Dems block Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's push for a Green New Deal

No Images? Click here         Dems block Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s push for a Green New Deal committee Democratic leaders on Thursday tapped Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Fla.) to head a revived U.S. House panel on climate change, all but ending a dramatic monthlong effort to establish a select committee on a Green New Deal. Castor’s appointment came as a surprise to proponents of a Green New Deal. The move also kicked off a controversy as the six-term congresswoman dismissed calls to bar members who accept money from fossil fuel companies from serving on the committee, arguing it would violate free speech rights.  Despite weeks of protests demanding House Democrats focus efforts next year on drafting a Green New Deal, the sort of sweeping economic policy that scientists say matches the scale of the climate crisis, Castor told E&E News the plan was “not going to be our sole focus.” She then suggested that barring members who have accepted donations from the oil, gas and coal industries from serving on the committee could be unconstitutional.  “I don’t think you can do that under the First Amendment, really,” she said. READ MORE     WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING? Facing a midnight deadline to avoid a partial government shutdown, President Donald Trump said Friday a closure would drag on “for a very long time” and he tried to build the case that congressional Democrats would bear responsibility if there’s no deal over his demand for U.S.-Mexico border wall money. READ MORE Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) called out Donald Trump's "bullshit" on live TV on Thursday.  READ MORE Jim Mattis' resignation has conservatives admitting that it's "time to panic" about ​Donald Trump. Marco Rubio (R-Fl.)says the defense secretary’s decision makes it clear the country is headed toward “a series of grave policy errors.” READ MORE    .     ICYMI Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg underwent a pulmonary lobectomy for two malignant nodules in her lung.The surgery was a success, according to a statement from the Supreme Court. “Fox and Friends” host Brian Kilmeade debated White House press secretary Sarah Sanders Friday morning over President Donald Trump’s decision to pull U.S. troops out of Syria. CNN’s Wolf Blitzer had to ask senior White House adviser Stephen Miller to stop yelling on Thursday’s broadcast of “The Situation Room.”    . Want more?  Michelle Obama wore the glittery, high-thigh Balenciaga boots of your dreams Hemp is officially going legal nationwide  Trump campaign aide seems to scold late Senator John McCain for silence on Russia probe     HuffPost is now a part of Oath and a part of Verizon. On May 25, 2018 we introduced a new Oath Privacy Policy which will explain how your data is used and shared. Learn More. How will Trump’s administration impact you? Sign up for our email and find out. Did a friend send you this? Subscribe here. Like what you see? Share it. Want more? Here are two other newsletters you'll love: The Morning Email and Must Reads. ©2018 HuffPost | 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003 You are receiving this email because you signed up for updates from HuffPost Feedback | Privacy Policy | Unsubscribe    . - - Preferences  |  Unsubscribe