The ghost of harassment past has now claimed the professional life of NBC’s Today Show host Matt Lauer. Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb broke the news this morning that the long-time face of the network has been fired. “On Monday night, we received a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace by Matt Lauer,” Andrew Lack, the NBC News President, said in a memo. Back on Capitol Hill, the House will vote today on a rule change requiring all members and staff to receive training to prevent and address sexual harassment. The House Judiciary Committee will consider two gun measures today, including a vote on a bill that allows gun owners with permits to carry concealed weapons reciprocity to travel to other states with their firearms. Republicans are increasingly optimistic about the fate of their tax bill after the Senate Budget Committee voted along party lines yesterday to advance the $1.5 trillion package. Also, efforts to avert a government shutdown are not proving fruitful as Dem leaders Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi gave Trump the deuces (and, perhaps, another finger as well), opting to not meet at the White House on the heels of one of 45’s tweets. This morning, Trump is retweeting several videos allegedly depicting physical attacks carried out by Muslims, originally posted by the deputy leader of Britain First, a far-right political party that opposes immigration. We cannot underscore enough the weight the words of the President of the United States carries on the world stage -- even on Twitter. No one wants to see Twitter fingers turn to trigger fingers. But it may happen. Pyongyang said today that it had successfully tested a missile that could deliver nuclear warheads anywhere in the continental U.S. Trump said “we will handle” the situation. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis noted that the rocket “went higher, frankly, than any previous shot they’ve taken.” POTUS45 remains very busy weighing a campaign trip for accused pedophile Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore, tweeting about fake news, resurfacing his Barack Obama birther claims, and questioning the authenticity of the Access Hollywood tapes. Here’s what we’ve got this Wednesday….
- CBC members reportedly looking at graceful exit for Congressman John Conyers (D-MI), but CBC Chair Congressman Cedric Richmond (D-LA) says it's Conyers' decision to make.
- Michelle Obama delivers a message to youth in Canada.
- Congressman Luis Gutiérrez (D-IL) announces retirement and endorses a replacement. But that didn’t stop a former staffer from announcing his bid.
- Barack Obama offers some good news on Jimmy Kimmel.
- Congressman Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) paid ex-staffer settlement.
- MD gubernatorial candidate Ben Jealous names running mate and gets help fromSenator Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
- Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) is battling the FCC signature by signature while Chairman Ajit Pai trades barbs with opponents.
- Staffer for Congressman Dwight Evans (D-PA) bids the Hill farewell.
- USHCC faces infighting and possible replacement at the top while its foundation names an interim executive director.
- Congressman Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) digs in heels on “Dreamers” while CHC Chair Michelle Luján Grisham (D-NM) pens op-ed pleading for legislation.
- Meet the highest-ranking Black woman at the WSJ.
- Miami GOPer ends bid for Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen’s (R-FL) seat.
- Another dubious contract hurts residents of Puerto Rico.
- Tribes sue Trump over Bears Ears.
- NYT’s Yamiche Alcindor explores gender and generational divisions highlighted by Conyers scandal. And JAY-Z talks marriage and race as he readies to perform in the nation's capital tonight. Check it out in blogs.