A critical Kentucky seat in the U.S. Senate will soon have a new face after former GOP leader Mitch McConnell announced his retirement in February, and Republican hopefuls appear to be gearing up for what will be a challenging primary.

Daniel Cameron, Kentucky’s first Black attorney general and 2024 gubernatorial candidate, still remains the only declared Republican candidate so far after he announced his intention to run for the vacant seat just days after McConnell’s retirement address.

With first quarter fundraising numbers being released on Tuesday, another possible candidate has been seemingly busy building a war chest behind the scenes.

HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN ARM TOUTS 'UNSTOPPABLE MOMENTUM' WITH RECORD FUNDRAISING HAUL

Republican Rep. Andy Barr, R-Kentucky, who has hinted at a possible run though has not officially stepped into the race, posted a sizable $2.26 million raised since January, with approximately $5.35 million in cash on hand through various Political Action Committees.

Amanda Milward, a spokesperson for the Barr campaign, spoke with Fox News Digital after the numbers were posted on Tuesday. 

"Andy Barr is humbled by the outpouring of support from Kentuckians and donors across the country for his strong America First leadership," Milward explained. "As Andy considers running for the U.S. Senate, it is clear that Kentucky Republicans want leaders who will not only stand with President Trump, but who also have the drive and resources to win. We cannot afford to lose another statewide race."

Cameron posted $507,656 in campaign contributions and $455,395 cash on hand after expenditures. 

VP VANCE BLASTS MCCONNELL'S VOTE AGAINST TRUMP PENTAGON NOMINEE: 'POLITICAL PETTINESS'

"From every corner of Kentucky to supporters across the country, folks are rallying behind our campaign because they’re ready for a true America First fighter—someone who will stand up for our values and advance President Trump’s agenda in the U.S. Senate," Cameron told Fox News Digital Tuesday. "We’re pressing forward, the path to victory is clear, and we’re not looking back."

Former Senate Leader Mitch McConnell was elected to the coveted seat in 1985, making him the longest-serving senator in Kentucky history. 

However, McConnell’s endorsement may not carry the weight it did some years ago, given the tumultuous relationship between the Kentucky senator and President Donald Trump. Sources close to the race told Fox News Digital that a McConnell endorsement would actually do more harm than good and that the endorsement from President Trump is the key to the ticket. 

While President Trump has not yet endorsed a candidate, he has made comments about both Cameron and Barr in the past. 

Last week at the White House, the president made a nod to Barr’s attendance during a press conference, telling the likely candidate "good luck with everything, I hear good things."

GOP SENATOR REVEALS WHY TRUMP'S 'COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT' WILL BE CRUCIAL FOR HIS MIDTERM RACE

Notably, a Trump endorsement for Cameron would not be the first, as the 45th and 47th president endorsed Cameron for governor in October 2023. Following Cameron’s loss to Democrat Andy Beshear, Trump blamed ties with McConnell as the reason for the defeat.

"Daniel Cameron lost because he couldn’t alleviate the stench of Mitch McConnell," Trump posted to Truth Social. "I told him early that’s a big burden to overcome. McConnell and Romney are Kryptonite for Republican Candidates. I moved him up 25 Points, but the McConnell relationship was ‘too much to bear."

To shake things up even more, a third possible candidate is eyeing a possible run for the hotly contested seat.

Wealthy businessman Nate Morris, CEO of Morris Industries and former CEO of Rubicon Investments, has also been in the mix of possible names in the primary. 

Morris has already targeted ties to McConnell as a possible weakness for a potential victor, posting on X that "the last thing Kentucky needs is another puppet for Mitch McConnell."

Who the sitting president plans to support remains unclear, though it seems his endorsement in the race may be one of the more substantial in the upcoming midterm election. 

Fox News Digital reached out to Nate Morris for comment but did not receive a response.

In the wake of the arrest of two foreign nationals seeking to murder a U.S. journalist on behalf of the Iranian government, a bipartisan group of senators put forward a bill Tuesday to stiffen penalties on people who commit crimes in the U.S. on behalf of foreign countries.

Sens. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., Jim Banks, R-Ind., Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., introduced the Deterring External Threats and Ensuring Robust Responses to Egregious and Nefarious Criminal Endeavors (DETERRENCE) Act.

The bill increases penalties on murder-for-hire schemers, those convicted of attempted murder or assassination of federal officials, as well as suspects allegedly involved in attempting to kill former officials because of their actions while in office.

Stalking and attempted kidnapping in the name of foreign governments would also lead to more serious charges for any offender. Many sentence enhancements fell at 10 additional years in prison.

IRANIAN BORN JOURNALIST TARGETED IN KIDNAP PLOT TELLS FOX THE TEHRAN REGIME ‘CANNOT BREAK ME’

"If you commit crimes in America on behalf of foreign adversaries, you must face serious consequences," Slotkin said in a statement.

"The bipartisan DETERRENCE Act helps strengthen penalties for these crimes and sends a clear message about how seriously we take our national security and how we will hold accountable those who commit crimes against our nation." 

In March, two foreigners appeared in New York federal court and pleaded not guilty to an alleged murder-for-hire plot against Masih Alinejad – an Iranian-born U.S. journalist.

Rafat Amirov of Iran and Polad Omarov of the Czech Republic and Slovenia were members of the Russian mob and were hired by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps to kill the New York City resident, according to prosecutors.

"Finally, I will face the men hired by the Islamic Republic to kill me, right here in New York," Alinejad said at the time.

IRANIAN-AMERICAN JOURNALIST TESTIFIES AGAINST MEN ACCUSED OF MURDER-FOR-HIRE PLOT

"I’m deeply grateful to my new country, the United States of America, for trying to keep me safe from the government of my birth country, Iran."

Ernst said the U.S. cannot allow foreign adversaries like Iran to "fund crimes against Americans on our own soil."

She called the DETERRENCE Act an example of Reagan-esque "peace through strength" that puts foreign criminals "on notice" and is a direct warning to anyone trying to act on Tehran’s motto of "Death to America."

Meanwhile, Hassan said in a statement that Congress should pass the legislation as a clear message to foreign adversaries that they will face serious consequences if their criminal behavior crosses the U.S. border.

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"Foreign adversaries are working with gangs and criminals in the United States to try to kill people on our soil, which is a national security risk," she warned. 

Another reported foreign murder-for-hire plot was revealed last fall when an ex-Indian intelligence officer allegedly plotted to kill a U.S. citizen in New York who was a leader of a pro-Sikh independence movement.

Vikash Yadav’s October indictment reportedly laid out a connection to the Indian government, according to NPR.

FIRST ON FOX: The GOP lawmaker leading a collective response to more than 100 judges and attorneys who demanded condemnation of Trump allies said Tuesday she and her delegation won't be "pushed around" amid ongoing attacks on left-wing judges.

Wyoming’s congressional delegation responded to dozens of Cowboy State jurists, including a former governor who issued an open condemnation of lawmakers’ failure to defend judges under fire from conservatives over sweeping nationwide injunctions hindering President Donald Trump’s foreign policy and homeland security actions.

The response, led by Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., rejected the basis on which the jurists were calling for the state’s Republicans to vociferously intervene in support of what the White House describes as rogue judges, citing the Founding Fathers’ words.

"In Federalist [Paper] 78…  Alexander Hamilton wrote that "the judiciary, from the nature of its functions, will always be the least dangerous" and that judges "have neither force nor will," the letter states. 

WYOMING SHERIFF'S BOLD BILLBOARD RECRUITING DENVER OFFICERS OUT OF LIBERAL CITY CREATES STIR

"In recent years, we have become increasingly concerned with how our country has strayed from this Hamiltonian aspiration. We have seen judges across the political spectrum assume both "force" and "will" — Many Americans are worried judges are misusing their independence by imposing policy preferences on our country — all with no accountability."

