OnPolitics: Remembering 'advocate and friend' Rep. Elijah Cummings
We wanted to start this week's OnPolitics with a note of remembrance for Rep. Elijah Cummings, a scion of Congress who died early Thursday. Cummings was the son of sharecroppers who rose through the ranks of Baltimore politics into the U.S. House. He was respected by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and flags were lowered around the Capitol Thursday in his honor. "There was no stronger advocate and no better friend than Elijah Cummings," said Rep. Mark Meadows, a Republican lawmaker who struck up an unlikely friendship with Cummings in the often hyper-partisan Congress."I will miss him dearly."
This week in Turkey and Syria
Vice President Mike Pence announced a short-term ceasefire agreement Thursday, with Turkey agreeing to halt its military assault on Kurds in Syria. It's by all accounts a positive development, even at only 5 days, in an outbreak of violence that sent thousands of civilians fleeing the area and left instability in a key region along the Syria-Turkey border. Russian troops have now taken over some outposts that were occupied by American forces just days ago.
President Donald Trump has faced growing bipartisan backlash on the issue, after abruptly announcing the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria last week. On Wednesday, the House overwhelmingly passed a resolution condemning that decision, with more than two-thirds of House Republicans supporting the resolution.
The Syria issue also led to a dramatic showdown between Trump and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who was pictured literally standing up to the president during a White House meeting Wednesday. Democrats walked out of that meeting after they say Trump had a "meltdown" and insulted Pelosi. Trump countered that it was in fact Pelosi who melted down, saying she "needs help fast."
This week in the impeachment inquiry
It's truly a wild time when an impeachment inquiry into the president can be seen as the second biggest story of the week. But here we are.
U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry has resigned. The former Texas governor was subpoenaed last week in the inquiry for documents related to Trump's call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as information related to media reports about Perry's attempt to change the management structure at a Ukrainian energy firm. "He’s done a phenomenal job," Trump told supporters at a rally Thursday. "He’s going to be leaving at the end of the year."
Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney acknowledged Thursday that financial aid to Ukraine was withheld because the president wanted the Eastern European country to engage in U.S. politics. Our White House staff reported it was "the first time a White House official has conceded Trump set up a quid quo pro scenario in which money approved by Congress for Ukraine was used as leverage, though he defended the arrangement as standard practice."
Also on Thursday, U.S. ambassador to the EU Gordon Sondland told the House impeachment panel that he was disappointed he had to consult with Rudy Giuliani, the president's personal lawyer, on Ukraine policy. Giuliani, and the many hats he has worn, is a key piece in this impeachment puzzle.
This week in 2020
Elizabeth Warren got a taste of what the frontrunner life looks like at Tuesday's debate.
Warren and Joe Biden had some testy exchanges on the debate stage.
Bernie Sanders got a progressive boost with the endorsements of AOC and Ilhan Omar.
People had feelings about Tom Steyer's debate stage tie.
One candidate only raised $5 in the third quarter.
The Democrats have a variety of plans they want to launch on their hypothetical first day in office.
Thanks as always for reading. Treat yourself to that fancy coffee this weekend. — Annah Aschbrenner
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: OnPolitics: Remembering 'advocate and friend' Rep. Elijah Cummings
