Senator Al Franken (D-MN) is expected to announce his resignation today at 11:45A after a majority of Dems called for him to step down. Meanwhile, 70% of respondents in a new poll think Congress should investigate the allegations of sexual assault made against the president. On Wednesday, Don Jr. cited attorney-client privilege to avoid telling lawmakers about a conversation he had with his father after news broke this summer that he met with Russia-connected individuals. But wait -- neither Trump Jr. nor the president is an attorney. But Trump Jr. told the House Intel Committee that there was a lawyer in the room during the discussion. Huh?? In other news from the Hill, the House approved legislation allowing those with permits to carry concealed weapons to legally travel with those firearms across state lines -- a top priority of the NRA. Also, VA Secretary David Shulkin touted the Trump administration’s promise to house all homeless vets, but then ended a special $460 million program that dramatically reduced homelessness among chronically sick and vulnerable veterans. Stand by for another tweet about how NFL players disrespect the troops. On the heels of 45 criticizing the top law enforcement agency, FBI Director Christopher Wray will testify before the House Judiciary Committee this morning at 10A. Feeling nostalgic yet? Not as much as NY Giants star Odell Beckham Jr., who recently showed off the tattooed faces of Barack and Michelle Obama on his arm. And about last night … Apparently, the DC streets were lit. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) co-hosted a DSCC 2044 holiday reception with minority donors to support the election of more diverse Senators. And not far away, Diddy dined with girlfriend Cassieand Uptown Records founder Andre Harrell at the Italian restaurant RPM. Ummm … guys … maybe you could have skipped the pasta and been all about those Benjamins at the DSCC 2044 event? Their paper chase could likely use some brother love. Ok, let’s get Thursday started with this...
- DCCC pulls Congressman Rubén Kihuen (D-NV) from key program that helps vulnerable incumbents.
- Barack Obama talks Nazis, free press, and regret.
- Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) may skip museum opening if 45 shows up.
- Roland Martin’s morning news show gets canceled.
- Meet the new reporter on the NYT International Desk.
- CBC Chair Congressman Cedric Richmond (D-LA) says Caucus struggles withJohn Conyers exit.
- Congressman Mark Takano (D-CA) redlines WSJ op-ed by Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
- For Our Future names a CEO.
- Congressman Joaquín Castro (D-TX) wants answers from the DEA about secret surveillance.
- Congressman Al Green's (D-TX) impeachment effort fails.
- John Conyers' son caught off guard by endorsement. Also, a beef with his girlfriend got violent. The story below.
- LGBT Latina makes it official that she’s running for Texas Governor.
- Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Deval Patrick head to Alabama.
- Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA) intros bill to protect workers wanting to join unions.
- Congressman Rubén Gallego (D-AZ) calls for a halt in healthcare change for vets.
- Steve Bannon speaks to Black entrepreneurs.
- Democratic veterans voice opposition to admin proposal merging VA & DOD healthcare programs.
- Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD) says there's a whistleblower in the Flynncase.
- Nearly 2,000 converge on Capitol Hill to push for DREAM Act legislation. The Beat DC’s Patricia Guadalupe has the story in Blogs.