The US House of Representatives on Wednesday (May 8) promptly defeated an effort by Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene to remove fellow Republican Speaker Mike Johnson from his leadership role.

Democrats and Republicans voted 359-43 to safeguard Johnson's role as Speaker, aiming to prevent a repeat of the turmoil that erupted in October when Republicans removed former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Eleven Republicans voted against tabling.

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Johnson was elected speaker after conservatives voted to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy last year. A historic and unprecedented vote sparked a turbulent period of internal strife as Republicans struggled to unite around a new leader before eventually coalescing around the Louisiana Republican.

Earlier, Republican Thomas Massie Greene criticised Johnson for a string of compromises with Democrats who hold a majority in the Senate.

But the chamber erupted in taunts as Greene read her resolution, with Democrats at times chanting "Hakeem, Hakeem," a reference to their party leader Hakeem Jeffries, highlighting the many times they voted for him as speaker during Republicans' multiple rounds of voting for speaker since the current House was seated in January 2021.

Following the vote, Johnson spoke briefly with reporters calling Greene’s campaign against him misguided and he also expressed gratitude towards his colleagues for showing confidence in his leadership.

“I want to say that I appreciate the show of confidence for my colleagues to defeat this misguided effort,” he said. “I’ve made clear here every day, I intend to do my job, I intend to do what I believe to be the right thing, which I was elected to do. And I’ll let the chips fall where they may.”

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On the other hand, when Greene was asked whether she would trigger a vote again, Greene did not answer directly and said&nbsp;she was thankful for Trump’s support and mentioned that he indicated on Truth Social that Republicans might need to consider a motion to vacate at some point.

When asked whether she believes Trump was wrong to urge members to vote to table, she said, “I stand with President Trump. I support President Trump. I’ve talked to him every day about this.”

(With inputs from agencies)

The US House of Representatives on Wednesday (May 8) promptly defeated an effort by Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene to remove fellow Republican Speaker Mike Johnson from his leadership role.

The US House of Representatives on Wednesday (May 8) promptly defeated an effort by Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene to remove fellow Republican Speaker Mike Johnson from his leadership role. Democrats and Republicans voted 359-43 to safeguard Johnson's role as Speaker, aiming to prevent a repeat of the turmoil that erupted in October when Republicans removed former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Eleven Republicans voted against tabling. Also read: Biden issues most direct warning to Israel against full blown Rafah invasion Johnson was elected speaker after conservatives voted to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy last year. A historic and unprecedented vote sparked a turbulent period of internal strife as Republicans struggled to unite around a new leader before eventually coalescing around the Louisiana Republican. Earlier, Republican Thomas Massie Greene criticised Johnson for a string of compromises with Democrats who hold a majority in the Senate. But the chamber erupted in taunts as Greene read her resolution, with Democrats at times chanting "Hakeem, Hakeem," a reference to their party leader Hakeem Jeffries, highlighting the many times they voted for him as speaker during Republicans' multiple rounds of voting for speaker since the current House was seated in January 2021. Following the vote, Johnson spoke briefly with reporters calling Greene’s campaign against him misguided and he also expressed gratitude towards his colleagues for showing confidence in his leadership. “I want to say that I appreciate the show of confidence for my colleagues to defeat this misguided effort,” he said. “I’ve made clear here every day, I intend to do my job, I intend to do what I believe to be the right thing, which I was elected to do. And I’ll let the chips fall where they may.” Also read: Brazil floods destroy nearly 100,000 homes, death toll surpasses 100 On the other hand, when Greene was asked whether she would trigger a vote again, Greene did not answer directly and said she was thankful for Trump’s support and mentioned that he indicated on Truth Social that Republicans might need to consider a motion to vacate at some point. When asked whether she believes Trump was wrong to urge members to vote to table, she said, “I stand with President Trump. I support President Trump. I’ve talked to him every day about this.” (With inputs from agencies)

House blocks Greene's attempt to remove Johnson from speakership

The United States House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi made her first public on-camera appearance on Friday since the brutal attack on her husband, Paul Pelosi, with a hammer in their San Francisco home. The Democratic Party leader posted a video on her social media accounts where she called the upcoming midterm elections a fight for democracy which is “very winnable”.&nbsp;

