Trump-free Friday politics: Oct. 27

Budgets, classified documents, contested elections, and a spooky old movie all makes their appearance on this week’s politics roundup.

House passes budget bill

On Thursday, the House narrowly passed a budget that sets the stage for a massive tax overhaul, not to mention a potential politics showdown. The measure, which squeaked by 216-to-212, now allows for the Senate to pass the legislation with only 51 votes. This also means that Democrats cannot enact filibusters in an attempt to stall voting.

This does not necessarily mean the bill have an easy path going forward. After all, it’s anticipated that the new tax plan will cut up to $1.5 trillion in revenue over the next 10 years. Unsurprisingly, some significant portions of the new plan will benefit large businesses and high-income individuals. This includes a substantial rate cut for businesses, from 35 percent to 20 percent.

Even middle and working class Americans will see changes in their taxes. The new plan will get rid of some itemized deductions, do away with personal exemptions, and reduce the number of tax brackets.

The bill faced substantial opposition from Democrats and 20 House Republicans. Representatives from high-tax states such as New York and New Jersey were especially leery of GOP plans to walk back income-tax deductions on state and local taxes. Other Republicans from high-tax states, like California and Illinois, were persuaded to support the budget.

Analysts have noted that Republicans throughout the country have been under pressure to pass something of note, given the repeated failures of healthcare reform earlier this year.

U.S. government releases JFK assassination documents

On Thursday, the National Archives released thousands of previously classified documents relating to the 1963 assassination of President Kennedy. While the newly available cache totals over 2,800 documents, it’s not complete. The current President, in agreement with the CIA and FBI, has decided to withhold thousands more pending additional review.

The announcement drove historians and conspiracy theorists alike into something of a frenzy. After all, in the decades following the events of Nov. 22, 1963, speculation about the true machinations behind the assassination have ranged from mundane to wild. Many accept the official line that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone when he shot the President. Others have speculated that it was a plot from within the government, by the Soviets, or even by order of then-Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson.

The documents themselves have no dramatic reveal of lone gunmen or grassy knolls. However, they offer fascinating insight into a variety of perspectives around that day. Included in the release is information on the Soviet perspective of the assassination; Communist officials were apparently concerned that the killing signaled a pending right-wing coup within the U.S.

Catalonia declares independence

Catalonia, a semi-autonomous region of Spain, has declared independence. However, the Spanish government disagrees. Catalonia contains Barcelona and encompasses some of the wealthiest territory in the country. The central government in Madrid has authorized Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to take control of the region in order to halt secession.

This latest development follows a dramatic secession vote nearly a month ago, as well as considerable resistance from the larger Spanish government. Within Catalonia’s Parliament, this most recent vote — pushed by Catalan President Carles Puigdemont — has made it clear that they favor secession. 70 members voted in favor of independence, 10 against, and 2 left blank ballots when they walked out in protest.

Prime Minister Rajoy now promises to depose Puigdemont. His Cabinet will likely work to invoke Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution, which essentially allows the country to revoke Catalonia’s autonomy.

FCC loosens local media ownership rules

On Wednesday, the Federal Communications Commission announced that it would get rid of longstanding media ownership regulations. FCC chairman Ajit Pai said that the Commission would vote next month on the rules.

Said rules, created over four decades ago, are meant to protect local coverage and independence of news sources. Pai claims that these rules are now outdated and do not apply to the current media landscape.

Opponents of the change point to Pai’s leanings towards increased consolidation. He lifted regulations on how many stations a company could own last spring. The Sinclair Broadcasting Group, one of the biggest station owners in the country, surely rejoiced. Pai has also indicated his skepticism of net neutrality, which pushed comedian and commentator John Oliver to issue another segment of Last Week Tonight addressing the issue.

Kenya’s election gets rough

In Kenya, the recent re-vote in the presidential election caused significant boycotts and, in some places, considerable chaos.

During the initial voting in August, nearly 80% of eligible voters showed up. This time around, however, only an estimated 34% of voters took part. Opposition leader Raila Odinga called for supporters to boycott the election.

Meanwhile, opposition has been intense enough in some areas that local leaders have called for a suspension of the vote. Two have died in clashes.

Even without the violence, election fatigue has likely contributed to the poor voter turnout. Incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to win, though he now faces destabilized support and growing frustration from his fellow Kenyans.

And, finally, your palate cleanser

Over at Jezebel, Kelly Faircloth has brought our attention to the often ignored 1946 gothic classic, Dragonwyck. If you’re looking for a fairly spooky tale without any of the ghosts or shambling corpses of other Halloween offerings, check this one out.

It’s got leading lady Gene Tierney in the role of Miranda Wells, an idealistic and impetuous young woman. Miranda jumps at the chance to help her distant cousin, Nicholas Van Ryn, by tutoring his young daughter. It helps that Cousin Nicholas is fantastically rich and the descendant of original Dutch settlers in the region.

Van Ryn (played by Vincent Price) is equal parts handsome and menacing. He’s like Mr. Rochester, if only Mr. Rochester was even more aristocratic and lived in a larger and more sprawling mansion (the titular Dragonwyck). Oh, and also if Mr. Rochester had managed to make it into the 19th century with actual serfs still working the land for him.

Next: Trump-free Friday politics roundup: Oct. 20

Then again, I don’t recall Mr. Rochester lugging around a mysterious and totally-not-meant-for-poisoning oleander plant around his estate, do you?

You can rent the movie on YouTube. Also, if you’re looking for a cheaper option or simply want to indulge in the Gothic lushness of the story while doing the dishes, you can also download or stream a copy of a 1946 broadcast via Lux Radio Theatre.