rollcall--2020-01-15--Repeal of Obamacare taxes stirs questions on durability of offsets

The repeal of three taxes levied under the 2010 health care law underscores how much easier it is for lawmakers to give the public a new benefit than it is to impose ways to pay for it .
( Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo ) The repeal last month of three taxes levied under the 2010 health care law represents one of several ways Congress has chipped away over the years at provisions paying for it , but a left-leaning budget think tank calculates the law will still save money overall .
Democratic leaders have often highlighted the law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fiscal responsibility , noting that it expanded coverage to more than 20 million people while Congressional Budget Office estimates showed it still saved the federal government money .
They contrasted that with a 2003 law to add prescription drug coverage to Medicare , which was not paid for .
But the recent repeals of taxes that would have produced $ 373 billion over a decade underscore how much easier it is for lawmakers to give the public a new benefit than it is to impose — or even keep in place — taxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And a conservative health policy expert says a new analysis may be flawed , since so much of the health care law has been adjusted since President Barack Obama signed it in March 2010 .
That analysis , released last week by the liberal Center on Budget and Policy Priorities following CQ Roll Call inquiries to several think tanks , found the health care law would still reduce the deficit by between $ 55 billion and $ 75 billion in 2025 .
The estimates are based on a 2015 CBO analysis that found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by as much as $ 118 billion in 2025 and that repealing the taxes would cut revenue by just over $ 40 billion in 2025 .
Congress repealed the three health care taxes — a 2.3 percent levy on medical devices , a fee on health insurers and a 40 percent excise tax on high-cost health plans ( also known as the Cadillac tax ) — as part of a 2019 spending law .
The taxes were only part of the structure to pay for the expansion of health insurance coverage and subsidies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2010 law .
The law also raised taxes on high-income earners and lowered Medicare payments , among other things .
“ $ 373 billion is another big hole in the deficit at a time when the economy is strong , when if anything , we should be working to reduce deficits rather than increase them , ” Paul Van de Water , a CBPP senior fellow who wrote the analysis , told CQ Roll Call in December .
“ That said , it still leaves the fundamental coverage and provisions of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they don ’ t depend upon the financing sources.
” Brian Blase , formerly of the Trump administration ’ s National Economic Council , called the analysis “ shoddy , ” saying it was flawed since it used the 2015 CBO estimate as a starting point .
The major spending under the law for subsidies and Medicaid expansion was about $ 120 billion in 2019 , he said .
Savings from the tax on high-income earners , changes to Medicare payments and other offsets almost certainly don ’ t equal that sum , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the law would still reduce deficits , in part since the projected spending on subsidies to help people afford their insurance premiums have dropped with the effective repeal of the requirement that most Americans have insurance coverage .
The original 2010 CBO estimate projected that 24 million people would be in the exchanges by 2019 , with many getting federal subsidies .
After several policy changes took place , only about 11 million consumers actually had exchange insurance then .
On the other hand , the cost of Medicaid expansion is higher than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those issues , Van de Water said .
The 2015 CBO score also left out about $ 15 billion in annual Medicare savings , according to the CBPP .
But the law brought in less revenue than projected from penalties for employers who don ’ t offer workers coverage .
Van de Water said factors that changed after the 2015 estimate “ probably reduce the deficit somewhat and partly offset the effect of the tax repeals ” on balance .
“ The latest congressional action took a bite out of those cost savings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the center think is a really unfortunate policy decision , but it remains the case that the ACA as a whole still achieves health care cost reduction , deficit reduction , cost savings , ” said Aviva Aron-Dine , CBPP vice president for health policy .
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle say the repeal of the taxes underscored how lawmakers are placing less importance on deficits .
Louisiana Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy and Wisconsin Democratic Rep. Ron Kind were among those who pointed to the lack of offsets as a reason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas Rep. Lloyd Doggett , one of seven House Democrats who voted against the measure , told CQ Roll Call he opposed it in part because it repealed the taxes without offering any offsets .
“ It is all too consistent with the tendency in Congress to support the easy parts and reject the hard parts , ” added Doggett , who chairs the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee .
“ There ’ s been a tendency to think that we can achieve much good and not have to pay for it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Texas Rep. Kevin Brady , the top Republican on the Ways and Means Committee , said Republicans always opposed the taxes .
“ As Republicans , we ’ ve never believed you should raise taxes in order to take away bad ones , and these three were the worst of the Affordable Care Act , ” he said .
Connecticut Democratic Sen. Christopher S. Murphy suggested Republicans and Democrats had different standards on which laws should be offset .
“ We financed the ACA , but we didn ’ t finance the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ We make up our standards for what needs to be financed and what doesn ’ t need to be financed as we go along.
” Changes to the law Obama made it a priority to ensure the health care law did not raise the deficit .
When it was enacted , the CBO said the law would reduce federal deficits by $ 143 billion between 2010 and 2019 .
The three taxes Congress voted in December to repeal made up roughly an eighth of the law ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a University of Michigan research professor focused on health insurance .
Besides increasing high earners ’ Medicare taxes , the law also reduced payments for Medicare Advantage insurance plans and cut payments to some health care providers in the Medicare fee-for-service program .
It also reduced Medicaid prescription drug payments and called for cutting Medicare and Medicaid payments to hospitals for care for low-income people , although Congress also delayed the hospital cuts .
The law proposed a cost-cutting panel , the Independent Payment Advisory Board , which was never created .
Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including the three repealed taxes and the tax on high-income earners , accounted for roughly half of the factors behind the CBO ’ s projection that the 2010 law would lower deficits over a decade , Levy said .
“ We keep chipping away at the taxes , ” Levy said .
The law ’ s offsets that are still in place , including the Medicare cuts and higher taxes on high-income earners , “ tell [ s ] you a little bit about what kinds of pay-fors may have more or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the CBPP .
Douglas Holtz-Eakin , president of the right-leaning American Action Forum and a former CBO director , said that while the repeal of the taxes would leave a hole in the law ’ s funding , he never expected the Cadillac tax to take effect .
“ Congress has never had the appetite to collect these taxes , ” he said .

The repeal last month of three taxes levied under the 2010 health care law represents one of several ways Congress has chipped away over the years at provisions paying for it, but a left-leaning budget think tank calculates the law will still save money overall.
Democratic leaders have often highlighted the law’s offsets as an example of fiscal responsibility, noting that it expanded coverage to more than 20 million people while Congressional Budget Office estimates showed it still saved the federal government money. They contrasted that with a 2003 law to add prescription drug coverage to Medicare, which was not paid for.
But the recent repeals of taxes that would have produced $373 billion over a decade underscore how much easier it is for lawmakers to give the public a new benefit than it is to impose — or even keep in place — taxes and payment cuts to finance it.
And a conservative health policy expert says a new analysis may be flawed, since so much of the health care law has been adjusted since President Barack Obama signed it in March 2010.


rollcall--2020-01-15--Is Trump really the MVP of the GOP?

Is Trump really the MVP of the GOP?

President Donald Trump may not be as extraordinary a candidate as he gets credit for , and his status as GOP savior might be overrated , Gonzales writes .
( Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo ) After a tumultuous 2018 that saw them lose their House majority , Republicans often seem eager to dismiss those midterm results as typical while pining for the next election when President Donald Trump will top the ballot and drive turnout in their favor .
A closer look , however , shows Trump may not be as extraordinary a candidate as he gets credit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ savior might be overrated .
Trump is regarded as a Republican hero , not only for winning the presidency in 2016 but also for delivering electoral votes from states such as Michigan , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin for the first time in at least 28 years .
But in two of those states , the president actually underperformed a typical GOP candidate , according to Inside Elections ’ Vote Above Replacement , or VAR , metric .
VAR measures the strength of a political candidate relative to a typical candidate from their party by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s vote with the party ’ s Baseline .
Baseline is the trimmed mean of each party ’ s performance in partisan , contested statewide elections over the four most recent general election cycles .
In 2016 , Trump carried Michigan with 47.5 percent of the vote .
But the 2016 Republican Baseline for Michigan was 48.9 percent , meaning he underperformed a typical GOP candidate , with a -1.4 VAR .
Trump carried Wisconsin with 47.2 percent , but he had a -3.4 VAR because the GOP Baseline for Wisconsin was 50.6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the three states Trump flipped where he overperformed : Trump had a +1.4 VAR because the GOP Baseline was 46.8 percent , and he carried the Keystone State with 48.2 percent .
Overall , Trump had a positive VAR in 15 states and a negative VAR in 35 states , including some of the most important battlegrounds .
The president had a negative VAR in seven of the 10 closest states from 2016 , including Arizona ( -4.7 ) , Florida ( -3.5 ) , Wisconsin ( -3.4 ) , Nevada ( -2.6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Carolina ( -0.8 ) and New Hampshire ( -0.8 ) .
That ’ s potentially bad news for Trump ’ s reelection prospects if the GOP ’ s overall standing has diminished during his first term and he underperforms again .
Trump had a positive VAR in three of the closest states from 2016 , including Maine ( +2.3 ) , Pennsylvania ( +1.4 ) and Minnesota ( +1.0 ) .
That ’ s both good news and concerning for the GOP considering those are the only three states broadly considered battlegrounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overperforming a typical GOP candidate .
For example , Trump earning positive VAR scores in Kentucky ( +8.3 ) , Missouri ( +5.0 ) , Oklahoma ( +2.1 ) and Alabama ( +1.9 ) doesn ’ t change the Electoral College math .
On the other hand , Trump had negative VAR scores in Texas ( -5.8 ) and Georgia ( -4.3 ) , where Republicans ’ grip is loosening , and Colorado ( -4.8 ) and Virginia ( -2.6 ) , which might already be lost to them for the foreseeable future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean Trump can ’ t or won ’ t win reelection .
Since 2016 , he has had time to change his standing in some states .
And Republicans could benefit from increased turnout in 2020 , when their most popular candidate will be on the ballot , compared with 2018 , when he wasn ’ t .
But these statistics suggest that Trump isn ’ t the only one who can win key states , and the movement in the Upper Midwest might be more structural rather than specific to Trump .

