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--> A midday take on what's happening in politics and how to have a sense of humor about it.*
*Ha. Haha. Hahah. Sniff. Haha. Sniff. Ha--breaks down crying hysterically.
The Hill’s 12:30 Report: Biden changes decades-long position on abortion funding | US economy adds a weak 75k jobs in May | US-Mexico trade talks continue | Monday’s tariffs could be delayed | Uber helicopter launching in July | Capital Pride Festival events, road closures | National Doughnut Day deals
TALK OF THE MORNING
Don’t Hyde your feelings:
Just one day after former Vice President Joe Biden
Joe BidenTrump says lawmakers should censure Schiff Schiff says committees will eventually make impeachment inquiry transcripts public Trump threat lacks teeth to block impeachment witnesses MORE reaffirmed his decades-long support for a band on federal funding for abortions — the Hyde Amendment — he changed his mind.
Biden said last night: "If I believe health care is a right, as I do, I can no longer support an amendment that makes that right dependent on someone's ZIP code … I can't justify leaving millions of women without the access to care they need, and the ability to exercise their constitutionally protected right.”
Watch Biden’s comments: http://bit.ly/2wGqUDR
Some context: Just two days ago, Biden reaffirmed his support for the Hyde amendment. https://nbcnews.to/2wFrPnV
Reaction from Planned Parenthood CEO Leana Wen: "Happy to see Joe Biden embrace what we have long known to be true: Hyde blocks people—particularly women of color and women with low incomes—from accessing safe, legal abortion care.” http://bit.ly/2K373Y7
WHY BIDEN’S QUICK REVERSAL IS IMPORTANT:
HOW DEMOCRATS ARE PREPARING FOR THE JUNE 26–27 DEBATES:
Via The Hill’s Niall Stanage, “Democratic presidential candidates are ramping up their media appearances, pumping out policy proposals and sharpening attacks on their rivals as two critical moments loom.” How so: http://bit.ly/2IDY3px
It’s Friday! Vice President Pence turns 60 years old today. Happy Birthday! I’m Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Send comments, story ideas and events for our radar to cmartel@thehill.com — and follow along on Twitter @CateMartel and Facebook.
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NEWS THIS MORNING
May June be better:
The U.S. economy added 75,000 jobs in May, falling extremely short of expectations. http://bit.ly/2EXGIXv
For context: Economists expected around 185,000 jobs added in May after more than 200,000 jobs were added in April.
The unemployment rate: Stayed at 3.6 percent.
Labor force participation: Stayed at 62,8 percent.
Updates to March and April jobs’ numbers: “The Labor Department also revised down March’s gain from 189,000 to 153,000 jobs, and April’s gain from 263,000 to 224,000 jobs. The revision shave 75,000 jobs off the books for 2019.”
The good news: “The jobs report included one bright spot: A broader measure of unemployment that includes people wanting to work but not seeking a job fell to a decade low of 7.1 percent.”
WHY THIS REPORT STRENGTHENS THE CASE TO CUT INTEREST RATES:
Via USA Today’s Paul Davidson: http://bit.ly/2MBSCwm
Yikes, that was a close call:
“A Russian destroyer nearly collided with an American guided-missile cruiser in the Philippine Sea, the U.S. Navy said on Friday, calling the incident ‘unsafe and unprofessional.’ The Russian Pacific Fleet, meanwhile, blamed the U.S. for the close encounter.”
The Navy released video of the incident — watch: Yikes. http://bit.ly/2K4ia3g
IN THE WHITE HOUSE
I don’t want to jinx anything, but the Mexico tariffs ~could~ be delayed:
Via The Hill’s Jordan Fabian, “The White House is moving ahead with plans to impose tariffs against Mexico in response to a surge in illegal migration, but President Trump
Donald John TrumpGOP congressman slams Trump over report that U.S. bombed former anti-ISIS coalition headquarters US to restore 'targeted assistance' to Central American countries after migration deal Trump says lawmakers should censure Schiff MORE could decide over the weekend to delay them, a senior administration official said Friday.” http://bit.ly/2I15XKn
What changed: Negotiations and deliberations are ongoing.
If nothing changes, when the tariffs are expected to take effect: Monday, June 10
Op-ed: http://bit.ly/2MuatVN
SIX TAKEAWAYS FROM TRUMP’S TRIP TO EUROPE:
IN OTHER NEWS
You can request an Uber helicopter starting on July 9:
Via The New York Times’s Shivani Vora, “Uber Copter to Offer Flights From Lower Manhattan to J.F.K.: For an 8-minute, one-way flight, the average ride will cost between $200 and $225 per person and include private ground transportation on both ends of the trip.” The full story: https://nyti.ms/2Mws5k3
NOTABLE TWEETS:
Trending — This letter a kid wrote to get out of school is laugh-out-loud funny:
Hyperlink http://bit.ly/2MvgMZf
Getting traction:
Watch: http://bit.ly/2ZcBRJu
ON TAP
The House and Senate are out.