Speaking about&nbsp;her husband’s recovery, Pelosi&nbsp;said, “It’s going to be a long haul.” 
Paul Pelosi was discharged from a San Francisco hospital late Thursday and is recovering from his skull fracture and other “serious injuries” he sustained when he was allegedly attacked by an assailant at their home.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/report-paul-pelosi-released-from-hospital-six-days-after-being-attacked-531032">US: Paul Pelosi discharged from San Francisco hospital a week after being attacked</a>

The House Speaker thanked her supporters for their kind words and prayers for her husband and said that the way he was injured was “so tragic” but “we have to be optimistic.”&nbsp; 
 
People say to me: ‘What can I do to make you feel better?’ I say: ‘Vote!’”, Pelosi said to her supporters.&nbsp;

“What we are doing is not only to win an election, but this is to strengthen our democracy…There is no question that our democracy is on the ballot,” said the Democratic Party leader. These remarks were also made in the context of the upcoming midterm elections where her party faces tough competition against the opposition Republican party to control the US House of Representatives and Senate.&nbsp;

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David DePape, the man&nbsp;accused of attacking Paul Pelosi, is currently being held without bail and is facing multiple federal and state charges, including attempted murder and assault has also recently pleaded not guilty in a San Francisco Court.&nbsp;

During a hearing on Friday, Judge Loretta “Lori” Giorgi, presiding over the case disclosed that she worked with the House Speaker’s daughter, Christine Pelosi in the attorney’s office in the 1990s. However, she has not interacted with her since, giving the prosecutors and the public defender’s office an opportunity to object to her role in the case, but no objections were raised.&nbsp;

Furthermore, DePape also reportedly waived his appearance in San Francisco Superior Court while a status hearing was set for November 28 and a preliminary hearing was set for December 14, said media reports. According to court documents, he entered their San Francisco house looking for the House Speaker, who was in Washington at the time to “seriously harm her”.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-suspect-of-the-attack-on-pelosis-husband-pleads-not-guilty-in-court-530381">Suspect in attack on Pelosi’s husband pleads not guilty in San Francisco court</a>

According to an FBI affidavit filed in federal court, the attack against 82-year-old Paul Pelosi took place last Friday, when an intruder looking for the Speaker, instead confronted her husband who was eventually able to call the police. It added that the two men were seen struggling with the hammer after which the intruder grabbed the hammer and hit Pelosi with it on&nbsp;the head.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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The United States House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi made her first public on-camera appearance on Friday since the brutal attack on her husband, Paul Pelosi, with a hammer in their San Francisco home.

The United States House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi made her first public on-camera appearance on Friday since the brutal attack on her husband, Paul Pelosi, with a hammer in their San Francisco home. The Democratic Party leader posted a video on her social media accounts where she called the upcoming midterm elections a fight for democracy which is “very winnable”. Speaking about her husband’s recovery, Pelosi said, “It’s going to be a long haul.” Paul Pelosi was discharged from a San Francisco hospital late Thursday and is recovering from his skull fracture and other “serious injuries” he sustained when he was allegedly attacked by an assailant at their home. ALSO READ: US: Paul Pelosi discharged from San Francisco hospital a week after being attacked The House Speaker thanked her supporters for their kind words and prayers for her husband and said that the way he was injured was “so tragic” but “we have to be optimistic.” People say to me: ‘What can I do to make you feel better?’ I say: ‘Vote!’”, Pelosi said to her supporters. “What we are doing is not only to win an election, but this is to strengthen our democracy…There is no question that our democracy is on the ballot,” said the Democratic Party leader. These remarks were also made in the context of the upcoming midterm elections where her party faces tough competition against the opposition Republican party to control the US House of Representatives and Senate. ALSO WATCH: US midterm elections on November 8: 'We've got more to do,' says US President Joe Biden David DePape, the man accused of attacking Paul Pelosi, is currently being held without bail and is facing multiple federal and state charges, including attempted murder and assault has also recently pleaded not guilty in a San Francisco Court. During a hearing on Friday, Judge Loretta “Lori” Giorgi, presiding over the case disclosed that she worked with the House Speaker’s daughter, Christine Pelosi in the attorney’s office in the 1990s. However, she has not interacted with her since, giving the prosecutors and the public defender’s office an opportunity to object to her role in the case, but no objections were raised. Furthermore, DePape also reportedly waived his appearance in San Francisco Superior Court while a status hearing was set for November 28 and a preliminary hearing was set for December 14, said media reports. According to court documents, he entered their San Francisco house looking for the House Speaker, who was in Washington at the time to “seriously harm her”. ALSO READ: Suspect in attack on Pelosi’s husband pleads not guilty in San Francisco court According to an FBI affidavit filed in federal court, the attack against 82-year-old Paul Pelosi took place last Friday, when an intruder looking for the Speaker, instead confronted her husband who was eventually able to call the police. It added that the two men were seen struggling with the hammer after which the intruder grabbed the hammer and hit Pelosi with it on the head. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi makes first public remarks since assault on her husband Paul

US House Democrats on Friday subpoenaed the White House for documents they want to see as part of their impeachment investigation of President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-state-department-approves-missile-sale-raised-in-ukraine-call-253609">Donald Trump</a>.

