pbs--2020-01-14--Democrats argue the merits of Trump's USMCA trade deal

What has become a signature trade deal of President Donald Trump ’ s administration is a conflict point among the @ @ @ @ @ .
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said at Tuesday night ’ s Democratic presidential debate at @ @ @ @ @ , Iowa , that he opposes the United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement , or USMCA , @ @ @ @ @ does not incorporate very , very strong principles to significantly lower fossil fuel emissions in @ @ @ @ @ she backed the deal , Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren said it was a “ modest @ @ @ @ @ and could be a placeholder for future reform .
Former Vice President Joe Biden said @ @ @ @ @ he wouldn ’ t push a trade deal that didn ’ t include buy-in from @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Amy Klobuchar said she backed the deal , as did former South Bend , @ @ @ @ @ , who said it “ has been improved .
It is not perfect.
” READ @ @ @ @ @ helped Trump and Democrats agree to the USMCA trade deal

What has become a signature trade deal of President Donald Trump’s administration is a conflict point among the Democrats competing to replace him.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said at Tuesday night’s Democratic presidential debate at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, that he opposes the United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, or USMCA, in part because it “does not incorporate very, very strong principles to significantly lower fossil fuel emissions in the world.”
Asked why she backed the deal, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren said it was a “modest improvement” over existing agreements and could be a placeholder for future reform.
Former Vice President Joe Biden said that, as president, he wouldn’t push a trade deal that didn’t include buy-in from environmentalists and unionists. Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar said she backed the deal, as did former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who said it “has been improved. It is not perfect.”
READ MORE: These 4 changes helped Trump and Democrats agree to the USMCA trade deal


pbs--2020-01-14--Ex-Trump aide Michael Flynn seeks to withdraw guilty plea

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — Former Trump administration national security adviser Michael Flynn filed court papers Tuesday to withdraw his guilty plea , saying federal prosecutors had acted in “ bad faith ” and breached their deal with him .
The request comes one week after the Justice Department changed its position on Flynn ’ s punishment by recommending that he serve up to six months in prison for lying to the FBI during its investigation into ties between the Trump campaign and Russia .
Prosecutors had earlier said Flynn was entitled to avoid prison time because of his extensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after he hired new lawyers , who leveled accusations of misconduct against the government that a judge has since rejected .
In the court filing , defense lawyers said the Justice Department is attempting to “ rewrite history ” by withdrawing its recommendation that he be sentenced to probation and by suggesting he had not been forthcoming or cooperative .
“ Michael T. Flynn is innocent .
Mr. Flynn has cooperated with the government in good faith for two years .
He gave the prosecution his full cooperation , ” the lawyers wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and frankly counterproductive demands on his time , his family , his scarce resources , and his life , ” they added .
“ The same can not be said for the prosecution which has operated in bad faith from the inception of the ‘ investigation ’ and continues relentlessly through this specious prosecution .
”

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Trump administration national security adviser Michael Flynn filed court papers Tuesday to withdraw his guilty plea, saying federal prosecutors had acted in “bad faith” and breached their deal with him.
The request comes one week after the Justice Department changed its position on Flynn’s punishment by recommending that he serve up to six months in prison for lying to the FBI during its investigation into ties between the Trump campaign and Russia.
Prosecutors had earlier said Flynn was entitled to avoid prison time because of his extensive cooperation, but they changed their view after he hired new lawyers, who leveled accusations of misconduct against the government that a judge has since rejected.
In the court filing, defense lawyers said the Justice Department is attempting to “rewrite history” by withdrawing its recommendation that he be sentenced to probation and by suggesting he had not been forthcoming or cooperative.
“Michael T. Flynn is innocent. Mr. Flynn has cooperated with the government in good faith for two years. He gave the prosecution his full cooperation,” the lawyers wrote.
“He endured massive, unnecessary, and frankly counterproductive demands on his time, his family, his scarce resources, and his life,” they added. “The same cannot be said for the prosecution which has operated in bad faith from the inception of the ‘investigation’ and continues relentlessly through this specious prosecution.”


pbs--2020-01-14--Democratic senator says he has the votes to restrain Trump on Iran

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — A Democratic senator said Tuesday he has at least 51 votes to support a bipartisan resolution asserting that President Donald Trump must seek approval from Congress before engaging in further military action against Iran .
Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia said the Senate could vote as soon as next week on the measure , which is co-sponsored by two Republican senators and has support from at least two more Republicans .
Republican Sens .
Mike Lee of Utah and Rand Paul of Kentucky have co-sponsored the measure , and GOP Sens .
Todd Young of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday they will support it .
“ We now have a majority of colleagues , Democratic and Republican , who will stand strong for the principle that we should not be at war without a vote of Congress , and that ’ s a very positive thing , ” Kaine told reporters Tuesday .
The bipartisan resolution “ clearly states that America can always defend itself , ” against attack from Iran or any other country , Kaine said , “ but we don ’ t think that this president — or any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war without a vote of Congress.
” Kaine has long pushed for congressional action reasserting congressional power to declare war , but he said Tuesday he has received renewed support after the Trump administration killed Iran ’ s top general earlier this month .
Tehran responded to the U.S. attack by launching missiles at two military bases in Iraq that house American troops .
No serious casualties were reported .
READ MORE : What are a U.S. president ’ s war powers ?
Democrats and Republicans alike criticized a briefing last week by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani .
Republicans “ were discouraged at the attitude that was being communicated to us that Congress is an annoyance ” to the executive branch , Kaine said .
The briefing by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other officials gave lawmakers the impression that they “ should be glad ” to get “ a few morsels of information ” five days after the attack , he said .
Kaine said he has removed , at Republicans ’ request , language that targeted Trump .
Instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declaring that Congress has the sole power to declare war and directing the president to terminate use of military force against Iran or any part of its government without approval from Congress .
Young said in a statement Tuesday that he opposed “ a politically charged version ” of Kaine ’ s war powers resolution , but supports revised language reasserting Congress ’ s constitutional role in debating military action .
“ Our service members are willing to put politics aside for our national security , we need to do the same , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposal “ does not alter the president ’ s inherent authority as commander in chief to defend our nation and U.S. forces abroad , ” Collins said , adding that it would allow the president to respond to emergencies created by aggression from any hostile nation , including Iran .
The resolution “ simply makes clear that only the legislative branch may declare war or commit our armed forces to a sustained military conflict with Iran , ” said Collins , one of the most vulnerable Republicans seeking reelection this year .
Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans oppose the resolution , saying it would send the wrong message to U.S. allies .
The Democratic-controlled House passed a separate war powers resolution last week .
The House measure is not binding on the president and does not require his signature .
If the Senate approves the Kaine measure , the House could take up the Senate resolution and send it to Trump .
Two-thirds votes in the House and Senate would be needed to override an expected Trump veto .
The White House said last week that the House proposal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cites are already authorized by law , including the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force against Iraq .
The proposal also could undermine the president ’ s ability to defend U.S. forces and interests in the region against ongoing threats from Iran and its proxies , the White House said .

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Democratic senator said Tuesday he has at least 51 votes to support a bipartisan resolution asserting that President Donald Trump must seek approval from Congress before engaging in further military action against Iran.
Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia said the Senate could vote as soon as next week on the measure, which is co-sponsored by two Republican senators and has support from at least two more Republicans.
Republican Sens. Mike Lee of Utah and Rand Paul of Kentucky have co-sponsored the measure, and GOP Sens. Todd Young of Indiana and Susan Collins of Maine said Tuesday they will support it.
“We now have a majority of colleagues, Democratic and Republican, who will stand strong for the principle that we should not be at war without a vote of Congress, and that’s a very positive thing,” Kaine told reporters Tuesday.
The bipartisan resolution “clearly states that America can always defend itself,” against attack from Iran or any other country, Kaine said, “but we don’t think that this president — or any president — should send our troops into war without a vote of Congress.”
Kaine has long pushed for congressional action reasserting congressional power to declare war, but he said Tuesday he has received renewed support after the Trump administration killed Iran’s top general earlier this month. Tehran responded to the U.S. attack by launching missiles at two military bases in Iraq that house American troops. No serious casualties were reported.
READ MORE: What are a U.S. president’s war powers?
Democrats and Republicans alike criticized a briefing last week by the Trump administration on the Jan. 3 drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
Republicans “were discouraged at the attitude that was being communicated to us that Congress is an annoyance” to the executive branch, Kaine said. The briefing by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other officials gave lawmakers the impression that they “should be glad” to get “a few morsels of information” five days after the attack, he said.
Kaine said he has removed, at Republicans’ request, language that targeted Trump. Instead the measure is a more general statement declaring that Congress has the sole power to declare war and directing the president to terminate use of military force against Iran or any part of its government without approval from Congress.
Young said in a statement Tuesday that he opposed “a politically charged version” of Kaine’s war powers resolution, but supports revised language reasserting Congress’s constitutional role in debating military action.
“Our service members are willing to put politics aside for our national security, we need to do the same,” Young said.
Kaine’s proposal “does not alter the president’s inherent authority as commander in chief to defend our nation and U.S. forces abroad,” Collins said, adding that it would allow the president to respond to emergencies created by aggression from any hostile nation, including Iran.
The resolution “simply makes clear that only the legislative branch may declare war or commit our armed forces to a sustained military conflict with Iran,” said Collins, one of the most vulnerable Republicans seeking reelection this year.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and many other Republicans oppose the resolution, saying it would send the wrong message to U.S. allies.
The Democratic-controlled House passed a separate war powers resolution last week. The House measure is not binding on the president and does not require his signature. If the Senate approves the Kaine measure, the House could take up the Senate resolution and send it to Trump.
Two-thirds votes in the House and Senate would be needed to override an expected Trump veto.
The White House said last week that the House proposal was unnecessary because the military actions it cites are already authorized by law, including the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force against Iraq.
The proposal also could undermine the president’s ability to defend U.S. forces and interests in the region against ongoing threats from Iran and its proxies, the White House said.


pbs--2020-01-14--See the new evidence from the Trump impeachment investigation

House Democrats have disclosed new evidence ahead of President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial , which is expected to begin this week .
The documents include handwritten notes by Lev Parnas , a business associate of Trump ’ s lawyer Rudy Giuliani , that read “ get Zalensky to Annonce that the Biden case will Be Investigated.
” They also include text messages between Parnas and others , including Giuliani , about efforts to oust then U.S .
Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch .
The impeachment debate has centered around a July 2019 phone call in which Trump asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden ’ s son , Hunter .
During House impeachment hearings , U.S. officials testified about a coordinated effort by Giuliani to remove Yonvaovitch from her post .
Democrats allege Trump wanted Yovanovitch removed because she was likely to oppose any investigation by Ukraine into the Bidens .
The House of Representatives is set to vote Wednesday to send two articles of impeachment–abuse of power and obstruction of Congress–against Trump to the Senate .
On Thursday , Senators are expected to be sworn in for the trial , over which Supreme Court Chief @ @ @ @ @ @

House Democrats have disclosed new evidence ahead of President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, which is expected to begin this week.
The documents include handwritten notes by Lev Parnas, a business associate of Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani, that read “get Zalensky to Annonce that the Biden case will Be Investigated.”
They also include text messages between Parnas and others, including Giuliani, about efforts to oust then U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch.
The impeachment debate has centered around a July 2019 phone call in which Trump asked the president of Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden’s son, Hunter.
During House impeachment hearings, U.S. officials testified about a coordinated effort by Giuliani to remove Yonvaovitch from her post. Democrats allege Trump wanted Yovanovitch removed because she was likely to oppose any investigation by Ukraine into the Bidens.
The House of Representatives is set to vote Wednesday to send two articles of impeachment–abuse of power and obstruction of Congress–against Trump to the Senate. On Thursday, Senators are expected to be sworn in for the trial, over which Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts will preside.
View the evidence.


pbs--2020-01-14--What we know about the Senate impeachment trial so far

Next week , we will get into substance .
There will first be a fight over procedure , potentially .
McConnell will propose his idea for the starting procedures and timelines .
That will happen on Tuesday early in the day , at the beginning of the day .
After this , then , Tuesday night , we could see opening arguments begin in this trial .
So then let 's take through — take a look at what this calendar could look like overall .
First , we would have opening arguments from the House probably next week ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be spread over four days , is the expectation .
Then , after the House has finished opening arguments , the White House gets the chance to present their case sometime in this time frame leading into the next week .
After that , we would see a couple of days of motions .
Senators can ask questions in writing .
Judy , this calendar is extraordinary for a lot of reasons .
One is look at what 's next , on February 3 , Monday , after all of this , @ @ @ @

Lisa Desjardins:
Next week, we will get into substance.
There will first be a fight over procedure, potentially. McConnell will propose his idea for the starting procedures and timelines. That will happen on Tuesday early in the day, at the beginning of the day. After this, then, Tuesday night, we could see opening arguments begin in this trial.
So then let's take through — take a look at what this calendar could look like overall. First, we would have opening arguments from the House probably next week; 24 hours, they have. It could be spread over four days, is the expectation.
Then, after the House has finished opening arguments, the White House gets the chance to present their case sometime in this time frame leading into the next week. After that, we would see a couple of days of motions. Senators can ask questions in writing.
Judy, this calendar is extraordinary for a lot of reasons. One is look at what's next, on February 3, Monday, after all of this, the Iowa caucuses.


pbs--2020-01-15--Bloomberg won't release women from nondisclosure agreements

NEW YORK ( AP ) — Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg said Wednesday that he won ’ t release women from confidentiality agreements they ’ ve signed relating to allegations of a hostile work environment at his company .
“ We don ’ t have anything to hide , but we made legal agreements which both sides wanted to keep certain things from coming out , ” Bloomberg said on ABC ’ s “ The View.
” Bloomberg , a former New York City mayor , runs a financial data and media company bearing his name .
ABC News reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of making crude comments in the 1990s and creating an uncomfortable work environment for women .
He has denied the allegations .
But Democratic primary rival Elizabeth Warren , the Massachusetts senator , has called on Bloomberg to release the women from nondisclosure agreements that control what they can say about the incidents .
Bloomberg said Wednesday that the company signed “ very few ” such agreements and that “ most women ” in the company would say it ’ s a great place to work , with equal pay and equal opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell a bawdy joke ?
Yeah , sure , I did , ” he said .
“ Do I regret it ?
Yes , it ’ s embarrassing.
” Bloomberg then speculated that “ an awful lot of the women ” would not want to disclose details of the confidentiality agreements .
Bloomberg ’ s company employs roughly 20,000 people .
The billionaire businessman ’ s appearance on “ The View ” came a day after six of his Democratic rivals debated in Iowa .
Bloomberg can not quality for the debates because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He also appeared Tuesday night on “ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
” Later Wednesday , the campaign is hosting a “ Women for Bloomberg ” event in New York .
Bloomberg , 77 , is running an unconventional primary campaign .
He is skipping the first four early voting states to focus on the 14 states that vote on March 3 , known as Super Tuesday .
He told Colbert he ’ s spent “ a couple hundred million dollars ” on his campaign so far .

NEW YORK (AP) — Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg said Wednesday that he won’t release women from confidentiality agreements they’ve signed relating to allegations of a hostile work environment at his company.
“We don’t have anything to hide, but we made legal agreements which both sides wanted to keep certain things from coming out,” Bloomberg said on ABC’s “The View.”
Bloomberg, a former New York City mayor, runs a financial data and media company bearing his name. ABC News reported last year on several lawsuits accusing Bloomberg of making crude comments in the 1990s and creating an uncomfortable work environment for women. He has denied the allegations.
But Democratic primary rival Elizabeth Warren, the Massachusetts senator, has called on Bloomberg to release the women from nondisclosure agreements that control what they can say about the incidents.
Bloomberg said Wednesday that the company signed “very few” such agreements and that “most women” in the company would say it’s a great place to work, with equal pay and equal opportunity for promotions.
“Did I ever tell a bawdy joke? Yeah, sure, I did,” he said. “Do I regret it? Yes, it’s embarrassing.”
Bloomberg then speculated that “an awful lot of the women” would not want to disclose details of the confidentiality agreements. Bloomberg’s company employs roughly 20,000 people.
The billionaire businessman’s appearance on “The View” came a day after six of his Democratic rivals debated in Iowa. Bloomberg cannot quality for the debates because he is not accepting campaign contributions. He also appeared Tuesday night on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.”
Later Wednesday, the campaign is hosting a “Women for Bloomberg” event in New York.
Bloomberg, 77, is running an unconventional primary campaign. He is skipping the first four early voting states to focus on the 14 states that vote on March 3, known as Super Tuesday. He told Colbert he’s spent “a couple hundred million dollars” on his campaign so far.


pbs--2020-01-15--Rep. Kirkpatrick of Arizona seeking treatment for alcoholism

PHOENIX ( AP ) — U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick of Arizona said Wednesday that she ’ s taking time off from her congressional duties to seek treatment for alcohol dependence after a “ serious ” fall last week .
Kirkpatrick , a Democrat whose swing district in southern Arizona has been targeted by Republicans in the November election , said she ’ s “ finally seeking this help after struggling to do so in the past.
” “ I am ready to admit that I , like countless other Americans , suffer from this disease , ” Kirkpatrick said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determination — which have brought me success in life — have not been enough to win this battle.
” Kirkpatrick fell in Washington and went to a hospital with multiple cracked ribs and spinal fractures and required staples in her head , her spokeswoman , Abigail O ’ Brien , told the Arizona Daily Star .
In her statement , Kirkpatrick described alcohol dependence as “ the underlying cause of my fall.
” With physical therapy , she said she can fully recover .
O ’ Brien estimated the congresswoman would be out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Kirkpatrick said she has “ the full expectation and desire to return to work stronger and healthier and to continue serving my beloved Arizona.
” She said her staff would continue representing constituents and she would publicly disclose her position on all the recorded votes she misses .
She missed a Thursday vote on a resolution asserting that President Donald Trump must seek approval from Congress before engaging in further military action against Iran .
Kirkpatrick , 69 , has positioned herself as a moderate in Congress , representing parts of Arizona @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including rural and conservative areas .
She currently represents a swing district in Tucson and southeastern Arizona that Republicans are targeting in the 2020 election .
Seven Republicans have filed paperwork to challenge Kirkpatrick in November .
She previously represented a different swing district in northern and eastern Arizona before she ran unsuccessfully against Republican Sen. John McCain in 2016 .
McCain ’ s widow , Cindy McCain , who has been open about her own struggles with addiction to prescription pain pills three decades ago , said on Twitter that she ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friendship to @ RepKirkpatrick.
” Before her first run for Congress in 2008 , Kirkpatrick was a state lawmaker , prosecutor and attorney .
Rep. Paul Gosar , a Republican who unseated Kirkpatrick in a 2010 House race , tweeted that he ’ s keeping her in his thoughts .
Kirkpatrick won the seat back after Gosar switched to a different district for the 2012 election .
“ There are many stressors in this business and at every reception and dinner alcohol is provided , ” he wrote .
“ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addicted and I wish god speed to my colleague , my friend and my fellow Arizonan .
God bless you Ann .
”

