>>3878028

Pelosi: Voters are thanking Democrats for 'saving America'

A jubilant Nancy Pelosi, poised to become the new speaker of the House of Representatives, is painting last week's election victory by Democrats as a historic event that has saved the United States.

"As we travel to Washington for this lame duck period, House Democrats are anything but lame ducks," she told colleagues in an email. "We are flying high and taking pride in the greatest Democratic victory in the House since 1974.

She said: 'Thank you, House Democrats, for saving America!' That’s the message I hear from across the country. And I convey that thanks to you."

Pelosi, D-Calif., cited "our excellent candidates, discipline of message, owning the ground" as reason behind the Democratic victory, which looks likely to result in a gain of between 35 and 40 seats. Democrats gained 49 seats in 1974 after President Richard Nixon resigned due to the Watergate scandal.

The California congresswoman called on House Democrats to remain "unified" and to "stand our ground" during the lame duck session of Congress ahead of her expected relevation to the speakership in January.

"We have great opportunity, and therefore great responsibility to get results for the American people," she said. "In the next few weeks, we need to be unified, find common ground with Republicans in our legislative engagements, but stand our ground when we must."

[Byron York: As Dems consider impeaching Trump, GOP leaders regret pursuing Clinton]

Items on the agenda for the lame duck session is headlined by a major part of government funding that needs to be passed by December 7.

Some 75 percent of discretionary spending – funding voted on by Congress each year – was passed in September. The remaining funds, headlined by money for the Department of Homeland Security and possibly cash toward border security – a top issue for President Trump. GOP congressional leaders have been seeking $5 billion for the border wall, a rise from $1.6 billion in last year's package.

The House is due to reconvene on Tuesday for a week before members leave for Thanksgiving recess.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/congress/nancy-pelosi-says-voters-are-thanking-democrats-for-saving-america

>>3878061

DOJ: Matt Whitaker consulting ethics officials about recusal

Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker is discussing with Justice Department senior ethics officials if he should recuse himself from oversight of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation.

“Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker is fully committed to following all appropriate processes and procedures at the Department of Justice, including consulting with senior ethics officials on his oversight responsibilities and matters that may warrant recusal,” Justice Department spokesperson Kerri Kupec said in a statement to the Washington Examiner.

The statement came amid mounting calls from Democrats that Whitaker should recuse himself, and leave oversight to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein — the man that appointed Mueller 18 months ago and has had oversight responsibilities ever since.

Last week, President Trump named Whitaker acting attorney general after the forced resignation of former Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Democrats have asserted that Sessions’ ouster was an attempt by Trump to undermine Mueller's investigation.

On Monday, top Democratic lawmakers asked Lee Lofthus, the assistant attorney general for administration at the Justice Department, if he has advised Whitaker to recuse himself. Lofthus is also the department’s chief ethics officer.

Citing Whitaker’s multiple public remarks about the special counsel investigation, the Democrats said in a Sunday letter to Lofthus that he has “troubling conflicts of interest,” which include his relationship with Sam Clovis, who supervised George Papadopoulos.

The letter came after top House Democrats were on numerous Sunday shows, warning Whitaker that if he does not recuse, he will be called immediately in to testify when they gain control of the House in January.

"Acting AG Whitaker is a well-qualified and respected former U.S. Attorney who Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein on Friday called 'a superb choice.' He has the confidence of the President, Department of Justice leadership, and key leaders in Congress," said Kupec on Sunday in response to Democrats.

There has been legislation introduced in both the House and Senate that has bipartisan backing that would protect Mueller from being fired by Trump. The legislation would ensure the only figure with the authority to remove or penalize the special counsel could be the highest ranking official at the Justice Department confirmed by the Senate.

Rosenstein is currently the highest official at the agency who was confirmed by the Senate.

There were renewed calls to pass that legislation, including by Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/doj-says-matthew-whitaker-will-consult-ethics-officials-about-recusal

>>3878119

Lindsey Graham: No need for Matthew Whitaker to recuse himself from Russia investigation

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said newly appointed acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker doesn’t need to recuse himself from overseeing the Russia investigation.

“I think [Whitaker] was appropriately appointed, legally,” Graham said on CBS’s “Face the Nation” on Sunday. “I don’t think he has to recuse himself.”

Graham, a member of the Judiciary Committee, said he spoke with Whitaker on the phone on Saturday and plans to meet with him in the coming week.

Democrats and a number of Republicans have voiced concern over Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ forced resignation immediately following the midterm elections, saying it could spur a constitutional crisis.

https://truepundit.com/lindsey-graham-no-need-for-matthew-whitaker-to-recuse-himself-from-russia-investigation/

>>3878190

it does feel like we're losing this round.

>>3878240

Crooked Broward election chief likely to be FIRED

Counting unlawful votes. Destroying ballots. Sunshine Law violations. Busted deadlines.

So many controversies have bedeviled Broward County Elections Supervisor Brenda Snipes — culminating in her office’s troubles in the aftermath of Florida’s chaotic 2018 elections — that her days in office are now numbered, insiders and lawmakers say.

She’s losing support from fellow Democrats and faces the increasing likelihood of an embarrassing suspension from office at the hands of either Gov. Rick Scott or his likely successor, Ron DeSantis.

Suspending Snipes from office would put a final exclamation point on one of the most contested midterms in recent Florida history, which has resulted in three statewide recounts — for U.S. Senate, governor and agriculture commissioner — as well as recounts in three local legislative races. Removal proceedings in the GOP-led Florida Senate could also cause a possible rift among Florida state Senate Democrats if the black caucus rallies around Snipes in the same way it did around her predecessor, who was also African-American, more than a decade ago.

>https://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2018/11/12/incompetence-broward-election-chief-likely-to-be-forced-from-office-by-scott-desantis-691675

>>3878327

>>3878562

Stacey Abrams Files Lawsuit to Force Georgia Counties to Accept Rejected Ballots

Georgia Democrat gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams filed a lawsuit in federal court Sunday in the hopes she could legally force a runoff election in her race against rival Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp.

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2018/11/12/stacey-abrams-files-lawsuit-force-georgia-counties-accept-rejected-ballots/