The chairmen of three House of Representatives committees said they want documents related to a July 25 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/texts-show-us-diplomat-pushing-ukraine-on-probe-for-donald-trump-meeting-253653">phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy</a> that is at the heart of their inquiry.

The three said they were forced to issue the subpoena after the White House failed to produce documents they requested in a September 9 letter.

"We deeply regret that President Trump has put us - and the nation - in this position, but his actions have left us with no choice but to issue this subpoena," said Representatives Elijah Cummings of the Oversight Committee, Adam Schiff of the Intelligence Committee and Eliot Engel of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

They gave the White House until October 18 to produce the information, including who else besides Trump was on the phone call with Zelenskiy.

"This subpoena changes nothing - just more document requests, wasted time, and taxpayer dollars that will ultimately show the President did nothing wrong," White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said in a statement.

Watch: Defiant Trump takes aim at journalist over Ukraine

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White House lawyers believe Trump, a Republican, can ignore lawmakers' demands until the Democratic-controlled Households a full vote of the chamber to formally approve of the impeachment inquiry, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Earlier, the committees asked Vice President Mike Pence to hand over documents relating to a meeting he held with Zelenskiy and the call between Zelenskiy and Trump.

They gave Pence until October 15 to produce any records relating to the July call and a meeting he held with Zelenskiy on Sept. 1.

According to a partial transcript of the call, Trump asked Zelenskiy <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-calls-on-china-and-ukraine-to-investigate-biden-253570">the "favour" of investigating former US Vice President Joe Biden</a>, a leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, and his son, Hunter Biden, who had served on the board of Ukrainian gas company Burisma.

At the time, the Trump administration was withholding hundreds of millions in aid for Ukraine and Democrats said they suspect Trump was using U.S. foreign policy and taxpayer money for his personal political gain. Trump is running for re-election.

"Recently, public reports have raised questions about any role you may have played in conveying or reinforcing the president's stark message to the Ukrainian president," Cummings, Schiff and Engel wrote in a letter to Pence.

A spokeswoman for Pence said the broad nature of the request showed that it was not "serious."

When <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-diplomat-at-center-of-trump-ukraine-affair-to-meet-with-house-committee-staff-253410">Pence met with Zelenskiy</a>, the two discussed the $250 million in security assistance that the US Congress had approved but that the Trump administration had not disbursed.

Whistleblower

The contents of the Trump-Zelenskiy call were revealed by a member of the intelligence community who filed a whistleblower complaint and remains anonymous. Trump has said he wants to know the whistleblower's identity.

Democratic Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, a member of the Intelligence Committee, said he believed the whistleblower's identity should be kept secret even from members of the panel.

"I think that the less we know about that person, the more protected he or she will be," Krishnamoorthi told Reuters.

A second intelligence official, who has more direct information about Trump's dealings with Ukraine than the first whistleblower, is also considering filing a whistleblower complaint, the New York Times reported, citing two people briefed on the matter.

The second official is among those interviewed by the intelligence community inspector general to corroborate the allegations of the original whistleblower, one of the people said, according to the Times.

The inspector general, Michael Atkinson, testified before a closed-door session of the House Intelligence Committee on Friday.

The investigation could lead to the approval of articles of impeachment - or formal charges - against Trump in the House. A trial on whether to remove him from office would then be held in the US Senate. Republicans who control the Senate have shown little appetite for ousting Trump.

A cache of diplomatic texts Democrats received as part of their impeachment inquiry showed US officials pressured the Ukrainian government to launch investigations that might benefit Trump's personal political agenda in exchange for a meeting of the two countries' leaders.

Kurt Volker, who resigned last week as Trump's special envoy to Ukraine, gave the messages to the House committees in a closed-door meeting on Thursday, and the chairmen released them later in the day.

