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Trump signed a new executive order on Monday which has a number of changes, including dropping Iraq from the list of countries with travel restrictions. It also explicitly does not apply to green card or existing visa holders. Members from the conservative wing of Congress are not happy with the replacement for ACA, throwing major shade on the GOP’s plan not even 24 hours after it was released. And lastly, on this International Women’s Day, we tout the social, economic, cultural, and political successes of women while urging more gender equality on a day without women. We begin this Wednesday's read with Lady Liberty herself who decided to join the movement in solidarity...
Statue of Liberty Goes Dark
For more than an hour Tuesday night, a cloak of darkness covered the Statue of Liberty. Some of the lights that normally illuminate Lady Liberty went off before 11P, leaving only her still-lit torch and crown visible to most in New York Harbor. For the full story, click here.
Cummings and Trump Meet Today
Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD) will meet with Trump today at the White House to discuss lowering prescription drug prices. As the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee, Cummings has called for investigations into Trump’s business conflicts of interest and ties to Russia. But there’s no indication that topic will come up in today’s meeting. More here.
CAPAC Renews Calls to Meet Trump
There’s still a long line of other MoCs eager to meet with the president. CAPAC renewed calls for Trump to meet with the caucus. Chair Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA) said, “Since the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus was founded in 1994, we have always engaged with the White House, regardless of which political party is in power. To have our multiple requests for a meeting ignored is not only disappointing, but it also prevents Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders from having an equal voice in shaping our nation's policies." More here.
Cleaver and Gutiérrez Follow the Money on Private Prisons
Following AG Jeff Sessions' decision to overturn an Obama administration decision to limit the use of private prisons, Congressmen Emmanuel Cleaver (D-MO) and Luis Gutiérrez (D-IL) are raising questions about how the industry may have influenced the decision financially. The pair, who both represent districts with large African American and Latino populations, penned a letter to Damon Hininger, CEO of CoreCivic, a private corrections company, expressing concern about his company's $350,000 contribution to the Trump campaign, transition, and inaugural accounts. See the full text of the letter here.
Obama Reportedly Livid
An aide to Barack Obama reportedly told the Wall Street Journal the former president had decided he would not respond to every one of his successor's tweets. But people familiar with Obama's thinking said he was livid after Trump posted several tweets early Saturday morning making serious accusations about wiretaps. More here.
Hawaii to Trump: See You in Court
Obama is not the only one who is livid. The former president's home state readies for a fight with this administration as well. Today, the state of Hawaii will ask a federal judge to block the president’s revised executive order barring the issuance of new visas to citizens of six Muslim-majority countries. The action would mark the first formal legal challenge to the order, which Trump signed Monday. More here.
Civil Rights Leaders Meet with AG Sessions
Six national civil rights leaders met with AG Jeff Sessions to outline their civil rights enforcement agenda for the DOJ and to express grave concern for several troubling actions by the Trump administration. During the meeting, Sessions told the leaders that the DOJ would continue its investigation into the death of Eric Garner. Meeting participants included LCCHR’s Wade Henderson, NUL’s Marc Morial, Kristen Clarke of the Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, NAN’s Rev. Al Sharpton, NAACP-LDF’s Sherrilyn Ifill, NCBCP’s Melanie L. Campbell. More here.
DCCC Announces Most Vulnerable Members
DCCC Chairman Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) announced the 19 members considered most vulnerable in the 2018 election cycle who will benefit from the DCCC's incumbent protection program. More members could be added or removed from the “Frontline Program,” which provides candidates with extra fundraising and campaign infrastructure support. Some include Ami Bera (CA), Salud Carbajal (CA), Rubén Kihuen (NV), and Raúl Ruíz (CA), among others. Dems need to secure 24 seats to win back the House in 2018, which will mean they need to protect virtually all of their incumbents, in addition to flipping several GOP-held districts. More here.
Hires of Color in the Trump Admin
Donald Trump announced more WH staff appointments. Among them is Jennifer Korn, who will serve as Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director for the Office of Public Liaison. Ms. Korn was formerly the Deputy Political Director, Strategic Initiatives, at the Republican National Committee. More here.
Pérez Calls Chaffetz A Shameless Hypocrite
DNC Chairman Tom Pérez slammed Congressman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) over his remarks that Americans might have to choose between buying a new iPhone and affording health insurance. “Rep. Jason Chaffetz is a shameless hypocrite. He makes a six-figure taxpayer salary, has taxpayer-subsidized healthcare, and he still thinks working Americans should be forced to choose between health insurance or owning a telephone,” Pérez said in a statement. More here.
Trump Admin Slashing Budgets to Fund Border Wall
The Trump administration is reportedly considering cutting funding to the Coast Guard, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and other agencies to find money for the president's proposed border wall and immigration enforcement plans. We thought Mexico was going to pay for the wall? More here.
Gold Star Father Sparks Scrutiny with Claim That Travel Privileges Under Review
Khizr Khan, the father of an American soldier killed in Iraq who came under criticism last year from then-candidate Donald Trump, said he has canceled a speaking engagement in Toronto after being notified that his U.S. travel privileges were under review. Khan said he had not been given a reason why this has happened. However, his claim has come under scrutiny. More here.
