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Secretary of State Rex Tillerson held a press conference yesterday to laud praise on Donald Trump while not directly refuting that he once called the president a moron. A “f-----g moron,” to be exact, according to NBC News, which is not retracting their reporting (though State denies it). Senator Bob Corker (R-TN), perhaps feeling a bit emboldened by his pending retirement, said Tillerson is one of the people separating the country from chaos. Yes, there’s chaos in the world. But we don’t think that was the chaos he was referencing. Congressman Tim Murphy (R-PA) announced Wednesday that he’ll retire at the end of his term, after allegations that the anti-abortion, married lawmaker asked his mistress to terminate a pregnancy. And breathe deep … while you can. According to an EPA document, the Trump administration will repeal the Clean Power Plan, the centerpiece of former President Barack Obama’s effort to fight climate change, and one that Trump has called “stupid.” I hear the echoing words of Rex Tillerson in the background. In Vegas, few clues are emerging from the investigation into the elusive gunman’s motives. And as for the GOP members extending thoughts and prayers, Questlove has been responding on Twitter with the amount of money the lawmakers received from the NRA. Members of Congress are going hard this week. So let’s get to it. We’re kicking off Thursday with this...
- Barack Obama to headline a hurricane relief concert in Texas.
- Congressmen Rubén Gallego (D-AZ) and Luis Gutiérrez (D-IL) blast Trump for behavior and comments in Puerto Rico.
- Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD) wants Kellyanne Conway to bring receipts from private plane jaunts. But that's not all. Read on.
- Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) is all about Game of Thrones and Prince. Meet my new best friend below.
- Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) wants to break the banks.
- FCC approves funds to help fix communications networks in PR and the USVI.
- Ford Foundation announces a diverse group of Art of Change Fellows. And they are all so dope.
- Black-owned media company behind Fences get $150 million in funding.
- Indian Country Today Media Network gets a major lifeline.
- Budgets proposed by CBC Chair Congressman Cedric Richmond (D-LA) and Progressive Caucus Chair Congressman Raúl Grijalva (D-LA) nixed by the House.
- Congressman Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) wants to ban “bump stocks.”
- The Beat DC’s Patricia Guadalupe is tracking DACA. She looks at what CHC members are doing in advance of today’s deadline, below.
- House Dems’ Rebuilding Task Force wants focus on infrastructure.
- New data shows wealth among whites far greater Blacks and Hispanics.
- Latino high school dropout rate at new low while college enrollment is at a new high.
- If you don’t have plans tonight, you do now! From a Puerto Rico/Mexico fundraiser to the Asian Americans Advancing Justice American Courage Awards, FOMO has you covered.
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|  | Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY) attending a workshop on assistance for DACA recipients in her district. | |  | Labor Secretary Alex Acosta on Tuesday at a Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute symposium discussing international trade and labor issues. | |
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Obama to Headline Hurricane Relief Concert in Texas
Former President Barack Obama will headline a hurricane relief concert at Texas A&M’s Reed Arena the evening of October 21st. He will be joined by former Presidents Bush 41 and 43, Bill Clinton, and Jimmy Carter. All ticket sales and other proceeds from the “Deep From the Heart: The One America Appeal” concert will go to the special hurricane recovery effort launched last month by the five living former presidents. Performers will include gospel legend Yolanda Adams; Rock & Roll Hall of Famer ‘Soul Man’ Sam Moore; Cassadee Pope, the Season Three winner of NBC's The Voice; and rising country artist Stephanie Quayle, among others. Country music star Lee Greenwood will emcee the event. Tickets are on sale here.
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Richmond and Grijalva Budget Proposals Voted Down in Late Wednesday Votes
During late evening votes on Wednesday, the House voted down two budget alternatives offered by the Congressional Black Caucus led by Congressman Cedric Richmond (D-LA) and the Congressional Progressive Caucus led by Congressman Raúl Grijalva (D-LA) as Republicans move forward with their proposal this week to establish a vehicle for tax reform. The Hill reports that both proposals to spend more money on social safety net programs stood in contrast to the House GOP budget, which would increase military spending and call for $203 billion in cuts to mandatory spending, including anti-poverty and agriculture programs. The CBC budget would further codify a proposal championed by Congressman Jim Clyburn (D-SC) to ensure federal programs direct, at a minimum, 10% of their funds to communities where at least 20% of the population has lived below the poverty line for at least the last 30 years. “How can we say with a straight face that we propose to lift people out of poverty, help people achieve the American dream, and help our children dream the impossible dream and then give them the power so that they can go achieve it while we’re cutting their education, we’re cutting all the programs that help them to achieve it?” said Richmond of the GOP budget. More here.
