rollcall--2020-01-29--Momentum on marijuana moves to statehouses

A bill in the House to legalize marijuana faces an uncertain future , the Senate has not moved legislation that would allow marijuana businesses to bank and opportunities to legalize marijuana through state ballot initiatives have winnowed .
The result is state legislatures will be the main arena for legalization debates .
( Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call file photo ) Marijuana legalization campaigns will increasingly run through state capitols as Congress remains stalled , advocates say .
A bill in the House to legalize marijuana faces an uncertain future , and the Senate has not moved legislation that would allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunities to legalize marijuana through state ballot initiatives have winnowed ; while nine other states and the District of Columbia approved commercial sales through ballot initiatives , just 23 states and the district allow such initiatives .
The result is state legislatures will be the main arena for legalization debates .
This year , commercial sales began in Illinois , the first state to approve them through legislation .
Pro-marijuana advocates will have to adapt their strategy accordingly to persuade state lawmakers .
Smart Approaches to Marijuana , a group that opposes legalization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lengthier legislative process as an advantage .
“ Our message takes some time to explain in this environment ” of increasing popularity for marijuana legalization , said Kevin Sabet , president of SAM .
Sabet said it can be difficult to defeat marijuana businesses and advocates in a messaging battle .
“ We like working with state legislatures .
It ’ s still not cheap , it still takes up a lot of time and it ’ s a long-slog effort , but a contemplative body that we can have a discussion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and competing catchphrases , ” he said .
Legalization advocates acknowledged that targeted lobbying can gum up action on marijuana bills but argued that growing interest in their cause will ultimately compel legislators .
“ It ’ s interesting to hear the opposition acknowledge what they are doing flies in the face of public opinion , ” said Melissa Moore , deputy state director of the Drug Policy Alliance in New York .
Nationally , 59 percent of people support both medical and recreational marijuana legalization , on top of another 32 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 2019 Pew Research Center survey found .
“ We know that the perspectives of state legislators can lag behind public opinion .
It ’ s disheartening to think you can convince a relative handful of legislators , and through a few votes on a few committees the will of the people can be thwarted , ” said Karen O ’ Keefe , director of state policies for the Marijuana Policy Project .
[ Legal pot makes it harder to recruit truck drivers , industry leader says ] New Mexico , New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on legalization issues in 2020 .
New York has sought out collaboration with three neighboring states , recognizing that interstate travel could render major policy differences irrelevant and cultivate black markets .
New Mexico on the verge New Mexico appears poised to legalize adult recreational use in a swift 30-day session that began Jan. 21 .
“ The dialogue has shifted to not if , but when , ” said Emily Kaltenbach , an organizer with the Drug Policy Alliance advocacy group .
Democratic Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham voiced support for legalized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State address — with caveats that the state ’ s existing medical marijuana program be protected and law enforcement receive a funding boost .
The push stalled last year in a Democrat-controlled Senate committee .
“ This bill is stronger than last year ’ s bill , ” Kaltenbach said .
“ We ’ re focused on individuals in the Senate in particular who were on the fence.
” The governor in June 2019 appointed a cannabis working group , whose members included both advocates like Kaltenbach and a county sheriff .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recommendations .
State Rep. Javier Martinez , D-Albuquerque , who introduced the bill last year , said in local interviews that he plans to introduce a bill that draws from the working group ’ s recommendations .
The bill would immediately expunge cannabis possession convictions .
It also would direct some tax revenues to a so-called “ Medicaid for marijuana ” program to subsidize medical marijuana purchases for low-income patients .
The bill would also seed small businesses , fund substance abuse treatment , and direct 35 percent of tax revenues to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job training and housing subsidies .
The New Mexico Sheriffs ’ Association has not announced opposition to the bill .
The measure would create a new fund for state law enforcement underwritten by 16.5 percent of the revenue from taxes on cannabis sales .
The bill also would direct 10 percent of the fees the state collects from licenses and penalties from life , general casualty and title insurance business to the police ’ s new fund .
New York Democratic Gov .
Andrew M. Cuomo threw his weight behind a push for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State address coinciding with the legislative session ’ s Jan. 8 start .
Cuomo has said he wants legalization incorporated into fiscal 2021 budget negotiations in March .
“ We ’ re heading into session in a different place , ” said Moore .
Cuomo convened a summit of Northeastern governors on the issue last fall , so negotiations in New York will be closely watched , as they could set a standard for other states .
“ New York has an opportunity to set a national model that looks responsive to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , pointing to statistics showing that New York led the nation in marijuana-related arrests and incarcerations .
Cuomo ’ s speech was months in the making after a legalization effort dissolved last session .
Proponents grumbled Cuomo didn ’ t push hard enough .
Competing stakeholder interests in part led to the clock running out on last year ’ s bill , advocates say .
Sabet concedes defeating legalization in New York “ will be tough ” this year , but he also said the defeat of last year ’ s legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ session proved the assembly ’ s Democratic majority does not guarantee passage .
“ We ’ re closer to Democrats than Republicans in New York , ” Sabet said .
For example , Assembly member Jaime Williams said at a news conference with SAM last year that more research on marijuana is needed , according to local reports .
The governor ’ s office said it wants to work in tandem with three nearby states : Connecticut , New Jersey and Pennsylvania .
Advocates are also watching initiatives to end penalties for marijuana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sales in Vermont , where homegrown plants are already legal .
Republican supermajorities in both chambers will likely take up a bill to create a medical marijuana program in Alabama .
Proponents head into the state ’ s session on Feb. 4 armed with draft legislation by the Alabama Medical Cannabis Study Commission .
Last month , a majority of the commission , made up of medical professionals , attorneys and farmers , concluded that “ there is strong public interest for a medical cannabis program in Alabama.
” The commission grew out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marijuana last year .
A House committee did not act on a Senate-approved bill .
Republican state Sen. Tim Melson , the commission chairman , plans to introduce the bill next month .
The tide toward medical marijuana was roiled earlier this month when Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall , a Republican , announced his opposition , arguing it would conflict with federal law and drawing a parallel between marijuana and opioids .
Annual congressional appropriations grant a legal safe harbor for state medical marijuana programs .
Proponents of the Alabama bill said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the session starts in February .
“ I don ’ t think this is going to change that many minds because there is a lot of compelling evidence , ” Republican state Rep. Mike Ball said in a radio interview .
“ I do think the people that were opposed to it will remain opposed to it , and this will give them a little extra political cover.
” Alabama would join more than 30 states and the District of Columbia that have a medical marijuana program .
Tennessee and Kentucky , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also expected to weigh medical marijuana bills this year .

The governor in June 2019 appointed a cannabis working group, whose members included both advocates like Kaltenbach and a county sheriff. The group issued a 16-page report detailing its recommendations.
State Rep. Javier Martinez, D-Albuquerque, who introduced the bill last year, said in local interviews that he plans to introduce a bill that draws from the working group’s recommendations.
The bill would immediately expunge cannabis possession convictions. It also would direct some tax revenues to a so-called “Medicaid for marijuana” program to subsidize medical marijuana purchases for low-income patients. The bill would also seed small businesses, fund substance abuse treatment, and direct 35 percent of tax revenues to a new fund for public health programs, job training and housing subsidies.
The New Mexico Sheriffs’ Association has not announced opposition to the bill. The measure would create a new fund for state law enforcement underwritten by 16.5 percent of the revenue from taxes on cannabis sales. The bill also would direct 10 percent of the fees the state collects from licenses and penalties from life, general casualty and title insurance business to the police’s new fund.
Northeastern states’ cannabis coalition
New York Democratic Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo threw his weight behind a push for legal cannabis in his State of the State address coinciding with the legislative session’s Jan. 8 start. Cuomo has said he wants legalization incorporated into fiscal 2021 budget negotiations in March.


rollcall--2020-01-29--Watch: Roll Call is tired of Congress’ weak sports bets

LSU and New Orleans Saints helmets on display in the Hart Building office of former Sen. David Vitter on September @ @ @ @ @ Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call ) Heard on the Hill ’ s Clyde McGrady has seen @ @ @ @ @ to members making “ friendly wagers ” for big championship games , like Reps. Stephanie @ @ @ @ @ a jog around the Capitol , or Sens .
Richard C. Shelby and John Kennedy @ @ @ @ @ ( if a national franchise like Popeyes still counts as a Louisiana staple ) .
@ @ @ @ @ something bigger .
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rollcall--2020-01-29--Some senators from trade-heavy states opposed US-Mexico-Canada pact

Democrats felt comfortable supporting President Donald Trump ’ s renegotiated trade agreement with Canada and Mexico because labor unions , mostly , did .
The unions said the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement would be an improvement over its predecessor , the North American Free Trade Agreement .
Still , environmentalists opposed it .
Wenonah Hauter , the executive director of Food & Water Action , said the deal “ spells disaster for food safety , air and water quality , and climate change ” because it asks little of the parties by way of conservation .
When the Senate voted on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vote was 89-10 , and many of the opponents put their concerns for the environment ahead of the economic benefits the deal provides their home states .
The most notable was Kamala Harris .
More people in her state , California , have jobs because of trade with Canada and Mexico than in any other .
Even so , the Democrat broke with her fellow senator , Dianne Feinstein , and opposed the deal .
She said in a statement that she appreciated the efforts of Speaker Nancy Pelosi and labor union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harris said the pact ’ s lack of attention to the environment was unacceptable .
“ By not addressing climate change , the USMCA fails to meet the crises of this moment , ” she said .