Romney pushes back

Trump has said Biden and his son are "corrupt" but has shown no evidence to back that up. The president on Thursday went a step further in his attacks on Biden when he called on China to investigate the former vice president and his son, who had business interests there.

US senator and former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said on Friday it was "wrong and appalling" for Trump to push other nations to investigate Biden.

"When the only American citizen President Trump singles out for China's investigation is his political opponent in the midst of the Democratic nomination process, it strains credulity to suggest that it is anything other than politically motivated," Romney said on Twitter.

Trump said on Friday he would not tie a much-anticipated trade deal with China to his desire for Beijing to investigate Joe Biden.

"One thing has nothing to do with the other," he said.

Biden leads in most opinion polls among the 19 Democrats seeking the party's nomination. His campaign has blasted Trump's efforts as desperate.

In a signal of how Kiev will handle investigations being watched in Washington, Ukrainian prosecutors said they would review 15 old probes related to Burisma's founder but added that they were unaware of any evidence of wrongdoing by Biden's son.

The White House plans to argue that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, must have the full House vote to formally approve an impeachment inquiry, a source familiar with the effort said.

Without a vote, White House lawyers believe Trump, who has called the impeachment probe a "hoax," can ignore lawmakers' requests, the source said, meaning the federal courts would presumably have to render a decision and potentially slow the march toward impeachment.

A White House letter arguing Pelosi must hold a House vote will probably be sent to Capitol Hill next week, an administration official said.

US House Democrats on Friday subpoenaed the White House for documents they want to see as part of their impeachment investigation of President Donald Trump. The chairmen of three House of Representatives committees said they want documents related to a July 25 phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that is at the heart of their inquiry.

US House Democrats on Friday subpoenaed the White House for documents they want to see as part of their impeachment investigation of President Donald Trump. The chairmen of three House of Representatives committees said they want documents related to a July 25 phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that is at the heart of their inquiry. The three said they were forced to issue the subpoena after the White House failed to produce documents they requested in a September 9 letter. "We deeply regret that President Trump has put us - and the nation - in this position, but his actions have left us with no choice but to issue this subpoena," said Representatives Elijah Cummings of the Oversight Committee, Adam Schiff of the Intelligence Committee and Eliot Engel of the Foreign Affairs Committee. They gave the White House until October 18 to produce the information, including who else besides Trump was on the phone call with Zelenskiy. "This subpoena changes nothing - just more document requests, wasted time, and taxpayer dollars that will ultimately show the President did nothing wrong," White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said in a statement. Watch: Defiant Trump takes aim at journalist over Ukraine × White House lawyers believe Trump, a Republican, can ignore lawmakers' demands until the Democratic-controlled Households a full vote of the chamber to formally approve of the impeachment inquiry, according to a person familiar with the matter. Earlier, the committees asked Vice President Mike Pence to hand over documents relating to a meeting he held with Zelenskiy and the call between Zelenskiy and Trump. They gave Pence until October 15 to produce any records relating to the July call and a meeting he held with Zelenskiy on Sept. 1. According to a partial transcript of the call, Trump asked Zelenskiy the "favour" of investigating former US Vice President Joe Biden, a leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, and his son, Hunter Biden, who had served on the board of Ukrainian gas company Burisma. At the time, the Trump administration was withholding hundreds of millions in aid for Ukraine and Democrats said they suspect Trump was using U.S. foreign policy and taxpayer money for his personal political gain. Trump is running for re-election. "Recently, public reports have raised questions about any role you may have played in conveying or reinforcing the president's stark message to the Ukrainian president," Cummings, Schiff and Engel wrote in a letter to Pence. A spokeswoman for Pence said the broad nature of the request showed that it was not "serious." When Pence met with Zelenskiy, the two discussed the $250 million in security assistance that the US Congress had approved but that the Trump administration had not disbursed. Whistleblower The contents of the Trump-Zelenskiy call were revealed by a member of the intelligence community who filed a whistleblower complaint and remains anonymous. Trump has said he wants to know the whistleblower's identity. Democratic Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, a member of the Intelligence Committee, said he believed the whistleblower's identity should be kept secret even from members of the panel. "I think that the less we know about that person, the more protected he or she will be," Krishnamoorthi told Reuters. A second intelligence official, who has more direct information about Trump's dealings with Ukraine than the first whistleblower, is also considering filing a whistleblower complaint, the New York Times reported, citing two people briefed on the matter. The second official is among those interviewed by the intelligence community inspector general to corroborate the allegations of the original whistleblower, one of the people said, according to the Times. The inspector general, Michael Atkinson, testified before a closed-door session of the House Intelligence Committee on Friday. The investigation could lead to the approval of articles of impeachment - or formal charges - against Trump in the House. A trial on whether to remove him from office would then be held in the US Senate. Republicans who control the Senate have shown little appetite for ousting Trump. A cache of diplomatic texts Democrats received as part of their impeachment inquiry showed US officials pressured the Ukrainian government to launch investigations that might benefit Trump's personal political agenda in exchange for a meeting of the two countries' leaders. Kurt Volker, who resigned last week as Trump's special envoy to Ukraine, gave the messages to the House committees in a closed-door meeting on Thursday, and the chairmen released them later in the day. Romney pushes back Trump has said Biden and his son are "corrupt" but has shown no evidence to back that up. The president on Thursday went a step further in his attacks on Biden when he called on China to investigate the former vice president and his son, who had business interests there. US senator and former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said on Friday it was "wrong and appalling" for Trump to push other nations to investigate Biden. "When the only American citizen President Trump singles out for China's investigation is his political opponent in the midst of the Democratic nomination process, it strains credulity to suggest that it is anything other than politically motivated," Romney said on Twitter. Trump said on Friday he would not tie a much-anticipated trade deal with China to his desire for Beijing to investigate Joe Biden. "One thing has nothing to do with the other," he said. Biden leads in most opinion polls among the 19 Democrats seeking the party's nomination. His campaign has blasted Trump's efforts as desperate. In a signal of how Kiev will handle investigations being watched in Washington, Ukrainian prosecutors said they would review 15 old probes related to Burisma's founder but added that they were unaware of any evidence of wrongdoing by Biden's son. The White House plans to argue that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, must have the full House vote to formally approve an impeachment inquiry, a source familiar with the effort said. Without a vote, White House lawyers believe Trump, who has called the impeachment probe a "hoax," can ignore lawmakers' requests, the source said, meaning the federal courts would presumably have to render a decision and potentially slow the march toward impeachment. A White House letter arguing Pelosi must hold a House vote will probably be sent to Capitol Hill next week, an administration official said.

