Tipsheet: The Top Ten Democrats for 2020

View in your browser     The Top Ten Democrats for 2020 BY NIALL STANAGE Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) fired the starting pistol for the 2020 presidential race on Monday when she announced she was forming an exploratory committee for a White House bid. Warren is the first top tier candidate to take such a major step — but plenty of others are expected to follow soon. Here, The Hill presents its initial rankings of the Democratic field.  Read the full story here     Trump, lawmakers brace for prolonged shutdown BY JORDAIN CARNEY Washington is bracing for a prolonged shutdown that is already in its second week. Read the full story here     States prepare ambitious agendas for 2019 BY REID WILSON Democrats and Republicans in state legislatures across the country are preparing ambitious new agendas for the year ahead, buoyed by election results that cemented single-party control of all but a small handful of states. Read the full story here     Democrat introduces five-week funding bill to reopen government BY JULIEGRACE BRUFKE House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman-designate Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) on Monday introduced a continuing resolution to fund Homeland Security through Feb. 8 along with a legislative package to fund the remaining agencies through the end of the fiscal year. Read the full story here       Pelosi, Schumer: 'Height of irresponsibility and political cynicism' if GOP rejects funding deal BY JORDAIN CARNEY   Congressional Democratic leadership sent a warning shot to Republicans on Monday saying it would be the "height of irresponsibility and political cynicism" if they reject a plan to end the 10-day government shutdown. Read the full story here     Trump complains Senate isn't confirming ambassadors BY MICHAEL BURKE President Trump on Monday complained that the Senate isn't confirming ambassadors he has appointed and claimed that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is to blame. Read the full story here     Federal workers union sues Trump admin over government shutdown BY OWEN DAUGHTERY One of the country’s largest unions representing federal workers is suing the Trump administration over the government shutdown, claiming that it is illegal to require employees to work without pay. Read the full story here     Warren announces White House bid, getting early jump on 2020 race BY JUSTIN WISE Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) became the first major Democratic name to jump into the 2020 presidential race on Monday, announcing that she is forming an exploratory committee to run for the White House.  Read the full story here     Five biggest media stories of 2018 BY JOE CONCHA President Trump’s second year in office saw several clashes between the White House and the media. Read the full story here     US stocks suffer worst year since 2008 BY MICHAEL BURKE U.S. stocks in 2018 suffered their worst annual performance in a decade after closing on Monday.  Read the full story here     Trump's Brexit wrecking ball BY DESMOND LACHMAN Opinion | In attempting to torpedo United Kingdom Prime Minister Theresa May’s recently negotiated Brexit deal, President Trump should be careful about that for which he wishes. Read the full story here     Thwarting Moscow’s latest escalation BY JOHN HERBST Opinion | Moscow’s open attack on Ukrainian ships this week was designed primarily to prevent Kyiv from increasing its naval presence in the Sea of Azov. It is essential for US and European security to take strong steps against the Kremlin’s latest escalation. Stopping Moscow’s aggression in Ukraine is the smart way to prevent provocations against our NATO allies in Eastern Europe. Read the full story here     The Washington Post: Democrats’ shutdown strategy ushers in new era of divided rule — and a dare to Trump BY ERICA WERNER AND SEUNG MIN KIM Democrats will take control of the House on Thursday with a stark challenge to President Trump, voting on legislation that would fund the federal government while denying Trump the money he has demanded to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Read the full story here     The Wall Street Journal: US stock indexes post worst annual drop since 2008 BY GEORGI KANTCHEV AND AKANE OTANI U.S. stocks drifted higher Monday but closed out 2018 with their steepest annual declines since the financial crisis, reflecting growing unease among investors about the health of the nearly decade-long bull run. Read the full story here     The New York Times: Trump digs in, darkening hopes for a deal to end the shutdown BY MAGGIE HABERMAN AND SHERYL GAY STOLBERG WASHINGTON — The television is on. The phone is never far away. And President Trump is repeatedly calling allies such as members of Congress and conservative radio hosts, telling them privately that he will not give in on his demand for funding for a border wall. Read the full story here     Bloomberg: Trump digs in on Syria pullout after Graham floats new approach BY BEN BRODY AND ALYZA SEBENIUS Donald Trump doubled down on his decision to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria, a day after a top Republican senator said the president may be open to changing his strategy. Read the full story here     CBS News: Parkland dad tells Louis CK to come to his house to tell his 'new pathetic jokes' BY JUSTIN CARISSIMO A father whose daughter was killed in the Parkland shooting massacre is slamming Louis C.K. after he seemingly made fun of the survivors and their push for stricter gun laws across the country. Read the full story here   Did a friend forward you this email? 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