News from June 2023


Senator Collins Questions National Guard Chief on Classified Information Leak by Massachusetts Airman

At a hearing to review the fiscal year 2024 budget request for the National Guard and Reserve, U.S. Senator Susan Collis, Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, questioned Chief of the National Guard Bureau General Daniel Hokanson on the recent accusation against a member of the Massachusetts’ Air National Guard for leaking classified documents in an online chat group.


As Competition with China Intensifies, Senator Murray Makes Clear: America Cannot Stay Ahead Unless Our Investments Keep Pace

Senator Murray: “China isn’t debating whether to invest in its future, or cut and cap the investments that keep it competitive, and China does not operate on CRs….If we want to stay competitive—if we want to stay ahead—we have to stay the course and build on our investments.”


Senator Murray Opening Remarks at Full Committee Hearing on Strengthening America's Security and Competitiveness and the Path Ahead for the US-China Relationship

On May 16, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, led a full committee hearing with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to examine President Biden’s budget request in the context of the U.S.-China relationship and discuss the investments needed in the upcoming fiscal year to strengthen America’s security and competitiveness and stay ahead of global competitors like China.


Murray and Collins Plan to Begin Bipartisan Senate Appropriations Markups in June

On May 17, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Chair and Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee respectively, announced their plans to hold markups of bipartisan funding bills in June.


ICYMI: Senate Appropriations Hearing Makes Clear: Undercutting American Investments Forfeits Future to China

ICYMI: As Competition with China Intensifies, Senator Murray Makes Clear: America Cannot Stay Ahead Unless Our Investments Keep Pace – MORE HERE


Senator Murray Speaks on Debt Limit Agreement on Senate Floor

Senator Murray: “The funding decisions we make right here in this chamber are not just numbers on a page.


Murray Statement on Senate Passage of Debt Ceiling Legislation

ICYMI: Senator Murray Delivers Senate Floor Speech on Debt Limit Agreement– MORE HERE


Shasta County Man Sentenced for Black Market Firearms Trafficking

News Release: SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Brian Scheckla, 65, of Burney, was sentenced today to two years in prison for unlawful dealing in firearms, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.


Wolf Point Man Accused in Armed Carjackings in Yellowstone, Cascade Counties Admits to Crimes

News Release: GREAT FALLS - A Wolf Point man who was arrested after leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase throughout Cascade County admitted today to trying to steal a vehicle from a man near Ulm and to brandishing a gun while carjacking a vehicle from a woman in Billings, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.


Washington Parish Man Sentenced for Federal Gun and Drug Charges

News Release: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JONATHAN LEWIS, age 39, a resident of Bogalusa, Louisiana, was sentenced on May 25, 2023, to serve three concurrent sentences of 60 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to two counts of distribution of cocaine (Title 21, ...



Weaponization Committee Uncovers New Information Suggesting the FTC Took Action Against Twitter After Reports of Elon Musk's Intent to Acquire the Company

News Release: WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) sent a letter to FTC Chair Lina Khan revealing new evidence that strongly suggests that the FTC's actions against Elon Musk and Twitter are politically motivated.


Rochester Felon Pleads Guilty to Drug and Gun Charges

News Release: ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced that Jesus Santiago, 32, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute marijuana and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, before U.S. District Judge David G. Larimer. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.


Twenty-Time Convicted Felon Faces Life in Prison for Federal Firearm Offense

News Release: Ocala, FL - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest of Craig Antwon O’Neal (53, Ocala) based on an indictment charging him being a felon in possession of a firearm. He faces a mandatory minimum term of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison. O’Neal had been indicted on March 3, 2021.


Jefferson Parish Man Sentenced for Violating Federal Gun Control Act

News Release: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - SHAWN RABATHALY, age 22, of Harvey, Louisiana, was sentenced on June 6, 2023 by U.S. District Court Judge Susie Morgan to 46 months of imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release, and payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee after previously pleading guilty to being ...


Militia Members Indicted for Conspiracy To Murder Border Patrol Officers and Attempted Murder of FBI Agents

News Release: JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Two members of the self-styled 2nd American Militia who conspired to go “to war with border patrol" have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to a conspiracy to murder Border Patrol officers, which ended in a shootout with FBI agents who arrested them on the eve of their planned trip to the United States - Mexico border.


Convicted Felon Who Illegally Possessed Ghost Guns, Ammunition, and Silencers Sentenced to Federal Prison

News Release: PROVIDENCE - A West Greenwich man who was previously convicted and incarcerated on state felony firearm charges and who was later found by federal agents to be illegally in possession of firearms and parts to make - and stockpile - a collection of un-serialized, privately made firearms, also known as ...



Casper Woman Arraigned on Arson Charges

News Release: Lorna Roxanne Green, 22, of Casper, Wyoming, was indicted by a federal grand jury in May and was arraigned today for arson of a facility engaged in interstate commerce before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kelly H. Rankin. Green pleaded not guilty. A jury trial has been set for July 24, 2023, before U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson.


Week ending May 27: 26 notices published by Justice Department

There were 26 notices published by the Justice Department in week ending May 27, according to the Federal Register.