rollcall--2020-01-28--Courts, without law for guidance, setting value of cryptoassets

Inconsistent classifications and ill-formed definitions of bitcoin and other digital assets are being left to the judiciary to sort out .
( AFP via Getty Images ) Bankruptcy judges are used to deciding the value of assets , but for cryptocurrencies , which can halve or double in value in a matter of months , determining how much one party is owed gets tricky .
It ’ s an issue that could be mitigated by regulators or lawmakers , but despite myriad efforts focusing on digital assets this year , U.S. bankruptcy judges are unlikely to get much guidance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cryptocurrency industry .
Judges are dealing firsthand with issues of how to value cryptocurrencies , and whether bitcoin can even be classified as money , as policymakers tackle more existential issues , such as which agencies should regulate them or whether to take no action at all .
“ For better or for worse , it is the courts who are going to be making the rules , ” said Joanne Molinaro , a partner and trial lawyer with Foley & Lardner LLP ’ s Chicago office and a member of the firm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The U.S. Bankruptcy Code gives great latitude to judges in determining the type and amount of the recovery in fraudulent transfer cases .
If the recovery is not possible because it is lost or too burdensome to return , judges instead will order recovery of the value .
And there ’ s the rub for things like bitcoin .
In a phone interview with CQ Roll Call , Molinaro said courts are being forced to take the lead in resolving many of the controversies surrounding digital assets and their extreme price volatility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” companies and exchanges .
And courts often have to act swifter than the glacial pace of regulators and legislators , many of whom have adopted a wait-and-see approach on digital assets , she said .
“ The law is going to be created by judges until Congress decides cryptocurrency is here to stay , ” Molinaro said .
Up until that point , it will largely be regulation by litigation , she said .
Alan Rosenberg , an attorney with Miami-based bankruptcy law firm Markowitz , Ringel , Trusty , & Hartog @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bankruptcy Institute , notes that federal agencies and courts each have classified digital assets as currencies or commodities , which affects how they are valued and what constitutes illegal conduct when handling them .
Rosenberg cited a criminal case in Florida in which a defendant who sold bitcoin to an undercover police officer was accused of operating an unauthorized money services business .
The defendant challenged the charges in state court , arguing that bitcoin wasn ’ t money and , as a result , he couldn ’ t be charged under Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A state judge agreed with the defendant , writing , “ Bitcoin may have some attributes in common with what we commonly refer to as money but differs in many important aspects , ” and dismissed the charges .
“ This Court is not an expert in economics , however , it is very clear , even to someone with limited knowledge in the area that Bitcoin has a long way to go before it is the equivalent of money.
” An appellate court last year , however , reversed the trial judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a money transmission business by exchanging virtual currency for cash and that virtual currency fell within the express definitions of “ monetary values ” and “ payment instruments ” under Florida law .
These issues apply to bankruptcy law , too , where inconsistent classifications and ill-formed definitions of bitcoin and other digital assets are being left to the judiciary to sort out .
In a 2016 case litigated in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California , a bankruptcy trustee sought to recover an alleged fraudulent transfer of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were sent .
The person who received the bitcoins argued that he should only be required to return the value of the bitcoins on the date of the transfer , as opposed to returning the actual bitcoins that had been steadily gaining in value .
Molinaro , in a legal analysis from October 2018 of the case , In re Hashfast Technologies LLC , said the trustee argued that bitcoins are like commodities and , therefore , the bankruptcy court should order the return of the bitcoins themselves or their value at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the dispute was that the value of the bitcoin had increased by 400 percent since the date of transfer , ” Molinaro wrote .
The value reached a reported $ 1.3 million .
Ultimately , the case settled before the judge had to decide whether bitcoin is a currency or a commodity .
That issue was at least partly resolved in September 2018 , when the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts , not a bankruptcy court , ruled in favor of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission , holding that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Commodity Exchange Act .
Although , the CFTC case was a commodity fraud case involving virtual currency , Molinaro has said the ruling could have “ enormous implications on valuation in the bankruptcy context.
” Given that decision , the return of the bitcoin or any other cryptocurrency itself will likely be favored instead of a contested and expensive battle over when and how a digital asset should be valued , she argues .
However , if the mere return of bitcoin is not feasible because they were stolen or there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of valuations becomes critical and a legal contest over the asset ’ s worth becomes inevitable .
The result is that there is still no firm answer from any regulator or statute .
“ There is very little uniformity in the treatment of cryptocurrency in the law , ” said Rosenberg .
“ Everything is in limbo .
Nobody is taking the lead on this.
” A legislative solution seems distant , according to Robert Cox , a bankruptcy attorney with the Charlotte , North Carolina , office of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need for bankruptcy lawyers to understand cryptocurrency issues .
He told CQ Roll Call that amending the U.S. Bankruptcy Code , a lengthy and complex process , to address the questions and challenges posed by cryptocurrency does not appear to be a “ high priority ” for the bankruptcy bar right now .
“ They seem to be taking a wait-and-see approach , ” he said .
In any case , the U.S. appears to be far behind other nations in coming up with legislation to deal with the unique legal challenges of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Federal Council recently adopted a report on a legal framework for distributed ledger technology and blockchain .
According to the Swiss law firm Walder Wyss AG , one of the “ contemplated legislative amendments ” in the report focuses on insolvency law , “ where the report calls for unambiguous rules on the segregation of crypto-based assets from the other assets of the bankrupt estate.
” The Swiss firm said the Federal Council would propose a new provision in Swiss bankruptcy law “ providing for a right to release data in the event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the beneficiary , including a claim to the transfer of digital assets .
”

Bankruptcy judges are used to deciding the value of assets, but for cryptocurrencies, which can halve or double in value in a matter of months, determining how much one party is owed gets tricky.
It’s an issue that could be mitigated by regulators or lawmakers, but despite myriad efforts focusing on digital assets this year, U.S. bankruptcy judges are unlikely to get much guidance, according to several lawyers who track the cryptocurrency industry.
Judges are dealing firsthand with issues of how to value cryptocurrencies, and whether bitcoin can even be classified as money, as policymakers tackle more existential issues, such as which agencies should regulate them or whether to take no action at all.
“For better or for worse, it is the courts who are going to be making the rules,” said Joanne Molinaro, a partner and trial lawyer with Foley & Lardner LLP’s Chicago office and a member of the firm’s Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Task Force.


rollcall--2020-01-28--How Maz Jobrani deals with hecklers

How Maz Jobrani deals with hecklers

Maz Jobrani will return to the Kennedy Center on Friday .
( Don Emmert/AFP via Getty Images ) Maz Jobrani knows politics .
He has a degree in political science .
He ’ s spoken out on immigration .
He ’ s toured the country with a comedy troupe named after a speech by George W. Bush .
Heck , he even had a bit part on “ The West Wing.
” Now the Iranian American comedian is smiling at hecklers and headed to Washington on his “ Peaceful Warrior ” tour .
I asked him how his stand-up is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yes , the word “ impeachment ” may show up in his act . )
What ’ s the difference between performing in D.C. and LA ?
I ’ ve got a pretty well-informed audience wherever I go , but D.C. is that on steroids .
Nowadays I have a lot of material about my kids , and people will come up and be like , “ I wish you would do more political stuff.
” And I ’ m like , “ I can ’ t do a whole hour.
” Maybe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t do that .
We need a reminder that there ’ s life outside of politics .
You ask the people you meet in D.C. , “ What do you do ?
” They go , “ I work for the agency , I work for State , whatever.
” In LA , you go , “ What do you do ?
” They go , “ I got an audition for a guy who works for the agency , works for State.
” We ’ re pretending .
You guys are doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nice of you to say .
Do you have to add an extra layer of wonk to your act when you come here ?
As an Iranian American , of course I have to talk about the brink of war that we came to a couple of weeks ago .
But how much comedy can you get from it ?
And then I was thinking , I ’ m going to be in D.C. toward the end of this impeachment trial .
I have to allude to it somehow .
Now , will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about it ?
It might just be a reference at the top .
It ’ s been fifteen years since your “ Axis of Evil ” tour .
Are there jokes from back then that you could pull off today ?
A ton of them .
Some people were getting upset when I would do Bush jokes on the eve of the Iraq War .
That ’ s what America is about — that we can make fun of our president here .
I couldn ’ t make fun of the president of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to me after the show and say , “ Hey , that was a great show .
When ’ s your next show ?
” And I ’ d be like , “ There are no more shows , the ‘ Ministry of No Show ’ showed up.
” Are you prepared for hecklers or is your response off-the-cuff ?
I ’ ve had several of those .
The reason I call my tour the “ Peaceful Warrior ” tour is because I ’ m trying to continue to say what I want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this president , but say it in a peaceful way .
I don ’ t have specific comebacks , but I ’ ve learned to breathe .
A guy in Irvine started throwing f-bombs at me , and I was like , “ Hey , man , it ’ s all good.
” Another time I said , “ Calm down.
” I walked offstage and felt really good about how I handled it .
And then the opening act came backstage and said , “ Dude , your audience is going off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out because she interrupted the show .
I was like , “ I ’ m trying to be a peaceful warrior , but people ain ’ t following my lead.
” Do you have a favorite restaurant in D.C. ?
My wife has come out with me a couple of times .
Years ago we went to a place called Obelisk near Dupont Circle .
It was delicious .
This time we ’ re gon na check out Columbia Room .
There ’ s a good Persian place called Amoo ’ s [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s name is Sebastian .
So if you go there , I ’ m serious , say Maz Jobrani told me I got ta come check this place out , and tell him to bring you stuff .
I ’ m actually going to show up everywhere and just say Maz Jobrani sent me and hope I get free stuff .
Maz Jobrani , the comic behind “ Immigrant ” and the “ Back to School ” podcast , comes to the Kennedy Center on Friday .
This transcript has been edited and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Maz Jobrani knows politics. He has a degree in political science. He’s spoken out on immigration. He’s toured the country with a comedy troupe named after a speech by George W. Bush.
Heck, he even had a bit part on “The West Wing.”
Now the Iranian American comedian is smiling at hecklers and headed to Washington on his “Peaceful Warrior” tour. I asked him how his stand-up is faring in the Trump era. (Yes, the word “impeachment” may show up in his act.)
What’s the difference between performing in D.C. and LA?


