cnbc--2020-01-15--OpEd: Why Democrats may not need an exciting candidate to drive voter turnout in 2020

As the Democrats battle for the 2020 nomination , a recurrent theme has cropped up : Who can excite the base and drive turnout in November .
President Donald Trump seems to be betting his race entirely on this base turnout strategy .
Since voters are now seen as historically inelastic , this logic seems inescapable — driving up your own turnout is easier than convincing anyone to switch sides .
But choosing a candidate based on excitement may be a poor strategy for Democrats .
The history of presidential elections suggests that candidates may have a limited role in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most charismatic candidates in US history with one of the least .
Republican Theodore Roosevelt was pure excitement , while his Republican successor , William Howard Taft , was the polar opposite .
And yet , turnout was higher for Taft 's 1908 election than Roosevelt in 1904 , and Taft and Roosevelt had almost the exact same total vote in their respective elections .
The Democratic candidates in those elections may have made a difference – the exciting William Jennings Bryan could have helped drive up turnout in 1908 while the Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not .
But neither Democrat was successful .
It may not have been the politicians at all , but simply that 1908 , after a serious recession , Americans may have felt more urgency about heading to the voting booth .
Looking forward one election , we see another drop in turnout .
One of the most exciting races in US history happened in 1912 when four notable candidates faced off in November .
Taft ran as a Republican , Roosevelt as a Progressive ( Bull Moose ) , and the popular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with prominent Socialist Eugene Debs .
Even so , this election drew an even lower voter turnout percentage than either of the previous two races .
What explains this result ?
Perhaps the fact that Wilson was seen as a shoe-in , which may have kept people home .
History shows turnout ebbs and flows and the reasons are not clear .
Charisma , or at least our post-facto view , may have less impact than imagined .
For example , Ronald Reagan , arguably the last president to win a real blowout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jimmy Carter/Gerald Ford race had a higher turnout ratio than either of Reagan 's victories .
Bill Clinton 's triumph in 1992 also was higher .
Reagan received a bounty of votes , but it may have been swing voters from those famous Reagan Democrats .
Even when turnout rises , it frequently drops in the next election .
The elections for Eisenhower , Clinton and Obama saw spikes , but in their reelections turnout dropped back .
In their reelections , Eisenhower and Clinton saw increases in their vote , but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Most notably in 1996 , a large chunk of Ross Perot 's 1992 voters switched to the incumbent Democrat .
Obama actually ended up losing three and a half million votes between 2008 and 2012 .
What may drive up turnout is the perception that the vote will count because the race will be close .
That certainly could explain 1976 , the Kennedy-Nixon 1960 election , Bush-Kerry in 2004 and 1916 between Wilson and Charles Evans Hughes , all of which saw a turnout bump .
But in other cases , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close battle .
The 2000 Bush-Gore race saw lower turnout than in 1992 or 2004 .
Similarly , the close races in 1948 , 1968 and 2016 saw either a drop in turnout or virtually the same level of participation .
Economic factors may play a large role .
The last two recessions were in 1992 and 2008 , and we saw a turnout increase .
Yet the first election to take place in the depths of the Great Depression in 1932 , saw a significant downturn , albeit one that was reversed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be another driver .
Turnout went up in 1916 , 1952 , 1940 and 2004 when wars were top of mind .
However , the 1968 election at the height of the Vietnam War saw a slight drop in voter turnout .
It 's too early to tell whether the economy or war will be a factor in 2020 , but a close race should drive turnout .
Because of the polarizing nature of the Trump presidency and the closeness of the 2016 election , the turnout may end up quite high .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ may ensure that voters from both parties will come out no matter who the Democrats select .
The continued success of Joe Biden in the polls may show that the average Democratic voter has accepted this view , even if the more excitable commentators have n't .
In polls , Biden seems to be the candidate who actually takes slightly more swing votes from Trump – Trump 's numbers go down more against Biden than other candidates .
For the Democrats , the bumpy history of voter turnout in presidential races shows that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the difference .
Commentary by Joshua Spivak , a senior fellow at the Hugh L. Carey Institute for Government Reform at Wagner College in New York .
He blogs at The Recall Elections Blog .
Follow him on Twitter @ recallelections .
For more insight from CNBC contributors , follow @ CNBCopinion on Twitter .

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) (R) participate in the Democratic presidential primary debate at Drake University on January 14, 2020 in Des Moines, Iowa. Scott Olson | Getty Images
As the Democrats battle for the 2020 nomination, a recurrent theme has cropped up: Who can excite the base and drive turnout in November. President Donald Trump seems to be betting his race entirely on this base turnout strategy. Since voters are now seen as historically inelastic, this logic seems inescapable — driving up your own turnout is easier than convincing anyone to switch sides. But choosing a candidate based on excitement may be a poor strategy for Democrats. The history of presidential elections suggests that candidates may have a limited role in pushing turnout. Compare one of the most charismatic candidates in US history with one of the least. Republican Theodore Roosevelt was pure excitement, while his Republican successor, William Howard Taft, was the polar opposite. And yet, turnout was higher for Taft's 1908 election than Roosevelt in 1904, and Taft and Roosevelt had almost the exact same total vote in their respective elections. The Democratic candidates in those elections may have made a difference – the exciting William Jennings Bryan could have helped drive up turnout in 1908 while the Democrats nondescript 1904 nominee, Alton B. Parker did not. But neither Democrat was successful. It may not have been the politicians at all, but simply that 1908, after a serious recession, Americans may have felt more urgency about heading to the voting booth. Looking forward one election, we see another drop in turnout. One of the most exciting races in US history happened in 1912 when four notable candidates faced off in November. Taft ran as a Republican, Roosevelt as a Progressive (Bull Moose), and the popular Woodrow Wilson as a Democrat, along with prominent Socialist Eugene Debs.
Trump's behavior in office and impeachment may ensure that voters from both parties will come out no matter who the Democrats select.
Even so, this election drew an even lower voter turnout percentage than either of the previous two races. What explains this result? Perhaps the fact that Wilson was seen as a shoe-in, which may have kept people home. History shows turnout ebbs and flows and the reasons are not clear. Charisma, or at least our post-facto view, may have less impact than imagined. For example, Ronald Reagan, arguably the last president to win a real blowout, had unimpressive turnouts. The 1976 Jimmy Carter/Gerald Ford race had a higher turnout ratio than either of Reagan's victories. Bill Clinton's triumph in 1992 also was higher. Reagan received a bounty of votes, but it may have been swing voters from those famous Reagan Democrats. Even when turnout rises, it frequently drops in the next election. The elections for Eisenhower, Clinton and Obama saw spikes, but in their reelections turnout dropped back. In their reelections, Eisenhower and Clinton saw increases in their vote, but it may have simply been party switchers. Most notably in 1996, a large chunk of Ross Perot's 1992 voters switched to the incumbent Democrat. Obama actually ended up losing three and a half million votes between 2008 and 2012. What may drive up turnout is the perception that the vote will count because the race will be close. That certainly could explain 1976, the Kennedy-Nixon 1960 election, Bush-Kerry in 2004 and 1916 between Wilson and Charles Evans Hughes, all of which saw a turnout bump. But in other cases, we've seen voter turnout drop despite a close battle. The 2000 Bush-Gore race saw lower turnout than in 1992 or 2004. Similarly, the close races in 1948, 1968 and 2016 saw either a drop in turnout or virtually the same level of participation.
A close race


cnbc--2020-01-15--'Danger tomorrow': Iran's Rouhani makes veiled threat to US and EU troops in Middle East

