rollcall--2020-01-02--House contends it still needs court help to get Mueller info

The House Judiciary Committee wants to force White House counsel Don McGahn to testify about episodes from the Mueller report on Russian interference in the 2016 election .
( Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/Pool file photo ) The House Judiciary Committee will contend Friday in court that it still needs information quickly from former Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller III ’ s investigation even though the House impeached President Donald Trump last month .
The federal appeals court in Washington set oral argument for Friday morning in two committee cases : a lawsuit to force former White House Counsel Don McGahn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s report on Russian interference in the 2016 election , and an application to see secret grand jury materials from that same investigation .
But after the Dec. 18 vote mainly along party lines to impeach Trump , the judges of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit had a new question : What does that congressional action mean for these court actions ?
House attorneys responded in court filings that the information is critical for an upcoming impeachment trial in the Senate and possibly for more articles of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump on two articles : abuse of power and obstruction of Congress .
McGahn ’ s testimony is relevant to ongoing committee investigations into Trump ’ s conduct and “ whether to recommend additional articles of impeachment , ” House lawyers wrote .
The committee says McGahn witnessed firsthand Trump ’ s actions to obstruct the Mueller investigation , including “ firing FBI Director James Comey as well as directing McGahn to fire the Special Counsel and then lie about it.
” Testimony about that “ would constitute powerful evidence of the pattern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second article of impeachment , House lawyers wrote .
McGahn ’ s testimony also could affect legislative proposals to govern interactions between the White House and the Justice Department when it comes to ongoing civil and criminal matters , the House lawyers state .
And the grand jury materials — first subpoenaed eight months ago — would be “ critical ” in a Senate impeachment trial .
That material “ bears on the President ’ s solicitation of interference by Ukraine ” in the 2020 presidential election , specifically a passage in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine rather than Russia interfered in the 2016 election and a supposed “ peace plan ” for Ukraine promoted by Russian interests , the committee attorneys contend .
The Justice Department , in a court filing addressing the same questions , contends the impeachment vote should mean the McGahn case should be dismissed .
The article of impeachment on obstruction of Congress cites the McGahn case as an example of Trump ’ s actions to prevent testimony from current and former officials , DOJ argues in a filing .
That means that if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ it would appear to be weighing in on a contested issue in any impeachment trial , ” the Justice Department wrote .
The DOJ added that means there is a “ now very real possibility of this Court appearing to weigh in on an article of impeachment at a time when political tensions are at their highest levels—before , during , or after a Senate trial regarding the removal of a President.
” A federal district judge in November ordered McGahn to testify before the House Judiciary Committee on a subpoena @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House Democrats consider the McGahn case the key test of congressional subpoena power for other ongoing investigations .
And a federal district judge ordered the Justice Department to give the grand jury information to the committee .
The Trump administration has appealed .

The House Judiciary Committee will contend Friday in court that it still needs information quickly from former Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s investigation even though the House impeached President Donald Trump last month.
The federal appeals court in Washington set oral argument for Friday morning in two committee cases: a lawsuit to force former White House Counsel Don McGahn to testify about episodes from Mueller’s report on Russian interference in the 2016 election, and an application to see secret grand jury materials from that same investigation.
But after the Dec. 18 vote mainly along party lines to impeach Trump, the judges of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit had a new question: What does that congressional action mean for these court actions?
House attorneys responded in court filings that the information is critical for an upcoming impeachment trial in the Senate and possibly for more articles of impeachment against Trump.
[Judge backs House Judiciary in ruling on Mueller materials]


rollcall--2020-01-02--Presidential field narrows again as Castro suspends campaign

Former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro was introduced by Republican Sen. John Cornyn , a fellow Texan , at a 2014 hearing on his nomination to be secretary of Housing and Urban Development in President Barack Obama ’ s administration .
Castro suspended his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination on Thursday , and the deadline to file to run to challenge Cornyn has passed .
( Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo ) Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro announced Thursday that he is suspending his presidential campaign .
But the Democratic primary field remains crowded , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I ’ m so proud of everything we ’ ve accomplished together , ” Castro said in a tweet Thursday morning .
“ I ’ m going to keep fighting for an America where everyone counts — I hope you ’ ll join me in that fight.
” Castro ’ s announcement comes just after the fourth fundraising quarter ended on Dec. 31 and after he failed to qualify for the two most recent Democratic presidential debates .
Castro ’ s earlier fundraising reports show his fundraising grew from $ 1.1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2.8 million in the second to $ 3.5 million in the third quarter , a time when he had appeared in televised debates .
The former San Antonio mayor who served in President Barack Obama ’ s administration has been critical of the nominating process , particularly the early contests in Iowa and New Hampshire , which have largely white populations .
With only a month until the Iowa caucuses , and given the circumstances of this campaign season , I have determined that it simply isn ’ t our time , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posted online .
Castro had endorsements from two Texas Democratic members of Congress : Rep. Colin Allred , who served in HUD under Castro ; and Rep. Joaquin Castro , his twin brother who chairs the Congressional Hispanic Caucus .
Texas Democratic Rep. Vicente Gonzalez had initially endorsed Castro but later backed former Vice President Joe Biden instead .
“ I just thought we need to narrow the Democratic field to the less than handful of folks who have a legitimate opportunity of winning the election in November of 2020 , ” Gonzales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked about switching his endorsement .
“ There are a lot of candidates that are just consuming resources and voters ’ attention that at some point [ we ] need to get behind somebody that has a legitimate opportunity of getting us to the finish line , ” Gonzales said .
Castro had been named as a potential candidate to run for Senate in Texas if he dropped out of the presidential race , but the filing deadline has already passed .
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Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro announced Thursday that he is suspending his presidential campaign. But the Democratic primary field remains crowded, with 14 candidates still in the race.
“I’m so proud of everything we’ve accomplished together,” Castro said in a tweet Thursday morning. “I’m going to keep fighting for an America where everyone counts — I hope you’ll join me in that fight.”
Castro’s announcement comes just after the fourth fundraising quarter ended on Dec. 31 and after he failed to qualify for the two most recent Democratic presidential debates. Castro’s earlier fundraising reports show his fundraising grew from $1.1 million in the first quarter to $2.8 million in the second to $3.5 million in the third quarter, a time when he had appeared in televised debates.
The former San Antonio mayor who served in President Barack Obama’s administration has been critical of the nominating process, particularly the early contests in Iowa and New Hampshire, which have largely white populations.
With only a month until the Iowa caucuses, and given the circumstances of this campaign season, I have determined that it simply isn’t our time,” Castro said to supporters in a video posted online.


rollcall--2020-01-02--Iowa Democratic Rep. Abby Finkenauer endorses Joe Biden

Iowa Democratic Rep. Abby Finkenauer announced Thursday that she is endorsing former Vice President Joe Biden in the presidential primary , becoming the first Iowa Democratic House member to back a candidate in the race .
“ Joe Biden ’ s character , record , and commitment to rebuilding the backbone of the country — the middle class — is what Iowa and this country needs , ” the first-term congresswoman said in a statement .
“ Across the country , and especially in Iowa , too many families are being left behind by our current president .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House who believes in the value of not only uniting a divided Congress , but uniting our country through common sense , dignity , and respect.
” Finkenauer ’ s endorsement of Biden is not a surprise .
She worked for his presidential campaign in 2008 and has referenced the former vice president when describing her ideology .
“ I am my grandfather ’ s Democrat , ” she told The Atlantic in a 2018 interview .
“ He was the former president of the Iowa Firefighters Association .
He loved Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2018 to campaign for Finkenauer , a former state legislator who stressed issues including health care and labor in her campaign .
She defeated GOP Rep. Rod Blum by 5 points .
President Donald Trump carried Iowa ’ s 1st District by 3 points in 2016 , making her a top Republican target in 2020 .
The freshman Democrat said last year that she planned to endorse in the race , noting the caucus process is public .
Iowa ’ s two other Democratic House members have yet to weigh in on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who notably backed Obama in late 2007 , told CQ Roll Call in August that he was not sure if he would endorse in the race .
Rep. Cindy Axne has said she does not think she will endorse in the primary .
While congressional endorsements may not always be game changers , they send a signal to voters and provide presidential contenders with useful surrogates on the campaign trail .
Biden leads the primary field in congressional endorsements and is the only presidential candidate to pick up endorsements from lawmakers in one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contests .
Nevada Democratic Rep. Dina Titus endorsed Biden last year .
Finkenauer is engaged to a staffer for one of Biden ’ s rivals .
She announced last year that she is engaged to Daniel Wasta , who is serving as Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren ’ s Iowa political director .
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Iowa Democratic Rep. Abby Finkenauer announced Thursday that she is endorsing former Vice President Joe Biden in the presidential primary, becoming the first Iowa Democratic House member to back a candidate in the race.
“Joe Biden’s character, record, and commitment to rebuilding the backbone of the country — the middle class — is what Iowa and this country needs,” the first-term congresswoman said in a statement. “Across the country, and especially in Iowa, too many families are being left behind by our current president. It’s time we have leadership in the White House who believes in the value of not only uniting a divided Congress, but uniting our country through common sense, dignity, and respect.”
Finkenauer’s endorsement of Biden is not a surprise. She worked for his presidential campaign in 2008 and has referenced the former vice president when describing her ideology.
“I am my grandfather’s Democrat,” she told The Atlantic in a 2018 interview. “He was the former president of the Iowa Firefighters Association. He loved Joe Biden.”
Biden traveled to Cedar Rapids in 2018 to campaign for Finkenauer, a former state legislator who stressed issues including health care and labor in her campaign. She defeated GOP Rep. Rod Blum by 5 points. President Donald Trump carried Iowa’s 1st District by 3 points in 2016, making her a top Republican target in 2020.


