The Senate will not take up gun reform this week. Instead, the upper chamber will take up a banking reform bill that would relax key banking regulations, despite opposition from the left. On immigration, even though thousands are still losing protections despite last week’s federal court order blocking Trump’s effort to end an Obama-era program protecting “Dreamers,” the order appears to have taken the pressure off Congress to act. Hence, both issues may lay dormant in the Capitol until after midterm elections. On Saturday, Trump attended the annual Gridiron Club dinner which features satirical musical skits by members of the press and remarks by the president. The bizarre pairing made a failed attempt to bring levity to the chaos of the current administration, with POTUS45 making jokes about Jared Kushner’s security clearance, AG Jeff Sessions’ recusal in the Russia investigation, and impeachment. He also used the opportunity to insult Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), saying she needs to take an IQ test. Meanwhile, lawmakers took their annual pilgrimage to Selma, AL over the weekend to commemorate the 53rd anniversary and the struggles of activists who endured violence during Bloody Sunday. And, finally, the big winner at last night’s Oscars? Diversity! Actors Lupita Nyong’o and Kumail Nanjiani delivered words of solidarity, saying to “Dreamers,” “we stand with you.” Common and Andra Day performed the song Stand Up for Something from the film Marshall and were joined onstage by a handful of activists. Mexican Director Guillermo del Toro won the Oscar for Best Director for The Shape of Water. And wait! Jordan Peele won too?! Get Out! Peele was crowned the winner in the Best Original Screenplay race, making him the first Black screenwriter to receive the honor. See the full list of winners here. And the award for the most Amtrak Acela mileage goes to … me! Hitting send from NYC this morning to join Fox News’ Outnumbered Overtime with Harris Faulkner during the 1P hour. Tune in. We’re kicking off the week with this...
- Congressman Ted Lieu (D-CA) wants FBI to investigate Stormy Danielspayment.
- Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) calls on DHS to change terrorism funding formulas for Las Vegas and other tourist destinations.
- Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) intros legislation to make this year’s elections hack-proof.
- Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC) gets a challenger.
- Miami journo jumps into race to succeed Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL).
- Could the GOP have its first Muslim American in Congress?
- Army vet gaining traction in WV congressional run.
- DCCC under fire for allegedly trying to undermine progressive candidates.
- Reportedly, Donald Trump didn’t do much to help UCLA ballplayers detained in China.
- Twitter aims to hire more people of color.
- Lawsuit claims YouTube excludes White and Asian men in hiring.
- Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) wants Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to investigate complaints from transgender students.
- First border wall contract awarded to small company with big issues.
- Oprah takes on several issues in wide-ranging interview with Van Jones.
- NYT to publish data on the diversity of its workforce.
- Docs show shrinking Bears Ears monument was done for oil & gas exploration.
- State Department says staff reductions at embassy in Cuba are permanent.
- In Minneapolis, Native American women are stopped by police at a higher rate than Black men. Get the story in Blogs.