Progressives Salivate Over Subpoena Power While Moderates Fret About Political Costs

WASHINGTON, DC - July 12:  Ranking Member Maxine Waters (D-CA) looks on as Federal Reserve Board Chairwoman Janet Yellen testifies before the House Financial Committee about the State of the economy on July 12, 2017 in Washington, DC. Yellen said the Federal Reserve expects to begin shrinking its $4.5 trillion bond stimulus later this year. (Photo by Pete Marovich/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 12: Ranking Member Maxine Waters (D-CA) looks on as Federal Reserve Board Chairwoman Janet Yellen testifies before the House Financial Committee about the State of the economy on July 12, 2017 ... WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 12: Ranking Member Maxine Waters (D-CA) looks on as Federal Reserve Board Chairwoman Janet Yellen testifies before the House Financial Committee about the State of the economy on July 12, 2017 in Washington, DC. Yellen said the Federal Reserve expects to begin shrinking its $4.5 trillion bond stimulus later this year. (Photo by Pete Marovich/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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Throughout the House, Democrats are dealing with some internal division as progressives gleefully prepare subpoena grenades, while moderate Democrats fear reprisals from an electorate weary of the constant partisan feuding.

According to a Monday Politico report, this dynamic is playing out in the microcosm of the House Financial Services Committee.

There, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), a favorite target of President Donald Trump, wants to investigate the Trump Organization’s money trail and possible illicit foreign activity.

Moderates on the committee, including Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), are balking at such a brazen move.

“The American people will understand thoughtful, well-grounded investigations,” Himes told Politico. “But they will bridle at investigations that seem overtly political.”

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  1. The original article is from Politico. It’s pretty shameless but it does include this:

    Some committee Democrats have received significant backing from the financial industry and have been more willing to support policies that would benefit the largest banks.

    Seems important.

     

    @kate_riga

  2. The sheer number of 2018 votes for Democrats, gerrymandering notwithstanding, shows that America wants a major check on this president and republican spinelessness.

    I want a fight and my money is on Auntie Maxine.

  3. Republicans will scream bloody murder about whatever Democrats do anyway so they might as well go deep.

  4. “Best keep our powder dry.”

    Not.

    So done with that centrist crap. It’s never a ‘good time’ to these people. I say go for it. Shine a light in every nook and corner. Sure it’s going to upset R’s. But they’re never going to vote ‘centrist’ anyway.

    Strike while the iron is hot.

    (I’ve used my daily limit on metaphors.)

  5. I’d love to see Trump and his kids and their spouses rotting in jail for the rest of their lives, but ensuring he does the minimum possible harm in the remainder of his time in office and gets soundly defeated in 2020 and drags a bunch of Rs down with him is priority 1. So enough to cripple him, but leave the coup de grace for Mueller and the NY AG.

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

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