Cabbage News Network Week #45

[kmusser]

Status of Puerto Rico infrastructure - it's been 72 days and the island is still 40% without power, that is over a million Americans.

Previously

• Dem member of FCC asks public to help protect Net Neutrality (source).

Sunday 11/26

CBO releases analysis of GOP tax cut bill, is pretty much as horrible as imagined (source).

• The FBI has failed to warn targets of Russian hackers that they are being targeted, the AP does the FBI's job for them (source).
  
• Congressional schedule for December (source).
  
• Question of who leads the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to be decided in court (source).
  

Monday 11/27

• Flynn failed to disclose trip to the Middle East promoting nuclear power project (source).
  
• Supreme Court refuses to hear two gun law challenges, effectively upholding Maryland's assault weapon ban and Florida's open-carry ban (source).

Tuesday 11/28

• Dem congressional leaders refuse to meet with DJT because he's a big man baby (source).
  
• DJT expected to shrink 2 Utah National Monuments next week (source).
  
• Tax bill ok'd by Senate budget committee (source).
  
• NYT analysis of tax bill impact on the middle class.
  
• Arctic gas and oil drilling bill merged into tax cut bill (source).

Wednesday 11/29

• Kushner interviewed by Mueller's team (source).

Thursday 11/30

• Tillerson might be fired next week? (source).
  
• More White House staff changes likely at end of the year (source).
  
• Tax bill delayed over budget concerns, thanks Sen. Corker. Could still vote Friday as they make last minute changes to bill. (source).
  
• More analysis on who will see a tax increase vs a tax cut under the GOP tax bill.
  
• DJT ok with a government shutdown (source).
  
• DJT tried to end Russia investigations (source).
  
• DoD expands drone program in Africa (source).

Friday 12/1

• Mueller issues changes against Flynn for making false statements, Flynn to take plea deal (source).
  
• U.S. trade fight with China over solar panels (source).

Legislative action this week

• Legislation signed into law
  
  
  
• Legislation awaiting DJT's signature
  
  • DoD authorization bill for FY 2018 https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr2810
    
  • 3 minor bills
  
  
• Legislation passed in the House, awaiting Senate
  
  • The GOP tax bill https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr1
    
  • 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 (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
    
  • 325 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
    
  • 81 other minor bills
  
  
• Upcoming legislation
  
  • Bill expanding oil and gas drilling on Federal land https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr4239
  
  
  Maps of the week
  
  • 
    We say farewell to Washington area cartographer and graphic designer Peter Dovak
    
    
    
  • More of Dovak's work.