Daily Update | December 7, 2018
Mackenzie Walz // 12/7/18 //
Congress passed a short-term spending bill to fund the government through December 21st, but it does not include funding for the border wall. The Census Bureau plans to conduct the first ever field test of a census question to test the effects of the controversial citizenship question. The arrests in Canada of two officials associated with the Chinese tech giant, Huawei, at the direction of the United States have intensified already divisive trade negotiations between the United States and China. The Senate confirmed Kathy Kraninger’s nomination as the Director of the CFPB. William Barr, a Republican attorney who served as Attorney General under President George H.W. Bush, appears to be President Trump’s top choice for Attorney General. The Russian Embassy criticized the United States’ treatment of Maria Butina, a Russian official charged with acting as an unregistered foreign agent, and demanded her release.
IMMIGRATION
Congress passed a short-term spending bill to fund the government through December 21st, but it does not include funding for the border wall (WaPo; Politico).
The Census Bureau plans to conduct the first ever field test of a census question to test the effects of the controversial citizenship question (NPR).
DEMOCRACY
In order to create a multi-ethnic democracy in the United States, individuals must confront the country’s past and come together to foster leaders of all colors, writes Texas Christian University Professor, Max Krochmal, as part of the Take Care and Protect Democracy symposium.
JUSTICE & SAFETY
The Trump Administration should publicly disclose any documents related to the truth of Jamal Khashoggi’s death to “help restore some faith in America’s institutions,” argue Armit Singh and James A. Goldston for Just Security.
The arrests in Canada of two officials associated with the Chinese tech giant, Huawei, at the direction of the United States have intensified already divisive trade negotiations between the United States and China, write Lingling Wei and Eva Dou for the Wall Street Journal.
- National Security Advisor, John Bolton, admitted to having advance knowledge of the arrests (The Hill).
The United Nations failed to pass a resolution to condemn Hamas for its attacks on Israel, a political disappointment for the Trump Administration which drafted and lobbied for the resolution (WaPo).
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Newly released information on business dealings between Saudi Arabia and the D.C. Trump Hotel has emphasized concerns over the way these dealings may influence the President, writes Jennifer Rubin for the Washington Post.
REGULATION
The data on CFPB enforcement actions from November 2015 to November 2018 illustrates Mulvaney, the acting director of the CFPB, has “curbed enforcement and, as a result, compromised the agency’s mission,” argues Michigan State University Law Professor, Mark Totten, for Take Care.
The EPA announced a proposal to rollback restrictions on coal plants, particularly by easing carbon emissions rules, despite warnings from scientists (Politico; NPR).
The Senate confirmed Kathy Kraninger’s nomination as the Director of the CFPB by a party-line vote of 50-49 (NPR; NYT).
RULE OF LAW
William Barr, a Republican attorney who served as Attorney General under President George H.W. Bush, appears to be President Trump’s top choice for Attorney General (WaPo).
- Jennifer Rubin argues for the Washington Post that senators should hold public hearings and require recusal, where appropriate, before confirming any nominee.
The petitioner in Michaels v. Whitaker challenged the legality of Whitaker’s appointment as acting Attorney General, which Easha Anand, Charlie Gerstein, and Jason Harrow discuss in the Versus Trump podcast for Take Care.
RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE
The Russian Embassy criticized the United States’ treatment of Maria Butina, a Russian official charged with acting as an unregistered foreign agent, and demanded her release (The Hill).
Tags:
Immigration Rule of Law Conflicts Regulation Democracy Justice & Safety Russian Interference