# Santos Expelled, Sacklers Tried, & Israel’s Surge

An episode of [Pray News](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1697158801), 5 Dec 2023, 16 min.

Audio: https://podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/ce9a673d-e313-4c0a-9df4-b4d6010c32c6/bc11cb06-9a47-4c06-99b5-b4d6013f491c/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=992944cf-642c-431f-a11e-b4d6010c32cd

This is Pray News: Daily News, Faith Hope. A daily news podcast with a biblical perspective. Listen to today's news episode and beacon of hope in the stormy seas of current news events. Sign up for the Pray News newsletter, and start your day closer to God. Go to Pray News and sign up today. Today’s Good News at a Glance: • Rep. George Santos is officially expelled from office. • The Sackler family’s fate will be decided by the Supreme Court • The temperature of Israel’s military escalation in Gaza has been turned up. Pray News is your number 1 source for the top conservative news given to you daily. Download the Pray.com app and make prayer a priority in your life. Watch and listen to inspiring sermons, dramatized Bible stories, and relaxing Bedtime Bible Stories at Pray.com, the digital destination for faith. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

## Transcript

[0:00] Speaker 1: Open your mouth for the mute and the cause of
[0:03] Speaker 1: all who are left desolate. Open your mouth, judge righteously,
[0:08] Speaker 1: and serve justice to the poor and needy. Proverbs 31,
[0:11] Speaker 1: 8-9 Heavenly Father, grant us the strength to be voices
[0:16] Speaker 1: for the voiceless, advocates for the oppressed, and champions for justice.
[0:21] Speaker 1: May our words reflect your love and our actions mirror
[0:24] Speaker 1: your compassion. Help us to see the world through your eyes,
[0:28] Speaker 1: where every individual is valued and loved. Empower us to
[0:31] Speaker 1: speak with kindness and act with integrity, ensuring that our
[0:35] Speaker 1: deeds align with our faith. In moments of uncertainty, remind
[0:39] Speaker 1: us of your unending grace and the responsibility we bear
[0:43] Speaker 1: as your followers to uphold the dignity of everyone we meet.
[0:47] Speaker 1: In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Welcome to Prairie News,
[0:51] Speaker 1: where hope is our only bias. Today's news at a glance,
[0:54] Speaker 1: Representative George Santos is officially expelled from office, the Sackler
[0:58] Speaker 1: family's fate is decided by the Supreme Court, and the
[1:01] Speaker 1: temperature of Israel's military escalation in Gaza has been turned up. Today,
[1:06] Speaker 1: we reflect on the idea of responsibility. Scripture urges us
[1:09] Speaker 1: to be a voice for the voiceless and advocate for
[1:12] Speaker 1: those in need of justice. Yet, in such a globalized society,
[1:16] Speaker 1: that responsibility seems nearly impossible. While we all must be
[1:19] Speaker 1: informed on global and political issues, it can seem too
[1:22] Speaker 1: grand for us to address in any way, shape, or form.
[1:26] Speaker 1: So we ought to aim for our action to be
[1:28] Speaker 1: largely local, right around our street, in our backyard. What
[1:32] Speaker 1: are we doing in our backyards, our churches, schools, and communities?
[1:36] Speaker 1: The world has often changed one neighborhood at a time.
[1:39] Speaker 1: So let's be informed globally, but be sure to act locally.
[1:43] Speaker 1: We're glad you're here. We pray today's take on the
[1:45] Speaker 1: news leaves you informed and transformed. If you haven't yet
[1:48] Speaker 1: left a review for Prey News, we would love it
[1:50] Speaker 1: if you did. We want to hear how this podcast
[1:53] Speaker 1: has impacted people. Before we get to today's first story,
[1:56] Speaker 1: let's hear a word from these sponsors. In a remarkable
[2:00] Speaker 1: and rare act of congressional discipline, Representative George Santos, a
[2:03] Speaker 1: Republican from New York, was expelled from the United States
[2:06] Speaker 1: House of Representatives following a decisive and historic vote. This
[2:10] Speaker 1: event marked Santos as only the sixth lawmaker and the
[2:13] Speaker 1: first Republican in history to to face such a severe
[2:16] Speaker 1: sanction in the U.S. House. The House voted overwhelmingly to
[2:21] Speaker 1: expel Santos over numerous fabrications during his 2022 campaign and
[2:26] Speaker 1: subsequent federal indictments. The final tally, 311 votes to 114,
[2:32] Speaker 1: surpassing the required two-thirds majority, indicating a broad bipartisan agreement
[2:37] Speaker 1: on the necessity of his removal. Santos' expulsion stemmed from
[2:41] Speaker 1: a series of serious allegations and legal troubles. The House
[2:45] Speaker 1: Ethics Committee accused him of a complex web of unlawful activity,
[2:49] Speaker 1: encompassing his campaign, personal, and business finances. Santos faced 13 counts,
[2:54] Speaker 1: including wire fraud, money laundering, and further 10 counts in
[2:58] Speaker 1: a superseding indictment, including credit card fraud and aggravated identity theft.
