Chance the Rapper showed up to a city council meeting in Chicago this week.
Chance the Rapper showed up to a city council meeting in Chicago this week.
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November 09, 2017
Obama Makes Commitment to Judge, Hamilton Heads to Puerto Rico, and Henry Louis Gates Welcomes New Board Members
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Say it to my face! If China’s president were a tweeting man, that’s possibly what he could have said to Donald Trump. Because after years of attacking China, accusing them of cheating the U.S. economy, and describing them as America’s enemy, Trump’s Twitter fingers went limp. “I don’t blame China,” he said at a business event, where he was joined by Chinese President Xi Jinping. “After all, who can blame a country for being able to take advantage of another country for the benefit of its citizens? I give China great credit.” Next up -- those bone spurs have apparently healed, so 45 is finally able to head to Vietnam today. Back in the homeland, the House Ways and Means Committee will vote on the GOP tax plan this afternoon, while Senate Republicans plan to unveil their own version of the bill, which diverges sharply from the lower chamber. The nation’s capital should be quiet tomorrow as the federal government shuts down to pay homage to our men and women in uniform to celebrate Veterans Day. The Beat DC will be quiet too. We’ll be back on Monday. But don’t worry! We leave you with a lot today. If you don’t want to miss anything, pretend it’s a shot of tequila and read bottoms up! We’re kicking off a long weekend with this…
  • Barack Obama dismissed from jury duty but not before making a promise to the judge.
  • Dems threaten a shut down over DACA.
  • Chance the Rapper shows up at a Chicago City Council meeting opposing a Rahm Emanuel plan.
  • Michelle Obama speaks at Dreamforce.
  • Trump reverses Barack Obama’s Cuba policy.
  • Congressmen Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) and Luis V. Gutiérrez (D-IL) intro bill to waive cost-sharing to rebuild Puerto Rico.
  • See Minyon Moore’s advice to Donna Brazile.
  • It’s #TBT. We throw it back to this time last year. Sigh.
  • Senator Bob Menéndez (D-NJ) may face Senate Ethics Panel.
  • Meet the first Afro Latina to anchor major news broadcast.
  • Makan Delrahim is at the center of a controversial caveat in the AT&T/Time Warner merger. 
  • CNN en Español senior anchor steps down after more than two decades.
  • Yahoo! News has a new chief tech correspondent.
  • Teen Vogue sleeps just when they got woke.
  • Congressman Al Lawson (D-FL) gets a challenger.
  • AZ GOPer mulling congressional run while Indian American candidate jumps into another AZ Congressional race.
  • Latino Victory Fund not backing down from doing controversial political ads.
  • Members intro legislation to fight food deserts.
  • The Creative Thread Foundation announces its inaugural board -- see the impressive and diverse list.
  • Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Seema Verma says states will be allowed to impose Medicaid work requirements.
  • Questlove talks hip hop's influence on the culture in a penned piece for the NYT. Check it out in blogs.
Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) meeting with DHS Secretary-nominee Kirstjen Nielsen.
Lin-Manuel Miranda in Puerto Rico with members of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Trump Reverses Obama Cuba Policy
Were you planning a trip to Cuba? Think again. The Trump administration on Wednesday announced tight new restrictions on American travel and trade with Cuba, implementing policy changes that Donald Trump announced five months ago to reverse the Obama administration's normalization with the Communist-ruled island. WaPo reports that under the new rules, most individual visits to Cuba will no longer be allowed, and U.S. citizens will again have to travel as part of groups licensed by the Treasury Department for specific purposes, accompanied by a group representative. Americans will also be barred from staying at a long list of hotels, and from patronizing restaurants, stores and other enterprises that the State Department has determined are owned by or benefit members of the Cuban government, specifically its security services. More here.
