TODAY IN CONGRESS (TIC):
Your One Stop Shop For Learning What Our Congress Critters Are Up To!
Today’s Impeachment/Subpoena HeadlineS:
SENATE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL — THE FINAL INJUSTICE HAPPENS TODAY!
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SOTU Speech — The Highlight!
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Censure Anyone?
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IMPORTANT NOTICE: I have changed the TIC format a little to accommodate the news evolving out of the Senate Impeachment Trial. Immediately following this notice I will post a recap of what happened in the Senate trial on the previous trial day. That will be followed by a preview of what will/might happen in the trial on that day. After that you will find the usual run down of the day’s C-Span TV viewing, a recap of recent votes and the Committee Activity.
Senate Impeachment Trial — Day Thirteen Recap — February 4 — Yesterday was the day where Senators do what they do best, Speechifying (defined by me as talking a lot, but saying very little). Each Senator was given time to express his/her thoughts on the impeachment trial. Here are some of the highlights and lowlights from the day’s speechifying courtesy of CNN:
- HIGHLIGHT — Sen. John Tester, a Democrat from Montana brought two notebooks he said were full of notes that he took during the trial to the floor with him today, to show that he was paying attention as a good juror should. In displaying his copious notes Tester said that by voting against witnesses and documents the Senate Republicans are "robbing the American people... of their legitimate right to hold their elected official accountable."
- LOWLIGHT — Well Senator Susan Collins did what she always does, express outrage at something Trump or her Party has done and then o along with it. Yesterday, she took to the Senate Floor said President Trump’s actions were “improper” and “demonstrated very poor judgment” but do not warrant removal from office. She said it was “wrong” for Trump to mention Joe Biden on the July 25 phone call with Ukraine’s president and to ask Ukraine “to investigate a political rival.” However, Collins said there is “conflicting evidence in the records about the President’s motivations” when it comes to Ukraine. She said the President’s attorneys argued that Trump had “sound public policy concerns.” Collins said she will vote to acquit Trump on both articles of impeachment. Why am I not surprised! To be honest, I really couldn’t decide if this was a “highlight” or “lowlight”. From the perspective of Justice and upholding the Rule of Law it was certainly a lowlight. But from a political perspective it was probably a “highlight” for our side in the quest to retake the Senate since it allows us to portray Collins for what she is, wimpy, indecisive and definitely not able to stand up to the GOP leadership.
- HIGHLIGHT — Democratic Sen. Mark Warner announced today that he will vote to convict the President because he "swore an oath to do impartial justice and the evidence proves the charges against him are true.” “The Constitution draws a line that is much clearer than the President’s lawyers have tried to argue,” Warner said on the Senate floor. “The President crossed it. He abused his power.”
- LOWLIGHT — Sen. Rob Portman, a Republican from Ohio, said that President Trump’s conduct with Ukraine was wrong but doesn't warrant impeachment. Portman said that while he doesn’t "condone this behavior … these actions do not rise to the level” of impeachment and removing the President from office. Funny, that before the trial even started you knew this is where some Republicans would end up. Yes, Trump did something wrong but it’s not bad enough for us to punish him.
- HIGHLIGHT — To end on a high note, Sen. Cory Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey, called today “heartbreaking” while speaking on the Senate floor. “I have concluded that the President, Donald John Trump, is guilty of committing high crimes and misdemeanors," Booker said. He added: “It brings me no satisfaction to come to this conclusion.” Booker suggested that he believes history will not be kind to the senators. Let’s hope the voters this Fall will also not be kind to these GOP Senators.