PHOENIX (AP) — U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick of Arizona said Wednesday that she’s taking time off from her congressional duties to seek treatment for alcohol dependence after a “serious” fall last week.
Kirkpatrick, a Democrat whose swing district in southern Arizona has been targeted by Republicans in the November election, said she’s “finally seeking this help after struggling to do so in the past.”
“I am ready to admit that I, like countless other Americans, suffer from this disease,” Kirkpatrick said in a statement. “Hard work and determination — which have brought me success in life — have not been enough to win this battle.”
Kirkpatrick fell in Washington and went to a hospital with multiple cracked ribs and spinal fractures and required staples in her head, her spokeswoman, Abigail O’Brien, told the Arizona Daily Star.
In her statement, Kirkpatrick described alcohol dependence as “the underlying cause of my fall.” With physical therapy, she said she can fully recover.
O’Brien estimated the congresswoman would be out for three weeks, “possibly more.” Kirkpatrick said she has “the full expectation and desire to return to work stronger and healthier and to continue serving my beloved Arizona.” She said her staff would continue representing constituents and she would publicly disclose her position on all the recorded votes she misses.
She missed a Thursday vote on a resolution asserting that President Donald Trump must seek approval from Congress before engaging in further military action against Iran.
Kirkpatrick, 69, has positioned herself as a moderate in Congress, representing parts of Arizona for most of the past decade, including rural and conservative areas.
She currently represents a swing district in Tucson and southeastern Arizona that Republicans are targeting in the 2020 election. Seven Republicans have filed paperwork to challenge Kirkpatrick in November.
She previously represented a different swing district in northern and eastern Arizona before she ran unsuccessfully against Republican Sen. John McCain in 2016.
McCain’s widow, Cindy McCain, who has been open about her own struggles with addiction to prescription pain pills three decades ago, said on Twitter that she’s “sending lots of support and friendship to @RepKirkpatrick.”
Before her first run for Congress in 2008, Kirkpatrick was a state lawmaker, prosecutor and attorney.
Rep. Paul Gosar, a Republican who unseated Kirkpatrick in a 2010 House race, tweeted that he’s keeping her in his thoughts. Kirkpatrick won the seat back after Gosar switched to a different district for the 2012 election.
“There are many stressors in this business and at every reception and dinner alcohol is provided,” he wrote. “It’s easy — too easy — to become addicted and I wish god speed to my colleague, my friend and my fellow Arizonan. God bless you Ann.”


pbs--2020-01-15--Virginia votes to ratify ERA, putting amendment one step closer to Constitution

Virginia ’ s Democratic-held legislature voted to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment Wednesday , potentially making it the 38th and final state needed to ratify the constitutional amendment that would guarantee equal rights to all Americans regardless of sex .
But questions over the original ERA ratification deadline are likely to spur a lengthy legal battle that could render the state ’ s move moot .
Virginia state lawmakers approved two separate , but similar resolutions that would ratify the ERA in Virginia .
The move is seen as a major victory for women ’ s rights advocates who want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Constitution .
The measure ’ s passage in the Virginia Senate was greeted with an eruption of applause , smiles and tears , said Senator Jennifer McClellan , D-Richmond , one of the chief sponsors of the Senate resolution .
“ I think the fact that Virginia is the 38th state is poetic justice when you think about how our Commonwealth ’ s history started , ” McClellan told the NewsHour .
“ We ’ ve been on the wrong side of history so many times ; it ’ s good to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top.
” Every Democratic state lawmaker voted in favor of the resolutions .
Four Republicans crossed the aisle in the House to bring the vote to 59 to 41 , in favor of the resolution .
The Senate bill passed 28 to 12 , with seven Republicans voting in favor .
Each chamber must still vote on the other ’ s resolution in the coming weeks but those votes are now largely a formality .
Virginia was poised to ratify the ERA last year , but Republican efforts stopped the resolution from going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November ’ s election flipped the state ’ s legislature to the Democrats in both houses , giving new life to the ERA .
“ This is a historic day for women .
For too long , we ’ ve gone without protections from gender discrimination , allowing women and girls to be treated as second-class citizens , so it ’ s about time Virginia was on the right side of history , ” Delegate Carroll Foy , D-Prince William , who led Virginia ’ s House effort for the second year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 100 years after it was first written , the ERA ’ s path to being included in the U.S. Constitution is far from over .
Amendments to the Constitution must be approved by three-fourths of state legislatures .
The ERA passed in Congress in 1972 with a seven-year deadline for states to offer their support .
The deadline was extended by three years , but when the new deadline came in 1982 , the amendment was still three states short of the 38-state threshold .
Two more states ratified the ERA–Nevada in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a bipartisan effort in Congress to eliminate the deadline , but it likely faces an uphill battle in the Senate .
Earlier this month , the U.S. Department of Justice issued an opinion that said the expired deadline means the ERA can not be ratified .
“ We conclude that Congress had the constitutional authority to impose a deadline on the ratification of the ERA and , because that deadline has expired , the ERA Resolution is no longer pending before the States , ” Assistant Attorney General Steven A. Engel wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposed amendment after the deadline has expired.
” Proponents of the ERA argue that putting a deadline on the measure in the first place might not have been legal .
“ There is no legal basis for a deadline , even if there was , it wasn ’ t done correctly , ” McClellan said .
“ And if Congress did put a deadline in , they can remove it .
The Department of Justice and the National Archivist have no role in the amendment process .
Congress passes the resolution and 38 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done that.
” Kate Kelly , an attorney for the advocacy group Equality Now , said the amendment could still move forward if the courts to declare the deadline invalid .
Procedurally , Virginia ’ s ratification will be sent to the National Archives and Records Administration .
The archivist must certify that the amendment is valid and has become part of the Constitution , but the DOJ ’ s decision will now effect that process .
“ The [ Office of Legal Council at the DOJ ’ s ] opinion is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an opinion from the Trump Administration , ” Kelly said .
“ The OLC can not bind Congress nor the Courts .
The only impact the OLC will have is on the National Archivist , who is part of the administration .
He will now be unwilling , and unable to officially certify the ERA as an amendment until the deadline issue is resolved .
That ’ s it.
” But other states with Republican-controlled legislatures that previously passed the ERA , namely Legislators Idaho , Kentucky , Nebraska , Tennessee and South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ratifications .

Virginia’s Democratic-held legislature voted to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment Wednesday, potentially making it the 38th and final state needed to ratify the constitutional amendment that would guarantee equal rights to all Americans regardless of sex. But questions over the original ERA ratification deadline are likely to spur a lengthy legal battle that could render the state’s move moot.
Virginia state lawmakers approved two separate, but similar resolutions that would ratify the ERA in Virginia. The move is seen as a major victory for women’s rights advocates who want to see equal rights written into the Constitution.
The measure’s passage in the Virginia Senate was greeted with an eruption of applause, smiles and tears, said Senator Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, one of the chief sponsors of the Senate resolution.
“I think the fact that Virginia is the 38th state is poetic justice when you think about how our Commonwealth’s history started,” McClellan told the NewsHour. “We’ve been on the wrong side of history so many times; it’s good to be the state that puts this over the top.”
Every Democratic state lawmaker voted in favor of the resolutions. Four Republicans crossed the aisle in the House to bring the vote to 59 to 41, in favor of the resolution. The Senate bill passed 28 to 12, with seven Republicans voting in favor.
Each chamber must still vote on the other’s resolution in the coming weeks but those votes are now largely a formality.
Virginia was poised to ratify the ERA last year, but Republican efforts stopped the resolution from going to a full House floor vote. November’s election flipped the state’s legislature to the Democrats in both houses, giving new life to the ERA.
“This is a historic day for women. For too long, we’ve gone without protections from gender discrimination, allowing women and girls to be treated as second-class citizens, so it’s about time Virginia was on the right side of history,” Delegate Carroll Foy, D-Prince William, who led Virginia’s House effort for the second year, said in a statement Wednesday.
But nearly 100 years after it was first written, the ERA’s path to being included in the U.S. Constitution is far from over.
Amendments to the Constitution must be approved by three-fourths of state legislatures.
The ERA passed in Congress in 1972 with a seven-year deadline for states to offer their support. The deadline was extended by three years, but when the new deadline came in 1982, the amendment was still three states short of the 38-state threshold.
Two more states ratified the ERA–Nevada in 2017 and Illinois in 2018. There is a bipartisan effort in Congress to eliminate the deadline, but it likely faces an uphill battle in the Senate.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Justice issued an opinion that said the expired deadline means the ERA cannot be ratified.
“We conclude that Congress had the constitutional authority to impose a deadline on the ratification of the ERA and, because that deadline has expired, the ERA Resolution is no longer pending before the States,” Assistant Attorney General Steven A. Engel wrote. “Congress may not revive a proposed amendment after the deadline has expired.”
Proponents of the ERA argue that putting a deadline on the measure in the first place might not have been legal.
“There is no legal basis for a deadline, even if there was, it wasn’t done correctly,” McClellan said. “And if Congress did put a deadline in, they can remove it. The Department of Justice and the National Archivist have no role in the amendment process. Congress passes the resolution and 38 states ratify it, we’ve done that.”
Kate Kelly, an attorney for the advocacy group Equality Now, said the amendment could still move forward if the courts to declare the deadline invalid.
Procedurally, Virginia’s ratification will be sent to the National Archives and Records Administration. The archivist must certify that the amendment is valid and has become part of the Constitution, but the DOJ’s decision will now effect that process.
“The [Office of Legal Council at the DOJ’s] opinion is not binding. It is just that – an opinion from the Trump Administration,” Kelly said. “The OLC cannot bind Congress nor the Courts. The only impact the OLC will have is on the National Archivist, who is part of the administration. He will now be unwilling, and unable to officially certify the ERA as an amendment until the deadline issue is resolved. That’s it.”
But other states with Republican-controlled legislatures that previously passed the ERA, namely Legislators Idaho, Kentucky, Nebraska, Tennessee and South Dakota, have attempted to revoke their ratifications.


