Tennessee: Corker discusses USA Freedom Act. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker (R) says the national security bill, minus some of its surveillance powers, that passed the Senate by 67 to 32 falls short of “one of the most fundamental functions of our government … to protect and defend its citizens.” He added that the legislation makes “our counterterrorism tools less effective.” ……. Florida: Bush takes swipes at Paul, Rubio. In an economic forum in Orlando, the state’s former governor, Jeb Bush, abandoned his “speak no evil” posture. He said that US Sen. Rand Paul (KY) “was wrong about the Patriot Act.” As for Rubio’s statement that the GOP should look for younger leaders, Bush said, “It’s kind of hard to imagine that my good friend Marco would be critical of his good friend Jeb,” reports the Washington Post ……. Virginia: GOP meets fundraising goal plus. Although it still remains in debt from 2014, the Republican Party of Virginia exceeded its target, bringing in some $245,000 in eleven weeks reports the Washington Post. The party is currently fighting to retain control of the state Senate, as well as contain any fallout from several bitter primary contests …….