House Democrats subpoena White House for documents in Donald Trump impeachment probe

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/democrats-capture-us-house-majority-in-rebuke-to-donald-trump-176019#us-midterm-polls-2018-176011">Democrats in Congress </a>raised questions on Thursday about the Internal Revenue Service's ability to effectively audit President <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/presidential-harassment-screams-trump-as-democrats-investigate-him-195874">Donald Trump</a>'s tax returns, as they began hearings intended to result in obtaining the documents and making them public.

A tax oversight panel in the House of Representatives heard testimony from expert witnesses as it considered a Democratic measure that would require presidential candidates to release their tax returns, codifying a voluntary practice that existed for decades until Trump ran for president in 2016.

The legislation is unlikely to become law. But a separate Democratic plan to request Trump's tax returns from Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin under federal law in coming months is fast becoming a political lightning rod for Democrats and Republicans.

Trump has cited IRS audits of his personal tax returns as a reason not to release them to the public. He has also retained ownership of extensive hotel interests and other business ventures as president, raising questions about potential ties with Russia and other possible conflicts of interest.

Democrats need to decide how to justify seeking Trump's returns, and some lawmaker comments on Thursday appeared to bolster an option being considered that would place such action within established congressional authority to oversee the IRS.

Republicans rejected the need to obtain Trump's tax returns, saying a required annual IRS audit of presidential tax records should provide adequate safeguards without threatening the privacy normally afforded to individual tax data.

"But I'm concerned that the IRS may not have the ability to accurately and fairly carry this out, free from political pressure," Democratic Representative Suzan DelBene said.

Representative John Lewis, Democratic chairman of the House Ways and Means oversight subcommittee, drew a parallel with the Watergate era, citing an IRS audit of former President Richard Nixon that congressional investigators later discovered had missed nearly $480,000 in owed taxes and interest.

"Should the public know whether the person who is running for the office or who is currently leading our nation paid the correct amount of tax? In the case of Nixon, the answer was yes," Lewis said.

"Is it fair to expect the IRS to enforce federal tax law against the president?" he added. "In the case of Nixon, the answer was no."

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal is under growing pressure from Democratic liberal progressives to move quickly on Trump's taxes. Some committee Democrats said a request could be two to three months away.

Republicans say Democrats would overstep their authority and set a dangerous precedent.

