Happy Wednesday. The Taylor Swift fans in your life are busy solving puzzles on Google to unlock a vault of unreleased tracks. It’s an awesome idea — Taylor Swift is big on “Easter eggs” — but this has been pretty glitchy.  Anyway, I’ll move onto politics. Here are some highlights today:

• The relaxed Senate dress code has caused quite the stir on Capitol Hill. The Washington Post’s editorial board even gave it a scathing review.

• Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is skating on thin ice with hard-line Republicans who are threatening to oust him as Speaker. It also puts Democrats in an interesting dilemma

• The northern lights were seen around the U.S., even as far south as Virginia and Oklahoma.

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-stage.thehill.com. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here.  

Yes, I’m looking at all of you!

Hard-line Republicans are threatening to oust Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) as House Speaker, which poses an interesting dilemma for Democrats: Do they help save McCarthy’s position or insert more chaos by helping to boot him?

What we know: Democrats have not yet formed a strategy.

Let’s not forget: It took 15 rounds (!) of votes for McCarthy to finally cobble together the support to become Speaker.

Why some Republicans are threatening to oust him: McCarthy has been walking on eggshells with hard-line Republicans ever since he became Speaker. If he does not meet the list of demands on spending and policy changes in the government funding negotiations, those Republicans are threatening to boot him.

More on the conundrum Democrats face, via The Hill’s Mychael Schnell and Al Weaver

“Republican senators are growing increasingly alarmed at Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s (R-Calif.) inability to pass spending legislation over the staunch opposition of a small group of conservative rebels, and fear a government shutdown may be days away.” The Hill’s Alexander Boltons reports.

What happened on Tuesday: “House Republican leaders canceled a key procedural vote on a stopgap funding measure that was scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Tuesday amid opposition from disgruntled conservatives.”

McConnell is not sugarcoating it: “Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.), who’s had to deal with the political fallout of government shutdowns in 1995-96, 2013 and 2018-19, warned Republican lawmakers on the other side of the Capitol on Tuesday that shutdowns are ‘a loser for Republicans, politically.’” (The Hill)

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) nixing the Senate dress code has caused quite the kerfuffle on Capitol Hill, especially from Republicans who blame the change on Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), whose signature look includes a hoodie, athletic shorts and sneakers.

This made me lol — Fetterman told The Hill: “America … it’s about freedom and choice. It’s like [a] Burger King ‘You Rule’ kind of a thing.”

Some of the weirdest and funniest reactions: Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) jokingly floated wearing a bikini; Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) joked that he would wear a coaching outfit; and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) promised that he would not wear a Speedo to work.

Anyway, this drama is what is keeping Capitol Hill busy and entertained.

We spoke to a number of lawmakers about the change. Read

Read the op-ed from The Washington Post’s editorial board:

Excerpt: “We vote nay. Dressing formally conveys respect for the sanctity of the institution and for the real-world impact of the policies it advances.”

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) released a statement this morning, “If those jagoffs in the House stop trying to shut our government down, and fully support Ukraine, then I will save democracy by wearing a suit on the Senate floor next week.” 

Photo of Fetterman presiding over the Senate this morning: Is that a bowling shirt, senator?    

Spotted in the Senate: Bill Nye the Science Guy! Photo

I’ve never seen a sweatshirt I need more than this: C-SPAN is selling a hoodie that reads, “C-SPAN & Chill.” Man, I hope to see Fetterman sporting one of these. Photo

But actually: I could absolutely see Fetterman rocking this C-SPAN hoodie. (h/t to Howard Mortman)

Hmm. HMMMM!: @MattLaslo noticed a paper left in a restroom underneath the House floor. “‘Declaring the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives to be vacant,’ from [Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.)], Sept. 15, 2023, 11:22am.” Photo

Lol — you, too, can be Shiv Roy: Politico’s Ursula Perano posted a photo of a mostly scratched-off sticker on the door of a women’s bathroom in Russell. “You are Shiv Roy <3,” the note on the sticker says, referring to a character in HBO’s “Succession.” Photo

🍕 Celebrate: Today is National Punch Day and National Pepperoni Pizza Day!

🦞 A new national holiday on the block!: Senate Periodicals posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, “The Senate agreed to S. Res. 351, designating September 25, 2023, as National Lobster Day.”