rollcall--2020-01-28--Pentagon using artificial intelligence to track wildfires, study chaos of combat

National Guard helicopters drop water on a wildfire near Ojai , Calif. , on Dec. 9 , 2017 .
The Pentagon ’ s Joint Artificial Intelligence Center has been working with the National Guard to track natural disasters using AI tools .
( David McNew/Getty Images file photo ) One year ago , Air Force Lt. Gen. John N.T .
“ Jack ” Shanahan became the first director of a new Pentagon office created to act as a clearinghouse for all of the U.S. military ’ s work on artificial intelligence .
Among a raft of near-term projects the office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vision technology to track and combat wildfires .
Taking tools developed for Project Maven , an initiative to analyze and identify objects on the ground from videos shot by aerial drones during the fight against the Islamic State , the Pentagon ’ s office known as the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center has been working with National Guard units combating wildfires in California and hurricanes elsewhere .
The office began applying computer vision tools to track natural disasters , “ realizing that the way things had been done … nothing had changed in 40 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent interview with CQ Roll Call .
Natural disasters were still being tracked using “ acetate and grease pencils in the back of a pickup truck .
… No one could track wildfires in real time , ” he said .
By flying drones equipped with full-motion video sensors over wildfire zones , the Pentagon was able to assist firefighters with live fire locations using specialized maps sent to hand-held devices .
The program eventually will be handed off to National Guard and local firefighting units , Shanahan said .
The firefighting project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intelligence efforts , Shanahan said , by helping understand how to ingest large quantities of live data from a highly dynamic situation , coordinate response efforts with multiple agencies and deliver results in a timely manner .
“ If you take wildfires , there ’ s applicability to what you encounter in combat , ” he said .
One of the key goals of Shanahan ’ s office is to change the military ’ s culture from the industrial-age emphasis on hardware and weapons to the digital-age emphasis on data .
The United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an advantage in artificial intelligence-enabled tools that will allow their militaries to respond to threats at computer speeds rather than human decision-making times .
“ This is the world we are in now , ” Shanahan said .
“ Data-centric environment gives us a competitive advantage .
How do we adapt faster than our adversary ?
This is about decision advantage.
” Recently while visiting a data center operated by an unnamed global company , Shanahan said , he envisioned the large cluster of buildings as the equivalent of a 21st-century aircraft carrier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with bureaucratic processes that few global corporations face .
Unlike the world ’ s top commercial artificial intelligence companies , the Pentagon doesn ’ t yet have a single cloud service where all of its data resides .
A $ 10 billion program to build such a cloud service is now stuck in a legal dispute after Amazon last year challenged the Pentagon ’ s decision to pick Microsoft for the work .
Amazon has said that the Pentagon ’ s decision in the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure contract , known as JEDI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump repeatedly tweeted his opposition to Amazon .
The cloud server is key to the Pentagon 's artificial intelligence efforts .
In its absence , Shanahan ’ s office is making do with smaller “ bespoke ” solutions but those can not be long-term answers , he said .
The Pentagon needs an enterprise cloud that comes with security and advanced tools , he said .
“ There ’ s a reason that the biggest AI companies in the world are also the biggest cloud companies in the world , ” Shanahan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring data at scale , allows us to train at scale and allows us to push out things in a continuous fashion.
” The Pentagon also faces another critical hurdle that commercial companies don ’ t encounter .
Most artificial intelligence systems today rely on so-called “ labeled ” data to teach computers to identify objects .
For example , medical companies send X-rays , scans and pathology samples to companies in India and China , where outsourced contract workers identify and label lesions and other medical conditions .
Those labeled images are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlabeled items in large databases .
The Pentagon can not outsource such jobs because its data in most cases is highly classified military information that must be handled only by people with security clearances .
In the early stages of Project Maven , when objects on the ground photographed by drone videos had to be identified , the Pentagon initially used intelligence analysts to label the objects , but soon it became too tedious a task , Shanahan said .
The slow manual labeling affected the performance of algorithms , which depend on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new , unlabeled objects in new video footage .
The Pentagon had to scramble to get contractors with security clearances to label items in video feeds , scaling up the database to about 40 million items and thereby improving the algorithmic performance , Shanahan said .
High-quality labeled data is the holy grail for a fully artificial intelligence-enabled military , Shanahan said .
“ That may be as high on the list of what gets us to the future of AI-enabled capability faster than anything else.
” Military services have given up on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because they couldn ’ t scale up the labeling of objects , Shanahan said .
But it doesn ’ t mean the Pentagon would have to employ a vast army of contract workers to manually label objects .
Shanahan said he sees promising developments in the field of unsupervised learning , or so-called one-shot learning , in which a computer can identify objects by being exposed to just one identified image or object instead of requiring millions of such objects .
For 2020 , the Pentagon office is showcasing several projects to demonstrate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military and make his office the “ 1-800-AI for the department , ” Shanahan said .
The projects include a predictive maintenance program for helicopters , tools to address troops ’ health and evaluations of the efficacy of commercial cybersecurity products used by the Defense Department .
Machine learning tools also can help fix outdated Pentagon forms , Shanahan said .
In July last year , Rep. Alcee L. Hastings , D-Fla. , alerted the Pentagon to death certificates issued to servicemembers that identified their race as “ red ” for Native Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asian.
” The forms , presumably designed during the 1940s , continued to be in use and were upsetting families receiving them .
Shanahan said his office was asked , “ Can we go through all the [ Pentagon ’ s ] forms and find those offensive terms and help remove them ?
” A couple of data scientists deploying artificial intelligence-enabled software were able to look through and identify changes to the forms that could “ save 10,000 labor hours a year ” over manual methods , Shanahan said .
The project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Despite some early successes demonstrated by the Pentagon office , which was created by an act of Congress , the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center doesn ’ t have enough resources and authorities to fulfill its mission , according to an assessment by Rand Corp. published in late December .
Shanahan said the report ’ s critique was accurate and the Pentagon planned to allocate more money for the artificial intelligence center in the 2021 budget proposal .
For fiscal 2020 , Congress approved $ 268 million for the office .

One year ago, Air Force Lt. Gen. John N.T. “Jack” Shanahan became the first director of a new Pentagon office created to act as a clearinghouse for all of the U.S. military’s work on artificial intelligence. Among a raft of near-term projects the office has taken up is one deploying computer vision technology to track and combat wildfires.
Taking tools developed for Project Maven, an initiative to analyze and identify objects on the ground from videos shot by aerial drones during the fight against the Islamic State, the Pentagon’s office known as the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center has been working with National Guard units combating wildfires in California and hurricanes elsewhere.
The office began applying computer vision tools to track natural disasters, “realizing that the way things had been done … nothing had changed in 40 years,” Shanahan said in a recent interview with CQ Roll Call. Natural disasters were still being tracked using “acetate and grease pencils in the back of a pickup truck. … No one could track wildfires in real time,” he said.
By flying drones equipped with full-motion video sensors over wildfire zones, the Pentagon was able to assist firefighters with live fire locations using specialized maps sent to hand-held devices. The program eventually will be handed off to National Guard and local firefighting units, Shanahan said.
The firefighting project also helps the Pentagon’s artificial intelligence efforts, Shanahan said, by helping understand how to ingest large quantities of live data from a highly dynamic situation, coordinate response efforts with multiple agencies and deliver results in a timely manner. “If you take wildfires, there’s applicability to what you encounter in combat,” he said.


rollcall--2020-01-28--The Bolton bombshell and the moral lessons of Watergate

Republicans would be wise to ponder the examples of two Watergate figures who died recently , Tom Railsback , left , and Egil Krogh , Shapiro writes .
( CQ Roll Call file photo/Courtesy Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum ) OPINION — The John Bolton book bombshell represents the intersection of mendacity and greed .
The mendacity has been the dissembling and the lying by Donald Trump and his Republican enablers that the withholding of assistance to Ukraine was anything other than an old-fashioned mob shakedown : “ You have a nice $ 400 million military aid package here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything should happen to it.
” The greed , of course , stems from Bolton ’ s eager participation in that bipartisan 21st-century ritual of public servants racing to cash in the moment they leave the White House with a seven-digit book deal .
Long gone are the days when Franklin Roosevelt longed for top aides with “ a passion for anonymity.
” Bolton ’ s book title , “ The Room Where It Happened , ” was presumably lifted from “ Hamilton ” by a clever book editor .
Dating back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biography on which the Broadway musical is based , studying the lives of public figures has been a way to learn moral conduct .
Republican senators like the politically imperiled Susan Collins and the retiring Lamar Alexander will soon cast one of the most historic votes of their long careers on Capitol Hill .
The decision whether to hear impeachment testimony from Bolton and perhaps other witnesses will pit kiss-the-ring fealty to Trump against the demands of a fair trial .
As they wrestle with their decisions leading up to the eventual vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , wavering senators might draw moral guidance from the lives of two Watergate figures who died recently .
When their obituaries appeared , they were primarily familiar to those of us who once wallowed in Watergate .
As a young White House lawyer , Egil Krogh arranged the odd-couple Oval Office meeting between Richard Nixon and Elvis Presley as part of the president ’ s ineffectual war on drugs .
But everything changed for Krogh in 1971 after Daniel Ellsberg leaked to the press the internal history of the Vietnam War known as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the leaders of the internal White House group known as the “ Plumbers ” designed to discredit Ellsberg and thwart future leaks .
Krogh was in the room where it happened when former CIA operative E. Howard Hunt suggested that the Plumbers authorize an operation to break into the offices of Ellsberg ’ s psychiatrist and steal his files .
Krogh uncritically accepted Hunt ’ s proposal — and that moral lapse changed his life .
As Krogh later wrote , “ The premise of our action was the strongly held view @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the president and those functioning on his behalf could carry out illegal acts with impunity if they were convinced that the nation ’ s security demanded it.
” Those words have an eerie resonance this week as the Trump lawyers mount their defense .
In 1973 , Krogh became the first Nixon aide to go to prison — based on his role in the Ellsberg burglary , which proved to be a prelude to Hunt helping orchestrate the 1972 Watergate break-in .
What gives Krogh ’ s story further relevance today is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did later in life .
By the late 1990s , Krogh , who had regained his law license , began giving ethics seminars and speaking to high school students on the topic .
Krogh ’ s conclusion was expressed in the title of a 2007 memoir that he wrote with his son Matthew — “ Integrity : Good People , Bad Choices and Life Lessons From the White House.
” Illinois Republican Tom Railsback was one of six GOP members of the House Judiciary Committee to vote for Nixon ’ s impeachment in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican in the John Lindsey or Lowell Weicker mold .
He was more than anything a Nixon Republican .
As Railsback put it in an emotional speech as the Judiciary Committee readied the articles of impeachment , “ In my opinion Richard Nixon has done many wonderful things for his country .
… I wish the president could do something to absolve himself.
” A few weeks after Nixon resigned from office , Railsback was asked to give a luncheon talk to the Peoria Chamber of Commerce in his congressional district .
Railsback @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he worried that the Nixon loyalists in the audience ( many of them his friends and supporters ) would attack him for his impeachment vote .
When Railsback arrived at the luncheon , a brief hush fell over the room .
A lone man began applauding , then a few more joined in and finally an ovation morphed into a standing ovation .
Railsback recalled being repeatedly told , “ Tom , I disagree with that vote .
But you did what you thought was right , and I ’ m glad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote , Railsback served five more terms in the House .
The 1970s may have been a different era when partisanship was not as vicious and Americans retained a grudging respect for legislators who voted their conscience .
But I wonder whether patriotic values have really changed that much or whether cowardice has just become accepted as the road of political convenience .
Everyone in the Senate should ask themselves this week : What will life be like when Donald Trump is no longer in the White House ?
Barring a dramatic turnabout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says in his book or if he testifies in the trial , that moment will come , via election , next January or in five years .
But , make no mistake , there will be a post-Trump period of reckoning .
And Republicans who currently cower in fear of Trump tweets , brood about their political futures and worry about being booed at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon should think for a moment about the life lessons from the late Egil Krogh and Tom Railsback .

OPINION — The John Bolton book bombshell represents the intersection of mendacity and greed.
The mendacity has been the dissembling and the lying by Donald Trump and his Republican enablers that the withholding of assistance to Ukraine was anything other than an old-fashioned mob shakedown: “You have a nice $400 million military aid package here. It would be a shame if anything should happen to it.”
The greed, of course, stems from Bolton’s eager participation in that bipartisan 21st-century ritual of public servants racing to cash in the moment they leave the White House with a seven-digit book deal. Long gone are the days when Franklin Roosevelt longed for top aides with “a passion for anonymity.”
Bolton’s book title, “The Room Where It Happened,” was presumably lifted from “Hamilton” by a clever book editor. Dating back to Plutarch and continuing through the Ron Chernow biography on which the Broadway musical is based, studying the lives of public figures has been a way to learn moral conduct.
Republican senators like the politically imperiled Susan Collins and the retiring Lamar Alexander will soon cast one of the most historic votes of their long careers on Capitol Hill. The decision whether to hear impeachment testimony from Bolton and perhaps other witnesses will pit kiss-the-ring fealty to Trump against the demands of a fair trial.


rollcall--2020-01-28--With Iowa and New Hampshire still up in the air, Democratic race has 2016 echoes

Senators raise their hands as Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. administers the oath of the Senate Court of Impeachment Thursday .
( Screenshot/Senate Recording Studio ) ANALYSIS — Sometime soon , the impeachment trial of Donald John Trump will likely end and the Senate , notwithstanding who might get called as a witness , will acquit him .
The president , of course , will claim victory and , having escaped punishment , will presumably return to doing what he has been doing for months — looking for ways to discredit Democrats , even if it involves help from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will also jump quickly from impeachment and back to the presidential race , hardly missing a beat .
That means Iowa and New Hampshire .
As I have been arguing for months , the early national polls were essentially meaningless .
Iowa will scramble the overall Democratic contest , since the fallout from caucuses will affect New Hampshire , fundraising , media coverage and the narrative about who is ahead nationally .
Up in the air Given the wildly conflicting polls ( and the difficulty in polling caucus attendees ) , we still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll win Iowa , what the order of finish will be or what the margins between candidates will look like .
So there is a lot up in the air .
On the other hand , the shape of the Democratic contest continues to look a good deal like 2016 , though the current field is much larger than the two-person contest of four years ago .
Then , populist progressive Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton , who had support from much of the party leadership and establishment , finished in a virtual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 49.8 percent of attendees , while the Vermont senator drew 49.6 percent .
She won 23 delegates to Sanders ’ 21 .
This cycle , the Jan. 20-23 New York Times/Siena College poll found the two populist progressives , Sanders ( 25 percent ) and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( 15 percent ) , drawing a combined 40 percent in Iowa , while the three “ pragmatists ” in the contest , former Vice President Joe Biden ( 17 percent ) , former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg ( 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 8 percent ) , combined for 43 percent .
Biden , Buttigieg and Klobuchar actually are mainstream Democrats who generally hold liberal views but preach working together across the aisle , electability and the benefits of caution , which separates them from Sanders and Warren , who preach fundamental , structural change and never talk about the need to compromise .
So the divide in the state between the Democratic Party ’ s two wings echoes the conflict from four years ago .
Of course , the race could change over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the candidates who don ’ t hit the 15 percent threshold behave during the caucuses could well determine who “ wins ” and what the various margins look like .
Members of the media tend to look for “ winners ” and “ losers ” in contests , so candidates failing to meet expectations will suddenly find themselves in a media feeding frenzy .
They will have to spend time explaining their performance and prospects instead of talking about health care , the environment and guns .
Four years ago , Sanders followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beating Clinton rather soundly in New Hampshire , 60 percent to 38 percent .
He earned 15 delegates to her 9 .
Of course , New Hampshire voters always seem to enjoy being quirky , and Sanders benefited from geography ( being from neighboring Vermont ) and the fact that the Granite State allows independents to participate in either primary .
This year , Warren is also from a neighboring state , and other candidates ( such as Buttigieg ) , could benefit from the state ’ s interest in new candidates .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hampshire shows Sanders leading the field with 22 percent to Buttigieg ’ s 17 percent .
Those results , along with Iowa ’ s , have journalists talking about Sanders ’ “ surge.
” But while Sanders leads in polls , he is nowhere near his showings of four years ago .
( Readers beware : Journalists like to find “ surging ” candidates . )
While a Sanders sweep of Iowa and New Hampshire would give him momentum , help his fundraising and cause party pragmatists to start pulling their hair out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a very different place than he was four years ago .
( Of course , the lack of a large bloc of superdelegates this time benefits the Vermont progressive . )
The next two contests in 2016 were won by Clinton , who bested Sanders narrowly in Nevada ( 53 percent to 47 percent ) but clobbered him in South Carolina ( 73 percent to 26 percent . )
This year , party strategists continue to believe that Biden ’ s strength in the African American community is unassailable , making South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firewall .
But will that firewall hold if Biden underperforms in the first two or three contests ?
Wouldn ’ t both black and white voters start looking for alternatives if Biden were to finish third or even worse in Iowa and New Hampshire ?
And then there is Michael Bloomberg .
He remains a curious contender who aims to jump-start his campaign on Super Tuesday ’ s March 3 contests .
But his rationale continues to be based on Biden failing , and he continues to assume Democrats will embrace a billionaire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the party ’ s two wings is for the opposition to unite around one candidate while it finds itself divided among two or three contenders .
For example , what if Biden , Buttigieg and Bloomberg are fighting it out in late March for the “ pragmatic ” lane , while Sanders emerges as the standard-bearer of all progressives ?
That would surely advantage the Vermonter .
While polls suggest Democrats care more about beating Trump in November than having a nominee who matches their views , the fight between the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some time , possibly even until the Democratic National Convention in July .
Obviously , the longer the battle , the greater chance for animosity , which would benefit only one person — Donald Trump .

ANALYSIS — Sometime soon, the impeachment trial of Donald John Trump will likely end and the Senate, notwithstanding who might get called as a witness, will acquit him.
The president, of course, will claim victory and, having escaped punishment, will presumably return to doing what he has been doing for months — looking for ways to discredit Democrats, even if it involves help from foreign governments. The rest of us will also jump quickly from impeachment and back to the presidential race, hardly missing a beat.
That means Iowa and New Hampshire. As I have been arguing for months, the early national polls were essentially meaningless.
Iowa will scramble the overall Democratic contest, since the fallout from caucuses will affect New Hampshire, fundraising, media coverage and the narrative about who is ahead nationally.
Up in the air
Given the wildly conflicting polls (and the difficulty in polling caucus attendees), we still can’t be certain who’ll win Iowa, what the order of finish will be or what the margins between candidates will look like.


rollcall--2020-01-28--CQ Roll Call’s Key Votes in 2019

CQ Roll Call’s Key Votes in 2019

The vote tally sheets sit at the clerk ’ s table in House Judiciary Committee following the markup of the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump on Dec. 13 , 2019 .
( Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo ) The oldest of CQ Roll Call ’ s annual studies , Key Votes is a selection of the major votes for both House and Senate for the past year .
Editors choose the single vote on each issue that best presents a member ’ s stance or that determined the year ’ s legislative outcome .
For a detailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate key votes , click here .
And for charts on how every lawmaker voted , click below : A vote is judged to be key by the extent to which it represents : • a matter of potentially great impact on the nation and the lives of Americans [ Key Votes 2019 : Amid partisan acrimony , legislative wins in Congress were hard to come by ] For each group of related votes on an issue in each chamber , one key vote is usually chosen — one that , in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was most important in determining the outcome of the issue for the year or best reflected the views of individual lawmakers on that issue .
Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call on your iPhone .

The oldest of CQ Roll Call’s annual studies, Key Votes is a selection of the major votes for both House and Senate for the past year. Editors choose the single vote on each issue that best presents a member’s stance or that determined the year’s legislative outcome.
For a detailed explanation of the 12 House and 10 Senate key votes, click here.
And for charts on how every lawmaker voted, click below:
House members on key votes in 2019.
Senators on key votes in 2019.


rollcall--2020-01-28--Key Votes 2019: How vulnerable members voted

Maine Sen. Susan Collins went against a majority of her fellow Republicans on 60 percent of key votes in 2019 , according to a CQ Roll Call analysis .
( Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call ) The Senate held 10 votes identified by CQ Roll Call as “ key votes ” for 2019 , and the House had a dozen .
Below is a selection of members projected by Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales to have competitive races , the percent they stuck with their party on those votes and their overall unity score for 2019 .
[ Key Votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wins in Congress were hard to come by ] Collins ’ bid for a fifth term could prove to be her toughest campaign yet .
She has historically bucked her party at one of the highest rates among Republicans , and on key votes , she was no exception — on 60 percent of those votes in 2019 , she went against a majority of Republicans , including a resolution that would have terminated President Donald Trump ’ s declaration of a national emergency along the southern border and one to end U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of two Republican votes to go against the successful Republican effort to dramatically reduce post-cloture debate time on presidential nominees .
Perhaps the most vulnerable Republican in the Senate , Gardner bucked his party just once on key votes .
It was on the measure disapproving of Trump ’ s lifting of sanctions against Russian companies .
He missed a key vote warning against “ precipitous withdrawal ” from Syria and Afghanistan .
On the other eight votes , he did not vote once in opposition to the president ’ s position @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tough test in her 2020 election .
While she joined Gardner on the Russian sanctions measure , she too has voted mostly in lockstep with her party .
Among Democrats , Jones is easily the most vulnerable , and he parted with his party on three of the ten key votes : The confirmation of William Barr as attorney general and a vote to repeal the Clean Power Plan .
He was also one of only three Democratic “ no ” votes on the Green New Deal .
The rest of the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Republican stunt .
While Peters is favored for a second term , he ’ s still running in a state Trump won in 2016 .
But his voting record would suggest he thinks he has little to worry about .
On the 10 key votes identified by CQ Roll Call for 2019 , he joined a majority of his party on each of them .
Before he switched his affiliation to Republican late last year , the 2nd District freshman was a fairly reliable Democratic vote .
Of the 12 key votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic Party just twice , voting “ no ” on the two articles of impeachment against Trump .
The 15-term congressman continues to win in Minnesota ’ s 7th District , which , in most cases , would be represented by a Republican .
There ’ s a good reason for that .
He bucked his party three times on key votes , most prominently on the two articles of impeachment against Trump .
He also voted against a bill to expand background checks on guns .
The freshman from Maine ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against expanded background checks and on the second article of impeachment — obstruction of Congress .
He also voted against the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade pact .
Fitzpatrick has broken with his party the most in 2019 , and key votes were no exception .
On disapproving of the national emergency along the southern border , expanded background checks , a bill to prohibit the U.S. from exiting the Paris climate accord and a bill to prohibit discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation , the 1st District congressman bucked the majority of his party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voted to condemn Trump ’ s rhetoric as racist .
Davis , who is running in the competitive 13th District , did not break with his party on any key votes in 2019 , though his overall unity score — 81 percent — is lower than the average member score of 92 percent .

Overall Party Unity: 78%
Collins’ bid for a fifth term could prove to be her toughest campaign yet. She has historically bucked her party at one of the highest rates among Republicans, and on key votes, she was no exception — on 60 percent of those votes in 2019, she went against a majority of Republicans, including a resolution that would have terminated President Donald Trump’s declaration of a national emergency along the southern border and one to end U.S. military involvement in Yemen.
Collins was one of two Republican votes to go against the successful Republican effort to dramatically reduce post-cloture debate time on presidential nominees.
Race: Toss-up
Party Unity on Key Votes: 90%


rollcall--2020-01-28--Capitol Ink | Mustache Justice

Capitol Ink | Mustache Justice

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rollcall--2020-01-28--Key Votes 2019: Amid partisan acrimony, legislative wins in Congress were hard to come by

All throughout 2019 , Democrats sang from the same hymnal : We sent hundreds of bills with bipartisan support over to the Senate , where they went to die .
And Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has taken pride in referring to himself as the “ Grim Reaper ” presiding over a legislative graveyard , arguing that he is serving as a bulwark against “ radical , half-baked , socialist ” legislation being churned out in the House .
“ We need to move forward on all kinds of measures , but Mitch McConnell is refusing to bring House-passed legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really pretty simple , ” Sen. Richard Blumenthal said .
The Connecticut Democrat pointed to a bill passed by the House last February that would institute universal background checks for would-be gun owners , but McConnell has said he won ’ t bring any gun bill to the floor unless he is assured President Donald Trump would sign it .
Trump , predictably , has been all over the place on gun legislation .
In August 2019 , following mass shootings in Texas and Ohio , Blumenthal and South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Senate to create a federal grant program to encourage states to adopt “ red flag ” laws .
Red flag laws take guns away from people believed to be dangers to themselves or others .
Graham said at the time that Trump “ seems very supportive ” of the measure .
Said Blumenthal : “ We have nearly complete agreement , Lindsey Graham and I , on the measure , that could be passed pretty quickly.
” And yet no bill has been introduced and the matter has faded from memory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2018 , which also went nowhere .
Louisiana Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy said Democrats ’ arguments on Senate inaction don ’ t hold water for him .
He said House-passed bills have been “ bottled up in the Senate because they know they have some poison pills in there.
” “ Let ’ s not be disingenuous .
The fact is they know that there ’ s some things that are very objectionable to the people on the Senate side .
… Don ’ t sit there and claim righteousness in terms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you the perfect bill , why don ’ t you just pass it ?
’ ” There have been a host of House-passed bills that Republicans have complained contain distasteful provisions , including a bill to lower the cost of prescription drugs , the Violence Against Women Act and a bill addressing so-called forever chemicals .
Beyond poison pills in legislation , it ’ s undeniably true that Democrats in the House passed a lot of bills in 2019 with the knowledge that most of them would die in the Senate .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign finance overhaul and good-government package , a voting rights bill that would reestablish what is known as “ preclearance ” and a bill banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender , there was little or no discussion with Republicans — either in the House or the Senate .
Democrats faulted McConnell .
“ He won ’ t even take a meeting with us , ” New York Democratic Rep. Max Rose told CQ Roll Call last June when discussing his frustration over inaction on HR 1 .
McConnell dismissed the complaints @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is never going to become law , ” he said , adding , “ There are always improvements and reforms to be made — but this isn ’ t it.
” For Democrats , the biggest points of debate were among moderate and liberal lawmakers of their own party .
In the end , almost every major bill passed with unanimous Democratic support .
In that way , the Democrats ’ agenda was designed more as a messaging strategy for 2020 .
Indeed , many freshmen say they plan to campaign on House-passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed 347 pieces of legislation , according to GovTrack .
Of those , Democrats say there were “ over 275 bipartisan bills ” sitting at McConnell ’ s desk awaiting action .
But how “ bipartisan ” these bills are and their significance is another matter .
Democrats consider a bill bipartisan if it got at least one Republican vote on the floor or has at least one Republican co-sponsor and passed by voice vote .
And according to an analysis by Factcheck.org in mid-December , of the 283 bills that Democrats consider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote , and included bills renaming several post offices .
Of the remaining bills , there were floor votes on only 114 , and 28 of those received no more than 17 Republican votes each .
“ The Democrats exaggerate , ” Factcheck.org concluded , when they complain about the dozens of bills awaiting action .
Still , there ’ s no escaping the fact that legislating has screeched to a halt in the Senate .
There are plenty of reasons for this .
McConnell ’ s priority has been to move nominations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ floor .
According to the Heritage Foundation , 187 Trump-appointed judges were confirmed by the Senate as of Jan. 22 .
The only one of the previous five presidents to outpace Trump at this point in his presidency was Bill Clinton , who got 188 judges confirmed .
Earlier in 2019 , McConnell changed a post-cloture debate rule that allowed even speedier consideration on most nominations by cutting down debate time from 30 to just two hours .
And by not considering legislation , McConnell achieves two goals : saving valuable floor time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to a CQ Roll Call analysis , 2019 was a record-breaker for Senate futility .
Only 107 votes were held last year that dealt with legislation and not nominations , far below the 20-year historical average of 249 votes per year .
( The analysis includes procedural votes like cloture and motions to proceed . )
The 2019 total bests the recent previous low reached in 2014 , when Majority Leader Harry Reid attempted to shield vulnerable Democrats from tough votes .
That year , there were only 113 votes on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s plan will work when senators need to explain to voters what they ’ ve accomplished .
“ I think the interesting thing will be , what ’ s your strategy , in an election year where , arguably , a number of incumbents need to show that they ’ re getting things done , ” said Neil Bradley , a former top aide to House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and now an executive vice president at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce .
“ Is it good enough to point back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the prior year ?
” Consider , for instance , a low-profile but significant bill that , among other provisions , would create tax incentives for small employers to offer 401 ( k ) -type plans to employees while expanding access to retirement benefits to part-time workers .
The bill passed the House in May with only three voting against , all of them Republican .
Yet it stalled out in the Senate for nearly seven months over various objections from Republicans .
Texas ’ Ted Cruz wanted to let families dip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ college tuition to pay for home-schooling expenses for younger students .
Utah ’ s Mike Lee was opposed to a provision that would help community newspapers with their pension plans .
At one point , Pennsylvania ’ s Patrick J. Toomey proposed bringing the bill to the floor with a series of amendments , but that was rejected by Democrats .
McConnell could have brought the bill to the floor and allowed as many amendments as he wanted but chose not to .
Eventually , the decision was made to kick the whole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and that ’ s where it landed .
The bill was tucked into a spending package , complete with the newspaper language Lee had objected to but without the expansive home-schooling provision Cruz had sought .
Chris Marquette and Doug Sword contributed to this report .