President Trump is returning from his trip.
Vice President Pence has no public events on his schedule.
4:45 p.m. EDT: President Trump and first lady Melania Trump
Melania TrumpMelania Trump breaks ground on new White House tennis pavilion Overnight Health Care — Presented by Coalition Against Surprise Medical Billing — Buttigieg unveils aggressive plan to lower drug prices | Supreme Court abortion case poses major test for Trump picks | Trump takes heat from right over vaping crackdown Kroger to stop sales of e-cigarettes at stores MORE get back to the White House after their trip to England, Ireland and France.
June 11: The Hill is hosting an event titled "Affordable Housing & the American Dream." Featured speakers: Reps. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) and Steve Stivers
Steven (Steve) Ernst StiversFinancial sector's work on SAFE Banking Act shows together, everyone achieves more GOP ratchets up 2020 attacks as impeachment storm grows Let's improve state and federal regulation of bank vendors MORE (R-Ohio). Details and how to RSVP: http://bit.ly/2WpEj1N
June 25: The Hill is hosting an event at the Newseum to discuss "Cost, Quality and Care: The Medicare Equation." Featured speakers: Reps. Brett Guthrie
Steven (Brett) Brett GuthrieHillicon Valley: Tech grapples with California 'gig economy' law | FCC to investigate Sprint over millions in subsidies | House bill aims to protect telecom networks | Google wins EU fight over 'right to be forgotten' | 27 nations sign cyber rules pact House bill aims to secure telecom networks against foreign interference Overnight Health Care — Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids — Poll finds Trump vulnerable on health care in battleground states | HHS must respond to petition on abortion referral ban by Thursday | Wyden presses health officials about CBD regulations MORE (R-Ky.) and Doris Matsui
Doris Okada MatsuiBlood cancer patients deserve equal access to the cure Hillicon Valley: Tech grapples with California 'gig economy' law | FCC to investigate Sprint over millions in subsidies | House bill aims to protect telecom networks | Google wins EU fight over 'right to be forgotten' | 27 nations sign cyber rules pact House bill aims to secure telecom networks against foreign interference MORE (D-Calif.). Details and how to RSVP: http://bit.ly/2WJsnYC
WHAT TO WATCH
This morning: Attorney General William Barr
William Pelham BarrMatthew Shepard's parents blast Barr's LGBTQ record in anniversary of hate crime law Trump denies knowledge of Barr meeting in Italy, says it would be appropriate Mulvaney helped organize controversial Ukraine meeting MORE spoke at the FBI National Academy graduation in Quantico, Va. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2XvyWvh
8:20 p.m. EDT: Sen. Bernie Sanders
Bernie SandersOvernight Health Care — Presented by National Taxpayers Union — House Dems change drug pricing bill to address progressive concerns | Top Republican rejects Dem proposal on surprise medical bills | Vaping group launches Fox News ad blitz Democrats have reason to worry after the last presidential debate Krystal Ball on Sanders debate performance: 'He absolutely hit it out of the park' MORE (I-Vt.) participates in “The Political Party Live!” podcast in Iowa. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2wDuUoE
NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...
Today is National Doughnut Day! Here’s a list of where to get free doughnuts today: http://bit.ly/2KwdQJg
Oh, Canada — I’m cryinnng:
“Jimmy Kimmel
James (Jimmy) Christian KimmelHillary and Chelsea Clinton propel Colbert's 'Late Show' to record high Monday rating Biden to attend fundraiser at home of Paramount CEO Biden: Last 48 hours have been '18 out of 10' on outlandish scale MORE Live!” asked Toronto Raptors fans to trash their NBA finals rival, the Golden State Warriors. Watch — this is so Canadian: http://bit.ly/2K2n6FF
Get out your rainbows!:
The Capital Pride Festival is happening in Washington, D.C., this weekend.
Where to celebrate in D.C.: Washingtonian has a helpful list of “food and drink specials, drag brunches, pool parties, and more.” The list: http://bit.ly/2ZdaejG
Here’s a list of road closures: http://bit.ly/31bJRfP
And because you made it this far, here’s a six-month-old puppy learning to walk down stairs. So cute: http://bit.ly/2XD5dk8
“My six-month-old puppy learned how to walk down the stairs by watching her brother. Her brother only has three legs.”