After a tumultuous 2018 that saw them lose their House majority, Republicans often seem eager to dismiss those midterm results as typical while pining for the next election when President Donald Trump will top the ballot and drive turnout in their favor.
A closer look, however, shows Trump may not be as extraordinary a candidate as he gets credit for, and his status as GOP savior might be overrated.
Trump is regarded as a Republican hero, not only for winning the presidency in 2016 but also for delivering electoral votes from states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin for the first time in at least 28 years. But in two of those states, the president actually underperformed a typical GOP candidate, according to Inside Elections’ Vote Above Replacement, or VAR, metric.
VAR measures the strength of a political candidate relative to a typical candidate from their party by comparing the percentage of the candidate’s vote with the party’s Baseline. Baseline is the trimmed mean of each party’s performance in partisan, contested statewide elections over the four most recent general election cycles.
[Was Hillary Clinton a terrible candidate?]


rollcall--2020-01-15--Capitol Ink | On the Edge of Her Seat

Capitol Ink | On the Edge of Her Seat

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rollcall--2020-01-15--Senators make their last pitch to Iowa before impeachment trial

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders , right , during a Democratic presidential debate Tuesday with former Vice President Joe Biden in Iowa , a state they may not have much time to visit ahead of the Feb. 3 caucuses once President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial begins .
( Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images ) For the senators running for president , Tuesday ’ s debate carried extra importance .
It wasn ’ t just the last debate ahead of the state ’ s caucuses — just three weeks away — it was also potentially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State before they ’ re stuck in Washington for the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump that ’ s set to begin next week .
“ Some things are more important than politics , ” Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren said when asked whether she was concerned the impending impeachment trial would keep her off the trail .
She quickly pivoted to how impeachment underscores one of her messages : corruption .
“ We need to draw that distinction and show that as Democrats , we are not going to be the people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corporations , people who want to help themselves , ” Warren said .
The CNN and Des Moines Register moderators only posed that question directly to Warren , but the compressed timeframe was no doubt part of the calculus of Sens .
Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota on Tuesday night too .
( Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet , the only other senator left in the race after New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker dropped out on Monday , did not qualify for Tuesday ’ s debate . )
They ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Iowa much before the Feb. 3 caucuses .
The House is voting on sending the articles of impeachment to the Senate today , and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has indicated the trial will begin on Tuesday — the day after Martin Luther King Jr. Day .
The trial is expected to run six days a week .
The senators occupied half the debate stage — the smallest one so far and the first one since Trump ordered the killing of an influential Iranian commander .
The setting gave them a platform to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ differences Heading into Tuesday night , all eyes were on Sanders and Warren to see whether simmering tensions would bubble up on stage before they retreat to the more staid corridors of the Senate next week .
The campaigns ’ last-minute squabbling began with a Politico report over the weekend of a Sanders campaign script for volunteers that criticized Warren .
On the eve of the debate , CNN reported on a 2018 private meeting where Sanders reportedly told Warren a woman couldn ’ t win the presidency .
Sanders on Tuesday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Warren had previously verified in a Monday statement .
“ Anybody who knows me knows that it ’ s incomprehensible that I would think that a woman could not be president of the United States , ” Sanders said , adding that he held back on launching his 2016 campaign until Warren — whose supporters were trying to draft her — took a pass .
Warren again said she “ disagreed ” with Sanders ’ alleged doubts about a woman ’ s electoral viability , but she stole the moment when she pointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and women on stage .
“ So , can a woman beat Donald Trump ?
Look at the men on this stage .
Collectively , they have lost 10 elections , ” Warren said .
“ The only people on this stage who have won every single election that they ’ ve been in are the women , Amy and me , ” she said .
Both Warren and Klobuchar won their first elections as underdogs .
After an awkward moment when Sanders challenged Warren ’ s assessment of his electoral history , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the success of women — this time highlighting the role female candidates , voters and donors played in the 2018 midterms .
No senator had more riding on Tuesday ’ s debate than Klobuchar .
If Sanders , Biden , Warren and former South Bend Mayor Peter Buttigieg are tied in Iowa , she ’ s firmly in the second tier and needed a strong performance to sustain and grow an energy in the state .
The three-term senator has made electability her biggest pitch , arguing that the Democratic nominee should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That was a frequent refrain again Tuesday night .
When Warren and Sanders were disagreeing over the the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement ( Warren supports it ; Sanders does not ) , Klobuchar swept in with one of her characteristic attempts at straight-talking : “ Brianne , I want to hit reality here , ” she told Des Moines Register reporter Brianne Pfannenstiel .
“ Thank you for bringing up Iowa , Brianne , since that is where we are , ” Klobuchar said , before talking about a plant she visited in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Klobuchar didn ’ t hesitate to interrupt her colleagues and single out areas where she ’ s distinguished herself — either in the Senate or with plans on her campaign website .
She said she was the only senator on stage who posed questions to both the secretaries of Defense and State at the intelligence briefing senators received last week about Iran .
Running as a moderate opposed to “ Medicare for All , ” Klobuchar seized on emerging fault lines between Sanders and Warren on healthcare to back up her pitch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate isn ’ t real , ” Klobuchar said about “ Medicare for All.
” “ The real debate we should be having is how do we make it easier for people to get coverage for addiction and mental health .
I have a plan for that , ” Klobuchar said , adopting a line that ’ s become a tagline of Warren ’ s .
She again cut into Warren later when talking about education .
“ I appreciate your thoughts Elizabeth , but I want to step back , ” Klobuchar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who want free college for all aren ’ t actually thinking big enough , ” Klobuchar said .
“ We are not going to have a shortage of MBAs , we are going to have a shortage of plumbers , ” she added , again trying to appeal to the blue-collar voters in the Midwest she ’ s arguing will side with her — not Warren or Sanders — in a general election against Trump .
“ I ’ m going to be here any moment that I can , ” she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she ’ d keep up a presence in Iowa during the Senate impeachment trial .
Klobuchar told CNN that she has her husband and daughter and a roster of local surrogates to help .
But that may not be enough .
“ This is going to get more intense every day , particularly for those senators back in Washington , ” former Obama campaign manager David Plouffe said on MSNBC after the debate .
“ They ’ re exercising their constitutional duty , when Pete Buttigieg and Joe Biden are talking to thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he added .

For the senators running for president, Tuesday’s debate carried extra importance.
It wasn’t just the last debate ahead of the state’s caucuses — just three weeks away — it was also potentially their last big hoorah in the Hawkeye State before they’re stuck in Washington for the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump that’s set to begin next week.
“Some things are more important than politics,” Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren said when asked whether she was concerned the impending impeachment trial would keep her off the trail. She quickly pivoted to how impeachment underscores one of her messages: corruption.
“We need to draw that distinction and show that as Democrats, we are not going to be the people who are just out for the big corporations, people who want to help themselves,” Warren said.
The CNN and Des Moines Register moderators only posed that question directly to Warren, but the compressed timeframe was no doubt part of the calculus of Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota on Tuesday night too. (Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet, the only other senator left in the race after New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker dropped out on Monday, did not qualify for Tuesday’s debate.)


rollcall--2020-01-15--Pelosi signs articles of impeachment

Pelosi signs articles of impeachment

Speaker Nancy Pelosi gets up after signing the articles of impeachment during an engrossment ceremony Wednesday .
( Caroline Brehman/CQ @ @ @ @ @ Pelosi signed the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump on Wednesday evening .
The @ @ @ @ @ the Capitol to the Senate .
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Speaker Nancy Pelosi signed the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump on Wednesday evening. The articles were then taken across the Capitol to the Senate.