[3:04] Speaker 1: He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The New
[3:07] Speaker 1: York Times report last December first brought Santos' fabrications to light.
[3:11] Speaker 1: He falsely claimed educational credentials and his employment history with
[3:15] Speaker 1: Citigroup and Goldman Sachs. He embellished on a myriad of
[3:18] Speaker 1: different details about his life, creating a false persona and
[3:21] Speaker 1: deceiving voters. Further investigations uncovered questionable campaign and personal finances,
[3:27] Speaker 1: past debts, legal issues, and various fraudulent schemes and financial claims.
[3:33] Speaker 1: His lies range from sad to downright silly, showing sociopathic
[3:37] Speaker 1: tendencies and pathological lines. The Ethics Committee's report was pivotal,
[3:41] Speaker 1: revealing substantial evidence of uncharged and unlawful conduct, including allegations
[3:47] Speaker 1: of embezzling from his 2022 campaign. This revelation was a
[3:51] Speaker 1: critical factor in swaying many lawmakers who had previously opposed
[3:55] Speaker 1: expulsion efforts. Despite the gravity of the accusations, the vote
[3:59] Speaker 1: to expel Santos revealed internal divisions within the Republican Party,
[4:03] Speaker 1: notably the precedent that it sets. Most of the House
[4:05] Speaker 1: Republican leadership opposed the expulsion initially, leading to doubts about
[4:09] Speaker 1: securing enough Republican votes. However, a significant number of Republicans,
[4:13] Speaker 1: including those from New York, joined Democrats in voting for Santos' removal.
[4:18] Speaker 1: The response from Santos' colleagues was telling. Republicans who led
[4:21] Speaker 1: the effort to expel him expressed a lack of joy
[4:24] Speaker 1: in the decision, but the necessity of doing so, underscoring
[4:27] Speaker 1: its historical and somber nature. Meanwhile, Democrats expressed surprise at
[4:32] Speaker 1: the GOP leadership's stance against the expulsion. On the other side,
[4:36] Speaker 1: some Republicans, like Representative Byron Donalds, criticized the vote as
[4:40] Speaker 1: a mockery of the institution, arguing that it denied Santos
[4:43] Speaker 1: his right to due process and overturned the will of
[4:46] Speaker 1: his voters. Santos' expulsion triggered a special election to fill
[4:50] Speaker 1: his seat. Local party committees will select their respective nominees shortly. Notably,
[4:55] Speaker 1: a large field of candidates from both parties have already
[4:58] Speaker 1: been positioning themselves to challenge Santos, including former Representative Tom Sozi,
[5:03] Speaker 1: a Democrat. From a Christian viewpoint, the saga of Representative
[5:06] Speaker 1: George Santos serves as a stark reminder of the biblical
[5:09] Speaker 1: principle of truth, integrity, and accountability. Proverbs 12.22 tells us
[5:14] Speaker 1: that the Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in
[5:17] Speaker 1: people who are trustworthy. Santos' deceit and subsequent expulsion remind
[5:21] Speaker 1: us of the importance of honesty and the consequences of
[5:24] Speaker 1: failing to uphold these values. As believers, we are called
[5:27] Speaker 1: to seek and support leaders who embody the fruits of
[5:29] Speaker 1: the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
[5:33] Speaker 1: and self-control. The downfall of Santos highlights the need for
[5:37] Speaker 1: leaders and ourselves to profess these qualities, but also to
[5:41] Speaker 1: live them out and embody them. In these challenging times,
[5:44] Speaker 1: it's crucial for us as believers to pray for our leaders,
[5:47] Speaker 1: but also to reflect on where we have fallen short
[5:50] Speaker 1: and deceived others and have been dishonest in our own lives.
