Cabbage News Network Week #40

Status of Puerto Rico infrastructure - it's been 37 days and the island is still 70% without power, that is over a million Americans.

Friday 10/20

• DJT executive order allows retired military to be recalled back to active service (source).
  
• Administration looking at more options for limiting refugees entering the country, including ending family reunification program (source).
  
• What the hell happened in Niger? the Snopes takedown of various rumors has more details.

Sunday 10/22

• Congressional Russia inquiries are stalling (source).
  
• Bipartisan bill to stabilize health care still in limbo (source).
  
• Dept. of Education rescinds documents explaining the rights of students with disabilities (source).
  
• CIA expanding operations in Afghanistan (source).

Monday 10/23

• Some depressing polls on the lack of support for the first amendment (source).

Tuesday 10/24

• GOP Senators Bob Corker and Jeff Flake denounce DJT, both are leaving the Senate next year, we'll see if they vote any differently (source).
  
• DJT's lawyer, Michael Cohen, interviewed by House Intelligence Committee (source).
  
• USDA rescinds a planned rule that would've made it easier for small farms to sue megacorps over unfair business practices (source).
  
• EPA nominee starts working without waiting for Senate confirmation (source).
  
• FCC eliminates rule that broadcasters must have a physical studio in areas they broadcast (source).

Wednesday 10/25

• Senate votes to protect Wall Street from lawsuits (source) (Corker, Flake, McCain, Collins all vote DJT's way).
  
• Court challenge of the cut to healthcare subsidies denied (source).
  
• CBO issues report on the bipartisan health care bill that will never pass (source).
  
• Some JFK papers released (source).
  
• FCC plans to roll-back regulations against media consolidation (source).

Thursday 10/26

• DJT declares opioid public health emergency, his earlier deceleration of a national emergency did not have any resulting action, this declaration does free up some Federal funds for use by the states, but still doesn't really authorize any new funds (source).
  
• Administration prepares list of sanctions against Russia (source).
  
• Treasury calls for loosening oversight of large insurance companies (source).
  
• State Dept. eliminates sanctions office (source).

Friday 10/27

• 2 person company from Zinke's hometown that landed $300 million deal to restore Puerto Rico power also immune to audits per their contract (source).

In news elsewhere

• Spain headed towards civil war? (source).

Legislative action this week

• Legislation signed into law
  
  • A bill regarding FEMA reporting requirements https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr1117
  
  
• Legislation awaiting DJT's signature
  
  • Disaster relief for Puerto Rico https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr2266
    
  • Bill protecting financial institutions from class action lawsuits https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hjres111
    
  • Bill expanding whistleblower protections https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/s585
    
  • and 8 other minor bills
  
  
• Resolutions passing Congress
  
  • 2018 budget resolution - this is a resolution and not a bill, it does not carry the weight of law and does not require DJT's signature, but does change Congress' rules for itself https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hconres71 - I was premature in listing this last week as the Senate made changes, this week the House approved those change.
  
  
• Legislation passed in the House, awaiting Senate
  
  • Iran sanctions bill - doesn't technically impose sanctions which would violate Iran agreement, but passes buck back to the president allowing him to do so https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr1698
    
  • Bill banning abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr36
    
  • Bill reauthorizing the National Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/s782
    
  • Renewal of law promoting democracy in North Korea and helping North Korean refugees https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr2061
    
  • Bill giving the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration authority over self driving cars https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr3388
    
  • Bill restricting IRS use of civil asset forfeiture https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr1843
    
  • Bill to allow publicly traded companies to use SEC crowdfunding rule https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr2864
    
  • Authorization bill for CIA and other intelligence activities https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr3180
    
  • DoD appropriations bill https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr3219
    
  • Dept. of Interior appropriations https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr3354
    
  • 296 other minor bills
  
  
• Legislation passed in the Senate, awaiting House
  
  • DoD Authorization bill for FY 2018 https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr2810
    
  • 64 other minor bills
  
  
  Maps of the week
  
  • Detailed map of most destructive fire in California.
    
  • Maps showing plate tectonic movements below the earth's crust - for you geology geeks out there.