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| House votes to limit Donald Trump's war powers amid Iran crisis – live | House votes to limit Donald Trump's war powers amid Iran crisis – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The House speaker said she won’t publicly set a deadline to send the articles of impeachment while a growing chorus of lawmakers say it’s time | The House speaker said she won’t publicly set a deadline to send the articles of impeachment while a growing chorus of lawmakers say it’s time |
| The president is now addressing his order to kill Iranian general Qassem Suleimani without consulting Congress. Trump said he’s ended Suleimani’s “rampage though not only that part of the world” but also “other parts”, implying that Suleimani was targeting the US embassy in Baghdad and other embassies. | |
| “He’s no longer a terror — he’s dead,” Trump said. | |
| He derided “Crazy Bernie” and Nancy Pelosi for criticizing his moves against Iran, and mocked Democrats who passed a War Powers Resolutions to prevent him from taking further action without consulting Congress, implying it would have been too difficult to coordinate schedules to discuss the “execution” of the Iranian general before ordering it. | |
| Earlier today, Trump claimed he ordered the killing of Suleimani to stop a plot to destroy the US embassy in Baghdad, though he didn’t provide any further details to reporters. The plot was “obvious,” he said, pointing to protesters who stormed the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. | |
| Democratic and Republican lawmakers have criticized the Trump administration’s refusal to provide more information on why, exactly, the Iranian general was targeted now. | |
| Donald Trump is speaking at a rally in Toledo, Ohio. | |
| An Ohio politics reporter fact-checks his claim that “Ohio just had the best year economically”. | |
| Billionaire Tom Steyer is the sixth candidate to qualify for the Democratic debate | Billionaire Tom Steyer is the sixth candidate to qualify for the Democratic debate |
| Steyer qualified for the debate after two Fox News polls released today showed Steyer polling double-digits in South Carolina and Nevada. He tied alongside Sen. Elizabeth Warren for third place in Nevada and landed in second place in South Carolina, with at 15%. Joe Biden took the lead spot in both polls. | Steyer qualified for the debate after two Fox News polls released today showed Steyer polling double-digits in South Carolina and Nevada. He tied alongside Sen. Elizabeth Warren for third place in Nevada and landed in second place in South Carolina, with at 15%. Joe Biden took the lead spot in both polls. |
| The debate is scheduled for Jan 14 in Des Moines, Iowa. Along with Steyer, Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigieg, and Amy Klobuchar have also qualified. Cory Booker and Andrew Yang, the two remaining candidates of color have not yet qualified; they have through tomorrow to do so. | The debate is scheduled for Jan 14 in Des Moines, Iowa. Along with Steyer, Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigieg, and Amy Klobuchar have also qualified. Cory Booker and Andrew Yang, the two remaining candidates of color have not yet qualified; they have through tomorrow to do so. |
| Having approved the war powers resolution, the House has now moved on to environmental policy. Members are debating legislation that would require the Environmental Protection Agency to designate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances as hazardous. | Having approved the war powers resolution, the House has now moved on to environmental policy. Members are debating legislation that would require the Environmental Protection Agency to designate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances as hazardous. |
| But Donald Trump – who today unveiled a plan to bypass environmental review of major infrastructure projects and has aggressively pursued cuts to environmental projection – insists he cares about the environment, too. | But Donald Trump – who today unveiled a plan to bypass environmental review of major infrastructure projects and has aggressively pursued cuts to environmental projection – insists he cares about the environment, too. |
| Asked whether climate change was a hoax this morning, Trump told reporters “it’s a very serious subject” and he’s going to read a book about it. The New York Times’ Lisa Friedman followed up – and discovered the title of the book he intends to read: Donald J Trump: An Environmental Hero, by Ed Russo. | Asked whether climate change was a hoax this morning, Trump told reporters “it’s a very serious subject” and he’s going to read a book about it. The New York Times’ Lisa Friedman followed up – and discovered the title of the book he intends to read: Donald J Trump: An Environmental Hero, by Ed Russo. |
