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Congress returns today with just three days to avert a government shutdown. At issue? Among other things, DACA. We break down below where things stand. Meanwhile, Steve Bannon is testifying today before the House Intelligence Committee as part of its investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Also happening today -- the presidential physician is expected to brief reporters at the White House on the results of Trump’s first physical exam as president. Dr. Ronny Jackson will also take the unusual step of answering reporters questions directly at today's daily briefing. We’ll be watching. Over the weekend, the word “shithole” was projected onto Trump’s DC hotel. Video shows the word, along with the poop emoji, being projected onto the property. “Pay Trump bribes here,” “emoluments welcome,” and “we are all responsible to stand up and end white supremacy” were also projected onto the building. At Monday night’s NAACP Image Awards, host Anthony Anderson took a shot at ousted WH staffer Omarosa, Danny Glover was honored with the prestigious NAACP President’s Award, and Ava DuVernay received Entertainer of the Year. See the full list of winners here. Lastly, Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC) returns to Congress today after being out on medical leave. Welcome back! We’ve got a lot to get to today. We’re kicking off the short week with this…
- CBC Chair and Dems intro Trump censure resolution.
- Judge Greg Mathis rules out congressional run.
- FCC looking into Hawaii missile launch false alarm.
- DNC Chair Tom Pérez admits repairing rifts within the party a larger task than anticipated.
- CBC PAC endorses NM candidate who could be first Native American female in Congress.
- Feds reinstate DACA renewals as Congress continues negotiations.
- Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) launches a podcast.
- VP Pence gets an earful at historic Black church on Sunday.
- Angela Rye heads to BET.
- The Ballot Initiative Strategy Center is looking for an Executive Director. Apply below.
- Former CA Congressman Mike Honda pondering a mayoral run.
- OH lawyer considers congressional run.
- Labor Secretary Alex Acosta and Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao among contingent of officials heading to Davos.
- Justice Sonia Sotomayor heads to Houston.
- Indian Health Service nominee under fire for inconsistent answers on qualifications and political contributions.
- WaPo reporter Janell Ross placed on leave.
- Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA) takes issue with Donald Trump’s “pretty Korean lady” comments.
- Trump dismisses CBC recommendations on immigration policy.
- Former AG Eric Holder counseling CA state Senator Kevin de León in Senate race against Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).
- See the members boycotting the SOTU.
- NYT Executive Editor Dean Baquet talks with journo Christiane Amanpour about Trump, the free press, and the #MeToo movement.
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Former First Lady Michelle Obama on a Miami beach on Saturday with daughter Malia and Valerie Jarrett in tow. Weather envy and body goals all in one shot. | |  |
Before Sunday's missile scare, Hawaii Governor David Ige bid farewell to Philippine Consul General Gina Jamoralin last week and thanked her for her service. | |
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CBC Chair and Dem Members Intro Trump Censure Resolution
Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Congressman Cedric Richmond (D-LA), along with Congressmen James Clyburn (D-SC) and Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), will formally unveil a resolution after expressing that they were “deeply disturbed and offended” by Trump’s reported comments in which he said he’d prefer immigrants from countries such as Norway over El Salvador. His comments were condemned as "racist" by critics, who say he must be roundly condemned. The censure resolution, a formal statement of disapproval and public reprimand, could pass by majority vote, but lawmakers could filibuster the measure, requiring 60 votes to cut off debate. Nadler joined Congresswomen Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) in introducing a measure in August to censure Trump after his comments about the white nationalist rally in Charlottesville. The only president who has ever been censured by the Senate was Andrew Jackson in 1834. Meanwhile. Congressman Al Green (D-TX) announced Friday that he will introduce new articles of impeachment this week, making it his third attempt since October. More here.
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Trump Dismissed CBC Demands During Immigration Meeting
During the now-infamous “shithole” meeting at the White House, WaPo reports that Donald Trump dismissed concerns and recommendations by the Congressional Black Caucus. According to people briefed on the meeting, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) told Trump that the CBC might be more open to a deal if other nations were included in the proposal. “Trump was curt and dismissive, saying he was not making immigration policy to cater to the CBC and did not particularly care about that bloc’s demands,” reports WaPo. They also report that attendees were alarmed by the racial undertones of Trump’s remarks and further disturbed about 45’s response to the CBC. Read more here.
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VP Pence Visits Black Church and Gets an Ear Full
VP Mike Pence and his wife, Karen, were guests at the historic Black Metropolitan Baptist Church in Maryland on Sunday. The church’s pastor, Maurice Watson, told his congregation that he felt “led by God” to speak out against the president’s comments about Haiti and African countries calling Trump’s remarks “dehumanizing” and “ugly.” Watson noted that many of his congregants come from Haiti and Africa. “I stand today as your pastor to vehemently denounce and reject any such characterizations of the nations of Africa and of our brothers and sisters in Haiti,” Watson said as the audience stood and clapped. “And I further say: Whoever made such a statement, whoever used such a visceral, disrespectful, dehumanizing adjective to characterize the nations of Africa, whoever said it, is wrong. And they ought to be held accountable.” Local TV station WUSA-TV reported that Pence was red-faced during the sermon. See the video clip here.
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USCIS Reinstates DACA Renewals as Congress Sputters on Fix
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Saturday said that it has begun accepting DACA renewal requests following a judicial order which temporarily blocked the Trump administration from ending the program. “Due to a federal court order, USCIS has resumed accepting requests to renew a grant of deferred action under DACA,” the agency said, adding that it would not accept new applications. This is a welcome development for current DACA recipients, especially as hopes seem to be fading for a congressional solution. Negotiations have taken a turn as lawmakers instead spar over Donald Trump’s “shithole” comments, leading Trump to blame Democrats and declare that “DACA is probably dead because the Democrats don’t really want it” and “Senator Dicky Durbin totally misrepresented what was said at the DACA meeting. Deals can’t get made when there is no trust! Durbin blew DACA and is hurting our Military.” Adding to the likelihood of a shutdown over a potential fix are rifts from within the parties as Republicans struggle to bring their more extreme flank into the fold on a deal, while more and more Democrats state that they will not vote for a spending bill without a solution. The Hill takes a deeper dive into what’s standing in the way of a DACA fix here.
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Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) with GA gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams and Congressman Hank Johnson (D-GA) on Sunday reaching out to voters at the historic Black-owned Paschal's Restaurant in Atlanta. | |  |
ABC News Correspondent Alex Pérez with Kevin Gregory at their wedding over the weekend in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. ¡Felicidades! | |
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FCC Chair Intervenes on Hawaii Missile Scare
FCC Chair Ajit Pai said on Sunday that Hawaii apparently did not have adequate safeguards in place to prevent a false emergency alert, after Saturday's errant ballistic missile warning was sent to Hawaii residents. The mistaken alert was issued amid high international tensions over North Korea's development of ballistic nuclear weapons. "The false emergency alert sent yesterday in Hawaii was absolutely unacceptable," said Pai. The FCC has jurisdiction over the wireless alerts and has proposed to upgrade them to geotarget them more precisely. It plans to vote on revisions to the alert system later this month. Hawaii Governor David Ige said the alert was sent during an employee shift change at the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and that the state had no automated process to get out the word that it was a false alarm. He said an employee pushed the wrong button. More here.
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Cory Booker Launches a Podcast
Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) has launched a podcast called Lift Every Voice, that will be dedicated to shining a light on overlooked issues of injustice and inequality and sharing inspiring stories of change. Podcast episodes will include Booker talking with grassroots activists, stakeholders, and organizers who are overcoming injustices and making a positive change in their communities. “I hope this podcast will elevate their voices and shine light on important issues of righteousness and compassion that will inspire others to action,” Booker said. Future episodes will include discussions about the criminal justice system, environmental inequality, economic fairness, and the future of work, among other topics. The podcast can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. The first episode launched on Monday on what would have been Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 89th birthday, and features a conversation with Congressman John Lewis (D-GA). Check it out here.
