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Thom Tillis Will Note Vote for Trump’s Pick for Federal Prosecutor in DC

Matt OHern
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Thom Tillis Will Note Vote for Trump’s Pick for Federal Prosecutor in DC

Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) has publicly opposed President Donald Trump’s nomination of Ed Martin as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, citing concerns over Martin’s ties to the January 6 Capitol riot and his conduct during his interim tenure. Martin, a conservative activist and former Missouri GOP chair, has been serving as the interim U.S. Attorney since January 2025.

Martin’s interim appointment has been marked by controversy. He has dismissed or demoted prosecutors involved in Capitol riot cases, launched a “Make D.C. Safe Again” initiative, and expressed support for individuals charged in the January 6 attack. Additionally, Martin has faced criticism for omitting numerous media appearances from his Senate disclosures and for making inflammatory comments about fellow Republicans and Capitol Police officers.

Senator Tillis, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, emphasized his stance that all individuals who unlawfully entered the Capitol should be prosecuted. He expressed skepticism following a meeting with Martin, criticizing his past support for riot participants and his rhetoric surrounding the event. Tillis’s opposition is significant, as it could effectively block Martin’s nomination from moving forward in the committee.

The Senate Judiciary Committee has not scheduled a vote on Martin’s nomination, and with his interim appointment set to expire on May 20, 2025, uncertainty surrounds his future in the role. If the Senate does not confirm a successor in time, the federal court in D.C. may appoint an interim U.S. Attorney to replace him.

Martin’s nomination has also faced opposition from Senate Democrats and over 100 former prosecutors, who have raised concerns about his qualifications and impartiality. Despite support from some Republicans, including Senator John Cornyn, Martin’s confirmation remains in jeopardy due to the growing bipartisan scrutiny.

North Carolina House Approves Bill Limiting DEI Programs in Government

Matt OHern
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North Carolina House Approves Bill Limiting DEI Programs in Government

The North Carolina House of Representatives approved a bill that would restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in state and local government agencies. The legislation, House Bill 171, passed in a 68-45 vote, largely along party lines.

The bill, sponsored by House Majority Leader Brenden Jones, would prohibit government entities, including state agencies and schools, from using DEI considerations in hiring or providing benefits based on characteristics such as race, sex, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. It would also bar the use of state funds for DEI programs and prevent agencies from applying for federal grants that require adherence to DEI-related policies.

“This is about restoring focus on merit and qualifications,” Jones said during the floor debate. “We’ve seen government institutions move toward what I would call ‘agenda hiring.’” He added that the bill would not affect academic curricula or cultural observances such as Black History Month or Pride Month.

The version of the bill passed Wednesday is narrower than earlier drafts. A previous version would have extended restrictions to non-governmental entities and imposed criminal penalties. The current version applies only to government bodies and includes potential civil fines of up to $10,000 per violation.

Democratic lawmakers strongly opposed the measure, arguing it could undermine programs designed to support historically marginalized communities. House Democratic Leader Robert Reives defended the value of DEI efforts, saying, “There are many individuals who some may label as ‘DEI hires’ who are highly qualified. This legislation sends a harmful message.”

Rep. Amos Quick, a Democrat from Guilford County, also questioned the bill’s intent. “The first line of the bill says it’s eliminating diversity initiatives,” he said. “You can’t claim to value diversity while seeking to eliminate initiatives that promote it.”

Wednesday’s vote followed delays earlier this month, when Democratic legislators gathered in the House gallery in protest. House Speaker Destin Hall said the delays were due to a sponsor’s excused absence, not the protests.

Efforts to curtail DEI programs have become a priority for Republican lawmakers in North Carolina and across the country, with similar proposals introduced in multiple states. The North Carolina Senate has already passed two separate bills addressing DEI in K-12 schools and public universities.

However, even if HB 171 advances through the Senate, its fate remains uncertain. Governor Josh Stein, a Democrat, is expected to veto the measure. Republicans hold a veto-proof majority in the Senate but are one seat short of that threshold in the House, meaning at least one Democratic vote or an absence would be needed to override a veto.