New Criminal Justice Reform Bill Gains Bipartisan Support
Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Jason Lewis (R-MN) introduced a bill Wednesday that would reform mandatory minimum sentences, expand funding for community policing and crime prevention initiatives, and increase the use of "evidence-based" sentencing alternatives such as probation. The two lawmakers say the bill will reduce crime, as well as hold the federal government accountable for billions of dollars spent every year on criminal justice. “The SAFE Justice Act ... utilizes an evidence-based approach to reduce over-criminalization and over-incarceration and reinvests the savings from these reforms into communities with prevention and early-intervention programs to improve public safety,” said Scott. It’s supported by a wide range of groups. from the NAACP to the Tea Party group FreedomWorks. Its co-sponsors include John Conyers Jr. (D-MI), Mia Love (R-UT), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Carlos Curbelo (R-FL), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA). More here.
Blue Dog Dems Opposing GOP Tax Plan After Considering Support
The 19-member Blue Dog Democrats, whose Caucus includes Co-Chairs Congressmen Jim Costa (D-CA) and Henry Cuéllar (D-TX), as well as Sanford Bishop (D-GA), Luis Correa (D-CA), Vicente González (D-TX), Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), David Scott (D-GA), and Filemón Vela (D-TX), were flirting with the possibility of supporting the House Republicans’ tax plan -- until Tuesday’s election results -- but are now taking a firmer stance and coming together in opposition. They’re hoping this week’s election results make GOP leaders reach across the aisle and to the self-described fiscal conservatives. Scott said Tuesday’s results should serve as a wake-up call for both sides, adding, “It’s a powerful lesson, and it puts a greater pep in the step of Democrats. But we’ve got to be willing to reach across the aisle.” Of the bill, Bishop said one example of its problems could be summed up with: “it seems awfully ridiculous for a school teacher not to be able to deduct the pens and the pencils and the papers that she purchases for her children, but a corporation can deduct all of the pens and supplies that they provide to their employees.” More here.
Co-Director of Move to End Violence (Remote)

Move to End Violence is hiring a Co-Director to join the consulting team administering Move to End Violence (MEV), a program of the NoVo Foundation. The ideal candidate seeks a senior-level position to be part of a shared leadership team to oversee the development and execution of programming designed to build the capacity of the U.S. movement to end violence against all girls and women, including cis, trans, and those who are gender nonconforming. MEV seeks to center the leadership of women of color and Indigenous women and others who are most impacted by gender-based violence in the U.S.
Via Getty Images
Obama Not Picked for Jury But Promises Judge Visit to Juvenile Detention Center
Former President Barack Obama showed up for jury duty yesterday sporting his new look of an open sports coat, no tie, and slightly unbuttoned shirt. Fellow jurors brought books for him to sign and snapped photos. Obama swept into the room with his entourage of security, going down the line shaking hands saying, “Thanks everybody for serving on the jury, or at least being willing to. This looks like Chicago right here.” POTUS44 never had a chance to even be questioned as a possible juror. After several hours, he and the rest of Juror Panel 6 were sent home without being called into a courtroom. But before he left, he did meet privately with Cook County Circuit Court Chief Judge Timothy Evans and promised he’d make a trip to Chicago next year to visit the kids housed at the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center. “We talked a lot about his commitment to the children of the world,” Evans said. “And he promised him and Michelle both will come here as part of his pledge.” The judge told the Chicago Sun-Times that there are approximately 230 young people ranging in ages from 12 to 18 housed at the detention center. “He [Obama] kept emphasizing that these are just the kind of young people who needed all the help they could get,” Evans added. “He said they were the kids who needed mentors and encouragement; that so many who have gotten in trouble do not get help that way. And that so many do not get proper assistance from mothers or dads or relatives.’” More here.