pbs--2020-01-15--WATCH LIVE: Senators to be sworn in for Trump impeachment trial

The Senate is expected to take the first steps in President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial as soon as @ @ @ @ @ 100 U.S. senators .
U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts will preside over the @ @ @ @ @ whether the president is considered guilty or acquitted of two articles of impeachment the House @ @ @ @ @ House of Representatives has charged Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of justice in @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine and the subsequent House investigation into his behavior .
The accusations center around a @ @ @ @ @ which Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate Joe Biden and his son , @ @ @ @ @ Democrats walk articles of impeachment to the Senate

The Senate took the first steps in President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial Thursday by swearing in 99 U.S. senators. One senator, Republican James Inhofe of Oklahoma, was absent due to a family medical issue.
U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts will preside over the trial, which will determine whether the president is considered guilty or acquitted of two articles of impeachment the House approved last month.
The House of Representatives has charged Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of justice in connection with his dealings with Ukraine and the subsequent House investigation into his behavior.
The accusations center around a July 2019 phone call in which Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate Joe Biden and his son, Hunter.
WATCH LIVE: Democrats walk articles of impeachment to the Senate


pbs--2020-01-15--WATCH LIVE: Democrat House managers walk articles of impeachment to Senate

The seven House Democrats selected as the managers of President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial walked the articles of impeachment across the U.S. Capitol on Thursday to the U.S. Senate .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said that the articles should formally be delivered Thursday at noon .
The articles of impeachment will be delivered Thursday .
Watch live in the video player .
The move came after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi named the managers Wednesday morning and after the House of Representatives voted Wednesday afternoon to send the articles to the Senate .
Pelosi named Rep. Adam Schiff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lofgren , Rep. Hakeem Jeffries , Rep. Val Demings , Rep. Jason Crow and Rep. Sylvia Garcia as the managers , who will serve as the prosecutors for the Senate trial .
Trump was impeached last month when the House voted to approve two articles of impeachment–abuse of power and obstruction of justice .
Pelosi delayed delivering the articles to the Senate as Democrats and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell disagreed over whether additional witnesses would be called to testify during the Senate trial .
All 100 senators who will take part in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in some time after the articles are transmitted with opening statements and further arguments beginning next week .
WATCH LIVE : All the events on the day Trump ’ s articles of impeachment are delivered to the Senate

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a dramatic procession across the U.S. Capitol, House Democrats carried the formal articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the Senate late Wednesday, setting the stage for only the third trial to remove a president in American history.
Trump complained anew it was all a “hoax,” even as fresh details emerged about his efforts in Ukraine.
The ceremonial pomp and protocol by the lawmakers prosecuting the case against Trump moved the impeachment out of Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Democratic-run House to the Republican-majority Senate, where the president’s team is mounting a defense aiming for swift acquittal.
“Today we will make history,” Pelosi said as she signed the documents, using multiple pens to hand out and mark the moment. “This president will be held accountable.”
Moments later the prosecutors walked solemnly through the stately hall, filing into the Senate back row as the Clerk of the House announced the arrival: “The House has passed House Resolution 798, a resolution appointing and authorizing managers of the impeachment trial of Donald John Trump, President of United States.”
The Senate will transform itself into an impeachment court at noon Thursday. The Constitution calls for Chief Justice John Roberts to preside at the trial, administering the oath to senators who will serve as jurors and swear to deliver “impartial justice.”
The trial will play out before a deeply divided nation at the start of this election year as Trump seeks a second term and voters review his presidency. Three senators are running for the Democratic nomination.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pledged to have the Senate “rise above the petty factionalism” and “factional fervor and serve the long-term, best interests of our nation.” He called it “a difficult time for our country.”
Technically, the House was simply notifying the Senate of its delivery of the articles, with a more formal presentation Thursday. Opening arguments are to begin next Tuesday after the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
Earlier Wednesday, the House voted 228-193, almost entirely along party lines, ending a weeks-long delay to deliver the charges with a tally reflecting the nation’s split.
The House impeached Trump last month alleging he abused his presidential power by pressuring Ukraine to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden, using military aid to the country as leverage. Trump was also charged with obstructing Congress’ ensuing probe.
“This is what an impeachment is about,″ Pelosi said before the vote. “The president violated his oath of office, undermined our national security, jeopardized the integrity of our elections.”
Trump’s political campaign dismissed the House effort as “just a failed attempt to politically damage President Trump leading up to his reelection.”
The top Republican in the House, Kevin McCarthy of California, said Americans will look back on this “sad saga” that tried to remove the president from office with the “weakest case.”
The president’s team expects acquittal with a Senate trial lasting no more than two weeks, according to senior administration officials unauthorized to discuss the matter and granted anonymity.
That’s far shorter than the last presidential impeachment trial, of Bill Clinton, in 1999, or the first one, of Andrew Johnson, in 1868.
As McConnell sets the rules for the trial, Trump has given mixed messages about whether he prefers lengthy or swift proceeding, and senators are under pressure with the emerging new evidence to call more witnesses for testimony.
The seven-member prosecution team was led by the chairmen of the House impeachment proceedings, Reps. Adam Schiff of the Intelligence Committee and Jerry Nadler of the Judiciary Committee, two of Pelosi’s top lieutenants.
“President Trump gravely abused the power of his office,” Nadler said. “He did all this for his personal political gain.”
Ahead of Wednesday’s session, Schiff released new records from Lev Parnas, an associate of Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, about the Ukraine strategy, including an exchange with another man about surveilling later-fired Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch.
Schiff said the new evidence should bring more pressure on McConnell, who is reluctant to allow witnesses to testify and prefers swift acquittal. The White House has instructed officials not to comply with House subpoenas for testimony and documents.
“The challenge is to get a fair trial,” Schiff said in an interview with The Associated Press. “It shouldn’t be a challenge — if the senators are really going to live up to their oath to be impartial, they’ll want a fair trial. That’s obviously not where Mitch McConnell is coming from.”
The managers are a diverse group with legal, law enforcement and military experience, including Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Sylvia Garcia of Texas, Val Demings of Florida, Jason Crow of Colorado and Zoe Lofgren of California.
Two are freshmen lawmakers — Crow a former Army Ranger who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, Garcia a former judge in Houston. Demings is the former police chief of Orlando and Jeffries is a lawyer and member of party leadership. Lofgren has the rare credential of having worked on the congressional staff investigation of then-President Richard Nixon’s impeachment — he resigned before the full House voted on the charges — and then being an elected lawmaker during Bill Clinton’s.
For the roll call, all but one Democrat, Rep. Collin Peterson of Minnesota, voted to transmit the articles. All Republicans voted against. One former Republican-turned-independent, Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan, joined Democrats.
McConnell faces competing interests from his party for more witnesses, from centrists who are siding with Democrats on the need to hear testimony and conservatives mounting Trump’s defense.
Senate Republicans signaled they would reject the idea of simply voting to dismiss the articles of impeachment against Trump, as Trump himself has suggested. McConnell agreed he does not have the votes to do that.
Sen. Susan Collins of Maine is leading an effort among some Republicans, including Mitt Romney of Utah, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, to consider Senate witnesses. She told reporters she was satisfied the rules will allow votes on that.
Romney said he wants to hear from John Bolton, the former national security adviser at the White House, who others have said raised alarms about the alternative foreign policy toward Ukraine being run by Giuliani.
Those or any four senators could force an outcome. Republicans control the chamber, 53-47, and are all but certain to acquit Trump. But it takes just 51 votes during the trial to approve rules or call witnesses. It also would take only 51 senators to vote to dismiss the charges against Trump.
Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and other Republicans want to subpoena Biden and his son, Hunter, who served on the board of a gas company in Ukraine, Burisma, while his father was vice president.
McConnell prefers to model Trump’s trial partly on the process used for Clinton’s impeachment trial in 1999, which considered witnesses later.
McConnell is hesitant to call new witnesses who would prolong the trial and put vulnerable senators who are up for reelection in 2020 in a bind with tough choices. At the same time, he wants to give those same senators ample room to show voters they are listening.
Associated Press writers Zeke Miller, Alan Fram, Matthew Daly, Andrew Taylor, Mary Clare Jalonick, Laurie Kellman, and Padmananda Rama contributed to this report.


pbs--2020-01-15--WATCH: Pelosi names managers for Trump impeachment trial

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday named two House chairmen who led President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment inquiry as prosecutors for Trump ’ s Senate trial .
Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff , who led the probe , and Judiciary Chair Rep. Jerrold Nadler , whose committee approved the impeachment articles , will be among the managers of the prosecution .
“ Today is an important day , ” said Pelosi , flanked by the team .
“ This is about the Constitution of the United States.
” ’ Schiff and Nadler will lead the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selection of lawmakers , particularly those with courtroom experience .
They include Hakeem Jeffries of New York , Sylvia Garcia of Texas , Val Demings of Florida and Jason Crow of Colorado .
WATCH LIVE : All the events on the day Trump ’ s articles of impeachment are delivered to the Senate Trump was impeached by the Democratic-led House last month on charges of abuse of power over his pressure on Ukraine to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden as Trump withheld aid from the country .
He was also charged with obstructing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is set to vote later in the day to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate for a trial on whether the charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress are grounds for his removal .
The managers will walk then walk the articles across the Capitol to the Senate .
Trump ’ s trial will be only the third presidential impeachment trial in U.S. history , and it comes against the backdrop of a politically divided nation and an election year .
New details of Trump ’ s efforts on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on senators to call witnesses in the trial , a step that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has been reluctant to take .
House investigators announced they were turning over a “ trove ” of new records of phone calls , text messages and other information from Lev Parnas , an associate of Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani .
Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said the information shows Trump ’ s effort ‘ ’ to coerce Ukraine into helping the President ’ s reelection campaign.
” He said this and other new testimony must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Senate is expected to transform into an impeachment court as early as Thursday , although significant proceedings wouldn ’ t begin until next Tuesday after the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday .
The Constitution calls for the chief justice to preside over senators , who serve as jurors , to swear an oath to deliver “ impartial justice.
” McConnell , who is negotiating rules for the trial proceedings , said all 53 GOP senators are on board with his plan to start the session and consider the issue of witnesses later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reject the idea of simply voting to dismiss the articles of impeachment against Trump , as Trump himself has suggested .
McConnell agreed he does not have the votes to do that .
“ There is little or no sentiment in the Republican conference for a motion to dismiss , ” McConnell said Tuesday .
‘ ’ Our members feel we have an obligation to listen to the arguments.
” A mounting number of senators say they want to ensure the ground rules include the possibility of calling new witnesses .
Sen. Susan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among some Republicans , including Mitt Romney of Utah and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska for witness votes .
Romney said he wants to hear from John Bolton , the former national security adviser at the White House , who others have said raised alarms about the alternative foreign policy toward Ukraine being run by Giuliani .
Democrats have been pushing Republicans , who have a slim Senate majority , to consider new testimony , arguing that fresh information has emerged during Pelosi ’ s monthlong delay in transmitting the charges .
Republicans control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all but certain to acquit Trump .
It takes just 51 votes during the impeachment trial to approve rules or call witnesses .
Just four GOP senators could form a majority with Democrats to insist on new testimony .
It also would take only 51 senators to vote to dismiss the charges against Trump .
At Tuesday ’ s private GOP lunch , Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky warned that if witnesses are allowed , defense witnesses could also be called .
He and other Republicans want to subpoena Biden and his son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ board of a gas company in Ukraine , Burisma , while his father was vice president .
McConnell is drafting an organizing resolution that will outline the steps ahead .
Approving it will be among their first votes of the trial , likely next Tuesday .
He prefers to model Trump ’ s trial partly on the process used for then-President Bill Clinton ’ s trial in 1999 .
It , too , contained motions for dismissal or calling new witnesses .
McConnell is hesitant to call new witnesses who would prolong the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up for reelection in 2020 in a bind with tough choices .
At the same time , he wants to give those same senators ample room to show voters they are listening to demands for a fair trial .
Most Republicans now appear willing to go along with McConnell ’ s plan to start the trial first then consider witnesses later , rather than upfront , as Democrats want .
Even if senators are able to vote to call new witnesses , it is not at all clear there would be majorities to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Lisa Mascaro wrote this report .
Associated Press writers Matthew Daly , Andrew Taylor and Padmananda Rama contributed to this report .

WASHINGTON (AP) — Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday named two House chairmen who led President Donald Trump’s impeachment inquiry as prosecutors for Trump’s Senate trial.
Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, who led the probe, and Judiciary Chair Rep. Jerrold Nadler, whose committee approved the impeachment articles, will be among the managers of the prosecution.
“Today is an important day,” said Pelosi, flanked by the team. “This is about the Constitution of the United States.”’
Schiff and Nadler will lead the seven member team that includes a diverse selection of lawmakers, particularly those with courtroom experience.
They include Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Sylvia Garcia of Texas, Val Demings of Florida and Jason Crow of Colorado.
WATCH LIVE: All the events on the day Trump’s articles of impeachment are delivered to the Senate
Trump was impeached by the Democratic-led House last month on charges of abuse of power over his pressure on Ukraine to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden as Trump withheld aid from the country. He was also charged with obstructing Congress’ ensuing probe.
The House is set to vote later in the day to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate for a trial on whether the charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress are grounds for his removal. The managers will walk then walk the articles across the Capitol to the Senate.
Trump’s trial will be only the third presidential impeachment trial in U.S. history, and it comes against the backdrop of a politically divided nation and an election year.
New details of Trump’s efforts on Ukraine emerged late Tuesday, increasing pressure on senators to call witnesses in the trial, a step that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has been reluctant to take.
House investigators announced they were turning over a “trove” of new records of phone calls, text messages and other information from Lev Parnas, an associate of Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani. Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said the information shows Trump’s effort ‘’to coerce Ukraine into helping the President’s reelection campaign.” He said this and other new testimony must be included in the Senate trial.
The Senate is expected to transform into an impeachment court as early as Thursday, although significant proceedings wouldn’t begin until next Tuesday after the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. The Constitution calls for the chief justice to preside over senators, who serve as jurors, to swear an oath to deliver “impartial justice.”
McConnell, who is negotiating rules for the trial proceedings, said all 53 GOP senators are on board with his plan to start the session and consider the issue of witnesses later.
Senate Republicans also signaled they would reject the idea of simply voting to dismiss the articles of impeachment against Trump, as Trump himself has suggested. McConnell agreed he does not have the votes to do that.
“There is little or no sentiment in the Republican conference for a motion to dismiss,” McConnell said Tuesday. ‘’Our members feel we have an obligation to listen to the arguments.”
A mounting number of senators say they want to ensure the ground rules include the possibility of calling new witnesses.
Sen. Susan Collins of Maine is leading an effort among some Republicans, including Mitt Romney of Utah and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska for witness votes.
Romney said he wants to hear from John Bolton, the former national security adviser at the White House, who others have said raised alarms about the alternative foreign policy toward Ukraine being run by Giuliani.
Democrats have been pushing Republicans, who have a slim Senate majority, to consider new testimony, arguing that fresh information has emerged during Pelosi’s monthlong delay in transmitting the charges.
Republicans control the chamber, 53-47, and are all but certain to acquit Trump. It takes just 51 votes during the impeachment trial to approve rules or call witnesses. Just four GOP senators could form a majority with Democrats to insist on new testimony. It also would take only 51 senators to vote to dismiss the charges against Trump.
At Tuesday’s private GOP lunch, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky warned that if witnesses are allowed, defense witnesses could also be called. He and other Republicans want to subpoena Biden and his son, Hunter, who served on the board of a gas company in Ukraine, Burisma, while his father was vice president.
McConnell is drafting an organizing resolution that will outline the steps ahead. Approving it will be among their first votes of the trial, likely next Tuesday.
He prefers to model Trump’s trial partly on the process used for then-President Bill Clinton’s trial in 1999. It, too, contained motions for dismissal or calling new witnesses.
McConnell is hesitant to call new witnesses who would prolong the trial and put vulnerable senators who are up for reelection in 2020 in a bind with tough choices. At the same time, he wants to give those same senators ample room to show voters they are listening to demands for a fair trial.
Most Republicans now appear willing to go along with McConnell’s plan to start the trial first then consider witnesses later, rather than upfront, as Democrats want.
Even if senators are able to vote to call new witnesses, it is not at all clear there would be majorities to subpoena Bolton or the others.
AP’s Lisa Mascaro wrote this report. Associated Press writers Matthew Daly, Andrew Taylor and Padmananda Rama contributed to this report.


