3 Things To Know Today

1 Dems Expected To Conclude Opening Statements In Impeachment Trial Today

House Democrats are expected to wrap up opening statements in the Senate impeachment trial of President Trump today. During another lengthy session yesterday, California's Adam Schiff argued that Trump must be removed from office. He called Trump dangerous and said the evidence is overwhelming. Schiff added – "If the truth doesn't matter, then we're lost." New York Democrat Jerry Nadler said the charges against Trump are among the most serious charges ever brought against a president. And to illustrate the GOP argument against removal, he played a clip of South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham from 1999 – and President Clinton’s Impeachment trial. In it, Graham said an actual crime isn’t necessary for removal. In other highlights: Nadler argued that Trump solicited help from a foreign government to help him "cheat" in his re-election campaign and then stonewalled Congress. The House impeached Trump for abusing power and obstructing Congress in the investigation of the Ukraine scandal. Florida Democrat Val Demings said Trump tried to leverage vital U.S. military aid to Ukraine in exchange for a promise to launch an investigation of Democrats. Texas Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia cited inescapable proof of a "quid pro quo." New York Democrat Hakeem Jeffries said Trump committed "corruption and abuse of power in its purest form." Jeffries tried to convince skeptical Republican senators that the evidence against Trump is "hiding in plain sight." He said Trump must be held accountable for his misdeeds. Nadler argued that the "Constitution is not a suicide pact." He said the Constitution does not leave the U.S. "stuck with presidents who abuse their power in unforeseen ways" that threaten America's security and democracy. Nadler chairs the House Judiciary Committee. What’s next? Once Democrats conclude their opening statements, Trump's defense team will have an equal amount of time for rebuttals. After impeachment by the House, the Senate will determine whether to remove Trump from office. It’s believed that’s highly unlikely in the Republican-led Senate.

2 Possible Coronavirus Case Involves Texas A&M Student

A possible case of the coronavirus case has reared it’s head in Texas. It involves a Texas A&M student. Apparently, the student traveled from Wuhan, China – where the coronavirus originated – and was experiencing symptoms. He went to a local emergency room – and is now quarantined at home. Dr. Erik Wilke with the Brazos County Health Department says the student is self-isolated after coming down with mild symptoms of the virus. And in very good news, Wilke says the patient is already improving. A sample has been sent to the Centers for Disease Control for testing. The only other confirmed case of coronavirus is in Washington state, but there is another possible case in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, health officials in China say the number of deaths from the outbreak of coronavirus has risen to at least 25. Nearly one-thousand people in China have been infected with the respiratory illness. And as a result, Chinese officials are quarantining several cities, including Wuhan. In all, 33-million are under quarantine. New cases have also been reported in Vietnam and Singapore. China and Hong Kong have also canceled Lunar New Year celebrations because of the virus.

3 State Department Issues Guidance On Visas For Pregnant Women

If you’re pregnant and planning to travel to the United States (or know someone who is)? You might want to check those reservations – as the State Department is trying to keep foreigners from coming to the U.S. to give birth. Why? Because legally, those babies are U.S. citizens. Recent diplomatic cables, which have been obtained by multiple media outlets, provide guidance to U.S. embassies around the world to deny visas to some pregnant people if there's suspicion they could give birth while in America. In other words, it’ll be much more difficult for people applying for short-term visas, including tourists, business people – and those looking for urgent medical care they can't get at home – to travel here.


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