rollcall--2020-01-22--View from the gallery: Senators seek comfort and novelty during Trump trial

Republican Sens .
James M. Inhofe and Lamar Alexander enter the Senate chamber before the start of the impeachment trial in the Senate on Jan. 22 .
( Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call ) Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton was among the first senators spotted ordering milk to the Senate chamber for President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial Wednesday , and he took small sips to wash down what looked like a Hershey ’ s chocolate bar .
This was the second day of the third presidential impeachment trial in U.S. history , and the 100 senators began to search in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours of opening statements from House managers .
Senators have complained about being deprived of coffee , tea and other beverage pleasures during the trial .
The only two drinks allowed in the chamber are water and milk .
The milk allowance is enshrined in “ Riddick ’ s Senate Procedure : Precedents and Practices , ” where it specifies that “ Senate rules do not prohibit a Senator from sipping milk during his speech.
” Cotton ’ s desk is directly in front of Pennsylvania Republican Patrick J. Toomey , who runs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is known to stock it with products from his home-state chocolatier .
North Carolina Republican Richard M. Burr eventually joined Cotton , ordering some milk for himself .
Iowa Republican Joni Ernst draped her legs in what appears to be a blue fleece blanket to keep warm during the proceedings .
Democratic women are feeling the chill too .
After conferring with Washington ’ s Maria Cantwell , New Hampshire ’ s Jeanne Shaheen asked a Senate page to bring her some hot water .
Shaheen and Cantwell didn ’ t seem sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to expect .
The page dutifully returned with a water glass identical to all others in the chamber .
But when Shaheen wrapped her hands around it , she smiled and showed Cantwell .
After letting it cool for a few minutes , she took a sip and then cradled the boring , but warm , beverage in her lap .
As an afternoon break drew to a close , senators seemed to be in no particular hurry to resume the presentation of the House managers .
After conferring briefly with White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live microphone and announced , “ OK , OK , colleagues .
Let ’ s go back to our chairs .
We ’ re about to resume.
” At another point , Colorado freshman and impeachment manager Jason Crow took to the floor and suggested to Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. that with the time left in the Democrats ’ argument , maybe a break would be in order after his turn at the mics .
Crow looked back at Roberts , and then to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , usually in complete control of the Senate ’ s schedule , doesn ’ t have the same power during impeachment .
Senators are supposed to stay at their desks , but at least 23 decamped to their respective cloakrooms during the second hour of House Manager Adam B. Schiff ’ s opening statement , choosing a phone-friendly respite instead of listening to the same argument the House Intelligence chairman has been making for months .
Other senators , including Republicans Thom Tillis of North Carolina , Mike Braun of Indiana and Rick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back row of desks and the wall , perhaps to stretch their legs or maybe as a way to stay awake .
Some of their colleagues , like Tennessee Republican Lamar Alexander , struggled to keep their eyes open during portions of Schiff ’ s speech .
Wednesday ’ s session began around 1 p.m. and followed a marathon Tuesday session that began at 12:30 p.m. and finished just before 2 a.m. At the beginning , Scott removed his glasses , leaned back in his chair and rubbed his eyes with the palms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After a night that stretched long past Sen. Charles E. Grassley ’ s well-known 9 p.m. bedtime , yawns were epidemic in the early hours of Wednesday afternoon ’ s arguments .
Tucked safely in the back row , Virginia Democrat Mark Warner caught himself a nap .
He seemed to be asleep within 40 minutes of the arguments starting , a hand covering his eyes and his chin resting on his chest .
Massachusetts Democrat Edward J. Markey looked over at his desk neighbor but didn ’ t rouse him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his chin in his palm and looking at Schiff ’ s presentation .
But soon his eyes drooped closed once again .
The Vermont delegation needs some kind of green mountain remedy .
Both Sens .
Patrick J. Leahy and Bernie Sanders muffled coughs in the chamber , and Sanders pulled a wad of tissues from his pocket to mop his nose .
At one point , a Senate page delivered a plain white envelope to Leahy that seemed to contain cough drops .
He put some in his desk and some in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his mouth .
As the proceedings were getting underway , Oklahoma Republican James M. Inhofe caught the attention of a doorkeeper and handed him his cellphone , banned during the proceedings .
The doorkeeper put Inhofe ’ s phone in the cloakroom .
Shortly before 5 p.m. , there were many senators out of their seats .
Louisiana Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy could be seen in the Republican cloakroom using a tablet or laptop through the windowed doors into the chamber .
When Crow referenced Oleksandr Markiv , a Ukrainian military man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ separatists , some senators did a double take .
In Crow ’ s mouth , Markiv sounded exactly like Markey .
Delaware Democrat Thomas R. Carper whipped around in his seat to look at Markey , who widened his eyes and shrugged .
In early evening , there was a brief reunion for some Democrats who ’ ve been seeing plenty of each other in Iowa and New Hampshire .
Sanders , along with Cory Booker of New Jersey and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota , ducked into the Democratic cloakroom together .
Booker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; Klobuchar took her seat , and Booker leaned his large frame on the back of her chair .
No one , it seemed , could sit still for the duration of Wednesday ’ s session .
Montana Republican Steve Daines stood behind his GOP colleagues and leaned his body to the left and then the right , perhaps trying to subtly stretch without drawing attention .
Dozens of senators chose to stand behind their desks or lightly pace the back of the chamber while House impeachment managers forged ahead with their arguments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m. , no fewer than 25 senators stood either behind their desks or in the back of the chamber .
Hawaii Democrat Brian Schatz reached back and grabbed his foot , bringing it up toward his glutes for a nice quad stretch .
Louisiana Republican Bill Cassidy leaned forward against his desk at one point with his legs diagonally behind him in what appeared to be a calf stretch .
Just after 6 p.m. , as House impeachment manager Hakeem Jeffries spoke , Capitol Police officers removed a man from the public gallery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesting against abortion .
The protester yelled , “ JESUS CHRIST !
” and “ Schumer is the devil !
” Roberts responded : “ The sergeant-at-arms will restore order in the gallery.
” On the third floor outside the chamber , the protester continued shouting while being taken into custody , mentioning abortion and “ dismiss the charges.
” Actress and activist Alyssa Milano was back in the public gallery for a second day , this time in the front row behind Democratic lawmakers .
House Republican firebrand Louie Gohmert of Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the back of the chamber .
The session opened with Senate Chaplain Barry Black ’ s prayer , which asked for wisdom for Roberts and gave senators acting as jurors a reminder .
“ Help them remember that patriots reside on both sides of the aisle , that words have consequences and that how something is said can be as important as what is said , ” Black prayed .
Much earlier in the day , around 1 a.m. , Roberts formally admonished the House impeachment managers and Trump ’ s defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
No such warnings were issued from the bench Wednesday .
Niels Lesniewski and Lindsey McPherson contributed to this report .

Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton was among the first senators spotted ordering milk to the Senate chamber for President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial Wednesday, and he took small sips to wash down what looked like a Hershey’s chocolate bar.
This was the second day of the third presidential impeachment trial in U.S. history, and the 100 senators began to search in earnest for comfort and novelty during eight hours of opening statements from House managers.
Senators have complained about being deprived of coffee, tea and other beverage pleasures during the trial. The only two drinks allowed in the chamber are water and milk.
The milk allowance is enshrined in “Riddick’s Senate Procedure: Precedents and Practices,” where it specifies that “Senate rules do not prohibit a Senator from sipping milk during his speech.”


rollcall--2020-01-22--House managers stick to script on first day of Trump trial arguments

California Rep. Adam B. Schiff speaks during a news conference Wednesday with the other House impeachment managers before the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump resumes at the Capitol .
( Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call ) House impeachment managers on Wednesday dutifully stayed on message throughout the second full day of the Senate impeachment trial , arguing that the findings of the House ’ s impeachment inquiry provide ample evidence to warrant the removal of President Donald Trump from office .
The team of seven managers took turns presenting their case , starting with House Intelligence Chairman Adam B.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The California Democrat invoked the Founding Fathers ’ “ genius ” and “ prescience ” for crafting a Constitution that includes a mechanism to remove a president who has abused the powers of the office .
Schiff , the lead House impeachment manager , argued that Trump abused his office by withholding $ 391 million in military aid intended for Ukraine in exchange for that country announcing an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden , a top political rival and contender for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination .
Schiff further argued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because Trump got caught .
The president ’ s legal team sat silent just feet away from the podium where Schiff and his colleagues argued for the president ’ s removal .
They will likely have their turn for arguments Saturday , after House Democrats exhaust their allotted 24 hours .
For keen impeachment observers , Wednesday provided no new information .
But Schiff set out to ensure that each senator received a full debrief of his investigation .
“ We will go into extensive detail about what happened and when and how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ We do not assume that everyone in the Senate was able to watch all of the House testimony … let alone that the American people were able to do so.
” During an afternoon break from the House managers ’ opening arguments , Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer called Schiff a “ tour de force.
” While the New York Democrat may have been enraptured with the presentation , some of his Senate colleagues briefly nodded off during Schiff ’ s very factual and to-the-point opening statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crow , a member of the House Armed Services Committee and a former Army Ranger , spoke of the importance of the military aid intended for Ukraine that was temporarily halted by the Trump administration .
“ Where were you on July 25 , 2019 ?
” Crow asked , referencing the day Trump called Ukrainian President Voldomyr Zelenskiy , asking him for a “ favor.
” Crow then briefly recounted the last few weeks of Oleksandr Markiv ’ s life .
Markiv , a Ukrainian soldier fighting Russian-backed separatists in his country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on July 25 , Crow said , adding that Markiv was later killed in a mortar attack .
Crow described the hold on the aid as “ illegal , ” an assertion backed up by the Government Accountability Office .
Markiv ’ s death , however , can not be directly attributed to the aid ’ s delay .
A veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan , Crow has been the House managers ’ point person on the security matters at the center of the impeachment trial , often speaking of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine , which is at war with Russia .
“ We help our partner fight Russia over there , ” he told the Senate , “ so we don ’ t have to fight Russia here.
” Impeachment manager Sylvia R. Garcia , a Texas freshman , called out Sen. Ron Johnson ’ s ties to the Ukraine controversy , pointing to the Wisconsin Republican ’ s attendance at Zelenskiy ’ s inauguration in May .
Johnson attended alongside U.S .
Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland , then-special envoy to Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then-Energy Secretary Rick Perry .
All but Perry and Johnson testified before the House probe .
Johnson also met in 2019 with a former Ukrainian diplomat who is known to have circulated claims that Ukrainian officials assisted Hillary Clinton ’ s 2016 presidential campaign , despite no evidence of that .
During his testimony before Schiff 's panel , Sondland testified that Trump urged the group , including Johnson , to talk to Rudy Giuliani , the president 's personal lawyer , about concerns over corruption in Ukraine .
That led to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the alleged quid pro quo over military aid and a White House meeting .
New York Democrat Hakeem Jeffries , the only impeachment manager to serve in House Democratic leadership , pushed back against the president ’ s repeated claims that the July 25 call at the heart of the impeachment was “ perfect.
” “ Nothing can be further from the truth , ” Jeffries said .

