THE SHOW NOTES: Blaming Republicans For The Debt Ceiling
Welcome! The US reached its debt limit earlier today.
NEW: Biden's approval at 40%, near lowest of his presidency - Reuters
HEADLINE: FBI offers $25K reward for info on pro-life pregnancy center attacks, vandalism - Fox News
Go read this: It’s Time to Get Serious - The Free Press
SENATE: 2024 Senate map is a GOP dream. But candidate strength is unsettled. - The Washington Post (paywall)
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Clip of the day:
Bonus clip:
Explained: The Debt Ceiling
The United States borrowing limit of $31.4 trillion was hit earlier today. The Treasury Department can “move things around” to make interest payments until June when Joe Biden and Congress would need to agree on a package to raise the debt ceiling.
What is happening: Joe Biden’s refusal to negotiate with Republicans over the debt ceiling has not stopped Joe Manchin from looking for a bipartisan path forward. In Davos, Manchin said, "We're $31.4 trillion in public debt right now and all we're saying is, should we not make sure that we all recognize how we got there, how we prevent from going further?"
What’s not happening: Axios said this morning, “House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has a tenuous hold on a GOP caucus dominated by Republicans who reject the normal mechanics of governing.” Wrong. The 20 Republicans who held up McCarthy’s nomination were fighting for the return to normal mechanics of governing instead of top-down leadership-induced authoritarianism. This means that the bill to raise the debt ceiling will need to be drafted, put through a committee, negotiated, and voted on. In other words, how the founders intended it to work.
Ivan Provorov
Ivan Provorov is a defenseman for the Philadelphia Flyers who refused to wear a rainbow jersey in support of pride-night. When pressed on the issue, Provorov said "I respect everybody and I respect everybody’s choices," but he wanted to “stay true to myself and my religion.” The media reaction was predictable.
ESPN: Greg Wyshynski claimed it was a double standard for Provorov to wear the military jersey but not the gay-pride jersey. “Of course, Ivan Provorov is more than happy to play pregame dress-up when it does align with his belief system.”
NHL Network: Clay Travis shared an NHL analyst suggesting Provorov go back to Russia where he will feel more comfortable fighting against Ukraine. Watch:
Biden 2024?
Joe Biden’s team will not announce their reelection plans before his State of the Union next month. Sources told NBC that Biden has not made a decision yet. Here’s more:
Biden’s own health, and that of the first lady, Dr. Jill Biden, who recently underwent surgery to treat skin cancer, is one final unspoken variable that could impact the timeline. The White House has promised that Biden would undergo a second full physical evaluation as president soon, with a detailed readout to follow from his physician.
Americans For Prosperity
My friends at Americans for Prosperity hate dysfunctional government almost as much as I do. Unlike think tanks that produce esoteric term papers, Americans for Prosperity is focused on policy solutions that will directly improve people’s lives. They have the largest network of community activists in the country and need your help. Learn more at AmericansForProsperity.org/Erick
The rest of the news:
George Santos says his mom was in the World Trade Center on 9/11. Records show she wasn’t in the U.S. - CNBC
New Zealand leader Jacinda Ardern announces shock resignation before upcoming election - CNN
"We won't shy away": Mayors are shaming gunmakers - Axios
Meet House Oversight’s new brawlers - Politico
Record High in U.S. Put Off Medical Care Due to Cost in 2022 - Gallup
Biden world giddy at MTG, Gosar, and Boebert being placed on Oversight - Politico
GOP Rep. Steube falls 25 feet off ladder but injuries 'not life threatening' - NBC
Georgia State Patrol trooper shot during raid to remove 'forest defenders,' shooter killed by police - Hot Air
Facebook, Instagram will lift ban on bare breasts — but only for trans, non-binary - NY Post
Putin ally warns NATO of nuclear war if Russia is defeated in Ukraine - Yahoo
Robert Hur Leaves NFL Behind to Take On Special Counsel Role - WSJ (paywall)
White House Turns a Blind Eye to Iran’s Surging Oil Sales - Bloomberg (paywall)
Tweets that caught my eye: