{"articles":[{"id":38211,"title":"The DC: Backing off a flavored vape ban, and... 🗯 Should Trump testify in the impeachment hearings?","html_content":"\n

by Causes | 11.19.19

Welcome to Tuesday, November 19th, commas and semicolons...

Trump allies have accused Democrats of calling witnesses without first-hand knowledge of the president's now-infamous phone call with Ukraine. That changes today.

Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the top Ukraine specialist on the National Security Council, was on the phone during President Donald Trump's July 25 phone call with Ukranian president Vladomyr Zelensky. In closed-door testimony in late October, Vindman said he \"did not think it was proper to demand that a foreign government investigate a U.S. citizen, and I was worried about the implications for the U.S. government’s support of Ukraine.\"

Also appearing today is Jennifer Williams, special adviser to Vice President Mike Pence on Europe and Russian. In closed-door testimony, Williams said Trump's July 25 call with Zelensky was \"inappropriate.\" The president has labeled her a \"Never Trumper\":

How do you feel about today's hearing?

On the Radar

Should Trump Go Public?

President Trump is saying he’ll “strongly consider” testifying in writing as part of the impeachment investigation.

In early-morning tweets Monday, the president said he might take up House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) weekend offer to testify about his controversial actions involving Ukraine.

“Even though I did nothing wrong, and don’t like giving credibility to this No Due Process Hoax, I like the idea & will, in order to get Congress focused again, strongly consider it!”

Pelosi appeared on CBS’ “Face the Nation” Sunday, saying Trump was welcome to testify before Congress if he wants to set the record straight.

“The president could come right before the committee and talk, speak all the truth that he wants if he wants. He has every opportunity to present his case,” Pelosi said.

Should Trump testify in the impeachment hearings?

Under the Radar

Backing Off Flavored-Vape Ban

President Trump is reversing course on his plan to ban most flavored e-cigarettes, according to the Washington Post.

In September, amidst a series of vape-related deaths, the president announced that he was going to seek to ban the sale of all flavored e-cigarettes in an effort to discourage youth vaping.

However, soon after announcing his proposed ban, GOP allies began warning the president that it could sink his re-election bid. “The president saw protesters at events and read critical articles,” the Post wrote. “His campaign manager, Brad Parscale, privately warned the ban could hurt him in battleground states, said a person who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.”

“It’s a great feeling in two months to go from thinking that prohibition was inevitable to actually proving that your issue has resonance with voters to such an extent that the president of the United States takes notice,” Greg Conley, president of the American Vaping Association, told the Post.

How do you feel about Trump backtracking on a flavored-vape ban?

Your Gov at a Glance 👀

The White House: President Trump in D.C.

At 11:30am EST, the president will participate in a cabinet meeting.
At 12:45pm EST, the president will have lunch with the vice president.

The House of Representatives: In

\nVoting on a bill to fund the federal government through December 20th and avoid a shutdown on November 21st.
\nVoting on a bill to require publicly traded companies to publish board diversity information.

The Senate: In

\nVoting on the confirmation of Justice Robert Luck to be a judge of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.
\nTaking a procedural vote on the nomination of Justice Barbara Lagoa to be a judge of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.

What You're Saying

Here's how you're answering Should Former Foster Youth Receive Housing Vouchers for Up to 5 Years After Aging Out of the Foster Care System?

(Follow Celiaann's comment here.)

(Follow Kate's comment here.)

Also Worth a Click

And, in the End…

It's World Toilet Day

Here's one of the White House's 35 bathrooms:

Bit of interesting trivia: the president's private bathroom has a small peephole on the door that looks in. It's so the Secret Service can check on the commander in chief if they're taking longer than necessary in the commode.

May you always find a toilet when you need it,

—Josh Herman

Talk to us via email at contact [at] countable.us. And don’t forget to keep in touch @Countable.

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