Adam Schiff not out of the woodshed yet: GOP will move again to condemn his ‘false accusations’

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna said Thursday that Republicans will try again to censure Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., for making "false accusations" against former President Trump, after the House voted down a censure resolution against Schiff on Wednesday.

In that vote, 20 Republicans rejected Luna’s censure resolution, in part because it recommended a $16 million fine against Schiff for telling "lies" about collusion between former President Trump and Russia, something that several investigations were never able to prove. Luna says that number is roughly half the cost of investigating Trump, probes that were never able to show collusion.

One lawmaker, Rep. Tom Massie, R-Ky., said the inclusion of language about fining Schiff violates the Constitution. Because Massie and several other Republicans opposed that language, the House voted 225-196 to set the censure resolution aside.

But Luna, R-Fla., said Thursday that she reached an agreement with those 20 Republicans on new censure language and said the House is expected to vote on it soon.

ADAM SCHIFF DODGES BULLET: HOUSE VOTES AGAINST BILL CENSURING HIM FOR TRUMP-RUSSIA ‘LIES’

"We came to terms and negotiations and the language that will censure and refer him to an ethics investigation because of the fact that he knowingly used his position as the chairman of House Intelligence to lie to the American people, to lie to his fellow colleagues, and also too, violated the rights, the civil liberties of individuals like Carter Page," Luna told FOX Business. "So he will be held accountable.

"And it brings me joy to see that he thinks that, you know, even just yesterday, that he got off the hook with it because he was singing a different tune," she added. "And he was very uncomfortable when I saw him in the hallways of Congress to let him know that he would be censured next week."

A spokesperson for Luna also told Fox News that the congresswoman has "agreed upon language with our 20 colleagues and looks forward to holding Schiff responsible for bringing dishonor to our country and the House of Representatives."

When asked Thursday about the possibility of another censure vote, Schiff accused Republicans of helping Trump distract the public from his ongoing legal battles about holding classified documents.

THESE 20 REPUBLICANS SAVED ADAM SCHIFF FROM CENSURE OVER TRUMP-RUSSIA ‘LIES’

"This is what it takes to gratify Donald Trump," said Schiff. "She obviously wants to distract from the president's legal troubles, and you‘ve got the MAGA people like Steve Bannon who are out promoting this."

A draft of Luna’s new resolution obtained by Fox News makes no mention of a fine against Schiff and also drops language accusing him of telling "lies" about Trump-Russia collusion. Instead, the new language notes several times that Schiff made "false" statements and allegations about Trump colluding with Russia to win the 2016 election.

"For years, Representative Schiff has spread false accusations that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia," it reads.

"On March 20, 2017, Representative Schiff perpetuated false allegations from the Steele Dossier accusing numerous Trump associates of colluding with Russia into the Congressional Record," it adds.

SCHIFF IMMEDIATELY STARTS FUNDRAISING OFF HOUSE GOP'S PUSH TO CENSURE HIM

"As ranking minority member and Chairman of the Intelligence Committee, Representative Schiff behaved dishonestly and dishonorably on many other occasions, including by publicly, falsely denying that his staff communicated with a whistleblower to launch the first impeachment of President Trump," the draft reads.

The resolution concludes by saying Schiff is censured for "misleading the American public and for conduct unbecoming" of member of the House. It says Schiff will "present himself in the well of the House" and will be censured by a public reading of the resolution, and says the House Committee on Ethics will investigate Schiff’s "falsehoods, misrepresentations, and abuses of sensitive information."

EXCLUSIVE: Boebert introduces new impeachment articles against Biden over border crisis

Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., introduced articles of impeachment against President Joe Biden on claims that he mishandled his "constitutional duty to secure our southern border."

"I introduced the articles of impeachment in the last Congress and had fully intended to introduce them this Congress, but I was also giving some other committees and leadership the opportunity to lead on this," Boebert told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview Tuesday.

While the congresswoman is giving others the opportunity to act, Boebert warned that if leadership does not "actually do something about the president's failure to secure our southern border and keep the country safe" then she will introduce the impeachment legislation under a privileged motion.

"It's about Joe Biden's failure to secure the southern border," Boebert told Fox News Digital. "And I did this so at any time, if the committees and or leadership does not step up and actually do something about the president's failure to secure our southern border and keep the country safe, then I will call my legislation my articles of impeachment for a privileged motion."

GOP REP. OGLES INTRODUCES IMPEACHMENT ARTICLES AGAINST BIDEN, HARRIS

Boebert explained what her impeachment process would look like if she decides to call her impeachment legislation.

"Under Rule IX in the House, we can bring up certain pieces of legislation under a privileged motion. So I would go to the House floor and call up my articles of impeachment and read it in its entirety. And at that point, leadership has a maximum of two days to respond and see if it's going to be sent to committee or a vote on the articles themselves," Boebert told Fox.