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates — In an angry speech on state television , Iranian President Hassan Rouhani lashed out at the U.S. and Europe for its presence in the Middle East and for what he described as the latter 's failures in upholding the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal .
U.S. troops are `` insecure '' in the region today , and EU troops `` might be in danger tomorrow , '' Rouhani declared , according to a Reuters translation , marking the first time the leader has directed a threat toward European forces in the region .
He demanded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making the region insecure , saying it should `` apologize to Tehran '' for its `` previous crimes . ''
The U.S. has significantly increased its troops presence in the Gulf in the past year as shipping and oil facilities have come under fire from attacks blamed on Iran , which Tehran denies .
The U.K. has about 400 forces in Iraq , spread around Irbil , Baghdad and Taji , all locations that have been targeted by Iraqi Shiite militias backed by Iran 's Quds Force , the external operations wing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces are also stationed in the Gulf Cooperation Council ( GCC ) countries , and France and Britain have small numbers of special forces in Syria .
A number of EU countries have personnel in Operation Inherent Resolve , the anti-IS coalition , stationed in Iraq .
Former Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani was killed in a U.S. drone strike on Jan. 3 , the most dramatic escalation between Washington and Tehran in a series of tit-for-tat attacks .
Western forces and embassies in the region have been on high alert since then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to slam the EU 's `` failure to keep its promises '' under the nuclear deal , the multilateral agreement signed in 2015 designed to limit Iran 's nuclear program while lifting economic sanctions .
`` The EU should fulfill its commitments under the nuclear deal , '' Rouhani said , adding that the EU has failed to act as an independent bloc and should apologize to Iran for its failures to keep its promises .
The U.S. should return to the deal , he said .
France , the U.K. and Germany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the triggering of the nuclear deal 's dispute mechanism to protest and `` discuss '' Iran 's recent decision to fully cut compliance .
Iran dismissed the European measure as ineffective , criticizing the countries for failing to compensate for all the trade it had lost due to U.S. sanctions .
The U.S. left the deal under President Donald Trump in May of 2018 and subsequently imposed heavy sanctions on Iran that have slashed its oil exports and crippled its economy .
After successive rollbacks in adherence to the deal 's parameters over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanctions , Iran announced on Jan. 5 that it was fully suspending all compliance and would no longer abide by limits on uranium enrichment levels , stockpiling , or number of centrifuges in operation .
Tehran maintains however that it would still work with the UN 's nuclear inspectors , and that the moves are reversible if sanctions are lifted .
Rouhani also ridiculed U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson 's suggestion Tuesday that Trump should offer a new nuclear deal , calling it `` strange '' as `` the U.S. president has always @ @ @ @

Hassan Rouhani, Iran's president, looks on during a news conference in Tehran, Iran, on February 6, 2018. Ali Mohammadi | Bloomberg | Getty Images
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — In an angry speech on state television, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani lashed out at the U.S. and Europe for its presence in the Middle East and for what he described as the latter's failures in upholding the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal. U.S. troops are "insecure" in the region today, and EU troops "might be in danger tomorrow," Rouhani declared, according to a Reuters translation, marking the first time the leader has directed a threat toward European forces in the region. He demanded the U.S. leave and accused it of making the region insecure, saying it should "apologize to Tehran" for its "previous crimes." The U.S. has significantly increased its troops presence in the Gulf in the past year as shipping and oil facilities have come under fire from attacks blamed on Iran, which Tehran denies. The U.K. has about 400 forces in Iraq, spread around Irbil, Baghdad and Taji, all locations that have been targeted by Iraqi Shiite militias backed by Iran's Quds Force, the external operations wing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. EU forces are also stationed in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and France and Britain have small numbers of special forces in Syria. A number of EU countries have personnel in Operation Inherent Resolve, the anti-IS coalition, stationed in Iraq. Former Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani was killed in a U.S. drone strike on Jan. 3, the most dramatic escalation between Washington and Tehran in a series of tit-for-tat attacks. Western forces and embassies in the region have been on high alert since then.
watch now
Rouhani also used the Wednesday speech to slam the EU's "failure to keep its promises" under the nuclear deal, the multilateral agreement signed in 2015 designed to limit Iran's nuclear program while lifting economic sanctions. "The EU should fulfill its commitments under the nuclear deal," Rouhani said, adding that the EU has failed to act as an independent bloc and should apologize to Iran for its failures to keep its promises. The U.S. should return to the deal, he said. France, the U.K. and Germany in a joint statement on Tuesday announced the triggering of the nuclear deal's dispute mechanism to protest and "discuss" Iran's recent decision to fully cut compliance. Iran dismissed the European measure as ineffective, criticizing the countries for failing to compensate for all the trade it had lost due to U.S. sanctions. The U.S. left the deal under President Donald Trump in May of 2018 and subsequently imposed heavy sanctions on Iran that have slashed its oil exports and crippled its economy. After successive rollbacks in adherence to the deal's parameters over the past year in response to the sanctions, Iran announced on Jan. 5 that it was fully suspending all compliance and would no longer abide by limits on uranium enrichment levels, stockpiling, or number of centrifuges in operation. Tehran maintains however that it would still work with the UN's nuclear inspectors, and that the moves are reversible if sanctions are lifted. Rouhani also ridiculed U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson's suggestion Tuesday that Trump should offer a new nuclear deal, calling it "strange" as "the U.S. president has always broken promises."
watch now


cnbc--2020-01-15--Mnuchin says more tariffs will be rolled back in phase two of trade deal

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told CNBC on Wednesday that a future `` phase two '' trade deal with Beijing would ease U.S. tariffs on goods purchased from China even if the next agreements are segmented into multiple rounds .
`` Just as in this deal there were certain rollbacks , in phase two there will be additional rollbacks , '' he told CNBC .
`` It 's really just a question of — and we 've said before — phase two may be 2A , 2B , 2C .
We 'll see . ''
`` The first step is really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China a big incentive to get back to the table and agree to the additional issues that are still unresolved , '' he added .
Mnuchin joined CNBC hours before top American and Chinese negotiators planned to sign the phase one deal that is expected to include an agreement by China to purchase some $ 200 billion of U.S. goods over two years .
But the deal is also expected to lower structural barriers for American companies hoping to do business in China .
Specifically , the pact is said to address concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they are routinely pressured , if not outright forced , to share key technologies in exchange for market access .
Though Beijing denies it forces foreign companies to surrender proprietary technologies , American companies say they 're often compelled to share business secrets through backdoor tactics like joint ventures .
Such practices , combined with Beijing 's policy of subsidizing domestic business , can build competitive rivals to American companies seemingly overnight .
One of the thorniest issues between the U.S. and China over the last two years , accusations of forced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be remedied in the first phase deal , Mnuchin said .
`` It 's not a question of admission , it a question of what they 're going to do , '' the Treasury secretary said .
`` And China has agreed to put together very significant laws to change rules and regulations and have made very strong commitments to our companies that there will not be forced technology going forward . ''
Other areas of concern expected to be tackled in the deal include the misuse of pharmaceutical-related intellectual property and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ markets .
Those qualms helped drive President Donald Trump to start a tit-for-tat trade war with China nearly two years ago , when he first announced tariffs on imported steel and aluminum .
`` I think [ it 's ] a very big win for our technology companies , for our businesses and for American workers , '' Munchin added .
Further , should Beijing fail to abide by the phase one stipulations , Mnuchin said Trump can always reimpose or hike tariffs on Chinese imports .
The feud between the globe 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side slapping levies on billions of dollars ' worth of imports and forced major American corporations to shift supply chains throughout Asia .
U.S. farmers , in particular , have taken a heavy hit after China began buying soybeans and other agricultural commodities from Brazil and other South American countries .

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told CNBC on Wednesday that a future "phase two" trade deal with Beijing would ease U.S. tariffs on goods purchased from China even if the next agreements are segmented into multiple rounds.
"Just as in this deal there were certain rollbacks, in phase two there will be additional rollbacks," he told CNBC. "It's really just a question of — and we've said before — phase two may be 2A, 2B, 2C. We'll see."
"The first step is really focusing on enforcement, but this gives China a big incentive to get back to the table and agree to the additional issues that are still unresolved," he added.
Mnuchin joined CNBC hours before top American and Chinese negotiators planned to sign the phase one deal that is expected to include an agreement by China to purchase some $200 billion of U.S. goods over two years.
But the deal is also expected to lower structural barriers for American companies hoping to do business in China. Specifically, the pact is said to address concerns of U.S. executives who have long complained that they are routinely pressured, if not outright forced, to share key technologies in exchange for market access.
Though Beijing denies it forces foreign companies to surrender proprietary technologies, American companies say they're often compelled to share business secrets through backdoor tactics like joint ventures. Such practices, combined with Beijing's policy of subsidizing domestic business, can build competitive rivals to American companies seemingly overnight.
One of the thorniest issues between the U.S. and China over the last two years, accusations of forced technology transfers and intellectual property theft, should be remedied in the first phase deal, Mnuchin said.
"It's not a question of admission, it a question of what they're going to do," the Treasury secretary said. "And China has agreed to put together very significant laws to change rules and regulations and have made very strong commitments to our companies that there will not be forced technology going forward."
Other areas of concern expected to be tackled in the deal include the misuse of pharmaceutical-related intellectual property and access for U.S. financial companies to Chinese markets. Those qualms helped drive President Donald Trump to start a tit-for-tat trade war with China nearly two years ago, when he first announced tariffs on imported steel and aluminum.
"I think [it's] a very big win for our technology companies, for our businesses and for American workers," Munchin added. Further, should Beijing fail to abide by the phase one stipulations, Mnuchin said Trump can always reimpose or hike tariffs on Chinese imports.
The feud between the globe's two largest economies has resulted in each side slapping levies on billions of dollars' worth of imports and forced major American corporations to shift supply chains throughout Asia.
U.S. farmers, in particular, have taken a heavy hit after China began buying soybeans and other agricultural commodities from Brazil and other South American countries.
— CNBC's Eunice Yoon contributed reporting.


