It’s Tuesday. Tomorrow is Juneteenth — Surprise, there’s a holiday in the middle of the week! Here’s what’s happening today:
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.digital-release.thehill.com. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here. |
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500,000 immigrants woke up to good news: |
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The Biden administration announced this morning that it will allow some undocumented immigrants to stay in the U.S. and work legally.
Who does this apply to?: Immigrants who are married to U.S. citizens. To be eligible, immigrants who are married to Americans must have been in the U.S. for 10 years as of Monday.
Was this expected?: Yes, this was not a surprise. It was paired as a good-news-bad-news situation for immigrants. The Biden administration first announced a crackdown on asylum at the U.S. border a few weeks ago. Then today, the administration balanced that announcement with providing massive immigration relief.
How many people will this affect?: Roughly 500,000 people, according to CNN
How this announcement provides legal protections to some immigrants: Immigrants who crossed the southern border illegally (instead of coming with a visa) must return to their country to apply. But that can mean long separations. Instead, this new policy would allow those immigrants to apply without leaving the country. (The New York Times)
Happening later today.: Biden and first lady Jill Biden are hosting a White House event to mark the 12th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. 💻 Livestream Read the White House fact sheet on the new policy. Read more on the news: ‘Biden issues massive immigration relief, seeking balance after border crackdown’ |
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➤ SEE HOW VARIOUS NEWS OUTLETS FRAMED THE NEWS: |
- ‘Biden Gives Legal Protections to Undocumented Spouses of U.S. Citizens’: The New York Times
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‘Biden to waive penalties for undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens’: The Washington Post
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‘Biden Gives Legal Status to Immigrant Spouses of U.S. Citizens’: The Wall Street Journal
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‘Biden to take sweeping election-year action shielding estimated 550,000 from deportation’: Politico
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‘Biden announces sweeping protections for migrant spouses of US citizens’: Fox News
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‘Biden moves to help half a million undocumented people married to citizens’: Axios
‘Biden to give legal status to 500,000 undocumented spouses’: BBC
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Overheard at Boeing’s office: ‘Just whistle[blow] while you work, *doo dee doo doo doo doo doo*’: |
*Another* Boeing whistleblower has come forward today, just hours before Boeing CEO David Calhoun testifies on Capitol Hill about recent safety issues.
Who is this whistleblower?: “Sen. Richard Blumenthal’s (D-Conn.) office identified the whistleblower as Sam Mohawk, a quality assurance inspector for the planemaker in Renton, Wash. Mohawk alleges Boeing improperly tracked and stored faulty parts, and that those parts were likely installed on airplanes including the 737 Max, which is manufactured at the Renton facility.”
Watch Boeing CEO David Calhoun testify on safety issues: The hearing begins at 2 p.m. 💻 Here’s the livestream Keep in mind: This is the first time the company’s CEO will testify since a door plug of a 737 Max 9 flew off during a flight in January. |
25 subpoenas related to Matt Gaetz: |
“The House Ethics Committee on Tuesday said it is probing whether Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) sought to obstruct investigations into his conduct, is dropping other lines of investigation into him, and has issued 25 subpoenas in matters surrounding the congressman.” What we know: “In a rare public update about the investigation, the committee said that the high-profile probe into the firebrand Florida congressman has been the subject of ‘a significant and unusual amount of public reporting,’ and that ‘much of that reporting has been inaccurate.’”
Keep in mind: Gaetz appeared to preemptively respond to the committee, saying the “new frivolous investigations” are based on “lies.” Read more from The Hill’s Emily Brooks: ‘Ethics panel probing alleged Gaetz obstruction, has issued 25 subpoenas’
^ By the way: Emily Brooks recently came back from maternity leave! She posted an adorable photo with her baby in front of the U.S. Capitol. |
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Republicans are plotting their 2025 strategy: |
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) is planning to step down in November — and The Hill’s Alexander Bolton reports that he is taking calculated preparations to set Senate Republicans up for success next year.
How so?: Even if Republicans win control of the White House and Congress in November, they will still have to work around a Senate Democratic filibuster. Well, if Republicans can cram their top priorities into a budget reconciliation package, they can get around that filibuster. McConnell’s allies say he wants his colleagues to be as prepared as possible for that scenario. What this means for McConnell: McConnell will still be well-positioned to have major influence in Republicans’ legislative plans, even after he steps down. Read the full reporting: ‘McConnell seeks big influence over Trump-era GOP’ |
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It’s a beautiful day to do your civic duty!: |
Voting in Georgia, Oklahoma and Virginia concludes today in key congressional primaries and runoffs.
The biggest plotline in Virginia: House Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good (R) is facing a tough, contentious primary against a Trump-backed GOP challenger. Good initially endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) in the presidential primary, and while he later backed former President Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee hasn’t forgotten it. Read more: ‘MAGA civil war reaches climax in Bob Good primary’ The biggest plotline in Georgia: A primary runoff in Georgia will decide whether the Democratic House candidate will face a candidate who was convicted for his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Read more: ‘Georgia race is latest test for GOP over Jan. 6 candidates’ Five things to watch in today’s primaries, via The Hill’s Julia Mueller |
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The House is out. The Senate is in. President Biden is in Washington, and Vice President Harris is in Atlanta. (all times Eastern) |
1:30 p.m.: White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre briefs reporters. 💻 Livestream
2 pm.: Harris speaks at the first-ever Rocket Foundation Summit in Atlanta. 💻 Livestream
2:45 p.m.: Biden and first lady Jill Biden host an event at the White House to mark the 12th anniversary of DACA. 💻 Livestream
2:15 p.m.: A Senate confirmation vote. 📆 Today’s agenda - 3:45 p.m.: Biden receives his daily intelligence briefing.
3:50 p.m.: Harris speaks at a Juneteenth celebration. 6:15 p.m.: The Bidens participate in a campaign reception in McLean, Va. 6:20 p.m.: Harris returns to Washington. 9:15 p.m.: The Bidens leave for Rehoboth Beach, Del.
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