Still, environmentalists opposed it. Wenonah Hauter, the executive director of Food & Water Action, said the deal “spells disaster for food safety, air and water quality, and climate change” because it asks little of the parties by way of conservation.
When the Senate voted on Jan. 16 to approve the deal, the vote was 89-10, and many of the opponents put their concerns for the environment ahead of the economic benefits the deal provides their home states.


rollcall--2020-01-29--Congressional ‘gambling’ is out of control

Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau exchange gifts in June as they settle a wager over an NBA basketball championship game between her Golden State Warriors and his victorious Toronto Raptors .
( Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call ) Mayors do it .
So do governors and even prime ministers .
But members of Congress are the worst offenders , and they ’ re getting out of control .
When it comes to sports , they simply can ’ t resist making “ friendly wagers.
” You know the routine by now : Ahead of the Big Game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off make a banal bet that usually involves some home-state products like peanuts , candy or sausage .
And the practice only seems to be growing .
These bets used to be reserved for the Super Bowl , the World Series or at least playoff matchups , but now even regular-season games are drawing action from members of Congress .
Not all bets are boring .
Some ( the best ) involve genuine humiliation .
After his Los Angeles Dodgers lost to the New York Mets in a 2015 National League Division Series @ @ @ @ @ @ @ floor to pay his debt to fellow Rep. Steve Israel .
Schiff , with the Mets logo attached to his necktie , gazed at the microphone , preemptively displaying the deep sense of regret he knew he ’ d be feeling shortly , and let out a sigh .
“ Now , Steve , this song is for you , ” Schiff said , before rushing through the saddest rendition of “ Meet the Mets ” ever heard .
It went on less than a minute , but it ’ s hard to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Mr .
Speaker , please tell me my time has expired , ” he said when he was done .
Most of these wagers are opportunities for lawmakers to show their regular guy or gal bona fides , promote their home states and districts , and provide some easy “ fun ” content for their social media accounts .
They are little more than thinly veiled PR for whatever home-state or district product the member wants to foist on to the public consciousness .
Is Coca-Cola in your district ?
Then bet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Utz potato chips ?
Bet a pack .
Oh , and try not to be inauthentic .
“ In states where they have more than one team in the league , pick a side , ” said one former senior congressional staffer .
“ If you ’ re a Yankees fan , you better not be betting for the Mets to win.
” Consider this an open letter : Unless you are willing to make an actual bet with actual stakes , please stop doing these .
I admit there ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but they ’ re starting to become so commonplace that it ’ s hard to find any of them interesting .
Rarely is anything of consequence on the line .
“ It ’ s harmless and seems like it ’ s been going on forever , ” said one former Capitol Hill staffer .
“ It ’ s better when there ’ s something really at stake.
” So how about putting more skin in the game ?
At the very least , the boring food swaps have got to end .
Members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two from mayors and governors , who appear to have tired of exchanging food products .
( Yes , we all know Philadelphia is known for its cheesesteaks . )
Sometimes bets can be a pretext for charitable work .
For instance , in 2011 , New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg agreed to assemble care packages for recently returned members of the armed services from Pittsburgh after his New York Jets lost to the Steelers in that year ’ s AFC title game .
( That ’ s not to say he always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 42 pounds of Dunkin ’ Donuts coffee , 100 cups of clam chowder and lots and lots of ice cream from Boston Mayor Thomas Menino three years earlier when the Patriots lost to the Giants in the Super Bowl — all in the name of charity . )
If you ’ re hell-bent on food swaps , there ’ s a way to boost your home-state products while also making things interesting .
By all means , bet your barbecue and chocolate , but at least up the quantity .
For instance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your team wins the Super Bowl , how about asking a Californian to polish off 3 pounds of baby back ribs ?
I think we ’ d all want to see that .
Sen. John Kennedy missed a prime opportunity for this when the University of Alabama Crimson Tide football team lost to Kennedy ’ s Louisiana State University Tigers in November .
The annual matchup is one of the biggest on each team ’ s schedule every year and usually determines who will go on to play for a national title .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ game last season .
So what did Sens .
Kennedy and Richard Shelby of Alabama place on the line ?
“ I am betting as much extra-spicy Popeyes fried chicken as the senator can eat , ” Kennedy said .
“ Popeyes chicken is among the best fried chicken God ever put breath in.
” Shelby bet a double serving of Conecuh Sausage made in Evergreen , Alabama .
Instead of letting Shelby choose , Kennedy should have demanded he put down an entire 20-piece spicy .
That way everybody wins .
Get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Call on your iPhone .

After his Los Angeles Dodgers lost to the New York Mets in a 2015 National League Division Series, Adam Schiff took to the House floor to pay his debt to fellow congressman Steve Israel. Schiff, with the Mets logo attached to his necktie, gazed at the microphone, preemptively displaying the deep sense of regret he knew he’d be feeling shortly, and let out a sigh. “Now Steve, this song is for you,” Schiff said, before rushing through the saddest rendition of “Meet the Mets” ever heard. It went on less than a minute, but it’s hard to imagine Schiff lasting one second longer. “Mr. Speaker, please tell me my time has expired,” he said when he was done.
Most of these wagers are opportunities for lawmakers to show their regular guy or gal bonafides, promote their home states and districts, and provide some easy “fun” content for their social media accounts. They are little more than thinly veiled PR for whatever home state or district product the member wants to foist onto the public consciousness. Is Coca-Cola in your district? Then bet a caseload. Is it the home of Utz potato chips? Bet a pack.
Oh, and try not to be inauthentic. “In states where they have more than one team in the league, pick a side,” says one former senior congressional staffer. “If you’re a Yankees fan, you better not be betting for the Mets to win.”
Consider this an open letter: Unless you are willing to make an actual bet with actual stakes, please stop doing these.
Crab, Napa Valley wine and sourdough bread were on tap as California’s senators settled a Super Bowl bet with the Maryland delegation in 2013. (Chris Maddaloni/CQ Roll Call file photo)
I admit there’s nothing inherently wrong with these bets, but they’re starting to become so commonplace that it’s hard to find any of them interesting. Rarely is anything of consequence on the line.


rollcall--2020-01-29--Trump trial enters the question-and-answer phase

Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer tells reporters to ask questions one at a time at a news conference during a break in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump on Jan. 27 .
( Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call ) Senators will finally get to actually participate — at least by proxy — in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump on Wednesday after long days and nights of just listening to presentations from House impeachment managers and the president ’ s own attorneys .
The Senate will spend up to eight hours each on Wednesday and Thursday on written @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. , alternating the questioning between the minority and majority .
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that during the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton , senators were “ thoughtful and brief in their questions ” and that House managers and the president 's counsel were “ succinct in their answers.
” Roberts on Tuesday similarly made an appeal for brevity .
“ The chair will operate on a rebuttable presumption that each question can be fully and fairly answered in five minutes or less , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice William Rehnquist , who presided over the 1999 Clinton trial .
The transcript from which Roberts read indicated that the Senate laughed at Rehnquist ’ s words , prompting laughter from the sitting senators , not typically known for their brevity .
Nevertheless , Roberts advised the Senate to stick to Rehnquist ’ s rule .
Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer said he expects many Democrats to give the House managers ample opportunity to address specific arguments made by Trump ’ s defense team .
“ We have lots of questions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the New York Democrat said .
Leaders will , however , help organize the questions to avoid repetition and ensure a logical order of query .
“ We don ’ t want the same question 10 times , ” Schumer said .
“ I am sure that a good number of the questions will give the House managers time to rebut all the holes in the president ’ s lawyers ’ arguments , which they did n't have in the course of the trial.
” Trump has been charged with obstruction of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to use military aid to Ukraine to extract a promise from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden , a rival in the 2020 presidential election , and his son Hunter .
Sen. Thomas R. Carper of Delaware , who served alongside Biden for eight years in the state ’ s delegation , said he plans to ask an open-ended question to the House managers that grants them the opportunity to “ drill down and set the record straight on the work that Joe Biden did as vice president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Ukraine .
On Tuesday afternoon , Texas Republican John Cornyn didn ’ t have questions teed up yet , but he and other Republican senators said they were working on them .
“ You know , I really don ’ t have any particular questions , maybe just because I thought , actually I thought both sides did a good job laying their case out , ” Cornyn said .
“ But this is an opportunity for those who have questions .
I ’ ll probably come up with some .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be yet.
” Tennessee Republican Lamar Alexander said the two days of questions will be key to making his decision about whether to vote to support witnesses at the impeachment trial .
Heading for retirement and a dedicated Senate institutionalist , Alexander could be a crucial vote for Democrats intent on having witnesses .
“ After I finish hearing the answers to the questions and consider the record .
I 've now heard the arguments of both sides .
Then I ’ ll make a decision about whether we need more evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican Josh Hawley is planning to use his questions to ask about the Bidens , Schiff and the intelligence community whistleblower whose report kick-started the House impeachment inquiry .
Hawley released his list of questions Tuesday and will submit questions about any communication between Schiff and the whistleblower .
Schiff has repeatedly said he does not know details about or the name of the whistleblower .
Hawley said he will also attempt to get answers to questions about Hunter Biden and his work for the Ukrainian gas company Burisma .
No senator ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be asked .
There was tension during the Clinton trial among senior Democratic senators who didn ’ t want their questions vetted by leadership and wanted the freedom to ask whatever they wished .
Then-Majority Leader Trent Lott of Mississippi put together a small ad hoc committee , led by Judiciary Chairman Orrin G. Hatch of Utah , along with GOP Sens .
Mike DeWine of Ohio and Fred Thompson of Tennessee , to review potential questions and organize them into a coherent list .
All three were lawyers , and their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of questions and helping to exploit holes in Clinton ’ s case .
Neither party has signaled that they ’ ll take the GOP approach from 1999 .
It appears party leaders will make the decisions on which questions make it to Roberts ’ desk .
The question period allows Roberts one of the few opportunities he will have to directly intervene in the course of the trial .
Roberts will decide the suitability of any question , except when a senator objects to his ruling .
If there ’ s an objection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a vote by the entire Senate .
Patrick Kelley , Griffin Connolly and Chris Marquette contributed to this report .