[5:54] Speaker 1: We have to pray for wisdom, discernment, and guidance for
[5:55] Speaker 1: our leaders, but also for our own hearts that we
[5:59] Speaker 1: too wouldn't stumble. In conclusion, the expulsion of Representative George
[6:03] Speaker 1: Santos from Congress is a significant event in American political history,
[6:07] Speaker 1: serving as a reminder of the values of truth and integrity.
[6:09] Speaker 1: It also represents an opportunity for reflection, for prayer, and
[6:13] Speaker 1: to seek biblical principles of honesty, integrity, and justice. Heavenly Father,
[6:19] Speaker 1: in this moment of political reckoning, we come before you
[6:21] Speaker 1: seeking guidance and wisdom. We are reminded that truth and
[6:24] Speaker 1: integrity are cornerstones of leadership, and that those who lead
[6:27] Speaker 1: us must uphold these standards. We pray for Representative George Santos,
[6:32] Speaker 1: his community, and his family, that they might find a
[6:35] Speaker 1: path to redemption and truth. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
[6:40] Speaker 1: At a crucial juncture in America's battle against the opioid crisis,
[6:44] Speaker 1: the eyes of the nation turn to the U.S. Supreme Court.
[6:47] Speaker 1: This court, in its monumental role, is set to decide
[6:50] Speaker 1: the pivotal case involving Purdue Pharma. the maker of OxyContin,
[6:54] Speaker 1: and a substantial $ 6 billion bankruptcy settlement by the Sackler family.
[6:59] Speaker 1: This decision holds the potential to significantly alter the landscape
[7:03] Speaker 1: of opioid epidemic relief in the United States. Since its
[7:07] Speaker 1: introduction in 1996, OxyContin, a powerful and highly addictive pain medication,
[7:12] Speaker 1: has been at the center of the opioid epidemic in
[7:14] Speaker 1: the United States. Purdue Pharma, accused of aggressive marketing and
[7:18] Speaker 1: misleading practices, has faced numerous lawsuits as a result. The
[7:22] Speaker 1: epidemic has tragically resulted in over half a million overdose deaths,
[7:27] Speaker 1: a staggering human toll, calling for justice and resolution. In 2019,
[7:32] Speaker 1: in response to the mounting litigation, Purdue filed for Chapter
[7:36] Speaker 1: 11 bankruptcy. This move was aimed at addressing its debts
[7:39] Speaker 1: while reconstructing the company. In 2021, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court
[7:45] Speaker 1: approved a restructuring plan revised in 2022 that to transform
[7:49] Speaker 1: Purdue into a non-profit dedicated to mitigating the opioid crisis' impact.
[7:55] Speaker 1: Central to this controversy is the Sackler family, owners of
[7:58] Speaker 1: Purdue Pharma. Accused of contributing significantly to the opioid crisis,
[8:03] Speaker 1: they have faced intense scrutiny and legal action. Despite denying wrongdoing,
[8:07] Speaker 1: their alleged deceptive marketing practices have been a focal point
[8:10] Speaker 1: in the lawsuits. The revised deal, which sees the Sacklers
[8:14] Speaker 1: paying up to $ 6 million, is supported by all financial stakeholders,
[8:18] Speaker 1: including state attorneys general. This settlement would fund additional treatment
[8:23] Speaker 1: of addiction, victim compensation, and crisis abatement efforts. However, the U.S. trustee,
[8:30] Speaker 1: part of the Justice Department, opposes this settlement. They argue
[8:34] Speaker 1: that it misuses bankruptcy law, offering the Sacklers undue legal
[8:38] Speaker 1: protection without financial distress on their part. This stance highlights
[8:41] Speaker 1: concerns about the abuse of bankruptcy protections or immoral companies.
[8:46] Speaker 1: We will be waiting with bated breath to see what
[8:48] Speaker 1: the Supreme Court decides on these bankruptcy laws and how
[8:52] Speaker 1: the Sackler family is kept accountable. From a Christian viewpoint,
[8:56] Speaker 1: this case resonates with the themes of justice, redemption, and
[8:58] Speaker 1: moral responsibility. The Bible speaks of the importance of justice
[9:02] Speaker 1: and protection for the vulnerable. In this light, the pursuit
[9:04] Speaker 1: of justice for victims in the opioid crisis aligns with
[9:07] Speaker 1: biblical teachings. Furthermore, the Bible emphasizes forgiveness and repentance. The
[9:12] Speaker 1: potential resolution of this case could be seen as a
[9:14] Speaker 1: step towards repentance by Perdue and the Sacklers. However, there
[9:17] Speaker 1: doesn't seem to be any sort of contrition in the
[9:20] Speaker 1: acknowledgement of their role of the crisis. However, true repentance
[9:24] Speaker 1: requires a contrite heart, confession, and a change in actions,
[9:27] Speaker 1: principles that should guide future corporations. Lastly, the concept of
[9:31] Speaker 1: stewardship in our faith speaks to the responsibility of individuals
[9:34] Speaker 1: and corporations to act ethically for the common good. The
[9:38] Speaker 1: creation and the marketing of OxyContin completely disregards this call.
[9:43] Speaker 1: This case serves as a reminder of the moral obligations
[9:46] Speaker 1: companies have to society, especially in healthcare sectors impacting human
[9:50] Speaker 1: lives intimately and profoundly. As the U.S. Supreme Court deliberates,
[9:54] Speaker 1: the outcome will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications, not just for
[9:58] Speaker 1: the opioid crisis, but also for other corporations that are
[10:01] Speaker 1: shirking their responsibilities. It's a moment for reflection for us
[10:05] Speaker 1: at the intersections of law, morality, and societal responsibility, viewed
[10:09] Speaker 1: through the lens of our faith. Heavenly Father, in this
[10:12] Speaker 1: significant moment where law and morality intersect, we seek your
[10:15] Speaker 1: guidance and wisdom. We pray for the Supreme Court justices
[10:18] Speaker 1: that they might discern wisely and justly in their ruling
[10:20] Speaker 1: on Purdue Pharma's settlement. May their discourse and discussions bring
[10:24] Speaker 1: healing and justice to the countless lives affected by the
[10:28] Speaker 1: opioid crisis. Lord, help us as a society to navigate
[10:31] Speaker 1: these complex issues with a heart of justice, compassion for
[10:34] Speaker 1: the suffering, and a commitment to truth and accountability. We
[10:38] Speaker 1: ask for your hand over all those impacted by this epidemic,
[10:42] Speaker 1: for strength, comfort, and restoration for the addicted. In your
[10:45] Speaker 1: name we pray. Amen. Tension escalates in Gaza as Israel
[10:50] Speaker 1: intensifies its military campaign. Israeli forces have instructed large portions
[10:55] Speaker 1: of Gaza's population to evacuate, specifically in the southern city
[10:58] Speaker 1: of Kan Yonis. However, distressingly, these designated safe zones have
[11:03] Speaker 1: also been subject to bombings. This contradiction has left many
[11:07] Speaker 1: Gazans in a state of fear and uncertainty and has
[11:10] Speaker 1: garnered the attention of the international community. A map shared
[11:14] Speaker 1: by Israeli military marked approximately a quarter of Khan Yunis
[11:17] Speaker 1: as evacuation zones, directing residents from the Mediterranean coast and
[11:22] Speaker 1: Rafah near the Egyptian border. But, tragically, these areas were
[11:26] Speaker 1: not spared from violence even though they were labeled safe zones.
[11:30] Speaker 1: In Rafah, bombings created massive craters, one of which tragically
[11:34] Speaker 1: claimed the life of a toddler, underscoring the grave humanitarian
[11:38] Speaker 1: crisis unfolding. The aftermath of these bombings paints a heart-wrenching picture.
