Chad Pergram is the Senior Congressional Correspondent for Fox News. He's won an Edward R. Murrow Award & is a two-time recipient of the Joan Barone Award.
1) GOP KY Sen Rand Paul on his reelection: When I return to the Senate. As Chairman. I promise you this. The COVID cover-up will end. I will subpoena every last document of Dr. Fauci..Congress has not held one hearing to investigate the origins of COVID.
GOP FL Rep Gaetz on Fox: I spoke with President Trump today. He's not resigning and he is not leaving the public stage at all. Donald Trump remains the inspirational leader of a loving and patriotic movement, people who believe that America's best days can still be ahead
McConnell says Senate coronavirus bill includes
•More federally-expanded unemployment benefits for laid-off Americans
•An entire second round of the Paycheck Protection Program to save workers’ jobs at the hardest-hit small businesses
GOP NC Chairman Michael Whatley: North Carolina Republicans sent Senator Burr to the United States Senate to uphold the Constitution and his vote today to convict in a trial that he declared unconstitutional is shocking and disappointing.
When asked if he notified Pelosi of al-Baghdadi operation, President Trump says no, citing concerns about leaks. But multiple Congressional sources on the other side of the aisle were notified last night. Fox can find no Democrats who were notified
Trump: The Senate will start the process for a vote that increases checks to $2,000, repeals Section 230, and starts an investigation into voter fraud.
1) Fox confirms that group of persons associated with The Late Show Stephen Colbert were arrested last night and charged with illegal entry to House office buildings after hours.
Dem HI Rep Gabbard on her “present” vote on impeachment: I could not in good conscience vote for impeachment because removal of a sitting President must not be the culmination of a partisan process, fueled by tribal animosities that have so gravely divided our country.
Zeldin to Kent: Do you have any firsthand knowledge of United States aid to Ukraine ever being connected to the opening of a new investigation?
Kent: I do not have direct knowledge, no.
Barr to Berman: With your statement of last night, you have chosen public spectacle over public service. Because you have declared that you have no intention of resigning, I have asked the President to remove you as of today, and he has done so.
GOP TX Rep Ratcliffe to Taylor: And to your knowledge, nobody in the Ukrainian Government was aware of the hold?
Taylor: That is correct. Ratcliffe: Great. Thank you for clarifying.
1) DNI info to Graham: In late July 2016, U.S. intelligence agencies obtained insight into Russian intelligence analysis alleging that U.S. Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton had approved a campaign plan to stir up a scandal against U.S. Presidential candidate Donald Trump..
1) Hawley on Zelenskyy: I didn't go to the speech because I didn't want to be part of the photo op asking for more money from the United States government when they haven't given us a single piece of accounting on anything they spent.
Colleague Paul Steinhauser confirms GOP TX Sen Ted Cruz traveled to Cancun amid the TX storm/power outages. GOP Source: “the photos speak for themselves”
1) The President did not outright say he will veto the coronavirus/government spending bill. But he very well could prevent it from being law, via a pocket veto.
Louisiana GOP: The Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Louisiana has unanimously voted to censure Senator Bill Cassidy for his vote cast earlier today to convict former President Donald J. Trump on the impeachment charge.
A) The House of Representatives has voted to remove Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) over her committee assignments.
The vote was 230-199.
11 Republicans joined all Democrats voting to relieve Greene of her committee assignments.
Fox confirms WH directs Army Corps of Engineers to see if it can divert money to border wall from disaster funding bill to cover wildfires in California, hurricanes in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico
Letter from DoJ to Hse Judiciary Cmte Chairman Nadler. Says DoJ won’t provide witnesses to testify. Says Democratic members “use their allotted time to air grievances.” Says Dems “squandered its opportunity to conduct a meaningful oversight hearing with the Attorney General”
Pence walks down Senate steps after Kavanaugh vote amid cacophony of protests. Initially stood in Senate door & was going to exit another way. Then,
defiantly reversed course, telling security detail “let’s do it.” Waves to to the demonstrators
GOP OK Sen Lankford on Schiff's 'head on a pike' comment: I was visibly upset with it. The whole room was visibly upset on our side..that's insulting and demeaning to everyone to say that we somehow live in fear and that the President has threatened all of us
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) says he is writing to acting DNI Rick Grenell, inviting him to testify next week about the unmasking of Michael Flynn. Paul has questions about what President Obama and former Vice President Biden knew. Paul chairs the government oversight subcommittee.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is now at five-plus hours speaking solo on the House floor on DACA. No breaks. No water. On her feet the entire time.
McConnell tears into Democrats on the floor. Specifically calls out Pelosi. Rare to see that on the floor, As angry as we’ve ever seen him on the floor.
McConnell:
The notion that we have time to play games here..is utterly absurd
WH: The Speaker threatened to impeach the President—again—for simply fulfilling his constitutional obligation. Numerous Democrats are threatening to pack the court and say things like ‘nothing is off the table.’ These are bizarre and dangerous power grabs
Colleague Bill Melugin reports, per ICE source, that suspect in attack on Paul Pelosi, David DePape, is in the U.S. illegally as a "longtime" visa overstay.
1) Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott: It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we share the news this morning regarding our beloved cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski. Pierre was killed in Horenka, outside of Kyiv, Ukraine.
Kavanaugh Yale classmate Chris Dudley: We drank in college. I was with Brett frequently in college, whether it be in the gym, in class or socializing. I never ever saw Brett blackout. Not one time..I have never seen him to be disrespectful or inappropriate with women.
Manchin on Kavanaugh: I'm looking at the gentleman as an adult from 22 to 53. 31 years of official service. I'm looking at him as a father, as a person in the community...I mean I'm just looking at the human side of it also I think every aspect has to be looked at.
GOP FL Sen Scott: It would be irresponsible to allow an extended vacancy on the Supreme Court. I believe that President Trump’s nominee should get a vote in the U.S. Senate.
GOP AZ Reps/Gosar/Schweikert ask for 100% audit of ballots in Maricopa County. Biggs: "I am calling on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors to go above and beyond to assure the public of the integrity of Maricopa County’s elections. Let’s leave no stone unturned"
GOP TN Sen Blackburn/GOP TN Sen-elect Hagerty: The Constitution reserves the right to challenge the Electoral College results to members of Congress. On January 6, we will vote to oppose certification of the 2020 election results.
Sources say Bannon told by WH not to answer questions before House Intel Cmte about the White House and the transition. Did not assert executive privilege. Committee subpoenas him during the meeting to comply while in the hearing.
Source familiar with the FBI document reviewed by Oversight Cmte mbrs today tells Fox the following: “To be clear, the document does not say Joe Biden received any payments.”
Grassley on FISA: Not a single application from the past 5 yrs reviewed by the IG was up to snuff. That’s alarming..The IG’s decision to bring these failures to the director’s attention before its audit is even completed underscores the seriousness of these findings
Trump says he will not concede. Says Biden has not "been certified as the winner of any states." Says "I will not rest until the American people have the honest vote count they deserve and that democracy demands."
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee on if she’s watching the Cohen hearing:
It’s on, but I’m doing other things. I think he has a credibility problem.
McCarthy concluded his remarks on rhe flr at 5:10 am et. He spoke for a total of 8 hours, 32 minutes. That breaks the old record set by Hse Spkr Pelosi in 2018 by 24 minutes
6) Fox is told there was never any chance mbrs who barged into SCIF would be arrested by USCP wBut some mbrs members asked to be arrested. They wanted the optic of being frog marched out of the SCIF in front of TV cameras. That would help w/GOP narrative of Dem process abuse
Amid Kavanaugh furor & threats to mbrs, Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) tells Fox that his wife received a text with a video attachment showing a gruesome beheading. Someone has has also released the names of and addresses of his family members.
Manchin on the filibuster. Says it's been "The tradition of the Senate here in 232 years now..we need to be very cautious what we do..That's what we've always had for 232 years. That's what makes us different than any place else in the world.
From colleague John Roberts: A well-placed source tells me there is talk swirling among Republicans in Congress of a possible 2nd impeachment proceeding - and conviction against Trump - to insure he can’t run for re-election.
Mulvaney on Fox: I was in Congress for 6 yrs & if I had poverty in my district like they have Baltimore..& I spent all of my time in..DC chasing down this Mueller investigation..I’d get fired. I think the president is right to raise the issue & it has absolutely zero to do w/race
1) Dem CA Rep Khanna: I believe our Constitution and First Amendment are sacred. As the congressman who represents Silicon Valley, I felt Twitter’s actions were a violation of First Amendment principles so I raised those concerns.
From colleague David Spunt. Senate Governmental Affairs Cmte Chair Johnson writes to AG Barr: "I request you review & declassify the remaining portion of Ambassador Rice’s January 20, 2017, email and provide it to my office."
Dem NY Rep Jamaal Bowman pulled fire alarm in Cannon Building, forcing evacuation as Dems tried to buy more time to read new CR. USCP criminal investigation unit is questioning Bowman
Cruz on Fox: I commend Greg Abbott for sending the immigrants to these blue cities. I commend Ron DeSantis for doing so..Martha's Vineyard needs 100. The next day they need 200. The next day they need a thousand. DC says it's a crisis to get 6000. They need 10,000, 80, 200,000.
Grassley makes a criminal referral to the FBI. Cmte says someone made "apparent false statements to committee investigators alleging misconduct by Judge Brett Kavanaugh." Cmte says it's "not been able to substantiate any allegations of wrongdoing by Judge Kavanaugh."
Fox has learned that Senate doxing suspect Jackson Kosko also worked or interned yrs ago w/Dem CA Sen Feinstein, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Had also worked for Dem Sens Boxer/Hassan & interned up until now w/Dem TX Rep Jackson Lee
Members are sitting on the USAF bus on CapHill they wait to see if they are departing on overseas trip Trump canceled.
Fox is told there are furious calls going back and forth now between the Hill, State, Pentagon and White House.