House impeachment managers on Wednesday dutifully stayed on message throughout the second full day of the Senate impeachment trial, arguing that the findings of the House’s impeachment inquiry provide ample evidence to warrant the removal of President Donald Trump from office.
The team of seven managers took turns presenting their case, starting with House Intelligence Chairman Adam B. Schiff, who led the impeachment inquiry.
The California Democrat invoked the Founding Fathers’ “genius” and “prescience” for crafting a Constitution that includes a mechanism to remove a president who has abused the powers of the office.
Schiff, the lead House impeachment manager, argued that Trump abused his office by withholding $391 million in military aid intended for Ukraine in exchange for that country announcing an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden, a top political rival and contender for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.
Schiff further argued the Ukrainian government never announced the investigation because Trump got caught.


rollcall--2020-01-22--Impeachment cellphone ban gives Senate pages a workout

Senate pages are getting in their steps this week .
( Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call ) President Trump ’ s impeachment trial may be requiring senators to stay seated hour after agonizing hour , but there ’ s one group getting lots of exercise : Senate pages .
The blue-jacket-clad teens have been running all over the Senate floor , relaying messages between senators and staff , fetching water and even pouring the occasional glass of milk .
If you were to point this out to a page from , say , the 1950s , you ’ d likely be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , these new impeachment trial duties were basically on the daily to-do list of any congressional page .
That is before the Digital Information-Smartphone-Email Era made message-running unnecessary .
However , trial rules prohibit senators from bringing their phones into the chamber , so they must rely on pages to deliver handwritten notes like they did in the pre-smartphone days .
It ’ s a new skill set for these kids , and it shows .
On Wednesday night , one page tripped on a chamber step before taking a loud tumble .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on to the two empty glasses she was carrying while she ducked behind Martin Heinrich ’ s chair as quiet settled back over the room .
The pages , who usually work to be in the background and blend into the scenery of the Senate , were in the spotlight for a moment Wednesday night .
Senators rose to give a standing ovation to the pages , who will be taking their final exams and leaving Capitol Hill soon .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer gave them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 p.m. in the the middle of an impeachment trial .
“ We wish them well as they head off back to boring , normal high school , ” McConnell said .
“ It is rare , particularly these days , when 100 senators from both sides of the aisle of every political persuasion get up and give someone a standing ovation .
But you deserve it .
Thank you for your good work , and we hope you have beautiful and successful lives , ” Schumer said .
Sen. Daniel Webster appointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the House page program started in 1842 .
Program alumni still speak fondly of their time at the Capitol as a formative life experience .
“ It was a special designation for a 17-year-old , ” one alum from the class of 1979 told Roll Call in May .
“ Candidly , we were not particularly supervised .
It was sort of an honor system , that we would behave .
And we didn ’ t always.
” That lack of supervision had a downside .
Sexual impropriety roiled the program in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concluded in 1983 that Republican Rep. Dan Crane of Illinois preyed on a 17-year-old female page .
The panel also called out Democratic Rep. Gerry Studds of Massachusetts , who targeted a 17-year-old boy .
But after Rep. Mark Foley resigned in 2006 for sending a page lewd messages , it became more difficult to justify the program .
The House finally shuttered it in 2011 , but the Senate version continues .
Meanwhile , there ’ s been some movement to revive the House program .
Rep. Bobby Rush introduced a measure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rush said he considers the page program vital because it “ fosters bipartisan civic engagement and creates a new generation of leaders.
” Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call on your iPhone .

However, trial rules prohibit senators from bringing their phones into the chamber, so they must rely on pages to deliver handwritten notes like they did in the pre-smartphone days.
It’s a new skill set for these kids, and it shows. On Wednesday night, one page tripped on a chamber step before taking a loud tumble. However, she did manage to hang on to the two empty glasses she was carrying while she ducked behind Martin Heinrich’s chair as quiet settled back over the room.
The pages, who usually work to be in the background and blend into the scenery of the Senate, were in the spotlight for a moment Wednesday night. Senators rose to give a standing ovation to the pages, who will be taking their final exams and leaving Capitol Hill soon. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer gave them a farewell to remember, just before 10 p.m. in the the middle of an impeachment trial.
“We wish them well as they head off back to boring, normal high school,” McConnell said.
“It is rare, particularly these days, when 100 senators from both sides of the aisle of every political persuasion get up and give someone a standing ovation. But you deserve it. Thank you for your good work, and we hope you have beautiful and successful lives,” Schumer said.


rollcall--2020-01-22--Hakeem Jeffries responds to protester disrupting Senate impeachment trial

A protester in the Senate gallery interrupted Rep. Hakeem Jeffries , D-N.Y. , shortly before the Senate Court of Impeachment @ @ @ @ @ 6:30 p.m. , by yelling comments at the senators seated a floor below .
The @ @ @ @ @ their in entirety , but the protester could be heard yelling “ Jesus Christ ” @ @ @ @ @ devil ” before being removed .
“ The Sergeant at Arms will restore order in @ @ @ @ @ Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said from the rostrum .
Jeffries quickly responded to the @ @ @ @ @ 37:28 .
“ For the Lord loves justice and will not abandon his faithful ones @ @ @ @ @ the lectern , before continuing with his testimony .
On the third floor outside the @ @ @ @ @ shouting while being taken into custody , mentioning abortion and `` dismiss the charges .
@ @ @ @ @ to many at the Capitol for protesting against abortion .

A protester in the Senate gallery interrupted Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., shortly before the Senate Court of Impeachment’s dinner break at 6:30 p.m., by yelling comments at the senators seated a floor below.
The comments were not audible in their in entirety, but the protester could be heard yelling “Jesus Christ” and “Schumer is the devil” before being removed.
“The Sergeant at Arms will restore order in the gallery,” Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said from the rostrum.
Jeffries quickly responded to the protester by turning to Psalm 37:28. “For the Lord loves justice and will not abandon his faithful ones,” he said from the lectern, before continuing with his testimony.
On the third floor outside the chamber, the protester continued shouting while being taken into custody, mentioning abortion and “dismiss the charges.”


rollcall--2020-01-22--Trump undercuts military messages on brain injuries

President Donald Trump ’ s description of potential military brain injuries as “ not very serious ” stands in contrast to the military ’ s call for such injuries not to be minimized .
( Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images ) President Donald Trump ’ s comment Wednesday that U.S. troops suffering concussion-like symptoms had “ not very serious ” injuries clashed with a yearslong , hard-fought U.S. military campaign to spread the message that a brain injury is not something to be minimized .
Trump was referring to at least 11 cases of troops in Iraq reporting symptoms that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out to be so-called traumatic brain injuries , or TBIs .
Even if the final diagnoses are not all yet known , merely saying that such injuries are not serious conflicts with a growing body of medical evidence .
Moreover , some say Trump also upended Pentagon efforts to get U.S. troops to tend to the invisible wounds of war , which have historically been considered less grave than outward bodily damage .
Congress is keenly aware of the significance of brain injuries .
The fiscal 2020 defense appropriations law added $ 165 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for research into TBI and psychological health — the latest of what has been a regular addition of some $ 100 million or so to the budget in recent years .
Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. , who is the co-chairman and founder of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force , intends to send the Defense Department a letter Thursday expressing concerns about the effect of Trump ’ s remarks .
“ The comments of this erratic Commander-in-Chief are concerning and show a clear lack of understanding of the devastating impacts of brain injury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CQ Roll Call in a statement .
“ Working with the Congress over the past two decades , the Department of Defense has been right to change its policies and make the investments needed to treat concussions and traumatic brain injuries with the gravity they warrant .
Trump ’ s foolish comments denigrate our men and women in uniform and all Americans negatively affected by traumatic brain injury.
” After the Trump administration initially said no troops were injured when Iran launched missiles at U.S. bases in Iraq on Jan. 8 , Defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 military personnel were taken out of Iraq after complaining of concussion-like symptoms .
“ I heard that they had headaches and a couple of other things , ” the president said Wednesday during a news conference in Davos , Switzerland .
“ But I would say , and I can report , it is not very serious , not very serious.
” Trump then noted how Iranian roadside bombs have cost many U.S. military personnel their limbs , in a seeming attempt to contrast those people — who were “ horribly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with less worrisome psychic damage .
Later , at a Pentagon press conference , Maj. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich , deputy commander of the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria , said evaluations of injured U.S. servicemembers are ongoing .
Grynkewich said he didn ’ t know the exact number of injured but described it as in the “ teens.
” He said it was too early to describe the injuries as TBIs or concussions .
“ We have suspicions that there could be a diagnosis of TBI in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a concussion , but TBI is a very specific medical diagnosis that I don ’ t want to prejudge , and I ’ ll let the medical experts do that , ” he said .
Medical authorities have increasingly warned that even seemingly mild brain injuries , especially repeat ones , can have debilitating long-term effects .
“ Over the past 30 years , research has linked moderate and severe traumatic brain injury to a greater risk of developing Alzheimer ’ s disease or another dementia years after the original head injury , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Association , which describes itself as an organization dedicated to Alzheimer ’ s care , research and support .
Roadside bombs and similar blasts in battlefields in Iraq , Afghanistan and elsewhere , on top of accidents in training , have caused thousands of cases of traumatic brain injuries , or TBIs , among U.S. military personnel .
All told , more than 413,000 servicemembers have been hit with brain injuries from a variety of causes since 2000 , according to the Pentagon ’ s Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sign of how seriously the military treats the issue .
Nearly 19,000 U.S. military personnel suffered TBIs in 2018 alone , the most recent complete year for which figures are available .
Most concussions among military personnel were considered mild , and most happened outside the battlefield or training areas , Pentagon experts say .
Retired Army Gen. Pete Chiarelli , a former commander in Iraq , said in a 2013 interview that he was stunned to learn that TBI or post-traumatic stress accounted for 36 percent of the injuries in that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of war since the 9/11 attacks , U.S. military officers have sought to overcome an age-old belief among military personnel that injuries to the psyche and cerebrum are not as serious as bloody wounds in other parts of the body .
Such perceptions have often blocked many people who needed help from asking for it .
“ Sustaining a concussion or any brain injury can lead to changes in cognitive abilities and control of emotions , mobility , speech and senses , ” the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center says .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can have a huge impact on how a person thinks and acts , and on his or her mental health .
… Symptoms after a concussion can affect performance and place the service member or their unit in danger.
” The military has launched social media campaigns such as # TBIdidyouknow and has shone a spotlight on Brain Injury Awareness Month in March .
“ Our pursuit of superior lethality must be matched by a commitment to understanding , preventing , diagnosing , and treating TBI in all its forms , ” then-Defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 , 2018 , memo to the force .
“ Only by amplifying our communications about , and promoting awareness of , warfighter brain health and surveillance initiatives can the department eliminate , once and for all , the stigma that remains attached to help-seeking behaviors .
”