rollcall--2020-01-02--House retirements already outpace average for past election cycles

Rep. Mark Meadows , R-N.C. , is the latest member of the House to announce his retirement .
( Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo ) The number of House members deciding to retire has already exceeded the average for recent election cycles , and more could be coming as lawmakers return to the nation ’ s capital after the holidays .
Since 1976 , an average of 23 House members have retired each two-year election cycle , according to CQ Roll Call elections analyst Nathan L. Gonzales , the publisher of Inside Elections .
In 2019 alone , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retire , opting not to run for reelection nor for another office ( these figures do not include lawmakers who have resigned or died while in office ) .
More than three times as many Republicans , many of whom are serving in the minority for the first time , decided to retire as Democrats .
Twenty-one Republicans are retiring while six Democrats are heading for the exits .
Nine lawmakers — eight Republicans and one Democrat — are leaving districts that could be competitive races in 2020 , according to Inside Elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a problem for the parties looking to hold onto their seats , since incumbents tend to have advantages in name recognition and fundraising .
Two North Carolina Republicans , Mark Walker and George Holding , decided to retire after a new congressional map made their districts more Democratic .
Both lawmakers signaled they could run for office again in the future .
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy noted at a Politico Playbook event last month that most of the Republicans retiring represent districts that President Donald Trump carried handily in 2016 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ McCarthy said , “ They ’ ve been here a long time.
” But the high number of retirements in solidly Republican districts has still raised questions about whether party veterans do not want to run on the same ballot as Trump , or have concluded the GOP will not win back the House in 2020 .
Republicans need a net gain of 18 seats to win the majority .
Although the number of House retirements is above average so far , McCarthy noted the 2018 cycle saw an unusually high number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seats .
Thirty-three lawmakers retired in the 2018 cycle , including 23 Republicans and 10 Democrats , according to the Center for Responsive Politics .
More to come ?
Some lawmakers decide to retire after spending time with their families during the holidays , so there could be more announcements as members of Congress return next week .
Early in 2019 , the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee put out a “ retirement watch ” list of 23 Republicans , most in districts the DCCC sees as potential pickup opportunities .
So far , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced their retirements .
Michigan GOP Rep. Fred Upton is on the DCCC ’ s watch list and is often mentioned as a potential retirement .
Upton has not said whether he is running for reelection , although he has some time to announce his decision since the Michigan filing deadline is April 21 .
State deadlines to file to get on the ballot are often key factors in when members announce retirements .
The early deadline last month in Texas explained in part why several Lone Star lawmakers announced their retirements , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a sign that Texas Republicans did not believe they could win reelection .
Filing deadlines in six other states have already passed — Alabama , Arkansas , Illinois , California , Ohio and North Carolina .
Twenty-two states have filing deadlines between January and March , with 16 deadlines in March alone .
Lindsey McPherson and Griffin Connolly contributed to this report .

The number of House members deciding to retire has already exceeded the average for recent election cycles, and more could be coming as lawmakers return to the nation’s capital after the holidays.
Since 1976, an average of 23 House members have retired each two-year election cycle, according to CQ Roll Call elections analyst Nathan L. Gonzales, the publisher of Inside Elections. In 2019 alone, however, 27 House members announced they will retire, opting not to run for reelection nor for another office (these figures do not include lawmakers who have resigned or died while in office).
More than three times as many Republicans, many of whom are serving in the minority for the first time, decided to retire as Democrats. Twenty-one Republicans are retiring while six Democrats are heading for the exits.
Nine lawmakers — eight Republicans and one Democrat — are leaving districts that could be competitive races in 2020, according to Inside Elections’ race ratings. Their exits could be a problem for the parties looking to hold onto their seats, since incumbents tend to have advantages in name recognition and fundraising.
Two North Carolina Republicans, Mark Walker and George Holding, decided to retire after a new congressional map made their districts more Democratic. Both lawmakers signaled they could run for office again in the future.


rollcall--2020-01-07--Impeachment trial could sideline Iran war powers debate

The confluence of a pending impeachment trial and the potential for military conflict with Iran has left senators with unusual anxiety and a lack of control over their own calendars .
Normally , a privileged resolution under the War Powers Act seeking to stop President Donald Trump from launching a war against Iran would take precedence over other Senate business — and a floor debate and vote would be expected as early as next week .
But these aren ’ t normal times since the resolution from Democrats Tim Kaine of Virginia and Richard J. Durbin of Illinois might not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next week .
The impeachment trial of the president would trump even a debate over going to war .
The expectation Tuesday was that the Senate would be able to handle both issues , but if senators object to conducting legislative business during the impeachment trial , even the war powers resolution would have to wait .
“ The process by which the Senate operates is [ different ] once you get into impeachment mode .
The Constitution takes over , and our rules are overtaken by the Constitution , ” Foreign Relations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s very restrictive as far as what you can and what you can ’ t do.
” “ The war powers isn ’ t a constitutionally prescribed process , so it just depends on when the articles of impeachment show up , ” Intelligence Chairman Richard M. Burr of North Carolina added .
The two Republican chairmen expressed no concerns about Trump ’ s decision to order the Pentagon to kill Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Iraq .
On Tuesday evening , the Pentagon confirmed that Iran launched “ more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targeting at least two U.S. bases in Iraq .
The House is scheduled to vote later this week on a resolution similar to the one introduced by Kaine , but procedurally it is the Senate version that will be eligible for a vote first under the law setting the expedited procedures for war powers votes , unless the trial starts first .
“ Every member of Congress should vote and then be accountable for the question of whether another war in the Middle East is a good idea , ” Kaine said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re to order our troops and their families to run that risk , then it should be based on a public consensus , as reflected in an open congressional debate and vote , that war is in the national interest.
” Connecticut Sen. Christopher S. Murphy expressed the views of many Democrats when he said the Senate will need to find a way to have both debates .
“ We have to have the trial .
We have to do oversight on a matter of grave national security consequence , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t think [ Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ] wants to do either of them .
I don ’ t think he wants to have a trial , and I also don ’ t think he wants to contest the president ’ s Iran policy.
” McConnell told his conference Tuesday that he would have the votes needed to move ahead with setting up the process for the first portion of an impeachment trial without support from Democrats .
The Kentucky Republican first made the comments during a closed-door GOP lunch before confirming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have the votes , once the impeachment trial has begun , to pass a resolution essentially the same , very similar to the 100-0 vote in the Clinton trial , ” he said .
Alaska GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski said she was on board with the McConnell proposal but suggested the parameters for the process needed to be made clear .
“ I want to make sure we ’ ve laid out very clearly what this framework is , in terms of timelines and the ability to move to witnesses at the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about impeachment trial procedure has led Speaker Nancy Pelosi to delay sending the articles of impeachment to the Senate , essentially giving the California Democrat power to influence the calendar of the other chamber .
While several senators said they thought Pelosi was holding her cards close to her vest , Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer signaled Tuesday that the impeachment holdout may be nearing an end .
The New York Democrat said that by not sending over the articles earlier , Pelosi prevented McConnell from a fast dismissal of the articles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out new information , including the willingness of former national security adviser John Bolton to testify under subpoena and the release of administration emails related to the Ukraine affair .
“ The speaker has said all along that she wanted to see the arena in which she was playing , when it came to a trial , so she could appoint impeachment managers , ” Schumer said .
With McConnell ’ s announcement that he will proceed to implement the Bill Clinton model of an impeachment trial without an agreement to hear testimony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more clear .
Schumer said that Pelosi now “ has some idea ” of what the Senate trial will look like .
“ I have great faith in the decision she will make , ” he said .
“ I think she ’ s done a very , very good job , and it ’ s helped our case.
” Burr was among the Republicans arguing Tuesday that there is no way to define a witness list ahead of the opening arguments from both House managers and the president ’ s defense team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ witnesses until you ’ ve heard from the prosecution and the defense ?
” Burr said .
“ You can ’ t prejudge what the prosecution ’ s going to make their case on or what the defense is going to make their case on.
” “ I don ’ t need to hear from John Bolton , ” he added .
“ I think the time for that to have happened was in the House .
Now it ’ s up to the House to come make their case and for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continuing to push the case for calling during the impeachment trial witnesses who did not offer testimony to House investigators , with Bolton at the top of the list .
“ My feeling is that our best leverage right now over Republicans is votes , and it ’ s inside the Senate trial , ” Murphy told reporters .
“ I think it ’ s going to be hard for a lot of them to vote against hearing testimony , especially from John Bolton .
So my feeling is , let ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angus King echoed the view that Bolton and others with direct knowledge of the president ’ s handling of aid to Ukraine should be called to testify at some point .
“ My principal concern is that we have witnesses , and whether we decide that at the beginning , the middle or wherever , I think that ’ s just critical , ” said King , an independent who caucuses with Democrats .
“ I don ’ t see how you have a trial without witnesses , particularly when one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s not based upon people with first-hand knowledge , ” King said .
“ So let ’ s talk to the people with first-hand knowledge .
”