rollcall--2020-01-15--New Hampshire’s Kuster backs Buttigieg

New Hampshire’s Kuster backs Buttigieg

New Hampshire Rep. Ann McLane Kuster backed former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg for president Wednesday night , less than a month before the Democratic presidential primary in the Granite State .
“ With our country so consumed by division , Pete Buttigieg is the leader who can finally turn the page on the Trump presidency and bring our nation together , ” Kuster tweeted .
“ He has the courage to break from the past to lead us to a better future — I ’ m excited to endorse him to be our next president.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s solidly Democratic 2nd District , is the first member of the state ’ s all-Democratic congressional delegation to make an endorsement ahead of the Feb. 11 first-in-the-nation primary .
Kuster , who will also serve as Buttigieg 's national campaign co-chairwoman , indicated late last year that she would endorse a candidate in the primary , noting she was an early supporter of former President Barack Obama in the 2008 primary when he faced Hillary Clinton .
“ I ’ m going to vote .
So I have no reason to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to vote for , ” Kuster said at the time .
“ I want a candidate that can win.
” Kuster is Buttigieg ’ s second congressional endorsement this week and sixth overall .
Retiring Rep. Dave Loebsack , who represents an Iowa district that President Donald Trump won in 2016 , gave Buttigieg a potentially significant endorsement ahead of the state ’ s Feb. 3 caucuses .
Buttigieg , who ’ s struggled to gain traction with African-American voters , touted his endorsement from Maryland Rep. Anthony Brown , a member of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night ’ s debate .
Kuster ’ s district is the more liberal of the two New Hampshire House districts .
Clinton carried her district by about 2 points , while Trump carried the 1st District , represented by freshman Rep. Chris Pappas , by less than 2 points .
Pappas told CQ Roll Call late last year that he was not likely to endorse in the presidential primary .
Pappas said he was in contact with presidential candidates as they visited New Hampshire .
“ Really , I want to be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s the most important thing for me , ” Pappas said at the time .
Pappas got his first higher-profile challenger this week in former Trump State Department official Matt Mowers , who is a former executive director of the New Hampshire GOP and once worked for New Jersey Gov .
Chris Christie .
Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates his race Likely Democratic .

New Hampshire Rep. Ann McLane Kuster backed former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg for president Wednesday night, less than a month before the Democratic presidential primary in the Granite State.
“With our country so consumed by division, Pete Buttigieg is the leader who can finally turn the page on the Trump presidency and bring our nation together,” Kuster tweeted. “He has the courage to break from the past to lead us to a better future — I’m excited to endorse him to be our next president.”
Kuster, who represents the state’s solidly Democratic 2nd District, is the first member of the state’s all-Democratic congressional delegation to make an endorsement ahead of the Feb. 11 first-in-the-nation primary.
Kuster, who will also serve as Buttigieg’s national campaign co-chairwoman, indicated late last year that she would endorse a candidate in the primary, noting she was an early supporter of former President Barack Obama in the 2008 primary when he faced Hillary Clinton.
“I’m going to vote. So I have no reason to be coy about who I’m going to vote for,” Kuster said at the time. “I want a candidate that can win.”


rollcall--2020-01-15--In the middle of impeachment pomp, Steve Gleason gets his medal

Former New Orleans Saints safety Steve Gleason is honored during the Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony on Wednesday .
( Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call ) Steve Gleason got in just under the wire .
Impeachment mania is about to consume the Capitol again , and Wednesday was proof .
Press conferences were held .
Harsh words were spoken .
Poetry was mangled .
But first , a former NFL player fighting a progressive neurodegenerative disease collected his Congressional Gold Medal , the highest honor awarded to civilians in the United States .
Some would call it bad luck that Gleason ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this particular day , when the “ i ” -word threatened to overshadow it .
But if the onetime New Orleans Saints safety was bothered by the hubbub , he didn ’ t show it .
He even got in a few digs at the lawmakers gathered to watch .
“ Our greatest strength as a species has been our ability to bravely share our weaknesses and vulnerabilities with each other , ” said Gleason , who has Lou Gehrig ’ s disease and uses a speech-generating device to communicate .
“ Sharing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ common practice for some people , especially for politicians in an election year — wink wink.
” Nancy Pelosi and Mitch McConnell sat side by side in the audience .
All the pageantry of the afternoon — the pomp , the circumstance , the signing of the impeachment articles with multiple pens — was yet to come .
For now , they were focused on only one thing : celebrating Gleason ’ s contributions to ALS advocacy .
For the most part , Congress got the moment right .
“ To America , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but to New Orleans , and the rest of Louisiana , you ’ re forever a Saint , ” said Rep. Cedric Richmond from the podium .
Fellow Louisianans Steve Scalise and Bill Cassidy echoed those sentiments , while Washington Sen. Patty Murray represented Gleason ’ s roots .
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell had a front-row seat .
Across the aisle , former teammate and current Saints quarterback Drew Brees was seated with his son Baylen , both celebrating their birthdays .
“ There ’ s no place we ’ d rather be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an emotional Brees .
The ceremony ended much like it began : with a standing ovation .
It was time to clear the hall for the procession that would officially deliver articles of impeachment to the Senate , winding its way through the Capitol on a path marked out with lots and lots of velvet rope .
The Senate got the articles today .
But first , Gleason got his medal .

Steve Gleason got in just under the wire.
Impeachment mania is about to consume the Capitol again, and Wednesday was proof. Press conferences were held. Harsh words were spoken. Poetry was mangled.
But first, a former NFL player fighting a progressive neurodegenerative disease collected his Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honor awarded to civilians in the United States.
Some would call it bad luck that Gleason’s celebration in Statuary Hall fell on this particular day, when the “i”-word threatened to overshadow it. But if the onetime New Orleans Saints safety was bothered by the hubbub, he didn’t show it. He even got in a few digs at the lawmakers gathered to watch.


rollcall--2020-01-15--Senate receives impeachment articles, takes first step toward trial

House Sergeant-at-Arms Paul Irving and Clerk of the House Cheryl Johnson lead the House Democrats who will manage President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial through Statuary Hall on Wednesday to deliver the articles of impeachment to the Senate .
( Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call ) The Senate laid the groundwork to begin a trial on whether to remove President Donald Trump after a procession of House Democrats delivered impeachment articles Wednesday evening .
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called for unanimous consent on a series of measures to set the trial in motion .
Those included an invitation for House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday and notify Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts , who will preside over the trial .
Measures also call for senators to set up an escort committee for Roberts , take an oath as jurors Thursday afternoon and have a photograph of them taking that oath .
The agreement includes rules defining access restrictions and decorum in and around the Senate chamber during the trial .
Under those rules , senators and House members will be allowed access , as will staffers with special impeachment trial credentials .
In addition , visitors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to be escorted through the tunnels from the Senate office buildings by staffers with a special credential .
“ This is a difficult time for our country , but this is precisely the kind of time for which the framers created the Senate , ” McConnell said after the measures were adopted .
“ I ’ m confident this body can rise above short-termism and factional fervor and serve the long-term best interests of our nation.
” McConnell is expected to bring up a second agreement following the Thursday swearing-in , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due dates for trial briefs from both the president and House managers , allows for printing of documents and materials and sets the trial to begin Tuesday .
Thursday will be a busy day for the Senate .
The chamber is also expected to vote on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement , which overhauls trade on the continent .

The Senate laid the groundwork to begin a trial on whether to remove President Donald Trump after a procession of House Democrats delivered impeachment articles Wednesday evening.
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called for unanimous consent on a series of measures to set the trial in motion.
[Impeachment trial security crackdown will limit Capitol press access]
Those included an invitation for House managers to present the articles of impeachment Thursday and notify Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who will preside over the trial. Measures also call for senators to set up an escort committee for Roberts, take an oath as jurors Thursday afternoon and have a photograph of them taking that oath.
The agreement includes rules defining access restrictions and decorum in and around the Senate chamber during the trial.


rollcall--2020-01-15--Impeachment clouds hang over home stretch of Iowa caucuses

Sens .
Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders speak as Tom Steyer looks on after the Democratic presidential debate Tuesday in Des Moines , Iowa .
( Scott Olson/Getty Images ) This week ’ s Democratic presidential debate in Iowa was the last chance for the significantly winnowed field to make a big impression — not just before the Feb. 3 caucuses there but also before the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump begins .
Of the six Democrats onstage Tuesday night at Drake University in Des Moines , three of them — Sens .
Elizabeth Warren , Bernie Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the upcoming trial and not free to move about the country , as the old Southwest Airlines ads went .
A fourth , former Vice President Joe Biden , could be called as a witness .
A fourth senator running who was not on the debate stage , Michael Bennet , will also be a juror .
This is one of the nightmare scenarios for candidates in a tight race looking to pull ahead at an opportune time .
Sanders almost won the 2016 Iowa caucuses and would love to build momentum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign .
Warren is looking to halt that momentum .
Iowa is Klobuchar ’ s chance to demonstrate the argument she has been making : As a daughter of Minnesota , “ the Midwest is not flyover country for me , ” and she can appeal to wide swaths of the electorate .
They can not be excited about leaving the Hawkeye State so Pete Buttigieg , Tom Steyer and Andrew Yang can run wild .
So the trial , in which senators will be bound to sit in judgement of the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what has been a wide-open race .
CQ Roll Call politics editor Herb Jackson and I break it down in the latest Political Theater podcast : highs , lows , missed chances , seized ones , flubbed lines , tense times and all the rest .
Or as Herb might say , “ Woo-hoo.
” Here we go .
• Senators make their last pitch to Iowa before impeachment trial • Impeachment articles ’ path to Senate governed by rules and precedent • Pelosi ’ s impeachment team represents the diversity of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislative decks before impeachment trial • Roberts would hold the gavel , but not the power , at Trump impeachment trial • Senate got its man in last impeachment trial • ‘ Documents don ’ t lie ’ — the other fight over evidence at Trump impeachment trial Subscribe to this podcast below :

