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Congress reportedly closer to deal to avert new shutdown – live Top Virginia Republican edited yearbook containing racial slurs – live
(35 minutes later)
Senator John Barrasso, a Republican of Wyoming, called the Green New Deal plan released today a “socialist manifesto” that would “take our growing economy off the cliff and our nation into bankruptcy”.
“It’s the first step down a dark path to socialism.” he warned in a statement.
The official response from the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) was simply: “LOL,” which is internet slang stands for “laughing out loud”. A link in the statement directed viewers to a gif of actor Ryan Gosling laughing. In statements targeting moderate and swing state Democrats, Republicans dismissed the plan as “ridiculous” and asked whether this meant the Democrats supported banning air travel and eliminating all jobs in the energy industry.
The NAACP is urging the Senate judiciary committee to reject judicial nominees who refused to say that Brown v Board of Education, the landmark supreme court case that ended segregation in schools, was rightly decided.
A number of Trump judicial nominees considered by Senate Judiciary Committee today refused to say Brown v. Board of Education was correctly decided. For us, that is disqualifying. We urge the Senate to vote NO.
Georgia representative Rob Woodall will not seek re-election, per the Atlanta Journal Constitution. It’s a seat likely to be targeted by Democrats.
Breaking: #GA07 Rep. Rob Woodall (R), who won by just 419 votes last fall, to retire. Doesn't change @CookPolitical's Toss Up rating, but does vault #GA07 to the very top of Dems' list of pickup opportunities. https://t.co/XS4PeDhFrA
Another Virginia politician is in hot water over racist content in a yearbook.
State senate majority leader Tommy Norment oversaw a yearbook at the Virginia Military Institute in 1968 that contains a host of racist photos and slurs, the Virginian-Pilot reports. They include photos of people wearing blackface.
Norment, a Republican, was managing editor of the yearbook. It features a photo of a student in blackface at a costume party and another photo of two men in blackface holding a football.
It gets worse: the yearbook uses the N-word at least once. It also uses the slurs “Chink” and “Jap” to refer to a student from Thailand. And another student is described as a “Barracks Jew” for his involvement in classmates’ financial affairs.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer will oppose William Barr’s nomination for attorney general, he says in a speech on the Senate floor.Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer will oppose William Barr’s nomination for attorney general, he says in a speech on the Senate floor.
We need an Attorney General who can assure the Senate and the public that he will stand up to a president who believes the Justice Department exists to do his personal bidding and to protect his personal interests.I will oppose William Barr’s nomination. https://t.co/YYJHZxBaffWe need an Attorney General who can assure the Senate and the public that he will stand up to a president who believes the Justice Department exists to do his personal bidding and to protect his personal interests.I will oppose William Barr’s nomination. https://t.co/YYJHZxBaff
The Green New Deal released today by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has a notable omission: It does not contain any mention of legislative or regulatory restrictions on carbon emissions, a CNN reporter notes. The Green New Deal released today by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has a notable omission: it does not contain any mention of legislative or regulatory restrictions on carbon emissions, a CNN reporter notes.
One thing that's missing: Any explicit mention of legislative or regulatory restrictions on emissions. If you read this, it sounds like they're going to transition to 100% clean/renewable energy by 2050 simply through new public infrastructure investment.One thing that's missing: Any explicit mention of legislative or regulatory restrictions on emissions. If you read this, it sounds like they're going to transition to 100% clean/renewable energy by 2050 simply through new public infrastructure investment.
I'm no energy expert, but I'm pretty sure you're going to have to ban stuff in order to get where they want to go by the time they want to get there. That's less inspirational/unifying than talking about spending $$$ and giving everyone healthcare, jobs, affordable housing.I'm no energy expert, but I'm pretty sure you're going to have to ban stuff in order to get where they want to go by the time they want to get there. That's less inspirational/unifying than talking about spending $$$ and giving everyone healthcare, jobs, affordable housing.
More optimism on a border security deal from Senator Richard Shelby after his budget meeting with Donald Trump.More optimism on a border security deal from Senator Richard Shelby after his budget meeting with Donald Trump.
After meeting with Trump, Shelby says the president wants them to wrap up negotiations and the senator believes Trump is likely to accept what they come up. Said he’s feeling more positive than his ever felt and Trump didn’t draw a red line and threaten national emergencyAfter meeting with Trump, Shelby says the president wants them to wrap up negotiations and the senator believes Trump is likely to accept what they come up. Said he’s feeling more positive than his ever felt and Trump didn’t draw a red line and threaten national emergency
Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker issued a statement on his threat not to testify before the House Judiciary Committee.Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker issued a statement on his threat not to testify before the House Judiciary Committee.
