1
Albany Closes a Loophole for Trump Pardons. Next Up: His Taxes.
The Legislature is poised to pass a bill that would allow three
congressional committees to seek the release of President Trump’s state tax
returns.
Hurry and pass these laws. They appear constitutional.
2
Watchdog Group Files Complaint Over Donation to Trump Super PAC by Canadian Billionaire’s Company
The Campaign Legal Center said that Barry Zekelman violated the ban on
foreign donations when one of his United States companies gave $1.75
million to a Trump super PAC.
A case against citozens united is under construction.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizens_United_v._FEC
A corporation is able to contract but is not otherwise a person.
Barry Zekelman should be guilty.
3
Kentucky Has a Primary Election Today. Here’s What to Watch.
Gov. Matt Bevin, the Republican incumbent, is the most unpopular governor
in the country. Democrats hope that will give them an opening in a red
state.
I do not need to watch. I will learn who won.
4
U.S. Restrictions on Huawei Expose a High-Tech Achilles’ Heel for China
China is heavily reliant on imported computer chips, despite efforts to
develop its own semiconductor industry.
China does not have a problem.
5
U.S. Officials Say Military Moves to Deter Iran Are Working
Lawmakers are divided ahead of intelligence briefings on Capitol Hill
focused on rising tensions with Iran and America’s deployments to the
Middle East.
Iran is undetered.
It would be foolish to provoke Trump.
7
Comments on April Existing Home Sales
Earlier: NAR: Existing-Home Sales Decreased to 5.19 million in April
A few key points:
1) The key for housing - and the overall economy - is new home sales,
single family housing starts and overall residential investment.
Overall, this is still *a somewhat reasonable level for existing home sales*.
No worries.
2) Inventory is still low, and was only up 1.7% year-over-year (YoY) in
April. This was the ninth consecutive month with a year-over-year increase
in inventory, although the YoY increase was smaller in April than in the
six previous months.
[image: Existing Home Sales NSA]... more »
Sales are down slightly.
8
‘Our Subpoenas Are Not Optional,’ Nadler Warns McGahn
NYT > Politics - 6 hours ago
Representative Jerrold Nadler, the chairman of the House Judiciary
Committee, threatened to cite Donald F. McGahn II for contempt after the
former White House counsel defied a subpoena.
Contempt of congress should be meaningful.
9
U.S. Restrictions on Huawei Expose a High-Tech Achilles’ Heel for China
China is heavily reliant on imported computer chips, despite efforts to
develop its own semiconductor industry.
Chips are a small part of the price.
China can make them for a higher price.
They will have different backdoors.
10
Trump Expected to Pick Ken Cuccinelli for Immigration Policy Role
The job’s duties and title are still being decided, but Ken Cuccinelli, an
immigration hard-liner, is expected to work through the Department of
Homeland Security.
An immigration hard line is a bad idea.
11
NAR: Existing-Home Sales Decreased to 5.19 million in April
From the NAR: Existing-Home Sales Inch Back 0.4% in April
Existing-home sales saw a minor decline in April, continuing March’s drop
in sales, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Two of the
four major U.S. regions saw a slight dip in sales, while the West saw
growth and the Midwest essentially bore no changes last month.
Total existing-home sales, completed transactions that include
single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, fell 0.4% from
March to a *seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.19 million in April*.
Total sales are down 4.4% from a year ago (5.... more »
Prices are higher.
12
Black Knight: National Mortgage Delinquency Rate Decreased to Record Low in April
From Black Knight: Black Knight’s First Look: Strong April Mortgage
Performance Pushes National Delinquency Rate to New Record Low; Prepayment
Activity Continues to Rise
• Following a slow start to the year, the national delinquency rate fell by
more than 5% month-over-month; at 3.47%, it is now at its lowest level on
record dating back to 2000
• Serious delinquencies – loans 90 or more days past due, but not yet in
foreclosure – fell to 474,000, marking a 124,000 year-over-year decline and
a 12-year low
• While monthly foreclosure starts edged up slightly from March’s 18-year
low... more »
The Lenders are cautious.
13
Democratic Calls for Impeachment Inquiry Grow as Leaders Instead Vow to Toughen Tactics
Some Progressive Democrats have joined calls for an impeachment inquiry,
arguing that it will strengthen the party’s efforts to stop President
Trump’s stonewalling.
Keep Trump busy.
14
As Biden Rakes In Big Money, Will There Be a Political Cost?
While some of the 2020 Democrats have sworn off big donors, Joe Biden and
his campaign have welcomed them into the fold.
Biden should not be the candidate.
15
The Economy Is Strong and Inflation Is Low. That’s What Worries the Fed.
The Fed’s struggle to coax inflation to its 2 percent target signals the
faltering of a foundational economic relationship. That could create a
problem in the next recession.
The Federal funds rate is high.
16
Lawmakers Break Ramadan Fast on Capitol Hill
Representatives André Carson, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, all Muslims,
hosted an iftar meal on Monday night at the Capitol Visitor Center.
Do it.
17
On Politics: Secrecy Fight Between Trump and Congress Escalates
NYT > Politics - 17 hours ago
A judge ruled that President Trump’s accounting firm must turn over his
financial records, and the president moved to block testimony by his former
counsel.
These are not matters of national security.
Do not neglect to keep Trump busy.
18
Accountants Must Turn Over Trump’s Financial Records, Lower-Court Judge Rules
President Trump lost an early test of his strategy of stonewalling all
oversight demands for information by Congress, but the ruling is just the
first step in what could be a lengthy process.
Congress has a right to know.
19
Impeachment Appeal Pushes Justin Amash From G.O.P. Gadfly to Insurgent
Washington is a town of partisan herds, and Mr. Amash, a congressman from
Michigan, has strayed far outside his.
Yes.
20
Fox News Welcomes Pete Buttigieg. Trump and ‘Fox & Friends’ Aren’t Pleased.
Another Democratic town hall event on the channel liberals love to hate
drew sizable ratings — and underscored the split between its news and
opinion sides.
Distracted is better.
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