This week’s Democratic presidential debate in Iowa was the last chance for the significantly winnowed field to make a big impression — not just before the Feb. 3 caucuses there but also before the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump begins.
Of the six Democrats onstage Tuesday night at Drake University in Des Moines, three of them — Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and Amy Klobuchar — will be jurors in the upcoming trial and not free to move about the country, as the old Southwest Airlines ads went.
A fourth, former Vice President Joe Biden, could be called as a witness. A fourth senator running who was not on the debate stage, Michael Bennet, will also be a juror.
This is one of the nightmare scenarios for candidates in a tight race looking to pull ahead at an opportune time.


rollcall--2020-01-15--Pelosi picks reserved team of impeachment managers who didn’t seek the role

Speaker Nancy Pelosi picked impeachment managers who mostly didn ’ t seek out the job , opting for a reserved team over more boisterous members who wanted to be involved .
Although Intelligence Chairman Adam B. Schiff , the lead manager , and Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler were picks who obviously wanted to serve , the other five managers — Zoe Lofgren , Hakeem Jeffries , Val B. Demings , Jason Crow and Sylvia R. Garcia — were not members who lobbied for the role .
“ I did not apply for it , ” Lofgren , who was involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton as a Judiciary Committee aide and member , respectively , told CQ Roll Call .
Jeffries , the only impeachment manager Pelosi selected from her leadership team , went even further .
“ I have no expectation to serve as an impeachment manager , ” the Democratic Caucus chairman told reporters Tuesday .
“ I have a day job.
” Garcia and Demings told reporters Wednesday after Pelosi announced her selections that they didn ’ t seek out the role but were asked .
Crow appeared to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declined to say , noting he doesn ’ t comment on private conversations with other members .
“ It was a pleasant surprise , ” Garcia said of learning late Tuesday she was one of Pelosi ’ s picks .
While Pelosi ’ s managers claim they did not lobby for the job , that was not the case for Clinton ’ s trial .
Six of the 13 managers freely admitted to The New York Times at the time that they were chosen because they expressed an interest in serving .
Then-Judiciary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lead manager for the Clinton trial , chose “ everybody on the committee that asked , ” fellow manager James Rogan of California told USA Today .
“ I couldn ’ t say no , ” Hyde said , according to Rogan .
With the exception of Demings , who has been a vocal voice in pushing for Trump ’ s impeachment since the release of former special counsel Robert S. Mueller ’ s report in April , the team of seven managers is a fairly reserved bunch .
The other six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kept to safe talking points when speaking about the impeachment process .
Pelosi probably crafted the team that way , as she ’ s cast every step Democrats have taken in the impeachment process as serious and somber .
While Nadler , Schiff , Jeffries and Demings have appeared on television countless times over the past several months presenting Democrats ’ impeachment case , all seven managers have personalities that “ fit a pattern that Speaker Pelosi kind of likes : to keep it reserved and somber , ” said Judiciary member Steve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment managers at a news conference Wednesday , Pelosi emphasized her choices ’ experience in litigation and “ comfort level in the courtroom.
” Most are lawyers who ’ ve tried criminal or civil cases ; Garcia served as a judge overseeing criminal cases , and Demings was a police chief who ’ s familiar with evidence gathering and questioning witnesses .
The manager team is mostly composed of members of the Judiciary Committee , which has sole jurisdiction over impeachment , with the exception of Schiff and Crow .
Schiff and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also a member , led the initial investigation in the impeachment inquiry with the Oversight and Foreign Affairs panels .
Crow , a lawyer , does not serve on any of those four committees , but he and six other freshmen with national security backgrounds were the impetus for Pelosi deciding there was enough support in the caucus to launch the impeachment inquiry .
Several members who said they would be interested in serving as managers or who Democratic members and aides said would be good picks were not chosen by Pelosi .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , David Cicilline , Ted Lieu , Jamie Raskin and Pramila Jayapal , Intelligence member Jim Himes and Rep. Eric Swalwell , who serves on both panels .
No one , however , questioned Pelosi ’ s choices or dared to express any serious disappointment .
“ I ’ m excited because we have diverse representation and , of course , representation from the state of Texas , and I will be an intimate part of the process going forward in terms of my advocacy and belief in the Constitution , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is from Texas .
Himes , who had said he was interested in serving as a manager , cracked a joke Wednesday when asked if he was disappointed he wasn ’ t picked .
“ Somehow I need to sell that Perry Mason box set of CDs that I ’ ve been watching every single night , ” the Connecticut Democrat said , referring to the television legal drama from the late 1950s and early 1960s .
“ I just don ’ t know how I ’ m gon na do that.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , “ Speaker Pelosi knows what she ’ s doing.
” Lieu said he never wrote a letter or did anything formal to lobby to be an impeachment manger but said he had been willing to serve if asked .
He said he was an unlikely choice , however , because of his role as a co-chairman of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee that leads House Democrats ’ messaging on TV and other media .
“ I couldn ’ t really do both , ” he said .
Cicilline , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not interested in being a manager despite some colleagues who ’ d floated his name .
“ I have an enormous amount of work awaiting me in my antitrust investigation and a bunch of other stuff , ” said the Rhode Island Democrat , who chairs a Judiciary subcommittee that is looking into competition among digital technology companies .
“ I think the speaker made excellent choices.
” Jayapal had nothing but praise for the manager team Pelosi assembled , applauding both their geographic and demographic diversity as well as their skills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all jump at the opportunity to do things that are going to help our ‘ For the People ’ agenda and standing up for our Constitution , but there are lots of roles for people to play , and I ’ m really happy for the team that was selected and to continue to do what I ’ m doing , ” the Washington Democrat said .
In 1998 , the Republican majority chose 13 white , Christian men to present their case against Clinton — a fact that has not aged well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have drawn historical comparisons .
Pelosi was much more deliberate , and that ’ s likely the main reason her set of managers contrasts so dramatically with those picked for Clinton ’ s trial .
For starters , Pelosi selected four men and three women .
Four of the impeachment managers are white , two are black , and one is Hispanic .
Nadler and Schiff are Jewish .
She also reflected the ideological diversity of her caucus in picking four Progressive Caucus members and three more moderate members of the New Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , unity is our power , ” the speaker has often said in describing House Democrats .
Democrats sometimes struggle to project diverse geographical representation since a majority of the caucus members hail from coastal states .
Pelosi likely picked Garcia from Texas and Crow from Colorado in part to bolster the team ’ s geographical diversity .
The impeachment managers still include five coastal representatives , four of whom are from the blue states of California ( Schiff and Lofgren ) and New York ( Nadler and Jeffries ) .
Demings is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sharply with the 1999 trial , in which 11 of the 13 Republican managers hailed from Southern or Midwestern states .

“I’m excited because we have diverse representation and, of course, representation from the state of Texas, and I will be an intimate part of the process going forward in terms of my advocacy and belief in the Constitution,” said Jackson Lee, who, like Garcia, is from Texas.
Himes, who had said he was interested in serving as a manager, cracked a joke Wednesday when asked if he was disappointed he wasn’t picked.
“Somehow I need to sell that Perry Mason box set of CDs that I’ve been watching every single night,” the Connecticut Democrat said, referring to the television legal drama from the late 1950s and early 1960s. “I just don’t know how I’m gonna do that.”
On a more serious note, Himes said, “Speaker Pelosi knows what she’s doing.”
Lieu said he never wrote a letter or did anything formal to lobby to be an impeachment manger but said he had been willing to serve if asked. He said he was an unlikely choice, however, because of his role as a co-chairman of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee that leads the House majority’s messaging on TV and other media.


rollcall--2020-01-15--Courtroom experience a commodity as Trump impeachment trial begins

