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D.C. Digest: Oklahoma Republicans praise border bill

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D.C. Digest: Oklahoma Republicans praise border bill


Border battles: Unsurprisingly, Oklahoma’s all-Republican House of Representatives delegation cheered passage of the Republican border security bill last week. The bill is not expected to become law as written, but Senate Republicans and Democrats said they think it might lead to bipartisan agreement on some issues.

Oklahoma’s House members used Thursday’s vote to attack what they described as a failure by the Biden administration to stem the tidal wave immigrants — up to 10,000 a day — arriving at the U.S. border with Mexico.

“Today,” said 1st District Congressman Kevin Hern, “we passed the strongest border security measure the House of Representatives has ever seen. It couldn’t be more timely with the expiration of Title 42 tonight. This bill is a promise fulfilled to the American people.”

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“Congress has a duty to put an end to this crisis. Article IV, Section 4 of the Constitution guarantees states protection against invasion. And make no mistake — we have an invasion on our Southern border,” said 2nd District Congressman Josh Brecheen.

“I will be the first to admit, this bill is not perfect,” said 3rd District Congressman Frank Lucas. “I share the concerns of many about stabilizing our agricultural workforce and ensuring those who come to our country legally have the opportunity to build their own ‘American Dream.’ But given the importance of ending this crisis, I cannot let the perfect be the enemy of the good.”

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This bill is a complete rejection of President Biden’s border policies and purposeful inaction,” said 4th District Congressman Tom Cole, “and I was certainly proud to support its passage to uphold our constitutional obligation to keep Americans safe.”

Fifth District Congresswoman Stephanie Bice said the bill would “deploy advanced technology, provide increased resources for CBP officers, and strengthen current law to combat human trafficking.”

Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. James Lankford, who has spent a large share of his time on the issue, told Roll Call: “Our hope is to try to move on something as quickly as we possibly can … . I think the Senate will pull together multiple good ideas from different bills and to be able to combine a bill. It can’t be so big that it doesn’t get done.”

Pills by mail: Lankford was among the Republican senators threatening the country’s largest pharmacy chains with legal action if they begin selling abortion drugs through the mail.

The senators maintain that such distribution violates federal law, while the Biden administration’s Justice Department says it does not.

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“As United States Senators with the constitutional power of advice and consent, we will insist that the next President appoints an Attorney General and U.S. Attorneys who will enforce Federal law … and prosecut(e) the criminal mailing and interstate shipment of abortion drugs and abortion-related paraphernalia … the abortion industry and pharmaceutical companies,” the Republican senators wrote.

Voter access: Lankford was also among Republicans who questioned the administration’s use of federal agencies to promote “access to voting.”

“While we all agree that increased voter participation is a good thing, the job of federal agencies is to perform their defined missions in a nonpartisan way, not use their taxpayer funds for clandestine voter mobilization and election-turnout operations,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to President Joe Biden.

It should be said that no evidence of “clandestine” activities has been presented and that the use of federal agencies to promote voter registration has been publicized by the administration and voting rights organizations, but there is some question as to whether voter registration is a best or even correct use of federal resources, since it is generally a function of state governments.

The initiatives include making sure veterans and social services clients understand voter registration laws and explaining the often complex state laws regarding registration for felons released from prison.

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No Nazis: Two Nazi sympathizers were dropped from Tulsan Clay Clark’s ReAwaken America tour stop at former President Donald Trump’s Doral Resort in Miami, Florida, according to liberal watchdog Media Matters.

The two were anti-Semitic Rumble commentators Scott McKay, who blames Jews for the assassinations of Presidents Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy and William McKinley, not to mention the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001; and Charlie Ward, who has praised Adolf Hitler and claimed viruses are made by Jews.

Eric Trump was also on the schedule but dropped out.

Dots and dashes: First District Congressman Kevin Hern used Twitter to call for the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. … Mullin said every recent committee meeting in the Democrat-controlled Senate begins with a tirade against the House Republicans’ debt limit and spending cut bill. … With neither Hern nor 2nd District Congressman Josh Brecheen requesting appropriations, it fell to Bice to put in one for $32 million to maintain the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, which is completely outside her district, The Oklahoman reported. … Lankford, during an appearance on ABC’s “This Week,” refused to endorse former President Donald Trump or anyone else for president in 2024. … Mullin and Arizona independent Krysten Sinema urged better security for the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which was shut down by hackers for a day in December. … Bice resumed efforts to get domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking added to the list of qualifying conditions for unpaid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993. … Third District Congressman Frank Lucas, chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, and other Republicans including Bice complained to the administration that the Department of Energy is spending too much on renewable energy and not enough on basic science. … Brecheen and Lankford were among Republicans demanding more information about a National Institutes of Health transgender study during which two minors reportedly died from suicide. … Fourth District Congressman Tom Cole introduced legislation to provide economic support to allies subjected to Chinese “economic coercion.” … Lankford and Mullin helped pass resolutions to repeal two administration environmental rules, including the listing of the northern long-eared bat as endangered.

— Randy Krehbiel, Tulsa World

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Video: Biden’s debt ceiling meeting with McCarthy is delayed

President Joe Biden’s debt ceiling meeting scheduled for Friday with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other congressional leaders has been postponed as staff continue to negotiate, according White House and congressional officials. Bloomberg’s Kailey Leinz reports. Follow Bloomberg for business news & analysis, up-to-the-minute market data, features, profiles and more: http://www.bloomberg.com Connect with us on… Twitter: https://twitter.com/business Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bloombergbusiness/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quicktake/?hl=en


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Oklahoma

Oklahoma transfer LB Dasan McCullough commits to Nebraska

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Oklahoma transfer LB Dasan McCullough commits to Nebraska


Oklahoma transfer LB Dasan McCullough commits to Nebraska

Oklahoma transfer linebacker Dasan McCullough has committed to Nebraska, he confirmed on Instagram Sunday afternoon.

