rollcall--2020-02-11--Capitol Police, Architect of the Capitol both get boost under proposed budget

President Donald Trump ’ s budget for fiscal 2021 would boost spending for the Capitol Police , an agency whose @ @ @ @ @ are increasing .
According to the proposal released Monday , the Capitol Police would get @ @ @ @ @ 379 million to $ 417.1 million over the previous year , with overtime not to @ @ @ @ @ The 2020 limit is $ 47 million .
Those salary-related expenses include overtime , hazardous @ @ @ @ @ .
General expenses , meanwhile , would rise from $ 85.2 million to $ 103.1 @ @ @ @ @ cars , uniforms , weapons and security equipment .
Overall , the combined salary and @ @ @ @ @ Capitol Police budget $ 520.2 million .
The Legislative Branch numbers are typically submitted by @ @ @ @ @ president ’ s budget .
In prepared testimony before a House Appropriations Legislative Branch Subcommittee @ @ @ @ @ , Capitol Police Chief Steven A. Sund will say threats have increased substantially .
Capitol @ @ @ @ @ and protecting Congress .

President Donald Trump’s budget for fiscal 2021 would boost spending for the Capitol Police, an agency whose leader has said security threats are increasing.
According to the proposal released Monday, the Capitol Police would get a salary boost from $379 million to $417.1 million over the previous year, with overtime not to exceed $50.2 million. The 2020 limit is $47 million. Those salary-related expenses include overtime, hazardous duty pay and employee benefits.
General expenses, meanwhile, would rise from $85.2 million to $103.1 million. This includes police cars, uniforms, weapons and security equipment. Overall, the combined salary and general expenses would make the Capitol Police budget $520.2 million.
The Legislative Branch numbers are typically submitted by Congress for inclusion in the president’s budget.
In prepared testimony before a House Appropriations Legislative Branch Subcommittee hearing scheduled for Feb. 11, Capitol Police Chief Steven A. Sund will say threats have increased substantially. Capitol Police are charged with securing and protecting Congress.


rollcall--2020-02-10--Annual budget release triggers annual budget politics

President Donald Trump ’ s new budget plan , featuring proposals to reduce the social safety net , has kicked off another round of budget politics .
The cuts proposed Monday played into a line of attack that Democratic groups have been honing for weeks : that Trump would gut spending on health care , housing and food programs , breaking his 2016 campaign promises , if he is granted a second term .
And that Republicans in the House and Senate would not stand in his way .
The White House , however , said that on Medicare , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seniors , and that budget savings in some cases would come by slowing the rate of spending increases .
The spending plan also anticipates paying less for prescription drugs , but passing a law to do that would require negotiations with House Democrats , who already passed their own bill .
“ Despite what you hear from the other side , Medicare will grow at 6 percent under this budget .
The budget does propose good government reforms to lower drug prices , to root out improper payments , and to address wasteful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House budget director Russell Vought said .
Democrats , however , were pointing at lines in the budget book showing spending on Medicare going down .
In a Monday memo , the Democratic super PAC Priorities USA said those recommended cuts would be part of their messaging in support of the party ’ s candidates throughout the 2020 campaign .

President Donald Trump’s new budget plan, featuring proposals to reduce the social safety net, has kicked off another round of budget politics.
The cuts proposed Monday played into a line of attack that Democratic groups have been honing for weeks: that Trump would gut spending on health care, housing and food programs, breaking his 2016 campaign promises, if he is granted a second term. And that Republicans in the House and Senate would not stand in his way.
The White House, however, said that on Medicare, the budget would not cut benefits to seniors, and that budget savings in some cases would come by slowing the rate of spending increases. The spending plan also anticipates paying less for prescription drugs, but passing a law to do that would require negotiations with House Democrats, who already passed their own bill.
“Despite what you hear from the other side, Medicare will grow at 6 percent under this budget. The budget does propose good government reforms to lower drug prices, to root out improper payments, and to address wasteful and inefficient spending,” acting White House budget director Russell Vought said.
Democrats, however, were pointing at lines in the budget book showing spending on Medicare going down. In a Monday memo, the Democratic super PAC Priorities USA said those recommended cuts would be part of their messaging in support of the party’s candidates throughout the 2020 campaign.


rollcall--2020-02-10--Clean energy tax breaks, federal workers targeted for revenue

The administration proposed new taxes , fees , enforcement and other revenue-raising proposals in its fiscal 2021 budget that it says will bring in an added $ 339 billion over 10 years .
Even if all these proposals were enacted , and many of them have previously been turned down by Congress , the new revenues would barely begin to pay for the Trump administration ’ s top budget proposal : Making the provisions in the 2017 tax code overhaul permanent .
The individual income and estate tax provisions in that overhaul expire at the end of 2025 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is the last year in the 10-year budget window , would cost $ 1.3 trillion , while there would be an estimated $ 66 billion increase in individual income tax collections over that period due to faster economic growth .
The budget blueprint takes aim at several Democratic favorites : tax breaks to help reduce carbon emissions and energy usage .
The total tax increase would be $ 16.5 billion over a decade , including repeals of the electric vehicle credit worth up to $ 7,500 of the purchase price ; accelerated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as solar , wind and geothermal ; the investment tax credit for solar and other clean energy equipment installations for homes and businesses .
The biggest of the administration ’ s revenue-raising budget proposals would require federal employees to pick up half the cost of annual contributions to the Federal Employee Retirement System , phased in at a 1 percentage point shift per year added to the employee ’ s cost .
That change would save the government , and cost employees , $ 87.4 billion over 10 years .
By 2030 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion a year .

The administration proposed new taxes, fees, enforcement and other revenue-raising proposals in its fiscal 2021 budget that it says will bring in an added $339 billion over 10 years.
Even if all these proposals were enacted, and many of them have previously been turned down by Congress, the new revenues would barely begin to pay for the Trump administration’s top budget proposal: Making the provisions in the 2017 tax code overhaul permanent.
The individual income and estate tax provisions in that overhaul expire at the end of 2025. The administration says extending them through 2030, which is the last year in the 10-year budget window, would cost $1.3 trillion, while there would be an estimated $66 billion increase in individual income tax collections over that period due to faster economic growth.
The budget blueprint takes aim at several Democratic favorites: tax breaks to help reduce carbon emissions and energy usage. The total tax increase would be $16.5 billion over a decade, including repeals of the electric vehicle credit worth up to $7,500 of the purchase price; accelerated depreciation of renewable energy property, such as solar, wind and geothermal; the investment tax credit for solar and other clean energy equipment installations for homes and businesses.
The biggest of the administration’s revenue-raising budget proposals would require federal employees to pick up half the cost of annual contributions to the Federal Employee Retirement System, phased in at a 1 percentage point shift per year added to the employee’s cost. That change would save the government, and cost employees, $87.4 billion over 10 years. By 2030, the cost shift would be $13.5 billion a year.


rollcall--2020-02-10--Top 10 things to know about Trump’s budget proposal

Despite his own reelection battle in November , President Donald Trump is n't holding back when it comes to proposing budget cuts that are easy to pillory in 30-second campaign ads , especially when juxtaposed against a bid to renew his 2017 tax cuts , much of which helped the wealthiest Americans .
Even some conservative Republicans are n't especially happy that for all the pain that would hit domestic services and safety-net programs , the budget would n't balance for 15 years while U.S. debt would continue its sharp rise .
Here are the top ten things to know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ budget request for the coming fiscal year : • Nondefense spending would go down .
Picking a fight with Democrats , Trump wants to stray from last summer ’ s bipartisan budget deal , which called for a modest increase in nondefense discretionary spending of $ 2.5 billion , or about 0.4 percent , above fiscal 2020 enacted spending .
Instead , Trump would cut that spending by about 6 percent , or $ 40 billion , from this year ’ s level .
Nondefense discretionary spending would total $ 590 billion , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relief and fighting wildfires .
• Military spending would still go up .
Trump would abide by last year ’ s agreement to raise defense spending .
Total defense spending , which includes a separate account for overseas operations , would rise modestly from $ 738 billion in fiscal 2020 to $ 740.5 billion next year , an 0.3 percent increase .
Democrats have said any increase in defense should be matched with a roughly equivalent increase in nondefense spending .
• The border wall funding battle will resume .
But this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as fierce .
Trump has proposed another $ 2 billion for a wall along the U.S. southern border .
That is far less than the $ 8.6 billion he requested a year ago through a combination of the Department of Homeland Security and military construction accounts .
But since he declared a national emergency last year , Trump is also relying on his ability to transfer money to a border wall from other programs .
Even getting $ 2 billion approved will be a battle , though .
Congress approved only $ 1.375 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PL 116-93 ) .
• The budget doesn ’ t balance .
The government would run a deficit of $ 966 billion in fiscal 2021 , down slightly from the $ 1 trillion it projects for the current fiscal year .
And Trump offers no path to a balanced budget through 2030 even if he wins a second term , though annual deficits would steadily decline over the coming decade .
By 2030 , the deficit would be down to $ 261 billion , if all White House policy changes were enacted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy .
The hope of declining deficits is based partly on the assumption that the economy remains strong throughout the coming decade .
The budget makes no allowance for an economic downturn .
Instead , it projects an average growth rate of 3 percent per year .
The administration fell short of that projection in 2019 , when growth was 2.3 percent .
And its forecast is far more optimistic than the Congressional Budget Office ’ s projection of 1.7 percent growth on average through the decade .
• The partisan battle over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposed cutting Medicare spending by some $ 450 billion over 10 years , according to the Department of Health and Human Services , hitting service providers like hospitals and hospices , as well as cutting payments for durable medical equipment , such as oxygen tanks .
Medicaid would be cut by $ 920 billion over a decade , including a proposed transformation of the program from an open-ended entitlement to a system of capped payments to the states and a placeholder for an unspecified `` health reform vision allowance , '' likely targeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expansion .
• The budget makes a few nods to bipartisanship .
It assumes $ 135 billion in savings over 10 years by pushing for a yet-to-be-defined initiative that would lower the cost of prescription drugs : a priority of both parties .
And it pledges a $ 1 trillion commitment to a major infrastructure spending program , but it ’ s still not clear how that initiative would be funded .
The budget assumes a 10-year , $ 810 billion reauthorization of the Highway Trust Fund , which currently faces a revenue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gasoline tax .
• New tax cuts are on hold .
The budget includes no new major tax cut proposals .
White House officials for months have teased the possibility of new tax cuts as Trump prepares to run for reelection , but they have also said any new plan might not come until later in the year .
Even so , the budget assumes that tax cuts enacted in 2017 ( PL 115-97 ) that are set to expire after 2025 would be extended , at a cost of $ 1.4 trillion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debt would get bigger .
Trump , who once promised as a candidate to pay off the national debt in eight years , allows for the debt to keep growing under his budget plan .
Debt held by the public would grow from nearly $ 17.9 trillion this fiscal year to nearly $ 23.9 trillion in 2030 , even if all his cost-cutting proposals and economic assumptions come to fruition .
As a share of the economy , however , the debt would become more manageable , gradually declining from 80.5 percent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 66.1 percent in 2030 .
• The budget request is going nowhere .
Democrats were quick to attack Trump ’ s budget as “ destructive and irrational , ” as House Budget Chairman John Yarmuth , D-Ky. , put it in a statement .
Yarmuth said Monday he has no plans to draft a budget resolution , which is ordinarily the first step toward translating the president 's budget proposals into reality .
And as lawmakers prepare to seek reelection this fall , there is little prospect of getting spending bills passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oct. 1 .
The result most likely is a continuing resolution to extend current funding levels , as Congress punts on major fiscal decisions until after the November elections .

