Romley Makes the Rounds: Jan. 7, 2018

January 8, 2018 in Romley Makes the Rounds

In Congress

A little good news, at least in the Senate: Doug Jones was sworn in as the Senator from Alabama. Republicans now have a narrow 51-49 advantage.

In the White House

Donald Trump and the White House were in an uproar with the release of Michael Wolff’s scathing depiction of the Trump White House. Trump’s lawyers tried issue a cease-and-desist order against the publisher but they released the book early instead. The book also caused what looks to be a permanent split between Trump and his former political advisor, Steve Bannon. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any crazier…

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Romley Makes the Rounds: Dec. 17, 2017

December 18, 2017 in Romley Makes the Rounds

In Congress

The House and Senate came to an agreement on a tax reform bill. They will likely pass it this week and send it to the White House for Trump’s approval. The bill is a huge tax cut for the wealthiest Americans. Their tax cut stays permanent while the middle-class tax cut expires. Whose side do you think they’re on?

In the White House

The Trump administration is using Orwellian censorship in government agencies. They’ve banned the Centers for Disease Control and other health agencies from using certain common words. Among the banned words are “vulnerable,” “entitlement,” “diversity,” “transgender,” and “fetus.” That’s not only bizarre, those are scary authoritarian directives.

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Romley Makes the Rounds: Dec. 10, 2017

December 12, 2017 in Romley Makes the Rounds

In Congress

Well, Al Franken and John Conyers resigned from Congress for sexual harassment allegations after a chorus of Democrats called for their resignations. Meanwhile, Republicans doubled-down on their support for Alabama Senate nominee and accused child molester Roy Moore when Mitch McConnell backed off his criticism of Moore and the RNC began sending Moore money again. If ever there was a time for a new class of Congressmen…

In the White House

Donald Trump faces new allegations of sexual harassment when a former Fox News anchors says he tried to kiss her on the lips while the two were in an elevator in Trump Tower. She adds to the 19 women who have accused Trump of sexual harassment or abuse. Republicans refuse to comment on the matter.

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Romley Makes the Rounds: Dec. 1, 2017

December 1, 2017 in Romley Makes the Rounds

In Congress

The Senate is passing a tax bill that’s been written on the fly. Even they don’t know what’s in it. We do know that it will slash taxes for the richest Americans and those tax cuts will be permanent, while tax cuts for the middle class will expire, leading to most Americans paying higher taxes by 2027. It’s a sorry way to lead a government. Angus King, the Independent Senator from Maine, said, “To call this (push to pass the tax bill) a circus would be an insult to circuses.” The bill will add $1.5 trillion to the national debt. According to Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), the GOP pay for the tax cuts with huge cuts to Social Security and Medicare.

In the White House

Uh, oh. Former National Security Advisor Mike Flynn flipped. Flynn has pled guilty to lying to the FBI and is reportedly going to testify that he made contact with the Russians at Trump’s request.

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Romley Makes the Rounds: Nov. 19, 2017

November 19, 2017 in Romley Makes the Rounds

In Congress

The House passed their version of tax reform. It’s little more than a bait-and-switch with middle class tax cuts expiring while those for the rich and big corporations stay permanent. It also raises taxes on graduate students. You read that right—graduate students, that bastion of disposable income. In an area full of universities, that’s bad for our district and our state.

In the White House

Donald Trump came back from his trip to Asia where he met with Vladimir Putin in Vietnam. He told the press he believes Putin when he says Russia didn’t meddle in US elections. To put that in perspective, he’s taking the word of a hostile dictator over his own intelligence community.

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Romley Makes the Rounds: Nov. 12, 2017

November 13, 2017 in Romley Makes the Rounds

In Congress

Congress is still trying to put together a tax reform plan that doesn’t cost them the election in 2018. They’re having trouble figuring out how to give huge tax cuts to the rich without either sticking it to the middle class or dramatically increasing the deficit. They probably need a refresher course in elementary school math.

In the White House

Former KGB agent Vladimir Putin told Trump he didn’t interfere in the US elections. Trump says he believes him. To put that into context, the President of the United States is taking the word of a former spy over the findings of his own intelligence and law enforcement agencies.

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Romley Makes the Rounds: Nov. 5, 2017

November 5, 2017 in Romley Makes the Rounds

In Congress

Well, they dropped their so-called tax reform bill. As you might expect, the big winners are the wealthy and big corporations who will see huge tax breaks. Tax reform should benefit the middle class, not just the rich and powerful.

In the White House

Mueller’s investigation is sending shivers through the White House. With two indictments and a guilty plea, the investigation into Russian collusion moves into a new phase. As Mueller’s investigation gets closer to the president, expect to see more people talking and probably more indictments.

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Romley Makes the Rounds: Oct. 20, 2017

October 20, 2017 in Romley Makes the Rounds

In Congress

Wouldn’t you know it. Congress is on break—again. I guess they figure if they can’t get anything done while they’re in Washington, they might as well be home.

In the White House

Think healthcare’s expensive now? Donald Trump just cut off cost sharing for health insurance companies that will increase premiums by 20% and increase the deficit by $200 billion. North Carolina will be one of the biggest losers, costing us $66 billion in federal aid.

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