They also noted Georgetown Law professor Brad Snyder "said it best" – "The Court does not have the last word on the Constitution."

‘TRAITOR’ LIZ CHENEY WALLOPED BY WYOMING VOTERS FOR HARRIS ENDORSEMENT, BREAK FROM GOP

In comments to Fox News Digital, Lummis said Americans elected Trump and did not select "liberal judges."

"I represent the people of Wyoming, and they have made it clear that they support President Trump’s agenda and want a government where their elected representatives make the laws," she said.

"Our delegation stands with President Trump and won’t be pushed around by far-left judicial activists who wish to further divide our country."

The jurists objecting to the Republicans’ silence cited calls to reject disinformation after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and similarly recounted critiques from administration allies of judges, like James Boasberg, who have issued nationwide injunctions blocking Trump’s homeland security measures.

In a missive entitled "The Rule of Law Matters," they cited more virulent critiques of such judges, as well as a conservative op-ed decrying that "if impeachment is the remedy for every adverse judicial ruling, we wouldn’t have a judiciary left."

"These attacks are part of a growing effort to discredit, not just judges, but seemingly the American Rule of Law as we know it," the original letter states. It was signed by about 100 jurists, including former Wyoming Democratic Gov. Michael Sullivan, former President Bill Clinton’s Irish ambassador.

"Recent executive orders targeting prominent national law firms disfavored by the administration with severe retribution… has, as night follows day, resulted in yet more incendiary social media postings attacking the judiciary and openly encouraging the executive branch to disobey court orders."

In their response to the scores of jurists, Lummis, Sen. John Barrasso and Rep. Harriet Hageman condemned the fact the direct letter had also been distributed to the media and that the lawmakers would have collectively appreciated direct discussion.

"We are disappointed you failed to express your concerns with us directly before rushing to publish your letter," they wrote.

"A robust discussion about addressing the challenges and concerns facing our nation would be more beneficial than attempting to score political points through the press."

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The complainants wrote that while there is populist sentiment for "radical change," the "growing reckless disdain for the independence and security of our judiciary must be resisted by anyone sworn to uphold our Constitution.

"That includes us, and it certainly includes you."

The lawmakers stood firm, however, on the idea that they are acting responsibly and within their legislative role.

They cited their co-sponsorship of a bill that would ban most nationwide injunctions effecting change "across the ideological spectrum," and not just those against Trump’s actions.

Legislation highlighted by the lawmakers cited both conservative and liberal Supreme Court justices issuing criticisms of such nationwide injunctions.

"The Supreme Court has consistently noted that political questions should be kept at arm’s length by the judiciary," they wrote, as a Senate Judiciary Committee statement on the Judicial Relief Clarification Act quoted reservations from both Justices Clarence Thomas and Elena Kagan.

Other jurists have, however, echoed Trump's criticisms, including George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley, who told Fox News' "The Ingraham Angle" that judges must remember they've been "appointed, not anointed."

EXCLUSIVE: As Tax Day approaches, the Senate’s DOGE leader announced a new effort Monday aimed at cracking down on federal bureaucrats who have racked up billions in unpaid taxes.

Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, is introducing the Tax Delinquencies and Overdue Debts are Government Employees' Responsibility (Tax DODGER) Act in response to reports of tax scofflaws within the bureaucracy the taxes themselves are supposed to bankroll.

The Tax DODGER Act would require the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to publish an annual report on tax delinquencies of current and retired federal employees, including those who failed to file a 1040 or other tax return.

"It is outrageous that while hardworking Americans fork over their money to Uncle Sam, nearly 150,000 bureaucrats refuse to pay their own taxes," Ernst told Fox News Digital.

LAWMAKERS TAKE ACTION AFTER REPORT SHOWS BIDEN-ERA SBA FAILED TO PROBE 2 MILLION ALLEGED COVID AID FRAUDSTERS

The bill also establishes a new section in the law that could consider a federal job applicant ineligible for hire if they have "seriously delinquent" tax debt, unless already granted a hardship exemption.

"If you don’t pay taxes, you should not work for the federal government," Ernst said. 

"I am ending the ‘rules for thee, but not for me’ mentality in Washington."

Ernst highlighted a recent Treasury Inspector General report showing that while 96% of IRS employees were found to be tax-compliant, more than 2,000 employees had past-due balances totaling more than $12 million as of the end of last year.

Meanwhile, a 2023 IRS report found 149,000 total federal employees owed $1.5 billion in tax liabilities for fiscal year 2021.

SENATE DOGE LEADER SAYS TRUMP ‘ALREADY RACKING UP WINS’

She wrote to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in March that Americans and many lawmakers had "lost confidence in the IRS" and that he had an opportunity as the agency’s new ultimate boss to address several issues that don’t need congressional approval.

The lawmaker referenced past political weaponization of the agency – such as when Obama-era staffer Lois Lerner allegedly targeted conservative groups – as well as upgrading the IRS’ reportedly outdated technology.

As part of her initial effort last fall to forge a working relationship with DOGE leader Elon Musk, Ernst similarly launched a call for an audit of the IRS.

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If passed, the bill would require that reports on tax-scofflaw bureaucrats be sent on an annual basis to the Office of Personnel Management, Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, and House Oversight Committee.

Additionally, any agency leader may take personnel action up to and including the firing of a federal employee if there is administrative or judicial determination they understated their tax liability or failed to file a return.

EXCLUSIVE: One day after the House passed its version of the "big, beautiful" budget bill demanded by President Donald Trump, Senate Republican leaders were bullish on the prospects of a deal coming together when lawmakers return from Passover/Easter break.

"Republicans have a bold agenda. The sooner we pass it, the sooner we can reverse the damage that Democrats have done over the last four years," Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., told Fox News Digital, as Senate leaders made a high-dollar budget cut promise earlier in the week.

"The American people need certainty that they aren’t going to face the Democrats’ $4 trillion tax increase," said the lawmaker, whose role is to "whip" or tally Republicans’ planned votes ahead of them being cast on the floor.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota remains under pressure to deliver on $1.5 trillion in budget cuts he pledged to secure some of the votes from waffling House conservatives. The Senate version of the bill that passed earlier this month only called for $4 billion in spending cuts – a massive discrepancy from the House's version.

AK SEN LITERALLY SHREDS BIDEN'S ENERGY ORDERS

In exchange for their votes, Thune and Barrasso must coax Senate GOP moderates and members with concerns over potential Medicaid or entitlement cuts that they won't be part of the sizable slice.

Additionally, the debt ceiling is projected to be hit during the summertime, which Republicans will have to reckon with financially as well. A failure to adjust for that ceiling could result in default.

TRUMP'S BIG, BEAUTIFUL TAX AGENDA SCORES MAJOR VICTORY

However, Thune was equally optimistic as Barrasso about pushing through Trump's agenda, saying the upper chamber’s agenda will be "packed" overall.

"More nominations to confirm. More burdensome Biden regulations to repeal. A tax bill – and border, energy, and national security bill – to continue drafting," he said.

Speaking to Fox News Digital, Thune said committee leaders were working through the holiday on varying legislation planned to come for votes soon after they return.

"And, of course, appropriations season is almost upon us. And I remain committed to considering as many appropriations bills as possible under regular order," he said.

Regular order refers to matriculating bills through the committee process, which Thune previously said promotes bipartisanship and trust between lawmakers and the parties.

The practices of governing by long-term continuing resolutions, or CRs, are considered antithetical to regular order.

Barrasso said the American people need to know that Republicans will stand firm on investing in domestic energy and border security in their post-Easter return.

"Our goal is to get this bill passed and sent to the president’s desk as quickly as possible. We’ll work towards that every day until it’s done."

