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Wisconsin's Democratic governor-elect considering suing Republicans over shock power grab – live Wisconsin's Democratic governor-elect considering suing Republicans over shock power grab – live
(34 minutes later)
The Supreme Court is hearing arguments today in a case dealing with the Constitution’s prohibition on double jeopardy, or being tried twice for the same crime. The decision could have ramifications for the Trump Russia investigation, the Associated Press reports. Funeral services are now beginning for former President George HW Bush at Houston’s St Martin’s Episcopal Church.
The service is kicking off with “America the Beautiful.” Watch live here.
Republican senators have introduced a bill to fully fund Donald Trump’s border wall with $25 billion.
The legislation would attempt to raise money toward the total by increasing fines for people caught crossing the border illegally, and tightening requirements to qualify for federal tax credits and welfare benefits, the Hill reports.
Sens. Ted Cruz, John Kennedy, James Inhofe and Mike Rounds are sponsoring the legislation.
Trump has said he’s willing to settle for $5 billion for the wall in the current round of budget negotiations, a demand Democrats are balking at.
Donald Trump claims in a tweet that his approval rating would be at 75% without special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation, accusing investigators of “Presidential Harassment.”
In the world as it stands, Trump has a 49% approval rating in the daily Rasmussen Reports tracking poll, his favored source, and other polls put him around 42%.
Without the phony Russia Witch Hunt, and with all that we have accomplished in the last almost two years (Tax & Regulation Cuts, Judge’s, Military, Vets, etc.) my approval rating would be at 75% rather than the 50% just reported by Rasmussen. It’s called Presidential Harassment!
A Texas Republican congressman invoked liberal billionaire George Soros’s religion in attacking him during an appearance on Fox Business.
“George Soros is supposed to be Jewish, but you wouldn’t know it from the damage he inflicted on Israel and the fact that he turned on fellow Jews and helped take the property that they owned,” said Representative Louie Gohmert.
Holy crap!Appearing on Fox Biz, Louie Gohmert says "George Soros is supposed to be Jewish but you wouldn't know it from the damage he inflicted on Israel and the fact that he turned on fellow Jews & helped take the property that they owned."Stuart Varney quickly moves on pic.twitter.com/P4KUjOVnKb
Democratic congressional leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer will meet with Donald Trump next Tuesday about his demand for funding for a border wall, per Politico.
The meeting had been scheduled for this week, but was postponed due to services for George HW Bush. It’s now set for 11 December at 11:30am in the Oval Office.
Trump is demanding $5bn for the wall as part of a bill to fund the federal government, a demand that could lead to a government shutdown if Democrats and Republicans can’t agree to funding legislation.
The Houston funeral service for former President George HW Bush is set to begin at 11am.
You can watch a live feed here.
The supreme court is hearing arguments today in a case dealing with the constitution’s prohibition on double jeopardy, or being tried twice for the same crime. The decision could have ramifications for the Trump Russia investigation, the Associated Press reports.
The appeal comes from a federal prison inmate, Terance Gamble, who was tried separately by both the federal government and the state of Alabama for illegally having a gun after an earlier robbery conviction.The appeal comes from a federal prison inmate, Terance Gamble, who was tried separately by both the federal government and the state of Alabama for illegally having a gun after an earlier robbery conviction.
That was allowed under an exception to the Constitution’s double-jeopardy bar that allows state and federal prosecutions for the same crime. That was allowed under an exception to the constitution’s double-jeopardy bar that allows state and federal prosecutions for the same crime.
What does that have to do with the Russia probe? If Donald Trump were to pardon someone implicated in the investigation, that would spare them from federal charges, but under current rules they could still be charged by a state. New York has been moving to shore up its authority to potentially bring charges against Trump associates. But a ruling from the high court expanding the double jeopardy protection would complicate that effort. What does that have to do with the Russia investigation? If Donald Trump were to pardon someone implicated in the investigation, that would spare them from federal charges, but under current rules they could still be charged by a state. New York has been moving to shore up its authority to potentially bring charges against Trump associates. But a ruling from the high court expanding the double jeopardy protection would complicate that effort.
Prominent Democrats plan on Thursday to begin ramping up calls for stronger gun control after the party took control of the House of Representatives.Prominent Democrats plan on Thursday to begin ramping up calls for stronger gun control after the party took control of the House of Representatives.
The newly empowered Democratic majority in the House of Representatives is expected to introduce sweeping legislation to impose background checks on all gun sales as one of the first priorities in the incoming Congress of 2019, according to a report this week in Mother Jones.The newly empowered Democratic majority in the House of Representatives is expected to introduce sweeping legislation to impose background checks on all gun sales as one of the first priorities in the incoming Congress of 2019, according to a report this week in Mother Jones.
On Thursday Murphy and Blumenthal will be joined on Capitol Hill by House Democrats and gun control advocates to push for stronger regulations. The event will follow the annual national vigil for all victims of gun violence at St Mark’s episcopal church just off Pennsylvania Avenue, close to the Capitol.On Thursday Murphy and Blumenthal will be joined on Capitol Hill by House Democrats and gun control advocates to push for stronger regulations. The event will follow the annual national vigil for all victims of gun violence at St Mark’s episcopal church just off Pennsylvania Avenue, close to the Capitol.
