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Last night, the president authorized a missile strike on Syria in response to a chemical attack that officials said was carried out by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad. Now, Congress is divided -- and not along party lines -- about the lawfulness of this strike. After exercising the nuclear option yesterday and killing the filibuster, the Senate got started at 9:30A to confirm Judge Neil Gorsuch to SCOTUS. The House is out. Let spring break commence. Here’s just some of what awaits you in this Friday read:- Some Tri-Caucus members speak out against Syrian missile strikes
- Janaye Ingram heads to Airbnb
- Two of Mexico's members of Congress corner VP Mike Pence on the Hill - we've got the video
- CBCF elects new leadership
- LCCHR's Vanita Gupta has words for AG Jeff Sessions
- Corrine Brown hands out fudge pops as she heads to court - true story
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Congressman Ted Lieu (D-CA) with students at the Congressional App Challenge on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. | |  |
The showing in the Senate yesterday after the GOP went nuclear. | |
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The Weather is Breaking...Time for Flip Flops
Donald Trump launched missile attacks against the Syrian government on Thursday night. Several Republicans who had sharply criticized President Barack Obama for considering similar action in 2013, calling it unconstitutional, are now offering praise for the current president. Remember when Trump himself tweeted in 2013 that it would be "a big mistake" for Obama to strike Syria without getting congressional approval?
Also, it remains unclear if the president stands by his hardline view of not allowing Syrian refugees in the country after witnessing the atrocities they are trying to escape -- something many already knew. The president’s first Muslim travel ban explicitly barred any and all Syrian refugees from entering the country. His second attempt only slightly modified that rule by suspending all refugee resettlement into the U.S. for three months and drastically reducing the overall number of refugees allowed. The view is different from the Oval Office.
While some support the president’s strike against Syria, others question its lawfulness. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Congressman Ted Lieu (D-CA) argued the use of force requires congressional approval under the Constitution. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), who was the lone member of Congress to vote against the 2001 war authorization against Al Qaeda, called the strikes an “act of war” and said Congress needs to come back into session and debate the matter. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) called Trump's failure to seek congressional authorization "unlawful." More here.
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Flashback Friday: Long berfore they were colleagues in the Senate, Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Kamala Harris (D-CA) were friends. They're seen here on the floor during the 2012 DNC Convention in Charlotte, NC. | |  |
Seattle natives InStyle editor Kahlana Barfield Brown with commentator Angela Rye shielding from Thursday's rain. | |
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Corrine Brown Hands Out Fudge Pops Before Hearing
Former Congresswoman Corrine Brown handed out fudge pops and ice cream sandwiches down the street from a Florida courthouse Wednesday, hours before the final pretrial hearing in the federal fraud case against her. “I am just thanking people for their support, their prayers,” the Florida Democrat said from an ice cream truck parked outside Jacksonville City Hall. The 12-term congresswoman could face a prison sentence as long as 357 years if she’s convicted of all the charges prosecutors have brought forth, involving conspiracy, mail and wire fraud, and assorted types of cheating on her taxes. More here.
Trump Misrepresents Cummings. Again
Donald Trump told The NYT on Wednesday that Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD) said “you will go down as one of the great presidents in the history of our country” during a recent meeting. On Thursday, Cummings clarified that his message came with a huge caveat. “During my meeting with the president and on several occasions since then, I have repeatedly said he could be a great president if ... if...he takes steps to truly represent all Americans rather than continuing on the harmful and divisive path he is currently on,” Cummings clarified. More here.
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Tillerson Meets with Mexico’s Foreign Secretary
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met with his Mexican counterpart Luis Videgaray to discuss a range of bilateral and regional issues, including economic cooperation, security, and migration. U.S. officials should be respectful of the Mexican 2018 presidential election, Mexico's foreign minister said Thursday after a top U.S. security official speculated Wednesday that a win by a leftist candidate would be bad for both nations. Speaking at a news conference in Washington, Videgaray also said his government would prefer to conclude a looming renegotiation of the NAFTA this year rather than during the presidential campaign next year. More here.
