It’s Wednesday. Just a heads up, your phone will sound at 2:20 p.m. EDT today. I know this because, well, I’m good at predicting the future. 🔮 (And the government is testing a nationwide emergency alert system today.) But mostly because I’m psychic. Anyway, moving on to the chaos:
House Republicans are scrambling to figure out next moves after the stunning vote to oust Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) as Speaker. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) has already put his hat into the ring. -
Senate Republicans are watching the House drama unfold with alarm and disbelief about the future of the GOP. This next upcoming government funding deadline should be … fun
The Biden administration announced another $9 billion in student loan forgiveness. President Biden is expected to deliver remarks around 1 p.m. It’s National Taco Day! Keep reading for some deals today.
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. |
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Yoooo, did you see that?:
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The House made history Tuesday by voting to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) from his leadership role, leaving Congress completely paralyzed and the political world in shock.
The vote: Eight Republicans voted to remove McCarthy. That meant the Speaker would have needed the help of Democrats to keep the gavel. But Democrats said, “no way,” leaving him short. The final vote was 216-210. The eight Republicans
What happens now?: Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) was named Speaker pro tempore while the House regroups. He immediately recessed the lower chamber while Republicans and Democrats figure out next steps. ‘Who is Patrick McHenry?’
One of McHenry’s first orders of business — he kicked Pelosi out of her Capitol office: No, seriously. McHenry ordered former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to leave her Capitol hideaway office by today. Photo of the hideaway getting cleared (Politico)
^ Reaction from Pelosi: Pelosi called it a “sharp departure from tradition,” but said “office space doesn’t matter” to her. She also added that “Sadly, because I am in California to mourn the loss of and pay tribute to my dear friend Dianne Feinstein, I am unable to retrieve my belongings at this time.” Pelosi’s full reaction
McHenry also booted another top Democrat: GOP leadership kicked Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) out of his Capitol hideaway this morning. “The moves signal the anger among GOP leaders toward Democrats, who voted with a small group of far-right Republicans to remove McCarthy as the House leader.” (The Hill)
Because there have been — and will be — lots of twists: I suggest you follow this live blog of updates. |
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| Who could be the next Speaker?: |
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) put his hat into the ring this morning to become the next House Speaker, report The Hill’s Mychael Schnell and Emily Brooks. Jordan is the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and the first chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus. He could attract support from hard-line Republicans.
Other names that come to mind: Majority Leader Steve Scalise (La.), the No. 2 House Republican, is a likely contender. But, keep in mind that he was also recently diagnosed with a type of blood cancer and is undergoing treatments.
Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) and House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) are other names that have been floated. (NBC News) |
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Live look of Senate Republicans watching: |
The Hill’s Alexander Bolton reports that Senate Republicans are watching the rebellion on the other side of the Capitol with alarm and disbelief.
Just a few lil’ worries: “GOP senators are worried about the party’s ability to govern over the next 13 months and whether they’ll be able to avoid a government shutdown later this year. They also feel anxious about the growing radicalization of their party’s base.”
Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.) called it “a really unfortunate circumstance for the House.”
From Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas): “These insurgents have no plan and now they’ve created even more chaos and it’s not good for the House, it’s not good for Republicans and they have no clear path forward.”
Read: Why Senate Republicans are worried |
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➤ 💡A FEW INTERESTING TAKES: |
‘The rudderless GOP careens toward 2024’: “Kevin McCarthy’s undoing underscores a bigger problem — the inability to govern itself — that risks imperiling the party’s chances in 2024.” (Politico)
‘Kevin McCarthy Got What He Deserved’: “The House speaker surrendered every principle, and in the end, it still wasn’t enough to save him.” (The Atlantic)
‘Matt Gaetz, a Polarizing Figure in Congress, Is Polarizing at Home, Too’: (The New York Times)
‘House Republican infighting turns raw during McCarthy floor debate’: (Roll Call)
‘McCarthy ouster exposes the Republican Party’s destructive tendencies’: (The Washington Post)
‘Republicans are sick of Matt Gaetz, and they’re not quiet about it’: (The Washington Post)
‘Someone Better’ Is Nobody’: (National Review)
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➤ SIGHTS AND SOUNDS FROM THE HISTORIC DAY: |
Getting traction — Omg, I’m surprised he didn’t break that gavel: McHenry slammed the gavel down. “The shot heard round the world,” CNN’s Jake Tapper commented. Watch
This sign is now outdated: The Hill’s
Miranda Nazzaro posted a photo of the McCarthy sign over the House Speaker’s office. Union Pub has a #SpeakerOfThePub special until a new speaker is elected: The food and drink special To round out the night: Here’s a beautiful photo of the Capitol from last night
It was an emotional night for some: PBS News’s Lisa Desjardins noted that “in the room, multiple McCarthy and GOP staffers have tears in their eyes.”
Oh, how this has aged: Politico’s Sarah Ferris posted the cover of the book “Young Guns,” featuring former Speaker Paul Ryan, former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor and now-former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Photo of the three — they look bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
A lot of people have made this joke: Hey, look. The speaker’s office is now reopening as a Spirit Halloween! The meme |
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➤ YOU KNOW, THIS IS AN INTERESTING POINT: |
CNN senior commentator Scott Jennings noted: “Strangest day in Capitol Hill math history: there are three senators from Maryland and zero Speakers of the House.”
^ Laphonza Butler, who will replace the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) in the upper chamber, currently lives in Maryland. California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) office says she has re-registered to vote in California.
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It’s a happy day for some Americans: |
The Biden administration on Wednesday announced another $9 billion in student loan forgiveness. For whom?: Borrowers who have been on an income-driven repayment (IDR) and Public Service Loan Forgiveness plan. How many borrowers does this help?: 125,000 borrowers
The $9 billion sounds like a lot, but: “The relief helps only a small portion of student loan borrowers as more than 45 million people still hold $1.75 trillion in student loans, while college prices continue to increase.” (The Hill) Happening at 1 p.m.: Biden will deliver remarks on student debt. Livestream |
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🌮 Celebrate: Today is National Taco Day and National Vodka Day! Now that sounds like a party. Here’s a list of taco deals today 💪 The most powerful women in Washington: Washingtonian published its list of 169 of the most influential women in Washington, D.C. 🍽️ Brb while I go to OpenTable: Esteemed food critic Tom Sietsema published his 2023 Fall Dining Guide. (The Washington Post)
🚨 Your phone will sound at 2:20 p.m. — and no, you can’t opt out: It’s part of a nationwide emergency alert test. “The alert sound can’t be turned off on smartphones if they are on. No sign-up or subscription is required to receive the alert. While iPhones and most Android smartphones offer settings to opt out of certain government alerts, such as Amber alerts, users can’t opt out of this test, FEMA said.” (CNBC)
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The Senate is in. The House is out until Tuesday. President Biden and Vice President Harris are in Washington, D.C. (all times Eastern)
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1 p.m.: Biden delivers remarks on student debt. 📺 Livestream
1:30 p.m.: White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre briefs reporters. 📺 Livestream 2:15 p.m.: Biden and Harris receive a briefing.
2:15 p.m.: Two Senate confirmation votes, followed by another at 5:30 p.m. 🗓️ Today’s agenda
Today: The late Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) will lie in state at San Francisco City Hall.
Today: Day three of former President Trump’s fraud trial. Live blog
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