The impending impeachment trial of President Donald Trump has boosted the profile of senators who have specific experience in their background : spending time in front of a judge .
Virginia Democrat Tim Kaine , who tried cases and pressed appeals as a civil rights lawyer before he entered politics , said Wednesday that Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York has started a dialogue with him and other Democratic senators who have courtroom experience ahead of the impeachment trial .
Senators will have to sit in silence as they play a role somewhere between juror and judge , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two articles of impeachment or leading Trump ’ s defense .
But senators from both parties can submit questions for House impeachment managers or Trump ’ s defense team that will be read aloud by presiding officer Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr .
There were two days dedicated to those questions during President Bill Clinton ’ s impeachment trial in 1999 .
“ I think those of us who have tried cases sort of know how to ask them in the way that is the pithiest and that ’ s the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You want that question to be phrased in the absolute perfect way when Chief Justice Roberts reads it.
” And while senators more used to orating won ’ t be able to give speeches , those with courtroom experience have practiced using the questions to get their point across , Kaine said .
“ The question often matters more than the answer , ” Kaine said .
“ A question can make a really profound point in a juror ’ s mind , sort of regardless sometimes of what the answer is.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other courtroom tactics .
And while an impeachment trial is unique and a different proceeding altogether , a familiarity with how federal courts view legal issues with witnesses and evidence can form the basis of political arguments .
Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn , who spent 20 years in courtrooms and sometimes jokes that he is a recovering lawyer and judge , criticized the articles of impeachment during a floor speech Wednesday using the language of due process in criminal courts .
Democrats impeached Trump on two articles , abuse of power and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specifically name any crimes that they previously alleged Trump had committed .
In the law , the concept of due process means that a defendant or litigant gets fair treatment .
“ The whole idea about charging somebody with an abuse of power without accusing them of a crime , so that they know what they ’ re charged with and can defend themselves , that ’ s a due process problem , ” Cornyn told CQ after he left the floor .
The last impeachment trial focused on the comparatively straightforward question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office for lying under oath about sexual relations .
This time , the abuse of power charge brings in constitutional questions , such as the balance of power between the political branches or a president ’ s power to direct foreign relations .
“ There ’ s no doubt that legal issues will be central to the trial before us , and especially constitutional questions , ” said Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz , a former state solicitor general who argued before the Supreme Court nine times .
“ The standard the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threshold for high crimes and misdemeanors has been satisfied.
” Democrats with trial experience include Kaine ; former state attorney general Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut ; former state attorney general and federal prosecutor Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island ; former prosecutor Patrick J. Leahy of Vermont ; and former state attorney general Kamala Harris of California .
Republicans include Cornyn ; Cruz ; former federal prosecutor Mike Lee of Utah ; former state attorney general Josh Hawley of Missouri ; and Lindsey Graham , a former military prosecutor who was a House impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said part of the dialogue for those with courtroom experience is about giving the Democratic caucus a cohesive strategy .
“ It doesn ’ t make sense for 47 people to just have a bunch of questions that they ask in random order .
So we want to share with the team — here ’ s the things we ’ d like to know — and then prioritize them , ” Kaine said .
“ It shouldn ’ t just be bouncing around from one topic to the next.
” Still , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and not technical legal issues , said former North Dakota Democratic Sen. Byron Dorgan , who was in the Senate during the Clinton impeachment trial .
“ I don ’ t think it is so much about the corners and crevices of interpretations of the law , ” Dorgan said .
Cornyn said that Trump ’ s legal team likely will raise many of the legal issues .
“ None of this is particularly obscure .
I mean , this is pretty basic stuff , ” Cornyn said .
And Whitehouse said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be helpful when it comes to articulating whether the Senate is doing it the right way or the wrong way .
“ But given our fairly circumscribed role , the trial experience is obviously going to be more significant an attribute for House managers , ” Whitehouse added .
Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday that she looked for that experience when picking the seven impeachment managers who will present the case to the Senate , led by Rep. Adam B. Schiff of California , a former federal prosecutor .
“ The emphasis is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Pelosi said .
“ The emphasis is on making the strongest possible case to protect and defend our Constitution , to seek the truth for the American people .
”

The impending impeachment trial of President Donald Trump has boosted the profile of senators who have specific experience in their background: spending time in front of a judge.
Virginia Democrat Tim Kaine, who tried cases and pressed appeals as a civil rights lawyer before he entered politics, said Wednesday that Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York has started a dialogue with him and other Democratic senators who have courtroom experience ahead of the impeachment trial.
Senators will have to sit in silence as they play a role somewhere between juror and judge, meaning they won’t be presenting the two articles of impeachment or leading Trump’s defense.
But senators from both parties can submit questions for House impeachment managers or Trump’s defense team that will be read aloud by presiding officer Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. There were two days dedicated to those questions during President Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial in 1999.
“I think those of us who have tried cases sort of know how to ask them in the way that is the pithiest and that’s the shortest,” Kaine said. “You want that question to be phrased in the absolute perfect way when Chief Justice Roberts reads it.”


rollcall--2020-01-15--Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick seeks treatment for alcohol addiction after fall

Arizona Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick is recovering from a fall and will seek treatment for alcohol dependence .
( Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo ) Arizona Democratic Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick will take a leave of absence from her office to seek treatment for her alcohol addiction , she announced Wednesday .
“ I am finally seeking this help after struggling to do so in the past , and I am ready to admit that I , like countless other Americans , suffer from this disease .
Hard work and determination — which have brought me success in life — have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said in a statement .
Kirkpatrick said she had a “ serious ” fall last week and will recover with physical therapy .
“ I do , however , have another challenge I must face , which was the underlying cause of my fall .
Beginning next week , I will receive treatment that I have struggled to ask for , to treat my alcohol dependence , ” she said .
Her offices in Washington and Arizona will remain fully operational for constituent services , she said , and she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Congressional Record .
The congresswoman is in her first term representing the Tucson-area 2nd District .
She previously represented the 1st District in northern and eastern Arizona for three terms .
Fellow Arizona Rep. Tom O ’ Halleran praised his colleague ’ s decision , tweeting “ asking for help is hard , ” and Senate candidate Mark Kelly called it “ courageous.
” Her admission represents a rare flash of candor for a sitting lawmaker .
While others have dealt with alcoholism , few have taken time away from work .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who went to rehab in 2003 after falling on an escalator .

Arizona Democratic Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick will take a leave of absence from her office to seek treatment for her alcohol addiction, she announced Wednesday.
“I am finally seeking this help after struggling to do so in the past, and I am ready to admit that I, like countless other Americans, suffer from this disease. Hard work and determination — which have brought me success in life — have not been enough to win this battle,” she said in a statement.
Kirkpatrick said she had a “serious” fall last week and will recover with physical therapy.
“I do, however, have another challenge I must face, which was the underlying cause of my fall. Beginning next week, I will receive treatment that I have struggled to ask for, to treat my alcohol dependence,” she said.
Her offices in Washington and Arizona will remain fully operational for constituent services, she said, and she will submit her recorded vote positions to the Congressional Record.


rollcall--2020-01-15--Trump signs ‘phase one’ China pact, first of two trade milestones this week

President Donald Trump gestures as he speaks during a “ Keep America Great ” campaign rally in Milwaukee on Tuesday night .
( Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images ) Amid the impeachment proceedings on Capitol Hill , President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed the first of two significant milestones on trade — an agreement with China that amounts to a ceasefire in his war with the Asian giant .
Trump is expected to get a second win on the issue later this week , with the Senate expected to approve a revised trade agreement with Canada and Mexico .
Aides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of his reelection sales pitch that he is a good steward of the economy .
Gallup polling recently found 57 percent of Americans approve of his handling of the economy ( 42 percent disapprove ) , while 54 percent disapprove of his handling of trade issues ( 44 percent approve ) .
“ Together we are righting the wrongs of the past ... for America ’ s farmers , ” Trump said before he and China ’ s vice premier signed the deal , calling it a “ momentous step.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China “ in the not so distant future ” to commemorate the pact there .
“ Our negotiations were tough , honest , open and respectful , leading us to this really incredible breakthrough , ” Trump said .
“ Most people thought this could never happen .
Should have happened 25 years ago , by the way , that ’ s okay , ” he added , taking a swipe at his predecessors .
For a half hour , Trump read from a list of industry executives who were in the room @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and joked he needs a few good lawyers , a quip about his impeachment .
“ Just be strong , ” Trump told the executives in the room , imploring them to refuse to give their technological secrets to China .
“ Our companies were too weak.
” The president took a shot at Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York , saying he saw the Democrat on television voicing his opposition to the pact .
“ He knew nothing about the deal , ” Trump alleged , saying Schumer only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Under the “ phase one ” deal with China , the administration agreed to hold off on $ 160 billion in tariffs on some Chinese-made items , and to cut from 15 percent to 7 percent import duties on another $ 112 billion in products from that country .
China promised to take steps to allow American companies doing business there to shield their intellectual property .
If “ phase two ” talks lead to a deal , Trump said he will remove all tariffs on Chinese goods .
And he again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ round of talks , saying those would being “ very shortly.
” U.S. officials believe all remaining trade issues with China could be folded into a second phase .
Trump doubts a “ phase three ” would be needed .
Trump used his remarks to mostly thank and playfully tease Cabinet members and aides who participated in the talks .
Spotted in a packed East Room were Republican members including Senate Finance Chairman Charles E. Grassley of Iowa and Sen .
Rob Portman of Ohio .
Trump ally Rep. Mark Meadows of North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the presidential lectern with a smile .
There are two tables by the lectern , with American and Chinese flags along the back wall .
Beijing also assured the White House it would cease requiring U.S. firms to share their technologies in return for access to the massive Chinese market , and buy more U.S. agriculture products .
“ It ’ s not everything , ” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told Fox News .
“ There will be a ‘ phase two.
’ But this is the first time we ’ ve had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president has sent mixed signals about a follow-on pact .
He has said those talks will start immediately , but more recently floated putting off a new round of negotiations until after Election Day .
Trump first announced the pact in mid-October , promising it would be finalized in just a few weeks .
Instead , it took a few months to iron out lingering issues .
The president touted the first stage of the China deal Tuesday night during a campaign rally in Milwaukee , telling supporters it will “ massively [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ produced right here in the Great state of Wisconsin.
” The White House was in full spike-the-football mode Wednesday .
Trump chief ’ s economic adviser Lawrence Kudlow made the rounds prior to the boss ’ late-morning signing event to tout the benefits of the pact with China , saying that , “ between the two great nations , nothing like this has ever happened before.
” Kudlow , speaking on his former network CNBC , said the Wednesday announcement shows the president ’ s trade policy has been working .
“ He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a means to the end work , and tough negotiations includes tariffs , ” Kudlow said .
“ He has shown that tariffs are part of tough negotiations in pursuit of market openings.
” He did not want to entertain a question noting that President Xi Jinping is not in Washington for the signing .
“ Don ’ t go there , please .
Don ’ t make this little .
This is not little .
This is huge , ” Kudlow said .

