Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD), who was recently elected to be the Senate Majority Leader when the new Congress takes over in January, has initiated a plan to slow down how many judges Senate Democrats will be able to confirm in their finals days in the majority. The plan involves invoking “procedural maneuvers” on the Senate floor that will “significantly delay votes” on the judges during the final days of the 118th Congress, Fox News reported. The move will limit the number of judges that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is able to ram through before the new Congress is sworn in on January 3, 2025. “If Sen. Schumer thought Senate Republicans would just roll over and allow him to quickly confirm multiple Biden-appointed judges to lifetime jobs in the final weeks of the Democrat majority, he thought wrong,” Thune said in a statement. Schumer said on the Senate floor on Monday that Democrats would prioritize ramming through as many judges as possible during their final days in the majority. In floor remarks on Monday, Schumer emphasized that Democrats are prioritizing judges in the lame duck session. “After we vote today, we’ll keep going. Tonight, I will file on additional judges who we will move forward on the floor this week,” he said. “So, let me repeat: the Senate is going to keep prioritizing judicial and administrative confirmations this week, this month, and for the rest of this year.” Thune was elected Senate Majority Leader last week, defeating Texas Senator John Cornyn by a vote of 29 to 24. Florida Senator Rick Scott was eliminated on the first ballot after finishing a distant third. After being elected to the leadership role, Thune said that he would give fair confirmation hearings to all of President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees. “The American people want change in this country,” he said. “They’re tired of the Biden-Harris-Schumer agenda, and they want President Trump to fix some things. And he wants to get a team in place that can do that, and we’re going to work with him to see that he gets his team installed as quickly as possible so he can implement his agenda.” Thune said that all the nominees have a process they must go through and that Senate Republicans would not allow Democrats to “obstruct or block President Trump and the will of the American people.” He also noted that using recess appointments is a possibility but that to get to that point, Republicans would effectively have to all vote to go to recess, meaning that if some Republicans had a problem with a specific nominee, they could vote against going into recess at which point recess appointments would be off the table. Thune said that Senate Republicans would take advantage of how Democrats weaponized the use of the budget reconciliation process during the Biden administration to ram through unpopular legislation with a simple 51-vote majority. He said the Senate was focused on fixing the border, strengthening the economy, boosting the military, cutting regulations and taxes, and dominating energy.

U.S. men’s soccer star Christian Pulisic celebrated making the first goal in the team’s 4-2 victory against Jamaica by rocking the viral dance moves that have been sweeping the sports world following President-elect Donald Trump’s victory. It happened on Monday night at the Concacaf Nations League Quarterfinals in St. Louis when Pulisic kicked the ball over the goalkeeper’s head to land it in the back of the net and take U.S. up 1-0 in the game, USA Today reported.  After the soccer star made the goal, he ran out of the goalie box and back out onto the field, where he stopped and did the “Trump” dance — making two fists and twisting his hips — which has become a viral sensation.  It became a trend on social media after supporters made videos of themselves doing the same dance moves that Trump often did when he danced to the Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.” at his numerous campaign rallies. USMNT Captain Christian Pulisic scored and immediately did the Trump dance ? pic.twitter.com/jMyfvE8T3J — Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) November 19, 2024 NFL players from across the league have also started celebrating their individual victories by doing the “Trump” dance. Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers did the Trump-esque dance moves when he scored a touchdown on Sunday, after he caught a 23-yard pass late in the third quarter to give the Raiders 12 points against the Miami Dolphin’s 17. And while those watching the game live saw Bowers’ dance in the end zone — and then a shot of Raiders’ owner Mark Davis reacting to the TD — the victory celebration seemed to be missing from the post “NFL on CBS” made on X, OutKick noted. The social media post cut showed the 23-yard catch and then cut straight to the shot of Davis in his suite. But Bowers wasn’t the only NFL player rocking the dance moves, which Trump made famous while dancing to the “Y.M.C.A.”  During the Detroit Lions game Za’Darius Smith and Malcolm Rodriguez celebrated their team’s defensive stop on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, also by doing the funny Trump-esque dance moves.  Tennessee Titan’s players Calvin Ridley and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine busted out the Trump moves ahead of what appeared to be a touchdown during the team’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.  The viral dance even made an appearance on Saturday at Madison Square Garden during the UFC Championship, when Jon “Bones” Jones rocked the moves from the ring in his victory against Stipe Miocic, USA Today noted. After Jones won, he stood in the ring, did the Trump dance, and then pointed to President-elect Donald Trump — who was in the audience with several supporters, including Kid Rock, X founder Elon Musk, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Tulsi Gabbard. Related: Viral ‘Trump’ Dance Takes Over NFL, UFC