President Donald Trump’s comment Wednesday that U.S. troops suffering concussion-like symptoms had “not very serious” injuries clashed with a yearslong, hard-fought U.S. military campaign to spread the message that a brain injury is not something to be minimized.
Trump was referring to at least 11 cases of troops in Iraq reporting symptoms that officials said may or may not turn out to be so-called traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs.
Even if the final diagnoses are not all yet known, merely saying that such injuries are not serious conflicts with a growing body of medical evidence. Moreover, some say Trump also upended Pentagon efforts to get U.S. troops to tend to the invisible wounds of war, which have historically been considered less grave than outward bodily damage.
Congress is keenly aware of the significance of brain injuries. The fiscal 2020 defense appropriations law added $165 million to the Pentagon’s budget for research into TBI and psychological health — the latest of what has been a regular addition of some $100 million or so to the budget in recent years.
Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., who is the co-chairman and founder of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force, intends to send the Defense Department a letter Thursday expressing concerns about the effect of Trump’s remarks.


rollcall--2020-01-22--Impeachment an ‘erosion of rule of law,’ claim state attorneys general

Five state attorneys general and Rep. Mark Meadows addressed the press Wednesday , urging the Senate to acquit President Donald @ @ @ @ @ Roll Call ) Five state attorneys general addressed the media Wednesday , flanked by Rep. @ @ @ @ @ and Rep. Lee Zeldin , R-N.Y. , to issue a “ friend of the Senate @ @ @ @ @ Senate to reject the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump .
Issued as what @ @ @ @ @ relations move , the letter has gained support from attorneys general in 21 states and @ @ @ @ @ amicus brief .
They argue that Trump 's impeachment runs counter to that of what @ @ @ @ @ , accusing Democrats of a factually flawed basis for the president 's impeachment .

Five state attorneys general addressed the media Wednesday, flanked by Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., and Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., to issue a “friend of the Senate brief,” asking the Senate to reject the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump.
Issued as what appears to be a public relations move, the letter has gained support from attorneys general in 21 states and is meant to resemble an amicus brief. They argue that Trump’s impeachment runs counter to that of what the Founding Fathers had intended, accusing Democrats of a factually flawed basis for the president’s impeachment.


rollcall--2020-01-22--Schiff, Nadler impeachment tension spills out during trial

Rep. Adam Schiff , D-Calif. , speaks during a press conference with the other House impeachment managers before the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump resumes at the Capitol on Wednesday .
( Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call ) The first question at Wednesday ’ s news conference with House impeachment managers was directed at Rep. Jerrold Nadler , the New York Democrat whose Senate presentation helped prompt a rebuke from Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and a flood of criticism from Republican senators .
Nadler appeared to take a half step toward the podium as Rep. Adam B.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I ’ m going to respond to the questions , ” the California Democrat and lead impeachment manager said , then turned to call on another reporter for a question on a different topic .
Nadler was silent .
The exchange was one of a few moments that hint at some internal discord among House managers about the best way to present their case for impeaching President Donald Trump to the Senate as well as the American people — and how to stay on that message .
The rhetorical and stylistic differences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schiff and Nadler have been on display since September .
Speaker Nancy Pelosi picked Schiff , the Intelligence Committee chairman , to lead the impeachment inquiry over Nadler , the chairman of the Judiciary panel that has sole jurisdiction over drafting impeachment articles .
She later picked the former federal prosecutor to lead the impeachment team .
Now , Nadler 's misstep on the Senate floor in the wee hours Wednesday morning provided Republicans with a new line of attack , and allowed them to avoid questions about votes against witnesses and new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can tell you there was open gasping on the Senate floor when Nadler was saying those things , ” Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley told the media .
“ If the goal was to persuade , they took a huge step back.
” The first sign of the chairmen ’ s different approaches to the impeachment trial emerged at the House team ’ s news conference Tuesday , just a few minutes before the trial started .
Schiff spoke for about four minutes about the rules for the impeachment and then asked for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But Nadler stepped in in what appeared to be an unplanned moment .
“ Let me add something here , ” Nadler began as he adjusted the microphone .
He went on to repeat talking points Schiff and other Democrats have made , saying that “ any senator who votes to deny a witness , who votes to deny evidence , is voting to cover up the president 's crimes and subversion of the Constitution.
” Nadler spoke for about two minutes before Schiff , seeming to want to regain control of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nadler ’ s back and said , “ Let ’ s go to questions.
” Schiff readjusted the microphone as he began his answer .
Once the trial started , and the day dragged on as Senate Democrats offered amendment after amendment to change Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ’ s rules for the trial , Nadler did not have a primetime role .
Schiff spoke for much of it , portraying an even-keeled and professional courtroom demeanor .
Nadler made his first speaking appearance on the Senate floor after midnight , after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team had already done so , including more junior members of the Judiciary Committee .
Nadler was always supposed to speak on an amendment to require former national security adviser John Bolton testify at the impeachment trial , and House managers did not control the order of the amendments , Nadler spokesman Daniel Schwarz said .
From a messaging standpoint , Nadler 's remarks did not go well .
Nadler said a vote to deny subpoenas for witnesses at the beginning of the trial — which all Republican senators had done that day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , obviously a treacherous vote.
” Roberts delivered a rebuke to both the impeachment managers and Trump ’ s defense team .
And it opened up the impeachment team to attacks from Republican senators , some of whom have expressed an openness to bringing in witnesses later in the trial .
[ Schumer says Democrats not looking to make deals over witnesses ] '' I thought that it was really fine frankly up until Jerry Nadler , who did not disappoint , ” North Dakota Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer said Wednesday .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on purpose , I don ’ t think there ’ s any question about that ...
He 's pretty extreme for House guys even.
” Connecticut Democratic Sen. Christopher S. Murphy called it “ BS ” that Republicans were saying Nadler alienated those who would eventually vote whether to convict Trump .
“ This is a tried and true Republican tactic , ” Murphy tweeted , adding it is “ just a way to try to build cover for a reckless vote.
” Just before the start of the trial ’ s second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Nadler and the rest of the House impeachment team .
While Schiff cut off the first question about Nadler ’ s controversial argument — a moment that did not escape the notice of Sen. John Cornyn of Texas and other Republicans — he answered a later question on the topic and said tempers would flare when litigants go an entire day and into the dead of night .
“ That happens in every courtroom in America as well , ” Schiff said .
“ But we are going to try to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's team would like nothing more than to provoke a bit of conflict .
We 're not gon na let them.
” Schwarz said that there was a short window for press availability Wednesday morning before the trial and the impeachment team agreed to have only Schiff answer questions as lead manager .
Once in the Senate chamber , Schiff began his remarks with a comment that only expressed support for Roberts .
“ I want to begin by thanking you , Chief Justice , for the very long day and for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Schiff said .
He then launched into the House case for impeachment , expected to last three days .
Nadler was the second House manager to speak on Wednesday , and this time he stuck to the script .

