Cabbage News Network Week #42

Status of Puerto Rico infrastructure - it's been 51 days and the island is still 50% without power, that is over a million Americans.

Monday 11/6

• "Paradise Papers" leak reveals Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross' financial ties to Russia. (source).
  
• Flood insurance bill is in the works (source)

Tuesday 11/7

• HHS says it's ok for states to add work requirements for Medicaid recipients (source).
  
• Carter Page meets with Senate investigators and says a ton of self-incriminating stuff about the DJT campaign meetings with Russia. (source, source, source, transcript, a detailed breakdown from Seth Abramson written in the most annoying format ever).
  
• Jeff Sessions to meet with House investigators next week regarding Russia (source).
  
• Tax cut bill might violate the rules that would allow it to bypass a filibuster (source).

Wednesday 11/8

• Since January the U.S. has lost 60% of its career ambassadors (source).
  
• Senate GOP planning on writing their own tax bill rather than use House version (source, summary of differences).
  
• DJT restores partial embargo of Cuba (source).
  
• Judge issues gag order for all participants in the Manafort/Gates trial (source).

Thursday 11/9

• DJT's 3rd attempt at a travel ban facing court challenge (source).
  
• DJT voter fraud commission sued by DEM members for being kept out (source).
  
• DJT aide Stephen Miller being interviewed by Mueller (source).
  
• More info on Trump Jr.-Russia connection (source).
  
• John Kelly pushing DHS to end immigration protections for Central Americans (source).
  
• Senate to undergo anti-sexual harassment training (source).

Legislative action this week

• Legislation signed into law
  
  • Bill protecting financial institutions from class action lawsuits https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hjres111
    
  • 8 minor bills
    
  
  
• Legislation awaiting DJT's signature
  
  
  
  • 5 minor bills
  
  
• Legislation passed in the House, awaiting Senate
  
  • Bill reauthorizing the Children's Health Insurance Program while cutting funding for it https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr3922 (letter opposing: http://phi.org/policy-advocacy/tell-congress-yes-on-health-no-on-champion-act/)
    
  • Bill reducing regulatory oversight over credit rating agencies (really? yes, really) https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr3911 (letter opposing: http://consumerfed.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/cfa-opposes-hr3911-and-hr2201.pdf)
    
  • Bill overturning recent court decisions holding employers liable for labor violations in joint employment situations https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr3441 (letter opposing: https://fightfor15.org/fight-back-anti-worker-h-r-3441/)
    
  • Bill transferring authority over hydroelectric facilities to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, would remove some environment protections re dams https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr3043 (letter opposing: https://secure.everyaction.com/GDXK5rkx0Ei63nPxxiptqQ2)
    
  • Iran sanctions bill https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr1698
    
  • Bill drastically reducing what activities on Forest Service, BLM, and Tribal lands require environmental review https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr2936 (letter opposing: https://www.npca.org/articles/1674-position-on-h-r-2936-resilient-federal-forests-act-of-2017)
    
  • Bill revoking passports of individuals affiliated with a terrorist organization https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr425
    
  • Bill eliminating the Independent Payment Advisory Board https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr849
    
  • Bill loosening reporting requirements for IPO's (essentially opening options that were for start-ups only to all companies) https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr3903
    
  • 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
    
  • 14 bills dealing with veterans
    
  • 310 other minor bills
  
  
• Legislation passed in the Senate, awaiting House
  
  • DHS authorization bill https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr1370
    
  • DoD authorization bill for FY 2018 https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr2810
    
  • 71 other minor bills
  
  
• Upcoming legislation
  
  • The GOP tax cut bill https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr1
    
  • Bill expanding oil and gas drilling on Federal land https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr4239
    
  • Bill renewing the National Flood Insurance Program https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr2874
    
  
  
  Maps of the week
  
  Virginia election results