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–> A midday take on what’s happening in politics and how to have a sense of humor about it.*
*Ha. Haha. Hahah. Sniff. Haha. Sniff. Ha–breaks down crying hysterically.
HAPPENING TODAY
*Looks around* well, that was a creepy coincidence:
via GIPHY
President Biden
Joe BidenCourt nixes offshore drilling leases auctioned by Biden administration Laquan McDonald’s family pushes for federal charges against officer ahead of early release Biden speaks with Ukrainian president amid Russian threat MORE just landed in Pittsburgh, where he is scheduled to deliver remarks on his $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law.
Well, earlier this morning, a snow-covered bridge in Pittsburgh collapsed (!)
Photo of the collapsed bridge: https://bit.ly/3g33zTJ
And another photo: https://bit.ly/3IKRfUl
Wow, notice the car in this second image?: https://bit.ly/3g2N3Ty
Are people hurt?: Ten people suffered minor injuries. Three people were brought to the hospital for those injuries. https://cbsloc.al/34er09O
Is Biden adjusting his trip?: No, but the White House will “stay in touch with officials on the ground about additional assistance we can provide,” according to CNN’s Kaitlan Collins. https://bit.ly/3AE8ELF
Happy Friday! I’m Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Send comments, story ideas and events for our radar to cmartel@thehill.com — and follow along on Twitter @CateMartel and Facebook.
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Aaron is one of 40,000 people working on safety and security issues at Facebook.
Hear more from Aaron on why Facebook supports updating regulations on the internet’s most pressing challenges, including reforming Section 230 to set clear guidelines for all large tech companies.
THIS MORNING
Oh, hey Jim!:
Actor John Krasinski was seen outside the White House this morning filming a scene. (h/t Popville) Photo from Twitter user Jonathan Murray: https://bit.ly/3s1Ts79
Video of the production: https://bit.ly/3ATG0q5
CNN’s Betsy Klein posted another video of the crew: https://bit.ly/3KOhtHk
Second gentleman Doug Emhoff
Doug EmhoffBiden, Harris meet with Holocaust survivors to mark annual remembrance day The Hill’s 12:30 Report – Presented by Facebook – Biden faces Ukraine decision amid Russia aggression The Hill’s Morning Report – US warns Kremlin, weighs more troops to Europe MORE met Krasinski: Photo from photojournalist Al Drago: https://bit.ly/3rRSnPa
IN CONGRESS
What is Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellMcConnell: I’m going to give Biden’s Supreme Court nominee ‘a fair look’ Progressive millionaire group backs Cisneros, McBath in first public endorsements Clyburn calls for full-court press on voting rights MORE looking for in a Biden Supreme Court pick?:
Following the announcement of Supreme Court Justice Stephen BreyerStephen BreyerSupreme Court clears way for Alabama execution McConnell: I’m going to give Biden’s Supreme Court nominee ‘a fair look’ Clyburn calls for full-court press on voting rights MORE’s retirement, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) warned President Biden not to nominate someone from the “radical left.” https://bit.ly/3r4LpqN
In McConnell’s words: “Looking ahead — the American people elected a Senate that is evenly split at 50-50. To the degree that President Biden received a mandate, it was to govern from the middle, steward our institutions, and unite America.”
Schumer sees this as a ‘High School Musical’ moment for his party:
Via The Hill’s Jordain Carney, “Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer
Chuck SchumerBreyer retirement throws curveball into midterms Schumer vows to vote on Biden Supreme Court pick with ‘all deliberate speed’ Voting rights failed in the Senate — where do we go from here? MORE (D-N.Y.) is looking to go on offense in the looming Supreme Court fight and shift gears after two high-profile setbacks.” https://bit.ly/3r97O6v
No pressure: “Justice Stephen Breyer’s announcement that he’ll retire this summer, presuming his successor is ready to go, sets up a high-stakes battle for Schumer, who will be the first majority leader to need to get a Supreme Court nominee confirmed in a 50-50 Senate.”
What Schumer is hoping: “But it also puts him in line for a big win, if he can keep his 50-member caucus united after months of high-profile tensions.”
What to expect: https://bit.ly/3r97O6v
THE LATEST WITH UKRAINE
Putin wants what Putin wants:
Via The Washington Post’s Robyn Dixon, Andrew Jeong and Rick Noack, “Russian President Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Vladimirovich PutinYes, the US can legally intervene if Russia invades Ukraine Russia-Ukraine conflict threatens U.S. prestige China warns US to ‘stop interfering’ in Olympics MORE reiterated his call for ‘lasting, legally binding security guarantees’ from the United States and NATO in a phone call Friday with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron
Emmanuel Jean-Michel MacronLook to the EU to understand the US border crisis New French law bans ‘conversion therapy’ The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden: Russia attack ‘would change the world’ MORE, the Kremlin said, after a top Russian official threatened that Russia would ‘retaliate’ if its demands were not met.” https://wapo.st/3AI4Ngl
Timing: “It was Putin’s first conversation with a Western leader since Wednesday when Washington and NATO formally rejected Russia’s red line on NATO expansion.”
