- Barack Obama receives Profile in Courage award.
- There's a new Standing Rock, and it's called Bears Ears.
- FLOTUS44 Michelle Obama hosted college signing day.
- Congressman Raúl Labrador (R-ID) gets shut down at townhall.
- More people watch Joy Ann Reid than Morning Joe.
- Ajit Pai is moving his agenda -- whether you like it or not.
- Puerto Rico is closing 184 public schools.
- Barack Obama endorses the opponent of the French Donald Trump. We've got the video.
- Jackson, MS is about to elect a woke mayor.
- An emotional state Rep in Texas has a video go viral over sanctuary cities.
- Congressman Ted Lieu (D-CA) and others recognize Chinese American veterans.
- Puerto Rico goes head-to-head with creditors.
- Apparently, we missed some potential governors of color yesterday. We got you today.
- The country could see its first Native American woman in Congress.
- Black and Latino families continue to see disparities in education.
- Van Jones signs with Beyoncé's husband.
- CBC Chair Congressman Cedric Richmond (D-LA) releases a statement on the Alton Sterling case.
- President Barack Obama releases plans for the Obama Presidential Center.
- NAFOA elects an all-female board.
- SCOTUS Justice Sonia Sotomayor gets interrupted the most.
- There was almost another Mrs. Obama?!
- If confirmed, Jovita Carranza will be the seventh Latina U.S. Treasurer.
- Could the country have five governors of color?
- The DOJ declines to pursue charges against the Baton Rouge police officer who shot and killed Alton Sterling.
- A look at Latinos who work in the Trump administration.
- Stacy Abrams explores gubernatorial run in Georgia.
- Michelle Obama's speaker fee is on par with some former presidents.
- The speculation has begun as to who will succeed Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL).
- African American Mayors Association gets new leadership.
- Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN) trolled on MN GOP Facebook page.
- NCSL kicks off Tribal Summit Conference.
- HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson brings conservative views to the agency.
- We found GIFs for AAPI Heritage Month.
- And The Beat launches a podcast with Jamal Simmons and Tiffany Cross!
- The Trump administration targets Michelle Obama.
- Congressman Joaquín Castro (D-TX) opts out of Senate run --- for now.
- We've got the top AAPI political operatives under 40.
- Muslim advocates head to Capitol Hill today.
- NUL's State of Black America is out this morning.
- Vanita Gupta testifies today on the Hill to discuss rise of hate crimes.
- Steve Bannon penned a hip hop musical. For real.
Donald Trump’s new plan for ACA replacement? Threatening to kill a key portion of Obamacare, a low-income subsidy program. This could mean an immediate and fatal blow to the ACA marketplaces if he kills the subsidy program. That’s a really big deal. Without those subsidies, studies say insurers would have to hike up premiums by an average of 19 percent for typical policies. Many insurers would likely exit the marketplace altogether. Trump hopes this threat will force Dems to the table to negotiate. This fight will get ugly and leave millions of American’s healthcare hanging in the balance. Here's what's on deck this Thursday:
- AZ Congressman suing the Trump administration
- Ben Carson gets stuck
- CAPAC weighs in on the United Airlines incident
- Throwback Thursday — we throw it back to some stories you may have missed
- Darkness ... we remember Charlie Murphy
Republicans were victorious in a Kansas special election for a House seat vacated by Mike Pompeo, the new CIA Director. GOP candidate State Treasurer Ron Estes will head to DC, winning a much tighter race than expected. Now all eyes are on Georgia where Democrat Jon Ossoff is leading in the April 18th contest to replace HHS Secretary Tom Price against a crowded field of GOP candidates.
Turns out, the FBI and the DOJ were targeting Trump advisor Carter Page who is under investigation over the possibility of being an agent of Russia. Still no proof of Trump's unfounded wiretapping claims against President Obama despite some major spin effort from the Oval Office. Enjoy recess. The threat of a government shutdown awaits.
Here's what's on deck for the midweek read:
- Barack Obama heads back to the political arena!
- DOJ focuses on undocumented
- Keystone Pipeline jobs claims spark questions from Native American groups
- CBC Member mourns her father
- Muslim shareholder activism — it's a thing
- Shonda Rhimes and Donald Trump — it's a scandal!
