The Senate voted along party lines Wednesday afternoon to dismiss the House’s impeachment case against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Within a few hours‚ congressional Republicans’ yearlong effort to investigate and hold President Joe Biden’s appointee accountable for the crisis of illegal immigration at the southern border ended. “Democrats concluded that Joe Biden and Alejandro Mayorkas’ defying federal law‚ ignoring the text of the [immigration] statute‚ deliberately releasing criminal illegal aliens over and over and over again‚ that’s just hunky-dory‚”  Sen. Ted Cruz‚ R-Texas‚ said. Cruz warned that Democrats‘ dismissal of the case sends a message to other Biden Cabinet members to ignore the law.   “It is no longer impeachable in Democrat wonderland when a member of the executive branch openly defies the law‚” the Texas Republican said.   .@SenTedCruz blasts Democrats for voting to dismiss the impeachment case against Mayorkas. &;quot;It is no longer impeachable in Democrat wonderland when a member of the executive branch openly defies the law.&;quot; pic.twitter.com/5b01HiUf33— Virginia Allen (@Virginia_Allen5) April 17‚ 2024 By a vote of 51-48‚ the Senate rejected the House’s first article of impeachment against Mayorkas‚ with Sen. Lisa Murkowski‚ R-Ala.‚ voting present. The Senate then voted 51-49 to reject the second charge against Biden’s homeland security secretary.   WATCH: The Senate has officially dismissed the impeachment case against DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. pic.twitter.com/WYXTTjrNbO— Virginia Allen (@Virginia_Allen5) April 17‚ 2024 With three independents who vote with them‚ Democrats hold a 51-49 majority in the Senate. The House adopted the two articles of impeachment against Mayorkas in February. The first alleged alleged that he failed to secure America’s border and enforce immigration laws. The second alleged that he breached public trust and knowingly made false statements to Congress.   Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer‚ D-N.Y.‚ said a Senate trial of the case wasn’t necessary because it represents “the least legitimate‚ least substantive‚ and most politicized impeachment trial ever in the history of the United States.”  “The charges brought against Secretary Mayorkas fail to meet the high standards of high crimes and misdemeanors‚” Schumer said. “To validate this gross abuse by the House would be a grave mistake and could set a dangerous precedent for the future.”   However‚ Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell‚ R-Ky.‚ disagreed with his Democrat colleagues. In a speech on the Senate floor immediately after the votes‚ McConnell told colleagues that “it does not make any difference whether our friends on the other side thought [Mayorkas] should have been impeached or not.” “He was. And by doing what we just did‚ we have in effect ignored the directions of the House‚ which were to have a trial‚”  the Kentucky Republican said. “This is a day that’s not a proud day in the history of the Senate.” After the Senate voted along party lines to dismiss Mayorkas impeachment case‚ @LeaderMcConnell says the Senate has &;quot;set a very unfortunate precedent here.&;quot; &;quot;This is a day that's not a proud day in the history of the Senate.&;quot; pic.twitter.com/qRNOcyFjW9— Virginia Allen (@Virginia_Allen5) April 17‚ 2024 After the vote‚ Sen. Mike Lee‚ R-Utah‚ lamented on the Senate floor that “nothing like this has ever occurred.”   “We’ve been given a duty‚ we’ve been given the sole‚ exclusive power to try all impeachments. Try all impeachments‚” Lee stressed. “Not some of them‚ not just those with which we happen to agree‚ not just those that we are happy that the House of Representatives undertook to prosecute‚ but all.” &;quot;This has never occurred‚&;quot; @SenMikeLee says of Senate Democrats voting to dismiss the impeachment case against Mayorkas. pic.twitter.com/CSBPyEqQTu— Virginia Allen (@Virginia_Allen5) April 17‚ 2024 The Senate’s dismissal of the case against Mayorkas comes after Republicans on the House Homeland Security Committee conducted about a dozen hearings examining Mayorkas’ handling of border security and published six reports condemning the Department of Homeland Security chief for it. This Committee spent nearly a year investigating Secretary Mayorkas.We published 6 reports‚ totaling nearly 400 pages.We held a dozen hearings‚ w/three dozen witnesses.Congress voted to impeach.And the Democrat-led Senate has chosen not to do its job and hold a trial. pic.twitter.com/V6q59MuEVo— House Homeland GOP (@HomelandGOP) April 17‚ 2024 “The Senate had an obligation to conduct a full trial‚ hear the evidence‚ and render a verdict‚” Rep. Mark Green‚ R-Tenn.‚ chairman of the Homeland Security Committee‚ said in a written statement after the upper chamber dismissed the case.  “However‚ just as Secretary Mayorkas has grievously failed in his constitutional duty‚ now so has the Senate‚” Green said. “Instead of addressing the serious charges against Secretary Mayorkas‚ the upper chamber has chosen to neglect its responsibility. This is an unprecedented failure by the Senate to do its duty‚ which‚ for the first time in our history‚ has outright refused to conduct an impeachment trial when given the opportunity to do so.”   