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Washington Reporter, Times-Picayune
Washington reporter for the Times Picayune
PROFILE
Bruce Alpert
Guest
FROM Bruce Alpert
To the Point
US Senate Elections that Could Make a Difference Republicans and Democrats are calling each other "brain dead," "un-American," "tools of special interests" and "enemies of the Middle Class," par for the course during midterm elections. But this year the stakes are nothing less than control of the Senate during President Obama's final two years. Kentucky, New Hampshire and Louisiana — states that don't always matter -- could help determine the course and content of presidential campaigns in 2016. The ultimate consequences couldn't be higher, for issues including Obamacare, the minimum wage — and your tax bill. We get a preview.
To the Point
Senate Impeaches Louisiana Judge For only the eighth time in history, but the fourth since 1989, the US Senate convicted a federal judge today on four articles of impeachment and disqualified him from ever holding federal office again. His defense was addiction to gambling. Thomas Porteous corrupted all those around him, according to California Democrat Adam Schiff , impeachment manager in the Congress. The New Orleans judge was nominated to the federal bench in 1994 by another Democrat, Bill Clinton. Bruce Albert is Washington reporter for the New Orleans Times-Picayune .
To the Point
For the First Time, Bush Veto Overridden by Congress For the first time in a decade, Congress has passed a bill over a presidential veto . President Bush said the water resources bill was too expensive, but two-thirds of both the House and the Senate disagreed. Bruce Alpert is Washington reporter for the New Orleans Times-Picayune .
To the Point
Corruption Probe Can't Defeat New Orleans' William Jefferson Members of Congress from both parties were knocked out of office this year by various scandals. Earlier this year, Democratic Congressman William Jefferson became famous when the FBI found $90,000 in marked bills stored in his Washington freezer. Although fellow Democrats are keeping their distance, in a run-off this weekend, he easily won a ninth term from New Orleans voters.
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To the Point
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?
To the Point
What is Trump's plan for Middle East peace? On his first foreign tour, President Trump has promised "peace" between Israel and the Palestinians. Are there any details for re-starting talks that have been stalled for the past three years?
To the Point
Who's to blame for the opioid crisis? Some of the lawyers who took on Big Tobacco are now going after Big Pharma. It’s all about the deadly epidemic of opioid use. Are the drug companies to blame? What about the users? Later, on today’s Talking Point: making sense of Britain’s upset election.