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Mexican MoCs Visit DC to Forge Closer Ties
Mexican Congressman Braulio Guerra jumped on to the border wall a few weeks ago and this week we found him in DC with his colleague, Congresswoman Liliana Oropeza, chair of the Mexican lower chamber’s Immigration Commission. The pair was in town advocating for closer, more direct ties between U.S. and Mexican legislators. In between meetings with Congressmen Henry Cuéllar (D-TX) and Tony Cárdenas (D-CA), the pair had an encounter with none other than VP Mike Pence. Guerra told Pence that he's visiting to foster bonds of friendship and respect between the two countries and asked that Pence share that message of respect and camaraderie with Donald Trump. We’ll see how that goes.
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|  | Mexican legislators Braulio Guerra and Liliana Oropeza met with Congressman Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) on Tuesday to forge stronger ties between the two countries. | |  |
NBC Latino editor Sandra Lilley interviewing actor Luis Guzmán and his son Cemi about their new movie Hold On. | |
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Bad Hombres?
Despite Donald Trump's much-vaunted plans to get rid of "bad hombres," gang members, and drug traffickers as an urgent matter of national security, only five of the more than 4,000 people prosecuted in new immigration cases in February actually committed crimes that put public safety at risk, according to Justice Department data. More here.
Flint Lawmaker Pushes EPA on Regulation
Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI), who represents Flint, MI, introduced a bill on Thursday that would require the EPA to lower the acceptable levels of lead in drinking water. His bill would require the EPA to update its rule and expand water sampling and testing. The crisis in Flint - where a switch in water sources and poor treatment methods caused a lead outbreak in drinking water - pushed the EPA to work faster on its overhaul of the Lead and Copper Rule. The agency has yet to finalize any changes to the regulation. More here.
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WaPo's Abby Phillip taking a break from the CNN set this week to enjoy the Cherry Blossoms. | |  |
Voto Latino's María Teresa Kumar with some young fans on Thursday. | |  |
Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) with Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) settling a wager on the Gamecocks champions. | |
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Shonda Rhimes Joins the Board of Planned Parenthood
On Thursday, Planned Parenthood Federation of America announced that Shonda Rhimes is now a member of their national board. Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood, says Rhimes was a natural choice for many reasons. Richards explained that Rhimes has always been a long-time supporter, already serving on the Board in Los Angeles, and she felt that the executive brought a valuable perspective. Richards and Rhimes both felt this was a crucial time in the fight for women's reproductive rights. Recently, the Senate voted to allow states to withhold federal family planning funds from Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers, with Vice President Mike Pence giving the tie-breaking vote. More here.
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Janaye Ingram Heads to Airbnb
After successfully overseeing logistics for the massively impactful Women’s March, Janaye Ingram is now taking her multifaceted skillset to the offices of Airbnb where she will be the company’s Director of National Partnerships. In this role, she is charged with creating meaningful partnerships with a variety of civic and nonprofit groups, managing the company’s portfolio of U.S. strategic partnerships, and leading the effort to vastly expand and recruit hosts of color. Previously, Janaye served as National Executive Director of Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network. The Clark Atlanta University graduate is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., a former Miss New Jersey, and an experienced world traveler. Congrats, Janaye. More about her here.
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New LCCHR Leadership Speaks Out Against Sessions
AG Jeff Sessions’ recent order to review federal agreements with a number of local law enforcement agencies aimed at reforming troubled departments, has drawn much criticism from the left. The former head of the DOJ Civil Rights Division under the Obama administration and newly named President and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Vanita Gupta, and Corey Stoughton, former Obama DOJ Civil Rights counsel, are the latest to weigh in.They penned this op-ed in the NYT. Read here.
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DOJ Expresses Skepticism in Court Over Baltimore Police Consent Decree While NAACP LDF Intervenes
A Justice Department attorney expressed “grave concerns” about moving forward with a federal plan to make changes to this city’s police department, telling a federal judge that the Trump administration prefers that revisions be made and overseen by the local government. AG Jeff Sessions, expressing deep skepticism about consent decrees saying they have undermined local policing, said he wanted to ensure the agreements align with administration priorities of promoting officer safety and morale while fighting violent crime.