The committee “has deviated from historic practice and protocol and taken the unnecessary and premature step of authorizing a subpoena to the me, the Acting Attorney General, even though I had agreed to voluntarily appear,” Whitaker said, according to the Hill.The committee “has deviated from historic practice and protocol and taken the unnecessary and premature step of authorizing a subpoena to the me, the Acting Attorney General, even though I had agreed to voluntarily appear,” Whitaker said, according to the Hill.
The committee voted earlier Thursday to authorize a subpoena of Whitaker, which could be used to compel him to answer certain questions if he refuses to answer them voluntarily.The committee voted earlier Thursday to authorize a subpoena of Whitaker, which could be used to compel him to answer certain questions if he refuses to answer them voluntarily.
“Such unprecedented action breaches our prior agreement and circumvents the constitutionally required accommodation process. Based upon today’s action, it is apparent that the Committee’s true intention is not to discuss the great work of the Department of Justice, but to create a public spectacle. Political theater is not the purpose of an oversight hearing, and I will not allow that to be the case,” Whitaker said. “Consistent with longstanding practice, I remain willing to appear to testify tomorrow, provided that the Chairman assures me that the Committee will not issue a subpoena today or tomorrow, and that the Committee will engage in good faith negotiations before taking such a step down the road.”“Such unprecedented action breaches our prior agreement and circumvents the constitutionally required accommodation process. Based upon today’s action, it is apparent that the Committee’s true intention is not to discuss the great work of the Department of Justice, but to create a public spectacle. Political theater is not the purpose of an oversight hearing, and I will not allow that to be the case,” Whitaker said. “Consistent with longstanding practice, I remain willing to appear to testify tomorrow, provided that the Chairman assures me that the Committee will not issue a subpoena today or tomorrow, and that the Committee will engage in good faith negotiations before taking such a step down the road.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi expressed optimism Thursday over prospects of congressional negotiators hammering out a border security deal before a Feb. 15 deadline, Reuters reports.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi expressed optimism Thursday over prospects of congressional negotiators hammering out a border security deal before a Feb. 15 deadline, Reuters reports.
From Reuters:From Reuters:
A bipartisan group of 17 members of the House of Representatives and Senate have been meeting behind closed doors to try to break an impasse over Trump’s demand for $5.7 billion this year to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.A bipartisan group of 17 members of the House of Representatives and Senate have been meeting behind closed doors to try to break an impasse over Trump’s demand for $5.7 billion this year to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Pelosi, who says she will not meddle in the negotiations, had held a firm line against any money for building a wall, sparking a stand-off with Trump that resulted in a 35-day partial government shutdown that began on Dec. 22.Pelosi, who says she will not meddle in the negotiations, had held a firm line against any money for building a wall, sparking a stand-off with Trump that resulted in a 35-day partial government shutdown that began on Dec. 22.
In her weekly press conference on Thursday, Pelosi told reporters, “Hopefully we will get some good news in a short period of time and certainly in time for the deadline of Feb. 15.”In her weekly press conference on Thursday, Pelosi told reporters, “Hopefully we will get some good news in a short period of time and certainly in time for the deadline of Feb. 15.”
She did not provide any details what kind of border security measures might be funded in any deal to keep the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies operating through the end of this fiscal year on Sept. 30.She did not provide any details what kind of border security measures might be funded in any deal to keep the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies operating through the end of this fiscal year on Sept. 30.
“Just let them do their work,” Pelosi said of the panel appointed to broker a border security funding agreement.“Just let them do their work,” Pelosi said of the panel appointed to broker a border security funding agreement.
Negotiators have talked about a mix of border security tools, such as more law enforcement agents, procuring more high-tech devices to repel illegal drugs and undocumented immigrants from entering the United States and additional physical barriers.Negotiators have talked about a mix of border security tools, such as more law enforcement agents, procuring more high-tech devices to repel illegal drugs and undocumented immigrants from entering the United States and additional physical barriers.
A lead negotiator, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby, who is a Republican, met at the White House on Thursday morning to talk to Trump about the ongoing negotiations, according to a Senate aide.A lead negotiator, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby, who is a Republican, met at the White House on Thursday morning to talk to Trump about the ongoing negotiations, according to a Senate aide.
No further details on that meeting were immediately available.No further details on that meeting were immediately available.
A group of Democratic lawmakers will visit the US-Mexico border this weekend, CNN reports.A group of Democratic lawmakers will visit the US-Mexico border this weekend, CNN reports.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer will travel Saturday with a group of newly-elected congresswomen to Texas and New Mexico, where they’ll meet with US Customs and Border Protection and immigration advocates.House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer will travel Saturday with a group of newly-elected congresswomen to Texas and New Mexico, where they’ll meet with US Customs and Border Protection and immigration advocates.