Poll Indicates Tight Race in Potential Senate Battle of Kemp vs. Ossoff

Matt OHern
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Poll Indicates Tight Race in Potential Senate Battle of Kemp vs. Ossoff

Recent results from a poll conducted by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution revealed a potential barnburner in a showdown between Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and Sen. Jon Ossoff in a hypothetical 2026 Senate race. In a head-to-head matchup, Kemp and Ossoff are deadlocked within the poll’s margin of error of 3.1 percentage points, with Kemp at 49% and Ossoff at 46%.

Kemp, who hasn’t made a public decision on entering the race, enjoys a 60% approval rating among Georgia voters. Kemp is also the only Republican in the AJC poll who led against Ossoff. Other Republicans, including conservative firebrand Marjorie Taylor Greene, trailed Ossoff by wide margins over double digits. Ossoff took 54% vs. Green’s 37%. Georgia Sec. of State Brad Raffensperger fared slightly better than Green, earning 39%. The least recognized name, John King, got 38%. King is Georgia’s Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner.

“Kemp’s approval rating is bolstered by strong support from independents and even a third of Democrats,” the AJC noted. “That puts him nearly 20 points ahead of President Donald Trump and reinforces recent AJC polls showing the Republican is one of the most well-liked figures in Georgia politics…It’s unclear whether Trump’s plummeting approval numbers will rub off on Kemp, who has supported the president’s priorities. The AJC poll shows many parts of that agenda — including tariffs and his immigration policies — are opposed by the majority of Georgians.”

Rep. Julia Letlow May Challenge Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy in 2026 Republican Primary

Matt OHern
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Rep. Julia Letlow May Challenge Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy in 2026 Republican Primary

Louisiana Congresswoman Julia Letlow (R) is reportedly considering a challenge to Senator Bill Cassidy in the Louisiana Republican Senate primary for 2026, according to a report by The Advocate. Letlow, who represents Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District, has not publicly confirmed her intentions, but she is reportedly weighing the possibility amid growing speculation within GOP circles.

Cassidy, a two-term senator, has faced criticism from some conservatives due to his 2021 vote to convict former President Donald Trump during the impeachment trial. This has opened the door for potential challengers from the party’s right flank. State Treasurer John Fleming has already declared his candidacy, while other Republicans, including State Senator Blake Miguez and Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta, have expressed interest in entering the race.

Letlow, first elected to Congress in 2021, is considered a rising star within the Louisiana GOP. She secured reelection in 2024 and has built a reputation as a conservative legislator with strong support in her district.

Recent polling indicates that Cassidy may be vulnerable in the primary. A February 2025 survey by JMC Analytics showed Cassidy trailing Fleming 40% to 27% among likely Republican voters, with 33% undecided.

As the 2026 election approaches, Letlow’s potential entry into the race could significantly reshape the dynamics of the Republican primary and serve as a major test of Cassidy’s support within the party.

Blackburn, Salazar Introduce ‘NO FAKES Act’ to Protect Individuals and Creators from Digital Replicas

Press Release
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Blackburn, Salazar Introduce ‘NO FAKES Act’ to Protect Individuals and Creators from Digital Replicas

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), along with U.S. Representatives Maria Salazar (R-Fla.) and Madeleine Dean (D-Penn.), introduced the bipartisan Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe (NO FAKES) Act to protect the voice and visual likenesses of individuals and creators from the proliferation of digital replicas created without their consent:

“While AI has opened the door to countless innovations, it has also exposed creators and other vulnerable individuals to online harms,” said Senator Blackburn. “Tennessee’s creative community is recognized around the globe, and the NO FAKES Act would help protect these individuals from the misuse and abuse of generative AI by holding those responsible for deepfake content to account.”

“Nobody—whether they’re Tom Hanks or an 8th grader just trying to be a kid—should worry about someone stealing their voice and likeness,” said Senator Coons. “Incredible technology like AI can help us push the limits of human creativity, but only if we protect Americans from those who would use it to harm our communities. I am grateful for the bipartisan partnership of Senators Blackburn, Klobuchar, and Tillis, the support of colleagues in the House, and the endorsements of leaders in the entertainment industry, the labor community, and firms at the cutting edge of AI technology.”