| The book was self-published by Russo, who was an environmental advisor for the Trump Organization. | The book was self-published by Russo, who was an environmental advisor for the Trump Organization. |
| A Super Pac set up to help defeat the Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, is releasing its first attack ad against the top Kentucky Republican. | A Super Pac set up to help defeat the Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, is releasing its first attack ad against the top Kentucky Republican. |
| The 46-second web ad by the “Fire Mitch. Save America” Super Pac is a compilation of clips of late night hosts lambasting McConnell. It starts with Daily Show comedian Trevor Noah saying McConnell is “truly the perfect movie villain” while images of McConnell on the Senate floor and smiling directly into the camera. | The 46-second web ad by the “Fire Mitch. Save America” Super Pac is a compilation of clips of late night hosts lambasting McConnell. It starts with Daily Show comedian Trevor Noah saying McConnell is “truly the perfect movie villain” while images of McConnell on the Senate floor and smiling directly into the camera. |
| The ad shows a clip of comedian Samantha Bee saying “McConnell is so good at blocking things he’s like the kidney stone of the Senate.” Thr MSNBC host Joe Scarborough’s voice then says “keeps killing any bill that would protect American democracy” before going back to Bee saying McConnell has been “openly bragging about he how he stole a supreme court seat” – a reference to McConnell’s refusal to hold hearings on Barack Obama’s nomination of Merrick Garland for the supreme court. The ad then switches to a clip of McConnell saying “think of me as the grim reaper”. | The ad shows a clip of comedian Samantha Bee saying “McConnell is so good at blocking things he’s like the kidney stone of the Senate.” Thr MSNBC host Joe Scarborough’s voice then says “keeps killing any bill that would protect American democracy” before going back to Bee saying McConnell has been “openly bragging about he how he stole a supreme court seat” – a reference to McConnell’s refusal to hold hearings on Barack Obama’s nomination of Merrick Garland for the supreme court. The ad then switches to a clip of McConnell saying “think of me as the grim reaper”. |
| The ad frames McConnell as a nefarious figure in the Senate, a common sentiment among Democrats. | The ad frames McConnell as a nefarious figure in the Senate, a common sentiment among Democrats. |
| “Mitch McConnell is the most unpopular senator in the entire country and yet he has enormous power to block progress on so many issues important to all of our families,” Democratic strategist Eric Hyers, the founder of the Super Pac, said in a statement. “He is fueling the cynicism and distrust of Washington and it’s time for him to go. Kentucky and all Americans deserve better.” | “Mitch McConnell is the most unpopular senator in the entire country and yet he has enormous power to block progress on so many issues important to all of our families,” Democratic strategist Eric Hyers, the founder of the Super Pac, said in a statement. “He is fueling the cynicism and distrust of Washington and it’s time for him to go. Kentucky and all Americans deserve better.” |
| The ad is the first one by the Super Pac and is set to air on multiple digital platforms. It’s the latest example of Democrats’ efforts to oust the longtime senator by painting him as a consummate Washington insider motivated by partisanship above all else. | The ad is the first one by the Super Pac and is set to air on multiple digital platforms. It’s the latest example of Democrats’ efforts to oust the longtime senator by painting him as a consummate Washington insider motivated by partisanship above all else. |
| McConnell is up for re-election in 2020 and multiple Democrats are running in the primary for the party nomination to face him. But Democrat Amy McGrath, the former Democratic congressional candidate, is the heavy favorite. | McConnell is up for re-election in 2020 and multiple Democrats are running in the primary for the party nomination to face him. But Democrat Amy McGrath, the former Democratic congressional candidate, is the heavy favorite. |
| The Super Pac plans to produce more content against McConnell. | The Super Pac plans to produce more content against McConnell. |
| The House resolution came about after Donald Trump chose to take unilateral action last week to assassinate the senior Iranian general Qassem Suleimani without consulting or even notifying before Congress. | The House resolution came about after Donald Trump chose to take unilateral action last week to assassinate the senior Iranian general Qassem Suleimani without consulting or even notifying before Congress. |