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Members Skipping State of the Union, Others Protesting
Members Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Maxine Waters (D-CA), John Lewis (D-GA), and Frederica Wilson (D-FL) are planning to be no-shows at this year’s State of the Union, following the president’s vulgar remarks aimed at Haiti, El Salvador, and African nations. Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) also announced last week that he too would boycott Trump’s address. Female members of the Democratic Caucus, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), plan to wear all black in solidarity with victims of sexual misconduct and the #MeToo movement. Some House Dems are also reportedly planning to invite sexual assault survivors as their guests that evening. Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA) has invited the founder of the #MeToo movement, Tarana Burke, to be her guest to the January 30th SOTU. Stay tuned to The Beat DC for updates on Tri-Caucus members’ SOTU plans. More here.
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Judy Chu Responds to “Pretty Korean Lady” Comment
Donald Trump continued to draw fire for making inflammatory comments this week, after officials recounted a conversation he allegedly had with a female intelligence analyst last fall. Trump reportedly asked the woman where she was from and she replied that she was from New York. The president pressed further, asking her where "your people" were from. The analyst, a hostage policy expert, said that her parents were Korean, to which Trump responded by asking an advisor in the room why the "pretty Korean lady" was not negotiating with North Korea in an official capacity. "Another awful story on how Trump cannot see women for more than their looks & only sees minorities as others, not Americans," tweeted Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA). "If true, this story that he called a skilled analyst just a "pretty Korean lady" is latest evidence he is unfit for this office." More here.
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Former Congressman Lincoln Díaz-Balart on Friday with Colombian Senate candidate Zayda Barrero de Noguera and her husband Dr. Rodrigo Noguera. | |  |
The 44th President: In His Own Words team, including Joshua DuBois with his wife Michelle, on Sunday receiving the NAACP Image Award for Best Documentary (TV). | |
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Eric Holder Lends Counsel to Kevin de León’s CA Senate Campaign
CA state Senate President Pro Tempore Kevin de León (D) is running against longtime Democratic Party incumbent Senator Dianne Feinstein, and he is getting some major help. Speaking at a campaign event on Saturday, de León announced that former AG Eric Holder would act as his Chief Legal Counsel during the campaign. De León vowed to use Holder’s legal acumen to combat the president’s legislative agenda, including the recently enacted Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which de León vehemently denounced. Earlier this year, Holder’s law firm Covington & Burling was on contract to serve as outside counsel to the California legislature to provide additional legal firepower against the Trump administration. Hiring Holder was an unorthodox and high-profile move, signaling California legislators’ pugnacious stance toward the Trump even before the president was sworn into office. The $25K a month contract ended over the summer, but looks like Holder and de León will continue their work on the campaign trail. More here.
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Judge Mathis Rules Against Running for Congress
Last week, we told you about TV celebrity Judge Greg Mathis flirting with the idea of running for the seat left vacant by former Detroit Congressman John Conyers. Mathis has decided against it. In a statement, the 57-year-old Mathis said although he was “asked to consider a run for the vacant congressional seat here in Michigan,” he won’t dive into the 13th District race. “The fact is, we have strong elected leaders in Detroit. I have faith that the voters in the 13th Congressional District will elect a leader that is committed to giving our citizens the tools they need to succeed.” But Mathis also said, “I cannot fully rule out a future in public service.” The declared Democratic candidates so far include state Senator Ian Conyers, the former Congressman's 29-year-old great nephew; state Senator Coleman Young II; and attorney and community organizer Michael Gilmore. More here.