pbs--2020-01-15--Democrats to investigate 'profoundly alarming' Ukraine texts

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — A House committee chairman said his panel will investigate what he says are “ profoundly alarming ” text messages that have raised questions about the possible surveillance of former Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch before she was ousted by the Trump administration last spring .
House Democrats on Tuesday night released a trove of documents they obtained from Lev Parnas , a close associate of President Donald Trump ’ s personal lawyer , Rudy Giuliani .
The messages show that a Trump donor named Robert F. Hyde disparaged Yovanovitch in messages to Parnas and gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use .
Rep. Eliot Engel , a New York Democrat who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee , said Wednesday that the messages are “ profoundly alarming ” and “ suggest a possible risk ” to Yovanovitch ’ s security in Kyiv before she was recalled from her post .
“ These threats occurred at the same time that the two men were also discussing President Trump ’ s efforts , through Rudy Giuliani , to smear the ambassador ’ s reputation , ” Engel said .
READ MORE : Democrats release new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the committee staff flagged the information for the State Department ’ s Bureau of Diplomatic Security and is seeking assurances that proper steps have been taken to ensure the security of Yovanovitch and committee staff .
He said he also wanted to know what , if anything , the State Department knew about the situation .
“ This unprecedented threat to our diplomats must be thoroughly investigated and , if warranted , prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law , ” Engel said .
Democrats released the files Tuesday as they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate for Trump ’ s trial .
The documents add new context to their charges that Trump pressured Ukraine to investigate Democrats as he withheld military aid — and could add pressure on the Senate as it debates whether to hear witnesses in the trial .
They show Parnas communicating with Giuliani before Yovanovitch ’ s removal , and that he appeared to be pushing unfounded claims that Democrat Joe Biden and his son , Hunter Biden , were somehow engaged in corruption in Ukraine .
The documents include a handwritten note @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to investigate “ the Biden case.
” In an interview Wednesday with MSNBC ’ s Rachel Maddow , Parnas said : “ President Trump knew exactly what was going on .
He was aware of all my movements .
I wouldn ’ t do anything without the consent of Rudy Giuliani , or the President.
” Among the documents is a screenshot of a previously undisclosed letter from Giuliani to Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenskiy dated May 10 , 2019 , which was shortly after Zelenskiy was elected but before he took office .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting with Zelenskiy “ as personal counsel to President Trump and with his knowledge and consent.
” WATCH : House votes on sending articles of impeachment to Senate The Associated Press reported in October that Zelenskiy had huddled three days earlier , on May 7 , with a small group of key advisers in Kyiv to seek advice about how to navigate the insistence from Trump and Giuliani for a probe into the Bidens .
He expressed his unease about becoming entangled in the American elections , according to three people familiar with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the diplomatic sensitivity of the issue , which has roiled U.S.-Ukrainian relations .
One of the documents released by Democrats is a handwritten note on stationery from the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Vienna that says “ get Zalensky to Annonce that the Biden case will be Investigated.
” Trump asked Zelenskiy in a July 25 call to investigate the Bidens .
Hunter Biden served on the board of a gas company based in Ukraine .
Democrats said Parnas ’ attorney confirmed that Parnas wrote the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ records , texts and flash drives turned over by Parnas — were sent to the House Judiciary Committee by three other House panels “ to be included as part of the official record that will be transmitted to the Senate along with the Articles of Impeachment , ” according to a statement .
Some of the materials were made public while others were marked as sensitive .
Parnas and his business partner , Igor Fruman , both U.S. citizens who emigrated from the former Soviet Union , were indicted last year on charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ falsification of records .
Prosecutors allege they made outsize campaign donations to Republican causes after receiving millions of dollars originating from Russia .
The men have pleaded not guilty .
In several of the documents , Parnas communicated with Giuliani about the removal of Yovanovitch .
The ambassador ’ s ouster , ordered by Trump , was at the center of the Democrats ’ impeachment inquiry .
Yovanovitch testified in the House impeachment hearings that she was the victim of a “ smear campaign.
” Trump on the July call told Zelenskiy that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some things.
” She had been recalled from her diplomatic post roughly three months earlier .
On April 23 , just before Yovanovitch was directed to return to the United States , Giuliani texted Parnas , “ He fired her again.
” Parnas texted back , “ I pray it happens this time I ’ ll call you tomorrow my brother.
” Parnas also received messages from Hyde , who referred to Yovanovitch as a “ bitch.
” Hyde is now running for a U.S. House seat in Connecticut .
After texting about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ updates that suggested he was watching her .
In one text , Hyde wrote : “ She ’ s talked to three people .
Her phone is off .
Her computer is off.
” He said she was under heavy security and “ we have a person inside.
” Hyde at one point texted Parnas that ” they are willing to help if we/you would like a price , ” and “ guess you can do anything in Ukraine with money … is what I was told.
” In an interview with The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff , said the texts are “ deeply disturbing ” and the evidence they compiled “ certainly suggests that people were surveilling the ambassador.
” “ What ’ s most disturbing about these texts is that they seem to suggest that there ’ s somebody inside the embassy who ’ s supplying information to Parnas and Hyde about the movement of the ambassador , ” Schiff said .
“ So it raises a whole host of troubling questions , ” he said , about how far the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lawrence Robbins , an attorney for Yovanovitch , called for an investigation into the messages .
“ Needless to say , the notion that American citizens and others were monitoring Ambassador Yovanovitch ’ s movements for unknown purposes is disturbing .
We trust that the appropriate authorities will conduct an investigation to determine what happened.
” On Twitter , Hyde dismissed the claims as “ laughable ” and appeared to try to distance himself from Parnas .
He said he would “ welcome ” an investigation .
The text messages show that Parnas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. denied a visa to former Ukrainian Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin .
Giuliani replied : “ I can revive it.
” The following day , Giuliani told Parnas : “ It ’ s going to work I have no 1 in it.
” Giuliani then predicted “ he will get one , ” before giving Parnas the phone number for Jay Sekulow , the leader of the president ’ s personal legal team .
Sekulow is expected to be part of Trump ’ s legal team during the impeachment trial .
A federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could provide the materials to Congress as part of the impeachment proceedings .
Democrats voted in December to impeach Trump for abuse of power and for obstruction of Congress .
Associated Press writers Michael Balsamo , Lisa Mascaro , Zeke Miller and Michael Biesecker contributed to this report .

WASHINGTON (AP) — A House committee chairman said his panel will investigate what he says are “profoundly alarming” text messages that have raised questions about the possible surveillance of former Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch before she was ousted by the Trump administration last spring.
House Democrats on Tuesday night released a trove of documents they obtained from Lev Parnas, a close associate of President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani. The messages show that a Trump donor named Robert F. Hyde disparaged Yovanovitch in messages to Parnas and gave him updates on her location and cellphone use.
Rep. Eliot Engel, a New York Democrat who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said Wednesday that the messages are “profoundly alarming” and “suggest a possible risk” to Yovanovitch’s security in Kyiv before she was recalled from her post.
“These threats occurred at the same time that the two men were also discussing President Trump’s efforts, through Rudy Giuliani, to smear the ambassador’s reputation,” Engel said.
READ MORE: Democrats release new Ukraine documents ahead of impeachment trial
He said the committee staff flagged the information for the State Department’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security and is seeking assurances that proper steps have been taken to ensure the security of Yovanovitch and committee staff. He said he also wanted to know what, if anything, the State Department knew about the situation.
“This unprecedented threat to our diplomats must be thoroughly investigated and, if warranted, prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Engel said.
Democrats released the files Tuesday as they prepared to send articles of impeachment to the Senate for Trump’s trial. The documents add new context to their charges that Trump pressured Ukraine to investigate Democrats as he withheld military aid — and could add pressure on the Senate as it debates whether to hear witnesses in the trial.
They show Parnas communicating with Giuliani before Yovanovitch’s removal, and that he appeared to be pushing unfounded claims that Democrat Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, were somehow engaged in corruption in Ukraine. The documents include a handwritten note that mentions asking Ukraine’s president to investigate “the Biden case.”
In an interview Wednesday with MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, Parnas said: “President Trump knew exactly what was going on. He was aware of all my movements. I wouldn’t do anything without the consent of Rudy Giuliani, or the President.”
Among the documents is a screenshot of a previously undisclosed letter from Giuliani to Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenskiy dated May 10, 2019, which was shortly after Zelenskiy was elected but before he took office. In the letter, Giuliani requests a meeting with Zelenskiy “as personal counsel to President Trump and with his knowledge and consent.”
WATCH: House votes on sending articles of impeachment to Senate
The Associated Press reported in October that Zelenskiy had huddled three days earlier, on May 7, with a small group of key advisers in Kyiv to seek advice about how to navigate the insistence from Trump and Giuliani for a probe into the Bidens. He expressed his unease about becoming entangled in the American elections, according to three people familiar with the details of the three-hour meeting. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the diplomatic sensitivity of the issue, which has roiled U.S.-Ukrainian relations.
One of the documents released by Democrats is a handwritten note on stationery from the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Vienna that says “get Zalensky to Annonce that the Biden case will be Investigated.” Trump asked Zelenskiy in a July 25 call to investigate the Bidens. Hunter Biden served on the board of a gas company based in Ukraine.
Democrats said Parnas’ attorney confirmed that Parnas wrote the notes.
The documents — including phone records, texts and flash drives turned over by Parnas — were sent to the House Judiciary Committee by three other House panels “to be included as part of the official record that will be transmitted to the Senate along with the Articles of Impeachment,” according to a statement. Some of the materials were made public while others were marked as sensitive.
Parnas and his business partner, Igor Fruman, both U.S. citizens who emigrated from the former Soviet Union, were indicted last year on charges of conspiracy, making false statements and falsification of records. Prosecutors allege they made outsize campaign donations to Republican causes after receiving millions of dollars originating from Russia. The men have pleaded not guilty.
In several of the documents, Parnas communicated with Giuliani about the removal of Yovanovitch. The ambassador’s ouster, ordered by Trump, was at the center of the Democrats’ impeachment inquiry. Yovanovitch testified in the House impeachment hearings that she was the victim of a “smear campaign.”
Trump on the July call told Zelenskiy that Yovanovitch was “going to go through some things.” She had been recalled from her diplomatic post roughly three months earlier.
On April 23, just before Yovanovitch was directed to return to the United States, Giuliani texted Parnas, “He fired her again.” Parnas texted back, “I pray it happens this time I’ll call you tomorrow my brother.”
Parnas also received messages from Hyde, who referred to Yovanovitch as a “bitch.” Hyde is now running for a U.S. House seat in Connecticut.
After texting about the ambassador, Hyde gave Parnas detailed updates that suggested he was watching her. In one text, Hyde wrote: “She’s talked to three people. Her phone is off. Her computer is off.” He said she was under heavy security and “we have a person inside.”
Hyde at one point texted Parnas that ”they are willing to help if we/you would like a price,” and “guess you can do anything in Ukraine with money … is what I was told.”
Parnas texted back: “lol.”
In an interview with The Associated Press, another committee chairman, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, said the texts are “deeply disturbing” and the evidence they compiled “certainly suggests that people were surveilling the ambassador.”
“What’s most disturbing about these texts is that they seem to suggest that there’s somebody inside the embassy who’s supplying information to Parnas and Hyde about the movement of the ambassador,” Schiff said. “So it raises a whole host of troubling questions,” he said, about how far the president and Giuliani were willing to go.
Lawrence Robbins, an attorney for Yovanovitch, called for an investigation into the messages.
“Needless to say, the notion that American citizens and others were monitoring Ambassador Yovanovitch’s movements for unknown purposes is disturbing. We trust that the appropriate authorities will conduct an investigation to determine what happened.”
On Twitter, Hyde dismissed the claims as “laughable” and appeared to try to distance himself from Parnas. He said he would “welcome” an investigation.
The text messages show that Parnas consulted Giuliani in January 2019 after the U.S. denied a visa to former Ukrainian Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin. Giuliani replied: “I can revive it.”
The following day, Giuliani told Parnas: “It’s going to work I have no 1 in it.” Giuliani then predicted “he will get one,” before giving Parnas the phone number for Jay Sekulow, the leader of the president’s personal legal team. Sekulow is expected to be part of Trump’s legal team during the impeachment trial.
A federal judge earlier this month ruled that Parnas could provide the materials to Congress as part of the impeachment proceedings.
Democrats voted in December to impeach Trump for abuse of power and for obstruction of Congress.
Associated Press writers Michael Balsamo, Lisa Mascaro, Zeke Miller and Michael Biesecker contributed to this report.