🌄 Whoa, whoa!: The U.S. lit up with northern lights on Monday night. The Capital Weather Gang posted video of northern lights seen near Charlottesville, Va. Watch

🍪 I must try these: The New York Times’s Eric Kim has an interesting piece about an old-fashioned cookie that has become the “it” cookie in South Korea with its recent rise in popularity. The yakgwa is a deep-fried honey ginger cookie, which has been adapted with some modern flavors. (The New York Times)  

^ These looks DELICIOUS. If anyone knows where to try one in the Washington, D.C., area, please let me know!

☄️ Maybe just keep that to yourself, NASA: NASA scientists are predicting that asteroid Bennu may hit the Earth in 2182. It could affect an area the size of Texas. (WTAJ)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will be in Washington, D.C., on Thursday to rally support from U.S. leaders in his war against Russia. (The Hill)

Why this timing is so crucial: Congress has until Sept. 30 to pass a funding package to keep the federal government open. Funding for Ukraine has become a hot topic in negotiations as some Republicans are hesitant to give more funds to Ukraine.  

Zelensky’s plans tomorrow: He will meet with President Biden. He is also expected to meet with a few members of Congress.

The U.N. General Assembly has been dominated by the war in Ukraine and the climate crisis. (The New York Times)

That annual skit on Jimmy Kimmel’s show is one of my favorites. Here’s the 2022 segment

The Hill’s Judy Kurtz has interesting reporting on how the late-night TV landscape, which has been on hold during the Hollywood strikes, is hurting both Democrats and Republicans.

How so?: Late-night TV is one of the rare outlets for Americans to find humor in politics. Democrats are missing out on rallying cries from hosts and fewer laughs around the national political scene.

But naturally, we would assume this would be beneficial for Republicans: “Republicans …  will likely see fewer critical one-liners told at their expense given the liberal leanings of the network shows.” Yes, but: For Republican presidential hopefuls trying to get attention away from former President Trump, a late-night talk show appearance is their shot.

More on why both parties are actually missing late-night talk shows

Fortune’s Alicia Adamczyk explains how Taylor Swift was able to produce her Eras Tour movie during the Hollywood strikes. The gist: She reportedly met all of SAG-AFTRA’s demands. Full story

The writers union and the actors unions are still on strike over labor disputes. Helpful explainer on where the strikes stand, via Vox’s Alissa Wilkinson

“While the current economic impact of a targeted strike by the United Auto Workers (UAW) is limited, the threat of a full walkout looms over contract negotiations with auto giants Ford, General Motors and Stellantis.” The Hill’s Taylor Giorno has an interesting read on how the strike could hit the economy. (The Hill)

Taylor Swift has been rerecording her older albums as “Taylor’s Version.” She loves to give her fans “Easter eggs,” so as part of the “1989” album, she partnered with Google for fans to solve online puzzles which will unlock a vault of previously unreleased songs. 

Basically: Each fan can work on 89 puzzles. Collectively, 33 million puzzles will be solved.   

From Google: “You’ll be helping Swifties around the world get out of the woods (or unlock the vault) as everyone collectively solves 33 million puzzles. And that’s how it works, that’s how you get the vault track titles!” (NBC News)  

Well, fans have been noticing some glitches. How the puzzles have left Swifties frustrated, via CNN  

There have been rumors swirling lately that Taylor Swift and NFL player Travis Kelce are dating. Neither side has confirmed or denied the claims. Buuuuuuut, Kelce’s brother, Jason Kelce, told a Philadelphia sports radio show that he believes the rumors are “100 percent true.” 

The House and Senate are in. President Biden is in New York City, and Vice President Harris is in Washington, D.C. (all times Eastern)

• 1 p.m.: Biden meets with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. They launch a Partnership for Workers’ Rights at 1:45 p.m. 📺 Livestream

• 1:50 p.m.: First and last House votes. 🗓️ Today’s agenda

• 4:15 p.m.: Biden participates in campaign receptions, then returns to Washington, D.C.

• 5 p.m.: Harris speaks at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. 📺 Livestream

 Because you made it this far, here’s a chicken with such a natural maternal instinct.

^ Hat tip to The Hill’s Emily Martin for this gem.

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