In the News

n its first act next January, the new House is scheduled to take up the most important civil rights bill in half a century. The bill signals a profoundly comprehensive understanding of the flaws that have evolved within our democracy. That it is scheduled first screams a recognition that these flaws must be fixed first, if we're to have a Congress that is free to do the other critically important work that Congress must do.

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS OF Vermont would seek to raise gobs of money early, with designs on amassing north of $275 million for a primary campaign.

For a significantly lesser known Midwest mayor, like 36-year-old Pete Buttigieg, a haul of just a few million dollars in a quarter would be notable.

As a fleet of potential Democratic presidential candidates calculate how much money they can – and will need to – raise for a prospective 2020 run, they're also confronting a new reality that where their money comes from could factor almost as greatly as how much they collect.

An international conflict group reported this week that casualties from the war in Yemen has surpassed 60,000 since 2016, the Associated Press reports.

Where things stand: While the war rages on and the death toll climbs, Washington is divided. It's a clear struggle between those in Congress who believe a message must be sent to Saudi Arabia, and the president, who has refused to break from the Saudis.

In the Senate...

Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.):

House Democrats have backed off a proposed rule that would have made it more difficult for them to raise taxes and pass their most ambitious goals, an early victory for the left-flank of the party that is about to take control of the House.

Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), incoming chair of the House Rules Committee, told lawmakers Tuesday he will not advance "supermajority" rules requiring three-fifths majorities to approve tax hikes for most taxpayers, according to Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

These days, Silicon Valley occupies a fraught place in the American psyche, one far bigger than the slice of California it fills geographically. It's at once a hotbed of innovation, a threat to democracy easily exploited by Russia and others, a gobsmackingly powerful economic engine, a privacy-gobbling leviathan, a factory churning out our cherished digital tools, a social-division-exacerbating menace, and also, just maybe, the United States' last best hope.

A bipartisan pair of congressmen is trying again to force a vote on U.S. support for Saudi Arabia in Yemen's civil war before the end of the year, as the Senate is poised to take similar action.

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) recently reintroduced a War Powers Resolution that would remove U.S. forces from hostilities in Yemen except to fight terrorism as allowed by the 2001 war authorization.

The Congressional Progressive Caucus Nov. 29 announced its newly-elected leadership heading into the 116thCongress, with Indian American U.S. Reps. Pramila Jayapal and Ro Khanna named among the leaders.

In addition to being elected to the caucus, Jayapal was chosen as a co-chair for the caucus.

With the Republican monopoly on power in Washington broken, the new Democratic majority in the House of Representatives can now advance a bold agenda for the country. To do so, progressives inside and outside the House will need to force hearings and floor votes on signature reforms, from Medicare for All to a Green New Deal.