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) introduced a bill on Monday that would force “members, officers, and employees of the House” to use bathrooms that correspond to their biological sex. The bill noted that “allowing biological males into single-sex facilities, such as restrooms, locker rooms, and changing rooms designed for women, jeopardizes the safety and dignity of Members, officers, and employees of the House who are female.” The Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Representatives would be in charge of enforcing the prohibition of men from being able to use facilities designated for women. The bill was introduced as Democrats are preparing for their new member, Sarah McBride from Delaware, to become the first transgender member of Congress. “Sarah McBride doesn’t get a say in this,” Mace told reporters. “If you’re a biological man, you shouldn’t be in women’s restrooms.” Mace added on X: “Never thought this would have to happen, but we are introducing a resolution banning biological men from entering protected spaces for women on Capitol grounds.” “Protecting biological women starts here and it starts now,” Mace added. Rep. Becca Balint (D-VT) raged over the bill, claiming: “The cruelty is the point.” McBride claimed that the bill was an attempt by “far right-wing extremists to distract from the fact that they have no real solutions to what Americans are facing.” “We should be focused on bringing down the cost of housing, health care, and child care, not manufacturing culture wars,” he claimed. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), who recently removed her pronouns from her X account, claimed that the bill was “not just bigotry” but “plain bullying.” Republican members signaled that they were open to the bill and would take a further look at it. “We’re going to talk about that,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA). “We’re working on the issue.”

PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ have been discovered in rainwater across South Florida, raising alarms about potential health and environmental impacts. A study identifies 21 PFAS compounds in South Florida’s rainwater. They likely originate from industrial activities further north. PFAS Pollutants Detected in Rainwater A study by Florida International University revealed that South Florida’s rainwater contains 21 types of PFAS chemicals. These substances, often called ‘forever chemicals,’ are notorious for their stability and resilience against natural breakdown processes. Commonly found in non-stick cookware, waterproof clothes, and firefighting foams, PFAS present serious health risks including cancer and liver damage. The research, conducted over a year from October 2021 to November 2022, involved collecting 42 rain samples from Miami-Dade County. Despite no significant local PFAS production, researchers traced these pollutants back to northern U.S. regions through airmass modeling. https://t.co/MIZIrI4u7q — Florida Issues (@FloridaIssues) November 11, 2024 Global Concerns Over Persistent Chemicals PFAS are persistent environmental pollutants threatening water, food, and even human health across the globe. Their enduring nature allows them to travel long distances, having been found in diverse locations, including remote polar regions. During Florida’s dry season, these chemicals exhibited spikes in concentration, hinting at elevated transport due to wind patterns. The EPA is actively investigating PFAS due to mounting concerns. Despite bans, compounds like PFOA and PFOS continue to plague rainwater, sometimes exceeding safe drinking levels, particularly in densely populated areas like Miami-Dade. Researchers at Florida International University have found toxic "forever chemicals," known as PFAS, in Miami's rainwater, signaling a new path for these contaminants to reach groundwater and ecosystems.https://t.co/kQb31E9uMs — Environmental Health News (@EHNewsroom) November 7, 2024 Call to Action for PFAS Management Researchers call for a unified global strategy to combat PFAS pollution. The chemicals’ ability to evaporate and recycle in atmospheric currents means local issues can have widespread repercussions. As industrial activities intensify, proactive measures become crucial in safeguarding public health and environmental well-being. South Florida’s experience with PFAS underscores a broader narrative about the difficulties of managing long-lasting synthetic chemicals. Adoption of stringent regulatory frameworks and collaborative international efforts will play vital roles in addressing this persistent environmental challenge. Sources: PFAS found in rainwater Plastics in the rain The post Mystery Chemicals Found in Florida Rain: What Are the Hidden Risks? appeared first on The Conservative Brief.