Fox News Digital reached out to Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., for comment on Democrats’ short-term plans but did not receive a response.

Thursday’s House bill passed generally along party lines, after fiscal conservatives largely balked at the financial figures.

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The number of GOP holdouts was eventually whittled down to two – Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Victoria Spartz of Indiana – who voted with the Democrats, albeit for ideologically opposing reasons.

"Our first big, beautiful reconciliation package here involves a number of commitments. And one of those is that we are committed to finding at least $1.5 trillion in savings for the American people, while also preserving our essential programs," House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said.

Fox News’ Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.

FIRST ON FOX: Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, literally tore up a list of 70 orders former President Joe Biden enacted that he said stymied the Last Frontier’s energy capabilities, and spoke Thursday about a bright future for the Land of the Midnight Sun.

Sullivan described the Trump administration’s openness to building an 800-mile LNG pipeline to power the U.S. and trade with Asia.

The pipeline would run from Prudhoe Bay – on the Arctic Ocean – to the Kenai Peninsula near Homer. Currently, essentially the only way to transport liquefied natural gas on the North Slope is via the AK-11 Dalton Highway of "Ice Road Trucker" fame, which is considered very inefficient and dangerous.

"This is a huge project, very geostrategically important — and, of course, it's important to Alaskans to get us the gas we need… but also to get our allies: [South] Korea, Japan, Taiwan, energy that they need."

AK CAN BE ‘CURE TO THE NATION’S ILLS' WITH HELP FROM TRUMP ADMIN: GOV DUNLEAVY

Sullivan said Japan is still buying oil and gas from Russia – while a source familiar with the pipeline plans noted an Alaska-to-Asia trade route does not include any diplomatic or geographic pinch points like those that exist in the Mideast and elsewhere.

"Korea and Taiwan are getting their LNG from Qatar. None of that makes sense. Alaska is really close – We were the first place anywhere in the world to start exporting LNG in the late 1960s," he said. "We did that to Japan for over 50 years."

In his Joint Address to Congress, President Donald Trump flagged the pipeline plan, saying he is working on a "gigantic" project in Alaska.

Amid tariff and trade news, Sullivan said building the pipeline and supplying both North America and Asia with LNG obtained through the U.S.’ environmentally conscious means could reduce the West-to-East trade deficit by up to $10 billion per year.

Plus, the pipeline itself could "revitalize" the domestic steel industry and employ thousands of Americans.

He also sought to dispel a "fallacy" often touted on the left, that Native communities in and around the LNG territory are opposed to such development.

"Most of the media gets it wrong," he said.

"The Alaska Native people … want this resource development done. This is how you help them with regard, not only to their economy, but their health, their pride, right? The best social program in the world is a good job."

IN THE ONLY US STATE BORDERING RUSSIA, GOV SAYS DEFENSES ARE STRONG

Instead, he said, the Biden administration fought Juneau's efforts to expand its energy production at every turn.

"Eight times [the Biden Interior Department] told [Natives visiting Washington] to go pound sand. They would never meet with them to develop their resources."

When it comes to politicians in other states allegedly trying to dictate energy policy in Alaska, whether on environmental or other grounds, Sullivan quipped, "we don't appreciate the lower 48 radical environmentalists coming up telling us what to do. And I really don't appreciate what my Senate colleagues who try to do that, too."

"You may have seen I gave a speech last week on the Senate floor ripping the hell out of one of them just because he needed it, right."

As for talks with Trump, he said Secretaries Scott Bessent, Howard Lutnick and Doug Burgum have been very open and supportive.

Procuring financing is the next major battle, along with reciprocal trade agreements with target countries.

"Then you can finance these projects and start to build them. We're talking about laying pipe as early as the end of this year or the beginning of next year. And think about the jobs that would come with that."

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Turning to Biden, Sullivan held up a sheet listing 70 executive orders and actions the administration took to "shut [Alaska] down."

"The left-wing media never cries about the jobs that were killed by Biden: Good union jobs; 70 EOs. The good news is this is now history," he said, ripping up the list of orders and presenting instead a singular Trump order seeking to advance Alaska’s comprehensive LNG project.

The project is the only West Coast venture to secure federal permits and $26 million in loan guarantees. It would utilize more than 500,000 tons of steel and 5 million cubic yards of concrete.

In remarks to Fox News Digital, Energy Department spokesman Ben Dietderich said Alaskan LNG "has massive potential."

"Accessing over 100 trillion cubic feet of North Slope natural gas will provide enormous energy security to the United States and its allies, thousands of high-paying jobs, and is estimated to reduce the United States trade deficit by $10 billion annually," Dietderich said.

"While the previous administration openly discouraged investment in American LNG, President Trump and Secretary Wright are committed to expanding American energy at home and abroad."

"Potential large scale investments and partnerships in U.S. LNG projects, including Alaska LNG, were discussed in the Secretary’s meetings with UAE officials yesterday and the Secretary intends to also raise these in Saudi Arabia in the coming days as well."

Babydog is back on Capitol Hill — and this time, she’s weighing in on America’s energy future.

On Thursday, the beloved English bulldog and constant companion of Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., made her official debut before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, where Justice delivered remarks focused on energy policy, national unity and, yes, a few lighthearted barks from Babydog herself.

"She humanizes us," Justice told the committee as he lifted Babydog into view. "She makes us absolutely get off our pedestals... She makes you smile... She still loves you." The moment ended with applause from the room and a unanimous motion to enter the pooch's "testimony" into the Senate record.

In an exclusive statement to Fox News Digital, Justice said: "From committee appearances to TV appearances, Babydog is always around to bring a smile to everyone’s face. She worked hard this week as the 101st senator to make sure all canine priorities were spoken (or barked) for when the microphone was on."

BABYDOG JUSTICE MAKES AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE DEBUT: 'SHE HUMANIZES ALL OF US'

The moment drew attention from both lawmakers and social media.

"@BabyDogJustice’s testimony will be admitted into the record without objection," declared the official Senate Energy Republicans account.  

Babydog's big day didn't stop there. 

Before heading to FOX Business for her "Bottom Line" appearance, Babydog shared a behind-the-scenes moment from the Fox News D.C. Bureau, tweeting a glammed-up photo with the caption, "I’m ready for my close up." 

Justice joined "The Bottom Line with Dagen McDowell" on FOX Business, where he discussed his priorities for America’s energy sector, including support for President Donald Trump’s recent executive order aimed at bolstering domestic energy production.

BABYDOG BRIDGES 'PAWTISAN' DIVIDE IN THE SENATE ON SOCIAL MEDIA: 'SHE KNOWS NO POLITICAL BIAS'

"President Trump has made us proud in regard to coal," Justice said. "We’ve got to have coal."

Asked about concerns that tariffs may be hindering international energy markets for West Virginia, Justice pushed back, saying, "It’s so premature to think such a thought... He will adjust when adjusting needs to be made."

Justice warned that America faces serious decisions within the next 18 months if energy production isn’t scaled to meet demand.

"There could be a possibility that it could have expanded just a little bit more than that, but really and truly, within a year-and-a-half, we’re going to have to make some really, really tough decisions," he said. "It could very well be an electricity demand of double what it is today."

Justice also addressed budget and entitlement reform, tying economic growth directly to energy: "The ticket to growing... is energy. Energy. Energy. Period."

Babydog has previously appeared at Senate Agriculture Committee hearings and remains a constant presence in the halls of Congress. As Fox News Digital has reported, she continues to resonate with lawmakers and staff alike across party lines for her ability to, as Justice puts it, "bring people together."

"She loves everybody," he said. "Rich, poor, a kid or an adult, or God forbid, a Democrat or a Republican."