Welcome to The Beat! Spring break edition. Congress is out. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is in Moscow. Trump is at the WH hosting a CEO policy discussion. And this AM, the WH passed this along to the press pool: “At this time, there is no U.S. Intelligence Community consensus that Russia had foreknowledge of the Syrian chemical attack." Here’s the talk of Tuesday:
- The Daily Show's Hasan Minhaj will headline the WHCA Dinner
- An NFL player and a DC lobbyist had a fairytale wedding in Italy
- MoC wants ICE agents to stop identifying themselves as police -- they're not
- British Vogue names Ghanaian editor-in-chief
- There may be trouble for Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
- Can you believe that United Airlines video?
- But first...the Obamas...
It may be Monday morning. But it’s recess. No biggie if you hit that snooze button three times. It’s going to be a high of 80 degrees in the nation’s capital today. The city will be in jeans for the next two weeks. And you won’t have a two-hour wait at your favorite restaurant. So let the long lunches and early cocktails commence! Judge Neil Gorsuch becomes Justice Neil Gorsuch as he gets sworn in today in the Rose Garden. Welcome to SCOTUS. Also happening today, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson heads to Russia on the heels of criticizing the country for supporting Syria’sPresident Bashar al-Assad. Echoing that sentiment was the new national security advisor, Lt. Gen. H. R. McMaster. No such similar comments or tweets so far from Donald Trump. Here's what's kicking off the week:
- The DOJ brings in help to undo Obama/Holder policies
- CHCI Council welcomes a new member
- Omarosa got hitched — we've got the photos
- What about the millions of undocumented AAPI?
- Dr. Ben Carson gives first TV interview to ... Steve Harvey?
- Lady Liberty is Black, Latino, AAPI, and Native American
Last night, the president authorized a missile strike on Syria in response to a chemical attack that officials said was carried out by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad. Now, Congress is divided -- and not along party lines -- about the lawfulness of this strike. After exercising the nuclear option yesterday and killing the filibuster, the Senate got started at 9:30A to confirm Judge Neil Gorsuch to SCOTUS. The House is out. Let spring break commence. Here’s just some of what awaits you in this Friday read:
- Some Tri-Caucus members speak out against Syrian missile strikes
- Janaye Ingram heads to Airbnb
- Two of Mexico's members of Congress corner VP Mike Pence on the Hill - we've got the video
- CBCF elects new leadership
- LCCHR's Vanita Gupta has words for AG Jeff Sessions
- Corrine Brown hands out fudge pops as she heads to court - true story
Just moments ago, House Intelligence Chair Devin Nunes (R-CA) said he would temporarily step aside as head of the Committee's ongoing investigation into Russian involvement in the U.S. elections.
Today in the Senate, the countdown to the nuclear option has begun. The GOP majority is expected to push the button killing the filibuster for SCOTUS nominees which will irrevocably alter democracy in Congress. The showdown gets started at 11A when senators vote to end debate onJudge Neil Gorsuch's nomination. The vote requires the support of 60 senators. They are expected to fall short. The final vote won’t happen until tomorrow.
The House is in at 9A with votes at 10. Spring break kicks off tomorrow. Here's what we have for you today:
- Hispanicize wraps up in Miami
- Chance the Rapper for Mayor?
- DHS meets with Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
- Omarosa says Yes to the Dress
- Will Congress soon welcome its only Korean member?
In an attempt to pressure the GOP not to confirm SCOTUS nominee Judge Neil Gorsuch, Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) started talking at 6:47P and is still going this morning. We imagine the messages to him from fellow Dems read only four words, “You the real MVP.” Despite his efforts, it appears to be an inevitability that Gorsuch will be confirmed.
VP Mike Pence met with Freedom Caucus last night to talk repeal and replace. Obamacare still remains the law of the land. The next battle? Tax Reform. The House meets at 10A today with last votes at 4P. The Senate got started at 9:30A. Here's just some of what awaits you in this read:
- DHS meets with CAPAC today
- Susan Rice "leaked nothing to nobody"
- Los Angeles readies for a June 6th runoff in the race to replace Xavier Becerra
- Native American journalist honored for Standing Rock coverage
- Spike Lee, Sam Jackson, and former DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson pen a letter to Morehouse College Board
- Actress Holly Robinson Peete was on the Hill yesterday. And she had a muppet in tow.
- And Kendall Jenner and social justice? Just...why Pepsi? Why?
The inevitable Senate showdown kicks into high gear as the GOP readies to do away with the 60 vote threshold, forever changing Senate rules. The certainty appears to be this -- Judge Neil Gorsuch will be confirmed to SCOTUS, and his place on the high court will definitely impact communities of color.
