The move was led by Representative Steve Cohen of Tennessee, who first declared his intention to initiate the impeachment process following Trump’s controversial “both sides” remarks in response to deadly violence at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Cohen is joined in his efforts by five colleagues, including fellow Judiciary Committee Democrat Luis Gutiérrez of Illinois, who announced his decision to join the push two weeks ago. Also at the press conference were Representatives Adriano Espaillat of New York and Al Green of Texas. The latter is one of the president’s loudest critics, and he has previously filed his own articles of impeachment.
Five articles of impeachment will be introduced, alleging obstruction of justice, violations of both the foreign and domestic emoluments clause, undermining the federal judiciary and undermining the freedom of the press.
While some will say it’s too soon to do this and they should wait until after Mueller’s investigation, the Democrats will need time and do live trials of impeachment language.
It’s a worthy exercise even if it doesn’t go anywhere this time.
Anthony Scaramucci, an investment firm founder who professes to support LGBT rights was tapped to take on the outreach role at the Office of Public Engagement & Intergovernmental Affairs, a role similar to that of Valerie Jarrett. Scaramucci was informed on informed on Wednesday by White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and Trump’s chief strategist Steve Bannon that he wouldn’t get the job.
In November, Scaramucci criticized the progressive movement for its current climate of uber-political correctness, which he said “the average person” rejects, but nonetheless insisted he’s a supporter of LGBT rights and has donated to the Human Rights Campaign and the American Unity PAC, a pro-LGBT Republican group.
“I’m also a gay rights activist,” Scaramucci said. “You can look it up. I’ve given to American Unity PAC, I’ve given to the Human Rights Campaign, I’m for marriage equality. And by the way, this’ll be the first American president in U.S. history that enters the White House with a pro-gay rights stance.”
On Twitter, Scaramucci also criticized North Carolina’s House Bill 2, which bars cities from enacting pro-LGBT ordinances and prohibits transgender people from using the restroom in schools and government buildings consistent with their gender identity. Scaramucci called it “shameful” and “a bill to address to non-existent problem.”
Senate Republicans took the first steps towards dismantling Obamacare Tuesday afternoon, filing a budget resolution that puts the wheels in motion for “overhauling”, but in reality actually repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as we know it.
The health care law has reduced the rate of uninsured Americans to the lowest ever recorded and provided health care coverage to 20 million people who previously lacked it.
After Republicans met again on Wednesday to discuss the Affordable Care Act, Vice President-elect Mike Pence came out vowing to repeal the law.
“The first order of business is to repeal and replace Obamacare, and that was our message today and that will be our message on Capitol Hill,” Pence told reporters after the meeting.
At the same time, Obama met with House Democrats to plot ways to slow the Republican drive and defend parts of his signature law. Republicans already control the House and Senate, and after Trump takes office later this month they’ll have the power to gut Obamacare.
Although repeal of the law is now almost a virtual certainty, it’s far from clear what will replace it. Republican leaders said they are exploring a variety of market-based options that would lower costs, give Americans more choice and reduce government’s role in the health care system.
Yet Republicans are expected to need a property manager? Why? Because as they work out a replacement. “We don’t want people to be caught with nothing,” said Paul Ryan, speaker of the House.
Democrats were skeptical. They contend the elimination of Obamacare will “make America sick again,” a twist on Trump’s campaign theme.
“They don’t have a replacement plan,” said Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the leader of House Democrats. “To repeal and delay is an act of cowardice” that could jeopardize the health care of millions of Americans, especially seniors who receive Medicare.
Republicans argue that a more market-based approach will increase competition in the health-care market and lead to lower prices despite the fact that health-care costs in the U.S., already the highest in the industrial world because it is a “for profit” business.
The Affordable Care Act, signed into law in 2010 and has since benefited millions of Americans needing access to affordable health insurance—including people living with HIV and other pre-existing conditions.
An estimated 20 million Americans are liable to lose their health insurance if the ACA is repealed.
King and Spaulding the law firm that was tapped by the GOP to mount a defense FOR the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) has pulled out of the case after facing intense scrutiny from the LGBT Community, colleges, and Fortune 100 businesses that the law firm represents.
Chairman Robert D. Hays, Jr., whose partner Paul Clement was to lead the defense, said in a statement through a spokesman, Les Zuke:
Today the firm filed a motion to withdraw from its engagement to represent the Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group of the House of Representatives on the constitutional issues regarding Section III of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act. Last week we worked diligently through the process required for withdrawal.
In reviewing this assignment further, I determined that the process used for vetting this engagement was inadequate. Ultimately I am responsible for any mistakes that occurred and apologize for the challenges this may have created.
BOOYAH! We won this round! But most certainly the GOP House majority is looking for a new lawyer
