Donald Trump has halted U.S. foreign assistance, but what exactly does that mean and why should you care? I've highlighted some specifics.🧵 Demining programs in Mali, Sudan, and Cambodia have been stopped, so thousands of innocent bystanders could lose their lives if they step on a minefield.

For far too long, military assets have borne names that commemorate the Confederate States of America.

These names, symbols, displays, monuments, and paraphernalia glorify traitors who took up arms against their country - they dishonor our military and must be changed. (1/8) Thanks to a provision in the #FY21NDAA, the @DeptofDefense must form a Commission to rename assets that honor the Confederate States of America on U.S. military property.

As Chair of the @HASCDemocrats, I am proud to appoint Mr. Lonnie G. Bunch III to this Commission. (2/8)

Today I sent a letter to all my Democratic colleagues in the House, urging them to vote in favor of granting Secretary of Defense designate @LloydAustin the waiver necessary to complete his historic confirmation. (1/x) I have spoken with Secretary-designate Austin multiple times since his nomination & I am one hundred percent convinced that he understands the importance of strong civilian control of the military, and that he is completely committed to upholding this cherished principle (2/x)

Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation to the highest court in the land is a direct threat to:

➡️The Affordable Care Act,
➡️Protections for people with pre-existing conditions,
➡️Civil rights,
➡️Election security,
➡️Reproductive rights,
➡️LGBTQ+ rights,
➡️The environment, and more. American families and businesses desperately need a COVID-19 relief bill, not a Supreme Court Justice whose career reflects a willingness to strip these rights, protections, and health care they need in the middle of a pandemic.

The actions by federal law enforcement in Portland are appalling. Unidentified federal officials forcing protestors into unmarked cars is the behavior of authoritarian governments, not the United States. 1/5 seattletimes.com/nation-world/i… Secretary Wolf engaged in the kind of photo op you see from military leaders visiting active war zones, not from the Secretary of Homeland Security visiting American cities. 2/5

https://twitter.com/DHS_Wolf/status/1284095516276592641

Before my colleagues and I cast our votes on the FY20 NDAA, one thing must be made clear: This is the most progressive defense bill we have passed in decades. 1/14 After months of hard-fought negotiations, our bill is now final. It contains major wins for Democrats and working people and promotes our national security. Despite this sweeping success, some have decried the bill, saying it fails to live up to progressive values. 2/14

From the very beginning, the president, Donald Trump Jr., the Attorney General, a whole series of people have consistently lied about their interactions with Russians. President Trump has made it very, very clear that he wants to stop this investigation. And that flirts with obstruction of justice. The more often he says that, the more potential legal jeopardy he is in.