Schumer/McConnell on the floor, trying to pass Ukraine aid bill. Schumer blames GOP KY Sen Paul for holding up bill. Paul says “we cannot save Ukraine by dooming the US economy”
FBI’s McCabe was expected to appear before Hse to Intel Cmte Tues. Now told he’s not coming. Expect subpoenas to compel McCabe to appear this wk. Source: “McCabe has an Ohr problem”
GOP MO Sen Hawley on if Senate GOPers could back a $1.8 trillion coroanvirus bill: "If it includes blue state bailout money then I'd say that's probably a hard no. That's probably a red line for this caucus including for me"
Manchin to colleague Bret Baier on BBB: I’ve had my reservations from the beginning..I’ve done everything humanly possible..I cannot vote to continue with this piece of legislation..I can’t get there..this is a no
Tensions REALLY high on the Senate floor now. Schumer blocking all GOPers from speaking. Won't let them come out of the quroum call. Sen Susan Collins (R-ME):
"This is unbelievable."
GOPers then return the favor and block Schumer.
They are REALLY at each other’s throats now.
1) Raskin: What I had long suspected: that Chairman Comer’s subpoena is about recycling stale and debunked Burisma conspiracy theories long peddled by Rudy Giuliani and a Russian agent, sanctioned by former President Trump’s own Treasury..
Homeland Security Cmte Chair Thompson/Oversight Cmte Chair Maloney on hack: Given the urgency of this matter and the many unanswered questions, we have demanded ..DHS and other agencies to return to Capitol Hill to give us an in-person briefing as soon as possible.
GOP Whip Scalise on Fox when asked about 2020 election: It's not just irregularities. It’s states that did not follow the laws set, which the constitution says they're supposed to follow.
6) DNI info to Graham:...concerning U.S. Presidential candidate Donald Trump and Russian hackers hampering U.S. elections as a means of distracting the public from her use of a private mail server.’”
Kavanaugh nomination is in trouble. That's why McConnell made blistering speech today. Baseball teams mail it in once they are out of pennant race. McConnell trying to get GOPers to run out out every ground ball in effort to salvage nomination. Kavanaugh lacks the votes right now
Colleague John Roberts rpts AG Barr was greeted with a standing ovation as he walked into the Cabinet Room for today’s cabinet meeting. This comes as the House Judiciary Cmte continues to prep a contempt of Congress resolution for Barr
3) DNI info to Graham: According to his handwritten notes, former Central Intelligence Agency Director Brennan subsequently briefed President Obama and other senior national security officials on the intelligence, including the ‘alleged approval by Hillary Clinton..
1) Senior Democratic lawmakers tell Fox to expect a censure resolution in the House in the coming days for Reps. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) and Mo Brooks (R-AL). Fox is told there could also be consequences for Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL).
Pelosi: Republicans in Congress finally told President Nixon that it was time to go. Today, following the President’s dangerous and seditious acts, Republicans in Congress need to follow that example and call on Trump to depart his office – immediately.
2) DNI info to Grahm:...by tying him to Putin and the Russians' hacking of the Democratic National Committee. The IC does not know the accuracy of this allegation or the extent to which the Russian intelligence analysis may reflect exaggeration or fabrication.”
Just intercepted. Grassley walking very quickly. Even before I could ask Grassley a question, he turns to me and says the following. Grassley:
“Let me tell you, I’ve got three things on my mind. One: Vote. Two: Go to the bathroom. Three: Talk to Iowans”
Dem TN Rep Cohen intros resolution for Hse to begin impeachment inquiry into Barr. Has 35 co-sponsors. Says "Barr obstructs justice by favoring the President’s friends and political allies. He abuses his power by using the DoJ to harass, intimidate & attack disfavored Americans"
This is the most significant breach of an American government institution since the British burned the Capitol after the Battle of Bladensburg on August 24, 1814
5) DNI info to Grahm: On 07 September 2016, U.S. intelligence officials forwarded an investigative referral to FBI Director James Comey and Deputy Assistant Director of Counterintelligence Peter Strzok regarding ‘U.S. Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's approval of a plan..
HHS statement on Bright: "Mr. Bright has not yet shown up for work, but continues to collect his $285,010 salary, while using his taxpayer-funded medical leave to work with partisan attorneys who are politicizing the response to COVID-19."
4)...DNI info to Graham:...on July 26, 2016 of a proposal from one of her foreign policy advisors to vilify Donald Trump by stirring up a scandal claiming interference by Russian security services.’”
3) Pence stands for a moment in Senate doorway, indecisive, w/protesters hollering. Pence then reverses course to exit Capitol another way. Pence walks a few steps. Pivots & says “let’s do it.” Pence then defiantly walks down the Capitol steps and waves to Kavanaugh protesters
Fox confirms that the Senate will no longer enforce a dress code for senators. Senators can now what ever they want. However, others entering the chamber must comply with the dress code. Coats/ties for men. Business attire for women
Fox has learned that Jackson Cosko, charged by USCP w/allegedly doxing senator(s), had worked w/Dem TX Rep Sheila Jackson Lee, fmr Dem CA Sen Barbara Boxer & current Dem NH Sen Maggie Hassan.
Colleague Jake Gibson rpts AG Barr spoke to Pelosi in person today, after the National Peace Officers Memorial Service at the Capitol. Source says Barr went up to Pelosi & asked her if she brought her handcuffs