“While AI presents extraordinary opportunities for technological advancement, it also poses some new problems, including the unauthorized replication of the voice and visual likeness of individuals, such as artists,” said Senator Tillis. “We must protect against such misuse, and I’m proud to co-introduce this bipartisan legislation to create safeguards from AI, which will result in greater protections for individuals and that which defines them.”

“Americans from all walks of life are increasingly seeing AI being used to create deepfakes in ads, images, music, and videos without their consent,” said Senator Klobuchar. “We need our laws to be as sophisticated as this quickly advancing technology. The bipartisan NO FAKES Act will establish rules of the road to protect people from having their voice and likeness replicated through AI without their permission.”

“In this new era of AI, we need real laws to protect real people,” said Representative Salazar. “The NO FAKES Act is simple and sacred: you own your identity—not Big Tech, not scammers, not algorithms. Deepfakes are digital lies that ruin real lives, and it’s time to fight back.”

“As AI’s prevalence grows, federal law must catch up—we must support technological innovation while preserving the privacy, safety, and dignity of all Americans,” said Representative Dean. “By granting everyone a clear, federal right to control digital replicas of their own voice and likeness, the NO FAKES Act will empower victims of deep fakes; safeguard human creativity and artistic expression; and defend against sexually explicit deepfakes. I’m grateful to work with a bipartisan group of colleagues on common sense, common ground regulations of this new frontier of AI.”

BACKGROUND

  • With the rapid advance of generative artificial intelligence (AI), artists and creators have already begun to see their voices and likenesses used without their consent in videos and songs created as nearly indistinguishable replicas.
  • In one high-profile example, AI-generated replicas of the voices of pop stars Drake and The Weeknd were used to produce a viral song titled “Heart on My Sleeve,” generating hundreds of thousands of listens on YouTube, Spotify, and other streaming platforms before it was flagged as a fake and removed from the platforms. 
  • The harmful effects of unauthorized AI-generated content go far beyond celebrities. For example, in Maryland, a Baltimore high school athletic director was arrested and charged after using AI to create a deepfake voice recording of the school’s principal that included racist and derogatory comments about students and staff – statements the principal never actually made.

NO FAKES ACT

The NO FAKES Act would address the use of non-consensual digital replications in audiovisual works or sound recordings by:

  • Holding individuals or companies liable if they distribute an unauthorized digital replica of an individual’s voice or visual likeness;
  • Holding platforms liable for hosting an unauthorized digital replica if the platform has knowledge of the fact that the replica was not authorized by the individual depicted;
  • Excluding certain digital replicas from coverage based on recognized First Amendment protections; and
  • Preempting future state laws regulating digital replicas.

Click here to read the bill text.

Ossoff and Cassidy Introduce Bipartisan Bill Aimed at Curbing Data Broker Practices

Matt OHern
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Ossoff and Cassidy Introduce Bipartisan Bill Aimed at Curbing Data Broker Practices

Washington D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is working across the aisle to put Americans back in control of their own data.

Sens. Ossoff, Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) recently introduced the bipartisan Data Elimination and Limiting Extensive Tracking and Exchange (DELETE) Act, legislation that would enable and empower Americans to request that data brokers delete their personal data.

The DELETE Act would direct the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to create an online tool where Americans can submit a one-time data deletion request to all registered data brokers that hold their personal data. The bill would also create a ‘do not track list’ to prohibit companies from collecting these users’ data in the future.

“Data brokers are buying, collecting, and reselling vast amounts of personal information about all of us without our consent. This bipartisan bill is about returning control of our personal data to us, the American people,” Sen. Ossoff said. 

Data brokers are companies that collect, use, and sell personal data without a person’s knowledge.

Opinion: Senators, Reps Should Be Required to Annually Update Profile Portraits on Their Official Websites

Matt OHern
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Opinion: Senators, Reps Should Be Required to Annually Update Profile Portraits on Their Official Websites

The average age of members of the United States Congress has steadily increased over the years, creating a growing age gap between elected officials and the general public they serve. As of recent congressional sessions, the average age of a U.S. Senator is around 65 years old, while members of the House of Representatives average about 58. In contrast, the median age of the general U.S. population is approximately 39. This disparity has sparked discussions about representation, generational perspectives, and the long-term impact on policymaking.

