Tag: GOP congress

How a Trump Decision Revealed a G.O.P. Memo’s Shaky Foundation

The following article by Charlie Savage was posted on the New York Times website July 22, 2018:

President Trump claimed vindication in a series of tweets even though newly released documents undermined Republicans’ claims in a dispute over the wiretapping of a Trump campaign aide. Credit: Al Drago, The New York Times

WASHINGTON — When President Trump declassified a memo by House Republicans in February that portrayed the surveillance of a former campaign adviser as scandalous, his motivation was clear: to give congressional allies and conservative commentators another avenue to paint the Justice Department’s investigation into Russian election interference as tainted from the start.

But this past weekend, Mr. Trump’s unprecedented decision, which he made over the objections of law enforcement and intelligence officials, had a consequence that revealed his gambit’s shaky foundation. The government released the court documents in which the F.B.I. made its case for conducting the surveillance — records that plainly demonstrated that key elements of Republicans’ claims about the bureau’s actions were misleading or false.

On Sunday, Mr. Trump nevertheless sought to declare victory. In a series of early-morning tweets, he claimed without evidence that the newly disclosed files “confirm with little doubt that the Department of ‘Justice’ and FBI misled the courts” to win approval to start wiretapping the former adviser, Carter Page, shortly after he had left the campaign amid criticism of his ties to Russia.

View the complete article here.

GOP to White House: End summit mystery

The following article by Alexander Bolton was posted on the Hill website July 21, 2018:

Credit: J. Scott Applewhite, AP

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are worried that Russian President Vladimir Putin may use his one-on-one meeting with President Trump in Helsinki to drive a wedge between NATO allies by claiming secret side deals with the United States.

Congressional Republicans are urging the White House to get ahead of the Kremlin by defining what was and wasn’t agreed to. What was said between the two leaders, they admit, remains a disconcerting mystery.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) says he has “no idea” what Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov meant when he said Wednesday that Trump and Putin had entered into “important verbal agreements.”

View the complete article here.

Democrats Press GOP for Quick Legislative Response on Russia

The following article by Rachel Oswald was posted on the Roll Call website July 20, 2018:

Several measures in both chambers designed to push back on Putin

Protesters participate in a candlelight vigil in front of the White House protesting President Trump in the wake of his meeting with Russian President Putin. Credit: Sarah Silbiger, CQ Roll Call

House and Senate Democrats are pressuring their Republican colleagues to bring to the floor legislation introduced in response to President Donald Trump’s comments — and revisions to those comments — this week on Russian interference in U.S. elections.

Democratic House leaders released a bipartisan package that includes 17 previously introduced bills that would further restrict the White House’s foreign policy and economic options when it comes to Moscow.

The package (HR 6437) has two Republican cosponsors, including Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, who is chairwoman of the House Armed Services Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee. Stefanik, who quickly emerged as a leader on the Armed Services panel, includes cyber in her subcommittee’s portfolio.

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‘USA! USA!’: House Democrats Chant As Republicans Refuse to Vote for Amendment Protecting US Elections

The following article by Christ Sosa was posted on the AlterNet.org website July 19, 2018:

The Democrats stood to their feet after a member described election interference as “one of the most pressing issues of our time.”

Credit: C-SPAN

Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL) introduced a measure on Thursday to designate additional funding to states for the protection of elections.

Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) spoke in support of the measure, saying, the federal government should help “slam the door in the face of the Russian bear or any other adversary who seeks to steal the integrity of our elections.”

Hoyer explained that the amendment was about “one of the most pressing issues of our time.”

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One Year Later, Trump And Republicans Continue To Attack The ACA

One year ago, of Trump and Republicans’ health care repeal failed in the Senate. Since, Trump and Republicans have continued to sabotage the Affordable Care Act, making premiums increase across the country. It’s clear why Americans overwhelmingly trust Democrats over Republicans on health care.

Despite the fact that the vast majority of Americans want to keep and improve on the ACA, not repeal it, Trump has continued to sabotage the law.

