Wednesday, November 19 | By Cate Martel |
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It's Wednesday. Less than two days until "Wicked: For Good" is out in theaters!! I won't link to any reviews because … spoilers … but 📹here's the final trailer! |
Senate formally approves Epstein file release White House awaits Epstein bill Will Americans actually receive $2,000 checks? James Comey in court Michelin restaurant guide unveils 2025 picks
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We went from zero to 60 in less than a day: |
The Senate formally approved a bill this morning to force the Jeffrey Epstein investigation files to be released. If you thought this happened yesterday: Senators unanimously agreed to vote "yes" to approve the bill. However, they were still technically waiting for the bill to arrive at the Senate after passing the House. That formal process finished this morning. This is a big deal: After months of fighting over the infamous Epstein files, both chambers of Congress overwhelmingly supported legislation to force the documents to be released. And they say Congress is never unified about anything! 😉 Just 24 hours ago, we were speculating on whether the Senate would even take up the bill, and now the Senate has already unanimously passed it. This all happened much to Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-La.) chagrin. He told MS NOW's Mychael Schnell last night that he's "deeply disappointed" the Senate quickly approved the House bill without making changes. He looks visibly irritated about it in the video clip. 📹 Watch his full reaction It's now heading to President Trump's desk. He's expected to sign it. So, is this a done deal? Will the files be released?: Not necessarily. ... The Justice Department (DOJ) has been notably silent about its plans to release the documents. The Washington Post notes the bill to release the files includes major loopholes. For example, the DOJ opened a new investigation, so it could argue that the files can't be released because of an active investigation. 💬 Follow today's live blog |
Just one House lawmaker voted against the bill to release the Epstein files: Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.). Why?: He argued it "will absolutely result in innocent people being hurt," Higgins argued. Read more: 'Who is Clay Higgins?' |
➤ MORE EPSTEIN FALLOUT THIS MORNING: |
Economist and former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers resigned from his role on the OpenAI board today after new emails revealed his ties to Epstein. Earlier this week, Summers, who is a Harvard University professor, said he would be "stepping back" from public commitments and will "take full responsibility" for his actions. |
Politico: 'Democrats are going to come to regret this': After Epstein vote, Trump ready to attack |
Is Trump actually sending out $2K checks to Americans?: |
President Trump has promised to send $2,000 checks to Americans next year as a rebate for the tariffs. This is to help offset the higher costs of goods amid his trade war. But there's a major obstacle in the way. Trump doesn't have the power to do it. He needs Congress to approve the handout. And it's highly uncertain whether lawmakers would agree to do that. The Hill's Alexander Bolton reports that GOP senators are worried about what that would do to the deficit — and that it could further inflame inflation A recent analysis found that Trump's $2,000 tariff checks would cost roughly $450 billion. Axios pointed out that it would cost more than the government makes in a year from tariff income. Senate GOP Leader John Thune (S.D.) said he would rather see the revenue collected from tariffs go toward lowering the national deficit, which has ballooned to $38 trillion. Congress aside, there's another big hurdle: the Supreme Court. Justices seemed skeptical about the Trump administration's legal argument for the tariffs during recent oral arguments. If they strike down the tariffs, that could hinder the tariff rebate plan. Read CNN's explainer |
➤ NEW DATA — SOME BAD ECONOMIC NEWS BECAUSE OF THE TARIFFS: |
Trump's steep tariffs took a toll on U.S. imports in August, according to new data released by the Commerce Department. Imports dropped 5.1 percent after tariffs went into effect on Aug. 7 for 90 countries. Read more |
Mace is forcing a vote to censure her colleague: |
"Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) plans to introduce a resolution to censure fellow Republican Rep. Cory Mills (Fla.) on Wednesday," reports The Hill's Emily Brooks. Timing: "The move comes as Republican tensions rise over failed efforts to censure Democrats that, in turn, have repeatedly protected Mills from retaliatory censure." What happens now?: "Mace plans to make her proposal a privileged resolution, which would force GOP leadership to act on the matter within two legislative days, meaning a vote would be expected by the end of the week." Some context: "Mills has been at the center of numerous personal controversies this year. Most recently, a Florida county judge granted a restraining order against Mills requested by an ex-girlfriend. The woman had accused him of harassing and threatening to release intimate photos of her after their breakup earlier this year. Mills denied some of her accusations." Read Brooks's reporting |
Comey's attempt at having his case thrown out: |
Former FBI Director James Comey is in court today, seeking to convince the judge that his indictment should be dismissed because he was singled out as the target of a vindictive prosecution. For context: "Comey, an outspoken critic of the president since leaving his first administration, contends that Trump's 'personal spite' was the impetus of a two-count indictment stemming from 2020 testimony he gave Congress, brought just days before the statute of limitations was set to expire." Read Ella Lee's reporting |
Trump receives blowback for meeting with Saudi crown prince: |
While meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday, President Trump berated an ABC reporter for asking about murdered Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. "You don't have to embarrass our guest by asking a question like that," Trump yelled at ABC News's Mary Bruce. "A lot of people didn't like that gentleman that you're talking about," Trump said about Khashoggi. Keep in mind that U.S. intelligence determined the crown prince had approved the killing, despite him denying responsibility. Trump is facing blowback from journalists over his comments. The Washington Post's editorial board published a scathing editorial today, calling Trump's remarks "weak" and "crass." Read: 'Things happen': Setting the record straight about our murdered colleague. The National Press Club condemned Trump's remarks, arguing that "statements that appear to minimize or excuse the killing of a journalist have real-world consequences." |
The Hill: Greene faces uncertain future in GOP after serious Trump rift The New York Times: In the A.I. Race, Chinese Talent Still Drives American Research The Washington Post: These are the deadliest roads in America. See if you live near one. The Wall Street Journal: Saudi Arabia Wants American F-35s. Israel's Success With Them Shows Why. |
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The House and Senate are in. President Trump is in Washington. (All times EST) |
NOON: Noon: Trump delivers remarks at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum. 💻 Livestream 1:15 P.M.: Trump returns to the White House. 8:15 P.M.: First and last House votes. 📆 Today's agenda THURSDAY: The funeral for former Vice President Dick Cheney. Details |
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| ☕ Celebrate: Today is National Macchiato Day. 🍽️ The hot restaurants this year: Michelin's dining guide announced its honorees for 2025 Northeast Cities on Tuesday night. No new restaurants in Washington, were added to the list. Plus, the famous "Inn at Little Washington" lost a star. 📝 D.C. list 📝 NYC list 📝 Philly list 📕 The word of the year: Taylor Swift's engagement to Travis Kelce inspired Cambridge Dictionary's Word of the Year for 2025: "parasocial." |
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