cnbc--2020-01-15--Michael Avenatti arrested by feds for bond violation, a week before indicted lawyer, Trump foe faces

Michael Avenatti arrested by feds for bond violation, a week before indicted lawyer, Trump foe faces Nike extortion trial

Michael Avenatti , the controversial lawyer facing criminal charges in three separate serious federal cases , was dramatically arrested by federal agents in California on Tuesday for allegedly violating the terms of his bail release in one of those cases .
Avenatti , who is accused of swindling clients including porn star Stormy Daniels out of millions of dollars , was taken into custody during in a disciplinary hearing of the State Bar Court of California in Los Angeles , where he had been testifying .
The California Bar at that proceeding was seeking to place Avenatti on `` involuntary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claim of scamming a client out of more than $ 800,000 .
A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney 's Office in Los Angeles , Ciaran McEvoy , told CNBC that Avenatti was arrested by IRS agents from that agency 's criminal investigation division .
The IRS is the lead investigative agency in the prosecution in California of Avenatti .
McEvoy was unable to detail how Avenatti allegedly violated his bail conditions .
The spokesman noted that the arrest warrant for Avenatti , which would lay out those allegations , was sealed by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Under the terms of Avenatti 's bail , his travel normally had been restricted to and from certain areas of California , New York state and Florida .
Domestic travel to other locations was allowed with at least two business days ' notice to federal Pretrial Services , with international travel needing prior court approval , according to a ruling by a judge last June .
Avenatti had been free on a personal recognizance bond of $ 300,000 , which did not require him to post any money or assets to secure .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an email to CNBC , said that his client `` is being held without bail , pending '' a hearing Wednesday morning , at 2 p.m. Eastern Time , before Judge James Selna in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana , California .
The bombastic litigator is due to go on trial next week in federal court in New York City in another case in which he is accused of trying to extort more than $ 20 million from athletic apparel giant Nike by threatening to expose alleged evidence of bribing amateur basketball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paid up .
Prosecutors in the New York case informed the trial judge of Avenatti 's arrest in a letter Tuesday night .
`` Completely innocent , '' Avenatti said outside the Bar Court after his arrest , according to The Daily Beast , which had a reporter at the bar hearing .
Avenatti has pleaded not guilty to all criminal charges against him , which were lodged last spring , more than a year after he became a leading critic of President Donald Trump in connection with his representation of Daniels , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Trump more than a decade ago .
Hours before his arrest Tuesday , Avenatti was on a telephone conference call with his lawyers , prosecutors and reporters as a judge in Manhattan federal court heard arguments to postpone that trial for the alleged Nike extortion bid by a month to give his defense team more time to digest thousands of pages of documents recently turned over by prosecutors .
The judge declined to delay the trial .
He separately is charged in the same Manhattan courthouse with scamming Daniels out of $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal .
A trial in that case is set to begin April 21 .

Michael Avenatti, the controversial lawyer facing criminal charges in three separate serious federal cases, was dramatically arrested by federal agents in California on Tuesday for allegedly violating the terms of his bail release in one of those cases.
Avenatti, who is accused of swindling clients including porn star Stormy Daniels out of millions of dollars, was taken into custody during in a disciplinary hearing of the State Bar Court of California in Los Angeles, where he had been testifying.
The California Bar at that proceeding was seeking to place Avenatti on "involuntary active status" in response to a claim of scamming a client out of more than $800,000.
A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles, Ciaran McEvoy, told CNBC that Avenatti was arrested by IRS agents from that agency's criminal investigation division. The IRS is the lead investigative agency in the prosecution in California of Avenatti.
McEvoy was unable to detail how Avenatti allegedly violated his bail conditions. The spokesman noted that the arrest warrant for Avenatti, which would lay out those allegations, was sealed by the judge who signed it earlier Tuesday.
Under the terms of Avenatti's bail, his travel normally had been restricted to and from certain areas of California, New York state and Florida. Domestic travel to other locations was allowed with at least two business days' notice to federal Pretrial Services, with international travel needing prior court approval, according to a ruling by a judge last June.
Avenatti had been free on a personal recognizance bond of $300,000, which did not require him to post any money or assets to secure.
Avenatti's attorney Dean Steward, in an email to CNBC, said that his client "is being held without bail, pending" a hearing Wednesday morning, at 2 p.m. Eastern Time, before Judge James Selna in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana, California.
The bombastic litigator is due to go on trial next week in federal court in New York City in another case in which he is accused of trying to extort more than $20 million from athletic apparel giant Nike by threatening to expose alleged evidence of bribing amateur basketball players and their families unless the company paid up.
Prosecutors in the New York case informed the trial judge of Avenatti's arrest in a letter Tuesday night.
"Completely innocent," Avenatti said outside the Bar Court after his arrest, according to The Daily Beast, which had a reporter at the bar hearing.
Tweet
Avenatti has pleaded not guilty to all criminal charges against him, which were lodged last spring, more than a year after he became a leading critic of President Donald Trump in connection with his representation of Daniels, who claims to have had sexual tryst with Trump more than a decade ago.
Hours before his arrest Tuesday, Avenatti was on a telephone conference call with his lawyers, prosecutors and reporters as a judge in Manhattan federal court heard arguments to postpone that trial for the alleged Nike extortion bid by a month to give his defense team more time to digest thousands of pages of documents recently turned over by prosecutors. The judge declined to delay the trial.
He separately is charged in the same Manhattan courthouse with scamming Daniels out of $300,000 in proceeds from of a book deal. A trial in that case is set to begin April 21.


cnbc--2020-01-15--Pelosi is set to send Trump impeachment articles to the Senate on Wednesday

The list is likely to include House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Adam Schiff , D-Calif. , and Rep. Jerrold Nadler , chairman of the House Judiciary Committee .
Schiff led the formal House impeachment inquiry against Trump last year .
Nadler leads the committee that drafted and approved the two articles of impeachment against the president .
House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Hakeem Jeffries said Tuesday that Pelosi would release the names of the managers , who will effectively act as prosecutors in the president 's trial , sometime before Wednesday 's vote .
Wednesday 's House resolution is expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the articles of impeachment to the Senate , name the House members who will serve as managers of the impeachment trial , and fund the trial itself .
WASHINGTON — The House will vote Wednesday to send two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the Senate , Speaker Nancy Pelosi said .
Wednesday 's vote will trigger a series of carefully choreographed procedural steps between the House and Senate , culminating in a walk across the Capitol by the House impeachment managers , who will be carrying the actual articles of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will then physically deliver the articles to Secretary of the Senate Julie Adams , a career public servant and former member of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell 's staff .
The actual delivery of the articles is likely to occur Wednesday afternoon , although House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said Wednesday that the ceremonial walk could potentially be pushed back to Thursday morning .
The handover will mark the end of a nearly month-long delay in transmitting the documents , which Pelosi orchestrated in an attempt to force concessions out of McConnell , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ability to call witnesses , which Democrats have long demanded as part of any trial they would consider to be a `` fair '' one .
But McConnell has said the question of witnesses should be shelved until partway into the trial itself , as was the case in the 1998 impeachment of President Bill Clinton .
Absent a last-minute change of heart by McConnell , Wednesday 's vote will represent a political defeat for Pelosi .
The House voted on Dec.18 to impeach Trump on two articles stemming from his monthslong campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden and other domestic political opponents .
The pressure tactics allegedly included withholding congressionally approved military aid to Ukraine in its fight against Russia .
Trump was impeached on charges that he abused the power of the presidency and obstructed Congress by prohibiting top administration officials from testifying about the Ukraine scheme .

