Oh hey today was the earliest sunset of the year, we've hit bottom! https://t.co/K99sQGlSzR
— Tom Scocca (@tomscocca) December 7, 2022
In a speech at the 10th annual National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence, Pres. Biden calls it "common sense" to ban assault weapons, limit the number of bullets allowed in a cartridge and restrict the types of weapons that can be bought and sold. https://t.co/nSmvr33Wvo pic.twitter.com/Cc6VgBZOT5
— ABC News (@ABC) December 8, 2022
“Your political survival is NOTHING compared to the survival of our children” ~ @SpeakerPelosi calling for congressional courage at the 10th Annual National Vigil For All Victims of Gun Violence. pic.twitter.com/auFcjfKfhQ
— Ryan Deitsch (@Ryan_Deitsch) December 8, 2022
Another reason to look forward to the solstice!
The Jan. 6 select committee investigating the U.S. Capitol riot plans to release its final report on Dec. 21, the panel's chair, Rep. Bennie Thompson, said Wednesday. https://t.co/D6D9FDV3BH
— Axios (@axios) December 8, 2022
Why it matters: The eight-chapter report is the culmination of a year and a half of work by the panel, including hundreds of depositions and hundreds of thousands of documents and other material evidence.
– It is expected to hone in on former President Trump’s alleged role in the violence at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, including his sprawling effort to overturn the 2020 election.
What they’re saying: Thompson said in a brief gaggle with reporters at the Capitol that the release of the report will be accompanied by a “formal presentation.”
– “There will be some form of public presentation, we haven’t decided exactly what that will be,” he said.
– The panel could also vote on making criminal referrals to the Department of Justice the same day, Thompson added.
What we’re watching: While much of the committees findings may be left on the cutting room floor, Thompson confirmed that they will make public whatever doesn’t make it into the report.
– “We’ll provide a method for the public to have access to it,” Thompson said.
– Asked about House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s (R-Calif.) demand for the committee to preserve its findings – a signal of a GOP probe to come – Thompson said, “He’s the public. If he wants access to it, all he has to do is go online and he’ll have it.”
Silencing survivors is a thing of the past. I commend @POTUS for signing the Speak Now Bill. This critical piece of legislation ensures that workers are protected and empowered to report sexual misconduct. https://t.co/TeVPVP4YIF
— Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) December 7, 2022
News — Nearly a million immigrant adults were naturalized as American citizens in fiscal year 2022, the third-highest annual tally in U.S. history.https://t.co/gZLwHfQsKR
— Camilo Montoya-Galvez (@camiloreports) December 7, 2022
Still far from perfect, but IMO the more motivated citizens we can add, the better:
… The 14-year high in naturalizations comes a year after President Biden directed federal agencies to promote naturalizations by eliminating bureaucratic barriers in the citizenship process, speeding up case adjudications and developing a government-wide strategy to encourage eligible immigrants to become citizens.
Citing that directive, USCIS scrapped a Trump administration revision to the naturalization civics questions that critics said made it harder for immigrants to pass the test, which is a requirement for most citizenship applicants. The agency also expanded remote video interviews for naturalization cases.
In an interview with CBS News, USCIS Director Ur Jaddou said the agency has launched public awareness and information campaigns to make the naturalization process more accessible, and streamlined citizenship cases for U.S. service members. In March 2021, USCIS held the first remote video military naturalization ceremony.
“It is good for the nation for people to fully become part of this nation, join it in the fullest way that they can,” Jaddou said this week. “That has been a priority since the beginning of this administration and we’re going to continue the focus on ensuring that people who wish to become Americans, can be.”…
In its fiscal year 2022 progress report, USCIS noted it processed a record high 275,111 employment-based green cards alongside the State Department, which reviews overseas visa requests. It also implemented a rule to provide relief to immigrants affected by the work permit delays by extending the period of automatic work authorization extensions for those applying for a renewal…
And finally: Lest we forget…
White House Christmas five years ago this month: pic.twitter.com/IM4O7h7ZNw
— Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) December 5, 2022
Thursday Morning Open Thread: Hope for the SADPost + Comments (203)