Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Under Fire
(Washington, DC) Democratic Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas is stepping down from her position as chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in addition to leaving her post as leader of one of the House Judiciary Committee’s key subcommittees. The moves Wednesday come after a lawsuit from a former employee who complained that her sexual assault complaint had been mishandled. In a statement last week, Jackson Lee’s office denied allegations that it retaliated against the woman who filed the lawsuit.
Senate Democrats Block Trump Wall Money
(Washington, DC) Senate Democrats have blocked President Donald Trump’s request for $5.7 billion to construct his long-sought wall along the U.S-Mexico border, as a partial government shutdown continues for a 34th day.
The partisan 51-47 tally fell well short of the 60 votes required to advance the measure over a Democratic filibuster. The $350 billion-plus government-wide funding bill represented the first attempt by Republicans controlling the Senate to reopen the government since the shutdown began.
The demise of the measure and likely defeat of a Democratic alternative Thursday comes despite increasing urgency felt by lawmakers to end the shutdown. It leaves Washington with no obvious path out of the impasse despite mounting pressure.
The measure would have also provided three years of continued protection against deportation for 700,000 immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children.
GM Officials Say They’ll Find Those Behind Racial Harassment
(Toledo, OH) — General Motors executives say they’re working to find and fire the people who orchestrated racial harassment at Ohio’s Toledo Powertrain plant. The automaker responded yesterday to Reverend Jesse Jackson’s meeting with black employees, saying there is zero tolerance for hostile work environments. Several black employees have sued GM, claiming the company ignored nooses, swastikas and slurs from co-workers for several years.
Wizards Welcome Warriors Tonight
(Washington, DC) — The Wizards welcome Steph Curry and the defending champion Warriors to D.C tonight. Washington has won four of its last five games to improve to 20-and-26. Golden State has won eight straight games and leads the West at 33-and-14.