Newly empowered Democrats ramp up calls for stronger gun controlNewly empowered Democrats ramp up calls for stronger gun control
Another funeral service will take place Thursday for former President George HW Bush, this time in Houston.Another funeral service will take place Thursday for former President George HW Bush, this time in Houston.
At the Thursday service at Houston’s St Martin’s Episcopal Church, the Oak Ridge Boys will perform Amazing Grace and Reba McEntire will sing The Lord’s Prayer, according to the Associated Press.At the Thursday service at Houston’s St Martin’s Episcopal Church, the Oak Ridge Boys will perform Amazing Grace and Reba McEntire will sing The Lord’s Prayer, according to the Associated Press.
Duane Allen of the Oak Ridge Boys says Bush had personally requested that the group sing Amazing Grace at his funeral.Duane Allen of the Oak Ridge Boys says Bush had personally requested that the group sing Amazing Grace at his funeral.
James Baker, Bush’s former secretary of state, will deliver a eulogy.James Baker, Bush’s former secretary of state, will deliver a eulogy.
More than 11,000 people paid their respects as Bush’s casket lay in repose over night at the church.More than 11,000 people paid their respects as Bush’s casket lay in repose over night at the church.
He’ll be buried later Thursday at his family plot on the presidential library grounds at Texas A&M University in College Station.He’ll be buried later Thursday at his family plot on the presidential library grounds at Texas A&M University in College Station.
The incoming Democratic governor of Wisconsin says he’ll make a personal appeal to outgoing GOP governor Scott Walker to veto lame duck GOP legislation that would strip the governor of powers.The incoming Democratic governor of Wisconsin says he’ll make a personal appeal to outgoing GOP governor Scott Walker to veto lame duck GOP legislation that would strip the governor of powers.
If that doesn’t work, governor-elect Tony Evers said he might sue, the Associated Press reports.If that doesn’t work, governor-elect Tony Evers said he might sue, the Associated Press reports.
“The will of the people has officially been ignored by the legislature,” Evers said. “Wisconsin should be embarrassed by this.”“The will of the people has officially been ignored by the legislature,” Evers said. “Wisconsin should be embarrassed by this.”
Evers said he would speak to Walker, who he defeated in November’s election, as soon as the bills reach his desk. If he won’t veto them, Evers said he’ll consider a lawsuit “to make sure that this legislation does not get into practice”.Evers said he would speak to Walker, who he defeated in November’s election, as soon as the bills reach his desk. If he won’t veto them, Evers said he’ll consider a lawsuit “to make sure that this legislation does not get into practice”.
The Republican-controlled state Senate voted early Wednesday, after an all night session to pass legislation to weaken the incoming Democratic governor as well as the attorney general.The Republican-controlled state Senate voted early Wednesday, after an all night session to pass legislation to weaken the incoming Democratic governor as well as the attorney general.
Donald Trump may have tried to bury his administration’s dire report on climate change, but a large majority of Americans say the findings worry them, according to a new poll.Donald Trump may have tried to bury his administration’s dire report on climate change, but a large majority of Americans say the findings worry them, according to a new poll.
Two thirds of voters said they are very concerned or somewhat concerned about the climate assessment, the Politico/Morning Consult poll found. A 58% majority backed the scientific consensus, disputed by Trump, that human activity is contributing to climate change, while 30% called it a natural phenomenon.Two thirds of voters said they are very concerned or somewhat concerned about the climate assessment, the Politico/Morning Consult poll found. A 58% majority backed the scientific consensus, disputed by Trump, that human activity is contributing to climate change, while 30% called it a natural phenomenon.
67% of voters said they are very or somewhat concerned about the impact of climate change on the economy, and 68% are concerned about the impact on the environment. 46% said it’s a critical threat to the US national interest, and 29% said it’s an important threat.67% of voters said they are very or somewhat concerned about the impact of climate change on the economy, and 68% are concerned about the impact on the environment. 46% said it’s a critical threat to the US national interest, and 29% said it’s an important threat.
Former Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick made it official that he won’t run for president this morning, blaming “the cruelty of our elections process”.Former Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick made it official that he won’t run for president this morning, blaming “the cruelty of our elections process”.
“I’ve decided that a 2020 campaign for president is not for me,” he said in a Facebook post. “Knowing that the cruelty of our elections process would ultimately splash back on people whom [his wife] Diane and I love, but who hadn’t signed up for the journey, was more than I could ask.”“I’ve decided that a 2020 campaign for president is not for me,” he said in a Facebook post. “Knowing that the cruelty of our elections process would ultimately splash back on people whom [his wife] Diane and I love, but who hadn’t signed up for the journey, was more than I could ask.”
Patrick has traveled the country this year to stump for Congressional candidates.Patrick has traveled the country this year to stump for Congressional candidates.
“America feels more ready than usual for big answers to our big challenges. That’s an exciting moment that I hope we don’t miss. I hope to help in whatever way I can. It just won’t be as a candidate for president,” he said.“America feels more ready than usual for big answers to our big challenges. That’s an exciting moment that I hope we don’t miss. I hope to help in whatever way I can. It just won’t be as a candidate for president,” he said.
The past few months on the road in support of Democrats during the midterms was humbling. Here are my thoughts on what’s ahead: https://t.co/BrQ8ioTf6OThe past few months on the road in support of Democrats during the midterms was humbling. Here are my thoughts on what’s ahead: https://t.co/BrQ8ioTf6O