My Citizen Legislators, the hits keep coming about the Supreme Court.  Today I want to discuss the recent lapses of members of the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS).  ProPublica is an independent, nonprofit newsroom that produces investigative journalism with a moral force.  According to the ProPublica website, its mission is – To expose abuses of power and betrayals of the public trust by government, business, and other institutions, using the moral force of investigative journalism to spur reform through the sustained spotlighting of wrongdoing.

 ProPublica investigating stories have shed sunshine on how members of SCOTUS have crossed the ethical line, and the integrity of the court is in question.  The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on Supreme Court Ethics Reform on May 2, 2023.  Witnesses testifying at the hearing were: 

The Honorable Jeremy Fogel

Executive Director, Berkeley Judicial Institute and Former U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of CA

University of California, Berkeley Law School

Washington, D.C.

Kedric Payne

Vice President, General Counsel, & Senior Director of Ethics

Campaign Legal Center

Washington, D.C.

Amanda Frost

John A. Ewald Jr. Research Professor of Law

University of Virginia School of Law

Charlottesville, VA

The Honorable Michael B. Mukasey

Former United States Attorney General and Former U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of NY

New York, NY

Thomas H. Dupree Jr.

Partner and Co-Chair of the Appellate and Constitutional Law Practice Group

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher

Washington, D.C.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman, Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) invited SCOTUS Chief Justice John Roberts to testify and he declined.  He called such testimony by chief justice’s was “exceedingly rare”.   

Forbes.com  Here Are The Recent Controversies Supreme Court Justices Have Been Caught Up In—As Senate Hears Case For Code Of Ethics

The Senate committee will hold a hearing on Supreme Court ethics reform with a panel of legal experts, after committee chair Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) invited Chief Justice John Roberts to testify at the hearing and he declined.

Lawmakers have renewed their push for a binding ethics code—which the justices do not have, unlike lower federal judges—following ProPublica reports detailing Justice Clarence Thomas’ dealings with GOP megadonor Harlan Crow, whom Thomas has reportedly accepted gifts and luxury travel from for years without disclosing it as federal law requires.

Crow also purchased real estate in Savannah, Georgia, from Thomas in 2014—including the home where the justice’s mother reportedly still lives—ProPublica reported, which was also not disclosed as required.

Thomas has also drawn significant controversy over his wife, Ginni Thomas’ right-wing activism, particularly as she supported efforts to overturn the 2020 election as Thomas heard cases on it, and the justice has been

My Citizen Legislators.  CNN went full Jerry Springer on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, by hosting a Town Hall meeting for former President Donald Trump at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire. The town hall was moderated by Kaitlin Collins.

I didn’t watch the town hall meeting for a variety of reasons.  I knew Trump was going to go all in on spewing lies about the 2020 election, January 6, 2021 – the insurrection.  CNN Chief Chris Licht defended his decision to give Trump the opportunity to spew his lies.  He basically said CNN did a public service to the nation because Trump is a leading contender for the presidency in 2024.  Three million people watched this spectacle.  CNN didn’t do this for the good of the nation; they did it for ratings, money, and for the good of CNN.

On top of that, Anderson Cooper made condescending remarks defending CNN, praising Kaitlin Collins and basically saying Americans shouldn’t silo themselves from only listening to folks they agree with.  The majority of Americans don’t live in a silo; they are fully aware of Trump and his MAGA cult followers.   

Trump received 46.9 percent of the vote in 2020 and lost the popular vote by over  7 million votes.  He may possibly win in 2024, that’s why my Citizen Legislators must resist, fight and mobilize.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my knowledge and love of politics.  I look forward to geeking out with you again.

