Today’s edition of quick hits.
* On Capitol Hill: “The House voted on Wednesday to hold billionaire investor Leon Black in criminal contempt for defying congressional subpoenas related to the House Oversight Committee’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, setting the stage for potential criminal charges. The vote through unanimous consent marked the first time a prominent figure associated with Epstein has been referred to the Justice Department for criminal contempt proceedings.”
* In the Middle East: “As Iran and its allies tightened their grip on shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf, Saudi Arabia scrambled this week to reroute millions of barrels of oil after being forced to close a critical pipeline damaged in an attack. The shutdown of the East-West pipeline risks keeping 4 percent of the world’s oil supply from reaching international markets and driving energy prices even higher.”
* The fact that seven Republicans voted for this represents a slight but noticeable increase: “For a third time, the U.S. House has voted to end the war in Iran, approving a war powers resolution that would halt President Donald Trump’s ability to continue military action without congressional approval. The roll call late Tuesday, 220-204, was similar to earlier efforts this summer, with a few more Republicans joining most Democrats voting to bring an end to the conflict.”
* Four deaths too many: “Pennsylvania officials have reported a fourth measles-associated death. The latest death involved an 18-year-old resident of Mifflin County, in the center of the state, the county coroner’s office said in a Facebook post.”
* A case worth watching: “The family of a Texas woman who died after repeatedly being denied an abortion, despite having severe and prolonged pregnancy complications, is suing Attorney General Ken Paxton, the head of the Texas Medical Board and the hospitals that treated her.”
* Another case worth watching: “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement likely violated the Constitution when agents delivered a warning notice to a man in Rochester, New York, over a caustic email he had sent the agency’s leader months earlier, a federal judge ruled late Tuesday.”
* Ottawa continues to link arms with new friends: “European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday that she wants to open the door for Canada to become the European Union’s first associate member.”
* This was not von der Leyen’s only notable idea: “European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday said she would propose a new security forum for EU and like-minded leaders in response to escalating Russian attacks and fraying transatlantic relations. It’s part of a broader rethink of security policy that includes a more robust response to hybrid attacks attributed to Russia and a greater effort to build up Europe’s own defense capabilities — although in conjunction with NATO.”
* If these two are ever looking for a favor from Democratic leaders, they’re likely to be disappointed: “Reps. Jared Golden (D-Maine) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) once again broke with House Democratic leaders and voted for a Republican rule.”
* A curious honor for a former speaker who failed on a historic scale: “[On Tuesday, former Republican Rep. Kevin] McCarthy — who made history both as the man who took the most ballots to be elected speaker and the first speaker to be ousted from the post — got the official portrait marking his short and tumultuous tenure after all.”
See you tomorrow.
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