But advocates say the move could stymie much-needed changes to departments in the wake of high-profile police shootings of minorities in recent years. The tension was on display in Baltimore on Thursday as the DOJ distanced itself from its plan negotiated by President Barack Obama’s administration, while Baltimore officials, residents, and activists openly embraced it.
The hearing prompted the NAACP Legal Defense Fund to move to have two additional plaintiffs added to the consent decree suit as plaintiffs. “We feel like there is sufficient evidence that our clients and the residents of Baltimore and their right to be free of unconstitutional policing are not adequately represented by the DOJ,” said Sherrilyn Ifill, president of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. More here.
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|  | Solidarity Strategies last night helped host a fundraiser in DC for former LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's California gubernatorial bid. Villaraigosa is flanked by Creative Director Luis Alcauter and Founder/President Chuck Rocha. | |  | Estuardo Rodríguez, María Cardona, and Mark Magaña with former LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa at a fundraiser last night in DC for Villaraigosa's California gubernatorial bid. | |
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New Leadership at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Incorporated (CBCF) elected new officers and appointed new members to its board of directors and Corporate Advisory Council (CAC) during its 2017 annual meeting. New officers of the CBCF Board of Directors include Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Chair; A. Shuanise Washington, President and CEO; Radio One's Cathy Hughes, Vice Chair; Comcast's Earle Jones, Secretary; Kevin Brown, Treasurer; and Chaka Burgess, CAC chair.
Board members beginning their three-year terms on May 9th, include Aisha Bowe, co-founder and CEO of STEMBoard (she is also the first Millennial to join the CBCF board of directors); Kevin Brown, VP and chief procurement officer for Dell, Inc.; Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and Director of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University; and Tammy Jones, Principal and President of Basis Investment Group.
Corporate Advisory Council members beginning their three-year terms on May 10th, include Chanelle Hardy, Strategic Outreach and External Partnerships Director for Google; Marie Long, Assistant VP of Federal Relations for AT&T; Dontai Smalls, VP of Global Public Affairs for UPS; Nigel Stephens, Director of Government Affairs for Accenture; Phillip Wallace, Government Relations Manager for Intellectual Ventures; and Cherie Wilson, Director of Federal and Administration Affairs for General Motors. More here.
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Michelle Bernard appearing on TV One to discuss the internal battles at Morehouse College. | |  |
That's CNN's Symone Sanders taking a respite with friends in Cuba. But she's back. The Beat spotted her in an undisclosed location Wednesday night. | |
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CBCI Honors Charleston Nine with Scholarship
The Congressional Black Caucus Political Education and Leadership Institute (“The Institute”) honored the memory and legacy of one of the “Charleston Nine,” The Honorable Reverend Clementa C. Pinckney. The Institute established the annual Reverend Clementa C. Pinckney Legacy Builder Scholarship for their Political Leadership Training “Boot Camp.” Clementa Carlos Pinckney was a Democratic member of the South Carolina Senate and the senior pastor of Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church. More here.
Bernice King on Pepsi Ad
Bernice King, daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and CEO of The King Center, wrote that the now infamous Pepsi ad reflects deep issues around race and privilege. "I say that the ad and the responses to it reflect deep issues around race, privilege and how we build the Beloved Community post slavery and Jim Crow." Read her insightful piece in HuffPo.
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CHC's Plea to AGs Across the Country
In March, Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chairwoman Michelle Luján Grisham (D-NM) asked attorneys general from across the United States to scrutinize the new policies and tactics used by immigration officials, and if necessary to take legal action on behalf of their states. On Thursday, CA AG Xavier Becerra spoke with Jorge Ramos on Univisión's Al Punto news program about California's response. Becerra tells Ramos that California is protecting all the residents of the state and not violating any laws in doing so. It is the federal government's job - and not California's or any states - adds Becerra, to enforce immigration laws and the state will not do anything it believes could jeopardize the safety of all of its residents.