The first question at Wednesday’s press conference with House impeachment managers was directed at Rep. Jerrold Nadler, the New York Democrat whose Senate presentation helped prompt a rebuke from Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and a flood of criticism from Republican senators.
Nadler appeared to take a half step toward the podium as Rep. Adam B. Schiff cut off the CNN reporter. “I’m going to respond to the questions,” the California Democrat and lead impeachment manager said, then turned to call on another reporter for a question on a different topic. Nadler was silent.
The exchange was one of a few moments that hint at some internal discord among House managers about the best way to present their case for impeaching President Donald Trump to the Senate as well as the American people — and how to stay on that message.
The rhetorical and stylistic differences, and at times tension, between Schiff and Nadler have been on display since September. Speaker Nancy Pelosi picked Schiff, the Intelligence Committee chairman, to lead the impeachment inquiry over Nadler, the chairman of the Judiciary panel that has sole jurisdiction over drafting impeachment articles.
She later picked the former federal prosecutor to lead the impeachment team.


rollcall--2020-01-22--Big business, tech, health care lead K Street spending in 2019

Lobbyists say they ’ re looking at a post-impeachment crunch on major legislative priorities this year before the elections consume lawmakers ’ attentions .
( Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo ) Big business , big tech and medical interests were K Street ’ s top players last year as those industries spent millions of dollars on federal lobbying in the final months of 2019 , while lawmakers and the administration wrapped up spending and trade measures .
With the 2020 elections expected to consume lawmakers ’ attention this summer and fall , lobbyists say they ’ re looking at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some clients already are gaming out a possible lame-duck session as well as a potentially revamped federal government in 2021 .
“ The dynamics of the elections are likely , if not certain , to compel House Democrats to continue to act on legislation , like infrastructure , ” lobbyist Stephanie Silverman of Venn Strategies said .
Other hot issues this year may include discussions on cybersecurity and data privacy and trade matters , among others .
Last year , Facebook , under pressure on Capitol Hill and from the executive branch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 16.7 million , than ever before — more than 30 percent above 2018 ’ s $ 12.6 million .
Ditto for Amazon , which increased its federal lobbying tab to $ 16.1 million in 2019 , up from $ 14.2 million a year earlier .
Major business lobbies , the Business Roundtable ( whose members are corporate CEOs ) and the National Association of Manufacturers among them , reported big increases in federal lobbying expenditures in the last quarter of the year , fueled largely by trade matters including the renegotiated pact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Canada .
The roundtable disclosed spending $ 8.5 million , of its $ 20 million total , in just the fourth quarter .
NAM , too , disclosed some $ 8.4 million on lobbying from October through December , more than it reported spending in the first three quarters of the year combined .
One outlier in the top spenders is the liberal organization Open Society Policy Center , which lobbies in its own right and also funds lobbying efforts by other groups .
Open Society , which has ties to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than $ 24 million on lobbying in the fourth quarter of 2019 on such issues as national defense , national security powers and appropriations .
Groups representing hospitals , doctors and pharmaceutical concerns were also among the biggest spenders last year , as lawmakers debated prescription drug pricing and surprise medical billing measures .
Trade policy and administration efforts to roll back environmental regulations were among some of the biggest issues , lobbyist Rich Gold of Holland & Knight said .
Those issues will continue to be front and center this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and specifically the possible changes they may bring in 2021 , are already fueling some business .
“ A lot of the business community is already doing active planning for some of the issues that would occur in a Democratic administration , like climate change and health care , ” said Gold , whose firm ’ s lobbying revenue , as reported under the Lobbying Disclosure Act , was up slightly in 2019 to about $ 24.6 million .
“ There are a lot of people that are spending money already on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commerce and the National Association of Realtors continued to outpace much of K Street but disclosed spending less in 2019 than in 2018 .
The chamber spent $ 76.1 million in 2019 and the Realtors spent $ 41.1 million .
A chamber spokeswoman declined comment .
The Realtors ’ group spent last year lobbying for the elimination of the home loan cap for veterans ’ mortgages and the seven-year reauthorization of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program , among others .
“ In 2020 we are focused on working toward these and other policies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the country , secure needed infrastructure reforms and improve data privacy laws , ” the group ’ s president , Vince Malta , said in a statement to CQ Roll Call .
Tech giant Google reported a 44 percent slide in its spending on federal lobbying , as it restructured its K Street operation , with $ 11.8 million in 2019 , down from $ 21.2 million in 2018 .
Still , big tech has supplanted the nation ’ s largest defense and aviation contractors among the 10 largest spenders .
Boeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 , a year of crisis for the company whose 737 Max jets remain grounded worldwide after high-profile crashes .
Northrop Grumman disclosed spending $ 13.3 million , while Lockheed Martin reported shelling out $ 12.9 million on federal lobbying last year .

Big business, big tech and medical interests were K Street’s top players last year as those industries spent millions of dollars on federal lobbying in the final months of 2019, while lawmakers and the administration wrapped up spending and trade measures.
With the 2020 elections expected to consume lawmakers’ attention this summer and fall, lobbyists say they’re looking at a post-impeachment crunch on major 2020 priorities. Some clients already are gaming out a possible lame-duck session as well as a potentially revamped federal government in 2021.
“The dynamics of the elections are likely, if not certain, to compel House Democrats to continue to act on legislation, like infrastructure,” lobbyist Stephanie Silverman of Venn Strategies said.
Other hot issues this year may include discussions on cybersecurity and data privacy and trade matters, among others.


rollcall--2020-01-22--Report: Speed up drug development with artificial intelligence

Senate HELP Chairman Lamar Alexander is among a group of lawmakers who requested the artificial intelligence report by the National Academy of Medicine and the Government Accountability Office .
( Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call file photo ) More and improved use of artificial intelligence , and an overhaul of medical education to include advances in machine learning , could cut down significantly the time it takes to develop and bring new drugs to market , according to a new joint report by the National Academy of Medicine and the Government Accountability Office .
Before that can happen , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy impediments that inhibit the collection and sharing of high-quality medical data among researchers , the report said .
“ Machine learning holds tremendous potential in drug development , ” according to the two-part report released Tuesday , which said such technologies could cut down the current time of about 10 to 15 years it takes to develop and bring a new drug to market .
“ In drug discovery , researchers are using [ machine learning ] to identify new drug targets , screen known compounds for new therapeutic applications , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ applications.
” [ Artificial intelligence is coming .
Will Congress be ready ? ]
Researchers involved in drug discovery said infusion of machine learning technologies at the early stage of drug development could result in savings of between $ 300 million and $ 400 million per successful drug , the GAO said .
The first part of the report , prepared by the National Academy of Medicine , is titled “ Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare : the Hope , the Hype , the Promise , the Peril.
” The second part , prepared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Artificial Intelligence in Health Care : Benefits and Challenges of Machine Learning in Drug Development.
” The report was prepared by the two agencies at the request of a group of lawmakers including Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander , chairman of the Senate Committee on Health , Education , Labor and Pensions , as well as Republican Reps. Greg Walden of Oregon , Michael C. Burgess of Texas and Brett Guthrie of Kentucky .
Annual U.S. health care spending is set to reach about $ 6 trillion by 2027 , with the federal portion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which account for a quarter of the national costs , growing faster than the overall economy .
The report found that application of artificial intelligence technologies could help identify new treatments , reduce failure rates in hospitals and result in more efficient and effective drug development .
But the application of new technologies also comes with new legal , ethical , economic and social questions that must be addressed , the report said .
Artificial intelligence-based tools can soon begin assisting patients with chronic conditions , the National Academy of Medicine said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such technologies both for consumers and health care providers .
New devices could help patients with heart disease , diabetes or depression , and with taking their medications , modifying their diet , wound care and injections , the academy said .
Health experts also can use data drawn from wearable devices such as accelerometers , gyroscopes , microphones , cameras and smartphones for monitoring patients ’ health and predicting risks , the academy said .
The report said startup companies with a focus on health and medicine have raised $ 4.3 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bras that can predict breast cancer risk and other clothes that can assess cardiac and lung conditions based on movement .
In hospitals , clinicians are testing whether artificial intelligence technologies would allow them to personalize chemotherapy dosing — a kind of precision medicine that ’ s tailored to each patient .
To ensure that doctors and other health professionals keep pace with the infusion of new technologies , “ medical education will need a substantial overhaul , ” the academy said .
Doctors and others need to be trained in data science @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and services to the point where the new technologies “ provide an assistive benefit to humans rather than replacing them.
” The artificial intelligence tools will “ soon be essential to assist with the growing field of precision medicine , ” the academy said , thanks to insights that algorithms can draw from a “ stunning growth in the volume of information ” drawn from routine medical procedures as well as from new products and biomedical research .
But researchers need to ensure that health data used to train artificial intelligence systems is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
In the absence of such inclusive data , artificial intelligence tools could “ exacerbate existing biases and inequities , ” the report warned .
The GAO said that although the potential for the use of artificial intelligence technologies in cutting time and costs in drug development is high , some data challenges remain .
“ Technological challenges include gaps in the underlying scientific data on mechanisms of disease , structure and behavior of complex molecules , and how to represent these data to algorithms , ” the GAO found .
Researchers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high-quality unbiased data in part because of obstacles to “ accessing and sharing data due to high costs and legal issues , ” the GAO said .
The GAO recommended that policymakers should make several changes to federal law , including : focus efforts on funding basic research that can generate better data to improve the use of machine learning techniques in drug development ; create mechanisms for sharing high-quality data among researchers ; establish uniform standards for data collection and algorithms ; and create a consistent message regarding machine learning in drug @ @

More and improved use of artificial intelligence, and an overhaul of medical education to include advances in machine learning, could cut down significantly the time it takes to develop and bring new drugs to market, according to a new joint report by the National Academy of Medicine and the Government Accountability Office.
Before that can happen, however, the United States must address legal and policy impediments that inhibit the collection and sharing of high-quality medical data among researchers, the report said.
“Machine learning holds tremendous potential in drug development,” according to the two-part report released Tuesday, which said such technologies could cut down the current time of about 10 to 15 years it takes to develop and bring a new drug to market. “In drug discovery, researchers are using [machine learning] to identify new drug targets, screen known compounds for new therapeutic applications, and design new drug candidates, among other applications.”
[Artificial intelligence is coming. Will Congress be ready?]
Researchers involved in drug discovery said infusion of machine learning technologies at the early stage of drug development could result in savings of between $300 million and $400 million per successful drug, the GAO said.


rollcall--2020-01-22--Taylor Swift reaches peak politics with ‘Miss Americana’

Taylor dropped a teaser Wednesday ahead of her upcoming Netflix documentary “ Miss Americana ” — and , in typical fashion , the internet needed to calm down .
The film , directed by Emmy Award winner Lana Wilson , takes an intimate look at the megastar turned newly minted activist ’ s career over the last several years : the good , the bad and the political .
“ I wan na do this — I want to be on the right side of history , ” Swift says in the trailer .
A voiceover announcing that “ Taylor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ends the guessing game .
The “ politics ” at play was the 2018 midterm election cycle , when Swift posted a message against Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn , who was up for reelection in Swift ’ s home state .
“ Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me , ” the pop star posted on Instagram , opposing the Republican for voting “ against equal pay for women.
” “ She also believes [ gay couples ] should not have the right to marry , ” said the soon-to-be recipient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blackburn defeated Swift ’ s candidate of choice , Democrat Phil Bredesen , telling “ Fox & Friends , ” “ Well , I hope Taylor will shake it off.
” The “ Lover ” singer ’ s new ballad , “ Only the Young , ” was written after the midterm elections , “ when there were so many young people who rallied for their candidate , whether it was a senator or congressman or congresswoman , ” Swift told Variety magazine .
The single is set to make its debut as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year ’ s elections .
“ I did think that it would be better for it to come out at a time that it could maybe hopefully stoke some fires politically and maybe engage younger people to form their own views , ” Swift said .
“ Miss Americana ” will be released on Netflix on Jan. 31 .

