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US Senate Tag

It's time for Bernie 2.0! Self-proclaimed democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has officially entered a crowded Democrat 2020 presidential race. From Vermont Public Radio:
"I wanted to let the people of the state of Vermont know about this first," Sanders told VPR's Bob Kinzel. "And what I promise to do is, as I go around the country, is to take the values that all of us in Vermont are proud of — a belief in justice, in community, in grassroots politics, in town meetings — that's what I'm going to carry all over this country."

The Senate passed a bill that denounces the Boycott, Divest, and Sanction (BDS) movement 77-23 on Tuesday. The bill "allows state and local governments to boycott companies that boycott the country of Israel." The bill also contains a resolution that opposes President Donald Trump's vow to withdraw American soldiers from Syria and Afghanistan.

President Donald Trump has announced that they have come to a deal to reopen the government for three weeks. He thanked the federal workers who went without work and promised they'll receive their backpay soon. The short term funding does not include wall funding.

For once, something from anonymous sources came true! California Democrat Senator Kamala Harris has officially thrown her hat into the 2020 presidential race. She made the announcement on Good Morning America.

Attorney General William Barr said that he plans to tell the Senate during his confirmation hearings this week that he believes Special Counsel Robert Mueller should finish his Russia investigation. From NBC News:
"I believe it is vitally important that the Special Counsel be allowed to complete his investigation," Barr plans to tell the Senate Judiciary Committee, according to prepared remarks obtained by NBC News.

Yesterday, Kemberlee blogged about the partial government shutdown, and today, the Senate adjourned until December 27, 2018.  The partial government shutdown will not be resolved until they return. Meanwhile, recent polls show that 81% of Americans believe that border security is "an important issue," and Republican support for the wall, specifically, is on the increase.

Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) announced that President Donald Trump will not sign the short-term funding bill the Senate passed last night. From Politico:
“The president informed us he will not sign the bill that came from the Senate last evening because of his legitimate concerns for border security,” Ryan told reporters after meeting with Trump at the White House. “So what we're going to do is go back to the House and work with our members.”
Ryan confirmed that the House also has "very serious concerns" when it comes to border security.

The government has three days to come up with a plan to avoid a partial government shutdown on Friday. As of today, it looks like if it happens, the blame will fall on the Democrats instead of President Donald Trump. The Democrats rejected the latest offer from the GOP even though the White House said officials may "have other ways" to achieve raising $5 billion for a border wall.

Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) announced today that he will not seek re-election for a fourth term in 2020. From Politico:
"The people of Tennessee have been very generous, electing me to serve more combined years as governor and senator than anyone else from our state. I am deeply grateful, but now it is time for someone else to have that privilege," the 78-year old Alexander said in a closely-held statement on Monday. "I have gotten up every day thinking that I could help make our state and country a little better, and gone to bed most nights thinking that I have. I will continue to serve with that same spirit during the remaining two years of my term.”

Arizona Republican Sen. Jon Kyl told Arizona Governor Doug Ducey he plans to retire on December 31 after serving these last few months after John McCain passed away. From The Daily Caller:
“Thank you for appointing me to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy created by John McCain’s death,” Kyl wrote in a letter to Ducey. “It has been an honor and a privilege to again serve the people of Arizona.”