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Cummings Questions Kellyanne Conway’s Private Flights and Literally Wants the Receipts from Price’s Payment
Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD), the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, sent a letter on Wednesday to Kellyanne Conway requesting information on all private, non-commercial, or military flights she has taken since assuming her position in the White House, including all flights she took with then-Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price. “Despite the fact that you joined Secretary Price on several of these flights, you have not made any similar public statements indicating whether your own actions were appropriate, whether you will continue to take such flights at taxpayer expense in the future, or whether you plan to personally repay the taxpayers for the costs of your seats on these flights,” Cummings wrote in a letter to Conway. And in his letter to HHS and Treasury, Cummings wrote, “To verify that Secretary Price made his payment last Friday, please provide by October 6, 2017, a copy of any check or other form of payment former Secretary Price submitted to reimburse his expenses for these flights. If you do not have a copy of this payment, please indicate that you have not received it and provide any explanation you have received from former Secretary Price or his representatives for why his payment has not been made.” See both letters here.
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|  | Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities President and CEO Antonio Flores with Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) on Wednesday at a briefing on Hispanic Serving Institutions. | |  | Members of Congress on the steps of the Capitol on Wednesday morning for a rally against gun violence. | |
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Gallego and Gutiérrez Take to the House Floor to Address Trump’s Behavior in Puerto Rico
Congressman Rubén Gallego (D-AZ) took to the House floor on Wednesday to condemn Donald Trump’s visit to Puerto Rico, where 45 said Puerto Rico wasn't a “real catastrophe like Katrina” because of the official low number of hurricane-related deaths on the island, joked that disaster aid for Puerto Rico was straining the budget, and tossed rolls of paper towels into a crowd. “I’m not sure Donald Trump understands the meaning of the word leadership,” Gallego said in a House floor speech. “Instead, yesterday we were treated to the bizarre spectacle of the president of the United States throwing rolls of paper towels into a crowd.” Congressman Luis Gutiérrez (D-IL), who visited Puerto Rico over the weekend, also made remarks on the House floor, saying he was “frankly horrified by our president’s performance ... They don’t need paper towels tossed at them like T-shirts at a sports arena. They need helicopters, bridges, cell towers and generators.” More here.
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Hispanic Caucus Asks Admin to Push Back DACA Deadline
With today’s deadline for nearly 154,000 DACA recipients to renew their application looming, members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus including Chair Congresswoman Michelle Luján Grisham (D-NM), CHC Immigration Task Force Chair Congressman Luis V. Gutiérrez (D-IL), and Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), the Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, sent a letter to Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Elaine Duke calling for an immediate meeting and extension of the DACA renewal deadline to at least January 5th of next year. Of the Trump administration’s September 5th deadline, the members wrote that “The 30 day period that the administration gave Dreamers to renew their status was arbitrary and frankly dangerous. We are very concerned that because DACA recipients were not individually notified of their eligibility for renewal, tens of thousands of DACA recipients could lose their work authorization and DACA status protection.” Approximately 50,000 DACA recipients -- nearly one-third of those eligible -- have not submitted their renewal applications to DHS. Lawmakers also want the DHS to specify what exactly would happen to recipients once their status expires should Congress not move forward on legislation. CHC members have asked for a DACA extension on two previous occasions, to no avail. The Beat DC’s Patricia Guadalupe breaks it down in NBC Latino.
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Curbelo Wants to Ban “Bump Stocks” -- the Device the Las Vegas Shooter Used
Congressman Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) plans to introduce bipartisan legislation to ban a device used by the Las Vegas shooter that makes semi-automatic weapons fire more rapidly. Previously obscure gun conversion kits, called “bump stocks,” that turn semi-automatic weapons into weapons capable of firing in long, deadly bursts have actually sold out among some manufacturers in the wake of the mass shooting in Vegas that left 58 dead and over 500 people injured. And gun stores continue to see a demand for the device. Curbelo joins a growing number of Republicans who have expressed support for prohibiting the devices. More here.
