Trump-Free Friday Politics Roundup
Take a break from Trump-related news and see what else is happening in the world of politics
Shooting at UK’s Parliament
Wednesday saw a brazen terrorist attack take place near the U.K. Parliament. Khalid Masood, the attacker, drove a small SUV into foot traffic on Westminster Bridge, injuring at least 50 people. Five, including Masood, who was shot by police, have since died. They are Leslie Rhodes, 75, of South London; Kurt Cochran, 54, of Utah; Police Constable Keith Palmer, 48; and Aysha Frade, 43.
Masood, aged 52, was born Adrian Russell Ajao in Kent, England. He had previously been convicted of numerous crimes and was once under investigation by MI5. However, he was deemed unimportant. In speaking to the House of Commons, Prime Minister Theresa May stated that “he was not part of the current intelligence picture.”
Police have since made numerous arrests and are in the process of conducting multiple searches. They suspect that Masood was involved with Islamic extremism, which may have motivated the attacks. Police presence in London has since doubled.
Gorsuch Confirmation Process Strikes Nerves
Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch is the latest in a series of divisive government figures. The Supreme Court nominee, whose confirmation process is currently ongoing,
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has vowed to filibuster Gorsuch’s confirmation. To break a filibuster, the Senate must produce at least 60 votes in opposition to the action. The Senate currently holds 52 Republicans. Under the arcane rules of the Senate, however, senators might be able to call for a supermajority, in which Gorsuch’s confirmation would need only a simple majority. Such a vote would then be in easy reach of the Republican-held Senate.
A filibuster could be a divisive move. It may force Trump to pick a more moderate Supreme Court nominee. On the other hand, it may upend the rules and traditions that guide the confirmation process. Democratic Senators face a tough decision. Should they follow Schumer in filibustering, and therefore alienate their Trump-leaning supporters? Should they refuse to filibuster and risk angering their left-leaning constituents?
Gorsuch is currently an appellate judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit , based in Denver, Colorado. He has presented a complicated picture with his various judicial decisions. Opponents argue that he consistently rules against various left-leaning causes, including the birth control mandate in the ACA, assisted suicide, and abolition of the death penalty. However, some commentators believe that he may be sufficiently independent of the current President. Much remains to be seen.
Devin Nunes Acts Suspiciously
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-CA) has been acting a little suspiciously lately. Nunes shared information that communications amongst committee members may have been intercepted. However, said information was shared with the public and President before it became known to the Democratic members of Nunes’ committee. Some now wonder in Nunes, a Republican, has seriously undermined the Committee’s efforts to investigate ties between the executive branch and Russia.
Obama-era Decisions Reversed
Where to start? For one, the current presidential administration has issued permits for the Keystone XL pipeline. The pipeline, which elicited the widely-reported Standing Rock protests on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North Dakota, has proven to be controversial. Protesters cited concerns over environmental effects and respect for Native American rights. Proponents of the pipeline claim that it will bring jobs to the region, along with natural gas fuel.
Meanwhile, Congress voted to remove internet privacy protections established by the Obama administration. Now, broadband service providers Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T may be able to track users’ browsing and app use without obtaining consent. The previous regulations were not applied to other services, such as Facebook or Google.
The looming AHCA, if passed, will also reverse numerous advances in women’s health care. It will strike down essential health benefit provisions dealing with birth control access, maternity care, and funding for Planned Parenthood.
AHCA Vote Looms
Speaking of the American Health Care Act, Congress will likely vote on it sometime Friday afternoon. The ultimate fate of the AHCA is precarious. Numerous Republican lawmakers have expressed concern about the details of the act. Before you get too excited, though, a few (such as Texas Senator Ted Cruz) have said that the AHCA is somehow too generous. Others may still vote in favor of the new healthcare law in order to satisfy constituents and fulfill campaign promises.
Next: 35 Reasons We Need Obamacare
And, finally, your reward for reading to the end
Took my Goddaughter to meet the pope. She stole his hat! pic.twitter.com/SdSorop3uN
— The Catholic Traveler (@MountainButorac) March 22, 2017
Here is three year old Estella Westrick casually stealing the Pope’s zucchetto, a traditional papal skullcap. He laughs it off, of course, because Pope Francis is the Cool Pope. I mean, as “cool” as you can get being the Pope, at least. If only we could all have the brazen ability to simply steal the hat off the Pope when given the chance.
Also, Vatican aides are known as Papal Gentlemen. I hope they have business cards for that.