Today's newsletter — edited by Glen Johnson — is 842 words, a 3-minute read.
Today's newsletter — edited by Glen Johnson — is 842 words, a 3-minute read.
Conspiracist Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is far more popular than Rep. Liz Cheney among Americans who align with the Republican Party, Axios' Margaret Talev writes based on a new Axios-SurveyMonkey poll.
Why it matters: As the House GOP caucus is being torn over calls to yank Cheney from congressional leadership for backing Donald Trump's impeachment, and strip Greene from committee assignments for her baseless conspiracy theories and violent rhetoric, these findings show how strongly Trumpism continues to define most Republicans.
By the numbers: McCarthy enjoys the highest favorable versus unfavorable ratings (net favorability) of the four among Republicans, at 38%-16% (+22); followed by Greene, at 28%-18% (+10); McConnell, at 31%-46% (-15); and Cheney, at 14%-42% (-28).
Rep. Liz Cheney. Photo: Erin Schaff/Pool/AFP
One House Republican said Wednesday's hours-long GOP caucus meeting wasn't just about Reps. Liz Cheney and Marjorie Taylor Greene but "the direction of our party," Axios' Alayna Treene writes.
Why it matters: In voting to leave Cheney in her leadership post after House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy previously announced he would let Greene remain on her committees, the party perpetuated its divisions. Retaining Cheney risks upsetting Trump Republicans, while not ousting Greene empowers Democrats who are ready to do so themselves on Thursday.
What we’re hearing: Leadership desperately wanted the party to move on from all of the infighting, which is why it worked to end the drama surrounding Cheney — who voted to impeach former President Trump — with its secret-ballot vote.
Photo illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Photo: Stefani Reynolds/Getty Images
Chuck Schumer is fast rediscovering the joys of running a 50-50 Senate: stubborn centrists, irritated base, uncooperative opposition — and virtually no margin for error, Alayna also writes.
Why it matters: This will be his reality for two years unless he blows up the filibuster. Truth is, managing a divided government is a drag unless you dispense with rules and traditions.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez during a House Financial Services Committee hearing. Photo: Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Ocasio-Cortez, who captivated millions this week with an Instagram Live monologue about her Capitol siege experience, shared her social media savvy Wednesday during a master class with her fellow Democrats, Axios' Alexi McCammond reports.
Why it matters: One of the party's best digital practitioners is trying to help the Congressional Progressive Caucus in particular become stronger, more sophisticated and prolific so it can better shape policy in the 117th Congress.
Inside the virtual room: Ocasio-Cortez acted as a creative director, of sorts, for Democratic colleagues who, by and large, are unfamiliar with how to project authenticity through social media.
Jen Psaki arrives in the press briefing room Wednesday. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
The Biden White House's ethics and transparency plans are coming into focus, with new details unveiled Wednesday about the release of staffers' personal financial information and records of White House visitors, Axios' Lachlan Markay reports.
Why it matters: The administration's disclosure efforts, while preliminary, represent a substantial improvement on those of his predecessor. Nonetheless, good-government advocates are urging the administration to do even more.
What's new: The White House is aiming to begin releasing staffers' personal financial disclosure forms on March 19, a White House spokesperson tells Axios. That's about two weeks earlier than the Trump administration.
Press secretary Jen Psaki also told reporters the White House plans to release visitor logs each quarter.
Photo: Caroline Brehman-Pool/Getty Images
Michael Regan gets a hug from his 7-year-old son, Matthew, at the conclusion of his Senate confirmation hearing to be the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
A hearse carrying the remains of U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick prepares to enter Arlington National Cemetery, the veteran's final resting place.
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