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|  | Congresswoman Norma Torres (D-CA) and Congressman Jimmy Gómez (D-CA) on Tuesday at a hearing on DACA and DREAM Act legislation. | |  | Congressman Dwight Evans (D-PA) back in his district visiting the Share Food program, a group fighting hunger. | |
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Ro Khanna Says “Stealthing” is Rape
Does anyone know what “stealthing” is? We didn’t. Apparently, it’s the non-consensual removal of a condom. That’s a thing?? Well, Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) wants it to be classified as rape. He and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) sent a letter on Wednesday to the House Judiciary Committee asking its members to address the issue. “Consent is not up for discussion, it is a requirement for the entirety of any sexual interaction. Stealthing violates an agreement between partners and is a dangerous form of sexual assault,” said Khanna. “The implications of the practice of nonconsensual condom removal are far-reaching with respect to the ongoing national conversation on the definition of consensual sex.” Stealthing apparently garnered some national attention in April after Yale Law School graduate Alexandra Brodsky published an article on how online groups are perpetuating and encouraging the practice. More here.
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FCC Approves Nearly $77 Million Advance to help PR and USVI Communications Networks
Responding to the destruction of communications networks caused by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the FCC voted unanimously on Wednesday to provide up to $76.9 million to help restore service. Carriers will be provided with up to seven months worth of support from the FCC’s Universal Service Fund, which helps lower the cost of deploying service in areas that are costly to serve. Any funds advanced under the action can be used to repair telecommunications infrastructure and restore service to customers across the islands. More here.
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Tammy Duckworth is All About Game of Thrones and Prince
There are people who are into Game of Thrones. And then there are the people with whom you have nothing to talk about. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) is the former. The staunch GOT enthusiast has read all the books and prefers them to the TV show. And she also prefers to experience books on Audible. She says being read to reminds her of elementary school. The Senator also tells Roll Call’s Take Five her all-time favorite song is "Purple Rain" by Prince. Ummm ... Senator, when are we hanging out? Are you Team Khaleesi or Team Jon Snow? And do you like the original album version of "Purple Rain" or the live version? Have you heard Cory Henry’s version of Prince's 1999? Call me. We have lots to talk about. Read her interview here.
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|  | Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) last week in Seneca meeting with constituents. | |  | Congressman Will Hurd (R-TX) on Tuesday discussing cybersecurity and civil liberties at the WaPo's Cybersecurity Summit. | |
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Ford Foundation Announces Diverse Art of Change Fellows
Earlier this week, the Ford Foundation announced its very diverse group of Art of Change Fellows. The fellowships will support these artists and cultural leaders in creating powerful works of art that help advance freedom, justice, and inclusion, and strengthen democracy. From author Sandra Cisneros to filmmaker Ava DuVernay, and Native American arts leader Lori Pourier to composer Mohammed Fairouz, the list is almost two-thirds people of color. “Art is essential in a free and flourishing society. Artists are the visionaries who can shine light on complexity and possibility, and inspire us to make those societies more just and more beautiful,” said Elizabeth Alexander, the Ford Foundation’s Director of Creativity and Free Expression. “This fellowship recognizes an extraordinarily diverse group of brilliant artists and innovators whose works embody social justice, and enables them to come together and collaborate toward a more just and inclusive future.” Meet the 25 Art of Change Fellows here.
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White Millionaires Outpace Black and Hispanic Wealth
New Federal Reserve data shows that 15% of white families reported being millionaires, compared with 7% in the Fed's 1992 Survey of Consumer Finances. The dramatic growth in white millionaires reflects a widening economic gulf, with the top 1% of households holding 24% of income in 2016, a record high. But what’s most interesting is the deepening racial and ethnic disparity the report highlights. The percentage of Black and Hispanic households worth more than $1 million has remained around or below 2% since 1992. According to the data, white families vastly outperform African Americans and Hispanics in several key indicators of wealth: homeownership and equity, investments, and inheritance. Black and Hispanic families are also much less likely than their white counterparts to inherit wealth. One-quarter of white households reported receiving an inheritance, compared to 8% of Blacks and 5% of Hispanics. More here.
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|  | CHC Chair Congresswoman Michelle Luján-Grisham (D-NM) and Congressman Joaquín Castro (D-TX) last week at The Hill's forum, Changing Faces of America: Celebrating Latino Leaders. | |  | The Hill's Diana Marrero at last week's forum celebrating Latino leaders and discussing the changing demographics of the country. | |
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Black Media Company Owner Secures $150 Million
Howard University Law alumnus Charles D. King announced on Tuesday that after securing funding in the eight-figure range from Apple heiress Laurene Powell Jobs in 2015, his firm has raised an additional $150 million in funding to further the production and financing of films and television programs with a multicultural bent, reports Blavity. MACRO is the multi-platform media company he started after leaving as the first Black partner at the William Morris Endeavor (WME). The financing, which comes from the Emerson Collective, the Ford Foundation, the Libra Foundation, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, enables MACRO to pump out four to six film and television projects annually. "Our success is proof that our slate is striking a chord with audiences globally," said King. The company's first major studio feature, Fences, starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis, grossed over $64 million. MACRO has upcoming collaborations with Ava DuVernay, Van Jones, Eva Longoria, Michael B. Jordan, and Rick Famuyiwa. More here from Blavity.
