Chuck Edwards Censure Vote Forces Mike Johnson Into Uncomfortable Position The U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote Tuesday on whether to censure Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) for allegations of sexual misconduct, a decision that has thrust Speaker Mike Johnson into a politically precarious position just nine weeks before the midterm elections. The vote comes as the chamber resumes sessions after a five-week recess, with Johnson facing mounting pressure to address a long-ignored issue within his party. Edwards, who abandoned his reelection campaign this month, has resisted calls to resign but is now demanding the right to defend himself against the allegations, which have dominated headlines and internal discussions among House Republicans. The censure vote marks the first major legislative action of the session, overshadowing Johnson’s efforts to focus on policy priorities. Edwards’ case has become a flashpoint for debates over accountability within the GOP, as the House’s first full day back after the summer break is expected to center on sexual harassment and a hostile work environment rather than legislative accomplishments. The decision to censure Edwards is not merely symbolic; it represents one of the House’s most severe punishments, which could have lasting implications for the speaker’s leadership and the party’s image. Edwards has mounted a last-ditch campaign to avoid censure, submitting a 22-page letter to lawmakers arguing that the Ethics Committee’s findings were an “extraordinary leap” in characterizing his conduct as sexual harassment. However, the letter has not swayed his colleagues, with some Republicans expressing frustration over the allegations. One House Republican told Axios, “Sexual harassment is sexual harassment and deserves to be disciplined accordingly.#sexual_harassment #mike_johnson #ethics_committee #house_of_representatives #chuck_edwards
GOP Rep. Chuck Edwards Rebuked by House Over Allegations of Unwanted Advances Toward Female Staffers The U.S. House of Representatives took a rare and significant step on Tuesday by censuring Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards over allegations of inappropriate behavior toward two female staffers, which led to their resignation from his office. The punishment, which does not remove Edwards from Congress but carries a public reprimand, marks the most severe disciplinary action short of expulsion that a member can face. The decision followed a months-long investigation by the House Ethics Committee, which concluded there was “substantial evidence” that Edwards violated the chamber’s prohibition on sexual harassment. The censure, approved by a 413 to 2 vote, was notable for its bipartisan support, with members from both parties—including House Speaker Mike Johnson—voting in favor. This rare display of unity in an era marked by heightened partisan divisions underscores the gravity of the allegations. The 25-page ethics committee report detailed Edwards’ alleged conduct, including sending personal texts to the women, often late at night, that contained “deeply personal and seemingly romantic thoughts.” The report also cited instances of Edwards paying for personal vacations, gifting them expensive items such as lavish jewelry, a new cell phone, and tickets to the Broadway musical Hamilton. The women, who were not named in the report, reportedly attempted to communicate their discomfort with Edwards’ behavior but were “put in an untenable position” due to his status as their boss and a member of Congress. The report highlighted the power imbalance inherent in their relationship, which critics argue made it difficult for the staffers to push back against the alleged harassment.#sexual_harassment #house_ethics_committee #mike_johnson #house_of_representatives #chuck_edwards
New Jersey Congressman Tom Kean Jr. Discloses Reason for Four-Month Congressional Absence Rep. Thomas Kean Jr., a Republican from New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District, revealed on June 30, 2026, that his prolonged absence from Congress—spanning over four months and more than 140 missed roll call votes—was due to a severe depression diagnosis and subsequent hospitalization. The congressman, whose father served as a former governor of New Jersey, described his mental health struggles as a critical turning point in his life, emphasizing that seeking help is a sign of strength rather than weakness. Kean’s absence, which began in March 2026, drew scrutiny from colleagues and the media. During his time away, USA TODAY’s attempts to contact him were unsuccessful. In a statement, Kean acknowledged that he initially believed he could “push through” his condition but ultimately followed his doctors’ recommendations. He did not provide specific details about his hospitalization, though he highlighted the broader societal impact of depression, noting that it remains one of the most common mental health disorders in the U.S. The most recent Gallup poll indicated that over 18% of U.S. adults experience depression, a figure that has remained at historic highs in recent years. Kean’s absence has complicated his re-election prospects. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report revised its assessment of the November general election race, shifting it from a “leaning Republican” contest to a “toss-up.” His Democratic opponent, former Navy helicopter pilot Rebecca Bennett, has already criticized his voting record, as has the national Democratic Party. Eli Cousin, a spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, remarked in May that Kean’s “career politician” image has made him “more vulnerable” in the race.#new_jersey #mike_johnson #republican #tom_kean_jr #cook_political_report
