One final note about the Johnny Cash statue: At a Monday pre-reception, sculptor Kevin Kresse addressed the crowd of Arkansans who traveled to Washington, D.C., for the unveiling.
During his remarks, Kresse emphasized Cash as not a musician, but as a person.
"For me, it’s the
More of Sturgill's comments regarding Trump: "Anybody that's surprised to hear me say that is going to unfollow me or stop listening to my records. They probably weren't listening that closely anyway."
#CMAawards
.
@Sen_JoeManchin
calls on the Biden administration to stop importing oil from Russia in light of the Ukraine invasion and increase domestic energy production: “To continue to rely on Russian energy as they attack Ukraine is senseless.”
“Sarah rocked it!” one Arkansas delegate screams as delegates get back on their bus to Lake Geneva (where the Arkansas delegates and guests are staying).
From what I’ve heard from other Arkansans who traveled to the RNC, people are very pleased with
@SarahHuckabee
’s speech this
.
@McKinleyforWV
: "Serving the people of West Virginia has been the honor of my life. I'm proud that I have always stood up for what's right for West Virginia -- even when it hurt me politically." 1/2
🚨
@VoteOjeda2020
is running for U.S. Senate: "I have decided to take on Shelly Moore Capito in the United States Senate race. I believe Mitch McConnell needs a thorn in his side and nobody is better at that than me."
As part of tonight’s roll call of states, Arkansas — led by Lottie Shackelford — casts its votes for
@KamalaHarris
and
@Tim_Walz
(this is more ceremonial given the fact the party officially nominated the ticket earlier this month).
.
@POTUS
has amended the disaster declaration for Arkansas regarding assistance.
“Federal funds for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance has been increased to 100 percent of the total eligible costs.”
.
@POTUS
on David Pryor: “David was my colleague in the Senate for 18 years, and he was my friend. His kindness was always on display: David would drag tables together in the Senate Dining Room to make sure Senators got to know one another on a personal level.”
.
@Sen_JoeManchin
has sent the following letter to Louis DeJoy after touring a Charleston mail distribution center earlier today: "If you cannot rise to that level of
service and start earning our confidence, you should resign from your position."
#wvpol
Something mentioned during today's swearing-in of Gayle Manchin as Appalachian Regional Commission federal co-chair by
@Sen_JoeManchin
: First Lady Jill Biden will be coming to West Virginia next week with a focus on children and poverty.
NEW: Manchin tells reporters that he thought Schumer’s speech preceding final passage of the debt limit measure was “inappropriate.”
Thune also said he confronted Schumer on the floor to tell him the speech was out of line.
.
@MorriseyWV
after
@POTUS
’ announcement regarding gun violence: “Gun violence and the senseless death attributed to it should pain all Americans, however, the evil acts of a select few should never be a catalyst for stripping the lawful masses of their constitutional rights ...”
Lottie Shackelford, who heads the Democratic Women’s Caucus, introduces
@SpeakerPelosi
before members.
“Lottie and I have been girlfriends for decades,” Pelosi says. “She and Bill Clinton put Arkansas on the map.”
From me: There is an underlying theme with the Arkansas Democrats' events about reaching out to rural voters.
@JonesForAR
has become one of the leading voices pushing for such outreach.
"Rural encompasses so much amazing diversity, and the Democrats are saying let's lean into
As part of
@POTUS
' "Investing in America" tour,
@SecretaryPete
will be in Arkansas next week as part of a series of tours of "airports and air traffic control facilities that are making critical safety and infrastructure improvements."
One thing
@SenTomCotton
mentioned during his Jan. 31 questioning of TikTok’s Shou Chew was how the Biden campaign and Democrats have utilized TikTok, in which Cotton alleged the
@WhiteHouse
is “at best … taking a pass on” by not pursing any legal action regarding the platform.
A family vacation to Aruba. A residence near Capitol Hill. Asking staff to run personal errands. Possible document tampering.
A look at the House Office of Congressional Ethics report regarding
@RepAlexMooney
:
Man, hearing Brak's voice takes me back to elementary school; one of my third-grade teachers played the Cartoon Planet CDs constantly during the year.
So many bits will remain lodged into my brain ("Brak's Tales of Suspense," specifically) until my timely demise.
No surprises from
@Sen_JoeManchin
: “Rushing to confirm a Supreme Court nominee weeks before a presidential election has never been done before in the history of our nation and it will only fan the flames of division at a time when our country is deeply divided.”
#wvsen
.
@SenCapito
, to reporters this afternoon, says she opposes former President Trump's suggestion he would pardon people involved in the January 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol if he wins in 2024.
