Donald Trump heads to Capitol Hill today ahead of the House’s big 1:30P vote on tax reform. On the Senate side, Ron Johnson (R-WI) became the first Republican to declare that he would not vote for the bill. Other Senators also expressed misgivings about the plan’s cost and effect on the middle class. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin didn’t help matters much when he and wife Louise Linton did it for the ‘Gram on Wednesday. In, arguably, one of the most tone deaf moments (and there are plenty to choose from), the pair were photographed ogling the first sheets of $1 bills with his signature during a trip to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. My money says this is definitely going to be their Christmas card. Meanwhile, the Roy Moore scandal got worse when two more accusers came forward with tales of the Alabama Senate candidate pursuing them as teenagers, even calling one girl at her high school. That big gulp you hear is coming from Senate Republicans repulsed at the options they face in the race. Or maybe the gulp is coming from their thirsty leader. During his remarks from the White House yesterday, Donald Trump fumbled through a speech touting yet-to-be-seen successes from his Asia tour when he apparently got thirsty and slowly grabbed his America first Fiji water bottle with both hands and took a few sips, all while staring directly into the camera. That loud laughter you hear is coming from Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL). But now to the real scandal dominating the country this morning -- the Sexiest Man Alive. There is much ado about Blake Shelton being picked over British actor Idris Elba for People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive. But don’t worry! The Beat DC is on the case! Strictly for research purposes, we will pour over photos, videos, and Instagram posts of Mr. Elba to get to the bottom of this issue. Also, a shout out to Drake for being part of the solution amidst all the headlines highlighting unwanted attention from men. We’ve got a lot to get to today. But read it Despacito! That’s right. The Latin Grammys are tonight, and in true Throwback Thursday fashion,Ricky Martin is up for Record of the Year! It's a vida loca. We’re kicking off today with this...
- Barack Obama hit the fundraising circuit Tuesday night, and Michelle Obamaheads to Connecticut today.
- Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) intros bill to close military loophole that allows gun purchases by domestic abusers.
- Senate Dems push DHS to accept DACA renewals delayed by the post office -- and they get results!
- Congressman Joaquín Castro (D-TX) will be UT-San Antonio’s commencement speaker.
- Meet the new leader at LA Weekly.
- Univisión Communications has a new SVP of Music.
- Fortune magazine names POC as their Businessperson of the Year.
- Three congressional hopefuls jump into the race for the seat of retiringCongressman Gene Green (D-TX).
- CHC’s BOLD PAC announces more 2018 endorsements.
- Ford Foundation’s Darren Walker leads new $25 million fund to preserve African American culture.
- HBCUs put billions into the nation’s economy.
- Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) wants federal investment firms to adopt “Rooney Rule.”
- Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) wants to simplify college financial aid.
- USVI Governor calls on Congress to fund hurricane recovery efforts.
- Lawmakers slam Puerto Rico officials over fishy contract.
- Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) want PR’s debt retired so it can better handle post-hurricane rebuilding.
- FCC votes today on a key program to help low-income internet users, and lawmakers aren’t happy about the proposed changes.
- Lawmakers intro bill to suspend immigration raids during natural disasters.
- FBI data shows rise in hate crimes.
- Owner of Cards Against Humanity buys land on the border to challenge eminent domain land seizure for Trump's wall. Read about it in Blogs!