In August 2019, following mass shootings in Texas and Ohio, Blumenthal and South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham said they would be introducing bipartisan legislation in the Senate to create a federal grant program to encourage states to adopt “red flag” laws. Red flag laws take guns away from people believed to be dangers to themselves or others. Graham said at the time that Trump “seems very supportive” of the measure. Said Blumenthal: “We have nearly complete agreement, Lindsey Graham and I, on the measure, that could be passed pretty quickly.” And yet no bill has been introduced and the matter has faded from memory. The duo introduced a similar bill in 2018, which also went nowhere.
Louisiana Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy said Democrats’ arguments on Senate inaction don’t hold water for him. He said House-passed bills have been “bottled up in the Senate because they know they have some poison pills in there.”
“Let’s not be disingenuous. The fact is they know that there’s some things that are very objectionable to the people on the Senate side. … Don’t sit there and claim righteousness in terms of, ‘Oh, we sent you the perfect bill, why don’t you just pass it?’”
Poison pills
There have been a host of House-passed bills that Republicans have complained contain distasteful provisions, including a bill to lower the cost of prescription drugs, the Violence Against Women Act and a bill addressing so-called forever chemicals.
Beyond poison pills in legislation, it’s undeniably true that Democrats in the House passed a lot of bills in 2019 with the knowledge that most of them would die in the Senate.


Bitcoin Intermediaries

Bitcoin ’ s decentralized infrastructure has led to unprecedented questions about not only whether to regulate it , but also @ @ @ @ @ to regulate .
Fintech Beat sits down with one of the world ’ s leading @ @ @ @ @ learn about how nodes and mining pools power the ecosystem , and how they may @ @ @ @ @ focal points of regulatory supervision .

Bitcoin’s decentralized infrastructure has led to unprecedented questions about not only whether to regulate it, but also what, if anything, to regulate. Fintech Beat sits down with one of the world’s leading experts on Bitcoin law to learn about how nodes and mining pools power the ecosystem, and how they may one day be viewed as focal points of regulatory supervision.


rollcall--2020-01-27--View from the gallery: Senators’ personal habits on full display as week 2 begins

Sen. Joe Manchin , D-W. Va. , walks to the Senate chamber for the start of the impeachment trial proceedings Monday .
( Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call ) Tennessee Republican Lamar Alexander fought off sleep as President Donald Trump ’ s legal team discussed a history of subpoena litigation , eyes closed , his cheek resting on his hand , his chin sometimes dropping toward his orange sweater .
When Deputy White House counsel Patrick Philbin announced he was ready to wrap up his portion of Trump ’ s presentation , Alexander studied his watch .
It was only 4:30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours left in Monday ’ s session .
Alexander and Kansas Republican Jerry Moran , who had just yawned into the back of his hand , were among at least seven senators who departed their desks for a cloakroom as soon as Philbin concluded .
It was the sixth full day in the chamber for the third presidential impeachment trial in U.S. history , and the 100 senators dealt with a new crop of Senate pages and showed signs of restlessness during a Trump presentation with long stretches of discussion about constitutional standards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ played got reactions from some senators , who largely appeared to pay close attention throughout the day .
During a video of a Hunter Biden television interview , South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham put his thumb and pointer finger on the bridge of his nose , closed his eyes and shook his head .
As a video played of a 2012 presidential debate between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney , a few of his GOP colleagues looked over at the Utah Republican .
Romney kept a straight face , but a hint of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been in the crosshairs during the impeachment trial , as one of the few Republicans calling for the Senate to hear from witnesses .
[ Dershowitz argues Trump can not be convicted without a criminal offense ] Alexander , also noted as a moderate Republican to watch on questions of whether the Senate will vote to allow more witnesses to testify at the trial , was one to watch Monday instead for bending trial rules about cellphones and eating .
Alexander returned from the cloakroom after Philbin ’ s presentation with food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the contents into his hand and then shoveling it into his mouth as he stood at the back of the chamber .
He went to his desk and continued eating .
When Alexander finished the food , he folded the wrapper and slipped it into his desk drawer , and in one motion pulled his cellphone from the desk .
He slipped the contraband into his right jacket pocket and departed for the cloakroom .
When he returned , he was holding food in his lap , breaking off discreet bites to bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the food rule , including South Carolina Republican Tim Scott , who reached down several times with his right hand to pull some small snack from his left hand and bring it to his mouth .
After he finished , he wiped the hand that was holding the forbidden treat off on his pants .
Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable There were some tense moments between the teams .
As Eric D. Herschmann criticized lead House manager Rep. Adam B. Schiff for “ running away ” from the transcript of the Trump call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ making up ” a conversation , Schiff sat just feet away and stared right at him , completely still , with his left leg crossed over his right and his fingers laced over his left knee .
The California Democrat ’ s face didn ’ t move as Herschmann repeatedly attempted to discredit him .
Later in the evening , Herschmann and Schiff were in a sort of stare down as Trump ’ s lawyer once again invoked Schiff and directed his arguments squarely at the House Democratic managers , rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tried to get comfortable .
Louisiana Republican Bill Cassidy put his finger to his ear and swirled it around to clear an apparent blockage .
Vermont Independent Bernie Sanders used his right pinky to pick his nose , then reached into his jacket pocket for a tissue to wipe his face .
Later he offered a mint to Wisconsin Democrat Tammy Baldwin , who accepted .
Senators found ways to stretch out while seated .
West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin III used the shelf under his desk as a footrest .
Sanders used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his chair off the ground and rocked back and forth a bit on it — a dangerous proposition considering the senators ’ chairs are all on wheels .
Colorado Democrat Michael Bennet , as the presentation continued after dinner , chewed gum and took a minute to study the chamber ’ s ceiling .
Although the senators settled in for the second week of the impeachment trial , a fresh new class of Senate pages was thrown into service Monday .
The new pages moved tentatively through the chamber as the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against impeachment , no doubt afraid of spilling water or misidentifying someone .
Their predecessors had come to know which lawmakers like ice in their water and had memorized the seating chart .
But the fresh new crop of high schoolers were still being trained on opening and closing the chamber doors as senators flowed in for the trial .
Before the proceedings began , Oklahoma Republican James M. Inhofe chatted with two pages manning the center aisle doors , giving one a pat on the back .
During a break , Maine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sitting at the front of the chamber , asking them where they are from and introducing himself .
“ Welcome , you ’ ve come at an amazing time , ” he told the four teens .
“ Keep it up.
” One of the most obvious signs that the pages were still getting acquainted came in the 2 p.m. hour when Manchin placed what appeared to be the first milk order of the day .
The West Virginia Democrat signaled a male page over to his desk and then whispered instructions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he talked .
The page started to back away when Manchin grabbed his attention to ask for one more thing .
The page within minutes returned with the three things Manchin requested — a glass of water , a plastic container of milk and a small white envelope .
Manchin immediately recognized the page ’ s mistake with the milk , signaling to his water glass to show the page he should ’ ve poured the milk into one before bringing it out .
As the page returned the plastic container to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ envelope , pulled out a cough drop , unwrapped it and plucked it in his mouth , depositing the wrapper in a trash can located behind him .
The page then returned with Manchin ’ s milk in a glass .
But that wasn ’ t his final trip .
The page stopped by Manchin ’ s desk a fourth time to deliver a coaster for the milk glass that he forgot the first two times into the cloakroom .
Speaking of coasters , former Harvard Law School professor Alan Dershowitz , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day ’ s closing presentation for Trump ’ s impeachment defense , snuck himself a souvenir .
He took a sip of water while waiting to speak and noticed the standard Senate coaster .
He admired it for a second , before placing it on top of his expanding legal folder .
After his presentation , Dershowitz slipped the three old legal books he brought into the folder , then slipped the coaster inside with them .
Patrick Kelley and Chris Marquette contributed to this report .