Amid the impeachment proceedings on Capitol Hill, President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed the first of two significant milestones on trade — an agreement with China that amounts to a ceasefire in his war with the Asian giant.
Trump is expected to get a second win on the issue later this week, with the Senate expected to approve a revised trade agreement with Canada and Mexico. Aides say Trump plans to trumpet both as part of his reelection sales pitch that he is a good steward of the economy.
Gallup polling recently found 57 percent of Americans approve of his handling of the economy (42 percent disapprove), while 54 percent disapprove of his handling of trade issues (44 percent approve).
“Together we are righting the wrongs of the past … for America’s farmers,” Trump said before he and China’s vice premier signed the deal, calling it a “momentous step.”
The U.S. leader announced he will go to China “in the not so distant future” to commemorate the pact there.


rollcall--2020-01-15--Puerto Rico earthquake supplemental under discussion in House

A Puerto Rican flag waves on top of a pile of rubble as debris is removed from a main road in Guanica , P.R.
, on Jan. 8 , one day after an earthquake hit the island .
( Ricardo Arduengo/AFP via Getty Images ) Updated 4:39 p.m. House Appropriations Democrats are looking at a possible emergency spending package to provide additional aid to Puerto Rico following a series of earthquakes since late last year , including a 5.2 magnitude quake Wednesday .
Several Democrats said they support the idea , which has been discussed in various meetings , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This is a high priority and a major priority , I think , for us , ” said Rep. C.A .
Dutch Ruppersberger , D-Md.
, a senior member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee .
“ It is for me as a member , and I know on the Appropriations Committee.
” “ I know we ’ re considering it and I think we need to consider it , ” said Transportation-HUD Subcommittee Chairman David E. Price , D-N.C. , whose panel oversees the Community Development Block Grant program and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for long-term disaster relief needs .
Rosa DeLauro , who chairs the Appropriations Labor-HHS-Education Subcommittee , said the administration should ask for a supplemental .
She does not know if it is under consideration at the White House .
The Connecticut Democrat said when she visited Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria in 2017 , “ the needs were unbelievable , ” and that was before the recent earthquakes .
A 6.4 magnitude quake hit southern Puerto Rico on Jan. 7 , killing one person , and a 5.9 magnitude aftershock hit on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 250,000 residents lacked access to water and another 500,000 did n't have power as of Wednesday , reports said .
Price said Puerto Rico is receiving sufficient funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency but that additional aid might be needed “ The longer-term issue of whether there might be some CDBG money , for example , or some money for school reconstruction — that ’ s a live issue and I think we need to take a look at it , ” Price said .
At the beginning of this month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had almost $ 45 billion left in it .
Under the most recent projections , before the big Jan. 7 earthquake , the agency expected to spend about $ 10 billion of that by the end of this fiscal year Sept. 30 .
Florida Republican Mario Diaz-Balart , ranking member on the Transportation-HUD subcommittee , said he would support additional aid for Puerto Rico if needed but wants to see the results of a damage assessment first .
“ There ’ s still a lot of money that is still not there yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous hurricane aid that has been held up , with some of it released Wednesday .
“ We ’ ll see what the needs are.
” A Democratic aide said a supplemental clearly would have been needed if the administration continued to withhold previous disaster assistance to Puerto Rico .
“ The administration ’ s overdue decision to begin releasing funding changes the terms of the discussion around a supp , but no final decisions have been made , ” the aide said , speaking on condition of not being identified .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ providing additional aid to Puerto Rico to respond to the recent earthquakes , a source with knowledge of administration discussions said .
After months of delay , the Department of Housing and Urban Development has agreed to let Puerto Rico gain access to nearly $ 8.3 billion in disaster mitigation funding .
The decision to publish guidelines for the aid in the Federal Register means the hurricane-ravaged U.S. territory can begin tapping money aimed at helping communities withstand future disasters .
Puerto Rico is now suffering from earthquakes that damaged hundreds of homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This represents an advance in the disbursement of emergency funds that we need so much , ” said Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González-Colón , the island ’ s Republican congressional delegate , who hailed the decision in a statement .
The money had been caught in a political crossfire between Democrats pushing for immediate delivery and the Trump administration , which expressed worries about corruption .
A HUD official confirmed Wednesday that a notice would now be issued outlining rules for the grant money , a key hurdle that had kept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to release the funds was first reported by Politico .
The move came more than four months after HUD blew past a Sept. 4 deadline set by Congress last year ( PL 116-20 ) to publish the notice .
In a letter to HUD last week , Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer , D-N.Y. , and other senior Democrats said it was “ unconscionable ” for the department to hold up the aid by not publishing the notice .
“ HUD ’ s failure to do so is a violation of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so-called mitigation funding is designed to lessen the impact of future disasters .
It could be used for such things as protecting water treatment systems from future floods , or elevating homes that lie in a floodplain .
Congress first directed HUD to provide mitigation funding as part of a disaster relief package for communities across the country in February 2018 ( PL 115-123 ) , through the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Relief program .
The directive forced HUD to write new regulations governing the use of such money .
HUD Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed for the public notice would be issued by May 1 of last year .
But that deadline was missed , and a subsequent draft was held up in a White House review .
Last August , HUD awarded mitigation funding to nine states but held back the aid for Puerto Rico , citing corruption concerns .
The island at the time was rocked by a scandal that forced the abrupt resignation of Gov .
Ricardo Rosselló , along with corruption charges against several members of his administration .
That holdup prompted Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an aid notice .
But HUD ignored it .

Updated 4:39 p.m. House Appropriations Democrats are looking at a possible emergency spending package to provide additional aid to Puerto Rico following a series of earthquakes since late last year, including a 5.2 magnitude quake Wednesday.
Several Democrats said they support the idea, which has been discussed in various meetings, but no final decision has been made.
“This is a high priority and a major priority, I think, for us,” said Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, D-Md., a senior member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee. “It is for me as a member, and I know on the Appropriations Committee.”
“I know we’re considering it and I think we need to consider it,” said Transportation-HUD Subcommittee Chairman David E. Price, D-N.C., whose panel oversees the Community Development Block Grant program and the billions of dollars it regularly doles out for long-term disaster relief needs.


