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Congresswoman Ilhan Omar apologises for tweets about Israel – live
Democrats and Republicans in last-ditch attempt to avert shutdown – live
(35 minutes later)
Former Trump attorney and fixer Michael Cohen has postponed his appearance before the Senate Intelligence Committee Tuesday for medical reasons.
The Iowa Democratic Party has unveiled its new process for running the caucuses in 2020. There are some key changes including the addition of an absentee element to the caucuses.
A number of staffers for Virginia lieutenant governor Justin Fairfax have resigned.
Two of Fairfax’s three staffers on government payroll as well as two staffers at his political action committee have moved on after the allegations of sexual assault against Fairfax.
Former Trump attorney and fixer Michael Cohen has postponed his appearance before the Senate intelligence committee Tuesday for medical reasons.
NEW: Lanny Davis: “The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence has accepted Mr. Cohen’s request for postponement of tomorrow’s hearing due to post surgery medical needs. A future date will be announced by the Committee.”
NEW: Lanny Davis: “The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence has accepted Mr. Cohen’s request for postponement of tomorrow’s hearing due to post surgery medical needs. A future date will be announced by the Committee.”
Congressional negotiators are meeting today in an effort to salvage a deal to keep the federal government open.
Congressional negotiators are meeting today in an effort to salvage a deal to keep the federal government open.
Fights on immigration policy have imperiled the prospect of a deal that would avoid second partial government shutdown.
Fights on immigration policy have imperiled the prospect of a deal that would avoid second partial government shutdown.
As Politico notes:
As Politico notes:
The confab carries with it significant urgency: Negotiators have hoped to post compromise legislation that funds the government and gives President Donald Trump new money for border security by Monday evening to meet the House Democratic majority’s new rules and allow passage of the legislation through the Senate by Friday evening, the new shutdown deadline.
The confab carries with it significant urgency: Negotiators have hoped to post compromise legislation that funds the government and gives President Donald Trump new money for border security by Monday evening to meet the House Democratic majority’s new rules and allow passage of the legislation through the Senate by Friday evening, the new shutdown deadline.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is going to Washington, D.C. on Tuesday to meet with President Donald Trump about reinstating state and local income tax deductibility for federal income tax.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo is going to Washington DC on Tuesday to meet with Donald Trump about reinstating state and local income tax deductibility for federal income tax.
The 2017 Republican tax cut bill capped the deduction at $10,000 which had a major impact on residents of high tax states like New York.
The 2017 Republican tax cut bill capped the deduction at $10,000 which had a major impact on residents of high tax states like New York.
Ilhan Omar has now issued an apology for her tweets last night which have been almost universally condemned as anti-Semitic.
Ilhan Omar has now issued an apology for her tweets last night which have been almost universally condemned as antisemitic.
Listening and learning, but standing strong 💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/7TSroSf8h1
Listening and learning, but standing strong 💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/7TSroSf8h1
A Democratic superPAC has filed an FEC complaint against billionaire Howard Schultz.
A Democratic Super Pac has filed an FEC complaint against billionaire Howard Schultz.
The Huffington Post reports:
The Huffington Post reports:
American Bridge 21st Century ― which primarily focuses on obtaining opposition research on Republicans ― argues in its complaint that Schultz is pushing the limits of an exemption in the Federal Election Campaign Act that allows potential candidates to “test the waters” before officially deciding to run for office, during which time they adhere to less stringent election rules. The complaint has been sent but not yet officially received by the FEC.
American Bridge 21st Century – which primarily focuses on obtaining opposition research on Republicans – argues in its complaint that Schultz is pushing the limits of an exemption in the Federal Election Campaign Act that allows potential candidates to “test the waters” before officially deciding to run for office, during which time they adhere to less stringent election rules. The complaint has been sent but not yet officially received by the FEC.
“Mr. Schultz cannot continue to skirt the Act’s disclosure requirements by publicly stating that he has not made a final decision regarding his candidacy if such a decision has already been made,” the complaint reads.
“Mr Schultz cannot continue to skirt the Act’s disclosure requirements by publicly stating that he has not made a final decision regarding his candidacy if such a decision has already been made,” the complaint reads.
Schultz has become anathema for Democrats since he started floating a third party presidential bid which they fear would divide the anti-Trump vote and give an opportunity for Trump to win re-election.
Schultz has become anathema for Democrats since he started floating a third-party presidential bid which they fear would divide the anti-Trump vote and give an opportunity for Trump to win re-election.
In other news today in Virginia, the House of Delegates just voted to raise the age to buy cigarettes to 21.
In other news today in Virginia, the House of Delegates just voted to raise the age to buy cigarettes to 21.
In a state where tobacco dominated the economy for three centuries, it represents a major shift.
In a state where tobacco dominated the economy for three centuries, it represents a major shift.
ALSO HAPPENING: The House just voted 66-31 to increase the legal age for buying cigarettes to 21. Would’ve once been a hugely controversial move in a tobacco state.
ALSO HAPPENING: The House just voted 66-31 to increase the legal age for buying cigarettes to 21. Would’ve once been a hugely controversial move in a tobacco state.
Both Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar and California Senator Kamala Harris consulted with Hillary Clinton before launching their presidential bids.
