Source: The Hill

The international organization that monitors Iran’s compliance with the nuclear deal confirmed Monday that Tehran has exceeded the amount of low-enriched uranium it is allowed to stockpile.

“In response to media inquiries, we can confirm that IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano today informed the Board of Governors that the Agency verified on 1 July that Iran’s total enriched uranium stockpile exceeded 300kg of UF6 enriched up to 3.67% U-235 (or the equivalent in different chemical forms),” the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a statement.

The IAEA’s confirmation comes after Iranian state media reported that Iran had breached the 300 kilogram limit.

The verification that Iran has breached the nuclear deal for the first time adds even greater uncertainty to an already volatile situation between the United States and Iran. Less than two weeks ago, President Trump called off a military strike against Iran at the last minute that was meant to respond to it shooting down a U.S. drone.

Read more: https://thehill.com/policy/defense/451149-nuclear-monitor-confirms-iran-exceeds-uranium-stockpile-limit

Source: The Hill

Pennsylvania's Auditor General Eugene DePasquale (D) officially launched a campaign to challenge Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) on Monday, setting up what could be a contentious 2020 battle in the state's 10th congressional district. 

If he wins the Democratic primary, DePasquale would present a formidable challenge to Perry. The district went for President Trump in 2016 but that same year DePasquale won his reelection bid for auditor general.

Pennsylvania Democrats have expressed optimism about the district since it was redrawn following the state Supreme Court's ruling that the previous lines had been gerrymandered to benefit Republicans.

DePasquale's candidacy is another sign that Pennsylvania Democrats are getting in an offensive position after Trump flipped the state red in 2016. 

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/451199-pennsylvania-state-official-launches-democratic-challenge-to-gop-rep-in

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) apologized Thursday for quoting infamous Argentine revolutionary figure Ernesto "Che" Guevara in saying "Hasta la victoria siempre" at a Miami rally.

The phrase from Guevara, who is widely disliked by Miami's large Cuban population, translates roughly to "Ever on to victory."

"The eyes of the world are on Miami-Dade and on this airport," de Blasio said Thursday during a union rally at Miami International Airport before quoting Guevara and passing off the microphone. 

But Blasio apologized on Twitter hours later, saying he "did not know the phrase...was associated with Che Guevara

More: https://www.google.com/amp/s/thehill.com/homenews/campaign/450746-de-blasio-quotes-che-guevara-in-miami%3famp

NORTH AUGUSTA, South Carolina—A few weeks ago, a prominent black leader posed what seemed like a simple question to South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigiegduring a private meeting: Who in the African-American community back home supports you?

“He didn’t name anybody,” the leader said in an interview with The Daily Beast. “If he’s got young black supporters, they do have names.”

That leader, who requested anonymity to speak openly about a private meeting, was not only referring to young supporters but expressing a sentiment that was apparent in talks with several African-American lawmakers: that Buttigieg’s interactions with the black community in recent weeks were “naïve” and that the national perception of him as “genuine and authentic” was not always translating when it came to their concerns.

“Pete has a black problem,” Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH), the former chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, told The Daily Beast. “I don’t know of one black person out of Indiana that supports him.”

More: https://www.thedailybeast.com/pete-buttigieg-has-a-black-problem-top-african-american-leaders-say-he-is-naive-on-race

Source: The Hill

The Supreme Court on Monday ruled 5-4 that a federal law allowing for gun convictions relating to "a crime of violence" was too vague.

The case involved a pair of men who were convicted on several felony robbery charges, but were also convicted under another federal statute that required significant mandatory minimum sentences for a "crime of violence."

The men in question—Maurice Davis and Andre Glover—argued that the federal law was too vague. The justices on Monday were split in their decision, but ultimately sided with the men.

 Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote the majority opinion, and was joined by Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan.

Read more: https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/449998-gorsuch-sides-with-liberal-justices-in-finding-gun-law-to-be-vague

Source: The Hill

Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan has withdrawn from consideration to lead the Pentagon on a permanent basis, President Trump announced Tuesday.

The announcement came after USA Today published the details of a 2010 violent domestic dispute with his then-wife that was investigated by the FBI for his background check.

“Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan, who has done a wonderful job, has decided not to go forward with his confirmation process so that he can devote more time to his family,” Trump tweeted.

The president said he would name Mark Esper, who currently serves as secretary of the Army, as the new acting Defense chief.




Read more: https://thehill.com/policy/defense/449104-trump-says-shanahan-out-as-defense-secretary

Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg says if he won he wouldn't reverse President Trump's controversial decision to move the U.S. embassy in Israel back to Tel Aviv from Jerusalem.

"I think what's done is done," Buttigieg told "Axios on HBO" in a clip shared Sunday. "We need a big picture strategy on the Middle East, I don't know that we'd gain much by moving it to Tel Aviv."

Trump in late 2017 made the decision to recognize the ancient holy city of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, and announced plans to relocate the U.S. embassy there. The move drew fire from critics who said it would further strain relations between Israelis and Palestinians, and increase the chances of a potential wide-scale conflict in the Middle East.

Despite saying he wouldn't reverse Trump's actions, Buttigieg said that "doesn't mean he did the right thing."

More: https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/448826-buttigieg-wouldnt-reverse-us-embassy-move-to-jerusalem-whats-done-is-done?amp&__twitter_impression=true

ANTARCTICA—Cackling as they stuffed a rag into the Democratic governor’s mouth and tied his hands behind his back, the DNC committee reportedly tossed a bound Jay Inslee onto a melting iceberg Friday and pushed him out to sea. “Well, well, well, if it isn’t my good friend Mr. Inslee! Tell me, sir, as a Democratic candidate—is this the type of climate debate you wanted?” said a grinning DNC chair Tom Perez as he looked at the blindfolded, gagged governor of Washington, placed a gun loaded with a single bullet at his feet, and kicked the rapidly shrinking piece of ice he was on into open waters. “Take it from me, Jay, those dear sharks and whales you want to save so badly? They’re not as nice as they look. If I had to guess, your campaign has two to three more hours, tops. So let’s just hope you can swim as well as you rally.” At press time, Inslee was seen breaking free from the thick ropes tied around his body, diving into the ocean, and swimming to shore surrounded by a pack of several loyal dolphins.

https://politics.theonion.com/dnc-committee-throws-bound-jay-inslee-onto-melting-iceb-1835518291/amp?__twitter_impression=true

Source: The Hill

The Senate will vote next week on efforts by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) to block arms sales to Bahrain and Qatar.

The two votes are expected to take place Thursday, though the exact timing hasn't yet been locked in by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). They have to take place by Friday as part of an agreement outlined by McConnell.

The Senate will vote on whether or not to discharge Paul's resolutions of disapproval, one on the sale to Bahrain and a separate on the Qatar arms sales, out of the Foreign Relations Committee. If he's successful it would kick the issue to the full Senate, and allow him to fast-track the two resolutions on the Senate floor.

The administration notified Congress last monththat it would sell missile systems and related equipment to Bahrain for approximately $2.478 billion. It also noticed a separate sale of missiles and other equipment tied to an aircraft fleet that would total $750 million. Paul's resolution appears to only block the second arms sale.

Read more: https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/447291-paul-to-force-votes-on-blocking-trumps-bahrain-qatar-arms-sales

A majority of voters want to keep the Hyde Amendment. It's been the law for over 40 years and was supported by every Democratic President.

Fortunately Mr. Biden isn't as desperate as other candidates that need to pander to every single pressure group.