It’s a humid Wednesday in Washington, DC. If you live on the East Coast, today will be particularly wet and stormy. In today’s edition:
- A Palestinian-American doctor got up and walked away. president biden During talks regarding the war in Gaza.
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Democrats are concerned about israel-hamas war It has become an increasingly worrying political issue for Biden. And they may be right.
- Some House Republicans are trying to change Dulles’ name back to his original name. president trump. That’s right, I don’t want that airport to have my name on it either!
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Florida is restrictive abortion laws — and this gives Democrats hope of winning the state in November.
I kate martell 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.
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A Palestinian-American doctor working in Gaza in January said he got up and left during a meeting at the White House. president biden Tuesday.
Dr. Seer Ahmadtold CNN caitlan collins : “I was able to share that with the president and tell him that…we need to leave the meeting out of respect for all those who have suffered and lost their lives in the process.” wants to let them know what it feels like to walk up to a decision maker, have someone say something, and then walk away from them, not hearing their opinion, not hearing their response. I am.”
📺 Watch CNN interview with Dr. Sair Ahmad
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The Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza and the situation on the Hill is worsening Al Weaver and Alex Gangitano It is reported that Democrats are concerned that this is becoming a major political responsibility for Biden.
Political pressure: Americans are increasingly disapproving of Israel’s response to the war in Gaza, and Democrats in Congress are increasing pressure on Mr. Biden.
Recent polls:According to one survey, 55 percent of Americans do not support Israeli military action. March Gallup Poll . It has increased by 10 percentage points since November.
Warning signs are emerging: “Anger over Biden’s handling of the war is evident in the protests that follow him across the country and in the organized boycotts of polling places.”
for example: Demonstrators disrupted two campaign stops by the Biden campaign last week. And some progressives organized a campaign to tell angry Democrats to write “irresponsible” instead of voting for Biden in the primary.
Read Weaver and Gangitano’s report. “Democrats fear potential losses in Israel-Hamas war in November”
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➤ How Biden responded to Israel’s botched airstrike:
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Biden said he was “outraged and heartbroken” by the Israeli attack that killed seven humanitarian aid workers in Shehu. Jose Andres’s Nonprofit Monday.
Biden’s statement: “What is even more tragic is that this is not an isolated incident. This conflict has become one of the worst in recent memory, given the number of aid workers. A key reason why it is so difficult to distribute aid is because Israel does not adequately protect aid workers who are trying to get much-needed aid to civilians.” Read the full statement
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California billionaire don hankeyoriginal supporter president trump the Washington Post reported, has agreed to help set the former president’s $175 million bail while he appeals his New York civil fraud trial ruling.
What is the problem?: Hankey’s company charges Trump a “reasonable fee,” but did not provide details. What we know about this deal
So, what should we do? : Trump avoided asset seizure and increased fines during his appeal.
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➤ Trump then became scorched earth:
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After posting bail, Trump wept on Truth Social and slammed the judge and district attorney in the New York civil fraud case.
excerpt:“This is a fabricated election interference scandal, and it’s very bad for New York, where businesses are fleeing and violent crime is rampant,” Trump said. “The crooked judge, in keeping with his story, valued Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, at $18 million, but it was worth 50 to 100 times that amount. Before he saw the case… ruled that I was guilty.”
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Democrats are eyeing Florida as a potential pickup spot. president biden . Yes, that’s the situation!some stuff Ron DeSantis (R) as governor!
Now, The Hills Nile Stanage He pointed to two seemingly contrasting court decisions that could hint at this Florida blue wave.
first: The Florida Supreme Court upheld a 15-week abortion ban, paving the way for a six-week abortion ban to go into effect within 30 days.
Second: The court will allow Floridians to vote in November on a ballot measure that would recognize the right to abortion.
Why both of these contrasting rulings could help Democrats: Restrictive abortion laws are politically unpopular, and this policy area could motivate people to vote Democratic.
Read Stanage’s column. “Democrats’ hopes are high for a Florida surprise in November.”
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A group of House Republicans is seeking to rename Washington Dulles International Airport to its former name. President Trump.
Does this actually happen?: no. It’s unclear how much support it will have in the House, but momentum is gone once it reaches the Senate.
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It’s okay, it’s okay, it’s okay, it’s okay, it’s okay.
senate republican leader Mitch McConnell (Kentucky) ultimately supported the former president, but The Hills alexander bolton It is reported that their relationship “remains as cold as ever.”
Most Senate Republicans support Trump. With five or six notable exceptions.
*Cough Sens. mitt romney (Utah), susan collins (Maine), lisa markowski (Alaska), bill cassidy (ra) and tod young (India) Cough*
Have McConnell and Trump talked?: No, even if some of Mr. McConnell’s top senators do.
🫖 Read the tea: “The relationship between McConnell and Trump remains glacial.”
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“The strongest earthquake in a quarter of a century rocked Taiwan during Wednesday morning rush hour, killing nine people, leaving dozens of workers stranded at a quarry and causing some residents to jump from windows of damaged buildings. Ta.” (AP)
Reaction in the US:The White House is standing by to provide aid to Taiwan.
photos of the aftermath, via NPR
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🍫 Celebrate:Today is National Chocolate Mousse Day !
🚽 More public restrooms!: Ten high-tech public restrooms will be installed in Washington, D.C., this spring. (washingtonian)
🤖 So this makes sense: of wall street journal Lindsay Ellis report “Business schools are fully committed to AI.”
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The House and Senate are absent. president biden and vice president harris I’m in Washington DC (always eastern)
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- this morning: Mr. Biden spoke about reducing health care costs. 💻clock
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1:30pm: white house press secretary Karine Jean PierreBrief reporter. 💻 live stream
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