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Mike Honda Ponders Mayoral Run
Former California Congressman Mike Honda is contemplating throwing his hat into the city of San Jose's 2018 mayoral race -- a move that could make what has so far looked like an easy reelection campaign for sitting Mayor Sam Liccardo a challenge. The 76-year-old Democrat was ousted from Congress after eight terms by now-Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) in a bitter 2016 election. Honda faced a congressional ethics investigation into allegations he relied on congressional staffers for political purposes, a charge Khanna used to characterize Honda as a corrupt politician. The Sacramento-area native moved to Silicon Valley and taught science, also working as a school principal before joining the San Jose school board. He has also served on the city’s planning commission and the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. Honda joined the State Assembly in 1996 before moving to Congress four years later. Honda is considered very friendly to labor and could get a necessary boost from local union endorsements should he decide to run. We’ll keep you posted. More here.
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Pérez Says He Underestimated DNC Job
Amid continued Clinton-Sanders tensions, DNC Chair Tom Pérez admitted to Politico that he had underestimated the enormity of the task ahead of him when he took on the role. Even now, more than a year after the 2016 presidential elections, tensions between the DNC and Sanders’ supporters -- over issues such as whether or not Sanders should hand over his voter list -- threaten to undermine the seemingly fragile unity Pérez has built thus far. The relationship between Pérez and Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN), who was appointed Deputy Chair after the contentious election for the top position, “remains chilly, with periodic explosive fights over party strategy and appointments.” Ellison said that “[f]unctioning unity is something we’ve got to build back over time.” Still, the DNC under Pérez is working to rebuild their aging tech operations and fundraising -- which still lags behind that of the RNC -- has improved. “I knew it was a turnaround job when I ran, but I undeniably underestimated the depth of the turnaround job. We had to rebuild almost every facet of the organization, and equally importantly, we had to rebuild trust ... Not just people who had invested in the DNC, but others, they just felt the party had let them down," Pérez said. Read the full piece here.
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The Ballot Initiative Strategy Center is looking for an Executive Director to serve as the chief strategic officer and public spokesperson for BISC’s mission, vision, values, and programs. The Executive Director provides vision, leadership, and direction to ensure the organization is financially sustainable and leads the progressive community in ballot-measure strategy and innovation. The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing fiscal management, fund development, and fundraising efforts. Click here to learn more and apply.
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Cap Hill Staffer Launches Congressional Campaign
Until recently, William Cunningham served as Investigative Counsel on the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Now, the South Jersey native is running for Congress hoping to fill the seat of retiring Congressman Frank LoBiondo (R–NJ) in the Garden State's 2nd congressional district. Cunningham started his Capitol Hill career in the office of Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), working on legislative issues related to healthcare, foreign affairs, and education. The Teach for America alum graduated from Brown University before completing law school at the University of Texas. "I believe change is coming across the country as America steps away from the divisive vitriol of the Trump White House. South Jersey should be a part of that change. I have the skill set, insight, compassion, and experience to serve South Jersey proudly as their next Representative in the House,” said Cunningham. His official campaign launch for the June 5th primary takes place this afternoon. Other declared candidates include Sean Thom, state Senator Jeff Van Drew, and Tanzie Youngblood. More about him here.
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OH Lawyer Considers Congressional Run
Thirty-five-year-old Democrat Aftab Pureval is giving serious consideration to challenging Congressman Steve Chabot (R-OH). Pureval was in DC earlier this month to meet with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which so far has struck out in its aggressive months-long effort to find someone to run in the red-leaning district. Pureval, a former Procter & Gamble attorney, burst onto the political scene in 2016 when he defeated an incumbent to become Hamilton County Clerk of Courts in the very politically relevant state of Ohio. He has been mentioned as a potential future candidate for Ohio Attorney General. One possible issue for Pureval: He doesn't currently live in the district and never has. It's not a requirement to run for Congress. The son of Indian immigrants graduated from Ohio State, where he was elected student body president. Then to the University of Cincinnati for law school, where he volunteered at Legal Aid to represent battered, impoverished women. From there it was on to DC to work for a large antitrust firm, where he earned its pro-bono award for assisting abused immigrants. He returned to Cincinnati to serve as an unpaid Special Assistant to the U.S. Attorney, helping bust gun, drug, and child pornography rings. The Dayton native will have to make a decision soon. Stay tuned to The Beat DC. More here.
