12:30 Report — Biden hosts White House meeting to avert a shutdown

It’s Tuesday. Happy Michigan Presidential Primary Election Day! Here’s what else is happening today:

• A partial federal government shutdown is becoming more likely this weekend.speaker mike johnson (R-Louisiana) is under tremendous pressure from House conservatives to include controversial policy proposals, but they are not helping negotiations.

• former president trump‘s lawyer tries to block adult film actress stormy daniels Some participants included testimony from the hush trial in March.

• president biden While buying ice cream with NBC Seth Meyerstold reporters that a ceasefire in Gaza could happen next week.

I kate martel A quick summary of this morning and what’s to come. Send tips, explanations, feedback, and cookie recipes to: cmartel@thehill.com.  Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here.

Senate Republicans don’t seem optimistic…

Given the Speaker’s situation, a partial government shutdown this weekend seems increasingly likely. mike johnson(R-Louisiana) is struggling to control a slim majority.

Why Senate Republicans are concerned: Worried that the government shutdown could be a political blowback, threatening his chances of taking back the Senate in November.

where things stand: Congressional leaders did not release text over the weekend for a bill to continue government operations after Friday. Senate Republicans were unhappy because the cap number had already been agreed upon.

Recent hold-ups: Conservatives have a list of policy demands that are slowing efforts to keep government open. include :

• Secretary of Homeland Security cuts alejandro mayorkasfull salary
• Prevent travel reimbursement for military personnel undergoing abortions
• Defund elements of the Biden administration’s climate change response.

Ah, I don’t think that proposal will pass.

Warning from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.): A partial shutdown would “face the country with unnecessary turmoil.” He also said that funding the government “requires everyone to row in the same direction, toward clean expropriation and away from poison drugs.”

^ Read between McConnell’s lines : “Mr. McConnell’s comments appear to be aimed at the House speaker and conservatives who are pushing for adding controversial policy riders to the government’s funding package, according to Senate aides familiar with the negotiations.” Other works by Alexander Bolton on The Hill

president biden Just hosted the Big 4 — Speaker mike johnson (R-Louisiana), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D.N.Y.), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D.N.Y.) — at the White House this morning to discuss spending and Ukraine funds.

president biden and host of NBC’s “Late Night.” Seth Meyers On Monday, they bought ice cream together and chatted with reporters while ordering.

🚨 Biden made news at an ice cream shop:He told reporters that a ceasefire in Gaza could begin by next week as talks continue. “My national security adviser says it’s close, it’s close, it’s not over yet,” Biden said. “We hope that a ceasefire will be reached by next Monday.” (the hill)

Watch Biden and Meyers order ice cream together

what they ordered: Biden ordered mint chip ice cream in a sugar cone. Myers ordered Honeycomb in a sugar cone.

a little information : Biden asked the cameraman if he wanted ice cream. When they signaled no, he joked, “It’s not a bribe.”

Biden and Meyers pose at an ice cream shop.

That’s a valid question. Biden appeared on NBC’s “Late Night” to commemorate Seth Meyer’s 10th anniversary as host.

In 2014: In Myers’ first show, the actress amy poehler and then vice president joe bidenI participated. So Poehler and Biden returned for the anniversary. 💻 Watch “Late Night” Reunion

a little information: During the interview, Biden said he could neither confirm nor deny any conspiracy related to his re-election campaign. Taylor Swift. “That’s classified information,” Biden said. 💬 complete before and after

former president trumpThe first criminal trial, the New York hush money case, is scheduled to begin on March 25th.

How Trump’s lawyers are preparing: On Monday, Trump’s lawyers requested that three key witnesses not testify. Read the motion on page 47

Who?:Trump’s former fixer michael coen adult film actress stormy danielsand former playboy model Karen McDougall.

Another part of this : “Trump’s lawyers also sought to suppress the infamous 2005 ‘Access Hollywood’ tape showing Trump on a hot mic degrading women, as well as evidence from his aides at the time of the alleged crimes. I asked for it. Rudy GiulianiFormer Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg”

Trump’s lawyer’s reasoning via The Hills Zach Schoenfeld and Ella Lee

Michigan voters are heading to the polls today to cast their votes in the 2024 presidential primary.hill Julia MullerWe’ve written a helpful primer on what’s to come today.

Abstract : Republican presidential candidate nikki haley We don’t have a lot of investment in Michigan, so we used to president trump Good performance is expected.and president bidenIt is hoped that it will go well.

So why should you care?: Michigan’s key results may provide useful hints at candidates’ weaknesses on Super Tuesday and in the general election.

From a local perspective: Here is the primary preview From the Detroit Free Press

Some voters are placing their votes as “uncommitted” ballots in protest. president biden Reaction to Israel’s war in Gaza. CNN commentator

“former president trump“He is well on his way to becoming the Republican presidential nominee, but this trip reveals some real obstacles on his path to taking back the White House,” The Hills reported. Brett Samuels.

Why?: “In New Hampshire, Trump’s easy victory over rival Republican Nikki Haley masked weaknesses among independents. In South Carolina, Trump defeated the former governor in his home state; His victory also put a spotlight on the majority of moderate Republicans who do not support Trump.

Important points about Haley support: “Mr. Haley did better than Mr. Trump in suburban areas, which will play a key role in November. She also did better than Mr. Trump among more moderate voters. About 40% of Haley voters. of respondents said they voted against President Trump, showing that the former president still has work to do before the general election in November.

read more: “Trump’s victory masks weaknesses in his re-election race.”

• “Russia’s interference in the 2024 election has already begun.”: NBC News
• “Haley Defiant prepares for a crushing defeat in Michigan”: wall street journal
• “Biden has never been moved by human rights. This time, it may cost him his life.”: politiko
• “Biden has been bad for the Palestinians. Trump will be even worse.”: vox
• “Biden aims to turn the tables on Trump: ‘He’s about my age.”: new york times

🍓 celebrate: Today is National Strawberry Day!

💀 oh my god: Willy Wonka experience in Glasgow, Scotland, it was cancelled After being called a “travesty” due to the warehouse’s poor decoration. 🍭 These TMZ I laugh when I look at the photos. from one of the actors hired to appear in: “At the end, I was asked to give the kids two jelly beans and a quarter cup of lemonade.”

🎬 this is too real: ‘Saturday Night Live’ cruelly mocked Republican senators who supported his predecessor president trump, even though he annoys them. 💻 Watch the clip

🚪Macy’s closes 150 stores: Macy’s announced it will close 150 “low-productivity” stores over the next three years. (the hill )

House is out. The Senate is in. president biden and vice president harrisI’m in Washington DC (always eastern)

• 12:45pm: Biden and Harris will have lunch together and then receive the president’s daily summary.

• 1:15 p.m. : State Department Spokesperson matthew millerBrief reporter. 💻 live stream

• 2 pm : White House Press Secretary Karine Jean PierreBrief reporter. 💻 live stream

• 2:15pm: 2 votes in the Senate. 🗓️ Today’s topic

• 3:30pm: Harris convenes voting rights leaders for discussion. 💻 live stream

• 5:45pm: Senate confirmation vote.