Hamilton Heads to Puerto Rico
Alexander Hamilton is heading to Puerto Rico! The musical, that is. Lin-Manuel Miranda announced he is taking the Tony Award winner to the University of Puerto Rico's campus in San Juan for a limited three-week run in January 2019. In Puerto Rico, Miranda himself will star as Alexander Hamilton -- the first time he has reprised the role since he ended his Broadway run in July 2016. Other casting will be announced at a later date. "When I last visited the island, a few weeks before Hurricane Maria," Miranda said, "I had made a commitment to not only bring the show to Puerto Rico, but also return again to the title role. In the aftermath of Maria, we decided to expedite the announcement of the project to send a bold message that Puerto Rico will recover and be back in business, stronger than ever." Miranda says he hopes Hamilton's run in Puerto Rico from January 8th-27th, 2019, will help stimulate the economy and cultural tourism. As with the Broadway and touring runs of the show, however, the Hamilton team will also hold a lottery for $10 seats. More here.
Chance the Rapper Shows up at Chicago City Council Meeting to Oppose Rahm Emanuel Plan
During a Chicago City Council meeting, Chance the Rapper spoke out in opposition to a plan by Mayor Rahm Emanuel -- Barack Obama's former WH Chief of Staff -- who wants to spend $95 million on a new police training academy. Chance says the money would be better-spent funding education and mental health services in the community. The Grammy Award-winning artist began his remarks by introducing himself, saying, “My name is Chance the Rapper, and I’m here representing the City of Chicago.” Noting that Emanuel had left the council chambers before it was his turn to speak, Chance said, “But it’s cool. It’s cool, cuz I’m here to talk to you guys right now.” He continued, “I think you guys are familiar with the work that I’ve been doing -- thank you guys -- working very closely with Orr Academy, which is right down the street from where this proposed police academy is going to be at.” He talked about the need for more money to build school facilities and help the mentally ill, noting that “schooling is my big thing.” He added that “there’s a lot of ways to transform the city that don’t have anything to do with police training.” See his remarks here.
Michelle Obama Speaks in the Valley
Speaking at Dreamforce in San Francisco on Tuesday, Michelle Obama encouraged leaders to invite a diverse array of people into the "important conversations," and to be more open to listening to fresh perspectives that will pave the way toward actual change. She added that equality starts with hiring: "If the men in the room see no diversity in the boardroom, it's time to change who sits at that table." She also encourages leaders to create company cultures that support parents. "Think about creating work structures that support healthy families," she said. "Don't think that tables with all men are going to get it right." She was adamant that leaders need to be more vigilant in speaking out against sexual harassment and domestic abuse in the workplace. Too many women still feel unsafe at work, and that needs to change immediately, she said. She left her likely most powerful message for last: "We live in a nation of really good people. And that includes those who don't agree with us." More here.
April Ryan with actress Ashley Judd and activist Gloria Steinem at the Women's Media Center's Women’s Media Awards.
Debra Lee, Chairman and CEO of BET Networks, with Mike Tyson in Las Vegas after watching his one-man show, Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth Round 2.
Delrahim at the Center of DOJs Troubling Demands on the AT&T/Time Warner Merger
On Monday, AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson met with Makan Delrahim, the DOJ’s new antitrust chief, to discuss AT&T’s long-awaited purchase of Time Warner. Variety reports that Delrahim told Stephenson that if AT&T wanted the DOJ to green-light the $85 billion mega merger, he would have to either sell Turner Broadcasting, the parent entity of CNN, which AT&T would acquire as part of the deal, or sell DirecTV, the satellite provider AT&T acquired in 2015. Trump has publicly threatened to open up libel laws to make it easier to sue news orgs and recently even suggested revoking broadcast licenses in response to unflattering coverage. So, it's troubling that the DOJ is pressuring AT&T to divest either Turner Broadcasting or DirecTV in order to complete the merger. This demand is widely perceived as stemming from the president's animus toward CNN. “Until now, we’ve never commented on our discussions with the DOJ. But given DOJ’s statement this afternoon, it’s important to set the record straight,” he told Vanity Fair. “Throughout this process, I have never offered to sell CNN and have no intention of doing so.” Variety breaks it down here.
CNN en Español Anchor Departs
CNN en Español senior anchor Patricia Janiot is leaving the network after almost 26 years. She announced her departure on live television during her Panorama Mundial newscast, saying she had decided to accept a new position that would “broaden her horizons” and bring “new challenges” to her journalism career. Multiple sources have confirmed to Media Moves that her “new challenge” will be as an anchor at the Univisión network, based in Miami. Before joining CNN, Janiot was an anchor at Univisión 34 in Los Angeles. More here.
First Afro Latina to Anchor Major News Broadcast
Univisión News has chosen Ilia Calderón as the new Co-Anchor of the Hispanic broadcast giant’s flagship evening newscast, Noticiero Univisión, replacing news legend María Elena Salinas. She will become the first Afro Latina to anchor a weekday primetime newscast for a major broadcast network in the United States when she takes over Salinas’s anchor chair in mid-December, joining Jorge Ramos on weeknights at 6:30P. In her native Colombia, Calderón was the first Black woman to ever host a national news program in that country, Noticiero CMI. In addition to succeeding Salinas on Noticiero Univisión, Calderón will also serve as co-host alongside Teresa Rodríguez of the network's primetime newsmagazine, Aquí y Ahora, which airs on Sunday nights. More here.
#TBT in Pics
On November 8, 2016, the country watched as Donald Trump was elected the 45th President of the United States. For this #TBT, we throw it back to a different election night -- 2012.
María Cardona one year ago today discussing changing demographics and Latino exit polls on CNN's Election Night converage.
AP Names Race and Ethnicity Writer
Errin Haines Whack has been appointed AP’s Race and Ethnicity Writer. The national writer-level position places a dedicated, full-time reporter focused on issues of race, culture, and politics. She has previously worked at WaPo, The Orlando Sentinel and the LA Times. Originally from Atlanta, Errin is based in Philadelphia, where she was recently honored by the city’s Association of Black Journalists for her work that they described as extraordinary in depth, scope, and significance to African Americans. “I believe we have an opportunity to lead conversation on these issues as the world’s largest newsgathering organization — not just in major outlets, but in the small cities and towns between the coasts, with communities and newsrooms that may lack the demographics or resources to have such discussions, and for the international audience that is fascinated by America’s racial dynamics,” she said. Congrats, Errin! More here.
Reuters Names New Editor for the American Region
Reuters has named Managing Editor Tiffany Wu its Regional Editor for the Americas. Based in New York, she helps set the news agenda every day, develops coverage strategies and priorities, and has oversight of the two main editing desks in the region: the Americas desk, which handles the biggest spot news stories of the day, and the Top News editing team, which steers the most distinctive enterprise stories. The Smith College graduate has been with Reuters for over 20 years, spending several as the Taiwan Bureau Chief. More about her here.
Teen Vogue Gets Woke and Then Put to Sleep
Just when Teen Vogue got woke, Condé Nast is putting the print version to sleep. The publisher announced the publication will be limited to digital platforms. Teen Vogue’s Editor-In-Chief Elaine Welteroth may remain working on the title in some capacity and will likely find an additional role at the company. It’s also possible that she will grow another brand within the company. Welteroth, the youngest person to ever assume the role, is only the second Black woman to hold the title at Condé Nast. She took over in 2016 and quickly became an Instagram celebrity. She received praise for the magazine’s newly “woke” tone. Teen Vogue 2.0, as she reimagined it, isn't just about clothes and makeup; it's about news, politics, and social justice, too. The outlet also just nabbed NBCBLK’s Amber Payne as an Executive Producer who will be focusing on digital content. Teen Vogue will continue to publish articles online, but many expressed disappointment to see the print version discontinue. Hillary Clinton is guest editing the December issue of the magazine. More here.
Yahoo! Finance Names Chief Tech Correspondent
JP Mangalindan
is now the Chief Tech Correspondent for Yahoo! Finance. He was previously the senior tech correspondent. The 2006 Fordham University graduate has previously written for Fortune and Mashable covering technology. He got his start in print journalism as an Editorial Assistant at GQ magazine. He landed at Yahoo! Finance in last year working as the Senior Tech Correspondent being promoted this week to Chief. His work has also appeared in Popular Science and Entertainment Weekly. Congrats, JP! More about him here.
Tamron Hall with Becky Lee, Executive Director of Becky's Fund, at their annual Walk This Way Charity Fashion Show.
CA AG Xavier Becerra at a forum on Tuesday speaking about the cost of incarcerating young people.
Tech Exec Announces Congressional Run in AZ
Anita Malik
, an Indian American entrepreneur, has announced that she is running for Arizona’s 6th Congressional District. Malik resigned from her post as COO at ClearVoice in May to focus on her campaign against two-term incumbent Congressman David Schweikert (R-AZ). The 1998 Arizona State University graduate also holds a Master’s in broadcast journalism from the University of Southern California. The 41-year old first-generation American previously worked for MicroAge as a business analyst, and at The Arizona Republic, and was Deputy Director of ASU’s Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism. One of her concerns is campaign finance reform. She says that when money is so prevalent in campaigns, democracy isn’t real anymore. More about her here.
Al Lawson Gets Challenger
Rontel Batie, a 29-year-old former Tallahassee lobbyist, is challenging Congressman Al Lawson (D-FL), making him the first announced opponent. Batie says he has excited the millennial base in Tallahassee and Jacksonville with his campaign launch video, which now has more than 7,000 views and over 300 shares on Facebook. Young people in this district are a demographic in a political slumber since the election of President Barack Obama in 2012. The 2011 Florida A&M University graduate earned his Master’s from George Washington University in 2015. He has worked for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and then as a Legislative Assistant for former Congresswoman Corrine Brown. He’s currently working as a lobbyist for the National Employment Law Project. He says he overcame a lot of adversity growing up, including serious poverty and losing his father in a drive-by shooting. See his campaign launch video here.
AZ Republican Mulls Run For Congress
Tucson City Councilman Danny "DJ" Morales announced this week that he is considering running for Arizona’s second congressional district in the event Congresswoman Martha McSally (R-AZ) runs for the Senate. "If she decides to do so, I will run for the Republican primary,” he said. The class of 2000 University of Arizona grad has served on the City Council since June 2016. He is a commissioned officer in the United States Navy Reserve, having served on active duty for 12 years and in the reserve since February 2011. We’ll keep you posted on what he decides. More about him here.
Expect More Ads From the Latino Victory Fund
During this past campaign, Democrats found themselves playing defense over an ad put out by the Latino Victory Fund (LVF) in Virginia which featured children of color being run down by a pickup truck sporting an Ed Gillespie bumper sticker and a Confederate flag. This was despite the racist ad run by the failed gubernatorial campaign of Republican Gillespie that linked Latino immigrants to gangs. The LVF ad ran only briefly after being met with criticism. But BuzzFeed’s Darren Sands and Adrian Carrasquillo report that the progressive group has no intention of backing down, and plans on pursuing the same strategy as they look ahead to 2018 midterms. "Our ad was an honest reflection of the fears facing communities of color in Virginia and across the country. It was designed to raise Latino voters' awareness of Gillespie’s bigoted campaign tactics, and it accomplished that goal," said LVF President Cristóbal Alex (pictured). "Faced with vicious, racist attacks, we usually turn the other cheek or point our finger at the bully. This time we threw a jab to the throat and we will continue raising our voices wherever and whenever racism rears its head." More here.
Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) meeting with Pueblo of Acoma Governor Kurt Riley to discuss legislation Luján introduced to protect tribal cultural & sacred objects from being sold illegally abroad.
UN Ambassador Nikki Haley with former Secretary of State Dr. Henry Kissinger and former Senator Kelly Ayotte at ASU's McCain Institute for International Leadership.
