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Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. An effort by Republicans in Congress to approve billions more dollars for immigration enforcement could be back on track. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanch told lawmakers today the administration is abandoning a controversial plan. to compensate people who say they were targeted by the federal government, NPR's Sam Greenglass reports.
Chapter 2: What immigration enforcement measures are being discussed in Congress?
Republican leadership had abandoned a vote on a party-line measure to fund ICE and Border Patrol. That was amid GOP blowback against President Trump's $1.8 billion so-called anti-weaponization fund. This week, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said discussion among Republicans remained robust, but he expected testimony from Acting Attorney General Todd Blanch to alleviate concerns.
And I think his statements are going to be very definitive, very clear, and create the certainty that I hope all of our members and House members need as well in order for us to proceed on the reconciliation bill.
Blanch later told lawmakers, quote, we are not moving forward with the fund, period. Sam Greenglass, NPR News, Washington.
Chapter 3: What controversial plans did Acting Attorney General Todd Blanch abandon?
Secretary of State Marco Rubio faced tough questions on a range of issues from Iran to Ebola in hearings today on Capitol Hill. NPR's Michelle Kellerman reports that some senators also raised doubts about the U.S. strikes on alleged drug boats closer to home.
Democratic Senator Tim Kaine says he's received classified briefings about the targeting criteria for attacking boats in Latin America. And Kaine says he was surprised about what's not on the targeting criteria list, evidence of narcotics on the boat.
They chose items that were targets, that authorized the use of the U.S. military to sink boats and kill people. But they have not used the presence of narcotics on the boat as one of the targeting criteria.
Secretary Rubio says legal officers decide whether a strike meets the requirements or not, and the U.S. military has walked away from potential targets, though he wouldn't say how often. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department.
Los Angeles is voting in their mayoral primary today. As NPR's Julia Simon reports, the three top candidates have different views on climate change.
One top candidate is former reality TV personality and crystal salesman Spencer Pratt. He lost his home in the L.A. fires. He told conspiracy theorist Alex Jones that it's, quote, mind-boggling that anyone believes in climate change and that polar bears are swimming to new pieces of ice.
Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass released a climate action plan for the city that includes installing 12,000 EV chargers and increasing L.A. 's renewable energy share to 80 percent by 2030. Bass and Pratt did not respond to requests for comment. L.A. City Councilmember Nithya Raman's climate action plan involves making new buildings electric and ending oil drilling in L.A. neighborhoods.
In a statement, she said climate change is, quote, not some distant abstraction for Los Angeles. Julia Simon, NPR News.
The U.S. stock market added to its records today. This is NPR News. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has been invited to testify before Congress as the league faces increasing federal scrutiny about its broadcast deals and its recent practice of airing games on paywalled streaming services.
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Chapter 4: How are U.S. military targeting criteria affecting drug boat strikes?
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