All posts tagged: Mike Lee

Epstein accusations fly in Senate after César Chávez Monument row

Epstein accusations fly in Senate after César Chávez Monument row

Published by Sam Flores

U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah (left) and U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) Chip Somodevilla | Kayla Bartkowski | Getty Images Jeffrey Epstein allegations flew during a spat between Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., over the fate of the César Chávez National Monument. Heinrich, the ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, objected to a bill on Tuesday to defund and close the monument after multiple women accused Chávez — an icon in the farm labor movement — of sexual assault. Heinrich objected to the bill, citing concerns that erasing the monument would diminish the work of other leaders in the farm labor movement. “I agree unequivocally that we should no longer have a monument named after Cesar Chavez,” he said on the Senate floor after objecting. “But we absolutely should not erase the monuments telling of the story of the farm labor movement. That is a story that belongs to many people, including the survivors of Chavez’s violence.” Chávez, who died in 1993, was accused by several women who …

Senate, White House nearing deal to end DHS shutdown

Senate, White House nearing deal to end DHS shutdown

Published by Sam Flores

San Diego, CA – March 23: Travelers stand in a long Transportation Security Administration line that wrapped throughout Terminal 1 at San Diego International Airport in California, March 23, 2026. K.C. Alfred | The San Diego Union | Getty Images Senate Republicans and the White House appear near to a deal to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security and end the partial government shutdown as the shutdown’s second month leads to worsening airport delays. Talks are still underway, but “this deal seems to be acceptable,” a White House official speaking on condition of anonymity said Tuesday. President Donald Trump has said he wants to not only fund DHS but include other changes such as prohibitions on transgender care and a voter-ID measure. Democrats, however, say they’re not satisfied with the Republicans’ proposal. At a swearing-in ceremony for Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin on Tuesday, Trump said he would “take a good hard look” at the compromise funding proposal. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said at a press conference Tuesday that “Democrats have …

Trump-backed SAVE America Act will get a Senate vote, John Thune says

Trump-backed SAVE America Act will get a Senate vote, John Thune says

Published by Sam Flores

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) speaks at a press conference with other members of Senate Republican leadership, following weekly policy luncheons, in Washington D.C., United States on February 10, 2026. Nathan Posner | Anadolu | Getty Images Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., on Thursday said he would bring the SAVE America Act to the Senate floor next week. The voter-ID bill backed by President Donald Trump would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and photo ID to cast a ballot. For months Trump, GOP hardliners and online influencers like Elon Musk have railed against opponents of the bill and called repeatedly for a change to the Senate filibuster rule to ensure passage in the upper chamber. Thune supports the legislation but has rejected those calls, saying changing Senate procedure could have unintended consequences. Speaking from the Senate floor Thursday, he made no mention of changing the chamber’s rules, all but assuring the proposal will not pass. “I can’t guarantee an outcome on this legislation, but I can guarantee that we are …