The list is likely to include House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and Rep. Jerrold Nadler, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. Schiff led the formal House impeachment inquiry against Trump last year. Nadler leads the committee that drafted and approved the two articles of impeachment against the president.
House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Hakeem Jeffries said Tuesday that Pelosi would release the names of the managers, who will effectively act as prosecutors in the president's trial, sometime before Wednesday's vote.
Wednesday's House resolution is expected to have three functions: To transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate, name the House members who will serve as managers of the impeachment trial, and fund the trial itself.
WASHINGTON — The House will vote Wednesday to send two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the Senate, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.
Wednesday's vote will trigger a series of carefully choreographed procedural steps between the House and Senate, culminating in a walk across the Capitol by the House impeachment managers, who will be carrying the actual articles of impeachment in their hands.
The managers will then physically deliver the articles to Secretary of the Senate Julie Adams, a career public servant and former member of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's staff.
The actual delivery of the articles is likely to occur Wednesday afternoon, although House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said Wednesday that the ceremonial walk could potentially be pushed back to Thursday morning.
The handover will mark the end of a nearly month-long delay in transmitting the documents, which Pelosi orchestrated in an attempt to force concessions out of McConnell, R-Ky.
Chief among them has been the ability to call witnesses, which Democrats have long demanded as part of any trial they would consider to be a "fair" one.
But McConnell has said the question of witnesses should be shelved until partway into the trial itself, as was the case in the 1998 impeachment of President Bill Clinton.
Absent a last-minute change of heart by McConnell, Wednesday's vote will represent a political defeat for Pelosi.
The House voted on Dec.18 to impeach Trump on two articles stemming from his monthslong campaign to pressure Ukraine into launching investigations into Joe Biden and other domestic political opponents. The pressure tactics allegedly included withholding congressionally approved military aid to Ukraine in its fight against Russia.
Trump was impeached on charges that he abused the power of the presidency and obstructed Congress by prohibiting top administration officials from testifying about the Ukraine scheme.


cnbc--2020-01-16--House delivers Trump impeachment articles to the Senate

Articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump that the House of Representatives passed in December were officially transmitted to the Senate on Wednesday , paving the way for a trial to begin as early as next week .
Before the articles were sent across the U.S. Capitol to the Senate chamber , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , signed a resolution that allowed her to designate the House members who will serve as managers of the impeachment trial .
The resolution also allowed the House to appropriate funds for the trial .
Let it be `` very clear , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` that this president will be held accountable . ''
The resolution passed the House nearly along party lines in a 228-193 vote earlier Wednesday .
No Republicans voted for it .
House Democrats voted Dec. 18 to impeach Trump on the two articles , abuse of power and obstruction of Congress .
Both articles stem from Trump 's efforts to have Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announce investigations into former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter as well as a debunked conspiracy theory about the 2016 election .
Senate Majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he thinks the impeachment trial could begin as soon as Tuesday .
He and other Republicans received the articles in the Senate chamber .
`` I 'm confident that this body can rise above short term-ism and factional fever , and serve the long-term best interests of our nation , '' McConnell said on the Senate floor after the articles were brought over .
Earlier Wednesday , Pelosi named the seven House Democrats who will serve as impeachment managers in the trial in the Senate .
House managers will essentially act as prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the evidence that House investigators have collected and making their case that the senators should vote Trump out of office , while Trump 's team of lawyers defends him .
The 100 senators , in turn , will act as jurors and will vote on the two articles of impeachment .
It is highly unlikely that two-thirds of the GOP-majority Senate will vote to convict a Republican president and remove him from office .
No Senate Republicans have said they will vote to convict .
Trump is just the third U.S. president ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any wrongdoing .

Before the articles were sent across the U.S. Capitol to the Senate chamber, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., signed a resolution that allowed her to designate the House members who will serve as managers of the impeachment trial .
Articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump that the House of Representatives passed in December were officially transmitted to the Senate on Wednesday, paving the way for a trial to begin as early as next week.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is surrounded by the House impeachment managers and committee chairs as she signs the two articles of impeachment of U.S. President Donald Trump before sending them over to the U.S. Senate during an engrossment ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, January 15, 2020.
The resolution also allowed the House to appropriate funds for the trial.
Let it be "very clear," Pelosi said before signing the document, "that this president will be held accountable."
The resolution passed the House nearly along party lines in a 228-193 vote earlier Wednesday. No Republicans voted for it.
House Democrats voted Dec. 18 to impeach Trump on the two articles, abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Both articles stem from Trump's efforts to have Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announce investigations into former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter as well as a debunked conspiracy theory about the 2016 election.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he thinks the impeachment trial could begin as soon as Tuesday.
He and other Republicans received the articles in the Senate chamber.
"I'm confident that this body can rise above short term-ism and factional fever, and serve the long-term best interests of our nation," McConnell said on the Senate floor after the articles were brought over.
Earlier Wednesday, Pelosi named the seven House Democrats who will serve as impeachment managers in the trial in the Senate.


cnbc--2020-01-17--Trump impeachment defense team will include Clinton prosecutor Ken Starr and Jeffrey Epstein lawyer

Trump impeachment defense team will include Clinton prosecutor Ken Starr and Jeffrey Epstein lawyer Alan Dershowitz

The Honourable Kenneth W. Starr , former Independent Counsel ( L ) and U.S .
Solicitor General and Attorney Alan Dershowitz .
President Donald Trump 's impeachment defense team will include Ken Starr , whose investigation led to the impeachment of President Bill Clinton , and Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz , whose clients have included notorious pedophile Jeffrey Epstein and O.J .
Simpson .
Also on the team is ex-Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi , CNBC has learned .
In addition , Robert Ray , succeeded Starr as independent counsel in the Whitewater investigation of Clinton , is expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House Counsel Pat Cipollone and Trump 's personal lawyer Jay Sekulow are heading the defense effort .
The Trump team choices came to light four days before his trial is set to begin in earnest in the Senate .
The Republican president was accused in impeachment articles passed by the House of abusing power and obstructing Congress .
The charges relate to Trump asking Ukraine 's new president to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden — the frontrunner for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination — while withholding congressionally approved military aid to Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rudy Giuliani , the former New York mayor and another personal attorney for Trump .
Giuliani 's push last year to get Ukraine to investigate Biden and his son Hunter Biden were the subject of extensive testimony and evidence in House impeachment proceedings .
`` The president asked me to do this , and the legal team asked me to do this , '' Dershowitz said in an interview with CNBC after his role on the defense team became known .
Dershowitz said he will be making oral arguments in the Senate `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and removal . ''
He also said that although he opposed Clinton 's impeachment and voted for Hillary Clinton against Trump in 2016 , he `` is participating in this impeachment trial to defend the integrity of the Constitution and to prevent the creation of a dangerous constitutional precedent . ''

The Honourable Kenneth W. Starr , former Independent Counsel (L) and U.S. Solicitor General and Attorney Alan Dershowitz.
President Donald Trump's impeachment defense team will include Ken Starr, whose investigation led to the impeachment of President Bill Clinton, and Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz, whose clients have included notorious pedophile Jeffrey Epstein and O.J. Simpson.
Also on the team is ex-Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, CNBC has learned. In addition, Robert Ray, who succeeded Starr as independent counsel in the Whitewater investigation of Clinton, is expected to be on the team. White House Counsel Pat Cipollone and Trump's personal lawyer Jay Sekulow are heading the defense effort.
The Trump team choices came to light four days before his trial is set to begin in earnest in the Senate.
The Republican president was accused in impeachment articles passed by the House of abusing power and obstructing Congress. The charges relate to Trump asking Ukraine's new president to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden — the frontrunner for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination — while withholding congressionally approved military aid to Ukraine.
The legal lineup will not include Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor and another personal attorney for Trump. Giuliani's push last year to get Ukraine to investigate Biden and his son Hunter Biden were the subject of extensive testimony and evidence in House impeachment proceedings.
"The president asked me to do this, and the legal team asked me to do this," Dershowitz said in an interview with CNBC after his role on the defense team became known.
Dershowitz said he will be making oral arguments in the Senate "to address the constitutional arguments against impeachment and removal."
He also said that although he opposed Clinton's impeachment and voted for Hillary Clinton against Trump in 2016, he "is participating in this impeachment trial to defend the integrity of the Constitution and to prevent the creation of a dangerous constitutional precedent."


cnbc--2020-01-17--Anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony List to spend $52 million to help Trump win in 2020

President Donald Trump listens to a question during a joint news conference with Finland 's President Sauli Niinisto in East Room of the White House in Washington , October 2 , 2019 .
Anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony List launched a $ 52 million effort on Friday to support President Donald Trump 's reelection bid , a day after Planned Parenthood pledged $ 45 million to support candidates in favor of abortion rights .
The amounts represent the largest election spending in both groups ' history .
SBA List , via its super PAC Women Speak Out , will use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Arizona , Florida , North Carolina , Iowa , Georgia , Michigan , Pennsylvania , Texas and Wisconsin .
`` The stakes of this election could not be higher , '' SBA List spokesperson Mallory Quigley said in a statement .
`` Democratic contenders for president are lining up to support abortion on demand , and even infanticide , and declaring war on even the most modest pro-life policies .
Meanwhile , President Trump has governed as the most pro-life president in our nation 's history . ''
Multiple states in 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states , like New York , Virginia and Maine , expanded abortion access .
In January 2019 , New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo signed the Reproductive Health Act , which allows persons to receive an abortion after the 24th week of pregnancy in cases where the health of the person is in danger on the line or if the baby would not survive the birth .
Previously , the law only allowed an abortion after 24 weeks if the person giving birth would not survive .
Trump once identified as `` very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Meet the Press '' interview , `` I hate the concept of abortion .
I hate everything it stands for .
I cringe when I listen to people debating the subject .
But I still believe in choice . ''
But during his 2016 campaign , the president sought out anti-abortion voters , appearing at rallies and major fundraisers and vowing to defund global family planning efforts at the United Nations .
`` From now until Election Day , our team will go door-to-door visiting traditional Democrat voter groups who may simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for extreme pro-abortion policies , '' Quigley said .
`` Our focused , battle-tested voter outreach method will ensure we reach the voters who can provide President Trump and pro-life Senate candidates the winning margin on Election Day . ''
Planned Parenthood 's super PAC on Thursday unveiled a $ 45 million plan to support 2020 candidates in favor of abortion rights at the presidential , congressional and state levels .
Read more : Planned Parenthood will spend $ 45 million in 2020 elections to support abortion-rights candidates Both efforts come after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year , emboldened by the Supreme Court 's new conservative majority and Trump 's anti-abortion policies , passed 59 abortion restrictions .
Also in 2019 , a wave of state-led abortion bans defined the year in reproductive rights news .
Each was temporarily blocked in court , but some states will appeal to higher courts .
Read more : The battle over abortion rights : Here 's what 's at stake in 2020 Experts project 2020 could be just as volatile .
The Supreme Court in March will take up its first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh on the bench .
The high court will review a 2014 Louisiana law that requires doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the facility where the abortions are provided .
Opponents said it would effectively leave one abortion provider for a state with about 4.6 million residents .
On Jan. 2 , 207 lawmakers , including two Democrats , filed an amicus brief in the case , urging the Supreme Court to reconsider Roe v. Wade , the landmark 1973 @ @ @ @ @

Anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony List launched a $52 million effort on Friday to support President Donald Trump's reelection bid, a day after Planned Parenthood pledged $45 million to support candidates in favor of abortion rights.
The amounts represent the largest election spending in both groups' history.
SBA List, via its super PAC Women Speak Out, will use the money to canvass key battleground states: Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, Iowa, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin.
"The stakes of this election could not be higher," SBA List spokesperson Mallory Quigley said in a statement. "Democratic contenders for president are lining up to support abortion on demand, and even infanticide, and declaring war on even the most modest pro-life policies. Meanwhile, President Trump has governed as the most pro-life president in our nation's history."
Multiple states in 2019 tightened the restrictions on abortion. Other states, like New York, Virginia and Maine, expanded abortion access. In January 2019, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the Reproductive Health Act, which allows persons to receive an abortion after the 24th week of pregnancy in cases where the health of the person is in danger on the line or if the baby would not survive the birth. Previously, the law only allowed an abortion after 24 weeks if the person giving birth would not survive.
Trump once identified as "very pro-choice," saying in a 1999 "Meet the Press" interview, "I hate the concept of abortion. I hate everything it stands for. I cringe when I listen to people debating the subject. But I still believe in choice."
But during his 2016 campaign, the president sought out anti-abortion voters, appearing at rallies and major fundraisers and vowing to defund global family planning efforts at the United Nations.
"From now until Election Day, our team will go door-to-door visiting traditional Democrat voter groups who may simply be unaware of the Democrats' support for extreme pro-abortion policies," Quigley said. "Our focused, battle-tested voter outreach method will ensure we reach the voters who can provide President Trump and pro-life Senate candidates the winning margin on Election Day."
Planned Parenthood's super PAC on Thursday unveiled a $45 million plan to support 2020 candidates in favor of abortion rights at the presidential, congressional and state levels.
Read more: Planned Parenthood will spend $45 million in 2020 elections to support abortion-rights candidates
Both efforts come after a volatile year regarding abortion.
Republican-led states last year, emboldened by the Supreme Court's new conservative majority and Trump's anti-abortion policies, passed 59 abortion restrictions. Also in 2019, a wave of state-led abortion bans defined the year in reproductive rights news. Each was temporarily blocked in court, but some states will appeal to higher courts.
Read more: The battle over abortion rights: Here's what's at stake in 2020
Experts project 2020 could be just as volatile.
The Supreme Court in March will take up its first major abortion-related case with Trump's appointees Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh on the bench.
The high court will review a 2014 Louisiana law that requires doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the facility where the abortions are provided. Opponents said it would effectively leave one abortion provider for a state with about 4.6 million residents.
On Jan. 2, 207 lawmakers, including two Democrats, filed an amicus brief in the case, urging the Supreme Court to reconsider Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that legalized abortion.


cnbc--2020-01-17--Former GOP Rep. Chris Collins set to be sentenced in insider trading case

Former U.S. Rep. Chris Collins ( R-NY ) exits federal court on October 1 , 2019 in New York City .
Disgraced former Rep. Chris Collins faces sentencing Friday in the insider-trading case that led him to give up his seat in Congress .
U.S. Judge Vernon Broderick is scheduled to announce the sentence at 2:30 p.m .
ET in federal court in lower Manhattan .
Federal prosecutors want Broderick to sentence Collins to nearly five years in prison — the top end of the federal guidelines range — to set an example that will `` promote respect for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of respect that Collins has shown for it . ''
But Collins ' lawyers have asked for probation .
`` He has paid a heavy price for his crimes , '' one of his attorneys wrote in a court filing last week , claiming Collins is `` now too ashamed to spend significant time in the community he loves . ''
Probation officers had recommended a sentence of a year and a day in prison , along with a $ 200,000 fine and a term of supervised release .
Collins , 69 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support then-candidate Donald Trump 's 2016 White House bid .
Despite pleading guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and making false statements , Collins has retained some support in his upstate New York district — and from high-profile Republicans like former House Speaker John Boehner — who have vouched for Collins ' character in letters to the judge .
Collins pleaded guilty in October to tipping off his son Cameron in a phone call from the White House lawn about the results of an Australian biotech company 's failed drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After the test was revealed , the stock price of the company — in which Collins was a leading investor and board member — tanked by more than 90 % .
A day before Collins switched his plea to guilty , he submitted his resignation from Congress .
Cameron Collins saved nearly $ 600,000 by dumping his stock in the company , Innate Immunotherapeutics , before it disclosed the bad news .
Chris Collins himself did not trade Innate stock after learning about the test results .
The younger Collins and Stephen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be sentenced next week in the insider trading case .

Former U.S. Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY) exits federal court on October 1, 2019 in New York City.
Disgraced former Rep. Chris Collins faces sentencing Friday in the insider-trading case that led him to give up his seat in Congress.
U.S. Judge Vernon Broderick is scheduled to announce the sentence at 2:30 p.m. ET in federal court in lower Manhattan.
Federal prosecutors want Broderick to sentence Collins to nearly five years in prison — the top end of the federal guidelines range — to set an example that will "promote respect for the law, in light of the lack of respect that Collins has shown for it."
But Collins' lawyers have asked for probation.
"He has paid a heavy price for his crimes," one of his attorneys wrote in a court filing last week, claiming Collins is "now too ashamed to spend significant time in the community he loves."
Probation officers had recommended a sentence of a year and a day in prison, along with a $200,000 fine and a term of supervised release.
Collins, 69, was the first member of Congress to support then-candidate Donald Trump's 2016 White House bid. Despite pleading guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and making false statements, Collins has retained some support in his upstate New York district — and from high-profile Republicans like former House Speaker John Boehner — who have vouched for Collins' character in letters to the judge.
Collins pleaded guilty in October to tipping off his son Cameron in a phone call from the White House lawn about the results of an Australian biotech company's failed drug trial before the test results became public.
After the test was revealed, the stock price of the company — in which Collins was a leading investor and board member — tanked by more than 90%.
A day before Collins switched his plea to guilty, he submitted his resignation from Congress.
Cameron Collins saved nearly $600,000 by dumping his stock in the company, Innate Immunotherapeutics, before it disclosed the bad news. Chris Collins himself did not trade Innate stock after learning about the test results.
The younger Collins and Stephen Zarsky, his fiancee's father, will be sentenced next week in the insider trading case.


cnbc--2020-01-16--FBI visits home of Robert Hyde, Trump donor at center of Ukraine ambassador spy scandal

