It’s Monday. Welcome back from the long weekend. I hope you all overate turkey, stuffing and all the Congress members’ favorite Thanksgiving dishes for me. Here’s what’s happening today:
Hamas has released a total of 62 hostages so far, mostly women and children — and another prisoner exchange is expected today.
Congress is back in town this week. The House may once again vote to expel Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) — and both chambers are gearing up for an *intense* spending battle in January. The Biden family spent its Thanksgiving in Nantucket, Mass. (Keep reading for photos of their shopping excursion.) Taylor Swift announced her tour concert film will be available to rent starting Dec. 13(!) — you can’t scroll too far on social media without seeing a reference to this announcement.
I’m Cate Martel and today I’m filing from the White House, where everything smells like Christmas trees and holiday cheer. 🎄🍪
Send tips, commentary, feedback and cookie recipes to cmartel@digital-stage.thehill.com. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here. |
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62 down, a lot more to go:
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Hamas has released a total of 62 hostages — mostly women and children — during the temporary pause in fighting between Israel and the Palestinian militant group. A fourth hostage exchange is expected Monday.
Who are the hostages released so far?: CNN has a list of names and bios of the hostages who have been released by Hamas.
How many hostages are left?: Hamas took an estimated 240 people captive Oct. 7. That means nearly 200 are still held captive.
What was the deal that led to the release?: “In exchange for the hostages, Israel agreed to the release of dozens of Palestinian prisoners and the delivery of aid to Gaza, which has been under siege since the start of the war last month. The Palestinian prisoners released were mostly teenagers accused of throwing stones or firebombs in conflict with Israeli forces, or less-serious offenses.” (The Hill)
‘What we know about the first hostages released by Hamas’ (including what we know about the reunifications)
💡 Some context: “After seven weeks of struggling with a crisis that defies easy solutions, President Biden could take solace over the weekend in saving a single 4-year-old girl whose parents were killed in the Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel. But gratifying as it was to secure the release of Avigail Idan from her Hamas captors on Sunday, the challenge for Mr. Biden going forward is not only to free the rest of the Americans being held hostage but to use the success of recent days to alter the trajectory of the war consuming Gaza.” Read Peter Baker’s full reporting in The New York Times
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➤ USEFUL READS ON THE SITUATION: |
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‘Religious leaders call on Congress to pass aid to Israel’: The Hill
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‘Freed Hostages’ Reveal Conditions in Hamas’ Captivity’: Time
- ‘Biden’s bear hug worked with Israel’:
Jennifer Rubin op-ed in The Washington Post
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‘A brutal battle for southern Gaza beckons after the truce ends’: The Economist
- ‘Amid Calls to Extend Truce, Complications Surround Last Planned Swap’: The New York Times
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Biden may be a no-show in Dubai: |
The New York Times is reporting that President Biden is skipping this year’s United Nations climate summit, which is happening in Dubai this week.
For context: The summit, COP28, is a major event. King Charles III and Pope Francis are among the 200 world leaders attending.
Why Biden is skipping it: The Times’s source did not say why, “but senior White House aides suggested that the war between Israel and Hamas had consumed the president in recent weeks and days, as he pressed for a pause in fighting and release of hostages held by Hamas.” (The New York Times) |
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January is the new December: |
“Lawmakers in both parties are predicting a GOP battle royal over federal spending at the start of the election year as Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) struggles to balance the demands from House conservatives demanding fiscal reforms with keeping the government operating.” Johnson got a pass earlier this month: Conservatives gave Johnson a “mulligan” to extend government funding without major spending cuts, the same move that got Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) ousted as Speaker earlier this fall. ^ But that grace won’t last: House Republicans gave Johnson the pass hoping he will play hardball in January.
The Hill’s Alexander Bolton explains what lawmakers are predicting will happen next year. |
Some of us (George Santos) have been dreading work this week more than others:
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When the House returns this week, the chamber may hold its third — and possibly first successful — vote to oust Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) after the House Ethics Committee released a scathing report declaring he “violated federal criminal laws.”