Senate Impeachment Trial — Day Fourteen Preview — February 5 — The Senate Impeachment Trial that was not a trial will wrap up today with more speechifying by Senators culminating in votes to convict/acquit on each of the two Articles of Impeachment. SPOILER ALERT! — He will be acquitted. But there are still a few votes that are up in the air. Collins has already said she will vote to acquit and I don’t see Alexander and Murkowski as voting to acquit after their capitulation on witnesses. But, I have not heard anything either way from Romney, so he deserves watching. On the Democratic side, Chuck Schumer has said he is allowing his fellow Democrats to vote their conscience, which is code for, “vote for what’s best to preserve your own political ass, even if its not what’s best for the Country” (Sorry, I am in a somewhat disgruntled mood today after being hit by the triple whammy of the Iowa Primary debacle, the SOTU and the phony Senate trial). As a result, I think Jones and Manchin are the two votes on our side that are up in the air. Jones has been silent, but Manchin floated the idea of Censure which suggested he was looking for a fog leaf to cover an acquittal vote. But it doesn’t appear he will get to vote on Censure (more on that below), so I am not sure what he will do today. Stay Tuned!
Before I go on to the Other Good Stuff, let me wedge in the highlight of Trump’s State Of The Union Speech:
Yes, this Pelosi tearing up the text of Trump’s BS speech was certainly the highlight during a speech chock full of lowlights. I don't know about you, but this pulled me out of my political depression. I frankly can’t stop watching it, since each time it brings a smile to my face. Hands Clapping once again for Speaker Pelosi 👏👏👏👏! Now on to the Other Good Stuff!
Here’s today’s schedule with the events I think may be the most interesting in bold. You can watch C-Span HERE. NOTE: Sometimes C-Span posts additional Congressional events not on my list, later in the day.
Today’s Events:
House —
10:00 am — House Morning Session (General Speeches)
10:00 am — House Judiciary Committee FBI Oversight Hearing (FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies at an oversight hearing before the House Judiciary Committee.)
10:30 am — House Energy and Commerce subcommittee Hearing on E-Cigarettes & Public Health (E-Cigarette and tobacco company executives testify before a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on the impact of e-cigarettes on public health.)
12:00 pm — House Session (Members will debate several bills including one requiring General Services Administration and all presidential transition teams to outline the terms of the agency’s services for the duration of the transition including access to employees and facilities...)
Senate —
9:30 am — Senate Session, Part 1 (The impeachment trial of President Trump concludes with votes on the articles. Legislative work is also possible.)
4:00 pm — Senate Impeachment Trial, Day 14 (The impeachment trial of President Trump concludes with votes on the articles.)
Monday’s Votes:
House — No votes.
Senate — No Votes.
Comments:
Today’s Events – May I suggest the House Judiciary Committee Hearing for viewing at 10:00. With all that is going on, I am sure there are a hundred juicy questions for FBI Director Wray. His responses may be interesting. And of course there are the votes on the Articles of Impeachment at 4:00 pm.
COMMITTEE ACTIVITY:
Introduction:
NOTE #1: Each background section will include a link to my September 26 Diary containing the full backgrounds for those who need to get up to speed. Below, I will post only recent developments (stuff that happened the day before) and any new developments.
NOTE #2: I have removed the Committee subpoenas that have been inactive for weeks. You can still find out about them in my September 26 Diary (CLICK HERE). Also, I will still keep a check on them and if something new happens in any of them, I will post it in future TIC diaries.
NOTE #3: Well my September 26 Diary containing the full backgrounds on each of the subpoena and impeachment activities has gotten too long, so the character limit has made it impossible for me to use this diary to post new background information. So starting November 22, I have posted background information from November 22 going forward in this November 22 Background #2 Diary and I will keep it updated until I run out of space again. I have put in a new link to the November 22 TIC for you to access it in each Committee Activity below. I have also kept the old link to the September 26 Diary so you can obtain the pre-November 22 background information.
NOTE #4: Well my September 26 Diary and my November 22 Diary containing the full backgrounds on each of the subpoena and impeachment activities below have both gotten too long, so the character limit has made it impossible for me to use these diaries to continue to post new background information. So starting January 30, I have posted background information from January 30 going forward in this January 30 Background Diary #3 and I will keep it updated until I run out of space again. I have put in a new link to the January 30 TIC Diary for you to access it in each Committee Activity below. I have also kept the old links to the September 26 and November 22 Diaries so you can obtain all the pre-January 30 background information.