Choosing to muzzle a dog may sound controversial for others, but this mom on TikTok is sharing why she chooses it over rehoming her Cocker Spaniel. In a September 25 video, TikTok user @emmmorris lists down her reasons why she won’t rehome her dog who wears a muzzle around her one-year-old daughter. Morris reveals that Fern, her four-year-old Cocker Spaniel, was her and her husband’s “first child technically”, establishing the fact that pets, like children, are commitments too. Morris then proceeds to explain that Fern is a very reactive dog, and not in a predictable way. She partly attributes this reactivity to the pooch’s skin condition. She reveals that Fern has previously snapped at her two other dogs, which she described was random and out of nowhere. “And I literally could not pinpoint what it was that agitated her,” Morris explains. But now, with a one-year-old daughter, Morris has chosen to muzzle Fern to not risk her daughter and her dog. But you might ask, why not rehome her in a family that has no children and/or other dogs? Well, you see, even though Fern is reactive, Morris describes her as “gentle at heart” saying, “She’s a softie and loves cuddle, she just can easily be reactive in certain moments.” Furthermore, Morris reveals that Fern loves playing with kids and being involved with all kinds of activities. “Why send her to a home with no kids when she loves being involved” Morris wrote. @emmmorris How much is too much to handle? ?no matter what we always come to the conclusion that a happy dog in a muzzle is the best answer for all ❤️ #dogmuzzle #toddler #dogmum ♬ original sound – emmmorris Morris also reveals that Fern is comfortable with her muzzle on and only has it for an hour or two, sometimes less, depending on the situation, when Morris’ toddler is walking around and with the toys out. Morris was firm with this decision saying that they know Fern best and that she’s part of the family. “We will continue to train her, understand her, and keep everyone happy and safe,” Morris wrote. Thanks to Morris’ posts, many dog owners have started sharing their experiences with reactive dogs and how they handle it. One user shared that she separates her dog from her toddler. but that the dog doesn’t wear a muzzle due to stress. Morris then replies with a, “You have to do what works for you ❤️dogs and children are hard work!” While the choice is seen as controversial, others are supportive of Morris’ decision. One TikTok user wrote, “I’m sure as kiddo gets older and more predictable her reactivity will lessen in intensity- and in the meantime, no negative incidents will occur. beautiful problem solving.” “Love this, my favourite part was because you know her!” another TikTok user wrote. A lot of Cocker Spaniels are known to be reactive and hyperactive. And Morris understands this, even saying, “They are crazy anyway! So of course, family changes will take time to adjust.” What do you think of this mother’s solution of muzzling her dog instead of rehoming her?

The media are freaking out over Trump’s Cabinet picks, because the freakout machine must be kept humming. But you can see the wheels turning there. If you’re a liberal Democrat, they assume you’re automatically qualified and super-intelligent. Because you're a liberal Democrat. Several Biden appointees lacked experience in their cabinet roles: Xavier Becerra didn't have a health-care background, Alejandro Majorkas didn't have national security resume, Jennifer Granholm had no energy experience, and Mayor Pete Buttigieg wasn't a transportation whiz. The media engaged in zero freakouts over this, but now the anchors assert these people were vetted robustly. From Pete Hegseth and Tulsi Gabbard to Matt Gaetz and Robert Kennedy Jr., the left-wing networks and newspapers saw nominees disqualified by ideology or inexperience or allegations of sexual assault. The media and their Democrat pals aren't really vetting the picks as much as attempting to ruin them to cause scandal among Republicans. On Sunday, NBC Meet the Press host Kristen Welker threw a Democrat talking point at Sen. Markwayne Mullin, Republican of Oklahoma. Welker said: “Senator, it’s worth noting there’s absolutely no evidence that President Biden had anything to do with the federal charges brought against President-elect Trump.” Fact check: False. Years ago, The New York Times reported that Biden was unhappy that Attorney General Merrick Garland was moving so slowly. Surely, that message could be received indirectly if the orders weren't direct. We're all sick of reporters when they claim there's "no evidence" of Democrat wrongdoing. Every Republican should respond to this with: "No evidence? Did you spend any time looking for evidence?" Let's guess no. Enjoy the podcast below, or wherever you listen to podcasts.   

