Dear Congress, can you fund the government? Or, can you at least put something on it? House GOP leaders will bring a short-term bill to the floor today that would fund the government until January 19th. But it just kicks the can down the road. Major outstanding legislative items will be awaiting members upon their return early next year.Nearly two million children will lose health coverage starting next month if Congress doesn’t renew funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) by tomorrow. Also, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said he would bring an immigration bill to the floor in January if lawmakers and the WH can reach a deal. More on that below. Today, U.N. member states vote on a resolution condemning Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Ambassador Nikki Haley tweeted Tuesday, "The U.S. will be taking names." Trump has threatened to end American aid to any country that votes against his decision stating, “Let them vote against us; we’ll save a lot. We don’t care.” Ummm...some of us care. These decisions have consequences. Okay, here’s what’s happening over the holiday break: the interview with former President Barack Obama and Prince Harry airs on December 27th on BBC Radio 4's Today program. That same day, you can catch me on MSNBC’s The Beat with Ari Melber. Tune in! On New Year’s Eve, #MeToo FounderTarana Burke will kick off the iconic ball drop in Times Square to ring in 2018. That morning, you can catch me on MSNBC’s AM Joy. Tune in! We’ll be back on Wednesday, January 3rd, one day after Senator Al Franken (D-MN) officially resignsand just in time to see Trump sign the tax bill into law. Be sure to follow us on Twitterand Facebook in case POTUS45 chooses the holiday break to make some major news. We’re braced for it! It’s the final Beat of 2017! Can you believe it? In the past year, we gained over 12,000 more subscribers now reaching tens of thousands of influencers across the country, we went from publishing three days a week to every day (except for weekends. I have to sleep sometimes), and with your help, we continue to shift the landscape of political platforms. Thanks, guys! We’ll see you in 2018. We’re leaving you, and 2017, with this...
- Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Tim Scott (R-SC) both played integral roles in the tax bill. See below.
- CBC members press Microsoft on arbitration practices.
- Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA) presses CDC on “banned” words.
- Congresswoman Mia Love (R-UT) wants to find the leaker from the closed-door meeting with Donald Trump Jr.
- Dems press party leadership on DACA legislation.
- HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson tours hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico -- sort of. He was also named commencement speaker at Liberty University.
- OMB delays decision on the use of “negro” and other terms on federal forms.
- Meet the Hill staffer tapped to be VA’s new Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Resources.
- Congresswoman Norma Torres (D-CA) has a new Communications Director.
- Justice Sonia Sotomayor taps a Black female clerk.
- Groups want Senator-elect Doug Jones to remember at hiring time that diverse voters put him over the top.
- The American Hotel & Lodging Association names a former Hill staffer as the VP of Government Affairs.
- The Heritage Foundation makes history naming its first Black President.
- HRC and Obama alum launches new firm.
- WH CoS John Kelly meets with Black Republicans and tells them he’s looking for talented staff regardless of race.
- Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim selling his stake in the Old Gray Lady.
- Univisión anchor Jorge Ramos on being a Latino immigrant in the Trump era.
- Civil rights attorney jumps into SF mayoral race, while Interim Mayor still mum on launching bid.
- Muslim attorney in western MA set to challenge incumbent Congressman.
- Deep-blue CT makes history by electing two young Black Republicans.
- Judge denies former Congresswoman Corrine Brown’s bid to stay out of jail.
- Major networks are becoming more inclusive of Asian Americans. Check it out below in blogs!