Why it matters: Scalise's nomination may have placated Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and other hardliners who led the charge against former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). But new holdouts — including some not-so-usual suspects — are suddenly complicating Scalise's path to the gavel.
The House is holding off on a vote to elect a new speaker as a small but persistent group of Republicans refuses to throw their support behind Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.).
Why it matters: The delay means another day without a permanent speaker as lawmakers in both parties grow increasingly anxious to get back to critical legislation funding the government and supporting Israel.
The U.S. State Department raised its advisory for Israel on Wednesday to "Level 3 — Reconsider Travel" due to the war with Hamas.
The big picture: The State Department said in a separate online post that it was "exploring contract options to facilitate U.S. citizen travel to nearby countries, and will provide updates to U.S. citizens who have registered via our online form."
President Biden said in a meeting with the leaders of the Jewish organizations in the U.S. on Wednesday that the U.S. has "made it clear" to Iran that it should "be careful" and not intervene in the war between Israel and Hamas.
Why it matters: Biden in his previous public comments has warned "against any other party hostile to Israel seeking advantage" of the situation in Israel and Gaza, but until Wednesday, hadn't specifically mentioned Iran.
Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) said he voted "present" during the GOP's internal speaker nomination poll because neither House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) nor Rep Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) would clearly say if they believe the 2020 election was legitimate.
Why it matters: Though Scalise ultimately won the Republican Party's nomination, he may fail to get the 217 votes needed to clinch the gavel if he can't win over holdout lawmakers like Buck.
The White House issued a blistering response to Vladimir Putin's claim that U.S. policy is to blame for the Hamas attack, saying the Russian president "has no credibility when it comes to the loss of innocent life."
What they're saying: "That fact is reinforced by Russia's sickening failure to condemn Hamas' abhorrent attack, as well as their dishonest attempt to 'both sides' this tragedy," White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates told Axios in an exclusive statement.
The Republican National Committee plans to recruit and train tens of thousands of poll workers and watchers in battleground states for the 2024 election.
Why it matters: It's part of the RNC's push to mobilize on-the-ground "election integrity directors" in crucial states ahead of the 2024 election.
House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) offered to nominate Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) during the House speaker vote after Scalise won the GOP's nomination on Wednesday.
Why it matters: Scalise prevailed over Jordan in the internal GOP vote, but a handful of lawmakers emerged voicing plans to back other candidates on the floor, putting Scalise's odds of securing the position in jeopardy.
All six Senate Democrats up for re-election in competitive states have joined Republicans in calling for President Biden to re-freeze $6 billion in Iranian assets made available as part of a U.S. prisoner exchange last month.
Why it matters: While Biden has won praise for his "unequivocal" support for Israel in the wake of the Hamas attacks, some Republicans argue his policies have emboldened Iran, which helps fund the Palestinian militant group and other proxies throughout the region.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) won the GOP nomination for speaker of the House on Wednesday, setting the stage for a floor vote that will require him to secure 217 votes.
Why it matters: Scalise defeated House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) on a 113-99 vote after days of the candidates working to rally the conference's support following the ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).
Why it matters: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) proposed a new rule Wednesday to ban the use of "bogus" fees, the latest action in a wider crackdown on the hidden costs that set consumers back "tens of billions of dollars" annually, per an FTC press release.
House Republicans walked away from a Wednesday briefing on Israel sharply scrutinizing the Biden administration on Iran, military aid, evacuating Americans and more.
Why it matters: It's an early sign of cracks in the relative bipartisan unity after Hamas' attack on Israel over the weekend.
The House GOP rejected a push on Wednesday to increase the number of votes required to select a speaker nominee.
Why it matters: Proponents of the change argued it would help the conference avoid another 15 rounds of speaker votes on the House floor like in January — but other Republicans said it would create more chaos and could lead to a lengthy gridlock behind closed doors.
House Education and Workforce Chair Virginia Foxx has raised concerns about workplace safety at the White House following a series of biting incidents involving the Biden family dog, Commander.
Why it matters: In a letter to President Biden and acting Labor Secretary Julie Su Wednesday, Foxx said that the White House was "failing to uphold" its responsibility to ensure workplace safety and health for its workers.
The class of 2023 had the worst ACT performance in more than three decades, according to newly released data from the nonprofit that administers the college admissions test.
Why it matters: The scores are the latest indication of the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on education, with academic performance and test scores declining at all levels. The 2023 cohort was in its first year of high school when the pandemic began.
Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) on Wednesday brushed off the 10 new charges filed against him, saying he is innocent and will "fight until the bitter end."
Why it matters: Santos' new comments indicate that the embattled representative plans to hang on to his seat, despite increasing pressure to leave office.
Lawmakers in both parties are looking to Israel aid as a potential vehicle to pass other emergency spending packages — even as some Republicans warn the effort could be a non-starter.
Why it matters: Providing military assistance to Israel is broadly popular in Congress, and the funding has been given top priority after Hamas' surprise attack.
The American schools achieving the best results for kids are run by the Pentagon.
The big picture: Last year, these schools' students outperformed every other American distract in reading and math, the New York Times' Sarah Mervosh writes.
House Democrats’ long-simmering divisions over Israel are bubbling to the surface in the aftermath of Hamas' attacks on Israeli civilians.
Why it matters: The overwhelmingly pro-Israel Democratic Caucus tends to tolerate the high-profile, left-wing "Squad," which generally is more sympathetic to the Palestinian cause — but Squad members' comments about the attacks have sparked a swift internal backlash.
A U.S. Navy sailor arrested on national security charges pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiring with a Chinese intelligence officer and receiving a bribe, the Department of Justice announced.
Driving the news: Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao, 26, of Monterey Park, California, originally pleaded not guilty. But he admitted on Tuesday that he had "engaged in a corrupt scheme to collect and transmit sensitive U.S. military information to the intelligence officer in violation of his official duties," per a DOJ statement.
Lawmakers in North Carolina's Republican-majority legislature voted Tuesday to override Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's veto on election laws, which took immediate effect as a consequence.
State of play: Moments later, the Democratic National Committee and the North Carolina Democratic Party filed a lawsuit challenging Senate Bill 747, which the suit states is "designed to undermine the right to vote in North Carolina."
Multiple members emerged from the House GOP's speaker forum on Tuesday saying they don't see either candidate being any closer to having the votes needed to secure the gavel on the floor.
Driving the news: "No one is close to 217," Rep. Kat Cammack (R-Fla.) said after Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La) and Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) pitched members on why they believe they should be the next speaker.
The first plane carrying U.S. weaponry arrived at Israel's Nevatim Airbase on Tuesday, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Daniel Hagari said.
Details: Hagari said the ammunition would "enable significant strikes and preparations for additional scenarios" as Israeli forces prepare for a wide-ranging offensive against Hamas following the militant group's surprise air, land and sea attack Saturday.
Why it matters: Biden's address — carried live by all major news networks —was perhaps the most powerful statement of support for Israel by a sitting U.S. president since Harry Truman recognized the Jewish state in 1948.