The Epoch Times on Thursday interviewed me about my views on Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks. The only nominee I expressed reservations about was Matt Gaetz, Trump’s choice for attorney general. But the reason I offered was not quoted fully. I said that while I would certainly vote for Gaetz if I were a U.S. senator, I do not believe he is confirmable. Republican senators like Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska would likely oppose his nomination, alongside all Senate Democrats, who will likely vote as a bloc against most of Trump’s nominees.Gaetz is a troublesome choice for several reasons, starting with allegations of sexual involvement with a 17-year-old girl. The House Ethics Committee has investigated the charge, but its findings have not yet been released. I recognize the double standard at play here. Legacy media defended individuals like Bill Clinton and concealed the appalling misconduct of Democratic donors such as Harvey Weinstein and Jeffrey Epstein for as long as possible.The weaponization of federal agencies like the Justice Department and Secret Service against political dissenters will no longer be tolerated.I also acknowledge that Biden’s administration resembled an intersectional exhibitionist show, featuring figures like Admiral Levine, Sam Brinton, and Mayor Pete Buttigieg. These appointments seemed to cater to the Democrats’ identitarian agenda. Notably, many “centrist” Republicans now criticizing Gaetz’s nomination had no problem voting for Biden’s ideologically driven Cabinet selections.But we are not dealing here with a level playing field, and even conventional Republican outlets like National Review and the Wall Street Journal are railing against Gaetz’s nomination. I’m not sure that I see any way forward for the former Florida congressman. His sexual scandal, his effort to overthrow a Republican speaker of the House, and his flamboyant rhetoric will all be held against him if the confirmation process goes forward.Let me clarify that, unlike the RINOs and neocons, I do not oppose Gaetz’s nomination because I want an attorney general the left will find inoffensive — someone modeled after Trump’s attorneys general during his first term. I recently heard Daniel Henninger of the Wall Street Journal lament the absence of a nominee with Bill Barr’s moderating influence.This time, however, Trump appears to want someone in the role who will support him unequivocally. He is not looking for an attorney general who will flaunt nonpartisanship by distancing himself from a president despised by the legacy media. Joe Biden and Barack Obama appointed attorneys general who loyally served their interests and advanced their ideological agendas. Trump has every right to seek an attorney general who will do the same — while demonstrating a greater commitment to justice than those Democratic appointees showed.Any of the three candidates previously on Trump’s short list would likely be more confirmable as attorney general than Gaetz. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, or former Deputy Attorney General Matthew Whitaker could effectively perform the duties assigned to Gaetz while generating less controversy as nominees.Let me stress that my reason for opposing Gaetz’s nomination is most definitely not the one probably driving the Bushies and neocon Republicans. I don’t want a “bipartisan” attorney general who will try to get along with with the opposition as we pursue an aggressively liberal internationalist foreign policy. I am hopeful that anyone who becomes attorney general will actively investigate and prosecute those bad actors who abused their positions under the Obama-Biden-Garland administrations.The D.C. swamp must be drained, and those “public servants” who have gone after the political opposition without just cause and who have threatened religious and social traditionalists should be treated accordingly. They should not only be dismissed from their positions but also prosecuted.It is crucial to send a clear message to public administrators and Democratic Party leaders: The weaponization of federal agencies like the Justice Department and Secret Service against political dissenters and culturally traditional Americans will no longer be tolerated. Simply turning the page to focus on foreign policy or fiscal issues will not achieve the same impact. Least of all should we pretend that the systematic weaponization of administrative agencies, which has been ongoing since Obama’s presidency, never occurred. Ignoring this history will only embolden the Democrats to resume such practices as soon as they regain power.This is why any prospective attorney general must not only be up to this task but also be confirmable. Unfortunately, Gaetz does not meet this criterion, which is why his nomination was ill advised. While it is commendable that he has vigorously defended President Trump against baseless, malicious accusations, that alone will not secure his confirmation.

Hamas leaders, reportedly expelled from Qatar, are said to have relocated to Turkey amid conflicting reports and denials from Turkish officials about the terror group's presence, Breitbart reported.

Senate Democrats are committed to working late nights and weekends - even the upcoming holidays - to get as many of President Joe Biden's judicial nominees confirmed, The Hill reported Monday.

President-elect Donald Trump is personally pressuring Republican senators in a bid to get former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., his pick for attorney general, confirmed after a new Congress is sworn in on Jan. 3.