The confluence of a pending impeachment trial and the potential for military conflict with Iran has left senators with unusual anxiety and a lack of control over their own calendars.
Normally, a privileged resolution under the War Powers Act seeking to stop President Donald Trump from launching a war against Iran would take precedence over other Senate business — and a floor debate and vote would be expected as early as next week.
But these aren’t normal times since the resolution from Democrats Tim Kaine of Virginia and Richard J. Durbin of Illinois might not be at the top of the agenda next week. The impeachment trial of the president would trump even a debate over going to war.
The expectation Tuesday was that the Senate would be able to handle both issues, but if senators object to conducting legislative business during the impeachment trial, even the war powers resolution would have to wait.
“The process by which the Senate operates is [different] once you get into impeachment mode. The Constitution takes over, and our rules are overtaken by the Constitution,” Foreign Relations Chairman Jim Risch of Idaho said. “It’s very restrictive as far as what you can and what you can’t do.”


rollcall--2020-01-07--GOP candidates seize on gun rights movement sweeping across Virginia

Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , during an event last January touting a bill the House later passed to expand gun background checks .
Republican candidates this year are trying to put Democrats on the defensive using declarations by local governments that their cities are sanctuaries for the Second Amendment .
( Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo ) A gun-rights movement spreading across Virginia came to the heart of Democrat Rep. Elaine Luria ’ s swing district Monday night , when city officials voted to make Virginia Beach — the site of a 2019 mass shooting — a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The resolution is one of more than 100 similar measures passed in Virginia localities since Democrats flipped the state legislature in November on a platform that included gun reform , prompting blowback from some conservatives who say it could be a rallying cry up and down the ballot in Virginia and other purple states in the 2020 elections .
So far , the “ Second Amendment Sanctuary ” movement has focused on pressuring state and local officials to buck state-level gun reform efforts , but that hasn ’ t stopped congressional candidates and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case Monday night in Virginia Beach , where Ben Loyola , Scott Taylor , Jarome Bell and Andy Baan , who are seeking the GOP nod to challenge Luria in the 2nd District in November , joined the crowd in the packed city council chambers to voice full-throated support .
Loyola , a retired Navy captain , choked back tears as he recounted his parents ’ experience living under Fidel Castro in Cuba where , he said , taking citizens ’ guns was the authoritarian regime ’ s first strike against their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country in the world , ” Loyola said .
“ I can not believe we are here to defend our God-given rights to self-defense , to protect against tyranny.
” Luria is one of three Democrats defending Virginia districts they flipped in 2018 and is a prime Republican target in 2020 .
Candidates challenging Reps. Jennifer Wexton in the 10th District and Abigail Spanberger in the 7th have also spoken out in favor of the second amendment sanctuary movement .
Luria , Wexton and Spanberger all voted for HR 8 , House Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House in February and would broaden the federal background check system for firearms purchases .
Spanberger , who has said she favors stricter firearm regulations , pointed to her background growing up in a household with guns when she was asked about the Second Amendment sanctuary movement at a December town hall .
“ I fully support the Second Amendment , ” she said .
“ It is a fundamental constitutional right , and I affirm that.
” Neither Luria , a retired Navy commander , nor Wexton have made public statements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roundup on BlueVirginia.us .
Luria ’ s office declined to comment for this story and Wexton ’ s office did not return a request for comment .
Gun reform advocates say the movement is a clear departure from the wishes voters have expressed by electing candidates who favor “ common sense ” reforms .
They also point out that courts have found the reforms under consideration in Virginia are consistent with Second Amendment rights .
“ We are not talking about a grassroots movement , ” said Christian Heyne , vice president of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gun Violence .
“ We are talking about a dangerous push from the gun lobby to remain relevant.
” Gun control bills expected to become law under the Democratic-controlled legislature in Virginia include a return to the state ’ s one-handgun-per-month purchase policy and universal background checks for all gun sales except those among immediate family members , through inheritance or antiques .
State lawmakers are also expected to pass “ red-flag laws , ” which would authorize the temporary confiscation of firearms from people deemed by a judge to be a danger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beach resolution declared the city a “ second amendment constitutional city , ” and expressed the city council ’ s opposition to , “ any law that would unconstitutionally restrict the rights of law abiding citizens of the City to keep and bear arms.
” Whether the resolution has any weight beyond political messaging is an open question .
A state court doctrine known as the Dillon rule says local governments only have the powers granted to them by the state , and the state has not granted localities the power to ignore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nevertheless passed by a vote of 6-4 after nearly four hours of public comments in front of a crowd studded with bright red lapel stickers that read , “ Guns save lives.
” Similar scenes have played out across the state in recent weeks , spearheaded by the gun-rights group the Virginia Citizens Defense League , which has crafted model resolutions .
It is also spreading to other states .
After attending a Second Amendment sanctuary meeting in his home county over the holidays , Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie , a Republican , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even stronger than the Tea Party in 2010.
” In Virginia Beach , several speakers referenced the shooting at the city municipal complex in May , when a disgruntled city employee killed 12 people and wounded four others .
They also mentioned a Dec. 29 shooting at a Texas church , saying targets of such massacres stand a better chance if they are armed .
A gunman in the Texas church shot and killed two people before he was shot and killed by two church security guards .
Loyola made a dig at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oaths she has taken to uphold the constitution in defense of her decision to vote to impeach President Donald Trump , another position that Republicans think will make her vulnerable in 2020 .
“ We all took oaths of office , ” he said .
“ Please don ’ t erode our God-given rights to protect ourselves.
” Taylor , a former House member who lost to Luria in 2018 , called the state ’ s proposed gun reform measures , “ unfair , unjust and unconstitutional.
” Trump won the district by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates it Lean Democratic .

A gun rights movement spreading across Virginia came to the heart of Democrat Elaine Luria’s swing district Monday night, when city officials voted to make Virginia Beach — the site of a 2019 mass shooting — a “sanctuary” for Second Amendment rights.
The resolution is one of more than 100 similar measures passed in Virginia localities since Democrats flipped the state legislature in November on a platform that included gun control, prompting blowback from some conservatives who say it could be a rallying cry up and down the ballot in Virginia and other purple states in the 2020 elections.
So far, the “Second Amendment sanctuary” movement has focused on pressuring state and local officials to buck state-level gun control efforts, but that hasn’t stopped congressional candidates and lawmakers from weighing in.
That was the case Monday night in Virginia Beach, where Ben Loyola, former Rep. Scott Taylor, Jarome Bell and Andy Baan, who are seeking the GOP nod to challenge Luria in the 2nd District, joined the crowd in the packed City Council chambers to voice full-throated support.
Loyola, a retired Navy captain, choked back tears as he recounted his parents’ experience living under Fidel Castro in Cuba, where, he said, taking citizens’ guns was the authoritarian government’s first strike against their freedom.


rollcall--2020-01-07--Weather cam: DC’s first snowfall of 2020

Sen. Mike Enzi takes a walk in the snow outside the Capitol on Tuesday , Jan. 7 , 2020 .
@ @ @ @ @ ) Washington had its first snowfall of the year Tuesday .
Although the Office of @ @ @ @ @ employees in the district to leave work by 1 p.m. , Congress remained in session @ @ @ @ @ look at the Capitol as the snow fell .
Get breaking news alerts and more @ @ @ @ @ iPhone .

Washington had its first snowfall of the year Tuesday. Although the Office of Personnel Management ordered federal government employees in the district to leave work by 1 p.m., Congress remained in session. Here’s a look at the Capitol as the snow fell.


