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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top Democrat in the U.S. Senate called on President Donald Trump on Tuesday to block some Chinese investments in the United States to pressure China "to help rein in North Koreas threatening and destabilizing behavior."

In a letter to Trump, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer urged him to use his authority through the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, or CFIUS, to pressure Beijing by suspending approval of "all mergers and acquisitions in the U.S. by Chinese entities."

Schumer's request comes amid concern about North Korea, which fired a missile Friday that experts said was capable of hitting Los Angeles. Trump has repeatedly urged China to rein in its ally North Korea, and Schumer agreed.

"It is my assessment that China will not deter North Korea unless the United States exacts greater economic pressure on China," Schumer wrote to Trump, a Republican. "The U.S. must send a clear message to Chinas government."

Senator John Cornyn, a Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, was unconvinced that CFIUS was the right tool.

"Thats not specifically the purpose of CFIUS. CFIUS is a national security vehicle to try to make sure that high-tech investments by foreign countries dont steal our cutting-edge technology," Cornyn said outside his Senate office.

"Im happy to work with Senator Schumer to figure out what his concerns are," added Cornyn, who has urged changes at CFIUS because of China. His worry, however, was not North Korea but that China would close the technology gap between the U.S. and Chinese militaries.

Led by the U.S. Department of Treasury, CFIUS reviews foreign acquisitions of U.S. companies on national security grounds and can take action on its own or refer cases to the president.

In an interview with Reuters Friday, the top U.S. counter-intelligence official suggested the Trump administration was already working on a plan to toughen CFIUS.

"Were making significant progress on that, working with both sides of Pennsylvania Avenue," said William Evanina, National Counterintelligence Executive, referring to the White House and Congress. "I think its going to look a lot different than it does now."

Evanina, whose office oversees U.S. government efforts to counter spying and industrial espionage, declined to be more specific but noted that Chinas direct investment in the United States quadrupled from 2015 to 2016, to $48 billion annually.

China's UN ambassador, on the other hand, has said that it was up to Washington and Pyongyang to work toward talks on North Korea's weapons programs.

"(The United States and North Korea) hold the primary responsibility to keep things moving, to start moving in the right direction, not China," China's U.N. Ambassador Liu Jieyi told reporters on Monday. "No matter how capable China is, China's efforts will not yield practical results."

While China worries about North Koreas nuclear and missile programs, and the U.S. reaction to them, its overriding concern, U.S. officials say, is to avoid a North Korean collapse, which could send millions of refugees fleeing toward China and lead to a reunified Korea allied with Washington.

Schumer's plan to prohibit CFIUS from approving Chinese deals would be technically legal but would stretch CFIUS' mandate, CFIUS experts said.

"What sounds like effectively a bar on Chinese investment that is being suggested is probably legal but quite different than the case-by-case process that CFIUS has used in the past," said Stephen Heifetz of the law firm Steptoe & Johnson LLP who represents clients before CFIUS. "The U.S. government should consider the potential for a Chinese response."

The task force this year faces what could well be a record number of deals, many of them controversial as Chinese firms scout U.S. targets as varied as hotels and film studios to hedge against a weaker yuan CNY=.

Additional reporting by Diane Bartz, Susan Cornwell and Warren Strobel; Writing by Susan Heavey; Editing by Bill Trott and James Dalgleish

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Top Senate Democrat urges Trump to block China deals over North Korea - Reuters

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has raised nearly $26 million for her party in 2017, a significant leap for a nonelection year, according to fundraising figures furnished by the California Democrat's political team.

Most of Pelosi's $25.9 million haul was directed to the coffers of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which will be leading the party's quest to take back the House in 2018. Pelosi has sent the group $24.7 million this year, as opposed to $14 million she raised for the committee in the same period two years ago, in the last congressional "off year."

Pelosi's efforts have come as she has faced mounting criticism from a handful of her fellow Democrats who criticized the party's inability to gain more than a handful of seats in last year's House elections -- a drumbeat that returned after Democrats didn't win a closely watched and heavily contested special election in Georgia in June.

In the immediate aftermath, Pelosi pointed to her prodigious fundraising as one reason for her continued service as the Democrats' top leader in the House. Her political operation counts $593.8 million in fundraising attributable to Pelosi since she entered the House leadership in 2002.

"My leadership is recognized by many around the country, and that is why I'm able to attract the [financial] support that I do, which is essential to our elections, sad to say," she said.

Pelosi racked up million-dollar-plus hauls at a trio of Speaker's Cabinet VIP events this year in San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles -- part of a fundraising schedule that took her to 124 events in 22 cities. The total reflects more than $2 million raised from more than 115,000 small donors in response to committee email solicitations bearing Pelosi's signature.

