March 28, 2024

Trump Names Shulkin for VA

Are Shulkin's Days at VA Numbered?

Morning Coffee is a robust blend of links to news around the Internet concerning the Naval Air Station Patuxent River Morning Coffee logoeconomic community. The opinions expressed here do not reflect opinions of the Leader’s owners or staff.

In his first press conference as president-elect, Donald Trump announced his nomination of David Shulkin as the VA secretary, reports Politico. Shulkin is currently the top health official in the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Senate Armed Services Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) and House Armed Services Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) pitch $640 billion in national defense spending for the coming 2018 fiscal year, reports Politico.

Confirmation hearings for the president-elect cabinet nominees continue: Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) works to convince Americans he is not racist, Huffington Post reports on the hearings for his confirmation as attorney general, the nation’s top law enforcement officer.

National security experts tell the Senate Armed Services Committee that retired Marine Gen. James Mattis will be “stabilizing” force in Trump cabinet, reports usni.org.

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) opposes approving the eligibility waiver needed for Mattis’ appointment as DefSec, reports The Hill, unless he first testifies before a committee.

After meeting with him, Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) is “confident”she can work with Mattis, reports The Hill. Duckworth had voiced concern over the waiver.

The Hill reports, retired Gen. David Petraeus believes Trump has abandoned the reintroduction of torture, noting Trump said he changed his previously stated support for torture after a meeting with Mattis.

Trump’s appointee as deputy adviser for strategic communications and speech writer at the National Security Agency, Monica Crowley, a conservative commentator for Fox News, has been accused of plagiarism for third time, reports UPI. The latest charge has caused HarperCollins to remove her 2012 book “What the (Bleep) Just Happened? The Happy Warrior’s Guide to the Great American Comeback” from its stock.

Mexico repeats, “no way” it will pay for Trump’s wall, reports Reuters. Mexico’s foreign minister: “There are no circumstances … not even the best possible trade deal, investments, support which would justify taking a step that would violate the dignity of Mexicans to such an extent.”

Maryland’s General Assembly convened yesterday while juggling more plot lines than a soap opera, reports The Baltimore Sun. The legislature began its 90-day session grappling with emerging scandals, partisan bickering, internal shuffling, and vacant seats.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) plans to ask the General Assembly to consider making interest on student loans tax-deductible and capping tuition increases at state colleges and universities at 2 percent, reports The Washington Post.

President Obama used his farewell speech to outline the gathering threats to American democracy and press a more optimistic vision for a country that seems more politically divided than ever, reports The Washington Post. He should have picked more enemies, suggests Politico, saying anger worked to elect Trump.

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