rollcall--2020-01-07--Duncan Hunter resigns from Congress

Duncan Hunter resigns from Congress

Rep. Duncan Hunter submitted his resignation from Congress on Tuesday , marking the end of an 11-year stint in the House marred by his misuse of campaign funds for a variety of endeavors , including spending money on Lego sets , movie tickets , a $ 14,000 family vacation to Italy and flights for his family ’ s pet bunny rabbit .
In his resignation letters to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and California Gov .
Gavin Newsom , Hunter said his resignation would be effective Jan. 13 .
“ It has been an honor to serve the people of California ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appreciate the trust they have put in me over these last 11 years , ” he wrote .
The California Republican pleaded guilty in federal court on Dec. 3 to using hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign funds for his own enrichment .
Hunter and his wife , Margaret , who pleaded guilty in June , illegally converted over $ 150,000 in campaign funds from 2010 through 2016 to buy goods and services for their own interests , according to the plea agreement .
Hunter ’ s sentencing is scheduled for March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whelan in the Southern District of California .
The soon-to-be-ex-congressman could serve between eight and 14 months in jail , but Whelan will be the ultimate arbiter .
The charge Hunter pleaded guilty to— conspiracy to steal campaign funds — carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $ 250,000 .
“ Not a single dime of taxpayer money is involved in this , ” Hunter told San Diego ’ s KUSI News in December .
“ The plea that I accepted was misuse of my own campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only one count.
” He did , though , say he made “ mistakes , ” adding , “ I did not properly monitor or account for my campaign money.
” Hunter ’ s exit was expected : he issued a statement on Dec. 6 making his intent to resign his seat clear .
“ Shortly after the Holidays I will resign from Congress .
It has been an honor to serve the people of California ’ s 50th District , and I greatly appreciate the trust they have put in me over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in the statement .
“ Senior leadership in both the district and D.C. office plan to stay at the current time to ensure continuity and constituent services , ” said Mike Harrison , Hunter ’ s communications director .
He added that Rick Terrazas , Hunter ’ s chief of staff will stay on in D.C. Harrison had no comment on what Hunter ’ s plans are for the future and noted Hunter ’ s upcoming sentencing hearing .
Had Hunter not accepted the plea agreement , he would have faced trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jan. 22 .
He was indicted in August 2018 , a lengthy filing in which federal prosecutors charged Hunter and his wife in a 60-count indictment .
They alleged Hunter pursued intimate personal relationships with congressional staffers and lobbyists and used campaign funds on those activities .
Two of those alleged romantic partners worked in the House , one on Hunter ’ s congressional staff and one in House leadership .
House rules prohibit members from having sexual relationships with subordinates .
The indictment also alleged Hunter spent $ 354 of campaign funds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drinks at Jack Rose Dining Saloon in Washington during a bachelor party .
That indictment also alleged Hunter spent $ 462 of campaign money on 30 tequila shots and one steak at another Washington , D.C. , location , El Tamarindo , which is on the same block as Jack Rose .
Shortly after he was indicted , Hunter vehemently denied that he used campaign funds for personal expenditures and denigrated the Department of Justice prosecutors as being driven by partisan ambitions .
He also welcomed the opportunity to go to trial .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had it gone to trial .
“ Congressman Duncan D. Hunter violated the trust of his supporters by diverting hundreds of thousands of dollars they donated in good faith to his reelection campaign for personal expenditures , ” said Assistant U.S. Attorney David Leshner in a statement after the government secured Hunter ’ s guilty plea .
“ This was not an accounting mistake by his campaign .
This was a deliberate , years-long violation of the law .
Congressman Hunter used the power of his position to fund a lifestyle out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who put him there .
His guilty plea entered today acknowledges and accepts responsibility for his conduct.
” After he was indicted , Hunter was stripped of his committee assignments by Republican leadership and the House Ethics Committee announced an investigation into the lawmaker , which was on hold until the Justice Department investigation ended .
Now that Hunter is no longer a member of Congress , the Ethics panel does not have jurisdiction over him .
The committee told Hunter not to vote after he pleaded guilty .
There was also an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rory Riley-Topping , when she worked on Capitol Hill .
Hunter called the allegation “ total baloney.
” Former Rep. Chris Collins , a New York Republican , resigned and pleaded guilty to insider trading charges .
Like Hunter , he initially denied the charges .
His sentencing is set for January 17 .
Hunter was first elected in 2008 to fill the seat previously held by his father , Duncan Lee Hunter , a Vietnam veteran who was elected to Congress in 1980 .
The younger Hunter served as a Marine in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet clear when a special election will be held to replace Hunter .
Under California law , Newsom has 14 calendar days after a vacancy occurs to issue a proclamation for the special election to be held within 140 days .
California ’ s 50th District in northeastern San Diego is traditionally Republican .
Trump carried the 50th District by 15 points in 2016 and Hunter won reelection by 3 points in 2018 despite facing the indictment .
Former Rep. Darrell Issa and former San Diego city councilmember Carl DeMaio — both Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hunter and are running for the now-open seat .
Issa retired from Congress after narrowly winning reelection in 2016 , and DeMaio ran unsuccessfully against Democratic Rep. Scott Peters in the 52nd District in 2014 .
Hunter ’ s 2018 Democratic opponent , Ammar Campa-Najjar , an official in former President Barack Obama ’ s administration , is running again in 2020 .
Hunter ’ s seat is on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ’ s target list , but the race could be further out of Democrats ’ reach without the beleaguered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary is set for March 3 .
The top two vote-getters in the primary , regardless of party affiliation , advance to the general election .
Bridget Bowman , Katherine Tully-McManus and Griffin Connolly contributed to this report .

Rep. Duncan Hunter submitted his resignation from Congress on Tuesday, marking the end of an 11-year stint in the House marred by his misuse of campaign funds for a variety of endeavors, including spending money on Lego sets, movie tickets, a $14,000 family vacation to Italy and flights for his family’s pet bunny rabbit.
In his resignation letters to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Hunter said his resignation would be effective Jan. 13. “It has been an honor to serve the people of California’s 50th District, and I greatly appreciate the trust they have put in me over these last 11 years,” he wrote.
The California Republican pleaded guilty in federal court on Dec. 3 to using hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign funds for his own enrichment. Hunter and his wife, Margaret, who pleaded guilty in June, illegally converted over $150,000 in campaign funds from 2010 through 2016 to buy goods and services for their own interests, according to the plea agreement. Hunter’s sentencing is scheduled for March 17 before U.S. District Judge Thomas J. Whelan in the Southern District of California.
The soon-to-be-ex-congressman could serve between eight and 14 months in jail, but Whelan will be the ultimate arbiter. The charge Hunter pleaded guilty to— conspiracy to steal campaign funds — carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
“Not a single dime of taxpayer money is involved in this,” Hunter told San Diego’s KUSI News in December. “The plea that I accepted was misuse of my own campaign funds of which I plead guilty to only one count.”


rollcall--2020-01-07--U.S. military won’t leave Iraq anytime soon, Trump says amid tensions

President Donald Trump , shown with first lady Melania Trump on New Year ’ s Eve , said U.S. troops leaving Iraq now is the “ worst thing that could happen ” to that nation .
( Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images ) President Donald Trump said Tuesday he will not order the withdrawal of all American military forces from Iraq despite calls from officials there to expel U.S. troops following the White House ’ s killing of a top Iranian figure outside Baghdad ’ s airport .
“ At some point we want to get out but this isn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump told reporters in the Oval Office days after Iraq ’ s parliament voted to force him to get American troops off its soil .
“ It ’ s the worst thing that could happen to Iraq.
” The president and his secretaries of State and Defense have been dogged since the brazen strike on Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani , commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard ’ s Quds Force , about whether it complied with U.S. and international laws .
House Democrats have teed up a floor vote on a measure designed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go to war with Iran .
The president and his top aides have said he possessed ample legal authority to take out what they have collectively dubbed a “ terrorist ringleader ” and a “ terrorist mastermind.
” [ Lessons for today from the fight over Prohibition ] “ In our case it was retaliation , ” Trump said in the Oval Office alongside his Greek counterpart .
“ He was a monster .
And he ’ s no longer a monster .
He ’ s dead.
” Asked what evidence he used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president again called Soleimani a “ terrorist.
” “ Well , number one , I knew the past .
His past was horrible .
He was a terrorist , ” he said .
“ He was traveling with the head of Hezbollah .
They weren ’ t there to discuss a vacation .
They weren ’ t there to go to a nice resort in Baghdad .
“ They were there to discuss their business .
And we saved a lot of lives by terminating his life , a lot of lives were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They were planning something and you ’ re going to be hearing about it or at least various people in Congress are going to be hearing about it tomorrow.
” The Trump team also contends that the president would have legal cover if he chooses to launch additional military operations against Iranian targets .
“ We are totally prepared ” to respond if the Iranian government retaliates , the commander in chief said .
Regional experts and members of both parties — echoed by administration officials — long have warned about Iran ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats and that party ’ s leading presidential candidates say Trump ’ s decision to take out Soleimani show he is reckless and lacks a Middle East strategy .
“ President Trump had promised to keep the United States out of endless wars in the Middle East .
The president ’ s actions , however , have seemingly increased the risk that we could be dragged into exactly such a war , ” Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer said Monday .
“ It ’ s indicative of President Trump ’ s foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chaotic , uninformed , erratic , and impulsive decision-making without adequate consideration for the consequences , ” he said .
“ In just about every foreign policy area President Trump touches , we ’ re worse off than we were before he started with it.
” At several points on the campaign trail , former Vice President Joe Biden has said some version of this assessment of Trump : “ Dangerously incompetent and incapable , in my view , of world leadership.
” Earlier Tuesday , he said the volatile standoff with Tehran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment beyond dispute.
” Some nonpartisan foreign policy experts say Trump ’ s targeted killing of the Iranian general has made the Middle East less safe .
“ Trump , who has hinted at his desire to end endless wars , even as he has presided over a dramatic expansion of nearly all of the conflicts that he inherited , now seems poised to add an enormous new one into the mix , ” said Christopher Preble of the CATO Institute .
“ Because , let ’ s be clear , while the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a cycle of confrontation for four decades , neither side has been prepared to engage in full-scale and direct conflict with the other , ” Preble said .
“ And yet that is a step that may very well follow from these actions — if cooler heads don ’ t quickly prevail.
” Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call on your iPhone .