pbs--2020-01-15--With the House walking over its impeachment work to the Senate, what happens next?

With the new phase of impeachment comes the newly announced team of House managers .
The group of seven , nearly half the size of that appointed in the 1999 Clinton impeachment trial , includes Democrats Adam Schiff and Jerry Nadler , the two chairmen who led the impeachment hearings .
It 's also made up of two former lawyers , a former police chief , and a former judge , as well as Representative Zoe Lofgren , who was in Congress for both the Clinton and Nixon impeachments .
Those managers have some new evidence today , with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lev Parnas .
He 's an indicted associate of Mr. Trump 's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani .
Those include his handwritten note about the Ukrainian president , saying , `` Get Zelensky to announce that the Biden case will be investigated , '' also a letter displaying Giuliani 's first outreach to the newly elected president , stating Giuliani was working — quote — `` with Trump 's knowledge and consent . ''
And a copy of text messages between Parnas and Ukraine 's top prosecutor , which appear to show they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch .
She was later recalled by President Trump .
Democrats say that 's the kind of information that the delay in starting the trial has brought .

Lisa Desjardins:
With the new phase of impeachment comes the newly announced team of House managers. The group of seven, nearly half the size of that appointed in the 1999 Clinton impeachment trial, includes Democrats Adam Schiff and Jerry Nadler, the two chairmen who led the impeachment hearings.
It's also made up of two former lawyers, a former police chief, and a former judge, as well as Representative Zoe Lofgren, who was in Congress for both the Clinton and Nixon impeachments.
Those managers have some new evidence today, with the release of documents last night obtained from Lev Parnas. He's an indicted associate of Mr. Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani. Those include his handwritten note about the Ukrainian president, saying, "Get Zelensky to announce that the Biden case will be investigated," also a letter displaying Giuliani's first outreach to the newly elected president, stating Giuliani was working — quote — "with Trump's knowledge and consent."
And a copy of text messages between Parnas and Ukraine's top prosecutor, which appear to show they were tracking the whereabouts of former Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch. She was later recalled by President Trump.
Democrats say that's the kind of information that the delay in starting the trial has brought.


pbs--2020-01-15--Barrasso: Senate GOP can 'absolutely' remain impartial while coordinating with White House

Republicans and Democrats in the Senate have been arguing over whether or not their impeachment trial will include testimony from @ @ @ @ @ us understand how they 're preparing for the trial , we will hear from senators @ @ @ @ @ leadership roles .
First , I 'm joined by Senate Republican Conference Chairman John Barrasso @ @ @ @ @ thank you for joining us here on `` NewsHour . ''
Can you take us @ @ @ @ @ of you will take an oath to be impartial .
At the same time , @ @ @ @ @ White House .
Can you explain how you balance those two things ?
Can you @ @ @ @ @ coordinating with the White House ?

Lisa Desjardins:
Republicans and Democrats in the Senate have been arguing over whether or not their impeachment trial will include testimony from new witnesses.
To help us understand how they're preparing for the trial, we will hear from senators from both Republican and Democratic leadership roles.
First, I'm joined by Senate Republican Conference Chairman John Barrasso of Wyoming.
Senator, thank you for joining us here on "NewsHour."
Can you take us inside Republican leadership? All of you will take an oath to be impartial. At the same time, you are coordinating with the White House.
Can you explain how you balance those two things? Can you be impartial if you're coordinating with the White House?


pbs--2020-01-15--Senate trial needs witnesses Trump wouldn't allow in the House, says Durbin

I respect John Barrasso .
And I have to tell you , I respect the — have to give a @ @ @ @ @ I disagree with him when it comes to witnesses .
He said at one point @ @ @ @ @ call the witnesses , they could have called him in the House .
No , @ @ @ @ @ of the impeachment is the refusal of the president to cooperate when it came to @ @ @ @ @ in the House of Representatives .
So there was no opportunity to call Mick Mulvaney @ @ @ @ @ of staff , by the House members who put together the articles of impeachment .
@ @ @ @ @ would be appropriate ?
Because I spent most of my life before Congress as a @ @ @ @ @ n't have a trial without witnesses and evidence .
You can have a cover-up without @ @ @ @ @ n't have a trial .
And I do n't think we ought to rule out @ @ @ @ @ get us closer to the truth , whatever that may be .

Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill.:
I respect John Barrasso. And I have to tell you, I respect the — have to give a healthy respect and say that I disagree with him when it comes to witnesses.
He said at one point, if they wanted to call the witnesses, they could have called him in the House. No, John, the second count of the impeachment is the refusal of the president to cooperate when it came to discovery of witnesses and documents in the House of Representatives.
So there was no opportunity to call Mick Mulvaney, the president's chief of staff, by the House members who put together the articles of impeachment.
Why do I think witnesses would be appropriate? Because I spent most of my life before Congress as a trial lawyer. You can't have a trial without witnesses and evidence. You can have a cover-up without witnesses, but you can't have a trial.
And I don't think we ought to rule out the possibility that witnesses will get us closer to the truth, whatever that may be.


pbs--2020-01-15--How 2020 Democrats fared in final debate before Iowa caucuses

One of the striking things about the conversation between Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders that I 'm hearing from Iowans @ @ @ @ @ necessarily about the two of them .
It 's more about reaching out to former @ @ @ @ @ recall , half of the people who went to the caucuses in 2016 voted for @ @ @ @ @ go out and covered many of these candidates , namely , Elizabeth Warren , Amy @ @ @ @ @ candidate Kamala Harris , I heard from many in the crowd this phrase , it @ @ @ @ @ in the White House .
And that conversation really reminded people of that .
The @ @ @ @ @ conversation was that Elizabeth Warren drew Amy Klobuchar into it .
And so I think @ @ @ @ @ people , if voting for a woman candidate is important to you , and I @ @ @ @ @ Elizabeth Warren may have been telegraphing , consider the woman at the other end of @ @ @ @ @ 're a moderate .

O. Kay Henderson:
One of the striking things about the conversation between Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders that I'm hearing from Iowans is, it's not necessarily about the two of them. It's more about reaching out to former Clinton voters.
As you recall, half of the people who went to the caucuses in 2016 voted for Hillary Clinton.
As I go out and covered many of these candidates, namely, Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar, and the former candidate Kamala Harris, I heard from many in the crowd this phrase, it's time for a woman in the White House.
And that conversation really reminded people of that. The other interesting thing about that conversation was that Elizabeth Warren drew Amy Klobuchar into it.
And so I think that was a signal to people, if voting for a woman candidate is important to you, and I am not your woman, Elizabeth Warren may have been telegraphing, consider the woman at the other end of this stage, if you're a moderate.


pbs--2020-01-16--What we learned from the opening day of Trump's impeachment trial

Those are two very different questions .
On some of the most significant allegations , it 's not clear what the evidence is .
And that includes other sitting officials in the Trump administration .
Let 's look again at who else he 's implicating here , three sitting Cabinet members , the vice president , secretary of state , and the attorney general there , as well as the top Republican , Devin Nunes , on this House Intelligence Committee .
Parnas says all of them were involved in this scheme .
But , honestly , Judy , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he has n't presented much evidence about that yet , just his word .
However , there is evidence , he 's saying , and some notes that he has that , for example , a trip that Vice President Pence was to take to visit President Zelensky was canceled specifically to pressure Ukraine to get these investigations .
That is new information .
And there 's some notes he wrote to himself that might back that up .
That is incredibly serious .
One other thing that I do n't want overlooked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a text message from Rudy Giuliani that has bearing perhaps on the philosophy of impeachment .
Giuliani wrote to Parnas : `` Bribery is universally defined as offering something of value to affect official action . ''
I 'm going to hold that up for a second .
In that case , Giuliani was talking about whether Joe Biden or Hunter Biden or someone in the Obama administration had used bribery to try and help the Biden family .
But , here , if you apply this definition , this is a definition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Rudy Giuliani 's own actions in trying to , in Democrats ' words , extort something from Ukraine .
So it 's a very interesting notion of how Rudy Giuliani defines bribery in his own texts .

