Latest news with #MarkKelly
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'$25 billion in first year...': Sen. Kelly clashes with Hegseth over 'Golden Dome' at Senate hearing
US: Sen. Mark Kelly prodded Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth for more details on the "Golden Dome" missile defence system proposed by the Trump administration. Kelly questioned if some of Hegseth's proposed budget cuts would affect the system's success. Show more Show less
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Alarm bells for Trump as military insiders fear U.S. lacks the muscle to take out Iran's nuclear arsenal if warranted
As the president mulls U.S. strikes in Iran, lawmakers in Congress displayed concerns about whether the U.S. is capable of executing a mission that would eradicate the country's nuclear program. The 79-year-old commander-in-chief teased on Wednesday he is keeping his options open when it comes to military action regarding the Israel-Iran war, now in its sixth day. Israel has requested that Trump get involved, specifically asking for the use of a 30,000-lb American-made bunker buster bomb. The longtime U.S. ally says it needs the bomb - which can penetrate more than 200 feet of concrete - to disable Iran 's nuclear capability. However, at least one Republican senator questioned whether U.S. military might could truly eviscerate Iran's technology. 'Everybody has an opinion about whether we should do something, but the first question to be answered is, could, and that's what I'm interested in at the moment,' Louisiana Republican Sen. John Kennedy told the Daily Mail. 'I mean, do we have a bomb that could destroy the underground labs? Would our bombs do it?' Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., a former Navy pilot, expressed concern over the president's Cabinet's ability to orchestrate a potential military offensive. 'He doesn't have a good team around him,' Kelly said. He told reporters he was 'very concerned' as Iran has 'a lot of medium-range ballistic missiles that could hit our bases in the region.' It's unclear which top congressional leaders have been briefed on the brewing situation in the Middle East. Left hanging in the air was the question of whether lawmakers would support using American-made planes with American pilots in a strike, an escalation that would firmly push the U.S. into another war in the Middle East. 'I don't have confidence in the DNI,' Kelly said of Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's intelligence chief. He also expressed worry about Secretary of State Marco Rubio, saying 'this person is trying to do two jobs at once,' running the State Department as serving as national security adviser. A defiant Iran has pledged it will not heed the U.S. president's demands, despite the saber-rattling. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei claimed Wednesday in a televised address that he would 'never surrender' despite Trump's demands for an 'unconditional' end to hostilities. The Ayatollah also chillingly warned Americans that 'any military involvement by the U.S. will undoubtedly result in irreparable damage to them.' I don't have any confidence in DNI. The possibility of a conflict that could metastasize out of control with an uncertain outcome has some Capitol Hill lawmakers uneasy. 'If we did that, would that cause a regime change in Iran,' Kennedy asked. 'If there was a regime change, what kind of new regime would we get? Would it be better or worse? I mean, these could questions matter.' The Republican repeatedly stressed that he's not seen any intelligence on whether the U.S. really 'could' carry out the strikes the Israelis are asking for, though he doesn't doubt Trump has all the necessary reports. 'I don't want us fighting a war,' Missouri Republican Josh Hawley told CNN. 'I don't want another Mideast war … I'm a little concerned about our sudden military buildup in the region.' Hawley said he'd be 'concerned' about the U.S. going on the offensive. 'I don't think there's a need for the United States to affirmatively insert ourselves.' The Senate's top Pentagon official, Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker told the Daily Mail he does not believe the president needs approval from Congress to carry out strikes in Iran. He did not respond when asked by the Daily Mail whether an airstrike could lead to a larger regional conflict. The Mississippi Republican said his constituents 'probably are' for the strikes,' but acknowledged he did not have any analysis to back up that claim. West Virginia Sen. Jim Justice was confident his voters would be ok with Trump striking Iran, saying his constituents are supportive of Israel. 'We don't like the fact that somebody is trying to say 'we're going to extinguish Israel,' he said. Devout Israel supporter John Fetterman, increasingly at odds with his own party, urged Trump to bomb Iran. 'I think that's entirely appropriate,' the towering Pennsylvania Democrat told the Daily Mail, arguing 'that's not war-mongering, that's actually peace-mongering.'
