Republican shadow panel vilifies 1/6 heroes

 

Today's Top Stories:

GOP’s shadow 1/6 committee targets Capitol Police "negligence"
For some in the Republican Party, it's obvious where the blame truly lies in last year's deadly insurrection — on the shoulders of the cops who saved their lives that fateful day.

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VIDEO OF THE DAY: Kevin McCarthy makes astoundingly stupid gerrymandering claim
The GOP is reaching impressive and dangerous new depths in its ongoing Orwellian fever dream.

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BOMBSHELL: Democrats score HUGE win ahead of midterms
No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen: WOW.

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Mike Pence's ex-chief of staff says Trump aides were like "snake oil salesmen"
Perhaps the GOP should reconsider the wholesale embrace of deeply unqualified, brazenly corrupt candidates for public office.

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Stock ban proposed for Congress to stop insider trading among lawmakers
Lawmakers buy and sell hundreds of millions in stocks every single year, and fines for violating the current Stock Act rarely exceed more than a few hundred dollars.

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Chris Christie rips Trump's 1/6 claims: "He actually told the truth by accident"
The former presidential candidate and long-time Trump enabler placed the blame for the MAGA riot squarely on the shoulders of the disgraced ex-president.

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France’s Macron flies to meet Putin in risky bid to avert war
France’s President Emmanuel Macron headed to Russia on Monday with one aim on his mind: Receiving assurances from Moscow that it will start to de-escalate tensions on the Ukrainian border.

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WATCH: No Dem Left Behind is going to the Heartland to WIN BACK the rural vote!
No Dem Left Behind: "If you want to win, you have to show up" -- can you spare $5 to fund our grassroots rural organizing project today?

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Marjorie Taylor Greene faces GOP challengers in changing Georgia district
Greene, the first-term, far-right QAnon-espousing congresswoman, is drawing several challengers in a district "mostly tired of her crap," according to one candidate.

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Trump’s incendiary Texas speech may have deepened his legal troubles, experts say
The disgraced ex-president's incendiary call at a Texas rally for his backers to ready massive protests against "radical, vicious, racist prosecutors" could constitute obstruction of justice or other crimes and backfire legally on Trump, say former federal prosecutors.

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Kim Jong Un’s "love letters" to Trump reportedly seized from Mar-a-Lago
National Archives officials reportedly had to pay a visit to Mar-a-Lago last month to seize papers Donald Trump wrongly took from the White House last year, including letters from Kim Jong Un and Barack Obama.

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Republican knives are out for South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem
She’s still supported by rank-and-file South Dakotan voters, but suddenly it seems like every Republican official in the state has beef with the woman in charge.

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Seriously?

Argument leads to fatal shooting in checkout line of Florida grocery

Tennessee pastor leads 'Harry Potter,' 'Twilight' book burning

Lawmakers say holy city's airport code is too GAY

Toddler shot during dispute between tow-truck drivers

Yes. Seriously.

Anti-vax trucker protest sparks state of emergency in Ottawa

Israeli cops used spyware to steal data from Netanyahu's son's phone

Low income, uninsured struggle to obtain COVID antivirals

Hope...

Police corporal saves student from oncoming car

MIT researchers create material as strong as steel, light as plastic

Israeli, Palestinian figures propose 2-state confederation

Crows help rid Swedish city streets of cigarette butts

Bridge collapses ahead of Biden visit

 

Today's Top Stories:

Pittsburgh bridge collapses ahead of Biden's visit to talk about infrastructure
America's long-neglected infrastructure made the President's point for him in dramatic fashion.

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VIDEO OF THE DAY: Democrat buries Florida’s Surgeon General during confirmation hearing
The Ron Desantis-appointed Republican refused to answer if vaccines work and was met with a fierce response.

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Help re-elect Katie Porter to Congress!
Katie Porter for Congress: California's redistricting commission just finalized new congressional district lines, and the upcoming election could be Katie’s toughest race yet. Winning this race will take serious resources, but this seat is key to holding the House majority so we can’t waste any time. Will you make a contribution now to ensure we have the resources to reach thousands of swing voters and re-elect Katie Porter to Congress?