Now on with the show. (New and Important stuff in bold)
House Judiciary Committee Barr Subpoena for Mueller Grand Jury Materials —
Background — Pre-Nov. 22 CLICK HERE. Nov. 22 to Jan. 30 CLICK HERE. Post Jan 30 CLICK HERE.
Recent Developments — None.
New Developments — None, still awaiting decision by Appeals Court Three Judge Panel.
House Judiciary Committee McGahn Subpoena —
Background — Pre-Nov. 22 CLICK HERE. Nov. 22 to Jan. 30 CLICK HERE. Post Jan 30 CLICK HERE.
Recent Developments — None.
New Developments — None. We’re still awaiting decision by Appeals Court Three Judge Panel.
House Oversight Committee Files Lawsuit to Enforce its Subpoenas to Wilbur Ross (Commerce Secretary) and AG William Barr —
Background — Pre-Nov. 22 CLICK HERE. Nov. 22 to Jan. 30 CLICK HERE. Post Jan 30 CLICK HERE.
Recent Developments — None.
New Developments — None, awaiting Federal Judge’s decision.
House & Senate Impeachment Proceedings —
NOTE #1: This used to be the “House Intelligence Committee’s Whistleblower Investigation”. Then it was titled the “House Intelligence, & Judiciary Committees’ Impeachment Investigation” But I have changed the heading to keep up with the progress of the impeachment process.
Background — Pre-Nov. 22 CLICK HERE. Nov. 22 to Jan. 30 CLICK HERE. Post Jan 30 CLICK HERE.
Recent Developments — All the recent developments have to do with the Senate Impeachment Trial which I pretty well covered above and won’t repeat here, except for this:
- Manchin Launches “Censure Trump” Trial Balloon — Well for some odd reason Senator Joe Manchin took to the Senate Floor yesterday and tried to sell the idea of a Bipartisan Censure Vote against Trump. Maybe he plans to vote to acquit Trump (he says he is “undecided” and wants to use a call for censure as a a pre-vote fig leaf to cover his ass, or maybe he truly believes this is the right thing to do. I have no idea, but if he is going to vote to convict Trump, calling for censure only makes things politically worse for him in Red West Virginia. Some here at DK have already applauded the idea, but here’s my take:
Censure Commentary — BAD IDEA! While it may make some of us feel better, politically, censure will do nothing to help Senate Democrats who will have already voted to convict Trump. But worst of all, it could help Senate Republicans in two ways. First, it will allow Trumpster Republicans to once again show to their Trumpster voters their undying loyalty to the Orange Turd by voting against censure. But for the “so called” moderate establishment Senate Republicans who are politically drowning as they try to explain their “no witnesses” and acquittal votes, it will throw them a life preserver. Why the HELL do we want to do that? For those running for 2020 re-election in purple States (you all know who they are), a vote for censure gives them political cover among some moderate Republican and independent voters in their States, maybe enough to keep their seats. Again, why do we want to make it easier for them. Now this FP Post by Kerry Eleveld presents the other side of the Censure argument, which I encourage you to read so you have both perspectives. You can make up your own mind.
New Developments — All the new developments have to do with the Senate Impeachment Trial which I pretty well covered above and won’t repeat here, except for this:
- Manchin “Censure Trump” Trial Balloon Is Deflated — You can read the background on this above under “recent developments” as well as my commentary on it. Well fortunately, Democratic Leadership has pulled the plug on the Censure idea. According to this CNN Article:
During a meeting before tonight's State of the Union address , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer both made clear censuring President Trump, as some prominent Democrats have suggested, is not on the table.
“We have impeached the President. Our House has spoken,” Pelosi said.
As she started to make the case that Republican senators wouldn’t go for it anyway, Schumer finished the thought.
”Mitch McConnell — we cannot bring it up in the Senate trial. He has the ability to bring it up afterwards. He won’t. But for most of us, and just about all of us, he should be convicted and we don’t want a halfway measure,” Schumer said.
