Democrats tell embattled congresswoman to quit over staff’s treatment; she says no
In this March 4, 2015 photo, Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-Conn. speaks on Capitol Hill.
Category Archives: Law
Swampy McSwampface: EPA Chief Ruining Environment Living in Polluter Lobbyist Condo
As key figures of the Trump administration face mounting concerns about conflicts of interest, a growing number of critics are calling for the resignation of Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt after ABC News revealed that last year he rented a D.C. condo owned by the wife of a top energy lobbyist, in what some are describing as "a sweetheart deal." "This deal stinks like the swamp Scott Pruitt is mired in.
Texas Woman Sentenced To 5 Years In Prison For Voting Illegally In 2016 Election
A woman in Texas was sentenced Wednesday to a five-year prison term for voting illegally in the 2016 presidential election while on supervised release for a tax fraud conviction. When she voted in the 2016 election, Crystal Mason had already served almost three years in prison for her fraud conviction, but had not yet completed her sentence and was still serving a three-year supervised release period, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Court blocks Trump administration from forcing undocumented teens to remain pregnant
Activists with Planned Parenthood demonstrate in support of a pregnant 17-year-old being held in a Texas facility for unaccompanied immigrant children to obtain an abortion, outside of the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, Friday, Oct. 20, 2017. CREDIT: AP Photo/J.
Race heats up for Michigan Demsa attorney general nomination
The race to be Michigan Democrats' nominee for attorney general is a fight not only among a diverse field of candidates but also a reflection of pent-up tension within a party anxious to score victories amid Republican dominance at the ballot box. Lawyers Pat Miles, Dana Nessel and Bill Noakes have two more weeks to make an impression before thousands of Democrats pick their favorite at an April 15 endorsement convention in Detroit.
Take a stand against Pruitt
As a child not that many years ago, I would spend my time playing outside with friends. Like all normal humans, my friends and I would get thirsty but didn't want the fun to end.
Court: government can’t block immigrant teens from abortion
In this Friday, Oct. 20, 2017, file photo, activists with Planned Parenthood demonstrate in support of a pregnant 17-year-old being held in a Texas facility for unaccompanied immigrant children to obtain an abortion, outside of the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington. A federal court in Washington told the Trump administration Friday, March 30, 2018, that the government can't interfere with the ability of pregnant immigrant teens being held in federal custody to obtain abortions.
Texas woman sentenced to 5 years in prison for illegal voting
A woman in Texas was sentenced Wednesday to a five-year prison term for voting illegally in the 2016 presidential election while on supervised release for a tax fraud conviction. When she voted in the 2016 election, Crystal Mason had already served almost three years in prison for her fraud conviction but had not yet completed her sentence and was still serving a three-year supervised release period, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
NYT: EPA expected to roll back fuel economy rules for cars
The Environmental Protection Agency has handed documents to Congress that show new travel expenses from agency administrator Scott Pruitt, totaling some $68,000 in hotel stays and air travel, The Washington Post reported Tuesday. The Environmental Protection Agency has handed documents to Congress that show new travel expenses from agency administrator Scott Pruitt, totaling some $68,000 in hotel stays and air travel, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.
Trump officials prepare to undo fuel-efficiency targets despite some automakers’ misgivings
Top Trump administration officials are engaged in a heated debate over how to undo federal fuel-efficiency targets for cars and light trucks, as manufacturers voice concern that a major rollback of an Obama-era rule could go too far and fracture the nation's auto market. The internal negotiations over relaxing carbon-emission limits for cars and SUVs slated to be sold in model years 2022-2025 underscore the challenge officials face in trying to fulfill President Trump's 2017 promise to ease the regulatory burden on Detroit.
Secretary of Agriculture Perdue Issues USDA Statement on Plant Breeding Innovation
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today issued a statement providing clarification on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's oversight of plants produced through innovative new breeding techniques which include techniques called genome editing. Under its biotechnology regulations, USDA does not regulate or have any plans to regulate plants that could otherwise have been developed through traditional breeding techniques as long as they are not plant pests or developed using plant pests.
California is main stage for Trump’s auto emissions standard rollback battle
California is on the front lines of President Donald Trump's efforts to rollback car and light truck emissions standards as a battle brews between the administration and state officials. Trump's presidency has made for an interesting dynamic in California where state officials are taking action to drastically reduce air pollution in order to protect the health of its residents and fight climate change.
Air of Uncertainty: DOJ involved in controversial plant emitting ‘likely carcinogen’
Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality documents and sources have revealed the Federal Justice Department is involved in an ongoing issue concerning the Denka manufacturing plant in Laplace. The Environmental Protection Agency classifies chloroprene as likely carcinogen and says the chloroprene emissions coming from the Denka Performance Elastomer facility put people who live and work nearby at the highest risk of developing cancer in the nation.
Fifth Circuit Affirms Sanctions Against Austin Attorney Mary Alice…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has affirmed sanctions of an Austin attorney for a three-year suspension and more than $175,000, describing his contentions on appeal as "frivolous." U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Lane of the Western District of Texas had ordered the sanctions against solo practitioner Omar Rosales in December 2016 after finding that Rosales had "defamed opposing counsel with false and abusive statements, attempted to derail the administration of justice with frivolous motions and submitted fabricated evidence to subvert proceedings in this court."
Emails: Conservatives slammed Pence in 2015 for changing law
Then-Indiana Gov. Mike Pence faced a firestorm of criticism three years ago after signing a "religious freedom" law critics decried as anti-gay. Now emails released this week to The Associated Press illustrate similar backlash from fellow conservatives when the eventual vice president agreed to change the law in the face of widespread boycott threats.
How California’s AG Responded to Officials Who Are Fighting State’s Sanctuary Laws
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is considering taking action against officials who are fighting the state's sanctuary city laws. "State law is state law.
State’s two-headed monster takes on federal supremacy
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and Gov. Jerry Brown are contorting themselves into knots - like they're following some kind of political Kama Sutra - over President Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration. An assistant secretary for administration at the Department of Health, Education and Welfare named Rufus E. Miles described this kind of phenomenon with what is now known as "Miles' Law" on political behavior, which states, "where you stand depends on where you sit."
Technical education struggles to gain funding traction
A bipartisan bill to improve career and technical education has yet to be taken up by the Senate, despite passing the House by unanimous voice vote in June. Glenn W. Thompson Judges refuse GOP request to block new Pa.
Did Facebook’s ‘favors’ for the Obama campaign…
Trump Talks of Bringing Back Rob Porter, Aide Accused of Spousal Abuse - WASHINGTON - President Trump has stayed in touch with Rob Porter, the former White House staff secretary who stepped down after allegations that he had abused his two former wives came to light, according Dan Webb and Tom Buchanan Latest Lawyers to Decline to Join Trump's Legal Team Two more high-power attorneys have had to turn down President Donald Trump. Tom Buchanan and Dan Webb confirmed to The Daily Beast that Trump reached out to them about representing him, and that they couldn't do it.
EXCLUSIVE: Stormy Daniels’ Friend Alana Evans: I’m Also…
Trump Talks of Bringing Back Rob Porter, Aide Accused of Spousal Abuse - WASHINGTON - President Trump has stayed in touch with Rob Porter, the former White House staff secretary who stepped down after allegations that he had abused his two former wives came to light, according Stormy Daniels accuses Trump attorney of defamation Stormy Daniels ramped up her legal battle against President Trump on Monday, alleging in court that his personal attorney Michael Cohen defamed her by insinuating that she lied about an affair with Trump more than a decade ago. 'Not in a punch-back mode': Why Trump has been largely silent on Stormy Daniels The counterpuncher, so far, has held his punch.