CNN
2 days ago
- Politics
- CNN
Democrats' frustration with Fetterman mounts as he keeps criticizing his own party
Democrats in Washington and Pennsylvania are increasingly frustrated with Sen. John Fetterman after a week in which he once again criticized his own party's response to the Los Angeles protests and to Israel's attacks on Iran – wedges Republicans eagerly highlighted. But those Democrats also admit there is little they can do about it. Ex-staffers continue to fume that their former boss is providing political fodder to Republicans. Democratic aides on Capitol Hill grouse about their bosses being forced to respond to his comments. Some voters who supported him in Pennsylvania say they are fed up, and a former 2022 primary rival is barnstorming the state, holding town halls and lambasting Fetterman, who is largely avoiding public events. Fetterman has also drawn some grumbling within the party for frequently missing votes and committee hearings, and his mental health has been a frequent subject of discussion in recent months in the wake of media reports detailing claims about his erratic behavior. Fetterman, who has been open about receiving treatment for clinical depression, has dismissed any suggestion he might be unfit for office. Yet publicly, Democratic senators largely refuse to criticize Fetterman – as they grapple with what to expect in the future from a senator whose term runs through 2028. 'I think we are all individuals here. He's got the right to give his opinion just like the other 99 of us,' Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly told CNN. Fetterman, for his part, said in an interview with HBO's Bill Maher on Friday that, 'Parts of my party just wants to turn me into a Colonel Kurtz,' referring to the antagonist who goes rogue and loses his mind in 'Apocalypse Now.' Democratic anger with Fetterman has been building in the last year – but was renewed last week when he accused his own party of failing to condemn violence at the anti-deportation protests in Los Angeles. Most Democrats didn't disagree with Fetterman that looting, burning self-driving cars and physically attacking law enforcement officers are wrong. But they quickly pointed out they'd already condemned that – even as Fetterman told CNN, 'You can't be quiet on those things.' Fetterman's comments, his former staffers and other Democratic aides on Capitol Hill believed, were again providing fodder for Republicans to use him to drive a wedge within the Democratic Party. 'He gives them cover by saying, 'Oh, actually, Democrats are horrible on this thing'' a former aide told CNN. And then they can say, 'See, even some Democrats agree.'' Then, on 'Real Time with Bill Maher' – after Democrats had already taken umbrage with his comments about Los Angeles – Fetterman again took aim at many within his own party again, criticizing progressives for opposing Israel's war in Gaza. 'Our party, the Democratic Party, has lost that argument,' he said. 'They've taken side with the regime that doesn't have the kind of values and live the kind of ways that we want here in our country.' He also said Israel 'absolutely did the right thing' by bombing Iran's nuclear facilities, calling it a 'once-in-a-generation opportunity' to do so. And in an interview with Jewish Insider, Fetterman said it was 'astonishing to see colleagues criticizing' Israel's bombing of Iran. 'It's like, do you think you can negotiate with that regime? Do you think you want to run that scenario and allow them to acquire 1,000 pounds of weapons grade uranium? I can't understand, I can't even begin to understand that,' Fetterman told Jewish Insider. In a Fox News appearance on Tuesday, Fetterman said the Trump administration should use bunker-busting bombs to eliminate Iran's nuclear facility. He also said that 'if you have to take out Iran's supreme leader, do it.' 'I'm unapologetically pro-Israel,' he said, acknowledging that 'perhaps' he is an 'outlier' within the Democratic Party. He also accused Democrats of comparing Trump's military parade marking the Army's 250th anniversary last weekend to authoritarian displays. 'This is a 250th anniversary for the Army. I'm not sure why it's outrageous to have a parade for the Army,' he said. 'I don't understand why that's controversial.' While Fetterman is largely isolated within his own party and facing criticism from some Democrats, including former staffers, he has built relationships with some Republicans. In recent days, Politico reported that Fetterman dined at Butterworth's, a Capitol Hill restaurant frequented by Republicans, with former top Trump strategist Steve Bannon and Matt Boyle, the Washington bureau chief for the right-wing Breitbart. 'The boldness and independence of Sen. Fetterman and his courage and willingness to speak out on several major issues of the day continues to amaze people from across the political spectrum,' Boyle, who did not disclose what they discussed at the dinner, told CNN. He said Fetterman had picked Butterworth's as their meeting spot. 'While some Republicans are hoping he joins the Republican Party, I think he's better served at helping fix the Democratic Party and return it to the common sense that it used to stand for,' Boyle added. Fetterman ended an interview with CNN when asked about his dinner at Butterworth's, saying, 'That's not news. And I think we are done.' Among his closest allies on Capitol Hill is Alabama Sen. Katie Britt, a Republican who last month defended Fetterman in the wake of a New York Magazine report on his erratic behavior, saying he faced scrutiny from media and Democratic colleagues 'all because he dares to be an independent thinker and voice.' He was the first Democratic lawmaker to travel to Mar-a-Lago after President Donald Trump's victory last November. Given Democrats are in the minority, he represents a swing state and he is not the deciding vote on any pressing legislation, aides and former staffers say the party is more willing to chalk up their frustrations with him to an eye roll or a shrug. 'I think the view is well at least he's a Democrat. Better than having a Republican in that seat,' the former aide said. The Pennsylvania senator insisted to Maher, just as he had in January after meeting Trump at Mar-a-Lago, that he will not leave the Democratic Party – a prospect that would have momentous consequences in Washington, where Republicans hold the Senate majority with 53 seats. Fetterman said he's watched perceptions of him shift from many believing he 'was a socialist or a Marxist' early in his career, to now thinking 'that I'm going to turn into MAGA,' referring to the acronym for Trump's 'Make America Great Again' campaign slogan. 'My values haven't changed,' Fetterman said. 