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Democrats erupt in laughter after Greene calls for decorum in House

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2 years ago

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Democrats erupted in laughter on the House floor Wednesday when Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) — who was presiding over the chamber — called for decorum.

The heckling came as House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) was delivering floor remarks about the debt ceiling, which has been the subject of high-stakes negotiations between GOP lawmakers and the White House.

As Scalise was urging the Senate and White House to take action on raising the borrowing limit — referencing the bill House Republicans passed last month — a lawmaker yelled out in the chamber.

“We are in fact the only body in this town who has actually taken steps to address the debt ceiling and the spending problem in Washington. I would encourage the Senate to take up the bill, I would encourage the president to get engaged and address this problem, but we already have, the votes are on the board —” Scalise said before pausing to react to the yelling.

It is unclear which lawmaker shouted and what they said.

“Order,” Greene said from the dais, pounding her gavel.

“I ask that the House be in order and there be some decorum on the other side,” Scalise said.

After a roughly 15-second pause, Greene called for decorum in the chamber.

“The members are reminded to abide by decorum of the House,” she said.

Democrats in the chamber then erupted in laughter. Some members — including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Cori Bush (D-Mo.) — stood from their seats and started shouting.

As the laughter continued, Greene slammed her gavel a number of times.

The Hill reached out to Greene for comment.

The Democrats’ reaction was a reflection of the controversy swirling around Greene’s own bombastic behavior since arriving on Capitol Hill, which at times has played out on the House floor. During President Biden’s State of the Union address in February, the Georgia Republican yelled “liar” as the president delivered remarks on Social Security and Medicare.

And last month, Greene was silenced during a Homeland Security Committee hearing after she accused Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas of being a liar.

Following the laughter, Greene said “the House will be in order” and recognized Scalise to continue talking on the floor.

“While some in this town might be interested in theatrics, House Republicans took action,” Scalise said, prompting groans in the chamber. “We passed a bill to address the problem, it’s time for my friends on the other side to start doing their job, call the Senate back in to take up the bill.”

“If they don’t like it they can amend it, that is part of the legislative process. Let’s get our jobs done; we’ve done ours, they need to do theirs,” he added.

Scalise took to the House floor Wednesday to inform lawmakers that they can leave Washington for Memorial Day weekend but should be prepared to return to the Capitol with 24-hours notice to vote on a debt limit ceiling as negotiations over raising the borrowing limit drag on.

For more than a week, Republican lawmakers and White House negotiators have been engaging in talks to come to an agreement. Pressure, however, has mounted in recent days as the calendar inches closer to June 1 — the day that Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has warned the U.S. could default by.

After announcing the scheduling plans, House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) spoke on the House floor to criticize the GOP bill and celebrate that all members of the Democratic caucus signed on to a discharge petition, which liberal lawmakers are hoping can be used to force a vote on legislation to increase the borrowing limit.

Democrats erupted in applause.

While all 213 Democrats have signed onto the petition, the caucus needs five Republicans to join their effort to reach the threshold of a majority of the chamber, which is needed to force a vote through the discharge petition. That, however, is an unlikely scenario as Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has called on GOP lawmakers to stand behind him in negotiations.

Clark, however, called on Republicans to join the Democratic effort.

“It only takes five patriots to join us in the fight for the American people. Join us, sign the petition, stay here and fight for American families, fight for their American security,” she added.

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Judge rules pro-Palestinian student and permanent US resident cannot be detained

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4 weeks ago

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March 27, 2025

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A Korean American Columbia University student, who is a legal permanent U.S. resident and has participated in pro-Palestinian protests, cannot be detained by federal immigration officials for now as she fights the administration of President Donald Trump over attempts to deport her, a judge ruled on Tuesday.

Yunseo Chung, 21, has lived in the U.S. since she was seven, and sued the Trump administration on Monday to prevent her deportation. Her legal team was informed this month that her lawful permanent resident status was being revoked, according to court records in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Trump has pledged to deport foreign pro-Palestinian protesters and accused them of supporting Hamas militants, of posing hurdles for U.S. foreign policy and of being antisemitic.

Protesters, including some Jewish groups, say the administration wrongly conflates their criticism of Israel and support for Palestinian rights with antisemitism and support for Hamas. Human rights advocates condemn the government’s moves.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security alleged Chung engaged in concerning conduct, including when she was previously arrested by police during a protest at Barnard College that DHS termed “pro-Hamas.”

Chung has not yet been arrested by federal officials. Immigration agents made multiple visits to her residences looking for her.

U.S. District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald on Tuesday issued a temporary restraining order against the government that prevents Chung from being detained, court records showed.

Actions against Chung form part of a pattern of government efforts against pro-Palestinian voices critical of Israel’s military assault on Gaza, her lawsuit said.

Columbia protester Mahmoud Khalil, who was arrested this month and is legally challenging his detention, is also a lawful permanent resident. Trump, without evidence, accused Khalil of supporting Hamas, which Khalil denies.

Badar Khan Suri, an Indian studying at Georgetown University, was detained last week. A federal judge barred Suri’s deportation.

U.S. officials have asked Cornell University student Momodou Taal to turn himself in, his attorneys say, adding his visa was being revoked.

