Mubarak Trial To Begin

Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak could face a verdict for charges rooted on his alleged ordering of protesters to be killed before the end of January. 

“I expect a verdict before January 25, than anniversary of the revolution,” Khaled Abu Bakr, a lawyer representing the families of victims, said. 

Starting Tuesday, prosecutors will have three days to present their cases, according to Bakr. A spokesman from the general prosector’s office, Adel Saeed, confirmed the possibility of having a verdict on or by January 25. 

Former Egyptian Interior Minister Habib El Adly, six of his aides and two of Mubarak’s sons also face trial on a variety of charges. 

The trial is expected to resume daily starting this week. 

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Senate Dems Intro Bill To Intensify Voter Fraud Penalties

Sens. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) introduced legislation that would intensify penalties against those guilty of voter suppression. 

The Senate duo argued that those convicted of voter suppression and voter fraud “get a slap on the wrist at best” and hope to increase the severity with this new bill. 

“Their ought to be the ability to go after people like that, to prosecute the and to lock them up,” Schumer said. “The legislation that [we] are proposing would finally put some teeth and penalties into this deliberate, despicable effort to suppress voter turnout.” 

The bill, however, was very narrowly crafted so as not to conflict with citizens’ First Amendment rights. Cardin explained that the bill would only apply to certain types of false information during the last 90 days of an election. That includes publicizing inaccurate voter eligibility requirements, listing the wrong date and time for an election or promoting false endorsements. 

“You must have an intent to disenfranchise voters,” Cardin said. “It’s time to protect the most fundamental right of a Democratic society; and that is the right to vote.” 

If passed, similar voter suppression and fraud crimes could be punishable with a prison sentence of up to five years. 

Huntsman Daughters Vow To "Bring Huntsman Back" In New YouTube Video

GOP presidential candidate Jon Huntsman has not seen double digits in the polls for most of his campaign, but is now raking in supporters who have fallen from the Herman Cain train and the Rick Perry ferry. 

Too much? 

Perhaps a catchy tune from the Huntsman daughters will help soothe your distaste for my cheesy rhymes. 

The Jon2012girls, as they call themselves, posted a cover of Justin Timberlake’s “SexyBack” with original lyrics on their YouTube account. The Huntsman girls label the GOP field (with the exception of dad, of course) a “circus act.”

Dean Of The House Challenges Congress To Stay In Session

Dean of the House Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) challenged Congress to stay in session until ” we can accomplish something of value, something worthwhile for the American people.”

In a Politico Op-Ed published late Wednesday evening, Dingell expressed his frustration with the political atmosphere that has engulfed Capitol Hill and argued that, thus far, the 112th Congress has been spinning its wheels and has failed at being a productive legislative body. 

“We’ve wasted the time of this great institution in a fashion worthy of the dreamiest kindergartener,” Dingell said. “I’m not willing to say Congress is broken. I am, however, ready to say that we need some repair work.”

Dingell, the longest-serving member in the House, challenged Congress to remain in Washington until it takes significant steps towards resolving the wide-array of issues currently facing the country. 

“There are traditionally bipartisan proposals in these areas,” Dingel wrote. “There is no reason there shouldn’t be today if members of Congress are willing to put their country ahead of their career.”

Click Here to read the full text of Dingell’s challenge to Congress… 

Senate Democrat Remains Wary Super Committee Can Meet Deadline

Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) said Tuesday that he remains wary a deal will materialize from a 12-member panel tasked with cutting the nation’s deficit by at least $1.2 trillion. 

With just over a week before its Nov. 23 deadline, Udall said “it’s very hard to tell” whether Republicans and Democratic members of the Joint Select Committee will be able to hash out an agreement.

“There have been points that we’ve seen it looking like it would just dissolve into partisan bickering,” Udall said during his weekly conference call with reporters. “[But] I wouldn’t count them out yet.”

Widely known throughout the upper chamber as an advocate of changing the Senate rules, with specific regard to the filibuster, Udall argued that one thing the “super committee” must do is to put together a bill that will garner bipartisan support which would prevent it from being procedurally held up. 

“I’m trying to stay focused on getting [the super committee] to produce something because, if they do, then it gets to the floor without the procedural hurdles and we get to really work on it and tackle this issue like it should be tackled,” Udall said.