Cabbage News Network Week #53

Status of Puerto Rico infrastructure - it's been 128 days and the island is still 20% without power.

Monday 1/22

• Government shutdown that started last Friday night ends Monday evening as Dems cave-in (source, analysis).
  
• U.S. stands by as Turkey attacks Kurds in Syria (source).

Tuesday 1/23

• Sessions interviewed by Mueller (source).
  
• U.S. raises tariffs on washing machines and solar panels. China, South Korea, and Mexico protest (source).
  
• Continuing resolution re-authorized funding for Children's Health Insurance Program, but not for community health centers (source).
  
• Federal Reserve Board nominee questioned by Senate (source).
  
• Trans-Pacific Partnership proceeding without the U.S. source).

Wednesday 1/24

• Justice department is demanding records from sanctuary cities (source).
  
• On DJT's pattern of asking law enforcement officials about their loyalty (analysis).
  
• GOP attempting to discredit Russia investigation (source).

Thursday 1/25

• DJT willing to talk to Mueller (source).
  
• As an aside, just in case anyone was wondering whether it's normal for the president's own aides to appear on "Fox & Friends: in an attempt to communicate with the president . . . no, that is not normal.
  
• Senate Judiciary Committee to release transcripts of interviews regarding DJT team meeting with Russian lawyer (source).
  
• DJT offers path to citizenship for "dreamers" if Dems will fund his wall (source).
  
• DJT ordered Mueller to be fired last June, but backed down when the White House Counsel refused to carry out the order (source).
  
• Dutch intelligence was able to give FBI evidence of Russian cyber-attacks during the 2016 election because they had hacked the hackers (source).
  
• EPA loosens air pollution regulations (source).
  
• Emoluments lawsuit against DJT proceeding in Maryland (source).

Legislative action this week

• Legislation signed into law
  
  • Continuing resolution to keep government open https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr195
    
  • FISA re-authorization https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/s139
  
  
• Legislation awaiting DJT's signature
  
  
  
• Legislation passed in the House, awaiting Senate - nothing new
  
  • Bill to withhold payments to the World Bank if it does anything the administration doesn't like https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr3326
    
  • More disaster relief https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr4667
    
  • Bill limiting circumstances in which regulators can order banks to close customer accounts https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr2706
    
  • Bill increasing penalties for crimes against religious institutions https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr1730
    
  • Bill strengthening sanctions on Iran https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr1638
    
  • Bill halting aid to the Palestinian Authority https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr1164
    
  • Bill requiring states to honor concealed carry permits of other states https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr38
    
  • Bill to deregulate mergers between companies making less than $25 million https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr477
    
  • Bill extending the probationary period for most Federal employees from one to two years https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr4182
    
  • Bill providing humanitarian aid to Venezuela https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr2658
    
  • Bill reauthorizing EPA's brownfields program https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr3017
    
  • Bill renewing the National Flood Insurance Program https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr2874
    
  • Bill reauthorizing the Children's Health Insurance Program while cutting funding for it https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr3922
    
  • Bill reducing regulatory oversight over credit rating agencies https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr3911
    
  • Bill overturning recent court decisions holding employers liable for labor violations in joint employment situations https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr3441
    
  • 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
    
  • 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
    
  • 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 https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr3903
    
  • Bill banning abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr36
    
  • 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
    
  • 382 other minor bills
  
  
• Legislation passed in the Senate, awaiting House
  
  • Bill expanding the requirements of when suspected sexual abuse must be reported https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/s534
    
  • DHS authorization bill https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr1370
    
  • 91 other minor bills
  
  
  Map of the week
  

  
  Watch ISIL defeat in map form (ISIL in dark gray) -
  original source (includes the legend)