Taylor dropped a teaser Wednesday ahead of her upcoming Netflix documentary, “Miss Americana” and, in typical fashion, the internet needed to calm down.
The film, directed by Emmy award winner Lana Wilson, takes an intimate look at the megastar-turned-newly minted activist’s career over the last several years: the good, the bad and the political.
“I wanna do this — I want to be on the right side of history,” Swift says in the trailer. A voiceover announcing that “Taylor broke her silence on politics” quickly ends the guessing game.
The “politics” at play was the 2018 midterm election cycle, when Swift posted a message against Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn, who was up for reelection in Swift’s home state.
“Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me,” the pop star posted on Instagram, opposing the Republican for voting “against equal pay for women.”


rollcall--2020-01-22--What to watch during impeachment: Napping senators

Capitol workers wind the Ohio Clock in the Ohio Clock Corridor in the Capitol on Tuesday .
( Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call ) “ Spot the snoozing politician ” is pretty much an annual tradition at the State of the Union .
Now there ’ s a new chance to play the game .
As President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial continues , lawmakers are slouching , yawning and fidgeting — and observers in the gallery are watching for drooping eyelids .
Some senators are already on notice .
Virginia ’ s Mark Warner rested his head on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Jim Risch appeared to nod off in the 5 o ’ clock hour , a moment a sketch artist for the New York Times captured for posterity .
Maybe they were just centering themselves , or dreaming of more comfortable chairs .
( Warner ’ s office did not return our request for comment . )
Either way , conditions are ripe for sleepytime in the Senate chamber .
You can ’ t check your phone or whisper to your neighbor , according to the rules governing the trial .
Throw in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re halfway to dreamtown .
We ’ re serious about the milk .
It ’ s one of two beverages always allowed on the floor , as large amounts of Twitter users pointed out this week as they searched for bits of color .
The other sanctioned beverage is water .
Coffee is not allowed , which brings us back to snoozeville .
It was so quiet in the chamber Tuesday that when Connecticut ’ s Richard Blumenthal sneezed — not once , not twice , but three times — he didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you.
” That eerie stillness , combined with the raw physical strength it takes to endure 24 hours of talking in the space of three days , makes the impeachment trial a prime setting for inner-eyelid-gazing — even better than the State of the Union .
“ The audience , for the most part , is awake because they are bobbing up and down , and we sit there , stone-faced , ” Ruth Bader Ginsburg said of the State of the Union in 2015 .
She and her fellow Supreme Court justices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explain why she very noticeably fell asleep during President Barack Obama ’ s speech that year , letting her chin drift gently toward her jabot .
( She blamed it on wine . )
With impeachment proceedings stretching well into the night Tuesday , ending around 2 a.m. Wednesday , decorum might fall victim to bodily needs .
One senator to watch is Iowa ’ s Chuck Grassley , who is so committed to observing a strict bedtime that he once excused himself from a high-profile hearing he was supposed to be chairing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9 p.m. to prepare themselves for an invigorating morning run , there ’ d be fewer drooping heads all around .
Lindsey McPherson and Kathryn Lyons contributed to this report .

Either way, conditions are ripe for sleepytime in the Senate chamber. You can’t check your phone or whisper to your neighbor, according to the rules governing the trial. Throw in a little warm milk, and you’re halfway to dreamtown.
We’re serious about the milk. It’s one of two beverages always allowed on the floor, as large amounts of Twitter users pointed out this week as they searched for bits of color. The other sanctioned beverage is water.
Coffee is not allowed, which brings us back to snoozeville. It was so quiet in the chamber Tuesday that when Connecticut’s Richard Blumenthal sneezed — not once, not twice, but three times — he didn’t even get a “bless you.”
That eerie stillness, combined with the raw physical strength it takes to endure 24 hours of talking in the space of three days, makes the impeachment trial a prime setting for inner-eyelid-gazing — even better than the State of the Union.
“The audience, for the most part, is awake because they are bobbing up and down, and we sit there, stone-faced,” Ruth Bader Ginsburg said of the State of the Union in 2015. She and her fellow Supreme Court justices abstain from clapping, which may help explain why she very noticeably fell asleep during President Barack Obama’s speech that year, letting her chin drift gently toward her jabot. (She blamed it on wine.)


rollcall--2020-01-22--Emotional support animals could be banned from planes under DOT rule

Snakes on a plane ?
Probably not —at least in the cabin .
The U.S. Department of Transportation Wednesday released a proposed rule that would let airlines ban most `` emotional support '' animals in airplane cabins and board only specially trained service dogs to assist people with disabilities .
Directed as part of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 , the draft rule would replace one that requires airlines to allow the boarding of sometimes unusual creatures to provide emotional support for a passenger .
The rule comes amid a spate of high-profile stories of airplane passengers trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , capuchin monkeys and peacocks , on airplanes .
Airlines facing such menageries had little specific guidance from the Federal Aviation Administration .
`` Airlines want all passengers and crew to have a safe and comfortable flying experience , and we are confident the proposed rule will go a long way in ensuring a safer and healthier experience for everyone , '' said Nicholas E. Calio , CEO of Airlines for America , a trade association .
Cats , rats , capuchin monkeys and any animal other than a dog would not qualify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which would limit the number of service animals a passenger can bring to two .
The rule makes clear that while emotional support animals are on the outs , psychiatric service animals would be considered service animals , as long as they had the same training and treatment as other service animals .
Airlines would also be allowed to require passengers traveling with service dogs to fill out Department of Transportation forms attesting to the service animal ’ s good behavior , certify its good health , and , if the flight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ animal can either control its bladder or relieve itself in a sanitary manner .
Airlines and passengers had expressed concern that animals in the cabin were not always well-behaved , urinated or defecated in the cabin to the dismay of other passengers , and in some cases , presented a danger to others .
The proposal also aims to protect passengers with a disability by ensuring that they do not have to check-in far in advance .
The rule would allow airlines to require passengers traveling with a service animal to check-in at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel time required for the general public to ensure sufficient time to process the service animal documentation and observe the animal .
That provision came after some airlines had asked that documents about service animals be provided 48 hours in advance of flying — a prospect that would n't allow for emergency travel .
Existing federal rules define service animals broadly , allowing them to travel with passengers regardless of whether it 's for a disability or the passenger ’ s emotional well-being .
But those existing rules came at a cost , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an increase in complaints to both the Department of Transportation and to individual airlines regarding animals on planes .
The proposed rule — which will be subject to comment for 60 days - would narrow that definition if approved as written .
It ’ s unclear when the rule would go into effect , according to the department .
If approved , those who lie about whether their animal is a true service animal would be subject to punishment including fines or time in jail .
U.S. Service Animals , an organization that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately respond to a request for comment .

Snakes on a plane? Probably not —at least in the cabin.
The U.S. Department of Transportation Wednesday released a proposed rule that would let airlines ban most “emotional support” animals in airplane cabins and board only specially trained service dogs to assist people with disabilities.
Directed as part of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, the draft rule would replace one that requires airlines to allow the boarding of sometimes unusual creatures to provide emotional support for a passenger.
The rule comes amid a spate of high-profile stories of airplane passengers trying to bring support animals, including miniature horses, capuchin monkeys and peacocks, on airplanes. Airlines facing such menageries had little specific guidance from the Federal Aviation Administration.
“Airlines want all passengers and crew to have a safe and comfortable flying experience, and we are confident the proposed rule will go a long way in ensuring a safer and healthier experience for everyone,” said Nicholas E. Calio, CEO of Airlines for America, a trade association.


rollcall--2020-01-22--Schumer says Democrats not looking to make deals over witnesses

Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer , right , and Sen. Chris Murphy listen as Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse speaks during a news conference before the Senate convened for the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump .
( Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call ) Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer said Wednesday that Democrats aren ’ t looking to cut deals with Republicans to hear from witnesses in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump .
Asked whether Democrats would be willing to make a deal with Republicans to allow former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s son Hunter Biden to testify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former national security adviser John Bolton , Schumer shot down that notion .
“ We don ’ t need to have witnesses that have nothing to do with this , ” he said at a Senate Democrats news conference , calling those suggestions “ a distraction.
” Pressed on whether he ’ s at all open to cutting a witness deal with Republicans , Schumer said , “ Right now we haven ’ t heard them wanting any witnesses at all.
” Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy , speaking with reporters after the news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal is being overblown by the media .
“ That ’ s not a conversation that ’ s happening between Republicans and Democrats , ” he said .
“ We ’ re not in the business of trading away relevant witnesses for , you know , reelection gambits of the president .
We should be talking about witnesses that have direct knowledge of the events at the foundation of the case by the House.
” After the Senate adjourned early Wednesday morning , Murphy tweeted that during one of the breaks in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to vote for witnesses later in the trial flagged him down to warn that too many votes on witnesses might scare off other like-minded Republicans .
But later Wednesday , Murphy told reporters that he doesn ’ t think any actual damage was done because Democrats had telegraphed the amendments they would be offering and it was McConnell who decided to keep the Senate in late rather than roll votes to Wednesday .
“ If there were Republicans that came into yesterday considering voting for witnesses , I don ’ t think anything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
Schumer said the information Democrats are seeking to subpoena might not even be incriminating to the president and could even be exculpatory .
“ These are certainly not Democratic witnesses or Democratic documents , ” he said .
Schumer dismissed the idea that Democrats hurt their chances of getting Republican votes to subpoena witnesses and documents later by forcing them all at the start of the trial .
“ We would be derelict in our responsibilities if we didn ’ t ask for these votes , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only time we ’ re guaranteed getting a vote on witnesses and documents .
And so we would not be doing our job if we didn ’ t try to make this trial fair.
” “ We ’ re going to continue to do it , ” he said .
“ And what will determine , in my judgment , how people vote is their conscience and their knowledge that the American people realize we ’ re right.
” To Schumer ’ s point , Republicans did vote down an amendment to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on witnesses and documents would occur after the question and answer phase .
Democrats can attempt to subpoena witnesses and documents at that time but it will be up to Chief Justice John Roberts on whether to rule on those requests himself or have the Senate vote ; he is expected to choose the latter .

Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer said Wednesday that Democrats aren’t looking to cut deals with Republicans to hear from witnesses in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.
Asked whether Democrats would be willing to make a deal with Republicans to allow former Vice President Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden to testify in exchange for witnesses Democrats want like former national security adviser John Bolton, Schumer shot down that notion.
“We don’t need to have witnesses that have nothing to do with this,” he said at a Senate Democrats news conference, calling those suggestions “a distraction.”
Pressed on whether he’s at all open to cutting a witness deal with Republicans, Schumer said, “Right now we haven’t heard them wanting any witnesses at all.”
Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy, speaking with reporters after the news conference, said talk of a witness deal is being overblown by the media.


rollcall--2020-01-22--Life in the ‘Hakuna Matata’ White House

Life in the ‘Hakuna Matata’ White House

What ’ s it like covering President Donald Trump ?
Let us count the ways .
( Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call ) There is a lot to learn from covering the White House for four years .
For former CQ Roll Call White House correspondent John T. Bennett , that included realizing aides for President Donald Trump were looking into that “ Hakuna Matata ” thing ; whether the president ’ s accessibility is a double-edged sword ; and how to stay sane in a crazy environment .
Now as Bennett takes on a new assignment as bureau chief with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of the biggest lessons he got from life in the Executive Mansion in the latest Political Theater podcast .
• Trump admits he lacks exit strategy for an Iran war • For White House press pool on Trump ’ s impeachment day , the silence was deafening • Stage-managing ‘ The Trump Show on the Road ’ in Biarritz • Trump drags ‘ Sharpiegate ’ into second day as latest self-inflicted wound festers • Trump thrives amid turmoil , and is banking that voters won ’ t mind • What it Was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Maverick ’ s Dramatic Health Care Vote • By praising Baghdadi-cornering K-9 , Trump stirs Islam ’ s complicated dog history — and his own • Still confused about Trump ’ s demands of Congress ?
Maybe it ’ s you Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call on your iPhone .

There is a lot to learn from covering the White House for four years. For former CQ Roll Call White House correspondent John T. Bennett, that included realizing aides for President Donald Trump were looking into that “Hakuna Matata” thing; whether the president’s accessibility is a double-edged sword; and how to stay sane in a crazy environment.
Now as Bennett takes on a new assignment as bureau chief with The Independent of London, he shares some of the biggest lessons he got from life in the Executive Mansion in the latest Political Theater podcast.
Show Notes:
Subscribe to this podcast below:


rollcall--2020-01-22--Managing impeachment: Sensenbrenner’s seen it before

Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner R-Wis. , and Bill McCollum , R-Fla. , talk with reporters near Statuary Hall at the end @ @ @ @ @ of the 1999 impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton .
( Douglas Graham/CQ Roll Call @ @ @ @ @ arguments for President Andrew Johnson ’ s impeachment trial took 2½ days .
Rep. Henry @ @ @ @ @ to be shorter in President Bill Clinton ’ s impeachment trial .
Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner @ @ @ @ @ a House manager during the Clinton trial and delivered opening arguments .
CQ Roll Call @ @ @ @ @ back on his role in 1999 .
Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll @ @ @ @ @

The opening arguments for President Andrew Johnson’s impeachment trial took 2½ days. Rep. Henry Hyde needed his opening arguments to be shorter in President Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial.
Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Wisconsin, served as a House manager during the Clinton trial and delivered opening arguments. CQ Roll Call sat with Sensenbrenner to look back on his role in 1999.