IT'S TIME TO BRING IMPEACHMENT CHARGES AGAINST JOE BIDEN

Boebert also cosponsored her Tennessee GOP colleague Rep. Andy Ogles' articles of impeachment against the president and Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday.

"I support any article of impeachment that is filed that qualifies Joe Biden for impeachment under our Constitution," Boebert said Tuesday. "So I'm happy to be a co-sponsor of Andy Ogles articles of impeachment."

The congresswoman urged Republicans to use their majority to take immediate action against the Biden administration.

"Given the severity of the violation of Joe Biden's constitutional oath to faithfully execute the office of the president, United States to the best of his ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, this is something that we must do with our majorities in the House of Representatives," Boebert stressed. "This is our duty because Joe Biden has neglected the constitutional duty of the office of president of the United States."

Mayorkas impeachment gains steam among Republicans in purple districts as border chaos continues

The idea of impeaching Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is gaining more steam among Republicans in purple districts as the chaos at the southern border continues to unfold.

Several House GOP lawmakers in swing districts threw their support behind impeaching Mayorkas over the exacerbated border crisis that saw Title 42 expire last week.

California Republican Rep. Mike Garcia told Punchbowl News that he supports impeaching Mayorkas, arguing that the DHS secretary is "going out of his way to allow this invasion on our southern border."

DHS SEC. MAYORKAS TAKES VICTORY LAP AS BORDER SURGE CONTINUES

"When the Joker is acting like the Joker, it’s one thing," Garcia said on Friday. "But when Batman — who’s supposed to be protecting you — starts acting like the Joker, you’ve got to do something about it."

Garcia’s district went for President Biden in the 2020 election and is a target district for Democrats to flip blue.

Fellow California Rep. John Duarte — one of two Republicans who didn’t back the GOP border bill — said Mayorkas’ "failures are obvious" and is considering impeachment.

"At some point, if we believe there is a case there, I’ll probably stick with the party," Duarte said.

Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., also threw her support behind impeaching Mayorkas, telling Punchbowl News an impeachment of the DHS secretary would help vulnerable GOP members.

"Illegal immigration is an American problem. It doesn’t matter if you have an ‘R’ or a ‘D’ or an ‘I’ by your name," Mace said.

New York GOP Rep. Anthony D’Esposito — whose district also went for Biden in 2020 — criticized Mayorkas but didn’t outright back an impeachment effort.

"Secretary Mayorkas is not fulfilling his oath that he took to protect this homeland and protect this nation," D’Esposito said.

Texas GOP Rep. Pat Fallon, who took 67 percent of the vote in the 2022 midterm election, told Punchbow that he hasn't heard his Republican colleagues voicing concerns about bringing impeachment articles against Mayorkas.

"The middle understands the disaster at the border," said Fallon, who introduced impeachment articles against Mayorkas in January. "It’ll help purple districts because it’s more of a 70-30 issue, where only the hard left are the ones who want to keep things as they are."

Other Republicans are not on board with impeaching Mayorkas, with Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska telling Punchbowl News while the secretary "deserves criticism," he is not behind impeachment.

"But I don’t think Mayorkas is the problem. The president is," he continued.

Inherently an agonizing process for all involved, impeaching a president or cabinet secretary expends a lot of political capital and requires the right winds to fully set sail.

The growing crisis at the border has been brewing a maelstrom for Mayorkas, however, especially as migrants flow in after the end of Title 42. The statute allowed the U.S. to expel migrants at the southern border due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Swing district Republicans supporting a Mayorkas impeachment could signal that they see the benefits of such an effort as outweighing the costs.

This means we could have a ballgame very soon.

Green on Greene: Impeach Mayorkas push overshadowed by MTG calling him a liar in Congressional kerfuffle

They called them "green on green" attacks in Afghanistan. That’s when Afghan police fought with local military troops.

On Capitol Hill recently, it was "Green on Greene."

"Green" is Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn., chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee. "Greene" is Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., member of the House Homeland Security Committee.

And late last week, "Green" finally had enough of "Greene" during a hearing with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE LEADS NYC RALLY PROTESTING TRUMP INDICTMENT, AFTER RECEIVING WARNING FROM MAYOR ADAMS

You may not have heard much about Mayorkas’s testimony because of a parliamentary kerfuffle.

It started when it was Greene’s time to pose questions to Mayorkas, just seconds after Rep. Eric Swalwell, R-Calif., concluded his questions. Swalwell burned some of his time asking about GOP demands to slash funding for the FBI.

MAYORKAS SPEWS NOTHING BUT ‘POLITICAL RHETORIC,' IGNORING FACTS ABOUT BORDER: BRANDON JUDD

With a smile, Greene looked across the dais at Swalwell.

"That was quite entertaining for someone that had a sexual relationship with a Chinese spy. And everyone knows it," said Greene, flashing her teeth, voice dripping with sarcasm.

