Summary
- Trump attorney Michael Cohen was sentenced to three years in jail today
- Prosecutors announced that they reached a deal with the owners of the National Enquirer not to pursue charges after they admitted they paid off a former Trump mistress “in concert” with his presidential campaign
- Former HUD Secretary Julian Castro announced a presidential exploratory committee
- The U.S. Senate voted to advance a resolution to cut off support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.
A Democratic state assemblyman in California has been arrested for child abuse.
Joaquin Arambula of Fresno was arrested Tuesday for “alleged willful cruelty to a child.”
First elected in 2016, Arambula is a father of three daughters aged 6, 5 and 2.
Mark Meadows will not be the next White House chief of staff.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Trump wants to keep Meadows on Capitol Hill.
Two interesting people ran into each other on the street today in Washington.
You just never know who you might run into in DC.... pic.twitter.com/wJgYuC1q0F
— Lily Adams (@adamslily) December 12, 2018
The farm bill passed the House easily today after passing the Senate yesterday. It now goes to President Donald Trump for his signature.
U.S. House 369-47 passed 5-year #FarmBill (farm subsidies, crop insurance, food aid). R 182-44, D 187-3. Senate passed 87-13 yesterday.
— Greg Giroux (@greggiroux) December 12, 2018
John Kennedy of Louisiana will block a vote on the criminal justice reform bill in the Senate this week.
NEW: Louisiana Senator John Kennedy says he will block unanimous consent to vote on the criminal justice reform bill tomorrow. Says he and the country need more time to digest the bill. That would mean the bill cannot pass the Senate this week.
— Paul McLeod (@pdmcleod) December 12, 2018
Another major scandal seems to have emerged in the Trump Administration
AP: President Donald Trump's eldest son says his father is a "regifter" who "may or may not" have once given him the same gift he presented to his dad the year before.
— Kathryn Watson (@kathrynw5) December 12, 2018
Full roll call on the Yemen vote is available here
The motion to proceed to S.J. Res. 54, the Yemen War Powers Resolution was agreed to by a vote of 60 to 39.
— Senate Press Gallery (@SenatePress) December 12, 2018
Senators in favor: 47 Democrats, 2 Independents: King and Sanders; 11 Republicans: Cassidy, Collins, Crapo, Daines, Flake, Lee, Moran, Murkowski, Paul, Risch and Young.
Yemen resolution advances in the Senate
The resolution to curb U.S. support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen just advanced in the Senate by a vote of 60-39.
Resolution to pull U.S. support from civil war in Saudi Arabia advances, 60-39
— Burgess Everett (@burgessev) December 12, 2018
We have the first super delegate endorsement of the 2020 cycle with Congressman Joaquin Castro supporting the potential presidential bid of his brother Julian.
.@JoaquinCastrotx likely to play central role in twin brother @JulianCastro's #2020 campaign:
— Todd J. Gillman (@toddgillman) December 12, 2018
"I wholeheartedly support my brother and will do everything I can for him," he said. "I expect to have a really active role on the campaign." https://t.co/PEAq1mi5zh
The North Carolina state legislature has passed a bill mandating a new primary if the election result in the state’s Ninth Congressional District is overturned due to fraud.
The elections bill has passed both the House and Senate. Would have a primary if there is a re-do of #NC09. Goes to Gov. Cooper #ncga #ncpol
— Lynn Bonner (@Lynn_Bonner) December 12, 2018
State law currently mandates that the same candidates run if a new election is held but Republicans fear that their candidate, Mark Harris, is permanently stained by the scandal.
After a devastating expose of the organization in Tablet Magazine this week, the Women’s March has hired a PR firm to send bizarre emails to a number of reporters insisting that they can only rebut the story off the record and demanding all tweets about the story be deleted.
The piece in Tablet raised questions about the organization’s financial management and also exposed ties to the Nation of Islam and a history of anti-Semitism riddling the organization from its founding.