rollcall--2020-01-22--Impeachment news roundup: Jan. 22

Impeachment news roundup: Jan. 22

Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer , followed by Democratic Sen. Richard J. Durbin , leaves a news conference Tuesday .
The Senate rejected all of the amendments Schumer introduced to try to change the rules for President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial .
( Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call ) Delaware Democrat Chris Coons said House impeachment manager Adam B. Schiff ’ s closing 30 minutes was “ compelling ” and that he showed a “ mastery ” of the material .
Coons also said that there were snacks and coffee in the cloakroom .
Coons said there has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans .
Coons said his schedule did not allow him to comprehensively take in every moment of the impeachment inquiry as it was happening and therefore he learned new information Wednesday .
Defense counsel Jay Sekulow said he expects the House managers to use all three days allotted to them for presenting their case .
That would mean the White House would begin its defense Saturday , he said , noting they ’ d likely take “ a day or two ” after that to finish their presentation .
Here is the latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not against calling witnesses : Defense counsel Jay Sekulow said President Donald Trump ’ s team isn ’ t against calling witnesses and that senators may hear from some down the line .
He responded with broad strokes in response to questions Wednesday about the issue of whether Hunter Biden should be called to testify .
“ We ’ re not making any determinations on what witnesses we might call because we don ’ t know yet their case .
We ’ re still hearing it .
We ’ ll see what happens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there will be witnesses .
So we ’ re just going to play that as it goes , ” Sekulow said .
Earlier in the day , Trump had suggested that while he ’ d like to sit in on his own trial , his counsel might recommend against it .
“ His counsel might , ” Sekulow quipped .
“ That 's not the way it works .
I mean , no .
Presidents don ’ t do that , ” he said .
He cited his long relationship with Chief Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the admonition Roberts gave last night .
“ There was some emotion on the floor yesterday but when they accuse my client of lying , when they accuse the United States Senate of lying , when they accuse my colleagues of lying .
...
It ’ s going to evoke a reaction.
” The second day of the Senate trial saw House impeachment manager Adam B. Schiff of California use his two-hour opening statement to repeat House Democrats ’ argument that Trump withheld military aid to benefit his 2020 reelection campaign .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours of amendment debate that started Tuesday afternoon and ran into Wednesday morning , Schiff evoked the Founding Fathers ’ “ genius ” and “ prescience ” for crafting a Constitution that empowers the legislature to rebuke through impeachment , and remove through a trial , an executive who abuses the office of the president .
Schiff then laid out the House ’ s well-known case against Trump , using video clips of witness testimony from the House inquiry and reading bits of evidence gathered throughout the last few months of 2019 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go into extensive detail about what happened and when and how we know that it happened , ” he said .
“ We do not assume that everyone in the Senate was able to watch all of the House testimony ... let alone that the American people were able to do so.
” The Senate opened around 1 p.m. , with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell saying there were no motions to be considered before the managers began their statements .
Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer said he offered to move consideration of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial rules resolution to Wednesday so the Senate didn ’ t have to stay too late Tuesday but McConnell declined .
“ It seems the only reason Leader McConnell refused to move votes back a day is because it would interfere with the timeline he promised the president , ” Schumer said at a news conference .
“ The bottom line is this : The very first thing the American people saw when they tuned into the impeachment trial of President Trump was Republican senators voting against having a fair trial with relevant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off all the amendments Republicans voted down on Tuesday .
Those issues will be revisited after the House and White House present their case and senators ’ question and answer portion of the trial , Schumer said , noting “ it ’ s a question of conscience , ” not ability for Senate Republicans .
Schumer said earlier Wednesday leaving the Capitol around 2 a.m. that he ’ s not done putting his colleagues on the record on how the trial is conducted .
“ We ’ re going to keep looking , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if he is seeking more opportunities to force votes .
“ If there ’ s no documents and witnesses I don ’ t think anybody thinks an acquittal is going to have that much value , ” he said .
[ Impeachment comes with its own rules — or lack thereof — on standard of proof ] The Senate voted along party lines to approve the rules for the trial , after a long night of debate that stretched to nearly 2 a.m. Wednesday .
6:30 p.m. | Protester removed : A protester @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House impeachment manager Hakeem Jeffries spoke .
“ Jesus Christ , ” and “ Schumer is the devil , ” yelled the protestor , before being removed .
“ The Sergeant at Arms will restore order in the gallery , ” Roberts said from the rostrum .
On the third floor outside the chamber , the protester continued shouting while being taken into custody , mentioning abortion and “ dismiss the charges.
” 5:45 p.m. | Back to your chairs : At 3:13 p.m. , a number of largely GOP senators got up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he was turning to the opening of arguments for the second article of impeachment .
A brief recess had been expected at approximately 3:08 p.m. , and once it became clear that the California Democrat was running behind schedule , senators took that as their cue to take a break .
Two minutes later , Schiff said that he had approximately 10 minutes left .
After that , the court of impeachment did recess for about 25 minutes .
Most senators rushed for the exits , but some lagged behind — most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Susan Collins of Maine .
As the break drew to a close , senators seemed to be in no particular hurry to resume the presentation of the House managers .
“ What ’ s the little guy with the dark hair ?
” asked Sen. Patrick J. Leahy during a break .
The name he was looking for was Jay Sekulow , a lawyer on the Trump defense team .
After conferring briefly with White House counsel Pat Cipollone , McConnell took a live microphone and announced , “ Ok , ok colleagues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our chairs .
We 're about to resume.
” 4:30 p.m. | Argument potpourri : Schumer called lead manager Schiff ’ s speech a “ tour de force ” and said he thought it was a compelling argument for more witnesses and documents .
“ I ’ ve been in the Congress since 1980 .
It was one of the five or six greatest speeches I 've heard — and I 've heard a lot , ” the Democratic leader from New York said .
He also praised the Founding Fathers and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senators to sit and listen to the case without other distractions , letting the words of each side ’ s argument marinate .
Republicans continue to say they still do not see an impeachable offense in the House ’ s case .
But Schumer projected positivity for the Democrats ’ cause .
“ They changed their minds and a couple of things McConnell put in the resolution , ” he pointed out .
“ It ’ s the first time our Republican colleagues have heard the whole argument eloquently , completely and concisely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sit in those chairs — no iPhones , no cell phones , no yakking — and pay attention , I think is going to make a difference .
I hope [ it ] will make a difference , ” he said .
“ It is hard to believe any Republican who has any kind of impartiality could hear everything that Schiff mentioned and not say we need witnesses and documents.
” Sen. Amy Klobuchar argued the national security implications of the impeachment allegations may be a “ trigger ” for Republicans and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ witnesses .
“ At some point they have to allow witnesses .
At some point they have to acknowledge that they do not serve at the pleasure of the president , ” the Minnesota Democrat said .
Sen. Dianne Feinstein praised Schiff for framing the impeachment charges against Trump through a big-picture scope as a savvy attempt to try to appeal to Republican senators ' sense of integrity and patriotism as they listen to the rest of the Democrats ’ case .
“ I don ’ t think anybody can deny that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where we are , ” the California Democratic senator said of Schiff ’ s portion of the opening argument .
Republicans , however , found Schiff ’ s argument less persuasive .
Texas Sen. John Cornyn said that House impeachment manager Jerrold Nadler ’ s arguments Tuesday night were unhelpful to the impeachment case .
“ Blundering and incompetent presentation that hurt the House manager ’ s position , ” the Texas Republican said .
He also said the House effort to get witnesses would “ hijack ” the Senate for months and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barrasso , the third highest-ranking Republican in the chamber , dismissed Schiff ’ s opening argument as old news .
“ I stayed awake , but I didn ’ t hear anything new , ” the Wyoming Republican said .
He said that while at least 51 senators — both Republicans and Democrats — would be ready to vote on the articles today , others want to hear arguments from both senators and White House counsel before reaching a decision .
2:45 p.m. | Consequential language : Senate Chaplain Barry Black ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began Wednesday , asked for wisdom for Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. , and gave senators acting as jurors a reminder .
“ Help them remember that patriots reside on both sides of the aisle , that words have consequences and that how something is said can be as important as what is said , ” Black prayed .
Earlier in the day , at about 1 a.m. , Roberts formally admonished the House impeachment managers and Trump ’ s defense team for their language and personal characterizations .
“ They are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body , ” Roberts said .
“ One reason it has earned that title is because its members avoid speaking in a manner and using language that is not conducive to civil discourse , ” he added .
2 p.m. | Flooded phone lines : Thousands of constituents called into the offices of GOP senators in swing states Tuesday imploring them to vote to allow witnesses at the Senate impeachment trial , according to analytics provided to Roll Call by Stand Up America , a political advocacy group that opposes Trump .
Constituents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phone number on the organization ’ s website that redirects callers to their senator ’ s office based on the caller ’ s zip code .
GOP Sen .
Rob Portman ’ s office alone , for instance , received nearly 900 phone calls from Ohioans in the hours leading up to McConnell ’ s decision to alter some provisions in his rules resolution governing the impeachment trial .
A tabulation of the total number of calls to Senate offices on the first day of the trial could not be determined .
Half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senators up for reelection in 2020 did not return requests for more information .
1:20 p.m. | “ Forget it ” : Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham said he has no interest in setting precedents under which the Senate impeachment court makes rulings on claims of executive privilege from testimony .
“ If I ’ m asked to waive executive privilege , I will say no .
The option is to stop the trial and go to court , or have the Senate decide the privilege , ” Graham said .
“ Here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to tell future Houses : If you blow through these privileges because you want to impeach a president before the election , and you come to the Senate , and you ask me to destroy the privilege , forget it.
” “ The only option available to the Senate then is recognize the privilege — and that ’ s the end of [ former national security adviser John ] Bolton ’ s testimony — or stop the trial and send it to court , which they should ’ ve done to begin with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that his position on adhering to the Trump administration ’ s claims of privilege could prevent potential deals exchanging the testimony of someone like Bolton for testimony from Vice President Joe Biden ’ s son Hunter Biden .
“ I ’ m not going to trade executive privilege , ” Graham said .
12:55 p.m. | “ Over the top ” : Republican Sen. John Kennedy said Nadler ’ s comments on Tuesday that drew a rebuke from Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. were “ over the top , ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House managers and the White House team was an attempt to be “ fair.
” “ I think everybody knew it was directed toward Chairman Nadler , ” Kennedy said .
“ I ’ ve been in a lot of courtrooms and you get tired .
You can get a little emotional , and sometimes you demonstrate more zeal than wisdom.
” Kennedy appeared to take personal exception to a segment of Nadler ’ s address in which the New York Democrat implied GOP senators were complicit in a cover-up .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fair calling opposing counsel liars .
And I don ’ t think it ’ s fair to say that senators who don ’ t vote like I tell you to vote are involved in any illegal action , ” Kennedy said .
12:55 p.m. | Clearing Trump ’ s name : Speaking to reporters before entering the Senate chamber Wednesday , Trump counsel Jay Sekulow said he is trying to make the president ’ s case to the “ full ” U.S. Senate , not just moderates and Republicans most likely to stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asked why the president ’ s lawyers did not file a motion to dismiss the impeachment articles , Sekulow indicated that his team is trying to clear Trump ’ s name .
“ We ’ re prepared to proceed to acquittal , ” he said .
12:50 p.m. | Taking note : “ One thing that was clearly established yesterday is the Senate is not a court of appeals , ” Schiff told reporters Wednesday , referring to GOP efforts to suggest the Senate only has to consider evidence the House compiled .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from early Wednesday bragging that he had documents Democrats were seeking to bring into evidence in the trial .
“ That is nothing to brag about , ” he said .
12:45 p.m. | Open gasping : Republican Sen. Josh Hawley said the House managers on Tuesday alienated senators and seemed to be using debate time on amendments to drag out the proceedings as they were making points that should have been saved for their actual case .
“ They ’ ve got a lot of work to do today to try to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , noting by 2 a.m. most senators were not happy .
Hawley specifically called out Nadler for his “ terrible breach of courtroom procedure ” in calling Trump ’ s lawyers liars .
He was also incredulous that Nadler accused the jurors of engaging in a “ cover-up ” and “ treachery ” for voting against amendments .