Despite his own reelection battle in November, President Donald Trump isn’t holding back when it comes to proposing budget cuts that are easy to pillory in 30-second campaign ads, especially when juxtaposed against a bid to renew his 2017 tax cuts, much of which helped the wealthiest Americans.
Even some conservative Republicans aren’t especially happy that for all the pain that would hit domestic services and safety-net programs, the budget wouldn’t balance for 15 years while U.S. debt would continue its sharp rise.
Here are the top ten things to know about Trump’s $4.8 trillion budget request for the coming fiscal year:
Nondefense spending would go down. Picking a fight with Democrats, Trump wants to stray from last summer’s bipartisan budget deal, which called for a modest increase in nondefense discretionary spending of $2.5 billion, or about 0.4 percent, above fiscal 2020 enacted spending. Instead, Trump would cut that spending by about 6 percent, or $40 billion, from this year’s level. Nondefense discretionary spending would total $590 billion, not counting funds set aside for disaster relief and fighting wildfires. Military spending would still go up. Trump would abide by last year’s agreement to raise defense spending. Total defense spending, which includes a separate account for overseas operations, would rise modestly from $738 billion in fiscal 2020 to $740.5 billion next year, an 0.3 percent increase. Democrats have said that any increase in defense should be matched with a roughly equivalent increase in nondefense spending. The border wall funding battle will resume. But this year’s version may not be quite as fierce. Trump has proposed another $2 billion for a wall along the U.S. southern border. That is far less than the $8.6 billion he requested a year ago through a combination of the Department of Homeland Security and military construction accounts. But since he declared a national emergency last year, Trump is also relying on his ability to transfer money to a border wall from other programs. Even getting $2 billion approved will be a battle, though. Congress approved only $1.375 billion for the current fiscal year. The budget doesn’t balance. The government would run a deficit of $966 billion in fiscal 2021, down slightly from the $1 trillion it projects for the current fiscal year. And Trump offers no path to a balanced budget through 2030 even if he wins a second term, though annual deficits would steadily decline over the coming decade. By 2030, the deficit would be down to $261 billion, if all White House policy changes were enacted. The White House assumes a strong economy. The hope of declining deficits is based partly on the assumption that the economy remains strong throughout the coming decade. The budget makes no allowance for an economic downturn. Instead, it projects an average growth rate of 3 percent per year. The administration fell short of that projection in 2019, when growth was 2.3 percent. And its forecast is far more optimistic than the Congressional Budget Office’s projection of 1.7 percent growth on average through the decade. The partisan battle over health care will intensify. Trump has proposed cutting Medicare spending by some $450 billion over 10 years, according to the Department of Health and Human Services, hitting service providers like hospitals and hospices, as well as cutting payments for durable medical equipment, such as oxygen tanks. Medicaid would be cut by $920 billion over a decade, including a proposed transformation of the program from an open-ended entitlement to a system of capped payments to the states and a placeholder for an unspecified “health reform vision allowance,” likely targeting the 2010 health care law's Medicaid expansion. The budget makes a few nods to bipartisanship. It assumes $135 billion in savings over 10 years by pushing for a yet-to-be-defined initiative that would lower the cost of prescription drugs: a priority of both parties. And it pledges a $1 trillion commitment to a major infrastructure spending program, but it’s still not clear how that initiative would be funded. The budget assumes a 10-year, $810 billion reauthorization of the Highway Trust Fund, which currently faces a revenue shortfall by relying mostly on the federal gasoline tax. New tax cuts are on hold. The budget includes no new major tax cut proposals. White House officials for months have teased the possibility of new tax cuts as Trump prepares to run for reelection, but they have also said any new plan might not come until later in the year. Even so, the budget assumes that tax cuts enacted in 2017 that are set to expire after 2025 would be extended, at a cost of $1.4 trillion over the coming decade. The debt would get bigger. Trump, who once promised as a candidate to pay off the national debt in eight years, allows for the debt to keep growing under his budget plan. Debt held by the public would grow from nearly $17.9 trillion this fiscal year to nearly $23.9 trillion in 2030, even if all his cost-cutting proposals and economic assumptions come to fruition. As a share of the economy, however, the debt would become more manageable, gradually declining from 80.5 percent of the gross domestic product this fiscal year to 66.1 percent in 2030. The budget request is going nowhere. Democrats were quick to attack Trump’s budget as “destructive and irrational,” as House Budget Chairman John Yarmuth put it in a statement Monday. The Kentucky Democrat said he has no plans to draft a budget resolution, which is ordinarily the first step toward translating the president’s budget proposals into reality. And as lawmakers prepare to seek reelection this fall, there is little prospect of getting spending bills passed before the new fiscal year begins on Oct. 1. The result most likely is a continuing resolution to extend current funding levels, as Congress punts on major fiscal decisions until after the November elections.
Paul M. Krawzak contributed to this report.


rollcall--2020-02-10--New Hampshire voting law bewilders college students

A New Hampshire law tightening the rules around residency is spurring confusion in the state that hosts the country ’ s first primary Tuesday , with Democrats and advocates saying they ’ re worried the law might prompt college students to sit out Election Day .
“ College towns are trying to minimize the effects of this , but it ’ s always hard to tell with students , ” says Linda Fowler , a Dartmouth College government professor .
In 2018 , the Republican-controlled legislature passed the law , which redefined resident and domicile to have the same meaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matches those in every other state and won ’ t impact voting .
The new law comes on the heels of Republican complaints over the 2016 Senate election victory of Democrat Maggie Hassan over Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte by only 1,017 votes out of 738,620 cast .
In 2017 , Kris Kobach , vice chairman of a since-disbanded presidential commission on voting fraud , said it was “ likely ” that more than 5,000 out-of-state voters had illegally tipped the scales in favor of the Democrat .
New Hampshire ’ s secretary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that claim .

A New Hampshire law tightening the rules around residency is spurring confusion in the state that hosts the country’s first primary Tuesday, with Democrats and advocates saying they’re worried the law might prompt college students to sit out Election Day.
“College towns are trying to minimize the effects of this, but it’s always hard to tell with students,” says Linda Fowler, a Dartmouth College government professor.
In 2018, the Republican-controlled legislature passed the law, which redefined resident and domicile to have the same meaning. Proponents of the law say it matches those in every other state and won’t impact voting.
[National Democratic groups litigate 2020 in the courts]
The new law comes on the heels of Republican complaints over the 2016 Senate election victory of Democrat Maggie Hassan over Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte by only 1,017 votes out of 738,620 cast. In 2017, Kris Kobach, vice chairman of a since-disbanded presidential commission on voting fraud, said it was “likely” that more than 5,000 out-of-state voters had illegally tipped the scales in favor of the Democrat. New Hampshire’s secretary of state said there was no proof for that claim.


rollcall--2020-02-10--Analysis: The Pentagon’s new budget is about to come undone

For the coming fiscal year , President Donald Trump is proposing the second-biggest defense budget since World War II , @ @ @ @ @ , except for the height of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars .
The only fiscal @ @ @ @ @ spending , save for the post-9/11 wars ' peak , is the current one .
@ @ @ @ @ be about 3 percent less than this year 's spending levels , after adjusting for @ @ @ @ @ along with the total amount that Trump is proposing , but the details will be @ @ @ @ @ that will reshape Trump ’ s plan include not just lawmakers but also world events @ @ @ @ @ U.S. weapons , facilities and personnel benefits .
National security spending in the Pentagon and @ @ @ @ @ is set by law at $ 740.5 billion for fiscal 2021 , and that is @ @ @ @ @ requesting .
The Pentagon ’ s base budget accounts for $ 636.4 billion of that @ @ @ @ @ contingency operations , or warfighting , account is $ 69 billion .