President Donald Trump said Tuesday he will not order the withdrawal of all American military forces from Iraq despite calls from officials there to expel U.S. troops following the White House’s killing of a top Iranian figure outside Baghdad’s airport.
“At some point we want to get out but this isn’t the right point,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office days after Iraq’s parliament voted to force him to get American troops off its soil. “It’s the worst thing that could happen to Iraq.”
The president and his secretaries of State and Defense have been dogged since the brazen strike on Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s Quds Force, about whether it complied with U.S. and international laws. House Democrats have teed up a floor vote on a measure designed to limit Trump’s powers to go to war with Iran.
The president and his top aides have said he possessed ample legal authority to take out what they have collectively dubbed a “terrorist ringleader” and a “terrorist mastermind.”
[Lessons for today from the fight over Prohibition]


rollcall--2020-01-07--McConnell: Senate has votes to proceed without Democrats in impeachment trial

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that he has the votes required to establish ground rules for the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump , without support from Democrats .
McConnell first made the comments during a closed-door GOP lunch before confirming in a public announcement .
“ We have the votes , once the impeachment trial has begun , to pass a resolution essentially the same , very similar to the 100-0 vote in the Clinton trial , ” McConnell said .
Unlike the Clinton case , the Senate would be split along party lines with McConnell ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upfront to hear from witnesses and get access to documents , but under the Clinton model , a decision on seeking that additional testimony would be made later in the process .
Speaker Nancy Pelosi has not yet transmitted the articles of impeachment to the Senate since the House passed them in late December .
“ It ’ s time for Speaker Pelosi to get on with it or get out of the way , ” Sen. John Barrasso , R-Wyo.
, said Tuesday .
Only four Republicans would need to stray for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to move ahead with impeachment trial procedures , but he and other top Republicans were confident Tuesday that the Senate GOP would be united .
Several Republicans have said they want to hear from former national security adviser John Bolton , but they are backing McConnell ’ s plan for starting the trial without a promise of witness testimony .
Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call on your iPhone .

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that he has the votes required to establish ground rules for the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, without support from Democrats.
McConnell first made the comments during a closed-door GOP lunch before confirming in a public announcement.
“We have the votes, once the impeachment trial has begun, to pass a resolution essentially the same, very similar to the 100-0 vote in the Clinton trial,” McConnell said.
Unlike the Clinton case, the Senate would be split along party lines with McConnell’s proposal. Democrats want a deal upfront to hear from witnesses and get access to documents, but under the Clinton model, a decision on seeking that additional testimony would be made later in the process.


rollcall--2020-01-07--Former NFL player Steve Gleason joins ranks of Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II

Former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason and his wife , Michel Varisco Gleason , roll in the Krewe of Orpheus parade in New Orleans in March 2019 .
( Erika Goldring/Getty Images file photo ) A week from Wednesday , congressional leaders will gather on Capitol Hill to award the next recipient of the highest honor that Congress can grant a civilian .
Fewer than 200 people have received the Congressional Gold Medal , and former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason will be the first NFL player to make the cut on a list that includes the Rev @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parks , Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa .
Gleason , well known for blocking a punt against the Atlanta Falcons in the Saints ’ first home game in the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005 , has made a notable impact for individuals with ALS since being diagnosed with the neuromuscular disease in 2011 .
His efforts to champion accessibility to important speech-generating devices and technologies have grasped the attention and support of not only his own community but also of Congress .
“ Steve Gleason was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a hero for all Americans as he finds hope and meaning in overcoming disability and creating greater opportunity for others who are disabled , ” Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy said in a 2018 statement when the bipartisan legislation to honor the athlete was introduced .
Cassidy worked closely with Gleason ’ s organization , Team Gleason , to shepherd the bill through Congress , according to a release .
The senator ’ s efforts to get the votes to pass the bill in the House and Senate as the clock was winding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were highlighted in a video produced by the NFL Network .
Gleason ’ s personalized gold medal features him wearing a Saints jersey , along with images from his native state of Washington .
The bill received support from Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy and Sens .
Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell of Washington .
The bicameral bill ’ s co-sponsors include Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington and Steve Scalise and Cedric L. Richmond of Louisiana .
“ [ Gleason ] has chosen to fight back against ALS , and to undergo this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bring awareness to this disease and the people who it impacts on a daily basis , ” McMorris Rodgers said in a statement .
Speaker Nancy Pelosi will host the Jan. 15 ceremony at 3 p.m. in Statuary Hall .

A week from Wednesday, congressional leaders will gather on Capitol Hill to award the next recipient of the highest honor that Congress can grant a civilian.
Fewer than 200 people have received the Congressional Gold Medal, and former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason will be the first NFL player to make the cut on a list that includes the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa.
Gleason, well known for blocking a punt against the Atlanta Falcons in the Saints’ first home game in the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005, has made a notable impact for individuals with ALS since being diagnosed with the neuromuscular disease in 2011.
His efforts to champion accessibility to important speech-generating devices and technologies have grasped the attention and support of not only his own community but also of Congress.
“Steve Gleason was a hero for Saints fans and now he is a hero for all Americans as he finds hope and meaning in overcoming disability and creating greater opportunity for others who are disabled,” Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy said in a 2018 statement when the bipartisan legislation to honor the athlete was introduced.


rollcall--2020-01-07--Trump’s threat to bomb Iran ‘cultural’ sites is personal for Iraq War vets in Congress

Demonstrators and members of the military gather under a portrait of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo on Tuesday to mourn and condemn the death of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani .
( AFP via Getty Images ) The U.S. assassination of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani and President Donald Trump ’ s subsequent threat to bomb Iran ’ s “ cultural ” sites if it retaliates touched personal nerves for many members of Congress who are veterans of the Iraq War .
Soleimani headed Iran ’ s elite Quds Force , which is responsible for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iraq War mainly through unconventional tactics such as roadside bombs and other improvised explosive devices , the State Department reported last year .
Trump has said such violence should justify the U.S. targeting Iranian cultural sites , which could constitute war crimes under international law .
As Trump dug in on his position — though contradicted by his Defense secretary and secretary of State — Iraq War veteran Rep. Ruben Gallego urged that the U.S. military must follow international rules of war and uphold the country ’ s ideals and not stoop to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s fighting .
Gallego , an Arizona Democrat , recalled his inner conflict as a combat Marine in Iraq over a desire to “ exact revenge ” on the locals he was patrolling after his best friend was killed by an improvised explosive device in 2005 .
“ For months I patrolled among Iraqis I knew there were insurgents in the towns [ and ] the crowds .
I felt their eyes when I patrolled through the markets .
I was filled with rage when they took my best friend .
Did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of them ?
I did , ” Gallego wrote in a series of tweets .
But he resisted those urges , he wrote , because he did not want the blood of “ innocent humans ” on his hands or to discredit U.S. soldiers who had served “ honorably ” before him .
“ This is what [ Trump ] doesn ’ t understand .
He isn ’ t just threatening the lives of millions of Iranians .
He is destroying our national honor ” by threatening to violate international norms , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Esper and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo both contradicted the president ’ s contention that the Pentagon was targeting such sites .
“ We will follow the laws of armed conflict , ” Esper told CNN .
“ Every action we take will be consistent with the international rule of law , ” Pompeo told reporters on Tuesday .
Trump tweeted Saturday that the Pentagon had put together a list of 52 targets — one for each of the Americans held during the 1979-1980 hostage crisis — including ones “ important to Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. would strike if Iran responded aggressively to the drone strike assassination of Soleimani last Friday .
On Sunday , the president doubled down on those threats in comments to reporters aboard Air Force One .
“ They ’ re allowed to kill our people .
They ’ re allowed to torture and maim our people .
They ’ re allowed to use roadside bombs and blow up our people , ” Trump said .
“ And we ’ re not allowed to touch their cultural site ?
It doesn ’ t work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats who are Iraq War veterans rebuked the president for insisting he might strike cultural targets , Republicans who served in Iraq mostly downplayed Trump ’ s threat as rhetorical hyperbole or declined to address it .
“ I don ’ t buy for a minute that he would really strike strictly a cultural target .
… And the military wouldn ’ t do it , ” said Rep. Don Bacon , a Nebraska Republican who deployed to Iraq as an Air Force officer four times in the 2000s .
“ This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your next step carefully , because if you strike back , we will kick your ass , ” Bacon said .
Bacon ’ s good friend was one of the 600 members of the military who was killed at the hands of Soleimani ’ s forces , he told CQ Roll Call , and added that the Iranian general ’ s death was “ long overdue.
” Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas , who served in the Army in Iraq , said in a statement Monday that Trump is “ fully justified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] targets in response to Iran ’ s repeated , deadly attacks on Americans.
” Cotton ’ s office declined to specify whether or not those “ justified ” targets include sites of cultural significance that Trump alluded to .
Other Republicans , however , directly challenged Trump ’ s strategy for deterring Iranian counterattacks .
“ Any U.S. strike should focus on military — not civilian — targets and comply with the 1954 Hague Convention on Cultural Objects During Armed Conflict , ” said GOP Rep. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin , referring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cultural landmarks and heritage sites constitutes war crimes .
“ Our goal here should be to drive a wedge between the Iraqi people and the Iranian regime , as well as between the Iranian people and their own evil regime , ” said Gallagher , another Iraq War veteran .
Even if Trump does not follow through on his threats to target Iranian cultural sites , his stated willingness to commit war crimes has already damaged U.S. national security , Democrats and Middle East experts argued .
Iran has blasted Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the last several days from state-run television and radio channels .
Multiple Iranian officials have retweeted Trump ’ s post Saturday announcing the targeting of cultural sites .
“ It matters what the president of the United States says , ” said Democratic Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado , a former U.S. Army Ranger who led a platoon during the invasion of Iraq in 2003 .
“ People listen to it .
It sets the tone .
It creates expectations at home and abroad .
Our enemies use those words against us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .

The U.S. assassination of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani and President Donald Trump’s subsequent threat to bomb Iran’s “cultural” sites if it retaliates touched personal nerves for many members of Congress who are veterans of the Iraq War.
Soleimani headed Iran’s elite Quds Force, which is responsible for killing roughly 600 U.S. soldiers during the Iraq War mainly through unconventional tactics such as roadside bombs and other improvised explosive devices, the State Department reported last year.
Trump has said such violence should justify the U.S. targeting Iranian cultural sites, which could constitute war crimes under international law.
As Trump dug in on his position — though contradicted by his Defense secretary and secretary of State — Iraq War veteran Rep. Ruben Gallego urged that the U.S. military must follow international rules of war and uphold the country’s ideals and not stoop to the moral level of the people it’s fighting.


rollcall--2020-01-07--Lessons for today from the fight over Prohibition

There are many parallels between the supporters of Prohibition a century ago and supporters of President Donald Trump today , Rothenberg writes .
( CQ Roll Call file photo ) OPINION — It ’ s hard not to see the obvious parallels with today ’ s political situation after only a few moments watching Ken Burns and Lynn Novick ’ s terrific 2011 documentary “ Prohibition.
” The three-part series , which initially aired on PBS and is now available on Netflix , traces the growth of the temperance and Prohibition movements in the United States , noting the people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — and ultimately brought about — the 18th Amendment and the Volstead Act .
[ That Time Congress Debated Prohibition and Used Beer Bottles as Props on the Floor ] “ Prohibition would pit the countryside against the cities , natives against newcomers , Protestants against Catholics .
It would raise questions about the proper role of government , about individual rights and responsibilities … and who is — and who is not — a real American , ” the narrator says , a little more than one minute into the first episode @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it necessary to believe that this was an Anglo-Saxon , white country , ” journalist and writer Pete Hamill says in the documentary .
“ And suddenly , here were all these Catholics , these Irish and Italians .
Here were all these Eastern Europeans , including large numbers of Jews , who were not like them .
And they were changing the country.
” “ In the small towns , ” the narrator notes , “ particularly of the Midwest , where native-born Protestants lived a very , relatively speaking , stable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these cauldrons of debauchery and of large number of votes that were going to change the country.
” Much of Donald Trump ’ s appeal is to white Protestants of the Midwest and the South who see the country changing in ways that scare them .
Like the small-town advocates of Prohibition , Trump ’ s rural loyalists see the big cities as alien , filled with people who are less traditional in their views and behavior — and who don ’ t look or sound the way they do .
That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evangelical supporters have responded so enthusiastically to his attacks on elites , Hollywood , immigrants and the national media .
The role of women , first in establishing Prohibition and then in repealing it , is also worth noting .
Initially , women like Frances Willard , a pioneer in women ’ s rights and the driving force behind the Women ’ s Christian Temperance Union , led the charge for temperance .
Later , around the turn of the century , Carrie Nation smashed saloons , and in the 1920s , Mabel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Presidents Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge , proved to be an aggressive defender of Prohibition and a Republican firebrand against Democratic presidential nominee Al Smith .
Women often led the fight against alcohol because their husbands and fathers spent so much time and so much money in saloons .
Drunkenness was a national problem in the 18th and early 19th centuries , and it touched all groups , native-born and immigrant , white and black , progressive and conservative , the documentary notes .
But while women marched in the streets and called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ League , established in 1893 , that ultimately spearheaded the Prohibition movement .
“ More or less modeled on the modern corporation , ” the documentary notes , the Anti-Saloon League had a national headquarters , a salaried full-time staff , thousands of volunteers , deep pockets and a printing plant “ that churned out 300 tons of propaganda every month.
” The group quickly became a political force that defeated its opponents and elected its supporters , making it a forerunner to the National Rifle Association , which itself was formed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in lobbying until the 1930s and election-related activities until the 1970s .
Proponents of Prohibition understood that the calendar was an issue , according to the documentary .
“ They had to get [ the 18th Amendment ] passed before 1920 because in 1920 there was going to be a new census .
The cities , which were the wet parts , were going to have more representation in Congress and the small towns were going to have less representation in Congress.
” Conservatives and Trump loyalists face the same problem , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two will likely alter the balance of political power in this country .
While today ’ s Republicans seek to limit the number of polling places or place other burdens on voting , Republicans are unlikely to do what their ancestors did almost a hundred years ago — refuse to reapportion congressional districts so as to preserve the rural area ’ s majorities in a country where population growth in the cities was exploding .
In fact , Congress was not reapportioned between 1911 and the passage of the Reapportionment Act of 1929 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outlawing of alcohol , which explains the widespread flouting of the Volstead Act .
When supporters of Prohibition refused to modify that law , which enforced the 18th Amendment , it only played into the hands of Prohibition opponents .
Ultimately , Prohibition failed because the American public tired of the hypocrisy it produced , the organized crime it encouraged and the view that some people could tell others how to live their lives .
The Great Depression also helped kill it , since legalization and taxation would raise hundreds of millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since hard economic times opened the way for Democratic gains in the 1930 and 1932 elections .
Prohibition also failed because the views of women changed .
Pauline Sabin , a “ very wealthy , blue-blood New York socialite ” and the first woman on the Republican National Committee , quit the RNC , and her party , to lead the fight against Prohibition .
“ For more than a century , ” the documentary notes , “ women had been essential to the struggle to impose Prohibition .
Now they were becoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” This year , we will once again witness a political fight between urban ( and increasingly suburban ) America and rural America .
We will also see a fight between conservative , white evangelicals and secular , non-Christian and non-evangelical voters .
We will also see women again as a key voting group — they helped Trump win in 2016 but were responsible to a considerable extent for the Democrats ’ large midterm House gains just two years later .
Of course , 2020 isn ’ t likely to replicate 1932 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are more than enough political wild cards this year to produce unexpected outcomes .
My advice is simple : Watch the documentary on Netflix and enjoy a bit of American history presented in an engaging yet educational way .
And think about why and how Prohibition came about and why and how the country ended up rejecting it .
Oh , and bartender , I ’ ll have another , please .

OPINION — It’s hard not to see the obvious parallels with today’s political situation after only a few moments watching Ken Burns and Lynn Novick’s terrific 2011 documentary “Prohibition.”
The three-part series, which initially aired on PBS and is now available on Netflix, traces the growth of the temperance and Prohibition movements in the United States, noting the people and organizations that laid the groundwork for — and ultimately brought about — the 18th Amendment and the Volstead Act.
[That Time Congress Debated Prohibition and Used Beer Bottles as Props on the Floor]
“Prohibition would pit the countryside against the cities, natives against newcomers, Protestants against Catholics. It would raise questions about the proper role of government, about individual rights and responsibilities … and who is — and who is not — a real American,” the narrator says, a little more than one minute into the first episode of the series.
“People found it necessary to believe that this was an Anglo-Saxon, white country,” journalist and writer Pete Hamill says in the documentary. “And suddenly, here were all these Catholics, these Irish and Italians. Here were all these Eastern Europeans, including large numbers of Jews, who were not like them. And they were changing the country.”


rollcall--2020-01-07--Fintech Beat sits down with the former chief of the Federal Reserve’s open banking unit

Open banking ’ s benefits involve using customer consent to develop new financial products to revolutionize financial services .
But @ @ @ @ @ at times bypass customer consent by using digital avatars and other online tools to infiltrate @ @ @ @ @ Fintech Beat sits down with the former chief of the Federal Reserve ’ s open @ @ @ @ @ .
• Fintech Beat sits down for a one-on-one with Maxine Waters • The transfer @ @ @ @ @ how blockchain technology can help capital markets Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll @ @ @ @ @

Open banking’s benefits involve using customer consent to develop new financial products to revolutionize financial services. But critics claim open banking can at times bypass customer consent by using digital avatars and other online tools to infiltrate and collect customer data. Fintech Beat sits down with the former chief of the Federal Reserve’s open banking unit to get answers.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-01-08--Reflexive anti-Trumpism, AOC’s shrink-the-tent strategy will cost Democrats in November

