Pro Tempore: Latest News

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 17: Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) walks away after swearing in Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) during a ceremonial swearing in, inside the old Senate Chamber on December 17, 2018 in Washington, DC.

WASHINGTON (AP) - With gas prices at record highs across the U.S., an increasing number of governors and state lawmakers are calling for the suspension of gas taxes to provide relief to motorists who are facing the prospect of even higher pump prices as the country cuts off Russian oil imports.Proposals for a "gas tax holiday" to counter inflation had been moving slowly in Congress and state capitols before Russia invaded Ukraine, but they have gained momentum this week amid surging prices that averaged $4.25 a gallon on Wednesday, according to AAA.Republican legislative leaders in Michigan and Pennsylvania announced proposals Wednesday to suspend or reduce state gas taxes. That came after the Republican governor of Georgia and Democratic governor of California both called for relief from state gas taxes Tuesday, when President Joe Biden ordered a ban on Russian oil imports.Meanwhile, the Democratic governors of Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin sent a joint letter to congressional leaders urging them to support legislation suspending the federal government's 18.4-cent-a-gallon gas tax through 2022.Critics of the proposals say there is no guarantee the savings would get passed on to consumers and worry that suspending gas taxes could hurt funding for road projects.

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner's Office delivered sharp criticism of Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman who urged state leaders on Tuesday to begin impeachment proceedings against the newly re-elected prosecutor. Corman, a Republican who represents Pennsylvania's 34th District, called for action as an effort to stem the recent wave of violence in Philadelphia. The largest city in the state just endured its bloodiest year to date with over 560 homicides in 2021.In a letter to fellow state leaders, Corman claimed that 21 percent of shootings in Philadelphia have led to criminal charges since 2015. "The recent spike in violent crime is a direct result of DA Krasner’s failed policies and his refusal to perform the duties of his office to hold criminals accountable for the crimes that they commit," Corman wrote. Pennsylvania Senate Appropriations Chairman Jake Corman (R., Centre) speaks during a campaign rally held at Penn State University, Wednesday, October 27, 2010.

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Leaders of Pennsylvania's state Senate Republican majority are asking Republicans in Congress to delay the certification of the Electoral College, the latest effort by Republicans to undo Democratic President-elect Joe Biden's victory in the battleground state over President Donald Trump.The letter, dated Monday, was signed by state Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman, state Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward and 19 other Republican state senators.A copy of the letter was tweeted late Tuesday night by Trump, announcing it as "BIG NEWS IN PENNSYLVANIA!"Trump has enlisted dozens of Republicans to challenge the Electoral College vote when Congress convenes in a joint session to confirm Biden’s 306-232 win Wednesday.The