Democratic National Committee fundraising this year has badly lagged behind that of the Republican National Committee. But in part because of Pelosi's efforts -- but also an unprecedented surge in grass-roots donations -- the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has kept pace with its GOP counterpart, the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Pelosi's $26 million falls behind the $33.1 million that House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., reported raising for his Team Ryan joint fundraising committee in the first half of the year, although it is not an exact apples-to-apples comparison, because Pelosi organizes her fundraising efforts differently.

Jorge Aguilar, the executive director of Pelosi's political operation, called the Democratic leader's haul "a direct reflection of voters' frustration with the destructive Trump-Ryan special-interests-only agenda that aims to rip away the health care of millions."

"It demonstrates the growing enthusiasm for House Democrats to retake the House," he said. "The American people are speaking loud and clear: They want a better deal than what Paul D. Ryan is offering."

A Section on 08/01/2017

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Democrat leader Nancy Pelosi raises $26M for party in 2017 - Arkansas Online

WASHINGTON (AP) The House Ethics Committee said Tuesday it is dropping separate investigations against Democratic Rep. Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico and Republican Rep. Roger Williams of Texas.

Lujan, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, was accused of using the House chamber to raise money for campaign purposes during a June 2016 sit-in on gun control.

Williams, an auto dealer, was accused of a conflict of interest in offering a 2015 amendment to a transportation bill that would have benefited auto dealers.

The ethics panel said neither Lujan nor Williams violated House rules, but cautioned that both lawmakers acted in ways where mistakes are possible. The panel urged all House members to seek guidance from the ethics committee when in doubt.

A spokesman for Lujan called the complaint politically motivated and without merit.

The Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust, a conservative-leaning watchdog group, filed a complaint last year alleging that Lujan and other Democrats violated ethics rules by using the House chamber to raise money for campaign purposes. Specifically, the group said Lujan and others sent campaign emails featuring photos of themselves during the June 2016 sit-in.

The ethics panel found that the emails involving Lujan were sent by a campaign consultant on the congressmans behalf, adding that there was no evidence that Lujan directed the emails to be sent while on the House floor. The screenshot used in one of the emails violated House rules, the panel said, but there was no evidence Lujan was aware of the decision to use the photo before the fundraising missive was sent out.

Spokesman Joe Shoemaker said the ethics panel acted appropriately by dismissing the case. Congressman Lujan is committed to abiding by House rules and will continue to do so in the future.

Williams on Tuesday stood by his decision to offer an amendment to a wide-ranging transportation bill that would have allowed auto dealers to rent out vehicles even if theyre subject to recall.

This bill would have resulted in unintended consequences that would punish small business owners, employees and consumers, he said in a statement. As I knew all along, the committee found no violation of any law, rule or regulation.

Williams has said the amendment was intended to address recalls aimed at trivial defects, but critics said it would apply more broadly.

The independent Office of Congressional Ethics, an outside panel that reviews ethics complaints against House members, said Williams personal financial interest in his auto dealership could be perceived as having influenced his decision to offer the amendment.

The ethics panel said Williams should have sought ethics guidance before submitting the amendment and urged him to take care to avoid creating any impression that he was sponsoring the amendment to benefit himself or his business.

In Lujans case, the ethics panel said the evolving nature of electronic communications and campaign solicitations presents novel issues that are not directly addressed by the House Ethics Manual. Further guidance on email use is needed, the panel said.

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House ethics panel clears NM Democrat, Texas Republican - LubbockOnline.com

Tecumseh Democrat George Hanna announced Monday that he had filed to run for the Kansas House of Representatives in a district that covers part of Shawnee County.

Hanna, 47, a veteran and activist, is running in the Democratic primary for the seat currently held by Republican Rep. Ronald Ellis, of Meriden. Ellis did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

According to the announcement, Hanna worked to unionize Topeka city employees after getting his start in activism by working against the anti-LGBTQ Westboro Baptist Church. Hanna became homeless as an adolescent, according to the press release.

It is because of the things I have been through that I fight for tolerance and acceptance today, Hanna said.

Hanna said veterans issues and Medicaid expansion would be pillars of his campaign. He said he serves as the chair of Kansas Democratic Caucus for Veterans and Veterans Families and is a student at Kansas State University.

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Democrat announces bid for Kansas House seat covering part of Shawnee County - Topeka Capital Journal

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi appeared Sunday on Fox News to defend herself and the Democratic Partys new initiative dubbed A Better Deal aimed at rebuilding her partys standing with the nations voters.

Pelosis pitch was straightforward: our economy is rigged against Americas workers and only Democrats can fix it.

One small problem: America has heard this before. On countless commercials. In numerous debates. For months on end.