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ’ s assertion that her party “ can be too big of a tent ” is the perfect gift for Republicans to kick off the new year , Winston writes .
( Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo ) OPINION — For those of you who read this column regularly , you ’ ve heard me often urge Republicans to put their focus on building a broader majority coalition through a more positive political strategy .
It ’ s the best path to electoral victory instead of relying heavily on negative campaigns .
But watching the Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment to progressive economics to armchair quarterbacking the president ’ s decision to take out one of the world ’ s worst actors has left me scratching my head .
When it comes to their almost complete reliance on harsh and personal attacks against Donald Trump and the GOP , I find myself asking , “ What are they thinking ?
” Or has the Democrats ’ strategic messaging devolved into nothing more than a kind of reflexive negativity that is beginning to define their party , their leadership and their presidential field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are against it , regardless of the issue .
If Trump or Republicans might benefit from a piece of legislation , then there must be something wrong with it .
Time to block action even when the real beneficiaries are the American people .
Their take on the economy is a good example .
In the Democrats ’ alternative world , their idea of economic policy boils down to who and how much they can tax .
Financial success in the minds of Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders and the party ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminal , while Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg try to straddle the fence with progressive-lite economic policy proposals they hope will be enough to satisfy the base ’ s seemingly insatiable appetite for punishing the successful .
And all of them are making this argument in the face of one of the strongest economies in recent memory .
When asked , in the last debate , about top economists who criticized her tax plan as likely to stifle growth and investment , Warren blithely responded , “ Oh .
They ’ re just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden , in a remarkably Hillary-like comment , said he would be willing to sacrifice perhaps hundreds of thousands of blue-collar jobs , as the moderator put it , to transition to a greener economy .
Buttigieg admits that taxes on the rich and corporations “ have to go up.
” And Sanders proudly claims himself an avowed socialist .
Enough said .
Contrast this positioning with today ’ s strong economy , delivering more jobs and higher wages , and Democrats look weaker and more divided than ever .
Not even their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has become a growing rift , if not a dangerous chasm , between the so-called moderate ( “ Everything is relative ” ) and progressive wings of the Democratic Party .
Just this week , Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , an enthusiastic Sanders supporter and spokesperson , apparently groaned when asked by New York magazine about her role during a potential Biden administration .
“ Oh , God , ” she told the publication .
“ In any other country , Joe Biden and I would not be in the same party , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she didn ’ t stop there .
The freshman New Yorker took a shot at her party ’ s congressional leadership and then aimed her fire on the Congressional Progressive Caucus , arguing for the ouster of those without the proper liberal credentials .
“ They let anybody who the cat dragged in call themselves a progressive .
There ’ s no standard , ” she charged .
She capped off her critique with a decidedly undemocratic suggestion that maybe the Democratic Party “ can be too big of a tent.
” Too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gift to Republicans to kick off the new year .
The loudest voice in the Democrats ’ progressive wing just laid down a very big marker to potential party candidates , members of Congress and voters .
Conform to our progressive ideology as we define it or you ’ re not really welcome in our party .
Of course , one might ask , who died and made AOC the ideological enforcer of the Democratic Party ?
Moreover , this inflexible , negative attitude hasn ’ t just permeated the progressive base .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates into taking more and more extreme positions , whether it ’ s economic proposals , the Green New Deal or “ Medicare for All.
” Here ’ s what AOC and her like-minded progressives don ’ t seem to understand : That kind of rigid thinking doesn ’ t build winning coalitions .
It ’ s what loses elections .
A fact Republicans ought to remember as well .
It ’ s also worth mentioning that comments like these from AOC and her earlier shots at Biden come in the midst of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and unpredictable .
No one has emerged as the likely nominee , and we ’ re a month away from the Iowa caucuses .
The Democrats may well end their primary process without a clear nominee , and we could see a brokered convention with more than one ballot .
If second-ballot superdelegates — establishment Democrats , for the most part — deny the progressive wing its choice for the second time in four years , what is now a divide within the party could become a veritable abyss .
Party leaders should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to say if that possible scenario plays out .
In the ashes of a brokered convention , what needs to be a Democratic lovefest in November could easily become fear and loathing in Milwaukee in July .
Wallowing in negativity and spouting anti-everything rhetoric isn ’ t helping Democrats get ahead .
Polling numbers show a stagnant primary race ; a failing impeachment ; and , this week , a confusing response to the president ’ s decision to rid the world of another important and deadly terrorist .
Moreover , the Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seem to ignore reality for the very voters they need to invite into the tent — independents and moderates .
With a strategy of “ all negative , all the time , ” Democrats are giving Republicans the opportunity to build a broader , winning coalition — but only if the GOP offers voters a positive alternative to believe in .

OPINION — For those of you who read this column regularly, you’ve heard me often urge Republicans to put their focus on building a broader majority coalition through a more positive political strategy. It’s the best path to electoral victory instead of relying heavily on negative campaigns.
But watching the Democrats over the last few weeks lurch from impeachment to progressive economics to armchair quarterbacking the president’s decision to take out one of the world’s worst actors has left me scratching my head. When it comes to their almost complete reliance on harsh and personal attacks against Donald Trump and the GOP, I find myself asking, “What are they thinking?”
Or has the Democrats’ strategic messaging devolved into nothing more than a kind of reflexive negativity that is beginning to define their party, their leadership and their presidential field? If Trump is for it, they are against it, regardless of the issue. If Trump or Republicans might benefit from a piece of legislation, then there must be something wrong with it. Time to block action even when the real beneficiaries are the American people.
Their take on the economy is a good example. In the Democrats’ alternative world, their idea of economic policy boils down to who and how much they can tax. Financial success in the minds of Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders and the party’s base is now seen as nearly criminal, while Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg try to straddle the fence with progressive-lite economic policy proposals they hope will be enough to satisfy the base’s seemingly insatiable appetite for punishing the successful. And all of them are making this argument in the face of one of the strongest economies in recent memory.
When asked, in the last debate, about top economists who criticized her tax plan as likely to stifle growth and investment, Warren blithely responded, “Oh. They’re just wrong.”


rollcall--2020-01-08--Success of tobacco age change will depend on state efforts

Some states that already had “ tobacco 21 ” laws in place saw drops in cigarette smoking rates among young people , but e-cigarette use increased .
( Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images file photo ) The legal age for cigarettes , nicotine vaping products and other tobacco is now 21 across the country after Congress changed the age last month — but progress in reducing youth vaping will depend on states to ensure that underage sales are halted .
While many states and localities adopted laws to raise the tobacco sales age to 21 in recent years , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve been so far .
Experts caution that raising the age nationally won ’ t be the only thing needed to address the high youth tobacco use rate ushered in by the popularity of e-cigarettes .
In addition to the age change , Congress reduced penalties meant to encourage state compliance with federal inspection policies .
States that don ’ t comply still face the potential of losing block grant funding for substance-abuse prevention , but the new law is less punitive .
Under the new law , states must conduct random inspections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ losing 10 percent of the block grant .
Previously , a state could lose up to 40 percent of its grant after four years of noncompliance .
The updated law says the penalty wouldn ’ t exceed 10 percent , and wouldn ’ t be imposed if the state agrees to devote additional money to compliance .
Congress also provided a three-year grace period before the noncompliance penalties would take effect .
Joelle Lester , director of commercial tobacco control programs at the Public Health Law Center at the Mitchell Hamline School of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said that threatening public health funding isn ’ t an ideal way to ensure compliance from local officials .
“ There are challenges to that that they are already trying to resolve all of the time , and having this financial penalty hanging over their heads isn ’ t why they are trying to reduce youth access to tobacco products in their states and communities , ” she told CQ Roll Call .
Going forward , Lester said it would be important for states that didn ’ t already have so-called tobacco @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statutes to ensure consistent enforcement .
Before the federal law took effect in December , 19 states and the District of Columbia , along with hundreds of towns and cities , had already raised the local tobacco sales age to 21 .
The first statewide changes occurred in Hawaii and California in 2016 , followed by New Jersey in November 2017 .
Three more states implemented age increases in 2018 , but 2019 was the year that the trend caught on , with 10 more that went into effect .
Cristine Delnevo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Tobacco Studies , is examining the effect the laws have had .
Her field work involved sending a 20-year-old covert buyer into stores in New Jersey and New York to attempt to buy a Juul , the popular e-cigarette brand .
In New York City , she said , he went to five stores and came back with nothing .
But when he went to stores in New Brunswick , New Jersey , he had a 60 percent success rate .
Delnevo noted that New York City has more severe penalties and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does , and New Jersey ’ s law has affirmative defenses written into the law , such as persons looking like they are 21 .
“ The extent to which tobacco 21 is going to work is going to rely heavily on implementation and enforcement and what the penalties are , ” she said .
Following the age changes in Hawaii and California , cigarette smoking rates among young people fell , but e-cigarette rates increased , mirroring national trends and demonstrating the popularity of vaping even in the wake of restrictive measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hawaii ’ s statewide surveys , the percentage of 18- and 19-year-olds reporting current e-cigarette use increased from 13.8 percent in 2016 to 17.3 percent in 2017 .
However , in another survey of high school students , reported e-cigarette use decreased slightly between 2015 and 2017 , the most recent year for which data is available .
California ’ s Department of Public Health says it has not yet evaluated the impact of the state ’ s tobacco 21 law on reducing addictive teen smoking and vaping .
There have been some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found that retailer violation rates dropped from 10.3 percent in 2016 to 5.7 percent in 2017 .
The state ’ s youth tobacco survey found that high school cigarette smoking declined from 4.3 percent to 2 percent from 2016 to 2018 , but that vaping increased from 8.6 percent to 10.9 percent , meaning that the percentage of kids using nicotine products didn ’ t really change .
“ While the use of combustible tobacco among California youth has declined to historic lows , youth vaping has increased significantly , in part because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to conceal , the rise in the number of flavored products , and deceptive marketing tactics from vape companies , as well as social media and social influencers , ” said Corey Egel , a spokesman for the California Department of Public Health .
The Food and Drug Administration will work with states on enforcement , organizing random store visits of its own .
The FDA oversaw nearly 147,000 retail store inspections in fiscal 2019 , out of approximately 400,000 tobacco retailers in the U.S .
In recent years , the proportion of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increased .
The retailer violation rate was around 5 percent in 2011 , but around 12 percent in 2018 , according to the Preventing Tobacco Addiction Foundation .
The FDA says it expects retailers to begin complying with the new law , but notes that the agency still needs to make sure the changes are adequately communicated .
Tobacco 21 is now “ the law of the land , ” Mitch Zeller , director of the FDA ’ s Center for Tobacco Products , told reporters last week .
“ We will work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them as to how we will be enforcing that change in the law.
” Retailers are anxious for more guidance , according to trade groups such as the National Association of Convenience Stores and gas station industry advocates .
In a letter to the FDA , the groups argued that retailers need to update signage and train employees .
They said it will take until April before the makers of the ubiquitous red and yellow “ We Card ” signs and calendars can fully meet new demand for materials reflecting the new sales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FDA make clear that it will only begin enforcement once new regulations have been written and go into effect , a process that usually takes months .
The new sales age is just one of two major shifts that retailers will have to navigate in the coming months .
Starting in February , they ’ ll also have to stop selling most flavored varieties of pod- and cartridge-based brands like Juul , the Trump administration said in a long-anticipated announcement last week .
More changes to the e-cigarette retail landscape could happen in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due .
Many lawmakers have been frustrated with how long it ’ s taken for the FDA to implement its tobacco policies and are urging expediency .
Senate Health , Education , Labor and Pensions Chairman Lamar Alexander said the FDA “ has substantial authority to do more and should use it.
” “ A good next step would be for the FDA to announce policies to help store owners enforce the new age restriction and flavor ban , ” the Tennessee Republican said .