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Democratic Rep. Cori Bush's car is struck by gunfire
Thankfully, the progressive lawmaker wasn't in the vehicle and is unharmed.

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Fox News' Jesse Watters launches vile misogynist attack on Kamala Harris
The right-wing pundit accused her of suffering from a "typical female problem" and giving into her "feelings."

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McConnell warns Biden not to "outsource" Supreme Court nominee "to the radical left"
And as Merrick Garland can attest, Mitch always acts in good faith when it comes to the court.

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Biden speaks with Ukrainian president amidst growing concerns of Russian invasion
The American president reaffirmed the readiness of the United States along with its allies and partners to respond decisively if Russia invades Ukraine.

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Republicans contend with WORST CASE scenario in Wisconsin
No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen: Not looking good...

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Trump plan favored giving vaccines to Israel, Taiwan over poorer countries
There is no end to the man's cruelty and callousness.

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Georgetown Law exec deletes "appalling" tweets about Biden SCOTUS picks
Racist reactions to President Biden's plan to nominate the first Black woman to the Supreme Court are already pouring in.

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Kristi Noem’s chief of staff compares trans athletes to "terrorism"
The Republican governor's right-hand man took his party's transphobia to a disgusting new low.

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World Health Organization thanks Neil Young for standing up against COVID-19 misinfo
The iconic musician had his songs removed from Spotify after the platform refused to take down Joe Rogan's podcast for spreading vaccine lies.

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Seriously?

Chinese nationalists boycott Matrix movie over Keanu's Tibet support

Marvel actress attends anti-vax rally in DC

Elon Musk says Canadian anti-vax truckers 'rule'

Kyle Rittenouse going to court to get his gun back

Sarah Palin dining across NYC with positive COVID case

Yes. Seriously.

Soldier opens fire, kills five guards at Ukraine military plant

China sides with Russia over escalating Ukraine crisis

A 'stealth' version of the omicron variant has emerged

Three police officers injured in Houston shootout

Teen found dead on LA freeway in suspected human trafficking case

Hope...

GoodGoodGood: The heroes behind the Civil Rights movement

Judge blocks massive Gulf of Mexico oil lease over climate crisis

Fitness trackers could help detect early signs of depression

Rare flock of endangered pigeons spotted in the Australian outback

Newly discovered rainfrog named after climate activist

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Sinema accidentally reveals why she's blocking Dem agenda

 

Today's Top Stories:

Sinema leaves DC for corporate fundraiser as she blocks Biden budget
Corporations are sparing no expense to buy off the Arizona senator as she stands in the way of giving the American people the support they need.

Take Action: Tell Congress to pass President Biden’s Build Back Better Act!

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Biden undeterred by delays in budget, infrastructure
"I believe that I can get this done. I believe that when the American people are aware what's in it we can get it done."

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Texas’ abortion ban suddenly set to BACKFIRE on Republicans
No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen: Wow.

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Man arrested for trying to blow up Democratic HQ
"This person was not happy with the current political climate, he blamed this office and who they represent for a lot of the issues that he saw as problems with the country," said Austin Fire Captain Jeffrey Deane. "For that reason, this was an intentional act, this was the intended target."

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Whistleblower says Facebook fueled Capitol riot
The social media giant has become a dangerous breeding ground for disinformation and hate.

Take Action: Tell Facebook to end its algorithm that spreads disinformation NOW!

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Massive crowds gather for marches against GOP war on women
We have the energy. Now, it's time to get to work.

Take Action: Repeal the horrific Texas abortion ban NOW!

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Kristi Noem tries to do damage control over corruption allegations — it did not go well
The Republican governor tried to blame everyone but herself for her crimes. The party of personal responsibility, sure.

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America's race crisis through the lens of one man and his dog
American Refugee: A black man walks his pit bull through a white neighborhood. What could go wrong? LISTEN.