“Despite the President’s demagoguery over immigration, there is not a national emergency or a security crisis at the border that demands a wall,” Hoyer said Thursday, according to CNN.“Despite the President’s demagoguery over immigration, there is not a national emergency or a security crisis at the border that demands a wall,” Hoyer said Thursday, according to CNN.
The trip comes as Democrats and Republicans are trying to work out a border security deal before government funding expires next week.The trip comes as Democrats and Republicans are trying to work out a border security deal before government funding expires next week.
The Justice Department is saying that acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker will not testify before the House Judiciary Committee Friday unless he is assured he will not be subpoenaed to answer questions, according to journalist Shimon Prokupecz.The Justice Department is saying that acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker will not testify before the House Judiciary Committee Friday unless he is assured he will not be subpoenaed to answer questions, according to journalist Shimon Prokupecz.
Justice Department says Whitaker won't testify tomorrow unless Nadler assures him no subpoena today or tomorrowJustice Department says Whitaker won't testify tomorrow unless Nadler assures him no subpoena today or tomorrow
Earlier Thursday, the Judiciary Committee voted to authorize a subpoena of Whitaker. Committee chair Jerry Nadler says he hopes not to have to actually use the subpoena, but will do so if Whitaker refuses to answer certain questions about his conversations with the White House about the Russia investigation.Earlier Thursday, the Judiciary Committee voted to authorize a subpoena of Whitaker. Committee chair Jerry Nadler says he hopes not to have to actually use the subpoena, but will do so if Whitaker refuses to answer certain questions about his conversations with the White House about the Russia investigation.
Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general has been approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee.Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general has been approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The committee voted 12-10 along party lines to approve the nomination of William Barr, Politico reports.The committee voted 12-10 along party lines to approve the nomination of William Barr, Politico reports.
The full Senate could vote later this month.The full Senate could vote later this month.
Senator Doug Jones said Thursday that he would vote for the nomination, becoming the first Democrat to do so, according to the Hill.Senator Doug Jones said Thursday that he would vote for the nomination, becoming the first Democrat to do so, according to the Hill.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi suggested Thursday that Democrats will pursue Donald Trump’s tax returns.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi suggested Thursday that Democrats will pursue Donald Trump’s tax returns.
“I think overwhelmingly the public wants to see the president’s tax returns,” Pelosi said at a press conference when asked if she thinks it’s important for Congress to obtain the documents, the Hill reported. “They want to know the truth. They want to know the facts. And he has nothing to hide.”“I think overwhelmingly the public wants to see the president’s tax returns,” Pelosi said at a press conference when asked if she thinks it’s important for Congress to obtain the documents, the Hill reported. “They want to know the truth. They want to know the facts. And he has nothing to hide.”
But Pelosi added Democrats have to be “very, very careful” in pursuing the taxes. The law gives the House the power to obtain any citizen’s tax returns from the IRS, but making them public may be a more complicated matter.But Pelosi added Democrats have to be “very, very careful” in pursuing the taxes. The law gives the House the power to obtain any citizen’s tax returns from the IRS, but making them public may be a more complicated matter.
A vast majority of Americans want special counsel Robert Mueller’s full Russia investigation report to be made public, according to a new poll.
In the CNN poll, 87% of respondents said investigators should produce a full public report. Meanwhile, 48% said they believe Donald Trump’s campaign colluded with Russia to help get him elected, while 42% said there was no collusion.
Officials at the Department of Health and Human Services opposed the policy of separating immigrant children from their parents, a top official there told Congress Thursday.
“I do not believe that separation of children from their parents is in the best interest of the child,” Commander Jonathan White told a House oversight subcommittee, CNN reported.
“Neither I nor any career person in (the Office of Refugee Resettlement) would ever have supported such a policy proposal.”
The refugee resettlement office within HHS is responsible for running shelters to care for immigrant children who cross the border on their own or are separated from their parents. The Trump administration put in place a since-reversed zero tolerance policy which called for adults to be prosecuted for crossing the border illegally, requiring them to be separated from their children. The kids were then put in care of HHS.
The comments came at an oversight hearing on the child separation policy.
HHS Secretary Alex Azar refused to testify, according to CNN.
Senator Kamala Harris called the sexual assault allegations against Virginia’s lieutenant governor “credible” and called for an investigation Thursday.
“I think there should be an investigation to determine what happened,” Harris said of the allegations against Justin Fairfax, Politico reports.
“Certainly her letter reads — it’s quite detailed — and suggests that there’s credibility there. But there needs to be an investigation to determine what exactly happened,” said the California senator and presidential candidate.
The House of Representatives kicked off hearings Thursday on the Trump administration’s policy of separating immigrant children from their parents.
Democrats at the hearing blasted the policy, Politico reports.
