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Spending bill fails, Oklahoma delegates divided on next steps

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Spending bill fails, Oklahoma delegates divided on next steps


WASHINGTON – Representatives of Oklahoma’s five-member delegation are split over how a new spending bill should be shaped following the defeat of the plan pushed by House Speaker Mike Johnson.

As the budget deadline looms, the need for a spending bill to extend government funding increases. A spending bill would keep the government open. If a spending bill does not pass by September 30, the government will shut down until one is passed. 

Earlier this week, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) told reporters it would be politically beyond stupid to shut down the government before an election, saying Republicans would get the blame.

Johnson’s spending bill failed with three Democrats voting for the continuing resolution and opposition from some Republicans, with 14 voting against the bill and two voting present. 

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All five members of the Oklahoma House delegation voted in favor of the bill. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rep. Tom Cole spoke on the floor in support of the bill before the roll call vote.

“It’s clear we are unable to complete the full appropriations process by September 30,” Cole said. “That means that a continuing resolution is needed. The bill before us (H.R. 9494) extends government funding through March 28, 2025, ensuring that the government remains open and providing critical services for our constituents.”

With the six-month spending bill failing on Wednesday, it is unclear how Johnson will shape the next iteration of the bill. 

On Wednesday night, Cole told reporters Johnson had not shared his plan to reshape the spending bill with him. Cole (R, Moore) reiterated that Johnson had hoped his continuing resolution proposal (H.R. 9494) would pass. 

But Rep. Josh Brecheen supports the position of the House Freedom Caucus, of which he is a member. In August, the House Freedom Caucus released a statement urging House Republican leadership to pass a six-month spending bill that includes the SAVE Act, a proposal that mirrors other laws but gives Republicans a campaign talking point. 

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The spending bill that failed Wednesday reflects the House Freedom Caucuses’ wishes. 

Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Cheyenne) said he needs to see what the spending bill looks like after the weekend before settling on a position. 

“You have to fund the troops, you have to fund security, you have to fund all the things at USDA,” Lucas said. “I would have preferred to have passed the package this week and had leverage to get a better deal.” 

“But my friends decided not to do that, so let’s see what they offer us.”

Johnson’s spending bill ultimately failed due to controversy about the length of the funding and the addition of the SAVE Act.

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Representatives on both sides of the aisle have called for a three-month spending bill. The House is expected to propose a bipartisan spending bill early next week, Roll Call reported. 

Cole has helped lead the effort to reduce the length of the continuing resolution to three months. On September 10, Cole told reporters he believes lawmakers need to focus on finishing their funding work and getting it done quickly so the new Congress and President can begin with a clean slate. 

“I personally think it’s not a good thing to give a new president—and we’re going to have a new president—an immediate fiscal crisis,” Cole said. 

The top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Rose DeLauro (D-Connecticut.), voiced her opposition to a six-month spending bill and said it is time for both parties to work together to get a spending bill passed and finish their work on a full-year spending bill before the end of the 118th Congress on January 3, 2025.

House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York) called the addition of the SAVE Act a “nonstarter” for Democrats and said that the party would oppose any funding bill that includes policy riders pushed by Trump.

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The SAVE Act, or Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, requires individuals to provide proof of US citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. The bill also requires states to remove noncitizens from voting rolls. 

It is already illegal under federal law for noncitizens to vote in elections. 

Additionally, the act would enable individuals to sue state election officials if they register someone to vote without proper presentation of U.S. citizenship. It would also establish criminal penalties for the same offense.

On August 18, in a post on Truth Social, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said Republicans should not accept a spending bill without the SAVE Act attached, indicating he would rather the government shutdown. 

“If Republicans don’t get the SAVE Act and every ounce of it, they should not agree to a Continuing Resolution in any way, shape, or form. Democrats are registering illegal voters by the TENS OF THOUSANDS, as we speak—they will be voting in the 2024 President Election, and they shouldn’t be allowed to,” Trump wrote. 

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There is no evidence backing Trump’s claims on Truth Social. Studies have shown that noncitizen voting in federal and state elections is rare. In fact, in May, Johnson said he knows “intuitively” that it is happening without being able to provide evidence.


Republished in collaboration with Gaylord News, a reporting project of the University of Oklahoma Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication. For more stories by Gaylord News go to GaylordNews.net.


