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–> A midday look at what’s going on in politics and how to have a sense of humor about it.*
*Ha. Haha. Hahah. Sniff. Haha. Sniff. Ha–break down crying hysterically.
MORNING STORY
Biden said the US would help Ukraine with F-16s, other aircraft:
President Biden told G-7 leaders during his trip to Japan that the US would support an allied effort to train Ukrainian pilots on some aircraft, including F-16s, according to the first CNN reported Friday morning.
The monthly trainings will probably not take place in the US – instead they will take place in Europe. But US personnel may join the effort, according to CNN’s sources.
It has been reported overnight that the Biden administration has signaled to European allies that F-16 fighter jets will be sent to Ukraine.
ZELESNKY ON VISIT TO THE G-7:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will appear at the G-7 summit this week.
Why this is important: Ukraine is still trying to gain support in its ongoing war with Russia. Zelensky earlier this week met with several Arab leaders to try to win their support.
It also comes as President Biden is expected to express US support for the effort in Ukraine and encourage its allies.
it’s friday (🥳), May 19. I Elizabeth Crispfilled in for Cate with a quick recap of the morning and what was to come. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here. Send me your tips, add me to your media list, share your funny animal videos and forward your white house or 2024 campaign gossip: ecrisp@thehill.com and follow me on Twitter @elizabethcrisp.
In Congress
Impeachment: Does it Matter? What do you do?:
Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene Begins to impeach many members of the Biden administration, including President Biden.
Why this is important: Greene, a far-right and controversial lawmaker, has positioned himself as a key ally of the House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), helping him to be elected third in line for the presidency after the GOP took control of the chamber this year.
Why it doesn’t matter: Although if the House took up and voted in favor of Greene’s proposal, the Senate is still controlled by Democrats, so there is no chance of conviction of Biden (just as Trump was not convicted of any of his impeachment charges under the GOP-controlled Senate) or removed from office. It could be seen as a stain on Biden’s legacy, but Greene’s controversial background could tarnish the name.
Cooking it: It could just be political theater as the federal government grapples with big issues like the debt ceiling, ethics questions and the 2024 presidential election.
🌎 In the White House
Debt ceiling collapse changes Quad’s Australia plans:
President Biden held a side meeting with the leaders of the Quad alliance — Japan, India and Australia — while in Japan for the G-7 summit because he will return to the US early amid the debt ceiling fight.
The leaders of the Quad were originally to meet next week in Australia, but the confab was postponed while Biden negotiated negotiations with House Republicans on the federal debt.
With all four leaders in Japan for the G-7, the Quad decided to hold a quick meeting there this weekend.
“Along with sharing strategic assessments, the leaders will welcome new forms of Quad cooperation in secure digital technology, submarine cables, infrastructure capacity building, and maritime domain awareness,” the White House secretary K.Jean-Pierre said in a statement, adding that Biden “looks forward to rescheduling his trip” to Australia.” (The Hill)
🏃 2024
Post-Trump Republicans are increasingly desperate to shake up the 2024 race:
former President Trump is the odds-on favorite for the 2024 GOP nomination, but a growing number of Republicans are calling 2020 so bad that it may not be their best hope for defeat. President Biden next year.
The Hill Alexander Bolton reports that Republican senators who don’t want Trump to be the GOP nominee want to shake up the race.
Many Republican senators are watching Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is expected to announce his presidential run next week, as the GOP’s best hope. DeSantis won a landslide reelection victory in 2022, and Republican candidates have won every Florida state race with him at the top of the ticket.
But, but, but... Some GOP strategists still question DeSantis as he has lost ground to Trump in the polls, with attacks on the former president and DeSantis’ own poor attacks on the broader public.
Some Republicans have even been encouraged to dip their toes into the race. Republican senators told The Hill they are withdrawing and reevaluating the presidential primary field.
“It’s too early. It’s too early, and I’m not going to let the media define who our frontrunners are,” said Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said.
Looking for new blood: Sen. Mike Rounds (SD) this week became the first Republican senator to endorse a candidate other than Trump — and it wasn’t DeSantis.
He supports South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott (R), who formally filed a bid to run on Friday.
DeSantis is usually second to Trump and easily outperforms the rest of the field in most polls.
“I think we all recognize that we have to have a consensus candidate if we’re going to win,” Rounds said.
Read more from The Hill here.
📻 In other news
Lawmakers: ‘I want my AM radio…’ 🎶 :
If you buy a new car in a few years, you may not automatically get AM radio — the feed that everyone knows has loyal radio listeners and can be important in political and emergency situations. But now some members of Congress are looking for ways to force companies to offer AM radio as a standard feature.
Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) said eight of 20 companies he recently asked confirmed plans to leave AM out of future electric vehicles.
“Automakers may not understand the importance of AM radio, but its benefits are clear to the 47 million Americans who tune in each week,” Markey said.
The Hill colleagues at NEXSTAR reported on the issue.
🐥 Awesome tweets
Sorry to the fans of ‘Indiana Jones,’ I’m included:
The man himself, Harrison Ford, is putting the kibash on talk of his possible return to the iconic Indiana Jones role when asked at the Cannes Film Fest in France this week:
“Isn’t it obvious? I need to sit down and rest for a while,” Ford told reporters.
But in accepting the Palme d’Or award, one of the top prizes in cinema, Ford honored the people he worked with throughout the years.
“I was very moved by this,” he said in an emotional speech.
(LIZ NOTES: We have lost the Ford Han Soloso this news is especially depressing to my 80s child self!)
⏱ What happened
The House is down this afternoon to wrap up some work for the week, and the Senate is off for the weekend. President Biden continued his trip to Japan, and Vice President Harris is in DC
📺 What to watch
- This morning.: press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan informed the reporters. (See playback here)
- 11 am: Chairman of the Federal Reserve Jerome Powell and former Chair Ben Bernanke began to give their opinion on inflation and the economy at a conference sponsored by the agency. (Watch via C-SPAN)
😈 In lighter news
Now is National Devil’s Food Cake Day!Treat yourself to chocolate, delicious taste without the guilt. I am the devil on your shoulder cheering you on!
BONUS: If somehow you are not aware of Well done The drama on “Vanderpump Rules” reached its peak this week and even headed to this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner, so I’ll help you catch up before we head to the three-part reunion on Bravo. (True: Let me know about your watch parties!) #TeamAriana
☕ And since you made it, let’s wrap up the week with a few more “Vanderpump Rules” Scandoval drams, featuring Queen Ariana pour some quality tea. (TODAY Show)
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