It’s Wednesday — Happy November! Yikes, it suddenly feels like winter in the DMV. I can’t say I’m a fan. Anyway, here’s what’s on tap today:
House Republicans are backing Democrats into a corner over a bill providing aid to Israel — one that doesn’t include Ukraine funding and is funded through cuts to the IRS. It will almost certainly be dead on arrival in the Senate, but it still puts Democrats in an awkward spot.
Former President Trump’s adult sons are expected to testify today and tomorrow in the New York civil fraud trial. The most epic dog parade happened in the Senate Tuesday. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) emceed, and there was a massive turnout. Of course I included photos of some of the best costumes.
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-staging.thehill.com. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here. |
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Howdy, rock? 👋 Sup, hard place!: |
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House Republicans are bringing a $14.3 billion Israel aid bill to the floor this week, including cuts to IRS funding to pay for it.
The sticky situation Republicans have set up for Democrats: “The vote is sure to highlight the long-standing chasm between Israel’s staunchest Democratic allies, including President Biden, and pro-Palestinian liberals who have accused Israeli leaders of human rights abuses and war crimes in Gaza. Illustrating that divide, 15 Democrats last week declined to endorse a nonbinding resolution proclaiming U.S. support for Tel Aviv following Hamas’s deadly attacks last month. But Republicans’ inclusion of the IRS cuts adds an additional complication, forcing the bulk of Democrats into the no-win scenario of sacrificing one priority in defense of another.”
When is the vote?: It’s looking like it will happen Thursday.
Keep in mind: This House bill will almost certainly die in the Democratic-controlled Senate — and the White House said Biden would veto the bill if were to make it to his desk. So: The political trap Republicans have set for Democrats won’t even become law.
If the bill will never become law, then what’s the big deal? The Hill’s Mychael Schnell and Mike Lillis explain. Read their full reporting |
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Budget experts warn that House Republicans’ plan to pay for Israel aid with IRS cuts would backfire and actually add tens of billions of dollars to the national debt over the next decade.
Helpful explainer from The Hill’s Tobias Burns and Aris Folley |
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👨👨👧 Trump’s legal troubles |
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Don Jr. and Eric are next at-bat: |
Former President Trump’s adult sons are expected to testify in the New York fraud case. Donald Trump Jr. testifies today, and Eric Trump will take the stand Thursday. “Their testimony could offer critical insight into the company’s structure and their complicity in its fraud — or it could devolve into a political circus.”
The Hill’s Ella Lee explains the significance of their testimony. |
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➤ TRUMP WANTS HIS KIDS LEFT OUT OF THIS: |
The former president railed against Judge Arthur Engoron, who is overseeing the New York fraud case, referring to himself as the victim and calling for his children to be kept out of the case.
Trump posted on Truth Social: “This Rigged Trial … should have never been brought in that the so-called STAR WITNESS, SleazeBag Lawyer (for many people) Michael Cohen … there is no Victim (except me!). Leave my children alone, Engoron. You are a disgrace to the legal profession!” Read Trump’s full post — it’s long, so I shortened it quite a bit.
^ Btw: Cohen is *his* former lawyer.
Trump also called the judge “crazy” and “unhinged.” Read that post |
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Watch Day 3 of the 14th amendment lawsuit seeking to remove Trump from the ballot in Colorado: C-SPAN livestream |
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We’ve entered the next stage of war:
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“A series of Israeli airstrikes hit the densely packed Jabaliya refugee camp in Gaza on Tuesday, in what Israel said was an attempt to take out a senior Hamas commander in the area.”