That’s long been a right-wing charge against Swalwell, but no one’s ever substantiated the claim.

Several years ago, Chinese intelligence operative Fang Fang targeted American politicians. Fang assisted in fundraising efforts for Swalwell in 2014. Swalwell’s office says he reported information about Fang to the FBI and cut off ties with her. The FBI put Fang under surveillance and presented Swalwell with a "defensive" briefing about Fang.

After Greene’s imputation, Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., immediately moved "take her words down."

The "taking down of words" on the House floor or in committee is the equivalent of a parliamentary indictment. A Member might flag the conduct or "words" of a fellow Member of not comporting with the rules of the House, engaging with appropriate decorum, bringing dishonor on the body or impugning the motives or character of a fellow lawmaker.

"Completely inappropriate!" shouted Goldman.

Mark Green halted the hearing immediately.

TOM HOMAN RIPS SEC. MAYORKAS FOR ‘CONSTANTLY LYING’: HE HAS ‘NO INTERGRITY’

The full House or committee then reviews the language in question. If they violated the rules, the offending Member is then given an opportunity to retract them and continue.

But Greene wasn’t having it.

Green asked Greene if she would retract her broadside directed Swalwell.

"No, I will not," replied Greene.

Despite the weight of such a shocking allegation — uttered by one lawmaker and directed toward another at a public hearing — the committee voted that Greene’s conduct was appropriate. That meant Greene could continue to speak. The panel would have silenced Greene for the remainder of the day had they deemed her philippic out of order. It’s kind of like a player getting ejected from a baseball game. They can’t play the rest of the day.

So, Greene remained on the field.

Note that House Democrats who in the majority two years ago voted to remove Greene from her committee assignments because of her conduct.

"I don’t think there’s any question about what the gentle lady has said (is improper)," lamented Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., the top Democrat on the panel. "We have never had an accusation made of any member like that and I’m appalled by it. We all ought to be embarrassed by it."

Since the committee didn’t sanction Greene, she appeared emboldened and tore into Mayorkas.

"How many more people do we have to watch die every single day in America?" Greene said to Mayorkas, slapping the dais multiple times with an open palm. "You are a liar!"

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Tex., found himself sitting in for Green, chairing the committee. That’s when Thompson raised issues to McCaul about Greene excoriating Mayorkas.

"You don’t have to call a witness a liar," said Thompson.

He also asked that the committee again "take down" Greene’s words

"We’ve gotten to the point that the language is not the kind of language that this committee would use," said Thompson.

McCaul again offered Greene the option of withdrawing her incendiary accusations.

MAYORKAS APOLOGIZES TO FAMILY MEMBERS GREIVING 7-YEAR-OLD AND GRANDMOTHER KILLED BY FLEEING HUMAN SMUGGLER

"I will not withdraw my remarks because the facts show the proof," said defiant Greene.

"Okay," said a resigned McCaul. By that point, Chairman Mark Green returned to oversee the hearing.

"The rules state that it’s pretty clear that you can’t impugn someone’s character," said the chairman. "Identifying someone or calling someone a liar is unacceptable in this committee. And I make the ruling that we strike those words."

With that, Green rapped the gavel. That censored Greene’s charges directed at Mayorkas and banished her from further questioning for the remainder of the hearing.

Goldman sought clarification from the chairman as to what just unfolded. But Greene interrupted.

"Personal inquiry?" requested Greene, her tone shallow compared to her verbal fusillade fired at Mayorkas earlier. "Point of personal inquiry?

"There is no such thing," responded Goldman — which is accurate when it comes to House regulations.

"In consulting the rules of the House, when we strike (words), it does terminate the time of the individual who was speaking," said Green. "So the gentle lady is no longer recognized."

Green then turned over the floor to Rep. Glenn Ivey, D-Md., to question Mayorkas.

DHS CONFIRMS BIDEN OFFICIAL'S WASHINGTON OFFICE SEARCHED BY FEDS, PUT ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE

However, Ivey and Goldman then sought clarification about Green’s decision to suspend Greene from speaking.

The chairman announced that, according to the rules of the House, a member may accuse someone of "lying." But you cannot call them "a liar." That’s because Clause 1 and Clause 4 of House Rule XVII prohibits attacking someone’s character and motive.

But Ivey wasn’t satisfied even though Green bounced the Georgia Republican from the hearing.

"I can’t imagine an allegation worse than the one she just made," argued Ivey.

"It does not fit the rules by the ruling of the chair," said Green. "We have the secretary until about 1:30 and we’re going to move on."

And therein lies the rub about Greene attacking Mayorkas — whether he deserves criticism or not.

