Sunday shows – Spotlight shifts to deadly storms

by The Hill staff - 12/12/21 12:06 PM ET

AP Photo/Jeff Roberson
An Amazon distribution center is heavily damaged after a strong thunderstorm moved through the area Friday, Dec. 10, 2021, in Edwardsville, Ill.

Multiple guests on the Sunday morning political talk shows discussed the deadly tornadoes and severe storms swept across states in the Midwest and southern parts of the U.S. Friday night into Saturday morning.

Gov. Andy Beshear (D) said that more than 80 people in Kentucky died, warning that the “number is gonna exceed more than 100.”

Longtime host Chris Wallace also announced at the end of “Fox News Sunday” that he was leaving the network.

Read The Hill’s complete coverage below.

Kentucky governor expects tornado death toll to rise

By MYCHAEL SCHNELL

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) on Sunday said he expects the death toll from this weekend’s tornado event will rise.

Beshear told co-host Jake Tapper on CNN’s “State of the Union” that more than 80 Kentuckians have died as a result of the severe weather conditions, but warned that the “number is gonna exceed more than 100.”

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Beshear says tornado ‘obliterated houses,’ predicts thousands will be lost

By MYCHAEL SCHNELL

“We’re gonna have lost thousands of homes, because when this tornado hit, it didn’t rip the roof off, I mean, it obliterated houses, just totally gone,” Gov. Andy Beshear (D-Ky.) told host Margaret Brennan on CBS’s “Face the Nation.”

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Hutchinson: ‘Hundreds and hundreds of homes’ were destroyed in storm

By MYCHAEL SCHNELL

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) on Sunday said “hundreds and hundreds of homes” were destroyed and businesses were lost after a major storm ripped through the state over the weekend.

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FEMA administrator: ‘This is going to be our new normal’

By MYCHAEL SCHNELL

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell on Sunday said extreme weather events like the storms and tornadoes that swept through a number of states this weekend “is going to be our new normal,” pointing to the effects of climate change.

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Chris Wallace announces he is leaving Fox News

By JOSEPH CHOI

Long-time “Fox News Sunday” host Chris Wallace announced on Sunday that he is leaving the network, saying he wants to pursue opportunities “beyond politics.”

Read the full story here

Graham says Democrats must ‘quit lying’ about Build Back Better, calls for House to revote

By JOSEPH CHOI

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.) on Sunday said Democrats must “quit lying” about the cost of the Build Back Better Act and called for the House to revote on the massive social spending package.

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Fauci: ‘If it becomes necessary to get yet another boost, then we’ll just have to deal with it’

By MYCHAEL SCHNELL

White House medical adviser Anthony Fauci on Sunday said health officials will “have to deal with it” if it is determined that another COVID-19 booster shot is necessary to protect against the virus, but said he is hoping that additional jabs will not be needed due to protection from initial booster shots.

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Rand Paul bashes omicron travel restrictions: ‘Travel bans aren’t going to work’

By CAROLINE VAKIL

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) bashed restrictions prompted by the detection of the omicron variant in an interview on Sunday, saying that “the travel bans aren’t going to work” to prevent the variant’s spread.

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De Blasio admits to ‘mixed feelings’ on allowing noncitizens to vote in elections

By JOSEPH CHOI

Outgoing New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) on Sunday said he had “mixed feelings” about the New York City Council’s recent decision to allow noncitizens to vote in local elections.

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