Donald Trump will meet with HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson today at 4:30P. Russia continues to be a looming dark cloud that has stretched from the White House to Obama’s National Security Advisor Susan Rice. More on that below. The House has its first votes around 2:15P today and last votes around 5P. The Senate got started at 10A with a planned noon vote on Elaine Duke, DHS Deputy Secretary nominee. Here's what we have for your Tuesday morning read:
- Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) plugs free college for all. We've got the video.
- Michelle Obama goes natural!
- NYT's editorial board loses only woman of color to ACLU
- Mary J. Blige was honored by Silicon Valley in DC last night
- Actress Sharon Stone records a rap to pay homage to Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA). Do we have it? You know we got you! Read on...
This week brings an inevitable showdown in the Senate with SCOTUS nominee Judge Neil Gorsuch’s confirmation hanging in the balance. The GOP has intimated it will go nuclear and do away with the 60-vote threshold Senate rule to ensure their nominee is confirmed. What’s happening in Congress? The House meets at 12P with votes at 6:30P. The Senate convenes at 3P with a roll call vote at 5:30P. Meanwhile, Obama's 2008 DNC speech hits the auction block, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) has conflicting accounts with SCOTUS nominee, the FCC chair aims to unplug a Lifeline, and a Latino San Antonio councilman was called "boy" by the mayor -- we've got the video. Here's your Monday morning read...
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Did anyone see the movie Superman v. Batman? The reviews were pretty bad. It kind of feels like we're watching the political version of that film as Trump starts a Twitter beef with the Freedom Caucus. Apparently he thinks there is someone fresher than his clique.
Who’s snitching? Maybe former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. He has offered an interview to House and Senate investigators examining the Trump campaign’s ties to Russia in exchange for immunity. In the words of Biggie Smalls, he's got a story to tell.
Meanwhile, scroll to the bottom. We've got Omarosa chatting with reporters outside the WH, the only Latino Cabinet pick just moved one step closer to confirmation, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) named a woman of color to a senior staff post, and the Library of Congress just named NWA's Straight Outta Compton to the prestigious National Recording Registry. There's a lot happening in these DC streets. But first, let us tell you what's happening with The Beat!
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GOP Senate leaders say they will go nuclear to ensure SCOTUS pick Judge Neil Gorsuch is confirmed on April 7th, before lawmakers leave town for a two-week recess. Both sides of the aisle are readying for a spending fight to avoid a government shutdown. And don't expect the questions about this administration and Russia to go away anytime soon as reports surfaced that the WH tried to block Sally Yates from testifying before a House Intelligence hearing. Meanwhile, NFL players are headed to the Hill, Newsmax names the 50 most influential Latino Republicans, we have a peek inside the Obama’s Kalorama home, and #BlackWomenAtWork became a thing. Here’s your Wednesday read..
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Finger pointing on the right and gloating on the left kicks off another busy week in the Beltway. The certainty is this -- Obamacare will remain the law of the land for the foreseeable future. Up next on Trump’s agenda? Tax reform. All of this while Russia continues to be a dark cloud over anything coming out of this WH. The House meets at 12P with votes at 6:30P and the Senate meets at 3P. Meanwhile, Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) has a new staffer starting today, Malia hangs out while a WH reporter trolls her, the Governor of Puerto Rico has a message for the mainland, and get ready for some SlayTV! Here’s your Monday morning read…
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The House will vote on the GOP plan to repeal Obamacare today. At least that’s what the White House told rank-and-file MoCs on Thursday night when they were short of the 215 votes they need for passage. Stay tuned. This debate is so tense even Obama broke his silence. Meanwhile, SCOTUS nominee Judge Neil Gorsuch is looking less certain. Republicans control 52 seats in the Senate. They will need the unlikely support of eight Dems to end the Dem threat of a filibuster. HBCUs came up during the USDA confirmation hearings on Thursday. CBC members weigh in on DC’s missing girls of color. And Jay Z is bringing Trayvon Martin's story to the big screen. But first, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights gets new leadership. Here’s your Friday read...
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The House will vote on the Obamacare repeal tomorrow and Republicans still don't have the votes. Trump met with GOP leaders to persuade them, stopping short of saying you’ll sleep with the fishes if this bill doesn’t pass. Meanwhile, Dems will gather on the Capitol steps at 10AM to celebrate the seventh anniversary of Obamacare. In other news, SCOTUS nominee Judge Neil Gorsuch dodged questions about how he would rule on the administration's travel ban and said gay marriage is "absolutely settled law." But we begin today’s Beat with the burning question that was on everyone’s mind yesterday. Here’s your Wednesday read…
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