TWW Roundup: What a Trip

by | May 29, 2017 | News, Weekly Report

Today is Memorial Day, a day for remembering Americans who died while fighting wars. Last week, instead of honoring their sacrifice, Trump embarked on a journey that will not be forgotten anytime soon. During his first international trip since taking office, Trump embarrassed his way across Europe. His behavior abroad has shamed Americans who have apologized in droves in person, in op-ed pieces and on social media.  

Make Way for Trump

Trump managed to insult most of the member nations of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the organization formed after the great sacrifices of World War II and charged with the mutual protection of 28 allied countries. Trump accused other member nations of not paying their share of NATO expenses, claiming in his ever childlike manner that “it isn’t fair.”

Next, Trump managed to push aside the Prime Minister of Montenegro in order to be in front of a group of NATO leaders for a photo op. Thankfully, the Prime Minister is more gracious than Trump and did not made a big deal of the incident. On the bright side, at least with Trump out of the country he wasn’t in the Oval Office signing more horrific executive orders.

Trump Care?

Trump’s budget was unveiled and it shreds the safety net for Americans by cutting health care, food stamps, student loans and disability payments. The budget also calls for a $10 BILLION funding cut to the Department of Education. In addition, the budget cuts $834 BILLION from Medicaid, the federal program which provides healthcare to low income families, including over 35 million children.

The Congressional Budget Office released its analysis of Trumpcare last week. Not only would it result in 23 million fewer people being insured by the year 2026 than under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), but it also has the potential to destabilize insurance markets in some states, leaving some people unable to attain health insurance at all. Meanwhile, 13 male Senators continue to hide behind closed doors crafting the Senate’s version of Trumpcare.


Soon there will be a new aggressive presence in Congress. Greg Gianforte (R-Montana) won election last week even after violently attacking a reporter and later blaming the reporter for it. Gianforte faces assault charges and–at least with the current information available–will likely be convicted. It seems like sending Gianforte to D.C. is a recipe for a bloodbath, given the environment in Washington these days.  

A federal court of appeals once again ruled against Trump’s travel ban on the grounds that it was based on religion. Trump vows to take the case to the Supreme Court. Congress is on recess this again week, so we have yet another opportunity to visit local members of Congress in their district offices to remind them of who they work for and ask them to vote against Trumpcare and vote for impeachment!


CNN, Trump scolds NATO allies over defense spending and Greg Gianforte’s assault charge puts Republicans in a lose-lose situation in Montana, Medicaid child and CHIP total enrollment in March 2017

NBC News, Trump pushes Montenegro’s Prime Minister at NATO summit

NPR, GOP health plan would leave 23 million more uninsured, Budget Office says

NY Times, Trump’s budget cuts deeply into Medicaid and anti-poverty efforts

The Washington Post, Trump’s first full education budget: deep cuts to public school programs in pursuit of school choice

Ty Starks Morgan is an attorney who has worked in the foster care system for 23 years. She is the mother of two teen sons, two dogs, three cats, and a plethora of rescued foster animals.