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Indian Country Today Media Network Lives
A few weeks ago we told you that the online publication Indian Country Today Media Network ceased publishing. The site’s owners were looking to sell. Now, thanks to the Oneida Nation, not only will they will remain operational, but they will do so in the hands of the Native American community. The tribe is donating the assets of the operation to the National Congress of American Indians, the largest inter-tribal organization in the United States. “NCAI’s executive officers and I are humbled by this donation from ICTMN and the Oneida Indian Nation,” NCAI President Brian Cladoosby said on Wednesday. “Their love for Indian Country carries through their every word and has inspired our tribal communities to tell their own stories. This is an immense responsibility; NCAI will approach this responsibility thoughtfully and deliberately with an eye towards strengthening Indian Country’s voice.” More here.
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|  | CAPAC Chair Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA) with CHC Chair Congresswoman Michelle Luján Grisham (D-NM) on Tuesday at a hearing on DACA and DREAM Act legislation. | |  | Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities President and CEO Antonio Flores with Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and Queens College President Dr. Félix Matos Rodríguez. | |
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FHFA Director Warns Capital Buffers Shrinking at Fannie, Freddie
Federal Housing Finance Agency Director and former North Carolina Congressman Mel Watt warned in testimony before the House Financial Services Committee Tuesday that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are in danger of losing the capital buffers that enable the two government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) to absorb financial losses, a development that could put a chokehold on the mortgage market and lead to another taxpayer-funded bailout. Watt said the GSEs will see their capital cushions reduced to zero on Jan. 1, 2018. “At that point, neither enterprise will have the ability to weather any loss it experiences in any quarter without drawing further on taxpayer support,” he said in his opening statement. Watt emphasized, as he has many times previously, that “it is the role of Congress, not FHFA, to make these tough decisions that chart the path out of conservatorship and to the future housing finance system.” Among the major decisions Congress will need to make is how much backing, if any, the federal government should provide, and in what form, and what the process should be for transitioning Fannie and Freddie back to the private sector. More here.
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Waters Wants to Break Up Big Banks
Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Financial Services, introduced a bill on Wednesday to hold megabanks -- such as Wells Fargo -- accountable when they exhibit a pattern of abusive behavior toward consumers. The legislation would require that federal banking regulators fully utilize existing authorities -- including the ability to shut down a megabank and ban culpable executives and directors from working at another bank -- to stop megabanks that clearly and repeatedly engage in practices that harm consumers. “Rampant violations of consumer protections by megabanks are just as consequential to a megabank’s safety and soundness as capital levels or other indicators of bank health,” said Waters. “It’s time to hold these financial institutions accountable and put people over profits.” More here.
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House Dems' Rebuilding America Task Force Presses Trump on Infrastructure
The co-chairs of the House Democratic Caucus Rebuilding America Task Force -- Congressmen Jimmy Gómez (D-CA), Matt Cartwright (D-PA), and Donald Norcross (D-NJ), along with Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) -- wrote to Donald Trump urging him to release a comprehensive infrastructure plan and work in a bipartisan fashion. As the Trump administration enters its tenth month, it has yet to present Congress with a plan to upgrade the nation’s aging infrastructure. “Infrastructure is something Americans of all backgrounds, across party lines, can support. We urge you to keep your word and release a comprehensive infrastructure plan and encourage you to work in bipartisan fashion,” read the letter. “We, as co-chairs of the Rebuilding America Task Force, stand ready to work with you, putting politics aside, to benefit all of our shared constituents.” Get more here.
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|  | Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL) on Wednesday visiting with friends from the National Downs Syndrome Society. | | 
Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) on Tuesday celebrating Smithsonian Affiliate Museums, including the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, which was represented by Museum Director Ty Smith and President & CEO Cheryl Marcell.
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DOJ Looks at Harvard’s Affirmative Action Policy
The Justice Department is reportedly investigating Harvard’s affirmative action policies. Not much is known about the investigation, but it allegedly is a result of claims of discrimination in the admissions process. BuzzFeed News writes that the investigation appears to have been confirmed after American Oversight and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law submitted a Freedom of Information Act request about a possible investigation into admissions practices at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While the letter said that there was no record on UNC, it did not confirm the same for Harvard. Read more here.