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Biden sides with ranchers getting squeezed by corporate meatpackers
Fed up with the meatpacking industry, some farmers are opening their own small meat processing plants while the Biden White House works on new regulations.

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Senate passes short-term highway funding extension
Problem delayed, not solved.

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Joe Rogan says Biden faked getting a booster
Observers believe Rogan may have faked having a brain.

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13-mile oil slick hits California beaches
Coasts have yet to be threatened by any solar or wind slicks.

Take Action: Tell President Biden to cancel Trump's deadly Line 3 oil pipeline!

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Vaccine mandates work...

Hundreds of United Airlines staff hand in vaccine proof after mandate

American, Alaska Air, JetBlue to implement employee vaccine mandate

Louisiana hospitals hikes insurance premiums for employees with unvaxed spouses

Not forgotten...

Top US official apologizes in Haiti for "wrong" migrant treatment

Teen mom shot by school safety officer to be taken off life support

Body of missing Florida college student Miya Marcano has been found

Hope...

Austin City Council votes to fight against Texas abortion ban

GoodGoodGood: Italian manufacturer creates world's most sustainable jeans

CT scans save lives for 50 years thanks to eccentric Beatles' record co engineer

Floating Tokyo flower garden immerses with orchids that move upon approach

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Sunday Funnies

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PS — Please don't forget to sign the petition telling Kyrsten Sinema to abolish the filibuster, and be sure to follow OD Action on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

POLITICO NIGHTLY: Al Qaeda’s murky future in Afghanistan

 