For the coming fiscal year, President Donald Trump is proposing the second-biggest defense budget since World War II, even after adjusting for inflation, except for the height of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
The only fiscal year that has seen higher spending, save for the post-9/11 wars' peak, is the current one. The new request may ultimately be about 3 percent less than this year's spending levels, after adjusting for inflation.
Congress will go along with the total amount that Trump is proposing, but the details will be substantially reordered.
The forces that will reshape Trump’s plan include not just lawmakers but also world events and the ballooning cost of U.S. weapons, facilities and personnel benefits.
National security spending in the Pentagon and other federal departments and agencies is set by law at $740.5 billion for fiscal 2021, and that is the amount the president is requesting. The Pentagon’s base budget accounts for $636.4 billion of that total, while its overseas contingency operations, or warfighting, account is $69 billion.


rollcall--2020-02-10--Democrats preview election-year attacks on Trump budget

President Donald Trump 's $ 4.8 trillion budget request has set the stage for a battle over the size and @ @ @ @ @ now through Election Day .
Democrats are already going after proposals for steep cuts to @ @ @ @ @ net programs , coupled with an extension of Trump 's tax cuts and more money @ @ @ @ @ .
The president has proposed some major cost cutting to trim deficits , much of @ @ @ @ @ and Medicaid and the signature health insurance expansion signed into law under Trump 's predecessor @ @ @ @ @ a line of attack Republicans are likely to hear repeatedly in the coming months , @ @ @ @ @ , has already heaped scorn on the fiscal 2021 budget plan as `` brazenly inflicting @ @ @ @ @ health care entitlements while also seeking to overturn the 2010 health care law in court @

"Americans' quality, affordable health care will never be safe with President Trump," Pelosi said in a statement, echoing arguments that helped propel House Democrats back to control of that chamber in the 2018 midterm elections.
Spending plans
The White House blueprint would stray from a bipartisan budget deal enacted last summer that allowed for modest increases in both defense and nondefense discretionary spending in fiscal 2021. Instead, Trump would allow defense spending to rise as planned, but cut nondefense spending by about 6 percent from this year’s level, or $40 billion.
Over the coming decade, Trump’s plan would cut more than $4 trillion from projected spending, roughly half of which would come from entitlement programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and food stamps.
But the president would provide about $1 trillion over 10 years for a major infrastructure spending initiative that both parties say they favor. And he would pump another $2 billion into a border wall, which is more than Congress agreed to provide for the current fiscal year but far less than the $8.6 billion Trump sought last year.
Health care
Trump’s budget includes a “health reform vision” that promises to save $844 billion over the coming decade. After accounting for the repeal of health care taxes already passed by Congress the net savings would be $597 billion.


rollcall--2020-02-10--Four in Chinese military charged with hacking U.S. credit files

The U.S. Justice Department on Monday charged four Chinese military officials for hacking into credit reporting firm Equifax in 2017 and stealing information on about 150 million Americans .
It is believed to be one of the largest thefts of personal information by foreign state-sponsored hackers ever .
The criminal charges include a nine-count indictment returned by a U.S. grand jury alleging that Wu Zhiyong , Wang Qian , Xu Ke and Liu Lei — all members of the China ’ s People ’ s Liberation Army 54th Research Institute — hacked into Equifax ’ s servers and stole information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. population .
The indictment said the hackers exploited a weakness in the Apache Struts Web framework software used by Equifax ’ s portal for online disputes , and gained access to login credentials that were then used to navigate through the credit agency ’ s networks .
The hackers then spent several weeks running queries to identify the company ’ s database , search for personal information , and then downloaded the information to temporary files before exfiltrating them to computers outside the United States .
In all , the hackers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obtain names , birth dates and Social Security numbers for tens of millions of Americans , the indictment said .

The U.S. Justice Department on Monday charged four Chinese military officials for hacking into credit reporting firm Equifax in 2017 and stealing information on about 150 million Americans. It is believed to be one of the largest thefts of personal information by foreign state-sponsored hackers ever.
The criminal charges include a nine-count indictment returned by a U.S. grand jury alleging that Wu Zhiyong, Wang Qian, Xu Ke and Liu Lei — all members of the China’s People’s Liberation Army 54th Research Institute — hacked into Equifax’s servers and stole information including Social Security numbers on nearly half the U.S. population.
The indictment said the hackers exploited a weakness in the Apache Struts Web framework software used by Equifax’s portal for online disputes, and gained access to login credentials that were then used to navigate through the credit agency’s networks.
The hackers then spent several weeks running queries to identify the company’s database, search for personal information, and then downloaded the information to temporary files before exfiltrating them to computers outside the United States. In all, the hackers ran about 9,000 queries on Equifax to obtain names, birth dates and Social Security numbers for tens of millions of Americans, the indictment said.


rollcall--2020-02-10--White House budget plan has Secret Service back under Treasury

The president 's fiscal 2021 budget blueprint assumes the transfer of the Secret Service back to its traditional home within @ @ @ @ @ agency , which provides presidential security and has primary jurisdiction over a variety of financial @ @ @ @ @ part of the Department of Homeland Security since it moved there in the bureaucratic reorganization @ @ @ @ @ attacks .
The proposal , which was the subject of media reports last week , @ @ @ @ @ footnote to an Office of Management and Budget summary table for fiscal 2021 obtained Sunday @ @ @ @ @ `` The funding totals for 2019 actual and 2020 enacted are comparatively adjusted to reflect @ @ @ @ @ proposal to shift the U.S. Secret Service from DHS to the Department of the Treasury @ @ @ @ @ , in explaining an adjustment made in the table for comparison purposes .

The president's fiscal 2021 budget blueprint assumes the transfer of the Secret Service back to its traditional home within the Treasury Department.
The agency, which provides presidential security and has primary jurisdiction over a variety of financial crimes, has operated as part of the Department of Homeland Security since it moved there in the bureaucratic reorganization after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
[White House budget would slash domestic programs, foreign aid]
The proposal, which was the subject of media reports last week, was effectively revealed in a footnote to an Office of Management and Budget summary table for fiscal 2021 obtained Sunday by CQ Roll Call.
"The funding totals for 2019 actual and 2020 enacted are comparatively adjusted to reflect the Administration's 2021 Budget proposal to shift the U.S. Secret Service from DHS to the Department of the Treasury," the footnote said, in explaining an adjustment made in the table for comparison purposes.


rollcall--2020-02-11--States OK blockchain ‘smart contracts’ but buy-in is uncertain

An Illinois law took effect last month that recognizes a new form of legal agreement known as a smart contract , a binding accord executed using blockchain technology , putting it on equal footing with traditional legal contracts .
Illinois is the third state to officially endorse the concept , although it ’ s not clear that practical applications for the concept have developed as quickly as the underlying technology .
Arizona and Tennessee passed similar legislation recognizing smart contracts , and similar bills have been introduced in Ohio , New York and Nebraska .
The purpose of smart contracts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cut down on the administrative costs and limit the need for human interaction and costs .
In this case , adopters could cut down on the need for lawyers to draft and enforce agreements .
None of the state laws mandates that anyone use blockchain , the technology that came to prominence for its use in cryptocurrencies , but they expressly recognize that it can create a legally enforceable agreement .
“ I think at this point there is probably more talk than reality , ” said David Zaslowsky , an attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has a background in computer programming and closely follows smart contracts .

An Illinois law took effect last month that recognizes a new form of legal agreement known as a smart contract, a binding accord executed using blockchain technology, putting it on equal footing with traditional legal contracts.
Illinois is the third state to officially endorse the concept, although it’s not clear that practical applications for the concept have developed as quickly as the underlying technology. Arizona and Tennessee passed similar legislation recognizing smart contracts, and similar bills have been introduced in Ohio, New York and Nebraska.
The purpose of smart contracts, much like other technology, is to cut down on the administrative costs and limit the need for human interaction and costs. In this case, adopters could cut down on the need for lawyers to draft and enforce agreements.
None of the state laws mandates that anyone use blockchain, the technology that came to prominence for its use in cryptocurrencies, but they expressly recognize that it can create a legally enforceable agreement.
“I think at this point there is probably more talk than reality,” said David Zaslowsky, an attorney at Baker McKenzie in New York, who has a background in computer programming and closely follows smart contracts.


rollcall--2020-02-11--After GAO critique, DHS releases 2020 election security plan

The government ’ s top cybersecurity agency will focus on four key objectives to secure this year ’ s elections from hacking and other interference : protecting election infrastructure , assisting political campaigns , increasing public awareness about foreign intrusion , and facilitating the flow of information on vulnerabilities and potential threats between the public and private sectors .
That ’ s according to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency ’ s # Protect2020 Strategic Plan , issued by the Homeland Security Department on Friday .
The blueprint follows a Government Accountability Office report that said the agency would struggle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finalized agenda .
The strategic plan describes the agency ’ s plans to work with federal law enforcement and state and local election officials on a “ whole-of-nation effort ” to defend electoral systems .
“ If we learned anything through 2016 and the Russian interference with our elections , it ’ s [ that ] no single organization , no single state , no locality can go at this problem alone , ” CISA Director Christopher Krebs said in the report .
“ State and local election officials are on the front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal government is to make sure that they are prepared , ” he added .
“ Ultimately , CISA ’ s efforts depend on the trust and cooperation of state and local officials .
Those relationships are strong and growing stronger .
”

The government’s top cybersecurity agency will focus on four key objectives to secure this year’s elections from hacking and other interference: protecting election infrastructure, assisting political campaigns, increasing public awareness about foreign intrusion, and facilitating the flow of information on vulnerabilities and potential threats between the public and private sectors.
That’s according to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s #Protect2020 Strategic Plan, issued by the Homeland Security Department on Friday. The blueprint follows a Government Accountability Office report that said the agency would struggle to execute a nationwide strategy without a finalized agenda.
The strategic plan describes the agency’s plans to work with federal law enforcement and state and local election officials on a “whole-of-nation effort” to defend electoral systems.
“If we learned anything through 2016 and the Russian interference with our elections, it’s [that] no single organization, no single state, no locality can go at this problem alone,” CISA Director Christopher Krebs said in the report.
“State and local election officials are on the front lines, and the role of the federal government is to make sure that they are prepared,” he added. “Ultimately, CISA’s efforts depend on the trust and cooperation of state and local officials. Those relationships are strong and growing stronger.”