'But I think in some cases, I think our party's values have changed.' In Washington, Democratic senators have publicly sought to give Fetterman room to break with the party at times – even as they sought to make clear they didn't fit the criticism he'd levied against the party's response to Los Angeles. 'Obviously people committing crimes, we should always speak out against that,' Kelly said. Democratic Sen. Peter Welch said, 'I condemn the violence, so I think all of us do.' But when asked if Fetterman's perspective is driving a wedge among Democrats, Welch said: 'John has a unique voice. We love John.' But a number of Democratic aides, granted anonymity to speak freely, shared how Fetterman's positioning of himself compared to the rest of the party rubbed some the wrong way, from 'eye rolls' to sharper critiques. 'His response is kind of baffling and makes it seem like he's not really listening to what's being said,' a senior Democratic staffer told CNN. 'Democrats have been united on this, it's been the party line and folks have gone out of their way to not give any room to be accused of being ok with the violent fringes. It's a little embarrassing for him to be saying Democrats are silent.' Another Democratic aide said Fetterman's 'reactionary politics are not a shock anymore.' A third Democratic source, who pointed out the numerous statements from Democrats condemning the violence, said of Fetterman: 'I'm not sure what he's asking for.' In Pennsylvania, meanwhile, frustration among the Democrats who chose Fetterman in a competitive three-way primary in 2022 has bubbled in recent months, with attendees at anti-Trump protests and town hall events also training their ire at the Democratic senator, according to local news reports. One of those 2022 contenders, former Rep. Conor Lamb, has been hosting town halls across Pennsylvania – the result, he said, of Fetterman and the state's Republican lawmakers refusing to hold their own public forums. 'People are just outraged that he's not doing his job,' Lamb told CNN. 'My experience has been that a lot of people have given up on him, really because he just keeps demonstrating contempt for the job.' He said Democrats in Pennsylvania have found Fetterman difficult to reach for meetings, and characterized him as 'contemptuous' of criticism of his history of missing votes in the Senate. However, Lamb wouldn't answer when asked if he plans to run against Fetterman again in 2028, and said he sees no realistic mechanism to oust the senator in the meantime. 'This has nothing to do with me,' Lamb said. 'He's the one who's not working, and we're three years away from the next election. None of his political opponents are forcing him to miss votes, pass no legislation, do nothing functional with the role. That's his choice.'
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
House Military Subcommittee Member Susie Lee Bought This European Weapons Stock — It's Up 240% Since
Stock trading by US politicians has long been a controversial issue, sparking widespread calls for a ban on the practice. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) in May reintroduced the Ban Congressional Stock Trading Act, which aims to prevent members of Congress from directly trading stocks that could create conflicts of interest. Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV) is drawing attention for a stock trade that has raised eyebrows. Don't Miss: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – Many are rushing to According to public disclosures, Lee bought shares of German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall, worth between $1,000 and $15,000, on May 10, 2024. Since then, the stock is up 240% as of June 12. Lee sits on the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, which oversees funding for US military infrastructure and veterans' services. Rheinmetall is Germany's biggest arms manufacturer. It makes tanks, armored vehicles, artillery systems, military electronics, drone systems and mobility components. The company's chief executive, Armin Papperger, said during an earnings call in May that NATO chief Mark Rutte told him that the alliance's member states should be able to increase their military spending to 3.5% of their gross domestic product. Rutte recently said that he expects NATO members to agree to a broad defence spending target of 5% of GDP during a summit in The Hague later this month, Reuters reported. Trending: Invest where it hurts — and help millions heal:. President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged European nations to increase their defense spending and has suggested reducing American contributions to NATO. 'I said if you're not going to pay, we're not going to defend... if you're not going to pay your bills, we're not going to defend you,' Trump told reporters in March. Major European countries, including Germany, are launching a rearmament plan to boost the region's defenses. The EU leaders earlier this year agreed to potentially free up billions of euros to ensure Europe's is not the only notable stock trade by Lee. According to stock trading data platform Quiver Quantitative, Lee has been actively trading stocks since 2019. She sold casino operator Full House Resorts (NASDAQ:FLL) shares, worth up to $50,000 on March 28, according to her public also sold several key stocks in March, including Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR), MGM Resorts International (NYSE:MGM), Golden Entertainment Inc (NASDAQ:GDEN), Century Casinos Inc (NASDAQ:CNTY) and Carnival Corp. (NYSE:CCL), public filings show. Read Next: Here's what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy. Inspired by Uber and Airbnb – Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets – Image: AI Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article House Military Subcommittee Member Susie Lee Bought This European Weapons Stock — It's Up 240% Since originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Fox News
12-06-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Common Ground Classic: Bringing Manufacturing Back to America
As President Trump calls on American companies to ramp up domestic production and reduce reliance on countries like China, many lawmakers are welcoming the push — seeing it as an alignment with priorities they've been working on for years. Today, Bret revisits his conversation with Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Congressman Mike Waltz (R-FL), who have been leading the charge to bring shipbuilding back to America. They discuss how public-private partnerships and strategic incentives can jumpstart the industry, the critical role naval power plays on the global stage, and why investing in shipbuilding is not just an economic boost — but a matter of national security. Follow Bret on X: @BretBaier