"I was here that day. It was a terrifying day."
.
@BernieSanders
introducing
@Kunkel4Congress
: "Mark my words. You're going to see things happening in West Virginia similar to what you're seeing in Texas. This is a working-class state that does not get the representation that it deserves."
#WVpol
.
@Sen_JoeManchin
will vote to confirm Rep. Deb Haaland as interior secretary.
"(W)hile we do not agree on every issue, she reaffirmed her strong commitment to bipartisanship, addressing the diverse needs of our country and maintaining our nation’s energy independence."
Between this and the mess at the
@wvgazettemail
, West Virginia is in a tremendous hole regarding the number of hard-charging journalists. I’m not sure if the people behind these decisions understand/care about the damage this will have on West Virginians.
West Virginia Public Broadcasting has parted ways with one of its reporters after alleged retaliation from WVPB operational management and pressure from the Department of Health and Human Services.
From
@ArkDems
: Every Democrat in the Arkansas Legislature has endorsed
@KamalaHarris
as president.
North Little Rock Rep. Tippi McCullough: "There has never been an election more important for women in American history. What a blessing that we have a fearless, strong, and
.
@RandyNewman
was a special surprise guest caller on the latest
@OfficeHrsLive
with
@TimHeidecker
. "You truly are a hero to me," Heidecker says. "You're in the Top Three. C&C Music Factory is No. 1."
You can hear their conversation here:
Something that got lost amid the news of today:
@Sen_JoeManchin
's opposition to
@realDonaldTrump
withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization.
"(T)o withdraw from the World Health Organization – the world’s leading public health body – is nothing short of reckless."
I’m at the Charleston Pride Parade and Festival for a story on LGBTQ West Virginians. I would love the opportunity to talk to some of you! If you see me, wave me down.
Four WVU professors on this statement:
"Democracy rests on certain elemental institutional and normative conditions. Elections must be neutrally and fairly administered."
NEWS:
100 leading democracy scholars just issued a powerful new statement warning that our democracy is under dire threat, and that Democrats must pass sweeping federal voting rights protections, ending the filibuster to do so if necessary.
Details here:
.
@Sen_JoeManchin
is a YES on using reconciliation to pass coronavirus relief: “But let me be clear – and these are words I shared with President Biden – our focus must be targeted on the COVID-19 crisis and Americans who have been most impacted by this pandemic.”
#wvpol
New from me:
@RepFrenchHill
spent the end of last week in Kyiv speaking with
@ZelenskyyUa
and House colleagues about the U.S.'s ongoing support.
"They are literally running out of ammunition and are rationing artillery at the front line of forces today."
During last night’s House of Representatives floor session,
@RepRickCrawford
led the Arkansas House delegation in paying tribute to late Rep. Marion Berry (who was Crawford’s predecessor in the House).
.
@RepMcKinley
on his vote for a Jan. 6 commission: “Congress has always investigated major events, including 9/11 and Benghazi in recent years. January 6 should be no different.”
WaPo:
@DrGuptaMD
is the leading candidate to be White House drug czar.
"Gupta, who was previously WV’s health commissioner and led Biden’s transition efforts for the drug policy office, has a strong working relationship with Sen. Joe Manchin III."
.
@WVGovernor
had called on Delegate Joe Jeffries to resign following his explicit TikTok post: “We don’t need this kind of nonsense to distract us from achieving more success.”
😳 “However, evidence and testimony indicate that Rep. Mooney may have offered false testimony and altered his calendar in order to conceal wrongdoing.”
I understand the importance of covering yesterday's protest and looking at what happened from a local level, but I don't think what we saw deserves a story that just casually looks at what unfolded for the sake of hearing from both sides.
West, Saban and others push Manchin on voting rights: “But we are all certain that democracy is best when voting is open to everyone on a level playing field; the referees are neutral; and at the end of the game the final score is respected and accepted.”
Schumer: “elections this November will have consequences, because the rights of 100 million women are now on the ballot… Most of all, cast your ballots this November.”
If you are now learning about the
#Obamacare
lawsuit and that West Virginia is involved, let me help with all of the catching up you have to do.
A thread with links below.
#wvpol
"The Office of Congressional Ethics is investigating whether Rep. Alex X. Mooney misspent campaign funds on personal pursuits and failed to properly report required information in his Federal Election Commission filings ..."
#wvpol
.
@Sen_JoeManchin
after his meeting with
@POTUS
: "President Biden and I had a productive and thorough meeting. I can assure you his priority – like mine – is doing good for every American and West Virginian."