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Her bipartisan appeal and growing public profile have helped Babydog carve out a unique role in Washington—part mascot, part morale booster, and now, a regular presence in policy settings. As Thursday’s hearing showed, she’s not just along for the ride—she’s helping shape the tone in the room.

Now heading into April recess, the Senate adjourns with energy questions unresolved, but bipartisan agreement that Babydog is always welcome.

In 1957, rockabilly singer Bob Ehret repeated, "We’ve got to stop the clock, baby; to spend more time with you" — and in a Senate Commerce Committee hearing, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle strongly considered the benefits of doing so, in a way.

Chairman Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said Daylight Saving was grounded in good-faith efforts to reduce energy consumption, but that instead it has led to increased auto accidents in the dark, workplace issues and objections from the agriculture sector that relies on early-morning sunlight.

"We find ourselves adjusting our clocks… springing forward and falling back in the fall. For many Americans, this biannual ritual is a minor inconvenience… But when we take a closer look at the implications of changing the clocks, its impact on our economy, our health and our everyday lives, we can see that this practice is more than an annoyance," Cruz said.

"The idea was simple. Fewer hours of darkness meant less electricity consumption for lighting and heating."

TRUMP'S DAYLIGHT SAVINGS PLAN

However, unlike the early 1900s, when the U.S. economy was heavily reliant on energy consumption tied to daylight hours, today’s effects from sunrise and sunset timings are "de minimis," he said.

Cruz, along with Massachusetts neurology physician Dr. Karin Johnson, spoke about the health concerns associated with changing the time twice a year and with the permanence of Daylight Saving Time (DST), versus Standard Time.

"Research has shown that the abrupt shift in time, especially the spring transition when we lose an hour of sleep," Cruz said, as Johnson spoke about the effects on people’s circadian rhythm, vascular system and sleep deprivation.

The panel also hosted an official from the National Golf Course Owners Association, as he and other lawmakers spoke of the increased revenue from evening tee times and other tourist activities only possible during daylight hours.

On the Democratic side, Sen. Lisa Blunt-Rochester of Delaware agreed that it was time to consider a "permanent time for our country."

She noted a bill from then-Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., to abolish DST stalled in the House.

"This body [then] took a harder look at how time changes work state-by-state," she said.

"What works in my home state of Delaware may not work in Washington state, but I know I speak for many Americans when I say it's time. It's time to figure this out."

‘I CAN’T SLEEP BECAUSE OF RACING THOUGHTS AT NIGHT — HOW CAN I STOP THEM?’: ASK A DOCTOR

Witnesses to the hearing noted that it is indeed southern states like Florida and Texas where the negative effects of a permanent Daylight Saving Time would be most felt.

Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., spoke about his work shifting Daylight Saving Time twice to help assuage some of the issues that were brought up each time, including better guaranteeing trick-or-treating happens at worst at dusk.

Markey quipped that his decades-long work on this issue earned him the nickname "the Sun King."

"We need to stop the clock," Blunt-Rochester said. "We know that changing the clock disrupts sleep, which can lead to negative health outcomes. Several studies have noted issues with mood disturbances increase hospital admissions, and even heart attacks and strokes."

Lock the Clock movement founder Scott Yates testified about the flawed history of DST, noting a time during the 1970s energy crisis that the Nixon administration briefly made DST permanent.

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Nixon signed the law in December 1973 while embroiled in Watergate — but it took effect the first week the following year — Jan. 6, 1974.

"So you can imagine, the worst Monday of the year already is the one after the holiday break where you have to go back to school and everything — to have an extra hour of sleep robbed away right before that. You can understand why it was so unpopular and why it was repealed," Yates said, noting that months later, Nixon resigned.

The burglary by the "Plumbers" at the Watergate Hotel also notably occurred during nighttime hours.

"So maybe — if we had more daylight, the Watergate break-in doesn't happen," Cruz quipped in response.

"And history would be different."

President Donald Trump on Tuesday blasted some Republican members of Congress for trying to limit his presidential powers on instituting tariffs so that Congress could retake control.

Trump delivered a speech to the National Republican Congressional Committee, calling out "rebel" Republicans while speaking about his trade policies.

"And then I see some rebel Republican, some guy who wants to grandstand, say, 'I think that Congress should take over negotiations.' Let me tell you, you don't negotiate like I negotiate," Trump said.

Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., is leading a bipartisan bill to block Trump from instituting tariffs and retake that power for Congress. Bacon told reporters earlier on Tuesday that he didn’t like "the thought of waging a trade war with the entire world." 

TRUMP TRADE REP TAKES BIPARTISAN FIRE OVER TARIFFS AS DEM LAUNCHES BID TO HALT THEM

In the Senate, a bipartisan group led by Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., is also introducing a resolution to repeal Trump’s global tariffs. 

Sens. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., have already introduced a bipartisan bill that would require the president to notify Congress about any new tariffs within 48 hours of imposition and require Congress to approve new tariffs within 60 days or allow them to expire.

Trump chewed out the Republicans over the proposed bills.

"I just saw it today, a couple of your congressmen," Trump said before launching into an impression of a lawmaker. "'Sir, I think we should get involved in the negotiation of the tariffs.' Oh, that's what I need, I need some guy telling me how to negotiate."

WHITE HOUSE WARNS AGAINST TARIFF RETALIATION, SAYS TRUMP ‘HAS SPINE OF STEEL AND HE WILL NOT BREAK’

Trump said that should Congress take over tariff negotiations, China would be "the happiest people in the world."

"They wouldn't be paying 104%," Trump said of China. "I'd say they'd be paying no percent — we’d be paying them 104%."

Trump said that even the talk around Capitol Hill about limiting his tariff powers "hurts your negotiation," adding, "And then the fake news wants to build it up, and it has no chance anyway."

"We have to remain united as I defend workers from unfair trade," Trump said.

Wall Street rebounded into the green as multiple foreign countries came to the tariff negotiating table with President Donald Trump – but that was not enough to assuage some lawmakers’ critiques of the "alla prima" tariff actions, as one Republican put it.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer testified Tuesday the U.S. has long-suffered from "China Shock" – the surge in manufacturing outputs from the Communist nation since the turn of the century – and that the U.S. had to do something substantive but strategic about the 5 million manufacturing jobs lost and 90,000 factories closed since the middle of the Clinton administration.

"President Biden left us with a $1.2 trillion trade deficit-in-goods - the largest of any country in the history of the world," Greer said.

"During COVID, we were unable to procure semiconductors to build our cars or materials for pharmaceuticals and personal protective equipment. During World War II, we built nearly 9,000 ships. Last year, the United States built only three ocean-going vessels," he said.

STOCKS JUMP AS TRUMP TARIFF NEGOTIATIONS BEGIN

Greer said the U.S. historically was on the surplus side of agriculture trade but that, as of late, purportedly friendly countries like Australia have essentially rejected beef and pork exports, while America has not reciprocated with their livestock.

That became a sore subject during a particularly heated exchange between Greer and Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., as the lawmaker claimed Trump unnecessarily "clobbered" Canberra with a 10% tariff.

"We have a free trade agreement with Australia," he said, questioning Trump’s "fancy Greek formula" for determining tariffs.

Democrats and media figures previously mocked Trump for tariffing uninhabited Australian islands in the Indian Ocean – which Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggested over the weekend was to close any potential loophole to circumvent tariffs on such countries’ mainland.

Greer argued the "lowest rate available" was imposed on Australia, leading Warner to ask again "why did they get whacked in the first place."

"Despite the [free trade] agreement, they ban our beef, they banned our pork, they're getting ready to impose measures on our digital companies - It's incredible," Greer said.

OPINION: TRUMP RISKS IT ALL ON TARIFFS

Warner later acknowledged markets had rebounded a "blip" by midday but said a Wall Street contact equated it to a "good day in hospice."

