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A Democratic lawmaker used a House floor speech Thursday to compare the current state of affairs in the United States under President Trump to the dangerous, alternate dimension inhabited by monsters in the supernatural Netflix series "Stranger Things."

Standing next to a floor prop emblazoned with "Trump Things," a play on the show's name, Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., said the American people, "like the main characters in 'Stranger Things,' we are now stuck in the 'Upside Down'" a reference to the show's dark alternate dimension.

He went on to criticize the Trump administration for deceiving the American people about its contact with Russia, firing acting Acting Attorney General Sally Yates for refusing to defend his immigration executive order and showing praise on a "thug" like Russian leader Vladimir Putin while alienating allies.

"Mornings might be for coffee and contemplation, but Chief Jim Hopper is not coming to rescue us," Cicilline said, referring to a main character in the show who is in local law enforcement.

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He added that like some of the show's protagonists, "Mike, Lucas, Dustin, and Eleven, we must remain focused on the task at hand and hold this administration accountable so we can escape from our own version of the Upside Down."

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Trump's aggressive stance toward the media and freewheeling campaign style is back.

02/16/17 1:18 PM

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WATCH: Democrat uses 'Stranger Things' to condemn Trump - Washington Examiner

Democrats and a handful of Republicans are rallying around a bill designed to prevent President Donald Trump from lifting sanctions on Russia without congressional approval.

The measure, introduced by Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland, and cosponsored by top Democrats and at least three Republicans, would give Congress 120 days to block lifting any sanctions on Russia imposed in response to actions in Ukraine and Russia's efforts to interference in the 2016 election.

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-California, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said questions about the Trump campaigns alleged communications with Russian officials ahead of the election makes the proposed legislation all the more important.

If there were condoned discussions that Flynn had or he was acting as free agent, this president shouldn't have ability to eliminate Russian sanctions, he said at the Democrats' press conference.

It's obvious and clear that Putin is testing the new administration, said Rep. Eliot Engel, D-New York. The last thing that the U.S. should consider is dialing back sanctions on Russia.

Late last month, Trump said it was "very early to be talking about" lifting sanctions on Russia, but "if we can have a great relationship with Russia and with China, and with all countries, I'm all for that."

A bipartisan group of senators led by Sens. Ben Cardin, D-Maryland, and Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, recently introduced an identical bill in the Senate.

Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland, said members hope the bill is a signal to the world that, despite Trump's public statements, Congress remains supportive of sanctions.

"We want to have no doubt about where we stand on these sanctions, our intention is to assure there will be a vigorous response to Russia's criminal behavior," he said.

None of the Republicans sponsoring the legislation, Reps. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, Tom Rooney of Florida, and Mike Turner of Ohio, showed up for the news conference. All three had scheduling conflicts, according to their offices.

Top Republicans say they support moving legislation to keep sanctions in place in response to any administration efforts to weaken them.

"He hasn't endorsed any piece of legislation at this point, as the sanctions are still in place," House Speaker Paul Ryan's spokesperson AshLee Strong said of Ryan's position in an email.

"Russia should receive no sanctions relief until it abides by the terms of the Ukraine peace process. If sanctions are eased prior to Russias full compliance with the Minsk agreements, I will certainly move legislation to keep them in place," House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce, R-California, said in a statement.

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Democrats and some Republicans want to stop Trump from lifting Russia sanctions - ABC News

Salt Lake City

(KUTV) On Wednesday the U.S. Senate voted to repeal gun control regulations on those with mental illness from getting firearms.

The Obama administration rule strengthened the federal background check system for those who receive disability benefits and have mental disorders. Some 75,000 people are affected by the rule.

The measure will now be send to President Donald Trump who is expected to sign it.

Here in Utah, a surprising reaction from top democratic law makers. They are actually in favor of Washington lawmakers appealing the rule.

"I'm concerned when you look at due process," said Democratic Leader, Rep. Brian King. He believes the current regulation is just too broad, targeting all mentally ill individuals.

"There are a lot of folks who are mentally ill and who are absolutely at no greater risk for violence or for offenses involving guns then anybody else," King said.

And Democrat Rep. Sandra Hollins, who fights for tougher gun restrictions and is a licensed clinical social worker, agrees. The rule was just too broad.

"Just because you are mentally ill, it doesn't mean your going to automatically walk in a place with a gun and start shooting," Hollins said.

But Matt Anselmo, with LDS Democrats of America, said it's a mistake to be appealing the current Obama regulation.

"It does a fair job of getting guns out of the hands of people who are mentally challenged," said Anselmo. "These are the type of individuals we are trying to protect society from having weapons."

