Surprise! Congress Passes RFK Stadium Bill🏉 Trump Attacks Press, Press Does Nothing; Norfolk State to Announce Vick on Monday; Clanton Wins Recount
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Hail Mary: Congress Passes RFK Stadium Bill in Spite of Rolling MAGA Fiasco
HOLIDAY SURPRISE! Late last evening Congress passed legislation giving the District of Columbia control over RFK Stadium. After a bipartisan agreement to transfer control was agreed on, the language was stricken after Elon Musk placed an inaccurate message on X saying that federal money was part of the deal. It isn’t. The language was added back in.
HAIL MARY: The stunning turn of events happened after the U.S. Senate passed the measure by unanimous consent. The bipartisan agreement gives control of the 170-acre site of old RFK Stadium to officials in Washington DC. The site was the home of the former Washington Redskins for over 99 years. Though the team changed names to The Commanders two years ago there is low-level talk of a possibility of it changing again. The stadium deal will officially be law after President Biden signs what Congress passed, likely sometime today. The moment is the second successful Hail Mary for the Commanders this year.
Norfolk State to Announce Michael Vick on Monday
Officials at Norfolk State University will formally announce Michael Vick as the next head football coach of the Spartans at an event at 10 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 23. The announcement will be live-streamed through many of Norfolk State University’s social media platforms.
Trump Goes After Press, Press Says Nothing
By Sophia Nelson: President-elect Donald Trump and his Republican allies in the House of Representatives have wasted little time since his reelection last month making it clear to everyone who’s paying attention that they will be going after their political enemies and detractors come Jan. 20.
To that end, Trump won an unusual legal victory last week when ABC News, a Disney-owned company, settled out of court with him for $15 million, $1 million in legal fees and an apology from anchor George Stephanopoulos for his 2023 on-air use of the term “rape” when discussing civil judgments against Trump in the E. Jean Carroll case. Trump was found liable for $88 million in damages for defamation and sexual assault. READ ENTIRE
Reps. Scott and McClellan React to Passage of Funding Bill Voted on Hours Before Government Shutdown Deadline
Shutdown averted by a 366-to-34 vote. After a predictable pre-holiday fiasco spurred by rambling from a non-elected associate of President-Elect Trump, the GOP controlled U.S. House finally passed legislation to keep the government running. The next showdown will be in March 2025 when the funding runs out again.
Congressman Bobby Scott: “The bill we voted on today contains investments in community health centers and shipbuilding, including a pay raise for shipyard workers building nuclear submarines. The bill also includes critically needed disaster relief for Virginia and other states that were devasted by hurricanes this past year, and support for farmers.”
But Rep. Scott notes what was taken out: “It is regrettable that Speaker Johnson and extreme MAGA Republicans suddenly rejected our original agreement that included many bipartisan and uncontroversial measures. This included investments in research to combat childhood cancer as well as reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and the Older Americans Act. Our original bipartisan agreement would have strengthened workforce development to benefit workers, employers, and the economy, and it would have helped millions of older Americans live independently and with dignity.”
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Congressman Jennifer McClellan: “The 118th Congress began with gridlock and chaos as House Republicans took a week to elect Speaker Kevin McCarthy. It nearly ended the same way when, for the fifth time, House Republicans took us to the brink of a government shutdown under Speaker Mike Johnson. The entire time, House Democrats have stood ready to put the American people over politics.”
“After Elon Musk’s X temper tantrum calling for a government shutdown and Donald Trump’s eleventh-hour demand to extend the debt ceiling derailed a bipartisan funding bill, Speaker Johnson reneged on that deal. He then tried to ram a bill through that would pave the way for the incoming Administration to enact huge tax breaks for billionaires and large corporations at the expense of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. House Democrats firmly opposed this unilateral bill and defeated their efforts.
“House Democrats stood united in our commitment to fulfill our most basic duty to fund the government, keeping it open and functioning for the American people. We beat back Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s last minute demands and forced House Republicans to strip out their blank check for the incoming Administration. We stood united to pass a funding bill that includes disaster relief funding for America’s farmers, Department of Defense facilities, and survivors of natural disasters; support for public health programs and Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospitals that serve vulnerable communities; billions in federal funding to support the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds; robust investments to modernize child care facilities and increase access to child care for working families; a one-year extension of the Farm Bill, including crucial housing investments, community development, and economic assistance for America’s farmers; and more.
“Despite Republicans’ inaction and clear inability to govern, House Democrats upheld our commitment to our constituents and forced Republicans to advance a bipartisan Continuing Resolution that meets the needs of the American people. I voted yes to protect Virginia families, nearly 140,000 active-duty service members, and the 170,000 federal employees who call our Commonwealth home.”
Norfolk: Carlos Clanton’s 92 Vote Victory Confirmed
Carlos Clanton Wins Again After Recount: A three-judge panel has officially certified Carlos Clanton as the Councilman-Elect for Superward 7 following a thorough recount process. Initially separated by a narrow 92-vote margin on Election Night, the recount concluded with a final margin of 91 votes, affirming Carlos Clanton’s victory. The final certified vote totals are Carlos Clanton with 8,387 votes and Phillip Hawkins Jr. with 8,296 votes. Clanton gained three additional votes during the recount, while his opponent, Phillip Hawkins Jr., gained four votes.
“I am deeply humbled and honored to have earned the trust and support of the residents of Superward 7,” said Clanton. “This campaign has always been about building a stronger, more vibrant Norfolk for everyone, and I am ready to get to work for our community.”
Clanton will officially assume office on January 1, 2025, as the newest member of the Norfolk City Council. He campaigned on a platform focused on enhancing public safety, improving educational opportunities, increasing access to affordable housing, and fostering economic growth.
“I want to thank my supporters, volunteers, and every voter who participated in this election,” Clanton continued. “I also thank Mr. Hawkins for his spirited campaign and commitment to our city. As we move forward, I am dedicated to working collaboratively with all members of our community to achieve our shared goals.”
The recount process was conducted under the supervision of the Norfolk Circuit Court, ensuring transparency and accuracy in the final results. This process underscores the importance of every vote and reflects the strength of Norfolk’s democratic system.
Reading List
1- Framed: Astonishing True Stories of Wrongful Convictions by John Grisham and Jim McCloskey (Oct. 2024)
2- Positive, Successful, Stylish Black People Coloring Book (2024)
3- When Mayor Doug Wilder Ruled Richmond: Strong-Arm Politics in Virginia's Capital City by Linwoood Norman (Aug. 2024)
4- Rumor, Repression, and Racial Politics: How the Harassment of Black Elected Officials Shaped Post-Civil Rights America (Since 1970: Histories of Contemporary America) by George Derek Musgrove
5- Son of Virginia, A Life in America's Political Arena (2015) by L. Douglas Wilder
6- The New Jim Crow (2010) by Michelle Alexander
7- Remaking Virginia Politics by Paul Goldman (Jan. 2022)
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