Kevin Eagleson is reporting from Gaylord News’ Washington bureau fall of 2024 as part of an OU Daily scholarship.



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Oklahoma teacher turns PB&J’s into a lifeline for students

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Oklahoma teacher turns PB&J’s into a lifeline for students


OKLAHOMA CITY –

Teaching is easily one of the most challenging and rewarding professions anywhere. And while most deserve to be recognized, when we heard about Deanne Strothers, we had to come meet her.

The Harding Charter Prep teacher has been teaching life through math for 30 years.

“My goal is to make them understand that they can get through tough stuff,” said Strothers.

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But seven years ago, there was some tough stuff put on her plate that was really tough to swallow.

“I had kids that would come in, and they didn’t have any. They didn’t have a lunch card, so they couldn’t eat,” said Strothers.

She recalls one student in particular, at a previous school.

“She came in, and she’s like, I’m hungry,” said Strothers.

After giving the student the peanut butter and jelly sandwich she had brought for lunch, Strothers made a decision: as long as she was teaching, no child would go hungry.

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“And so, I’m like, I’ve got to get something that is universal, and we landed on peanut butter and jelly,” said Strothers.

So, for the past seven years, each night she and her husband have prepared peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, totaling over 30,000 sandwiches.

It’s always grape jelly, you don’t have to be in any of her classes and the sandwiches are typically gone before 9 a.m.

“I would rather have a well-fed child than a child sitting here, not having the capability to really pay attention because they are hungry,” said Strothers.

As word spread of her personal feeding program, it prompted a visit from Oklahoma’s Secretary of Education, Dan Hamlin, who didn’t come empty-handed.

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“Well, we wanted to give you a check for supplies,” said Hamlin.

“I think it’s incredibly important that we recognize the great work that our teachers are doing across the state,” said Hamlin.

“I’ll keep doing this as long as I am teaching,” said Strothers.

As expected, Mrs. Strothers says she will use the check for more peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The $250.00 donation will paY for about one semester of sandwiches.

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Sponsored Content: The Spotlight – Winter Park

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Sponsored Content: The Spotlight – Winter Park


Today on the Spotlight, our crew explored why Winter Park Resort is so much more than a snowy winter destination. Nestled in Colorado’s breathtaking Fraser Valley along the Continental Divide, this mountain escape transforms into an outdoor paradise once the snow melts—offering cool temperatures, endless sunshine, and adventures for every kind of traveler.

Just 70 minutes from Denver and one of the closest major mountain resorts to Denver International Airport, Winter Park makes it easy to trade city life for alpine views. Surrounded by towering 13,000 and 14,000-foot peaks, the resort delivers postcard-worthy scenery with summer temperatures that rarely climb above 80 degrees. Add in more than 300 days of sunshine each year, and it’s easy to see why so many visitors are discovering Winter Park as a perfect warm-weather getaway.

The resort village itself offers plenty of charm, with lodging, dining, shopping, and activities all conveniently located in one walkable area. Whether you’re looking for high-energy thrills or a laid-back mountain retreat, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the outdoors.

One of the most popular summer attractions is the scenic gondola ride, which carries guests up to 10,700 feet for unforgettable panoramic views of the Continental Divide, colorful wildflowers, and towering aspen groves. Adventure seekers can race down Colorado’s longest alpine slide or hit the trails to explore more than 3,000 acres of scenic hiking terrain. For those wanting to relax, Sunspot Mountain Lodge offers mountaintop dining with incredible views.

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As the sun begins to set, the mountain comes alive with happy hour gatherings and live music on Friday and Saturday evenings, creating the perfect atmosphere to unwind after a day of adventure.

Winter Park is also home to the legendary Trestle Bike Park, one of the top downhill mountain biking destinations in the country. Opening Memorial Weekend, the park features more than 40 miles of gravity-fed downhill trails designed for riders of all skill levels. Advanced bikers can tackle technical terrain, while beginners can ease into the sport with mellow trails, rental gear, and lessons available onsite. Visitors who prefer a more relaxed ride can explore the area with e-bike rentals and guided mountain tours.

Beyond the resort, Winter Park serves as an ideal base camp for exploring some of Colorado’s most iconic outdoor destinations. The quieter west entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park is only about 35 minutes away, offering fewer crowds and incredible opportunities to spot wildlife like moose and elk.

