FILE - In this Sept. 5, 2017, file photo, House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., left, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., right, listen as President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Congressional leaders and administration officials on tax reform, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington. Taxes, spending, immigration, and more, top a daunting agenda when Congress returns to Washington on Monday, Nov. 27, 2017. Itâs a critically important moment for the president and his GOP allies controlling Congress, who are still reaching for their first major Capitol Hill win. Tax cuts would fit the bill. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) (Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
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Developing now, Monday, Nov. 27, 2017:
- Congress faces looming deadlines and scandals in return from Thanksgiving break
- Lawsuit challenges President Trump's appointment of his budget director as interim director of consumer financial protection agency
- Bali volcano erupts, stranding tens of thousands of tourists
- Jurors in the Kate Steinle murder trial resume deliberations today
- Prince Harry engaged, Kensington Palace announces
- It's Cyber Monday and online shoppers face a bevy of post-Black Friday promotions and savings
THE LEAD STORY: Congress returns from Thanksgiving break facing a lengthy to-do list amid looming deadlines and scandals on both sides of the political aisle ...Lawmakers have only a four-week window before their Christmas break deadline to pass tax reform legislation, avoid a potential government shutdown, and deal with lots of leftover spending bills. Trump and congressional leaders plan a meeting Tuesday to discuss how to sidestep a shutdown on Dec. 8 and work though the legislative to-do list.
However, there are distractions - sexual misconduct scandals have dogged both Democrats and Republicans. Democratic Sen. Al Franken broke his silence Sunday on sexual misconduct allegations, reportedly saying he’s “embarrassed and ashamed” but will not resign from the Senate. Meanwhile, Rep. John Conyers stepped aside as the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, but again denied recent allegations of sexual and inappropriate conduct. On the GOP side, today is the last day for voters to register for Dec. 12 special election to fill the Jeff Sessions' Senate seat. President Trump continues to support Roy Moore, despite multiple sexual misconduct allegations against him involving minors and GOP angst over the Moore scandal.
- Congress faces pressure to come clean on sex harassment payouts
LEGAL BATTLE OVER TRUMP APPOINTMENT: President Trump's appointment of his budget director as interim director of a consumer financial protection agency championed by Democrats was challenged in a lawsuit filed in federal court Sunday night ... Leandra English, the federal official elevated to the position of interim director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau by its outgoing director, filed the suit against Trump and his choice, White House budget director Mick Mulvaney. The suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia asked for a declaratory judgment and a temporary restraining order to block Mulvaney from taking over the bureau.
- Sen. Thune tells 'Fox News Sunday' Mulvaney, not Cordray pick, will lead US consumer financial watchdog agency
BALI VOLCANO DANGER ZONE: Hundreds of thousands have been urged to evacuate and about 59,000 tourists were stranded in wake of the eruption of Mount Agung in Bali ... The Indonesian disaster agency has called on 100,000 to evacuate and expanded the danger zone after the eruption of Mount Agung. Hundreds of flights were cancelled, leaving about 59,000 tourists stranded on the Island. The closure will continue until Tuesday, but officials said they are closely monitoring the situation and will determine every six hours whether the airport should remain closed.
VERDICT WATCH: Jurors deciding the fate of the illegal immigrant accused of killing Kate Steinle will resume deliberations today after two abbreviated days of deliberations and the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend ... After 12 days of testimony, dozens of witnesses and two days of closing arguments in the murder trial of Jose Ines Garcia Zarate, jurors were given the case last Tuesday to determine whether Steinle’s death was the result of an act of murder or a tragic accident. They deliberated for a few hours before leaving for the day without a verdict. Steinle was walking with her father and a family friend in July 2015 when she was shot, collapsing into her father's arms. Zarate had been released from the San Francisco jail about three months before the shooting, despite a request by federal immigration authorities to detain him for deportation.
PRINCE HARRY OFF THE MARKET: Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle became engaged in London earlier this month, Kensington Palace announced today on Twitter ... The two will get married in the spring.
CYBER CHA-CHING: Today is Cyber Monday, the day when companies offer a wide array of discounts online ... Cyber Monday shoppers can look forward to an array of special promotions in the wake of Black Friday. Click here for a look at some of the best deals.