Miller and Lara Trump were supposed to be in South Charleston and Beckley today, but things didn't work out for today. Six reporters asked to interview Miller either at Yeager or over the phone to no avail so far.
New details regarding when Medal of Honor recipient Woody Williams will lie in honor at the U.S. Capitol (from West Virginia's congressional delegation): Williams' body will be in the U.S. Capitol's rotunda on Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
I'm going to be diving deeper into this throughout the afternoon, but this from the Office: "Rep. Mooney may have accepted a free or below-market-value trip to Aruba, as well as free lodging and event space from a company that provides services to his campaign committee."
Update regarding my future: Proud to announce I am joining
@ArkansasOnline
as the publication’s Washington correspondent!
I am excited to continue my journalism career in the nation’s capital, and I look forward to providing Arkansans with insightful political content.
.
@SenCapito
calls out Senate Democrats after
#shutdown2018
: “What we’ve seen instead are Democrats prioritizing legislation to address an illegal immigration issue over children’s health care and putting politics ahead of a bipartisan program that helps millions of families.”
.
@Sen_JoeManchin
’s opposition to BBB in statement form: “Despite my best efforts, I cannot explain the sweeping Build Back Better Act in West Virginia and I cannot vote to move forward on this mammoth piece of legislation.”
.
@SenCapito
with a statement on the election: "It would be a grave step for Congress to refuse to count electoral votes that are certified by their own state government."
#wvpol
@AsaHutchinson
During a Q&A session, Hutchinson suggests the FBI should not have a building recognizing J. Edgar Hoover, noting Hoover’s record on liberties and a darker period for the FBI.
Saying goodbye to
@AlexHouseThomas
as he prepares to leave
@WVMetroNews
@580WCHS
after 5+ years this week. I’m happy I got to come back to West Virginia and work with him again. He’s one of the hardest working people I know. Best of luck, friend!
One role political journalists have is connecting policy to the audience. It's easy to say an action does something, but explaining *how* it affects people takes an extra step and creates an informed populace/dialogue. Having the majority party cry "fake news" and run is bad.
Part of my job regarding political journalism is covering breaking news and the events/moments impacting current events. Another part is examining issues and helping my audience understand why something matters.
This article is an example of the latter.
Despite the country being in a new election cycle, I still had some questions regarding 2020: Do West Virginia’s officials still believe the last election was stolen, and what are the consequences of claims going unchecked?
A Sunday read from me:
.
@rep_stevewomack
spoke to me and other reporters for about 19 minutes while leaving the floor.
One thing he mentioned was the difference between the McCarthy opponents in January and the anti-Jordan crowd now; the group now isn’t seeking to gain anything from Jordan.
🚨
@Sen_JoeManchin
says he has reached a deal with
@SenSchumer
on legislation to "would dedicate hundreds of billions of dollars to deficit reduction" among other actions.
.
@POTUS
on the proposed
@Sen_JoeManchin
permitting amendment to the NDAA: "I support Senator Manchin’s permitting reform proposal as a way to cut Americans’ energy bills, promote US energy security, and boost our ability to get energy projects built and connected to the grid."
"Rep. Mooney routinely diverted official resources and staff time away from his constituents and official duties in favor of his and his family’s personal needs and sometimes for campaign activities."
"Rep. Mooney, his family, and his campaign and congressional staff used a house on Capitol Hill associated with HSP Direct, LLC at no cost for lodging, workspace, and to host events."
The procession of Charleston Police Patrolman Cassie Johnson taking place this morning. Johnson’s body was transported to the state Medical Examiner’s Office.
From
@USDOT
:
@SecretaryPete
will make two stops next Wednesday: Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte and the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock.
Womack lists all eight Republicans who supported ousting McCarthy, calling
@mattgaetz
"the ringleader."
"Frankly, the Republican Conference appears ungovernable."
.
@ArkDems
’ DNC delegation have voted UNANIMOUSLY to back
@KamalaHarris
.
“At this critical time in our nation’s history, the Vice President is prepared, poised, and right out of the gate demonstrating how strong she will be as our nominee.”
Hello, Shelley Capito! , your state wants to know why you are afraid to debate your opponent? Stand up for you what you believe and meet
@paulajean2020
on the debate stage.
Arkansas’ congressional delegates, in a letter to
@POTUS
, voice support for
@SarahHuckabee
’s request for a 30-day extension of federal aid related to the March 31 storms that swept through the state.
New from me: As lawmakers continue to receive feedback on the current
#FarmBill
, one Arkansas farmer had an opportunity to address his concerns on Capitol Hill.