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U-VOL Foundation Celebrates 10th Anniversary Gala to Advance Global Health Equity

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4 weeks ago

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March 27, 2025

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The U-VOL Foundation, an international nonprofit dedicated to bridging healthcare gaps in underserved communities, will celebrate its 10th Anniversary Fundraising Gala on Saturday, April 12th, at The Bowery House & Gardens in Katy. This milestone event, themed “Healing Through Unity,” will bring together healthcare professionals, business leaders, philanthropists, and advocates to support life-changing initiatives in maternal health, clean water access, and global health workforce development.

Hosted by Houston journalist and media personality MC Laura O, the event will feature a keynote address from Dr. Sarah E. Gray, Chief Nursing Officer of The Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing — the second-largest nursing organization in the world, with approximately 135,000 active members across more than 100 countries. Guests will also enjoy an engaging evening with:

Performance by special guest Makeda Tene, a Grammy-nominated artist, actress, and author

A gourmet dinner, live entertainment, a vendor fair showcasing women founders and leaders of color, and a live auction featuring exclusive items—including a one-of-a-kind live painting created during the event

The presentation of the prestigious DAISY Award for Advancing Health Equity, honoring nurses making a global impact

   “This gala is not just a celebration of our past 10 years—it’s a call to action for the future,” said Dr. Faith Adole, Founder and President of U-VOL Foundation. “Healing Through Unity is about bringing people together to create real change. Every dollar raised will directly support our mission to provide healthcare access, maternal health resources, and clean water solutions to communities that need it most.”

The U-VOL Foundation 10th Anniversary Gala is expected to draw leaders in healthcare, philanthropy, business, and advocacy who share a passion for global health equity, and the organization invites all Houstonians to be a part of the experience. Tickets are available now at www.u-volfoundation.org/gala25. Sponsorship opportunities are also open for organizations looking to support this impactful cause.

To keep up with the latest updates on U-Vol Foundations’ 10th Anniversary Gala and the organization’s upcoming project, please visit the official website and follow the organization’s official social media page on Instagram (@UVolFoundationdation).

Founded by Dr. Faith Adole, U-VOL Foundation is a U.S.-based international nonprofit dedicated to bridging healthcare gaps in underserved communities worldwide. Through medical outreach, health education, clean water initiatives, and women’s empowerment, U-VOL is committed to sustainable, community-driven solutions that promote health equity and empower the next generation of global health leaders. For more information, visit www.u-volfoundation.org.

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Transformational Leadership Colloquium Returns to Greater Houston Area March 29th

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4 weeks ago

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March 27, 2025

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In the world of global leadership, transformation is the bedrock of progress, impact, results, and legacy. There’s absolutely no amplification for success without including transformational leadership in the complete equation. Are you ready for your ultimate transformation in order to become a more effective leader?

After a stellar debut in Houston last year, Legacy Consults (a global consulting agency with a focus on providing “neuroscience-based solutions to boost team performance and drive organizational success”) will present the second edition of the Transformational Leadership Colloquium on Saturday, March 29th from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM at RCCG King’s Palace (5371 E. 5th Street) in Katy. The theme for this year’s conference is “Architects of the Future: Execution-Driven Leadership”.

Furthermore, the colloquium aligns with the organization’s ongoing focus on “fostering a borderless community of transformational leaders who don’t just adapt to change, but actively create it.” This year’s colloquium will feature award-winning neurologist, researcher and the colloquium convener,  Dr. Niyi Borire, alongside confirmed co-hosts Debola Deji-Kurumni (founder and CEO of Immerse Coaching) and purpose coach, minister and author Dr. Samuel Ekundayo.

Additionally confirmed panelists and workshop facilitators for this year’s colloquium include Dr. Harry Akinola, Bralade Koroye-Emenanjo, Pastor Tunde Badru, and Dana Dawsey. Following the main delegation of the colloquium, an exclusive VIP session will take place at 4:00 PM  for individuals seeking deeper, high-level engagement. The private session will grant direct access to some of the most influential minds in leadership.

Attendees can expect to gain valuable knowledge and guidance to advance their leadership skills through all of the curated presentations, networking activities, and crafted professional workshops. Furthermore, according to the event organizers, the Transformational Leadership Colloquium will help all attendees gain:

  • Cutting-edge leadership strategies to navigate complexity and change
  • Master-level mentorship skills to develop and empower the next generation
  • Vision execution frameworks to turn ideas into lasting institutional change
  • Powerful global networks for collaboration, growth, and long-term impact
  • Self-awareness and resilience to lead with clarity and confidence

Established in 2023, the Transformational Leadership Colloquium kicked off its inaugural run in Dallas, Texas, and has been featured in other notable cities, including Atlanta, Vancouver, and Regina, Canada. This year, the conference will also take place in Toronto, Canada, on April 5th. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early for parking, registration check-in, and seating assignments.

Tickets for this year’s colloquium are now available on the organization’s official website. To learn more about the Transformational Leadership Colloquium and Legacy Consults, please visit the official website online at www.TheTransformativeLeader.org and the official social media page on Instagram (@LegacyConsults).

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