Democrat moves to force House debate on Trumps alleged business conflicts and Russia ties

[rug]

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), left, and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (N.Y.) stand as Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D- N.Y.) speaks in front of the Supreme Court about President Trump’s executive orders. (Alex Brandon/AP)

By Mike DeBonis
February 9 at 3:19 PM

BALTIMORE — In an escalation of Democratic efforts to highlight questions about President Trump’s potential conflicts of interest and alleged ties to Russia, a senior House Democrat is dusting off a little-used legislative tool to force a committee debate or floor vote on the issue.

Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) filed a “resolution of inquiry” Thursday, a relatively obscure parliamentary tactic used to force presidents and executive-branch agencies to share records with Congress. Under House practice, such a resolution must be debated and acted upon in committee or else it can be discharged to the House floor for consideration.

Nadler’s resolution asks Attorney General Jeff Sessions to provide “copies of any document, record, memo, correspondence, or other communication of the Department of Justice” that pertains to any “criminal or counterintelligence investigation” into Trump, his White House team or certain campaign associates; any investment made by a foreign power or agent thereof in Trump’s businesses; Trump’s plans to distance himself from his business empire; and any Trump-related examination of federal conflict of interest laws or the emoluments clause of the Constitution.

Nadler, the No. 2-ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, said that his move came after Democrats sent two letters to Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and another letter to House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) asking for investigations into Trump’s financial entanglements.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/02/09/democrat-moves-to-force-house-debate-on-trumps-alleged-business-conflicts-and-russia-ties/?utm_term=.cd2c8319c678

http://nadler.house.gov/sites/nadler.house.gov/files/documents/Nadler%20-%20Resolution%20of%20Inquiry.pdf

[leftstreet]

1. DURec

[Qutzupalotl]

2. Go Jerrold! nt

[90-percent]

3. As we.......

As we currently have the emoluments clause of the Constitution, I hope we will soon have the psycho bully from hell clause of the Constitution in a few weeks.


-90%

[BSdetect]

4. Go get 'em

[sarcasmo]

5. Each Democratic Senator needs to read the Trump tweet about Ivanka's business then

Show Kelly Anne's Fox infomercial.

[Afromania]

6. Fighting Democrats, I like it!

It's about time but I have zero faith that the Republicans are going to let anything be investigated as long as they are in power, but I think the Democrats know that and are putting this out there anyway. When this all comes out in the wash the Republican party will be on the hook for every rule or law this administration breaks, every ruling ignored, every single dirty thing 45* and his crew of Black Pearl rejects are into.

[Cryptoad]

7. Welcome to Du

but i must warn ya, i have seen people who refer to Democrats as Dems on DU, flogged and they feet caned..... for what it worth

[Afromania]

8. thanks

Ok, I thought it sounded better than using the "proper" name but if it's against convention around here I'll stick to the later.

[tblue37]

9. I often use "Dems" when using my 7" tablet because it is easier to type. nt

[Cryptoad]

15. Hey Im all for it, dont bother me,,,

I am just passing on things i have seen.....

[tblue37]

32. But I have done this for over 12 years, and *no one* has ever squawked at me about it, so I think

that must be a very rare reaction.

[NCTraveler]

17. I use Dems daily here.

This is the first I have heard of it being an issue.

[JudyM]

19. I use Dems all the time. It's easier on a tablet and also a term of affectionate endearment.

What is the perceived issue with it?
Never saw any flack given... somehow missed that memo... so will continue.

[SammyWinstonJack]

10. LOL@Black Pearl rejects.

[NCTraveler]

18. Black Pearl Rejects.

[orangecrush]

11. Kick

And rec

[notdarkyet]

14. Awesome.

[bigtree]

12. k&r

[calimary]

13. Like seeing that word in there: "escalation."

Yeah! Let's grow this baby!

[Lucinda]

16. knr

[Liberal In Red State]

20. It's about damn time!!!!

[ananda]

21. I just saw the notification on Countable!

It says: Preliminary Impeachment Inquiry Filed Against President Trump (45 to us)

The explanation says:

Is Trump being impeached? No. The resolution of inquiry only seeks information from the executive branch. Depending on the information uncovered by the inquiry, it could lead to broader calls for impeachment. Nadler is seeking information related to investigations of Trump, his associates, his foreign business interests, and conflict of interest laws as the emoluments clause of the Constitution.

As a reminder, impeachment involves the levying of charges against a government official who has committed "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors." The indictment comes from the House, and if a majority of lawmakers support impeachment the case advances to the Senate. The Senate then begins a trial with witnesses and cross-examinations, and a two-thirds majority is required to convict an official. In the event of a conviction, the official is immediately removed from office and could be barred from holding office in the office or face criminal prosecution.

[rug]

22. The dam begins to break with the first crack.

[Takket]

24. they are hoping if no one talks about Russia

it will just go away.... but THAT is where the impeachment material is. Dems must keep pushing this!

[StarryNite]

31. Unfortunately so much does "just go away"

We cannot let that keep happening. We must persist and keep the pressure on.

[Doitnow]

29. 45's followers, I believe have been lied to for years, by Faux News and their congress people.

Look at how they suppress education in reThug states and anywhere else they can manage. They don't want an informed electorate. Their states extol ignorance. Look at the sorry list of candidates they had for president this time----and the dumbest one of them beat them all. Absolutely mind-boggling.

The more information that we can get out there, the better for everyone. REthugs lie, cheat and steal to get into office and then they do more of it while they are in office. Even tho Democrats are in the minority, it is important that it be revealed for what they are.

[gademocrat7]

23. K&R!

[50 Shades Of Blue]

25. Keep it up!!!!!!!!!!

[cilla4progress]

26. Pre-impeachment,

Right?

[riversedge]

27. Keeping fingers crossed that Dems can get some public debate doing. Good on them.

[meow2u3]

28. K&R for Democratic backbone

Only problem: the article is behind a paywall.

[trc]

30. I guess that "relatively obscure parliamentary tactic"

tool works both ways. Love to see this. Shut down Warren, investigate 45 and his crew for treason...Warren got her message out anyway, you dicks will be impeached, thrown out and or jailed. Almost a fair trade.

[lindysalsagal]

33. GOOOOD. He's discredited enough to make this a slam dunk.

President Asshat.