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Majority of NY Assembly ready to back Cuomo impeachment proceedings: report
If New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo doesn’t resign following the state attorney general’s report this week that found the governor sexually harassed 11 women, a majority of state Assembly members are reportedly prepared to start impeachment proceedings.

At least 86 Assembly members – more than half the total of 150 – have either publicly said or told The Associated Press they would be in favor of taking that step to remove Cuomo in the wake of the latest bombshell against him. 

Attorney General Letitia James’ investigation began after several women came forward to accuse Cuomo of harassment earlier this year. 

As recently as last year, Cuomo was a prominent voice in the Democratic Party and lauded for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, but the tidal wave of allegations and accusations he downplayed the number of coronavirus nursing home deaths has left him with few supporters.

State Assemblyman Ron Kim, a Democrat, called on the Assembly to return to session "immediately" to begin impeachment proceedings.

"There is no measure left to hide the truth. The governor broke the law so we must hold him accountable," Kim said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON OUR TOP STORY.

In other developments:
- HOWARD KURTZ: Why the press wants Cuomo, their onetime shining knight, to resign
- Time's Up co-founders helped Gov. Cuomo in drafting letter attacking accuser Lindsey Boylan: AG report
- 'The View' fails to disclose to viewers Whoopi Goldberg headlined Cuomo fundraiser while tackling scandal
- Psaki grilled on Cuomo, Biden sexual harassment allegations, says claims against president already ‘litigated’
- CNN execs reportedly suggested Chris Cuomo take 'temporary leave' to advise brother amid scandals

Rubio's chilling warning: China has weaponized US ‘corporate lust for profits'
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said Wednesday that China has weaponized a "corporate lust for profits" against the U.S.

"It is time to wake up" and look at corporate America’s reliance on the Chinese Communist Party, Rubio said during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing.

"U.S. corporations are so desperate to have access to the Chinese market that they’ll lead costly boycotts in an American state that passes a law that they don’t like," Rubio said. "American companies have actually fired Americans who live in America for saying or writing something that China doesn’t like."

Rubio pointed to several instances where American businesses fired employees, removed certain articles of clothing from U.S. shelves, and severed ties to other U.S. businesses due to CCP pressure.

He warned that China’s threat to U.S. interests expands beyond corporate control and amounts to the "biggest illegal wealth transfer from one nation to another in the history of mankind.

"The long arm of China is not some futuristic threat, it’s already here," Rubio said. "China is stealing between $300 and $600 billion a year of American technology and intellectual property." CLICK HERE FOR MORE.

In other developments:
- China seals city as its worst virus outbreak in a year grows
- Biden ATF nominee Chipman failed to disclose Chinese state TV hit used as propaganda by the communist state
- China claims US report on coronavirus origins based on 'concocted lies and distorted facts'
- Tucker Carlson: New York Times in China's pockets, refused to investigate COVID origins

California recall candidates slam Newsom, take shots at each other in first debate
Republican candidates hoping to oust California Gov. Gavin Newsom from office in September's recall election participated in their first debate Wednesday, trading barbs and taking shots against the man first elected in 2018. 

The four participants -- John Cox, Kevin Faulconer, Kevin Kiley and Doug Ose --- claimed Newsom had failed in his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, forcing businesses to close and allowing housing costs to soar. 

Republicans Caitlyn Jenner and Larry Elder declined invitations to join the debate, according FOX 11 of Los Angeles, which televised the event. Newsom did not respond to an invitation from the Richard Nixon Presidential Library, which hosted the debate, ABC News reported.

The evening focused on conservative issues like building more water storage, restraining state powers and slowing the flow of taxpayer dollars to illegal immigrants. CLICK HERE FOR MORE.

In other developments:
- Gavin Newsom slammed for mask ‘hypocrisy’ and ‘ignoring the science’ by GOP gubernatorial candidate Larry Elder
- Communist Party leader backs Newsom, urges 'no' vote on recall
- Recalling Newsom: Likely California voters split on ousting governor in new poll
- Border Patrol sees unprecedented number of Brazilians crossing US-Mexico border

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TODAY'S MUST-READS:
- DeSantis fires back at Biden: 'Every COVID variant on this planet' is coming through his open border 
- DC robbery suspects caught on camera wrestling victim to ground, beating him at gas station
- Texas Gov. Abbott to call 'special session after special session' to make fleeing Dems consider voting bill
- Nashville police release chilling 911 calls, video of workplace shooting that left 3 wounded, gunman dead
- Illinois police officer struck, killed by suspect's vehicle, police say; manhunt on for driver

THE LATEST FROM FOX BUSINESS:
- Tech titan breaks his silence on 'very sad' divorce and meetings with Epstein
- The CDC may have just thrown a wrench in your summer travel plans
- Two ex-Bank of America traders accused of spoofing found guilty
- Top Republican eyes 3 report indicators that will reveal US economy strength
- Former Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes was dealt a major blow in court

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SOME PARTING WORDS

Mike Pompeo described the haunting possibility of another lockdown due to COVID-19 in the U.S., saying "to go to the kinds of lockdowns that are happening around the world would make no sense for the United States."

"There’s scant evidence that these lockdowns do a whole lotta good," Pompeo said during an appearance on "The Ingraham Angle," adding "And we know they do a whole lotta damage to the economy and the mental health of the people that live there."

"It saddens me when I see Democrat governors and even Democrats in Washington, D.C., who want to head down that path, who want to back to lockdowns – back to the kind of things we tried."

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Fox News First was compiled by Fox News' Jack Durschlag. Thank you for making us your first choice in the morning! We’ll see you in your inbox first thing Friday.