Thank God this politically BAD IDEA is dead. Sorry Mr. Manchin, you will get no fig leaf to cover your political ass if you decide to vote to acquit!
House Intelligence Committee Flynn Subpoena —
Background — Pre-Nov. 22 CLICK HERE. Nov. 22 to Jan. 30 CLICK HERE. Post Jan 30 CLICK HERE.
Recent Developments — None.
New Developments — None.
House Committees Subpoenas/Requests for Trump Banking/Financial Records & Taxes:
Background — Pre-Nov. 22 CLICK HERE. Nov. 22 to Jan. 30 CLICK HERE. Post Jan 30 CLICK HERE.
NOTE: In previous TICs, there were 3 separate topic threads (1. Deutsche/Capital One Bank Subpoenas, 2. Mazars’ Subpoena, and 3. Trump Taxes) covering 5 different court cases. Since they are all dealing with the same general topic (Trump’s hidden financial history) and were starting to get intertwined in my brain, I have rolled them all under the single header above to hopefully make things less confusing.
Also, to further help keep things organized, below are the five (5) ongoing court cases dealing with Trump’s Banking/Financial Records and tax returns.
1. Trump vs. Deutsche Bank and Capital One — Case brought by Trump against the the two banks in an effort to block a subpoena from the House Financial Services and Intelligence Committees for the Trump Organization’s banking records, including tax returns.
2. Trump vs. Mazars (Congressional Case) — Congressional Mazar’s case brought by Trump against Mazars (the Trump Organization’s former Accounting Firm) in an effort to block a subpoena from the House Oversight and Reform Committee for the Trump Organization’s financial records, including tax returns.
3. Trump vs. Mazars (Criminal Case) — Case brought by Trump against against Mazars (the Trump Organization’s former Accounting Firm) in an effort to block a subpoena from the Manhattan DA for Trump’s tax returns. The DA has subpoenaed these takes returns in conjunction with his criminal investigation of Trump’s hush money pay off to Stormy Daniels.
4. Congress vs. the IRS & Treasury Department (Trump’s Federal Tax Returns) — This case is a lawsuit brought by the House Ways & Means Committee against the IRS and Treasury Department for their failure to turn over Trump’s tax returns upon the Committee’s request as required BY LAW.
5. Trump vs. NYS Tax Department (Trump’s State Tax Returns) — This case is a lawsuit brought by Trump to block NYS from turning over his State tax returns to Congress.
I will use these case #s below to help keep things organized.
Recent Developments — None.
New Developments — Well in a move right out of the Roy Cohn playbook, AG Barr has interjected the DoJ into Case #’s 1, 2 & 3 above which are now before SCOTUS. According to this Law & Crime Article:
The Department of Justice went to bat for President Donald Trump’s tax returns in amicus briefs submitted to the Supreme Court on Monday.
U.S. Solicitor General Noel Francisco’s briefs in support of Trump were filed in Trump v. Mazars USA, LLP, Trump v. Deutsche Bank AG and Trump v. Cyrus Vance. The DOJ’s Mazars and Deutsche Bank briefs were combined into one because they address the same question: “Whether Articles I and II of the United States Constitution allowed three committees of the House of Representatives to issue four subpoenas to third-party custodians for the personal financial records of the sitting President of the United States.”
The DOJ’s Trump v. Vance brief addresses the question of whether “Article II and the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution allowed a state grand jury to issue the subpoena here to a third-party custodian for the personal financial records of the sitting President of the United States.”
So, yes Trump’s DoJ is making the argument before SCOTUS that at least THIS President is ABOVE THE LAW. These cases will be heard by SCOTUS on March 31.
House Committees’ Iran Assassination Investigation —
Background — Nov. 22 to Jan. 30 CLICK HERE. Post Jan 30 CLICK HERE.
Recent Developments — None.
New Developments — None.
THAT’S ALL FOR TODAY! HAPPY IMPEACHMENT TRIAL VIEWING!