Jose Garcia
Jose Garcia's JournalGOP rep on Flynn: 'The coverup was worse than the crime'
Source: The Hill
National security adviser Michael Flynn became a "distraction" to the Trump administration when he misled Vice President Mike Pence about his calls to Russia, Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) said Tuesday.
"In this case, the coverup was worse than the crime. And it's arguably or questionably a crime," Kinzinger said on "Fox & Friends."
"It was a bad decision to call Russia and talk about this in the middle of the past administration determining what sanctions were going to look like. But what happened, the big problem is when he lied to the vice president and he became a distraction to President Trump."
Kinzinger said he thinks Flynn did the "honorable thing" by calling the president and explaining he was a distraction.
Read more: http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/319387-gop-rep-coverup-was-worse-than-the-crime
Gillum raises profile ahead of 2018
By BRANDON LARRABEE
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, February 13, 2017..........On a cool, clear day last week in Tallahassee, a handful of reporters were outside City Hall, listening to Mayor Andrew Gillum and a couple of activists attack a state bill that would essentially bar local governments from passing regulations on business.
"We are a very big state, and we are a very diverse state," Gillum said. "We bask in that diversity and richness, but we also know that Tallahassee, and Jackson County, and Miami-Dade County and Orange County and all over this state, there are differences."
The event was sponsored by Campaign to Defend Local Solutions, an organization Gillum founded to push back against legislative initiatives to dial back local control --- especially on issues like gun control. But the organization and its activities also serve as a reminder that Gillum likely has ambitions that go beyond Tallahassee.
For months now, the mayor of the state's capital city has been assuming a more outspoken role against the Republican-dominated state government that sets up camp in his municipality. Along with other Democratic mayors like Miami Beach's Philip Levine and Tampa's Bob Buckhorn, Gillum is a favorite to jump into what could be a crowded primary for governor.
more: http://www.sayfiereview.com/page/Gillum%20raises%20profile%20ahead%20of%202018
Jackson Lee welcomes Katy-area student from Jordan who was detained
A 16-year-old from Jordan stood silently midday Monday in the decorated downtown office of a Houston-area congresswoman, his hands folded in front of him.
For 20 minutes, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee spoke to media about the recent ordeals of the young man, Mohammad Abu Khadra.
A Katy-area student, Mohammad was detained in Houston at Bush Intercontinental Airport when he returned from his native country a day after President Donald Trump issued his immigration ban on Jan. 27.
The Democratic congresswoman called Mohammad an "innocent child," explaining that he had gone home to renew the documents that allowed him to be in America. They had expired after he spent a few months living in the U.S. with his brother.
more: http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Congresswoman-welcomes-Katy-area-student-from-10929908.php
Matt Gaetz to host open house in Milton; protesters expected
MILTON — Matt Gaetz will be making his first stop as congressman next week in Milton to hear thoughts and concerns from his constituents.
"It's the inaugural 'Open Gaetz'," he said in between flights Monday afternoon. "There's many more to come."
On Feb. 23, Gaetz will tour the Milton area making several stops starting with coffee at the Kiwanis Clubs of Milton and Pace and ending with a town hall gathering at Oops Alley Bowling and Restaurant.
Gaetz will be met with some opposition as local Democrats have planned a peaceful protest against the freshman congressman at his 12 p.m. stop at Grover T's BBQ Restaurant.
more: http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20170213/matt-gaetz-to-host-open-house-in-milton-protesters-expected
Lehigh County Executive Tom Muller holds "campaign kickoff" to announce he's not running
At an event billed as a "campaign kickoff," Lehigh County Executive Tom Muller announced he will not seek a second term in office Monday — to the surprise of many who were gathered to hear him speak.
Muller's supporters had come to Brookside Country Club in Lower Macungie Township in response to an invitation that strongly implied that Muller, a Republican turned Democrat, was seeking re-election. A header at the top of the invitation included Muller's campaign logo, and donations were requested for the Government That Works political action committee.
But 15 minutes into his speech, Muller delivered news that caught many off guard.
"As great as this chapter of my life has been and continues to be, it will come to an end this year," Muller said to the silent crowd. "I know that will come as a surprise to most of you. This is not the kickoff of my campaign tonight."
more: http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-pa-lehigh-county-tom-muller-election-20170213-story.html
Russian lawmakers cry foul over resignation of national security adviser Michael Flynn
Source: ABC News
Russian lawmakers have been reacting with outrage to the resignation of President Donald Trump’s national security adviser Michael Flynn, calling it the result of American paranoia towards Moscow and a campaign by Trump’s opponents to damage relations between Russia and the United States.
Flynn resigned on Monday after it emerged that he misled White House officials about his discussions with Russia’s ambassador to Washington ahead of Trump’s inauguration.
In his resignation letter, Flynn said he had “inadvertently” briefed Vice President Mike Pence and others with “incomplete information” on calls with the Russian ambassador, Sergey Kislyak. Flynn came under fire for discussing U.S. sanctions on Russia with the ambassador back in December.
The Kremlin has confirmed the calls but denied the sanctions were mentioned.
Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/International/russian-lawmakers-cry-foul-resignation-national-security-adviser/story?id=45478431
Scarborough rips Conway as an 'out of the loop' liar after Flynn resignation
Source: Politico
Counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway’s assertion that former national security adviser Michael Flynn enjoyed “the full confidence of the president” just hours before he offered his resignation is proof that President Donald Trump’s former campaign manager is “out of the loop” and acting recklessly, MSNBC host Joe Scarborough said Tuesday morning.
“She goes out and lies and you find out about those lies a couple hours later,” Scarborough said, addressing “Morning Joe” panelist Willie Geist. “Or if she's not lying, Willie, she is – actually what I’ve heard she is – so out of the loop. She's in none of the meetings and she just goes out without talking without having the facts.”
Appearing on MSNBC on Monday afternoon, Conway said Flynn, a retired lieutenant general who once led the Defense Intelligence Agency, “does enjoy the full confidence of the president” despite swirling controversy about a conversation Flynn had with Russia’s ambassador to the U.S. In that conversation, Flynn reportedly discussed easing American sanctions imposed against Russia over its interference with last year’s presidential election.
Asked about that reported conversation, Vice President Mike Pence said it had never occurred, a statement he made based on information from Flynn. In his resignation letter on Monday, Flynn admitted he had “inadvertently briefed the Vice President Elect and others with incomplete information regarding my phone calls with the Russian Ambassador.”
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2017/02/michael-flynn-resigns-kellyanne-conway-joe-scarborough-reaction-234988
I wonder if anyone in the White House watches that show...
Russia Today tweets about Flynn 'retirement'
Source: The Hill
Russia Today, Russia’s state broadcaster, drew attention online Monday night, after it tweeted that National Security Advisor Michael Flynn had “retired.”
Flynn resigned late Monday, after reports that he misled senior Trump White House officials about his conversations with Russia.
The embattled Flynn blamed his resignation on the “fast pace of events” that led him to “inadvertently” give Vice President Mike Pence and others “incomplete information” about his phone conversations with Russia’s ambassador to the U.S., Sergey Kislyak.
Pence had defended Flynn's contacts with Russia, and when it became clear the national security adviser had not been forthcoming, serious questions were raised about his ability to keep his job.
Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/319369-russia-today-tweets-about-flynn-retirement
Committee Dems call for classified briefing on Flynn
Source: The Hill
Reps. John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.) and Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) – the ranking members of the Judiciary and Oversight committees, respectively – called for a classified briefing for Congress regarding former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn after his abrupt resignation Monday night.
“We were shocked and dismayed to learn this evening of reports that three weeks ago, U.S. law enforcement officials warned the White House Counsel that General Flynn had provided false information to the public about his communications with the Russian government, but that the Trump Administration apparently did nothing about it,” the two said in a statement.
“The reality is General Flynn was unfit to be the National Security Advisor, and should have been dismissed three weeks ago.
“Now, we in Congress need to know who authorized his actions, permitted them, and continued to let him have access to our most sensitive national security information despite knowing these risks. We need to know who else within the White House is a current and ongoing risk to our national security,” the statement continued.
Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/house/319371-committee-dems-call-for-classified-briefing-on-flynn
Trade groups push Congress to reverse NLRB joint employer ruling
Source: The Hill
More than 50 business and trade groups are asking Congress to pass legislation to repeal the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) new joint employer standard.
In August 2015, the NLRB ruled that “indirect” and “potential” control over workers’ terms and conditions makes a company a joint employer.
In a letter to members of the House Education and Workforce Committee Tuesday, the groups – including the International Franchise Association, the National Restaurant Association and the National Retail Federation – said the rule change has exposed a broad range of businesses, from contractors and subcontractors, to franchisors and franchisees, to workplace liability for another employer’s actions and for workers they do not employ.
And they say the NLRB won’t be reversing the new standard anytime soon.
Read more: http://thehill.com/regulation/319373-trade-groups-push-congress-to-reverse-nlrb-joint-employer-ruling
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