"In reality, this is all about weaponizing our tax laws to target a political foe," said Republican Representative Jackie Walorski. "Privacy and civil liberties should still matter in this country."

Democrats in Congress raised questions on Thursday about the Internal Revenue Service's ability to effectively audit President Donald Trump's tax returns, as they began hearings intended to result in obtaining the documents and making them public.

Democrats in Congress raised questions on Thursday about the Internal Revenue Service's ability to effectively audit President Donald Trump's tax returns, as they began hearings intended to result in obtaining the documents and making them public. A tax oversight panel in the House of Representatives heard testimony from expert witnesses as it considered a Democratic measure that would require presidential candidates to release their tax returns, codifying a voluntary practice that existed for decades until Trump ran for president in 2016. The legislation is unlikely to become law. But a separate Democratic plan to request Trump's tax returns from Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin under federal law in coming months is fast becoming a political lightning rod for Democrats and Republicans. Trump has cited IRS audits of his personal tax returns as a reason not to release them to the public. He has also retained ownership of extensive hotel interests and other business ventures as president, raising questions about potential ties with Russia and other possible conflicts of interest. Democrats need to decide how to justify seeking Trump's returns, and some lawmaker comments on Thursday appeared to bolster an option being considered that would place such action within established congressional authority to oversee the IRS. Republicans rejected the need to obtain Trump's tax returns, saying a required annual IRS audit of presidential tax records should provide adequate safeguards without threatening the privacy normally afforded to individual tax data. "But I'm concerned that the IRS may not have the ability to accurately and fairly carry this out, free from political pressure," Democratic Representative Suzan DelBene said. Representative John Lewis, Democratic chairman of the House Ways and Means oversight subcommittee, drew a parallel with the Watergate era, citing an IRS audit of former President Richard Nixon that congressional investigators later discovered had missed nearly $480,000 in owed taxes and interest. "Should the public know whether the person who is running for the office or who is currently leading our nation paid the correct amount of tax? In the case of Nixon, the answer was yes," Lewis said. "Is it fair to expect the IRS to enforce federal tax law against the president?" he added. "In the case of Nixon, the answer was no." House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal is under growing pressure from Democratic liberal progressives to move quickly on Trump's taxes. Some committee Democrats said a request could be two to three months away. Republicans say Democrats would overstep their authority and set a dangerous precedent. "In reality, this is all about weaponizing our tax laws to target a political foe," said Republican Representative Jackie Walorski. "Privacy and civil liberties should still matter in this country."

US House Democrats question IRS audits of Trump taxes

House of Representatives Democrats will introduce legislation this week intended to end a partial <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-congress-meets-briefly-takes-no-action-on-shutdown-186889">US&nbsp;government shutdown</a> and fund the Department of Homeland Security through February 8, including $1.3 billion for border security but not the $5 billion President Donald Trump has demanded for a border wall, a senior Democratic aide said on Monday.

Democrats, set this week to take control of the House from Trump's fellow Republicans, they will also offer legislation to provide year-long funding for other agencies and departments that have been closed by a partial government shutdown that began on December 22, the aide said.

Democrats have said they intend to vote on legislation to reopen the government on Thursday when the new Congress convenes.

The homeland security legislation is based on a measure that has already passed the Senate with bipartisan support. Trump's demand for $5 billion in funding for a wall along the US-Mexico border led to an impasse in Congress over legislation to keep parts of the federal government funded.

Efforts to broker a solution since the shutdown began have failed and given way to a blame game between Democrats, Trump and other Republicans.

Meanwhile, On December 28 both chambers of the US Congress convened for only a few minutes showing little sense of urgency over the shutdown but took no steps to end it.

Trump wants the money to be included in spending measures that Congress must pass to restore funding to several government agencies, including the departments of Homeland Security, Justice, Agriculture and Commerce.

Democrats have said they intend to vote on legislation to reopen the government on Thursday when the new Congress convenes.

