Happy Wednesday. Christmas is a week from today! That feels like a perfect excuse for a peppermint mocha or another festive hot drink. Things are pretty chaotic on Capitol Hill this morning. Here’s what’s happening: -
There are some rumblings of the House bumping the CR vote to today.
- Conservatives are grumbling over CR add-ons.
- The House Ethics Committee voted to release Matt Gaetz’s ethics report (!)
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The Supreme Court agreed to hear a TikTok ban challenge on Jan. 10.
- Nancy Pelosi fell, broke her hip, posed for a photo while wearing high heels and THEN went to the hospital.
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@thehill.com. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here.
A quick editor's note: A New York jury last year found President-elect Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll. Yesterday's newsletter had inaccurate information. |
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Well, well, well … look what it is: |
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Lawmakers unveiled the long-anticipated text of the bipartisan deal to fund the government through March 14.
What’s in the 1,500-page continuing resolution (CR)?: Roughly $100 billion in disaster relief, a one-year extension of the farm bill, $10 billion in economic assistance for farmers, etc. Some specific line items: -
Lawmakers’ first pay raise since 2009
- Funding to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore
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Transfer jurisdiction of RFK Memorial Stadium Campus to the District of Columbia, which could lead to the Washington Commanders’ return to D.C.
- An exemption to allow lawmakers to opt out of ObamaCare
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Reforms for pharmaceutical benefit managers (PBMs)
- $2 billion for Small Business Administration funding for the disaster loan program
Here’s a list of what made the cut
What’s *not* included: President Biden’s $24 billion request for funding to Ukraine
How are they feeling about it?: Some Republicans are grumbling over all of the add-ons. This started as a simple short-term extension to fund the government for a few more months but has grown in magnitude.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) doing exactly what they did not want: cram everything into an end-of-the-year monster package. The House Freedom Caucus nicknamed the bill “the Cramnibus.” What a festive insult: Johnson pushed back on criticisms of the bill being a “Christmas tree” with lots of hanging ornaments. 🎄
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It does not have Elon Musk’s support: Trump ally and tech billionaire Elon Musk came out against the bill. “Ever seen a bigger piece of pork?” he posted on X, arguing “this bill should not pass.”
Timing — OK, GO!: If Johnson goes through the normal procedural process, lawmakers will have at least 72 hours to review the bill before a vote. That sets up a Friday House vote. The Senate would then need to move quickly to pass it before the midnight deadline. But there’s an open question of whether Johnson would bypass that self-imposed 72-hour rule.
^ It’s possible the vote happens soon (!): Punchbowl’s Jake Sherman reports there are rumblings about the House voting on the bill today. Why?: There’s a worry that waiting gives time for opposition to grow. 🗨️ Live updates on the government funding saga |
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Whoaaa, we’re going to see the Matt Gaetz ethics report: |
The House Ethics Committee secretly voted to release its now-defunct report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), a source confirmed to The Hill’s Mychael Schnell.
This marks a major reversal after the committee had voted *not* to release the contents of its investigation. CNN first reported the news.
When will it be released?: “The committee now plans to release the report after the House holds its last vote of the year, the source said. The chamber is currently scheduled to break for holiday recess Thursday, though it could remain in session as lawmakers consider a government funding measure.” (The Hill)
For context: “It is exceedingly rare for an ethics report to be released after a member has left Congress, though it has happened on a couple of occasions in the past. The committee revisited the issue behind closed doors earlier this month after a feud over the report spilled into public view before Thanksgiving.” (CNN)
Read the full report: ‘In reversal, key House panel votes to release Matt Gaetz ethics report’ |
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➤ HOW GAETZ TOOK THE NEWS: |
Gaetz wrote a long X post slamming the investigation and defending himself. “I was charged with nothing: FULLY EXONERATED. Not even a campaign finance violation. And the people investigating me hated me,” Gaetz posted.
The post ends with: “My 30’s were an era of working very hard - and playing hard too. It’s embarrassing, though not criminal, that I probably partied, womanized, drank and smoked more than I should have earlier in life. I live a different life now. But at least I didn’t vote for CR’s that f--- over the country!” 🔎 Read the full X post
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The Senate isn’t without its own drama: |
“Republican senators battled behind closed doors Tuesday over a proposal to beef up Social Security benefits for people who are eligible for non-Social Security government pensions,” reports The Hill’s Alexander Bolton.
What’s next?: “The legislation, which has passed the House, is expected to reach the Senate floor Wednesday, but some Republicans who are worried about its price tag are hoping to stop it dead.”
FWIW: One Senate Republican in the room described it as “an intense discussion.”
Read more on the saga: ‘GOP battle erupts over Social Security bill’ |
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Omg, well played: As a joke parting gift, retiring Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) was given a mini portrait to honor his time as Speaker pro tempore. Remember when McHenry served as the interim Speaker while House Republicans couldn’t agree on a leader following former Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s (R-Calif.) ouster? Good times… 📸 Photos of the portrait unveiling, via Politico’s Olivia Beavers
Nancy Pelosi is a beast: Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) broke her hip last week from a fall. Well, she posed for a photo in high heels right after the fall *before* going to the hospital. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) described the incident to ABC News. 📸 The photo Pelosi posed for with a broken hip 📹 McCaul describing Pelosi losing her footing
Fetterman and RFK Jr.: CBS News’s Alan He posted a video of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. walking through a Capitol Hill office building. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) saw Kennedy was coming and popped out of his office to say hello. 📹 Watch the clip
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Maybe the oral arguments should include choreographed dances: |
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge to the nationwide TikTok ban that is set to take effect Jan. 19.
The Supreme Court’s timing: The court will hear oral arguments Jan. 10.
What’s the challenge?: The case is centered on whether the social media app ban violates the First Amendment. |
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The Electoral College met on Tuesday and formally voted to confirm Donald Trump as president-elect.
💡 Keep in mind: Even though voters cast ballots on Election Day, they were technically voting for electors who will cast ballots on their behalf.
What’s next?: Lawmakers will certify the results on Jan. 6. |
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➤ NEW POLLING ABOUT TRUMP’S FAVORABILITY:
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President-elect Trump will enter office with a 41 percent approval rating, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll. More than half of Americans, 55 percent, say they have an unfavorable opinion of him. |
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Going to the Bahamas!: Trump nominated former NFL player and one-time Georgia Senate candidate Herschel Walker to serve as his ambassador to the Bahamas. |
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🍖 Celebrate: Today is National Roast Suckling Pig Day!
🕰️ A time capsule 25 years later: A Mississippi school opened a time capsule created by students in 1999. 📹 The reveal |
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The House and Senate are in. President Biden is in Delaware and Vice President Harris is in Washington. (all times Eastern) |
- 2 p.m.: The Senate votes. 📆 Today’s agenda
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2:30 p.m.: Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell holds a news conference. 💻 Livestream
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4 p.m.: First and last House votes. 📆 Today’s agenda
- Friday at midnight: Government funding expires unless lawmakers pass an extension.
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Saturday, Dec. 21: The winter solstice.
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