- The do's and don'ts of Cyber Monday
- How to get the most out of Cyber Monday
AS SEEN ON FOX NEWS WEEKEND
CARLY'S STORY: "Was I groped by a friend of my family? Of course. Was I propositioned? Of course. Was I introduced as a bimbo? Of course. Did I have on occasion men banging on my hotel room door and then lying about it the next morning? Of course. This is common occurrence, unfortunately, and that is my point. My point is not that most men are bad; most men are good and respectful. And many, many men have helped many women, myself included. And all women are not victims. But the perennial abuse of power by men over women has been with us for a long time. And everyone knows it." – Carly Fiorina, former CEO of Hewlett-Packard, "Fox News Sunday," telling her personal experience with sexual harassment. WATCH
TAX REFORM OR BUST: "I think it's going to be very difficult if they don't get this bill done for those Republicans to go back to their districts in the election year next year and say, 'Look what we've accomplished,' 'cause they really haven't accomplished anything." – Former Trump Campaign Manager Corey Lewandowski, on "Fox & Friends Weekend," sounding off on the potential impact if lawmakers fail to pass tax reform. WATCH
ACROSS THE NATION
Indiana 'Night Nurse' whose tweet about white women sparked investigation 'no longer' with hospital.
Texas exploiting day laborers after Harvey, advocates say.
Florida man arrested after man found dead next to three-foot sword.
MINDING YOUR BUSINESS
Meredith to acquire Time Inc. in $2.8B deal.
'Sunday Morning Futures' Interview: Rep. Peter King says NY homeowners will see taxes increase without SALT.
American Airlines president takes the long view.
NEW IN FOX NEWS OPINION
Rep. Diane Black: Conservative tax reform is on the way.
Is the fantasy of a Middle East peace accord about to come true?
Unhinged coverage of Trump is hurting the media.
HOLLYWOOD SQUARED
Susan Sarandon thinks Hillary Clinton would have been 'very dangerous' as president.
South Africa contestant wins Miss Universe 2017 crown.
Nick Lachey wants to 'find some justice' for his employee who was shot in the face.
DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS?
Russia to declare McDonald's a 'foreign agent' for misleading advertisements.
More than 100 reindeer dead in Norway after getting hit by freight train.
Fast food employee tricks Twitter with soda cup illusion.
STAY TUNED
On Fox News:
Fox & Friends, 6 a.m. ET: Art Del Cueto, National Border Patrol Council vice president Southwest, discusses the investigation on the killing of Border Patrol Agent Rogelio Martinez; FCC Chairman Ajit Pai explains the potential impact of dismantling net neutrality rules; Kurt the "CyberGuy" shares Cyber Monday tips; Duane "Dog the Bounty Hunter" Chapman and his wife Beth Chapman share her heart-wrenching battle with throat cancer.
Tucker Carlson Tonight, 8 p.m. ET: Exclusive: Former federal watchdog Inspector Gen. Charles McCullough speaks out on the Clinton email scandal and its true ramifications to Fox News Chief Intelligence Correspondent Catherine Herridge.
On Fox News Radio:
The Fox News Rundown podcast: Egypt is reeling after one of the deadliest terror attacks since 9/11. Fox News' Eric Shawn discusses the ISIS mosque killing spree and what we can do to defeat radical Islamic terrorism with Amb. Dennis Ross of the Washington Institute. Plus, we'll take a look at Cyber Monday as it is expected to bring in billions for retailers. And a commentary by Fox News contributor Guy Benson.
Want the Fox News Rundown sent straight to your mobile device? Subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Stitcher.
The Brian Kilmeade Show, 9 am to Noon ET: New York Post columnist Michael Goodwin explains why he believes Mayor Bill de Blasio's NYC is lies stacked on top of lies; former interim DNC Chair Donna Brazile gives the inside story on reaction to her new book; former CIA intelligence analyst Kenneth Pollack sounds off on President Trump's Iran strategy.
#OnThisDay
1978: San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and City Supervisor Harvey Milk, a gay-rights activist, are shot to death inside City Hall by former supervisor Dan White. (White served five years for manslaughter; he committed suicide in Oct. 1985.)
1967: The Beatles album "Magical Mystery Tour" is released in the United States by Capitol Records.
1924: Macy's first Thanksgiving Day parade — billed as a "Christmas Parade" — takes place in New York.
Thank you for joining us on Fox News First! Enjoy your day and we'll see you in your inbox first thing Tuesday morning.
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