Tensions rise in Kashmir, Evidence of Obstruction, Electoral College move, and a tough parental question

By Robert A. Vella

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on a resolution against President Trump’s national emergency declaration intended to build his border wall project by circumventing Congress’ constitutional authority.  If it passes, the U.S. Senate must also vote on the resolution within 18 days forcing Republicans to make a difficult choice.  Although, it is expected to pass both chambers, the resolution probably won’t garner enough votes to override a veto.

Also today, Trump’s former personal lawyer Michael Cohen will testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee in a closed hearing.  Tomorrow, he will testify in an open hearing before the House Oversight Committee;  and, on Thursday, he’ll testify in a closed hearing before the House Intelligence Committee.  Tomorrow’s testimony will likely be politically damaging to the president.

Tensions rise in Kashmir

From:  India strikes Pakistan as hostilities rise between nuclear powers

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has promised to retaliate against India after it conducted airstrikes on an alleged terrorist training camp across the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border between India and Pakistan in the disputed Kashmir region, in a significant escalation of hostilities between the two nuclear armed powers.

Evidence of Obstruction

From:  House committee believes it has evidence Trump requested putting ally in charge of Cohen probe: report

The House Judiciary Committee reportedly believes it has evidence that supports the report that President Trump asked former acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker to put his ally, U.S. attorney Geoffrey Berman, in charge of an investigation into Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen.

Electoral College move

From:  Colorado Governor to Sign Bill to Sidestep Electoral College for Popular Vote

Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, has indicated that he’d sign the measure, but he doubled down on his support on Sunday, telling The Hill that the Electoral College is an “undemocratic relic” and saying he’s “long supported electing the president by who gets the most votes.”

“It’s a way to move towards direct election of the president,” Polis said.

Under current state law, Colorado’s electoral votes are cast for whoever wins in the state. But under the new measure, Colorado would join 11 states and the District of Columbia in the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. Those states include: California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington state.

Together the states and D.C. have 172 electoral votes, and adding Colorado would bring the compact’s electoral votes to 181. The compact would take effect after enough states join to bring that total to 270 – the minimum number of votes needed to guarantee a candidate the presidency.

A tough parental question

From:  Ocasio-Cortez: It’s ‘legitimate’ to ask if OK to have children in face of climate change

Freshman lawmaker Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) says it’s a “legitimate question” to ask whether it’s OK for parents to continue to have children in an age of looming climate-related consequences.

Speaking to her 2.5 million followers on Instagram over the weekend, the progressive lawmaker parsed the question she said she hears from her younger constituents.

“There’s scientific consensus that the lives of children are going to be very difficult. And it does lead young people to have a legitimate question: Is it OK to still have children?” she said.