MAYORKAS HELD CALLS WITH ACLU NEARLY TWO DOZEN TIMES IN FIVE-MONTH PERIOD IN 2021, DOCUMENTS SHOW

A cadre of House Republicans hope to impeach Mayorkas. Mark Green suggested that the hearing was part of a process to provide a "packet" to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, about Mayorkas’s record. It would then be up to Jordan to launch an impeachment inquiry into Mayorkas. It’s far from clear whether the Judiciary Committee has the votes to prepare articles of impeachment for Mayorkas. It’s even less clear that Republicans would ever try to impeach Mayorkas on the floor because of the narrow GOP majority. Republicans would likely lack the votes.

The chairman said he was going to speak to Greene about her conduct. Other Republicans signaled while they lost no love for Mayorkas, they didn’t appreciate Greene’s lack of civility.

There wasn’t a lot of news coverage about Mayorkas’s testimony or problems at the border. That’s because in the social media age, the loudest voices command the most attention. It’s often volume over substance.

Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green and Republicans on that panel wanted to explore Mayorkas’s record about the border last week. There was certainly some of that.

But Greene’s performance sidetracked that conversation.

Mark Green may have eventually silenced Marjorie Taylor Greene in the hearing. But she was far from silent. People may not have heard about Mayorkas. But they certainly heard about Greene.

Green vs Greene: Mayorkas testimony overshadowed by MTG Swalwell allegations

They called them "green on green" attacks in Afghanistan. That’s when Afghan police fought with local military troops.

On Capitol Hill recently, it was "Green on Greene."

"Green" is Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn., chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee. "Greene" is Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., member of the House Homeland Security Committee.

And late last week, "Green" finally had enough of "Greene" during a hearing with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE LEADS NYC RALLY PROTESTING TRUMP INDICTMENT, AFTER RECEIVING WARNING FROM MAYOR ADAMS

You may not have heard much about Mayorkas’s testimony because of a parliamentary kerfuffle.

It started when it was Greene’s time to pose questions to Mayorkas, just seconds after Rep. Eric Swalwell, R-Calif., concluded his questions. Swalwell burned some of his time asking about GOP demands to slash funding for the FBI.

MAYORKAS SPEWS NOTHING BUT ‘POLITICAL RHETORIC,' IGNORING FACTS ABOUT BORDER: BRANDON JUDD

With a smile, Greene looked across the dais at Swalwell.

"That was quite entertaining for someone that had a sexual relationship with a Chinese spy. And everyone knows it," said Greene, flashing her teeth, voice dripping with sarcasm.

That’s long been a right-wing charge against Swalwell, but no one’s ever substantiated the claim.

Several years ago, Chinese intelligence operative Fang Fang targeted American politicians. Fang assisted in fundraising efforts for Swalwell in 2014. Swalwell’s office says he reported information about Fang to the FBI and cut off ties with her. The FBI put Fang under surveillance and presented Swalwell with a "defensive" briefing about Fang.

After Greene’s imputation, Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., immediately moved "take her words down."

The "taking down of words" on the House floor or in committee is the equivalent of a parliamentary indictment. A Member might flag the conduct or "words" of a fellow Member of not comporting with the rules of the House, engaging with appropriate decorum, bringing dishonor on the body or impugning the motives or character of a fellow lawmaker.

"Completely inappropriate!" shouted Goldman.

Mark Green halted the hearing immediately.

TOM HOMAN RIPS SEC. MAYORKAS FOR ‘CONSTANTLY LYING’: HE HAS ‘NO INTERGRITY’

The full House or committee then reviews the language in question. If they violated the rules, the offending Member is then given an opportunity to retract them and continue.

But Greene wasn’t having it.

Green asked Greene if she would retract her broadside directed Swalwell.

"No, I will not," replied Greene.

Despite the weight of such a shocking allegation — uttered by one lawmaker and directed toward another at a public hearing — the committee voted that Greene’s conduct was appropriate. That meant Greene could continue to speak. The panel would have silenced Greene for the remainder of the day had they deemed her philippic out of order. It’s kind of like a player getting ejected from a baseball game. They can’t play the rest of the day.

So, Greene remained on the field.

Note that House Democrats who in the majority two years ago voted to remove Greene from her committee assignments because of her conduct.

"I don’t think there’s any question about what the gentle lady has said (is improper)," lamented Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., the top Democrat on the panel. "We have never had an accusation made of any member like that and I’m appalled by it. We all ought to be embarrassed by it."

Since the committee didn’t sanction Greene, she appeared emboldened and tore into Mayorkas.

"How many more people do we have to watch die every single day in America?" Greene said to Mayorkas, slapping the dais multiple times with an open palm. "You are a liar!"

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Tex., found himself sitting in for Green, chairing the committee. That’s when Thompson raised issues to McCaul about Greene excoriating Mayorkas.

"You don’t have to call a witness a liar," said Thompson.

He also asked that the committee again "take down" Greene’s words

"We’ve gotten to the point that the language is not the kind of language that this committee would use," said Thompson.