House of Representatives Democrats will introduce legislation this week intended to end a partial US government shutdown and fund the Department of Homeland Security through February 8, including $1.3 billion for border security but not the $5 billion President Donald Trump has demanded for a border wall, a senior Democratic aide said on Monday. Democrats, set this week to take control of the House from Trump's fellow Republicans, they will also offer legislation to provide year-long funding for other agencies and departments that have been closed by a partial government shutdown that began on December 22, the aide said. Democrats have said they intend to vote on legislation to reopen the government on Thursday when the new Congress convenes. The homeland security legislation is based on a measure that has already passed the Senate with bipartisan support. Trump's demand for $5 billion in funding for a wall along the US-Mexico border led to an impasse in Congress over legislation to keep parts of the federal government funded. Efforts to broker a solution since the shutdown began have failed and given way to a blame game between Democrats, Trump and other Republicans. Meanwhile, On December 28 both chambers of the US Congress convened for only a few minutes showing little sense of urgency over the shutdown but took no steps to end it. Trump wants the money to be included in spending measures that Congress must pass to restore funding to several government agencies, including the departments of Homeland Security, Justice, Agriculture and Commerce.

US House Democrats ready bills to reopen government with $1.3 billion for border security

After capturing the US House of Representatives with a campaign that spoke of holding President Donald Trump accountable, some powerful House Democrats are now urging restraint and a focus on policy, at least at the outset.

An aggressive examination of the president is still needed, senior lawmakers and aides told Reuters. But Democratic leaders are trying to chart a measured path forward from early January when they will take over the House from Trump's Republicans.

That path will seek to avoid igniting political battles, for now, over matters such as Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election, as well as possible collusion between Moscow and the Trump campaign and obstruction of justice.

Many Democrats want to probe these volatile topics, using subpoenas to get at documents and testimony they say Republicans have ignored for two years, lawmakers and aides said.

They also said they want to dig into Trump's property holdings, son-in-law Jared Kushner's businesses and daughter Ivanka Trump's use of private emails for official business.

But the investigative hard-chargers do not appear to be prevailing in shaping the Democrats' early 2019 agenda.

That is because other Democrats - including key committee leaders - want to focus on immigration, rising student loan debt, high-cost prescription drugs and the federal response to hurricane disasters, especially in Puerto Rico.

The Democrats' agenda will solidify in six to eight weeks. When it does, it will greatly shape the relationship for the next two years between Capitol Hill and Trump, who has not yet dealt with a chamber of Congress under opposition control.

Voters handed a House majority to Democrats in the November 6 elections. With that comes more resources for investigations, but some members of key committees said they are concerned that rushing to wield that power could turn off voters.

Representative Jerrold Nadler, likely chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, is discouraging talk of an immediate push to impeach Trump. Other Democrats are doing the same.

At the House Intelligence Committee, members are debating whether to reopen the panel's 2016 Russian election-meddling probe, said sources who requested anonymity.

Representative Adam Schiff, on track to become the panel's chairman, is leading a faction that wants to hold off on reopening the Russian inquiry, said sources.

At the same time, Schiff is talking publicly about investigating Trump's ties to Russia, which has denied interfering in the 2016 election to favour Trump.

Democrat Joaquin Castro, an Intelligence Committee member, favours committees starting the 2019-2020 Congress with hearings on issues such as the separation of immigrant children from their parents. But he told Reuters that Republicans have "turned a blind eye to key leads in the investigation into Russia’s interference in our 2016 election ...

"In the next Congress, we will be sure to revisit all those leads, while at the same time actively examining whether Russians were money laundering through the Trump Organization, gaining any leverage over the president."

Republicans have already begun criticizing Democrats, even before their first investigation is launched, embracing the term "presidential harassment" that Trump likes to use.

At the same time, Republicans reopened 2016's wounds on Friday when the House Judiciary Committee said Republican Bob Goodlatte, with only weeks to go as committee chairman, issued subpoenas for former FBI Director James Comey and former Attorney General Loretta Lynch to give depositions in a probe of their handling of an inquiry into Hillary Clinton’s emails.

A committee statement said Comey would be deposed on December 3 and Lynch on December 4 about the long-festering email issue involving Clinton, the Democrat defeated by Trump in 2016.

Before the current lame-duck Congress ends in mid-December, House Democrats will choose a party leader for 2019-2020, with their current leader Nancy Pelosi the front-runner.

The leader and committee chairs have a "vision" for the investigative agenda, but details are still being discussed, a senior aide said.

The wide-ranging House Oversight Committee is likely to be chaired by Representative Elijah Cummings. He has called an examination of high prescription drug costs a top priority.

Still, Cummings told Reuters the panel has asked for information on the reported use by Ivanka Trump, who serves as a senior aide to her father, of personal email to contact other administration officials, a possible records preservation law violation.

The White House has ignored the request, Cummings said. "We need those documents to ensure that Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, and other officials are complying with federal records laws," he said.

