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Transgender military ban, OUT: |
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© Getty Images President Biden lifted former President Trump’s ban on most transgender people serving in the military. https://bit.ly/39fVZSY From the fact sheet just released: “President Biden believes that gender identity should not be a bar to military service, and that America’s strength is found in its diversity. Allowing all qualified Americans to serve their country in uniform is better for the military and better for the country because an inclusive force is a more effective force.” |
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Rob Portman, OUT: |
| Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) announced this morning that he will not seek reelection in 2022. https://bit.ly/3c8p6JE Portman cited partisanship in his statement: “We live in an increasingly polarized country where members of both parties are being pushed further to the right and further to the left, and that means too few people who are actively looking to find common ground. This is not a new phenomenon, of course, but a problem that has gotten worse over the past few decades.” What to know about Portman’s political career: “Portman, 65, has spent the better part of three decades in public office. First elected to the U.S. House in 1993, he left Congress to serve in the George W. Bush administration, first as U.S. trade representative and then as director of the Office of Management and Budget. He won election to the Senate in 2010, and handily won reelection in 2016.” Tidbit from Politico’s Burgess Everett: “Ohio GOP Sen. Portman told me in November he planned to run again. But a lot has changed since then, and he'll now be one of the Republicans to watch at Trump's (second) impeachment trial” https://bit.ly/3piPmVF |
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| It’s Monday. 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. Did someone forward this to you? Want your own copy? Sign up here to receive The Hill's 12:30 Report in your inbox daily: http://bit.ly/2kjMNnn |
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Would you have believed me if I told you a year ago that you could probably name a voting system company?: |
| Via The Hill’s John Kruzel, “Dominion Voting Systems on Monday filed a lawsuit against Rudy Giuliani alleging that the former New York City mayor spread numerous defamatory statements about the voting machine company while he helped lead former President Trump’s failed post-election legal campaign.” What the company is seeking: “$1.3 billion in damages over what it called a ‘viral disinformation campaign,’ alleging that Giuliani made malicious false accusations against Dominion, including that the company had engaged in voter fraud and election fixing.” |
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The Supreme Court dismissed two Trump lawsuits as moot: |
| “The Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a pair of emoluments lawsuits against former President Trump, ruling that the cases are moot now that he has left office.” Details: https://bit.ly/3ocxlGZ |
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We support updated internet regulations |
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We support updated internet regulations to set clear rules for addressing today's toughest challenges including: — Protecting people's privacy — Enabling safe and easy data portability between platforms — Preventing election interference — Reforming Section 230 Learn More 
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| IN THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION | |
It’s theme week in the White House: |
| President Biden is signing an executive order today to increase the federal government’s use of American-made goods. https://bit.ly/3pgh4Cs Today’s theme: “Buy American” Other themes this week: Tuesday is “Equity” day, Wednesday is “Climate” day, Thursday is “Health Care” day and Friday is “Immigration” day. Details for each: https://bit.ly/2YcgJVn |
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| TIDBIT — THE BIDENS HAVE OBJECTIVELY GOOD TASTE IN BAGELS: |
| After attending mass in Georgetown over the weekend, President Biden’s motorcade stopped at Georgetown bagel shop ‘Call Your Mother.’ https://bit.ly/39cs0eG 
© Twitter Watch: https://bit.ly/3ohmzj1 The deli tweeted: “What a GREAT Sunday surprise! Growing heart Thrilled to have an admin again who will love all that DC has to offer — starting with sesame bagels!! Come back anytime @JoeBiden” https://bit.ly/2YftJJX |
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| LATEST WITH THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL | |
I had a ‘whoa, how did we get here?’ moment this morning — this is the second impeachment trial in a year: |
| The House will send the impeachment article to the Senate this evening, kicking off preparation for former President Trump’s second impeachment trial in a year. What we know about timing: “Lawmakers have offered few details on how long a trial could last or if they’ll try to call additional witnesses or documents. Trump’s first trial, in 2020, lasted 21 days, with senators expecting the second trial to be shorter. [Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.)], speaking in New York on Sunday, predicted that the trial wouldn’t last too long.” https://bit.ly/3iIdjTR |
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| TRIAL LOGISTICS: |
| 7 p.m. EST today: The impeachment article arrives in the Senate. Tomorrow: Former President Trump is issued a summons. Feb. 2: Trump’s response is due. The House’s pre-trial brief is also due. Feb. 8: Trump’s pre-trial brief and the House’s rebuttal are due. That means the earliest the trial can begin is Feb. 9. The full logistics: https://bit.ly/3sXBvWP |
