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Just moments ago, House Intelligence Chair Devin Nunes (R-CA) said he would temporarily step aside as head of the Committee's ongoing investigation into Russian involvement in the U.S. elections.
Today in the Senate, the countdown to the nuclear option has begun. The GOP majority is expected to push the button killing the filibuster for SCOTUS nominees which will irrevocably alter democracy in Congress. The showdown gets started at 11A when senators vote to end debate on Judge Neil Gorsuch's nomination. The vote requires the support of 60 senators. They are expected to fall short. The final vote won’t happen until tomorrow.
The House is in at 9A with votes at 10. Spring break kicks off tomorrow. Here's what we have for you today:- Hispanicize wraps up in Miami
- Chance the Rapper for Mayor?
- DHS meets with Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
- Omarosa says Yes to the Dress
- Will Congress soon welcome its only Korean member?
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On Wednesday, Congresswoman Fredrica Wilson (D-FL) led efforts with MoC's to wear red and highlight the Bring Back Our Girls movement to draw attention to support of the Chibok girls kidnapped by Boko Haram in Nigeria. | |  |
Congresswoman Linda Sánchez(D-CA) at opening day for the LA Dodgers. “This is our year,” she tweeted about her hometown team. | |
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CBC Chair Criticizes AG Sessions Over Stalling Police Reform
On Wednesday, CBC Chair Congressman Cedric Richmond (D-LA) sent a letter to AG Jeff Sessions criticizing him for his decision to review consent decrees between the DOJ and police departments found to have a “pattern and practice” of violating civil rights. Richmond also criticized the AG for his decision to waste taxpayer resources on reviewing all DOJ activities and his decision to emphasize data collection on crime and criminals but not on police and community interactions. See letter here.
Baltimore Judge Denies DOJ’s Request for Delay
A federal judge agrees with the CBC chair. On Wednesday District Judge James K. Bredar guaranteed that Baltimore residents will get to have their say on the proposed consent decree between the city and the DOJ by denying a Trump administration request that the hearing be delayed for at least 90 days. Today’s hearing will proceed as scheduled after Judge Bredar said in his order that granting the Justice Department’s request “at the eleventh hour would be to unduly burden and inconvenience the court, the other parties, and, most importantly, the public.” More here.
Today CBC Members Hosts Forum on Civil Rights Under Trump
Today at 10:30A, MoC Bobby Scott (D-VA), GK Butterfield (D-NC), John Conyers (D-MI), and CBC Chair Cedric Richmond (D-LA) will host a forum on civil rights under the Trump administration. With the rise in hate violence, police shootings and legislative backlash at the state and local level, minority communities have been justifiably concerned about the continuing role of the Federal government in protecting their civil rights. This forum will examine the appointments, policies, and orders undertaken in the first 100 days of the Trump administration in order to help foster an agenda for the protection of civil rights. You can watch live here.
CAPAC’s Meeting with DHS
Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) met with DHS Secretary John Kelly to discuss pertinent issues facing the AAPI community. They spoke about Trump’s executive orders targeting Muslim, immigrant, and refugee communities, and the department’s immigration enforcement priorities and racial profiling guidance. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) said the conversation was productive and invited the Secretary to her district to meet with her constituents affected by Trump’s crackdown on immigrants. More here.
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Atlanta students visited Congressman Hank Johnson (D-GA) on Capitol Hill yesterday. | |  |
Greg Cendana with sister Jessica, Planned Parenthood Action Fund's Carmen Berkley, and her hubby Lee Anderson. | |
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Rice’s Retort: When They Go Low
In an interview with the NYT, Trump suggested without evidence Wednesday that Susan Rice may have committed a crime in requesting the identities of Trump campaign associates that were contained in classified intelligence reports. Rice’s retort? “I’m not going to dignify the President’s ludicrous charge with a comment.” More from WaPo’s Abby Phillip here.
CNN Facing Racial Discrimination Lawsuit
CNN is facing allegations in a racial discrimination lawsuit, stemming from a proposed class action in a Georgia federal court. Plaintiffs claim that at CNN and other Time Warner units, African Americans receive lower performance ratings in evaluations, that there are huge discrepancies in pay between employees doing similar jobs but who are of different races, and that promotion for Black employees is blocked by a “glass ceiling.” The suit also accuses superiors of hurling out racially charged comments to Black employees, such as “It’s hard to manage Black people” and “Who would be worth more: Black slaves from times past, or new slaves?” More here.