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CBC PAC Endorses Candidate Aiming to Be First Native American Woman in Congress
The Congressional Black Caucus Political Action Committee has announced its endorsement of Deb Haaland, candidate for New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District. As The Beat DC reported last year, Haaland is seeking to become the first Native American woman elected to Congress. “Deb Haaland has a strong track record of standing up for Democratic values and the people of New Mexico. She has dedicated her life to serving her community and therefore she knows how to best represent them. Deb would be the first Native American woman to serve in Congress, where her voice is sorely needed. The CBCPAC is united in its support for her. We look forward to Deb Haaland joining us in the fight against Donald Trump and his destructive agenda next year,” CBC PAC Chair Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-NY) said in a statement. “I am truly humbled by the endorsement of the Congressional Black Caucus PAC," Haaland said. "I have spent my life fighting for the underrepresented and I am working tirelessly to be New Mexico’s champion in Congress. We still have a long fight ahead of us when it comes to racial justice, and in Congress I will take on that fight.” More here.
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The Peace Corps' Ashley Bell with WH Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders during the signing of the MLK Day Proclamation on Friday. | |  | Congresswomen Brenda Lawrence (D-MI), Val Demings (D-FL), Marcia Fudge (D-OH), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), and Yvette Clarke (D-NY) on Saturday celebrating Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.'s Founder's Day. | |
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Angela Rye Heads to BET
Angela Rye is heading to BET to lead a special news show launching this month. The CNN commentator is set to host and executive produce the quarterly news show, which will examine issues and stories impacting Black America. "Working with BET always provides a reminder of why I began to do this work," Rye said in a statement to Blavity. "It is essential that we have platforms where we can discuss our politics, our challenges, and our culture through our respective lenses. The upcoming special will provide a glimpse of what’s to come with our partnership.” The first episode of the series is tentatively titled Angela Rye’s State of the Union, and will be a primetime rebuttal to Donald Trump’s State of the Union address. It will air on Wednesday, January 31st at 10P. More here from Blavity.
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Neil deGrasse Tyson Returns with Possible Worlds
In 2014, Fox rebooted the classic documentary series, Cosmos: A Personal Journey, with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson as host. Four years later, Fox and National Geographic have announced they will be bringing the series back for a second season, titled Possible Worlds. The season will air in the spring of 2019 on Fox and the National Geographic Channel for the 13-episode run. Comedian Seth MacFarlane serves as Executive Producer. More here.
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NYT’s Dean Baquet Talks Trump, Free Press, and #MeToo with Christiane Amanpour
NYT Executive Editor Dean Baquet sat down with Christiane Amanpour to discuss the relationship between the presidency and the press, among other subjects. Amanpour acknowledges that though the NYT is the favorite “whipping boy” of Donald Trump, he frequently speaks with the paper’s reporters. Baquet responded by saying that Trump has an odd relationship with the paper. “He is a boy from Queens who wanted to be embraced by the Manhattan elite and ... that includes the New York Times.” Baquet goes on to say that though Trump is more accessible than his predecessors, it’s damaging for the president to attack the press. On the bright side, Baquet says, there has been a remarkable awakening of civic interests. “Our numbers are up dramatically. CNN’s numbers are up dramatically. The Post’s numbers are up dramatically,” he said. “I think people care about government. I think people care about this dramatic, amazing story. I think people understand that the press can tell it. What makes me nervous is whether the constant attacks chase away people who are his supporters and I think we have something to say to them ... and that bothers me. I don’t want a monolithic audience.” Baquet goes on to talk about the paper’s role in the #MeToo movement. See the full interview here.
