1 Impeachment Day Arrives As Trump Labels Process "A Partisan Coup"
President Trump today’s expected impeachment by the House amounts to declaring "open war on American democracy." In a six-page letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Trump expressed his "strongest and most powerful protest" against impeachment. He also called it a “partisan crusade.” But that’s not all. Trump accused Democrats of “pursuing an unprecedented and unconstitutional abuse of power.” But his ire wasn’t just focused on the Democrats – Mr. Trump also takes issue with Pelosi’s remarks about praying for him. "Even worse than offending the Founding Fathers,” he writes. “You are offending Americans of faith by continually saying you pray for the President when you know this statement is not true, unless it is meant in a negative sense." The House is expected to begin debate and vote on impeachment today starting at 8am. Trump is accused of abusing his power and obstructing Congress in the Ukraine scandal.
2 Tornado Outbreak In MS Sees A State Of Emergency Declared
Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant is declaring a state of emergency after tornadoes broke out across the state. Speaking with reporters in Jackson, the governor said at least fourteen tornadoes ripped through approximately 27 counties Monday night. Governor Bryant says he does not believe that this will rise to the level that a presidential emergency declaration is needed, but that this lays the groundwork to respond effectively. As of last night, there have been at least 43 preliminary reports of tornadoes between Monday and Tuesday across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida. In all, four people have been killed so far.
3 House Approves Legislation Averting Possible Shutdown
The House has approved funding legislation that averts a pre-Christmas government shutdown. The government runs out of money at week's end. There are two House bills that extend government funding through September 2020, the end of the fiscal year. The Senate is also expected to approve the legislation before recessing for the holidays. President Trump is expected to sign the bills, which will cost us about $1.4-trillion. What’s in it? The bills include continued funding for his big border wall (though not as much as he wants). One unrelated provision in the legislation raises the legal age for buying tobacco products, from 18 to 21. That includes e-cigarettes and vaping juice. There’s also another provision providing $25-million for federal research into gun violence. The powerful gun industry has successfully lobbied against that for about two decades.