Iowa Democrats’ U.S. Senate candidate has absentee problem, missed nearly 60% of legislative votes

Josh Turek, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate from Iowa, is facing scrutiny over his voting record. He missed a significant number of votes during the legislative session, which has become a key campaign issue against him.

Turek missed 261 votes (nearly 60%) in the Iowa House between January 12 and May 3, 2026.

He received $20,100 in legislative payments during this period.

His absences coincided with campaign activities outside Iowa, including fundraising efforts that raised about $43,000 in Southern California and $36,500 in Washington, D.C.

Important votes he missed included those on rural health care, education standards, and funding for the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs.

In March, Turek missed 30 consecutive votes, which raised concerns among his critics.

His opponent, Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson, defended her voting record, emphasizing her high attendance and criticising Turek for missed votes on significant issues.

The debate over Josh Turek’s voting attendance has intensified as he campaigns against Rep. Ashley Hinson for the Senate seat. His team argues he is an effective lawmaker despite the absences, while his opponent highlights the importance of voting on critical legislation. 

https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/elections/iowa-state-house-democrat-josh-turek-missed-nearly-60-votes-during-2026?utm_source=justthenews.com&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=external-news-aggregators

Turncoat John Thune Sends Senate Home for 37 Days — But Schedules 11 Pro Forma Sessions to BLOCK Trump from Making Recess Appointments

Senator John Thune and the Senate leadership have opted for an extended break, causing frustration among those who support the America First agenda.

Senator John Thune is criticized for postponing genuine Senate work by scheduling a 37-day vacation for the Senate.

During this break, Thune plans to hold 11 "pro forma" sessions, which involve a single senator gaveling in and out without any legislative work occurring.

The first pro forma session is set for August 10, with subsequent sessions spread throughout the recess.

A "pro forma" session is described as a sham, as no votes or debates take place during these brief meetings.

The sessions are designed to prevent the Senate from reaching a recess of ten days or more, which would allow President Trump to make recess appointments.

This strategy serves to block Trump's constitutional power to fill vacant positions, marking a noteworthy obstruction by a Republican-controlled Senate.

The decision to take an extended recess with minimal legislative activity appears to be a tactic by Senate leadership to limit President Trump's authority during his time in office. The recurring pro forma sessions highlight ongoing political maneuvers within the Senate. 

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/08/betrayal-swamp-useless-john-thune-sends-senate-home/

Rhode Island Supervisor Pleads Guilty to Exploiting SNAP Recipients' Benefits

Nadine Jean Baptiste, a Rhode Island Department of Human Services supervisor, has pleaded guilty in federal court for misusing her position to exploit the personal information of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients.

Baptiste, 59, admitted to unauthorized access of SNAP EBT card information, making unauthorized inquiries, and changing PINs tied to the cards.

Over $300,000 in benefits were improperly accessed, affecting vulnerable individuals, including juveniles and the homeless.

Reports of missing EBT cards prompted an investigation starting in September 2023.

SNAP is a program that supports low-income residents, helping about 40 million people, but is experiencing significant fraud issues.

The case highlights serious problems within SNAP's administration, with ongoing efforts to address fraud and mismanagement. 

https://townhall.com/news/scott-mcclallen/2026/08/09/ri-dhs-supervisor-pleads-guilty-to-exploiting-snap-recipients-benefits-n2680934

Flock Linked to Company That Hacks Cameras and Secretly Alters Security Footage

Recent reports have raised alarms about the growing surveillance network in the U.S., particularly regarding the connections between Flock Safety, a major automated license plate reader company, and an Israeli cyber firm, Toka, which allegedly possesses the capability to hack security cameras and manipulate video footage.

Allegations of Investment Links: Flock Safety, which has a vast network of AI-driven cameras tracking vehicles across the U.S., recently secured $275 million in funding led by Bedrock Capital. Social media claims suggest Bedrock may also be tied to Toka, although firm evidence is lacking.

Toka’s Capabilities: Toka, co-founded by former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, has gained notoriety for its tools that allow unauthorized access to security cameras and the ability to alter video feeds. It mainly works with government and law enforcement agencies, regulated by Israel’s Defense Ministry.

Surveillance Expansion: Flock Safety retains vehicle data for 30 days to assist law enforcement, but privacy advocates worry that tracking vehicles can reveal personal information about individuals.

Vulnerability Concerns: There is well-documented evidence that internet-connected security cameras can be hacked, with significant incidents of breaches in various high-security locations.