FBI agents on Thursday visited the Connecticut home and business of Robert Hyde , a Republican congressional candidate whose purported surveillance of the U.S. ambassador in Ukraine last year has become an issue in the impeachment of President Donald Trump .
The visits came on the same day that Ukrainian officials said they had opened an investigation into Hyde 's claims to Lev Parnas , a then-associate of Trump 's lawyer Rudy Giuliani , that he was tracking the movements of American ambassador Marie Yovanovitch last year when she was still posted in Kyiv .
Parnas and Giuliani last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yovanovitch as part of a broader push to get Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden , the current front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination .
The Senate on Thursday began its impeachment trial of Trump .
The House of Representatives a month earlier impeached the president in connection with his withholding of congressionally appropriated military aid to Ukraine while he was pressuring that country 's new president to announce a probe of Biden and his son Hunter , who served on the board of a Ukraine gas company .
Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in New Haven confirmed the visits to Hyde 's home in Simsbury , and to his business office in Avon on Thursday morning , after they were first reported by CNN .
Hyde , who is seeking to win the GOP nomination to unseat incumbent Democratic Rep. Jahana Hayes in Connecticut 's 5th District , began donating to Trump and to the Republican National Committee in September 2016 .
Hyde had worked for more than 16 years as a landscaper and in construction , according to his LinkedIn page , but in December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D.C.-based government and public relations firm , Finley Hyde & Associates , according to that page .
Messages for Hyde , 40 , left by CNBC was not immediately returned .
A senior law enforcement official told NBC News that the visits were not to conduct a court-authorized search but did not elaborate on the FBI 's reason for the visits .
A neighbor of Hyde told NBC that one FBI agent arrived at Hyde 's residence before dawn and parked on the street in front of the home .
The neighbor spoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the best of his knowledge , the agent did not enter Hyde 's home .
Hyde 's communications with Parnas over the text messaging service WhatsApp were disclosed in a set of documents released Tuesday by House Democrats as part of the impeachment process .
Parnas , who has been criminally charged with campaign finance violations , turned over those documents to the House .
In a March 23 text message to Parnas , Hyde had written of Yovanovitch , `` Wow .
Ca n't believe Trumo [ sic ] has n't fired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get right in that . ''
`` She [ sic ] under heavy protection outside Kiev , '' Hyde texted .
He went on to describe Yovanovitch 's location , her communications and her security level .
`` They are moving her tomorrow , '' Hyde wrote Parnas on May 25 .
Later that same day , Hyde texted : `` She 's talked to three people .
Her phone is off .
Computer is off . ''
And then , `` She 's next to the embassy . ''

FBI agents on Thursday visited the Connecticut home and business of Robert Hyde, a Republican congressional candidate whose purported surveillance of the U.S. ambassador in Ukraine last year has become an issue in the impeachment of President Donald Trump.
The visits came on the same day that Ukrainian officials said they had opened an investigation into Hyde's claims to Lev Parnas, a then-associate of Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani, that he was tracking the movements of American ambassador Marie Yovanovitch last year when she was still posted in Kyiv.
Parnas and Giuliani last year were engaged in an effort to oust Yovanovitch as part of a broader push to get Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, the current front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination.
The Senate on Thursday began its impeachment trial of Trump. The House of Representatives a month earlier impeached the president in connection with his withholding of congressionally appropriated military aid to Ukraine while he was pressuring that country's new president to announce a probe of Biden and his son Hunter, who served on the board of a Ukraine gas company. Trump has denied any wrongdoing.
An FBI spokesman in New Haven confirmed the visits to Hyde's home in Simsbury, and to his business office in Avon on Thursday morning, after they were first reported by CNN.
Hyde, who is seeking to win the GOP nomination to unseat incumbent Democratic Rep. Jahana Hayes in Connecticut's 5th District, began donating to Trump and to the Republican National Committee in September 2016.
Hyde had worked for more than 16 years as a landscaper and in construction, according to his LinkedIn page, but in December 2018 became president of a Washington, D.C.-based government and public relations firm, Finley Hyde & Associates, according to that page.
Messages for Hyde, 40, left by CNBC was not immediately returned.
A senior law enforcement official told NBC News that the visits were not to conduct a court-authorized search but did not elaborate on the FBI's reason for the visits.
A neighbor of Hyde told NBC that one FBI agent arrived at Hyde's residence before dawn and parked on the street in front of the home.
The neighbor spoke to the FBI agent and said to the best of his knowledge, the agent did not enter Hyde's home.
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Hyde's communications with Parnas over the text messaging service WhatsApp were disclosed in a set of documents released Tuesday by House Democrats as part of the impeachment process. Parnas, who has been criminally charged with campaign finance violations, turned over those documents to the House.
In a March 23 text message to Parnas, Hyde had written of Yovanovitch, "Wow. Can't believe Trumo [sic] hasn't fired this b----. I'll get right in that."
"She [sic] under heavy protection outside Kiev," Hyde texted.
He went on to describe Yovanovitch's location, her communications and her security level.
"They are moving her tomorrow," Hyde wrote Parnas on May 25.
Later that same day, Hyde texted: "She's talked to three people. Her phone is off. Computer is off."
And then, "She's next to the embassy."


cnbc--2020-01-16--Senate passes new North American trade deal, sending it to Trump

The Senate passed a new North American trade deal Thursday , sending one of President Donald Trump 's top priorities to his desk for ratification .
The GOP-held chamber approved the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement in an overwhelming 89-10 vote .
After Trump signs the three-nation pact , it needs only Canada 's approval to take effect .
The Senate rushed to pass the agreement before the expected start of the president 's impeachment trial next week .
The House delivered articles of impeachment to the upper chamber on Wednesday , and the Senate could take weeks to decide whether to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
USMCA will head to the president more than 14 months after the North American nations agreed to the deal .
The Trump administration worked with Democrats to resolve concerns about enforcement of labor and environmental standards — changes that led most but not all of the party 's lawmakers to support the agreement .
The Senate 's passage of USMCA came a day after Trump signed a partial trade deal with China .
The agreement with Beijing does not require congressional approval .
USMCA makes several tweaks to the North American Free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1994 .
Trump and Democrats alike argued that the earlier deal , which opened more free trade across the three countries , damaged American workers by encouraging companies to move jobs out of the U.S .

The Senate passed a new North American trade deal Thursday, sending one of President Donald Trump's top priorities to his desk for ratification.
The GOP-held chamber approved the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement in an overwhelming 89-10 vote. After Trump signs the three-nation pact, it needs only Canada's approval to take effect.
The Senate rushed to pass the agreement before the expected start of the president's impeachment trial next week. The House delivered articles of impeachment to the upper chamber on Wednesday, and the Senate could take weeks to decide whether to convict Trump and remove him from office.
USMCA will head to the president more than 14 months after the North American nations agreed to the deal. The Trump administration worked with Democrats to resolve concerns about enforcement of labor and environmental standards — changes that led most but not all of the party's lawmakers to support the agreement.
The Senate's passage of USMCA came a day after Trump signed a partial trade deal with China. The agreement with Beijing does not require congressional approval.
USMCA makes several tweaks to the North American Free Trade Agreement, which took effect in 1994. Trump and Democrats alike argued that the earlier deal, which opened more free trade across the three countries, damaged American workers by encouraging companies to move jobs out of the U.S.


cnbc--2020-01-17--Trump rolls out policies that would push federal funds to religious groups and advance prayer in pub

Trump rolls out policies that would push federal funds to religious groups and advance prayer in public schools

Faith leaders pray over President Donald Trump during a 'Evangelicals for Trump ' campaign event held at the King Jesus International Ministry on January 03 , 2020 in Miami , Florida .
President Donald Trump on Thursday announced a series of new rules and guidance memos designed to push federal funds to religious organizations and advance prayer in public schools .
The guidance comes amid a formal White House declaration recognizing Jan.16 as Religious Freedom Day .
In a reversal of Obama-era requirements that tightly restricted religious organizations receiving taxpayer money , almost a dozen federal agencies are rolling out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ religious groups , including schools and churches .
The Office of Management and Budget proposed a rule , for example , that says government organizations can not make religion a determining factor on which to base a federal award .
The rule could override the Blaine Amendments , which prohibit taxpayer money from going to religious schools in 38 states .
Acting OMB Director Russ Vought said in a statement : `` President Trump and this Administration are committed to religious freedom for every American . ''
`` Today , through policy guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizations should be treated the same as secular organizations and that children in school are able to pray as they see fit , without repercussion from those in authority over them .
We believe the constitution makes clear that as Americans , we do n't have to leave our faith at the door of our home.
`` Nine other agencies , at Trump 's direction , will introduce rules that release some social service organizations from certain requirements .
The Department of Education , for example , will issue a draft regulation that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same funds , rights , and privileges as secular groups in public colleges and universities .

