Then came Mallory Staples and state Sen. Colton Moore, two ultra-conservative Republicans who aggressively opposed House Bill 986, a bill that would have used computer-generated deepfake versions of politicians to deceive voters. would criminalize doing so, which was the subject of the hearing.
“Hi, I’m Mallory, the director of the state Freedom Caucus. I want you all to know that I was wrong about HB 986,” said Phonie Staples. “This bill is essential to protecting the integrity of our elections.”
He pointed to the peacock, R-Trenton, who has veered so far to the right that he was kicked out of the Senate GOP caucus. And banned from the floor of the Georgia House last week.
“I know I don’t see eye to eye with many of you. Fortunately, with the power of AI I’m here to speak in favor of a Republican bill, proof that miracles do happen.” The AI version of Moore said in a nod to the real senator’s knack for voting “no” on most bills.
Deepfake Colton Moore then announced his candidacy for US Representative Marjorie Taylor Green’s 14th Congressional District.
“If AI can be used to get Colton Moore to speak in favor of a popular piece of legislation, it can be used to get any of you to say things you’ve never said. ” said Fonnie Moore. “Are you prepared to deal with the consequences of allowing AI deepfakes to remain a viable and legal campaign strategy?”
State Rep. Brad Thomas, Republican of Cherokee County, told lawmakers that it was built cheaply with readily available AI software.
“We’re at a point in our society where creative AI outstrips the invention of the wheel,” Thomas said. “It’s what the future is built on. But it has bad uses.”
The committee approved HB 986 9-1, with Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch the lone dissenter.
***
Credit: Casey Sykes for the AJC
Credit: Casey Sykes for the AJC
Under the Golden Dome:
- 8 am: Committee meetings begin.
- 10 am: House convened.
- 10 am: Senate responded.
***
Credit: Netters Miller/AJC
Credit: Netters Miller/AJC
The final sprint. With just four legislative days left in the 2023-2024 legislative session, lawmakers are scrambling to negotiate and pass their prized packages.
Bills to be moved include:
- House Bill 1104, a bill by Democratic state Rep. Omri Crawford, D-Decatur, It was originally intended to prevent teen suicides, but was stripped and replaced with four GOP conservative measures. The new bill, which passed a Senate committee last night with the support of Lt. Gov. Bert Jones, includes language on transgender sports, sex education, parental notification of children’s library books, and single-sex bathrooms. went
- HB 976, which would have eliminated Georgia’s “motor voter” automatic voter registration, was before the Senate Ethics Committee on Tuesday. The bill now retains the motor voter. It would still allow challenges to voter registration at large, but not within 45 days of an election.
- HB 1370, which reduces the number of voting machines required on Election Day, passed the Senate Ethics Committee. It has already been approved by the House.
***
Credit: Curtis Compton/AJC
Credit: Curtis Compton/AJC
Forced enforcement. Two new immigration bills in the General Assembly — House Bill 1105 and HB 301 — are getting mixed reviews from Georgia sheriffs who say the bills ignore the complexities of enforcing immigration laws at the local level.
Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said of the proposed new reporting requirements in a move, “We’re constantly passing laws that impose heavy, ancillary duties on us because (other counties) won’t comply with the law.” ” “Every minute we are burdened with a bureaucratic reporting process that is eroding our ability to protect the public on the road.”
The AJC’s Michelle Barchman has more.
***
Credit: TNS
Credit: TNS
DC launch for the Carter Center. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., was among the lawmakers who stopped by a Capitol Hill reception Tuesday night to celebrate the Carter Center’s new presence in Washington.
Diana Fellner is the new Washington-based program director who will advocate for issues championed by both the Carter Center and the Rosalyn Carter Institute for Caregivers. Priorities will include mental health and resources for caregivers. He began working in the role in January.
Credit: Nathan Posner for AJC
Credit: Nathan Posner for AJC
Other guests at the reception included U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Lithonia; Carter Center CEO Paige Alexander; and Joshua Carter, grandson of President Jimmy Carter and his late wife Rosalyn.
In addition to Pelosi, U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Albany, recounted memories of working with Carter over the decades and later as his ally in southwest Georgia.
US Senator Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., said he will do what he can to help the Carter Center and the Rosalynn Carter Institute achieve their goals on Capitol Hill.
