Tuesday News: Trump Violates Boy Scouts Oath; McCain to Vote on Trumpcare — “Worst-Designed Social Policy in History”

by Lowell

Here are a few national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Tuesday, July 25. Also, if you have the stomach for it, here’s video of Trump’s disgusting, unhinged tirade last night at the Boy Scouts annual jamboree.

• McConnell to pin down colleagues on healthcare (“McConnell told activists from Tea Party Patriots, FreedomWorks and Americans for Limited Government during a Monday meeting at the Capitol that a key procedural vote will happen Tuesday afternoon. The motion to proceed needs the backing of 50 senators to pass — assuming Vice President Pence breaks a tie — and it will be close.”)
• What to Watch For as Senate Meets to Vote on Health Care (“The Senate is expected to hold a procedural vote on health care as early as Tuesday afternoon. If successful, that vote would allow debate to begin on repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act.”)
• John McCain Is Returning to the Senate, Probably to Help Destroy Obamacare (“McCain’s hasty return signals that the Republican leadership thinks they’re close to the 50 votes needed. He may wind up being the senator who revived Zombie Trumpcare one last time.”)
• Trumpcare Is the Worst-Designed Social Policy in History
• McCain’s return injects momentum into GOP health-care battle ahead of key vote (“It was unclear whether the presence of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who days ago revealed he had brain cancer, would improve the health bill’s prospects. Many Republicans remained confused about what measure would come up for a vote on Tuesday.”)
• From ‘fake media’ to Clinton, Trump brings political attacks to the Scout Jamboree (More evidence that Trump is completely demented and despicable.)
• Trump team weighs options for replacing Sessions
• Every Republican health-care plan so far would cause great harm to the nation
• Forget ‘A Better Deal.’ Here’s what would actually work for Democrats. (“Against Trump, you have to go big or go home.”)
• Jared Kushner’s only excuse: He has no idea what he’s doing (“Yet Trump entrusted him with arguably the most difficult portfolio ever assigned to a White House aide.”)
• This piece of pro-Israel legislation is a serious threat to free speech (I’m against BDS, but peaceful protest against BDS should not be outlawed; in fact, I’d argue strongly that this legislation is unconstitutional.)
• Trump leaves Sessions twisting in the wind while berating him publicly (“President Trump and his advisers are privately discussing the possibility of replacing Attorney General Jeff Sessions, and some confidants are floating prospects who could take his place were he to resign or be fired, according to people familiar with the talks.”)
• New communications director moves toward possible staff purge at White House
• Rex Tillerson Debates Quitting After “Unprofessional” Trump Bashes Jeff Sessions
• The 14 Most Inappropriate Moments from Trump’s Speech at the Boy Scout Jamboree
• GOP-controlled Congress nears legislative triumph — on Russia
• The real reason Jeff Sessions is putting up with Trump’s crap (“The attorney general is deeply committed to an ideological agenda — and working hard to turn it into reality.”)
• Former Attorney General Holder calls Kobach a ‘fact-challenged zealot’
• Farenthold blames ‘some female senators’ for Obamacare repeal failure (“Rep. Blake Farenthold on Monday blamed “some female senators from the Northeast” for hampering Republican efforts to repeal and replace Obamacare, telling a local radio station that he might challenge them to a duel if the allegedly obstructive lawmakers were men.” How can an insane person like this actually have been elected to Congress???)
• Trump tells female reporter to be ‘quiet,’ berates journalists during intern photo op (Also gotta love how they’re almost all white.)
• Senate confirms ‘walking conflict of interest’ to top Interior Department role (“The former lobbyist may be unable to perform his duties as deputy secretary due to conflicts.”)
• Trump White House Tests a Nation’s Capacity for Outrage (“President Trump has crossed so many lines that he has radically shifted the understanding of what is standard in the White House.”)
• Kushner, After Senate Meeting, Says ‘I Did Not Collude’ (Well, then, that settles THAT! LOL)
• Donald Trump is responsible for his own behavior but his presidency is the fault of the American people
• Alt-right activists say Trump and Bannon are giving them “space to destroy” by keeping FBI away (“Top alt-right podcasters say the Trump administration is deliberately backing off investigating domestic extremists”)
• How the GOP Can Do the Right Thing (“Between now and the midterms, the party that can stop a constitutional crisis is the party that brought us here.”)
• The Climate Crisis Is Here. Now. (“The oceans and the sun don’t care how cleverly you can turn a phrase.”)
• The GOP’s ‘Last Chance’ to Replace Obamacare? (“A crucial Senate vote to begin the health-care debate is set for Tuesday, but it could fail.”)
• Trump’s Mistake at the Boy Scout Jamboree (“The president addressed the quadrennial gathering like a campaign rally—talking to a group devoted to service as if it valued self interest.”)
• Democrats Mix Politics With Policy Rollout in Virginia
• Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe ahead of Drive for Our Lives tour: “Health care is a right”
• Democratic women running for General Assembly gather for EMILY’s List training
• Editorial: First debate was a missed opportunity for that we mostly blame the moderator (“Trump is an unusual president. That’s putting it mildly. But the Virginia governor’s race shouldn’t be about Trump. If Virginians want to send a message about Trump, they will have an opportunity to do so — in next year’s mid-term congressional elections.” Unusual??? LOL)
• Editorial: Kudos to Dave Brat for his bill on dog research (Brat actually did something good? That might be a first.)
• Poll: Dead heat in Virginia governor’s race; Gillespie is outperforming Trump
• ‘It’s grilling time’: Five women line up to challenge Rep. Brat (“A former CIA operative, a lawyer and a college professor round out the group.”)
• One month after the end of SafeTrack, has much changed for Metro? (“Metro’s performance faced mixed reviews from riders, but system officials are optimistic for the future.”)
• Dentists find way to bring more smiles at free clinic in Virginia (“A group of Virginia dentists has come up with a new denture-making process that lets them serve nearly 10 times as many people at a free annual clinic in the heart of the state’s coal country.”)
• Democratic challenger to face Wittman in 1st congressional district (It’s amazing how many Democrats are gearing up to run next year – and this year in Virginia, which of course should be the top priority right now.)
• Some on Richmond council regret nearly $400K severance package to secure auditor’s resignation
• Transgender woman seeks to unseat Rep. Bob Marshall, sponsor of Virginia bathroom bill (I like Danica Roem and want her to beat “Sideshow Bob,” but the gazillion near-identical articles in the corporate media about how a – screaming headline – TRANSGENDER WOMAN – is running to defeat someone who is ANTI-LGBT – are really ridiculous.)
• Leesburg Confederate Statue Source of Rally, Counter-Rally
• Inspired by son, family creates Virginia travel guide for people with disabilities (Nice!)
• Parking garage near planned Virginia Beach arena is fast becoming test of municipal candor
• The oppressive heat and humidity are gone. Let’s bask in the splendor of today.