Free Republic

The House of Representatives has adjourned for the evening after California Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy failed to win the speaker's gavel for the 11th time. The speaker election started Tuesday but McCarthy has fallen short of reaching the simple majority threshold needed to win in the 222-212 GOP-led House. The eleventh vote saw him secure 200 votes, while Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., secured 212. Former President Donald Trump received one vote, while Oklahoma Rep. Kevin Hern took 7. Twelve Republicans voted for another candidate. Reports have begun to circulate that the holdout Republicans have been asked to review a prospective...

First of all, President Trump is eligible for the speaker’s position per prior publications. Advertisement - story continues below Need to Relax with a Strategic Game? Escape Reality with This Fun Game. Need to Relax with a Strategic Game? Escape Reality with This Fun Game. …The House can elect whomever it wants to serve as speaker, even if it’s someone who isn’t a member of Congress… …The speaker of the House has always been a member of the House of Representatives, even though the Constitution does not list House membership as a requirement for the job, simply saying lawmakers “shall...

Green Semidouble WITH THE GREEKS, this Sunday—their eleventh of Saint Matthew—is called The Kings Parable, who calls his servants to account. In the Western Church, it has gone under the name of Sunday of the deaf and dumb, ever since the Gospel of the Pharisee and Publican has been assigned to the tenth. Today’s Mass, as we now have it, still gives evidence as to what was its ancient arrangement. Our commentary on today’s liturgy will show us this very plainly. In those years when Easter falls nearest to the 21st of March, the Books of Kings are continued...

Heidelberg, Germany (dpa) - A couple go on trial in Germany Friday, accused of conspiring to set off a bomb at a U.S. base on the first anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.    The Turkish national and his American girlfriend deny any plot, saying chemicals were stockpiled in their apartment to prepare homemade fireworks. But a U.S. woman who was living in Heidelberg insists the girlfriend gave her a veiled tip to stay off the base.    It remained uncertain this week if the crucial witness would show up at the trial. Lawyers said her evidence might possibly be...

September 11 trial near collapse From Roland Watson in Washington WASHINGTON'S hopes of convicting the only man charged with a role in the September 11 attacks in a public trial were close to collapse last night. The District Judge from Alexandria, Virginia, presiding over the trial of Zacarias Moussaoui said that she doubted the Bush Administration's ability to prosecute the case given the "shroud of secrecy" thrown over the details. Judge Leonie Brinkema said that she was disturbed that the Government had classified so many court papers and orders. She agreed with the defendant's scepticism that the case could proceed...