Sioux Tribe Suffers Another Loss
On Tuesday, a federal judge denied a Native American tribe’s request to block the Dakota Access pipeline. The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe said the controversial oil pipeline project violates its religious freedom due to its placement under Lake Oahe. The tribe uses the lake for sacred ceremonies, and the tribe argued that the mere presence of an oil pipeline under the lake desecrates the water. But U.S. District Judge James Boasberg dismissed that argument Tuesday. More here.
But They March On
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and other indigenous grassroots leaders will lead a march in prayer and action on Thursday. They say their battle against DAPL launched a global movement, and they are now ready to take the fight to the doors of the White House. For more information, click here.
Bob Johnson Names Head of Urban Movie Channel
Robert L. Johnson, Chairman of RLJ Entertainment, has upped Traci Otey Blunt to President of Urban Movie Channel, a subscription-based streaming service created for African American and urban audiences. The position was newly created for Blunt, who had been serving as the head of UMC, helping to spearhead its launch along with her Executive VP role for RLJE. More here.
Carson Doubles Down on Slave-Immigrant Remark
Even after the outrage he sparked, HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson doubled down on his description of slaves as immigrants." Speaking on the Sirius XM radio show of his friend and former campaign advisor Armstrong Williams, Carson said, “Whether you’re voluntary or involuntary, if you come from the outside to the inside, you’re an immigrant. Whether you’re legal or illegal, you come from the outside to inside, you’re an immigrant. Slaves came here as involuntary immigrants but they still had the strength to hold on.” More here.
On the Frontlines with Sáenz
MALDEF President and General Counsel Thomas A. Sáenz spoke with NBC Latino about everything from the ICE raids in immigrant communities to Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch. Sáenz stated that the waves of immigration enforcement actions around the country are likely to result in legal challenges. To read the entire interview, click here.
LCCHR Confronts FCC Chair
LCCHR’s Wade Henderson sent a letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai regarding his recent decisions on Lifeline, media ownership, and inmate calling rates. “Chairman Pai should align his statements with his actions. He professes concern with media ownership diversity while removing the only policy that has actually increased diversity.” For more, click here.
Alejandra Campoverdi Running for Congress and Facing Down Threat of Cancer
Former Obama appointee Alejandra Campoverdi decided to have a preventive double mastectomy. Now her underdog candidacy in an overflow field to succeed former Democratic Congressman Xavier Becerra is turning into another battle she aims to win. She is part of the Barack Obama-spawned generation of future leaders that has sent other youthful former staffers such as Eric Lesser to the Massachusetts Senate and Michael Blake to the NY State Assembly. More on Campoverdi here.
Tackling Politics
Tennessee Titan Karim Barton is taking advantage of the NFL Players Association Externship program, which allows NFL players to gain experience outside of football through internships with various companies and organizations. The 25-year-old just spent the past three weeks on Capitol Hill learning the ins and outs of politics with Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), doing research on issues such as immigration, and attending meetings. More here.
GA Bill Would Label Some Licenses 'Ineligible Voter'
Right now, residents who are legally in Georgia with a green card may carry a license that says, “limited-term.” But if Georgia legislators pass HB 324 this session, those same residents may also have the words “ineligible voter” printed on their licenses. Supporters say the measure is another way to help prevent voter fraud, but critics decry it as unnecessary and a tool for discrimination. More here.
MI Farmers Worry About Immigration Policy
Stricter immigration enforcement under Trump is worrisome for many Michigan farmers, who say it could hurt their businesses by worsening a migrant labor shortage already years in the making. Some say the stepped-up enforcement “creates anxiety” for farmers across the state and for workers who fear harassment or deportation while traveling from southern states to Michigan. More here.
Jay Z Has Arrived
Jay Z’s new venture capital firm Arrive, has arrived. The investment platform will work with early-stage startups and offer investment of capital as well as assistance with business development, branding, and more to help those select companies flourish. Jay Z has already invested in a number of startups, both independently and via Roc Nation, including Stance, Uber, and others. More here.
CHLI Alumni Association
The Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute formalized their alumni association created by and for the alumni. With over 200 alumni from across the country, the CHLI Alumni Association aims to benefit its present and future members in the areas of alumni fellowship; facilitation of an interactive CHLI alumni community; promotion of professional development; pursuit of educational development and opportunities; and participant mentorship. More here.
IMPACT Panel on Senate Diversity
On Thursday, IMPACT presents a panel discussion on Senate diversity. Participants will include Democracy in Color’s Jessica Byrd, SBLC’s Don Bell, CAP’s Michele Jawando, and Joint Center’s Will Searcy. The discussion will provide insights on why diversity remains an issue, and possible solutions to drive change forward so more people of color can ascend to the Senate's highest levels. RSVP here.
Catch a Buzz with the BuzzFeeders
Speaking of BuzzFeed, the news outlet is holding its “Red, White, & Banned” party the same night as the April 29th correspondents dinner in Washington “for those who plan on skipping this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner but still want to celebrate great journalism,” according to an invitation. “It’s been quite a year of politics and reporting, amirite?” the invite adds. “Free booze for a free press!” More here.