Yamiche Alcindor:
The potentially most damaging that Lev Parnas is doing is implicating everyone around President Trump, including himself.
Now, the president maintains and the people around the president say Lev Parnas doesn't say that directly that the president told Rudy Giuliani or that he never heard the president tell Rudy Giuliani, I need you to make sure Ukraine does these investigations or we will not give them that military aid.
But, that said, there is a lot of information that Lev Parnas is turning over to Congress. And I want to point out there are hundreds of pages, but there's one page that really sticks out that can be problematic for the president.
And that's a letter that Rudy Giuliani sent to the president of Ukraine on May 10, 2019. And here's part of that letter.
It says — he says: "I am private counsel to President Donald J. Trump. Just to be precise, I represent him as a private citizen, not as president of the United States."
Now, that's problematic, because President Trump and Rudy Giuliani have always been saying that they were doing this work because of — they were looking into corruption in Ukraine and looking into corruption in — on the part of possibly Joe Biden and Hunter Biden, and, as a result, they had to be looking at this stuff.
But what we see now is that Rudy Giuliani is saying, actually, I'm acting in the private interests of President Trump as a private citizen.
And I have been texting with Rudy Giuliani all day. He doubled down on that idea and said: I was always acting as private counsel to the president as a private citizen.
Even though the president is saying, of course, that he doesn't Lev Parnas, he's also saying that this letter is something that he would back. He said he hasn't actually read the letter. But he said: Anything that Rudy Giuliani wrote, I would be backing because he's a good lawyer and he's a good person.


pbs--2020-01-16--How John Roberts will approach his role in Trump's impeachment trial

The Constitution mentions the Supreme Court chief justice only once , specifying that he — and , so far , @ @ @ @ @ — shall preside over impeachment trials of presidents .
John Roberts will be only the @ @ @ @ @ be in that role .
What exactly are his responsibilities , and how is he @ @ @ @ @ ?
We 're fortunate to have with us two close observers of John Roberts .
@ @ @ @ @ legal analyst and author of `` The Chief : The Life and Turbulent Times of @ @ @ @ @ '' And Marcia Coyle is chief Washington correspondent for `` The National Law Journal '' @ @ @ @ @ Roberts Court : The Struggle for the Constitution . ''
Joan , Marcia , thanks @ @ @ @ @ .
Marcia , what do we know about why the writers of the Constitution put @ @ @ @ @ and put the chief justice of the Supreme Court as the presiding officer ?

John Yang:
The Constitution mentions the Supreme Court chief justice only once, specifying that he — and, so far, they have all been men — shall preside over impeachment trials of presidents.
John Roberts will be only the third person in history to be in that role. What exactly are his responsibilities, and how is he likely to carry them out?
We're fortunate to have with us two close observers of John Roberts.
Joan Biskupic is CNN's legal analyst and author of "The Chief: The Life and Turbulent Times of Chief Justice John Roberts." And Marcia Coyle is chief Washington correspondent for "The National Law Journal" and author of "The Roberts Court: The Struggle for the Constitution."
Joan, Marcia, thanks so much being with us.
Marcia, what do we know about why the writers of the Constitution put impeachment trials in the Senate and put the chief justice of the Supreme Court as the presiding officer?


pbs--2020-01-16--Rep. Ayanna Pressley shares her story of living with alopecia

NEW YORK ( AP ) — Rep. Ayanna Pressley , whose hair twists have been an inspiration to young girls and part of her personal identity and political brand , said Thursday that she has gone bald due to the autoimmune disease called alopecia .
The freshman Massachusetts ’ Democrat made a touching video for The Root , the African American-focused website , in which she revealed her bald head and said she felt compelled to go public due to the impact her Senegalese twists had on supporters .
Senegalese twists are a protective hairstyle worn by black women , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was noteworthy in how Afrocentric it was : in many corporations , black women are expected to wear their hair straightened ( though their hair tends to be more coily ) and the legacy of black women wearing their hair close or at its natural state is fraught and intertwined with the legacy of racism .
She called her hair story “ both personal and political ” as she embraced her twists , but noticed back in the fall that her hair was falling out .
The hair loss progressed in chunks until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote on impeachment articles against President Donald Trump , when she said she lost the last of it .
“ I didn ’ t have the luxury of mourning what felt like the loss of a limb , ” Pressley said .
“ It was a moment of transformation not of my choosing.
” She donned a wig , explained her vote from the podium on the House floor , then fled to a bathroom stall .
“ I felt naked , exposed , vulnerable .
I felt embarrassed .
I felt ashamed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ And then I also felt that I was participating in a cultural betrayal because of all the little girls who write me letters , come up to me , take selfies with me .
Hashtag twist nation.
” Pressley kept her hair loss a secret among close friends and family but knew she would go public when she felt ready .
“ I felt like I owed all those little girls and explanation , ” she said .
“ My husband says I don ’ t , that everything isn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m black , I ’ m a black woman , and I ’ m a black woman in politics , and everything I do is political.
” Alopecia areata is a common autoimmune skin disease , causing hair loss on the scalp , face and sometimes on other areas of the body , according to the website of the National Alopecia Areata Foundation .
The National Institutes of Health says nearly 2 % of Americans have the disease .
Pressley said she ’ s still trying to find her way forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the secret .
She joked about her nicknames for her wigs , including one she dubbed “ FLOTUS , because it feels very Michelle Obama to me.
” “ I am making peace with alopecia , ” she said .
“ I have not arrived there .
… but I ’ m making progress every day .
”

NEW YORK (AP) — Rep. Ayanna Pressley, whose hair twists have been an inspiration to young girls and part of her personal identity and political brand, said Thursday that she has gone bald due to the autoimmune disease called alopecia.
The freshman Massachusetts’ Democrat made a touching video for The Root, the African American-focused website, in which she revealed her bald head and said she felt compelled to go public due to the impact her Senegalese twists had on supporters.
Senegalese twists are a protective hairstyle worn by black women, much like braided hairstyles. Her style was noteworthy in how Afrocentric it was: in many corporations, black women are expected to wear their hair straightened (though their hair tends to be more coily) and the legacy of black women wearing their hair close or at its natural state is fraught and intertwined with the legacy of racism.
“I didn’t have the luxury of mourning what felt like the loss of a limb,” Pressley said. “It was a moment of transformation not of my choosing.”
She called her hair story “both personal and political” as she embraced her twists, but noticed back in the fall that her hair was falling out. The hair loss progressed in chunks until the night before the Dec. 18 House vote on impeachment articles against President Donald Trump, when she said she lost the last of it.
“I didn’t have the luxury of mourning what felt like the loss of a limb,” Pressley said. “It was a moment of transformation not of my choosing.”
She donned a wig, explained her vote from the podium on the House floor, then fled to a bathroom stall.
“I felt naked, exposed, vulnerable. I felt embarrassed. I felt ashamed. I felt betrayed,” Pressley said. “And then I also felt that I was participating in a cultural betrayal because of all the little girls who write me letters, come up to me, take selfies with me. Hashtag twist nation.”
Pressley kept her hair loss a secret among close friends and family but knew she would go public when she felt ready.
“I felt like I owed all those little girls and explanation,” she said. “My husband says I don’t, that everything isn’t political. The reality is I’m black, I’m a black woman, and I’m a black woman in politics, and everything I do is political.”
Alopecia areata is a common autoimmune skin disease, causing hair loss on the scalp, face and sometimes on other areas of the body, according to the website of the National Alopecia Areata Foundation. The National Institutes of Health says nearly 2% of Americans have the disease.
Pressley said she’s still trying to find her way forward and went public to free herself from the secret. She joked about her nicknames for her wigs, including one she dubbed “FLOTUS, because it feels very Michelle Obama to me.”
“I am making peace with alopecia,” she said. “I have not arrived there. … but I’m making progress every day.”


pbs--2020-01-16--With Virginia ratification, where does the Equal Rights Amendment go from here?

This year marks the 100th anniversary of women winning the right to vote in this country .
People may not know it , but the fight to instill equal rights regardless of sex in our U.S. Constitution is nearly as old .
That fight became a big part of the national conversation in the 1970s .
Yesterday , all these years later , Virginia 's legislature voted to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment , making it the 38th state to do so .
That means three-quarters of all states have ratified , as the Constitution requires .
But there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question of whether states had to ratify the amendment by a 1982 deadline .
Kate Kelly is an attorney for Equality Now .
It 's an advocacy group that works for rights of women and girls around the world .
And she joins me from New York .
Kate Kelly , welcome back to the `` NewsHour . ''
So , as we said , the ERA , here we are .
It was introduced back , what , in the 1920s .
There was a big push in the 1970s , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 38th state to ratify .
Why has it taken so long ?

Judy Woodruff:
This year marks the 100th anniversary of women winning the right to vote in this country.
People may not know it, but the fight to instill equal rights regardless of sex in our U.S. Constitution is nearly as old. That fight became a big part of the national conversation in the 1970s.
Yesterday, all these years later, Virginia's legislature voted to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, making it the 38th state to do so. That means three-quarters of all states have ratified, as the Constitution requires.
But there are legal challenges still ahead, including the question of whether states had to ratify the amendment by a 1982 deadline.
Kate Kelly is an attorney for Equality Now. It's an advocacy group that works for rights of women and girls around the world. And she joins me from New York.
Kate Kelly, welcome back to the "NewsHour."
So, as we said, the ERA, here we are. It was introduced back, what, in the 1920s. There was a big push in the 1970s, but it's 2020 before you get the 38th state to ratify. Why has it taken so long?