| To stop the president from taking further action against Iran without consulting them, House Democrats have invoked the War Powers Act of 1973, which draws out the parameters of presidential and congressional war powers. With the passage of an Authorization for Use of Military Force in 2001 to fight terrorism, and another AUMF in 2002 for the war in Iraq, Congress’ war powers have diminished since 9/11. Now many lawmakers – especially Democrats – are discussing how to rebalance war powers. | To stop the president from taking further action against Iran without consulting them, House Democrats have invoked the War Powers Act of 1973, which draws out the parameters of presidential and congressional war powers. With the passage of an Authorization for Use of Military Force in 2001 to fight terrorism, and another AUMF in 2002 for the war in Iraq, Congress’ war powers have diminished since 9/11. Now many lawmakers – especially Democrats – are discussing how to rebalance war powers. |
| In the Senate, a similar war powers proposal by Democrat Tim Kaine faces much slimmer odds of passing, though Republican Senator Todd Young, an ex-marine who represents Indiana, and two other Republicans indicated yesterday the would back the plan. | In the Senate, a similar war powers proposal by Democrat Tim Kaine faces much slimmer odds of passing, though Republican Senator Todd Young, an ex-marine who represents Indiana, and two other Republicans indicated yesterday the would back the plan. |
| Three Republicans voted for the resolution: Thomas Massie, Francis Rooney and Matt Gaetz. Eight Democrats voted against. | Three Republicans voted for the resolution: Thomas Massie, Francis Rooney and Matt Gaetz. Eight Democrats voted against. |
| This is a “concurrent resolution” – which doesn’t go to the president for a signature, and also isn’t usually legally binding. However, House Democrats are arguing that a concurrent resolution under the War Powers Act is a special case, and is binding. | This is a “concurrent resolution” – which doesn’t go to the president for a signature, and also isn’t usually legally binding. However, House Democrats are arguing that a concurrent resolution under the War Powers Act is a special case, and is binding. |
| The debate over the implications of this resolution has gotten a bit... catty. | The debate over the implications of this resolution has gotten a bit... catty. |
| Voting mostly but not entirely along party lines, the House approved a resolution to limit the president’s war powers, 224-194 The measure compels the president to go to Congress for authorization before taking further military action against Iran. | Voting mostly but not entirely along party lines, the House approved a resolution to limit the president’s war powers, 224-194 The measure compels the president to go to Congress for authorization before taking further military action against Iran. |
| As the House continues to debate a war powers resolution, Donald Trump is en route to Ohio, where he’s holding a campaign rally later today. He’s accompanied today by aides Dan Scavino, Kellyanne Conway and Stephen Miller. | As the House continues to debate a war powers resolution, Donald Trump is en route to Ohio, where he’s holding a campaign rally later today. He’s accompanied today by aides Dan Scavino, Kellyanne Conway and Stephen Miller. |
| That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, will take over the blog for the next few hours. | That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, will take over the blog for the next few hours. |
| Here’s where the day stands so far: | Here’s where the day stands so far: |
| Nancy Pelosi would not commit to a specific timeline on transmitting the articles of impeachment, only telling reporters at the House speaker’s weekly press conference that she would “soon” send the articles to the Senate. | Nancy Pelosi would not commit to a specific timeline on transmitting the articles of impeachment, only telling reporters at the House speaker’s weekly press conference that she would “soon” send the articles to the Senate. |
| The Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, reportedly expects Pelosi to transmit the articles as soon as tomorrow, with a trial scheduled to begin early next week, but that prediction is not based on any personal intel. | The Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, reportedly expects Pelosi to transmit the articles as soon as tomorrow, with a trial scheduled to begin early next week, but that prediction is not based on any personal intel. |
| The House is currently debating a War Powers Resolution aimed at limiting Trump’s military actions in Iran following the Suleimani strike. | The House is currently debating a War Powers Resolution aimed at limiting Trump’s military actions in Iran following the Suleimani strike. |
