It’s Monday. Welcome back! Today is National Cookie Day, so I hope you can all find a way to celebrate. Keep reading for cookie deals today! 🎄Here’s what we’re covering: -
Since getting expelled from Congress, former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) went on a late-night X rant, has threatened to file complaints about four of his colleagues — and is now selling personalized videos to fans for $150.
- This will be a big week based on whether Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) backtracks on his hold of 400+ military promotions.
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Oxford University Press selected “rizz” as the 2023 word of the year. Keep reading for its definition and usage.
- Lots of celebrities and D.C. politicos attended the glitzy Kennedy Center Honors gala on Saturday. Keep scrolling for red carpet photos.
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. |
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George Santos is in his revenge era: |
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Expelled Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) went on late-night social media rants on Friday after the House decidedly voted to expel him from Congress. This included threatening several of his ex-colleagues with ethics complaints.
Target No. 1: Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), who he accused of “questionable stock trading.” “Let’s talk about hypocrisy. Can someone ask Nicole MalioStockTips when did she become a savant in stock trading?” Santos posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. Read his 11:48 p.m. post
Target No. 2: Santos accused Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) of funneling campaign expenses through a company. Read his 12:08 a.m. post Target No. 3: He accused Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.) of being a “no-show” at his last job. Read his 12:19 a.m. post
Target No. 4: Santos didn’t accuse Rep. Rob Menendez (D-N.J.) of anything specific, but said he should be investigated over his relationship with his father, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), who is facing federal charges on bribery. Read his 12:42 a.m. post |
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➤ TIDBITS SINCE HIS EXIT: |
“Saturday Night Live” had fun with the Santos news: Watch the segment
Shortly after the vote: “From the pool. All of Santos’s staffers left. The lights are off. Maintenance came and changed all locks to the doors to his office in the Longworth House Office Building.” (From Fox News’ Chad Pergram) Watch the locks get changed on Santos’s D.C. office: Video from C-SPAN’s Howard Mortman
Why I included the “Batman” gif: Santos wore a black overcoat to the vote. In less fancy terms: He wore a cape! Watch him shake hands during the vote to fire him
Added to his X bio: Santos linked to his Cameo account, a platform for celebrities to sell personalized video messages to fans. (h/t Semafor’s Kadia Goba) His Cameo bio reads, “Former congressional ‘Icon’!💅🏼” Photo ^ What we know about Santos’s Cameo account: He is charging $150 for a personalized video. (Business Insider)
Pelosi did not approve of his exit: Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) slammed Santos for leaving the House chamber before the vote concluded, calling him a “coward.” ‘Time for George Santos to Embrace His True Calling: Reality TV Villain’: From Slate |
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“All eyes are on Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) this week as senators wait and see if the Alabama Republican will finally relent on his months-long military promotion blockade, which has held up more than 400 promotions and has drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle.” How long has this been happening?: Tuberville has been holding military promotions since February(!)
What’s happening now?: Tuberville has received criticism from both parties. Democrats are considering a rule change to override Tuberville’s blockade. Meanwhile, Tuberville appears to be softening his stance in the past week. What to expect, via The Hill’s Mychael Schnell |
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➤ WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING ON CAPITOL HILL: |
- “Senate briefing on supplemental as talks continue.”
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“IRS whistleblowers to testify as House eyes impeachment inquiry vote.”
- “House reels from Santos expulsion.” (The Hill)
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Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) think former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) will leave Congress by the end of the year. His reasoning. |
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‘And another one bites the dust’: |
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R) dropped out of the 2024 presidential race this morning.
Given his lack of national name recognition, his bid was seen as a longshot, and he failed to gain any traction or momentum in the crowded GOP field. Read his statement |
Nikki Haley is the fav among Senate Republicans: |
“Senate Republicans who are concerned about former President Donald Trump’s viability in a general election now see Nikki Haley as the last, best chance of denying Trump the GOP presidential nomination and averting what they see as a potential general election disaster.” A few reasons: She doesn’t alienate independent and suburban women voters. And she’s not a loose cannon like Trump can be.
But what about Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R): Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) reasoned that Haley “has better prospects than [DeSantis] does because her numbers are going up and his are coming down. Usually, you want to place your bet on someone who is doing better.” Why the Senate GOP is placing its bets on Haley, via The Hill’s Alexander Bolton |
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➤ INTERESTING READ IF TRUMP WINS IN 2024: |
“If Donald Trump returns to the White House, he’d bring a better understanding of the system’s vulnerabilities, more willing enablers, and a more focused agenda of retaliation against his adversaries.” This is part of a series, “If Trump Wins,” from David Frum. (The Atlantic) |
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➤ RANKING TRUMP’S VP PICKS — FROM MOST LIKELY TO LEAST LIKELY: |
- South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R)
- Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.)
- Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.)
- Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R)
- Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.)
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Former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley
- Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
- Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy
- Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.)
Explainers for each, from The Hill’s Brett Samuels |
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➤ THIS RACE HAS BEEN UNUSUALLY STATIC: |
The Hill’s Niall Stanage compiled a list of five times the presidential primaries were upended in unexpected ways. The list |
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As Fergie once said, ‘G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S’: |
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🍪 Celebrate: Today is National Cookie Day!! Here’s a list of cookie deals today, including a footlong chocolate chip cookie at Subway. I’m not kidding. (USA Today) |
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📕 Oxford University Press’s 2023 word of the year — ‘rizz’: “Rizz is defined as style, charm or attractiveness, or one’s ability to attract a romantic or sexual partner. It’s often associated with younger generations and is widely used online.” (The Hill)
🎬 The cutest thing I’ve seen today: A 9-year-old boy reenacted the “Rocky” speech to Sylvester Stallone. Watch the clip (NBC 10 Philadelphia)
🗽 New York, New Yoooork: “It’s been a mediocre-to-poor year for New York. But every December, [New York Magazine] puts out a ‘Reasons to Love New York’ issue, and even during this cursed year, we found 37 particularly excellent reasons why we all should.” (New York Magazine) |
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The House and Senate are in. President Biden and Vice President Harris are in Washington, D.C. (all times Eastern) |
- Noon: The House meets. No votes are scheduled today. 🗓️ Today’s agenda
- 12:15 p.m.: Biden and Harris receive a briefing.
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1 p.m.: White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierreand National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby brief reporters.💻 Livestream
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5:30 p.m.: The Senate votes on a judicial nomination. 🗓️ Today’s agenda
- 6 p.m.: Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff attend the White House Congressional Ball.
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8 p.m. Wednesday: The fourth GOP presidential debate, hosted by NewsNation. Primer — and how to watch
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