The Creative Thread Foundation Announces Inaugural Board Members
The Creative Thread Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on creating pipelines and opening doors for multicultural representation, diversity, and inclusion in the media, entertainment, and communications industries, announced its founding Board members. They include: John C. Yang, President & Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAAJ; Antonio Tijerino, President & CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation; Megan Hauck, Director of the IAB Education Foundation; John Gibson, Advisor for Inclusion & Multicultural Outreach at the Motion Picture Association of America; Marcellus Alexander, President of the National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation; Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder & President of the National Action Network; Benjamin López, Executive Director at the National Association of Latino Independent Producers; Félix Sánchez, Chairman & Co-Founder at the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts; Alex Nogales, President & CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition; Marc Morial, President & CEO of the National Urban League; Loris Taylor, President & CEO of Native Public Media; Joseph Fortson, VP, Government Affairs at Nielsen; and Kimberly Hulsey, VP, Legal & Government Affairs at Scripps Networks Interactive. The board is chaired by Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Eduardo Soto of The Raben Group will serve as Vice-Chair. More here.
Advice to Donna Brazile: Don’t Cuss Out the Kids
Donna Brazile
's book is full of revelations, including some helpful advice from a friend. Hillary Clinton campaign advisor Minyon Moore, “always elegant in her manners, had another delicate piece of advice for me about dealing with the smart young people in Brooklyn,” Brazile wrote in her new book, Hacks: The Inside Story of the Break-ins and Breakdowns That Put Donald Trump in the White House. Minyon told Brazile, “Donna, you cannot cuss these kids out because it will shut them down,'” referring to the “smart young” staffers on Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. “‘What the fuck?’ I said. Damn! They picked the wrong woman for the job,” Brazile wrote. Donna and Minyon are longtime friends and part of the crew affectionately known as “The Colored Girls.” Brazile writes about frustration with Clinton staffers during her time as interim DNC Chair. The book released Tuesday has sparked a firestorm, pitting her against some former Clinton campaign staffers and Barack Obama supporters, as she accused 44 of leaving the DNC in debt. More here.
Bustle’s List of Female Politicos
Bustle assembled a list of female politicians who they say give readers hope for the future. There are some familiar names on the list, such as Senators Kamala Harris (D-CA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA). Nonetheless, the list also highlights some lesser-known women in some of the statehouses across the country. There’s state Representative Ilhan Omar, a Muslim refugee and the first Somali American female lawmaker. She came to the U.S. in 1995, when she was 12 years old, after spending four years in a Kenyan refugee camp. Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives
Crisanta Durán is the first Latina to ever hold the post. And state Representative Stephanie Chang is the first Asian American woman in Michigan's legislature. See the full list here.
Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) and HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson on Monday at a school in Spartanburg.
Former AG Loretta Lynch at the Harvard Law School Fall Reunion 2017 & Bicentennial Summit in Cambridge.
Dems Threaten Government Shutdown Over DREAM Act
A group of 25 House Dems said Wednesday they won’t vote for any government spending bill, risking a shutdown, unless Congress passes the DREAM Act. The measure would provide permanent residency and a path to citizenship to that group of immigrants. Congressmen Luis Gutiérrez (IL), Raúl Grijalva (AZ) and Adriano Espaillat (NY) penned an op-ed in The Hill Wednesday taking that stance. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Cory Booker (D-NJ) have also said they'll withhold their votes on any spending bill unless a DACA solution is worked out. Although its House and Senate co-sponsors are bipartisan -- Congresswomen Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) in one chamber and Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) in the other -- The Hill reports that the bill has met resistance from Republicans in both chambers. Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) promised not to bring any immigration bills to the floor without the support of at least half his conference. Still, Ryan will need Dem support to avoid a government shutdown. Some on the GOP side aren’t taking the Dems threat seriously. But the Dems are standing strong in the faceoff with their finger on the trigger saying, “go ahead. Make my day.” Said Grijalva, “If they can do it without us, more power to them.” Insert Clint Eastwood music here. More here.
