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  2. April 2017

April 2017

Democratic Sens offer bill to restore internet privacy rules

Democratic Sens introduced legislation April 6 that would reinstate internet privacy rules repealed earlier this week. The new legislation, introduced by Sen Ed Markey (D-MA), would undo the repeal and reinstate the regulations, which were set to go into effect later in 2017. “Thanks to Congressional Republicans, corporations, not consumers, are in control of sensitive information about Americans’ health, finances, and children,” Sen Markey said. “The Republican roll-back of strong broadband privacy rules means ISP no longer stands for Internet Service Provider, it stands for ‘Information Sold for Profit.’” The bill is being co-sponsored by Sens Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Tom Udall (D-NM), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Al Franken (D-MN).

FCC Asked to Review Neil Gorsuch Ads

The Campaign Legal Center has asked the Federal Communications Commission to review ads from the Judicial Crisis Network pushing for the confirmation of Neil Gorsuch as Supreme Court justice. CLC says that JCN incorrectly labeled the ads nonpolitical and that instead they should have been subject to FCC disclosure rules that apply to “a message relating to any political matter of national importance.”

"The JCN ads indisputably meet this standard," said CLC. CLC points out that the Communications Act requires the disclosure of specific information when such a standard is met, information the JCN ads were lacking, it said. Broadcasters are required to place ads related to political matters of public importance in their public files, and they must include who bought the add and the highest officers of that group. CLC argues that should apply not only to the groups like JCN but the often big money, unidentified funders of those groups. But the FCC has yet to tighten its rules under either Democratic or Republican chairs. It has joined in various FCC complaints, both against stations they say weren't complying with the rules as they are, as well as asking the FCC to tighten them.

Democratic Sens block Gorsuch consideration, paving way for Senate rules change

Democratic Sens successfully blocked Judge Neil Gorsuch’s confirmation to the US Supreme Court from advancing in the US Senate on April 6, sparking a bitter clash with Republicans over how the chamber confirms high court nominees. By a vote of 55 to 45, Gorsuch failed to earn the 60 votes needed to end debate on his nomination. In response, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has vowed he will change Senate rules in order to confirm Gorsuch and all future Supreme Court nominees with a simple majority vote.

A final confirmation vote on Gorsuch is not scheduled until April 7, when 52 Republicans and at least three Democrats — from states won by Trump in 2016’s election — are expected to vote for him to replace the late Antonin Scalia on the high court. But the next 24 hours could be among the most contentious in recent Senate history. “This will be the first and last partisan filibuster of a Supreme Court nomination,” McConnell vowed April 6.

House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes recuses himself from Russia probe

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-CA) temporarily recused himself April 6 from all matters related to the committee’s ongoing probe into Russia’s interference in the presidential election, as House investigators look into ethics allegations against him. Chairman Nunes said that he decided to recuse himself after “several leftwing activist groups” filed complaints with the Office of Congressional Ethics about his leadership. Chairman Nunes called the charges “entirely false and politically motivated,” but said his recusal would be in effect while the House Ethics Committee looks into the matter. The House Ethics Committee released a statement saying it had “determined to investigate” allegations that “Nunes may have made unauthorized disclosures of classified information, in violation of House Rules, law, regulations, or other standards of conduct.” Chairman Nunes said in his statement that he has requested to speak to the House Ethics Committee “at the earliest possible opportunity in order to expedite the dismissal of these false claims.” In the meantime, Chairman Nunes said Rep Michael Conaway (R-TX) will take the lead on the Russia investigation, with assistance from Reps Trey Gowdy (R-SC) and Thomas Rooney (R-FL).

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