Both Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar and California senator Kamala Harris consulted with Hillary Clinton before launching their presidential bids.
The Daily Mail reports that Clinton had conversations with both women in recent weeks.
The Daily Mail reports that Clinton had conversations with both women in recent weeks.
California Governor Gavin Newsom will withdraw National Guardsmen deployed to the U.S. Mexico border and deploy them elsewhere.
California governor Gavin Newsom will withdraw national guardsmen deployed to the US-Mexico border and deploy them elsewhere.
The California Democrat will shift 400 troops away from the border as President Donald Trump escalates his rhetoric about illegal immigration and the need for a wall.
The California Democrat will shift 400 troops away from the border as Donald Trump escalates his rhetoric about illegal immigration and the need for a wall.
Tulsi Gabbard is making her visit to Iowa today since launching her presidential campaign.
The four-term Hawaii Democrat had a small crowd in Des Moines earlier today but has drawn a decent audience in far-left Fairfield, Iowa.
Big crowd in liberal Fairfield, Iowa for @TulsiGabbard pic.twitter.com/QdSWp76qV1
Speaker Nancy Pelosi, along with the rest of Democratic leadership, has now condemned Ilhan Omar’s allegedly antisemitic tweets.
“Anti-Semitism must be called out, confronted and condemned whenever it is encountered, without exception.
“We are and will always be strong supporters of Israel in Congress because we understand that our support is based on shared values and strategic interests. Legitimate criticism of Israel’s policies is protected by the values of free speech and democratic debate that the United States and Israel share. But Congresswoman Omar’s use of anti-Semitic tropes and prejudicial accusations about Israel’s supporters is deeply offensive. We condemn these remarks and we call upon Congresswoman Omar to immediately apologize for these hurtful comments.
“As Democrats and as Americans, the entire Congress must be fully engaged in denouncing and rejecting all forms of hatred, racism, prejudice and discrimination wherever they are encountered.”
DEM LEADERSHIP WEIGHS IN ON OMAR pic.twitter.com/ravQQCQKea
After being indicted last year for illegally spending campaign money for personal reasons, California Republican Duncan Hunter used campaign funds at an amusement park and also ran up disputed charges with a drone company.
According to campaign finance records, Hunter’s campaign spent over $100,000 in the last five weeks of 2018 including over $200 for “food/beverages” at Belmont Park, an amusement park in his district.
Florida senator Rick Scott will no longer put his wealth in a blind trust. Scott, a millionaire who previously served eight years as the state’s governor, put wealth into a trust when taking office in Tallahassee.
However, he’s changing his stance now that the Republican has been elected to the Senate.
CNN will host another town hall next week with Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar.
The three-term Democrat announced Sunday that she would be running for president.
The town hall will take place next Monday in New Hampshire. It has previously hosted town halls with Senator Kamala Harris and coffee mogul Howard Schultz.
Justin Fairfax has taken a leave of absence from his job as a lawyer for the prominent firm of Morrison Foerster.
The leave comes as the firm investigates allegations of sexual assault against Fairfax, the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. His official position is only a part time job and those holding it often have outside sources of income.
Kamala Harris endorsed marijuana legalization in an interview on Monday.
The Democratic senator from California became the latest 2020 presidential candidate to call for legalization, saying “listen, I think it gives a lot of people joy. And we need more joy.”
Former Republican strategist Steve Schmidt stormed off a podcast last week when asked about his work consulting for Howard Schultz.
Schmidt, a top advisor to John McCain’s 2008 campaign who left the GOP in reaction to Donald Trump, reacted angrily when pressed about his work for Schultz who is contemplating a third party run and whether the Starbucks mogul would serve as a spoiler to re-elect Trump.
In her presidential announcement yesterday, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar took a tough stance on big tech companies.
As the Washington Post reports:
Klobuchar’s decision to make privacy and Internet connectivity a central focus of her campaign could elevate tech policy issues during the Democratic primary. By touting these issues during her first major speech as a 2020 contender, Klobuchar is making a big bet that privacy and other digital concerns are increasingly important to American voters.
It’s especially striking since tech policy is not generally an issue that drives voters’ feet to the polls. In a survey about voter priorities ahead of the 2018 midterm elections, Gallup listed health care, the economy and immigration as the top concerns among voters. Technology wasn’t even included in the 12 issues on the list. Yet if Klobuchar shows Democratic voters — especially key demographics like millennials — are paying attention, other politicians may start to prioritize issues like privacy and net neutrality in campaigns.
“Way too many politicians have their heads stuck in the sand when it comes to the digital revolution,” she said. “Hey guys, it’s not just coming, it’s here. And if you don’t know the difference between a hack and Slack, it’s time to pull off the digital highway.”
A wave of Democrats have condemned Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s use of allegedly antisemitic tropes yet again on Twitter.
"In this fragile moment in our nation’s history, we must all redouble our efforts to engage in policy debates in ways that respect the dignity and humanity of all people." -- Read my statement on the comments made by Rep. Ilhan Omar. pic.twitter.com/srHL49WUBN
My support for Israel is based on shared values and US nat’l security, not money. I’m disappointed that @IlhanMN is again tweeting dangerous and hurtful tropes.
Congresswoman Omar’s statements are deeply hurtful to Jews, including myself. pic.twitter.com/u3f2JHESFA
