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Democrats proved Tuesday night that they still don't get it New York Post Setting Beshear at a diner was also a transparent attempt at appealing to the real Americans the Democrats seemed to take for granted in recent cycles. But it was so hamhanded and, in the event, downright creepy as to demonstrate, rather than ... Democrats squandered an opportunityThe Boston Globe Democrats are still the party of our grandparents and that's a problemChicago Tribune Health Care Is Front and Center in Democrats' Response to Trump AddressNew York Times NBCNews.com -The Federalist -NPR all 286 news articles »

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Democrats proved Tuesday night that they still don't get it - New York Post

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Democrats Call For Attorney General Sessions To Resign NPR Democratic leaders want Attorney General Jeff Sessions to resign after news reports that he met with Russia's ambassador to the U.S. twice last year. Facebook; Twitter. Google+. Email. Sign Up for the NPR Politics Newsletter. We follow politics; you ...

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Democrats Call For Attorney General Sessions To Resign - NPR

Congressional Democrats have been forcing Republicans to cast tough votes on President Trump and theyre just getting started.

In recent days, Democrats have triggered votes related to Trumps tax returns, business relationships and ties to Russia in an effort to cast Republicans as complicit in the secrecy surrounding Trumps finances.

I think the Democrats should push hard on this issue and push hard whenever they get a chance, said Democratic strategist Brad Bannon.

Bannon, who writes for the Hills Contributors blog, noted that there are about two dozen House Republicans whose districts Democrat Hillary ClintonHillary Rodham Clinton50-state strategy for Dems? How about 15 instead? Dem senator: Russian hacking may have been 'act of war' LIVE COVERAGE: Jeff Sessions under fire MORE won in the presidential election.

The more times Democrats can get Republican House members on [the] record of supporting Trump the more the merrier, he said.

On Monday, Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) tried to force a vote on a resolution requesting 10 years of Trumps tax returns so that they could be reviewed in a closed-door meeting of the House Ways and Means Committee.

Pascrells gambit which came after the committee rejected an amendment about Trumps tax returns earlier this month failed in a procedural party-line vote.

The following day, the House Judiciary Committee rejected a resolution from Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) to request documents from Attorney General Jeff SessionsJeff SessionsRyan: AG should recuse himself if he is 'subject' of Russia investigation Second GOP senator calls for Sessions to recuse himself Ex-Sessions staffer: 'No-brainer' for him to recuse himself MORE about Trumps potential business conflicts and Russia ties.

Nadler had forced a vote by offering it as a resolution of inquiry that would have triggered a House floor vote if the committee didnt act.

We forced the Republicans to vote, Nadler said of the Judiciary Committee markup. And I think we will keep the pressure on.

Nadler told The Hill hes hopeful that Democrats will offer more resolutions of inquiry that will be brought up in other committees. If more Republicans are forced to take votes, it will increase the pressure on them to hold a proper investigation on issues such as Trumps business in Russia, he said.

Rep. Joseph Crowley (N.Y.), chairman of the House Democratic Caucus and a member of the Ways and Means panel, vowed that party leaders would use the issue of Trumps tax returns as a cudgel against Republicans.

This is not a one-off or two-off. We will persistently and consistently force votes in committee or on the floor weekly, whenever we [can]. The silence [from Republicans] is deafening, Crowley said Tuesday. That will not stand with our caucus.

Senate Democrats are adopting similar tactics.

On Wednesday, a group of Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee asked Chairman Orrin HatchOrrin HatchSenate panel approves pick for Medicaid and Medicare chief Democrats vow that GOP will take more Trump votes Overnight Finance: Dow closes above 21K | Trump seeks to delay investment adviser rule | Mnuchin promises tax reform by August MORE (R-Utah) to request copies of Trumps tax returns from the Treasury Department. Hatch rejected the request.

It remains to be seen whether focusing on Trumps finances will sway voters; Democrats raised the same issues in the presidential campaign, and Clinton still lost.

Party strategists also predict that the economy is likely to be the main issue in the midterm elections.

But those same strategists also suggested that the tax return issue could help Democrats secure House seats in winnable districts.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) on Tuesday sent out key vote alerts highlighting specific Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee who voted against Nadlers resolution.

Vulnerable House Republicans voted this week to shield President Trump from Congressional scrutiny of his ties to Russia and to keep his taxes secret and this is just over the course of one week, said DCCC spokesman Tyler Law. Our Republican targets will be forced repeatedly to take votes in support of Trumps deeply unpopular agenda, which is a situation they never had to face last cycle.

For now, GOP lawmakers are siding against Democrats in the politically charged votes; some of the handful of GOP lawmakers who have called for Trump to release his tax returns voted to block the Democratic resolution. Rep. Mark Sanford (R-S.C.), who has urged Trump to release his returns, voted present.

Trump seems unlikely to release his returns on his own. He has said he wont release them until the IRS finishes auditing him, though the IRS has said that audits dont prevent taxpayers from disclosing their own information.

