Remember when we said the Senate would vote on the tax bill yesterday? Psych. The vote is happening today at 11A while Republicans are still hashing out details after deficit hawks found that proposed cuts would not pay for themselves and the Joint Committee on Taxation said the measure would add $1 trillion to budget deficits over 10 years. Will you get a tax break? A handy tool from the NYT will tell you. Meanwhile, according to reports, Donald Trump’s planned visit to the UK in January has been canceled on the heels of his beef with Prime Minister Theresa May (and almost everyone else) who found his retweeting an anti-Muslim group offensive. Trump is buggin.’ Literally. News outlets obtained White House work orders which show reports of mice and roaches in the West Wing (eww). There was also a request for a new toilet seat for the Oval Office bathroom. No word on if 45 wanted it to be golden. And apparently, H.R. McMaster needs a decorator. Also, former short-lived National Security Advisor Michael Flynn will plead guilty to making false statements to the FBI about Russia. And last night, Trump’s first White House Christmas Tree lighting had the biggest crowd ever. Period! All those empty seats pictured here must be more alternative facts. Lastly, Russell Simmons: “Thank you for coming out. God Bless. And Goodnight.” Perhaps that’s how he signed off when he stepped down from his company in light of sexual assault allegations. It’s Friday, and there’s a lot to get to. We’re kicking off the weekend with this...
- Barack Obama continues world tour with stops in India, China, and France.
- Congressmen Rubén Gallego (D-AZ) and Ted Lieu (D-CA) warn of North Korea disaster.
- Congressmen Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Mark Takano (D-CA) introduced legislation to boost overtime pay.
- Budget negotiations on a spending bill may come down to a showdown on "Dreamers" and DACA.
- Calls grow for Congressman John Conyers (D-MI) to resign.
- Congressman Al Green (D-TX) says he’s forcing an impeachment vote next week.
- Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) stands up for endangered species.
- Guess who’s not going to today’s WH Christmas party?
- Who will replace Matt Lauer on the TODAY show? Two well-known POC are in the mix.
- Meet the first Minnesota judge of Hmong descent.
- Mexico’s TV Azteca sells its US network.
- WH Deputy Press Sec makes history aboard Air Force One.
- NFL offers big bucks to stop protests but some players aren’t biting.
- CBC members release tech sector diversity report.
- Meet the NoVo Foundation’s new program officer.
- Hogan Lovells adds to its government relations team.
- After backlash, Wells Fargo commits $50 million to Native American/Alaska Native communities.
- Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) intros legislation to close lobbyists loophole.
- Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) threatens to undo any new rules if Leandra Englishbecomes head of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
- Immigrant at center of debate 'Sanctuary Cities' acquitted in San Francisco.
- Following an incident with Tamika Mallory, the NAACP issued a travel warning against American Airlines. Their employees will now have to undergo anti-racism training. Read more in Blogs.