Tennessee Republican Lamar Alexander fought off sleep as President Donald Trump’s legal team discussed a history of subpoena litigation, eyes closed, his cheek resting on his hand, his chin sometimes dropping toward his orange sweater.
When Deputy White House counsel Patrick Philbin announced he was ready to wrap up his portion of Trump’s presentation, Alexander studied his watch.
It was only 4:30 p.m., and there were about 4.5 hours left in Monday’s session.
Alexander and Kansas Republican Jerry Moran, who had just yawned into the back of his hand, were among at least seven senators who departed their desks for a cloakroom as soon as Philbin concluded.


rollcall--2020-01-27--Dershowitz argues Trump cannot be convicted without a criminal offense

An iPhone playing the House impeachment managers ’ news conference Monday sits on the floor of the Senate Reception Room before the start of the trial proceedings .
( Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call ) Alan Dershowitz , former Harvard Law School professor and controversial defense attorney , made his debut in the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump on Monday with a deep history lesson and argument that the president can not be convicted without an actual criminal offense .
Trump ’ s defense team teased Dershowitz ’ s arguments more than once throughout the day , like the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And it was not an accident that the star consultant on the Trump defense team landed in primetime .
Dershowitz is a proud contrarian and highlighted almost immediately that he did not vote for Trump .
He is against the impeachment of the president based on the charges put forth by the House articles and arguments that he says do not rise to a criminal offense and therefore are not impeachable .
“ I would be making these very same constitutional arguments had Hillary Clinton , for whom I voted , been elected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeach her on these unconstitutional grounds .
I am here today , because I love my country and our Constitution , ” he said .
Dershowitz was the first Trump defense counsel to address the draft of former National Security Adviser John Bolton 's book reported by The New York Times on Sunday that says Trump directed Bolton to pause military aid to Ukraine until Kyiv investigated Trump ’ s rivals .
“ Nothing in the Bolton revelations , even if true , would rise to the level of an abuse of power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Dershowitz ’ s role was to put the charges against Trump in a constitutional context , working his way through history beginning with the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia up to the present .
He said he “ abhorred ” former President Richard Nixon , “ whose impeachment I personally favored , ” and said he opposed the impeachment of Bill Clinton .
“ I stand against the application and misapplication of the constitutional criteria in every case , and against any president without regard to whether I support his or her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Dershowitz has gained notoriety by representing high-profile clients including O.J .
Simpson , Mike Tyson , newspaper heiress Patty Hearst and most recently financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein .
Trump ’ s lawyers on Monday doubled down on their defense of the impeached president , arguing their client did nothing wrong and raising similar themes the president and his allies have stressed for months .
Throughout the fifth day of the Senate ’ s impeachment trial , Trump ’ s legal team argued the president — who Democrats say withheld @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in exchange for a political favor — has worked to defend Ukraine , downplayed the roles of Trump ’ s associates in the alleged scheme and attacked former Vice President Joe Biden and his family .
Jay Sekulow , one of Trump ’ s lawyers , told the Senate that Trump has been a “ best friend ” to Ukraine .
Sekulow argued that because Trump approved the delivery of lethal military weapons to Ukraine , which has been fighting Russia-backed separatists , Trump has proven to be a more reliable patron to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barack Obama blocked the United States from arming Ukrainian forces with lethal weapons after Russia invaded and annexed Ukrainian territory in 2014 .
But the Obama administration did provide the country with military equipment , such as vehicles , training and other support .
“ These are the facts , ” Sekulow told the Senate of Trump ’ s support of Ukraine .
But at the center of the impeachment trial is Trump 's decision to delay the delivery of nearly $ 400 million to Ukraine over the summer .
Democrats contend that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure Kyiv to announce an investigation into Biden ’ s son Hunter , who sat on the board of a Ukrainian gas company while his father was vice president and involved in U.S. foreign policy decisions in that country .
No entity in either the United States or Ukraine has found any wrongdoing by either of the Bidens , a point Biden 's campaign stressed Monday .
That proposed investigation , Democrats argue , was intended to bludgeon Biden ’ s chances at the nomination and the presidency .
The aid was eventually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was only dispersed because Trump ’ s scheme was exposed .
[ House Democrats are making McConnell — not Trump — their new boogeyman ] Throughout the day , Trump ’ s team worked to convince the Senate that Trump ’ s desired investigation into the Bidens was a legitimate endeavor and not one intended to give Trump an electoral edge .
Trump ’ s defense team , like House Republicans during the impeachment inquiry , argued that Trump sought the investigation to uncover corruption .
The team made the case that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in energy or Ukraine , secured his lucrative sinecure at gas company Burisma because he was the vice president ’ s son .
Former Florida Attorney General and Trump lawyer Pam Bondi detailed how Burisma and the oligarch who ran it avoided lawsuits while Hunter sat on its board .
Meanwhile , Trump 's attorneys argued , Joe Biden was involved in U.S.-Ukrainian foreign policy and pressured Ukraine to fire its prosecutor general while Burisma avoided those lawsuits during Hunter ’ s tenure .
Trump ’ s defense team also worked to diminish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former mayor of New York and Trump ’ s personal lawyer , in Trump ’ s alleged scheme .
That statement contrasts with the U.S. ambassador to the European Union ’ s testimony before the House late last year that Giuliani was among Trump ’ s closest confidants with respect to Ukraine .
“ We worked with Mr. Giuliani because the president directed us to do so , ” Gordon Sondland told the House Intelligence Committee .
“ Until Rudy was satisfied , the president wasn ’ t going to change his mind.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there could be enough votes to subpoena Bolton to testify before the Senate .
Following the reports that Bolton ’ s coming memoir , Utah Republican Mitt Romney and Maine Republican Susan Collins indicated they would like to hear from Bolton directly .
The Senate resolution governing the impeachment trial allows the Senate to vote on whether to hear from witnesses .
That vote will likely take place Friday .

Alan Dershowitz, former Harvard Law School professor and controversial defense attorney, made his debut in the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump on Monday with a deep history lesson and argument that the president cannot be convicted without an actual criminal offense.
Trump’s defense team teased Dershowitz’s arguments more than once throughout the day, like the evening news promotes its big story. And it was not an accident that the star consultant on the Trump defense team landed in primetime.
Dershowitz is a proud contrarian and highlighted almost immediately that he did not vote for Trump. He is against the impeachment of the president based on the charges put forth by the House articles and arguments that he says do not rise to a criminal offense and therefore are not impeachable.
“I would be making these very same constitutional arguments had Hillary Clinton, for whom I voted, been elected and had a Republican House voted to impeach her on these unconstitutional grounds. I am here today, because I love my country and our Constitution,” he said.
Dershowitz was the first Trump defense counsel to address the draft of former National Security Adviser John Bolton’s book reported by The New York Times on Sunday that says Trump directed Bolton to pause military aid to Ukraine until Kyiv investigated Trump’s rivals.


rollcall--2020-01-28--DeFazio readies 'transformative' infrastructure bill

House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter A. DeFazio said Tuesday he will push for a “ transformative ” infrastructure bill that will aim to eliminate carbon emissions from transportation , encourage the government to build carbon-neutral buildings , make renewable fuels more available to airlines and increase transit options , including rail .
DeFazio , an Oregon Democrat , will present what he characterizes as a framework to House Democrats on Wednesday morning , with tentative plans to publicly roll out that framework later in the day .
The House Ways and Mean Committee has scheduled a hearing to examine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ package at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday .
In an interview off the House floor late Tuesday , DeFazio said his plan would be “ a definitive departure from our last 70 years ” since the 1956 creation of the interstate highway system .
[ House Democrats offer plan for zero carbon emissions by 2050 ] “ It is going to set the path for the 21st century to defossilize transportation , ” he said , referencing the use of greenhouse gas-emitting fuels derived from oil .
The bill will take a multipronged approach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling for transit options to give people an alternative to airlines and automobiles .
It will encourage building infrastructure with what DeFazio calls “ more climate-friendly ” materials , including nanotechnology additives that can help concrete absorb carbon .
And it includes building more resilient infrastructure , such as bridges designed to survive extreme weather events , he said .
“ We ’ re looking at every sector under my jurisdiction and attempting to meet the goals of the Green New Deal , ” he said .
“ And we will be creating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in doing that.
” DeFazio said he had presented his ideas to Republicans on the committee and that they urged him to “ don ’ t count us out.
” Minutes after DeFazio spoke to reporters Tuesday , House Transportation and Infrastructure ranking member Sam Graves , R-Mo.
, released a list of GOP principles for the bill , urging Democrats to incorporate their priorities into a broader bill .
But the top item on that list — addressing the long-term sustainability of the Highway Trust Fund — will likely be the biggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also be the topic of the Ways and Means hearing .
DeFazio has suggested Congress raise the gas tax in part by indexing it to inflation .
And groups as diverse as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce , AFL-CIO , American Public Transportation Association and American Trucking Associations have also backed an increase in the gas tax , which is fixed at 18.3 cents per gallon of gasoline and 24.3 cents per gallon for diesel and kerosene .
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles E. Grassley , R-Iowa , has been reluctant to embrace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Graves , meanwhile , has endorsed a mechanism that would allow highway users to pay based on vehicle miles traveled .
He cited a report by the state of Washington recommending it move away from fuel taxes to a vehicle miles traveled system to pay for the state ’ s highways , saying “ the report clearly shows that transitioning to a VMT system is a more equitable way to charge drivers for the roads they use , and that we are in fact capable of beginning that transition now .
”