Shortly before his inauguration, Trump laid out a plan to keep ownership of his businesses but turn over the management of them to his adult children.

The President has done everything necessary to make sure he is in full compliance and following the law to ensure there are no conflicts of interest, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said.

Mike Lillis contributed

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Democrats vow that GOP will take more Trump votes - The Hill

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., leader of the House Democrats, says she wants a vote every week on forcing disclosure of the president's tax returns. Alex Brandon/AP hide caption

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., leader of the House Democrats, says she wants a vote every week on forcing disclosure of the president's tax returns.

House Democrats are pursuing a strategy to force Republicans to take repeated votes on whether to investigate President Trump's ethics and alleged ties to Russia.

The Democrats failed Tuesday evening as the Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee rejected such an investigation. A party-line vote ended a long day of wrangling, barely two hours before the president took the rostrum in the House chamber for his address to Congress.

Democrats say their strategy is aimed at keeping a parliamentary spotlight on the president's ethics issues and other controversies. Republicans hold clear majorities in the House and Senate and control the agenda.

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi has said she wants to push for a vote every week on a resolution that would force disclosure of Trump's tax returns between 2006 and 2015. The resolution, sponsored by Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-N.J., has already gone down on party-line votes in the Ways and Means Committee and on the House floor. Senate Democrats have a companion measure.

The Democratic resolution of inquiry defeated Tuesday in House Judiciary would have directed the Justice Department to give the House its records on four issues: Trump's business empire; the revocable trust that allows him to maintain ownership; possible conflicts of interest arising from foreign money going to his businesses; and alleged links between people around Trump and Russian operatives.

"It simply says give us, the Judiciary Committee, the information so that we can look at what has actually happened," said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash.

Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte said the resolution of inquiry was "unnecessary, premature and not the best way" to tackle the concerns.

Other GOP lawmakers said Democrats have already judged Trump. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., said, "President Trump's detractors are going through the stages of grief."

Still another resolution from House Democrats would create an independent commission to investigate alleged Russian interference with the election. The Senate and House Intelligence committees are also looking at that issue, amid partisan conflict.

Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., who aggressively investigated the Obama administration, has also called for what he termed an independent review of the Russia connections.

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House Democrats Lose Another Bid To Investigate Trump, But Don't Plan To Quit - NPR

Former Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear delivered the Democratic response to President Donald Trump's address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday. (Feb. 28) AP

President Trump speaks before a joint session of Congress on Feb. 28, 2017.(Photo: Jim Lo Scalzo, European Pressphoto Agency)

WASHINGTON While Republicans repeatedly stood andcheered President Trump's speech on Tuesday night, most Democrats sat stone-faced during the address except whensome laughed as Trump declared that he had begun to "drain the swamp" of Washington corruption.

The only Democrat to frequently stand and applaud was Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who is seeking re-election next year in a state that Trump won.

Trump did win applause from some Democrats when he promised to rebuild the nation's highways, roads and bridges. That potentially job-creating investment is an issue that could attract rare bipartisan support in Congress, although lawmakers may have trouble agreeing on how to pay for the $1 trillion plan.

Republicans cheered loudest when Trump vowed to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare.However, internal divisions within the Republican caucus about the best way to replace the laware already threatening to make that goal a difficult one.

There was some audible grumbling from Democrats, notably Rep. Luis Gutierrez of Illinoisand others around him, when Trump focused a section of his speech on victims of crime by undocumented immigrants. Gutierrez is a champion of immigrant rights and has criticized Trump for demonizing Latino immigrants.

"The President is lying when he says he supports immigration reform in any meaningful sense.He spent most of his speech denigrating immigrants, tarring our community as criminals, drug-dealers, and killers and we cannot stand for it.He is dressing his mass deportation plans up in nicer language, but hearing every Republican applaud the Presidents hateful words is very disheartening,"Gutierrez said in a statement after the speech.

Read more:

Trump to Congress: 'The time for trivial fights is behind us'

Full text of President Trump's first address to Congress

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There were a handful of empty chairs on the Democratic side of the House chamber, but most Democrats attended the speech.Democrats began walking out of the chamber as soon as Trump was finished speaking. With a few exceptions, they did not stick around to shake his hand.

Mostof the Democratic women from the House including Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. wore white in honor of the women's suffrage movement. They said it was a symbol that they will fight any attempt by Trump to roll back women's rights.

After the speech, Rep. EarlBlumenauer, D-Ore., put out the shortest reaction statement of the night. It said, simply, "Resist." The word has become a rallying cry for liberals who oppose Trump's policies.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., calledthe speech "a home run."

"President Trump delivered a bold, optimistic message to the American people," Ryan said."We now have a government unified around a simple, but important principle: Empowering the people not Washington is the way to build a better future for our country. This is a president who is serious about tackling our biggest challenges and improving peoples lives."