Santos said during a conversation on X Spaces last week: “I know I’m going to get expelled when this expulsion resolution goes to the floor.”
What’s next?: Santos is expected to hold a press conference Thursday. (The Hill)
What else is happening in Congress this week?: The Senate will debate border security measures in exchange for Ukraine funding. Plus: The House will consider a resolution to formally call on Hamas to release hostages.
Here’s a primer for this week, via The Hill’s Mychael Schnell |
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Joe & Jill walk onto an island:
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President Biden and first lady Jill Biden spent their holiday weekend in Nantucket, Mass. The reporters on pool duty posted some interesting, behind-the-scenes tidbits from their trip. Here are some sights and sounds from the trip:
Where did Biden stay?: At the house of billionaire David Rubenstein
The whole family came to town: Here are photos of Hunter Biden, Ashley Biden and the Biden grandchildren spotted on Nantucket, via The Daily Mail
Joe and Jill — and their closest Secret Service friends — went shopping: Photos from The Daily Mail’s Emily Goodin. And here’s video of their stroll, via AP’s Seung Min Kim
This photo is incredible: Photographer Tom Brenner posted a photo of onlookers peeking through a window to catch a glimpse of the president. What kind of milkshake or smoothie is that, Mr. President? (Reuters)
The reporters saved a seat for Evan Gershkovich: Gershkovich is the Wall Street Journal reporter who has been detained in Russia since the spring. Photo of the table
What consumed the trip — The hostage situation in Gaza: Biden delivered remarks at the White Elephant Nantucket hotel, following the release of several hostages. Watch |
We need a CLO — a ‘chief logistics officer’:
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“President Joe Biden on Monday will convene the first meeting of his supply chain resilience council, using the event to announce 30 actions to improve access to medicine and needed economic data and other programs tied to the production and shipment of goods.” (AP) 💻 Watch Biden’s remarks: He is scheduled to speak at 2 p.m. Livestream |
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🥧 Celebrate: Today is National Bavarian Cream Pie Day!
🪩 Another way to see Taylor Swift’s Eras tour film: Taylor Swift announced this morning that the concert film of her Eras Tour will be available to rent Dec. 13. The extended version will include “Wildest Dreams,” “The Archer” and “Long Live.” Watch her 1-minute announcement clip
📱 Watch out for the new iOS update: Apple introduced a new “NameDrop” feature in the iOS 17 update. Law enforcement agencies are warning iPhone users that users can very easily share contact information when in close proximity. (WDTN) 🎁 Because ‘quiet luxury’ is the trend this year: Washingtonian published a list of 41 quiet luxury holiday gift ideas.
😶 Ouch: Check out this billboard that went up in Columbia, S.C., over the weekend ahead of former President Trump’s visit. (7News DC) |
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🌅 The 5 Senate seats most likely to flip: West Virginia, Montana, Ohio, Arizona and Pennsylvania. Explainers for each, via The Hill’s Al Weaver
🗳️ ‘‘Fake elector’ probes in 2020 swing states could spell more trouble for Trump’: From Ella Lee (The Hill) 📝 ‘9 key races that could land Democrats the House majority in 2024’: (The Hill)
🥊 ‘In Countdown to Iowa, Trump Is Coasting, as DeSantis and Haley Clash’: (The New York Times)
🚫🏷️ ‘Manchin 2024 chatter puts spotlight on No Labels’: “No Labels” is a political organization that has been floating a third-party “unity” ticket in 2024. (The Hill) |
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The House is out. The Senate is in. President Biden is in Washington, D.C., and Vice President Harris is in Houston. (all times Eastern) |
Noon: White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby brief reporters. 💻 Livestream
1:30 p.m.: First lady Jill Biden unveils the 2023 Holidays at the White House decorations. 💻 Livestream
2 p.m.: Biden delivers remarks on strengthening supply chains. 💻 Livestream
5:20 p.m.: Harris participates in a moderated conversation in Houston with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. 💻 Livestream
5:30 p.m.: The Senate votes on a nomination. 🗓️ Today’s agenda
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