Obamas Eye a Vineyard Purchase, Menéndez Trial Beginning, and DACA Announcement Expected to Crush DREAMers

Hurricane Harvey relief efforts are getting underway in Houston as Hurricane Irma climbs to a Category Five, readying to slam Puerto Rico before slapping the mainland. Out west, wildfires fueled by record-setting heat blazed through parts of Southern California. Oh, and there’s also the looming threat of a nuclear war. Welcome back! Let’s begin with the nuclear threat. Warning that Pyongyang is “begging for war,” UN Ambassador Nikki Haley is pressing China and other members of the UN Security Council to cut off oil and other fuels to North Korea after the regime’s most powerful nuclear test yet. Just this morning, Donald Trump tweeted, “I am allowing Japan & South Korea to buy a substantially increased amount of highly sophisticated military equipment from the United States.” Congress is coming back to a full slate with only 12 days scheduled to be in session this month. As AG Jeff Sessions is expected to announce an end to DACA, it appears the administration is punting the legislation to a Republican-controlled Congress, which will begin voting tomorrow on sending nearly $8 billion to Texas to begin Hurricane Harvey recovery that will likely potentially climb to a total north of $100 billion. But, by all means, let’s continue the debate on the border wall. Also on the agenda this month? Rewriting the tax code, as Donald Trump made big tax cuts part of his many campaign promises. Funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program is set to expire September 30th, and it’s up to Congress to renew it. And the ever-present threat of a government shutdown continues to loom with a deadline of October 1st. Finally, are we all seriously already gearing up for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s Leadership Conference and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Caucus? Because it seems like we were just celebrating the melted snow and the kickoff to summer. Honestly folks, if someone is pressing fast forward on this reality show we’re all staring in … can ya get us to 2020 in a hurry? Sans the aging process, of course. We’re kicking off the first day of school with this:

  • AG Jeff Sessions this morning announces the fate of DACA.
  • In a parting letter, Obama urged Trump to guard ‘democratic institutions and traditions.’
  • Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) to co-sponsor Senator Bernie Sanders’ (I-VT) single-payer healthcare bill.
  • Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) says tech and Dems must get with the program.
  • Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke resigns amid rumors he’s heading to DC.
  • Omarosa’s WH influence in jeopardy.
  • Be sure to tune in to The Beat DC’s Tiffany D. Cross today at 1:30P as she co-hosts Keepin’ It Real with Rev. Al Sharpton.
  • WH HBCU conference is delayed.
  • Obama alumna named the new YWCA CEO.
  • Meet the DNC’s new Associate Director of Community Engagement.
  • USHCC President Javier Palomarez said this morning on CNN that he would quit Trump’s diversity council if the president ends DACA. 
  • Mexico sending relief crews and supplies to help with hurricane recovery efforts.
  • Harriet Tubman’s place on $20 bill in jeopardy as Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin non-committal on plans.
  • Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI) announces plans to challenge incumbent Democratic Governor David Ige in the primary.
  • Could an El Paso judge become the first Latina member of the Texas congressional delegation?
  • Florida Latino nominated to UN post.  
  • Join us for a Hurricane Harvey relief fundraiser tomorrow. RSVP below in FOMO!
Brenda Arredondo