McCaul again offered Greene the option of withdrawing her incendiary accusations.

MAYORKAS APOLOGIZES TO FAMILY MEMBERS GREIVING 7-YEAR-OLD AND GRANDMOTHER KILLED BY FLEEING HUMAN SMUGGLER

"I will not withdraw my remarks because the facts show the proof," said defiant Greene.

"Okay," said a resigned McCaul. By that point, Chairman Mark Green returned to oversee the hearing.

"The rules state that it’s pretty clear that you can’t impugn someone’s character," said the chairman. "Identifying someone or calling someone a liar is unacceptable in this committee. And I make the ruling that we strike those words."

With that, Green rapped the gavel. That censored Greene’s charges directed at Mayorkas and banished her from further questioning for the remainder of the hearing.

Goldman sought clarification from the chairman as to what just unfolded. But Greene interrupted.

"Personal inquiry?" requested Greene, her tone shallow compared to her verbal fusillade fired at Mayorkas earlier. "Point of personal inquiry?

"There is no such thing," responded Goldman — which is accurate when it comes to House regulations.

"In consulting the rules of the House, when we strike (words), it does terminate the time of the individual who was speaking," said Green. "So the gentle lady is no longer recognized."

Green then turned over the floor to Rep. Glenn Ivey, D-Md., to question Mayorkas.

DHS CONFIRMS BIDEN OFFICIAL'S WASHINGTON OFFICE SEARCHED BY FEDS, PUT ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE

However, Ivey and Goldman then sought clarification about Green’s decision to suspend Greene from speaking.

The chairman announced that, according to the rules of the House, a member may accuse someone of "lying." But you cannot call them "a liar." That’s because Clause 1 and Clause 4 of House Rule XVII prohibits attacking someone’s character and motive.

But Ivey wasn’t satisfied even though Green bounced the Georgia Republican from the hearing.

"I can’t imagine an allegation worse than the one she just made," argued Ivey.

"It does not fit the rules by the ruling of the chair," said Green. "We have the secretary until about 1:30 and we’re going to move on."

And therein lies the rub about Greene attacking Mayorkas — whether he deserves criticism or not.

MAYORKAS HELD CALLS WITH ACLU NEARLY TWO DOZEN TIMES IN FIVE-MONTH PERIOD IN 2021, DOCUMENTS SHOW

A cadre of House Republicans hope to impeach Mayorkas. Mark Green suggested that the hearing was part of a process to provide a "packet" to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, about Mayorkas’s record. It would then be up to Jordan to launch an impeachment inquiry into Mayorkas. It’s far from clear whether the Judiciary Committee has the votes to prepare articles of impeachment for Mayorkas. It’s even less clear that Republicans would ever try to impeach Mayorkas on the floor because of the narrow GOP majority. Republicans would likely lack the votes.

The chairman said he was going to speak to Greene about her conduct. Other Republicans signaled while they lost no love for Mayorkas, they didn’t appreciate Greene’s lack of civility.

There wasn’t a lot of news coverage about Mayorkas’s testimony or problems at the border. That’s because in the social media age, the loudest voices command the most attention. It’s often volume over substance.

Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green and Republicans on that panel wanted to explore Mayorkas’s record about the border last week. There was certainly some of that.

But Greene’s performance sidetracked that conversation.

Mark Green may have eventually silenced Marjorie Taylor Greene in the hearing. But she was far from silent. People may not have heard about Mayorkas. But they certainly heard about Greene.

House lawmakers reimbursed for rent, food, other expenses as new policy takes effect

New guidelines for Congress were finalized this week that will reimburse lawmakers for substantial portions of their rent, food and other expenses they incur while in Washington, DC – effectively giving members a pay hike.

It’s an issue that members have complained about for years – many have said their $174,000 salary, while well above the U.S. median, isn’t enough to afford housing in DC and in their home district. It’s forced many to share apartments together and even sleep in their offices.

Fox News Digital obtained a memo sent to House members on Friday morning detailing the rollout of the reimbursement policy, which seeks to clarify a change that had been agreed upon during the last Congress, before Republicans took control of the House.

Under the guidelines, lawmakers will be able to apply for cost reimbursements dated back to January 3, the beginning of the 118th session.

CONGRESS GETS PAY HIKE, COST-OF-LIVING BOOST UNDER BILLS FROM RETIRING DEMOCRAT

Members will be able to get cash back for rent, hotel fees, food and travel for days that qualify as "official business" – when Congress is in session or days designated for lawmakers’ relevant committee work. Days when members are traveling in and out of Washington are covered up to 75%.

Participation in the reimbursement plan is optional, but members who use it will see those disclosures become public record.

Meals and incidentals are capped at a daily maximum total of $79, which is in line with current regulations for federal employees by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA).

