Farting and the Chinese Spy
A year or two removed from unleashing a massive and historic fart on national TV, Rep, Eric Swalwell, who accused President Trump of being a Russian Agent, is at the center of the Chinese spy scandal, and Republicans in Congress are railing against him and want him booted from the House Intelligence Committee.
“Eric Swalwell has no place on the House Intelligence Committee. His reported ties to a Chinese spy backed by the Communist Party of China are shocking and show just how far President Xi is willing to go to gain access to critical U.S. intelligence. Swalwell spent years promoting Russian disinformation in an effort to take down the President, when in fact he was being used as a pawn by the Chinese government, which we know is doing everything in their power to expand their influence. Swalwell’s failure of judgement is astounding and he must put national security first and step down from his post immediately. Let this be a lesson to all Americans – we must open our eyes to the threat posed by Communist China.“- Sen. Rick Scott
It's a known fact that Chinese food gives a lot of people bad stomach cramps
Going to Court
Arizona has just joined Florida and 16 other states in supporting Texas's lawsuit to overturn the apparent fraudulent 2020 presidential election. READ MORE HERE
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Veterans win with Rep. Veronica Escobar's bill by Texas Politics' Isabel Webb Carey
“Van Duyne Calls Obamacare “Biggest Lie” Of All Time” by Texas Politics’ Daniel Molina – Fresh off of her 2020 win over her Progressive Democratic opponent, the incoming Texas Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R) is pulling no punches as she has just shared her thoughts regarding the unaffordable Obamacare healthcare law. The landmark achievement from the Obama administration has received unprecedented criticism since it’s inception, and it has largely divided lawmakers and the public regarding the future of Obamacare. Van Dyne, who launched her political campaign as a result of her daughter’s preexisting health condition, is now calling Obamacare the biggest con that Americans have ever received. In speaking to FOX News, Van Duyne commented that “the Affordable Care Act was one of the biggest lies that has ever been promulgated in U.S. history.” She added that “the fact that you’re going to be able to keep your doctor; it’s going to lower your health care costs; it’s going to increase your quality” were all concerns that were promised by the Obama administration, but “those were all lies” and “that did not happen.” “The Affordable Care Act was one of the biggest lies that has ever been promulgated in U.S. history,” Van Duyne told Fox News . “The fact that you’re going to be able to keep your doctor; it’s going to lower your health care costs; it’s going to increase your quality — those were all lies. That did not happen. In fact, it was quite the opposite.” She expressed that “it was quite the opposite.”
“Cruz, Garcia, and Castro slam Army over it’s culture of sexual harassment, assault” by Texas Politics’ Daniel Molina – During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and the George Floyd protests, news broke of the tragic murder of U.S. Army Specialist Vanessa Guillen, sparking media uproar and political activism as to how her death could’ve been kept quiet for so long. In a bipartisan response, lawmakers moved quickly to investigate the death, and now Texas Senator Ted Cruz (R) has provided a statement regarding the findings that have been published. In his statement, the Texas lawmaker admitted that he’s “deeply troubled by the findings published today about the command climate at Ft. Hood and the issues surrounding the atrocious killing of Spc. Vanessa Guillen,” adding that “the Army owed this investigation to her family and all those who mourn her death, and I’m encouraged that the Army is prepared to implement meaningful change at Ft. Hood and across the entire service.” Cruz asserted that “the problem of sexual assault. And harassment in our military is far too often pervasive in our armed forces, which is why I’ve long supported the bipartisan Military Justice Improvement Act.” He also ensured that his goal in the Senate was “to ensure we uphold our solemn obligation to protect the young women and men of our armed forces from sexual violence.”
“Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller says he has tested positive for coronavirus” by Texas Tribune’s Mitchell Ferman – Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said Wednesday evening that he has tested positive for COVID-19. He is the second known statewide elected official to test positive for the coronavirus. "Friends, I just got news that I have tested positive for COVID-19, and as a result, will be quarantining at my ranch,” Miller said in a written statement. “Not feeling my best, but I've survived rodeo injuries, broken bones, hip, double knee and shoulder surgery, west nile virus and cancer, and I'm going to beat this too. Thank you for your prayers and support, and please continue to pray for our first responders, doctors, nurses and health care workers, especially in our rural areas. Together, we'll make it through this." Miller, 65, released no further details. It is unclear how he contracted the virus or whether he has received medical attention. The announcement came a day after The Texas Tribune revealed that at least three Texas Board of Education members tested positive for the coronavirus following an in-person meeting last month, raising more questions about the state’s emphasis on safety just weeks before the new legislative session begins next month.
“Trump's election fight puts embattled Texas AG in spotlight” by Associated Press’ Paul J. Weber – A lawsuit that President Donald Trump is now calling “the big one” in his effort to overturn the outcome of the presidential election is helmed by an embattled Texas ally who is likewise trying to reverse his own skidding fortunes. Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to invalidate Electoral College votes in battleground states that Trump lost — a challenge dismissed by legal experts as frivolous and rebuked by state officials in Michigan, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. But the lawsuit is succeeding in bringing Paxton back into the embrace of the GOP at a time when his former inner circle has accused him of bribery and the FBI is investigating his dealings with a donor. On Wednesday, 17 Republican-led states threw support behind Paxton's lawsuit that rehashes numerous disproven and unsupported allegations of illegal voting. Both Republican Senate candidates in a pair of high-stakes Georgia runoff elections in January are also on board and Trump's legal team — which has lost at every turn in an attempt to keep him in power — asked to intervene as well. "This is the big one. Our Country needs a victory!" Trump tweeted. Legal experts have predicted that the Supreme Court will reject the case, but for now Paxton's return to the spotlight reflects Trump's continuing power to elevate even troubled members of his party who rush to his defense. Although one Republican congressman, Rep. Chip Roy, called on Paxton to resign before the election, prominent GOP leaders have not gone farther than express concern over allegations that Paxton abused his office to benefit a donor.
“Trump asked Ted Cruz to argue Texas election lawsuit if it reaches Supreme Court” by CNN’s Betsy Klein, Jim Acosta and Caroline Kelly – President Donald Trump personally asked Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas if he would argue a long-shot election lawsuit seeking to overturrn the election results in four battleground states, should the Supreme Court agree to take it up, two sources told CNN on Wednesday. Trump inquired on Tuesday whether Cruz would argue the case, which was filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Monday night in an effort to block election results from Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, all of which were won by President-elect Joe Biden. Cruz agreed to do so, according to a spokesperson. A source familiar with the conversation said Trump has asked Cruz to argue a number of these election challenges. The New York Times first reported Trump's request and Cruz's answer. The White House declined to comment. News of Cruz's potential involvement comes after Trump got involved in Paxton's case on Wednesday, asking the Supreme Court in a court filing to block millions of votes from the four states. The President is being represented by a new attorney, John Eastman, who is known for recently pushing a racist conspiracy theory that claimed Vice President-elect Kamala Harris was not eligible for the role because her parents were immigrants. In the challenge, Paxton argues that the battleground states exploited the Covid-19 pandemic to justify ignoring federal and state election laws. Seventeen Republican-led states have also filed a brief in support of Paxton's position.
“69-year-old Black woman sues city, claims Texas police 'smashed' into home for 'no reason'” by NBC News’ Minyvonne Burke – A 69-year-old Fort Worth, Texas, woman is accusing police officers of excessive force and unlawfully searching her and her husband's home during a narcotics raid. Nelda Price said she and her now-late husband, John Price, had just finished eating dinner in their kitchen when at around 8 p.m. on March 11 officers "smashed in the doors to the residence and stormed into the house with guns drawn," according to a lawsuit obtained by NBC News. The suit, filed in a Tarrant County court against the city of Fort Worth, alleges that officers gave no verbal warning and did not knock before forcing their way into the home. Calls and emails Wednesday to the Fort Worth Police Department and city spokesperson were not returned. The Prices, who are Black, had guns pointed at them, had their hands zip-cuffed behind their backs and were taken outside to their front yard, according to the suit. "The Fort Worth Police had no reason to suspect that Prices, who were relaxing in their home on a weekday evening, were involved in or engaged in any criminal activity, or posed any threat to the safety of the Fort Worth Police Officers or any other individual," the lawsuit states. Some of the officers "guarded" the couple outside while others ransacked the home, according to the lawsuit. When Nelda Price asked police why the home was being raided, the couple was instead questioned about having aliases and if "a Mexican boy brought a package to their home," the suit says. "Mr. and Mrs. Price confirmed they did not have any aliases and no Mexican boy brought a package to their home to keep," it states.
