PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP (Shutterstock).

In a post on social media, President Donald Trump announced on Friday he would allow a bipartisan housing bill passed by Congress to become law without him signing it.

According to the Associated Press, his decision not to sign the bill came from his disappointment that Congress didn’t pass the “Save America Act” which included a national voter ID requirement.

“I will not sign the Housing Bill … in PROTEST over the fact that the United States Senate is not capable of passing THE SAVE AMERICA ACT,” he posted.

The voting bill was passed narrowly by the House of Representatives, but defections by some Republicans stopped efforts to pass the voter ID requirement, which Democrats claim would be unconstitutional and discourage voters.

Election Commission is empty

The Federal Election Commission, created in 2002 to help states to administer elections and assist voters in participating, is now without any commissioners.

United Press International is reporting that several other news organizations have stated that the last two Democratic members of the commission have been fired by the president and the last Republican has resigned. With no sitting members, the commission can’t function.

In response, Democratic lawmakers are claiming that Trump is trying to “take over” the coming midyear elections, which polls suggest could be favorable to Democrats.
Trump has claimed that if they retake control of Congress, he will be impeached for third time.

Platner withdraws from race

Graham Platner, a controversial Democratic candidate for a Maine seat in the U.S. Senate, has officially withdrawn from the race.

According to USA Today, Platner’s action gives Democrats time to nominate another candidate before the deadline. Platner, who won his state’s Democratic primary election in June, was called upon to leave the race when allegations surfaced that he had sexually assaulted an ex-girlfriend almost five years ago.

He denies the allegations, claiming the alleged incidents were mutually “consensual.”

Before that allegation, he was considered a strong candidate to unseat moderate Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins.

Weather: Getting a bit warmer

The general trend of weather in our West Orange County cities is a warming trend. The forecast is for a steady rise toward the high-80s. Saturday should be mostly cloudy with a daytime high of 89 and an overnight low of 66. Sunday will warm a bit to 82 (67) with morning clouds and afternoon sunshine. The warming trend advances on Monday and Tuesday are to 85 and 89 during the day, with overnight lows of 68 and 69.

Great Thoughts (bodies)

“The body says what words cannot.”
– Martha Graham

“Every human being is the author of his own health or disease.”
– Buddha

“You have been criticizing yourself and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.”
– Louise Hay