Jose Garcia
Jose Garcia's JournalVietnam vets group asks Obama to also pardon veterans
Source: The Hill
A veteran service organization is asking President Obama to also pardon veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder who received a less-than-honorable discharge, after he pardoned former Army private Chelsea Manning.
"As pardons are being issued to people who have been convicted of serious felonies, veterans who served their country in combat wait to be offered the same clemency," said John Rowan, national president of Vietnam Veterans of America.
With four days left in office, the administration announced Tuesday that it was commuting Manning's sentence, in addition to 208 others, and pardoning 64. Manning was serving a 35-year prison sentence for leaking classified information to Wikileaks. He will be released May 17, seven years after entering prison.
Manning, who is transgender, has reportedly struggled with mental health issues during her incarceration and solitary confinement, including two suicide attempts.
Read more: http://www.thehill.com/policy/defense/314817-vietnam-vets-group-asks-obama-to-also-pardon-veterans
Italian Tajani wins run-off vote for presidency of European Parliament
Source: Deutsche Welle
Long-time Italian commissioner to the EU Antonio Tajani has won the run-off vote to become the new president of the European Parliament. He beat Gianni Pittella in a final run-off vote.
The political leadership of the European Parliament changed on Tuesday as Antonio Tajani was elected president of the European Parliament.
Ahead of the run-off, in the third round ballot, Tajani won 291 votes compared to 199 for the center-left Socialists and Democrats' (S&D) Gianni Pittella. Flemish nationalist Helga Stevens from the European Conservatives and Reformers was third with 58 and her group then gave its backing to Tajani.
Antonio Tajani had been elected as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) four times. Ahead of the vote he was one of 14 vice-presidents of the European Parliament.
Read more: http://www.dw.com/en/italian-tajani-wins-run-off-vote-for-presidency-of-european-parliament/a-37168596
The Beach Boys will headline the Black Tie and Boots inaugural ball
Source: The Washington Post
“The Beach Boys,” that prototypical all-American boy band founded in 1961, will perform at the Texas State Society’s “Black Tie and Boots” inaugural ball on Jan. 19, according to several people close to the planning of the quadrennial bash.
“Everyone loves the Beach Boys, right?” said one individual, adding that the headliners, who it had been previously reported were mulling over an offer to appear in Washington during President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration festivities, were a “great act.”
Last December, a representative for the band, which since 2012 officially includes original member Mike Love and longtime member Bruce Johnston, told Billboard magazine that the group had been asked to perform but “no decision has been made at this point as to how or whether they will participate.”
That hesitation has become old hat in regards to this year’s inauguration. So far, the 2017 festivities have been a tough sell for those entertainers seeking to juggle an increasingly, er, opinionated fan base and any perceived political affiliations. Most recently Broadway star Jennifer Holliday backed out of singing at the official welcome concert due to swift backlash from her fans following the announcement that she’d be participating. And the B-Street Band, a Bruce Springsteen cover band, backed out of performing at Thursday’s Garden State Inaugural Gala.
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/reliable-source/wp/2017/01/17/the-beach-boys-will-headline-the-black-tie-and-boots-inaugural-ball/?utm_term=.e56a88d2a7c1
Franken to vote against Sessions
Source: The Hill
Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) says he opposes making Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) President-elect Donald Trump’s attorney general.
“I’m going to vote against Senator Sessions,” he said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” Friday. "I just don’t feel comfortable that he would protect all Americans’ rights.”
Franken joins Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) in opposing Sessions as the nation’s top law enforcement official.
“After reviewing his record and giving careful consideration to his answers during the hearing, I am not confident in Senator Sessions’ ability to be a defender of the rights of all Americans, or to serve as an independent check on the incoming administration,” Schumer said in a statement announcing his opposition Thursday.
Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/314157-franken-to-vote-against-sessions
Kaine to vote for Mattis, oppose Tillerson
Source: The Hill
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) announced Friday that he will support President-Elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the Pentagon but not his secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
The former Democratic vice presidential nominee said he will support James Mattis to the lead the Defense Department because he thinks he is "well prepared" and could provide Trump with "wise and strategic counsel."
"In his testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee yesterday, he demonstrated a clear-eyed view of our current national security environment and a deep appreciation for the challenges facing U.S. servicemembers and their families," he said in a statement.
Kaine on Thursday voted to give Mattis a waiver which will allow him to bypass the requirement that defense secretaries be out of uniform for at least seven years.
Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/314152-kaine-to-vote-for-mattis-oppose-tillerson
Fox News analyst running for DNC chair
Source: The Hill
Democratic strategist and Fox News analyst Jehmu Greene is entering the race for chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
Greene announced her candidacy late Thursday in an email to DNC members, Politico reported.
“After a historic year and devastating losses up and down the ballot, it is women who are stepping up to protect the rights of every American,” she wrote.
“We are organizing, taking action, and marching to demonstrate our opposition to the next administration’s hurtful, hateful policies. Like so many women across the country, I am stepping up and putting myself out there. I am running for DNC chair.”
Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/314138-fox-news-analyst-joins-dnc-race-report
Governor says Dakota Access pipeline will likely be built under Trump
Source: The Hill
The Dakota Access Pipeline will likely be built without a hitch once President-elect Donald Trump takes office, North Dakota’s new governor says.
"I expect the world's going to change dramatically on that day relative to finding resolution on this issue," Doug Burgum told Reuters in an interview published Friday. "I would expect that [Energy Transfer Partners] will get its easement and it will go through."
Outgoing President Barack Obama denied ETP a permit needed to complete construction on the pipeline last month. Trump, however, has said that he would review that decision.
The controversial pipeline, which is intended to transfer oil from North Dakota to a shipping point in Illinois, has been the subject of protests by the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and activist groups, who argue that it threatens a local water supply and Native American cultural sites.
Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/314141-nd-governor-says-dakota-access-pipeline-will-likely-be-built
US launches trade case against China over aluminum subsidies
Source: The Hill
The Obama administration on Thursday launched a complaint against China over subsidies provided to aluminum producers it says has created excess supply and hurt U.S. workers.
The United States filed the case at the World Trade Organization (WTO) arguing that artificially cheap bank loans and low-priced inputs for Chinese aluminum contribute to excess capacity that undercuts American workers and businesses.
“Today’s action follows significant engagement by this administration on excess capacity and demonstrates our commitment to hold China to its trade obligations,” said U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman.
"Our record of tough enforcement with China speaks for itself: When China cheats, we’ve been right there, securing recourse for our workers, farmers, ranchers and businesses,” Froman said.
Read more: http://thehill.com/policy/finance/313989-us-launches-trade-case-agains-china-over-aluminum-subsidies
Cruz, Graham offer bill to cut off funding to UN over Israel vote
Source: The Hill
GOP Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced legislation on Thursday that would cut off funding to the United Nations over a vote targeting Israel settlements.
The GOP legislation would cut off funding until the president certified to Congress that a U.N. security resolution condemning Israel's expansion of settlements in occupied Palestinian territories as a violation of international law has been repealed.
Cruz said President Obama "betrayed decades of robust bipartisan American support for Israel" by having his administration abstain from voting on the resolution, rather than vetoing it.
"Congress must hold the UN accountable and use our leverage as its largest contributor to push for the repeal of this resolution, making it clear to the world that Congress stands unequivocally against efforts to undermine Israel," he added.
Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/313994-cruz-graham-offer-bill-to-cut-off-funding-to-un-over-israel-vote
Armed Services Committee easily passes Mattis waiver
Source: The Hill
he Senate Armed Services Committee easily passed Thursday the waiver that would allow retired Gen. James Mattis to serve as Defense secretary despite only retiring from military services in 2013.
Just three committee members -- Democratic Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.), Richard Blumenthal (Conn.) and Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) -- voted against the waiver.
Current law says Pentagon chiefs must be out of uniform for at least seven years. The law has been waived just once, for George Marshall in 1950.
The committee voted immediately after Mattis' confirmation hearing, in which he sought to make clear he understands the difference between civilian leadership and military service.
Read more: http://thehill.com/policy/defense/313996-armed-services-committee-easily-passes-mattis-waiver
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