Senators will finally get to actually participate — at least by proxy — in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump on Wednesday after long days and nights of just listening to presentations from House impeachment managers and the president’s own attorneys.
The Senate will spend up to eight hours each on Wednesday and Thursday on written questions submitted by senators and read aloud by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., alternating the questioning between the minority and majority.
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Tuesday that during the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton, senators were “thoughtful and brief in their questions” and that House managers and the president’s counsel were “succinct in their answers.”
Roberts on Tuesday similarly made an appeal for brevity.
“The chair will operate on a rebuttable presumption that each question can be fully and fairly answered in five minutes or less,” Roberts said, quoting former Chief Justice William Rehnquist, who presided over the 1999 Clinton trial.


rollcall--2020-01-29--Adam Schiff throws the ballot box under the bus

OPINION — Adam Schiff crossed a line between right and wrong last week in his opening statement in the Senate impeachment trial .
The California Democrat told senators , “ We are here today to consider a much more grave matter , and that is an attempt to use the powers of the presidency to cheat in an election.
” And he went on , “ For precisely this reason , the president ’ s misconduct can not be decided at the ballot box — for we can not be assured that the vote will be fairly won.
” One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crusade has been the lingering belief by the electorate that Democrats refuse to accept the outcome of the 2016 election and that they have been trying to impeach President Donald Trump ever since .
But not only does it seem like Democrats still haven ’ t gotten over the 2016 election , they don ’ t accept the potential outcome of an election that hasn ’ t even happened yet .
As I wrote last week , voters think they — not Congress — should be the ones to choose the next president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schiff has made plain for the world to see , Democrats don ’ t think it should be left to the voters and don ’ t seem willing to accede to a Trump reelection , even if that ’ s what the voters decide .
Under Article I of the Constitution , Congress is supposed to be the body closest to the people , yet this current House majority thinks they — not voters — should be , in George W. Bush ’ s words , “ the decider.
” If there were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ articulated that belief openly .
With impeachment numbers not having moved since the House hearings began and Democrats tried to make their public case , Democrats have shifted their argument by introducing the troubling idea that “ we can not be assured that the vote will be fairly won.
” Critics who question the validity of an election without proof ought first to consider the harm an unsubstantiated claim might have on our democratic elections and the faith Americans have placed in them for almost 250 years .
This is something both Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past .
President Barack Obama once blasted then-candidate Trump ’ s refusal to commit to accepting the election outcome during the third presidential debate in 2016 .
He said , “ That is dangerous .
Because when you try to sow the seeds of doubt in the people ’ s minds about the legitimacy of the elections , that undermines our democracy .
Then you ’ re doing the work of our adversaries for them.
” In a March 2017 House Intelligence Committee hearing on Russian interference in the 2016 election , National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the panel , “ I fully expect [ the Russians ] to continue this level of activity because our sense is that they have come to the conclusion that it generated a positive outcome for them , in the sense that calling into question the democratic process , for example , is one element of the strategy.
” James Comey , the FBI director at the time , said much the same in that hearing : “ One of the lessons [ the Russians ] may draw from this is that they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and discord and sowed doubt about the nature of this amazing country of ours and our democratic process.
” Schiff , then the Intelligence Committee ranking member , said in his opening statement at the hearing : “ The stakes are nothing less than the future of our democracy and liberal democracy .
Because we ’ re engaged in a new war of ideas , not communism versus capitalism , but authoritarianism versus democracy and representative government .
And in the struggle , our adversary sees our political process as a legitimate field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and this is now .
By calling the president of the United States a cheat with no proof , by questioning the legitimacy of the next election and by professing doubt in the American people ’ s ability to choose their next leader , Schiff just delivered the outcomes that Obama , Rogers and Comey were concerned about .
The excessive hyperbole that marked most of the Democratic impeachment managers ’ rhetoric only added to the impression that Democrats simply have no confidence in either our electoral process or the innate ability of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schiff ’ s remarks represent an elitist view that has permeated the Democratic Party and much of the media , a view that those who “ don ’ t think like us ” really aren ’ t capable of casting an informed vote .
But voters aren ’ t stupid , contrary to what the elites think , whether it ’ s Joe Scarborough calling the Trump defense team “ a confederacy of dunces ” on Tuesday or Don Lemon , the night before , allowing guests to cruelly mock Trump voters as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eyes .
Elections are never perfect .
Neither is democracy because winning a majority consensus isn ’ t an easy task .
Because candidates are human .
Because this is a big , complex country with as many views as there are people to believe in them .
Because the diversity that has always made this country strong also makes governing it a herculean task .
The easiest way to destroy democracy is to destroy people ’ s faith in its legitimacy .
The Russians understand that fact .
Schiff ’ s extraordinary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he doesn ’ t .
David Winston is the president of The Winston Group and a longtime adviser to congressional Republicans .
He previously served as the director of planning for Speaker Newt Gingrich .
He advises Fortune 100 companies , foundations , and nonprofit organizations on strategic planning and public policy issues , and is an election analyst for CBS News .

OPINION — Adam Schiff crossed a line between right and wrong last week in his opening statement in the Senate impeachment trial.
The California Democrat told senators, “We are here today to consider a much more grave matter, and that is an attempt to use the powers of the presidency to cheat in an election.”
And he went on, “For precisely this reason, the president’s misconduct cannot be decided at the ballot box — for we cannot be assured that the vote will be fairly won.”
One of the biggest challenges to the impeachment crusade has been the lingering belief by the electorate that Democrats refuse to accept the outcome of the 2016 election and that they have been trying to impeach President Donald Trump ever since. But not only does it seem like Democrats still haven’t gotten over the 2016 election, they don’t accept the potential outcome of an election that hasn’t even happened yet.
As I wrote last week, voters think they — not Congress — should be the ones to choose the next president in the upcoming election; but as Schiff has made plain for the world to see, Democrats don’t think it should be left to the voters and don’t seem willing to accede to a Trump reelection, even if that’s what the voters decide.


rollcall--2020-01-29--Capitol Ink | Damage Control

Capitol Ink | Damage Control

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

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

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


rollcall--2020-01-29--Impeachment press pass pops up on eBay

Impeachment press pass pops up on eBay

Reporters wait in the Senate subway area as Capitol Police make sure anyone entering the Capitol has a pass during the impeachment trial on Jan. 16 , 2020 .
( Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call ) At least one press credential granting media access to the Senate during the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump has been spotted for sale on eBay , and is currently listed for $ 710 .
A media “ overlay ” must be paired with a hard press pass to enter the Senate portion of the Capitol during the impeachment proceeding .
And , to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must also have a ticket dated with the current day .
The seller , wheatcents.com , is selling a ticket dated Jan. 23 along with the overlay , which does not expire .
The listing for the media overlay and ticket pair has so far received 14 bids .
The seller has removed identifying information from its listing by covering the ticket number with a small piece of paper .
Each overlay is numbered to quickly identify the holder .
“ The piece of paper on bottom right corner of both credentials is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect the identity of the office where both media passes were obtained , ” the listing said .
Reporters go through security when entering the Capitol , a credential check when entering the press gallery and through a newly installed magnetometer when entering the chamber itself .
Several other daily tickets , all for previous days , have been listed for sale on eBay , but only one overlay has been seen .
It ’ s not clear whether the tickets or the overlay are genuine .
Senate press gallery staff were working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press access overlay and ticket , reaching out to the seller and digging into their previous sales .
Eva Malecki , a spokeswoman for U.S. Capitol Police , said the department does not discuss specifics but has a `` comprehensive security plan in place for the ongoing impeachment trial . ''
During the 1999 Clinton impeachment trial , Capitol Police launched a criminal investigation into use of counterfeit tickets to the proceeding .
The suspects were passing off poor quality counterfeit tickets to unsuspecting tourists who lined up to get a coveted seat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the proceedings .
The office of the Sergeant-at-Arms is directly responsible for printing and distributing tickets , as well as providing security for the Senate itself .
The Senate press galleries , which are run by the SAA , distributed the overlays to members of the media already credentialed with a hard-pass for the U.S. Capitol .
Genuine tickets to the Clinton trial turned into valuable commodities for collectors .

