Flynn asking for immunity
Mike Flynn, former National Security Adviser to President Trump, told investigators he will testify regarding the ongoing investigation into potential ties between Russia and the Trump campaign in exchange for immunity. The FBI and the House and Senate intelligence committees have not taken the offer.
Dakota access pipeline pumping
Oil is now traveling through part of the Dakota access pipeline beneath the Missouri River. Protests against the pipeline continue, most notably from the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North Dakota.
Obamacare remains in place
House Speaker Paul Ryan pulled the GOP’s health care bill prior to its vote based on a final call by President Trump. They knew that the bill would not pass, because it was opposed by the Freedom Caucus and Democrats in Congress.
Exxon climate change case
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is investigating emails between current U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Exxon Mobil Corp. Recently, the prosecuting team has found that almost a year’s worth of the emails, suspected to show Exxon having knowledge of possible climate change impact, are missing.
House and Senate against Planned Parenthood
Congress has voted to repeal the state funding of Planned Parenthood mandated by previous regulation put into place by former President Barack Obama. Vice President Mike Pence cast a tie-breaking vote on the issue, and President Trump is expected to pass the repeal as well.
Sources: NPR, USA Today, Business Insider, CBS Minnesota and The Washington Post
Shawn Matthews
sematthews@vwc.edu