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Atl Mayor Asks Congress to Keep Federal Transportation Funding Flowing
Nearly one week after a massive fire caused part of I-85 to collapse and shut down, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed returned to the Beltway (he’s a Howard graduate) and asked Congress to keep federal transportation funding flowing to cities and states. In testimony before the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, Reed emphasized a need for that support going forward, as the city looks to embark on new efforts, including expansion of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, or MARTA. “The challenge that we’re having in Atlanta with Interstate 85 and its (bridge) collapse really points out that an overall transportation system is needed now more than ever,” Reed said. The Wednesday hearing took place shortly after DOT Secretary Elaine Chao met with select MoCs about a federal infrastructure package. More here.
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Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Talks Feminism and Activism with Planned Parenthood’s Cecile Richards
Acclaimed feminist author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards had a riveting conversation about feminism and activism on Wednesday night. The two icons sat down with Katie Couric to discuss how to raise a feminist, for Tina Brown’s Women in the World Summit. Richards, a mother of three, and Adichie, a new mother of a young daughter, talked about the ever-changing landscape of feminist activism, especially in light of the Trump administration. Read more here.
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Trump Property Seeking Foreign Workers
As Donald Trump continues to promote his agenda of restoring American jobs, the Trump National Golf Club in Westchester County, NY, is seeking permission to bring foreign workers to serve as waiters and waitresses, according to a petition posted by the Department of Labor on Wednesday. The workers are being sought under the federal H-2 visa program, which allows U.S. employers to hire foreign laborers under temporary work visas as long as no qualified US workers want the jobs. More here.
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Revelation: Michelle Obama Has Been Natural Since Her First Year in DC
According to Michelle Obama’s longtime stylist, Johnny Wright, the now ubiquitous photo of Michelle rocking a natural was taken at some point during the Obamas’ recent vacation. For those curious, Wright said that FLOTUS44 started the process of transitioning from relaxed hair back to her natural texture during Barack Obama’s first year in office. Whaaat?! “She’s always embraced her natural hair. For the looks she was going for and the stories she wanted to tell, I styled her hair straight. There wasn’t any lack of embracing her curls. It’s just what she wanted to do.” More here.
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Steele Dining with Lewandowski
According to WaPo, former RNC chairman Michael Steele and former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski were spotted leaving Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab together on Wednesday. Steele wasn’t a big fan of Lewandowski’s old boss. Wonder what they talked about? They’re both regulars on the cable-TV circuit, Lewandowski for the conservative One America News Network and Steele for MSNBC. More here.
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What Happens to People of Color When You “Don’t See Color” and Then Berate Them?
Yesterday, The Beat received an email that called our platform stupid and racist and went on to say, “that’s right. Being Black centric does not absolve you from being racist.” After we corrected him and informed him this platform highlights all people of color, on both sides of the aisle, doing amazing things in the Beltway, we asked what he found “stupid” or “racist?” He replied, “I find anyone fixated on ethnocentric issues to be stupid (myopic) and racist. I will unsubscribe.” Here’s the thing - he sent it from his mail.house.gov account and he holds a position that certainly impacts communities of color. If a congressional staffer finds focusing on people of color racist, myopic, and stupid and is emboldened enough to put it in writing on his government account - there’s work to be done. This is why The Beat goes on ...
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| VIDEOS
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Congresswomen Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Judy Chu (D-CA), and other MoCs dance on stage with country singers Wynonna Judd and Keith Urban on Wednesday night during the Recording Academy’s “Grammys on the Hill.” | |  | The first trailer for Spike Lee's Rodney King takes viewers back a quarter of a century to the 1991 beating of King and the 1992 Los Angeles riots. | |
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| BLAH BLAH BLOG Opinion: Can Beto O'Rourke Beat Ted Cruz? Here's How (NBC Latino)
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| FOMO Wednesday, April 26th – Fri, Apr 28th: The African American Mayors Association 2017 Annual Conference in Washington, DC. Click here for more info.
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