© Associated Press

In what is seen as a win for abortion rights advocates, Ohio voters on Tuesday resoundingly rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that could have made it much more difficult to enshrine abortion rights into the state’s constitution.

Opponents of the proposed measure see the vote as a positive sign for their broader cause ahead of another vote in November specially focused on abortion.

“This measure was a blatant attempt to weaken voters’ voices and further erode the freedom of women to make their own health care decisions,” President Biden said. “Ohioans spoke loud and clear, and tonight democracy won.”

Anti-abortion rights groups, though, see it as a “warning.”

“It is a sad day for Ohio and a warning for pro-life states across the nation,” the Susan B. Anthony List, an anti-abortion rights group, said in a statement. “So long as the Republicans and their supporters take the ostrich strategy and bury their heads in the sand, they will lose again and again.”

Why it matters: Tuesday’s ballot measure would have raised the threshold to enact future changes to Ohio’s Constitution from a simple majority to 60 percent. That would have made it more difficult for abortion rights supporters to pass a ballot measure in November to protect abortion access after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year. The landmark decision had enshrined national abortion protections for decades and kept states from outright banning abortion.

Validation or warning? Both sides are expecting the issue to build steam after the Ohio vote and are using the vote as a rally cry to their bases.

It’s Wednesday, Aug. 9. I’m Elizabeth Crisp, filling in for Cate, with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here. Send me your tips: ecrisp@digital-release.thehill.com and follow me on Twitter @elizabethcrisp.

Moderate House Republicans have generally had Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and other GOP leaders’ backs as they have tried to appease the whims of their hardline conservative colleagues.

But, as The Hill’s Emily Brooks reports, the routine is growing stale.

“There’s only so much people can take before they say enough is enough,” Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) told The Hill.

Some vulnerable members are growing especially nervous as re-election nears.

“The 2024 election cycle is shaping up to be one where it’s every man, woman and child for themselves. And a lot of members are in tough seats,” Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) told The Hill.

What leaders are saying: McCarthy and other top Republicans have publicly laughed off questions about caucus divisions and the impact on passing legislation under the new GOP control. They chalk it up to the legislative process.

“I begin to refer to them as the five stages of the D.C. press cycle of doubt,” McCarthy said at a recent news conference. “When I come in on Monday, the No. 1 question you ask me is not about policy, but can we pass it?”

What the hardliners are saying: Asked what he would say to moderates who are frustrated by the pressure from conservatives, former House Freedom Caucus chairman Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) said: “Now you know what I felt like for seven years when the moderates are trying to cram crap down my throat.”

More from The Hill here.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) made a brief visit to the hospital Tuesday after tripping and falling at her home. 

“All of her scans were clear and she returned home,” a spokesperson for Feinstein told The Hill, noting it was a precautionary visit.

Feinstein, who is 90 years old, has faced calls to resign as she’s faced recent health issues, including an extended hospitalization for shingles earlier this year. (The Hill)

President Biden says “practically speaking,” he’s answered the call for a climate emergency declaration, even though he hasn’t actually taken any formal steps.

During an interview with The Weather Channel that aired Wednesday morning, Biden was asked whether he will declare a national climate emergency. The president said he had “already done that.”

“We’ve conserved more land. We’ve…rejoined the Paris Climate Accord,” he said, also appearing to allude to legislative accomplishments.

But a national emergency declaration on climate change, which activists have pushed for, is a specific way to unlock other resources that could be used to address climate change. Biden hasn’t yet done that. (The Hill)

Biden says he plans to visit Vietnam ‘shortly.’ (The Hill)

It’s almost debate season … Fox Business will host the second GOP presidential primary debate next month, which will take place in California.

“We are looking forward to continuing our fair, neutral and transparent primary process in Simi Valley to elect the next President of the United States,” Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel said in a statement.

The debate will take place at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute on Sept. 27. Univision and Rumble will also be partners in the debate.

The first debate, which will be televised by Fox News, is slated to take place Aug. 23 in Milwaukee. (The Hill)

Former President Trump‘s growing legal issues are raising concerns among GOP strategists who worry that the party could splinter and lose ground in Congress.

The Hill’s Alexander Bolton reports: “Trump’s legal troubles and his escalating battle with the Department of Justice will become a litmus test in GOP primaries next year — just as Trump’s claims that the 2020 election was stolen helped define candidates as MAGA-aligned in 2022, GOP strategists say.”

The delicate dance: To maintain competition in swing states and districts, candidates who need to woo key constituencies (particularly independent and college-educated women) can’t look too chummy with the legally troubled former president. But they also can’t alienate the de facto party leader, who also happens to be the frontrunner for the GOP’s 2024 presidential nomination, heading into the general election.

More from The Hill here.

Speaking of Trump’s criminal issues … The Georgia prosecutor who is investigating Trump for alleged 2020 election interference is expected to go before a grand jury next week, according to multiple media reports. (The Hill)

Chris Christie responds to former President Trump’s weight comments: “Show up to the debate and say it to my face.” (The Hill)

Hawaii is in a state of emergency because of intense, hurricane-fueled wildfires that have forced evacuations. People have even reportedly jumped into the ocean to escape the flames and billowing smoke to be rescued by the Coast Guard.

Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke (D), who is currently serving as acting governor while Gov. Josh Green (D) is traveling out of state, issued the emergency proclamation, attributing the dire situation to the effects of wind gusts from Hurricane Dora, which has been churning south of the islands.

“The safety of our residents is paramount, and this emergency proclamation will activate the Hawaii National Guard to support emergency responders in the impacted communities,” Luke said in a news release.

The emergency proclamation gives the state the ability to activate the National Guard and tap into emergency funds. (The Hill)

Did you buy a Mega Millions ticket at a Florida Publix this week? You may be $1.58 billion richer…

The long lottery drought has ended with a winning ticket from a grocery store in Neptune Beach, Fla.

The winning numbers: 13, 19, 20, 32, 33 and yellow ball 14. (Nexstar via The Hill)

It’s August recess, and that means you might just spot a lawmaker in the wild. Here’s a quick roundup of a few posts from House members and Senators catching some local stops:

• Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) headed out to Lowville, N.Y., to promote rural issues.
• John Barasso (R-Wyo.) headed to the fair (and parade)!
• Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) made a stop at West Virginia State University for a town hall and meeting with leaders.
• Alabama GOP party time: Jerry Carl (R-Ala.) teamed up with Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) to meet up with people from the Alabama agricultural community.
• Brittany Petersen (D-Colo.) met with local leaders in Arvada, Colo.

The House and Senate are out this week. President Biden continues his swing out West before returning to the White House on Thursday – on tap today are stops in New Mexico and Utah. Vice President Harris is in D.C.

• 3 p.m.: President Biden talks up the Inflation Reduction Act during an event in Albuquerque, N.M.

• 5:55 p.m.: Biden is scheduled to leave New Mexico en route to Salt Lake City.

• 6:30 p.m.: Biden is scheduled to arrive in Salt Lake City.

All times Eastern.

• 3 p.m.: President Biden talks up the Inflation Reduction Act during an event in Albuquerque, N.M. (Watch here)

Today is National Passion Fruit Day!

Did you know?: Passion fruit can naturally help with sleeping and anxiety.

Is the real thing hard to find? Passion fruit is, in my humble opinion, one of the best sorbet flavors, and I know for a fact you can easily find it in D.C.. It’s going to be in the upper 80s in the DMV before another storm rolls in on Thursday, so get out and enjoy!

And because you made it this far, check out this video of two kittens who are so cute they break my heart…

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