Democratic committee member Carolyn Maloney said she was pushing Cummings to probe the administration's decision to add a question about citizenship to the US Census.

Matt Cartwright, another Oversight Democrat, said, "I'm against weaponizing the committee, however, I don't want to defang the committee by the same token ... Our committee should be more than a political loudspeaker."

After capturing the US House of Representatives with a campaign that spoke of holding President Donald Trump accountable, some powerful House Democrats are now urging restraint and a focus on policy, at least at the outset.

After capturing the US House of Representatives with a campaign that spoke of holding President Donald Trump accountable, some powerful House Democrats are now urging restraint and a focus on policy, at least at the outset. An aggressive examination of the president is still needed, senior lawmakers and aides told Reuters. But Democratic leaders are trying to chart a measured path forward from early January when they will take over the House from Trump's Republicans. That path will seek to avoid igniting political battles, for now, over matters such as Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election, as well as possible collusion between Moscow and the Trump campaign and obstruction of justice. Many Democrats want to probe these volatile topics, using subpoenas to get at documents and testimony they say Republicans have ignored for two years, lawmakers and aides said. They also said they want to dig into Trump's property holdings, son-in-law Jared Kushner's businesses and daughter Ivanka Trump's use of private emails for official business. But the investigative hard-chargers do not appear to be prevailing in shaping the Democrats' early 2019 agenda. That is because other Democrats - including key committee leaders - want to focus on immigration, rising student loan debt, high-cost prescription drugs and the federal response to hurricane disasters, especially in Puerto Rico. The Democrats' agenda will solidify in six to eight weeks. When it does, it will greatly shape the relationship for the next two years between Capitol Hill and Trump, who has not yet dealt with a chamber of Congress under opposition control. Voters handed a House majority to Democrats in the November 6 elections. With that comes more resources for investigations, but some members of key committees said they are concerned that rushing to wield that power could turn off voters. Representative Jerrold Nadler, likely chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, is discouraging talk of an immediate push to impeach Trump. Other Democrats are doing the same. At the House Intelligence Committee, members are debating whether to reopen the panel's 2016 Russian election-meddling probe, said sources who requested anonymity. Representative Adam Schiff, on track to become the panel's chairman, is leading a faction that wants to hold off on reopening the Russian inquiry, said sources. At the same time, Schiff is talking publicly about investigating Trump's ties to Russia, which has denied interfering in the 2016 election to favour Trump. Democrat Joaquin Castro, an Intelligence Committee member, favours committees starting the 2019-2020 Congress with hearings on issues such as the separation of immigrant children from their parents. But he told Reuters that Republicans have "turned a blind eye to key leads in the investigation into Russia’s interference in our 2016 election ... "In the next Congress, we will be sure to revisit all those leads, while at the same time actively examining whether Russians were money laundering through the Trump Organization, gaining any leverage over the president." Republicans have already begun criticizing Democrats, even before their first investigation is launched, embracing the term "presidential harassment" that Trump likes to use. At the same time, Republicans reopened 2016's wounds on Friday when the House Judiciary Committee said Republican Bob Goodlatte, with only weeks to go as committee chairman, issued subpoenas for former FBI Director James Comey and former Attorney General Loretta Lynch to give depositions in a probe of their handling of an inquiry into Hillary Clinton’s emails. A committee statement said Comey would be deposed on December 3 and Lynch on December 4 about the long-festering email issue involving Clinton, the Democrat defeated by Trump in 2016. Before the current lame-duck Congress ends in mid-December, House Democrats will choose a party leader for 2019-2020, with their current leader Nancy Pelosi the front-runner. The leader and committee chairs have a "vision" for the investigative agenda, but details are still being discussed, a senior aide said. The wide-ranging House Oversight Committee is likely to be chaired by Representative Elijah Cummings. He has called an examination of high prescription drug costs a top priority. Still, Cummings told Reuters the panel has asked for information on the reported use by Ivanka Trump, who serves as a senior aide to her father, of personal email to contact other administration officials, a possible records preservation law violation. The White House has ignored the request, Cummings said. "We need those documents to ensure that Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, and other officials are complying with federal records laws," he said. Democratic committee member Carolyn Maloney said she was pushing Cummings to probe the administration's decision to add a question about citizenship to the US Census. Matt Cartwright, another Oversight Democrat, said, "I'm against weaponizing the committee, however, I don't want to defang the committee by the same token ... Our committee should be more than a political loudspeaker."

Senior US House Democrats tap brakes on investigating Trump

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