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Latino High School Dropout Rate at New Low
Fewer Latinos are dropping out of high school and more are going on to college, with the dropout rate now at a new low and college enrollment at a record high, says a new report by the Pew Research Center. The dropout rate has fallen six percentage points in five years, from 16% in 2011 to 10% in 2016. It is still higher than other groups (7% for Blacks, 5% for whites, and 3% for Asian Americans) but it did see a greater change than any other group. The study also found that Latino enrollment in kindergarten through college increased 80% in less than a decade, from 9.9 million to 17.9 million. Latinos are a growing share of the nation’s students, and in some areas already surpass other groups. Researchers found that almost half (47%) of Latino high school graduates were enrolled in college, up from 32 percent in 1999. More here from NBC Latino.
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#TBT to last year when dozens of House Democrats staged a sit-in on the House floor to protest the GOP leadership’s refusal to allow a vote on a gun control measure following the Pulse nightclub massacre in Orlando.
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| FOMO Today – Saturday, October 7th: The National Indian Education Association Convention in Orlando, FL. Click here to register. Today, 5P: Puerto Rico/Mexico Fundraiser hosted by Colin Rogero, Chuck Rocha, and Adrian Sáenz with special guests Congressmen Rubén Gallego (D-AZ) and Darren Soto (D-FL), and Congresswomen Nanette Barragán (D-CA) and Michelle Luján Grisham (D-NM). The Fathom Gallery, 1333 14th Street, N.W. DC. More here.
Saturday, October 7th, 7P: Puerto Rico Relief Concert, hosted by National Conference of Puerto Rican Women, DC Metro Chapter. Gala Theater, 333 14th Street N.W. Click here for more information.
Tuesday, October 10th, 2P: Congresswomen Yvette Clarke (D-NY) and Judy Chu (D-CA), with Congressman Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) and the Entertainment Consortium Collaborative Outreach Program host a briefing on multiculturalism in the entertainment industry. Free. 2322 Rayburn HOB. Click here to RSVP.
Wednesday, October 11th, 6P: NPR and the DC Chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists sponsor a reception to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and discuss diversity issues in the media. A panel discussion will feature CNN’s Daniella Díaz, WaPo's Ed O'Keefe, NBC Washington's Erika González, and Univisión's Fernando Pizarro. Sold out.
Thursday, October 12th - 14th: Moving Mountains, A Southeast Asian American Equity Summit. Renaissance Washington Hotel, 999 Ninth Street, N.W. Click here to register.
Friday, October 13th - 15th: The Black44 Annual Retreat and Professional Development Weekend. Confirmed special guests: Valerie Jarrett, Former Senior Advisor and Assistant to President Obama for Intergovernmental Affairs and Michael Strautmanis, Vice President, Civic Engagement, The Obama Foundation. George Washington University, 805 21st Street, N.W. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Wednesday, October 18th, 6P: We Act for Environmental Justice 2017 Awards & Gala honors changemakers New York City Councilmember Costa Constantinides, Native American activist Dallas Goodtooth, The Raben Group's Robert Raben, Hip Hop Caucus Senior Vice President Mustafa Santiago Ali, NYC Council legislative attorney Samara Swanston, and 1199 SEIU Executive Vice President Estela Vázquez. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
October 25th, 11A: A presentation ceremony in the U.S. Capitol to honor Filipino World War II veterans. The event will be livestreamed on speaker.gov/live. More here.
Thursday, November 2nd, 6P: Join the Film, Gun Violence Prevention, and Hillary for America alumni communities for a reception in support of Lucy McBath for Georgia House District 37. NYC. Click here for more information and to register. Address provided upon RSVP.
Sunday, November 19th: The National Portrait Gallery Second biennial American Portrait Gala, honoring: former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, HIV/AIDs researcher Dr. David D. Ho; artistic director, choreographer and dancer Bill T. Jones; film director, producer, writer and actor Spike Lee; and multi-award-winning actress Rita Moreno. Click here for more information. Wednesday, November 29th, 8P: Join Congressman André Carson (D-IN) for JAY-Z's 4:44 Tour. Capital One Arena, 601 F Street, N.W. For more information or to RSVP, contact Courtney Hodges or Randy Broz at: 202.403.0606 or email: Courtney@ABConsultingDC.com
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