House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter A. DeFazio said Tuesday he will push for a “transformative” infrastructure bill that will aim to eliminate carbon emissions from transportation, encourage the government to build carbon-neutral buildings, make renewable fuels more available to airlines and increase transit options, including rail.
DeFazio, an Oregon Democrat, will present what he characterizes as a framework to House Democrats on Wednesday morning, with tentative plans to publicly roll out that framework later in the day.
The House Ways and Mean Committee has scheduled a hearing to examine options for paying for a massive infrastructure package at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
In an interview off the House floor late Tuesday, DeFazio said his plan would be “a definitive departure from our last 70 years” since the 1956 creation of the interstate highway system.
[House Democrats offer plan for zero carbon emissions by 2050]


rollcall--2020-01-28--‘Love of the game’: Congress honors Kobe

Reps. Harley Rouda and Maxine Waters stand next to each other during Tuesday ’ s House floor tribute to Kobe @ @ @ @ @ Studio ) The House paused briefly Tuesday to honor NBA legend Kobe Bryant , who @ @ @ @ @ Sunday alongside his daughter and seven others .
California Reps. Maxine Waters and Harley Rouda @ @ @ @ @ of the House by 16 other members for the moment of silence , which lasted @ @ @ @ @ remembrance , Rouda read the names of all nine people who died in a crash @ @ @ @ @ Those who lost their lives “ were all connected by the love of the game @ @ @ @ @ Calling the 20-year Los Angeles Lakers veteran “ one of the greatest athletes we ’ @ @ @ @ @ Waters said , “ Kobe ’ s death is deeply painful for our city and @ @ @ @ @ ” The tragic event was “ made worse by the death of his 13-year-old daughter @ @ @ @ @ she added .

The House paused briefly Tuesday to honor NBA legend Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash Sunday alongside his daughter and seven others. California Reps. Maxine Waters and Harley Rouda were joined in the well of the House by 16 other members for the moment of silence, which lasted 33 seconds.
Before the remembrance, Rouda read the names of all nine people who died in a crash he called “horrific.” Those who lost their lives “were all connected by the love of the game,” he said.
Calling the 20-year Los Angeles Lakers veteran “one of the greatest athletes we’ve ever known,” Waters said, “Kobe’s death is deeply painful for our city and his millions of fans everywhere.”
The tragic event was “made worse by the death of his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna Bryant,” she added.


rollcall--2020-01-28--View from the gallery: Lots of cross-party talk - and cross-contamination - at Senate trial

Sen. Mitt Romney , R-Utah , talks with reporters in the Senate subway before the continuation of the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump on Tuesday .
( Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call ) Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York sat still at his desk as President Donald Trump ’ s defense team played a montage of decades-old statements from Democrats regarding Bill Clinton ’ s impeachment .
It ended with a clip of Schumer , then a House member , warning against the dangers of partisan impeachment .
“ You were right , ” Trump lawyer Pat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few feet away .
The Republican side of the chamber burst out laughing , in one of the loudest reactions from senators during Trump ’ s impeachment trial .
Schumer stifled any reaction .
It was the seventh day in the chamber for the third presidential impeachment trial in U.S. history , and the 100 senators had a shorter day as Trump ’ s team wrapped up their defense of the president .
The day ’ s only recess — about 15 minutes long — provided plenty of opportunity for bipartisan discussion .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Murkowski of Alaska , who sit next to each other and are seen as potential key votes to call witnesses at the trial , remained seated and conversed for the first several minutes of the recess .
Meanwhile , Virginia Democrat Tim Kaine walked over to the Republican side of the chamber , where he and Mississippi Republican Roger Wicker fist-bumped .
The two men may disagree on impeachment , and all things Trump , but their states ’ shared interest in shipbuilding has united them throughout their careers .
Kaine then meandered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s legal team sits and chatted with Republican Sens .
Todd Young of Indiana and Rand Paul of Kentucky .
Arizona Democrat Kyrsten Sinema burst into a conversation near the GOP cloakroom between Texas Republican John Cornyn and Oregon Republican Rep. Greg Walden to greet her former House colleague .
Sinema , sitting near her rival party ’ s cloakroom during the break , also chatted with Ohio Republican Rob Portman .
Alaska Republican Dan Sullivan later joined the conversation .
Meanwhile , Utah Republican Mitt Romney crossed the chamber to deliver a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Washington Democrat Maria Cantwell crossed the chamber to chat with Tennessee Republican Marsha Blackburn at her desk .
When the break ended and Cipollone resumed his arguments , the chamber wasn ’ t quite full .
Senators meandered into the chamber while the White House counsel played the video montage .
Immediately after closing , McConnell huddled with Trump lawyers Jay Sekulow and Cipollone as senators and counsel lingered on the floor .
Sinema again made her way over near the doors to the GOP cloakroom to chat with Walden and later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin III and Collins talked near her desk before leaving the floor .
More House members , back from last week ’ s recess , took to the floor to watch .
Michigan Republican Rep. Fred Upton sat along the back wall on the GOP side watching the arguments .
After about 45 minutes , he was joined by New York Republican Reps. Lee Zeldin and Elise Stefanik .
On the Democratic side , Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee was the first non-impeachment manager House Democrat to arrive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas , David Cicilline of Rhode Island and Joe Neguse of Colorado .
To begin the day , Romney entered the chamber a few minutes before the trial was set to resume , carrying a plastic bottle of chocolate milk , which he put on his desk .
A doorkeeper came over and said something to him .
He then brought his bottle of milk into the cloakroom and eventually returned with his chocolatey treat in a glass .
Romney put the glass down on his desk and stood and chatted with some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occupied , a Senate page came to slip a coaster under the chocolate milk .
Romney took small sips of the chocolate milk during the beginning of the day ’ s arguments , seeming to savor the sweet beverage .
Fun fact : Chocolate milk has long been one of the Utah Republican ’ s guilty pleasures , even longer than he ’ s been a politician from Utah .
Back in 2011 , his wife Ann told Parade that he prefers low-fat Over The Moon chocolate milk .
And as the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s already something going around in the Senate .
Tuesday ’ s arguments from Sekulow were punctuated by coughs from both sides of the aisle , and many senators were seen mopping their noses with tissues .
Patrick J. Leahy of Vermont , Michael B. Enzi of Wyoming , Jeff Merkley of Oregon , Dianne Feinstein of California and Martha McSally of Arizona let out coughs during the first hour or so .
Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Tammy Duckworth of Illinois were seen wiping their noses with tissues .
Baldwin also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wad of tissues in her palm .

Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York sat still at his desk as President Donald Trump’s defense team played a montage of decades-old statements from Democrats regarding Bill Clinton’s impeachment.
It ended with a clip of Schumer, then a House member, warning against the dangers of partisan impeachment.
“You were right,” Trump lawyer Pat Cipollone told Schumer, sitting just a few feet away.
The Republican side of the chamber burst out laughing, in one of the loudest reactions from senators during Trump’s impeachment trial. Schumer stifled any reaction.
It was the seventh day in the chamber for the third presidential impeachment trial in U.S. history, and the 100 senators had a shorter day as Trump’s team wrapped up their defense of the president.


rollcall--2020-01-28--Coronavirus transmission: Scientists need basic answers

Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar arrives for the start of a Senate Finance Committee hearing on March @ @ @ @ @ Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo ) “ Our current assessment is that the immediate @ @ @ @ @ virus to the general public is low in our nation , ” Centers for Disease @ @ @ @ @ Redfield told a group of reporters about the coronavirus at a news conference Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ Alex Azar held a joint press conference with directors from the Centers for Disease Control @ @ @ @ @ for Immunization and Respiratory Disease and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases .
@ @ @ @ @ point that while little is yet known about the novel virus they felt there was @ @ @ @ @ public to worry .

“Our current assessment is that the immediate health risk of this new virus to the general public is low in our nation,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield told a group of reporters about the coronavirus at a news conference Tuesday.
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar held a joint press conference with directors from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. All four officials emphasized the point that while little is yet known about the novel virus they felt there was no reason for the American public to worry.


rollcall--2020-01-28--House Democrats offer plan for zero carbon emissions by 2050

Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. , D-N.J. , talks with reporters after a meeting of the House Democratic Caucus .
( Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo ) House Energy and Commerce Democratic leaders unveiled a draft climate bill aimed at decarbonizing the U.S. economy by 2050 , even as House Republicans expect to release their own plan in coming weeks .
The draft measure reflects prescriptions in a blueprint the Democrats released earlier this month , led by committee leaders Frank Pallone Jr. , D-N.J. , and Paul Tonko , D-N.Y. , and Bobby L. Rush , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy by 2050 .
The unveiling Tuesday of the draft bill comes before the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis produces its own climate action recommendations , which are expected by March .
Asked why the lawmakers didn ’ t wait for the select committee ’ s report , Tonko , who is chairman of Energy and Commerce ’ s Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee , told CQ Roll Call that the lawmakers are “ doing everything within our jurisdictional boundaries , ” and that he anticipates some of the select @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to what is in the draft bill .
“ It ’ s a huge stretch across the issue areas and committees , ” Tonko said of the bill .
“ This is our statement on what we believe is best from hearings that we ’ ve held and from stakeholder roundtables and perspectives from every angle and sharing their thoughts .
.
.
.
We have done our committee assignment that we share with the select committee.
” The 622-page draft called for the elimination of carbon emissions from the U.S. economy by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also paying attention to historically marginalized and low-income communities that bear the worst effects of climate change .
The legislation would require federal agencies to develop and present to Congress plans to achieve a national goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 .
It would also create a national Clean Electricity Standard , requiring utilities to generate 100 percent of their electricity from clean energy sources by 2050 and allowing states to establish their own strategies for meeting that timeline .
The EPA would have to approve each state ’ s plan .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ clean energy credits to meet their annual requirements , according to a summary provided by the committee .
That credit proposal was panned by at least one environmental advocacy group , Friends of the Earth , which said it was ineffective and would keep doors open for polluters .
“ Fossil fuels must be kept in the ground , not kept in business , ” Friends of the Earth senior policy analyst Lukas Ross said in a news release .
“ This is the opposite of climate leadership.
” The draft adds to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this Congress that face almost no chance of reaching the floor of the GOP-led Senate under Majority Leader Mitch McConnell .
“ I think they ’ re setting the table for a future Democratic president and a future Senate , which is what they should do , but I don ’ t think there ’ s any expectation that this is going to be signed into law , ” Rep. John Shimkus , R-Ill. , who is ranking member of the Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee , said of the Democrats .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planning to release a Republican alternative that he hopes will include some of the ideas Energy and Commerce Republicans have backed .
Republicans said the 12 climate-related bills they ’ ll offer could gain bipartisan support and become law if Democrats agree to vote on them .
The bills include measures to bolster carbon capture and utilization technology , encourage nuclear energy , natural gas and investing in research for grid-scale energy storage systems .
The Democrats say their plan incorporates some of those GOP ideas , as well as bills from others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would also establish a Buy Clean Program to encourage use of low-carbon construction materials and products for federally backed projects .
It would create a National Climate Bank to help pay for private and public efforts to transition to a cleaner economy , climate resilience , modernizing the electric grid and for agriculture projects .
The draft also would require the EPA to set clean car standards for new passenger cars , light-duty trucks , new medium-duty passenger vehicles and heavy-duty vehicles .
The bill would also direct funding toward other programs such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and drinking water infrastructure .
The League of Conservation voters welcomed the plan as an encouraging step .
“ In stark contrast to the most anti-environment president in history and his allies in charge of the Senate who continue to put the health and well-being of our children and families at risk by siding with polluters , we ’ re encouraged to see momentum building throughout the U.S. House of Representatives for the climate solutions we so desperately need , ” Sara Chieffo , vice president of government affairs at the League of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say they ’ ll continue taking recommendations and holding hearings on the legislation throughout the year .
“ Every day , communities across the country are paying the price for inaction through record wildfires , flooding and drought and Congress can not afford to simply watch from the sidelines , ” Pallone , Tonko and Rush said in a joint news release .
“ The CLEAN Future Act treats this climate crisis like the emergency that it is , while also setting the foundation for strengthening our economy and creating good paying jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

House Energy and Commerce Democratic leaders unveiled a draft climate bill aimed at decarbonizing the U.S. economy by 2050, even as House Republicans expect to release their own plan in coming weeks.
The draft measure reflects prescriptions in a blueprint the Democrats released earlier this month, led by committee leaders Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J., and Paul Tonko, D-N.Y., and Bobby L. Rush, D-Ill., to remove carbon emissions from the economy by 2050.
The unveiling Tuesday of the draft bill comes before the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis produces its own climate action recommendations, which are expected by March.
Asked why the lawmakers didn’t wait for the select committee’s report, Tonko, who is chairman of Energy and Commerce’s Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee, told CQ Roll Call that the lawmakers are “doing everything within our jurisdictional boundaries,” and that he anticipates some of the select committee’s recommendations will be similar to what is in the draft bill.
“It’s a huge stretch across the issue areas and committees,” Tonko said of the bill. “This is our statement on what we believe is best from hearings that we’ve held and from stakeholder roundtables and perspectives from every angle and sharing their thoughts. . . . We have done our committee assignment that we share with the select committee.”


rollcall--2020-01-28--Impeachment trial, like much of Trump’s presidency, is unprecedented

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. leaves the Capitol on Saturday after the Senate adjourned for the day in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump .
( Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call ) President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial , like many of his administration ’ s actions before it , has ventured into uncharted legal territory .
The trial lacks definitive answers on key issues , either from federal courts or the Senate itself , which has fed an undercurrent of uncertainty about what happens next in an institution usually steeped in precedents and traditions .
How the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days — from the bar for removing a president to how witnesses testify at an impeachment trial — likely will set standards for presidential behavior and congressional oversight efforts long after Trump leaves office .
Adding to the uncertainty were reports late Tuesday that there were now enough votes to call witnesses , but how many and the manner in which they would be examined or deposed was unknown .
Outside the Senate , federal courts have grappled for years with similar separation-of-powers issues prompted by the actions of Trump ’ s presidency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers seeking to enforce constitutional provisions about presidents benefiting financially from the office .
There ’ s also litigation on the ability of congressional investigators to subpoena a president ’ s tax returns and financial records , which is currently before the Supreme Court , and Trump ’ s emergency actions to spend unappropriated money on a border wall , as well as whether some former officials have “ absolute immunity ” from congressional subpoenas , and more .
Courts have yet to give a definitive answer on those issues .
Now the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own , such as whether articles of impeachment must allege a crime or the process for calling witnesses such as former national security adviser John Bolton .
The lingering uncertainty fuels the political pressure on the Senate and sparks debate among legal professors and Senate rules experts .
And it underscores just how unpredictable the next few days and weeks could become .
“ There are all sorts of holes in the law , but impeachments are incredibly rare , so there are , not surprisingly , still a lot of open issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garber , who teaches political investigations and impeachment at Tulane Law School .
The unanswered questions go to the heart of the impeachment charges , as well as what will happen in the rest of the trial itself .
A main part of Trump ’ s comparatively brief defense , presented to the Senate late Monday by former Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz , contends that the Senate should not convict because the articles of impeachment do not include a criminal violation .
Other constitutional law scholars widely disagree , as do Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the academic consensus is that criminal conduct is not required for impeachment and that abuse of power and obstruction of Congress are sufficient , ” Dershowitz told senators .
“ I do my own research , and I do my own thinking , and I have never bowed to the majority on intellectual or scholarly matters.
” The Senate ’ s decision , if made on the power of Dershowitz ’ s arguments , could establish a precedent of impeachment requiring a criminal allegation .
Some Democrats said Dershowitz mischaracterized the intentions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some Republicans said they found it persuasive .
“ Dershowitz eviscerates the Dems ’ case tonight , ” Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley tweeted .
“ They have not charged an impeachable offense or alleged impeachable conduct .
Period .
Let ’ s vote ” Some House Democrats and some legal experts point out that although the two articles of impeachment are not crimes , they include the elements of bribery .
They say Trump used his official power to withhold military aid to Ukraine to obtain a “ thing of value ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country ’ s president of an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden .
But off the Hill , such a question has never been fully tested in a criminal court .
And a “ thing of value ” is not well-defined , leaving sharp disagreement among legal experts about whether Congress could ban a candidate from asking a foreign government for help without stepping on the First Amendment .
Most of the unanswered questions now swirl around the possible testimony from Bolton , whose leaked book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undercut Trump ’ s defense in the impeachment trial that he did “ absolutely nothing wrong.
” Among them : The process for compelling Bolton to testify , whether Trump could go to court to claim Bolton is immune from subpoenas , whether courts would enforce a subpoena in the impeachment context , whether Trump could claim executive privilege to block Bolton ’ s testimony , whether a Senate vote could override that executive privilege , and whether the courts would resolve that executive privilege dispute or leave it up to the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence that Trump conditioned military aid to Ukraine on that country ’ s president announcing investigations into the Bidens .
The confusion about it is on and off Capitol Hill .
On Monday , two Georgetown University Law Center professors and a former member of Congress wrote an op-ed in The New York Times that said Senate impeachment rules stipulate that Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. is the decision-maker on subpoenas for key witnesses and has the power to issue them by himself .
The trio argued House managers should request Roberts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts pointed out that their analysis overlooked a rule that says the Senate “ has the power to compel the attendance of witnesses.
” “ Senators can of course *try* the tactic proposed in the op-ed , ” tweeted Sarah Binder , a political science professor at George Washington University .
“ But ultimately , the power of Democrats to succeed in calling witnesses is *likely* to depend on securing GOP votes for their procedural gambit.
” The White House reportedly is prepared to claim executive privilege over Bolton ’ s testimony and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that issue .
Hawley said Friday that “ it ’ s just a fact ” that calling witnesses would lead to a prolonged legal drama in the courts .
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and other Democrats contend that any White House lawsuit wouldn ’ t get too far in the courts .
What is less clear is how long such a fight might take , even if the courts expedite it .
“ If the subpoenas are voted on bipartisan , and signed by the chief justice , I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with that , ” Schumer said Tuesday .
“ And everyone knows that Trump ’ s claims for executive privilege — which he ’ s never really issued — in terms of immunity are so absolute that they ’ re almost meaningless .
”

President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, like many of his administration’s actions before it, has ventured into uncharted legal territory.
The trial lacks definitive answers on key issues, either from federal courts or the Senate itself, which has fed an undercurrent of uncertainty about what happens next in an institution usually steeped in precedents and traditions.
How the Senate tackles these issues over the coming days — from the bar for removing a president to how witnesses testify at an impeachment trial — likely will set standards for presidential behavior and congressional oversight efforts long after Trump leaves office. Adding to the uncertainty were reports late Tuesday that there were now enough votes to call witnesses, but how many and the manner in which they would be examined or deposed was unknown.
Outside the Senate, federal courts have grappled for years with similar separation-of-powers issues prompted by the actions of Trump’s presidency.
There’s ongoing litigation over lawmakers seeking to enforce constitutional provisions about presidents benefiting financially from the office.