Updated 10:16 p.m. | At least one press credential granting media access to the Senate during the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump has been spotted for sale on eBay for $710. However, the item was no longer on the site by late Wednesday.
A media “overlay” must be paired with a hard press pass to enter the Senate portion of the Capitol during the impeachment proceeding. And, to get into the viewing gallery, the reporter must also have a ticket dated with the current day.
The seller, wheatcents.com, had been selling a ticket dated Jan. 23 along with the overlay, which does not expire.
The listing for the media overlay and ticket pair had received at least 14 bids before it was removed. A new listing for only the ticket dated Jan. 23 appeared on the seller’s eBay page late Wednesday.
The seller had removed identifying information from the original listing by covering the ticket number with a small piece of paper. Each overlay is numbered to quickly identify the holder.


rollcall--2020-01-29--Ahead of House Iran war votes, Trump sends mixed messages

A young protester holds up signs during a “ No War On Iran ” demonstration and march organized by the Stop The War Coalition and Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in London ’ s Trafalgar Square on Jan. 11 .
( Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call file photo ) As the House prepares to vote Thursday on two measures that would constrain President Donald Trump ’ s ability to launch attacks on Iran , the White House sent out mixed messages about how it wants lawmakers to vote .
The House will debate and vote on two measures that take different approaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military options when it comes to Tehran , which remains outraged at the United States for the early January U.S. drone strike in Iraq that killed Iran ’ s most powerful general , Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani .
One bill from Rep. Ro Khanna , D-Calif. , would bar funding to any unauthorized military operations against Iran .
The other measure from Rep. Barbara Lee , D-Calif. , would repeal the 2002 Authorization For Use of Military Force in Iraq , which the Trump administration cited as part of its justification for killing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threats Monday to the measures , arguing the Khanna bill would “ undermine the administration ’ s reestablishment of deterrence with Iran [ following the Soleimani killing ] , which could perversely make violent conflict with Iran more likely.
” The administration said repealing the 2002 authorization would undermine U.S. troops deployed to Iraq to combat Islamic State extremists even though a separate expansive 2001 anti-terrorism military authorization , passed after the 9/11 attacks , would remain in place .
The Lee legislation would undermine “ the president ’ s ability to defend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region against ongoing threats from Iran and Iranian-sponsored proxies , ” reads the statement of administration policy .
Despite those veto threats , Trump in a Twitter post Wednesday urged House lawmakers to vote their conscience on the repeal of the 2002 authorization , which allowed the 2003 invasion of Iraq .
“ We are down to 5000 soldiers , and going down , and I want everyone , Republican and Democrat , to vote their HEART !
” Trump said of the U.S. military presence in Iraq .
Both the Lee and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a noncontroversial World War II medals bill that is back in the House after previously being amended in the Senate .
Attaching the Iran-related measures as amendments to an underlying bill is aimed at avoiding a parliamentary motion to recommit by Republicans that would be aimed at dividing Democrats by having them vote on politically sensitive issues such as support for Israel .
Republicans complained vociferously this week about the Democratic procedural plan .
On Tuesday , GOP lawmakers were blocked by Democrats from offering a series of unanimous consent requests to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Iran measures to allow for a motion to recommit .
The rule was ultimately adopted by a largely partisan 223-189 vote .
Texas Rep. Mac Thornberry , the top Republican on the Armed Services Committee , voiced his frustration over the procedural maneuvering , telling CQ Roll Call he believed there had not been “ an issue of significance ” with no allowed amendments or motions to recommit allowed in 100 years .
“ Basically , they ’ re so afraid of losing a motion to recommit , they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the House , beyond the substance of the issue , ” he said .
Lawyers with the Pentagon ’ s Joint Chiefs are worried the Khanna language might preclude information sharing with Israel on the Iranian threat , Thornberry said .
But there is no method to address this concern without a motion to recommit allowed , he said .
While parties in the majority have previously used procedural tactics to limit input from the minority , Thornberry feels this time is different .
“ Of course you have instances where you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but never has it gone this far so that there is literally no alternative that can be considered , ” he said .
“ It is politics , but there is institutional damage that is done by playing politics where you will not even allow a differing view from being considered.
” Others disagreed with Thornberry ’ s contention that Republicans are being deprived of a chance to have their say , particularly as they succeeded during bicameral conference negotiations last year over the annual defense policy bill in stripping out House-passed language @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identical to the measures being voted on this week .
“ I think Congress has had plenty of time to figure out what to do about the 2002 AUMF as well as the 2001 AUMF , ” said Stephen Wertheim , deputy director of Research and Policy at the newly formed Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft , which advocates for fewer U.S. military interventions abroad .
“ In fact , members of Congress have very much considered this issue , and it is very urgent for them to vote on now.
” Since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentiment has strongly moved away from the war in Iraq and the continuing U.S. troop presence there .
According to a new YouGov poll commissioned by the libertarian Charles Koch Institute , 60 percent of surveyed Americans either strongly oppose or somewhat oppose going to war with Iran , while 68 percent either strongly supported or somewhat supported “ bringing U.S. troops home from Iraq.
” Additionally , 47 percent believed a war with Iran would be “ more costly ” in terms of likely U.S. deaths and money spent than the war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who believed it would be less costly .
In conducting the survey from Jan. 10-13 , YouGov interviewed 1,053 people .
A coalition of 46 progressive and libertarian organizations and faith-based communities , including J Street , the Defense Priorities Initiative and the Presbyterian Church , released a joint letter this week in support of Lee ’ s effort to repeal the 2002 authorization .
“ Repealing the Iraq war authorization would be an important step in reasserting Congress ’ constitutional duty to determine whether , where , and when the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the letter reads .
“ It would remove an outdated use of force authorization that is not required for any ongoing operations , while protecting against its abuse by this or any future president to justify unforeseen and unauthorized new wars.
” Trump campaigned in 2016 in part on withdrawing American troops deployed to the Middle East .
All of the leading Democratic presidential contenders have said they would decrease the U.S. military footprint in the region , though with some notable differences between them on the degree to which they would continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and special forces operations .
“ I think the [ House Democratic ] caucus is more unified than ever heading into 2020 ” around issues related to war powers and Iran , Khanna told CQ Roll Call .
“ This was not a heavy lift .
Yemen was a heavy lift , ” he said , referring to the multi-year effort to build Democratic support around halting U.S. military assistance to the Saudi-led campaign in Yemen .
The World War II medals bill with Iran-related amendments would not be a privileged measure in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mitch McConnell could ignore it and not have a vote .
However , Sen. Tim Kaine , D-Va. , has obtained the minimum necessary support for his own binding Iran War Powers legislation to pass the Senate .
But with the impeachment trial still underway , it ’ s unclear when time on the Senate calendar could be found for debate and a vote on the privileged resolution , which would require Trump to immediately halt any military activities against Iran .

As the House prepares to vote Thursday on two measures that would constrain President Donald Trump’s ability to launch attacks on Iran, the White House sent out mixed messages about how it wants lawmakers to vote.
The House will debate and vote on two measures that take different approaches to limiting the Trump administration’s military options when it comes to Tehran, which remains outraged at the United States for the early January U.S. drone strike in Iraq that killed Iran’s most powerful general, Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
One bill from Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., would bar funding to any unauthorized military operations against Iran. The other measure from Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., would repeal the 2002 Authorization For Use of Military Force in Iraq, which the Trump administration cited as part of its justification for killing Soleimani.
The White House issued veto threats Monday to the measures, arguing the Khanna bill would “undermine the administration’s reestablishment of deterrence with Iran [following the Soleimani killing], which could perversely make violent conflict with Iran more likely.”
[House approves resolution aimed at trimming Trump’s power on Iran]


rollcall--2020-01-29--Senators engage in ‘political ventriloquism’ during Trump trial questions

California Sen. Kamala Harris arrives at the Capitol on Wednesday before the continuation of the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump .
( Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call ) Senators in President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial on Wednesday tried to score political points , press their argument or knock down the other side ’ s claims — they just couldn ’ t use their own voice to do so .
Instead , Republicans and Democrats wrote down questions on a white card , directed to either Trump ’ s legal team or the House managers , for presiding officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ read aloud .
But many of those questions sought more to allow each side five minutes to tee off on an issue and less to challenge a position , clarify an issue or obtain more information .
Most of the Republicans ’ questions went to elicit a specific response from Trump ’ s team , and most of the Democrats ’ questions similarly went to the House managers .
The questions often telegraphed the forthcoming arguments of senators — some of whom have been media shy during the trial — even though senators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I ’ ve sent a question to the desk.
” What senators wrote in the question came out of the mouth of the chief justice , something California Democrat Kamala Harris took advantage of most of all .
In one question from the former state attorney general and Washington Democrat Patty Murray , Roberts had to read Trump ’ s comments on a recording , made public Saturday , about the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine , Marie Yovanovitch .
“ Quote , ‘ Get rid of her , get her out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , get her out tomorrow , take her out , OK , ’ end quote , ” Roberts deadpanned .
The question went on to stress that more new evidence could come to light after the Senate votes on impeachment .
With another Harris question to House managers , Roberts had to repeat President Richard Nixon ’ s words , as well as Trump ’ s words from an old “ Access Hollywood ” tape in which he described sexually assaulting women .
“ Before he was elected , President Trump said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a star , they let you do it , you can do anything , ’ end quote .
After he was elected , President Trump said that Article II of the Constitution gives him , quote , ‘ the right to do whatever he wants as president , ’ end quote , ” the chief justice read .
Then Harris ’ question in one swoop made an argument and lobbed a softball question to House managers .
“ These statements suggest that each of them believed that the president is above the law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions both presidents took to affect their reelection campaigns , ” Roberts read .
“ If the Senate fails to hold the president accountable for misconduct , how would that undermine our system of justice ?
” Utah Republican Mike Lee ’ s question previewed an argument that the president was exercising his authority .
The question pointed out that House managers had “ aggressively ” argued that Trump ’ s actions contravened the country ’ s foreign policy .
“ Isn ’ t it the president ’ s place , certainly more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to conduct foreign policy ?
” Lee asked in his question read by Roberts .
Similarly , Iowa Republican Charles E. Grassley ’ s question to Trump ’ s counsel seemed to assert its own answer : “ Does the House ’ s failure to enforce its subpoenas render its ‘ obstruction of Congress ’ theory unprecedented ?
” New Hampshire Democrat Jeanne Shaheen used her question to make an argument about what the Senate might be condoning if Trump were acquitted based on his argument that articles of impeachment must contain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Does this reasoning imply that if the president does not violate a criminal statute , he could not be impeached for abuses of power , such as ordering tax audits of political opponents , suspending habeas corpus rights , indiscriminately investigating political opponents or asking foreign powers to investigate members of Congress ?
” Shaheen ’ s question read .
Ohio Republican Rob Portman used his question to Trump ’ s counsel to take a potshot at the House impeachment process and highlight concerns with allowing additional witnesses .
“ Given that impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largely prevent other work from taking place while they are ongoing , please address the implications of allowing the House to present an incomplete case to the Senate and requesting the Senate to seek testimony from additional witnesses , ” Portman asked .
Texas Republican John Cornyn also sought to highlight concerns about more witnesses without litigation , asking : “ What are consequences to the presidency , the president ’ s constitutional role as the head of the executive branch , and advice president can expect from his senior advisers , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive privilege for subpoenas in this impeachment trial without any determination by an Article III court ?
” The senators sometimes just wanted to give their side a chance to respond to an argument .
After Trump ’ s lawyers responded to a question from Texas Republican Ted Cruz about whether quid pro quo is a common tactic in foreign policy , Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer sent a question to the desk for the House managers : “ Would you please respond to the answer just given by the president ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the first of two days of questions from senators underscored just how little the parties are forwarding their argument rather than engaging with each other .
But there were some crossover questions .
Republicans John Kennedy of Louisiana , Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee and Cornyn asked both sides to address why the House did not challenge Trump ’ s claims of executive privilege or immunity .
And Maine independent Angus King asked both sides to respond to reports that former White House Chief of Staff John F. Kelly said , “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national security adviser whose leaked manuscript reportedly contains a passage that contradicts Trump ’ s defense .
King ’ s question also pointed out that Kelly suggested Bolton and others with information testify , saying , “ If there are people that could contribute to this , either innocence or guilt , I think they should be heard.
” “ Do you agree with Gen. Kelly that they should be heard ?
” King asked in his question .
Senators will get more chances to ask questions when the trial resumes Thursday afternoon @

Senators in the President Donald Trump impeachment trial tried Wednesday to score political points, press their argument or knock down the other side’s claims — they just couldn’t use their own voice to do so.
Instead, Republicans and Democrats wrote down questions on a white card, directed to either Trump’s legal team or the House managers, for presiding officer Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. to read aloud.
But many of those questions sought more to allow each side five minutes to tee off on an issue, and less to challenge a position, clarify an issue or obtain more information.
Most of the Republicans’ questions went to elicit a specific response from Trump’s team, and most of the Democrats’ questions similarly went to the House managers.
“Political ventriloquism,” Ross Baker, a political science professor at Rutgers University, dubbed it.


rollcall--2020-01-29--Senate's electronic-device ban bars Parnas from chamber

Lev Parnas , a Rudy Giuliani associate with ties to Ukraine , right , and his attorney Joseph Bondy , walk through a Senate office building Wednesday .
( Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call ) Lev Parnas , the indicted associate of President Donald Trump and Rudy Giuliani , visited Capitol Hill to push for a “ fair trial ” in the Senate .
In his words , that means “ witnesses and evidence.
” The Florida businessman did not leave names on the table , specifically calling for the president to testify , as well as Secretary of State Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Giuliani .
He put a special emphasis on having former national security adviser John Bolton testify , saying “ Bolton is the key .
Between me and John Bolton , we put the dots together.
” Parnas ’ Wednesday morning visit coincided with the first day of the trial ’ s question-and-answer phase and included a trip to Sen. Chuck Schumer ‘ s office in the Hart building .
Parnas once intended to spend time in the Senate Visitors ’ Gallery to watch part of the impeachment trial proceedings .
However , Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the chamber and Parnas is under court order to wear a GPS tracking device .
Parnas ’ legal team did ask a judge to remove it for the visit , but the judge turned them down , effectively baring him from the gallery .

Parnas’ Wednesday morning visit coincided with the first day of the trial’s question-and-answer phase and included a trip to Sen. Chuck Schumer‘s office in the Hart building.
Parnas once intended to spend time in the Senate Visitors’ Gallery to watch part of the impeachment trial proceedings. However, Senate rules bar the use of electronic devices in the chamber and Parnas is under court order to wear a GPS tracking device.
Parnas’ legal team did ask a judge to remove it for the visit, but the judge turned them down, effectively baring him from the gallery.


rollcall--2020-01-29--Ambitious infrastructure plan hits reality check: How to pay for it

On Wednesday morning , House Democrats presented an ambitious vision for a massive infusion of federal dollars in the nation ’ s infrastructure .
By Wednesday afternoon , members of the House Ways and Means Committee illustrated how difficult it will be to bring that plan to fruition .
Democrats and Republicans on the panel agreed on the need for billions of dollars of investment into the nation ’ s highways , bridges , waterways , drinking water systems and other infrastructure .
But they are nowhere close to agreeing on how to pay for that investment .
“ There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it comes down to how do we pay for this , ” said Rep. John B. Larson , D-Conn. , during a hearing on how to pay for infrastructure investment .
“ Then it becomes the dance of the tarantulas because one side doesn ’ t want to commit — because if they stick their head too far out , the other side will lop it off.
” While the two parties seem supportive of ancillary financing tools such as bonds and tax credits , the largest chunk of infrastructure is paid for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the Highway Trust Fund supported by federal fuel taxes .
The federal government has not fundamentally changed how it pays for the federal highway system since its creation in 1956 .
And the fuel taxes it relies on have remained fixed at 18.3 cents per gallon of gasoline and 24.3 cents per gallon of diesel since 1993 .
But as cars have become more fuel-efficient , revenue from that tax has declined , and the government has had to dip into general revenues to pay to maintain highways and transit .
Since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to more than $ 140 billion .
States have tried to make up for the shortfall .
According to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy , some 31 states have raised or altered their gas tax structure this decade , including by embracing a variable-rate gas tax structure .
Now , the fundamental debate over infrastructure may come down to whether to increase the gas tax or abandon it for another system entirely .
Republicans , including House Transportation and Infrastructure ranking member Sam Graves , have largely embraced a model that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Democrats are open to such a model but say the technology is not ready to be implemented .
The battle is a repeat of one that has occurred in recent years when the federal government has had to renew its surface transportation program .
And at least for the last few bills , Congress maintained the status quo by dipping into general funds .
“ This is the same stuff we ’ ve been talking about and talking about and talking about , ” said Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. , D-N.J .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year , the highway bill would be bundled with broadband , water infrastructure , airports and other programs under a five-year , $ 760 billion infrastructure package outlined Wednesday by House Democratic leadership .
Highways would account for $ 329 billion of that .
The highway trust fund , which also pays for transit , is not the only funding stream for infrastructure , and the Ways and Means panel is also looking at a myriad of other financing mechanisms .
Among those could be restoring Build America Bonds , taxable municipal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 .
That two-year program authorized state and local governments to issue special taxable bonds to finance $ 182 billion in new infrastructure investment in 2009 and 2010 , according to the Brookings Institution .
Among those who have suggested resuscitating the bonds are Ways and Means Chairman Richard E. Neal , D-Mass .
Witnesses also brought up public-private partnerships , New Market Tax Credits and Opportunity Zones .
“ There are virtually infinite sources of potential revenue , ” said DJ Gribbin , founder of Madrus LLC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti , commissioner for the New Jersey Department of Transportation , called the gas tax a “ foundational tool ” for the interstate highway system .
She pleaded for the panel to index the tax to inflation .
“ Please do not abandon the gas tax , ” she said .