“I am grateful to The Carter Center for its continued focus on human rights and democracy around the world,” said Ossoff. “And I am grateful to RCI for carrying on the work of an extraordinary first lady to help those who urgently need help in their hour of need.”
***
Credit: Netters Miller/AJC
Credit: Netters Miller/AJC
listen. Eli Sperling, a teaching fellow at the Israel Institute at the University of Georgia, will break down the politics of Israel’s war with Hamas this morning on the “Georgia Politically” radio show. The AJC’s Mark Ness will join the show later to discuss election-related bills that have been introduced in the closing days of the legislative session.
On Tuesday, state Rep. Tim Fleming, R-Covington, told the show he doubts Raven will ever restart work on a planned $5 billion factory in his district near Rutledge. And state Sen. Derek Malo, D-Savannah, predicted that rural Republicans would have a hard time justifying school vouchers and new rural hospital regulations to their constituents.
Listen live at 10 a.m. on 90.1 FM, on AJC.com and on WABE.org. Listen to Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you find your podcasts.
***
Credit: Alex Brandon/AP
Credit: Alex Brandon/AP
Today in Washington:
- President Joe Biden delivers remarks in Phoenix on his economic agenda and will then travel to Dallas for two campaign fundraisers.
- The US House is scheduled to vote on energy and trade.
- The Senate has judicial confirmation votes.
- The House Oversight Committee is holding a hearing on the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.
- Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell will hold a news conference to discuss the board’s latest decision on interest rates.
***
Credit: Andrew Harnick/AP
Credit: Andrew Harnick/AP
No possibility of shutdown. We’re officially winding down our countdown to the shutdown clock when leaders of both houses announced Tuesday that an agreement has been reached on the six remaining appropriations bills.
As long as the bills are passed later this week, or even early next week, the impact of the partial government shutdown will be minimal.
We want to see how many House Republicans support the measure and whether Speaker Mike Johnson gets a blow for negotiating a deal with the possibility of getting more Democratic support than Republicans.
We’re also looking at the new benchmark list to see which projects in Georgia receive funding.
The latest package of combined appropriations bills included more than $250 million in appropriations for Georgia.
***
Credit: Arun Temkar/AJC
Credit: Arun Temkar/AJC
Georgia Affairs. U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock wasn’t the only Georgia lawmaker featured on MSNBC’s “Politics Nation” this weekend. The host, the Rev. Al Sharpton, also featured U.S. Rep. Nikima Williams as part of what he described as a spotlight on the “critical state of the battlefield.”
Williams, D-Atlanta, covered much of the same ground as Warnock, from former President Donald Trump, the growing humanitarian crisis in Haiti and an election interference lawsuit involving Georgia voter turnout in Fulton County. Includes efforts to oust District Attorney Fannie Willis. 2024 Presidential Contest.
He also said Democrats will focus on reproductive rights as they build their case to re-elect Joe Biden.
“Women are going to show strength at the ballot box because our rights are protected,” Williams said. “Our reproductive freedoms are on the line.”
***
Credit: Netters Miller/AJC
Credit: Netters Miller/AJC
Best dressed. It’s down to the final two: State Representative Inga Willis vs. State Senator Elena Parent.
But this is not just any election. AJC’s Maya T Prabhu’s “Best Dressed” contest is one of the most coveted titles at the Gold Dome.
Votes from AJC readers will decide the winner. You can weigh in via a poll on X or via an online form.
Credit: Jason Getz/AJC
Credit: Jason Getz/AJC
***
dog of the day It’s time to meet Thor Weldon, a rescue sheltie from Calhoun who spends her time living up to her superhero namesake.
Not only does Thor’s fur make him look like he’s wearing a white cape, a reliable source tells us that he spends his time protecting his man Jane Weldon from plenty of threats from squirrels and cats.
Credit: Courtesy image
Credit: Courtesy image
In his spare time, Thor watches Jane read the AJC, as he is a loyal subscriber.
Send us your dogs, and cats, of any political persuasion on a cat-by-cat basis to patricia.murphy@ajc.com, or send us a DM. @MurphyAJC.
***
as usual, Politically, Georgia readers are our favorite tipsters. Send your best scoop, gossip and insider info to greg.bluestein@ajc.com, tia.mitchell@ajc.com, patricia.murphy@ajc.com and adam.vanbrimmer@ajc.com.