Faith leaders pray over President Donald Trump during a 'Evangelicals for Trump' campaign event held at the King Jesus International Ministry on January 03, 2020 in Miami, Florida.
President Donald Trump on Thursday announced a series of new rules and guidance memos designed to push federal funds to religious organizations and advance prayer in public schools. The guidance comes amid a formal White House declaration recognizing Jan.16 as Religious Freedom Day.
In a reversal of Obama-era requirements that tightly restricted religious organizations receiving taxpayer money, almost a dozen federal agencies are rolling out proposals meant to ease those restrictions on religious groups, including schools and churches.
The Office of Management and Budget proposed a rule, for example, that says government organizations cannot make religion a determining factor on which to base a federal award.
The rule could override the Blaine Amendments, which prohibit taxpayer money from going to religious schools in 38 states.
Acting OMB Director Russ Vought said in a statement: "President Trump and this Administration are committed to religious freedom for every American."
"Today, through policy guidance, we are reaffirming that faith based organizations should be treated the same as secular organizations and that children in school are able to pray as they see fit, without repercussion from those in authority over them. We believe the constitution makes clear that as Americans, we don't have to leave our faith at the door of our home. "
Nine other agencies, at Trump's direction, will introduce rules that release some social service organizations from certain requirements.
The Department of Education, for example, will issue a draft regulation that says all religious student clubs must receive the same funds, rights, and privileges as secular groups in public colleges and universities.


cnbc--2020-01-17--Iran's supreme leader calls Trump a 'clown' who will betray Iranians with a 'poisonous dagger'

Iran 's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called President Donald Trump a `` clown '' who merely pretends to support Iranian citizens but would push a `` poisonous dagger '' into their backs .
The 80-year-old said Friday that the U.S. showed its terrorist nature in killing the former Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani , according to a Reuters translation , before adding the `` assassination '' was a disgrace to the U.S. administration .
He also described Tehran 's decision to attack military bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq earlier this month as a `` day of God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led Friday prayers for the first time in eight years .
The Islamic Republic is currently grappling with elevated tensions since the death of Soleimani and widespread protests following the accidental downing of a passenger jet that killed all 176 people on board — the majority of whom were Iranian citizens .
Many of those taking part in the rallies have called for the country 's top leaders to resign .
Iran 's government admitted to the accidental downing of the Ukrainian International Airlines passenger jet on Jan. 11 , after days of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Delivering the weekly sermon for the first time since 2012 , Khamenei also said Iran would not yield to U.S. sanctions imposed over a dispute on its nuclear program .
The White House was not immediately available for comment when contacted by CNBC Friday morning .
Iran 's Soleimani was killed in a U.S. drone strike on Jan. 3 .
It marked the most dramatic escalation between Washington and Tehran in a series of tit-for-tat attacks .
Western forces and embassies in the region have been on high alert since then .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than a dozen ballistic missiles at the Ain al-Asad airbase in Iraq 's western Anbar province and a base in Irbil in the country 's north .
No U.S. service members were killed in the attack but several were treated for concussions , the Pentagon said in a statement earlier this week .
In a televised address after Iran fired missiles at the airbases in Iraq , Trump said Tehran appeared to be `` standing down '' following an initial spike in tensions .
The Trump administration has claimed its decision to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was `` actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region . ''
Iran 's Khamenei also claimed on Friday that the U.S. was trying to divide Iraq and trigger a civil war .
Earlier in the week , Iranian President Hassan Rouhani lashed out at the U.S. and Europe , criticizing their military presence in the Middle East during an angry speech on state television .
Rouhani said U.S. troops were currently `` insecure '' in the region , according to a Reuters translation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be in danger .
It was the first time he had directed a threat toward European forces in the Middle East .
— CNBC 's Natasha Turak and the Associated Press contributed to this report .

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Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called President Donald Trump a "clown" who merely pretends to support Iranian citizens but would push a "poisonous dagger" into their backs. The 80-year-old said Friday that the U.S. showed its terrorist nature in killing the former Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani, according to a Reuters translation, before adding the "assassination" was a disgrace to the U.S. administration. He also described Tehran's decision to attack military bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq earlier this month as a "day of God." His comments came as he led Friday prayers for the first time in eight years. The Islamic Republic is currently grappling with elevated tensions since the death of Soleimani and widespread protests following the accidental downing of a passenger jet that killed all 176 people on board — the majority of whom were Iranian citizens.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei gives his first Friday sermon after eight years in the Imam Khomeini Musalla, in Tehran, Iran on January 17, 2020. (Photo by Iranian Supreme Leader Press Office / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) Iranian Supreme Leader Press Office | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images
Many of those taking part in the rallies have called for the country's top leaders to resign. Iran's government admitted to the accidental downing of the Ukrainian International Airlines passenger jet on Jan. 11, after days of denying a role in the crash. Delivering the weekly sermon for the first time since 2012, Khamenei also said Iran would not yield to U.S. sanctions imposed over a dispute on its nuclear program. The White House was not immediately available for comment when contacted by CNBC Friday morning.
Elevated tensions
Iran's Soleimani was killed in a U.S. drone strike on Jan. 3. It marked the most dramatic escalation between Washington and Tehran in a series of tit-for-tat attacks. Western forces and embassies in the region have been on high alert since then. The attack prompted Iran to retaliate by launching more than a dozen ballistic missiles at the Ain al-Asad airbase in Iraq's western Anbar province and a base in Irbil in the country's north. No U.S. service members were killed in the attack but several were treated for concussions, the Pentagon said in a statement earlier this week.
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cnbc--2020-01-16--New York AG files lawsuit to stop new Trump administration food stamp rule

New York 's Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Thursday for what she called `` unlawful changes '' to the nation 's food stamp program that would `` deny over 700,000 Americans access to basic food assistance . ''
The lawsuit , joined by 13 attorneys general and the City of New York , challenges a United States Department of Agriculture rule that would limit states ' ability to extend benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program , otherwise known as food stamps , beyond a three-month period for certain adults .
The USDA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respond to requests for comment from CNBC .
The rule change , set to go into effect on April 1 , impacts people between the ages of 18 and 49 who are childless and not disabled .
Under current rules , this group is required to work at least 20 hours a week for more than three months over a 36-month period to qualify for food stamps , but states have been able to create waivers for areas that face high unemployment .
The new rule would limit states from waiving those standards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas that have a 6 % unemployment rate or higher .
The national unemployment rate in October was 3.6 % .
The coalition said the rule undermines Congress ' intent for SNAP and that the USDA violated the federal rulemaking process .
They also argue that the rule would impose significant regulatory burdens on states and harm states ' economies and residents .
In the lawsuit , the states argue that the administration 's rule change would raise healthcare and homelessness costs .
`` The federal government 's latest assault on vulnerable individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said James in a press release .
`` Denying access to vital SNAP benefits would only push hundreds of thousands of already vulnerable Americans into greater economic uncertainty .
In so doing , states will have to grapple with rising healthcare and homelessness costs that will result from this shortsighted and ill-conceived policy . ''

New York's Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Thursday for what she called "unlawful changes" to the nation's food stamp program that would "deny over 700,000 Americans access to basic food assistance."
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The lawsuit, joined by 13 attorneys general and the City of New York, challenges a United States Department of Agriculture rule that would limit states' ability to extend benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, otherwise known as food stamps, beyond a three-month period for certain adults.
The USDA and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment from CNBC.
The rule change, set to go into effect on April 1, impacts people between the ages of 18 and 49 who are childless and not disabled. Under current rules, this group is required to work at least 20 hours a week for more than three months over a 36-month period to qualify for food stamps, but states have been able to create waivers for areas that face high unemployment.
The new rule would limit states from waiving those standards, instead restricting their use to those areas that have a 6% unemployment rate or higher. The national unemployment rate in October was 3.6% .
The coalition said the rule undermines Congress' intent for SNAP and that the USDA violated the federal rulemaking process. They also argue that the rule would impose significant regulatory burdens on states and harm states' economies and residents.
In the lawsuit, the states argue that the administration's rule change would raise healthcare and homelessness costs.
"The federal government's latest assault on vulnerable individuals is cruel to its core," said James in a press release. "Denying access to vital SNAP benefits would only push hundreds of thousands of already vulnerable Americans into greater economic uncertainty. In so doing, states will have to grapple with rising healthcare and homelessness costs that will result from this shortsighted and ill-conceived policy."


cnbc--2020-01-17--Trump administration broke law in withholding Ukraine aid, watchdog says as Senate prepares for impe

Trump administration broke law in withholding Ukraine aid, watchdog says as Senate prepares for impeachment trial