Have confirmed with the PR person that their client is the Women's March https://t.co/nHpsyGwiLY
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) December 12, 2018
A bipartisan compromise has been reached to curb sexual harassment on Capitol Hill.
According to Politico, the legislation “holds members liable for all forms of harassment and retaliation for harassment claims but not discrimination.”
The Senate has begin to vote to open debate on its Yemen resolution. This is a handy guide to next steps as the process proceeds.
Here's where things stand on the Yemen war powers resolution right now, as the Senate starts voting on the motion to proceed. If this passes, next comes possible amendments, a vote on final passage, and certain death in the House: https://t.co/7A6TT28qwz
— Haley Byrd (@byrdinator) December 12, 2018
Sen. Kamala Harris, who is weighing a bid for president in 2020, delivered remarks on speaking “truth, as uncomfortable as it may be”.
The topic was racial disparities in maternal and infant mortality rates at the liberal think tank Center for American Progress. But if you read between the lines there was a broader theme that could serve as a message against a president who has inspired the Bottomless Pinocchio for politicians who “repeat a false claim so many times that they are, in effect, engaging in campaigns of disinformation”.
“If we are actually going to address what must be dealt with, we must speak those truths,” Harris said in the opening remarks. “When we speak them it is not with the aim of shocking, or offending or making people uncomfortable.”
“We’re here to speak those truths to elevate the conversation,” she continued, noting that black women in America are three times more likely to die from complications of childbirth than white women.
The California senator told the audience about her mother, a breast cancer researcher who she said would come home from work “livid” about the gender inequities in scientific research. One day, Harris recalled, her mother was shocked because she witnessed a doctor in her lab carrying a tray with a breast that had been removed during a mastectomy.
“She said, and I don’t mean to offend anyone or shock anyone, ‘I wonder if it had been a penis, would he have been walking around that way?’” the senator said. “It showed a lack of understanding about the dignity of a woman’s body and the need to treat it with dignity.”
“Women in the healthcare system must be given dignity,” Harris continued. “They must be listened to. They must be taken seriously. They must be given respect.”
Harris has introduced legislation aimed at reducing the disparities. The bill would create two grant programs to address implicit bias and implement Pregnancy Medical Home Demonstration programs. She also has a bill that would designate a week in April as Black Maternal Health Week.
The full roll call vote is now available on the procedural vote to set up debate on the farm bill which also allowed House GOP leadership to block a vote on Yemen. 5 Democrats and 18 Republicans crossed the aisle on a vote that narrowly passed 206-203.
The House narrowly agreed to the rule setting the terms of debate on the Farm Bill which would allow leadership to block a vote on a Yemen resolution in the House.
H. Res. 1176 was adopted – 206 Yeas, 203 Nays
— Republican Cloakroom (@RepCloakroom) December 12, 2018
The Senate just voted to overturn a new Treasury Department regulation that allowed dark money groups to avoid disclosing the identity of donors.
BREAKING: Senate votes 50-49 to overthrow new Treasury Dept policy that no longer requires some 501(c) tax-exempt nonprofits—including politically active "dark money" groups—to disclose donor names & addresses (which already were not public under prior IRS policy) in tax returns. pic.twitter.com/tkQ62fvW1V
— Anna Massoglia (@annalecta) December 12, 2018
The first congressional race ratings for 2020 have just been published by Cook Political Report.
It currently lists 20 tossup seats, 16 of which are held by Democrats.
A newly elected Tennessee congressman claimed that vaccines may cause autism at an event yesterday.
They do not.
NEW: Soon-to-be Congressman Mark Green, a physician, warned constituents last night vaccines may be causing autism. He says he's going to "stand on the CDC’s desk and get the real data on vaccines."https://t.co/fp26XBmxdR
— Natalie Allison (@natalie_allison) December 12, 2018
Prosecutors reach non-prosecution agreement with National Enquirer
Prosecutors in the Southern District of New York just announced that they reached a deal not to pursue charges against American Media Inc, the parent company of the National Enquirer. As part of the deal, the company admits that it paid Karen McDougal $150,000 not to speak about her affair with Trump in concert with the Trump campaign. They also admit “that its principal purpose in making the payment was to suppress the woman’s story so as it to prevent it from influencing the election.”
