Monday, May 20
á
The FCC moved forward with its approval of the
$26 billion dollar merger between T-Mobile and Sprint. Chairman Ajit Pai recommended this
approval on the grounds that the merger will bring increased internet
access to rural areas and a 5G network.
Tuesday, May 21
á
The New York Times reported that, as Democrats
push for an impeachment inquiry, the number of House supporters of impeachment
rose to two dozen. President Trump ordered former
White House counsel, Don McGahn to disregard the
subpoena calling him to testify before the House Judiciary Committee on the
Presidents involvement in obstructing the Russia investigation. Advocates of impeachment argue that it
would hold the president accountable and allow House inquiries to be carried
out, supporting committee oversight of the executive branch.
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The Environmental Protection Agency issued new
rules on determining the health risks of air pollution that would lower the
standards causing fewer predicted deaths from air pollution. This change will
make it possible to dismantle the Obama-era Clean Power Plan rule.
Wednesday, May 22
á
The Washington Post reported a confidential IRS
legal memo contradicts the Trump administrations grounds for refusing to share
his tax returns. The memo says that tax returns must be given to Congress,
except in cases when the president chooses to assert executive privilege, which
he has not yet done. The memo is a draft that the IRS claims is not
representative of the agencyÕs official position on the matter.
Thursday, May 23
á
The Washington Post reported President Trump
issued an order giving the attorney general the authority to declassifying
government information. This will
allow Attorney general Barr to declassify information revealed from the White
Houses report on Òsurveillance activities during the 2016 Presidential
electionÓ. Prior to this executive order, reviews of intelligence activity
would be done by the Director of National Intelligence.
Friday, May 24
á
A single dissenting vote by House Republican
Chip Roy of Texas blocked the 19.1 billion dollar disaster aid package because
it would contribute to the deficit and did not include funding for federal
operations on the U.S. border with Mexico. The Washington Post reported the
bill has the support of President Trump and would have provided federal funding
to aide disaster impacted communities across the nation.
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Missouri Governor Mike Parson signed bill banning abortions beginning at the eighth week of
pregnancy. This legislation makes no exceptions in cases of rape or incest and
it allows for the prosecution of doctors and pregnant women who break this law.
This bill does allow exceptions in cases where the pregnant women is at risk of
dying or sustaining permanent injuries.
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The Trump administration made formal proposal to
roll back civil rights safeguards outlined in a 2016 rule from the Obama
Administration that bans discrimination by health insurance companies against
transgender patients. The New York Times reported, the Department of Health and
Human ServicesÕ new proposal would no longer include gender as a factor under
sex based discrimination. This allows health care and health insurance
providers to refuse to perform or cover medical procedures for transgender
patients
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U.S. District Judge Haywood Gilliam Jr.
blocked the Trump administrationÕs efforts to use money redirected from the
military under the declaration of national emergency to build portions of the
U.S.- Mexico border wall.
Saturday, May 25
á
Politico reported that, when President Trump met
with local business leaders in Japan, he called for making trade between the
two countries Òa little bit more fairÓ.
Sunday, May 26
á
President Trump met with Japanese Prime Minister
Shinzo Abe in Tokyo to discuss rising tensions with
Iran. This talk follows Iranian foreign ministers Mohammad Javad
ZarifÕs visit to Tokyo earlier in May.