President Trump spoke to Congress about all of his administration's accomplishments so far. We broke down a couple of his claims.

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In his first speech to a joint session of Congress, President Trump emphasized that he will lead the United States, not the world. USA TODAY NETWORK

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During his address to Congress, President Trump called for the repeal and replacement of Obamacare. USA TODAY NETWORK

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President Donald Trump concluded his speech to a joint session of Congress Tuesday night by asking for unity. "The time for small thinking is over. The time for trivial fights is behind us," Trump said. (Feb. 28) AP

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Congress applauded the widow of fallen U.S. Navy Special Operator Ryan Owens for so long that President Trump noted that it may have 'broken a record.' USA TODAY NETWORK

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President Donald Trump is making the case for his tougher immigration rules during his speech. "The current, outdated system depresses wages for our poorest workers, and puts great pressure on taxpayers," Trump said. (Feb. 28) AP

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President Donald Trump touted the accomplishments of his first month in office, saying companies have announced "they will invest billions of dolalrs in the United States and will create tens of thousands of new American jobs." (Feb. 28) AP

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President Trump listed the progress he has made in 'keeping his promises' during his first month in office while addressing Congress for the first time. USA TODAY NETWORK

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President Donald Trump is saying he will keep his promises to the American people while addressing Congress in his first speech as president. (Feb. 28) AP

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During his first address to Congress, President Trump described his campaign as a movement in 2016 that grew into an 'earthquake.' USA TODAY NETWORK

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President Donald Trump kicked off his speech to a joint session of Congress Tuesday night by condemning acts of hate. He also spoke optimistically about the future of the country. (Feb. 28) AP

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Before his first Congressional address, President Trump appeared on Fox News to talk about everything from immigration to government leaks. USA TODAY NETWORK

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Democratic lawmakers from more than 30 states are taking part in a coordinated rebuttal to Trump's agenda. USA TODAY NETWORK

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President Donald Trump will deliver a speech to Congress on Tuesday night. Newslook

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Fact-checking Trump's first address to Congress

Trump: My job is not to represent the world

'Repeal and replace Obamacare': Trump tells Congress

Trump: 'The time for small thinking is over'

Navy SEAL widow gets long ovation during Trump's speech

Trump: 'Positive immigration reform is possible'

Trump touts first month accomplishments

Has Trump kept his promises so far? He thinks so

Trump: Above all else, we'll 'keep our promises'

Trump: Earth shifted beneath our feet in 2016

Trump begins speech 'condemning hate'

President Trump gets honest about grading himself

Dems rebut Trump's agenda with "Week of Action"

Here is what to expect from Donald trump's address to Congress

Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., said Trump's speech was short on details.

"For those Americans looking for a clear and forward-looking agenda, tonight's speech raised more questions than it answered," Warner said. "I believe the President missed an opportunity to begin to reach out beyond his political base to all Americans. And despite his claims to be concerned about our deficit, I am deeply concerned that the Trump agenda will make our nations underlying $20 trillion debt even worse."

Warner said he supports Trump's call to rebuild the nation's highways, roads and bridges.

"If President Trump is willing to work in a bipartisan fashion, we can accomplish that goal," he said. "But it will require sustained focus and bipartisan commitment from the President.

Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee, praised the optimism of Trump's speech.

"He spoke to all Americans," Barrasso said. "In particular, I commend his emphasis on creating jobs and giving Americans relief from the failed Obamacare law."

But Rep. Mark Sanford, R-S.C., said he was disturbed by Trump's protectionist sentiment about trade and foreign policy. He told reporters that protectionism is a very, very dangerous thing."

"America has benefited mightily from the rest of the world, and as much as we back away from that I think we do ourselves great harm," Sanford said.

Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., the new deputy chairman of the Democratic National Committee, told reporters that Trump's rhetoric doesn't match his actions.

"This is a speech (where) he doesnt have to answer any questions; hes going to say whatever he needs to say to appeal to who he wants to appeal to," Ellison said. "But people are going to judge what he said with what he does, and they dont match up."

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said before the speech that Trump's promises to help middle-class Americans will ring hollow unless he follows them up with action. He said he is worried that Trump'stax reform plan will give big breaks to the wealthy and shift the tax burden to middle-class and working-class families.

"His speech tonight will mean nothing if he continues to do as hes done these first few months since being elected: breaking promises to working people and putting an even greater burden on their backs, while making it even easier to be wealthy and well-connected in America."

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said earlier Tuesday that lawmakers "already know what needs to be done" to help the middle class and will work with Trump to get it done.

"We need to leave Obamacare in the past and replace it with common-sense reforms so we can bring relief to the middle class," McConnell said. "We need to make regulations smarter so we can get the economy moving. We need to make taxes simpler so we can create more jobs."

Contributing: Eliza Collins

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GOP lawmakers cheer Trump's speech as Democrats sit stone-faced