rollcall--2020-02-11--3 political handicapping mistakes to avoid

ANALYSIS — A few days ago , I heard a reporter who isn ’ t an authority on elections or voting behavior say that former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s problem is that his “ message ” hasn ’ t worked .
Behold the first of three common political handicapping mistakes : putting too much weight into the message and not the messenger .
Yes , Biden ’ s message may be part of his problem , but it ’ s only a small part .
He is a 77-year-old man who has been in politics forever and who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we expect from our political leaders .
His age , experience and style all limit his message options .
Most importantly , Biden oozes moderation , the past and the “ establishment ” when many Democrats are looking for something different ( dramatic change offered by Sens .
Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren ) or something new ( former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg , businessman Andrew Yang , Sen. Amy Klobuchar or possibly even former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg ) .
Sanders ( born Sept. 8 , 1941 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year older than Biden ( born Nov. 20 , 1942 ) , but he speaks with such energy and passion that he appears younger , even after a heart attack .
Bloomberg ( born Feb. 14 , 1942 ) is five months younger than Sanders and nine months older than Biden , but the media mogul and former mayor is running a stealth media campaign , with a record of success running an ungovernable city .
Let ’ s see what happens when Bloomberg starts doing interviews and participates in debates , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not just learn about him in scripted 30-second TV ads .

ANALYSIS — A few days ago, I heard a reporter who isn’t an authority on elections or voting behavior say that former Vice President Joe Biden’s problem is that his “message” hasn’t worked. Behold the first of three common political handicapping mistakes: putting too much weight into the message and not the messenger.
Yes, Biden’s message may be part of his problem, but it’s only a small part. He is a 77-year-old man who has been in politics forever and who looks and sounds less agile than what we expect from our political leaders. His age, experience and style all limit his message options.
Most importantly, Biden oozes moderation, the past and the “establishment” when many Democrats are looking for something different (dramatic change offered by Sens. Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren) or something new (former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, businessman Andrew Yang, Sen. Amy Klobuchar or possibly even former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg).
Sanders (born Sept. 8, 1941) is a little more than a year older than Biden (born Nov. 20, 1942), but he speaks with such energy and passion that he appears younger, even after a heart attack.
Bloomberg (born Feb. 14, 1942) is five months younger than Sanders and nine months older than Biden, but the media mogul and former mayor is running a stealth media campaign, with a record of success running an ungovernable city. Let’s see what happens when Bloomberg starts doing interviews and participates in debates, when voters can see him and hear him, not just learn about him in scripted 30-second TV ads.


rollcall--2020-02-11--Outside groups flock to Wisconsin race to replace Sean Duffy

It ’ s not often that the Club for Growth , the House Freedom Caucus and the Chamber of Commerce @ @ @ @ @ in a Republican primary , but that ’ s the case in the race to @ @ @ @ @ Duffy .
All three groups are backing Republican state Sen. Tom Tiffany in Wisconsin ’ @ @ @ @ @ voters head to the polls in one week for the special election primary .
Tiffany @ @ @ @ @ , who lost both his legs in an IED explosion in Afghanistan .
Outside groups @ @ @ @ @ race to boost Church ’ s candidacy as well .
The level of outside spending @ @ @ @ @ the likelihood that the victor would be well-positioned to win the May 12 special general @ @ @ @ @ Nathan L. Gonzales rates the race Solid Republican .
“ Whoever wins the primary is @ @ @ @ @ if you want somebody that takes your side of the issue , this is the @ @ @ @ @ Scholz , a former executive director of the Wisconsin Republican Party .

It’s not often that the Club for Growth, the House Freedom Caucus and the Chamber of Commerce are on the same side in a Republican primary, but that’s the case in the race to replace former Rep. Sean P. Duffy.
All three groups are backing Republican state Sen. Tom Tiffany in Wisconsin’s 7th District, where voters head to the polls in one week for the special election primary. Tiffany faces Army veteran Jason Church, who lost both his legs in an IED explosion in Afghanistan. Outside groups are pouring money into the race to boost Church’s candidacy as well.
The level of outside spending in the GOP primary underscores the likelihood that the victor would be well-positioned to win the May 12 special general election. Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates the race Solid Republican.
“Whoever wins the primary is there for life, so if you want somebody that takes your side of the issue, this is the time,” said Brandon Scholz, a former executive director of the Wisconsin Republican Party.
Outside spending
Outside groups have spent nearly $2 million on the primary so far. The outside spending for both candidates could make for a close race, said GOP strategists, especially with an unpredictable turnout for a special election primary.


rollcall--2020-02-11--No longer GOP pariahs, Freedom Caucus members earn top committee slots

Five years ago , the nascent House Freedom Caucus irritated Republican leaders to the point that some of its members got kicked off key committees .
Now two of the group ’ s founding members have risen the ranks to the top of two prominent panels .
On Tuesday , the House Republican Conference is expected to approve recommendations from its Steering Committee that Ohio ’ s Jim Jordan become the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee and that North Carolina ’ s Mark Meadows take his place as ranking member of the Oversight and Reform Committee .
“ There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a little bit more meritocracy , ” Arizona Rep. Dave Schweikert , one of the Freedom Caucus members who was once kicked off a committee , said of the Jordan-Meadows moves .
“ We just need to keep pushing to be able to have that opportunity to prove that we ’ re good at policy.
” Jordan and Meadows helped found the Freedom Caucus in 2015 as a far right offshoot of the Republican Study Committee .
As the first two members to chair the Freedom Caucus , they spent the better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy and political battles with their own leadership .
Even as they racked up conservative wins , though , Freedom Caucus members were largely pariahs in the Republican Conference .

Five years ago, the nascent House Freedom Caucus irritated Republican leaders to the point that some of its members got kicked off key committees. Now two of the group’s founding members have risen the ranks to the top of two prominent panels.
On Tuesday, the House Republican Conference is expected to approve recommendations from its Steering Committee that Ohio’s Jim Jordan become the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee and that North Carolina’s Mark Meadows take his place as ranking member of the Oversight and Reform Committee.
“There’s no question I think we have a little bit more meritocracy,” Arizona Rep. Dave Schweikert, one of the Freedom Caucus members who was once kicked off a committee, said of the Jordan-Meadows moves. “We just need to keep pushing to be able to have that opportunity to prove that we’re good at policy.”
Jordan and Meadows helped found the Freedom Caucus in 2015 as a far right offshoot of the Republican Study Committee. As the first two members to chair the Freedom Caucus, they spent the better part of the next four years waging policy and political battles with their own leadership.
Even as they racked up conservative wins, though, Freedom Caucus members were largely pariahs in the Republican Conference.


rollcall--2020-02-11--Breaking down Crypto Derivatives

Breaking down Crypto Derivatives

Derivatives are tricky .
Crypto is tricky .
But what happens when you get crypto derivatives ?
We ’ re @ @ @ @ @ coming to market , but what does the future portend for other kinds of cryptocurrencies @ @ @ @ @ ?
• Can – and should – an algorithm be ethical when it comes to @ @ @

Derivatives are tricky. Crypto is tricky. But what happens when you get crypto derivatives? We’re already seeing new Bitcoin futures coming to market, but what does the future portend for other kinds of cryptocurrencies and products entering the market?
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-02-11--DC statehood gets first congressional vote in 27 years

For the first time in more than a quarter-century , Congress has voted on a measure to make most of @ @ @ @ @ of Columbia the 51st state .
The House Committee on Oversight and Reform approved the @ @ @ @ @ 51 , on a party-line 21-16 vote Tuesday after a contentious , hourslong markup .
@ @ @ @ @ more than 700,000 residents of the district full congressional representation , with one House member @ @ @ @ @ is an overwhelmingly Democratic city , and if granted statehood would likely provide the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ both chambers .
[ Bowser and Norton hope 2019 is the year for D.C. statehood @ @ @ @ @ Hoyer of Maryland said in a statement Tuesday he would bring the bill to a @ @ @ @ @ summer.
” The legislation already has 223 co-sponsors — enough to pass the House — @ @ @ @ @ dustbin of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ’ s Republican-controlled Senate .

For the first time in more than a quarter century, Congress has voted on a measure to make most of the area comprising the District of Columbia the 51st state.
The House Committee on Oversight and Reform approved the bill, originally numbered HR 51, on a party-line 21-16 vote Tuesday after a contentious, hours long markup.
The bill would give the more than 700,000 residents of the District full congressional representation, with one House member and two senators. Washington is an overwhelmingly Democratic city, and if granted statehood would likely provide the Democratic Party with a boost in both chambers.
[Bowser and Norton hope 2019 is the year for D.C. statehood]
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland said in a statement Tuesday he would bring the bill to a floor vote “before the summer.” The legislation already has 223 co-sponsors — enough to pass the House — though likely fated for the dustbin of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s Republican-controlled Senate.


rollcall--2020-02-11--House revives debate over regulation of autonomous vehicles

The House appears close to reviving a debate over whether to regulate the driverless vehicle industry , but all of @ @ @ @ @ efforts remain : Namely , how best to balance safety of new technology and the @ @ @ @ @ a GOP-led House in 2017 passed by voice vote a bill aimed at creating a @ @ @ @ @ car industry , a Senate version of the bill died in 2018 , largely over @ @ @ @ @ safety of the burgeoning technology .
Now , the debate is back with an added @ @ @ @ @ the absence of congressional action , the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration , a Transportation @ @ @ @ @ highway safety , last week allowed California-based Nuro to deploy up to 5,000 driverless , @ @ @ @ @ , the National Transportation Safety Board , an independent agency responsible for transportation accident investigations @ @ @ @ @ dockets on two fatal Tesla crashes that involved the vehicles ’ “ autopilot ” systems @ @ @ @ @ offered voluntary guidance on autonomous vehicles but no rules on the technology .