Politico.com: Enough With the Bellyaching Over CNN’s Trump Town Hall

TheHill.com: Trump shares fake video of Anderson Cooper reacting to CNN town hall

RollingStone.com: CNN Is Hosting a Town Hall for a Guy Who Tried to Get Me Killed

CNN.com: READ: Transcript of CNN’s town hall with former President Donald Trump

Newsweek.com: Biden Mocks Trump After CNN Town Hall

Huffpost.com: Joe Scarborough Scorches 'Most Shocking' Part Of Donald Trump's CNN Town Hall

CNN.com: Anderson Cooper addresses criticism about Trump town hall

TheHill.com: Frustration at CNN boils over with Trump town hall         

Vox.com: A second Trump administration would be much worse 

CNN.com: Profile Kaitlan Collins Anchor and Chief Correspondent

Variety.com: Kaitlan Collins Expected to...

My Citizen Legislators, May 2, 2023 will live infamy.  House Democrats unveiling a master stroke of utilizing a legislative maneuver – the discharge petition.  Let me set the stage for you, my Citizen Legislators.  On January 30, 2023, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-10) quietly introduced H.R. 626, the Breaking Gridlock Act.  He did not issue a press release or make a floor statement on the introduction of the bill.  H.R. 626 was referred to twenty congressional committees.  The Congressional Research Service bill summary of H.R. 626 is as follows:

This bill addresses a wide variety of issues, ranging from raising grandchildren to earthquake hazards reduction, to underrepresented groups in cancer trials to telehealth, and fighting Boko Haram in Nigeria.

Specifically, the bill establishes a Federal Task Force to Support Grandparents Raising Grandchildren.

With respect to earthquake hazards reduction, the bill

• reauthorizes the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program;
• reduces the frequency of reporting by the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction;
• modifies the responsibilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Geological Survey, and the National Science Foundation; and
• directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review federal earthquake hazard risk reduction efforts.

The bill also (1) reauthorizes the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, and (2) restores certain amounts withheld for tax purposes from severance payments to veterans with combat-related injuries.

The GAO must review actions federal agencies have taken to address barriers to participation in federally funded cancer clinical trials by populations that have been traditionally underrepresented in such trials.

The Department of State and the Department of Defense must jointly develop and submit to Congress a five-year strategy to help enable the government of Nigeria, members of the Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram authorized by the African Union, and relevant partners to counter the regional threat of Boko Haram.

The bill makes supplemental appropriations for the Telehealth Resource Center of the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy of the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth.

Now you’re asking yourselves, what the hell does this have to do with the debt ceiling.  Well, in the House of Representatives, under Rule XV, any member may file a discharge petition with the Clerk of the House once the committee has had a measure for more than thirty days (remember H.R. 626 was introduced on January 30, 2023). 

According to Congressional Procedure, A Practical Guide to the Legislative Process in the U.S. Congress by Richard A. Arenber, a discharge petition must reference only one measure, not multiple pieces of legislation. While discharge petitions are sometimes threatened by the minority, success requires the petition to be signed by a majority of the House (normally 218 members) and therefore is exceedingly rare.  Once the necessary signatures appear on a discharge petition, a motion to discharge is placed on the House’s Discharge Calendar.  Any member who signed the petition is eligible under the rules to offer the motion on the floor, although such motions are restricted to a “discharge day,” which occurs only on the second and fourth Monday of each month. If a majority votes for the motion when it is brought up on discharge day, the measure is brought to the floor.  Since the House is a majoritarian body, a successful discharge petition is considered a rebuke to the Speaker, the majority leadership, and the powerful Rules Committee.  Members of the majority are expected to follow the leadership on procedural votes.

A successful use of a discharge petition in the House is very rare. The last discharge motion...

How Do The Democrats Solve A Problem Like Senator Dianne Feinstein

Welcome back to Topless Government. This show is a cross between Schoolhouse Rock and civics for the masses.  I want to make this show relatable and fun for everyone who would like to know how YOUR government works.  Remember knowledge is power!  So let’s get started.

I am the host, Crystal Ellerbe.  I live, breathe, eat, and sleep politics.  I’ve done two tours of duty in the US Senate and one tour of duty in the US House.  I had the privilege of working in state and local governments, corporate America and several lobbying firms in Washington, DC.