The GSA’s current rates also extend to how much of lawmakers’ lodging can be covered. The daily figure fluctuates. It was $188 per day in January and will be $258 per day in June, according to the document obtained by Fox News Digital. But members can be reimbursed for the daily amount only on days of "official business." For example, lawmakers would be able to get $1,880 back for 10 in-session days in January.

Factors used by the GSA to calculate the fluctuating rate include seasonality and property-selection criteria to align lodging rates with mid-range hotels, among other variables.

FREEDOM CAUCUS EYES FEDERAL WORKER PAY CUTS, SLASHING PROGRAMS THROUGH HOUSE RULE CHANGE

Rent on apartments, utility costs, as well as condo and HOA fees are all eligible uses for reimbursement. However, lawmakers who own property in the Washington, DC, area will not be able to get their mortgage payments paid back, the policy indicates. Members whose homes are within 50 miles of the Capitol will also be ineligible.

The update does not authorize any new spending but will rather use House lawmakers’ own Member's Representational Allowance for the costs.

GEN Z CONGRESSMAN-ELECT LAMENTS BEING DENIED DC APARTMENT DUE TO 'REALLY BAD CREDIT'

It comes after years of steady grumbling on Capitol Hill over the barriers for entry created by lawmakers having to foot their own food and housing bills while in Washington, DC.

The conversation has come back to the forefront in recent months as rent costs in the nation’s capital and its surrounding areas have skyrocketed. Lawmakers from lower- and middle-class backgrounds have complained that it’s difficult to get by as a member of Congress, having to have somewhere to stay in DC while maintaining a residence in their districts, without being independently wealthy.

Just after Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., was elected in 2018, she told the New York Times about her struggles trying to find housing in DC. She noted that she could not be on the payroll somewhere else in the time between her election in November and her January swearing-in.

"I have three months without a salary before I’m a member of Congress. So, how do I get an apartment? Those little things are very real," she said.

Late last year, freshman Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., revealed on Twitter that his application for a DC apartment had been denied due to bad credit, despite his hefty expected salary.

"This ain’t meant for people who don’t already have money," Frost wrote on the platform at the time.

"Been there," Ocasio-Cortez replied. "This is one of many ways Congress structures itself to exclude and push out the few working class people who *do* get elected. These systems are built for people who can lean on wealth. It’s shocking how detached from reality a lot of the details are - but I got you!"

Michigan Republican announces bid to flip 1 of dozens of NRCC’s Democratic target seats in 2024

EXCLUSIVE – Michael Markey announced his campaign to become the Republican nominee for Michigan's 3rd Congressional District.

The announcement makes him the immediate frontrunner to take on Rep. Hillary Scholten, who narrowly won the seat in 2022. 

The 3rd District is seen as a key pickup for Republicans to maintain their majority in the House of Representatives. 

"It is with great humility and excitement that I announce my campaign for Michigan’s 3rd Congressional District," Markey said in a statement exclusively obtained by Fox News Digital. "As a businessman, husband and father, I am concerned about the path our country is taking. We need a disruptor who will stand up to the Washington status quo that has gotten us into this mess. It is time for bold ideas to address inflation, usher in an era of energy independence, and disrupt the traditional ways of doing things in Washington."

HOUSE GOP CAMPAIGN CHAIR SAYS DOZENS OF DEMOCRATIC SEATS ARE IN PLAY FOR 2024

"I am humbled by the support my campaign is already receiving, and I look forward to campaigning against Congresswoman Scholten and her radical agenda that threatens our Michigan way of life," the Grand Haven businessman added. 

According to his campaign, Markey is a lifelong Michigander and entrepreneur. He started his first business – a claw machine at a local restaurant – when he was just 14 years old. 

On the heels of the 2009 financial crisis, he launched a successful investment firm, his campaign says. Markey's "days as an entrepreneur taught him how to disrupt the status quo with a result-driven mentality. Michael and his wife Vanessa have three children, who Mike says challenge and delight them daily." 

Markey previously ran among a crowded pool of GOP candidates gunning to oust Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Last summer, however, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled he and four other GOP candidates should not be included on the 2022 ballot after failing to turn in enough valid signatures to qualify for the August primary. 

Conservative Tudor Dixon won the GOP nomination but ultimately failed to defeat Whitmer in the general election. 

GOV. WHITMER BLASTED FOR ‘GASLIGHTING' RESIDENTS ON COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS, ADMITTING SOME DIDN’T MAKE SENSE 

In March of this year, the National Republican Congressional Committee announced that it will target 37 Democratic seats in 2024 in a bid to expand the House majority. Michigan's 3rd District was included on that list, and Markey is the first to tap in on that GOP offensive line. 

Scholten, a former social worker and immigration attorney, defeated Trump-backed political newcomer John Gibbs in November, making her the first woman to represent Grand Rapids in the U.S. House and the first Democrat from the area since 1977, according to the Michigan Advance. Gibbs made waves for his comments attacking women's suffrage after winning the GOP primary against former Rep. Peter Meijer, who supported former President Donald Trump's impeachment following the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. 

