Cabbage News Network Week #17

Sunday 5/14

• Dept. of Interior reviewing National Monuments, esp. the new Bears Ears NM in Utah (source, public comments go here).
  
• Congress tells DJT that if he has any tapes of his conversations with Comey he should hand them over (source).

Monday 5/15

• DJT gave the Russians classified information. (source and why this is a big deal and DJT admission this is true as he throws his staff that were issuing denials under the bus).
  
• Abortion funding ban on world health services to expand, this will essentially end U.S. funds going towards any medical aid in Africa (source).
  
• Texas to test whether it can get Medicaid funding while banning Planned Parenthood (source)
  
• EPA standing by pesticide linked to developmental problems in children (source).

Tuesday 5/16

• Comey's memos document DJT's attempts to end Russia investigati (source).

Wednesday 5/17

• Ex-FBI Director Robert Mueller appointed special counsel to lead new Russia investigation - not to be confused with the House or Senate investigations - I believe he is essentially taking over the FBI investigations, though technically this is a new one, he is under the authority of the Justice Dept., so not completely independent, but much more so than the others and has more powers as Mueller is authorized to pursue criminal charges if warranted. (source).
  
• Putin offers transcript of meeting with DJT if DJT is ok with it, a.k.a maximum trolling (source).
• Immigration arrests are up 40% (source).
  
• DJT keeps Iran deal (the one he called "worst deal ever") (source).
  
• The U.S. is not banning laptops on flights from Europe (source).
  
• Senate Russia investigation subpoenas Flynn (source).
  
• A reminder that Trump supporters aren't seeing any of this and aren't likely to believe it if they do (source).

Thursday 5/18

• DJT campaign had at least 18 contacts with the Russians - just in case you were losing count (source).
  
• DJT knew Flynn was under investigation when he hired him, also Flynn advised U.S. to go with Turkey's wishes in Syria while he was getting paid by Turkey (source).
  
• Flynn ignores subpoenas - since the congressional investigations don't really have any enforcement mechanism there isn't much of a downside for him doing so - if he does the same for Mueller's investigation it'll be a different story (source).
  
• FCC plan to end Net Neutrality is moving right along (source).
  
• Representative Chaffetz (currently leading the House investigation) is retiring early, namely next month (source).
  
• DJT intent to re-negotiate NAFTA made official - no details offered (source).

Friday 5/19

• DJT leaves on a trip to the Middle East - what could go wrong?

Legislative action this week

• Legislation signed into law
  
  • Repeal of a rule requiring transit authorities to consolidate planning organizations in the same metro area https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/s496
    
  • Repeal of rule exempting state government run IRAs from ERISA protections https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hjres66

• Legislation awaiting DJT's signature
  
  
  
• Legislation passed in the House, awaiting Senate
  
  • American Health Care Act ( the "Obamacare repeal") https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr1628
    
  • Law requiring more rigorous screening of TSA employees https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr876
    
  • Law making the head of the U.S. Copyright office a political appointee (currently they are named by the Librarian of Congress) https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr1695
    
  • Law making Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac subject to the Freedom of Information Act https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr1694
    
  • Law changing what investment/securities reports are considered offerings of sales and thus subject to SEC filings https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr910
    
  • Law allowing overtime to paid in paid-time off rather than cash https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr1180
    
  • Law expanding whistleblower protections https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr657
    
  • Law establishing a statute of limitations on FEMA grants https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr1678
    
  • Authorization for the president to impose boycott of North Korea https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr1644
    
  • Law imposing sanctions on Syria https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr1677
    
  • Law establishing a National Computer Forensics Institute to educate and train local law enforcement in fighting cyber crimes https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr1616
  
  
• Legislation passed in the Senate, awaiting House
  
  
  
• Legislation advancing in the House
  
  • Repeal of Dodd-Frank Act https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr10