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☆ Top Senate Democrats push for new ethics rules in wake of Clarence Thomas report as Republicans defend justice
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Manu Raju | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Plus some Democrats on the panel, like Sen. Dick Blumenthal, want to go much further than Durbin in the Thomas probe – exposing divisions within the ranks. “I hope that Chief Justice Roberts reads his story this morning and understands something has to be done,” Durbin told CNN. “The reputation of the Supreme Court is at stake here. “The drip, drip, drip of these destructive disclosures is going to destroy the United States Supreme Court unless there is an effective proper investigation,” he said. “The court is responsible for their own guidelines in that regard,” Romney told CNN.

☆ Feinstein claims there's been 'no slowdown' with her absence before blaming GOP for slowdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Sen. Dianne Feinstein argued that her absence from the Senate hasn't harmed her party. In her newest statement, Feinstein expressed optimism about returning to the Senate. Republicans have been able to stall some of President Joe Biden's judicial nominees during Feinstein's absence from the panel. Both political parties in recent years have put an enormous focus on confirming judicial nominees to lifetime federal appointments. Beyond judicial nominees, Democrats are expected to face a potentially razor-thin margin on avoiding a catastrophic debt default that could come as soon as early June.

☆ Photo of Chuck Schumer's notes show he's 'hopeful' Dianne Feinstein returns to the Senate next week
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Chuck Schumer and Dianne Feinstein are "hopeful" she'll return to the Senate next week, per a photograph of Schumer's notes. Feinstein hasn't voted in the Senate since mid-February, around the time of her shingles diagnosis. In her absence, Senate Democrats have faced difficulties confirming judges. With Feinstein absent from the Senate, Senate Republicans — along with Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin — voted 50-49 to roll back a Biden-era Environmental Protection Agency rule regarding pollution from trucks. Several prominent California Democrats have already declared to run for her seat, including Reps. Adam Schiff and Katie Porter.

☆ Biden nominates four more judges in D.C., Michigan, Pennsylvania, Connecticut
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] U.S. President Joe Biden hosts a reception to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, at the White House, in Washington, U.S., May 1, 2023. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File PhotoWASHINGTON, May 3 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden nominated another four federal judges on Wednesday, including two women of Asian descent who would be the first such U.S. judges on their court or in their state. The Senate, which Biden's fellow Democrats narrowly control, must approve the candidates, who were nominated to posts in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Washington, D.C., according to a White House statement. Republicans had blocked Democrats' efforts to temporarily replace Feinstein on the committee, which approves federal judges before they go for a vote before the full Senate. So far, the Senate has confirmed 122 of Biden's nominees to lifetime posts on the federal courts, according to the White House.

For the past few months, a single lawmaker has prevented Democrats from carrying out their agenda in Congress. For now, there is no simple solution in sight. Annie Karni, a congressional correspondent for The Times, explains the issue surrounding Senator Dianne Feinstein.

☆ AOC says Feinstein should resign, won’t primary Gillibrand in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Haley Talbot | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

I think criticisms of that stance as ‘anti-feminist’ are a farce,” Ocasio-Cortez posted on Bluesky, a new social media app. Feinstein, who has been away as she recovers from shingles, is a member of the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee where her absence has created issues for Democrats as the panel works to process judicial nominees. Several other House Democrats have also expressed support or called for Feinstein to resign as a result. The spokeswoman also told CNN that Ocasio-Cortez will not primary New York Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in 2024. Not long after, however, Republicans formally blocked a request from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to temporarily replace Feinstein on the committee.

☆ Nikki Haley says pushing out Dianne Feinstein isn't sexist because the 89-year-old senator has proven she 'can no longer do her job'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Warren Rojas | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

2024 GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley said absentee Sen. Dianne Feinstein should resign now. Haley maintains that removing Feinstein is necessary because she's no longer "up to the job." And that's not sexist," Haley tweeted in response to Pelosi and others rallying to Feinstein's side during her months-long absence from Capitol Hill. While she praised Feinstein as a political trailblazer, Haley said that's ancient history. "It's been obvious for quite some time that she's in significant mental and physical decline," Haley wrote online, billing Feinstein as "a prime example of why we need mental competency tests for politicians."

SummarySummary Companies Anthony Johnstone is Biden's seventh appointee to the courtConfirmation comes as Senate Democrats struggle to advance some judges(Reuters) - The U.S. Senate on Monday voted 49-45 to confirm law professor Anthony Johnstone to the 9th U.S. Historically, judicial nominees have needed so-called "blue slips" representing approval from their home state senators to be considered for confirmation. However, the Republican-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee under the Trump administration ended that practice for appeals court nominees. Health issues have kept Senate Judiciary Committee member Dianne Feinstein out of Washington since March, creating ongoing difficulties for Senate Democrats seeking to advance Biden's judicial nominees. Schumer on Monday said that the Senate will take up several other judicial nominees this week.

☆ These are the top Senate races to watch in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

They have reason to be hopeful: Democrats face a daunting 2024 Senate map that puts them on defense in 23 of the cycle's 34 races, including multiple seats considered ripe for GOP challenges. The grim outlook has some Senate Democrats considering retirement, even after the caucus expanded to a 51-49 majority following a better-than-expected showing in the midterms. Jim Justice, reportedly the state's richest man and one of its favored contenders for the Senate race. But the 2024 Senate race in Ohio is currently considered a toss-up, as Republicans have made significant gains in the state in the last two election cycles. Sabato's Crystal Ball and the Cook Political Report both say the Michigan Senate race leans Democratic.

☆ Dianne Feinstein's ongoing absence allowed Senate Republicans and Joe Manchin to overturn a Biden rule reducing pollution from large trucks
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Eliza Relman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Senate Republicans and Sen. Joe Manchin voted to roll back an EPA regulation on truck pollution. Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna argued it wouldn't have passed had Sen. Dianne Feinstein been present. Senate Republicans and Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin took advantage of Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein's ongoing medical leave to roll back a significant environmental regulation on Wednesday. Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna argued in a tweet on Thursday that Feinstein's prolonged absence from the Senate has repeatedly blocked Democrats' ability to succeed in crucial votes, including the EPA rule vote. Supporters of the EPA rule say it's a reasonable and cost-efficient change that's well-worth the lives it's expected to improve and save.

Donham, 88, died Tuesday in Westlake, according to a fact of death letter from the Calcasieu Parish Coroner. In August 1955, 14-year-old Till was beaten and shot to death after he allegedly whistled at Bryant – now Donham – in Money, Mississippi. Emmett Louis Till, 14, with his mother, Mamie Bradley, at home in Chicago. They were both acquitted of murder following a trial in which Carolyn Bryant testified that Emmett grabbed and verbally threatened her. In 2007, a Mississippi grand jury declined to indict Donham on any charges.

☆ Biden’s Early Announcement Isn’t a Sign of Confidence
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Jason L. Riley | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Potomac Watch: Democrats belatedly admit Dianne Feinstein is too old to serve. Images: AP Composite: Mark KellyPresident Biden isn’t afraid of running against Donald Trump next year, but fellow Democrats appear to have spooked him into announcing his re-election bid ahead of schedule. Mr. Biden initially intended to hold off on a formal announcement until late spring or early summer. Why draw media attention away from Mr. Trump’s legal problems or from his public feuding with Florida Gov. When your political opponents are fighting with one another, it’s better not to interfere.

☆ DeSantis threatened to put a prison next to Disney, but it may not be as scary an idea as he thinks — and in fact small Florida towns could probably use it way more
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

But it's unclear how much, if at all, a prison would actually impact Disney. A prison could also bring jobs to small towns that don't have a local employer as large as Disney. Ron DeSantis's threat to put a state prison next to the "Happiest Place on Earth" may not be as menacing as he thinks. But it's unclear how much a state prison close to Disney would actually impact the resort and theme park. As for how a prison could impact Disney World, she speculated that the primary factor would be how it impacts the company's brand and tourists' perception of safety.

Washington CNN —Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said Sunday that he will follow precedent for replacing Sen. Dianne Feinstein on the Judiciary Committee if she resigns, signaling a willingness to vote to replace the California Democrat if she left the chamber altogether. She has asked to be “temporarily” replaced on the Senate Judiciary Committee while she is recovering but remains committed to returning to Washington. “As to Sen. Feinstein, she is a wonderful person. I hope she comes back,” the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee added. I think the Republican Party will be in good standing to oppose late-term abortion.”Graham’s comments highlight the difficulty that Republicans have had navigating the abortion issue.

☆ Frail or Forceful, Biden Keeps Stumbling
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Karl Rove | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

Potomac Watch: Democrats belatedly admit Dianne Feinstein is too old to serve. What about Joe Biden? Images: AP Composite: Mark KellyPresident Biden’s visit to Ireland was personal, given his Irish roots, and presidents are allowed such trips. The excursion marked the 25th anniversary of the historic 1998 Good Friday Agreement to end sectarian violence in Northern Ireland. But the visit also poignantly highlighted Mr. Biden’s chief political vulnerability if he runs for a second term.

☆ Democrats’ Numbers Problem
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( David Leonhardt | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

President Biden and Senate Democrats have a numbers problem. But Senator Dianne Feinstein’s failing health has frozen the Senate Judiciary Committee, the group that must consider any judicial nominees before the full Senate votes on them. Biden and other Democrats had hoped for the appointment of judges — both to federal trial courts (known as District Courts) and to appeals courts (known as Circuit Courts) — to be a major accomplishment this year. That plan is now in doubt because Democrats do not have the votes to confirm judges without Feinstein. Instead, about 20 Biden nominees are in limbo, and 9 percent of District Court and Circuit Court judgeships remain vacant.

☆ A Big Labor Partisan Named Julie Su
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( The Editorial Board | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Potomac Watch: Democrats belatedly admit Dianne Feinstein is too old to serve. Images: AP Composite: Mark KellyPresident Biden’s legislative agenda has little chance in the current Congress, but that means he’ll try to govern even more through regulation. It also means his regulatory and Cabinet nominees deserve extra scrutiny, and an example is Julie Su , his choice to run the Department of Labor. Currently the deputy secretary, Ms. Su has a record of putting union interests above those of individual workers or flexible business models that workers like but unions oppose. As labor secretary in California, she drove implementation of the state’s AB5 law, which reclassified independent contractors as employees.

☆ Telling Dianne Feinstein to resign is sexist and 'unprecedented,' women Democratic senators say
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

But Democratic women in the Senate say gender is playing a role in how her absence is being handled. But women Democratic senators told Insider at the Capitol on Wednesday that they believe sexism is at play and that the chamber's longest-serving Democrat is being held to an unfair standard because she is a woman. More recently, Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was recently absent from the chamber for six weeks as he sought treatment for clinical depression. "I think it's important for Senator Feinstein to do what is what is best for her," said Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire. "I just believe that it's not somebody else's assessment to make; it's her assessment to make," said Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin.

☆ G.O.P. Vows to Block Feinstein Swap, Leaving Democrats in a Conundrum
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( Annie Karni | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Pressure is mounting for Ms. Feinstein, 89, who was hospitalized with shingles in February and has announced she will not seek re-election in 2024, to resign now. Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York and the majority leader, said later Tuesday that he still planned to move forward with a request to replace Ms. Feinstein temporarily with Senator Benjamin L. Cardin of Maryland. But the move would take the unanimous consent of the Senate — or at least 60 votes — and Mr. McConnell made it clear that would not happen. “Senate Republicans will not take part in sidelining a temporarily absent colleague off a committee just so Democrats can force through their very worst nominees,” Mr. McConnell told reporters. The sentiment was echoed throughout the Republican conference.

☆ Lincoln’s new SUV will be imported from China
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

General Motors’ Buick Envision SUV is produced in China and Volvo’s S90 full-sized sedan is also imported from China. The current generation Nautilus is already produced in China for that market, where the Lincoln brand is popular. The new Lincoln Nautilus will have a large cabin-wide display screen. LincolnThe timing of Ford’s decision to build the Nautilus in China comes at a delicate moment, amid heightened tensions between the US and China. LincolnIn the design and marketing of its vehicles, Lincoln has in recent years emphasized quiet and relaxation rather than performance.

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) waves to reporters as he arrives at the U.S. Capitol on April 17, 2023 in Washington, DC. WASHINGTON — Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Democratic Sen. John Fetterman both returned to the Capitol on Monday after significant medical absences, leaving only one senator, Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, still away with no firm return date. Fetterman, a 53-year-old from Pennsylvania, stepped away from the Senate in February to seek inpatient treatment for clinical depression at Water Reed Army Medical Center. "I want everyone to know that depression is treatable, and treatment works," Fetterman said in a statement after return home from the hospital. The return of both Fetterman and McConnell this week after the Senate's Easter recess has served to highlight the one senator who has not returned from their prolonged medical absence: the California lawmaker Feinstein, an 89-year-old who last voted in the Senate in early February.

CNN —Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has returned to the Senate following a period of recovery in the wake of a fall. McConnell was at the Capitol on Friday, but Monday marks the GOP Senate leader’s first day back in session. I look forward to returning in person to the Senate soon.”Earlier this year, McConnell became the longest-serving party leader in Senate history. During his absence, Senate Republicans who spoke with the McConnell said he was itching to get back to the chamber. 2 Senate Republican, Minority Whip John Thune, noted that he was “anxious” to return, and Texas Senator John Cornyn told reporters that McConnell was “chomping at the bit” to come back to the Capitol.

☆ Debt ceiling fight shows stakes of Feinstein's Senate absence, Klobuchar says
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-16 | by ( Katharine Jackson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON, April 16 (Reuters) - The standoff over raising the U.S. federal government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling illustrates the stakes of U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein's lengthy absence from Washington, fellow Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar said on Sunday. We have things like the debt ceiling coming up," Klobuchar said in an interview on ABC's "This Week" program. President Joe Biden's Democrats insist on a "clean" debt ceiling bill unaccompanied by cuts. "I have a lot of respect for Senator Feinstein, but she's missed 75% of votes this year.

☆ Rep. Katie Porter recounts her frustration at having to explain housing policy to onetime HUD secretary Ben Carson during a congressional hearing: 'I was tutoring a neurosurgeon'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-16 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Rep. Katie Porter detailed an odd 2019 exchange she had with Ben Carson over housing policy. Carson was unaware of the term REO and thought she said Oreo, as in the cookie sandwich. But Carson thought she was talking about a cookie — an Oreo to be specific. Porter detailed how she asked Carson if he knew the meaning of an REO during the hearing. "Secretary Ben Carson, the man in charge of housing for our nation, asked me if I meant 'Oreo.'

☆ Opinion: Top secrets come spilling out
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-16 | by ( Richard Galant | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

We’re looking back at the strongest, smartest opinion takes of the week from CNN and other outlets. Writing for CNN Opinion, Rep. Justin Pearson noted, “This should be a chastening moment for revanchist forces in Tennessee’s legislature and across the country. Over the long haul, the undemocratic machinations employed to oust us from office are destined to fail. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once famously said that the moral arc of the universe bends toward justice. “As a Jewish historian,” Perry wrote, “I worry about the tension between preserving the memory of past hardships while not locking our entire history into a tale of oppression.

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