TOP WINS AND LOSSES OF TRUMP’S FIRST 100 DAYS
The first 100 days of President Trump’s relationship with Congress have been a bit rocky as he struggled to learn how to deal with a legislative branch that doesn’t always share his priorities. So far, his biggest legislative victories have been scrapping regulations created by the Obama administration. Here’s a look at his major wins and losses on Capitol Hill.
WINS
Supreme Court justice pick: The Senate confirmed Neil Gorsuch to become a Supreme Court justice after changing its filibuster rules to prevent Democrats from blocking him.
Overturned a Planned Parenthood protection: Congress reversed an Obama administration rule that blocked states and local governments from stripping federal funds from Planned Parenthood and other health care providers solely because they perform abortions. Vice President Pence had to break a tie vote in the Senate to send the legislation to Trump’s desk.
Broadened gun rights: The House and Senate passed a bill to overturn an Obama- era rule that would have allowed the government to declare some Social Security recipients unfit to own guns if they’d been found mentally incapable of managing their own financial affairs. Critics said it infringed on people’s Second Amendment right to own guns.
Removed an environmental rule: Lawmakers voted to scrap an environmental protection rule by the Obama administration to limit the dumping of mine waste in streams. Republicans said the regulation would hurt the coal industry.
Continued allowing ISPs to sell personal information: Congress narrowly overturned Obama- era regulations that would have required Internet service providers to get consent from consumers before selling their personal information to advertisers. Republicans argued that the Federal Communications Commission had overstepped its bounds in creating the rule.
LOSSES
Obamacare still stands: House Speaker Paul Ryan, R- Wis., called off a vote on a Trump- backed bill to repeal and replace Obamacare when it became clear it didn’t have enough GOP support to pass.
Russian ties to election investigated: Trump failed to quash congressional investigations of his campaign’s ties to Russia. The probes became headline news when House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes, R- Calif., announced that hewas going to the White House to brief Trump on sensitive-material that he had not sharedwith Democrats on the committee. Nunes ultimately stepped aside from the investigation, but the House probe continues, as does a parallel investigation in the Senate Intelligence Committee. Meanwhile, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R- S. C., chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism, announced this week that he will lead a May 8 hearing to investigate Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election.
No funding for U. S.- Mexico border: A bipartisan bill to fund the government through September won’t include the $ 1.4 billion Trump sought to begin construction of a border wall. Trump pushed for the funds but backed off when Democrats said his demand would cause a government shutdown.
Lost secretary of Labor pick: The president was forced to give up on his nomination of fast- food executive Andrew Puzder to be secretary of Labor. Puzder withdrew from consideration after GOP senators turned against him in part because of revelations he had employed an undocumented immigrant as his housekeeper.
Hasn’t set term limits on Congress: Trump vowed to push for a constitutional amendment to place term limits on all members of Congress as part of his promise to “drain the swamp.” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R- Ky., quickly rejected the idea, saying the Senate won’t even consider it. Ryan left it to House Judiciary Committee leaders to decide. So far, they haven’t.