Unless you’ve made a concerted effort to avoid the echo chambers of the cable news outlets, we’re sure you know by now that Donald Trump had a private discussion withPresident Vladimir Putin of Russia during a dinner at the G20 summit. There is no official U.S. record of the conversation, as a Kremlin interpreter was the only other person involved. Trump derided news reports about the meeting as “sick.” Speaking of sick, now that efforts to repeal the ACA have collapsed, Donald Trump still has a plan to make America great again: Let Obamacare fail. The president could potentially cut off subsidy payments to insurers or stop enforcing the mandate that most Americans have health insurance. He has invited all 52 Republican senators to the WH today for lunch. We have no idea if he wants to make friends or make threats but we’ll be watching Twitter to see what happens. And though the procedural motion is expected to fail, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will hold a vote to open debate on healthcare next week. Also happening next week, the House will reportedly vote on a spending package that will include funding for Trump's proposed border wall. With an aggressive GOP agenda left unaccomplished, what’s the deal with recess? Is it still delayed? Hello?! Some of us have plane tickets and houses in the Vineyard hanging in the balance. Holla back, McConnell! Here’s what we’ve got today:
- Dems are now targeting Ivanka Trump.
- Maya Rockeymoore weighs MD gubernatorial bid.
- DC is one of the most expensive cities in the country. We have no time for those overdraft fees. Ergo, Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) to the rescue!
- Uh-oh. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) is coming for your clearance, Kushner. You’ve been warned.
- Linda Johnson Rice joins Tesla’s Board.
- Former Baltimore and Philly mayors join the same law firm.
- Meet Invariant’s new Latina Republican strategist.
- The National Association of Hispanic Journalists has named their 2017 Hall of Fame inductees. Meet them below.
- Want to hang with former Secretary of Education John King tonight? RSVP below in FOMO.
- The Kremlin targeted a Black journalist in the 80s. Whaaaat?! See his story below.
- The Joint Center’s Don Bell talks diversity on the Hill.
- And right on time, the Senate Diversity Initiative’s Resume Bank is live!
- We’ll keep an eye on today’s inaugural Voter Integrity Commission meeting, even as House Dems call for Kobach’s dismissal (more below).
- Speaking of the commission, Vanita Gupta warns about their attempts to purge voter rolls.
- Did you guys know Monday was Killer Mike Day? Well, it was. Read on.
- The Hispanic Scholarship Fund teamed with Gates and they’re about to send thousands of students of color to college.
- Native American tribes bypass Trump on Paris Climate Accord.
- Derek Fordjour is known as the JAY-Z of the art world. Read about him in today's blogs. #ForTheCulture