  • The Trump administration urged a federal court to deem pre-existing condition protections under the ACA unconstitutional.
  • The Trump administration slashed funding for programs that help Americans sign up for health insurance, and promoted plans that do not comply with health care protection standards under the ACA.
  • Trump tried to suspend billions of dollars in risk-adjustment payments, which would have created more uncertainty and further driven up premiums.

Continue reading “One Year Later, Trump And Republicans Continue To Attack The ACA”

GOP seeks separation from Trump on Russia

The following article by Alexander bolton and Jordain Carney was posted on the Hill website July 19, 2018:

Republicans on Capitol Hill are scrambling to distance themselves from President Trump’s controversial comments on Russia earlier this week.

With less than four months before the election, Senate Republican leaders say they will likely act on legislation sponsored by Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) this year. That measure would impose stiff economic penalties on Russia if it meddles in a U.S. election in 2018 and beyond.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has indicated to colleagues that he may bring the bill straight to the floor, skipping the committee process to save time. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Wednesday declined to say whether the administration supports the Rubio-Van Hollen bill.

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House Republicans Increase Messaging Votes Ahead of August Recess

The following article by Lindsey McPherson was posted on the Roll Call website July 19, 2018:

GOP leaders prepare for break by seeking contrast with minority party

The Capitol dome in Washington. Credit: Brendan Smialowski, Agence France-Presse via Getty Images

The House floor is seeing an uptick in messaging bills as Republicans prepare for a monthlong district work period in a midterm year when they are defending most of the seats in play.

Case in point was a resolution the House adopted Wednesday expressing support for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials and rejecting calls to abolish the agency — a stance some progressive Democrats are pushing.

More than two-thirds of the Democratic Caucus voted “present” to protest what they saw as a GOP political ploy to highlight a divide within their party. But the different views were still apparent as 18 Democrats voted to support the pro-ICE resolution and 34 voted against it.

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House GOP refuses to renew election security funding as Democrats fume over Russian interference

The following article by Erica Werner was posted on the Washington Post website July 19, 2018:

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) decried the GOP-backed vote on a spending bill that excludes new money for election security grants to states. (U.S. House)

House Republicans on Thursday voted down a Democratic effort to increase election security spending, as Democrats accused the GOP of refusing to stand up to Russia over interference in U.S. elections.

In a vote along party lines, Republicans rejected Democrats’ motion for more funding, unmoved by Democrats’ vigorous pleas and chants of “USA! USA!” on the House floor.

The election security funding vote came amid a national controversy over Russian election interference, and it comes days after President Trump appeared to accept Russian President Vladi­mir Putin’s contention that Russia did not intervene in the 2016 presidential race — even though U.S. intelligence agencies say otherwise.

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Trump, House GOP Talk More Tax Cuts

NOTE:  Rep. Erik Paulsen is a member of this committee. The tax cut bill last year that gave the majority of benefits to the top 1% of people and cut corporate taxes massively has done major damage to the national debt. Here’s an article detailing this from Forbes.

The following article by Fred Lucas was posted on the Daily Signal website July 17, 2018:

President Trump meets with members of Congress, including Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee Kevin Brady of Texas, Credit: Newscom

Following up on the economic growth spurred by their first tax reform package, President Donald Trump and House Republicans want to see another round.

“We are going to start a meeting on tax reduction, and we are going to be putting in a bill,” Trump said Tuesday in the Cabinet Room of the White House, just before a meeting with House Republicans.

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, talked about making the individual income tax cuts permanent.

View the complete article here.

House Democrats say GOP blocked them from interviewing alleged Russian agent in probe

The following article by Eric Lutz was posted on the Mic.com website July 18, 2018:

Maria Butina Credit: AP

Democrats on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence are accusing their Republican counterparts of having blocked them from interviewing alleged Russian spy Maria Butina, who was arrested Sunday and charged over apparent attempts to infiltrate American political organizations to advance Moscow’s interests.

“More likely to come on this,” Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), the top Democrat on the panel, tweeted Monday. “No wonder GOP members of HPSCI refused our request to bring her and others in.” Continue reading “House Democrats say GOP blocked them from interviewing alleged Russian agent in probe”