The House has passed its first bill under new party rule; 90% of California is under a flood watch; and classified documents have been found in a private office President Joe Biden used following his time as vice president. These stories and more highlight your morning rundown for Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.
Classified documents in Biden office
A U.S. attorney has been assigned to review 10 classified documents discovered in an office that Biden used following his time as vice president. The documents were discovered by attorneys of Biden when clearing out the old office space at the Penn Biden Center on Nov. 2.
The following morning, the classified material was handed over to the National Archives.
The FBI is now reportedly involved and will review the files with a U.S. attorney.
It’s a story that has many comparing Biden’s situation to that of President Trump’s classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.
North America summit underway
Meanwhile, President Biden is focused on a summit in Mexico. He met with Mexico’s president Monday and discussed economy, trade, drug gangs, and the border.
Canada’s Prime Minister will be joining the conversation Tuesday.
Migration, the climate, and the war in Ukraine are slated to be the talking points. The North American leaders will be meeting through Wednesday.
House rules package, first bill passed
Republicans getting their House in order after a week of back-and-forth within their own party.
The chamber quickly passed the House rules package to set forth how the floor will approach the next two years of legislating. They also brought their first bill to a vote, passing legislation to cut funding to the IRS. The bill will likely get struck down in the Senate. If it somehow made it to the president’s desk, it would most likely be vetoed.
Flood waters swamp California
California continues to get downpours and roots are unable to soak up so much rain at one time. As flood water rushes, saturated trees are coming down on homes, roads, and cars.
A 5-year-old boy is missing after being swept away in a current. Mudslides are starting to occur and crews are shutting down roads as giant rock begins to fall.
Ninety percent of the state is under a flood watch and even more rain is expected throughout Tuesday.
President Biden issued an emergency declaration Monday.
Agency considers gas stove ban
A federal agency is considering a ban on gas stoves. They claim the lit-flame is a source of pollution and a cause of asthma in children.
A U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commissioner calls a gas stove a “hidden hazard,” saying unsafe products can be banned or regulated to meet a certain standard on emissions.
One study suggests 13% of childhood asthma cases can be linked back to gas stoves being used in the household.
The federal agency says if action is taken, it would involve a lengthy process. Given 35% of households in the U.S. use a gas stove. And in some states like California, 70% of houses use gas.