party were not convinced.

"President Biden’s pardon of his son confirms a common belief I hear in Southwest Washington: that well-connected people are often gifted special treatment by a two-tier justice system," Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, who just narrowly won re-election in Washington state, said in a Monday post on X. "The President made the wrong decision. No family should be above the law."

"I respect President Biden, but I think he got this one wrong," Democratic Rep. Greg Stanton said in a Monday post on X. "This wasn’t a politically-motivated prosecution. Hunter committed felonies, and was convicted by a jury of his peers."

Biden also faced backlash from Democrats on the Senate side.

"President Biden’s decision put personal interest ahead of duty and further erodes Americans’ faith that the justice system is fair and equal for all," Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado said in a Monday post on X.

"President Biden’s decision to pardon his son was wrong," Democratic Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan said in a Monday post on X. "A president's family and allies shouldn't get special treatment. This was an improper use of power, it erodes trust in our government, and it emboldens others to bend justice to suit their interests."

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Senate Shoots Down Bernie's Attempted Arms Embargo on Israel

Senate Democrats failed on Wednesday to implement an arms embargo on Israel, with the upper chamber swatting away three measures led by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.). Lawmakers voted overwhelmingly against three separate disapproval resolutions that called for an immediate pause on American arms sales to Israel and accused the United States of supporting mass […]

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Senate Democrats Were 'Caught Flat-Footed' by GOP's Transgender Attack Ads: Report

Senate Democrats were “caught flat-footed” by Republican campaign ads targeting transgender men’s participation in women’s sports, according to Axios.

The post Senate Democrats Were 'Caught Flat-Footed' by GOP's Transgender Attack Ads: Report appeared first on .

Republicans Can’t Afford To Elect Another Mitch McConnell As Senate Leader

Senate Republicans cannot be led by someone who is openly hostile to the agenda of their party’s president and the base who elected him.

Control of the House still hanging in the balance



Although Republicans have won the presidency and regained a majority in the Senate, it remains unclear which party will claim control of the House.

As of this writing, Republicans have secured 206 seats, while Democrats have won 192 seats, according to the Associated Press. Either party will need to win at least 218 of the 435 House seats in order to hold the majority. Currently, 37 seats are yet to be called, which could swing the majority in either direction.

Of the 37 seats, Republicans are leading 17 of them, while Democrats are ahead in 20. Although Democrats are leading in more uncalled races, Republicans only need 12 of the 17 seats to maintain their majority.

'As more results come in, it is clear that, as we have predicted all along, Republicans are poised to have unified government in the White House, Senate, and House.'

Republicans are leading Alaska's only House race, as well as Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, Iowa's 1st Congressional District, Colorado's 3rd Congressional District, Pennsylvania's 7th, 8th, and 9th Congressional Districts, Arizona's 1st, 2nd, and 6th Congressional Districts, and California's 13th, 22nd, 27th, 41st, 45th, and 47th Congressional Districts.

Washington's 4th Congressional District is still uncalled but will go to one of the two Republican candidates due to the ranked-choice voting system.

Democrats are ahead in Washington's 3rd and 8th Congressional Districts, Oregon's 5th and 6th Congressional Districts, California's 9th, 12th, 21st, 26th, 39th, and 49th Congressional Districts, Nevada's 1st, 3rd, and 4th Congressional Districts, Arizona's 4th Congressional District, and Colorado's 8th Congressional District.

Farther east, Democrats are leading in Louisiana's 6th Congressional District, Ohio's 9th Congressional District, North Carolina's 1st Congressional District, Maryland's 6th Congressional District, New York's 4th Congressional District, and Maine's 2nd Congressional District.

Speaker Mike Johnson reassured his party, maintaining that he was confident that Republicans would hold their majority.

"This historic election has proven that a majority of Americans are eager for secure borders, lower costs, peace through strength, and a return to common sense," Johnson said in a statement Wednesday. "As more results come in, it is clear that, as we have predicted all along, Republicans are poised to have unified government in the White House, Senate, and House."

"House Republicans have been successful in securing critical flips in swing states including Pennsylvania and Michigan, while our battle-tested incumbents have secured re-election from coast to coast," Johnson continued. "The latest data and trends indicate that when all the votes are tabulated, Republicans will have held our majority, even though we faced a map with 18 Biden-won seats."

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Elissa Slotkin narrowly wins Michigan US Senate seat



Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin defeated Republican challenger Mike Rogers Wednesday in the race to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow.

Slotkin secured her electoral victory by 48.6%, while Rogers pulled in 48.3%, according to Politico. Although Democrats have held onto the contested Michigan Senate seat, Republicans have managed to flip seats in Montana, West Virginia, and Ohio, securing the GOP's majority.

Democrats have dominated the Michigan Senate seats for decades, but Rogers was able to narrow Slotkin's nearly six-point polling advantage from August to just a 0.3 point margin on Election Day.

The Michigan Senate seat was one of four races rated "toss-ups" by Cook Political Report going into Election Day, alongside Pennsylvania, Ohio and Wisconsin.

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Two-term Democratic incumbent fends off Republican challenger in Wisconsin Senate race



Democratic incumbent Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin narrowly won re-election Wednesday against Republican challenger Eric Hovde.

Baldwin secured 49.4% of the vote, while Hovde brought in 48.5%, according to Politico. Although Democrats held on to the contested Wisconsin seat, Republicans have already managed to flip three seats, securing their Senate majority.

Although Baldwin has won her seat by comfortable margins in the past, this race was much narrower.

"The voters have spoken and our campaign has won," Baldwin said in a Wednesday post on X. "Wisconsinites chose someone who always puts them first, shows up, listens, and works with everyone to get the job done. I'm proud to head back to the Senate to keep fighting for our workers, farmers, and families that make our state great."

Although Baldwin has won her seat by comfortable margins in the past, this race was much narrower. Leading up to the race, Hovde closed in on Baldwin's lead, turning her near eight-point advantage from July into less than a single-point victory on Election Day.

While the votes were being counted, Hovde expressed skepticism about the election's integrity.

"We’re watching the final precinct results come in," Hovde said in a Wednesday post on X. "We’re certainly disappointed that the Democrats’ effort to siphon votes with a fraudulent candidate had a significant impact on the race, with those votes making up more than the entire margin of the race right now. We will continue to monitor returns and make sure that every vote is counted."

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