“Watch SpaceX test a giant 'Starship' over Texas today [UPDATED]” by Live Science’s Rafi Letzter – SpaceX plans to test its enormous Starship prototype over Boca Chica, Texas, on Tuesday (Dec. 8). Starship is SpaceX's big, shiny rocket standing 160 feet (49 meters) tall and 30 feet (9 m) wide. Unlike the Crew Dragon, which is currently docked to the International Space Station, or the company's fleet of more standard rockets, Starship hasn't been built to serve a specific space agency or private customer's needs. Instead, it's designed to further CEO Elon Musk's stated goal of delivering large numbers of people or heavy payloads to the moon and eventually Mars — a goal NASA supported earlier this year with a $135 million investment, Spaceflight Now reported. The anticipated test will mark the first opportunity to see a completed Starship prototype in action. Today's 41,000-foot (12,500 m) test flight will top out slightly below the 50,000 feet (15,240 m) Musk initially projected, Dave Mosher reported for Business Insider. There's no official start time, but SpaceX said in the caption of a livestream posted to YouTube that if the flight doesn't take place by 5 p.m. CST it will likely be bumped to Wednesday (Dec. 9) or Thursday (Dec. 10). Spaceflight Now reporter Stephen Clark tweeted to point out that a NASA surveillance plane will be in the area around 3 p.m. CST, making that a plausible launch window.
“Trump ally lobbying fellow House Republicans to support Texas lawsuit seeking to overturn the election” by CNN’s Jake Tapper, Kristin Wilson, and Daniella Diaz – Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana, a close ally of President Donald Trump, sent an email from a personal email account to every House Republican soliciting signatures for an amicus brief in the longshot Texas lawsuit seeking to invalidate electoral college votes from Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The email said Trump is "anxiously awaiting the final list" to see who signs on to the amicus brief. The amicus brief is related to an application from Texas to the Supreme Court to start a lawsuit against the states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and Georgia, the four battleground states President-elect Joe Biden won in the 2020 election. One House Republican told CNN he was put off by the Johnson email. "Are we the party of list-making now?" the member asked. Attorney George Conway, once a candidate for solicitor general for the Trump administration before becoming a prominent critic, said Tuesday there was no merit to the suit and described the effort as "the most insane thing yet." "For a member of the Supreme Court Bar to do this in the Supreme Court of the United States is absolutely outrageous," Conway said on CNN's "The Lead with Jake Tapper," in reference to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton seeking to block election results. "It's absurd and an embarrassment. And for a public official, let alone any lawyer, let alone any member of the Supreme Court Bar, to bring this lawsuit is atrocious."
“At least three Texas Board of Education members test positive for the coronavirus after in-person meeting” by Texas Tribune’s Aliyya Swaby – At least three members of the State Board of Education tested positive for COVID-19 after meeting in person for four days in November, according to multiple board members. Georgina Pérez, an El Paso Democrat, said she tested positive. Two other board members also tested positive, board chair Keven Ellis told The Texas Tribune. All three tests came within two weeks of Nov. 20, the last day of the board meeting, according to Ellis and Pérez. Support staff for the board sent emails to members last Monday and Tuesday telling them the two members had tested positive. Those two members did not respond to interview requests Tuesday, and the Tribune is not naming them, pending comment. Three board members confirmed the contents of the emails to the Tribune. The 15-member board meets five times per year to discuss curriculum standards and textbook approvals — in short, what 5.5 million Texas public school students are required to learn each year. Its April and June meetings were held virtually, as COVID-19 cases spiked. But the September and November meetings were held in person, with exceptions for members who wanted to participate from home, Ellis said. None of the support staff members in the room have since tested positive, according to Ellis. Members of the public who testified at the board meeting did so virtually. Pérez said she told a few board members about her positive test, after they reached out to her, but that she did not tell the board's staff. The archived video of November's meeting shows Pérez wearing two masks much of the time — more consistently than most other members.
