Cabbage News Network Week #88

[kmusser]

I've limited my consumption of news and social media this week for the sake of my own sanity, so may have missed stuff. For what it's worth I believe Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and think Kavanaugh is a lying sack of shit.

Monday 9/24

• After 2nd accuser against Kavanaugh comes forward, White House goes into full smear mode (source).
  
• GOP planning on go ahead with confirmation plans regardless of how horrible Kavanaugh may be (source).
  
• More on how Dr. Ford is being treated.
  
• Opinion piece: Why GOP are standing behind Kavanaugh - best explanation I've seen for why GOP is going forward with a candidate so horrifyingly unfit for the job.
  
• U.S.-China trade war continues to escalate (source).
  
• Foreign policy bigwigs warn DJT against war with Iran (source).
  
• Administration rolls back safety mandate for trains carrying crude oil (source).
  
• Congress looking at revamping foreign aid agency (source).
  

Tuesday 9/25

• U.N. General Assembly laughs at DJT to his face when he boasts of his "achievements" (source).
  

Wednesday 9/26

• U.S. - Canada trade talks break down (source).
  

Thursday 9/27

Kavanaugh hearing featuring Dr. Christine Blasey Ford's testimony (WP summary, NYT summary)

• American Bar Association supports call for FBI investigation of Kavanaugh, delay in vote (source).
  
• Lindsay Graham threatens to make up sexual assault allegations against future democratic supreme court nominees (source).
  
• EPA eliminates science office (source).
  
• House bills weakening the Endangered Species Act move forward (source).
  
• House GOP pushing ahead with 2nd round of tax cuts (source).
  
• HHS chief says "Medicare for all", essentially what all other Western nations have been using for decades is "to good to be true" (source).
  
• SEC sues Elon Musk for securities fraud (source).
  

Friday 9/28

• Vote on Kavanaugh to be today (source).
  
• Jeff Flake announces support for Kavanaugh, which means he'll probably get approved (source).

Maps of the week

• Voter turnout maps

No legislative action this week

• Legislation signed into law
  
  • DoE appropriations act https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr5895
    
  
  
• Legislation awaiting DJT's signature
  
  • DoD appropriations act https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr6157
    
  • Bill ending pharmacy gag rule on drug prices https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/s2554
    
  • 18 minor bills
  
  
• Legislation passed in the House, awaiting Senate
  
  • 52 bills, which I think are all minor stuff, but I haven't had the time to go through them
    
  • 749 total pending bills
  
  
• Legislation passed in the Senate, awaiting House
  
  • 7 minor bills
    
  • 132 total pending bills
  
  
• Upcoming legislation
  
  • Opioid Crises Response Act https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/s2680 (summary)
    
  • Tax cut bill https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr6760
    

Comments

[kmusser]

and Senate is asking for an FBI investigation after all, vote has been delayed.

[dewline]

I fear that essay on Deadspin had the motive nailed down accurately.

[vvalkyri]

While that's probably part of it, Kavanaugh was added to the short list amidst everything around the Russia probe. one thing that's important about Kavanaugh is he believed a president is allowed to ignore any law said president thinks is unconstitutional as well as he is on record as thinking a president should not necessarily be investigated. Moreover, there's a case coming up to the court very soon that will greatly expand the power of pardoning someone for a federal offense in that it may prevent trying them for similar offences at the state level

[dewline]

This case in particular?

https://hillreporter.com/the-supreme-court-case-fueling-republicans-rush-to-confirm-brett-kavanaugh-8463