The House is gone for recess. So, as the saying goes: Senate, you don’t have to go home but ... you have to get the heck outta DC. On Friday, the President of the United States appeared to celebrate and encourage police brutality. And yet again, leaders had to come out and denounce the president's remarks. Today, former DHS ChiefJohn Kelly takes over as WH Chief of Staff on the same day Donald Trump will host a cabinet meeting. It will be awkward for AG Jeff Sessions for sure. As for Kelly, will he sit by himself at the cafeteria lunch table or will he have a crew in the West Wing? We have a feeling this four-star general is not going to be run by a potty mouth Mooch. But time will tell. His first challenge: Russia. Moscow just expelled hundreds of diplomats in response to U.S. sanctions. And there’s still the smoky remains of thehealthcare battle that 45 refuses to concede. Trump says the ACA is imploding. Axios reports that insurers say cutting off the cost-sharing reduction payments to insurers and/or weaken the individual mandate could destabilize the fragile markets. “Between Trump's tweets and Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price's remarks on the Sunday talk shows, the Trump administration has suggested it might do both.” Also, we have our first 2020 candidate! On Friday, Congressman John Delaney (D-MD) became the first Democrat to formally declare his candidacy for the next presidential election. And for the OG Beltway resident, past or present, legendary graffiti artist Cool DJ Dan died of complications from diabetes. Known for his simple, go-go styled tag Cool “Disco” Dan all over DC in the late ’80s and early ’90s, many knew his work. But very few knew his face. He was 47. We’re kicking off the week with this:
- Eric Holder raises $10 million drawing battle lines for 2018.
- The CHC introduces new legislation to protect DREAMers.
- Ann Curry is returning to TV.
- Michelle Obama joins Spotify at DC high school.
- Black Enterprise honors Congressman John Lewis (D-GA), Lonnie Bunch, John Rogers, and more.
- A new candidate declares in the race to fill the seat of CHC Chair Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM).
- CBC Chair Cedric Richmond (D-LA) calls out NFL over Colin Kaepernick.
- Motorola names a new GR Director.
- Compton’s “Gangster Mayor” found guilty on Friday.
- Reuters names new Executive Editor.
- Cuban American politicos weigh in on Venezuela.
- U.S. Treasurer Jovita Carranza announces the end of another Obama policy.
- Texas hosts first Latino Comic Con. Check it out in blogs!
- Michelle Obama wishes first Grandma a happy birthday!
- CBC and Progressive Caucus move to offer solutions on ACA.
- Want to tailgate with the Congressional Hispanic Staff Association? RSVP below in FOMO.