‘BIDEN SEEKS TO WARD OFF SECOND UKRAINE-RUSSIA FIGHT’:
Via The Hill’s Amie Parnes and Morgan Chalfant: https://bit.ly/3HcBogO
‘RUSSIA-UKRAINE CONFLICT THREATENS U.S. PRESTIGE’:
Via The Hill’s Rebecca Beitsch and Morgan Chalfant: https://bit.ly/3s1R7Jg
This could start the world’s first cyber war:
Via Politico’s Maggie Miller, “The potential Russian invasion of Ukraine could give the world its first experience of a true cyber war.” https://politi.co/34fXO2m
How so: “Ukraine was beset by attacks earlier this month when hackers defaced and disabled more than 70 government websites, and Microsoft discovered malware planted in Ukrainian government systems that could be triggered at any moment.”
What could potentially happen: “In a full-scale cyber assault, Russia could take down the power grid, turn the heat off in the middle of winter and shut down Ukraine’s military command centers and cellular communications systems. A communications blackout could also provide opportunities for a massive disinformation campaign to undermine the Ukrainian government.”
The full story: https://politi.co/34fXO2m
IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
‘Don’t look at me.’ ‘Well, don’t look at me.’ ‘Me neither!’:
Via The Hill’s Hanna Trudo, “Progressives are pushing back at the idea that they are to blame at all for President Biden’s dismal poll numbers, arguing the White House’s problems have more to do with it moving away from a progressive agenda.” https://bit.ly/34cs8uC
From progressives’ perspective: “They argue the anemic polls largely reflect an unimpressed base disillusioned that Biden has been unwilling to deliver on issues such as voting rights, health care, gun control and climate change.”
The full story: https://bit.ly/34cs8uC
Aaron is one of 40,000 people working on safety and security issues at Facebook.
Hear more from Aaron on why Facebook supports updating regulations on the internet’s most pressing challenges, including reforming Section 230 to set clear guidelines for all large tech companies.
LATEST WITH THE CORONAVIRUS
Congrats, team! 10 billion doses!:
via GIPHY
In the past 13 months that the COVID-19 vaccine has been available, more than 10 billion doses have been given globally (!)
Breakdown from The New York Times’s Shashank Bengali: https://nyti.ms/3otbVbV
CASE NUMBERS:
Coronavirus cases in the U.S.: 73,429,392
U.S. death toll: 878,472
Breakdown of the numbers: https://cnn.it/2UAgW3y
VACCINATION NUMBERS:
Total number of vaccinations administered in the U.S.: 536 million shots have been given.
Seven-day average of doses administered: An average of 615,571 doses
For context: The U.S. population is roughly 331 million.
Breakdown of the numbers: https://bloom.bg/3iVTPLH
IN OTHER NEWS
Omg, the second photo in this story is truly … something:
Via The Charleston Gazette-Mail’s Lacie Pierson, during the governor of West Virginia’s State of the State address yesterday, he told critics to kiss his dog’s rear.
I should mention: He brought his dog, Babydog, and even spun her around for the reference.
The full story and photos to prove I’m not exaggerating: https://bit.ly/3g7HKlY
NOTABLE TWEETS:
Think of all the fun hiding spots for this kitty!:
The Bidens have a new cat named Willow. Photos from first lady Jill Biden
Jill BidenThe Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Biden talks, Senate balks Jill Biden adds to communications team in lead-up to midterm elections Harris invokes MLK in voting rights push, urges Senate to ‘do its job’ MORE: https://bit.ly/3g2WpP8
ON TAP:
The House and Senate are out. President Biden is in Pennsylvania this afternoon.
10:15 a.m. EST: President Biden received the President’s Daily Brief.
11:10 a.m. EST: President Biden left for West Mifflin, Pa.
1:25 p.m. EST: President Biden visits Carnegie Mellon University at Mill 19.
4:20 p.m. EST: President Biden returns to the White House.
WHAT TO WATCH:
11:45 a.m. EST: White House principal deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre
Karine Jean-PierreThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Biden comes out swinging in 2022 Biden says he plans to run for reelection in 2024 ‘if I’m in good health’ The Memo: Failure on big bill would spark cascade of trouble for Biden MORE speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One. Livestream: https://bit.ly/34j4j4s
2 p.m. EST: President Biden delivers remarks on strengthening the supply chains and the bipartisan infrastructure law. Livestream: https://bit.ly/3G3dZNC
IN LIGHTER NEWS:
Today is National Blueberry Pancake Day. And for obvious weekend planning purposes, tomorrow is National Corn Chip Day and Sunday is National Croissant Day!
And to get your weekend off to a good start, here’s a dog trying virtual reality for the first time: https://bit.ly/3AHP80x
View the discussion thread.
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