NALEO Celebrates Díaz-Balart Brothers
On Tuesday night, NALEO honored Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart and his brother, former Congressman Lincoln Díaz-Balart, both Florida Republicans, with the 2017 Edward R. Roybal Award for Outstanding Public Service. Speakers included HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson. Spotted: Congressman Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), NCLR's Janet Murguía, HLA’s Larry González, Friends of Latino Museum and The Raben Group’s Estuardo Rodríguez, CHLI’s Mary Ann Gómez Orta, CHSA's Francisco Bencosme, Solidarity Strategies' Chuck Rocha, and Voto Latino’s Jessica Reeves, The Hill's Rafael Bernal, Latino Victory Project's Cristóbal Alex, RJ Reynolds' LaKeitha Anderson, Accenture's Nigel Stephens, The Raben Group's Justin Wilson, Atiba Maydun, HACR's Cid Wilson, and many more.
Shots Fired
On Tuesday night, Fox Entertainment hosted a screening of its new series Shots Fired. The event series examines the dangerous aftermath of racially charged shootings in a small town in Tennessee. Spotted at the screening: series star Sanaa Lathan, director Gina Prince-Blythewood, Jawn Murray, Traci Otey Blunt, Shante Bacon from 135th St. Agency, April Ryan -- who moderated the discussion with the cast, Reggie Bythewood, Angela Rye, Mo Ivory, Jamal Simmons, and others.
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Videos of the Day
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| DNC Chair Tom Pérez spoke out at a pro-immigrant rally in DC saying Trump’s new ban is "unconstitutional."
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| Six national civil rights leaders met with AG Jeff Sessions. LCCHR’s Wade Henderson, NUL’s Marc Morial, Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Kristen Clarke, NAN’s Rev. Al Sharpton, NAACP-LDF’s Sherrilyn Ifill, and NCBCP’s Melanie L. Campbell recap the meeting here.
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| Donald Trump's Housing and Urban Development Secretary Dr. Ben Carson referred to slaves as "immigrants" while speaking Monday to department employees.
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| CNN's Angela Rye reminds Dr. Ben Carson "we built this joint for free."
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| (From left) National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorrority, Inc. Paulette C. Walker and past national president Congresswomen Marcia Fudge (D-OH) and member Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (D-OH) appear on TV One's News Now with Roland Martin as they return to DC for their annual 'Delta Days in the Nation's Capital.
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| What's going on in Chicago? Chance The Rapper has some answers. Following what he viewed as an unsuccessful meeting with the IL governer, he showed up at an elementary school on the South Side of Chicago and announced that he would donate $1 million to Chicago public schools using money from ticket sales for his upcoming tour.
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| A New Year’s Eve incident involving aggressive policing prompted comedian Dave Chappelle to speak out at a village council meeting Monday in Yellow Springs, the small Ohio town where he spent part of his childhood and where he now lives.
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Pics of the Day
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| NALEO Legacy honorees Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL) and his brother, former Congressman Lincoln Díaz-Balart (R-FL) at Tuesday night's Legacy Awards Gala.
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| Rosemary Carrillo, Julissa Ferreras, Congressman Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Elizabeth Chalas Berman, and Cid Wilson at Tuesday night’s NALEO Legacy Awards Gala.
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| LaKeitha Anderson, Lincoln Díaz-Balart, Susan Santana, Mary Ann Gómez Orta, Stephen Halloway, and Nigel Stephens at the NALEO gala at the Omni Shoreham Tuesday night.
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| Solidarity Strategies' Chuck Rocha, The Hill's Rafael Bernal, and Latino Victory Project's Cristóbal Alex on Tuesday night at the NALEO Legacy Gala.
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| HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson keynoted the NALEO Legacy Gala on Tuesday night.
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| Actress Sanaa Lathan and CNN's Angela Rye at Tuesday night's screening and panel discussion on Fox's Shots Fired.
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| April Ryan moderated a discussion with the cast of Fox's Shots Fired on Tuesday night at the NMAAHC.
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| Congressman Joaquín Castro (D-TX) holds a townhall in San Antonio on Monday night.
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| (From left) Congresswomen Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Marcia Fudge (D-OH), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Brenda Lawrence (D-MI), and Val Demmings (D-FL) celebrating Delta Days on Capitol Hill on Tuesday -- when members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorrority, Inc. visited MoCs.
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| The National Park Service released ground and aerial photos that its staff shot of President Trump’s Jan. 20th inauguration. The agency also released photos of the swearing-in of Barack Obama four and eight years ago. It’s pretty clear that the crowd size at the 45th president’s inaugural was smaller than at the swearing-in of the 44th.
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Tonight, 6P: A reception honoring "Top Latinos in Foreign Policy Under 40," at The Raben Group, 1341 G St. NW, Suite 500.
Tuesday, March 21st, 6P: George Washington University Presents Cornell Belcher "A Black Man in the White House" with Cornell Belcher. RSVP here.
Friday, March 24th, 12P: The Congressional Staff Association Fair takes place in the Rayburn Foyer. The event is open to all current Senate and House staff.
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