Ana Radelat is MinnPost’s Washington, D.C. correspondent. You can reach her at aradelat@minnpost.com or follow her on Twitter at @radelat.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is now threatened by a lawsuit, and advocates hope the U.S. Senate will reach an immigration deal that’s under discussion in the dwindling last days of this session of Congress.
Plus: Omar gets a promotion and Emmer again supports same-sex and interracial marriage while other Minnesota Republicans vote no.
In Washington, D.C., the New Year will bring a divided Congress, a shakeup in the roles and political clout of the members of Minnesota’s congressional delegation and a brand new farm bill.
Blackwell deviated from his career as litigator of civil cases when he agreed to prosecute the Derek Chauvin case – for free.
The current five-year $428 billion bill farm bill will expire on Sept. 30 of next year, and so will most farm programs.
Biden wants South Carolina to go first, followed by New Hampshire, Nevada, Georgia and Michigan.
The lame duck Congress went into overdrive this week with votes on legislation aimed at protecting same-sex marriage and averting a crippling rail strike. Also, Minneapolis lawyer Jerry Blackwell’s nomination for a federal judgeship moved toward confirmation.
Phillips, D-3rd, was elected vice chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC) on Thursday as House Democrats wrapped up two days of leadership elections.
Minnesota’s DFL is in a pitched battle with Michigan Democrats to replace Iowa, which has held the first presidential primary contest since 1971.
When Congress returns from its Thanksgiving break next week, House and Senate Democrats have a long list of goals to accomplish before Republicans take control of the House in January. Plus: A ruling on Trump’s taxes; Biden’s student loan moratorium; and more.
Omar may be the most affected after the new Congress is gaveled in on Jan. 3. Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who hopes to become the next speaker, vowed to strip Omar of her seat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Plus: Earmarks endangered, Phillips runs for leadership job
State Republicans are non-committal on the former president’s candidacy while Democrats defiantly recall the turmoil of the Trump presidency and the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection.
Emmer was selected majority whip by members of the GOP conference on a second ballot. He would be the third Minnesotan ever to hold the position of GOP whip.
Plus: Emmer begins leadership push and Republicans assess what went wrong
The high court will determine the constitutionality of a 43-year-old federal statute known as the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) that aims to keep children in Native American families or with their tribes whenever possible.
A MinnPost analysis of Tuesday’s vote shows that Craig outperformed Kistner in Dakota County, running well ahead of him in Eagan, Apple Valley and Burnsville, while trailing her Republican challenger, but not by much, in Lakeville.
The Craig/Kistner rematch was characterized by the enormous amount of money that poured into the race by political action committees affiliated by both parties.
Plus: Emmer ally says he’s favored to win possible leadership job; for Dems, GOP, it’s all about getting out the vote now.
Macalester, Carleton, St. Olaf, the University of St. Thomas and St. Catherine University all signed on to amicus briefs in support of affirmative action.
