Tag: GOP House

Devin Nunes, targeting Mueller and the FBI, alarms Democrats and some Republicans with his tactics

The following article by Karoun Demirjian was posted on the Washington Post website December 31, 2017:

Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) arrives for a closed House Republican conference meeting on Capitol Hill on Dec. 19. (Aaron P. Bernstein/Reuters)

Rep. Devin Nunes, once sidelined by an ethics inquiry from leading the House Intelligence Committee’s Russia probe, is reasserting the full authority of his position as chairman just as the GOP appears poised to challenge special counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s investigation of possible coordination between the Trump campaign and Russian officials.

The California Republican was cleared in December of allegations he improperly disclosed classified information while accusing the Obama administration of exposing the identities of Trump affiliates on surveillance reports. Since clearing his name, Nunes has stepped up his attacks on Mueller’s team and the law enforcement agencies around it, including convening a group of Intelligence Committee Republicans to draft a likely report on “corruption” among the investigators working for the special counsel. Continue reading “Devin Nunes, targeting Mueller and the FBI, alarms Democrats and some Republicans with his tactics”

House Extends Christmas Recess, Will Return Jan. 8

NOTE:  Looks like Rep. Erik Paulsen should be available a few more days next month.

The following article by Niels Lesniewski was posted on the Roll Call website December 22, 2017:

House members can extend their winter breaks. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Members will return just eight legislative days from another shutdown showdown

House members can extend their holiday vacations, but senators have no such luck.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s office announced Friday that the House will not kick off work for the second session of the 115th Congress until Monday, Jan. 8, with a customary 6:30 p.m. vote series. Continue reading “House Extends Christmas Recess, Will Return Jan. 8”

FBI deputy grilled by House Intel amid concerns over bias

The following article by Katie Bo Williams was posted on the Hill website December 19, 2017:

© Victoria Sarno Jordan

FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe arrived at the Capitol Tuesday afternoon to face a grilling from the House Intelligence Committee amid concerns among some Republicans who believe the bureau is hopelessly biased against President Trump.

He testified for close to eight hours in a rescheduled interview that came amid the committee’s sprawling investigation into Russian interference in the U.S. election. Continue reading “FBI deputy grilled by House Intel amid concerns over bias”

Paul Ryan Says He’s Sticking Around, Vague With Timeline

The following article by Lindsey McPherson was posted on the Roll Call website December 19, 2017:

Speaker Paul D. Ryan, R-Wis., says he isn’t going anywhere, but hasn’t been specific about the timeline. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

Speaker Paul D. Ryan on Tuesday sought to tamp down rumors that he’s planning to resign soon or retire at the end of 2018, separately telling the House Republican Conference and the press that he’s not going anywhere.

However, the Wisconsin Republican did not qualify either statement with a timeline, leaving open to the possibility that he may not seek another term in Congress. Continue reading “Paul Ryan Says He’s Sticking Around, Vague With Timeline”

House Intelligence Panel Is Rushing to Complete Russia Probe

The following article by Nicholas Fandos was posted on the Washington Post website December 15, 2017:

Representative Adam Schiff of California, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said he had a list of at least two dozen witnesses whom Republicans have been unwilling to call in their investigation. Credit Mark Wilson/Getty Images

WASHINGTON — The House Intelligence Committee is racing to complete its investigation of Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election, scheduling a host of witness interviews here and in New York for next week as Congress heads for its break, and, Democrats said, leaving other leads unfollowed.

Some of the most important witnesses are to be interviewed in New York by committee staff early next week, possibly leaving Democrats to choose between attending those depositions or voting on the massive tax bill coming before the House. Continue reading “House Intelligence Panel Is Rushing to Complete Russia Probe”

What You Need to Know About the House Higher Education Act Bill

The following article by the Center for American Progress Postsecondary Education Team was posted on their website December 7, 2017:

In this February 1, 2017, photo, students walk between classes on campus. Credit: AP/Bebeto Matthews

Last week, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce unveiled its proposal for rewriting the Higher Education Act, the nation’s main law governing postsecondary education. The Promoting Real Opportunity, Success, and Prosperity through Education Reform (PROSPER) Act is the beginning of an important conversation about what the future of learning beyond high school should look like in this country going forward.

Unfortunately, the bill’s vision of higher education is an emboldened industry at the expense of students. In a one-two punch, the bill would first eliminate key requirements that shield students from being taken advantage of while they’re in school, and then follow up by undercutting the safety net that prevents debt from ruining the lives of low-income borrowers. Similarly, the bill limits state efforts to oversee schools and loan servicers, and ties the U.S. Department of Education’s hands in conducting oversight work. Continue reading “What You Need to Know About the House Higher Education Act Bill”

House conservatives cast doubt on GOP leaders’ shutdown strategy

The following article by Cristin Marcos and Melanie Zanona was posted on the Hill website December 1, 2017:

© Greg Nash

House conservatives said Friday that they opposed GOP leaders’ proposal to keep the government funded up to a few days before Christmas, throwing a wrench into plans to avoid a shutdown.

Republicans emerged from a conference meeting on Friday divided over a strategy to avoid a government shutdown when funding runs out in one week.

GOP leaders had proposed passing a two-week stopgap measure next week to keep the government funded through Dec. 22 so that lawmakers could have time to work out a budget deal. Continue reading “House conservatives cast doubt on GOP leaders’ shutdown strategy”