The House appears close to reviving a debate over whether to regulate the driverless vehicle industry, but all of the concerns that torpedoed past efforts remain: Namely, how best to balance safety of new technology and the freedom to innovate.
Though a GOP-led House in 2017 passed by voice vote a bill aimed at creating a regulatory framework for the self-driving car industry, a Senate version of the bill died in 2018, largely over Democrats' concerns about the safety of the burgeoning technology.
Now, the debate is back with an added level of urgency. In the absence of congressional action, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a Transportation Department office tasked with overseeing highway safety, last week allowed California-based Nuro to deploy up to 5,000 driverless, electric delivery vehicles.
[White House angers GOP senator with executive privilege claim on car tariff report]
Separately, the National Transportation Safety Board, an independent agency responsible for transportation accident investigations, on Tuesday released public dockets on two fatal Tesla crashes that involved the vehicles’ “autopilot” systems. The federal government has offered voluntary guidance on autonomous vehicles but no rules on the technology.


rollcall--2020-02-11--Expert: US corporate tax receipts lower than all but Latvia

After GOP lawmakers and the Trump administration slashed the corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent two years ago , corporate tax revenue as a share of gross domestic product is lower in the United States than any of 30 developed countries — with the exception of Latvia .
That 's the conclusion of Jason Furman , a Harvard University economics professor who testified before the House Ways and Means Committee Tuesday .
“ Corporate revenue collections are very low ” both historically and compared to other advanced economies , said Furman , who served as chairman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Barack Obama .
While there are estimates that corporate tax collections will grow slightly as a percentage of GDP in coming years , that likelihood will evaporate if business provisions in the 2017 tax law are made permanent , Furman added , chiefly those allowing more generous equipment expensing .
Ways and Means Democrats held the hearing to highlight unexpectedly low corporate tax collections following the big tax cut , which took effect in 2018 .
Republicans countered that making U.S. corporate tax rates internationally competitive ended the relocations of U.S. corporations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an economic boom that President Donald Trump has called the greatest in American history .

After GOP lawmakers and the Trump administration slashed the corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent two years ago, corporate tax revenue as a share of gross domestic product is lower in the United States than any of 30 developed countries — with the exception of Latvia.
That's the conclusion of Jason Furman, a Harvard University economics professor who testified before the House Ways and Means Committee Tuesday. “Corporate revenue collections are very low” both historically and compared to other advanced economies, said Furman, who served as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers under President Barack Obama.
While there are estimates that corporate tax collections will grow slightly as a percentage of GDP in coming years, that likelihood will evaporate if business provisions in the 2017 tax law are made permanent, Furman added, chiefly those allowing more generous equipment expensing.
Ways and Means Democrats held the hearing to highlight unexpectedly low corporate tax collections following the big tax cut, which took effect in 2018. Republicans countered that making U.S. corporate tax rates internationally competitive ended the relocations of U.S. corporations overseas, and has been key to an economic boom that President Donald Trump has called the greatest in American history.
At the time the tax overhaul was being considered, the Joint Committee on Taxation estimated that the corporate tax rate cut would cost $1.35 trillion over 10 years. But tax collections following the cut suggest the hit was even bigger, as corporate tax collections plummeted 31 percent to $205 billion in 2018, $38 billion below estimates. The $230 billion collected in 2019 was $46 billion below earlier JCT predictions.


rollcall--2020-02-11--Senate Republicans promote anti-abortion message

Senate Republicans signaled in a hearing Tuesday that they intend to keep courting abortion opponents on the campaign trail by @ @ @ @ @ say would protect infants born during attempted abortions , legislation that Democrats call redundant .
@ @ @ @ @ over abortion this week .
The Senate Judiciary Committee 's hearing on the bill comes @ @ @ @ @ Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee holds its own hearing on Democrats ' interest in expanding @ @ @ @ @ Trump , during his State of the Union speech last week , called upon Congress @ @ @ @ @ banning the late-term abortion of babies , ” which was juxtaposed with the introduction of @ @ @ @ @ a toddler , Ellie Schneider , who was born prematurely at 21 weeks and 6 @ @ @ @ @ ’ s key priorities for Congress are passing this bill and passing legislation that would @ @ @ @ @ .

Senate Republicans signaled in a hearing Tuesday that they intend to keep courting abortion opponents on the campaign trail by talking about a bill they say would protect infants born during attempted abortions, legislation that Democrats call redundant.
The parties scheduled dueling hearings over abortion this week. The Senate Judiciary Committee's hearing on the bill comes the day before a House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee holds its own hearing on Democrats' interest in expanding abortion rights.
[Abortion policy activism heats up for Roe v. Wade anniversary]
President Donald Trump, during his State of the Union speech last week, called upon Congress “to pass legislation finally banning the late-term abortion of babies,” which was juxtaposed with the introduction of one of his guests — a toddler, Ellie Schneider, who was born prematurely at 21 weeks and 6 days.
Two of Trump’s key priorities for Congress are passing this bill and passing legislation that would ban abortions after 20 weeks.


rollcall--2020-02-11--Top takeaways from Trump’s latest budget proposal

The president unveiled his fiscal 2021 budget request Monday .
In this episode , we share our key takeaways and @ @ @ @ @ a budget released by a president up for reelection and it 's challenging for any @ @ @ @ @ Congress without significant changes .
Plus , we analyze opportunities that have bipartisan support , @ @ @ @ @ implementation .
• Top 10 things to know about Trump ’ s budget proposal

David Lerman, Jennifer Shutt, and Micaela Rodríguez

The president unveiled his fiscal 2021 budget request Monday. In this episode, we share our key takeaways and some caveats: It's a budget released by a president up for reelection and it's challenging for any budget to make it through Congress without significant changes. Plus, we analyze opportunities that have bipartisan support, but a slim chance of implementation.
Show notes:


rollcall--2020-02-11--Members still unnerved by Capitol Police airspace snafu

Members of the House Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee want more information from the Capitol Police over why the force failed @ @ @ @ @ about a possible aircraft in a restricted zone near the Capitol complex .
At a @ @ @ @ @ Tim Ryan , an Ohio Democrat , and Rep. Dan Newhouse , a Washington Republican @ @ @ @ @ Chief Steven A. Sund what happened during the airspace incident .
Many high-ranking staffers on @ @ @ @ @ outraged by the lack of communication from the force in the face of a possible @ @ @ @ @ no plane , ” Sund said .
“ It was nothing , ” he later @ @ @ @ @ occurrence as a “ radar anomaly .
”

Members of the House Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee want more information from the Capitol Police over why the force failed to alert staff in November about a possible aircraft in a restricted zone near the Capitol complex.
At a budget hearing Tuesday, Chairman Tim Ryan, an Ohio Democrat, and Rep. Dan Newhouse, a Washington Republican, both asked Capitol Police Chief Steven A. Sund what happened during the airspace incident.
Many high-ranking staffers on Capitol Hill were bemused and outraged by the lack of communication from the force in the face of a possible threat.
“What kind of plane was it?” Ryan asked.
“It was no plane,” Sund said. “It was nothing,” he later added, referring to the occurrence as a “radar anomaly.”


rollcall--2020-02-11--House GOP makes Meadows and Jordan promotions official

Two of President Donald Trump 's most loyal allies are set to take the top GOP spots on two congressional committees after House Republicans unanimously approved the move during a closed-door conference meeting Tuesday morning .
Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio will be the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee , and Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina will serve as ranking member of the Oversight and Reform Committee , where they 'll be the first line of defense against Democratic oversight efforts of the administration .
Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia , who is currently the top Republican on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bid last month , which set off the shuffle .
The House Republican Conference rules require Collins to step down from his post while seeking higher office .
Leadership has given him some time to transition his staff , and Collins will turn over the ranking member seat to Jordan on March 12 .
“ Jordan has done an excellent job , ” said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif. , at his weekly press conference .
“ The one thing I would take away from all this : we have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contrast to the Democratic Party , where they have their own civil war .
”

Two of President Donald Trump's most loyal allies are set to take the top GOP spots on two congressional committees after House Republicans unanimously approved the move during a closed-door conference meeting Tuesday morning.
Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio will be the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, and Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina will serve as ranking member of the Oversight and Reform Committee, where they'll be the first line of defense against Democratic oversight efforts of the administration.
[Democrats pick Maloney to succeed Cummings as Oversight Committee leader]
Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia, who is currently the top Republican on the Judiciary panel, launched a Senate bid last month, which set off the shuffle. The House Republican Conference rules require Collins to step down from his post while seeking higher office. Leadership has given him some time to transition his staff, and Collins will turn over the ranking member seat to Jordan on March 12.
“Jordan has done an excellent job,” said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., at his weekly press conference. “The one thing I would take away from all this: we have a united Republican Party. Much different in contrast to the Democratic Party, where they have their own civil war.”


rollcall--2020-02-11--GOP senators want to confirm more judges. That could mean working with Democrats

So far , filling the federal bench with conservative-approved judges has been relatively easy for President Donald Trump .
Now @ @ @ @ @ working with the opposition party .
The Senate has confirmed 192 federal judges since Trump @ @ @ @ @ from states with at least one Republican senator or circuit judges whose jurisdiction crosses many @ @ @ @ @ important because home-state senators , regardless of their party affiliation , traditionally have been able @ @ @ @ @ block a judicial nomination through the Senate ’ s so-called blue slip process .
Despite @ @ @ @ @ recently for the circuit court level , Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham has said he @ @ @ @ @ on the district level .