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Omarosa Says Yes to the Dress
Omarosa is getting married this Saturday, the same day her episode of TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress airs. Trump’s Director of Communications for the Office of Public Liaison reportedly likes to be called Lady O. In financial disclosures it was revealed that Lady O “received a wedding package which included a wedding dress, custom veil, and accessories with an estimated value of $25,000 in exchange for appearance on TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress.” She shows off her gown here. More from Deadline.
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HRC Staffer Rentería Returns Home to Work for Becerra
Amanda Rentería, former National Political Director for Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign, has joined the staff of California Attorney General Xavier Becerra as Chief of Operations in the California Justice Department. Technically, her job description entails overseeing the day-to-day operations to ensure attorneys can move forward with their work. But her job will require repositioning resources - including a budget written before Trump took office - in order to wage the legal challenges against Trump that the state expects it will have to undertake. More here.
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Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) speaking out in support of SCOTUS nominee Judge Neil Gorsuch. | |  | Rev. Al Sharpton landing at LAX on Wednesday greeted by a fan. | |
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CBC Members Waters, Scott, and Cummings Fight Trump’s Conflict of Interest Delay
Trump's Labor Department delayed the implementation of a rule cracking down on conflicts of interest in retirement investing, one of many steps in reversing one of President Obama's late-term priorities. On Wednesday, MoC Bobby Scott (D-VA), Maxine Waters (D-CA), and Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD) said in a statement, “the Department of Labor’s 60-day delay of the rule will cost workers saving for retirement $3.7 billion… We will continue to fight against these attempts to undermine the conflict of interest rule, and the Trump Administration’s ongoing attacks on working families.” More here.
Takano Fights for Low-Income Workers
On Wednesday, Dems voiced opposition to a bill that they argue would weaken overtime rights for low-income workers. Instead of paying workers for their overtime work, they say the legislation allows employers to pocket employees’ overtime pay in return for a vague promise that employees may be able to take compensatory time off at some point in the future. “This bill ought to be named the Betrayal of Working Families Act because it once again violates the Trump administration’s promise to empower vulnerable Americans,” said Congressman Mark Takano (D-CA). “It is disappointing that we are even considering legislation that would take us in the opposite direction.” More here.
Thompson Pushes Russia Inquiry
Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) issued an unfavorable designation to a resolution compelling the Department of Homeland Security to release documents pertaining to Russia. It would require DHS to send information to the panel related to hacking or other interference in the 2016 election. Thompson pitched the resolution as a means to jumpstart a panel investigation. More here.
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Trump Supporter's Husband Deported
A Mexican man who spent almost two decades living in the United States was deported back to his home country late Tuesday, separating him from his US-born wife, who voted for Donald Trump. Roberto Beristain, 43, had been in custody since he was detained on Feb. 6th during a routine check-in with ICE officers. After spending almost two months in detention centers across six states, the Indiana resident was suddenly taken alone to Juarez, Mexico, late Tuesday night, he said in a statement released by his attorneys, who had filed legal petitions requesting his release. More here.
DOJ May Reopen Emmett Till Investigation
The Justice Department may again reopen its investigation into the 1955 killing of Emmett Till. The revelation came a week after AG Jeff Sessions expressed his support for pursuing and prosecuting killers who went unpunished in the civil rights era. “He said no one gets a pass,” said Till’s cousin, Deborah Watts, who along with activist Alvin Sykes met with Sessions. More here.
Hispanicize Wraps in Miami
Hispanicize 2017 hosted more than 3,000 Latino trendsetters and newsmakers for a five-day multi-industry program that featured fully dedicated content tracks for digital creators, journalists, marketing executives, tech entrepreneurs and entertainment industry executives. Highlights included an intimate performance from Juanes; a Latinovator lunch honoring Olympian and Crest Ambassador Laurie Hernández; a talk on Latinos in the age of Trump with OITNB actress Diane Guerrero; and an informative panel on the impact of Afro-Latinos in social and digital media. The conference wraps up today.
