Monday morning news: May 6, 2024

SOUND: [Rocket]

Hamas says cease-fire talks have ended » Rockets fired from Gaza over the weekend, one of the all too familiar sounds of war in the region.

And they will likely not fall silent anytime soon after Hamas rejected the latest cease-fire proposal. The terror group says the latest round of talks in Egypt have ended.

Israeli leaders were offering a 40-day pause in the fighting. But Hamas wanted Israel to commit to ending its offensive in Gaza in exchange for releasing hostages.

NETANYAHU: [Speaking Hebrew]

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said ending the war and leaving Hamas in power is not an option. He said in the scenario, another October 7th-like terror attack is only a matter of time.

Israel is vowing a ground operation in the city of Rafah “very soon” to destroy the remaining Hamas battalions.

Republicans pressure White House » With the collapse of the latest caese-fire talks, some Republicans are calling on the White House to stand firmly behind Israel. Senator Marco Rubio said the Biden administration should make it clear:

RUBIO: That we are Israel’s side. They are the good guys in this fight. And Hamas are the evil ones. And these terrible civilian casualties that are happening is because Hamas is using them as human shields.

The White House has maintained that President Biden opposes a ground operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, which Israel says is the last Hamas stronghold. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre:

PIERRE: There’s more than a million Palestinian civilians seeking refuge in Rafah, and we want to make sure that their lives are protected.

But top administration officials have said in recent days that Israel’s most recent cease-fire offer was more than generous, and that if the talks failed, the blame would lie solely with Hamas.

Campus protests » Meantime, pro-Palestinian/anti-Israel demonstrations continue on college campuses.

SOUND: [UVA protest]

Police arrested at least 25 protesters over the weekend as they cleared an encampment at the University of Virginia.

SOUND: [UVA protest]

Virginia attorney general Jason Miyares said some outside agitators who were not students showed up on campus in riot gear with bullhorns, directing students “on how to flank our officers.”

MIYARES:  We even see them taking water bottles, pouring half of it out, putting bear spray in the water bottles and throwing them at these officers.

He said the state will prosecute any threats or acts of violence against police.

MIYARES:  I got to tell you, you're going to find out real quickly, Virginia is not New York or California, and we're going to hold you accountable.

 Police also broke up encampments at the University of Southern California and elsewhere over the weekend.

Push to oust Speaker Johnson » On Capitol Hill, a showdown is expected on the House floor this week. GOP Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has vowed to call a motion to vacate Speaker Mike Johnson.

But it’s a move most Republicans in both chambers oppose. Sen. Tom Cotton is among the GOP lawmakers calling for the party to come together.

COTTON: I think Speaker Johnson is doing an outstanding job. I agree with President Trump on that. I agree that we need to have unity in our party right now, as we face off against Joe Biden and the Democrats.

Greene and a group of House conservatives were angered by Johnson’s support for bills that funded the government and foreign aid without insisting on major reforms.

For his part, Speaker Johnson said Sunday:

JOHNSON:  It is not helpful to our cause to advance conservative policy and principle, uh, to have any, uh, you know, any of the uprising in our own camp. And that's what this is.

He said he’s confident that the motion to vacate will not be successful.

Vice President contenders at GOP donor event » In South Florida over the weekend, all eyes were on the so-called veepstakes, as contenders to be Donald Trump’s GOP running mate joined the former president at a fundraising event.

House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik:

STEFANIK:  There's a lot of names that are in the mix. I'm honored to have my names as one of them, uh, in the mix right now, but it is a true testament to the strength of the Republican Party. 

South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott is another contender who spoke at the Mar-a-Lago fundraiser.

SCOTT: I hope that the president will choose a person who helps the country unite and heal. I certainly expect to have a decision from President Trump in the next 60 days or so, but he did not bring it up. I certainly didn't bring it up.

Other speakers at the event believed to be on Trump’s short list included: Senators J.D. Vance and Marco Rubio, and governors Kristi Noem of South Dakota and Doug Burgum of North Dakota.

Texas floods » Floodwaters have submerged many streets in the Houston area with more rain in the forecast today.

One resident says parts of his home are underwater.

RESIDENT: It's a lot to take in. All we're doing right now is trying to see what we can salvage.

And many, like this retiree, say they’re homes are not covered for flood damage.

RETIREE:  I don't know what a lot of people are gonna do like me. I didn't get insurance because I can't afford it.

Houston is one of the most flood-prone metro areas in the country. And storms have dumped more than 20 inches of rain on some parts.

Authorities carried out hundreds of high-water rescues over the weekend.

The forecast today calls for more morning thunderstorms.

I’m Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: Homeless camps and the Constitution in this week’s Legal Docket. Plus, the Monday Moneybeat.

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