Jan 5, 2017

Answers to our questions before Senate's Russia hearing

1) We know John McCain and Lindsey Graham had lots to say. Did anyone challenge the intel community?

No, for the most part. With the exception of a pair of critiques from McCain and Tom Cotton, the majority opinion among the committee was that the new trend of questioning the credibility of the intel community is unfair.

2) News on the hacks: Did we see new evidence from the intel community today?

No. Clapper revealed that the intelligence community will release an unclassified report next week, saying "our assessment now is even more resolute" that the Russians carried out the attack on the election.

3) Did the words "Donald Trump" come into the discussion?

Yes. Claire McCaskill asked "who benefits from a president-elect trashing the intelligence community?" Clapper said he's received "many expressions of concern" from foreign counterparts about those attacks.

What's next: President Obama is being briefed today on the full, classified report. Trump will get an identical briefing on Friday.

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Photo: courtesy of Twitter

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NASA confirms water exists on sunny parts of the Moon

Photo: NASA/JPL/USGS

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Axios
Updated 3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Pence no longer expected at Amy Coney Barrett's final confirmation vote

Photo: Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images

Vice President Mike Pence no longer plans to attend the Senate's final confirmation vote for Judge Amy Coney Barrett, a Pence aide confirmed to CNN and Politico on Monday. On Sunday, Senate Democrats claimed that his presence after possible exposure to the coronavirus would be a "violation of common decency."

Driving the news: Five of Pence's aides were recently diagnosed with COVID-19, including his chief of staff, who is currently quarantining. Pence has continued his campaign travel despite his possible exposure, which goes against CDC guidelines.

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