| The Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, blamed the Ukrainian passenger jet crash, which killed dozens of Canadians, on Iran, echoing reports that the plane was mistakently hit by an Iranian missile. | The Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, blamed the Ukrainian passenger jet crash, which killed dozens of Canadians, on Iran, echoing reports that the plane was mistakently hit by an Iranian missile. |
| Trump claimed Suleimani was “looking to blow up our embassy” when he was killed in a US drone strike, although the president did not provide evidence to back up that claim. | Trump claimed Suleimani was “looking to blow up our embassy” when he was killed in a US drone strike, although the president did not provide evidence to back up that claim. |
| Maanvi will have more coming up, so stay tuned. | Maanvi will have more coming up, so stay tuned. |
| Trump just left for his Ohio campaign rally without stopping to talk to reporters who were gathered at the White House to pose questions about impeachment and Iran. | Trump just left for his Ohio campaign rally without stopping to talk to reporters who were gathered at the White House to pose questions about impeachment and Iran. |
| The president and vice president are hosting a campaign rally tonight in Toledo, Ohio, where Trump is scheduled to speak at 7 p.m. ET. | The president and vice president are hosting a campaign rally tonight in Toledo, Ohio, where Trump is scheduled to speak at 7 p.m. ET. |
| Congressman Adam Schiff, the Democratic chairman of the House intelligence committee, said his panel has no plans of calling John Bolton to testify before the Senate impeachment trial. | Congressman Adam Schiff, the Democratic chairman of the House intelligence committee, said his panel has no plans of calling John Bolton to testify before the Senate impeachment trial. |
| Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser, has said he would testify in a Senate trial if he were subpoenaed, but it’s unclear whether the Republican-controlled Senate would issue a subpoena. | Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser, has said he would testify in a Senate trial if he were subpoenaed, but it’s unclear whether the Republican-controlled Senate would issue a subpoena. |
| House Democrats previously decided against issuing a subpoena to Bolton because the former official signaled he would join a lawsuit seeking a judge’s ruling on whether to comply with a congressional subpoena or the White House guidance not to cooperate with the impeachment inquiry. | House Democrats previously decided against issuing a subpoena to Bolton because the former official signaled he would join a lawsuit seeking a judge’s ruling on whether to comply with a congressional subpoena or the White House guidance not to cooperate with the impeachment inquiry. |
| Nancy Pelosi delivered a floor speech in favor of the War Powers Resolution, which would limit Trump’s military actions in Iran. | Nancy Pelosi delivered a floor speech in favor of the War Powers Resolution, which would limit Trump’s military actions in Iran. |
| The House speaker criticized the administration for not seeking congressional authorization before the Suleimani strike, which she called “provocative and disproportionate.” | The House speaker criticized the administration for not seeking congressional authorization before the Suleimani strike, which she called “provocative and disproportionate.” |
| Democratic lawmakers are racing to backtrack on their earlier comments suggesting the time had come for Nancy Pelosi to submit the articles of impeachment to the Senate. | Democratic lawmakers are racing to backtrack on their earlier comments suggesting the time had come for Nancy Pelosi to submit the articles of impeachment to the Senate. |
| Congressman Adam Smith already walked by his comments about the House speaker, and now senator Dianne Feinstein has abandoned her criticism of Pelosi. | Congressman Adam Smith already walked by his comments about the House speaker, and now senator Dianne Feinstein has abandoned her criticism of Pelosi. |
| The California senator had previoulsy said, “If we’re going to do it, she should send them over. I don’t see what good delay does.” | The California senator had previoulsy said, “If we’re going to do it, she should send them over. I don’t see what good delay does.” |
| Feinstein already started to backtrack on those comments earlier today, but this statement underscores her change of heart. In it, the senator says she believes Pelosi is acting out of a “sincere desire to ensure a fair process that allows the Senate to consider available evidence -- a goal that all of us should share.” | Feinstein already started to backtrack on those comments earlier today, but this statement underscores her change of heart. In it, the senator says she believes Pelosi is acting out of a “sincere desire to ensure a fair process that allows the Senate to consider available evidence -- a goal that all of us should share.” |
| Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has signed on as a co-sponsor of a resolution from Republican senator Josh Hawley, which would make it possible to dismiss impeachment charges even if the House does not transmit the articles. | Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has signed on as a co-sponsor of a resolution from Republican senator Josh Hawley, which would make it possible to dismiss impeachment charges even if the House does not transmit the articles. |
| Hawley’s resolution would change Senate rules to allow senators to render a verdict on impeachment charges starting 25 calendar days after the House has impeached, even if the speaker has not yet submitted the paperwork or named impeachment managers. | Hawley’s resolution would change Senate rules to allow senators to render a verdict on impeachment charges starting 25 calendar days after the House has impeached, even if the speaker has not yet submitted the paperwork or named impeachment managers. |
| But it would require two-thirds of the Senate to break a filibuster on the proposal, which seems unlikely given Republicans’ narrow majority. | But it would require two-thirds of the Senate to break a filibuster on the proposal, which seems unlikely given Republicans’ narrow majority. |
| Eric Garcetti, the mayor of Los Angeles, reportedly plans to endorse Joe Biden tomorrow as the former vice president visits the city. | Eric Garcetti, the mayor of Los Angeles, reportedly plans to endorse Joe Biden tomorrow as the former vice president visits the city. |
| The endorsement comes as polls have shown Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren leading in the crucial state, which awards nearly 500 delegates at the nominating convention. | The endorsement comes as polls have shown Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren leading in the crucial state, which awards nearly 500 delegates at the nominating convention. |
| Garcetti toyed with the idea of launching his own White House bid before ultimately deciding against entering the field. | Garcetti toyed with the idea of launching his own White House bid before ultimately deciding against entering the field. |
| Congressman Adam Smith, the Democratic chairman of the House armed services committee, said he was not “threatened” to walk back his earlier comments about it being time for Nancy Pelosi to transmit the articles of impeachment. | Congressman Adam Smith, the Democratic chairman of the House armed services committee, said he was not “threatened” to walk back his earlier comments about it being time for Nancy Pelosi to transmit the articles of impeachment. |
| Smith said on CNN this morning, “I think it was perfectly advisable for the speaker to leverage that, get a better deal. At this point, it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen, and yes, I think it is time to send the impeachment to the Senate.” | Smith said on CNN this morning, “I think it was perfectly advisable for the speaker to leverage that, get a better deal. At this point, it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen, and yes, I think it is time to send the impeachment to the Senate.” |
| But Smith quickly walked that back in a pair of tweets, saying, “I misspoke this morning, I do believe we should do everything we can to force the Senate to have a fair trial.” | But Smith quickly walked that back in a pair of tweets, saying, “I misspoke this morning, I do believe we should do everything we can to force the Senate to have a fair trial.” |
| The Washington Democrat claimed he did not communicate with the speaker’s office before walking back the comments, but he added that his staff may have spoken to Pelosi’s team. | The Washington Democrat claimed he did not communicate with the speaker’s office before walking back the comments, but he added that his staff may have spoken to Pelosi’s team. |
| Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country and others have gathered intelligence indicating the Ukrainian passenger jet that crashed yesterday was shot down by an Iranian missile. | Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country and others have gathered intelligence indicating the Ukrainian passenger jet that crashed yesterday was shot down by an Iranian missile. |
| At least 63 Canadians were among the 176 people on board, all of whom died in the crash. | At least 63 Canadians were among the 176 people on board, all of whom died in the crash. |
| Trudeau said the attack may have been “unintentional,” echoing earlier reports that the plane may have been targeted by mistake. | Trudeau said the attack may have been “unintentional,” echoing earlier reports that the plane may have been targeted by mistake. |