So far, filling the federal bench with conservative-approved judges has been relatively easy for President Donald Trump.
Now comes the hard part — working with the opposition party.
The Senate has confirmed 192 federal judges since Trump took office; most were from states with at least one Republican senator or circuit judges whose jurisdiction crosses many states. That’s important because home-state senators, regardless of their party affiliation, traditionally have been able to sign off on or block a judicial nomination through the Senate’s so-called blue slip process.
Despite blue slips not being honored recently for the circuit court level, Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham has said he will continue honoring blue slips on the district level.


rollcall--2020-02-12--Mark Meadows backs only woman in crowded race to replace him

There ’ s just one woman in the hard-line conservative House Freedom Caucus , but there could soon be another if the group ’ s political arm gets it way .
Eighteen candidates are running to replace Republican Mark Meadows , the former chairman of the Freedom Caucus , in North Carolina ’ s 11th District .
The House Freedom Fund and Meadows are backing real estate agent and GOP activist Lynda Bennett , the only woman in the 11-person Republican field .
Meadows had already been accused of tipping off Bennett , a friend of his wife ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently redrawn , but still safe , GOP seat .
Bennett announced her candidacy just hours after Meadows first shared the news of his retirement with CQ Roll Call and Politico Playbook on Dec. 19 — the day before the filing deadline and two days after the deadline for state officeholders to switch elections .
But until recently , the retiring congressman had remained publicly neutral .
“ Meadows told me he was not endorsing anybody in the race , ” Wayne King , a Meadows staffer who resigned so he could run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , recalled on Monday about a conversation with his former boss from a few weeks ago .

There’s just one woman in the hard-line conservative House Freedom Caucus, but there could be another next year if the group’s political arm gets it way.
Eighteen candidates are running to replace Republican Mark Meadows, the former chairman of the Freedom Caucus, in North Carolina’s 11th District. The House Freedom Fund and Meadows are backing real estate agent and GOP activist Lynda Bennett, the only woman in the 11-person Republican field.
Meadows had already been accused of tipping off Bennett, a friend of his wife’s, to the opening up of this recently redrawn, but still safe, GOP seat. Bennett announced her candidacy just hours after Meadows first shared the news of his retirement with CQ Roll Call and Politico Playbook on Dec. 19 — the day before the filing deadline to run and two days after the deadline for state officeholders to switch elections.
But until recently, the retiring congressman had remained publicly neutral.
“Meadows told me he was not endorsing anybody in the race,” Wayne King, a Meadows staffer who resigned so he could run for the seat without violating ethics rules, recalled on Monday, describing a conversation with his former boss from a few weeks ago.


rollcall--2020-02-12--Democratic Caucus governance still shrouded in secrecy

House Democratic Caucus rules are not publicly available online , leaving the public in the dark on how those lawmakers assume power within the party and the procedures that members follow as part of that collective group .
It has been over a year since the progressive group Demand Progress , joined by others , originally wrote to House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries of New York asking him to publish the rules governing the caucus online .
Last year , Jeffries said he would present the issue to the caucus , but nothing has come of it .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other groups , including the American Civil Liberties Union , wrote to Jeffries asking him to publish the rules online .
This marks the fourth time Demand Progress , joined by a coalition , has written to Jeffries seeking the public disclosure of the rules .
Since they took power in the House , Democrats have pledged to be committed to transparency , but they have yet to publicly display the internal guidelines for party members .
“ Just as the publication of the rules for the House of Representatives is necessary for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publication of the Democratic Caucus rules , ” the letter said .
“ Public access empowers understanding of legislative branch activities , provides essential detail on how you govern , and exemplifies your commitment to open government .
”

House Democratic Caucus rules are not publicly available online, leaving the public in the dark on how those lawmakers assume power within the party and the procedures that members follow as part of that collective group.
It has been over a year since the progressive group Demand Progress, joined by others, originally wrote to House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries of New York asking him to publish the rules governing the caucus online. Last year, Jeffries said he would present the issue to the caucus, but nothing has come of it.
On Wednesday, Demand Progress along with numerous other groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, wrote to Jeffries asking him to publish the rules online. This marks the fourth time Demand Progress, joined by a coalition, has written to Jeffries seeking the public disclosure of the rules.
Since they took power in the House, Democrats have pledged to be committed to transparency, but they have yet to publicly display the internal guidelines for party members.
“Just as the publication of the rules for the House of Representatives is necessary for government accountability, so too is the publication of the Democratic Caucus rules,” the letter said. “Public access empowers understanding of legislative branch activities, provides essential detail on how you govern, and exemplifies your commitment to open government.”


rollcall--2020-02-12--Everyone has a podcast now, including Rep. Dan Crenshaw

If it seems like all your friends have a podcast now , just imagine how members of Congress feel .
@ @ @ @ @ one this month .
No longer do you need a book club for “ deep @ @ @ @ @ Rep. Dan Crenshaw has you covered with his new podcast , “ Hold These Truths.
@ @ @ @ @ week after Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn entered the podcasting domain with “ Clyburn Chronicles , @ @ @ @ @ of the past ” with “ politics of the present.
” The majority whip kicked @ @ @ @ @ his first guest , Lonnie G. Bunch III of the Smithsonian Institute .
Crenshaw and @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers — plus a disembodied ideological caucus — have gone before .
Democratic Rep. Jared @ @ @ @ @ So does the Freedom Caucus ; its logo is a microphone going up in flames @ @ @ @ @ Caucus , Chairman Andy Biggs has the cheekily entitled “ What ’ s the Biggs @ @ @

If it seems like all your friends have a podcast now, just imagine how members of Congress feel.
Two lawmakers have already launched one this month. No longer do you need a book club for “deep and insightful conversations.” Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw has you covered with his new podcast, “Hold These Truths.”
The release comes a week after Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn entered the podcasting domain with “Clyburn Chronicles,” which combines “lessons of the past” with “politics of the present.” The majority whip kicked off Black History Month with his first guest, Lonnie G. Bunch III of the Smithsonian Institute.
Crenshaw and Clyburn are going where other lawmakers — plus a disembodied ideological caucus — have gone before. Democratic Rep. Jared Huffman has a podcast. So does the Freedom Caucus; its logo is a microphone going up in flames.
Speaking of the Freedom Caucus, Chairman Andy Biggs has the cheekily entitled “What’s the Biggs Idea?"


rollcall--2020-02-12--Dan Kildee reunites with his high school teacher (who happens to be a Pulitzer Prize winner)

For three years Dan Kildee sat in David Blight ’ s high school classroom watching his teacher bring history to life .
They didn ’ t even have to leave the building — though they did that too , like when Blight stood in the middle of a field at Gettysburg describing Pickett ’ s charge , the crucial maneuver in the Civil War ’ s most famous battle .
“ He literally stood there and depicted for us how those soldiers came across that big field and how many died , ” Kildee says .
Today , Blight is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yale , and Kildee is a congressman representing Flint , Michigan — a career he may not have had without his teacher ’ s encouragement .
After all , it was Blight who supported him when he decided to run for a spot on the Flint Board of Education at only 18 years old .
“ I think he really helped me be received and perceived as a serious candidate for office .
Ultimately , I won that election and it changed the trajectory of my life , ” Kildee says .
Blight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Freedom , ” the 2019 Pulitzer-winning biography of Frederick Douglass , currently being developed into a feature film by Barack and Michelle Obama .
Kildee will be seated with him Wednesday at a “ Congressional Dialogues ” dinner .
The event series , presented by the Library of Congress , is for lawmakers and invited guests , who hear from historians like Doris Kearns Goodwin , Michael Beschloss and Douglas Brinkley .

For three years Dan Kildee sat in David Blight’s high school classroom watching his teacher bring history to life. They didn’t even have to leave the building — though they did that too, like when Blight stood in the middle of a field at Gettysburg describing Pickett’s charge, the crucial maneuver in the Civil War’s most famous battle.
“He literally stood there and depicted for us how those soldiers came across that big field and how many died,” Kildee says.
Today, Blight is a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and professor at Yale, and Kildee is a congressman representing Flint, Michigan — a career he may not have had without his teacher’s encouragement. After all, it was Blight who supported him when he decided to run for a spot on the Flint Board of Education at only 18 years old.
“I think he really helped me be received and perceived as a serious candidate for office. Ultimately, I won that election and it changed the trajectory of my life,” Kildee says.
Blight is the author of “Prophet of Freedom,” the 2019 Pulitzer-winning biography of Frederick Douglass, currently being developed into a feature film by Barack and Michelle Obama. Kildee will be seated with him Wednesday at a “Congressional Dialogues” dinner. The event series, presented by the Library of Congress, is for lawmakers and invited guests, who hear from historians like Doris Kearns Goodwin, Michael Beschloss and Douglas Brinkley.


rollcall--2020-02-12--House action on Equal Rights Amendment sets up legal fights

The House will attempt to revive the Equal Rights Amendment later this week , with a vote to remove the 1982 deadline for state ratification and reopen the process for amending the Constitution to prohibit discrimination based on sex .
But removing the deadline won ’ t clear a path for the 28th Amendment .
Hurdles , including the Republican-led Senate , a lawsuit from GOP state attorneys general and opposition from the current Justice Department , remain .
After languishing for decades without much action , the constitutional amendment and hot-button cultural wedge issue from the 1970s is back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women and reads , in part , “ Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
” Originally drafted by suffragist Alice Paul , the ERA was proposed every Congress beginning in 1923 but continually died in committee .
In 1970 , Michigan Democrat Martha Griffiths forced a House floor vote with a discharge petition .
After some alterations , the House passed her amendment in 1971 , and the Senate followed suit in 1972 , both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support of the ERA in the early 1970s was widespread and bipartisan .
It passed the House in a 354-24 vote and the Senate by a 84-8 vote , bipartisan tallies for such an issue that are difficult to imagine in the modern political climate .
The amendment then needed approval of three-fourths of the state legislatures before 1979 , a deadline set by Congress .
More than half of the states ratified the amendment within the first year , and 35 states ratified it before 1977 .
Congress then extended the deadline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but no additional states voted to ratify , leaving the amendment three state legislatures short of the three-fourths requirement .

