An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 that struck Mexico yesterday has claimed the lives of more than 200 people. Hurricane Maria made landfall as a Category 4 storm in Puerto Rico this morning, slapping the island with winds of up to 155 miles an hour. Back on the mainland, the ACA repeal effort is officially the latest character on The Walking Dead. It just won’t die. The Senate left town yesterday feeling hopeful that they will overturn Obamacare despite still being short on the 50 votes needed. The House is also out, but CBC members aren’t leaving town as they kick off the Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference today. Send us your pics! BTW, did you guys know that the Federal Election Commission allows the use of private campaign funds to pay legal bills arising from being a candidate or elected official? Well, sources say Donald Trump is taking full advantage and using his campaign funds to pay for his lawyers dealing with one of his 99 problems -- the probe of alleged Russian interference in the election. Lastly, you guys know the big concert that happens every February? And, for some reason, they have a football game around the big event? Ah yes, the Super Bowl. Well, they asked Jigga to perform at the 2018 halftime show, and Hov said nah. Last week, Beyoncé’s husband showed his solidarity with Colin Kaepernick by shouting him out during his performance in NYC. If this is part of his NFL protest, that’s some real Blue Magic right there. Now get that dirt off your shoulder! We’re kicking off your Wednesday with this:
- Barack Obama heads to NYC today to join Bill and Melinda Gates. Catch the livestream.
- Congressman Luis Gutiérrez (D-IL), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), and Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) arrested outside Trump Tower.
- Obama hits the campaign trail again but first, he crashes a conference call and cracks the code.
- Some GOP Latinos call WH liaison Jennifer Korn the "Hispanic Omarosa."
- Judge will not allow prostitution allegations in Senator Bob Menéndez (D-NJ) trial -- even though his team wanted them in.
- Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) tells Trump to fill key diplomatic appointments to help address North Korea crisis.
- First Asian American Solicitor General confirmed.
- Farai Chideya joins the Ford Foundation’s Creativity and Expression team.
- BET is launching a new political comedy show.
- Omarosa defends selection of Johnathan Holifield as ED of the WH HBCU initiative.
- Tech firm promotes from within and names woman of color new VP.
- Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus announces the addition of eight Senate members. See who below.
- Menéndez leads the fight against Equifax.
- GOP targets Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy (D-FL).
- Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD) asks WH to negotiate price for life-saving drug in opioid crisis.
- A former CBC staffer offers a style guide to this week’s Annual Legislative Conference. Check it out below in blogs.
- Also, DYK that in the 1930s, we illegally deported 600,000 U.S. citizens because they had Mexican heritage? Also in Blogs.
- Want to Step with Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (D-NY) tonight? RSVP below in FOMO.