News Wrap: Supreme Court allows new asylum policy to take effect

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• Amna Nawaz:

  Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives have taken another tentative step towards impeaching President Trump. They set out ground rules today, amid questions about how ready they are to go further.

  White House correspondent Yamiche Alcindor has our report.

• Yamiche Alcindor:

  Today, Democrats insisted, no matter what you call the process, the possibility of impeaching President Trump is still on their minds.

• Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y.:

  Some call this process an impeachment inquiry. Some call it an impeachment investigation. There is no legal difference between these terms, and I no longer care to argue about the nomenclature.

• Yamiche Alcindor:

  In a party-line vote, the House Judiciary Committee passed a resolution setting rules for future impeachment investigation hearings. They allow committee staff to question witnesses for an hour.

  They also let the president's lawyers respond to testimony only in writing. Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler says the move was an important step to an effective impeachment investigation of President Trump.

• Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y.:

  Let me clear up any remaining doubt: The conduct under investigation poses a threat to our democracy. We have an obligation to respond to this threat. And we are doing so.

• Yamiche Alcindor:

  But House Republicans called the resolution a political scheme.

• Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, R-Pa.:

  So which is it? Are you starting an impeachment proceeding or not? Is this just more smoke and mirrors so you can appease the far left?

• Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I.:

  Will the gentleman yield, so he can answer his question?

• Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, R-Pa.:

  I yield.

• Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I.:

  So, the answer is, yes, we're engaged in an impeachment investigation.

• Yamiche Alcindor:

  California Republican Tom McClintock added this:

• Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif.:

  I dare you to do it. In fact, I double-dog-dare you to do it. Have the House vote on those 18 words, and then go at it. Why won't you do that? It's because you want to give the illusion of impeachment without the reality of it.

• Yamiche Alcindor:

  Afterwards, Nadler said the panel would be calling former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski to testify next week. The White House has blocked some testimony from other Trump associates.

  For the "PBS NewsHour," I'm Yamiche Alcindor.

• Amna Nawaz:

  The Trump administration began enforcing a new asylum policy today, after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed it to take effect nationwide. The change effectively bars most Central American migrants at the U.S. southern border. They first have to seek asylum in a country they passed through. Immigration activists denounced the court order as a death sentence for thousands.

  And Mexico's foreign secretary also deplored the ruling.

• Marcelo Ebrard (through translator):

  The court's decision is astonishing in the impact that it is going to have, a court of the United States. So what do we have to do? Create alternatives, so people do not have to take on those risks. We are concerned about that.

• Amna Nawaz:

  President Trump tweeted that the high court's order was a big win. But it is also temporary, pending the ultimate outcome of the legal battle over the policy.

  The Environmental Protection Agency announced plans today to revoke an Obama era regulation on protecting wetlands and small streams. The agency said extending federal authority beyond large bodies of water amounted to a — quote — "power grab." Environmental groups said the move could threaten drinking water for millions of people.

  In the Bahamas, meanwhile, officials cut the number of missing in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian to 1,300. That's roughly half the number given a day earlier. Meanwhile, U.S. officials in Washington announced $4 million in additional humanitarian aid for the islands, for a total of $10 million so far.

• Mark Green:

  There's a long road ahead. I think it's very clear that the U.S., both private sector, charitable, for-profit and the public sector, stands with the people of the Bahamas, and we're there to help out. And we will be there for some time.

• Amna Nawaz:

  The hurricane did an estimated $7 billion in damage across the Bahamas. Forecasters are tracking another tropical system in the Caribbean. It could bring heavy new rain to the Bahamas by tomorrow.

  Back in this country, the U.S. Department of Education blasted Chicago's public schools for mishandling sexual abuse claims. A department investigation found what it called — quote — "tragic and inexcusable problems" in the nation's third largest school district. The district has been ordered to overhaul its system for handling student complaints to comply with federal law.

  Virginia's lieutenant governor, Justin Fairfax, sued CBS today for defamation, asking for $400 million in damages. The network had aired interviews with two women who accused Fairfax of sexual assault. He denied the allegations, and says CBS failed to properly investigate and fact-check their stories. The network says it stands by its reporting.

  Initial findings in a scuba boat fire off Southern California shows all six crew members were asleep when flames broke out early on September 2. The National Transportation Safety Board reported today on the blaze that killed 34 people. That came as the burned-out hulk was raised to the water's surface. The NTSB says it found no mechanical or electrical problems that started the fire.

  The governing body of college sports is sounding the alarm over a move in California to let student athletes hire agents and sign endorsements. State lawmakers gave final approval last night to a bill allowing exactly that. The NCAA says it would give California schools an unfair recruiting advantage, and it warns they could be banned from some competitions. The group is urging Governor Gavin Newsom to veto the measure.

  And on Wall Street, the Dow Jones industrial average gained 45 points to close at 27182. The Nasdaq rose 24 points, and the S&P 500 added eight.