Axios

Republican House Intelligence Committee members announced Monday that they've found no evidence of collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign, reports The New York Times.

Why it matters: The investigation by the committee ends "even as new evidence has emerged that the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, is pursuing new lines of inquiry," the NYT says, and gives Republicans "a convenient talking point even before Mr. Mueller interviews the president and possibly other key witnesses."

Iowa State Senator and Majority Leader Bill Dix has resigned after a video that appears to show Dix kissing a statehouse lobbyist in a Des Moines bar, was posted to the Iowa Starting Line.

"I believe he made the right decision for himself and for his district, but most importantly, I believe he made the decision in the best interest of his family."

Why it matters: The video poses a potential conflict of interest, as a lobbyist could attempt to influence the married majority leader on matters of public policy. The party plans to hold an election for his replacement on Wednesday.

The Houston Astros, winners of last year's World Series, visited the White House today for a traditional championship visit. Their stop comes after the Golden State Warriors, the NBA's reigning champions, declined to participate in the traditional photo-op with President Trump last month.

One Trump quote: "What a team... our Yankees were as tough as anybody but you guys were just a little tougher."

Democrat Conor Lamb currently has a 6-point edge over Republican Rick Saccone — 51% to 45% — ahead of Tuesday's special election in Pennsylvania's 18th Congressional District, according to a new Monmouth University poll that forecasts turnout similar to other special elections this year. The results are a flip from last month's poll, where Saccone led Lamb 49% to 46%.

 “This district has voted overwhelmingly Republican in recent elections, but a large number of these voters have blue-collar Democratic roots. Lamb seems to have connected with them.”

Consumer Technology Association chief Gary Shapiro said that the Trump Administration is going “in the right direction” when it comes to immigration, during a panel discussion at the South by Southwest festival in Austin.

Why it matters: Trump immigration have not been well received by many in tech, which features large numbers of foreign-born tech employees and entrepreneurs. But Shapiro's comments show there is not unanimity.

Adult film actress Stephanie Clifford — aka Stormy Daniels — sent a letter to President Trump's lawyer, Michael Cohen, offering to return the $130,000 she was paid promising her silence, in order to legally talk about the alleged affair between her and Trump in 2006, reports the New York Times.

What's next: Clifford's lawyer set a deadline of noon tomorrow for Cohen to respond. If Trump accepts the offer, Clifford's team will wire the money by Friday and she would no longer have to stay silent on her alleged relationship with Trump.

Axios' Mike Allen hosted one-on-one conversations with Vice President Mike Pence and Senator Amy Klobuchar [D-MN] on Valentine's Day as part of our News Shapers series.

Why it mattered: They discussed the biggest news of the day, digging into immigration, the techlash, North Korea, Russian election interference and Rob Porter's resignation.

Why it matters: That isn't exactly true.

Go deeper:

• Klobuchar: Fighting Russian interference is Trump's "obligation"
• Highlights from our interview with Mike Pence
• Mike Pence blasts ABC host for mocking his faith
• Pence on North Korea: Nothing changes until they abandon nukes

Thank you Bank of America for sponsoring this event.

"Very strong improvement and strengthening of background checks will be fully backed by White House. Legislation moving forward. Bump Stocks will soon be out. Highly trained expert teachers will be allowed to conceal carry, subject to State Law. Armed guards OK, deterrent!... On 18 to 21 Age Limits, watching court cases and rulings before acting. States are making this decision. Things are moving rapidly on this, but not much political support (to put it mildly). ... If schools are mandated to be gun free zones, violence and danger are given an open invitation to enter. Almost all school shootings are in gun free zones. Cowards will only go where there is no deterrent!"

Background: The White House said in a conference call on Sunday that the president will delegate the examination of age limits to a commission chaired by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. The state of Florida is facing an NRA challenge over its just-signed legislation raising the age to buy a firearm to 21.

Ivanka Trump "has privately said she was naive when she first came to Washington ... unprepared for the palace infighting," the WashPost's Ashley Parker and Phil Rucker write in a front-pager.

And now: "By many accounts, her trip to South Korea [for the Olympics] was a success and arguably helped lay the groundwork for her father’s surprise decision Thursday to talk with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un."

"The Trump administration is putting the finishing touches on its long-awaited Middle East peace plan ... and President Trump is likely to present it soon, despite risking swift rejection by the Palestinians," the N.Y. Times' Mark Landler writes.

The bottom line: "[T]he most immediate challenge for the White House is how to roll it out so that it is not proclaimed dead on arrival. The Palestinians remain furious over the president’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel ... The administration is considering simply revealing the document, in the hopes that it will pressure the Palestinians."

Michael Gerson, syndicated columnist and former top aide to George W. Bush, writes the cover story of the next issue of The Atlantic, "The Last Temptation ... How evangelicals ... became an anxious minority seeking political protection from the least traditionally religious president in living memory."

Why it matters: "It is difficult to see something you so deeply value discredited so comprehensively. Evangelical faith has shaped my life, as it has the lives of millions. Evangelical history has provided me with models of conscience. Evangelical institutions have given me gifts of learning and purpose. Evangelical friends have shared my joys and sorrows. And now the very word is brought into needless disrepute."