January 1, Pelosi Pressures GOP on Gun Control | Trump Asylum Ban Halted | Google Anti-Trust Probe

This Day in History | 1998

U.S. President Clinton met with members of his Cabinet to apologize, ask forgiveness and promise to improve as a person in the wake of the scandal involving Monica Lewinsky.

Good Morning Middle Americans 

Congress is back in session and things are almost just as they were before the August recess, except the fact that there have been several mass shootings, think El Paso and Dayton, Ohio. Democrats are using these tragedies to push for more gun control.  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is says there will be “hell to pay” if the Senate doesn’t act.   Also today, we have a report about a judge from the 9th circuit – reimposing an injunction – which puts another halt on President Trump’s asylum ban.  And finally, Google faces a massive new anti-trust probe joined by 50 attorneys general.  Could this finally be the legal action that brings down the tech giant? Read all about it. 

– Fraser Dixon 

Pelosi: ‘Hell to Pay’ If Senate Doesn’t Pass Universal Background Check Bill

(The Hill) – There will be “hell to pay” if Senate Republicans don’t pass a universal background check bill, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned Monday during a press conference with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and other Democrats. 

“Some of the gun violence prevention groups have upped the ante even further to say that if this bill is not passed, (Senate Majority Leader) Mitch McConnell and Republicans in the Senate and the president will have hell to pay, so let’s save time,” Pelosi said.

Read more from The Hill here

Judge Reinstates Nationwide Halt on Trump Asylum Policy Plan

(AP) – Oakland based U.S. District Judge Jon Tigar reinstated a nationwide halt on the Trump administration’s plan to prevent most migrants from seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border.

In his ruling, Tigar stressed a “need to maintain uniform immigration policy” and found that nonprofit organizations such as Al Otro Lado don’t know where asylum seekers who enter the U.S. will end up living and making their case to remain in the country.

Read more from the AP here

Google Faces a New Antitrust Probe by 50 Attorneys General

(CNBC) – The news confirms reports last week about the bipartisan investigation into Google’s practices. The bipartisan probe will take place as Facebook faces its own antitrust investigation led by New York Attorney General Letitia James with attorneys general from seven states plus the District of Columbia.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the initiative’s leader said the probe will focus on Google’s advertising business, “but the facts will lead where the facts lead.”

Read More from CNBC here