promoearn: Full House to vote on 25th Amendment

Tuesday, January 12

U.S. Capitol on Jan. 8, 2021, in Washington, D.C.

A resolution to invoke the 25th Amendment is up for a full House vote and more news to start your Tuesday.

Good morning, Daily Briefing readers. The House is likely to vote on a resolution aimed at ousting President Donald Trump. It's Jane, with Tuesday's news.

The House of Representatives is expected to vote on a resolution calling for Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office. The president, on the other hand, plans to travel to Texas to defend himself and promote his legacy. In better news, could it be your lucky day? Hundreds of millions of dollars are at stake in the Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots.

Here's today's news:

Resolution to invoke the 25th Amendment goes to full House vote

House Republicans on Monday blocked Democrats from bringing up a resolution to urge Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove President Donald Trump from office. Democrats can now bring it up for a full House vote on Tuesday. Under House rules, it took only one lawmaker to block immediate consideration of the resolution aimed at pressuring Republicans to take power away from Trump. The resolution calls on Pence and the Cabinet to, within 24 hours, "declare what is obvious to a horrified Nation: That the President is unable to successfully discharge the duties and powers of his office." Pence has not shown an interest in triggering the never-used section of the amendment that could strip Trump of his authority.

•	Impeachment, resignation, 25th Amendment: How Democrats in Congress are trying to remove Trump after Capitol riots
•	The text in full: What the 25th Amendment says about removing a president
•	New poll: More than half of Americans believe Trump should be removed before Jan. 20
•	DC, statehouses beef up security as possibility of violence looms ahead of inauguration

Trump visits Alamo, Texas, to give speech

As lawmakers call for his immediate removal – and plan a second impeachment – President Donald Trump plans to defend himself Tuesday with a speech in Alamo, Texas. Alamo is a small town on the Texas-Mexico border where Trump plans to discuss his immigration policy and promote his presidential legacy – a legacy very much tarnished by last week's attack on the U.S. Capitol building by enraged Trump supporters. The ostensible purpose of the visit is "to mark the completion of more than 400 miles of border wall – a promise made, promise kept – and his Administration's efforts to reform our broken immigration system," said a White House statement.

•	Patriots' Belichick declines Medal of Freedom from Donald Trump: Legendary coach says he has 'great reverence' for democracy
•	Sen. Grassley speaks out: 'Very little opportunity' for Trump to lead the Republican Party, regardless of impeachment
•	Analysis: How conservative media stoked baseless election-fraud claims that motivated D.C. rioters

New acting DHS secretary takes over as inauguration security looms

Pete Gaynor, who runs the Federal Emergency Management Agency, will take over as acting Homeland Security secretary after Chad Wolf's abrupt resignation Monday . Wolf's resignation comes as his agency leads critical security planning for the upcoming inauguration. Unlike other recent members of the Trump administration who have resigned, Wolf did not cite the U.S. Capitol riots as a reason. Last week, however, Wolf asked Trump and all elected officials to "strongly condemn the violence" that took place at the Capitol.

•	Federal judge's ruling: DHS head Wolf didn't have authority to suspend DACA
•	Previous Wolf comments: White supremacy is 'most persistent and lethal threat' internally to US
•	Security holes at state capitols: Many allow guns inside, lack metal detectors
•	Photo gallery: Trump officials who have resigned following riot at US Capitol

Man from photo inside Pelosi's office to appear in federal court

The Arkansas man who was photographed sitting at a desk in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office after the storming of the Capitol by a mob of President Donald Trump's supporters will make his initial appearance in federal court Tuesday, according to a statement from the Department of Justice. Richard Barnett, 60, of Gravette, Arkansas, is charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds; and theft of public money, property, or records. If he is convicted, he faces up to one year in prison. Barnett, who has identified himself on social media as a Trump supporter and gun rights advocate, turned himself in to FBI agents at the Benton County Sheriff's Office in Bentonville, Arkansas, an FBI spokesman said.

•	Adam Johnson, the Florida man seen carrying Nancy Pelosi's lectern, out of jail on $25K bail
•	'It could have been much, much worse': Video, witness accounts reveal darker intent of some Capitol rioters
•	Parler data breach: Archived posts from Capitol riots could reveal platform's role in the insurrection
•	Country music wives Brittany Aldean, Brittney Kelley draw fire for Capitol insurrection social posts

A supporter of President Donald Trump sits inside the office of U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi inside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021.

SAUL LOEB, AFP via Getty Images

More news you need to know:

•	'It's what we feared:' Hospitals from Georgia to California face surging COVID-19 cases, staff shortages and rising deaths
•	First US execution of female inmate in 67 years halted
•	Coronavirus updates: Disneyland to be transformed into mass vaccination site
•	To help heal racial wounds, Black national anthem would become America's hymn under proposal
•	US Fish and Wildlife opens investigation after Florida manatee found defaced with 'Trump' scratched into its back
•	Allegiant Air aims for pandemic vacationers with flights to 3 new cities, including Jackson Hole and Portland
•	Chadwick Boseman's widow delivers tearful tribute at Gotham Awards: 'Keep shining your light on us'

Mega Millions soars to largest prize haul in years

After a long stretch of relatively paltry prizes, the jackpot for Mega Millions' Tuesday night drawing has climbed to $615 million , and the top prize in the Powerball game reached $550 million ahead of Wednesday's drawing. It has been nearly two years since the two national lottery games offered such giant prizes and only the second time both jackpots have topped $500 million. The projected Mega Millions grand prize is the eighth largest in U.S. history, and the Powerball jackpot is the 12th biggest. But don't get your hopes up too soon: As fun as it can be to play the games, people should realize their chance of winning the big prizes are incredibly small. The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are one in 292.2 million, and the chances are even worse for Mega Millions at one in 302.5 million.

•	Winning the lottery: Should you take the annual payments or lump sum?
•	Suggestions from 2018 still apply: Read these tips before joining that Mega Millions office pool
•	'A handshake is a handshake': Friends split $22M Powerball jackpot, honoring years-old agreement

And finally: Sailor makes it home just in time

Petty Officer 2nd Class Austin Maples learned his wife was pregnant right before deploying. He made it home in the nick of time for the birth of their son. See the story in this Militarykind video.

Contributing: The Associated Press