rollcall--2020-01-15--Impeachment managers all represent safe Democratic seats

Speaker Nancy Pelosi went with Democrats from politically safe districts to prosecute the impeachment case against President Donald Trump in the Senate .
All seven impeachment managers named Wednesday are in races that Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates Solid Democratic .
Many of their Republican challengers haven ’ t even raised any money yet .
That could change given these Democrats ’ new , high-profile role , but the fundamentals of their races would have to shift significantly to make a difference in the outcome .
Republicans have signaled they ’ ll try to use impeachment against all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially the 30 who represent districts Trump carried in 2016 .
And although some of those vulnerable Democrats were out front on impeachment , including some of the so-called national security freshmen who called for opening an inquiry last fall , it ’ s not surprising that Democrats in competitive seats are not leading the public legal charge against the president .
While Democrats in safe seats take the lead on impeachment , those in competitive races have signaled that their focus on the campaign trail will remain the kitchen table issues they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 midterms .
Here ’ s who will be managing the trial : Notable : Army veteran ; Armed Services Committee member ; one of the seven freshmen Democrats with national security experience who wrote a Washington Post op-ed backing the impeachment inquiry .
2020 race : Crow is a member of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ’ s Frontline program for vulnerable lawmakers , but his reelection is not expected to be competitive given the seat had been trending blue .
Hillary Clinton carried the 6th District by 9 points in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had raised the most of Crow ’ s Republican challengers as of Sept. 30 , ending the third quarter with $ 191,000 on hand .
But Crow has a sizable financial advantage , with $ 1.1 million in the bank at the close of September .
Notable : Member of both the Judiciary and Homeland Security committees ; first non-lawyer to be a House impeachment manager .
10th District : Created after court-mandated redistricting in 2016 , which changed the seat from Republican-leaning to very Democratic .
Includes about 60 percent of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residential and business areas in Orlando .
2020 race : Demings faces Republican businessman and Marine Corps veteran Kirk Troen .
Troen has lamented Washington ’ s partisan politics and said he would be more accessible than the incumbent when he announced his campaign in June .
But the race is heavily skewed in Demings ’ favor .
While she narrowly lost her first bid for the seat in 2012 , when the district was more Republican , she won her first term in 2016 with nearly two-thirds of the vote .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that year .
Demings also has a substantial fundraising advantage .
As of Sept. 30 , she had raised $ 255,000 .
Troen has raised $ 27,000 as of Dec. 31. Notable : Member of the Judiciary and Financial Services committees ; one of the first two Latinas elected to Congress from Texas .
29th District : Parts of Houston and its eastern suburbs .
Before Congress : lawyer ; served in the Texas state Senate and as a judge in Harris County and Houston .
2020 race : Two Republicans have filed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Garcia , but they face a steep uphill battle given the Democratic lean of the district .
Clinton won the seat by 46 points in 2016. Notable : Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus ; member of the Judiciary Committee .
Before Congress : Lawyer ; served in New York State Assembly .
2018 election : Jeffries won a fourth term by 89 points over an opponent who ran on the Conservative Party line .
2020 race : In such a Democratic district , Jeffries faces more of a threat in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , who defeated former Caucus Chairman Joseph Crowley in a 2018 primary , had reportedly been recruiting someone to challenge Jeffries , but Ocasio-Cortez has denied the reports .
So far just one Democrat has filed with the FEC to take on Jeffries .
He has not reported any fundraising .
Notable : Member of the Judiciary Committee ; only House Democrat who was on Capitol Hill during the two recent presidential impeachment efforts ( she was a Judiciary staffer during President ’ s Richard Nixon ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bill Clinton ’ s impeachment ) Before Congress : Served on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors 2020 race : Four candidates — one Democrat , two Republicans and one not associated with a party — are taking on Lofgren in the March 3 primary .
In California , all candidates , regardless of party , run in the primary , with the the top two vote-getters advancing to the general election .
None of her challengers had raised more than $ 100 as of Sept. 30 , when Lofgren had $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have a tough time winning this district , which Clinton won by 51 points in 2016 .
Before Congress : Member of New York State Assembly .
2020 race : Nadler ’ s most pressing concern is the primary , where several Democrats are challenging him .
Lindsey Boylan , a former aide to New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , and former advertising executive Holly Lynch had both raised more than $ 500,000 as of Sept. 30 .
Jonathan Herzog , a former campaign staffer for presidential candidate Andrew Yang , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his 2018 primary .
Lynch had sought to challenge Nadler that year but failed to qualify for the ballot .
Notable : Chairman of the Intelligence Committee ; the Republican Schiff beat to get to Congress , Rep. James E. Rogan , was an impeachment manager in 1999 .
Before Congress : Served in the California State Senate ; worked as an assistant U.S. attorney .
2020 race : Schiff likely won ’ t have a competitive race , but he has proven to be a prolific fundraiser .
As of Sept. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million , surpassing even Pelosi .
Four Democrats , two Republicans and one candidate not associated with a party are on the ballot to take on Schiff in the state ’ s March 3 primary .
GOP lawyer Eric Early has been trying to leverage Schiff ’ s national profile to fundraise .
He had brought in just $ 81,000 as of Sept. 30 .
Early faces a steep uphill battle if he advances to the general election since the district is heavily Democratic .
Clinton carried it by 50 points in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributed to this report.Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call on your iPhone .

Speaker Nancy Pelosi went with Democrats from politically safe districts to prosecute the impeachment case against President Donald Trump in the Senate.
All seven impeachment managers named Wednesday are in races that Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates Solid Democratic. Many of their Republican challengers haven’t even raised any money yet. That could change given these Democrats’ new, high-profile role, but the fundamentals of their races would have to shift significantly to make a difference in the outcome.
Republicans have signaled they’ll try to use impeachment against all House Democrats in the 2020 elections, especially the 30 who represent districts Trump carried in 2016. And although some of those vulnerable Democrats were out front on impeachment, including some of the so-called national security freshmen who called for opening an inquiry last fall, it’s not surprising that Democrats in competitive seats are not leading the public legal charge against the president.


rollcall--2020-01-15--Pelosi’s impeachment team represents the diversity of the Democratic caucus

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , speaks during a news conference to announce impeachment managers on Capitol Hill on Wednesday , Jan. 15 , 2020 .
( Photo by Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call ) Speaker Nancy Pelosi has chosen a small but diverse group of managers to make the House ’ s case for convicting President Donald Trump on two charges when the Senate impeachment trial begins next week , a move that reflects the membership of her own caucus .
Pelosi announced the managers , which include three women and three minorities , Wednesday morning , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to approve them and formally send the two articles of impeachment to the Senate .
The group , who flanked Pelosi during the announced , stands in stark contrast to the 13 white Republican men who managed the articles of impeachment for the House during the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton , almost exactly 20 years ago .
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York , chairman of the House Democratic Caucus and one of the managers , said questions about whether gender , racial and geographical diversity were factors in the picks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also the only member of elected Democratic leadership among the managers .
“ We have great confidence in her and she consistently led us on behalf of the American people in a phenomenal way during her tenure and I suspect that she ’ ll continue to do that , ” he said .
The team also demonstrates a range of experience .
Rep. Val Demings of Florida , a Judiciary and Intelligence committee member and the former chief of the Orlando Police Department , is the first non-lawyer to serve as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crow of Colorado , an Armed Services member and former Army Ranger , was a bit of a surprise pick , as he was on neither the Intelligence or Judiciary committees .
But his selection gives the House team some national security credentials during a trial focused on the president ’ s dealings with Ukraine and his holdup of military aid to the country .
Pelosi “ wanted a group that was diverse , that had the confidence of the American people , that represented different backgrounds in litigation and legal experience but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement as well , ” said Crow , a former litigator .
Crow says the impeachment process has never been about politics for him .
“ I ’ ve completely divorced politics from my constitutional obligation and my obligations to my oath , ” Crow said .
“ The people of Colorado want to make sure that we are ensuring our checks and balances and holding the administration accountable.
” Crow and Sylvia R. Garcia of Texas , a Judiciary member who served as a city and county judge before being elected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team .
House Republicans dubbed Democratic leadership as the “ coastal impeachment team ” during the impeachment hearings last year .
Garcia said she did not seek to be an impeachment manager .
She was told she was under consideration recently and then informed Tuesday she was picked .
“ I ’ m a good listener and I know the law and I know people and I think everybody needs to have an opportunity to be heard , ” Garcia said when asked to describe how her experience as a judge applies to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who I am , ” she added .
“ American first , then a Texan .
I come from a rural poverty background .
I do n't know that it ’ s relevant .
I mean I think the speaker chose us because of what we bring to the table.
” Intelligence Chairman Adam B. Schiff of California will serve as the lead manager .
His predecessor , James E. Rogan , was also a House impeachment manager in 1999 .
Schiff defeated Rogan in the subsequent 2000 election .
Judiciary Chairman Jerrold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a manager , as will Zoe Lofgren of California , a senior member of the Judiciary Committee who was a Judiciary staffer during the Nixon impeachment inquiry and sat on the Judiciary panel during the Clinton impeachment .
Paul Fontelo and Katherine Tully-McManus contributed to this report.Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call on your iPhone .