“Texas reports more than 15,000 new daily COVID-19 cases” by Associated Press – Texas on Tuesday reported more than 15,000 newly confirmed daily cases of the coronavirus amid spikes in cases and hospitalization as winter approaches. The Texas Department of State Health Services also said 9,028 people were hospitalized across the state. Last week marked the first time Texas surpassed a daily count of 9,000 hospitalizations since a deadly summer outbreak. During the summer outbreak, the state saw the numbers of new daily cases go just past 10,000 for the first time. Since late November, the new daily cases have soared past 10,000 on several days, with 15,103 new cases reported Tuesday, according to state health officials. The true number of infections in Texas is likely higher because many haven’t been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University say Texas has had more than 23,000 COVID-19 related deaths so far, the second highest in the U.S. Over the last two weeks, the rolling average number of daily new cases has increased by 17%, according to Johns Hopkins. The university says that one in every 309 people in Texas tested positive in the past week. For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal. The vast majority of people recover.
National:
“House fails to reach deal on coronavirus but is debating ceiling fan bill” by Fox News’ Vandana Rambaran – The House has yet to pass a long-awaited coronavirus stimulus package to rescue millions of Americans struggling during the pandemic, but they did spend time on Wednesday debating the environmental effects of ceiling fans. The ceiling fan bill, sponsored by Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., and approved in a bipartisan vote, 396-2, will change the energy standard requirements for “large-diameter ceiling fans manufactured on or after January 21, 2020.” Language in the bill establishes parameters for exemptions of large fans under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, which provides guidelines for minimum energy efficiency standards for more than 60 types of home appliances. The new bill focuses on electricity standards for the fans based on “Using an Airflow Constant of 26,500 cubic feet per minute” and “Using a Fan Efficiency Constant of 42 percent.” Reupping energy bills and making changes to standards cut consumer utility bills and saves energy, which in turn mitigates the effects of climate change, environmentalists have argued. But the spirit of bipartisanship over the fans has yet to extend to a COVID-19 bill, with the vote taking place less than three weeks before unemployment benefits stemming from the pandemic are set to expire, the day after Christmas. In addition, moratoriums on evictions and student loan forbearance expire at the end of the year, worrisome deadlines to millions of Americans in financial peril.
“Biden considering Buttigieg for China ambassador: report” by Fox News’ Morgan Phillips – President-elect Biden reportedly might choose his old primary opponent, former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg, to serve as ambassador to China. Buttigieg, 38, who offered detailed proposals on foreign policy as a presidential candidate, was reportedly under consideration for U.N. ambassador, but Biden passed on him for this, according to Axios. The Beijing post usually goes to experienced politicians due to its high-profile nature. Many believe Buttigieg will run for the presidency again, and the ambassadorship could give the Chinese a chance to get to know the former mayor. His name remains under consideration for some domestic leadership positions as well, Axios reported. Buttigieg’s name has been floated for Transportation or Commerce, but he’s reportedly signaled interest in the foreign policy or national security realm, sources say. Buttigieg was one of the first former Democratic candidates to endorse Biden after the South Carolina primary. After that, Biden said of Buttigieg: "I don't think I've ever done this before, but he reminds me of my son Beau. I know that may not mean much to most people, but, to me, it's the highest compliment I can give any man or woman."