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The 6-foot-5, 235-pound McCullough spent the past two seasons in Norman with the Sooners. He began his college football career in 2022 at Indiana, where he earned Freshman All-American status.

McCullough will come to Nebraska with one season of eligibility remaining.

McCullough, who played Oklahoma’s versatile hybrid linebacker/safety position called the Cheetah, suffered an injury before the start of Oklahoma’s fall camp this season and missed the first five games. He returned to the field in October and played in the final seven games, the last five of which he started. He recorded 17 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss in 2024.

In 2023 at Oklahoma, McCullough played in 10 games and started seven while making 30 tackles with 3.5 TFLs and three pass deflections.

McCullough, who was a star recruit and ranked No. 61 nationally in the 2022 class, comes from a football family. His dad, Deland McCullough, played running back in the NFL and is currently Notre Dame’s associate head coach and running backs coach.

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While Deland spent three seasons as the Kansas City Chiefs’ running backs coach from 2018-20, Dasan played his high school ball at Blue Valley North High School in Overland Park, Kansas. Deland became Indiana’s associate head coach and running backs coach in 2021, and Dasan, then an Ohio State verbal commit, flipped to Indiana not long after.

Dasan followed his father to Bloomington and made an impact right away. He played in all 12 games with four starts and racked up 51 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, four sacks and four pass deflections. He gained Freshman All-American honors and a Big Ten honorable mention selection.

— Steve Marik, Inside Nebraska staff writer,

Analysis

McCullough is a versatile backend defender that can play a variety of roles in Nebraska’s defense.

A rare blend of size and athleticism at 6-5, McCullough shows good speed and change-of-direction ability for his size. Has high-end instincts and IQ, which shows up in zone coverage and reacting against the run. Has had some intriguing flashes as a pass-rusher, but largely relies on athleticism to get into the backfield, still developing consistent pass rush moves.

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Technically sound tackler, though lean he’s got wiry body strength. Consistent aggression could improve as could hip fluidity. Athletic enough to hold his own in man coverage, technique can continue to improve, better in zone at this point in his career.

In Nebraska’s scheme, McCullough can play all three linebacker positions, rover or even safety if needed. He’s likely best at inside linebacker with a few pass-rush opportunities.

This addition provides Nebraska defensive coordinator John Butler something of a chess piece to move around his defense.

— Tim Verghese, Inside Nebraska recruiting analyst

Additional analysis

McCullough is a versatile and sizable defender who played both a traditional linebacker position and Oklahoma’s “cheetah” spot, which is roughly equivalent to the nickel. He also saw some periodic snaps as an edge rusher for the Sooners during his two years in Norman.

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McCullough at his best against the run, as he takes good pursuit angles, fills gaps responsibly and is a reliable tackler. That said, he’s intelligent and instinctive in zone coverage and can generally be trusted to hold his own in man-to-man matchups against tight ends and running backs.

McCullough ought to be quite the chess piece in John Butler’s defense, and could truly thrive in Lincoln depending on the Huskers’ specific vision for his diverse skill set.

— OUInsider writer Parker Thune

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Oklahoma

Fears leads No. 14 Oklahoma against Central Arkansas

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Fears leads No. 14 Oklahoma against Central Arkansas


Associated Press

Central Arkansas Bears (3-8) at Oklahoma Sooners (11-0)

Norman, Oklahoma; Sunday, 1 p.m. EST

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BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Sooners -28.5; over/under is 145.5

BOTTOM LINE: No. 14 Oklahoma hosts Central Arkansas after Jeremiah Fears scored 30 points in Oklahoma’s 87-86 victory over the Michigan Wolverines.

The Sooners have gone 6-0 at home. Oklahoma has a 2-0 record in games decided by less than 4 points.

The Bears are 0-6 on the road. Central Arkansas ranks fourth in the ASUN with 23.8 defensive rebounds per game led by Brayden Fagbemi averaging 4.6.

Oklahoma averages 82.0 points, 5.2 more per game than the 76.8 Central Arkansas allows. Central Arkansas averages 9.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.5 more made shots on average than the 6.5 per game Oklahoma allows.

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TOP PERFORMERS: Fears is scoring 17.9 points per game with 3.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists for the Sooners.

Layne Taylor is scoring 17.0 points per game and averaging 4.4 rebounds for the Bears.

LAST 10 GAMES: Sooners: 10-0, averaging 80.9 points, 29.3 rebounds, 14.1 assists, 10.1 steals and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting 47.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 68.5 points per game.

Bears: 3-7, averaging 73.0 points, 34.3 rebounds, 14.3 assists, 8.8 steals and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting 38.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 75.7 points.

___

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.




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Firefighters respond to commercial fire in Oklahoma City

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Firefighters respond to commercial fire in Oklahoma City


OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – The Oklahoma City Fire Department responded to a commercial fire near the area of NW 10th and N Western Avenue.

OKCFD were at the scene of a commercial fire around 7 p.m. Saturday night, when they arrived there was heavy smoke visible from multiple floors of a boarded up building.

One adult female was found in the building and taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation.

At this time no cause has been reported.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.



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