The party itself and marine Le Pen, of course they deny all this. Its going to be a long trial, a couple of months as they go through all the evidence. At the end of it, though, whats crucial and why this trial matters is that it is marine Le Pen s political future which is very much at stake. Why . Because one of the potential penalties she could suffer if shes found guilty is an ineligibility for office. She could be banned from standing for public office for a period of, say, five years. And that would mean she couldnt stand in the next president ial election in 2027. Marine Le Pen is Riding High right now in french politics. Her party did very well in the last elections. It can make or break this Sitting Government of michel barnier. Her next step is this bid for the presidency again in 2027. But if this guilty verdict, if its a guilty verdict and it ends in an ineligibility for office, that obviously means that that plan is up in smoke, and she will need urgently a plan b. We have
Vote vote vote the presiding officer are there any senators in the chamber wishing to vote or change their vote . If no, the on this vote the yeas are 516789 the nays are 31. Threefifths having not voted in the affirmative, the motion is not agreed to. The majority leader. Mr. Mcconnell i enter a motion to reconsider the vote. The motion is entered. Mr. Mcconnell i move to have proceed to executive session to consider calendar number 355. The presiding officer the question is on the motion to proceed. All in favor say aye. Those opposed no. The ayes appear to have it. The ayes do have it. The motion is agreed to. The clerk will report the nomination. The clerk nomination, the judiciary, David Austin Tapp of kentucky to be a judge of the United States court of federal claims. Mr. Mcconnell i send a cloture motion to the desk. The presiding officer the clerk will report the cloture motion. The clerk cloture motion, we the undersigned senators in accordance with the provisions of rule 22
Next, a discussion on trends to the u. S. Political system. Topics include the impeachment inquiry, President Trumps use of social media and the role of the courts. From the Brookings Institution this is 90 minutes. [inaudible] i would like to welcome me to our forum on impeachment, foreign interference and Election Security and 2020. It has been several weeks since Speaker Pelosi launched the impeachment inquiry. Theres been testimony from a number of Administration Officials and soon we will be moving to public hearings. At the same time as we head into the 2020th election, there is concern about foreign i interference in the security of our election infrastructure. There is a concern about Voter Registrationon databases, sewing societal discord, and spreading disinformation. You should have copies of the constitution at each of your seat, s so if theres anything that comes up during the course of this conversation where you need to refer to the legal document, feel free to do so. To
May our lawmakers live with such faithfulness that they will be your redemptive instruments at a time when truth seems a rare commodity. May you find delight in those who by faith trust you to make the crooked places straight and the rough places smooth. Lead our senators to a fresh dedication in their service you to and humanity. Grant that justice will roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream. We pray in your great name. Amen. The president pro tempore amen. Please join me in the please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of americ, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Mr. Grassley madam president . The presiding officer the senator from iowa. Mr. Grassley i ask to speak in morning business for 30 seconds. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Grassley veterans, meaning our veterans of war, our veterans who are
is american voices we began this weekend with breaking news. reacting to former president trump s bombshell claim that h will be arrested on tuesday. trump says that he s receive quote, legal leaks about the manhattan district attorney investigation. on a shrewd social account tha will be taken into custody o tuesday. earlier this, week trump attorney said that if th former president were to b indicted that he would surrender to authorities trump himself already callin for protests to be clear, no evidence tha trump has indeed been indicted the manhattan da s offic declined to comment. just minutes ago, michael cohe shedding light on the gran juries possible timeline the grand jury meets you sa monday, wednesday, thursday. which means he s gonna b arrested next tuesday? they would ve had to vote an indictment thursday. because you were there testifying on wednesday? correct just yesterday the claims of harassment calls for protest nbc learned at least five law enfo