Considering the recent example of former President Joe Biden, voters deserve an accurate and current glimpse of their government representatives, especially in Congress. Compared to presidents, members of Congress aren’t shown on television to the vast majority of their constituents.

Recently, as I undertook a voter directory project, I discovered that multiple senators and congressmen who still featured decade-old self-portraits on their official government website biography pages. While age should not be the sole criterion for evaluating a politician’s effectiveness, the imbalance in age representation contributes to ongoing debates about term limits, retirement expectations, and the need for fresh perspectives in government. Ultimately, a Congress that reflects the age diversity of the U.S. population could lead to more dynamic and responsive governance.

Some of the most glaring examples included one of the most high-profile members of the Senate, Mitch McConnell, who served as Senate Majority Leader, until his aging became eerily apparent due to several instances of McConnell freezing his facial expressions during public appearances. McConnell’s portrait, currently posted on his Senate site, as well as his YouTube channel and social media accounts, are from 2016, nearly a decade ago. Compare that picture to a recent image of McConnell:

As you can see, his current official online pages feature the near-decade-old portrait:

Other examples include Florida Congressman Daniel Webster, who still features a portrait that was taken 14 years ago:

Supporters of older congressional members often emphasize their deep experience, established relationships, and procedural expertise. However, the growing age gap raises questions about whether Congress accurately reflects the demographics of the nation. Young people, who constitute a significant portion of the voting population, often feel underrepresented in national leadership.

Many of the most powerful positions in Congress—such as committee chairs, leadership roles, and influential subcommittees—are held by older lawmakers, some of whom have served for decades. While experience and institutional knowledge can be valuable assets, critics argue that an aging Congress may struggle to fully understand or prioritize the concerns of younger Americans, including issues such the digital economy. In some cases, this generational disconnect can lead to outdated policy approaches or slower responses to rapidly evolving social and technological challenges.

If we can’t expect our elected officials to be transparent about their own appearance, how can we expect them to be transparent about anything?

North Carolina Abortion Ban Bill Won’t Advance, State House Speaker Says

Matt OHern
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North Carolina Abortion Ban Bill Won’t Advance, State House Speaker Says

A Republican-backed bill introduced this week that would ban abortion at any stage of pregnancy in North Carolina will not move forward, according to North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall.

“I don’t think there’s any real desire in our caucus to hear that particular bill, so it’s not going to be heard in committee,” Hall told reporters after Tuesday’s House voting session.

The bill, introduced on Monday by Rep. Keith Kidwell and co-sponsored by two other House Republicans, aims to outlaw abortion from the moment of conception. It includes no exceptions except to save the mother’s life. Violating this law would carry felony charges and a civil penalty of $100,000.

Democrats immediately criticized the proposal and vowed to fight against it vigorously. Named the “Human Life Protection Act of 2025,” the bill mirrors legislation Kidwell proposed in 2023 that also failed to gain traction. At that time, Republicans were working behind the scenes to find a consensus on abortion restrictions that could unite the party.

That effort ultimately led to a 2023 law banning most abortions after 12 weeks, with exceptions allowing for abortions up to 20 weeks in cases of rape and incest, up to 24 weeks for fetal abnormalities, and at any point if a doctor determines it is a medical emergency. This law passed over a veto from then-Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat. Newly-elected Governor Josh Stein, also a Democrat, would also likely veto this verison.

Hall stated on Tuesday that he doesn’t expect any significant changes to that law during this session. “We just passed, less than two years ago, really landmark pro-life legislation,” Hall said. “I think we need to give it time to see how it works. I don’t anticipate doing much more on that issue right now.”

Senate leader Phil Berger echoed Hall’s position, mentioning that he hadn’t reviewed Kidwell’s bill and did not foresee changes to the current 12-week law. “I don’t know that there’s support to pass a more restrictive bill and override a veto,” Berger remarked. “So I don’t see us moving in that direction.” He had previously stated last June that he did not support introducing additional abortion restrictions this year, clarifying that he was speaking only for himself.

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