This is the SECOND SEASON OF TOPLESS GOVERNMENT and I’ll be discussing topics that have been top of mind to everyone, providing an insight on how YOUR government works.  

As always I would be pleased if you would subscribe, rate, share, and review the show.

This was Topless Government, the government and politics show.  If you enjoyed it, I would be pleased if you would subscribe, rate and review the show.  We’re on YouTube and Facebook right now.  Production is courtesy of Marcus Donovan, the Pasteurized Chief.  You can check out his show – the District of Misfits Show – every Sunday evening.  They go live at 10pm.  This show is a District Dogface Studios Production.  

Thank you for the opportunity to share my knowledge and love of politics.  I look forward to geeking out with you again.

Business Insider: Dianne Feinstein's ongoing absence allowed Senate Republicans and Joe Manchin to overturn a Biden rule reducing pollution from large trucks

Politico.com: Feinstein’s condition sparks concern she won’t return to the Senate  

FiveThirtyEight.com: Why Dianne Feinstein Might Actually Have To Resign

Vox.com: The uproar over Dianne Feinstein, explained

NPR.org: Republicans block effort to replace Feinstein on Judiciary panel

Rollcall.com: Replacing Feinstein can be complicated, Senate history shows 

Welcome back to Topless Government. This show is a cross between Schoolhouse Rock and civics for the masses.  I want to make this show relatable and fun for everyone who would like to know how YOUR government works.  Remember knowledge is power!  So let’s get started.

I am the host, Crystal Ellerbe.  I live, breathe, eat, and sleep politics.  I’ve done two tours of duty in the US Senate and one tour of duty in the US House.  I had the privilege of working in state and local governments, corporate America and several lobbying firms in Washington, DC.

This is the SECOND SEASON OF TOPLESS GOVERNMENT and I’ll be discussing topics that have been top of mind to everyone, providing an insight on how YOUR government works.  

As always I would be pleased if you would subscribe, rate, share, and review the share Topless Government, the government and politics show.  If you enjoyed it, I would be pleased if you would subscribe, rate and review the show.  We’re on YouTube and Facebook right now.  Production is courtesy of Marcus Donovan, the Pasteurized Chief.  You can check out his show – the District of Misfits Show – every Sunday evening.  They go live at 10pm.  This show is a District Dogface Studios Production.  

Thank you for the opportunity to share my knowledge and love of politics.  I look forward to geeking out with you again.

The Hill.com: Political party time: 2023’s White House Correspondents’ dinner events 

Axios DC.com: What's happening during White House Correspondents' Dinner Weekend 2023

Deadline.com: White House Correspondents’ Dinner: What’s Happening & Who’s Attending D.C.’s Biggest Weekend Of Pop And Politics

White House Correspondents' Association

House GOP Debt Limit Bill Wreaking Havoc on Our Economy

Welcome back to Topless Government. This show is a cross between Schoolhouse Rock and civics for the masses. I want to make this show relatable and fun for everyone who would like to know how YOUR government works. Remember knowledge is power! So let’s get started.

I am the host, Crystal Ellerbe. I live, breathe, eat, and sleep politics. I’ve done two tours of duty in the US Senate and one tour of duty in the US House. I had the privilege of working in state and local governments, corporate America and several lobbying firms in Washington, DC.

This is the SECOND SEASON OF TOPLESS GOVERNMENT and I’ll be discussing topics that have been top of mind to everyone, providing an insight on how YOUR government works.

As always I would be pleased if you would subscribe, rate, share, and review the show.

Politico.com: White House regroups after McCarthy’s debt ceiling success

US Department of the Treasury: Debt Limit

Brookings: How worried should we be if the debt ceiling isn’t lifted?

Government Executive.com: House GOP Passes Debt Ceiling Bill That Puts Tens of Thousands of Federal Jobs At Risk

Politico.com: House GOP passes its debt bill, upping pressure on Biden

PBS.org: Here’s what’s in the GOP bill to lift the U.S. debt limit

The Hill.com: These four House Republicans voted against the GOP debt limit bill

Brookings: What’s the difference between a government shutdown and a failure to raise the debt ceiling? .