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| WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING IN CONGRESS | |
Let’s do the limbo: |
| Via The Hill’s Jordain Carney, the Senate is stuck in limbo until Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) reach a deal on how to share power in the 50-50 Senate. The gist: “Without an agreement, Democrats are technically in the majority, because Vice President Kamala Harris can break a tie, but Republicans are still in control of many of the committees because they are still operating under the previous Congress’ set up.” What to expect: https://bit.ly/3iIdjTR |
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| THE CORONAVIRUS RELIEF PACKAGE: |
| “Biden is facing GOP opposition to his $1.9 trillion coronavirus package that is threatening his ability to enact any new relief measures quickly.” Why GOP senators are hesitant to pass another $1.9 trillion package: Republicans are skeptical that another $1.9 trillion is necessary after the $900 billion relief bill was passed in December. Democrats may be able to pass the bill without Republican support, but it may be tricky: “In the Senate that likely means using reconciliation, a budget tool that allows some legislation to bypass the 60-vote legislative filibuster. Though they aren’t yet willing to pull the trigger on that, they’ve also acknowledged that it might be necessary.” |
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| NOMINATIONS: |
| “Treasury Secretary nominee Janet Yellen and Tony Blinken, Biden’s pick to lead the State Department, are both expected to be confirmed by the Senate this week after Democrats were unable to get them confirmed during the first few days of the new administration. The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will vote on Alejandro Mayorkas’s nomination to be DHS secretary on Tuesday.” That’s just to name a few. Here’s a full list of nominations this week: https://bit.ly/3oiTofj I.e.: 
© Giphy |
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| SKEPTICISM REIGNS IN THE BIDEN, MCCONNELL ERA: |
| Via The Hill’s Alexander Bolton and Amie Parnes: https://bit.ly/3iI0yIW |
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| MODERATES VOW TO ‘BE A FORCE’ UNDER BIDEN: |
| “Moderates in both chambers are hoping to grow their influence and cut deals under the Biden administration.” https://bit.ly/2YdIUTW |
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We support updated internet regulations |
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We’re taking action to keep our communities safe. We've tripled our safety and security teams, built new privacy tools, and invested billions to keep our platforms safe. What's next? We support updated internet regulations that set clear rules for addressing today's challenges. Learn More
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| LATEST WITH THE CORONAVIRUS | |
A backup for the new coronavirus variant: |
| While the vaccine appears to protect against the new COVID-19 variants first found in the U.K. and South Africa, Moderna is working on a booster shot. “Its researchers said its current coronavirus vaccine appears to work against the two highly transmissible strains found in the U.K. and South Africa, although it looks like it may be less effective against the latter.” Details from CNBC: https://cnb.cx/39dQRi6 |
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| CASE NUMBERS: |
| Coronavirus cases in the U.S.: 25,137,632 U.S. death toll: 419,263 Breakdown of the numbers: https://cnn.it/2UAgW3y |
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| VACCINATION NUMBERS: |
| Total number of vaccinations administered in the U.S.: 22.4 million shots have been given Seven-day average of doses administered: An average of 1.16 million doses. For context: The U.S. population is roughly 331 million Breakdown of the numbers: https://bloom.bg/3iVTPLH |
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If you need Champ or Major, they’ll be busy sniffing every part of their new digs: |
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© Twitter What about adopting a cat?: CNN’s Kate Bennett tweeted, “The cat is coming, I am told. There are still plans to adopt, just haven't gotten around to it yet!” https://bit.ly/39dHsY2 |
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This is pretty cool: |
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© Twitter Watch: https://bit.ly/3ploJ28 |
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| The House and Senate are in. President Biden and Vice President Harris are in Washington, D.C. 9:30 a.m. EST: President Biden and Vice President Harris received the President’s Daily Brief. 11:30 a.m. EST: President Biden meets with Vice President Harris, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Mark A. Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. 12:30 p.m. EST: Vice President Harris ceremonially swears in Lloyd Austin as defense secretary. 3 p.m. EST: The Senate meets. 5:30 p.m. EST: The Senate votes on the confirmation of Janet Yellen to be treasury secretary. The Senate’s full agenda today: https://bit.ly/3phKOie 7 p.m. EST: The House managers will present the article of impeachment against former President Donald Trump. |
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| 1 p.m. EST: White House press secretary Jen Psaki holds a press briefing. Livestream: https://bit.ly/3sTSdq2 3:45 p.m. EST: President Biden delivers remarks on strengthening American manufacturing. Livestream: https://bit.ly/39fQunn |
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| NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...: | |
| Today is National Irish Coffee Day. It’s also National Opposite Day. |
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| And because you made it this far, here’s a dog hanging out with its piglet friend: https://bit.ly/2KQgCvI |
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