On Wednesday morning, House Democrats presented an ambitious vision for a massive infusion of federal dollars in the nation’s infrastructure.
By Wednesday afternoon, members of the House Ways and Means Committee illustrated how difficult it will be to bring that plan to fruition.
Democrats and Republicans on the panel agreed on the need for billions of dollars of investment into the nation’s highways, bridges, waterways, drinking water systems and other infrastructure.
But they are nowhere close to agreeing on how to pay for that investment.
“There’s great agreement up here until it comes down to how do we pay for this,” said Rep. John B. Larson, D-Conn., during a hearing on how to pay for infrastructure investment. “Then it becomes the dance of the tarantulas — because one side doesn’t want to commit because if they stick their head too far out the other side will lop it off.”


rollcall--2020-01-29--Fiscal crunch won't be immediate, budget scorekeeper says

The threat of rising federal deficits has a silver lining : low interest rates .
Those low rates , which make Treasury debt less costly , mean Congress has more time to address the nation ’ s fiscal challenges , the head of the Congressional Budget Office told lawmakers Wednesday .
“ When interest rates are low , as they are today , the cost of not acting is pretty modest , ” CBO Director Phillip Swagel told the House Budget Committee at a hearing on his agency ’ s new budget and economic forecast .
The agency ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deficit this fiscal year , and at least that much every year for the next decade , averaging nearly 5 percent of total U.S. economic output .
By contrast , deficits have averaged just 3 percent of gross domestic product dating back to 1970 , according to agency figures .
Debt held by the public , which excludes special Treasury securities held by government trust funds , is projected to equal nearly the entire U.S. economy within a decade .
However , Swagel indicated a debt crisis isn ’ t forthcoming , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There ’ s a problem that ’ s decades in the making and decades in the solving , ” Swagel said in comments that seemed aimed at encouraging long-term fiscal planning more than immediate budget slashing or tax raising .
“ I worry about a crisis , again not today , not even within our 10 years , ” he said .
“ But over the oncoming decades , there could be slower-moving economic impacts if interest rates move up some — not a crisis , but some — inflation moves up , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have a slower-moving but certainly negative impact on the nation as well.
” In its new forecast , the CBO projects slowing economic growth and rising interest rates over the coming decade , though Treasury yields would remain low relative to historical norms .
The economy would grow by 2.2 percent this year , down slightly from a projected 2.4 percent in 2019 .
While that ’ s slightly faster growth in both years than the CBO predicted last August , over the coming decade growth rates would dip below 2 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 3 percent target the Trump administration laid out in its budget proposal last year .
Interest rates will keep a lid on deficits and debt in the near term , the CBO said .
The average yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note is forecast to average 1.9 percent this year before rising gradually to 3 percent by the end of the decade .
That contrasts with a historical average of roughly 7 percent from the 1960s through 2007 , before the onset of the Great Recession and unconventional monetary policy tools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ send interest rates tumbling .
Nonetheless , lawmakers said the CBO ’ s latest forecast , which was largely in line with previous projections , confirmed what they already knew : Deficits must be tamed to avoid soaring interest costs that sap funding for needed programs .
Net interest payments on the debt are projected to more than double in the coming decade , growing from $ 382 billion this fiscal year to $ 819 billion in fiscal 2030 .
But there was no agreement on a course correction .
Democrats heaped scorn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which the CBO has said would increase deficits by $ 1.9 trillion over a decade , including interest .
“ Despite the economic expansion he inherited , the fiscal outlook has worsened since President [ Donald ] Trump took office , ” said House Budget Chairman John Yarmuth , D-Ky. “ The reality is that President Trump and Republicans drove up deficits instead to gift the wealthy and corporations with a $ 1.9 trillion tax cut.
” Republicans countered that most of the blame for rising deficits lies with the soaring costs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Medicare and Medicaid .
“ That ’ s what ’ s squeezing all of the opportunities of this Congress to fund the national priorities , to include national security , ” said Rep. Steve Womack of Arkansas , the committee ’ s ranking Republican .
Womack and other Republicans also faulted the Democrat-led committee for not passing a budget resolution to guide tax and spending decisions this fiscal year .
They said they saw no interest in passing one for the coming fiscal year either , and Yarmuth has previously suggested there may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pass a budget last year , ” Yarmuth said Wednesday , referring to a two-year budget deal passed last summer that raised discretionary spending limits .
Even if Congress had passed an annual budget resolution , he asked , “ how would the world be different if we had ?
”

However, Swagel indicated a debt crisis isn’t forthcoming, at least in the near term.
“There’s a problem that’s decades in the making and decades in the solving,” Swagel said in comments that seemed aimed at encouraging long-term fiscal planning more than immediate budget slashing or tax raising.
“I worry about a crisis, again not today, not even within our 10 years,” he said. “But over the oncoming decades, there could be slower-moving economic impacts if interest rates move up some — not a crisis, but some — inflation moves up, the fiscal space … diminishes, that would have a slower-moving but certainly negative impact on the nation as well.”
In its new forecast, the CBO projects slowing economic growth and rising interest rates over the coming decade, though Treasury yields would remain low relative to historical norms.
The economy would grow by 2.2 percent this year, down slightly from a projected 2.4 percent in 2019. While that’s slightly faster growth in both years than the CBO predicted last August, over the coming decade growth rates would dip below 2 percent. And the numbers are well below the 3 percent target the Trump administration laid out in its budget proposal last year.


rollcall--2020-01-29--Wildest Iowa caucus ever?

Wildest Iowa caucus ever?

Just a few days to go , and it ’ s anyone ’ s guess who will win the Iowa caucuses .
What ’ s the biggest thing on Iowans ’ minds as they decide among a jumbled contest among the Democrats ?
Impeachment ?
Electability ?
Personal likability ?
The last time we spoke with caucus expert and political scientist David Redlawsk , he was just starting a six-monthlong sabbatical in Iowa .
Amid the electoral hubbub of the Iowa State Fair in August , Redlawsk said Iowans were just not sure what to do with all these candidates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and even some Republicans , made their cases in the Hawkeye State .
Well , the field has certainly slimmed down among the Democrats , but many of the dynamics have not changed .
There is a a cluster of candidates all within striking distance of victory : former Vice President Joe Biden , Sens .
Bernie Sanders , Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar and former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg .
Redlawsk thinks the interest in the process , as well as a somewhat favorable weather forecast for Feb. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ levels , shattering the record 239,000-plus who came out in 2008 .
Check out his other observations about life in Iowa and what to expect come Monday in this week ’ s Political Theater podcast .
• With Iowa and New Hampshire still up in the air , Democratic race has 2016 echoes • How can a cookie sway the democratic process ?
The Iowa caucuses explained • Senators make their last pitch to Iowa before impeachment trial • Democrats need rural voters to put Iowa in play in 2020 • It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowa in November • Trump campaign to deploy Cabinet secretaries , lawmakers , allies to Iowa • Former Iowa governor : Take rural voters seriously • The Iowa State Fair : A day in the deep-fried life • This Iowa farmer has his finger on the 2020 pulse • Candidates , calories and cows : What really happens at the Iowa State Fair

Just a few days to go, and it’s anyone’s guess who will win the Iowa caucuses. What’s the biggest thing on Iowans’ minds as they decide among a jumbled contest among the Democrats? Impeachment? Electability? Personal likability?
The last time we spoke with caucus expert and political scientist David Redlawsk, he was just starting a six-monthlong sabbatical in Iowa. Amid the electoral hubbub of the Iowa State Fair in August, Redlawsk said Iowans were just not sure what to do with all these candidates, as more than 20 Democrats, and even some Republicans, made their cases in the Hawkeye State.
Well, the field has certainly slimmed down among the Democrats, but many of the dynamics have not changed. There is a a cluster of candidates all within striking distance of victory: former Vice President Joe Biden, Sens. Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg.
Redlawsk thinks the interest in the process, as well as a somewhat favorable weather forecast for Feb. 3, could send turnout to record levels, shattering the record 239,000-plus who came out in 2008. Check out his other observations about life in Iowa and what to expect come Monday in this week’s Political Theater podcast.


rollcall--2020-01-29--House Democrats tout five-year, $760 billion infrastructure plan

