Law & Politics - The Indiana Lawyer

Holcomb opts in to accepting refugees

December 23, 2019 | Lindsey Erdody and Indianapolis Business Journal Staff

Gov. Eric Holcomb is giving the green light for federal officials to continue placing refugees in Indiana, following in the footsteps of a growing group of both Democratic and Republican governors who are opting in to the federal program. The move comes after President Donald Trump issued an executive order in September that, for the first time, required states and local government to provide written consent to continue to receive even a handful of the 26 million refugees worldwide.

Inside impeachment: How an ‘urgent’ tip became ‘high crimes’

December 23, 2019 | Associated Press

By the time lawmakers streamed into the House chamber last Wednesday to vote on impeachment for just the third time in American history, each side was more hardened in its belief that it was in the right. This account of how they got there is based on interviews with 21 people directly involved in the matter.

Impeachment trial plans in disarray as Congress heads home

December 20, 2019 | Associated Press

Congress has headed home for the holidays, leaving plans and a possible timeline for President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial in disarray.

Trump impeached on charges of abuse of power, obstruction

December 19, 2019 | Associated Press

President Donald Trump was impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives, becoming only the third American chief executive to be formally charged under the Constitution’s ultimate remedy for high crimes and misdemeanors.

Americans steadfastly divided over impeachment as vote nears

December 18, 2019 | Associated Press

As the US House of Representatives prepares to take a historic vote on the impeachment of President Donald Trump, the American public is following along, steadfast in its views.

McConnell rejects Dem push on impeachment trial witnesses

December 17, 2019 | Associated Press

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is rejecting the Democrats’ push for fresh impeachment testimony against President Donald Trump and making a last-ditch plea for them to “turn back from the cliff” of Wednesday’s expected vote to send the case to the Senate for trial.

Westercamp releases growing list of GOP AG endorsements

December 17, 2019 | Olivia Covington

With the 2020 party conventions less than a year away, Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill’s challenger to become the Republican AG candidate says he has a growing list of supporters within the Indiana GOP.

Vaping crisis could be impetus for Legislature to raise smoking age to 21

December 17, 2019 | Lindsey Erdody and Indianapolis Business Journal Staff

Time and again, legislation in Indiana to raise the age to possess or purchase tobacco to 21 has failed. But that could be about to change.

Report: 5th straight year with under 30 executions in US

December 17, 2019 | Associated Press

Fewer than 30 people were executed in the United States and under 50 new death sentences were imposed for the fifth straight year, part of a continuing decline in capital punishment that saw only a few states carry out executions, a new report issued Tuesday said.

Voting integrity brings more voter confidence, panel says

December 13, 2019 | Marilyn Odendahl

A panel discussion Thursday about the vulnerability of Indiana’s election system to cyberattacks and hacks impressed one piece of advice on Hoosier voters heading into the 2020 election: brace yourself.

House gets 2 Trump impeachment charges after Judiciary vote

December 13, 2019 | Associated Press

Impeachment charges against President Donald Trump went to the full House on Friday, following approval by the House Judiciary Committee. The vote in the House panel was split along party lines, with 23 Democrats voting in favor and 17 Republicans opposed.

Judiciary panel debates Trump impeachment, moves toward vote

December 12, 2019 | Associated Press

The House Judiciary Committee launched a lively, marathon session Thursday ahead of voting on articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump — a historic step as the deeply partisan panel prepares to send the charges to the full House.

Lake County might ease up on prosecuting marijuana possession

December 11, 2019 | Associated Press and IL Staff

A northwestern Indiana county near Michigan and Illinois is proposing to relax penalties for marijuana possession after the neighboring states legalized pot use.

Holcomb backs ban on drivers using handheld phones

December 11, 2019 | Associated Press

Indiana’s governor on Tuesday threw his support behind a statewide ban on drivers using handheld cellphones as well as a plan to raise the minimum age for smoking and vaping to 21. Gov. Eric Holcomb made the proposals central to his 2020 legislative agenda.

Indiana petitions SCOTUS to block South Bend abortion clinic

December 10, 2019 | Katie Stancombe

The state of Indiana has asked the nation’s highest court to reverse a ruling that permitted a South Bend abortion clinic to open its doors earlier this year after a year-long licensing battle.

Democrats unveil 2 articles of impeachment against Trump

December 10, 2019 | Associated Press

House Democrats have announced two articles of impeachment charging President Donald Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

House Democrats lay out case for formal Trump impeachment

December 9, 2019 | Associated Press

The House Judiciary Committee received a detailed summary of the impeachment case against President Donald Trump on Monday as Democrats prepare formal charges against him. Trump and his allies lobbed fresh assaults on the proceedings they dismiss as a hoax and a sham.

Trump asks Supreme Court to void financial records subpoena

December 5, 2019 | Associated Press

President Donald Trump asked the Supreme Court on Thursday to void a subpoena from the House of Representatives that seeks the president’s financial records from his accounting firm.

Across Capitol Hill, impeachment saga shifts

December 5, 2019 | Associated Press

A different chairman. A committee twice the size. A shift from evidence to law. Wednesday’s Judiciary Committee hearing was full of signs that the impeachment of President Donald Trump is advancing away from the drama of his Ukraine conduct toward the grave business of approving charges against him.

House report: Trump misused power, obstructed Congress

December 4, 2019 | Associated Press

President Donald Trump seriously misused the power of his office for personal political gain by seeking foreign intervention in the American election process and obstructed Congress by stonewalling efforts to investigate, a House report released Tuesday concluded in findings that form the basis for possible impeachment.

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