Trump suffers rare defeat with House Republicans on FISA The House GOP revolt on FISA Friday marked a rare setback for President Trump with his own party, exposing the limits of his influence over House Republicans. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) faced a significant challenge as the White House and GOP leadership struggled to secure support for a clean extension of Section 702, a controversial national security tool. This failure highlighted the growing fractures within the Republican conference and the challenges of aligning diverse factions on contentious issues. The White House had pushed for a clean extension of the FISA program, which grants intelligence agencies broad surveillance powers. However, some of Trump’s closest allies resisted, citing longstanding concerns about privacy and oversight. Over two dozen Republicans voted against two procedural votes early Friday, a move that was previously uncommon for majority members but has become increasingly frequent in recent months. This resistance forced GOP leaders to fall back on a last-resort 10-day extension of the spy powers program. Efforts to secure support included an intense pressure campaign by the White House and GOP leadership. CIA Director John Ratcliffe addressed Republicans at their weekly meeting, and the administration held multiple briefings at the White House specifically for holdout lawmakers. A makeshift "SCIF" (Secure Compartmented Information Facility) was even set up off the House floor to streamline access to classified information during legislative strategy sessions. Despite these measures, the White House’s push failed to sway enough Republicans to support the clean extension.#trump #house_republicans #mike_johnson #john_ratcliffe #fisa
Republicans face growing concerns over rising antisemitism and bigotry among younger conservatives, as influential figures within the party express troubling views on race, gender, and historical figures. Alec Beaton, a 23-year-old former Trump campaign staffer, sparked controversy at a national young conservatives conference by stating, “We don’t think Hitler is, like, the worst person ever,” and praising the dictator to “mess with people.” His comments reflect a troubling trend among some young conservatives who have been influenced by far-right online personalities. Nick Fuentes, a 27-year-old white nationalist with over 600,000 followers on Rumble, has amplified similar rhetoric, calling women “just lie and they’re whores” during live streams. Fuentes also claimed on X, “Yeah we like Hitler. No one gives a f* what you woke jews think anymore,” a sentiment echoed by Gaines, a 36-year-old streamer and author of Why Women Deserve Less. These individuals represent a segment of the far-right online community that has gained traction among younger conservatives, despite not reflecting the views of the broader party. Texas Senator Ted Cruz highlighted the alarming rise in antisemitism on the right, noting, “I have seen more antisemitism in the last 18 months on the right than at any point in my lifetime.” He warned that the issue is particularly acute among young people, especially on college campuses. Laura Loomer, a right-wing influencer and self-described “Islamaphobe,” further criticized the GOP, stating, “The GOP has a Nazi problem,” and warned that ignoring the issue would worsen it. Republican lawmakers, including Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, have condemned the rhetoric, though some, like Tucker Carlson, have faced accusations of antisemitism for promoting figures like Fuentes.#mike_johnson #nick_fuentes #alec_beaton #ted_cruz #tucker_carlson
Trump Avoids 'War' Label in Iran Conflict Over Congressional Approval Concerns President Trump has continued to avoid using the term "war" to describe the military conflict with Iran, citing concerns over the need for congressional approval. During a speech for House Republicans' fundraising organization, he explained that the word "war" implies a formal declaration, which he said would require legislative backing. "I won't use the word 'war' because they say, if you use the word war, that's maybe not a good thing to do," Trump stated. He emphasized that the situation is better described as a "military operation," which he argued is more accurate given the lack of congressional authorization. This approach aligns with Trump's previous statements, where he has often downplayed the conflict's scale, calling it an "excursion" that would keep the U.S. out of a full-scale war. However, he has occasionally used the term "war" in the past, including during a recent speech where he claimed, "The war essentially ended a few days after we went in." The inconsistency highlights the political and legal debate surrounding the conflict's classification. The issue centers on the constitutional balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. While Congress holds the authority to declare war, the president serves as commander-in-chief and has the power to act unilaterally in certain circumstances. The 1970s-era War Powers Act limits military engagement to 60 days without congressional approval, though presidents have historically tested these boundaries. Trump has argued that the law is unconstitutional, asserting that the president's authority to respond to threats is absolute.#congress #iran #trump #mike_johnson #war_powers_act