As always I would be pleased if you would subscribe, rate, share, and review the show.

This past week, President Biden quietly announced he is running for reelection.  

NPR.com: Biden warns of rights under threat from Trump and 'MAGA extremists' in reelect launch.

Politico.com: Biden dives back in, announces reelection bid

Politico.com: Chicago will host 2024 Democratic convention

Welcome back to Topless Government. This show is a cross between Schoolhouse Rock and civics for the masses.  I want to make this show relatable and fun for everyone who would like to know how YOUR government works.  Remember knowledge is power!  So let’s get started.

I am the host, Crystal Ellerbe.  I live, breathe, eat, and sleep politics.  I’ve done two tours of duty in the US Senate and one tour of duty in the US House.  I had the privilege of working in state and local governments, corporate America and several lobbying firms in Washington, DC.

This is the SECOND SEASON OF TOPLESS GOVERNMENT and I’ll be discussing topics that have been top of mind to everyone, providing an insight on how YOUR government works.  

As always I would be pleased if you would subscribe, rate, share, and review the show.

It's March Madness my Citizen Legislators and I’m not talking about the NCAA Men’s and Women’s basketball tournament. March Madness for those who work in politics are filling out and submitting FY 2024 appropriations requests, community project funding requests and congressionally directed spending requests.

Let me break this all down for you, my Citizen Legislators. House Republicans made several changes to the Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations process.

According to the House Appropriations Committee Fiscal Year 2024 Guidance, Members can submit programmatic, language, and project requests as follows:

Programmatic requests: Members may request specific funding levels for agencies and programs funded in the twelve appropriations bills.

Language requests: Members may request bill language or report language directing or encouraging specific actions by federal agencies.

Community Project Funding requests: Members may request funding for specific projects in their communities, so long as the projects have a federal nexus and meet other requirements established by federal law, House Rules, and the Committee to ensure only high quality projects are requested and funded.

Guidance for Community Project Funding is available here.

The Community Project Funding accounts list is available here.

A template for the Member Financial Disclosure Certification and Federal Nexus Statement is available here.

Cap on Overall Funding: The total amount for Community Project Funding in House appropriations bills will not exceed one half of one percent of discretionary spending.

Cap on Member Requests: Members may submit a maximum of 15 requests across bills.

Federal Nexus Requirement: In order to ensure a federal nexus exists for each funded project, the Committee will only fund projects that are tied to a federal authorization law. Members must include a written statement describing the federal nexus for each Community Project Funding request. Subcommittee guidance will include example language Members can use to make the required statement.

Ban on For-Profit Recipients: Project funding may not be directed to for-profit recipients. Members may request funding for State, local, or tribal governmental grantees and certain eligible non-profits, as allowed under federal law and subcommittee guidance.

House Appropriations Subcommittees not accepting community project funding requests: Defense; Financial Services and General Government: Labor, Health and Human Services, Education; Legislative Branch; and State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs.

Letters of Support: Provide letters of support from third-party(s) expressing support for the community project funding requests.

Fiscal Year 2024 House Appropriations Community Project Funding Eligible Accounts

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies

Department of Agriculture–Farm Production and Conservation Programs

Natural Resources Conservation Service (Conservation Operations)

Department of Agriculture–Research, Education, and Economics

Agricultural Research Service (Buildings and Facilities)

Department of Agriculture–Rural Development

Rural Housing Service (Community Facilities)

Rural Utilities Service (ReConnect Program)

Rural Utilities Service (Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants)

Rural Utilities Service (Rural Water and Waste Disposal Grants)

Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies

Department of Commerce

NIST—Scientific and Technical Research

NOAA—Coastal Zone Management

Department of Justice

COPS Technology and Equipment

Byrne Justice

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Safety, Security, and Mission Services

Energy and Water Development

Army Corps of Engineers...