Meanwhile, during his opening remarks, Senate Finance Committee ranking member Ron Wyden said he has drafted a bipartisan resolution to "end the latest crop of global tariffs that are clobbering American families and small businesses."

"Members on both sides of the aisle ought to know that this is a call to action and Congress must step in to rein this president on trade," Wyden said.

He called the tariffs "aimless" and "chaotic" and said it showed Congress ceded the executive branch too much constitutional power.

In his testimony, Greer called trade imbalance an indicator of both an economic and national security emergency.

He also suggested America’s allies have been foisting unfair policies on the American consumer – including the European Union.

"[They] can sell us all the shellfish they want, but the EU bans shellfish from 48 states. The result is a trade deficit in shellfish with the EU," he said.

CHINA REFUSES TO BACK DOWN ON TARIFFS

"We only charge a 2.5% tariff on ethanol, but Brazil charges us an 18% tariff. The result? We have a large trade deficit in ethanol with Brazil."

"Our average tariff on agricultural goods is 5%, but India's average tariff is 39%. You understand the trend here."

In response to some of Wyden’s concerns, Greer said Vietnam has already negotiated a lower tariff on U.S. cherries and apples exported from Oregon and the Northwest.

"This is exactly the right direction that we want to go in," Greer said.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., struck a more middling tone on tariffs, saying that he has never been a "great fan of free trade," and cited his work ending NAFTA and opposing normalized relations with China.

He also cited the outsourcing of manufacturing to Mexico, saying it killed hundreds of thousands of American jobs and has many Mexican workers "living in cardboard boxes."

"That is the type of trade policy which I detest. But I want to move to an area, to talk about the legal basis of what President Trump has done," he said.

Sanders said he lives 50 miles from Canada and does not see the same empirical data on illegal immigration and fentanyl smuggling that Trump accused Ottawa of failing to act on – and incorporated into his tariff calculations.

On the Republican side, Chairman Michael Crapo, R-Idaho, was largely deferential to Trump and Greer, while some other Republicans voiced concerns.

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Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa questioned whether Congress "delegated too much authority to the president" but said he supports the president so long as his mission is to "turn tariffs into trade deals to reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers" versus any plot to "feed the U.S. Treasury through them."

"I made very clear throughout my public service that I’m a free and fair trader. The Constitution gives Congress the authority to regulate interstate and foreign commerce. I believe that Congress delegated too much authority to the president in the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 and Trade Act of 1974," he said.

Additionally, Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., pressed Greer on who should be considered the person that will take ultimately responsibility for either praise or accountability depending on the outcome of the tariff actions.

"Whose throat do I have to choke," he said, underlining that the phrase was borrowed from a management consulting mantra.

FBI Director Kash Patel is tackling China's influence on American farmlands head-on, as both a food supply and national security concern. 

Patel’s early focus on Chinese influence over American land — particularly farmland near sensitive sites — reflects a broader second-term push by the Trump administration to confront the Chinese Communist Party’s presence on U.S. soil. The effort has gained traction among Republican lawmakers and conservative allies, who say CCP-connected land ownership poses a direct threat to national security and critical infrastructure.

"FBI Director Kash Patel has made eradicating CCP interference and infiltration in the United States a relentless, uncompromising priority," Patel advisor Erica Knight told Fox News Digital. 

"With his unmatched experience in counterterrorism and intelligence, Patel possesses a profound understanding of the grave threats our nation faces," Knight said. "His expertise and unwavering resolve make him uniquely equipped to lead the bureau to crush CCP infiltration and safeguard America’s national security."

US-CANADA BORDER EYED AS VULNERABILITY BY CHINA, RUSSIA, SAYS PATEL: 'THE ENEMY ADAPTS' 

Patel recently told lawmakers that the "effective resolution" of the southern border crisis has prompted adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran to shift their focus to the U.S. northern border.

As the administration ramps up its second-term focus on China, President Donald Trump was asked aboard Air Force One on Thursday what the White House is doing about Chinese-owned farmland.

Trump said he is "looking at it all the time," adding that he has "a very good relationship with China and with the president."

"I have a lot of respect for President Xi," Trump said. 

TOP FIVE TAKEDOWNS: KASH PATEL’S FBI HITS THE GROUND RUNNING WITH MAJOR EARLY VICTORIES

Trump emphasized that Chinese-owned farmland "has been an issue for years."

In a February Fox News op-ed, Presidential Envoy for Special Missions Ric Grenell echoed growing concern on the right over Chinese-owned farmland, calling it part of a "not-so-silent takeover."

"While conservative legislators and governors across the country are taking action to stop adversarial nations from buying U.S. farmland, we must recognize that there’s a much broader issue at play here — China’s end goal is not confined to land ownership," Grenell wrote. 

MORE THAN HALF A MILLION LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL BACK PATEL AS FBI DIRECTOR

Capitol Hill lawmakers have already begun taking action. In early March, Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., introduced the PASS Act in the Senate, which would bar entities from "covered countries" — including China — from purchasing agricultural land near military bases or other sensitive sites.

The legislation, which also has Democratic support, would allow the Department of Agriculture to submit cases to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. for review if the department suspects there is a national security concern. 

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Likewise, Republican senators in January also announced the Not One More Inch or Acre Act, led by Sens. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Kevin Cramer of North Dakota and Katie Britt of Alabama. 

The legislation would require selling land owned or "influenced" by the Chinese Communist Party that is deemed to be a national security risk.

Fox News Digital's Morgan Phillips and Michael Lee contributed to this report. 

All but one Senate Republican voted on Thursday to confirm President Donald Trump's nomination of Harmeet Dhillon to serve as an assistant attorney general.

While the 52-45 vote was almost entirely along party lines, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, of Alaska, joined Democrats in voting against Dhillon's confirmation.

Fox News Digital reached out to a Murkowski spokesperson on Friday morning to request a comment from the lawmaker, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

DR. OZ BECOMES NEXT HEAD OF MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES FOLLOWING APPROVAL FROM FULL SENATE

Then-President-elect Donald Trump announced in December that Dhillon was his choice to serve as assistant attorney general for civil rights at the Justice Department.

"I am pleased to nominate Harmeet K. Dhillon as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice. Throughout her career, Harmeet has stood up consistently to protect our cherished Civil Liberties, including taking on Big Tech for censoring our Free Speech, representing Christians who were prevented from praying together during COVID, and suing corporations who use woke policies to discriminate against their workers," Trump declared in his Truth Social post at the time.

SENATE CONFIRMS DR MARTY MAKARY AS TRUMP'S FDA CHIEF

"Harmeet is one of the top Election lawyers in the Country, fighting to ensure that all, and ONLY, legal votes are counted. She is a graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Virginia Law School, and clerked in the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Harmeet is a respected member of the Sikh religious community. In her new role at the DOJ, Harmeet will be a tireless defender of our Constitutional Rights, and will enforce our Civil Rights and Election Laws FAIRLY and FIRMLY. Congratulations, Harmeet!" he added.

Trump recently accused Murkwoski, Maine Sen. Susan Collins, and Kentucky Sens. Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell of having "Trump Derangement Syndrome."

TRUMP PRESSURES 4 GOP SENATORS AHEAD OF ANTI-CANADIAN TARIFF VOTE, ACCUSING THEM OF ‘TDS’

The president called out the four GOP senators ahead of a vote on a measure to scuttle his tariff policy on Canadian products. 

All four Republican senators voted for the joint resolution anyway, and it cleared the Senate with all Democrats voting in favor.

New York State Republicans are demanding the ouster of the city's transit chief, citing poor subway service despite an infusion of cash from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s "congestion pricing" Manhattan toll zone.

A press conference came on Wednesday, days after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy visited Dover, N.J., to assess a massive sinkhole that had closed down I-80. Republicans are also calling for an audit of the entire transit agency. 