NEW: @RepMarkGreen's statement after the Senate voted against holding a trial in the impeachment of DHS Secretary Mayorkas&;#63;&;#63; pic.twitter.com/naYbn1sy0K— House Homeland GOP (@HomelandGOP) April 17‚ 2024 The post Republicans Slam Democrats for Dismissing Mayorkas Impeachment Case appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Two shy cats depended on each other their whole lives. They met a person who came back to the shelter just for them. Gilly and WillyExploitsValleySPCAAfter rescuing three bobtail kittens outside a building last summer‚ Exploits Valley SPCA returned to the location to find the rest of the litter. &;quot;We've always known there were more out there‚&;quot; the SPCA shared.About two months ago‚ the remaining cats were brought to safety. Among them‚ two timid brothers‚ Willy (orange) and Gilligan or Gilly (tabby)‚ were joined at the hip‚ clinging to each other for comfort.&;quot;Although they were nervous of humans‚ they were happy to be out of the cold weather‚ cozied up in warm blankets with their bellies full.&;quot; ExploitsValleySPCAOver the next few days‚ Willy‚ the braver of the two‚ warmed up to the staff and volunteers and sought affection. His brother Gilly hid away in his shadow and avoided eye contact with people for another week.Willy showered Gilly with snuggles and purrs‚ constantly reassuring him that he was safe. &;quot;He takes care of his shy brother Gilligan‚ who would not survive without him.&;quot; The two brothers depended on each other from the beginningExploitsValleySPCAWhile clinging to Willy for safety‚ Gilly quietly watched him as he interacted with visitors. Slowly‚ Gilly came out of his shell.He found the courage to accept chin scratches with his brother leaning against him‚ cheering him on. The fear in his eyes melted away‚ and he felt much more relaxed around people. ExploitsValleySPCA&;quot;Willy is a lot more outgoing than Gilly‚ but Gilly secretly loves attention and belly rubs.&;quot;For many weeks‚ the shelter didn't receive a single adoption application for the brothers‚ as shy cats are often overlooked. Despite the setback‚ the staff continued sharing their story and highlighting their unbreakable bond‚ hoping the right family would come along. Willy warmed up to the staff while Gilly hid in his shadowExploitsValleySPCAAround that time‚ Ada stumbled upon a post about the bonded pair and instantly felt drawn to them.She lost her beloved cat‚ Raven‚ on Christmas Eve‚ and the house had been too empty since. &;quot;Something was missing. I knew I had to search for the right cat‚&;quot; Ada shared. Willy reassured Gilly that he was safeExploitsValleySPCAWhile at the shelter looking for the perfect feline companion‚ she had a meet-and-greet with Willy and Gilly. She was in awe of how much the brothers depended on each other.&;quot;The orange one was so outgoing‚ but the tabby was not so much and seemed to look to the other for safety. Who knows what they have gone through to survive.&;quot; The two brothers were adopted togetherExploitsValleySPCAAda started out looking for just one cat but couldn't stop thinking about the two. She returned to the shelter for another visit and knew right then that they were the perfect pair for her.&;quot;There was obviously a deep bond between them‚ and to separate them would be all wrong.&;quot; They are coming around‚ loving all the attention‚ and playing with toysExploitsValleySPCAGilly (now Kish) and Willy (now Copper) adore their new home and follow one another to the ends of the earth‚ always side by side. They mirror each other's movements and moods as if they share a brain.&;quot;They are slowly coming around and loving all the attention‚ playing with their cat toys‚ getting lots of treats.&;quot; They like to cuddle with their mom on the couchExploitsValleySPCA&;quot;It was clear from the beginning that these brothers depended on each other. Seeing them in their new home solidifies that‚&;quot; the SPCA said.&;quot;Ada came to the shelter for many visits and poured over the page before choosing these two. Now that they're home‚ she knows‚ without a doubt‚ she made the right decision.&;quot; Life is good at their forever homeExploitsValleySPCAShare this story with your friends. More on Exploits Valley SPCA on Facebook and YouTube channel @BirdieWorld382.Related story: Kitten Found Outside Using Only Front Paws to Walk‚ Immediately Wants Play and Affection from Everyone

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This is the heartwarming journey of two rescued raccoons‚ Mo and Savvy‚ who were grappling with obesity due to previous improper care. Initially introduced in a state where their mobility was severely hindered‚ these raccoons resembled small bears more than the agile creatures they are meant to be. The story sets a poignant beginning‚ highlighting... The post Severely overweight raccoons that look like a bear shed all their weight in new home appeared first on Animal Channel.

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