Get that skinny repeal outta here. That’s what Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), John McCain (R-AZ), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) said when they narrowly voted down a plan to repeal parts of the ACA. Obamacare remains the law of the land. If Barack Obama were petty he might tweet a pic of himself wearing a Make America Great Again hat with a pic of his signed ACA legislation. But if you’re a world leader, do you really have time to tweet?? Meanwhile, Russia has seized two American diplomatic properties and ordered the U.S. Embassy in Moscow to reduce its staff, the first retaliatory steps against new American sanctions. Back in the homeland, the Pentagon says that transgender people could remain in the military until it clarifies Trump’s announcement barring them from uniform. On Wednesday, the DOJ intervened in a private employment lawsuit on Wednesday, arguing that the ban on sex discrimination in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 does not protect workers on the basis of their sexual orientation, and 45 announced that he would nominate vocal gay rights opponent Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback to be the nation’s ambassador at large for international religious freedom. More on that here. And finally -- Anthony Scaramucci. This dude.His interview with The New Yorker reads like a Martin Scorsese film. When the movies about this time period of American history are made, the dialogue will write itself. The made-for-TV versions will require a lot of bleeping. So ummm .. .what’s up with recess? We legit don’t know and we were kind of looking forward to some chill time in August. There will be a recess, right? RIGHT?? Because seriously folks. We all need a breather. And we don’t want to have our laptops in the sand. Here’s what’s up this Friday:
- Barack Obama watches two goals happen -- one in soccer, the other on the Hill.
- Beloved journo Jim Vance gets a spot in NMAAHC.
- Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) makes emotional healthcare appeal amid last night’s vote-a-rama.
- CBC Chair Cedric Richmond (D-LA) tells Inspector General that New Orleans will not give back funds from Hurricane Katrina.
- Will Packer teams with Oprah.
- Congressman Will Hurd (R-TX) intros smart wall bill despite House maneuver to roll it into defense legislation.
- Congressman Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) calls for a probe into whether Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke threatened Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).
- 42 senators ask Trump to keep DACA.
- MLB card manufacturer gives thumbs down to disparaging mascots .
- Lawyer wants to trademark the n-word; find out why.
- Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA) introduces bill to strengthen U.S.-Africa trade.
- MOCs appeal to not shutter State Dept. Office of Global Criminal Justice.
- Congressmen Gallego and Lieu up ante on Jared Kushner: they want him fired.
- Capitol police officers awarded Medal of Valor for actions in congressional baseball shooting.
- Senators Booker and Graham introduce bill to prevent president from firingRobert Mueller.
- Historically Black beach enclaves fighting to save their history and identity. Read about it in blogs. #ForTheCulture