The House will attempt to revive the Equal Rights Amendment later this week, with a vote to remove the 1982 deadline for state ratification and reopen the process for amending the Constitution to prohibit discrimination based on sex. But removing the deadline won’t clear a path for the 28th Amendment. Hurdles, including the Republican-led Senate, a lawsuit from GOP state attorneys general and opposition from the current Justice Department, remain.
After languishing for decades without much action, the constitutional amendment and hot-button cultural wedge issue from the 1970s is back. The ERA promises equal rights to women and reads, in part, “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.”
Originally drafted by suffragist Alice Paul, the ERA was proposed every Congress beginning in 1923 but continually died in committee. In 1970, Michigan Democrat Martha Griffiths forced a House floor vote with a discharge petition. After some alterations, the House passed her amendment in 1971, and the Senate followed suit in 1972, both with the two-thirds majority needed.
Congressional support of the ERA in the early 1970s was widespread and bipartisan. It passed the House in a 354-24 vote and the Senate by a 84-8 vote, bipartisan tallies for such an issue that are difficult to imagine in the modern political climate.
The amendment then needed approval of three-fourths of the state legislatures before 1979, a deadline set by Congress. More than half of the states ratified the amendment within the first year, and 35 states ratified it before 1977. Congress then extended the deadline for another three years to 1982, but no additional states voted to ratify, leaving the amendment three state legislatures short of the three-fourths requirement.


rollcall--2020-02-12--Without a budget, how will Democrats communicate their fiscal priorities?

House Democrats do not plan to draft a budget resolution this year , so how do they communicate their fiscal priorities with voters ahead of a crucial 2020 campaign ?
The answer depends on whom you ask , but it boils down to this : Democrats have shown through the appropriations process which programs they think taxpayer dollars should be spent on and through their legislative agenda where they think additional investments are needed .
But when it comes to addressing the trajectory of $ 1 trillion annual deficits , Democrats point the blame at Republicans ’ 2017 tax law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own solutions .
Several Democratic lawmakers interviewed Tuesday said with the two-year budget agreement that Congress passed and President Donald Trump signed into law last year , there ’ s no need for a budget resolution .
The topline defense and nondefense spending levels , which are the most important part of largely aspirational party budget resolutions , have already been agreed to as part of that deal .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell echoed that rationale on Tuesday , all but guaranteeing the Senate won ’ t be producing a budget resolution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imagine that we could reach an agreement on a budget with this particular House of Representatives .
So we ’ ve got the caps deal in place , we negotiated it last year , it ’ s good for the second year and we ’ ll comply with that , ” McConnell said .

House Democrats do not plan to draft a budget resolution this year, so how do they communicate their fiscal priorities with voters ahead of a crucial 2020 campaign?
The answer depends on whom you ask, but it boils down to this: Democrats have shown through the appropriations process which programs they think taxpayer dollars should be spent on and through their legislative agenda where they think additional investments are needed. But when it comes to addressing the trajectory of $1 trillion annual deficits, Democrats point the blame at Republicans’ 2017 tax law and have largely opted against offering their own solutions.
Several Democratic lawmakers interviewed Tuesday said with the two-year budget agreement that Congress passed and President Donald Trump signed into law last year, there’s no need for a budget resolution. The topline defense and nondefense spending levels, which are the most important part of largely aspirational party budget resolutions, have already been agreed to as part of that deal.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell echoed that rationale on Tuesday, all but guaranteeing the Senate won’t be producing a budget resolution either.
“I can’t imagine that we could reach an agreement on a budget with this particular House of Representatives. So we’ve got the caps deal in place, we negotiated it last year, it’s good for the second year and we’ll comply with that,” McConnell said.


rollcall--2020-02-12--House panel to vote on subpoena powers for Grijalva

The House Natural Resources Committee is expected to vote Wednesday to give its chairman , Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva , D-Ariz. , sweeping authority to unilaterally subpoena any of five federal agencies that fall within its jurisdiction and officials who work at those departments .
The committee resolution to provide Grijalva that power is broad in scope and allows him to subpoena records and testimony he determines “ necessary ” from the departments of Interior , Commerce and Agriculture .
It permits subpoenas for two White House agencies : the Council on Environmental Quality and the Office of Management and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday on a series of six bills in addition to the subpoena resolution .
With a modest majority , Democrats on the committee can afford to lose two defectors as long as all other committee members show up and vote to approve the subpoenas .
Attendance has been a problem for the panel this Congress .
Republicans adjourned a hearing in February 2019 when only two Democrats showed .
The subpoena vote queues up a clash between the committee chairman and the Interior Department , who have been sliding toward confrontation since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .

The House Natural Resources Committee is expected to vote Wednesday to give its chairman, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva, D-Ariz., sweeping authority to unilaterally subpoena any of five federal agencies that fall within its jurisdiction and officials who work at those departments.
The committee resolution to provide Grijalva that power is broad in scope and allows him to subpoena records and testimony he determines “necessary” from the departments of Interior, Commerce and Agriculture. It permits subpoenas for two White House agencies: the Council on Environmental Quality and the Office of Management and Budget.
The panel will also vote Wednesday on a series of six bills in addition to the subpoena resolution.
With a modest majority, Democrats on the committee can afford to lose two defectors as long as all other committee members show up and vote to approve the subpoenas. Attendance has been a problem for the panel this Congress. Republicans adjourned a hearing in February 2019 when only two Democrats showed.
The subpoena vote queues up a clash between the committee chairman and the Interior Department, who have been sliding toward confrontation since the Democrats assumed the majority in January last year.


rollcall--2020-02-12--Colorado’s Michael Bennet ends his presidential bid

After New Hampshire voters went to the polls , Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet ended his bid for the Democratic nomination @ @ @ @ @ leaving three senators in the race .
`` I wish all those candidates well that @ @ @ @ @ , '' Bennet said at an event with supporters as he announced he was ending @ @ @ @ @ think it 's fitting for us to end the campaign tonight . ''
`` I @ @ @ @ @ our generation passes this democracy intact , at least , if not in better shape @ @ @ @ @ `` Our democracy is at risk . ''
Bennet launched his presidential bid in May @ @ @ @ @ had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and undergoing surgery .
He became the 21st Democrat @ @ @ @ @ As a moderate , policy-minded senator , he lacked the national profile to break through @ @ @ @ @ .
He struggled to raise money and qualify for the most recent debates .
By @ @ @ @ @ was less than 1 point , according to RealClearPolitics .

After New Hampshire voters went to the polls, Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet ended his bid for the Democratic nomination for president Tuesday evening, leaving three senators in the race.
"I wish all those candidates well that are going beyond New Hampshire," Bennet said at an event with supporters as he announced he was ending his campaign. "I think it's fitting for us to end the campaign tonight."
"I want to make sure that our generation passes this democracy intact, at least, if not in better shape," he said. "Our democracy is at risk."
Bennet launched his presidential bid in May, shortly after announcing he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and undergoing surgery. He became the 21st Democrat to seek the nomination.
As a moderate, policy-minded senator, he lacked the national profile to break through in a crowded Democratic field. He struggled to raise money and qualify for the most recent debates. By mid-December, his polling average was less than 1 point, according to RealClearPolitics.


rollcall--2020-02-12--‘We just don’t know’ if coronavirus came from a Chinese lab, national security adviser says

Pushed to respond to speculation from a Republican senator , a top White House official said they do not know whether the coronavirus from China could have originated in a laboratory there .
Asked during an Atlantic Council event about comments by Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton on the possibility that the virus started in a Chinese government lab , national security adviser Robert O'Brien said Tuesday that he had no information about any such theories .
`` I 've seen those reports , and Twitter and the internet are alive with them .
I do n't have any information on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so we just do n't know , '' O'Brien said .
`` I ca n't comment on that . ''
`` Sen. Cotton is a — so I say this about all senators — very smart , handsome , intelligent senator , '' O'Brien said .
`` He 's been watching this very closely . ''
`` He 's a smart guy when he comes to these issues , and he 's a leader when it comes to national defense and national security issues , '' O'Brien said of Cotton , who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Services committees .