The combination of advanced surveillance technologies, potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and unverified financial ties between surveillance companies raises important questions about privacy and the integrity of evidence in legal matters. As surveillance expands, the risks associated with manipulated footage and AI-generated video could create challenges for law enforcement and public trust. 

https://slaynews.com/flock-linked-company-hacks-cameras-secretly-alters-security-footage/

DOT Sec. Sean Duffy Makes English a Permanent Requirement for Nation’s Migrant Truckers

The U.S. Department of Transportation, led by Secretary Sean Duffy, has introduced new regulations requiring commercial truck drivers to read and speak English.

Duffy announced that English proficiency is now a permanent requirement for truck drivers, aiming to prevent any future relaxation of these rules.

This change responds to past policy changes during the Obama administration, which allowed unqualified drivers on the roads, leading to safety concerns.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will enforce guidelines ensuring drivers can understand road signs and communicate effectively.

Over 26,000 drivers have already been removed from the roads for failing English proficiency tests.

The regulations emphasize the importance of safety on highways and the ability of drivers to interact with various authorities in English.

The new rule aims to enhance road safety by ensuring that only qualified drivers who can understand English operate large commercial vehicles. 

https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2026/08/09/dot-sec-sean-duffy-makes-english-a-permanent-requirement-for-nations-migrant-truckers/

Abdul El-Sayed: The Enemy Inside the Gates

The recent nomination of Abdul El-Sayed by Michigan Democrats over Rep. Haley Stevens highlights significant concerns regarding political alliances and ideologies within the party. Central to the discourse are the remarks and affiliations of Hasan Piker, who has supported El-Sayed and expressed alarming views about America and its values.

1. Abdul El-Sayed's Nomination:

El-Sayed's association with Hasan Piker raises alarms about his political stance.

Piker's history includes making controversial statements that are seen as anti-American and antisemitic.

2. Hasan Piker's Notable Remarks:

Piker has reportedly claimed that the U.S. "deserved" the 9/11 attacks and has expressed a lack of concern for sexual violence related to the Hamas attacks against Israel.

He has been accused of promoting violence against political figures and has made derogatory comments about Jewish individuals.

3. The Democrat Party's Complicity:

High-profile Democrats like Charles Schumer support El-Sayed, drawing criticism for seemingly endorsing extreme viewpoints.

There is a call for Democrats to reassess their alliances, particularly with those who express hateful ideologies.

4. Intersection of Hatred:

The text discusses the relationship between antisemitism and anti-American sentiment, suggesting that those who oppose Israel often harbor broader hatred for Western civilization.

This ideology is likened to totalitarian movements in history that claimed superiority and justified violence.

5. National Security Concerns:

The content reflects apprehension about the arrival and acceptance of individuals and ideologies viewed as incompatible with American values.

Advocacy for a more restrictive immigration policy is expressed, focusing on eliminating ideological influences deemed harmful.

The nomination of Abdul El-Sayed and his connections to Hasan Piker represent deeper issues within the Democratic Party and society regarding political values and national identity. The piece calls for a reevaluation of political support systems and actions to safeguard the principles of Western civilization against ideologies considered extremist or harmful. There is a strong recommendation for political figures across the globe to take decisive action to curb these influences in their respective countries. 

https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2026/08/abdul-el-sayed-the-enemy-inside-the-gates/

Senate Leaves Town Without Passing Trump’s SAVE America Act

The Senate adjourned for its August recess without passing the SAVE America Act, a key legislative goal of President Donald Trump focused on election integrity. This marks the second recess where the bill remains unresolved.

Republican Senators Ron Johnson, Mike Lee, and Rick Scott decided against pursuing a budget resolution for a third reconciliation package, believing it did not have the necessary votes.

Instead, they voted on a narrower bill requiring photo ID for federal elections, introduced by Sen. Jon Husted. This proposal failed, garnering only 52 votes of the 60 required.

Trump expressed disappointment over the challenges facing the SAVE America Act, which aims to impose stricter voter verification measures.

The proposed $95 billion reconciliation package included provisions for election integrity and other funding.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune declined Trump’s request to remain in session to push the bill forward during the recess.

Some Senate Republicans, particularly Lee, opposed leaving without a vote on the matter.

The White House criticized Senate Democrats for opposing the bill and accused them of obstructing efforts to secure elections by preventing voter ID measures.

Scott suggested that Republicans would continue efforts to advance the legislation in the future.

The SAVE America Act, which requires proof of citizenship and photo ID for voting, remains stalled following the Senate's August recess, with Republican leaders indicating they will continue to fight for its passage. 

https://amgreatness.com/2026/08/09/senate-leaves-town-without-passing-trumps-save-america-act/