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Rev. Jesse Jackson speaks with members of the executive board of the National Assocation of Hispanic Journalists during the Hispanicize 2017 conference in Miami. | |  |
NBC LA Reporter Mekahlo Medina with NBC's José Díaz-Balart. | |
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Jackson: “Latinos Building Border Walls Like Blacks Building Slave Ships”
On Tuesday, Rev. Jesse Jackson joined a "fireside chat" during Hispanicize moderated by UNICEF'S Claudia González Romo. During the chat, Jackson compared Latinos who would help build Donald Trump's proposed border wall to "Blacks building slave ships" as he exhorted Hispanics and communities of color to unite under common, shared values. More here.
ICE Agents Arrests 82 People in the DMV
ICE agents arrested 82 people in Virginia, Maryland and the District last week, including one who they said was identified as an officer in command of a Somali organization known for human rights abuses, rape, torture, and killings. Similar sweeps happened during the Obama administration, but there has been heightened scrutiny of such actions since the Trump administration, which promised to crack down on illegal immigration. More here.
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Congressman GK Butterfield (D-NC) with CTA's Tiffany Moore during the Consumer Electronics Show on the Hill on Wednesday. | |  |
Congressman Will Hurd (R-NV) received CTA's Digital Patriot award during this week's CES on the Hill. | |  | Congresswomen Yvette Clark (D-NY) and Susan Brooks (R-IN) at the Consumer Electronic's show on the Hill on Wednesday. | |
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Waters Says Trump and O’Reilly Should Go to Jail
Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) on Wednesday night said that Fox News host Bill O'Reilly and Donald Trump should be locked up for alleged sexual harassment. In an appearance on MSNBC's All in with Chris Hayes, Waters — who has not been quiet about her disdain for Donald Trump — said O'Reilly should be arrested for alleged sexual harassment against coworkers and explained her distrust of the Trump administration's foreign policy. More here.
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Women’s March Organizers Honored
The worldwide women’s marches that attracted millions are being honored at this year’s PEN Literary Gala. PEN America, the literary and human rights organization, praised co-chairs Tamika D. Mallory, Carmen Pérez, Bob Bland, and Linda Sarsour for helping to “galvanize a potent global movement to resist infringements on the rights and dignity of women and many other groups.” Previous winners of the Freedom of Expression Award include the French satirical publication Charlie Hebdo and Lee-Anne Walters and Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha for raising awareness about the deadly levels of lead in the tap water in Flint, Michigan. More here.
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Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) attends the HRC gala in Houston. | |  | Trump family friend Lynne Patton and her parents visted Omarosa at the WH last week. | |  | Remember Andrea from TV's 90210? Well that's her! Actress Gabrielle Carteris chatting with Congressoman Judy Chu (D-CA) at the National Press Club on Tuesday. | |
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| POLIWOOD
Humble Brag: Sharon Stone and Holly Robinson Peete showed The Beat some love this week on Twitter. Yeah, we’re so Hollywood. So here are a few stories that intersect politics and celebrities to honor our newfound, self-proclaimed celeb status.
Chance The Rapper for Mayor
Chance the Rapper is no stranger to politics. His father, Ken Bennett, worked as Deputy CoS for Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Even before he became a Grammy-winning rapper, Chance was heavily involved in his Windy City community, including his recent donation to the Chicago Public Schools system. Now his fans seem to have other dreams for the rapper: mayor of Chicago. The site Chano4mayor.com was launched over the weekend, along with a Twitter account, encouraging the rapper to run for mayor of the City of Big Shoulders. More here.
Ann Coulter and Jimmie Walker?
Wait! Jimmie Walker is dating Ann Coulter? Get Out! (see what we did there?) We don't focus on who is dating whom, we just thought this was interesting because of Coulter’s controversial views and frequently polarizing comments. But she says the two are just best friends and there is no romance. Hey, if they enjoy each other's company, dy-no-mite! More here.
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Issa Gets In Formation
Beyoncé might be a favorite target for some Republicans, but there’s one GOP congressman who is ready to get in formation: Congressman Darrell Issa (D-CA) revealed that he’s a member of the Beyhive. Referring to Single Ladies he says, “It’s talking about, ‘put a ring on the finger -- don’t fall for the guy unless he’s willing to fall for you fully,’ ” he says. “It tells a story -- it’s a modern story.” More here.