There, Duffy criticized Hochul for failing to rescind congestion pricing and said New York officials need to get a better handle on subway crime. 

"If you want people to take the train, to take transit, then make it safe, make it clean, make it beautiful, make it wonderful, don’t make it a s---hole, which is what she’s done," he said. 

"We don’t have to be at war over this," Hochul reportedly said in that regard.

NY LAWMAKERS BLAST MTA AFTER COMMENTS ‘DISMISSIVE’ OF CRIME ISSUE

State Sen. Steve Chan, R-Bath Beach, announced a bill at the Albany conference that would add two more members to the state-owned MTA’s board: one representing NYPD transit police and another representing the transit police union.

Chan, a retired NYPD sergeant and immigrant from Hong Kong, condemned a string of dangerous incidents on the rails in and around his Brooklyn district, including the nationally reported case of a passenger set on fire in nearby Coney Island.

"If it takes two men two days to dig a half a hole, then how long would it take one guy to dig a hole?" Chan asked at the presser.

"The question can be answered by [MTA Chair] Janno Lieber, because that's what he does every year: dig himself a hole," he said.

"The motto of the MTA seems to be, ‘the higher the cost, the less we have to offer you.’ So every year around this time, the MTA comes with their hand with a tin cup, ‘We need more money,’ and year after year, the Democrats in Albany bend the knee to a mismanaged, misguided and bloated, lackluster transit system."

Chan said that during his decades as a cop, he saw the best and worst of the subways, but today they're leaning toward the worst. 

He said there was once a time only a few years ago when solo passengers could feel safe underground at 3 a.m., but not today. 

"I know private companies that could run the MTA better. I bet I can take a company and give them one single bus line. They'll turn a profit right away."

Chan lamented what he called a criminal "free-for-all" in the subway system, arguing that claims of reduced crime are the result of lax enforcement and downgraded charges.

SUBWAY MAYHEM SPURS CUOMO TO URGE HALT TO NEW NYC DRIVING TAX

Sen. Bill Weber, R-Clarkstown, said his constituents north of the city have had to pay a surtax to the MTA for what he called inefficient service and have to choose whether to brave the indirect transit options or the congestion pricing tolls.

He suggested the MTA is blaming NJTransit, which operates MTA trains that pass through the Garden State on their way to either Spring Valley or Port Jervis, and he also called for Lieber’s ouster.

"Two bills that I'm proposing today … will bring more money back into the pockets of Rockland [County] taxpayers and hopefully will get the MTA moving in the right direction," he said.

Sen. Jack Martins, R-Mineola, added that he hopes the MTA succeeds but has long doubted it.

"Their success is our success. Their success is New York State's success," he said, calling the agency’s $19.9 billion budget an appropriation without results.

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"[For] every dollar that comes out [of a New Yorker's] pocket that goes to fund the MTA, and frankly, we get nothing for it. It's time for congestion pricing to be repealed. It's time for an audit and a real audit that goes into the waste, fraud and abuse that exists at the MTA."

Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt, R-Niagara Falls, closed the conference by saying the GOP caucus wants the MTA to succeed, and that harsh criticism should not be misconstrued as wishing for failure.

"[But] every time we throw them more money, we're part of the problem. If we want accountability, the easiest way is to say, ‘The spigot's turned off until you show us that you're willing to make changes with the billions of dollars that you get, then we can have a conversation about other things we can do financially.’"

In a statement to Fox News Digital, a top MTA official rejected the collective claims and criticized Martins in particular.

"The LIRR is operating with record on-time performance and crime on the subway is down 24% since last year. And the MTA has a balanced operating budget, so it’s mind-boggling how some politicians are apparently not capable of reading a budget," MTA chief of policy John J. McCarthy said.

"Mr. Martins has a track record of being wrong. He fought improvements on the LIRR, opposing the Third Track Expansion Project [in Nassau County] – a project that only moved forward when Martins left office."

"Now Mr. Martins is back in office, the project is done, and he is trying to make believe there is no improvement – meanwhile it only happened because he was out of the picture." 

An MTA official acknowledged that NJ Transit does run service to Rockland and Orange counties and that it could be better, in regard to Weber's critique.

Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., told an individual who said he had been fired from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that he likely deserved to be dismissed because he seemed "like a clown."

The GOP senator has not backed away from his comments, which were captured on camera.

Retweeting a post that featured video of the exchange, the lawmaker's @SenatorBanks X account declared, "Hard truth!" Banks is also using a screenshot of himself from the video as his new profile photo on that account.

HHS DOWNSIZING BEGINS AMID RFK JR. ‘MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN’ PUSH: ‘WIN-WIN FOR TAXPAYERS’

In the video, an individual who is not on camera can be heard saying that he was an HHS worker who had been illegally fired on February 14.

The individual went on to claim that many have not been getting social services, particularly individuals with disabilities, and then asked Banks if he is going to "do anything to stop what's happening?"

Banks responded by saying, "You probably deserved it."

HHS SAYS IT WILL CUT WORKFORCE BY 10K, SAVING $1.8B ANNUALLY

When the questioner asked Banks why he deserved it, the senator replied, "Because you seem like a clown."

Fox News Digital reached out to a Banks spokesperson who provided a comment from the senator.

"Factory workers, mechanics, police officers, teachers and all hard working people in Indiana don’t deserve to see their tax dollars going to pay for woke and wasteful programs in Washington DC. Thank you President Trump for draining the swamp," Banks said in the statement.

GOP SENATOR THREATENS ‘REAL CONSEQUENCES’ IF UNIVERSITIES HIRE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

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The individual who confronted Banks in the video was Mack Schroeder, reports indicate.

"It felt very childish to hear someone in a leadership position whose constituents rely on these programs to say that," Schroeder said, according to USA Today. "I hope a lot of people in his state see the callousness that he demonstrated."

Banks, who previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives, won election to the Senate last year and joined the upper chamber early this year.

President Donald Trump called out GOP Sens. Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, in an effort to apply public pressure before the Senate votes on a measure to scuttle his Canadian tariff policy.

The joint resolution would terminate the national emergency Trump declared regarding illicit drugs and Canada — in his executive order, Trump called for slapping tariffs on America's northern neighbor.

In s lengthy Truth Social post shortly before 1 a.m. on Wednesday, the president suggested that the four GOP senators have "Trump Derangement Syndrome." 

"Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Rand Paul, also of Kentucky, will hopefully get on the Republican bandwagon, for a change, and fight the Democrats wild and flagrant push to not penalize Canada for the sale, into our Country, of large amounts of Fentanyl, by Tariffing the value of this horrible and deadly drug in order to make it more costly to distribute and buy," Trump declared.

TRUMP'S 11TH WEEK IN OFFICE SET TO FOCUS ON TARIFFS AS PRESIDENT TOUTS ‘LIBERATION DAY’

"They are playing with the lives of the American people, and right into the hands of the Radical Left Democrats and Drug Cartels. The Senate Bill is just a ploy of the Dems to show and expose the weakness of certain Republicans, namely these four, in that it is not going anywhere because the House will never approve it and I, as your President, will never sign it. Why are they allowing Fentanyl to pour into our Country unchecked, and without penalty," he continued.

Trump blasted the four lawmakers as "disloyal" to the GOP.

"What is wrong with them, other than suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome, commonly known as TDS? Who can want this to happen to our beautiful families, and why? To the people of the Great States of Kentucky, Alaska, and Maine, please contact these Senators and get them to FINALLY adhere to Republican Values and Ideals. They have been extremely difficult to deal with and, unbelievably disloyal to hardworking Majority Leader John Thune, and the Republican Party itself. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"

CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER MARK CARNEY SAYS ‘OLD RELATIONSHIP’ WITH US ‘IS OVER' AMID TENSION OVER TRUMP TARIFFS

Paul is a cosponsor of the joint resolution. 

