Latest news with #DebFischer
Fox News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Georgia man indicted for making alleged threats against senators Cruz, Fischer in disturbing voicemails
A Georgia man was indicted by a federal grand jury after allegedly threatening sexual violence against two Republican senators and their family members. Robert Davis Forney, 25, of Duluth, Georgia, was arraigned Monday before a U.S. magistrate judge on federal charges of communicating threats in interstate commerce. He was indicted by a federal grand jury seated in the Northern District of Georgia June 10. Authorities claim Forney called the office of Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, twice Jan. 9, and left voicemails threatening sexual violence against Cruz and his family, according to court documents. The following day, Forney allegedly called the office of Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., and left a voicemail threatening sexual violence against her. The specific threats have not yet been made public. "Threats to public figures — including lawmakers — are not uncommon, and the senator's office reports such threats to the U.S. Capitol Police, who take appropriate action," a Fischer spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "The senator appreciates Nebraskans' concerns and their kind words, and she is continuing to do her job on their behalf." U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said threatening elected officials and their families is "an act of violence that undermines our entire democracy." "Political discourse and disagreements never justify resorting to vile attacks against our nation's leaders," Hertzberg wrote in a statement. FBI Atlanta Special Agent In Charge Paul Brown added the actions are classified as a serious federal crime. "There is no place for political violence or threats of violence in the United States," Brown wrote in a statement. "We will not hesitate to arrest and charge others who engage in similar criminal conduct." This case is being investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Capitol Police as part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to protect communities from perpetrators of violent crime. Cruz's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Washington Post
5 days ago
- Business
- Washington Post
Paid family leave credit would expand under Republican tax bill
Congressional Republicans are poised to expand an obscure tax credit that helps companies provide paid family leave for their workforces, with plans to make the rarely used provision permanent. Lawmakers authorized the credit, known as Section 45S, in 2017 as a two-year trial amid calls for paid family leave for working parents — a national standard in much of the world. It has been extended twice and covers as much as one-quarter of a full-time worker's wages for six to 12 weeks after the birth of a child, or other qualifying family or medical event. It's available for workers who earn less than $96,000 a year. Republicans want to make it permanent, as well as expand it to part-time workers. They also want to reduce the worker eligibility requirement from one year on the job to six months. Section 45S is among several 'pro-family' provisions being touted by Republicans in their One Big Beautiful Bill, the sweeping tax legislation that GOP leaders are attempting to get through the Senate this month. The legislation also calls for raising the child tax credit to as much as $2,500; increasing the credits for adoption expenses and employer-hosted day-care centers; and creating $1,000 investment accounts for newborns. While its architect, Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), calls the family leave credit 'one of the most important things we can do to support our families,' usage has been low: Only 12,700 businesses claimed the credit in 2021, the most recent year with complete statistics available, filing $207 million in claims. But a key change in the tax bill would allow companies to claim the credit for insurance premiums, giving them the option to buy short-term disability insurance to cover wages rather than paying workers directly during their absences. Proponents say the revision would allow more small businesses — those with 500 employees or fewer — to provide the benefit. According to the Small Business Administration, the nation's 34.7 million small businesses employ about 59 million people. The insurance provision also would raise awareness about the credit given the industry's 'tremendous sales teams and outreach teams,' said Adrienne Schweer, a fellow at the Bipartisan Policy Center who has worked with Republican lawmakers on crafting the policy. 'The government can only do so much to help employers see the value of paid leave,' she added. 'When you bring a private sector partner to the table, they can often be a major partner.' Fischer believes the limited uptake has more to do with the credit's uncertain lifespan than its utility. 'If I was a business owner and it was only a pilot program, I wouldn't be too anxious to jump into a pilot program,' she said. 'A lot of businesses have told me they're interested but they want it permanent.' But Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-California) — whose amendment to expand the leave credit to as much as 75 percent of a worker's pay for small businesses and 50 percent for large ones failed on a party-line vote — believes the credit is insufficient and ineffective. 'The Republicans like to claim that they're the party of family values, but they never pass anything that actually values families,' he said. 'It's not widely available. Companies are not using it. … I'm willing to work with them on these issues. I think they need to put more meat on the bones.' He believes a social insurance program — like those in California and 11 other states, where parental leave is covered by a payroll tax, not employers — is the better option. The Congressional Budget Office predicts the enhanced credit will cost $5 billion over the next decade, which would represent more than twice as many claims as present usage, but still pales in comparison to many vastly more popular credits. 