Here is what is trending in politics around Georgia and across the nation on Thursday.
1.House ethics office continues Lewis COS inquiry
The House ethics office is continuing an inquiry of Michael Collins, chief of staff to Rep. John Lewis (D-Georgia-5). According to the ethics office, Collins served improperly as treasurer of Lewis’ 2016 re-election campaign while working in Lewis’ Washington office. Ethics rules prohibit a person from serving any fiduciary role for a political organization while serving as a congressional staff member. According to The Associated Press, Collins attorney says he volunteered as campaign treasurer.
2. Poll: Immigration priority should go to job skill level
According to a new CBS poll, 46 percent of Americans think the United States should give priority to immigrants based on education, job skills and work experience. Forty-four percent say they favor giving preference to immigrants who already have family in the U.S.
3. Carter holds town halls; some have tickets canceled
Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Georgia-1), will be holding town hall meetings Thursday, but some constituents are complaining that their tickets to the events have been canceled. According to Carter's office, fewer than 1 percent of the tickets were canceled due to venues being at capacity. The canceled tickets belonged to people who secured tickets for more than one of Carter's meetings, the Savannah News reported. By Thursday night, Carter will have held nine meetings across his district.
4. Does Trump have authority to order N. Korea strike?
Can Congress stop President Donald Trump from launching a military strike against North Korea? Not really. While Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution, gives Congress the authority to declare war, the president has the authority to defend the country from any military threats, as a CNN story points out. If the U.S. is under threat, the executive branch may engage in military action for at least 60 days without congressional approval.
5. Alabama primary election for Sessions’ seat is next week
A primary election to fill Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ Senate seat will be held in Alabama next Tuesday. Nine Republicans, including Sen. Luther Strange, the former state attorney general who was appointed to fill Sessions’ seat when he was confirmed as U.S. attorney general, are running for the seat. Strange picked up President Trump’s endorsement for the seat this week.
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