“There is no evidence that [Department of Health and Human Services] leaders ever tried to stop this abhorrent policy,” said Rep. Diana DeGette, chair of the Energy and Commerce’s oversight subcommittee. “As the agency dedicated to the health and welfare of children, we need to know why.”
Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Illinois called the administration’s actions “state-sponsored child abuse and, I would go as far to say, kidnapping of children,” according to BuzzFeed.
Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-Illinois) told the congressional hearing on family separations she thinks the policy and its implementation were "state-sponsored child abuse and, I would go as far to say, kidnapping of children”
Nearly two weeks after the end of the longest government shutdown in U.S history, many federal workers still have not received their back pay or have only gotten a fraction of what they are owed as government agencies struggle with payroll glitches and other delays, the Associated Press reports.
From AP:
And even as they scramble to catch up on unpaid bills and to repay unemployment benefits, the prospect of another shutdown looms next week.
“President Trump stood in the Rose Garden at the end of the shutdown and said, ‘We will make sure that you guys are paid immediately.’ ... And here it is, it’s almost two weeks later,” said Michael Walter, who works for the U.S. Department of Agriculture food safety inspection service in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and only got his paycheck Wednesday. He said two co-workers told him they still had received nothing.
The government has been short on details about how many people are still waiting to be paid.
Bradley Bishop, a spokesman for the Office of Management and Budget, said the Trump administration had taken “unprecedented steps to ensure federal employees impacted by the shutdown received back pay within a week.” He didn’t respond to questions about how many people still hadn’t been paid.
Senate Appropriations committee chair Richard Shelby briefed Donald Trump on the state of border security negotiations Thursday, and there appears to be some hope for a deal.
Democrats and Republicans have been trading offers back and forth, and any deal will likely include new money for border security technology and possibly new fencing, Politico reports.
The wild card remains Donald Trump, and whether he’ll be willing to accept a deal that doesn’t give him the $5 billion he wants to build a border wall.
“Everybody is feeling increasingly upbeat about the possibility of getting a deal. The question is whether it’s something the president can sign,” Sen. John Thune of South Dakota told Politico. “I don’t think anyone knows the answer to that.”
Negotiators are hoping to strike a deal by Sunday night. The three week funding bill that the parties agreed to to end the government shutdown expires on Feb. 15.
President Donald Trump’s call for a ban on late-term abortions is unlikely to prevail in Congress, but Republican legislators in several states are pushing ahead with their own tough anti-abortion bills that they hope can pass muster with the Supreme Court, the Associated Press reports.
From AP:
Two bills proposing to outlaw abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, advanced out of House and Senate committees in the Mississippi Legislature this week. GOP Gov. Phil Bryant is pledging to sign either into law.
Efforts to pass similar bills are underway in Florida, Kentucky, Ohio, South Carolina and Tennessee.
In Ohio, former Republican Gov. John Kasich twice vetoed the measure; his successor, Republican Mike DeWine, has said he would sign it. In Tennessee, Republican Gov. Bill Lee and the top two GOP state lawmakers say they support the measure.
Iowa passed a heartbeat bill last year that was struck down by a state judge on Jan. 22. In response, many GOP lawmakers are trying to place a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot that would stipulate there is no right to abortion in Iowa.
South Carolina, in addition to a heartbeat bill, will consider a measure introduced Wednesday that would broadly ban abortions and allow the possibility of criminal charges against individuals who perform them.
Trump, in his State of the Union speech Tuesday night, cited recent controversies in New York and Virginia over late-term abortions, and urged Congress “to prohibit the late-term abortion of children who can feel pain in a mother’s womb.”
Senator Richard Shelby says he expects there will be a government funding deal over the weekend or on Monday, according to Bloomberg News.
UPDATE: Richard Shelby tells reporters his meeting with Trump went well and that he expects a deal over the weekend or by Monday pic.twitter.com/mnwwK7oKuy
First Lady Melania Trump spoke to an anti-drug conference Thursday, saying “recovery is possible.”
The Associated Press reports:
The first lady traveled to Maryland on Thursday to address the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America’s annual youth leadership forum. Her signature “Be Best” campaign focuses on a number of issues, including the opioid crisis.
Mrs. Trump spoke about a former opioid and substance abuse addict who joined her for Tuesday’s State of the Union address.
The first lady says Ashley Evans received treatment at an Ohio facility, has been in recovery for over a year and looks forward to being reunited with her daughter.
Mrs. Trump says Evans’ story shows that “recovery is possible” and that community programs can help make a difference.
The first lady was also visiting the Office of National Drug Control Policy for a briefing.
Spending on last year’s Congressional elections topped $5.7 billion - a record high.
The tally from the Center for Responsive Politics includes spending by candidates, outside groups, parties, and political action committees, CNN reports.