Schumer: Security bill on immigration, Ukraine aid to be unveiled soon: The Morning Rundown, Feb. 2, 2024

The details of a deal on border security and Ukraine aid is set to be released as the Senate gears up to vote. And the Vision Pro is here, with Apple looking to make ‘spatial computing’ a household phrase. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.

Schumer: National security bill to be unveiled soon

A national security bill covering foreign aid and immigration could be unveiled as soon as Friday, Feb. 2. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., announced on the Senate floor on Thursday, Feb. 1.

“Conversations are ongoing, and some issues still need resolution, but we are getting very close on the national security supplemental,” Schumer said. “The national security supplemental is so important to enabling us to address multiple crises around the globe.”

The agreement by a bipartisan group of senators would see tens of billions of dollars in aid for Ukraine and Israel and changes to border security amid a record number of illegal crossings. It remains to be seen how Republicans, who have sought to tie immigration reform to any additional funding for Ukraine, will respond to the bill.

Schumer said the bill will be made public, if not Friday, Feb. 2, by Sunday, Feb. 4, and added that will give members enough time to read it before voting.

Ex-CIA hacker gets 40 years in prison for leaking secrets to WikiLeaks

Former CIA software engineer Joshua Schulte has been sentenced to 40 years in prison after being convicted of carrying out the largest data breach in CIA history and for possession of explicit child sexual abuse content. Schulte leaked information released in WikiLeaks’ “Vault 7” in 2017.

He caused untold damage to our national security in his quest for revenge against the CIA for its response to Schulte’s security breaches while employed there.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams

“We will likely never know the full extent of the damage, but I have no doubt it was massive,” Federal Judge Jesse M. Furman said.

The “Vault 7” leak detailed CIA electronic surveillance and cyber warfare capabilities. U.S. WikiLeaks released sensitive information regarding the agency’s surveillance of foreign governments and extremists by hacking devices and computer networks. Attorney Damian Williams, who prosecuted the case, called the leak the most brazen crime of espionage in American history.

“He caused untold damage to our national security in his quest for revenge against the CIA for its response to Schulte’s security breaches while employed there,” Williams said.

CIA Deputy Director David S. Cohen said Schulte’s crimes “caused exceptionally grave harm to U.S. national security and the CIA.”

While prosecutors asked for a life sentence to be handed down, Schulte’s attorneys argued for a nine-year sentence, saying Schulte has been subject to “continuous torture” and is a “bright, kind young man.”

“We are very disappointed that Mr. Schulte received 40 years imprisonment, however, relieved that he did not receive life imprisonment as strongly urged by the government,” said César de Castro, Schulte’s attorney.

In a courtroom statement, Schulte said that this is not justice but vengeance taken by the government. The judge responded, saying he was “blown away” by Schulte’s “complete lack of remorse and acceptance of responsibility.”   

Lloyd Austin apologizes for secrecy around cancer treatment

In his first public remarks since being hospitalized for complications from surgery to treat his prostate cancer, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin apologized for the secrecy surrounding his medical condition.

“I want to be crystal clear. We did not handle this right, and I did not handle this right. I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis,” Austin said. “I should have also told my team and the American public, and I take full responsibility. I apologize to my teammates and to the American people.”

Austin said when he received his cancer diagnosis in December, it was “a gut punch.”

The defense secretary underwent surgery on Dec. 22, but after serious complications, he returned to the hospital on Jan. 1, the president was informed three days later. Austin said he is a private person but never directed anyone to keep his hospitalization from the White House. Austin said he is continuing to undergo physical therapy and is recovering well.

Several people killed after small plane crashes into mobile home park

Several people were killed when a small plane crashed into a mobile home park in Florida on Thursday night, Feb. 1. Emergency crews responded to the fiery scene in Clearwater, finding four trailers on fire, with the crashed plane inside one.

Clearwater’s fire chief said the deaths include people from both the single-engine plane and the mobile home. The number of victims has not been confirmed.

NEW: Footage shows firefighters and police responding to the scene of a small plane crash at a mobile home park in Clearwater, Florida. Fire officials say "several" people have been killed. https://t.co/8fyIcMTShN pic.twitter.com/bZZ9buhRxU

— ABC News (@ABC) February 2, 2024

According to the FAA, the pilot reported an engine failure just before the crash. The FAA and NTSB are investigating.

Apple Vision Pro goes on sale Friday, Feb. 2

Apple’s latest invention, the Vision Pro mixed-reality headset, is hitting store shelves on Friday, Feb. 2. Apple hopes the Vision Pro has the revolutionary impact the iPhone did back in 2007, bringing what it’s calling “spatial computing” to the mainstream.

But at $3,500, its high price point may initially keep many away. Analysts predict Apple will only sell about 1 million or fewer devices this year. More than 600 apps have been developed specifically for the Vision Pro.

NFL player helps save woman’s life during flight home

In about one week, the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers will be looking to be heroes on the field at the Super Bowl, but one NFL player is already being called a hero for his quick-thinking actions, not on the field, but on a plane.

Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews was flying home to Phoenix on a Southwest flight when a woman had a medical emergency. Flight attendants, as well as a doctor and nurse who were on the plane, ran over to assist.

According to passengers, the woman had a weak pulse and trouble breathing. That’s when Andrews popped up from his seat and suggested the woman could be suffering from a blood sugar problem. Andrews, who has Type 1 diabetes, had his diabetic testing kit on him. He handed it over, showing the doctor and nurse how to use it, and soon the woman was stabilized. In a statement, Andrews thanked the flight attendants and said the doctor and nurse were the real heroes.