In a profile published in the Michigan Advance Sunday, Scholten spoke of a "strong sisterhood in Congress" amid the growing number of women representatives. 

Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., the chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, described Scholten as a "real standout in this freshman class" who is leading the charge on key issues such as gun reform and combating child labor. For the Democratic Women’s Caucus, Frankel said the "abortion issue is at the top of the list" of priorities. 

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"She’s moved up pretty quickly in her short term," Frankel said of Scholten, who was named a ranking member to the Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure within the U.S. House Committee on Small Business and vice ranking member on the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on the Coast Guard. "She’s got an energy, and it’s like, ‘I’m a mom, and I’m here to fight for the families of this country.’"

In her first legislation introduced to Congress, Scholten and Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., co-sponsored a bill last week that would significantly increase civil monetary penalties for those who violate child labor laws. The bills come after a recent New York Times piece revealed how migrant children "work brutal jobs across the U.S."

Waltz, House Republicans drop resolution condemning Buttigieg and saying he ‘should resign’

FIRST ON FOX: Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., is leading a House Republican resolution condemning Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and calling on him to resign.

Waltz and several of his fellow lower chamber GOP lawmakers introduced the resolution on Tuesday demanding Buttigieg resign over his track record as a Cabinet secretary.

"Whether it’s waiting weeks to visit East Palestine, vacationing in Portuguese wine country during vital union negotiations, his extended absence during one of the largest shipping crises we’ve faced, or his failure to prevent massive aviation groundings, Secretary Buttigieg has shown an inability to carry out the duties of his office," Waltz told FOX News Digital.

INSPECTOR GENERAL INVESTIGATING PETE BUTTIGIEG’S EXTENSIVE PRIVATE JET TRAVEL AFTER FOX NEWS DIGITAL REPORT

"It’s time for him to resign," the Florida Republican added.

The resolution, obtained by Fox News Digital, blasts Buttigieg as having "failed to mitigate or effectively respond to multiple national crises" and that his "ineptitude has jeopardized the safety and prosperity of the American people."

The lawmakers highlighted several controversies in Buttigieg’s career as transportation secretary, such as the secretary being "absent during a historical supply chain crisis when United States ports faced a record backlog of ships stranded off of United States coasts," as well as the "more than 15,000 flights" canceled under his watch in "the worst and most costly single airline operational disruption in the history of United States aviation."

Waltz and the Republicans said Buttigieg "neglected his duties and left the country to vacation in Portuguese wine country amidst ongoing negotiations of an impending railroad labor strike, leaving Congress to act in order to prevent the impending rail workers strike."

The lawmakers also hit Buttigieg for the "preventable malfunction in the Notice to Air Mission’s System" on January 11, 2023, where "the Federal Aviation Administration was forced to impose the largest nationwide ground stop since the attacks of September 11, 2001" as well as his sluggish response to the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment and toxic chemical spill.

Additionally, the lawmakers slammed Buttigieg as having "repeatedly demonstrated a gross level of incompetence and apathy in his role as Secretary of Transportation" and "has lost the confidence of the American people," calling on him to "resign."

Joining Waltz on the resolution are several of his GOP colleagues, including Reps. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Ryan Zinke of Montana, Mike Collins of Georgia, and Greg Steube of Florida.

Buttigieg has been under GOP fire in the aftermath of the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment and toxic chemical spill.

Collins recently published an opinion piece with Fox News Digital calling on Buttigieg to resign.

The congressman told Fox News Digital that impeachment is not off the table, should Buttigieg not resign.

GOP Rep. Collins blasts Buttigieg for Ohio response, says impeachment not off the table

FIRST ON FOX: A Georgia congressman blasted Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg for his response to the Ohio train derailment and toxic chemical spill, saying impeachment is not off the table.

Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., a freshman Republican who ascended to Congress in the 2022 midterm elections, weighed in on the Transportation Department’s response to the toxic chemical spill in East Palestine, Ohio.

MY FAMILY HAS RUN OUR TRUCKING COMPANY FOR 30 YEARS. BUTTIGIEG IS A TRANSPORTATION DISASTER AND MUST RESIGN

Collins said, "They should have shown up immediately" and that "any time we have a problem, as far as small businesses are concerned, you get right to the scene and see exactly what's going on, so you can assess the problem" and "figure out what the solution is."

"Yeah, they sent people up there, but… this thing was a major catastrophe and something like that garners the head of the department showing up," Collins said.

"And, you know, he just was bent on not going," the congressman continued. "And there's reasons why he did that."

"That’s just another, in my opinion, another clear example of this agency and the fact that they have got their sights set on stuff other than trying to improve the infrastructure of this country," Collins said. "And that’s the woke culture that this guy is promoting."