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Some local Democrat leaders favor repealing Obama's mental health gun regulation - KUTV 2News

Democrat Jennifer Carroll Foy has entered the race for the 2nd District seat in the Virginia House of Delegates.

Foy is the second Democrat to launch a bid for the seat, which represents Stafford and Prince William counties. She will face Democrat Josh King, who narrowly lost to two-term Republican Del. Mark Dudenhefer in 2015, in the June primary.

Many issues important to me and the constituents in second district are not being advocated for in Richmond, she said. There are a lot of national, broad picture issues and not enough focus on the things affecting people on a daily basis.

Foy lives with her husband, Jeff, in Woodbridge. She works as a public defender, and is also an adjunct professor at Northern Virginia Community College.

She is running on a platform that emphasizes education, womens rights and transportation.

As a daily commuter to Arlington, she has experienced first-hand the effects of traffic congestion and long commute times on families and businesses. She said traffic issues should not be tolerated as a consequence of living in Northern Virginia, and that the situation demands a solution.

Whether it is fighting to get the Metro down to Potomac Mills or using Virginia Department of Transportation dollars to extend HOV lanes past Stafford, there has to be a solution to traffic congestion in Northern Virginia, she said.

In addition, she advocates the availability of early childhood education for everyone, and supports pay increases for teachers as a key mechanism to attract and retain top talent. She also champions a womans right to make choices regarding her education, career and health.

Foy has tried to lead by example. She attended Virginia Military Institute, and became one of the first female African Americans to graduate from the historically all-male college. She went on to receive her masters degree in English from Virginia State University and later attended law school in San Diego.

After graduation, she spent several years teaching and then worked in Los Angeles as a litigation associate. Eventually, she moved back to Virginia and opened up a private practice, which focused on criminal defense. She also served in Richmond as a magistrate judge for several years.

Outside of work, Foy has been a foster parent for past eight years. She is very passionate about fostering and assisting children.

I have dedicated my life to public service and fought for the rights of the most vulnerable people in our society, whether it is children or the mentally ill or indigent, she said. I have campaigned for national and local leaders who have promoted issues important to us as a community. Now I want to campaign for myselfI want to be that voice and advocate. I have the ability to effectuate change.

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Democrat Jennifer Carroll enters race for Second District seat - Fredericksburg.com

Rep. Ami Bera (D-Calif.) is the new ranking member of the House space subcommittee. Credit: Office of Rep. Bera

WASHINGTON House Democrats have named Rep. Ami Bera (D-Calif.) as the new ranking member of the space subcommittee as they finalized the roster of members who will serve on that subcommittee.

Bera, entering his third term in the House, succeeds Donna Edwards, a Maryland Democrat who previous served as the top Democrat on the subcommittee. Edwards chose not to run for reelection to the House in 2016, unsuccessfully running for the Senate instead.

As a kid who grew up during the height of the space race dreaming of what lay beyond us, its an honor to be selected to serve as the ranking member for the subcommittee on space, Bera, 51, said in a Feb. 14 statement about his selection as subcommittee ranking member. His district, which covers part of the Sacramento area, includes a major Aerojet Rocketdyne facility.

The Democratic caucus of the House Science Committee named seven other members to the space subcommittee in the statement. The members feature a mix of returning subcommittee members and new members, including Rep. Bill Foster (D-Ill.), the only physicist currently in Congress; and Rep. Charlie Crist (D-Fla.), who previously served two terms as governor of Florida as a member of the Republican party.

The Republican leadership of the House Science Committee announced subcommittee assignments in January. Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas), whose district includes NASAs Johnson Space Center, returns as chairman of the subcommittee. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.), whose district includes NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center, will again be vice-chairman of the subcommittee.

Complete rosters of the space subcommittee are below:

Republicans: Brian Babin, Texas, Chair Mo Brooks, Alabama, Vice Chair Dana Rohrabacher, California Frank D. Lucas, Oklahoma Bill Posey, Florida Jim Bridenstine, Oklahoma Stephen Knight, California Barbara Comstock, Virginia Ralph Lee Abraham, Louisiana Daniel Webster, Florida Jim Banks, Indiana Andy Biggs, Arizona Neal P. Dunn, Florida Clay Higgins, Louisiana

Democrats: Ami Bera, California, Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren, California Don Beyer, Virginia Marc Veasey, Texas Daniel Lipinski, Illinois Ed Perlmutter, Colorado Charlie Crist, Florida Bill Foster, Illinois

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Bera new top Democrat on House space subcommittee - SpaceNews - SpaceNews