Trump Reveals GOP Congressman's Terminal Diagnosis President Donald Trump disclosed during a news conference that a retiring Republican congressman had been diagnosed with a terminal illness, stating the individual would have "been dead by June" without intervention by White House doctors. The revelation prompted a brief exchange with House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, who sat beside Trump and remarked, "OK, that wasn't public." Johnson added, "But yeah, OK. It was grim. That's what I was going to say." The comments referenced Florida Rep. Neal Dunn, a 73-year-old former Army surgeon who announced his retirement from Congress in January after five terms. Dunn’s statement at the time emphasized his decision to "pass the torch to new conservative leaders" and return to Panama City, where he resides. He did not mention his health condition in the announcement, though Trump and Johnson later claimed his heart issues had led to a terminal diagnosis. A spokesperson for Dunn did not immediately comment on the remarks. Dunn’s departure added to a surge in resignations from the House of Representatives, raising concerns among Republicans about their narrow majority ahead of the midterm elections. With the midterms approaching and the GOP facing challenges on key issues like funding for the Iran war, voting restrictions, and healthcare affordability, the party cannot afford further losses. Trump claimed White House doctors conducted emergency surgery on Dunn at Walter Reed Medical Center, describing the procedure as a "long operation" that involved "more stents and more everything than you can have." Johnson noted that Dunn appeared to have "a new lease on life" following the intervention. Trump emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "I did it for him first, and for the vote second.#donald_trump #mike_johnson #neal_dunn #walter_reed_medical_center #susie_wiles
Trump reveals Rep. Neal Dunn had a terminal diagnosis President Donald Trump disclosed Monday that Florida Republican Rep. Neal Dunn had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and would have died by June due to a severe heart condition, before Trump’s intervention in his medical care. According to the president, Dunn’s doctors had warned that without treatment, the congressman would not survive past June. Trump claimed that his involvement in Dunn’s medical treatment had saved the congressman’s life, granting him a “new lease on life.” House Speaker Mike Johnson, who sat beside Trump at the White House event, confirmed the details, stating that Dunn’s condition had not been made public. Johnson noted that Dunn had been working despite his diagnosis, adding that if others faced such a prognosis, they would likely retire. Trump emphasized his personal connection to Dunn, saying the congressman’s illness was “bad” because he had liked him and because he needed his vote. The president described how he had referred Dunn to a specialist at Walter Reed Medical Center, where the congressman underwent emergency surgery. Trump claimed the procedure was extensive, involving multiple stents and other interventions. After the surgery, Trump said the doctors had told him, “Sir, I think he’ll be fine.” Johnson added that Dunn now appeared “30 years younger” and was actively engaged in his duties. The revelation comes amid discussions about the GOP’s narrow majority in the House. Johnson and Trump highlighted the party’s precarious position, noting they could afford to lose only two members on party-line votes. A special election to replace New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) is scheduled for April 16, which would temporarily increase the GOP’s margin.#donald_trump #mike_johnson #neal_dunn #walter_reed_medical_center #house_speaker
Bill Maher Challenges Adam Schiff With Fabricated Trump Quote Bill Maher tried to catch Democratic Senator Adam Schiff in a "gotcha" moment during a discussion about Donald Trump’s military actions in Iran. Maher cited a statement from the administration claiming the president had constitutional authority to use military force if it served the national interest, asking Schiff if the phrasing was too vague. Schiff responded by acknowledging the ambiguity, prompting Maher to reveal the quote was actually from a 2011 Obama administration document regarding military operations in Libya. Schiff explained that while Obama had also authorized military action without congressional approval, lawmakers had pushed back against the decision, leading to the eventual halt of operations. The conversation unfolded amid ongoing U.S. military escalation in Iran, with Trump asserting that the country was being "beaten to hell" and warning of further attacks on Truth Social. The president has reportedly expressed interest in deploying ground troops to combat Iran. The current bombardment campaign, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, has killed over 1,200 Iranians and six U.S. service members, according to Iranian officials. Both Democrats and Republicans have criticized the operation, though House Speaker Mike Johnson denied the U.S. is at war with Iran, calling the actions "limited in scope." Schiff reflected on Obama’s 2011 Libya intervention, noting that Congress had passed a resolution demanding an explanation for the decision and urging troop withdrawal. He acknowledged Obama’s reluctance to pursue Assad despite the latter’s use of chemical weapons, citing concerns over congressional opposition.#donald_trump #bill_maher #adam_schiff #operation_epic_fury #mike_johnson
