Day 99: Another week down

Go get yourself a drink. You've earned it.

• There has been an official delay on the Obamacare repeal vote. House moderates are rightly concerned that people with pre-existing conditions will get screwed.
• The government will not shut down tomorrow. But it might at the end of next week! The can is thus kicked, but not very far.
• Trump has a new executive order aimed at easing restrictions on offshore drilling in the Arctic and Atlantic. This is really a double-whammy against the environment: first we drill (and spill), and then we burn. There is nothing good about this.
• Trump gave a speech to the NRA (National Rifle Association) today, promising to come through for them on relaxing gun regulations. Consider it a "return on investment" for the NRA, who poured money into his election campaign.
• "President Trump on Friday installed virulent anti-choice activist Charmaine Yoest as assistant secretary for public affairs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)." Because anti-choice extremism is so appropriate at the HHS. This is identity politics 101, and an unfortunate reminder that we are still stuck in this game.