Menéndez's Fate Could Rest with Senate Ethics Committee
Jury deliberations in the trial of Senator Robert Menéndez (D-NJ) are entering their fourth day. However, even an acquittal may not be the end of his troubles. Roll Call reports that the Senate Ethics Committee could possibly still pursue disciplinary action. And the committee would not be precluded from acting even if the jury finds Menéndez not guilty of using his official position as a U.S. Senator to benefit his friend Dr. Salomón Melgen -- a Florida eye doctor. Should the panel launch its own review of Menéndez’s alleged wrongdoings, most of the initial investigation will be private and experts say it will likely include simply reviewing material already public in the trial record. The final report from the Ethics panel could include recommendations for disciplinary sanctions, a rare occurrence in the Senate’s history. For several possible outcomes, including expulsion from the chamber, the full Senate would need to vote to support the suggested actions from the committee. More here.
Espaillat and Gutiérrez Want to Waive Cost-Sharing to Rebuild Puerto Rico
Congressmen Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) and Luis Gutiérrez (D-IL) on Tuesday introduced the Waiver of Emergency Payments Act (WEPA), a bill to eliminate cost-sharing requirements for Puerto Rico for recovery from hurricanes Irma and Maria. “Puerto Rico was in a dire financial strain before Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria and has struggled every day since the storms made landfall,” said Espaillat. “Puerto Rico is flat out broke and to require the island to pay for its own recovery is simply outrageous and harsh.” Gutiérrez said, “Puerto Rico needs all the help it can get and should not be constrained in asking for help based on what it can pay back ... The government of Puerto Rico is already controlled by the financial oversight and management board, known as the Junta.  Let’s not mess around with payments and waivers; Puerto Rico should be off the hook, period, punto, when it comes to recovery.” Learn more here.

Congressman Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) with TPS supporters who stopped by his office for a visit.
Congressman Anthony Brown (D-MD) in his district visiting a local middle school.
Verma Says States Will be Allowed to Impose Medicaid Work Requirements
Seema Verma, who heads the Health and Human Services' Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, says the government will give states broader leeway in running their Medicaid programs and allow them to impose work requirements on enrollees, outlining how the Trump administration plans to put its mark on the insurance program for low-income Americans. Verma offered a detailed public explanation of how she plans to approach Medicaid in a highly politicized era in which Republicans still hope to roll back its expansion under the Affordable Care Act, saying the Obama administration’s opposition to work requirements was “soft bigotry.” More here.
Members Intro Legislation to Fight Food Deserts
This week, Congressmen Dwight Evans (D-PA), Tim Ryan (D-OH), Ryan Costello (R-PA), and Donald McEachin (D-VA) introduced comprehensive legislation to incentivize food service providers such as grocers, retailers, and nonprofits to help eradicate food deserts. The bipartisan Healthy Food Access for All Americans (HFAAA) Act sets up a system of tax credits and grants for businesses and nonprofits that serve low-income and low-access urban and rural areas. An estimated 37 million Americans live in food deserts. “I truly believe when we change the narrative as it relates to healthy food options and provide greater access to nutritious food choices we can move the needle in terms of getting rid of food deserts ... HFAAA is one of the tools in our toolbox that we can use to build healthier neighborhoods, block by block,” said Evans. More here.
FOMO
Today: Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund's Los Angeles Awards Gala. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Today, 1:30P: The Congressional Native Staff Association sponsors a panel discussion on Native policy and the significance of staff diversity, in conjunction with the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, and the National Congress of American Indians. SVC- 202 Capitol Visitors Center.
Today, 4P: "Elevating Our Voices in Advancing Racial Equity," co-hosted by Gates Asians in Philanthropy and the Metro DC chapter of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy, to hear insights from AAPI leaders with varying experiences and perspectives. Gates Foundation, 1300 I Street, N.W., Suite 200. Click here to register.
Friday, November 10th, 8P: Black Girls Vote hosts its first annual Black Girls Vote Ball with keynote speaker Joy-Ann Reid of MSNBC and Symone Sanders as Mistress of Ceremony. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Tuesday, November 14th - 18th: The National Foundation for Women Legislators Annual Conference. Minneapolis, MN. Click here for more information and to register.
