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. 

á           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.

á           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.

á           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

á           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.