::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

For weeks now, an overwhelming percentage of Americans – Democrats, Independents, and Republicans – have made it clear they support the American Rescue Plan. Today, with final passage in the House of Representatives, their voice has been heard.   Now we move forward with the resources needed to vaccinate the nation. To get $1,400 in direct payments to 85% of American households. To expand coverage and help with lowering health care premiums. To give small businesses what they need to stay open. To expand unemployment insurance, provide food and nutrition assistance. To help keep a roof over people’s heads. To cut child poverty in half.   This legislation is about giving the backbone of this nation – the essential workers, the working people who built this country, the people who keep this country going – a fighting chance.   I want to thank all the members who voted for it, especially Speaker Pelosi, the finest and most capable speaker in the history of our nation. Once a...

By Mona Austin On Monday the Senate impeachment trial against Pres. Donald Trump that became the first in history where witnesses were not allowed to testify will begin to wrap up.  The White House Counsel and House impeachment managers will deliver closing arguments followed by a Wednesday vote on conviction or acquittal, the latter of which is almost certain.    The likely acquittal will take place after the State of the Union address, which means Pres.  Donald Trump will not be able to taut vindication officially when addressing the nation on Tuesday, a small pacification for Democrats.    Both sides will have two hours to persuade Senators to support their position in closing arguments. Last week the the arguments centered around blocking the testimony of former Security advisor Michael Bolton, whose manuscript of a book with incriminating details about Trump's ill-intention in the Ukraine matter was exposed earlier in the week.  According t...

It is Dec. 18, 2019, the day that will go down as the day that a third president will be impeached in the United Stated. Pres. Donald J. Trump is only the fourth American leader to face impeachment in the history of the country. Pres. Richard Nixon left office before the impeachment charge stuck. The gavel will fall for a presidential impeachment vote by the full House on this historic morning at 9 a.m. Ever since House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reversed the path to impeachment and decided to move forward with an impeachment inquiry on September 24, 2019, the president has said he has done nothing wrong and acted accordingly.  Pelosi received a 6-page letter from a remorseless Trump claiming she is “declaring war on democracy.“ He has submitted the Memo of the Ukraine call as further documented proof of his innocence. Trump  says, “Read the transcript. I did nothing wrong.” An impeachment inquiry in which several members of the Trump Administration testified revealed that by...

By Mona Austin Both sides have responded to the biggest step in deciding the fate of President Donald Trump surrounding a range of obstruction of justice accusations, the House-approved resolution to pursue a formal impeachment. Democrats are giving the Republicans a taste of their own medicine when they set the rules. Rep. Steve Scalise said it is a "Soviet-styled," "sham." They president brought this on himself by telling just about anyone connected to him not to cooperate in hearings. A genereal lack of cooperation and stone-walling from Reoublicans in many instances has come back to "haunt" him on this Halloween day. The opposition party one argued that the process was flawed because blames Pelosi did not hold a vote, but are now for utilizing oversight authority that has prevented them from participating in closed-dor hearings, a precendent in and deciding to keep We take no joy in having to ove down ths road and proceed wit...

Every year musicians and artists descend upon the U.S. Capitol to advocate for music rights.  White they are in Washington, DC they honor  lawmakers and their own for their advocacy. This year, gospel's Yolanda Adams and Broadway's Kristen Chenoweth were the honored artists  They both served as performers at the event which was held at the Hamilton Hotel.  Senators Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Chuck Grassley were also recognized for their support of the Music Modernization Act, a bi-partisan effort that passed last year. Grammy winners PJ Morton and lead singer of 4 Non Blondes, Linda Perry  also performed.  Morton opened the event with a soulful rendition of the National Anthem and Perry ended with lawmakers packing the stage to rock out to "What's Going On".  She also sang  sang “Beautiful,” which she wrote for Christina Aguilera. Yolanda Adams House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

By Mona Austin Call it a break down in communication or a an orchestrated stunt to distract the public from additional oversight of the redacted Mueller Report, either way Pres. Donald Trump and the top congressional leaders in the country  are not talking. On Wednesday, the collapse in communication occurred when a planned infrastructure meeting between Mr. Trump, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-NY) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) was replaced with  unscheduled televised remarks in the White House Rose Garden. U pset after learning that Pelosi said he is "engaged in a cover up,"  he complained that Democrats were still continuing a "phony" investigation to determine if he colluded with the Russian government and repeated there was no collusion found after his cooperation with the initial investigation.  "I don't do cover ups," he said and proceeded to roll off the accomplishments of his administration.  Under the threat of impea...

The infrastructure  proposal from Democrats to include broadband, clean air and water and according to a letter Pelosi sent ahead of the meeting. By Mona Austin In their first meeting with Pres. Trump sing the government shut down negotiations, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and leader Chuck Schumer introduced a proposal for a "big, bold" infrastructure overhaul at the White House on Tuesday.  Trump previously express he did not want to meet while an investigation into his financial records is underway.  All things considered, it was a surprisingly productive  encounter. Both  democratic leaders lauded the president's  positive attitude toward recognizing the need for an improved infrastructure for the future. Said Pelosi, "It’s about jobs, jobs, jobs. It’s about promoting commerce. It’s about clean air, clean water, so therefore a public health issue. It’s a quality of life issue, getting people out of their cars not being on the road so much. And ...