Pushed to respond to speculation from a Republican senator, a top White House official said they do not know whether the coronavirus from China could have originated in a laboratory there.
Asked during an Atlantic Council event about comments by Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton on the possibility that the virus started in a Chinese government lab, national security adviser Robert O'Brien said Tuesday that he had no information about any such theories.
"I've seen those reports, and Twitter and the internet are alive with them. I don't have any information on that one way or the other, so we just don't know," O'Brien said. "I can't comment on that."
"Sen. Cotton is a — so I say this about all senators — very smart, handsome, intelligent senator," O'Brien said. "He's been watching this very closely."
"He's a smart guy when he comes to these issues, and he's a leader when it comes to national defense and national security issues," O'Brien said of Cotton, who is a member of the Intelligence and Armed Services committees.


rollcall--2020-02-13--Democrats in Congress brace for long primary fight

After divided presidential results in Iowa and New Hampshire , Democrats in Congress said Wednesday they were bracing for a @ @ @ @ @ some worried could hurt voter enthusiasm in November .
Former Vice President Joe Biden , @ @ @ @ @ endorsements by far , has not fared well in the early-voting states so far , @ @ @ @ @ Bernie Sanders as the party ’ s November standard-bearer has alarmed a few vulnerable lawmakers @ @ @ @ @ not unanimous .
“ Let ’ s not get too far ahead of ourselves , @ @ @ @ @ Coons , who has endorsed Biden .
“ There ’ s been one caucus and @ @ @ @

One Democratic strategist on Wednesday summed up the Democrats’ views this way: “Everybody’s kind of wary … but it’s not a full-blown panic.”
Long fight ahead
Even before Sanders won the New Hampshire primary Tuesday, as expected, and came in a close second in the Iowa delegate tally to Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, there were Democrats saying that nominating the senator from Vermont could threaten their House majority. They feared having the self-proclaimed democratic socialist at the top of the ticket could complicate efforts to win over the independents and moderate Republicans they need to win reelection.
“If it becomes a race between socialism and capitalism, yes, absolutely,” the majority is in danger, Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips said. Phillips has endorsed his home-state senator, Amy Klobuchar, who finished third in New Hampshire.
Republicans were eager to tie vulnerable Democrats to Sanders. On Wednesday, the Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC aligned with House GOP leadership, highlighted a report from The Hill in which Reps. Elaine Luria of Virginia and Haley Stevens of Michigan said they would support the eventual nominee, Sanders included.
“Elaine Luria was never a moderate and her decision to pledge her support to a socialist for President should make that as clear as day,” CLF spokesman Calvin Moore said in a statement.


rollcall--2020-02-12--Political interference? Republicans say there’s a judge for that

Senate Republicans left it to a federal judge Wednesday to sweep away questions of improper political influence by the White House in the criminal case against Roger Stone — even as President Donald Trump tried to cast doubt on fairness ahead of his longtime adviser ’ s sentencing .
Trump used his Twitter megaphone to highlight U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson and her previous actions in other cases , part of a remarkable series of presidential tweets related to Stone ’ s case .
First , Trump tweeted that a sentencing recommendation of seven to nine years in prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Department then took the rare step of intervening to rescind that sentencing recommendation .
Four career prosecutors resigned from the case in protest .
Trump then tweeted congratulations to Attorney General William Barr for “ taking charge ” of the case .
Jackson , a Bill Clinton appointee , still has ultimate say over Stone ’ s sentence and does not have to follow the Justice Department ’ s recommendations at a Feb. 20 sentencing hearing .
She is no stranger to high-profile political cases and is expected to have tough questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ played into the rescinded recommendation .

Corrected 9:06 p.m. | Senate Republicans left it to a federal judge Wednesday to sweep away questions of improper political influence by the White House in the criminal case against Roger Stone — even as President Donald Trump tried to cast doubt on fairness ahead of his longtime adviser’s sentencing.
Trump used his Twitter megaphone to highlight U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson and her previous actions in other cases, part of a remarkable series of presidential tweets related to Stone’s case.
First, Trump tweeted that a sentencing recommendation of seven to nine years in prison for Stone was “unfair.” The Justice Department then took the rare step of intervening to rescind that sentencing recommendation. Four career prosecutors resigned from the case in protest. Trump then tweeted congratulations to Attorney General William Barr for “taking charge” of the case.
Jackson, a Barack Obama appointee, still has ultimate say over Stone’s sentence and does not have to follow the Justice Department’s recommendations at a Feb. 20 sentencing hearing. She is no stranger to high-profile political cases and is expected to have tough questions for prosecutors about whether or how politics played into the rescinded recommendation.
Downplaying the influence
Key Republican senators are banking on Jackson countering any White House political influence on her or the Justice Department when it comes to Stone’s case.


rollcall--2020-02-12--Democrats blast Puerto Rico aid hold at budget hearing

The White House 's top budget official took flak from House Democrats for withholding previously appropriated funds , including emergency aid to Puerto Rico , during a hearing on President Donald Trump ’ s fiscal 2021 budget proposal Wednesday .
Democrats on the House Budget Committee accused the Office of Management and Budget of preventing the Department of Housing and Urban Development from even asking for the Puerto Rico money , which lawmakers appropriated in 2018 for HUD 's Community Development Block Grant program .
“ HUD has provided testimony saying that OMB has purported to curtail their ability even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available to HUD , ” House Transportation-HUD Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman David E. Price told Russell Vought , the budget office 's acting chief .
“ Is this true ?
” Price , a North Carolina Democrat , added that OMB “ has no authority in law or anywhere else to control what an agency requests.
” The $ 20 billion appropriation was in four parts : an initial $ 1.5 billion ; a second round of $ 8.2 billion for longer-term recovery needs , such as infrastructure and housing ; another $ 8.3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to mitigate future disasters ; and $ 1.9 billion to help rebuild the island 's electrical grid .
Last month , the administration announced the $ 16.5 billion in recovery and mitigation funds would soon be made available , but there has n't yet been an update on the grid upgrade funding .

The White House's top budget official took flak from House Democrats for withholding previously appropriated funds, including emergency aid to Puerto Rico, during a hearing on President Donald Trump’s fiscal 2021 budget proposal Wednesday.
Democrats on the House Budget Committee accused the Office of Management and Budget of preventing the Department of Housing and Urban Development from even asking for the Puerto Rico money, which lawmakers appropriated in 2018 for HUD's Community Development Block Grant program.
[Puerto Rico aid package passes House over GOP objections]
“HUD has provided testimony saying that OMB has purported to curtail their ability even to request this funding to be made available to HUD,” House Transportation-HUD Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman David E. Price told Russell Vought, the budget office's acting chief. “Is this true?” Price, a North Carolina Democrat, added that OMB “has no authority in law or anywhere else to control what an agency requests.”
The $20 billion appropriation was in four parts: an initial $1.5 billion; a second round of $8.2 billion for longer-term recovery needs, such as infrastructure and housing; another $8.3 billion to help island officials take steps to mitigate future disasters; and $1.9 billion to help rebuild the island's electrical grid. Last month, the administration announced the $16.5 billion in recovery and mitigation funds would soon be made available, but there hasn't yet been an update on the grid upgrade funding.


rollcall--2020-02-12--Mnuchin defends Treasury tax law implementation

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin found himself parrying allegations that his department ’ s regulations carrying out the 2017 tax code overhaul added more than $ 100 billion in corporate tax benefits Wednesday at his first Capitol Hill appearance defending President Donald Trump 's new budget request .
Mnuchin also took fire from Senate Finance Committee Democrats who said he favored a Republican request for documents related to Vice President Joe Biden 's son Hunter — a central figure in the impeachment drama that wrapped up last week — while “ stonewalling ” their demands for Trump 's tax returns .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Mnuchin told panel members at the outset of the hearing on Trump 's $ 4.8 trillion fiscal 2021 budget request .
“ Tax cuts , regulatory reform and better trade deals are improving the lives of hardworking Americans , ” he said , repeating a frequent Trump plaudit about the current near-record levels of unemployment for minorities , veterans , women and the entire working-age population .
Democrats , though , concentrated more on impacts of the 2017 tax law and other issues not directly related to the budget request .

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin found himself parrying allegations that his department’s regulations carrying out the 2017 tax code overhaul added more than $100 billion in corporate tax benefits Wednesday at his first Capitol Hill appearance defending President Donald Trump's new budget request.
Mnuchin also took fire from Senate Finance Committee Democrats who said he favored a Republican request for documents related to Vice President Joe Biden's son Hunter — a central figure in the impeachment drama that wrapped up last week — while “stonewalling” their demands for Trump's tax returns.
Trump’s “agenda is working,” Mnuchin told panel members at the outset of the hearing on Trump's $4.8 trillion fiscal 2021 budget request.
“Tax cuts, regulatory reform and better trade deals are improving the lives of hardworking Americans,” he said, repeating a frequent Trump plaudit about the current near-record levels of unemployment for minorities, veterans, women and the entire working-age population.
Democrats, though, concentrated more on impacts of the 2017 tax law and other issues not directly related to the budget request.


rollcall--2020-02-12--Greenhouse slash: Trump would gut climate, clean-power research

In his State of the Union address last week , President Donald Trump spent one paragraph on the environment and many more touting “ energy independence ” through oil and natural gas exports .
Then Monday , the White House mirrored the president ’ s remarks in its budget , proposing deep cuts to federal agencies and programs that promote renewable energy , invest in low-carbon transport and study climate change and its ramifications while simultaneously boosting technology for energy sources that are warming the planet , namely natural gas and coal .
While the Trump administration has sought sharp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ budget since 2017 , this proposal , which does not include the phrase “ climate change , ” coming on the heels of the president ’ s impeachment acquittal in the Senate , may be its most aggressive slashing of renewable energy research , climate science and disaster preparedness yet .
It would not only zero out funding for the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy , a clean-tech incubator at the Energy Department , but it would also try to rescind $ 311 million in already-appropriated money .
The budget would also lop the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DOE by 75 percent , down to $ 720 million from enacted spending levels of $ 2.85 billion .

In his State of the Union address last week, President Donald Trump spent one paragraph on the environment and many more touting “energy independence” through oil and natural gas exports.
Then Monday, the White House mirrored the president’s remarks in its budget, proposing deep cuts to federal agencies and programs that promote renewable energy, invest in low-carbon transport and study climate change and its ramifications while simultaneously boosting technology for energy sources that are warming the planet, namely natural gas and coal.
While the Trump administration has sought sharp cuts on climate program funding in every budget since 2017, this proposal, which does not include the phrase “climate change,” coming on the heels of the president’s impeachment acquittal in the Senate, may be its most aggressive slashing of renewable energy research, climate science and disaster preparedness yet.
[Trump administration proposal would ease environmental impact reviews for federal projects]
It would not only zero out funding for the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, a clean-tech incubator at the Energy Department, but it would also try to rescind $311 million in already-appropriated money. The budget would also lop the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy unit within DOE by 75 percent, down to $720 million from enacted spending levels of $2.85 billion.