BREAKING: @SDNYnews released a press release announcing today that "it has previously reached a non-prosecution agreement with AMI, in connection with AMI’s role in making the above-described $150,000 payment before the 2016 presidential election."
— Adam Klasfeld (@KlasfeldReports) December 12, 2018
No statement from Khuzami. pic.twitter.com/jnwMI0nhD4
The Democrat posting job listings on Linked In is apparently Tom Steyer.
Ruby Cramer at Buzzfeed reports:
Tom Steyer posted a job listing on LinkedIn last week for several high-ranking positions on his potential 2020 presidential campaign, a spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday afternoon.
Steyer, a San Francisco-based billionaire and the Democratic donor behind the national “Need to Impeach” effort aimed at President Donald Trump, published the job openings under an anonymous account. The listing invites “highly skilled political professionals” to apply for key roles on a “national campaign team” for a “high-profile political campaign based on the West Coast.”
Updated
There were tourists taking in the sentencing of Michael Cohen today.
.@sic_sonja was in the courtroom today and she met a group of tourists from Alaska who attended the Michael Cohen sentencing. "It's a piece of American history," one said.
— Chris Megerian (@ChrisMegerian) December 12, 2018
Erin Durkin reports from court:
Michael Avenatti watched the proceedings from the back row and said outside after:
“Michael Cohen is neither a hero nor a patriot. He lied for months on end. Only until his back was against the wall and he faced significant prison time did he decide to quote come clean. Michael Cohen is no hero. He is no patriot. He deserves every day of the 36 month sentence he will serve. Michael Cohen was sentenced today. Donald Trump is next.”
Updated
With Cohen’s sentence, there are other criminal cases in American politics getting attention too.
This is the latest development from North Carolina’s voter fraud case.
BREAKING: We have obtained a photo of Mark Harris and McCrae Dowless together. The picture was taken in March at a political event in Bladen County. The person who took the photo has asked us to not identify them. #NC09 #ncpol @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/v4w9L6GwAa
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) December 12, 2018
Lanny Davis has put out a fuller statement
COHEN rep Lanny Davis says he’s ready to talk to Congress about Trump *after* Mueller finishes his investigation, suggests there’s more to tell. pic.twitter.com/NOlciiBSqx
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) December 12, 2018
Lanny Davis, Cohen’s lawyer/advisor, is now speaking to reporters
Lanny Davis, who says he is now an adviser to Cohen after today's sentencing, says on ABC, "Michael Cohen is now released to tell the full truth. After Mr. Mueller makes his findings and issues his report, you will see more of Michael Cohen telling the truth about Donald Trump."
— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) December 12, 2018
Cohen will report to prison in March next year, giving him a few more months of freedom.
Judge has ordered Cohen to surrender on March 6.
— erica orden (@eorden) December 12, 2018
Cohen’s sentence is the longest so far in the Mueller probe.
Michael Cohen is sentenced to three years in prison, the longest sentence yet in the Mueller/SDNY probes of Trump.
— Josh Dawsey (@jdawsey1) December 12, 2018
Michael Cohen sentenced to three years in jail
36 months for Cohen
— Joshua Green (@JoshuaGreen) December 12, 2018
As the sentencing of Cohen continues, the judge notes that Cohen acted at Trump’s direction.
Pauley notes that Cohen admitted that he made the illicit hush-money payments "at the coordination with and the direction of Individual-1."
— Adam Klasfeld (@KlasfeldReports) December 12, 2018
Cohen has responded to Trump calling him weak in the courtroom.