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WaPo Reporter Placed on Leave
Janell Ross, a reporter on WaPo’s national desk, was sidelined after she participated in a private gathering in November attended by Democratic lawmakers and activists. Ross was put on leave, and her return to the paper is viewed as unlikely. The event in California, which was hosted by the progressive advocacy group Democracy Alliance, featured strategy sessions and panels, including one Ross sat on that focused on "getting the economic narrative right." Ross' involvement in the gathering was first reported by the conservative Washington Free Beacon on November 22nd, and the revelation gave fuel to the media criticism supplied by Fox News and Breitbart. Ross, who has also written for HuffPost and The Atlantic, has not commented. More here.
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Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) speaking with members of the Service Employees International Union on Saturday. | |  |
Tyler Perry and Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (D-FL) on Monday with members of the Miami-Dade young men mentoring group 5000 Role Models talking about the significance of MLK Day. | |
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Acosta and Chao Head to Davos
Labor Secretary Alex Acosta and Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao will accompany Donald Trump to the small Swiss ski town of Davos in less than two weeks for the annual gathering of the economic elite. Former Chief Strategist Steve Bannon had derided people who attend the conference as the “party of Davos,” describing them as anathema to the nationalist, populist voters who put Trump in the White House. Last year before he was inaugurated, none of Trump’s aides or Cabinet nominees attended the forum. This year, Melania Trump, the president’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn, CoS John Kelly, National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, and Energy Secretary Rick Perry will all attend. More here.
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Sonia Sotomayor to Speak at the University of Houston
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor is heading to the University of Houston Law Center at the end of this month, where she is scheduled to answer questions from current law school students as well as those in pre-law programs -- in a session moderated by UH Law Center Dean Leonard M. Baynes. “She is a brilliant legal scholar and jurist who has overcome many of life's obstacles," said Baynes. "Her biography is very powerful and inspirational, serving as a model for others who may see themselves in her journey.” The first Latina to serve on the Supreme Court will also visit with student leaders, faculty, UH campus leaders, and Houston-area attorneys. The visit will take place on Friday, January 26th. More here.
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Counterintelligence Warns Trump Family About Wendi Murdoch
The WSJ reports that U.S. counterintelligence officials in early 2017 warned Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner about Wendi Deng Murdoch, a prominent Chinese American businesswoman and ex-wife of media mogul Rupert Murdoch. They cautioned that she could be using her close friendship with Kushner and Ivanka Trump to further the interests of the Chinese government. U.S. officials have also had concerns about a counterintelligence assessment that Murdoch was lobbying for a high-profile construction project funded by the Chinese government in DC. The project, a planned $100-million Chinese garden at the National Arboretum, was deemed a national security risk because it included a 70-foot-tall white tower that could potentially be used for surveillance. The garden was planned on one of the higher patches of land near downtown, less than five miles from both the Capitol and the White House. Wendi in 1999 married Rupert Murdoch, who is the executive chairman of News Corp. In 2013, Rupert filed for divorce and Wendi still uses her married name. A spokesman for Ms. Murdoch said she “has no knowledge of any FBI concerns or other intelligence agency concerns relating to her or her associations.” He added that she “has absolutely no knowledge of any garden projects funded by the Chinese government.” A representative for Jared and Ivanka described Kushner’s interaction with officials warning him about Ms. Murdoch as a “routine senior staff security briefing.” There’s more to this story. Get it here.
