It’s Wednesday. If you’re in the Washington, D.C., area and your allergies have been acting up — you’re not alone! The Capital Weather Gang noted that yesterday’s tree pollen count was more than 1,000 grains per cubic meter of air when the average is 75: “Not normal. At all.” There’s a lot happening in politics today. Here are a few highlights:
Hunter Biden, President Biden’s son, is on Capitol Hill today — finally testifying in the House GOP’s impeachment inquiry into his father.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said negotiators are “very close” to a government funding agreement. I’ll believe it when I see it! Keep reading for the four possible scenarios. Biden and former President Trump won their Michigan primaries. But, their margins show serious vulnerabilities for November. Remember how author Marianne Williamson dropped out of the Democratic presidential race a few weeks ago? Well, SHE’S BACK, BABY.
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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Breaking — McConnell stepping down as Senate GOP leader: |
Senate Minority Leader
Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), the longest-serving Senate party leader, announced that he will step down as the Republican leader in November.
From McConnell: “I turned 82 [years old] last week, the end of my contributions are closer than I prefer,” McConnell said on the Senate floor. Speech: McConnell spoke on the Senate floor.
Watch via C-SPAN |
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Happening today — a Biden on either end of Constitution Avenue:
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Hunter Biden is testifying today as part of House Republicans’ impeachment inquiry into his father, President Biden. In public?: No, behind closed doors. This is notable because Hunter Biden said for months that he was willing to testify, but only in public.
💡 Why this matters so much for Republicans: Hunter Biden is at the center of their impeachment probe. Republicans have had a series of major setbacks recently, including a confidential source of the Biden allegations getting arrested for fabricating his accusations. So far, Republicans have not been able to substantiate the arrested FBI informant’s claims.
Read more: ‘GOP impeachment inquiry faces make-or-break moment with Hunter Biden appearance’ from The Hill’s Mychael Schnell and Mike Lillis |
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Well, at least this message is bipartisan:
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^ And that’s to pressure Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to figure. It. Out.
President Biden and Vice President Harris met with congressional leaders Tuesday in the Oval Office as lawmakers scramble to keep the government open past Friday’s partial funding deadline.
How did it go?: “Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) emerged from the meeting, which participants described as ‘intense’ and ‘passionate,’ feeling somewhat reassured that Johnson heard their pleas.” (The Hill)
Where things stand today: Schumer said on the Senate floor this morning that negotiators are “very close” to a government funding agreement. 👀 Tidbit — I can’t pay attention to anything but this fire: Behind them was a roaring — and I mean ROARING — fire. It’s so loud. Lol. Watch Biden talk over the fire crackling |
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➤ THERE ARE FOUR SCENARIOS THAT COULD PLAY OUT: |
First: Lawmakers successfully pass the four funding bills by Friday to avoid a shutdown. This is the ultimate goal.
Second: Lawmakers pass another extension to buy themselves a little more time.
Third: Lawmakers could give up on passing the funding bills and instead of passing another short-term extension, they could make that extension last for the rest of the year.
Fourth: The four funding bills are not passed by Friday, which means there will be a partial government shutdown.
The Hill’s Aris Folley wrote a helpful breakdown of these scenarios. |
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Imagine coming in fourth in a two-person race?:
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🔵 President Biden unsurprisingly won Tuesday’s Michigan presidential primary with roughly 81 percent of the vote.
But what was more interesting — the second-place finish: More than 100,000 people — or 13 percent of Democratic primary voters — cast their ballot as “uncommitted” as a protest vote over Biden’s support of Israel’s war in Gaza. This is a bit worrisome for Biden, as Michigan is a battleground state for the general election — and this protest could be replicated in other states.
Full Michigan primary results from The Hill/Decision Desk HQ
Biden’s challenger came in fourth: Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) placed fourth behind Biden, the “uncommitted” votes and Marianne Williamson, who dropped out in early February.
^ Omg, plot twist: Williamson announced this morning that she is “unsuspending” her campaign. 💻 Watch her announcement
🔴 Former President Trump beat GOP rival Nikki Haley in Michigan by more than 40 points. That’s a win for Trump, but it’s worth noting that despite Haley’s longshot bid, she received roughly 25 to 30 percent of the Republican vote. Will Haley drop out?: Nope, she says she will stay in the race until at least Super Tuesday on March 5. Michigan primary takeaways |
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➤ TIDBIT — THE BIDEN CAMPAIGN ACKNOWLEDGES THE PROTEST VOTES:
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The Hill’s Alex Gangitano reports that President Biden’s reelection campaign acknowledges that more than 13 percent of Democratic primary voters in Michigan voted “uncommitted” as a protest to Biden’s response in the Israel-Gaza war. The gist of their messaging: Biden is working to achieve peace in Gaza — and that more than 800,000 people voted for the incumbent in a non-competitive primary. |
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➤ YES, EVERYONE *IS* LOOKING AT YOU, MITCH 👀:
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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is facing increasing pressure to endorse former President Trump. McConnell and Trump have clashed for years, and it would be a big deal for McConnell to put those differences aside. How much support does Trump have among Senate Republicans?: Thirty-two Senate Republicans have endorsed the former president, including four members of McConnell’s leadership team.
If McConnell does endorse Trump: It would be to help Republicans’ chances of retaking the Senate in November.
The Hill’s Al Weaver explains the difficult decision McConnell has to make. |
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🚁 Other News This Morning |
Cue the Bitcoin bros: The price of bitcoin hit $60,000 (!) this morning for the first time since the fall of 2021. (The Hill)
Why Biden is hitching a ride on Marine One: President Biden told reporters that he is heading to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for his annual physical exam. 📸 Photo of Marine One on the White House south lawn / Biden walking in the rain
Apple ditched the car idea: “Apple has canceled its plans to release an electric car with self-driving abilities, a secretive product that had been in the works for nearly a decade.” (The New York Times) |
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🍭 Celebrate: Today is National Souffle Day! 🌕 The moon has barely aged in 50 years! 😉: The Odysseus spacecraft, which landed on the moon last week, captured images of the moon. Photos
🍦 It’s a party at DQ: Dairy Queen added a Confetti Cake Dipped Cone to its spring menu. Photo — this is beautiful
🍎 Good, because honeycrisp apples are superior: The prices for honeycrisp apples have dropped as supply has finally caught up with the demand. (Axios) |
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The House and Senate are in. President Biden is in Washington, D.C., and Vice President Harris is in New York City. (all times Eastern)
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Today: The Supreme Court hears oral arguments on a federal bump gun bump stocks ban. 💻 C-SPAN livestream / Explainer of the case 1:30 p.m.: Biden delivers remarks on crime and making communities safer. 💻 Livestream
1:35 p.m.: Harris records an interview with TV personality Sherri Shepherd. 2 p.m.: NASA and Intuitive Machines officials discuss the moon landing. 💻 Livestream 2:15 p.m.: Two judicial confirmation votes in the Senate. Today’s agenda
2:30 p.m.: White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre briefs reporters. 💻 Livestream 5:30 p.m.: Two more Senate votes.
6:30 p.m.: First and last House votes. 🗓️ Today’s agenda
Just announced — Friday: The funeral for Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Details
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