Tuesday, November 14th, 1P: A panel discussion of current and former chairs of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission to commemorate the Commission’s 60th anniversary. Participants include Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden and former chairs William B. Allen, Mary Frances Berry, Martin R. Castro, and Gerald A. Reynolds. Thomas Jefferson Building, Members Room, Library of Congress, 10 First Street, S.E. RSVP to: Brian Walch at bwalch@usccr.gov or 202.376.8371
Wednesday, November 15th, 8:30A: The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce sponsors a Chairman Conversation with former DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson, moderated by Manhattan Chamber of Commerce Chairman Ken Biberaj. NY Law School, 385 West Broadway, NYC. RSVP to: events@manhattancc.org
Wednesday, November 15th, 8:30A: The 8th Virginia Immigrant Summit. Immigrant rights advocates, partners, supporters, and allies serving the immigrant population gather to discuss and strategize on issues impacting the VA immigrant community. Faith Lutheran Church, 3313 Arlington Blvd, Arlington. Click here to register.
Wednesday, November 15th, 6:30P: The National Urban League’s 61st Annual Equal Opportunity Dinner. New York City. Click here for more information and to register
Friday, November 17th: The 24th Annual Caribbean American Heritage Awards to honor visionaries from across the Caribbean. J.W. Marriott Hotel, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. To learn more about the Caribbean American Heritage Awards, visit: www.caribbeanheritageawards.org
Saturday, November 18th, 9A: Puerto Rican Diaspora Summit -- Washington, DC, a conference to discuss policy issues and responses to Puerto Rico's economic and humanitarian crises from the perspective of Puerto Ricans and other stakeholders in the DC area. UDC Student Center, 4200 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Click here to register.
Sunday, November 19th: The National Portrait Gallery Second biennial American Portrait Gala, honoring former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, HIV/AIDs researcher Dr. David D. Ho; artistic director, choreographer, and dancer Bill T. Jones; film director, producer, writer, and actor Spike Lee; and multi-award-winning actress Rita MorenoClick here for more information.
Wednesday, November 29th, 8P: Join Congressman André Carson (D-IN) for JAY-Z's 4:44 Tour. Capital One Arena, 601 F Street, N.W. For more information or to RSVP, contact Courtney Hodges or Randy Broz at: 202.403.0606 or email: Courtney@ABConsultingDC.com
Thursday, November 30th, 6:30P: A reception in support of Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA). Click here to RSVP.
Thursday, November 30th - December 3rd: The National Black Caucus of State Legislators Annual Legislative Conference. Indianapolis, IN. Click here for more information and to register.
Wednesday, December 6th, 6P: The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute holiday reception in honor of retiring Hispanic members of Congress. Library of Congress, Madison Hall, 101 Independence Avenue, S.E.
Wednesday, December 6th, 6P: The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee 2044 Leadership Council holiday party. Library of Congress, Madison Hall, 101 Independence Ave, SE. Click here to RSVP.
Wednesday, December 6th - 9th: The National Legal Aid & Defender Association 2017 Annual Conference. Washington, DC. Click here for more information and to register.
Wednesday, December 6th - 9th: The International LGBTQ Leaders Conference. Washington, DC. Click here for more information and to register.
Sunday, December 10th - 13th: The National Conference of State Legislators Capitol Forum. Coronado, CA. Click here for more information and to register.
Wednesday, December 13th - 16th: The Council of State Governments 2017 National Conference. Las Vegas, NV. Click here for more information and to register.
Thursday, December 14th, 6P: Solidarity Strategies hosts a Holiday Fiesta. Invite only.
Saturday, December 16th, 8P: The National Black MBA DC Chapter Annual Holiday Party. Hard Rock Cafe, 999 E Street, N.W. Click here to purchase tickets.
Sunday, December 24th, 9P: The AfroBeat Gala DC Holiday Edition. Saint Yves, 1220 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Click here to purchase tickets.
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