| | | | Summer's over on Capitol Hill |  | | | It was back to business in Washington this week as Congress returned from its six-week summer recess to get back to work. But it wasn't exactly business as usual.
House Democrats face a new math equation, now that more than half of the caucus supports impeachment -- and that split over how to proceed around impeachment played out in a big way. Depending on who you asked this week, Democrats may -- or may not -- have made a step forward on impeaching President Donald Trump.
House Judiciary Chair Jerry Nadler on Thursday led his committee to what he called the first vote on impeachment -- it's a largely procedural vote that defined the parameters of an investigation into impeachment.
"Some call this process an impeachment inquiry. Some call it an impeachment investigation. There is no legal difference between these terms, and I no longer care to argue about the nomenclature," Nadler said. "But let me clear up any remaining doubt: The conduct under investigation poses a threat to our democracy. We have an obligation to respond to this threat. And we are doing so."
But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wouldn't call it that, literally. In a press conference shortly after the vote, Pelosi swiftly rebuffed efforts by reporters to clarify what exactly the Judiciary Committee had just approved, and refused to call it "impeachment."
"I support what is happening in the Judiciary Committee that enables them to do their process of interrogation and their investigation, and I salute them for that work," Pelosi said.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration weighs how to act on gun violence (and with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell making it clear all he needs is a signal from the White House).
Trump's administration also moved to ban flavored e-cigarettes, with the President promising that the US Food and Drug Administration would be putting out "some very strong recommendations" regarding the use of flavored e-cigarettes in "a couple of weeks."
At last, the news cycle around Trump and whether Hurricane Dorian would affect Alabama died down. Trump traveled to Baltimore for a GOP retreat and returned to his criticism of a recent favorite: Energy-efficient light bulbs.
The Point: Professional Washington is back -- and just as dysfunctional as ever.
-- Lauren
And now, the week in 18 headlines.
Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: | | "I always look orange."
-- President Trump, criticizing energy-efficient lightbulbs. That was one of the 33 most "wow" lines from Trump's speech to fellow Republicans in Baltimore. | | | An oral history of Sharpiegate !!
John Bolton is back in (political) action
This is my favorite podcast (other than The Point!)
Chess is really hard!
A mysterious anomaly in Oklahoma | |  | What the @#*! are politicians talking about? | | Following an uptick in f-bombs on the campaign trail, the organizers of the latest Democratic debate made an unusual move, asking the 2020 presidential candidates not to use profanity during the live broadcast. Chris explains the recent surge of political cursing -- and what the h-e-double hockey sticks it means.
Keep it clean with The Point on YouTube! Subscribe now. | |
LAUREN'S CAMPAIGN TRAIL SCHEDULER | | Coming over the next week: Donald Trump is back on the trail; Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders & co. hit the stump in South Carolina -- literally; Elizabeth Warren hosts a big rally in New York City and Julián Castro turns 45.
Saturday, September 14 Sunday, September 15 - Julián Castro: Campaigns in South Carolina with a town hall and Mexican Independence Day celebration
- Beto O'Rourke: Hosts a rally in Plano, Texas
Monday, September 16 - Donald Trump: Rallies supporters in New Mexico
- Galivants Ferry Stump: A longstanding South Carolina political tradition, where candidates speak at a stump in the western part of the state. Scheduled stumpers include Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Amy Klobuchar, Pete Buttigieg, Tulsi Gabbard and Bill de Blasio
- Elizabeth Warren: Holds a campaign rally in New York City's Washington Square Park
- Julián Castro: Turns 45 (along with his one-minute-younger brother Joaquin) and celebrates with an event in San Antonio
- Marianne Williamson: Hosts a fundraiser in San Francisco
Tuesday, September 17 Wednesday, September 18 - Marianne Williamson: Discusses her proposal for a US Department of Peace at a talk in New York City
Thursday, September 19 Friday, September 20 | | | Former President George W. Bush painted then-outgoing House Speaker John Boehner's portrait as a gift, CNN confirmed Friday. How's that for a retirement gift? | | | | | | |
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