News
Congressman French Hill featured on “Face the Nation” on April 7, 2024
Rep. French Hill, a Republican from Arkansas, recently appeared on “Face the Nation” on April 7, 2024. During his interview with Margaret Brennan, he discussed various critical issues facing the country, including infrastructure funding, surveillance authorization, and aid for Ukraine and other nations.
One of the topics of discussion was the collapse of the Interstate 40 bridge over the Mississippi River in Memphis. Rep. Hill expressed his support for states working with the federal government to restore the bridge and emphasized the need for a collaborative effort involving insurance, private settlement, and federal-state infrastructure programs to expedite the reconstruction process.
Regarding the potential expiration of the surveillance tool, 702, on April 19, Rep. Hill expressed confidence in Congress authorizing its renewal. He highlighted the essential role of 702 surveillance in national security and emphasized the need for reforms in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to ensure transparency and accountability.
When asked about the timeline for moving aid to Ukraine, Rep. Hill reiterated his support for providing supplemental appropriations for Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel. He expressed confidence in Speaker Johnson’s commitment to prioritizing aid for these nations after addressing the FISA extension deadline.
Rep. Hill also discussed the REPO Act, which aims to seize Russian sovereign assets to support the reconstruction of Ukraine. He highlighted the bipartisan support for this provision and emphasized the importance of holding Putin accountable for his illegal invasion of Ukraine.
In response to questions about potential Republican backlash, Rep. Hill rejected the notion that supporting aid for Ukraine and reauthorizing 702 surveillance would lead to Speaker Johnson’s ousting. He underscored the bipartisan consensus on defeating Putin and supporting Ukraine, emphasizing the need to draw the line on authoritarian dictators.
Overall, Rep. French Hill’s insightful and balanced remarks on “Face the Nation” underscored the importance of bipartisan cooperation and decisive action on critical issues such as infrastructure funding, surveillance authorization, and international aid. His pragmatic approach and commitment to national security reflect his dedication to serving the interests of the American people.
News
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Protesters reach an agreement to dismantle encampment
Protesters at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee have agreed to end their pro-Palestinian encampment following an agreement reached with the school, university officials announced on Sunday. The encampment, which had been in place for two weeks, will be dismantled by Tuesday, marking the end of what was believed to be the last standing encampment at a Wisconsin college.
University officials had allowed the encampment to remain on a patch of lawn between Mitchell Hall and a busy thoroughfare on the campus’s southern boundary, opting not to involve law enforcement. This approach differed from the response at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where police were called in to remove tents after negotiations fell through. Despite initial efforts to disband the encampment, Wisconsin-Madison eventually reached an agreement with protesters to voluntarily dismantle the camp prior to commencement ceremonies.
Chancellor Mark Mone of Wisconsin-Milwaukee stated last Wednesday that the university had exhibited “the widest possible amount of patience and restraint.” However, he also cautioned that patience was wearing thin and hinted at potential action by the school. Following discussions with the UWM Popular University for Palestine Coalition, the university agreed to advocate for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, condemn the destruction of schools and universities in Gaza by Israeli forces, and hold meetings with protest leaders regarding university investments.
Additionally, the university pledged to urge the Water Council, a Milwaukee organization of water technology companies, to sever connections with two Israeli government-owned entities, Mekorot and the Israel Innovation Authority. Chancellor Mone serves as the treasurer on the Water Council’s board of directors.
In return for these commitments, the protesters agreed to dismantle the encampment beginning on Sunday and completing the process by Tuesday. They also agreed not to disrupt the university’s commencement ceremonies scheduled for Sunday. In a statement, the protesters expressed their satisfaction with the agreement, stating, “After hard fought edits and careful consideration by the coalition, we determined we had obtained all possible benefits from the encampment.”
The resolution of the encampment at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee represents a successful outcome of negotiations between university officials and protesters. By reaching a compromise that addresses the concerns of both parties, a peaceful resolution has been achieved, allowing for the encampment to be taken down without incident.