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VA's new Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax with his wife Dr. Cerina Fairfax at Saturday's inaugural activities. Raised in DC, Fairfax is the first Black man in elected statewide office in VA since 1989. | |  |
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) last week receiving The Louis E. Martin Great American Award from the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. The award is named after the Center's principal founder and a key player in the Black press and civil rights movement. | |
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More Inconsistencies from Nominee to Oversee Native American Healthcare Services
Robert Weaver, a health insurance salesman and consultant who was nominated in October to lead the $6.1-billion Indian Health Service, has been touted by the administration as “a staunch advocate of innovative programs to improve Native American health.” However, some lawmakers are concerned that the administration inflated his qualifications. On his résumé, Weaver claims to have held “supervisory and management positions” when he worked at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Joplin, MS between 1997 and 2006. But a WSJ investigation into this assertion found evidence that considerably contradicts the nominee, as the leadership team for the medical center say they have never even heard of Weaver. And those who did know him describe Weaver’s position as “entry level.” Now, Weaver’s failure to disclose political contributions could contribute to lawmakers’ doubts. According to the Federal Election Commission, he made seven $500 contributions to the Trump Make America Great Again Committee just a few weeks before the White House formally nominated him. But in Weaver’s official questionnaire for the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, he only disclosed the March 2017 contribution. The Indian Health Service is a federal agency that operates 26 hospitals, overseeing healthcare for over two million Native Americans. More here.
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Democratic SOTU Response
Democrats are trying to craft their response to Donald Trump’s January 30th State of the Union address. Not only must they decide on the message but on a messenger as well. The old playbook has been tossed out. Hence, a lone member of Congress in an empty room reading off a teleprompter may come across as stale. There are no rules. Ergo, The Beat DC humbly offers this suggestion: pluck your superstars and let them shine. Assemble Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), along with Tri-Caucus Chairs Judy Chu (D-CA), Michelle Luján Grisham (D-NM), and Cedric Richmond (D-LA), and deliver a collective response. Let the opening line be read in unison, Southern Baptist church style: “We, the rising majority…” From there, each member delivers a two-sentence message of hope but also a stern warning to those who seek to divide. Don’t mince words. You will never flip Trump’s hardcore base, so don’t try. Perhaps you could broadcast live from the NMAAHC, aka the Blacksonion. Use it as an opportunity to talk about how you’re changing a system that wasn’t designed for Black, Brown, and economically challenged people to succeed. Let their words inspire the Dem base and invoke civic engagement from political novices and the apathetic. This revolution will be televised. So just before the crew goes on the air, watch this Black Panther extended trailer as inspiration.
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Today, 3:30P: DNC Chair Tom Pérez joins Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), along with former United Steelworkers Local 1999 president Chuck Jones on a press call to discuss the first year of Trump’s economy. Click here to RSVP.
Friday, January 26th, 12P: The Congressional Hispanic Staff Association hosts a roundtable discussion with Mexico’s Ambassador to the U.S., Gerónimo Gutiérrez. Capitol Visitors Center, SVC 212-210.
Monday, January 29th, 10A: A memorial service for trailblazing civil rights journalist Simeon Booker is being held at the Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Simeon Booker Scholarship at Youngstown State University. All gifts designated for this minority scholarship are matched by the Youngstown State U Foundation. Click here for more information.
Tuesday, February 13th, 7P: The Women’s Fund of Central Indiana hosts “A Moderated Conversation with Former First Lady Michelle Obama." Bankers Life Fieldhouse, 125 South Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis. Tickets go on sale Friday, January 12th at 10A. Click here for more information and click here to purchase tickets.
Wednesday, February 21st - Friday, February 23rd: The NFL, along with Morehouse College and the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE), hosts a program in Atlanta to educate athletes on how to develop and implement effective advocacy platforms that positively impact society. Click here for more information.
Saturday, February 24th: The Association for the Study of African American Life and History hosts the 92nd Annual Black History Month Luncheon. Washington Renaissance Hotel, 999 9th Street, N.W. Click here for more information and to register.
Tuesday, March 13th, 7P: The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials presents Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) with the 2018 Edward R. Roybal Award for Outstanding Public Service during the organization’s annual Edward R. Roybal Legacy Gala in DC. JW Marriott, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Wednesday, April 18th - Saturday, April 21st: The National Action Network hosts its annual conference, this year commemorating the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Sheraton Times Square, NYC. Click here for more information.
Thursday, April 19th: The University of North Dakota sponsors a conference on the Dakota Access Pipeline and the Standing Rock protests. Click here for more information.
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