Cohen letting loose on Trump: "Recently the president tweeted a statement calling me weak and it was correct but for a much different reason than he was implying. It was because time and time again I felt it was my duty to cover up his dirty deeds"
— Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) December 12, 2018
Cohen tells the court “I have been living in a personal and mental incarceration ever since the day that I accepted the offer to work for [Trump].”
Cohen: "This may
— erica orden (@eorden) December 12, 2018
seem hard to believe but today is one of the most meaningful days of my life. I have been living in a personal and mental incarceration ever since the day that I accepted
the offer to work for a real estate mogul whose business acumen that I deeply admired."
Cohen: "I take full responsibility for each act"
MICHAEL COHEN in court: "I take full responsibility for each act."
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) December 12, 2018
Michael Cohen is about to address the court
ALERT: Michael Cohen is about to address the court. He is standing at the podium. (via @eorden inside)
— MJ Lee (@mj_lee) December 12, 2018
Michael Cohen’s attorney is expressing his client’s wariness about a full cooperation agreement in the courtroom right now.
Petrillo says Cohen wants to cooperate but that "he’s
— erica orden (@eorden) December 12, 2018
wary of a long-term cooperation agreement for personal reasons and because he wants both to remove himself and remove his family from the glare of the cameras."
A Republican state senator in Kansas has switched parties after being punished for endorsing Democratic candidates during the 2018 midterms.
Barbara Bollier will now be the 10th Democrat in the 40 member Kansas state senate after changing her affiliation. She represents prosperous Kansas City suburbs.
Michael Cohen’s lawyer is praising him right now before the sentencing.
Petrillo says Cohen "came forward to offer evidence against the most powerful person in our country."
— erica orden (@eorden) December 12, 2018
"The SCO's investigation is of utmost national significance, no less than seen 40 years ago in Watergate," Petrillo says.
Louisiana Republican John Kennedy thinks Congress will stay in over the holidays as a government funding fight looms.
From colleague Caroline McKee. Sen John Kennedy (R-LA) thinks Trump is “serious as four heart attacks and a stroke” that he’s not bluffing about shutting down the government. Kennedy believes Congress will be in session over the holidays.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) December 12, 2018
Castro’s main competition (at least until everyone else gets in the race) has already responded to his announcement.
John Davis, senior advisor to John Delaney, tells me of Julian Castro's announcement: “We are excited for him to join the race”
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) December 12, 2018
Julian Castro has a full video out now about his exploratory committee
As a kid growing up on the west side of San Antonio, I never thought that I’d one day be making this announcement: https://t.co/2NAIFEsCFh I’m exploring a candidacy for President of the United States in 2020 to renew the promise of this country for all. https://t.co/9jOBdjHcLO
— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) December 12, 2018
Michael Cohen is seated in the courtroom in New York where there are apparently several overflow rooms set up for interested press and spectators.
Michael Cohen is seated in the courtroom between two of his attorneys. SDNY prosecutors have also arrived at the sentencing.
— erica orden (@eorden) December 12, 2018
Julian Castro forms exploratory committee
Former HUD Secretary Julian Castro has formed an exploratory committee, the first step towards running for president.
Prior to joining the Obama administration as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in 2014, Castro served five years as mayor of San Antonio. His twin brother Joaquin serves in Congress.
He told the Associated Press that he’ll announce a formal decision on a run on January 12.
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — APNewsBreak: Ex-Obama housing chief Julian Castro takes step toward 2020 White House run, forms exploratory committee.
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) December 12, 2018
Updated
An interesting project ranks American counties by how representative of the country they were.
The gold medal goes to Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, home of the state’s capital Harrisburg.
Fellow members of the Nerd Tribe, we have something new for you this morning! It's @EchelonInsights Middle America Project - which ranks every county on how representative it is of the U.S. as a whole. https://t.co/9hsZ02RAdH #ExploretheMAP
— Patrick Ruffini (@PatrickRuffini) December 12, 2018
Dana Rohrabacher, the pro Putin Republican who lost his bid for re-election in November, is apparently moving to Maine.