Democratic Reps. Frank Pallone Jr. , Richard E. Neal and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at a news conference Wednesday to announce an ambitious infrastructure framework .
( Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call ) House Democrats on Wednesday unveiled an ambitious five-year , $ 760 billion infrastructure framework , part of a concentrated election-year effort to show they can pursue aggressive legislation even as they make a case for the Senate to remove President Donald Trump from office .
“ These are not message bills , ” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi .
“ We are hoping we ’ ll have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States.
” She acknowledged that the effort would be a “ major expense ” as Republican lawmakers called for a bipartisan effort .
“ We have to find the funding for it , and Richie will talk about that , ” Pelosi said , referring to House Ways and Means Chairman Richard E. Neal , D-Mass .
His committee will debate infrastructure funding options Wednesday afternoon .
[ How to pay for infrastructure ?
Ways and Means will count the ways ] The framework would allocate $ 329 billion for highways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ dramatically increasing ” the availability of electric-vehicle charging stations and alternative fueling options for other types of zero-emission vehicles , such as those that run on hydrogen .
It would include $ 105 billion for transit , including an increase in dollars for transit agencies to add new routes .
It would also increase investment in zero-emission buses .
Also in the plan are $ 55 billion for rail investments , $ 30 billion for airport investments , $ 50.5 billion for wastewater infrastructure , $ 86 billion to expand broadband , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and $ 19.7 billion for harbor infrastructure .
Besides the package unveiled Wednesday , Pelosi said she expects to add components for housing and education infrastructure before moving the legislation .
The proposal included a price tag but no pay-fors , which would be considered at the later Ways and Means hearing .
House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter A. DeFazio , D-Ore. , said the framework aims to eliminate carbon emissions from transportation and approach the climate crisis by encouraging the government to build carbon-neutral buildings , make renewable fuels more available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including rail .
DeFazio said the bill would address the nation ’ s crumbling infrastructure as well as transportation congestion , including at airports .
It would encourage airlines to use renewable fuels and encourage the federal government to partner with communities on much-needed wastewater treatment plants .
And it includes money to build infrastructure resilient to weather events related to climate change , he said .
“ We have a tremendous opportunity here , ” he said , saying the nation has been “ living off the legacy of Dwight David Eisenhower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Tuesday , House Transportation and Infrastructure ranking member Sam Graves , R-Mo.
, released a list of GOP principles for the bill , urging Democrats to incorporate their priorities into a broader measure .
That list included streamlining the project review process , prioritizing existing highways and bridges , giving more flexibility for states as they try to comply with federal rules and addressing the needs of rural communities .
“ Any serious effort toward enacting infrastructure legislation must incorporate Republican principles as well , ” Graves said in a news release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from House Democrat Leadership is over.
” But the biggest point of contention may be on how to pay for the measure .
Neal said he had a conversation with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin before the secretary left for an economic conference in Davos , Switzerland , earlier this month and that the two agreed they may be able to find agreement .
“ I think it ’ s very important we not volunteer a revenue stream until the administration reaches an agreement with us , ” Neal said .
He added that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who told him Republicans might provide 70 votes for an infrastructure package .
DeFazio has advocated a slight increase to the 18.3-cent-per-gallon gas tax , which is the largest source of funding for the Highway Trust Fund , as have groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce , AFL-CIO , American Public Transportation Association and American Trucking Associations .
The gas tax has been unchanged since 1993 .
But Republicans , including Senate Finance Chairman Charles E. Grassley , R-Iowa , and Graves , have been reluctant to embrace such an increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would assess highway users a fee based on how many miles they travel , saying it ’ s “ a more equitable way to charge drivers for the roads they use , and that we are in fact capable of beginning that transition now.
” The bill is at this point just a framework , and there ’ s no legislative language yet .
Pelosi said she had no firm timing on when it would be on the House floor .
“ We ’ ll go to the floor when we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @

House Democrats Wednesday unveiled an ambitious five-year, $760 billion infrastructure framework, part of a concentrated election-year effort to show they can pursue aggressive legislation even as they make a case for the Senate to remove President Donald Trump from office.
“These are not message bills,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. “We are hoping we’ll have the support of Republicans and the president of the United States.”
She acknowledged that the effort would be a “major expense” as Republican lawmakers called for a bipartisan effort.
“We have to find the funding for it, and Richie will talk about that,” Pelosi said, referring to House Ways and Means Chairman Richard E. Neal, D-Mass. His committee will debate infrastructure funding options Wednesday afternoon.
[How to pay for infrastructure? Ways and Means will count the ways]


rollcall--2020-01-29--How can a cookie sway the democratic process? The Iowa caucuses explained

Tim Wieland , of Des Moines , a previous supporter of 2016 presidential candidate Martin O ’ Malley , eats @ @ @ @ @ in Des Moines , Iowa .
This is what democracy looks like .
( Al @ @ @ @ @ is a state of ample charms .
It ’ s also the center of the @ @ @ @ @ caucuses .
Roll Call Deputy Editor Jason Dick explains how a sugary act of bargaining @ @ @ @ @ in Des Moines went down — and how the kooky-cookie-kickback exemplifies the neighborly vibe of @ @ @ @ @ Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call on your iPhone .

Iowa is a state of ample charms. It’s also the center of the political universe with its first-in-the-nation caucuses. Roll Call Deputy Editor Jason Dick explains how a sugary act of bargaining as the 2016 caucus unfolded in Des Moines went down — and how the kooky-cookie-kickback exemplifies the neighborly vibe of the democratic process there.


rollcall--2020-01-29--Some voters skeptical as Trump rallies with recent GOP convert Van Drew

With President Donald Trump looking on , Democrat-turned-Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew speaks at a Wildwood , New Jersey rally on Tuesday .
( Spencer Platt/Getty Images ) WILDWOOD , N.J. – Prompted by President Donald Trump , the cheers for freshly minted Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew at a rally here Tuesday night were deafening .
It appeared certain that the thousands who had come to see the president were fully embracing Van Drew , who is up for a second term in November .
But outside the 7,500-seat Wildwood Convention Center , some Republican voters remained skeptical of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Yes , he had switched parties after winning a South Jersey seat in Congress as a Democrat in 2018 .
Yes , he had pledged his “ undying loyalty ” to Trump .
And yes , he had voted against the impeachment inquiry that Trump has derided as a “ hoax.
” Still , he used to be a Democrat .
And in a voicemail left for a constituent just weeks before switching parties , Van Drew said he wouldn ’ t support Trump and wouldn ’ t vote for him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Inquirer .
“ He just switched , and I want to know what his agenda is moving forward as a Republican , ” Torsten Denke said .
“ Trump ’ s endorsement helps , but I want to see what his agenda is.
” Denke , a former Democrat himself , said he ’ s willing to hear Van Drew out .
“ People change , they change their views , ” he said .
“ I changed my views .
I was a Democrat years ago and voted for [ Barack ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the party went in a different direction.
” Longtime Republican Marilyn Vetter said she appreciated Van Drew ’ s vote against impeaching the president over his dealings with Ukraine but wants to see him express GOP values on other issues , like immigration and taxes .
“ We know he voted right on [ impeachment ] , ” she said , but “ it ’ s not like he ’ s a committed Republican.
” Other voters said Trump ’ s endorsement of Van Drew and his willingness to travel to South Jersey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their support .
“ If Trump hadn ’ t endorsed him , I would have thought twice about whether or not I was going to vote for him – even despite the party change , ” Melanie Collette said .
Michael Terrigno , the Republican mayor of nearby Deerfield Township , said he ’ s known Van Drew for years — the congressman represented the region in the state Legislature from 2002 until he won an open , GOP-held House seat in 2018 .
Van Drew , the mayor said , “ seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to be done.
” “ You ’ ll never know what someone truly believes , ” Terrigno said .
“ But if the president supports him , then I ’ ll support the president.
” Even those well aware of Van Drew ’ s record in Congress — he only backed Trump 13 percent of the time in 2019 , according to CQ Vote Watch — said they ’ re likely to back him .
“ I was a little leery in the beginning , but I think he lines up with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Angel Coia said .
“ I know he voted with [ Speaker Nancy Pelosi ] many times , but I feel he aligns with Republicans on so many different issues.
” Inside Tuesday ’ s rally , Trump seemed unconcerned with Van Drew ’ s past and spun his party switch as a victory for Republicans .
He said Van Drew was part of a Democratic “ exodus ” and called him “ a courageous leader who left because he ’ s had enough of their extremism.
” “ Jeff had the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his own party , ” Trump said .
Local Democrats , many who feel spurned by Van Drew ’ s party switch after they supported him in 2018 , held a protest a few blocks from the rally .
In attendance was Amy Kennedy , one of the Democrats vying for the nomination to challenge Van Drew in the 2nd District .
Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates the race Tilts Republican .
“ As a member of Congress , I ’ ll never pledge my ‘ undying support ’ to another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rally .
“ I ’ ll always stand up and fight for the families and values that make South Jersey such a special place.
” Trump urged the crowd to back Van Drew in the June 2 primary , where he faces Bob Patterson , a businessman who served in the Social Security Administration and unsuccessfully challenged Democrat Donald Norcross in the 1st District in 2016 .
In a Wall Street Journal op-ed the day before the rally , Patterson questioned Van Drew ’ s loyalty , suggesting that he was nervous about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a Democrat .
Patterson , who opposes abortion , also noted Van Drew ’ s 100 percent rating from Planned Parenthood .
“ The man who now embraces Mr. Trump voted against the president ’ s signature policies , including funding the border wall , repealing Obamacare and leaving the Paris climate agreement , ” Patterson wrote .
“ Even if Mr. Van Drew ’ s switch is sincere , he is the most liberal member of the Republican caucus.
” Still , some view Van Drew ’ s party switch as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it should hurt his chances in the June primary .
Before he won the seat in 2018 , it had been represented for 12 terms by Republican Frank A. LoBiondo , who kept winning even as the district backed Obama for president in 2008 and 2012 .
Linda DuBois , who chairs the Salem County Republican Party , said she ’ d be surprised if Van Drew didn ’ t bring other disaffected Democrats with him .
“ This was not a hard sell for me , ” she said .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a very positive asset for us .
It lets people know we ’ re moving forward.
” Look no further than Van Drew ’ s ability to bring Trump to southern New Jersey , Dubois said , where local Republicans have long felt slighted by the national party because of the state ’ s Democratic dominance .
Older supporters said the spirit of Tuesday night reminded them of a speech President Ronald Reagan gave in nearby Hammonton in 1984 .
“ It ’ s a wonderful thing to have our president come in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe O ’ Donoghue , who is running for sheriff in Atlantic County , just up the Garden State Parkway from Wildwood .
“ We ’ ve been ignored and what this means to us is that we ’ re finally getting the recognition we justly deserve .
”

