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Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer recently delivered a speech calling for new elections in Israel, which has received both praise and criticism. Schumer believes that his criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is necessary to save Israel, as he is concerned about the declining support for Israel in America. However, critics argue that Schumer's speech is inappropriate and interferes with a democratic ally's domestic politics. The speech reflects the divide within the Democratic Party and American Jewish community regarding Israel. Republicans have used Schumer's speech to portray the Democratic Party as mistreating a close ally, while Schumer maintains that he cares deeply about Israel's future. [Extracted from the article]

Outgoing Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has endorsed former President Donald Trump for the 2024 presidential election, despite their previous acrimony and insults. McConnell's endorsement comes after Trump's success on Super Tuesday, where he won almost every race and is now the last person in the GOP contest. McConnell's endorsement aims to repair the rift between the two Republicans and secure a Republican Senate majority. Although McConnell previously broke with Trump over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, he did not vote to convict Trump in his impeachment trial related to the Capitol riot. [Extracted from the article]

Mitch McConnell, the longest-serving Senate party leader in history, has announced that he will step down as the leader of Republicans in the Senate. This has initiated a race to succeed him, with Senators John Thune, John Cornyn, and John Barrasso seen as the most likely successors. The choice of successor could indicate the direction that Republicans want to take, with potential leaders more responsive to the demands of former President Donald Trump and his allies. The new leader will face challenges such as raising the federal debt limit and extending expiring tax cuts. The role of Trump, who is expected to play a significant role in the leadership fight, will depend on the outcome of the 2024 election. [Extracted from the article]

Congress has passed a temporary spending bill to prevent a government shutdown, with Speaker Mike Johnson relying on Democratic support. The bill extends funding for part of the government until March 8 and the rest until March 22. The measure now awaits President Biden's signature. Some House Republicans expressed frustration with the lack of spending cuts or conservative victories in the bill. This is the third stopgap measure passed with Democrats during Johnson's speakership, and it will buy negotiators more time to pass full-year spending bills next month. [Extracted from the article]

Top congressional leaders have reached a bipartisan deal to prevent a partial government shutdown. The deal involves holding votes on a stopgap bill this week to ensure continuous government funding, followed by votes on full-year spending bills next month. Negotiators have also agreed in principle on the contents of six bills that fund various federal agencies, with a new deadline to vote on those bills by March 8. However, uncertainty remains as both the House and Senate need to pass the stopgap measure and all 12 spending bills by later next month. [Extracted from the article]

House Democrats and some Republicans are considering alternative plans to force a vote on Ukraine aid, as Speaker Mike Johnson has not offered his own plan on the aid package. Democrats are drafting a special rule that could enable a narrow bipartisan majority to bypass Johnson, while Republicans are proposing alternative aid packages. Pro-Ukraine lawmakers are growing anxious after Russia's recent capture of Avdiivka, and they believe that Ukraine's lack of weapons is due to congressional inaction. Democrats are exploring options such as a discharge petition or defeating the previous question to move forward with Ukraine funding. [Extracted from the article]

Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, a centrist Democrat, announced that he will not run for president, ending speculation about a potential third-party bid. In a speech at West Virginia University, Manchin expressed concern about the breakdown of democratic institutions due to extreme partisanship. While Manchin was not seen as a viable presidential candidate, Democrats were worried that his run could draw votes away from President Biden in key battleground states. Manchin's Senate term ends in January 2025, and he has been a pivotal figure in bipartisan legislation on infrastructure and climate and healthcare bills. [Extracted from the article]

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell celebrated the Senate's passage of a $95 billion foreign aid package that includes funding for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. McConnell delivered 22 GOP votes, surpassing expectations, but more than half of his Senate Republican conference voted against the bill. McConnell acknowledged that the isolationist America First wing of his party, led by former President Donald Trump, is currently ascendant. McConnell believes that the declining support for Ukraine is due to Trump's opposition. The fate of the aid bill now rests with House Speaker Mike Johnson, who is close to Trump and has criticized the bill. [Extracted from the article]

The Republican-led House of Representatives has impeached Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas with a 214-213 vote, making him the first sitting cabinet official in history to be impeached. Republicans have accused Mayorkas of willfully refusing to enforce immigration laws, citing the record number of illegal crossings at the southern border. However, the impeachment effort is expected to fail in the Democratic-controlled Senate. Republicans intend to use their criticism of President Biden's immigration record as a campaign issue in the upcoming election. [Extracted from the article]

The Senate has passed a $95.3 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, which includes funds for Ukraine's supplies and manpower, as well as aid for Israel and humanitarian aid for hot spots like Gaza and the West Bank. The bill must now pass the GOP-controlled House before becoming law. The passage of the bill in the Senate is seen as a victory for proponents of a strong U.S. role in foreign affairs, although its fate in the House is uncertain due to potential changes and demands for provisions tightening America's southern border. [Extracted from the article]

Former President Donald Trump has emerged as the dominant leader of the Republican Party, as current leaders like Mitch McConnell and Mike Johnson face challenges and criticism. McConnell faced backlash from fellow Republicans for endorsing a bipartisan border deal that ultimately failed, but he was able to rally support for a national security package. Johnson, the House Speaker, suffered setbacks in his attempts to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and pass an aid bill for Israel. Meanwhile, Trump continues to exert control over the party, expelling the Republican National Committee Chair and gaining support in primary elections. Despite Trump's influence, the Republican Party remains divided and has struggled to advance its own priorities or make deals with President Biden. [Extracted from the article]

The Democratic-controlled Senate has cleared a major hurdle in passing a $95 billion national security-focused bill aimed at providing aid to Ukraine, Israel, and other allies. The vote was 67-32, with 17 Republicans joining Democrats in support of the measure. The bill includes funding for missile-defense systems for Israel, humanitarian assistance for conflict zones including Gaza and Ukraine, and military support for Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia. The bill still faces challenges in the Republican-controlled House, where opposition to supporting Ukraine is stronger. [Extracted from the article]

A bipartisan deal aimed at reducing illegal crossings at the U.S. border is facing intense opposition from Republicans, potentially derailing its chances of passing. The deal, crafted by Senators Kyrsten Sinema, Chris Murphy, and James Lankford, includes provisions for border security, as well as funding for Ukraine and Israel. Some Republicans have criticized the border provisions as not being tough enough, while others are undecided. The collapse of the deal could impact efforts to secure the border and force lawmakers to find an alternative way to pass the foreign-aid provisions. [Extracted from the article]

Senators have abandoned a $118 billion national-security and border package after facing opposition from Republicans, leaving aid to Ukraine in jeopardy. Democrats are frustrated with what they perceive as a bait and switch by Republicans, while GOP lawmakers argue that the deal's border provisions are insufficient. Both sides are considering a narrower bill focused on foreign assistance and weapons. The collapse of the deal could lead to a Plan B for Ukraine, as the European Union has already agreed to a budget-aid package. [Extracted from the article]

Funding cuts from the United States and other international donors are expected to impact the operations of the United Nations' Palestinian refugee agency, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Republican senators have called for a permanent halt to U.S. funding for the agency following allegations of connections to Hamas. The funding freeze threatens the well-being of Gaza's 2.2 million Palestinians, who are already facing food shortages, lack of shelter, and limited medical services. The United Nations has warned that current funding levels are insufficient to meet the agency's needs. [Extracted from the article]