But a policy reason `` is not permitted under the Impoundment Control Act '' to withhold funds appropriated by Congress , GAO said .
`` The withholding was not a programmatic delay .
Therefore , we conclude that OMB violated the ICA . ''
`` Faithful execution of the law does not permit the President to substitute his own policy priorities for those that Congress has enacted into law , '' the report said .
The agency noted that the Constitution `` specifically vests Congress with the power of the purse . ''
And the report said that Trump , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not vested with the power to ignore or amend any such duly enacted law . ''
`` Faithful execution of the law does not permit the President to substitute his own policy priorities for those that Congress has enacted into law . ''
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-California , said , `` The OMB , the White House , the administration , broke — I 'm saying this —- broke the law . ''
OMB spokeswoman Rachel Semmel , said , `` We disagree with GAO 's opinion . ''
`` OMB @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollars are properly spent consistent with the President 's priorities and with the law , '' Semmel said .
A senior administration official , speaking on the condition of anonymity , said , `` GAO 's findings are a pretty clear overreach as they attempt to insert themselves into the media 's controversy of the day . ''
Trump 's trial formally began in the Senate chamber later Thursday .
But GAO General Counsel Thomas Armstrong said its report was not deliberately timed to release at the same time as the trial .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have completed all of our research and are ready to come to a sound conclusion , '' Armstrong said in a response to CNBC 's inquiry about the timing of the release .
`` There was no coordination of timing with any entity outside of GAO , '' Armstrong said .
Sen. Chris Van Hollen , a Maryland Democrat who had asked GAO to investigate the issue , called the report a `` bombshell legal opinion . ''
The report `` demonstrates , without a doubt , that the Trump Administration illegally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Van Hollen said .
`` The publicly available evidence also shows that the President himself ordered this illegal act . ''
The senator also said , `` This violation of the law reflects a contempt for the Constitution and was a key part of his corrupt scheme to abuse the power of the presidency for his personal political purposes .
The GAO 's independent findings reinforce the need for the Senate to obtain all relevant documents and hear from key fact witnesses in order to have a fair trial . ''
House Appropriations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York , said in a statement , `` Congress makes funding decisions , and the Trump Administration 's illegal impoundment of these vital national security funds was a brazen assault on the checks and balances inherent to our democracy , '' Lowey said .
`` Given that this illegal conduct threatened our security and undermined our elections , I feel even more strongly that the House has chosen the right course by impeaching President Trump .
No one is above the law , '' Lowey said .
Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aid , has always continued to be , to ensure that anti-corruption measures were in place and that the money would be well spent . ''
`` To ensure that our European allies were additionally helping with it and to ensure that this assistance would be beneficial militarily , '' Hoffman said .
`` So , we went through that process to make a determination on the aid .
We also looked to make sure that the aid was going to get out by the fiscal year , as required by Congress and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that did happen .
The aid got out with no detriment to our national security . ''
Hoffman also said , `` All of the aid has been obligated and is out . ''

Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney answers questions during a briefing at the White House October 17, 2019 in Washington, DC. Win McNamee | Getty Images News | Getty Images
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But a policy reason "is not permitted under the Impoundment Control Act" to withhold funds appropriated by Congress, GAO said. "The withholding was not a programmatic delay. Therefore, we conclude that OMB violated the ICA." "Faithful execution of the law does not permit the President to substitute his own policy priorities for those that Congress has enacted into law," the report said. The agency noted that the Constitution "specifically vests Congress with the power of the purse." And the report said that Trump, like all other presidents, "is not vested with the power to ignore or amend any such duly enacted law." "Faithful execution of the law does not permit the President to substitute his own policy priorities for those that Congress has enacted into law." House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, said, "The OMB, the White House, the administration, broke — I'm saying this —- broke the law." Tweet OMB spokeswoman Rachel Semmel, said, "We disagree with GAO's opinion." "OMB uses its apportionment authority to ensure taxpayer dollars are properly spent consistent with the President's priorities and with the law," Semmel said. A senior administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said, "GAO's findings are a pretty clear overreach as they attempt to insert themselves into the media's controversy of the day." Trump's trial formally began in the Senate chamber later Thursday. But GAO General Counsel Thomas Armstrong said its report was not deliberately timed to release at the same time as the trial. "Our legal decisions are issued when we have completed all of our research and are ready to come to a sound conclusion," Armstrong said in a response to CNBC's inquiry about the timing of the release.
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"There was no coordination of timing with any entity outside of GAO," Armstrong said. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat who had asked GAO to investigate the issue, called the report a "bombshell legal opinion." The report "demonstrates, without a doubt, that the Trump Administration illegally withheld security assistance from Ukraine," Van Hollen said. "The publicly available evidence also shows that the President himself ordered this illegal act." The senator also said, "This violation of the law reflects a contempt for the Constitution and was a key part of his corrupt scheme to abuse the power of the presidency for his personal political purposes. The GAO's independent findings reinforce the need for the Senate to obtain all relevant documents and hear from key fact witnesses in order to have a fair trial." House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Rep. Nita Lowey, D-New York, said in a statement, "Congress makes funding decisions, and the Trump Administration's illegal impoundment of these vital national security funds was a brazen assault on the checks and balances inherent to our democracy," Lowey said. "Given that this illegal conduct threatened our security and undermined our elections, I feel even more strongly that the House has chosen the right course by impeaching President Trump. No one is above the law," Lowey said. Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said, "Our goal with regard to Ukraine aid, has always continued to be, to ensure that anti-corruption measures were in place and that the money would be well spent." "To ensure that our European allies were additionally helping with it and to ensure that this assistance would be beneficial militarily," Hoffman said. "So, we went through that process to make a determination on the aid. We also looked to make sure that the aid was going to get out by the fiscal year, as required by Congress and other than a very small part, that did happen. The aid got out with no detriment to our national security." Hoffman also said, "All of the aid has been obligated and is out." Read the full GAO report.


cnbc--2020-01-16--Planned Parenthood will spend $45 million in 2020 elections to support abortion-rights candidates

Pro-choice supporters pose for photos outside the Planned Parenthood Reproductive Health Services Center in St. Louis , Missouri , May 31 , 2019 .
Planned Parenthood will spend $ 45 million to support candidates in favor of abortion rights , the largest electoral program of its kind in the group 's history .
The money will go toward supporting candidates at the presidential , congressional and state levels .
`` For too long , politicians in power have stood on the wrong side of the people , '' said Jenny Lawson , executive director of Planned Parenthood Votes , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the push .
`` From the wave of abortion bans to the gutting of affordable birth control programs to the confirmation of anti-abortion judges , the attacks on our health and rights from Trump and his buddies in Congress have been unprecedented . ''
`` Our country is at a crossroads , but now it 's time for us to reclaim our power .
In 2020 , we 're fighting back and electing reproductive champions up and down the ballot — because our futures depend on it , '' Lawson said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CBS News , will fund canvassing and grassroots operations , along with digital and TV ads .
Planned Parenthood aims to reach 5 million voters in nine key states : Arizona , Colorado , Florida , Michigan , Minnesota , New Hampshire , North Carolina , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin .
The effort , dubbed `` We Decide 2020 , '' launched this week and comes after a volatile year for abortion-rights groups .
Republican-led states last year , emboldened by the Supreme Court 's new conservative majority and President Donald Trump 's anti-abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Also in 2019 , a wave of state-led abortion bans defined the year in reproductive rights news .
Each was temporarily blocked in court , but some states will appeal to higher courts .
Read more : The battle over abortion rights : Here 's what 's at stake in 2020 Experts project 2020 could be just as volatile .
The Supreme Court in March will take up its first major abortion-related case with both of Trump 's appointees , Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh , on the bench .
The high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that requires doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the facility where the abortions are provided .
Opponents said it would effectively one abortion provider for a state with about 04.5 million residents .
On Jan. 2 , 207 lawmakers , including two Democrats , filed an amicus brief in the case , urging the Supreme Court to reconsider Roe v. Wade , the 1973 landmark decision that legalized abortion .

Pro-choice supporters pose for photos outside the Planned Parenthood Reproductive Health Services Center in St. Louis, Missouri, May 31, 2019.
Planned Parenthood will spend $45 million to support candidates in favor of abortion rights, the largest electoral program of its kind in the group's history.
The money will go toward supporting candidates at the presidential, congressional and state levels.
"For too long, politicians in power have stood on the wrong side of the people," said Jenny Lawson, executive director of Planned Parenthood Votes, the organization's super PAC that is behind the push. "From the wave of abortion bans to the gutting of affordable birth control programs to the confirmation of anti-abortion judges, the attacks on our health and rights from Trump and his buddies in Congress have been unprecedented."
"Our country is at a crossroads, but now it's time for us to reclaim our power. In 2020, we're fighting back and electing reproductive champions up and down the ballot — because our futures depend on it," Lawson said.
The investment, which was first reported by CBS News, will fund canvassing and grassroots operations, along with digital and TV ads. Planned Parenthood aims to reach 5 million voters in nine key states: Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
The effort, dubbed "We Decide 2020," launched this week and comes after a volatile year for abortion-rights groups.
Republican-led states last year, emboldened by the Supreme Court's new conservative majority and President Donald Trump's anti-abortion policies, passed 59 abortion restrictions.
Also in 2019, a wave of state-led abortion bans defined the year in reproductive rights news. Each was temporarily blocked in court, but some states will appeal to higher courts.
Read more: The battle over abortion rights: Here's what's at stake in 2020
Experts project 2020 could be just as volatile.
The Supreme Court in March will take up its first major abortion-related case with both of Trump's appointees, Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, on the bench.
The high court will review a 2014 Louisiana law that requires doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the facility where the abortions are provided. Opponents said it would effectively one abortion provider for a state with about 04.5 million residents.
On Jan. 2, 207 lawmakers, including two Democrats, filed an amicus brief in the case, urging the Supreme Court to reconsider Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark decision that legalized abortion.