Free Republic

Rep. Joseph Morelle (D-N.Y.) announced on Sunday that he has tested positive for COVID-19, becoming the latest breakthrough case to be reported in the U.S. House of Representatives. Morelle said he tested positive for the virus after experiencing mild symptoms, adding that his symptoms remain mild because he is fully vaccinated. “After experiencing mild symptoms, I have tested positive for COVID-19. I have followed all guidance from the Center for Disease Control & my physician and will remain isolated until it is safe to resume official duties. Thankfully, I'm fully vaccinated so my symptoms remain mild,” Morelle wrote in a...

November 30th marked the first anniversary of the signing of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) by President Trump, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto  and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The purpose of the agreement is to rebalance and modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement into a 21st century, high-standard trade deal. The new USMCA will benefit American workers, farmers, ranchers, and businesses and support mutually beneficial trade leading to freer markets, fairer trade, and robust economic growth throughout North America.   From the moment it was signed, its ratification by Congress has been a priority of President Trump, his...

New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, one of the most powerful Democrats in Empire State politics over the past two decades, will leave his post next week as he fights federal corruption charges. The 70-year-old was taken into custody last Thursday on federal charges he took nearly $4 million in payoffs and kickbacks, but he insists he is innocent. Silver faces five counts, including conspiracy and bribery, and is accused of using his position to obtain millions of dollars in kickbacks masked as legitimate income from two law firms. Members of the Assembly said Silver's criminal charges had become a...

ALBANY — Embattled Speaker Sheldon Silver will be gone by Monday — and Assembly Democrats are strongly united that Gov. Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio should keep out of picking his successor. “On Monday, there will be a vacancy in the office of speaker,” Majority Leader Joseph Morelle (D-Rochester) said Tuesday. He said he didn’t know if Silver would resign or the chamber would have to take a vote to oust him. Morelle will temporarily run the chamber until a permanent speaker has been chosen. A vote has been scheduled for Feb. 10. Assemblyman Joseph Lentol told the Daily News...