{"articles":[{"id":21595,"title":"The DC: 🌿 Green New Deal, and... Do you 'want the truth' on Trump's tax returns?","html_content":"

by Causes | 2.11.19

Welcome to Monday, state-building animals....

Just how many greenbacks will the Green New Deal Cost?

\"The Green New Deal,\" proposed last week by Congressional Democrats - including millennial superstar Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) - is an ambitious economic stimulus package aimed at tackling climate change and environmental issues by 2020.

Some of the resolution's top goals include achieving net-zero U.S. greenhouse gas emissions through \"fair and just transition for all communities and workers,\" investing in climate-friendly infrastructure, and \"decarbonizing\" all major sectors of the economy.

The big question? What will it cost.

Critics argue the Green New Deal sets unrealistic goals, like eliminating all energy derived from fossil fuel and nuclear power. And they say it goes well beyond environmental policies by calling for guaranteed “economic security for those willing or unwilling to work.”

Whether you vote YEA or NAY, it's definitely a must-watch piece of legislation—for reasons you may not have considered.

Listen to the Daily Dose on The Green New Deal here.

Then tell your reps: Should the House Call for a 'Green New Deal' to Fight Climate Change and Income Inequality?

On the Radar

\nCongress has until February 15 to reach a budget agreement or face another partial government shutdown—and with border security talks stalling, the risks for a shutdown are increasing. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL), chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, told \"Fox News Sunday\" that the odds of a deal are 50-50. \"I think the next 24 hours are crucial. We could close some deals, but they've got to be good, to secure our borders.\" Meanwhile, Trump tweeted Sunday: \"I don’t think the Dems on the Border Committee are being allowed by their leaders to make a deal. They are offering very little money for the desperately needed Border Wall & now, out of the blue, want a cap on convicted violent felons to be held in detention!\" Do Democrats & Trump need to cut a deal on border security funding?\n

\nTwo Republican members of Congress sent a letter to House Democrats, urging them to stop the hunt for President Trump’s tax returns. Republican Reps. Mike Kelly (PA) and Kevin Brady (TX) said that Democrats’ attempts to obtain Trump’s tax returns threaten the privacy of all U.S. taxpayers. At the same time, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is arguing that Americans \"want the truth\" about Trump's taxes and “overwhelmingly” support Congress reviewing the returns. Should Democrats pursue Trump’s tax returns?\n

Under the Radar

\nLawmakers in Hawaii have advanced a proposed ban on killing sharks and rays in state waters. Unlike many marine mammals, sharks are not a federally protected species—however many states have laws against the sale of their fins. Rep. Nicole Lowen (D-North Kona), chairwoman of the House Environmental Protection and Energy Committee, said: “As apex predators, sharks and rays help to keep the ocean ecosystem in balance, and protecting them from unnecessary harm is essential to the health of our coral reefs.” Critics of the ban say \"it seems to be very extreme to outlaw any taking of sharks.\" Do you support a ban on killing sharks?\n

\nFriday marked the now-missed deadline for President Trump to identify and punish those behind the death and disappearance of Saudi Journalist Jamal Khashoggi. In October, a bipartisan group of senators imposed a 120-day deadline for Trump to submit a report to Congress determining who was responsible for the brutal killing of Khashoggi. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle introduced legislation Thursday that would block U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia and impose mandatory sanctions on those found responsible for Khashoggi’s death. “It is not in our national security interests to look the other way when it comes to the brutal murder of Mr. Jamal Khashoggi,\" said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), one of the GOP senators who authored the bill. Should Congress punish Saudi Arabia?\n

Your Gov at a Glance 👀

The White House: President Trump in D.C. & TX

At 11:45am EST, the president will receive his intelligence briefing before having lunch with the vice president.
At 7:00pm MST, the president will deliver remarks at a Make America Great Again rally in El Paso, Texas.

The House of Representatives: In

\nVoting on a bill that donations to presidential library foundations be disclosed.
\nVoting on four other bills.

The Senate: In

\nDebating a bill to manage public lands and natural resources.

What You're Saying

Here's how you're answering Should Fossil Fuel Extraction in the Arctic Be Banned?

(Follow Fred's comment here.)

(Follow Robyn's comment here.)

But wait, there's more!

And, in the End…

Congress convenes this week looking to avoid another partial government shutdown by approving funding for border security before Friday night’s deadline―but that’s not all that will be happening in the Capitol.

The Senate starts its week Monday with the consideration of a bipartisan natural resource and public lands management package, including debates on amendments and a procedural vote to limit further debate in advance of a passage vote later in the week.

Once the public lands package is in the rear view mirror, the Senate is expected to take up the nomination of William Barr to be Attorney General.

Wondering what the House is up to? Click here for Countable's latest This Week In Congress.

Today's Satisfied Staying Single Day. Hope you're as happy-really-great-nope-don't-need-anyone-love-being-alone as I am,

—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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