Murkowski reportedly informed Politico's Lisa Kashinsky that she will vote for the resolution, while Collins has said she is "very likely" to back it, according to the outlet. 

RAND PAUL ENDORSES TRUMP 3 MONTHS AFTER ELECTION DAY, ADMITS ‘I WAS WRONG’

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McConnell declared in an op-ed earlier this year that "tariffs are bad policy." 

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, made her stance clear on whether transgender athletes should compete in girls’ and women’s sports on Monday.

Collins said in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital that a Maine state law that allows biological males to compete against girls and women is the antithesis to the "spirit and intent of Title IX."

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"I believe that the State of Maine is under scrutiny because of the state law that allows biological males to play in girls’ sports. And that is contrary, not just to the President's executive order, but what I believe is the very spirit and intent of Title IX, which was to provide sports and other athletic activities to girls in a safe and fair way," Collins wrote.

The state refused to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order to keep biological males from competing in girls’ and women’s sports. The Health and Human Services Department’s Office of Civil Rights referred the state’s "noncompliance with Title IX" to the Justice Department on Friday.

"It is critically important to treat people who are transgender with respect and dignity. But that does not change the fact that Title IX, which was passed in 1972, has greatly expanded opportunities for girls and young women to participate in organized sports at the high school and college levels," Collins added. "It did so, in part, by mandating equal access to athletic resources and facilities on the basis of sex – not on the basis of gender identity. Safe and fair athletic competition has been one of the keys to the success of Title IX. That is why I do not believe that transgender athletes should compete in girls’ and women’s athletics.

"I will continue to advocate for Maine to receive its fair share of federal funding, something I have done successfully so far, but I support the original intent behind Title IX."

Maine school officials explained why they refused to comply with Trump’s executive order on Monday.

"The Maine Principals’ Association is bound by the law, including the Maine Human Rights Act (MHRA), which our participation policy reflects," officials wrote. "We are unable to sign any resolution agreement that would mandate we create a new policy that would violate the law and MHRA.

"As such, we have not signed and will not sign the resolution agreement sent by the Federal Department of Health and Human Services. With respect to the Federal Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, resolution agreement, we were not a direct recipient of that agreement, so we are not required to respond."

MAINE SCHOOL OFFICIALS EXPLAIN WHY STATE WAS IN 'NONCOMPLIANCE WITH TITLE IX' AFTER REFERRAL TO DOJ

Maine School Administrative District 51 also pointed to the Maine Human Rights Act.

"The MSAD #51 Board of Directors is guided by the Mission, Vision, and Core Values of our district. This includes promoting a safe, caring and ethical learning environment where each person will be treated with respect and fairness; and individuals are recognized, valued and supported," its letter reads.

"To our students: Thank you for your maturity, perseverance, and dedication to learning through these distractions. Please continue to lead the way.

"To our teachers and staff: We deeply appreciate your unwavering commitment to our students. Your dedication makes a profound impact, and we are grateful for your resilience and compassion. Please note that no Board policies have changed at this time. We encourage you to continue supporting every student, socially and academically, as you always have."

The Maine Human Rights Act was amended four years ago to add gender identity as a protected class and specifically stated that denying a person an equal opportunity to participate in sports is discrimination against education. The Maine Principals’ Association updated its policy to allow athletes to compete against the gender they identify as last year.

A University of New Hampshire poll released Thursday showed that 64% of Maine residents believe transgender athletes "definitely should not" or "probably should not" participate in girls’ and women’s sports. Only 29% of Maine residents believed that transgender athletes "probably should" or "definitely should" compete against girls and women in sports.

Maine Gov. Janet Mills, Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey and Maine’s Education Department have not responded to requests for comment.

Fox News’ Julia Johnson and CB Cotton contributed to this report.

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President Donald Trump earned a wave of backlash from the political right after endorsing Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. for re-election last week.

A torrent of replies flooded Trump's Truth Social post as people disagreed with the president's move, including retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, who very briefly served as national security advisor during Trump's first term. 

"Not someone I can get behind. I’ll go to the gates with you but I won’t take one step forward with him," Flynn wrote.

Trump declared in the Truth Social post that Graham has his "Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election" and that the senator "WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN."

Negative sentiment about the senator and Trump's endorsement also appeared on X.

TRUMP ENDORSES SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM FOR RE-ELECTION: ‘HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN’

"Sorry... I am not with Trump at all with this one. Not one bit," conservative commentator and crack Trump impressionist Shawn Farash tweeted.

"Just say NO to Lindsey Graham," conservative commentator Chad Prather wrote.

Townhall columnist Scott Morefield opined, "Trump endorsing Lindsey Graham, in a state where an eggplant with an R beside their name would win, with the promise that he ‘will not let us down’ no less, while at the same time castigating real, non-RINO conservatives like Chip Roy, Bob Good & Thomas Massie, just shows that, while we should appreciate how he’s running the country, his ‘endorsements’ should be taken with a heavy grain of salt."

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., hauled in hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign donations this month after Trump trashed him on Truth Social for opposing a government-funding measure to avert a partial government shutdown.

"HE SHOULD BE PRIMARIED, and I will lead the charge against him," Trump vowed. "He reminds me of Liz Chaney [sic] before her historic, record breaking fall (loss!)"

In a statement to Fox News Digital on Thursday, Massie likened Graham to former Rep. Liz Cheney.

"I don’t begrudge anyone for an endorsement, but Senator Graham is objectively the ideological twin of Liz Cheney," Massie said in the statement.

Graham's campaign manager Mark Knoop said in a statement to Fox News Digital on Friday, "Senator Graham shares President Trump's frustration with Rep. Massie. Rep. Massie has become the most reliable vote for Democrats on critical issues opposing President Trump's agenda."

TRUMP PLEDGES TO ‘LEAD THE CHARGE’ AGAINST REP. MASSIE, LIKENS HIM TO LIZ CHENEY

Trump attacked conservative House Freedom Caucus member Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, last year, declaring in a Truth Social post, "The very unpopular ‘Congressman’ from Texas, Chip Roy, is getting in the way, as usual, of having yet another Great Republican Victory - All for the sake of some cheap publicity for himself."

While Trump wanted the debt ceiling raised, Roy indicated in a December tweet, "Currently, I’m against raising the debt ceiling without major spending cuts/reform. Congress needs to feel the pain of their actions and confront reality."

Fox News Digital reached out to request a comment from the congressman, but no comment was provided by his office. The White House also declined to provide comment on the president's endorsement of Graham. 

"There’s no bigger endorsement than President Trump’s and Senator Graham is honored to have his support. He has earned it. Senator Graham looks forward to playing golf this weekend with Trey Gowdy and President Trump. When it comes to conservative organizations endorsing Senator Graham, stay tuned," Knoop said in a statement to Fox News Digital on Friday.

Figures from pro-life groups are slated to appear at a press conference on Monday as the groups back Graham's re-election bid, according to a campaign press release provided to Fox News Digital.

IF PLUG IS PULLED ON UKRAINE IT WILL BE ‘WORSE THAN AFGHANISTAN,’ SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM SAYS

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Graham, who thanked Trump for the endorsement in a post on X, has also shared another post with a video highlighting the president's support.

"President Trump is on team Graham," a voiceover declares during the video, describing Graham as "a conservative leader, trusted by Trump, endorsed by Trump."

But while Trump, who previously endorsed Graham in 2020, is on the senator's side, time will tell whether voters share the same sentiments.

While Graham decisively won his 2020 primary with more than 67% of the vote, he was met with a chorus of boos when he spoke at a Trump rally in his own state of South Carolina in 2023.

The lawmaker, who has served in the Senate for more than two decades, is up for re-election in 2026.