Speaker Nancy Pelosi has chosen a small but diverse group of managers to make the House’s case for convicting President Donald Trump on two charges when the Senate impeachment trial begins next week, a move that reflects the membership of her own caucus.
Pelosi announced the managers, which include three women and three minorities, Wednesday morning, just hours before the House is expected to approve them and formally send the two articles of impeachment to the Senate.
The group, who flanked Pelosi during the announced, stands in stark contrast to the 13 white Republican men who managed the articles of impeachment for the House during the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton, almost exactly 20 years ago.
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, chairman of the House Democratic Caucus and one of the managers, said questions about whether gender, racial and geographical diversity were factors in the picks were best posed to Pelosi. Jeffries is also the only member of elected Democratic leadership among the managers.
“We have great confidence in her and she consistently led us on behalf of the American people in a phenomenal way during her tenure and I suspect that she’ll continue to do that,” he said.


rollcall--2020-01-15--Pelosi announces impeachment managers

Pelosi announces impeachment managers

Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaks during a news conference to announce impeachment managers on Capitol Hill on Wednesday .
( Caroline @ @ @ @ @ Nancy Pelosi announced Wednesday morning that Reps. Adam B. Schiff and Jerrold Nadler would be @ @ @ @ @ Senate impeachment trial .
“ The emphasis is on comfort-level in the courtroom , the @ @ @ @ @ possible case to protect and defend our Constitution , ” Pelosi said of her seven @ @ @ @

Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Wednesday morning that Reps. Adam B. Schiff and Jerrold Nadler would be among the managers for the Senate impeachment trial.
“The emphasis is on comfort-level in the courtroom, the emphasis is making the strongest possible case to protect and defend our Constitution,” Pelosi said of her seven total impeachment managers.


rollcall--2020-01-15--Senate sets first ground rules for impeachment trial

Senators and their staffs will be subject to new access restrictions and decorum practices in and around the Senate chamber starting Thursday morning , thanks to the imminent impeachment trial of President Donald Trump .
Access to the Senate wing will be more limited than usual as of 10:30 a.m. Thursday .
By unanimous consent , the Senate adopted the first round of impeachment procedures late Wednesday .
Those included an invitation for House managers to present the articles of impeachment Thursday and notify Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. , who will preside over the trial .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ up an escort committee for Roberts , take an oath as jurors Thursday afternoon and have a photograph of them taking that oath .
In a “ Dear Colleague ” letter Wednesday , signed by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer , senators were advised of limits on guest and staff access to the Capitol ’ s Senate wing .
Senators and House members will be allowed access , as will staffers with special impeachment trial credentials .
( The normal hard passes will not be sufficient . )
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for official business will need to be escorted through the tunnels from the Senate office buildings by staffers with the proper special credentials .
“ Access to any floor of the Senate Wing of the Capitol is restricted daily , beginning 30 minutes prior to all proceedings involving the exhibition or consideration of the Articles of Impeachment against the President of the United States and daily , beginning 30 minutes prior to all times that the United States Senate is sitting for trial with the Chief Justice of the United States presiding , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Also eligible for Senate-side access are people who hold gallery tickets to view the proceedings , as well as aides with floor privileges under the normal Senate rules ( provided they have the impeachment trial overlay ) and members of the press who have begun to receive special credentials .
Visitor gallery tickets are being allocated to individual Senate offices , and the daily passes may be used more than once on the day for which they are valid , which could make Senate offices a hot spot for handing off passes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each get two of the special credentials , and personal offices will each get one , according to the leaders .
As for the behavior of the senators themselves , a separate bulletin released Wednesday affirms that there will be no electronic devices in the chamber for use by the senators during the trial .
The notice also reminds senators that they need to keep quiet during the proceedings in the chamber .
“ Upon the announcement of the arrival of the Chief Justice , Senators should all silently rise at their desks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takes his seat , ” the notice reads .
“ Similarly , when the Chief Justice departs , Senators should rise and remain standing until he has exited the chamber.
” In accordance with impeachment trial rules , requests of the chief justice , such as motions and questions for impeachment managers , are supposed to be made in writing by senators .
The letter from Schumer and McConnell also effectively includes confirmation of media access restrictions , which CQ Roll Call reported Tuesday .
Senators are being told to refer questions about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Capitol to the Senate media gallery staff .
The executive committee of correspondents for periodical publications wrote to McConnell and Schumer on Thursday to express opposition to the restrictions on movement of journalists .
“ Though we understand officials ’ concerns about security , it is the responsibility of Senate leaders to conduct this chamber ’ s business in a transparent way , ” the periodical committee wrote .
“ Of particular concern is the decision to place a magnetometer within the Senate Daily Press Gallery , a move that we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and disruptions for both reporters covering the trial and for anyone in the chamber.
” “ Plans appear to be in place to severely restrict movement of working journalists on the second floor outside the Senate chamber , in particular the Ohio Clock Corridor , ” the committee wrote .
“ Any attempt to pen reporters away from lawmakers can only be viewed as a move to limit public scrutiny of chamber proceedings.
” Reporter corrals were set up Wednesday evening for the transfer of the articles of impeachment to the Senate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a member of the periodical correspondents executive committee .
Tuesday night , Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar , the ranking Democrat on the Rules and Administration Committee , expressed opposition to the press restrictions , which include the additional layer of screening to enter the Senate chamber and a “ pen ” on the second floor of the Capitol restricting the ability of members of the media to question senators .
And Klobuchar was not alone .
Louisiana Republican John Kennedy criticized the proposed restrictions in conversations with reporters , and Hawaii Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were not acceptable .
“ The American people deserve a full view of these proceedings .
But the new restrictions imposed on the press will make it more difficult for reporters to keep the public informed about every step of this historic trial .
These unreasonable restrictions must be reversed so that the press has the access they need to do their jobs , expose the truth , and keep our leaders accountable , ” Schatz said .

Senators and their staffs will be subject to new access restrictions and decorum practices in and around the Senate chamber starting Thursday morning, thanks to the imminent impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.
Access to the Senate wing will be more limited than usual as of 10:30 a.m. Thursday.
By unanimous consent, the Senate adopted the first round of impeachment procedures late Wednesday.
Those included an invitation for House managers to present the articles of impeachment Thursday and notify Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., who will preside over the trial. Measures also call for senators to set up an escort committee for Roberts, take an oath as jurors Thursday afternoon and have a photograph of them taking that oath.
In a “Dear Colleague” letter Wednesday, signed by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, senators were advised of limits on guest and staff access to the Capitol’s Senate wing.


rollcall--2020-01-15--More votes to terminate Trump's border emergency in the works

A section of the border wall stretches through the Rio Grande Valley sector of the Texas border on Aug. 20 , 2019 .
( Photo by Jinitzail Hernández/CQ Roll Call ) Top Senate Democrats , led by Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York , said Wednesday that they intended to force another vote on termination of the national emergency that President Donald Trump has used to boost border wall spending .
`` Bipartisan majorities in Congress have repeatedly rejected diverting money from critical military construction projects to build a single additional mile of border wall .
Robbing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order to boost his own ego and for a wall he promised Mexico would pay to build is an insult to the sacrifices made by our service members , '' Schumer said in a joint statement with Appropriations ranking member Patrick J. Leahy of Vermont , Armed Services ranking member Jack Reed of Rhode Island , Minority Whip Richard J. Durbin of Illinois and Sen. Tom Udall of New Mexico .
Durbin and Udall are the top Democrats on the Defense and Interior-Environment Appropriations subcommittees .
Under the 1976 National Emergencies Act , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terminate a presidential emergency declaration , such as the one Trump signed Feb. 15 , 2019 , to trigger the shift of up to $ 3.6 billion in previously appropriated military construction funds to the Southern border wall project .
Lawmakers in both chambers have since voted twice to end the funding grab , but both times Trump has vetoed the legislation and Congress has been unable to override the president .
[ House fails to override Trump ’ s veto of resolution ending his border emergency ] This week the Washington Post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional billions of dollars from `` milcon '' projects to wall-building .
The administration has n't confirmed the plans are definite or how much would come from military bases , but the reports have nonetheless lit a fuse again on Capitol Hill .
Lawmakers can vote again starting Feb. 15 , 2020 to terminate the border emergency .
It 's unclear whether Democrats will have any additional success this time .
On March 26 , 2019 , the House sustained Trump 's veto ; the 248-181 vote was well below the two-thirds threshold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But a number of Senate Republicans have been clearly uncomfortable with Trump 's move — both on constitutional separation of powers grounds as well as the potential impact on bases in their home states .
On the Oct. 17 , 2019 veto override vote , for example , 10 Senate Republicans voted with the Democrats .
The vote was 53-36 , again well short of the 67 needed to override .
On Tuesday , Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard C. Shelby , R-Ala. , and Military Construction-VA Subcommittee Chairman John Boozman , R-Ark.
, @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Both Shelby and Boozman backed the president 's veto last year .
Shelby said he planned to talk to White House officials in the coming days about the tentative proposal .

Top Senate Democrats, led by Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York, said Wednesday that they intended to force another vote on termination of the national emergency that President Donald Trump has used to boost border wall spending.
“Bipartisan majorities in Congress have repeatedly rejected diverting money from critical military construction projects to build a single additional mile of border wall. Robbing the Defense Department of these much-needed funds in order to boost his own ego and for a wall he promised Mexico would pay to build is an insult to the sacrifices made by our service members,” Schumer said in a joint statement with Appropriations ranking member Patrick J. Leahy of Vermont, Armed Services ranking member Jack Reed of Rhode Island, Minority Whip Richard J. Durbin of Illinois and Sen. Tom Udall of New Mexico.
Durbin and Udall are the top Democrats on the Defense and Interior-Environment Appropriations subcommittees.
Under the 1976 National Emergencies Act, Congress can vote every six months to terminate a presidential emergency declaration, such as the one Trump signed Feb. 15, 2019, to trigger the shift of up to $3.6 billion in previously appropriated military construction funds to the Southern border wall project. Lawmakers in both chambers have since voted twice to end the funding grab, but both times Trump has vetoed the legislation and Congress has been unable to override the president.
[House fails to override Trump’s veto of resolution ending his border emergency]