Obama Fights for Health Law as GOP Vows Quick Repeal and More You Missed in Politics Today

It’s difficult to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in this country and to break through the clutter, so we’re here to make it easier. Here’s what we at Countable are reading today:

1. "Obama fights for health law as Republicans stand firm on vow to repeal"

"The bitter divide over the fate of the Affordable Care Act played out at the highest levels on Wednesday as President Obama urged Democrats on Capitol Hill to fight to maintain his signature domestic achievement while President-elect Donald J. Trump warned Republicans to let Mr. Obama’s imperiled program “fall of its own weight."

"By a vote of 51 to 48, the Senate decided on Wednesday to take a first step toward repealing the Affordable Care Act. Senators agreed to take up a budget resolution, or blueprint, that would clear the way for legislation repealing major provisions of the health care law. Senate debate on the budget measure is expected to continue for several days. The House is expected to take up a similar budget resolution next week."

Read more at The New York Times.

2. "Ryan bucks Trump, says Congress will not raise tariffs"

"Speaker Paul D. Ryan, in a break from President-elect Donald Trump, said Wednesday that Congress is not going to increase taxes on imports and exports. We’re not going to be raising tariffs," Ryan said on “The Hugh Hewitt Show.””

"Trump has called for a “big border tax" on companies that leave the United States but continue to sell their goods here. Ryan said “the secret” to getting businesses to stay in the country is to level the playing field on taxes, lowering taxes for businesses, not increasing them. ”

Read more at Roll Call.

3. "WikiLeaks' Assange: Russia didn't give us emails"

"WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has repeated his claim that the Russian government was not the source of hacked Democratic campaign emails his organization released before the US presidential election."”

"The Obama administration, citing US intelligence sources, has accused Russia of orchestrating the hacking of emails from the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta in an attempt to influence the election's outcome. The administration says it is "100% certain" about Russian involvement, but President-elect Donald Trump has frequently cast doubt on the veracity of the claims."

Read more at CNN.

4. "Senate push for new Russia hacking probe fizzles"

"Mexican politician Gerardo Fernández Noroña walked into Trump Tower, sat down in front of the golden elevator bank and held up a sign showing a map of the United States labeled “Mexico in 1830."”

"Security officers appeared to convince him to move a short way away from the elevators before he sat back down again. New York City police officers quickly escorted him from the lobby.

Fernández Noroña tweeted about his incursion, saying roughly, "I'm very satisfied with today's protest. Only two of us did it, requiring no more than our determination and patriotism."”

Read more at the Washington Post.

5. "McConnell: Americans ‘will not tolerate' Dems blocking SCOTUS nom"

"Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) fired back at Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) for his vow that Democrats will fight to keep the Supreme Court vacancy open if President-elect Donald Trump selects a nominee from out of the mainstream. At a press conference Wednesday, McConnell mocked Schumer for expanding what Republicans labeled the "Biden rule'"-- referring to a 1992 speech given by then Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) discouraging the appointment of a Supreme Court nominee close to an election."

"Last year, McConnell led a Republican blockade against even considering Merrick Garland, President Obama's nominee to fill the late Justice Antonin Scalia's seat, securing the vacancy for Trump. "

Read more at Talking Points Memo.

— Erin Wright

(Photo Credit: Flickr user will1ill)