BY MYAH WARD Presented by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network LATEST FROM THE HILL — Government shutdown? No. Votes in the House? Not until at least 9 p.m. tonight. And on the Senate side, as Marianne LeVine wrote, “Democrats are desperately trying to make lemonade out of the bag of lemons Joe Manchin handed them today. Senate Democrats spun away Manchin’s utter rejection of their $3.5 trillion spending dreams and embrace of a $1.5 trillion plan as a positive development, saying that it offered them a path forward for negotiation on a potential deal. When that deal will come to fruition, however, is anyone’s guess.” Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley testifies before a House Armed Services Committee hearing on the conclusion of military operations in Afghanistan. | Olivier Douliery - Pool/Getty Images ‘OUT OF OPTIONS’ — Six to 36 months. That’s how long it could take al Qaeda to reconstitute in Afghanistan, Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Mark Milley said in a hearing Wednesday. It was a prediction from the nation’s highest-ranking military officer — one that, particularly after the fall of Kabul, indicates the U.S. may have trouble figuring out what’s coming next. Milley’s estimate is most likely gut instinct, said Colin Clarke, director of policy and research at The Soufan Group, a nonprofit focused on global security. “My concern is that we’ve gotten so much wrong with respect to Afghanistan, that those suggestions that it could take 12 or 18 months are also going to be wrong, and that we’re going to be looking at a much shorter time frame,” Clarke said. It’s hard to calculate the speed at which the terrorist group will once again increase its numbers and operational capacity in Afghanistan, Charles Lister, director of counterrorism at the Middle East Institute, said — something he sees as inevitable after the United States’ exit that allowed al Qaeda’s old ally, the Taliban, to take power. Much of the group’s central leadership is currently based in Iran, Lister said. The question will be whether or not these leaders will be able or allowed to return. If the group could successfully get its new leader into Afghanistan — something not guaranteed, but definitely feasible — it would have global ramifications, Lister said. With al Qaeda and Iran’s complex history, experience has taught the group to never trust leadership instructions coming from Iran, Lister said. Since Ayman al-Zawahiri, the group’s global leader, is reportedly in poor health, al Qaeda is already thinking about succession. Even with al Qaeda’s potential revitalization in Afghanistan, the group looks nothing like it did in 2001. The U.S. crippled al Qaeda’s central leadership, successfully keeping it at bay for nearly two decades. But that doesn’t mean it’s smaller, Lister said. Al Qaeda has actually expanded, deeply embedding itself into local communities in countries like Somalia, Yemen and potentially in northern Syria. Al Qaeda’s strategy has changed, too. The group has created a security blanket through its community integration, Lister said. Their goals have also become more regional and localized, with less focus on taking down the West. That doesn’t mean the threat still doesn’t exist. Many counterterrorism experts worry about groups like al Qaeda and ISIS-K becoming empowered in a Taliban-led Afghanistan. Running a country isn’t an easy feat, and the Taliban won’t have the bandwidth to fight off groups like ISIS-K, leading them to lean on their longtime ally yet again for back-up. “The Taliban’s bandwidth is going to be maxed out. So, if there is an al Qaeda revival and al Qaeda does still seek to target the West, what can the Taliban actually do about it?” Clarke said. “The Taliban needs al Qaeda, and al Qaeda needs the Taliban.” The warning signs are already there, as foreign fighters from countries like Iran and Pakistan flood Afghanistan and join ISIS-K and al Qaeda forces. Plus, Clarke worries the environment in Afghanistan is a breeding ground for more groups to pop up that may be more focused on staging an attack on the United States. The U.S. is more prepared to prevent an attack like we saw on Sept. 11. But it’s also true that the disconnect between intelligence and military strategy will only be exacerbated without U.S. ground troops, Clarke said. The fact that the U.S. is in talks to use Russian bases for Afghan counterterrorism operations tells both Clarke and Lister that America is not well-positioned to respond to a resurgent al Qaeda in the country. “We are out of options. Our only options are in the Gulf, which is like a six-plus hour flight for a drone to get to Afghanistan and in the counterterrorism world that is too long,” Lister said. “Targets emerge quickly, and they can disappear just as quickly. And if we spend six hours flying to Afghanistan, the likelihood of us being able to act on anything is pretty slim.” Welcome to POLITICO Nightly. Reach out with news, tips and ideas for us at nightly@politico.com. Or contact tonight’s author at mward@politico.com and on Twitter at @MyahWard.   A message from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network: The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) provides lifesaving cancer screenings in low-income communities, but fewer than 2 in 10 eligible individuals received breast or cervical cancer screenings through this critical safety net program. Lawmakers must take action to end this divide in access to cancer prevention, early detection and treatment. Increased funding for the NBCCEDP will help more individuals get the cancer care they need—and help end this alarming divide.   