Eric K. Ward
Ward is executive vice president of Race Forward, a senior fellow at the Southern Poverty Law Center, and the only American to receive the Civil Courage Prize.
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Politico
20 minutes ago
- Politico
Oz nudges Senate Republicans to ease off on Medicaid cuts
House Republicans are aiming to slash funding for the nonpartisan watchdog for waste, fraud and abuse within the federal government by nearly half in the next fiscal year, according to spending bill text released Sunday night. The House Appropriations subcommittee funding Congress and its support agencies, led by chairman David Valadao (R-Calif.), is set to mark up their fiscal 2026 measure Monday evening, with the full committee set to act Thursday. The Legislative Branch bill would provide $6.7 billion — $51 million below the current funding level, which was set in fiscal 2024. Per tradition, the House bill does not touch any Senate funding. 'Chairman Valadao's bill puts the American people first — in strengthening the institutions that represent them, protecting effective governance, and safeguarding taxpayer dollars,' said House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole (R-Okla.) in a statement. The deepest cuts in the bill are to the Government Accountability Office, an arm of Congress that would see a $396.5 million reduction from current levels to $415.4 million. GAO has served as the nation's chief investigator of wrongdoing at federal agencies for more than a century, but has been fighting for months as Republicans in Congress and the Trump administration have attempted to undercut its legal conclusions and independence. Now, they are attempting to shrink the agency into submission as it pursues nearly 40 investigations into whether the White House is illegally withholding, or 'impounding,' money Congress had previously approved. Also tucked into the bill is a major policy change that would eliminate the GAO's ability to bring civil action against the executive branch over impoundments of funds. 'GAO's work makes it possible for the legislative branch to hold government accountable,' said Daniel Schuman, executive director of the American Governance Institute. 'Congress needs independent expert advice, which is exactly what GAO provides.' Also on the chopping block is the Library of Congress, which is another legislative branch agency also engaged in a power struggle against intrusion by the Trump administration. The bill allocates $767.6 million for the Library of Congress, which is $84.5 million below the current funding level and $133.7 million below the FY26 request. 'This bill does nothing to safeguard against the growing levels of executive overreach into legislative branch agencies,' said Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), the top Democrat on the legislative branch subcommittee. Some other key provisions in the GOP-written bill include: Capitol Police: The Capitol Police would see a $84.4 million boost to their funding under the bill, bringing the total to $891 million. Some lawmakers had asked for an increase in office funding for use for security, but the bill flat-funds the Members Representational Allowance, which can be used for some member security purposes. Member Pay: The bill would continue the member pay freeze that has been in effect since 2013, halting automatic cost of living increases that members of Congress are supposed to get under law. Gay marriage: The bill includes language that prohibits discrimination against any person who 'speaks, or acts' in accordance with a 'sincerely held religious belief, or moral conviction, that marriage is, or should be recognized as, a union of one man and one woman.'
Black America Web
20 minutes ago
- Black America Web
D.L. Hughley Joins Fort Worth's Juneteenth Walk for Freedom
Source: Michael S. Schwartz / Getty D.L. Hughley joined the annual Opal's Walk for Freedom in Fort Worth, Texas, to commemorate Juneteenth. The event, inspired by the tireless efforts of Dr. Opal Lee, the 'Grandmother of Juneteenth,' celebrates the abolition of slavery and the resilience of the African American community. RELATED: 10 Powerful Speeches on Juneteenth and the Fight for Racial Justice RELATED: Trump Complains About Juneteenth, X Shows Off His Hypocrisy This year's walk saw hundreds of participants, including families, lawmakers, and community leaders, marching the symbolic 2.5 miles. The distance represents the two-and-a-half years it took for enslaved people in Texas to learn of their freedom after the Emancipation Proclamation. Although Dr. Lee, now 98, was unable to attend due to health reasons, her legacy and mission were palpable throughout the event. D.L. Hughley emphasized the importance of preserving and celebrating history, especially in the face of efforts to diminish its significance. 'So much of our history is under attack right now,' Hughley remarked. 'Juneteenth and us celebrating this day nationally is a long time coming. It's about educating people on what it means.' Congressman Marc Veasey echoed these sentiments, highlighting Juneteenth as a cornerstone of American history. 'It's not just Black history; it's Texas history, it's American history,' he stated, underscoring the need for continued education and reflection. Dr. Opal Lee's journey to make Juneteenth a national holiday began at age 89, culminating in 2021 when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act. Her advocacy remains a call to action, urging people to reflect on the question, 'Are we free yet?' Her mantra, 'None of us are free if we're not all free,' continues to inspire. Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, marks the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom. Today, it stands as a powerful reminder of resilience, progress, and the ongoing pursuit of equality. Events like Opal's Walk for Freedom ensure that this history is honored and shared with future generations. SOURCE | Fox 4 Dallas/Fort Worth SEE ALSO
Business Insider
21 minutes ago
- Business Insider
Iran says it fired on a US base. Qatar says air defenses shot down the missiles.
Iran said it launched missiles at the US military's largest Middle East base, Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, just days after American forces struck its nuclear facilities. A US defense official confirmed to Business Insider Monday afternoon that Iran launched short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles at Al Udeid. They said there are no reports of US casualties and that the Pentagon is monitoring the situation closely. Iranian state media said Tehran launched the same number of missiles as the number of bombs that the US used against its nuclear facilities, and called the strikes "a mighty and successful response by the armed forces of Iran to America's aggression." Qatar's foreign ministry also confirmed the attack on Al Udied and described it as a violation of its sovereignty. Doha said its air defenses "successfully thwarted" the strikes, intercepting Iranian missiles. Open-source accounts online shared footage purporting to show air defenses engaging targets over Qatar. Some Iranian media reported the targeting of American forces in Iraq, although there has not been any official confirmation from the Pentagon. The US Air Force and US Central Command, which oversees Middle East operations, did not immediately comment on the Iranian attack. Satellite imagery of Al Udeid last week showed dozens of military aircraft missing from the base after around 40 were spotted there earlier in the month. The air base supports a vast array of US aircraft, including B-52 strategic bombers, C-17 Globemaster transports, and RC-135 Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft. It's unclear if any of the aircraft returned. Although the planes may no longer be there, US military personnel would still likely be on base. Tehran had suggested that it could retaliate after US stealth bomber aircraft and a guided-missile submarine launched airstrikes against three Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend. Its foreign minister said the country "reserves all options" to defend itself. Earlier on Monday, the US Embassy in Qatar warned Americans to shelter in place until further notice, just hours before Doha closed its airspace, suggesting that an attack could be imminent. President Donald Trump had warned Iran that any retaliation against the US would be met with more force than the initial strikes. It's possible that the attack on Al Udeid may have been calibrated to signal Iran's frustration while avoiding escalation. "Our forces remain on high alert and are fully postured to respond to any Iranian retaliation or proxy attacks, which would be an incredibly poor choice," Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters on Sunday. The US military has a large Middle East presence that is capable of air defense, including ground-based missile interceptors, fighter jets, warships, and aircraft carriers. Those assets can be used for defensive actions, as well as offense.