And for travelers wanting to spend time on the water, Grand Lake, Lake Granby, and Shadow Mountain Lake are all within about an hour of the resort, offering boating, fishing, paddling, and even more mountain recreation opportunities.

From scenic gondola rides and alpine slides to mountain biking, hiking, lakeside escapes, and national park adventures, Winter Park truly lives up to its reputation as Colorado’s gateway to summer fun. Visitors looking to plan their next mountain getaway can find lodging deals, trailside stays, and a full calendar of summer events at Winter Park Resort.

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Two state senators are stalling Clemishire bill in Oklahoma; victims are asking why

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Two state senators are stalling Clemishire bill in Oklahoma; victims are asking why


Convicted felon Robert Morris — a megachurch pastor who abused 12-year-old Cindy Clemishire in 1982 — walked out of an Oklahoma prison in the early hours of March 31.

But time is running out to get legislation aimed at helping abuse victims such as Clemishire — and a bill named for her unanimously passed by the Oklahoma House of Representatives— to Gov. Kevin Stritt’s desk.

The Cindy Clemishire Act, HB 4227 would eliminate Oklahoma’s statute of limitations for prosecuting child sexual abuse and prohibit the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in related settlement cases.

The NDA provision is also known as “Trey’s Law” in remembrance of Trey Carlock, who was sexually abused at Camp Kanakuk, a Christian retreat in the Ozarks. Part of his legal settlement included a restrictive NDA that prohibited him from speaking about his abuse or Kanakuk’s role.

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Carlock died by suicide, aged 28, after having told a therapist, “they will always control me, and I’ll never be free.”

Your tax-deductible gift supports our mission of reporting the truth and restoring the church. Donate $50 or more to The Roys Report, and you can elect to receive our featured offer, “Kiss and Tell: The Innocent Moment That Shattered Mark Driscoll’s Cult” by Vince Manuele – click here.

Cindy Clemishire, pictured in 2024. (Courtesy Photo)

Yet for unknown reasons, the Oklahoma Senate’s leadership hasn’t yet brought the measure to the floor, and the legislative session is slated to end this Thursday (May 14).

“I’ve just been told they’re not going to hear it. No reason,” Oklahoma state Sen. Darrell Weaver (R-Moore) told online news outlet NonDoc.com on May 5. “I am baffled. Disappointed and baffled.”

Apparently standing in the way are state Sens. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, the Senate floor leader, and Sen. Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, Senate pro tempore. Daniels, according to the NonDoc.com report, won’t schedule a hearing for the bill, and Paxton reportedly is deferring to her on the matter.

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The Roys Report (TRR) has contacted Daniels and Paxton for comment, as well as state Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore. None immediately responded.

In a statement, Clemishire admonished Oklahoma lawmakers to get the bill passed.

robert morris court
On Sept. 4, 2025, Robert Morris enters his vehicle as he leaves the Osage County Courthouse in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. (Photo: Sheila Stogsdill

“For decades, predators like Robert Morris have hidden behind outdated laws to evade justice, but the time for silence is over. To the members of the Oklahoma Senate: you have the power to ensure no other child is forced into the shadows, but your work is not done until these protections are sent to the governor,” she said.

Elizabeth Phillips, sister of Trey Carlock and founder of No More Victims, was also emphatic about the need for passage.

“Predators rely on silence and time–the law shouldn’t reward either,” said Phillips. “We are calling on Oklahoma Senate leadership to stand with survivors by ending the forced silence imposed on them by NDAs, like the one that silenced my brother to his grave, and remove the criminal statute of limitations for child sex crimes just as 44 other U.S. states have done. Please, don’t let the clock run out on survivors.”

Oklahoma is one of six states — along with the U.S. House of Representatives — where measures aiding victims of clergy sexual abuse have been filed. Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, and West Virginia are the others where legislation has been introduced.

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In 2025, similar legislation was enacted in Texas, Missouri, California, and Tennessee, while Alabama and Georgia did so this year.

Mark A. Kellner is a reporter based in Mesquite, Nevada. He most recently covered statewide elections for the New York Post and was for three years the Faith & Family Reporter for The Washington Times. Mark is a graduate of the University of the Cumberlands and also attended Boston University’s College of Communication.





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