“Facebook encounters bipartisan backlash as AOC supports Trump administration's lawsuit” by Fox News’ Sam Dorman – Facebook is uniting both sides of the aisle with its alleged anti-competitive behavior. On Wednesday, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and 48 state attorneys general brought antitrust suits against the social media giant. Both are targeting the platform's acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. Reacting to the news, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., said: "Good." "Facebook is absolutely an out-of-control monopoly - one that has abused its market power to squash competition, manipulate democracies, and crush journalism," she added. New York Attorney General Letitia James, who led the bipartisan coalition of attorneys general, said she would coordinate with the FTC. At a press conference, she accused Facebook of abusing its power. “For nearly a decade, Facebook has used its dominance and monopoly power to crush smaller rivals and snuff out competition, all at the expense of everyday users,” said the Empire State's chief prosecutor. Facebook Vice President and General Counsel Jennifer Newstead blasted the complaints as "revisionist history."
“Federal criminal investigation into Hunter Biden focuses on his business dealings in China” by CNN’s Evan Perez and Pamela Brown – After going quiet in the months before the election, federal authorities are now actively investigating the business dealings of Hunter Biden, a person with knowledge of the probe said. His father, President-elect Joe Biden, is not implicated. Now that the election is over, the investigation is entering a new phase. Federal prosecutors in Delaware, working with the IRS Criminal Investigation agency and the FBI, are taking overt steps such as issuing subpoenas and seeking interviews, the person with knowledge said. Activity in the investigation had gone covery in recent months due to Justice Department guidelines prohibiting overt actions that could affect an election, the person said.
CNN contacted Biden's attorney and the campaign this week seeking comment about the investigation. On Wednesday, they released a statement acknowledging the probe. "I learned yesterday for the first time that the U.S. Attorney's Office in Delaware advised my legal counsel, also yesterday, that they are investigating my tax affairs. I take this matter very seriously but I am confident that a professional and objective review of these matters will demonstrate that I handled my affairs legally and appropriately, including with the benefit of professional tax advisors," Hunter Biden said in a statement.
“Giuliani leaves hospital after being treated for coronavirus” by CNN’s Devan Cole – Rudy Giuliani, President Donald Trump's personal attorney, left the hospital Wednesday after spending four days there battling the deadly coronavirus. The 76-year-old former New York mayor, who is leading Trump's longshot legal challenges to overturn the presidential election results, was admitted to Georgetown University Hospital on Sunday. Giuliani said in a radio interview Wednesday morning that he was feeling well and announced he would be leaving the facility later that day. "I feel just about 100% right now," he told TalkRadio 77 WABC. "I've got to quarantine for a few more days. Because the way they calculate it, I probably got (infected with coronavirus) seven, eight days ago. So I've got about three or four more days to make sure it's out of my system." He was spotted by reporters leaving the hospital in a vehicle just before 5 p.m. on Wednesday, and flashed a thumbs up to the cameras. Giuliani, who noted he wasn't currently experiencing any major symptoms, claimed that some of the medications he was administered while in the hospital worked like "miracles." "There's one that I took -- by the next morning I felt like I was 10 years younger," he said, adding that he took "some of the same medicines" Trump took when he was battling the virus, though he didn't specifically name any.
“Democratic congressman says he did not share sensitive information with suspected Chinese spy” by CNN’s Zachary Cohen – Rep. Eric Swalwell told CNN Wednesday that he was "shocked" when the FBI informed him several years ago that he was targeted by a suspected Chinese intelligence operative as part of a broader effort to establish ties with US politicians, reiterating that he immediately cooperated with federal investigators who were looking into the individual in question. Swalwell was named in an Axios report detailing what US officials believed to be a political intelligence operation run by China's main civilian spy agency between 2011 and 2015.
The woman at the center of the operation, Fang Fang or Christine Fang, took part in fundraising activity for Swalwell's 2014 reelection campaign and helped place an intern in the California Democrat's office, according to Axios. But as stated in the initial report, Swalwell was never suspected of any wrongdoing, a point he reiterated to CNN on Wednesday. "I was told about this individual and I offered to help," he told CNN's Jim Sciutto. "All I did was cooperate and the FBI said that yesterday." Swalwell, who serves on the House Intelligence Committee and was very vocal during President Donald Trump's impeachment proceedings last year, also questioned the timing of the story considering the probe took place several years ago, raising the possibility that it was leaked to harm him politically.
“Facebook Hit With Antitrust Lawsuits by FTC, State Attorneys General” by WSJ’s Brent Kendall and John D. McKinnon – The Federal Trade Commission and a bipartisan group of 46 states filed broad antitrust lawsuits against Facebook Inc. FB -1.93% on Wednesday, alleging the social-media giant engaged in a yearslong campaign to buy up or freeze out nascent technology companies that one day might have become rivals. The FTC’s case is its most ambitious in recent memory and seeks to unwind Facebook’s prior acquisitions of the photo-sharing app Instagram and messaging service WhatsApp. It comes just weeks after the Justice Department brought an antitrust lawsuit targeting Google’s flagship search business. Each federal agency now has its own once-in-a-generation case at the same time, a signal of the level of U.S. concern about the power of dominant online platforms. The FTC, on a 3-2 vote, filed the case in a Washington, D.C., federal court after an investigation that stretched more than a year. Commission staffers had been preparing the lawsuit for months and recommended that the FTC vote to bring a case. The FTC’s two Democrats joined Republican Chairman Joseph Simons in the majority, a sign that the case would likely continue on the same course once President-elect Joe Biden takes office.
“Hunter Biden Says His Taxes Are Under Investigation” by WSJ’s Ken Thomas and Sabrina Siddiqui – Hunter Biden, the son of President-elect Joe Biden, said in a statement Wednesday that the U.S. attorney’s office in Delaware is “investigating my tax affairs,” putting his financial dealings in the spotlight, as his father builds his administration. Hunter Biden said he takes the matter “very seriously” and is “confident that a professional and objective review of these matters will demonstrate that I handled my affairs legally and appropriately.” The Justice Department declined to comment on Wednesday. A spokeswoman at the U.S. attorney’s office in Delaware declined to comment, citing DOJ policy regarding ongoing investigations. The criminal investigation that included tax issues began in 2018, according to a person familiar with the matter. It is limited to Hunter Biden and his business dealings and doesn’t implicate other members of his family or the president-elect, two other people said. The investigation was sparked in part by reports of suspicious activity filed by a bank that handled foreign transactions related to Hunter Biden, one person said. The younger Mr. Biden said in the statement that he learned about the investigation for the first time Tuesday through his legal counsel, who he said was advised of it by the U.S. attorney’s office on the same day. The Biden transition declined to say when the president-elect learned of the investigation.
“Georgia Senate Runoff Elections Trigger Panicked Door Knocking by Both Parties” by WSJ’s Cameron McWhirter and Joshua Jamerson – Republicans and Democrats have concluded that the outcome of two runoff races here, which will determine control of the Senate, may well hinge on how their supporters reacted to November’s presidential result. Both sides have reason for concern. Republicans worry that disillusioned backers of President Trump, convinced the system is rigged against them, in large part because of the president’s own pronouncements, will stay home. Democrats are wringing their hands over whether suburban and urban voters, motivated in November by the desire to oust Mr. Trump, will declare mission accomplished and not return to the polls on Jan. 5. Both parties are conducting what they describe as enormous voter turnout operations—not only because so much is at stake for both sides, but because they’re fretting about turning out their own people when Mr. Trump is not on the ballot. So far, campaigns and outside groups are on track to spend more than $415 million on television and radio advertising, the most ever for a Georgia runoff, according to political ad tracker Kantar/CMAG. “Normally people say don’t preach to the choir, but in a runoff you want to not just preach to the choir, but sing lovingly to them,” said Tim Phillips, president of the Virginia-based conservative group Americans for Prosperity, during a recent door-knocking trip in the GOP stronghold of Cherokee County. “Even a drop-off of 8 or 10 percent out here…in our base, could be deadly.” Democrats had curtailed face-to-face turnout operation during the general election because of the pandemic. Now, they have concluded the prospects of winning two Senate seats and control of the chamber outweigh the potential health risks, which they are mitigating with masks and distancing.