Collins said that whether it’s a train derailment, "planes almost landing on top of each other," or "some person deleting a file that shuts down a whole industry, there's something else that is going on besides what you see," calling them "results of an administration that is pushing a woke culture."

The Georgia Republican also noted the CEO of the rail company at the center of the toxic chemical spill, Norfolk Southern, recently notified shareholders of the firm’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) push for "cultivating a safe, inclusive culture."

"They're more worried about appeasing an administration and gender pronouns than they are putting grease on wheel bearings," Collins said, adding air traffic controllers are leaving the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) "because of the culture."

Collins, whose family runs a three-decade-old trucking business, said Buttigieg was an "identity politics" pick for his position that only knows "how to push" the ideology. He also said the transportation secretary "knows nothing about the infrastructure and transportation problems in this country."

"If we identified the problem, that’s the problem," Collins said. "We’re more in tune with trying to fix culture problems and be woke than we are fixing transportation infrastructure problems."

"The solution is… you get rid of Pete Buttigieg and get somebody in there that knows what they’re doing and what they’re talking about," the Georgia Republican continued. "We spent over $1 trillion on the infrastructure bill and the rails aren’t safer, roads aren’t any better, and the airports and the runways aren’t any safer."

Collins said Americans are "already seeing" the dangers of woke culture taking root in government, noting that "congestion is crazy" and "not being addressed," and that a person "can’t get from point A to point B."

BUTTIGIEG MOCKED FOR APPEARING TO WEAR DRESS BOOTS WHILE ON THE GROUND IN EAST PALESTINE, OHIO

"We're barely addressing the potholes, the bridges that need to be replaced.… That's where we need to have our focus. They didn't even put in enough money in that infrastructure bill anyway to alleviate congestion, but you're going to see more of that due to the fact that they're more worried about who we call or what we call or making sure that we have the right diversity."

The Georgia Republican said he does not "think anything is off the table" when it comes to impeaching Buttigieg, should he not step down.

Collins also said that, if he were a person living in East Palestine, Ohio, he would think Buttigieg’s delay of travel to survey the rail disaster shows "he doesn’t even care" and that they are "not important enough."

"Pete Buttigieg needs to give you the real reason why he wasn’t there," Collins said. "But when something significant like that happens, a department head ought to be there. He ought to be right there, on the ground."

"In my private sector, we make our living out on the public roads," the congressman also said. "We don’t have an office building that we go to and we’re with the motoring public every day. And it’s important that we keep these roads safe."

"And in order to do that, you need competent people and a Department of Transportation head guiding that ship," Collins added. "And that's what you don't have."

Buttigieg traveled to East Palestine, Ohio, last week to view the derailment. Critics blasted Buttigieg for his choice of dress boots for surveying the toxic chemical spill.

A Transportation Department spokesperson pointed FOX News Digital to a tweet by Buttigieg when asked for comment.

"Beginning in the first hours when USDOT arrived on-site, and continuing for as long as it takes, our department is working alongside our administraiton partners to ensure that the residents in East Palestine are made whole and Norfolk Southern is held accountable," Buttigieg wrote.

Boebert introduces ELON Act to require DOJ report on money going to social media companies

FIRST ON FOX: Colorado GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert introduced legislation requiring the Department of Justice (DOJ) to report how much money it is spending with social media companies.

Boebert introduced the Exposing Lewd Outlays for Social Networking Companies, or ELON, Act Wednesday, Fox News Digital has learned.

The bill would require the U.S. comptroller general to submit a congressional report on all DOJ payments to Twitter, Meta, Google, Microsoft and Apple since January 1, 2015.

KAMALA HARRIS IS BIDEN’S ‘SHREWD INSURANCE POLICY’ AGAINST IMPEACHMENT, BOEBERT SAYS

"Big Tech is in bed with the FBI and other agencies to the point where Congress can’t tell where one ends and the other begins," Boebert told Fox News Digital.

"The millions of dollars sent to Twitter that we know of during an election year, when they were at the same time censoring the Hunter Biden laptop from hell, is incredibly concerning."

The Colorado Republican said her "bill, the ELON Act, requires a report from all agencies on federal dollars sent to big tech companies" and also places a one-year moratorium on additional funds."

"We must expose the incestuous relationship between Big Tech and the federal government," Boebert said. "My bill does exactly that."

Boebert’s ELON Act already has several GOP co-sponsors, including Reps. Matt Gaetz and Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, Troy Nehls of Texas, Paul Gosar of Arizona, Mary Miller of Indiana and Eric Burlison of Missouri.

The bill comes amid GOP accusations against social media companies targeting conservatives.

Twitter’s censorship of the New York Post's 2020 Hunter Biden laptop story is frequently mentioned among congressional Republicans as proof of social media companies’ bias against conservatives.

The House Oversight Committee held a hearing Wednesday probing former Twitter executives about the censorship of that story.