Priscilla Presley came to Washington last week to join a growing campaign to stop horse cruelty, promising to take on “the good old boys” in the Senate standing in the way. Presley, who owned horses at Graceland with her former husband, Elvis Presley, put her reputation behind the Prevent All Soring Tactics, or PAST, Act, newly renamed for the late Maryland Sen. Joseph Tydings, a Democrat and longtime animal rights advocate. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., supports it. So does President Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump. “This is not a close call. No decent person can support” the practice of putting large stacked shoes and ankle chains on Tennessee Walking Horses, forcing them to high step, said Wayne Pacelle with Animal Wellness Action, a key player in the fight.
- John Czwartacki, the former budget office spokesman credited with coining the phrase “MAGAnomics,” is moving into the West Wing to be a senior adviser for strategy to acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney.
- Senators at the confirmation hearing of William Barr, nominated to be the next attorney general, won a promise that he would look into the soft sentence accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein recently received. Barr said that the Senate Judiciary Committee could “bank on” his review of the case.
- Democratic super PAC Priorities USA is readying its 2020 bid to back the party’s nominee with some staff changes. Chairman Guy Cecil said Jenn Stowe will manage operations, training and fellowships, and political teams. Jill Shesol will serve as the chief operating officer and chief financial officer. Danielle Butterfield will be the paid media director. Alejandra Castaneda will be the deputy political director.
- PETA is trying to pull a fast one on Trump by angling to place an executive on the president’s International Wildlife Conservation Council. Among the nominees for the board is PETA Foundation Vice President Delcianna Winders.