“ There was open gasping on the Senate floor when Nadler was saying these things , ” Hawley said .
12:40 p.m. | On call : The eight House Republicans on Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls , Rep. Mark Meadows , one of the team members , said .
Some are in Washington now and others will be coming in Thursday , he said .
Meadows declined to say who else in Trump ’ s orbit participated in the call but said in response to questions that the president , lead White House counsel Pat Cipollone and Trump ’ s lead outside counsel Jay Sekulow were not on the call .
“ Having these additional witnesses , I don ’ t know that it will change anybody ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12:35 p.m. | Explanation needed : Lawmakers , including key Republicans , wanted the Trump administration to explain why it was holding up security assistance to Ukraine this summer , according to 192 pages of internal emails obtained by ethics watchdog American Oversight through a Freedom of Information Act request and released just before midnight on Tuesday .
The first emails came from House Armed Services ranking member Mac Thornberry ’ s Chief of Staff Josh Martin , who wrote to OMB on Aug. 22 asking for someone to explain the pause on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the emails between Trump administration staff are redacted , but it appears Senate Armed Services Chairman James M. Inhofe , R-Okla. , also asked for some clarification .
The next day , Aug. 23 , Sen .
Rob Portman ’ s national security adviser Wayne Jones emailed OMB ’ s Associate Director for National Security Programs Mike Duffey to ask about the hold .
“ As you may know , [ Portman ] is the chair of the Ukraine Caucus and has worked closely with the Senate Armed Services Committee on securing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensuring Ukraine has the military capabilities it needs to defend itself against Russian aggression , ” Jones wrote .
“ If you are the right [ point of contact ] , I would appreciate if you could lay out for me the reason behind the OMB hold and what the process is for getting the funding released.
” The House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee , controlled by Democrats , was the subject of an email between OMB Deputy Associate Director for Legislative Affairs James Braid and Duffey on Sept. 6 , but it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exchange ; possibly because of redactions .
Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard C. Shelby , R-Ala. , came into the picture on Sept. 12 when Special Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs Virginia M. Boney emailed White House Director of Legislative Affairs Eric Ueland and Duffey with the subject line “ Call to Sen Shelby.
” Most of her email to Ueland as well as Duffey ’ s email to Ueland were redacted .
12:30 p.m. | “ Overwhelming evidence ” : Sen. Joni Ernst feigned incredulity that the House impeachment managers would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP senators to seek additional witnesses for the trial after opening arguments .
“ According to the Democrats and their House managers in their brief ... they have overwhelming evidence that they ’ re going to present to us in Phase One .
I ’ m really excited to see this overwhelming evidence , and once we ’ ve heard that overwhelming evidence I don ’ t know that we ’ ll need to see additional witnesses .
But let ’ s hear about that overwhelming evidence , ” the Iowa Republican said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” at each turn .
Ernst is up for reelection in 2020 and is considered one of the most vulnerable Senate Republicans .
Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates her Iowa Senate race Leans Republican .
12:20 p.m. | Nadler syndrome : Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer blamed Nadler for the series of heated exchanges between himself and White House attorney Jay Sekulow that eventually prompted an admonition from Roberts .
“ I thought that it was really fine , frankly , up until Jerry Nadler , who did not disappoint .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purpose , I don ’ t think there ’ s any question about that , ” Cramer said , taking a dig at the House Judiciary chairman for getting his first turn at the microphones past midnight on the East Coast , by which time many viewers had tuned out .
“ He ’ s got that syndrome .
He ’ s a House guy .
He ’ s pretty extreme for House guys even , ” Cramer said When a reporter noted that Nadler was a New Yorker , Cramer took another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not irrelevant , ” he said .
“ That ’ s the thing that a lot of people misunderstand from my part of the world.
” 12:10 p.m. | Fair process : GOP Sen. Mike Rounds dismissed the notion that some Republicans eventually voting to call witnesses after opening arguments could reflect that McConnell was losing his grip on his conference .
“ It ’ s not a matter of losing control , ” he said .
“ It ’ s a matter of a fair process that Senator McConnell has recognized and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never , ever told us how to vote .
What he has done is build consensus on the rules , and these are very , very fair rules.
” 11:55 a.m. | No deals : Asked whether Democrats would be willing to cut a deal with Republicans to allow Hunter Biden to testify in exchange for witnesses Democrats want like Bolton , Schumer demurred .
“ We don ’ t need to have witnesses that have nothing to do with this , ” he said , calling those suggestions “ a distraction.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all open to cutting a witness deal with Republicans , Schumer said , “ Right now we haven ’ t heard them wanting any witnesses at all.
” Schumer said the information Democrats are seeking to subpoena might not even be incriminating to the president and could even be exculpatory .
“ These are certainly not Democratic witnesses or Democratic documents , ” he said .
Schumer characterized coordination between Senate Democrats and House impeachment managers as “ not very much , ” saying their House counterparts know what they ’ re doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While Senate Democrats continue to call on their GOP colleagues to join them in subpoenaing witnesses and documents later in the trial , they also some cast some doubt as to whether that will happen after Tuesday 's series of votes .
“ It is clear from last night that we are on a partisan forced march toward a predetermined outcome , ” Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse said .
Sen. Christopher S. Murphy said “ Republicans understand that their constituents are paying attention , ” and suggested if they don ’ t allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to be hell to pay.
” The Connecticut Democrat also said there are a “ substantial number ” of Republicans who are interested in hearing from witnesses , but “ I bet their set of witnesses they are interested in varies greatly.
” 11:15 a.m. | Under consideration : Republican Sen. Rick Scott said he has not ruled out allowing witnesses to testify in the impeachment trial , bringing the number of GOP senators who have said they would consider such a step to at least six .
“ I am open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go through the right process , ” Scott told CNN Wednesday .
Sens .
Susan Collins of Maine , Lisa Murkowski of Alaska , Cory Gardner of Colorado , Mitt Romney of Utah , and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee have signaled a willingness to call witnesses , a move most Republicans including McConnell have rejected .
Asked if he wanted to see any witnesses called or documents produced , Missouri Republican Sen. Roy Blunt said he wants to wait on that decision .
“ You know , I think it ’ s logical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ present the case that they have and that ’ s when I 'm gon na make it , ” Blunt said .
Democrats need at least four Republicans to vote with them to call new witnesses .
11 a.m. | Presenting their case : Oral arguments begin at 1 p.m. today and Democrats have 24 hours over three days to present their case and the president ’ s team will get equal time after that .
McConnell initially gave the two sides only two days to present their 24 hours of arguments , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same time they did Tuesday ’ s session , but agreed to three days after pressure from several Republican senators .
9:55 a.m. | Objection : Twenty-one Republican state attorneys general have written a “ friend of the Senate ” letter outlining their legal objections to Trump ’ s impeachment trial .
The letter contains familiar GOP talking points about how impeachment essentially nullifies the results of the previous election and should not be used for “ energizing a political party ’ s base.
” The letter ’ s authors hail from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far south as Florida , with most of its signatories concentrated in the South or the westernmost portions of the Midwest .
The impeachment article accusing the president of “ abuse of power ” does not meet an adequate evidentiary standard , instead relying on “ speculative , conclusory allegations , ” the attorneys general wrote .
Legal experts disagree over what standard of proof and evidentiary standard senators ought to use for impeachment trials — the Constitution does not define such standards — but most agree it is up to each senator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as much a political process as it is a legal one .
Conviction on the second impeachment article , “ obstruction of justice , ” would be “ massively destructive of presidential independence from Congress ” because it rests on the theory that “ a President may be impeached because he dared to invoke executive privilege , ” the attorneys general wrote .
9:45 a.m. | Fundraising pause : Sen. Michael Bennet , one of the Democrats running for president , will be present for the duration of the impeachment trial and will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ session , Bennet for America spokesperson Shannon Beckham said in a statement Wednesday .
Bennet , who unlike other candidates is not focusing on Iowa , plans to take advantage of the more frequently available flights to New Hampshire to maximize his time there when the trial is not in session , Beckham said .
Bennet has held 38 of a promised 50 town halls in New Hampshire leading up to the primary there .
7:25 a.m. | The long way : Trump said Wednesday he favored a prolonged impeachment trial with lots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of explanations why that would be a bad idea , including executive privilege and national security claims .
“ I would rather go the long way .
I would rather interview Bolton .
I would rather interview a lot of people .
The problem with John is that it ’ s a national security problem , ” Trump said at a news conference in Davos , Switzerland , where he is attending the World Economic Forum .
“ He knows what I think about leaders .
What happens if he reveals what I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not very positive and then I have to deal on behalf of the country ?
It ’ s going to be very hard .
It ’ s going to make the job very hard.
” The president also claimed he could want testimony from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , former Secretary of Energy Rick Perry and current acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney — though he gave explanations why that might , too , be ill-advised .
“ Personally , I ’ d rather go the long route @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .
Our country has to get back to business , ” Trump said .
7:10 a.m. | Trump ’ s review is in : Trump said Wednesday that he did have an opportunity to see some of the Senate impeachment trial proceedings .
The Senate didn ’ t adjourn Tuesday until around sunrise Wednesday morning in Davos .
“ I had a busy day yesterday , as you know , ” Trump said in a CNBC interview .
“ And we had the speech and we had lots of meetings with different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Other countries .
In addition to businessmen all over the place .
But I did get to see some of it .
It ’ s a hoax .
It ’ s a total hoax.
” 7 a.m. | Document dump : The Office of Management and Budget released 192 pages of documents minutes before midnight that show White House officials preparing to freeze military aid to Ukraine the day before Trump ’ s July 25 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the heart of the House ’ s articles of impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were heavily redacted , are part of a public records access lawsuit from watchdog group American Oversight .
They show communications between Michael Duffey , a political appointee at OMB who played a major role in freezing the Ukrainian aid and other officials on the eve of Trump ’ s call with Zelenskiy .
One document shows OMB officials sent a document titled “ Ukraine Prep Memo ” to Duffey on July 24 , telling him “ We will be standing by to answer any questions that you have and are happy to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The documents show Duffey forwarding the memo to OMB ’ s general counsel the next morning and asking , “ Can I swing by this afternoon on the Ukraine topic ?
” 6:40 a.m. | Roberts rules : Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. , presiding over the trial , admonished House impeachment managers and Trump ’ s defense team after an angry exchange that came after 12 hours of debate at about 1 a.m. “ The question here is whether the Senate wants to be complicit in the president ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nadler said in arguing for testimony from Bolton .
“ The only one who should be embarrassed is you , Mr. Nadler , for the way you addressed the United States Senate , ” said lead White house counsel Pat Cipollone .
That sparked a shouting match over executive privilege between Nadler and Trump attorney Jay Sekulow .
That prompted Roberts to caution both sides about their language and personal characterizations .
“ They are addressing the world ’ s greatest deliberative body , ” Roberts said .
“ One reason it has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid speaking in a manner and using language that is not conducive to civil discourse , ” he added .
“ Those addressing the Senate should remember where they are , ” Roberts said .
6:30 a.m. | Bending the rules : Rules for the trial ban senators from using phones or electronic devices in the chamber , but that apparently doesn ’ t apply to Apple Watches ?
At least seven senators had the devices strapped on their wrists in the chamber at the start of the trial Tuesday , despite guidelines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be left in the cloakroom in provided storage .
Newer versions of the Apple Watch can have cellular capabilities .
Among other features of the latest version , it “ motivates you to move , exercise and stand , ” according to Apple — all things that the senators are not supposed to do during the trial .

File updated 10:10 p.m.
Delaware Democrat Chris Coons said House impeachment manager Adam B. Schiff’s closing 30 minutes was “compelling” and that he showed a “mastery” of the material. Coons also said that there were snacks and coffee in the cloakroom. Coons said there has not been much outreach to him from Republicans.
Coons said his schedule did not allow him to comprehensively take in every moment of the impeachment inquiry as it was happening and therefore he learned new information Wednesday.
Defense counsel Jay Sekulow said he expects the House managers to use all three days allotted to them for presenting their case. That would mean the White House would begin its defense Saturday, he said, noting they’d likely take “a day or two” after that to finish their presentation.
Here is the latest on impeachment: