This week, the Washington Post’s Dan Milbank turned his sights not on President Trump — as he often does — but on another figure who is so disagreeable that even Republicans might not object to his confinement, and so ineffective that most people wouldn’t notice he’s missing: Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.
“Mnuchin has arguably been the most brazen in rejecting the constitutional balance. He’s refusing to turn over Trump’s tax returns even though the law explicitly states that the treasury secretary ‘shall furnish’ any tax returns the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee requests.
‘Shall furnish’ offers no wiggle room, but Mnuchin told Congress he shan’t furnish.
Some Democrats suggest they could punish such contempt of Congress with a $25,000-a-day fine. But that won’t work: Mnuchin literally prints the money. And his $300 million net worth would withstand 33 years of $25,000-a-day fines.
Much more likely to get Mnuchin’s attention would be for the House sergeant at arms to do what hasn’t been done since Teapot Dome days: seize him on his next Capitol drop-by, cuff him and put him in a chain-link cage — or what Trump officials who deal with child migrants call a Detention Space for Safety and Protection.”
***
Despite a herculean effort to compromise and improve her Medical Cannabis bill (LB110), Sen. Anna Wishart was unable to convince enough of her legislative colleagues to support the measure.
Her bill got several hours of debate Wednesday before it was removed from the agenda — likely for the rest of the session.
Wishart said she recognized that in order to get something through the Legislature, you have to listen to a diversity of voices and adopt solutions for their concerns. She did that on a number of fronts, according to the Lincoln Journal Star.
That included eliminating the ability for patients to grow plants at their home, and to prohibit smoking the drug.
The issue is far from dead, however. She and Sen. Adam Morfeld have already begun gathering signatures on a cannabis legalization petition initiative to go on the 2020 general election ballot.
The Journal Star said she gives that an 80 percent chance of passing. If it does pass by a vote of the people, it would have far fewer controls.
***
As Trump’s Trade War with China drags on and escalates, his specious claim that China would pay for the tariffs with a multibillion-dollar payment to the American Treasury was refuted by his own chief economic adviser, Larry Kudlow.
“In fact, both sides will pay,” Kudlow said to Fox News. “Both sides will suffer on this.”
And farm advocates say bailouts to ag producers will not solve a fundamental, long-term problem Trump created for farmers with the trade war, effectively locking the door to one of the world’s most important markets for their goods.
“The markets [for American agricultural exports] have literally been destroyed in this process,” said National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson in an interview with the Washington Post.
Nebraska’s reeling ag producers know that all too well.
***
The NDP has approved its 2020 Delegate Selection Plan (DSP) to send delegates to the Democratic National National Convention in Milwaukee, July 13-16, 2020.
The NDP worked with partners across the state and from every community to create a process where every Nebraskan had a chance to be heard as we gear up for 2020.
To ensure fairness and inclusivity in the process of finalizing the DSP, the NDP opened up the draft of the plan for public comment during the 30-day comment period, which ended April 19.
The plan was then revised and approved by the NDP State Executive Committee for submission to the Democratic National Committee for review and approval.
***
A reminder, those wanting to attend the NDP’s State Central Committee Meeting and Trainings June 28-30 in Scottsbluff are urged to book hotel rooms now, as the rates will be going up after June 7.
More information can be found here.
***
We leave this week with a sobering review of Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts voicing public support of Alabama adopting the most stringent abortion legislation in the nation — making performing an abortion a felony in nearly all cases.
The legislation, which was praised on Twitter by Ricketts, will make performing an abortion at any stage of pregnancy a felony punishable by 10 to 99 years or life in prison for the provider. There is no exception for pregnancies resulting from rape and incest.
This is what happens when the GOP controls things. And don’t think it can’t happen here in Nebraska.
That’s why we need you to donate to the NDP or become a Block Captain — where you organize 50 of your neighbors to get out and support Democrats at the polls.
“We must turn to each other for support, organize and fight back,” said NDP Chair Jane Kleeb.
–By Kevin O’Hanlon/NDP Communications Director
###
IMPORTANT DATES
June 8: Blue Bench Training: Mobilizing at Community Events
June 28-30: SCC Meeting and Trainings in Scottsbluff