FIRST IN NIGHTLY NEW POLL SHOWS DRUG PRICING TOP PRIORITY — Americans support letting the government negotiate drug prices above all the other major priorities in the infrastructure and social spending packages now before Congress, according to a new POLITICO-Harvard poll that suggests health care is at the top of most respondents’ minds. But the drug pricing plan could be in peril as some centrist Democrats spar with Speaker Nancy Pelosi over the scope and details. Democratic leaders are now considering scaling back a House leadership-backed proposal or dropping it entirely from the $3.5 trillion social spending package. Asked to choose among 20 policy priorities, 39 percent of respondents picked direct government price negotiations with drug manufacturers first. That was followed in order of preference by increased federal spending to prepare for pandemics, more resources for long-term and home-based care and expanding Medicare to include dental, vision and hearing care. All of the proposals are included in the sweeping $3.5 trillion social spending package, but have been hotly contested as the Democratic caucus splits over ways to lower the overall price tag and garner enough votes. Head to POLITICO Friday morning for more polling and analysis from the health care team. “I think it’s not just me personally that has doubts about the court now. The fact is that we have two sitting Supreme Court justices who have gone through hearings about sexual misconduct. … The court really is only as strong as all of the people who are sitting on it. So having two sitting justices whose integrity has been called into question is a blow to the court and the entire judicial system in this country.” — ANITA HILL, TO KATELYN FOSSETT, IN AN INTERVIEW COMING FRIDAY IN POLITICO MAGAZINE   TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: Do you listen to POLITICO podcasts? We want to hear from you! Tell us what you like, what you could do without, and what you want to see in the future from the POLITICO Audio team! Your responses will help us improve our offerings and tailor our podcast content to better fit your needs. Find the survey here.     WHAT'D I MISS? — Pelosi barrels ahead on infrastructure vote: Pelosi scrambled today to reach a bicameral deal that Democrats think is key to unlocking the votes for Biden’s infrastructure bill , in a daring test of her control over the threadbare majority. The California Democrat spent the final hours before the planned vote huddling with White House and Senate aides in an attempt to craft a spending bill framework that both House progressives and moderate Sens. Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema can accept. — Biden team’s booster divide deepens as risk of winter virus surge looms: President Joe Biden’s top health advisers are split over the role booster shots should play in the next phase of the pandemic, setting up key fault lines to close in the coming weeks as they try to ward off further surges this fall and winter. Their disagreement centers on whether the U.S. should eventually offer an additional shot to every vaccinated adult in hopes of preventing even mild and moderate symptomatic breakthrough infections, according to three senior health officials and two people familiar with the government’s internal discussions. — Noem cuts ties with adviser Lewandowski after donor alleged unwanted sexual advances: South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has severed ties with political strategist Corey Lewandowski, following allegations reported by POLITICO that Lewandowski made unwanted sexual advances toward a woman at a recent fundraising event. Lewandowski had been a top adviser to Noem and had traveled the country with her in recent months, introducing her to major Republican Party donors and power-brokers. Noem has emerged as a rising star in the GOP and is widely considered a potential candidate for president in 2024. — Supreme Court to hear case over Boston’s refusal to fly Christian flag: The Supreme Court has agreed to take up a case over local officials’ refusal to fly a Christian group’s pennant outside Boston City Hall. In a brief order list addressing cases that accumulated over the summer, the justices indicated they will review an appeals court ruling issued in January that found the city did not violate the Constitution by turning down the flag-flying request from a Christian organization called “Camp Constitution.”       ASK THE AUDIENCE Nightly asks you: Has the Delta variant led you to change you or your family’s Thanksgiving or holiday plans? Use our form to send us your responses, and we’ll include select answers in a future edition.   BECOME A GLOBAL INSIDER: The world is more connected than ever. It has never been more essential to identify, unpack and analyze important news, trends and decisions shaping our future — and we’ve got you covered! Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Global Insider author Ryan Heath navigates the global news maze and connects you to power players and events changing our world. Don’t miss out on this influential global community. Subscribe now.     NIGHTLY NUMBER 50-48 The vote count in the Senate to confirm Rohit Chopra as director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau today, putting in place a seasoned regulator and Wall Street critic to police lending . No Republican supported his nomination, reflecting long-running antagonism from the right over the very existence of the consumer bureau, which Democrats set up a decade ago to crack down on predatory lending. (h/t Katy O’Donnell and Michael Stratford) PARTING WORDS BACK TO ‘SCHOOLHOUSE’ — If you enjoyed Nicholas Wu’s “Schoolhouse Rock!” take in Nightly on the current state of play in Congress, don’t miss this reboot of the ’70s classic for the modern era from cartoonist Matt Wuerker and POLITICO’s video team. Before drawing it all out, Wuerker spoke with congressional reporter Sarah Ferris to better understand all the unsung extra steps it now takes to pass a bill.   A message from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network: For every person who has cervical cancer detected early through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP), nine others don’t have the chance. We must end this divide. The NBCCEDP provides lifesaving cancer screenings in low-income communities and to uninsured and underinsured Americans, but fewer than 2 in 10 eligible people received breast or cervical cancer screenings through this critical safety net program. Increased funding for the NBCCEDP can help ensure more people get the care they need from the program and may even save states money on treatment costs when cancer is detected at earlier stages. Tell Congress to take action and prioritize health. Tell Congress to increase funding for the NBCCEDP.   Did someone forward this email to you? Sign up here.   Follow us on Twitter Renuka Rayasam @renurayasam Chris Suellentrop @suellentrop Tyler Weyant @tweyant Myah Ward @myahward   FOLLOW US

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