Imagine a former president of the United States making a “speech” that uses the word “beautiful” to describe the bloodiest battle of the Civil War that left 50,000 dead, injured, or captured soldiers. Donald Trump’s word salad took place over the weekend when he addressed a MAGA rally and mentioned the 1863 battle of Gettysburg: “Gettysburg, what an unbelievable battle that was. It was so much, and so interesting, and so vicious and horrible, and so beautiful in so many different ways—it represented such a big portion of the success of this country. . . . Gettysburg, wow—I go to Gettysburg, P ..read more

THURSDAY, APRIL 18TH On Thursday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business. First and last votes expected: 10:15 a.m. Legislation Considered Pursuant to a Rule: H. Res. 1143 – Condemning Iran’s unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel (Sponsored by Rep. Kean / Foreign Affairs Committee) The post U.S. House Schedule for Thursday, April 18, 2024 first appeared on Bearing Drift ..read more

Welcome to the Thursday, April 18, Daily Brew by Mercedes Yanora: Sixth state bans RCV. Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Kentucky is sixth state to ban ranked-choice voting (RCV), Missouri voters may decide on amendment to prohibit RCV Incumbent William Timmons (R) and Adam Morgan (R) are running in the Republican primary for South Carolina’s 4th Congressional District Learn what the REINS Act is in the latest episode of On the Ballot, our weekly podcast Grab your coffee and get caught up with the Brew. The post Ballotpedia’s Daily Brew for Thursday, April 18 ..read more

On Monday, in a Manhattan courtroom, history was made. For the first time ever, a former American President went on trial for alleged criminal offenses. Of course, the former President is Donald Trump, who is no stranger to the courtroom. Over the past year, Trump has spent considerable time in a courtroom, but up until now his alleged offenses have been embodied in civil lawsuits, not criminal prosecutions. That changed yesterday, with Trump going on trial for alleged criminal offenses – felonies, which could result in his imprisonment. The charge is allegedly making illegal payments to forme ..read more

Welcome to the Tuesday, April 16, Daily Brew by Andrew Kronaizl: More than 40% of recall efforts this year have focused on city council members. Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: More than 40% of recall efforts this year have focused on city council members Four candidates are running in the Democratic primary for Maryland’s 5th Congressional District Fifty members of Congress have announced they will not seek re-election this year—more than at this point in 2020, but less than in 2022 and 2018 Grab your coffee and get caught up with the Brew. The post Ballotpedia’s ..read more

With less than seven months to go before E-Day and nine before Inauguration 2025, many of Trump’s economic advisors are dropping hints as to their plans should he return to power. It might surprise one to learn that that party which has spend the last three years railing about higher prices is planning to supercharge inflation (Politico). Economic advisers close to former President Donald Trump are actively debating ways to devalue the U.S. dollar if he’s elected to a second term — a dramatic move that could boost U.S. exports but also reignite inflation and threaten the dollar’s position as ..read more

Welcome to the Monday, April 15, Daily Brew by Briana Ryan: Indiana’s Republican gubernatorial primary election is the most expensive in the state’s history. Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Indiana’s Republican gubernatorial primary election is the most expensive primary in the state’s history Nebraska state Sen. Mike McDonnell switches party affiliation from Democrat to Republican 3.1% of state legislative incumbents who ran for re-election have lost in primaries Grab your coffee and get caught up with the Brew. The post Ballotpedia’s Daily Brew for Monday, April ..read more

My first instinct upon hearing that Senator JD Vance (R-OH) had an op-ed in the New York Times opposing further aid to Ukraine was to ignore it. After all, Vance has made his hostility to Ukraine’s self-defense well known for a while now. I have come to the realization that was a mistake. Vance’s column suffered no loss in attention from my refusal to engage; The Hill quickly spread the word. Moreover, his arguments had several flaws that need addressing. Nick Grossman from Arc Digital does a decent job taking Vance’s arguments apart. In particular… Vance insists Ukraine needs more in ma ..read more

U.S. Senator Tim Kaine will Zoom with Virginia FREE on Friday April 26th at 4pm. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THAT EXCLUSIVE EVENT. *** This week’s column: Life has taught me a lot of lessons and most of them have been Basic programming. Do you remember Basic? You know – if then go to. If this happens then go to this. If you place your hand on something hot then you remove the hand. Thanks, brain. Many other lessons are learned from the teachings of…Others. Of the many lessons I have learned from Others, this one is one of most memorable: Never Fry Bacon in the Nude. Now, it seems obvious a ..read more

Why in the world would Governor Youngkin pick this fight? The abortion issue is already hurting Republicans, and this will only make it worse: Youngkin amendment would end state funding for fetal anomaly abortions (Richmond Times-Dispatch). And what is the fight over? Whether Virginia’s Medicaid program should pay for a very limited number of abortion procedures for poor women whose pregnancies are complicated by “gross fetal anomalies.” Current state law allows state funding for the termination of pregnancies with severe fetal diagnoses like anencephaly, a birth defect where a baby is born wi ..read more