Romley Makes the Rounds: April 8, 2018

April 8, 2018 in Romley Makes the Rounds

In Congress

Mark Zuckerberg will testify before Congress next week to discuss the data breach at Facebook. This scandal highlights the need for people with a background in computer science in Congress. Privacy and security issues will dominate the news for years to come.

In the White House

Trump is starting a trade war with China that will seriously harm North Carolina farmers. In retaliation for Trump’s tariffs, China is threatening to place tariffs on pork, tobacco and soy beans. They will cost North Carolina in revenue and jobs if they go through.

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Romley Makes the Rounds: March 25, 2018

March 25, 2018 in Romley Makes the Rounds

In Congress

Once again, a dysfunctional Congress had to put together a temporary spending bill to keep government open because they can’t pass a budget. Republicans like to say they’ll run government like a business, but if a business ran like this, it would close. It’s time to fire some Members of Congress, starting with George Holding.

In the White House

Donald Trump kept the turnover rolling at the White House. This time, he fired H. R. McMaster and replaced him with John Bolton, a scary guy who wrote an op-ed on making a first-strike on North Korea.

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Romley Makes the Rounds: March 18, 2018

March 18, 2018 in Romley Makes the Rounds

In Congress

Congress just got a little bluer when Democrat Conor Lamb won a Pennsylvania special election in a district Donald Trump carried by 19 points. To put that into perspective and what it means for November, Trump only won NC-02 by nine points and our district has fewer rural voters than the one in Pennsylvania.

In the White House

After pressure from Donald Trump, Attorney General Jeff Sessions fired former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe just two days before he was set to retire. Now, Trump is urging the Attorney General’s office to shut down the Mueller investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

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Romley Makes the Rounds: March 12, 2018

March 12, 2018 in Romley Makes the Rounds

In Congress

There’s another special Congressional election this week. This time, the Democrat in PA-18 is neck-in-neck in a district that Trump won by more than 20 points in 2016. If this district flips, watch for Republicans to panic.

In the White House

Donald Trump’s new best friend is Kim Jung Un of North Korea. Kim invited Trump to North Korea and he accepted to the consternation of his foreign policy advisors. Continue reading »

Romley Makes the Rounds: Feb. 25, 2018

February 25, 2018 in Romley Makes the Rounds

In Congress

In the wake of the shooting in Parkland, some folks in Congress are hoping for quick action on gun violence. Don’t count on it. The NRA is entrenched and the dysfunction in Washington will likely prevent anything from happening anytime soon. More reasons we need new people in Congress.

In the White House

The Mueller investigation keeps rolling out indictments. Last week, it was against Russian companies and people in the US. This past week, it was more indictments against Paul Manafort and his associate Rick Gates. Every time new indictments come down, Trump’s Twitter feed goes nuts. I wonder why? Continue reading »

Romley Makes the Rounds: Feb. 18, 2018

February 18, 2018 in Romley Makes the Rounds

On the shooting in Parkland, Florida

The school shooting in Florida this week should remind us that we are failing our children. Politicians who say there’s nothing we can do should get out of the way of those of us want to try. The student who are speaking out are far more eloquent the adults who have let them down. There’s one thing we should all be able to agree on: We need research into how to prevent more carnage. Unfortunately, the NRA has blocked any government funding for research into gun violence. That must change. That’s just a first step, but it’s one that should be enacted immediately.

In Congress

Congress again showed its dysfunction. This time, they couldn’t come together to pass a fix for the DREAMERs despite overwhelming support from the American public. This failure is another sign that we need a new Congress to get anything done.

In the White House

Donald Trump released his budget busting budget to huge criticism. The proposed budget would add billions to the deficit and more than a trillion dollars to the national debt. It would also cut Medicare by more than $500 million. It’s largely considered dead-on-arrival, illustrating more dysfunction at the highest reaches of government. Continue reading »

Romley Makes the Rounds: Feb. 11, 2018

February 11, 2018 in Romley Makes the Rounds

In Congress

Well, Congress passed a spending deal that will fund government for the next six weeks and sets spending priorities for the next two years. The deal also increases the deficit substantially. So much for anybody being the party of fiscal responsibility.

In the White House

The #MeToo movement reached into the upper echelon of the White House staff this week when White House Staff Secretary Rob Porter resigned because of charges of domestic violence from two of his ex-wives. Donald Trump wished Porter well and reminded reporters that Porter denied the allegations. The whole affair had shades of Trump’s defense of Roy Moore in Alabama. When it comes to abusers and abuse victims, we can count on the president to side with the abusers. Continue reading »

Romley Makes the Rounds: Feb. 4, 2018

February 4, 2018 in Romley Makes the Rounds

In Congress

The memo written by House Intelligence Committee Chair, Republican Devin Nunes, got released this week and turned out to be a case of nothing. The memo was full of speculation and may even have undermined, not strengthened, Trump’s argument against Robert Mueller’s investigation. I suspect when the dust settles from the memo release, not will have changed in the investigation.

In the White House

Trump gave his State of the Union address on Tuesday to mixed reviews. Republicans applauded it. Democrats criticize it. The main takeaway was that Trump didn’t stick his foot in his mouth while speaking for a full 80 minutes. In Republican politics today, that’s what passes for a victory. Sad! Continue reading »

Romley Makes the Rounds: Jan. 28, 2018

January 29, 2018 in Romley Makes the Rounds

In Congress

Well, Congress reached a deal to prevent a shutdown last week. They’ll keep the government operating until February 8 when we’ll face another showdown. It’s no way to run a country and another example of why we need new leadership in Congress.

In other news, Congress is debating whether or not to protect Robert Mueller from Donald Trump. A bipartisan group of Senators wants to pass legislation that would deter Trump from firing Mueller. Members of the House GOP leadership say that’s not necessary. The fact that we’re even having this discussion is more evidence we need people in the House who will stand up to the president and stand up for the American people.

In the White House

Well, it turns out that Donald Trump did want to fire Mueller last June despite months of denials. Now, he’s talking about firing other people close to the investigation. His stooges went on the talk shows to downplay Trump’s threats to undermine Mueller but it’s clear that this is a president who needs to be held in check and who can’t be trusted.
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