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In January, Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Rep. Ted Lieu of California -- both Democrats -- introduced legislation that would prohibit the president of the United States from conducting a "first-use nuclear strike," unless such an attack had been authorized by a prior declaration of war by Congress.

Donald Trump ran for president on a promise to "drain the swamp." I agreed with that particular statement. Unfortunately, he didn't mean what he said. The recent actions of Trump and several White House officials prove this administration hasn't drained the swamp — it has become the swamp.

But that doesn't mean Congress can't drain the swamp ourselves.

Nuclear anxiety is on the rise. While President Trump has denied reports that he sought a "nearly tenfold"increase in America's nuclear arsenal, there is no disputing that the risk of a nuclear catastrophe is escalating on his watch.

Democrats in Congress say it would be "illegal" and "catastrophic" if President Donald Trump were to conduct a preemptive nuclear strike on North Korea, and they're calling on Republicans to be far more vocal on this issue.

Up in the hills between the San Fernando Valley and West Los Angeles, the intersection of iconic Mulholland Drive and Laurel Canyon Boulevard evokes thoughts of historic Hollywood glamour and the '60s rock and drugs scene.

These days it's also a point of interest to political junkies: It's the spot where Adam Schiff's, Brad Sherman's and Ted Lieu's congressional districts meet.