Matt Gaetz withdrawing from consideration for attorney general

Matt Gaetz withdraws his name from consideration for attorney general under the incoming Trump administration. Potential names floated to head the Department of Justice next include Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey and Republican Sen. Mike Lee from Utah.

Expansion of Proof-of-Citizenship Requirements for Voting

The House passed legislation to expand proof-of-citizenship requirements for voting in federal elections and impose voter roll purge requirements on states. The bill, called the SAVE Act, aims to prevent non-citizens from voting. It received support from Republicans but faced opposition from Democrats.

Controversy at Sonoma State University involving President Mike Lee and anti-Israel student groups

Sonoma State University President Mike Lee announced his retirement after being placed on administrative leave for making concessions to anti-Israel student groups without approval. The agreements included forming a Students for Justice in Palestine advisory council, boycotting Israeli universities, and expanding Palestinian Studies programs.

Senate Republicans Vote to Continue Warrantless Surveillance

Thirty Senate Republicans voted to continue warrantless surveillance and expand FBI’s surveillance authority by reauthorizing Section 702 of the FISA. Many privacy-oriented amendments were blocked. Senators like Rand Paul, Mike Lee, and Ron Wyden expressed concerns about the bill's impact on Americans' rights.