While you were sleeping, the government shutdown. The second shutdown in three weeks came after Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) held up the vote to protest budget deficits that would balloon under the agreement. In the end, the House followed the Senate in approving a far-reaching budget deal which will increase federal spending by about $300 billion. The bill also calls for raising the debt ceiling until March 2019 and includes nearly $90 billion in disaster aid. On Monday, the Senate opens up the immigration debate, and it’s expected to last all week. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) teed up the discussion, setting up a chance for both sides to offer amendments that will compete for 60 votes. But the House is the deciding factor. The lower chamber will have to act quickly to reach a resolution by the March 5th deadline imposed by Donald Trump, or they risk the deportation of roughly 700,000 “Dreamers.” Stay with us. We’ll be tracking the debate. Also, it’s tax season. And the White House has announced Trump's intent to nominate tax attorney Charles "Chuck" Rettig to lead the IRS. In a completely unrelated question, does the head of the IRS have access to anyone’s tax returns? Even the president of the United States? #AskingForAFriend. It’s finally Friday! What a week. Be sure to tune in on Sunday, when I’ll join the table with Joy-Ann Reid on MSNBC’s AM Joy. We’re kicking off the weekend with this...
- Members have questions for WH CoS John Kelly about the allegations of domestic abuse against Rob Porter.
- What’s going on with the Equifax investigation? Senator Bob Menéndez (D-NJ) wants to know.
- Raj Shah recap -- first Indian American at the WH press podium.
- Congressman Marc Veasey (D-TX) rains on Trump’s parade.
- Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) presses Bitcoin to ensure extremist groups don’t use cryptocurrency.
- Nomarosa. That’s all.
- Congresswomen Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) and Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI) intro legislation in response to fake missile alert.
- Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Tim Scott (R-SC) push for an investigation into Olympic committee.
- Tri-Caucus members help intro bill to protect journos.
- DCCC Chair Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) adds his GOP counterpart to the list of targeted races.
- OH congressional race turns ugly with allegations of stalking.
- National Hispanic Media Coalition names new board members.
- Investigative journalism group in Puerto Rico sues over number of post-Hurricane Maria deaths.
- Check out who are the finalists for the National Mall’s first-ever memorial to Native American vets.
- Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD) is not giving up asking about the WH security clearance process.
- Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (D-NY) introduces a bill to have a statue erected in Capitol of the first Black woman in Congress.
- If you’re keeping count, T-minus one week for Black Panther. Jamil Smith offers perspective in TIME. Check it out in Blogs.