[11:42] Speaker 1: In a poignant scene, residents were seen mourning, carrying the
[11:46] Speaker 1: bodies of children through the rubble, their grief echoing the
[11:49] Speaker 1: profound loss experienced by the community. Israel's military actions are
[11:53] Speaker 1: a part of a broader strategy to dismantle Hamas, the
[11:56] Speaker 1: ruling authority in Gaza. The Israeli government holds Hamas responsible
[12:00] Speaker 1: for endangering civilians by operating within civilian areas, essentially using
[12:05] Speaker 1: the citizens of Gaza as human shields. The impact of
[12:08] Speaker 1: this conflict is staggering. Reports suggest that up to 80%
[12:12] Speaker 1: of Gaza's 2.3 million residents have been displaced. The bombing
[12:16] Speaker 1: campaign has transformed much of Gaza into a desolate landscape,
[12:20] Speaker 1: with over 15,500 fatalities reported. Since the collapse of the
[12:25] Speaker 1: week-long truce between Israel and Hamas, Israeli forces have aggressively
[12:30] Speaker 1: advanced into southern Gaza. Their goal is a complete overthrow
[12:34] Speaker 1: of Hamas. This military push has led to the capture
[12:37] Speaker 1: of significant territories and the severing of key transportation routes
[12:41] Speaker 1: for Hamas. The United States, a key ally of Israel,
[12:45] Speaker 1: has urged greater efforts to protect civilians, especially in densely
[12:48] Speaker 1: populated areas. During the brief truce, some humanitarian aid was
[12:53] Speaker 1: allowed into Gaza for a brief respite, but this has
[12:55] Speaker 1: been insufficient given the scale of the crisis. The truce
[12:59] Speaker 1: also saw a prisoner exchange between Hamas and Israel, but
[13:02] Speaker 1: its collapse has led to renewed hostilities and further complicated
[13:06] Speaker 1: the humanitarian situation. As Christians, witnessing such profound suffering and
[13:10] Speaker 1: loss prompts a deep reflection within us. The Bible teaches
[13:14] Speaker 1: us the sanctity of every human life and calls us
[13:16] Speaker 1: to be peacemakers. This conflict with its tragic loss of
[13:19] Speaker 1: innocent lives, including children, challenges us to pray fervently for
[13:23] Speaker 1: peace and advocate for justice. Two things can be true
[13:27] Speaker 1: at once. There can be a support for the independence
[13:29] Speaker 1: of Israel in responding to terrorist attacks, while also lamenting
[13:33] Speaker 1: an evident humanitarian crisis and calling for some sort of
[13:37] Speaker 1: change in tactics. In these moments of despair, we are
[13:40] Speaker 1: reminded of Jesus' call to love our neighbors. This love
[13:43] Speaker 1: compels us to extend compassion to all affected, regardless of
[13:47] Speaker 1: the borders or affiliations. Churches and Christian organizations are called
[13:51] Speaker 1: to be at the forefront of humanitarian aid, offering support
[13:55] Speaker 1: and comfort to the victims of this conflict. As we
[13:58] Speaker 1: grapple with the complexities of this conflict, our response must
[14:01] Speaker 1: be rooted in prayer. We pray for the leaders involved,
[14:04] Speaker 1: for wisdom and commitment to peace. We pray for victims,
[14:07] Speaker 1: for comfort and healing. And we pray for an end
[14:09] Speaker 1: to the cycle of violence, for a future where reconciliation
[14:12] Speaker 1: and peace can prevail. The situation in Gaza is a
[14:15] Speaker 1: stark reminder of the fragility of peace and the devastating
[14:19] Speaker 1: impact of conflict. As believers, we are called to respond
[14:22] Speaker 1: with compassion, to pray for peace, and to advocate for justice.
[14:26] Speaker 1: Let us stand in solidarity with Israel while also supporting
[14:29] Speaker 1: those suffering in Gaza to work towards a world where
[14:32] Speaker 1: love and peace can triumph over hatred and historical violence.
[14:36] Speaker 1: Let's pray. Heavenly Father, we come before you in a
[14:39] Speaker 1: time of great sorrow and conflict in Gaza. We pray
[14:42] Speaker 1: earnestly for peace in this region, for the protection of
[14:45] Speaker 1: the innocent lives, and for wisdom for all leaders involved.
[14:48] Speaker 1: Guide them towards a path of peace and reconciliation and
[14:51] Speaker 1: comfort those who are grieving and suffering. Help us to
[14:54] Speaker 1: remember your call to be peacemakers and to show your
[14:56] Speaker 1: love to all, regardless of borders and differences. May your
[15:00] Speaker 1: grace and mercy prevail in this troubled land. In Jesus'
[15:03] Speaker 1: name we pray. Amen. Thank you for joining us today
[15:07] Speaker 1: on Pray News. It is our aim to be informed
[15:09] Speaker 1: and transformed. We pray today you would proceed with hope, love,
[15:12] Speaker 1: and determination to be a force for good. If you've
[15:15] Speaker 1: enjoyed this take on the news, consider writing us a
[15:16] Speaker 1: review and share your experience. You can sign up for
[15:19] Speaker 1: our newsletter at PrayNews.com. There you'll find sources to all
[15:22] Speaker 1: of our reporting. And be sure to download the Pray.com
[15:24] Speaker 1: app to make prayer a priority in your life and
[15:26] Speaker 1: experience the Bible in new and exciting ways. God bless.

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