Monday, Feb.
27
á The
Trump administration considered pulling the U.S. out of the U.N. Human Rights
Council.
á Trump proposed a 10 percent increase in defense spending and a reduction in domestic federal spending and foreign aid.
á
The
Trump administration announced plans to abandon the governmentÕs opposition to
a key part of TexasÕ voter ID law that disenfranchises poor and minority
voters.
á
Wilbur Ross confirmed as secretary of commerce.
á
EPA secretary Pruitt directed his staff
to delay an initiative that requires mining companies to prove they can clean
up after themselves.
á House bill HR1227 introduced to deregulate
marijuana.
á House bill HR1236 to discontinue a Federal program that authorizes State and
local law enforcement officers to investigate, apprehend, and detain aliens É
and to clarify that immigration enforcement is solely a function of the Federal
Government.
á House resolution HRRes152 introduced to
withdraw or vacate the Clean Water Act.
á Senate introduced S452 to amend the Clean Air Act to delay the enforcement and
implementation of the 2015 national ambient air quality standards for ozone.
Tuesday, Feb.
28
á Trump signed a measure to kill a regulation enacted by the Obama administration to tighten gun background checks for the mentally ill.
á Trump
claimed that former President Obama is behind leaks that have plagued TrumpÕs
White House and, in addition, behind the crowds of protesting constituents at
some Republican town halls.
á House Republicans voted to block a resolution that would have forced Trump to provide Congress with his tax returns.
á
Attorney General Sessions said the Department of
Justice will pull back on suits against police departments that have violated
civil rights.
á
Trump gave his first speech to Congress.
á
Trump announced the creation of Victims
of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE), a new Department of Homeland Security
office to report American victims of crimes that were committed by undocumented
immigrants.
Wednesday,
March 1
á
Supreme
Court sided with Democratic Virginia residents in challenge to VirginiaÕs
racially drawn districts, saying redistricting must be reexamined for racial
bias.
á
Ryan Zinke confirmed as Interior
Secretary.
á House bill HR1275 introduced to eliminate the individual and employer health coverage mandates
under the Affordable Care Act, to expand beyond that Act the choices in
obtaining and financing affordable health insurance coverage.
á House bill HR1287 introduced to require that any Executive order be published on the
White House website not less than 72 hours before the Executive order is
signed.
Thursday,
March 2
á Attorney General Sessions lied to
Congress about his contacts with Russia during the 2016 campaign.
á Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer
called for Attorney General Sessions to resign and be investigated by the
Department of JusticeÕs inspector general to determine whether he compromised
an investigation into Russian influence.
á Sessions said he would recuse himself from the Russia investigation.
á
The White House
proposed cutting EPA staff by one-fifth and eliminating key programs.
á
Rick Perry confirmed for
Energy Secretary.
á
House bill HR1307 introduced to amend the Affordable Care Act to establish a public
health insurance option.
á
Senate bill S510 introduced to protect a womanÕs right and ability to determine whether
and when to bear a child or end a pregnancy by limiting restrictions on the
provision of abortion services.
á
Senate
bill S520 to amend the Social Security Act to
reform payment to States under the Medicaid program.
á
Senate bill
S522 to establish a five-year ban on
individuals appointed to Executive Schedule positions and Members of Congress
engaging in lobbying activities at the Federal level.
á
Senate
resolution SJRes28 introduced to disapprove of
the rule submitted by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
relating to accidental release prevention requirements of risk management
programs under the Clean Air Act.
á Senate resolution SConRes8 introduced clarifying any potential misunderstanding as to whether actions taken by President Donald J. Trump constitute a violation of the Emoluments Clause, and calling on President Trump to divest his interest in, and sever his relationship to, the Trump Organization.
Friday, March
3
á White House proposed steep budget cuts to leading climate science agency in research funding including space satellite programs.
á A
Florida judge ruled that Miami-Dade CountyÕs policy of holding undocumented
immigrants in jail at the request of the federal government is
unconstitutional.
Saturday,
March 4
á
The Trump administration planned to radically expand the program and facilities for the
detention of immigrant families seeking asylum in the U.S.
á Trump, citing no evidence, angrily accused Obama or ordering a wiretap of Trump Tower prior to the election — overlooking that a president does not have authority to order a wiretap.
á The White House requested Congress to reauthorize two of the NSAÕs largest surveillance programs that scan traffic passing through the massive internet cables going in and out of the U.S. and ends up catching a vast number of American communications in its dragnet.
Sunday, March
5
á Pentagon talked of a plan for assault on Raqqa, Syria, which calls for significant U.S. troop buildup in the face of in-fighting among anti-Islamic NATO allies.