Rohrabacher, who represented Orange County, California for decades on Capitol Hill, is considering setting up a lobbying shop in the Pine Tree State.
Defeated Republican Rep. Rohrabacher has been telling senior staff that he’s going to form consulting shop R&B Strategies with his top aide Paul Behrends. His spokesman said his only definite plans are that he’s moving to Maine. https://t.co/QqBlJ2KYlR
— Byron Tau (@ByronTau) December 12, 2018
Michael Cohen just entered the federal courts building in New York with his family. Cohen did not speak to reporters.
Incoming New York state attorney general Tish James is planning to investigate Donald Trump and his family upon taking office next year.
“We want to investigate anyone in his orbit who has, in fact, violated the law” she told NBC News.
The range of potential investigations include Trump’s real estate holdings, the Trump Foundation, Emoluments Clause violations and even the infamous 2016 Trump Tower meeting.
If you plan your vacations around the congressional calendar, now is the time to get going.
Roll Call just published the full congressional calendar for 2019 as of right now.
Nancy Pelosi has gotten even closer to a deal with rebels over term limits for Democratic leaders that would seal her election on the floor in January.
Politico reports:
Under the tentative terms of the deal, the top Democratic leaders would be allowed to serve for only three terms. If any leader wanted to exceed that limit by one term, he or she would need a two-thirds majority in the Democratic Caucus. They currently need only a simple majority to do so. After this time frame, the lawmaker would need to run for another position or vacate leadership altogether.
Most important, Pelosi’s agreement with rebels, the deal would be retroactive. That means Pelosi, House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and Assistant Democratic Leader Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) would already be entering their third term in leadership during the next Congress. They would need two-thirds approval from the caucus to serve beyond 2020 — and the longest they could remain in place in their current jobs is four years.
Michael Avenatti has showed up at the sentencing for Michael Cohen today.
-- > @ABC @AaronKatersky reports Michael Avenatti just showed up to federal court where Michael Cohen is about to be sentenced. He declined to say why he was here.
— John Santucci (@Santucci) December 12, 2018
If you’re looking to work for a Democratic presidential campaign based on the West Coast, someone is hiring.
An unnamed campaign has job listings posted in Nevada, South Carolina and New Hampshire.
Maryland’s Republican governor Larry Hogan has been negotiating with the federal government over a land deal for a new stadium for the Washington Redskins.
The negotiations come as Republicans are trying to slip language in a government funding bill to allow the NFL team to return to Washington, DC and play on the site of federally owned RFK Stadium. However, it faces a tight timeline as Democrats have concerns about turning over public land to a private entity as well as over the team’s name.
President Donald Trump is doing a rare interview on daytime cable news tomorrow.
Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner interviewing President Trump tomorrow, airing on “Outnumbered Overtime” at 1pm.
— Michael Calderone (@mlcalderone) December 12, 2018
House Republicans are using a parliamentary maneuver to block any votes on a Yemen resolution.
They inserted language into the “rule” setting up the parameters for debate on the Farm Bill, which passed the Senate by an overwhelming margin Tuesday. In order to start debate on the popular bipartisan legislation, lawmakers would have to approve language stripping the Yemen resolution of its privilege and allowing it to be bottled up by Republican leadership.
Rules are almost always party line votes.
Trump talked to Reuters about Michael Cohen and the Russia investigation yesterday.
Michael Cohen is a lawyer. I assume he would know what he’s doing,” Trump said when asked if he had discussed campaign finance laws with Cohen.
“Number one, it wasn’t a campaign contribution. If it were, it’s only civil, and even if it’s only civil, there was no violation based on what we did. OK?”
Opening summary
Good morning
Michael Cohen will be sentenced in New York today, the Senate will vote on limiting US support for the Saudi-backed coalition in Yemen and we are nine days away from a partial government shutdown.
It’s Wednesday in American politics.
Updated