“Gaza officials told Reuters that 50 Palestinians were killed and 150 more wounded. Footage from the scene showed people searching through gutted concrete apartment blocks for loved ones, per Reuters.” (The Hill)
What to know as Israel begins its Gaza ground invasion: From The Hill’s Colin Meyn |
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➤ HEADLINES FROM THE ISRAEL-HAMAS CONFLICT: |
‘Israel targets Hamas’ 300-mile tunnel network under Gaza as next phase in war begins’: CBS News
‘Does a 2-State Solution, Long Discounted, Still Have a Future?’: “As President Biden and other Western leaders promote the idea, some diplomats and analysts say the Hamas-Israel war may breathe new life into it.” The New York Times
‘Why are there refugee camps in Gaza?’: The Washington Post ‘U.S. All but Stopped Spying on Hamas in Years After 9/11’: The Wall Street Journal
‘Hamas’s Tunnel Warfare Harks Back to the Viet Cong’: “As Israeli forces go underground in Gaza, every strike below has implications above.” Foreign Policy
‘At least a quarter of buildings in northern Gaza are damaged, an analysis of satellite imagery concluded’: The New York Times |
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📢 JUST ANNOUNCED — We’re ready to call it: The Hill is partnering with Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ) for campaign polling averages, election maps, race calls — and a tracking poll later this year! 🎉Announcement and details
‘Ohio abortion measure sparks early voting surge’: The Hill ‘Why it doesn’t matter that Mike Pence dropped out of the GOP primary’: 538 / ABC News ‘Why a 2023 Virginia Election Is a Proving Ground for 2024’: The Wall Street Journal |
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It’s a paw-ty in the Senate🕺:
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Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) emceed an adorable Bipawtisan Howl-o-ween Dog Parade in the Hart Senate Office Building on Tuesday, after Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) got COVID-19 and could not attend his annual event. The photos from this event are outstanding, so without further ado:
Here’s a lobster, Barbie, a dragon, a hotdog from Romney’s office, the “Magic Omnibus”, a spy balloon, a King Charles cavalier, a pickleball player, a panda bear (!), etc. I could go on all day, but then there wouldn’t be anything else in this newsletter. 🥴
WOW: Check out the turnout for the dog parade. Photos of the massive crowd
^ CBS News’s Kathryn Watson pointed out: “Romney went from getting pummeled by half the country in a presidential race for having his dog ride on top of his car, to emceeing a Halloween parade for dogs in the Senate. What a turnaround.” Haha!: A Hill staffer posted: “ ‘Do you have capacity to take this?’ ‘No, sorry, going to see dogs downstairs.’” Watch Eric Lipka’s video
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➤ OTHER NOTABLE COSTUMES IN D.C. THIS YEAR:
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A frog casually waltzed out of Speaker Johnson’s (R-La.) office. Watch
The Romneys dressed up as Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.
This photo has me cackling: White House digital rapid response coordinator Sam Schmir posted a video of SpongeBob and his crew walking on the White House grounds.
Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.) posted, “Boo! If you see a ghost on your door, have no fear, I caught an early flight to DC. Happy Halloween!” Photo of Collins acting spooky Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) dressed as his body double. Check out the kids dressed up on Capitol Hill this year: Photos
Check out Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s (D-Ill.) costume this year
These jokes were on point this year: |
@timjhogan posted: “I hate Halloween in DC, what do you mean you’re the baby George Santos stole from Tim Burchett’s office.”
@AndrewSolender posted: “I hate DC halloween. What do you mean you’re Patrick McHenry’s bowtie?”
@ChandlerRebel posted: “I hate Halloween in DC. What do you mean you’re Senator Chuck Grassley’s vacuum?”
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Throwback to one of my favorite costumes: Remember when a baby drove up to the Obamas at the White House trick-or-treating event in a Pope mobile? Photo |
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🥬 Celebrate: Today is National Calzone Day and World Vegan Day!
🎤 This was a sweet moment: During a concert in Las Vegas over the weekend, Adele spotted the doctor who delivered her son and got choked up. (CNN) ☀️ The clocks change on Nov. 5: Axios’s Kelly Tyko explains “why efforts to make daylight saving time permanent are stalled.” (Axios) |
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The House and Senate are in. President Biden is in Minnesota and Vice President Harris is in London (all times Eastern) |
This morning: Harris delivered remarks in London on artificial intelligence. Watch the replay 1:30 p.m.: Harris meets with U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, followed by a private dinner with their spouses.
2:30 p.m.: Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell holds a news conference on interest rates and the economy. 📺 Livestream
2:50 p.m.: Biden tours a farm in Northfield, Minn., and then delivers remarks at 4:15 p.m. on investing in rural communities.📺 Livestream 6:15 p.m.: Biden participates in a campaign reception in Minneapolis and then returns to the White House.
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View past issues of 12:30 Report here and check out other newsletters from The Hill here. See you next time! |
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