Democrats Win Special NY Election
In a special election for defamed Republican Rep. George Santos, who lied about his background, education, and upbringing, former Congressman Tom Suozzi, democrat, won with 53.9% of the vote against Republican Mazi Pilip. The election results, which were announced Wednesday morning, will downsize the House GOP’s slim majority, benefiting President Joe Biden and his allies as the 2024 election draws closer.
As broken down by CNN, Suozzi’s appointment will lead to the House Democrats controlling 213 seats to Republicans’ 219. With all members present, this means that Republicans will only be able to lose two votes to motions to pass.
Death of Vocal Putin Critic
Alexei Navalny, 47, was a prominent critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Spending his final years behind bars as the Russian leader reshaped the country to rally behind Putin’s war in Ukraine, Navalny died following a years long struggle against several poisoning attempts. Navalny’s death comes as the Kremlin is preparing to orchestrate another election victory for Putin in March.
According to ABC News, Russia’s Federal Prison Service said in a statement that Navalny had died after feeling unwell following a walk Friday, where he became unconscious and unable to be resuscitated. The prison staff says emergency medical personnel pronounced him dead, but Navalny’s spokeswoman said as of now there is no confirmation and that they will address the public when more information is known.
In a televised press conference on the afternoon of Friday, February 16, President Joe Biden stated that there is “no doubt” that President Putin and his government was behind the death of Navalny.
Unclear Why CBP Officer Ordered Fentanyl Lollipops
Dr. Alexander Eastman, the chief medical officer for Customs and Border Protection (CBP), is under fire for trying to procure narcotics, specifically fentanyl lollipops, according to a whistleblower report sent to Congress early this week and reported by NBC News. When questioned by staff on why the lollipops were needed, Eastman stated they were for injured CBP operators who needed pain relief. However, Eastman wasn’t successful in obtaining the fentanyl lollipops because a vendor couldn’t be found before the U.N. General Assembly, when Eastman said they were needed.
Nonprofit organization, Government Accountability Project with whom the whistleblower reported to, stated that Eastman is already under investigation for providing a friend narcotics prior to this most recent report. One of the CBP’s main functions is to stop the flow of illegal narcotics in and out of the country.