As highlighted by even supportive media outlets, A Better Deal is largely a rehash of solutions offered by Hillary Clinton during her failed presidential campaign. That doesnt mean A Better Deal is without merit, as Foxs Chris Wallace noted. But clearly something was missing when Clinton made these same losing arguments.

The American people were looking for something more. Something different.

And that underlines why Pelosis performance was another train wreck for Democrats. D.C. Democrats still dont understand or wont accept why they keep losing.

President Trump reached the White House with a simple promise: Make America Great Again. He saw a broken immigration system, gutted manufacturing base, and a set of toothless foreign policies that all originated from feckless and corrupt D.C. elites.

To right the ship, Trump vowed to drain the swamp of Americas political losers and push through an agenda that would leave the country literally tired of winning.

Said differently, Trump focused on the brokenness of Washington D.C.

It was a smart strategy.

For years, Congress approval rating has been dismal. America has grown tired of the constant political warfare between dueling politicians that has resulted in little progress.

Poll after poll also shows that voters are disgusted by a political system that all too often leads to career politicians who drink off the corrupting spigot of campaign cash from corporate interests.

Bottom line: America wanted better leadership and an effective government in 2016. Fair or not, Trump became the credible voice to accomplish those goals.

Six months later, its debatable whether Trump is the voice that America wanted. However what isnt up for debate is that the country still desires better leadership. In fact, polls show that we view it as the most pressing issue facing the nation.

More important than health care. More than the economy. More than immigration.

And yet despite the countrys hunger for fresh leadership, Democratic leaders like Nancy Pelosi (with 29 years in office) continue to appear on TV to promote the partys reboot. Complete with Clintons losing proposals.

To underline the absurdity, Pelosi made it clear that the new initiative is not a course correction, but a presentation correction.

In other words, same politicians and same message, just a prettier bow.

If the whole enterprise smacks of ego, it should. Pelosi knows that Americans want new leadership and a functional national government. She knows that this requires her to step aside for the good of the party and country. However shes made it clear that shes not going anywhere.

To the point, when Pelosi was asked about the importance of a fresh start for the party, she responded, I dont think people want a new direction.

When asked whether she would withdraw for a new generation of leaders, she refused.

I am a master legislator, Pelosi said.

D.C. Democrats have thus placed the party in an intractable position: they have leaders who lack the credible voice to move the party forward, yet the leaders refuse to leave.

For those Democrats outside the Beltway, this conundrum leaves them with two uncomfortable options: Accept the status quo, or fight back.

The status quo is clearly unacceptable. Democrats have the fewest number of elected officials at the state and national level since the 1920s. Sixty-seven percent of Americans view the party as out of touch.

That leaves rebellion.

An effective political coup requires concerned governors, legislators, and Democratic voters to publicly reject their current leadership. If Pelosi and others like her wont step down, the rebels must make it clear to Americas voters that the D.C. Democrats do not speak for them.

Meanwhile, a successful rebellion must offer an agenda that demonstrates that Democrats have heard Americas demand for new, effective leadership. Indeed, the rebels must embrace the only proven ways to eject career politicians from their perches of power and money: term limits and a lifetime ban on elected officials from lobbying.

For years, an overwhelming majority of Americans have demanded passage of these two initiatives. Voters understand that if politicians arent chasing corporate cash for reelection or a lucrative retirement, they are more likely to do the business of the American people.

Consider the issue of prescription drug prices, highlighted as a part of A Better Deal. When the U.S. Senate recently considered legislation that would have allowed Americans to import cheap prescription drugs from Canada, 14 Democratic senators rejected it (along with most Republicans). Not surprisingly, many of these politicians have collected large sums of campaign cash from pharmaceutical giants.

To point out the obvious, this is the broken system that helped put Trump in the White House.

And that begs the question: would the president join a Democratic rebellion in a push for term limits and a ban on lobbying? After all, he recently upgraded his drain the swamp mantra to drain the sewer.

If President Trump declines, then the rebels could fold the idea into a new covenant with the American people.

Call it Our American Oath.

Shortly after Donald Trump was elected, a group of sensible Americans and I drafted a series of 10 policy directives designed to help move the country forward. From term limits to the economy and the War on Terror, we hammered out agreements that reflect Democratic values while working to find common ground with Republicans.

No matter the covenants particulars, its time for a national rebellion of concerned Democrats. Officials like Pelosi have become unresponsive and tone deaf, pushing failed schemes like A Better Deal when what American voters want is better leadership.

Its time that Democrats give voters what they deserve.

Bryan Dean Wright is a former CIA ops officer and member of the Democratic Party. He contributes on issues of politics, national security, and the economy. Follow him on Twitter @BryanDeanWright.

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I'm a Democrat but Nancy Pelosi is totally clueless about what Democrats need to do to win - Fox News