The legal age for cigarettes, nicotine vaping products and other tobacco is now 21 across the country after Congress changed the age last month — but progress in reducing youth vaping will depend on states to ensure that underage sales are halted.
While many states and localities adopted laws to raise the tobacco sales age to 21 in recent years, it’s unclear how effective they’ve been so far. Experts caution that raising the age nationally won’t be the only thing needed to address the high youth tobacco use rate ushered in by the popularity of e-cigarettes.
In addition to the age change, Congress reduced penalties meant to encourage state compliance with federal inspection policies. States that don’t comply still face the potential of losing block grant funding for substance-abuse prevention, but the new law is less punitive.
Under the new law, states must conduct random inspections of retailers to ensure compliance or risk losing 10 percent of the block grant. Previously, a state could lose up to 40 percent of its grant after four years of noncompliance.
The updated law says the penalty wouldn’t exceed 10 percent, and wouldn’t be imposed if the state agrees to devote additional money to compliance. Congress also provided a three-year grace period before the noncompliance penalties would take effect.


rollcall--2020-01-08--Reapportionment after census could shake up swing districts

Will the New York district represented by Democratic Rep. Anthony Brindisi still exist after the 2020 census ?
( Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call ) Candidates and political parties have started multimillion-dollar struggles for control of congressional districts that , according to an analysis of Census Bureau data , may not exist in two years .
The latest Census Bureau population estimates suggest that a handful of states , including Illinois , California and New York , may lose seats in Congress after the 2020 count .
That could make victories in some of the hardest-fought congressional races fleeting , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incumbents , as newly minted representatives find themselves out of a job just two years later .
[ Census estimates : Redistricting ahead for California , New York and Texas ] Kim Brace , president of Election Data Services , said the numbers reflect long-term trends as rural areas empty out into growing cities and suburbs .
“ The rural population and the rural power is basically diminishing very dramatically .
I think you see that in Congress , ” Brace said .
That will spell trouble for whoever wins in districts like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ represented by Democrat Anthony Brindisi , whose reelection is rated a Toss-up by Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales .
The district stretches from the Pennsylvania border to Lake Ontario and includes the cites of Binghamton and Utica .
According to the latest census estimates , it also may be the smallest district in a state primed to lose a congressional seat .
Whoever wins the race for the 22nd , and other districts in states set to lose congressional clout , may soon find themselves without a place to call a political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 states — all aside from Louisiana were in the North and Midwest — lost a combined 12 seats to Southern and Western states .
That preceded a flood of retirements in states like New York and Ohio that lost seats in the reapportionment .
A decade earlier , a similar set of 10 states lost their seats .
However , nothing is certain when it comes to the census and redistricting process .
The numbers released Dec. 30 by the Census Bureau represent the best guess at the current population for states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come from the enumeration that formally begins Jan. 21 in Alaska .
The Census Bureau faces a December deadline to count about 330 million American residents and finalize its distribution of all 435 congressional seats , followed by the mapmaking data a few months later .
But inconsistent census results , from problems with the internet response option or lingering fear from the fight over a citizenship question , could shake up the final tally of congressional seats .
Those uncertainties , along with the fluid factors involved in the political line-drawing process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brindisi ’ s uncertain .
Overall , 10 of the 70 seats with races rated competitive by Inside Elections are in states projected to lose congressional seats after 2020 : Alabama , California , Illinois , Michigan , Minnesota , New York , Ohio , Pennsylvania , Rhode Island and West Virginia .
The impending changes may not be at the forefront for today ’ s political campaigns , though .
One Republican campaign strategist involved in House races said there are too many unknowns to affect 2020 races : “ We don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is why we are focused on recruiting candidates who will deliver for their districts and help us win back the majority this cycle.
” For several states , the margin that determines the loss of a seat can be just a few thousand people , according to the EDS analysis .
California and New York have devoted tremendous census outreach and counting efforts : $ 180 million worth in the Golden State and $ 60 million in the Empire State .
That kind of investment may make the difference in the final census @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Loyola Law School professor .
“ They are hoping to preserve or poach a seat at [ a ] state like Texas ’ expense , ” he said .
“ That is relying on Texas ’ own underinvestment in census outreach.
” Democrats in Congress , particularly Oversight and Reform Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney of New York , have expressed concerns about the administration ’ s census efforts .
They ’ ve questioned whether the census will undercount growing minority communities in places like Texas to the benefit of majority white residents .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ growth over the decade has come from minority and immigrant groups , frequently referred to as “ hard to count , ” and previous census efforts have missed millions of them .
Growth over the decade has made for substantial variation in the size of districts — 2018 data shows that districts in Alabama vary by 50,000 or more residents .
The composition of new maps won ’ t be determined simply by erasing the current smallest district , Brace said .
“ There are a whole bunch of factors that come into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Alabama ’ s 2nd District , currently represented by retiring Republican Rep. Martha Roby .
Other considerations include local politics and majority-minority districts .
Such districts have legal protections under the Voting Rights Act , which Brace , Levitt and others say will be a factor for the new maps .
Drawing new districts can force retirements or head-to-head contests between existing representatives , even within parties : New maps in 2012 set Democrats Marcy Kaptur against Dennis J. Kucinich in Ohio and Republicans Adam Kinzinger against Don Manzullo in Illinois .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and both still serve in the House .
Levitt said New York City has the highest concentration of minority voters , as well as the majority of its state ’ s growth .
Other districts near Brindisi ’ s , the 19th and 23rd , also have among the lowest populations in the state , making it harder to draw coherent districts in the area .
“ Population trends indicate that population loss is upstate and , if anything , the minority population in places like New York City is growing , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other states losing their congressional seats depend on the count coming in for states like Texas .
The Lone Star State , along with Arizona , Colorado , Florida , Montana , North Carolina and Oregon , may gain seats after the 2020 census , according to the EDS analysis .
Ultimately , the actual performance of the census may throw a wrench in the results the mapmakers have to work with , according to Levitt , who worked as an Obama Justice Department lawyer on Voting Rights Act issues .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for minority communities for Texas and elsewhere that the census count won ’ t accurately reflect the real population there , ” Levitt said .
“ The projections say two to three seats , and a lot of people wonder whether those are going to actually materialize based on the census count.
” Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call on your iPhone .

Candidates and political parties have started multimillion-dollar struggles for control of congressional districts that, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data, may not exist in two years.
The latest Census Bureau population estimates suggest that a handful of states, including Illinois, California and New York, may lose seats in Congress after the 2020 count. That could make victories in some of the hardest-fought congressional races fleeting, a rare occurrence in an institution that favors incumbents, as newly minted representatives find themselves out of a job just two years later.
[Census estimates: Redistricting ahead for California, New York and Texas]
Kim Brace, president of Election Data Services, said the numbers reflect long-term trends as rural areas empty out into growing cities and suburbs.
“The rural population and the rural power is basically diminishing very dramatically. I think you see that in Congress,” Brace said.


rollcall--2020-01-08--Capitol Ink | Fast Aging Baby New Year

Capitol Ink | Fast Aging Baby New Year

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