'It has like no money attached to it, because nobody takes it up,' University of Utah professor Elena Patel said. Even with the new applicability to insurance plans and to more workers, Patel predicted that employers would find the cost of providing paid leave too high. 'I just don't think there's enough dollars on the table.' Elaine Read only learned of the credit this month. The owner of Xocolatl, an Atlanta-based chocolate company with 10 full-time employees, she first gave one of her workers three months of paid family leave five years ago. She has since done the same for a second worker and expects to authorize a third one soon. She has wanted to expand the benefit — to allow workers to care for an ailing relative, for example, or make it available to her seven part-time employees — but has worried about the expense. 'That credit would open up another window,' she said. 'If there was more tax relief for that, we could take advantage of that. It might make it easier for us.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Georgia man charged with making threats against Senators Ted Cruz and Deb Fischer: DOJ
A 25-year-old Georgia man faces federal charges after allegedly making violent threats against two U.S. senators and one of their families, amid growing concerns about threats targeting elected officials, according to the Department of Justice. Robert Davis Forney of Duluth, Georgia, is accused of leaving threatening voicemails for Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and Senator Deb Fischer of Nebraska in January, according to federal prosecutors. The messages allegedly contained threats of sexual violence against both senators and Cruz's family members. Forney was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 10 and charged with communicating threats in interstate commerce. He appeared before a federal magistrate judge on Monday for arraignment. "Threatening our elected officials and their families is an act of violence that undermines our entire democracy," U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said in a statement. "Political discourse and disagreements never justify resorting to vile attacks against our nation's leaders." MORE: 'Like Damar Hamlin': Youth soccer coach's life saved by spectators' rapid response FBI Special Agent Paul Brown, based in Atlanta, emphasized that threatening public officials is a serious federal crime. "There is no place for political violence or threats of violence in the United States," Brown said. The case comes amid heightened concerns about violence against political figures. Over the weekend, former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman from Minnesota and her husband were killed, and Senator John Hoffman and his wife were shot in what authorities described as targeted attacks. The suspect in that case, Vance Boelter, was arrested after a two-day manhunt. The Georgia case is part of what the Justice Department calls "Operation Take Back America," a nationwide initiative aimed at combating violent crime and illegal immigration, according to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg. If convicted, Forney could face federal prison time. The FBI and United States Capitol Police are investigating the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bret R. Hobson and Brent Alan Gray leading the prosecution. Georgia man charged with making threats against Senators Ted Cruz and Deb Fischer: DOJ originally appeared on
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Georgia man charged with leaving threatening messages for 2 Republican senators
ATLANTA (AP) — A Georgia man accused of leaving threatening voicemails for two Republican U.S. senators appeared in federal court to face charges Monday. Robert Davis Forney, 25, of Duluth, Georgia, was arraigned in Atlanta on two federal counts of communicating threats in interstate commerce, according to court records. A grand jury indicted him last week. 'Threatening our elected officials and their families is an act of violence that undermines our entire democracy,' U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia Theodore S. Hertzberg said in a statement. 'Political discourse and disagreements never justify resorting to vile attacks against our nation's leaders.' According to prosecutors, Forney called the office of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in January and left voicemails that threatened sexual violence against Cruz and his family. Forney left a similar voicemail threatening sexual violence against Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer the next day, authorities said. A federal public defender assigned to Forney's case didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment about the charges.
Associated Press
6 days ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Georgia man charged with leaving threatening messages for 2 Republican senators
ATLANTA (AP) — A Georgia man accused of leaving threatening voicemails for two Republican U.S. senators appeared in federal court to face charges Monday. Robert Davis Forney, 25, of Duluth, Georgia, was arraigned in Atlanta on two federal counts of communicating threats in interstate commerce, according to court records. A grand jury indicted him last week. 'Threatening our elected officials and their families is an act of violence that undermines our entire democracy,' U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia Theodore S. Hertzberg said in a statement. 'Political discourse and disagreements never justify resorting to vile attacks against our nation's leaders.' According to prosecutors, Forney called the office of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in January and left voicemails that threatened sexual violence against Cruz and his family. Forney left a similar voicemail threatening sexual violence against Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer the next day, authorities said. A federal public defender assigned to Forney's case didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment about the charges.