One senator's pooch is digging up "bipawtisan" goodwill on Capitol Hill this week.

Babydog Justice, famous sidekick to West Virginia Republican Sen. Jim Justice, visited the Senate Thursday, and senators across the political spectrum couldn't hold back their appreciation.

Rolled along in her soft-sided wagon, the English bulldog canine ambassador is a welcome sight in the Senate chambers.

SENATOR-ELECT JIM JUSTICE'S TEAM CLARIFIES REPORT CLAIMING FAMOUS POOCH BABYDOG BANNED FROM SENATE FLOOR

Babydog took to X to share a post meeting four senators who work with her famous dad, saying, "Loved getting some bipawtisan pets by the Senate floor today!"

Babydog was photographed with Republican and Democratic senators alike, including Democrats Ruben Gallego of Arizona and John Fetterman of Pennsylvania.

One eager commentator wrote, "The real senate majority leader."

BABYDOG GOES TO WASHINGTON: WEST VIRGINIA'S JUSTICE FLIPS SENATE SEAT RED

Sen. Jon Hustsed, R-Ohio, also posted a photo of the lovable pooch, writing, "Just another day at work for Ohio’s four-footed neighbor, Baby Dog."

"Babydog is happy to be pet by anyone that comes along – she shows no political bias, especially if treats are involved," Justice told Fox News Digital. 

"She loves coming with me over to the Senate floor, where senators can walk off and immediately come to visit with her. I think if Babydog moderated spending discussions going on around here, we might get more across the finish line. There is no doubt in my mind that both sides of the aisle agree Babydog as Senator No. 101 is the most popular member in Congress."

Babydog sparked headlines nationally last year at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where she took the Fiserv Forum stage with Justice, who was West Virginia's governor at the time.

"I know that a lot of you want to meet my little buddy. So, if Babydog could come on out here," Justice said before the crowd erupted in cheers.

The 5-year-old pooch was a fixture on the campaign trail with Justice and has shown no signs of ending her support for her dad now that he's in the Senate.

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Her official X account bio says, "My favorite things are @JimJustice_WV, Wendy’s nuggets, riding shotgun in dad’s Suburban, and napping."

Justice successfully flipped his seat for the GOP after longtime Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin announced he would not seek re-election last year.

Justice received 68.8% of the vote after gaining a key endorsement from President Donald Trump.

EXCLUSIVE: A top DOGE leader in the Senate is trying to reel in a massive federal grant from a nonprofit focused on promoting fishing, boating and outdoors that she alleges is being used to pad executive salaries, a characterization the organization rejected.

Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and her colleagues have been scouring federal grants for appearances of waste, fraud or abuse of taxpayer funds, and came upon a $27 million grant to the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF). 

More than $26 million of the grant had been paid out, and long-term figures showed RBFF received $164 million in funding since 2012, with nearly $13 million of that coming in 2024.

From the government website USA Spending, the grant’s purpose highlights RBFF’s "Take Me Fishing" consumer campaign that includes a social and digital media component, as well as ads on Walt Disney Company-branded streaming services and "mobile fishing units" that cater to urban communities and "underserved audiences."

DOGE MADNESS: SWEET-16 BRACKET SET UP FOR CRAZIEST FEDERAL WASTES TO COMPETE FOR CHAMPIONSHIP

The Disney contract is worth $1.99 million, and other expenditures included $204,000 in SEO consulting, $5 million to a Minnesota agency for media, creative development and design, and $189,000 to an Atlanta hotel.

The Alexandria, Virginia-based nonprofit recorded six-figure salaries for several top officials, totaling more than $1.5 million. The group’s president is reportedly paid about $318,000 per year. Most others fell in the mid-$100s.

However, RBFF officials defended their work in a statement to Fox News Digital, and suggested government funds are being spent responsibly.

"RBFF has a proud tradition of attracting Americans to the sport of fishing and boating," the statement read.

DOGE CAUCUS SENATOR PUSHES FOR END TO SLUSH FUND FOR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

"By significantly increasing participation over the past 10 years, local communities, independently-owned businesses and manufacturers have directly benefited from increased spending."

RBFF said American anglers contribute nearly $150 billion in economic output and 1 million jobs nationwide.

"In fact, we know that fishing produces $1,500 in commerce per participant per year – a figure that drives economic activity in every state in the union," the organization said.

"We are wholly funded via a competitive grant that is awarded through the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service via the Sport Fish Restoration excise tax, and our organization is supported by state fish and wildlife agencies, as well as industry manufacturers and retailers from Alaska to Florida."

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Ernst was not convinced, telling Fox News Digital that "Washington fell hook, line, and sinker into padding the pockets of overpriced recreational consultants."

She quipped that "special interests" should instead be told "to ‘go fish.’"

"The Department of Interior needs to claw back the remaining $650,000 and tell these consultants that there are other fish in the sea." 

Fox News Digital also reached out to the Interior Department for further comment on the grant, which preceded the current agency leadership.

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., unleashed on Kenneth S. Stern, attorney and director at the Bard Center for the Study of Hate, during a Senate committee hearing on Thursday, challenging his recent comments on NPR that the Trump administration’s cancellation of Columbia University’s federal grants makes Jewish students "less safe."

"I see that five or six days ago you gave an interview in which you said that the removal of Mahmoud Khalil, the pro-Hamas foreign rioter, is a form of McCarthyism and makes Jewish students less safe. Now this is an individual that has been accused of endorsing and espousing terrorist activity, who has been accused of lying on his green card application in the U.S., who is currently being sued for terrorizing and assaulting Jewish students. Do you still believe this?" Hawley probed.

In response, before Hawley cut him off, Stern said he'd "been very clear that OCR has a very important role, that there are complaints that should go through the process." 

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"When you start using the Department of Justice and threatening universities' funding," Stern began, but Hawley interrupted.

"I just want to get this on the record: You are opposed to investigating Columbia University and others for antisemitism?" Hawley said, cutting off Stern.

"No," Stern said.

"That's what you said, six days ago," Hawley interjected.

"I am not opposed to doing it the right way," Stern said.

Hawley further pressed Stern about the Trump administration's investigation into the failure to protect Jewish students, pointing out that Stern had previously claimed such an investigation would be "weaponizing antisemitism" and make students less safe.

Stern responded by agreeing that it was indeed weaponizing antisemitism when the Department of Justice had "a list of places they want to go to."

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Stern pointed to Massachusetts Democrat Sen. Edward Markey's earlier statements in the hearing in which he said "the answer to antisemitism will never be authoritarianism. We cannot guarantee freedom if we let Trump march in and steal freedom."

Hawley responded that he had heard Markey's comments and called them "insane."

"I heard his whole speech. I thought it was insane," Hawley said. "I just want to say, for the record, I thought it was totally insane. And I think your positions are similarly insane. I think the idea that we would bend over backwards to hug and kiss and make nice to a pro-Hamas rioter, because that's what Khalil is, and that we would say, 'Heavens, we have, we can't remove him.' And that makes Jewish students less safe on our campuses? That's nuts."

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Mahmoud Khalil, an anti-Israel activist and Columbia University student, faces allegations from the Trump administration for allegedly omitting details about his employment history on his green card application. 

Specifically, he purportedly failed to disclose his role as a "political affairs officer" with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees between June and November 2023, as well as his extended tenure with the Syria Office at the British Embassy in Beirut beyond 2022. As such, the administration has initiated proceedings to revoke Khalil's visa.

Concurrently, the administration pulled $400 million in federal funding from Columbia University over its handling of anti-Israel campus riots last year. The Ivy League university announced major changes on Friday to align its student policies with Trump's demands.

Several Ivy League students holding visas or green cards have since filed lawsuits against the Trump administration, alleging First Amendment violations.