It’s Thursday. Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour” concert movie is coming out today, a day earlier than expected, because of such high demand. It’s wild how successful this tour has been. Here’s what’s happening in the news:

• Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Tel Aviv today to show support for Israel. The world is bracing as Israel plans its next move.
• Speaker-designate Steve Scalise (R-La.) is trying to cobble together 217 votes to become the next House Speaker. The margins are extremely slim.
• John Fetterman (D-Pa.) dished on some of his colleagues during an interview with late night host Stephen Colbert.

I’m Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Send tips, commentary, feedback and cookie recipes to cmartel@digital-release.thehill.com. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here.  

House Republicans formally nominated Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) over Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) to be the next Speaker, setting up a vote on the House floor.

How close was the vote?: Scalise beat Jordan 113-99 in a closed-door GOP meeting Wednesday. And roughly a dozen Republicans voted for other candidates or simply voted “present.”

OK, so what’s the holdup?: Scalise is struggling to get the 217 votes necessary to win the Speakership. “At least seven Republicans say they plan to back someone other than Scalise; at least six others say they are undecided; and some have declined to comment on who they will stand behind — enough resistance to deny Scalise the Speakership on the House floor.” Scalise can only afford a few defections.

^ To quote Taylor Swift, “I think I’ve seen this film before.”

It took former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) 15 rounds of voting for him to secure the gavel. How many rounds of voting do you think it will take Scalise to become Speaker? Send me your guesses!

Whip count: So far, eight Republicans are voting for someone other than Scalise, six are undecided and two have had no comment. Keep checking this whip list to see where the vote stands

“The House GOP’s hoped-for moment of unity never materialized on Wednesday. Now it’s another long slog ahead,” write Politico’s Sarah Ferris and Olivia Beavers. 

As of Wednesday afternoon, McCarthy’s sign still hangs outside the Speaker’s office. Photo from Bloomberg’s Steven Dennis

©  AP 

Officials in the U.S. and Israel are saying that the Hamas terrorist group cannot survive following the deadly attack over the weekend. This sentiment raises fears and questions about what happens next, reports The Hill’s Laura Kelly.

What will likely happen in the short term: “Israeli officials and regional experts are warning of, at least, a months-long Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip. And there are immediate fears the conflict could spill out across the region and beyond.” (The Hill)

The next phase of the conflict: Israel’s military is preparing to launch a ground invasion in Gaza. The country’s newly formed unity government will decide whether or not to go through with the military’s plan. (The New York Times)

At least 25 Americans have been killed: Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced today that at least 25 Americans died in the Hamas attacks. (The Hill)

Blinken equated Hamas to ISIS: “Just as ISIS was crushed, so too will Hamas be crushed,” Blinken said in his Tel Aviv news conference. (CNN)

Watch Blinken’s news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

It is a big, big deal if Gaza hospitals lose power: The International Committee of the Red Cross warned that hospitals on the Gaza Strip could turn into “morgues” without electricity amid Israel’s siege.

Schools are urging parents to delete their kids’ social media accounts: This is due to concerns that Hamas militants could post disturbing videos of hostages. “Hamas has warned that it will post murders of hostages on social media if Israel targets people in Gaza without warning.” (CNN)

Most Democrats and Republicans agree that Hamas must be neutralized.

But a few progressive House lawmakers have been harshly criticized for their lukewarm responses to the terrorist attacks.

For example: Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), the only Palestinian American in Congress, suggested withholding U.S. support to fund Israel’s “apartheid government” and described the attack as part of a “resistance” effort. Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) echoed Tlaib’s sentiment. These comments have really infuriated other lawmakers.  (The Hill)

Keep in mind: This feeling is not widespread in the Democratic Party. Much of the party has expressed their support for Israel.

How did it start?: Reuters has a helpful explainer on the conflict and its origins.

‘Mideast and US leaders tried to sweep the Palestinian issue under the rug. That may not work anymore’: Analysis from CNN’s Abbas Al Lawati

‘What Israeli Intelligence Got Wrong About Hamas’: “Hubris and toxic politics fueled a mistaken belief in containment.” (Foreign Policy)

‘Hamas May Not Have a Step Two’: “A day that started under control, with a coordinated surprise attack by literally thousands of armed men, does not appear to have ended that way.” (The Atlantic)

The recent bloodshed in Israel and Gaza has returned focus to the Biden administration’s recent $6 billion deal with Iran. The Hill’s Niall Stanage explains the importance of that deal.

🥣 Celebrate: Today is National Gumbo Day!

😬 Is it awkward seeing senators in person after roasting them online?: In an appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) was asked whether it is awkward running into lawmakers after posting a meme about them. “You’ve got excellent meme game, but then you have to see these people in the cafeteria,” Colbert noted. Watch Fetterman’s response

🍆 Can you elaborate, Will?: In a BBC Radio 1, Prince William said the eggplant is his most-used emoji. “Is this a clean thing or is this a family one?” William said. “I’ve been told not to say the aubergine so I’ve got to pick something else. It would have been the aubergine but I’m saying now—because I’ve got to be all grown up—it’s the one where the eyes go up and down and the mouth’s out. What’s that one? The slightly crazy one.” (People)

🍦 I am on my way, senator: Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) posted a photo of his ice cream restock at the farm. That is *a lot* of Blue Ribbon vanilla ice cream. Photo

🍿 It’s my party: A number of celebrities attended Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour” movie premiere on Wednesday night. Including: “Beyoncé, Adam Sandler, Julia Garner, Maren Morris, Flava Flav and Karamo Brown…” (Variety)

Social security benefits will increase by 3.2 percent in 2024, boosting monthly income by about $50 on average.

Yes, but: “The cost-of-living adjustment is significantly smaller than this year’s historic increase of 8.7 percent, as well as the 5.9 percent increase in 2022, as inflation has eased after reaching record highs last summer. Inflation peaked at a 40-year high of 9.1 percent last June. However, it has fallen significantly since, as the Federal Reserve has repeatedly raised interest rates in an effort to counteract rapidly rising consumer prices.” Full explainer on the increase

(If you don’t understand the “girl math” reference, it started as a viral joke on social media. Here’s a CNN explainer)

President Biden topped former President Trump by just 1 point, according to a new Fox News poll.

But this is notable: Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley tops Biden by 4 points — and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) tops Biden by 2 points. (Fox News)

The House is in. The Senate is out. President Biden is in Washington, D.C., and Vice President Harris is in Las Vegas. (all times Eastern)

• 1 p.m.: White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre briefs reporters. 📺 Livestream
• 3:45 p.m.: Harris speaks at the North Las Vegas campus of the College of Southern Nevada. 📺 Livestream
• 5 p.m.: First lady Jill Biden hosts an Italian-American heritage reception at the White House. 📺 Livestream
• 4:30 p.m.: Biden meets with CEOs to discuss the economy. This is closed to press.
• 6:35 p.m.: Biden and second gentleman Doug Emhoff leave for Los Angeles.

Because you made it this far, here’s an exotic, cat-turtle mix.