May 16, 2017

Senate Dems: "This is not normal"

Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP

Senate Democrats held a press conference today, and the focus was on the two biggest issues currently plaguing the Trump White House: the firing of James Comey and Trump's reported disclosure of classified material to Russian officials in the Oval Office.

The two big requests: A special prosecutor and cooperation from Republican lawmakers to put pressure on Trump regarding Russia.

Schumer sums it up: "This is not normal. This is not how a White House should operate."

Other statements from Dems:

  • Sen. Dick Durbin: "November 8, 2016 is a day that will live in cyber infamy."
  • Sen. Al Franken: We should understand — the president should know — that Russia in Syria is not fighting ISIS, they are fighting for Assad."
  • Sen. Richard Blumenthal: "The dangerous and reckless disclosure of classified info by the president of the United States to one of our major adversaries shows how we are approaching a constitutional precipice."
  • Sen. Brian Schatz: "It's time to do something about it and let today be the day for Republican courage — because it wasn't yesterday and we can't wait until tomorrow."
  • Sen. Ed Markey: "It is time for the Republican Party to put country over party — and remember that their country is the United States of America and not Russia."
  • Sen. Tammy Duckworth: "Russia is not America's friend and the president should know that highly classified material is not something that you use to impress people."

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Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 8:30 p.m. ET: 5,584,091 — Total deaths: 349,894 — Total recoveries — 2,284,242 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 8:30 p.m. ET: 1,680,301 — Total deaths: 98,875 — Total recoveries: 384,902 — Total tested: 14,907,041 — Map.
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  4. Congress: House Republicans to sue Nancy Pelosi in effort to block proxy voting.
  5. Business: How the new workplace could leave parents behind.
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  7. Public health: CDC releases guidance on when you can be around others after contracting the coronavirus.
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