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Vogue's André Leon Talley with Susan Rice on Tuesday night. Photo: WaPo's Bill Simmons. |
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Vogue’s Talley Brings Out DC’s Finest
At Tuesday night’s benefit for the Alliance Française at the French ambassador’s residence, the guest of honor was Vogue contributing editor and fashion impresario André Leon Talley. He brought out DC’s finest. including President Obama’s National Security Advisor Susan Rice, fresh from a day spent on cable news and media interviews denying charges from the Trump administration that she revealed the identities of Trump campaign officials in intelligence reports. Rice and French Ambassador Gerard Araud were deep in conversation on the residence’s terrace, and later Rice could be heard ending a conversation with a lighthearted “that’s classified!” More here.
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Voters in LA Congressional Race Appear to Have Voted Along Racial Lines
Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez and former LA city planning commissioner Robert Lee Ahn, both Democrats, are set to meet in a runoff for an open Congressional seat after Tuesday’s primary election. Some ballots are still being counted, but preliminary results show Gomez led the large field by racking up big margins in Eagle Rock, Highland Park and L.A.’s Eastside, areas he represents in the statehouse. The relatively unknown Ahn was powered by support from Koreatown, Chinatown and downtown areas near Little Tokyo. If he wins the runoff, Ahn would be the only Korean American in Congress. More here.
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Valerie Jarrett chats with former Ready for Hillary staffer Zerlina Maxwell on Wednesday. | |  |
Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) speaking with Stephen Smith, CEO of Amsted Industries in her DC office on Wednesday. | |
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| Throwback Thursday
New to The Beat? Here are some stories we highlighted the past few months that you may have missed. Enjoy this throwback.
Hip Hop Curator at the Kennedy Center
In March, the Kennedy Center announced their first director of hip-hop culture and contemporary music Wednesday. Simone Eccleston, formerly the director of programming at Harlem Stage in New York, assumed the role on March 13th. Eccleston's new role will include leading a center-wide commitment to hip-hop culture and contemporary music, which includes R&B, soul, folk and roots, indie, world music and Latin music, according to a release. She will also work as a partner with other areas of the Kennedy Center to highlight the collaborative nature of hip-hop music. More here.
Harvard Law School
ImeIme Umana, one of four daughters born to Nigerian immigrants, was elected as the 131st president of the Harvard Law Review out of 12 candidates, eight of whom are people of color, and eight of whom are women. She is the second African American to snag the coveted position. Barack Obama became the first when he was elected in 1990. More here.
How the Obamas Changed DC
The last eight years witnessed not only a political shift in DC, but a cultural one as well. With the historic election of the first Black president, the nation’s capital became a frequent stop for celebrities, world-renowned chefs, and fashion designers, and everyone had severe cases of FOMO (fear of missing out) with each White House reception, state dinner, spoken word event, concert, and secret birthday party. Barack and Michelle Obama’s time in DC coincided with an exciting era that not only brought a new Smithsonian museum to the city but a new inclusive class of the intellectually curious as well. WaPo took a look back in November.
LGBTQ Latinx 41
Alberto Mendoza, Executive Director of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, says LGBTQ Latinos face a double dilemma: not only is the community often erased from mainstream Latino media, it also gets little attention from mainstream LGBTQ media. To create visibility, Mendoza started an online storytelling platform for the LGBTQ Latino community in 2013, named Honor41. The website each year features 41 first-person narratives from LGBTQ Latinos of different ages, nationalities, and walks of life. More here.
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| VIDEOS
(click images to play)
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|  | At the Hispanicize 2017 conference in Miami, NBC News contributor and attorney Raúl A. Reyes says Latinos are taught to be humble. "Leave it at home. Speak up and go for the stories you want." | |  |
Actress Octavia Spencer criticizes the current administration over public education. | |
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| FOMO
(Fear of Missing Out) Wednesday, April 26th –Fri, Apr 28th: African American Mayors Association 2017 Annual Conference in Washington, DC. Click here for more info.
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