According to the latest polls, only 26% of Americans approve of the GOP tax plan. But it’s expected to pass in the House today before it goes to the Senate and then to the President's desk for signing on Wednesday. VP Mike Pence is postponing a long-planned trip to the Middle East just in case a tie-breaking vote is needed in the Senate. Once a hold out, Senator Bob Corker (R-TN) reversed his position. Some credit a late-added provision that would benefit people with large real estate holdings, including the Senator. Meanwhile, Matthew Petersen withdrew his name from consideration for a lifetime appointment on the bench after failing to answer basic legal questions. This makes him the third Trump judicial nominee who has failed to make it past the vetting process. The Republican-controlled Congress has a full slate ahead with less than four days to fund the government and patch the children's health program, among a host of other things. In another branch of government, the Department of Health and Human Services is defending its decision to withhold more than 10,000 public comments on a proposal that could affect access to abortion and care for transgender patients. And, an update from a story we highlighted yesterday -- Diddy isn’t the only one interested in buying the Carolina Panthers. Colin Kaepernick and Stephen Curry have also expressed interest in buying the NFL team when it becomes available for sale at the end of the season. Some current NFL owners may be ready to take a knee themselves should Kaepernick become a fellow owner. The Beat DC is dark tomorrow, but we’ll be back on Thursday with the final edition of 2017. We’re kicking off Tuesday with this...
- Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) gets sponsor for marijuana legislation.
- Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA) and Congressman Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) call for probe into harassment and assault claims at immigrant detention centers.
- Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) call out student loan companies.
- Hawaii’s Attorney General Douglas Chin jumps into the congressional race.
- With Congressman Rubén Kihuen (D-NV) bowing out, is former CongressmanSteven Horsford readying for a comeback?
- The first Black police chief of Charlottesville, VA resigns.
- MSNBC Latino staffer named Director of Booking.
- Colorado Dems rename annual dinner for Obamas.
- Meet the new WaPo Africa Bureau Chief.
- PBS fires back at Tavis Smiley.
- UN Ambassador Nikki Haley vetoes Jerusalem resolution.
- Puerto Rico government orders review of post-hurricane deaths.
- Solidarity Strategies gives three staffers the holiday gift of a promotion.
- Jelani Cobb weighs in on Cornel West’s beef with Ta-Nehisi Coates, and Jesús “Chuy” García holds a big lead in race to replace Congressman Luis Gutiérrez (D-IL). Check both out in Blogs.