WILDWOOD, N.J. – Prompted by President Donald Trump, the cheers for freshly minted Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew at a rally here Tuesday night were deafening. It appeared certain that the thousands who had come to see the president were fully embracing Van Drew, who is up for a second term in November.
But outside the 7,500-seat Wildwood Convention Center, some Republican voters remained skeptical of Van Drew’s conservative bona fides. Yes, he had switched parties after winning a South Jersey seat in Congress as a Democrat in 2018. Yes, he had pledged his “undying loyalty” to Trump. And yes, he had voted against the impeachment inquiry that Trump has derided as a “hoax.”
Still, he used to be a Democrat. And in a voicemail left for a constituent just weeks before switching parties, Van Drew said he wouldn’t support Trump and wouldn’t vote for him, according to a report by The Philadelphia Inquirer.
“He just switched, and I want to know what his agenda is moving forward as a Republican,” Torsten Denke said. “Trump’s endorsement helps, but I want to see what his agenda is.”
Denke, a former Democrat himself, said he’s willing to hear Van Drew out.


rollcall--2020-01-29--Trump's Mideast peace plan puts pro-Israel Democrats in a bind

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump in the East Room of the White House Tuesday announcing a new plan for Middle East peace ( Getty Images ) The White House ’ s release of its long-awaited Middle East plan is notable less for its specifics , which have already been rejected by the Palestinians , than for the bind it puts on traditional pro-Israel stalwarts in the Democratic Party , particularly if Israel decides to formally annex Palestinian land as the administration plan would immediately allow .
The administration ’ s 180-page “ Peace to Prosperity ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Vision , ” is the three-year brainchild of President Donald Trump ’ s son-in-law and senior advisor Jared Kushner .
“ The Vision provides for a demilitarized Palestinian state living peacefully alongside Israel , with Israel retaining security responsibility west of the Jordan River , ” states a White House outline of the proposal .
The plan ’ s release now , while the Palestinians and key regional Arab governments remain dead set against it , is viewed by analysts as more about Trump trying to help his ally , embattled Israeli @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March parliamentary elections than it is about a serious U.S. government push for a resolution to one of the world ’ s longest-running territorial , ethnic and religious disputes .
[ Trump and Netanyahu : Embattled leaders turn to each other for political boost ] Opprobrium from Democrats was quick to pour in after the plan ’ s release .
“ The President ’ s plan is marketed as a roadmap for peace .
It is not , ” said Sen. Patrick J. Leahy of Vermont , the Senate ’ s top Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of dollars in annual military aid to Israel .
“ It is a roadmap for annexing settlements and territory , and indefinite occupation , while creating the mirage of a future Palestinian ‘ state.
’ ” Added Sen. Christopher S. Murphy of Connecticut , a member of both the State-Foreign Operations appropriations subcommittee with Leahy and of the Foreign Relations Committee : “ Quite frankly , this isn ’ t a plan for peace .
It ’ s an abandonment of decades of U.S. and multilateral work to create a two-state solution in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be guided by political , not policy , objectives.
” Netanyahu told reporters that he would have his cabinet vote Sunday on applying Israeli sovereignty to West Bank Jewish settlements .
One implication of such a decision is the possibility of a lasting break between the Israeli government and Democratic lawmakers , who now hold the House and could possibly regain the White House and even the Senate in November elections .
Unilateral annexation by Israel of Palestinian territory would put pro-Israel Democratic lawmakers in the Senate and especially in the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would likely have to decide whether to resist or support the resolutions and bills that could be offered in the coming weeks and months that might condemn Israel or place conditions on the billions of dollars in annual military aid that Israel receives from U.S. taxpayers .
“ You ’ ve kind of nailed the heart of the question , ” House Democrats ’ Chief Deputy Whip Peter Welch of Vermont said in an interview of the conundrum that traditional pro-Israel Democrats now find themselves in when deciding how to vote on any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan explicitly does is it abandons the decades-long commitment that the United States has had to support a two-state solution .
...
There ’ s no possibility of a viable democratic Palestinian state under the plan , ” said Welch , a member of the House Intelligence Committee who traveled to Israel and the West Bank in November for meetings with local officials .
“ There ’ s a reason that we ’ ve had strong and continuous support for a two-state solution , '' Welch continued .
`` Many of us who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very pro-Israel , for a democratic Jewish state , and we believe that the aggressive annexation policy , made much more intensive under Netanyahu , threatens a Jewish democratic state ’ s identity.
” Already , three of the four leading Democratic contenders for the presidential nomination — Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts , Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg — have said they would consider conditioning Israeli security assistance on Israel not taking steps that hurt prospects for peace with the Palestinians .
“ The ice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pro-Israel Democrats , has grown thinner and thinner over the years , ” said Yousef Munayyer , a Palestinian-American and executive director of the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights .
“ For Democrats who claim to aspire to these liberal principles and values like equality , like freedom , like justice , like civil rights , it becomes harder by the day to be supportive of an Israeli government that is opposed to all of those things in practice .
.
.
.
I think the pro-Israel Democrat is an endangered species.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israel ’ s staunchest Democratic defenders in response to the Trump-Kushner proposal evidenced the narrow political tightrope they find themselves walking .
A joint statement Monday by House Foreign Affairs Chairman Eliot L. Engel of New York and Senate Foreign Relations ranking member Bob Menendez of New Jersey did not explicitly condemn the plan .
“ As longtime supporters of a strong U.S.-Israel relationship and the two-state solution , we welcome any effort that will help advance those goals , ” the duo said .
They added : “ A two-state solution can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unilateral actions from either side .
.
.
.
Unilateral steps would make it harder to come back to the negotiating table and could set unrealistic expectations and unachievable demands.
” Rep. Ted Deutch , D-Fla. , who leads the Foreign Affairs Middle East subcommittee , said in a statement he was doubtful that a future Palestinian state could result from the Trump-Kushner plan .
“ President Trump can not proclaim the outcome to direct negotiations , nor can he create borders by fiat , ” he said .
“ But if the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peace through a two-state solution , that must be our goal.
” The House approved in a mostly partisan vote , 226-188 , a resolution on Dec. 6 reaffirming support for a two-state solution and condemning unilateral actions by either side .

The White House’s release of its long-awaited Middle East plan is notable less for its specifics, which have already been rejected by the Palestinians, than for the bind it puts on traditional pro-Israel stalwarts in the Democratic Party, particularly if Israel decides to formally annex Palestinian land as the administration plan would immediately allow.
The administration’s 180-page “Peace to Prosperity” proposal released Tuesday, also called “The Vision,” is the three-year brainchild of President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior advisor Jared Kushner. “The Vision provides for a demilitarized Palestinian state living peacefully alongside Israel, with Israel retaining security responsibility west of the Jordan River,” states a White House outline of the proposal.
The plan’s release now, while the Palestinians and key regional Arab governments remain dead set against it, is viewed by analysts as more about Trump trying to help his ally, embattled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, win in March parliamentary elections than it is about a serious U.S. government push for a resolution to one of the world’s longest-running territorial, ethnic and religious disputes.
[Trump and Netanyahu: Embattled leaders turn to each other for political boost]
Opprobrium from Democrats was quick to pour in after the plan’s release.