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Let's get this party started: |
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President Trump kicked off the NATO summit by airing his grievances over the lack of defense spending by allies. The key word: Trump referred to NATO allies as "delinquent." In Trump's words: "Many countries are not paying what they should. And, frankly, many countries owe us a tremendous amount of money for many years back, where they're delinquent, as far as I'm concerned, because the United States has had to pay for them." http://bit.ly/2L6Zxs2 |
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| TO PUT THE NATO SPENDING INTO CONTEXT: |
| http://bit.ly/2L7ykck |
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Putin 4 world leader: |
| President Trump slammed German leader Angela Merkel over a gas pipeline deal with Russia. In Trump's words: "If you look at it, Germany is a captive of Russia because they supply [energy]. They got rid of their coal plants. They got rid of their nuclear. They're getting so much of the oil and gas from Russia. I think it's something that NATO has to look at. I think it's very inappropriate." http://bit.ly/2ubyiX8 |
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| WHAT TRUMP IS REFERRING TO: |
| The Nord Stream 2 pipeline -- it would deliver gas from Russia to northern Germany. The deal has been criticized for giving Russia leverage over Western Europe. http://bit.ly/2ubyiX8 |
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| HOW REPUBLICANS TOOK THAT NEWS: |
| House Speaker Paul Ryan (Wis.): First, Ryan started by saying, "I subscribe to the view that we should not be criticizing our president while he's overseas." But he then added, "NATO is indispensable. It is as important today as it ever has been." http://bit.ly/2ub93nP Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch (Utah): Hatch criticized the president's comments that Germany is controlled by Russia because of gas imports. Hatch said about German Chancellor Angela Merkel: "I have really the highest opinion of her and those who are with her. I think sometimes you can be a little too critical of the other counterparts. I don't think we should be critical. She's really good." http://bit.ly/2Jd7ZVb |
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Trump's NATO notes: |
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Click to zoom in on Trump's notes --> http://bit.ly/2m8biUg |
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Chief of Staff John Kelly's facial expressions are pretty interesting in this video: |
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Watch: http://bit.ly/2zpPNbb |
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This may be a BYO-tea-and-crumpets kind of situation: |
| Via The Hill's Niall Stanage, when President Trump arrives in the United Kingdom on Thursday, he will face a hostile reception. For example: A 20-foot blimp depicting Trump as an angry baby will fly over London. Why the frosty reception: http://bit.ly/2uds8pc |
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| It's Wednesday -- we're halfway there. 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, @CateMartel and on Facebook. |
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It's a losing war, but Dems are up to the challenge: |
| Via The Hill's Alexander Bolton, Democrats have been criticizing President Trump's Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh, but realize they are not likely to stop Kavanaugh's confirmation. Dems' best hope: Focusing on abortion rights and health care. How Dems want to buy time: Citing the millions of documents they need to review from Kavanaugh before a vote. What to expect in the fight: http://bit.ly/2mbuLDQ |
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| CONSERVATIVES AND LIBERALS AGREE: |
| Conservatives and liberals both agree that Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh could shift the issue of abortion to the right, but it's still unclear how far. Kavanaugh has a sparse record on abortion cases. http://bit.ly/2zu4o5s |
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Not happening today -- not showing up for a subpoena must be a scary feeling: |
| Former FBI attorney Lisa Page will not appear on Capitol Hill for interviews today, even though she has a subpoena. From her lawyer: "Instead of responding to our requests to explain the scope of the interview and provide sufficient notice to allow her to prepare, the Committees chose to issue a subpoena. The Committees would be asking Lisa about materials she has not yet been shown. As a result, Lisa is not going to appear for an interview at this time." Read the full statement: http://bit.ly/2m6wavc |
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| REACTION FROM RYAN: |
| This morning, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said Lisa Page will be held in contempt if she continues to avoid her subpoena. http://bit.ly/2L4KMcK |
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| UPDATE — LET'S DO THIS ANOTHER DAY: |
| Lisa Page's attorney Amy Jeffress is working to find a new time for Page to meet with GOP lawmakers. Jeffress said in a statement: "She has offered to voluntarily appear before the Committees later this month. She simply needs clarification of the scope of the Committee's interest in interviewing her and access to relevant documents so that she can provide complete and accurate testimony." http://bit.ly/2NCOhFL |
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Another battle in the trade war: |
| China announced it will retaliate against the United States after the Trump administration imposed another 10 percent tariff on $200 billion of Chinese exports. Details: http://bit.ly/2LbdTYN |
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Latest with the Jim Jordan allegations -- Ryan defends him: |
| Via The Hill's Scott Wong, Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) vigorously defended Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). What's the controversy: Reports that while Jordan was a wrestling coach, a team doctor sexually abused athletes and Jordan did not report the allegations. Ryan told reporters: "Jim Jordan is a friend of mine. We haven't always agreed with each other over the years, but I've always known Jim Jordan to be a man of honesty and a man of integrity." Ryan also said: The Ethics Committee has no jurisdiction in the case because the alleged incidents happened before Jordan was a Congressman. http://bit.ly/2KQSlEr |
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New numbers -- they're just bills. Sitting on Capitol Hill.: |
| Via The Hill's Juliegrace Brufke, "The House has sent 768 bills to the Senate this Congress, and 569 of them have yet to pass the upper chamber." Who compiled the numbers: Quorum, a D.C.- based legislative analytics platform. http://bit.ly/2NJsoon |
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Dems have a shiny new rising star: |
| Via The Hill's Melanie Zanona, "Democrats are racing to figure out how to handle Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, whose primary win over a longtime incumbent is set to shake up the party's Washington establishment ... Democrats are largely thrilled to welcome the telegenic rising star to their ranks, though she is already ruffling some feathers." http://bit.ly/2JdWgW4 |
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If you're on Capitol Hill today...: |
| Via Roll Call's Alex Gangitano, there are adoptable puppies in the Rayburn House Office Building. Details: http://bit.ly/2zteaof |
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Amazing.: |
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Keep in mind: The England vs. Croatia semifinal game of the World Cup is at 2 p.m. EDT today. The winner will take on France on Sunday. https://bbc.in/2N8Gpeb |
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Wow: |
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214 years ago today: |
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| The House and Senate are in. President Trump and first lady Melania Trump are in Brussels for the NATO summit, and Vice President Pence is spending the day in Missouri and Iowa. 12:05 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence campaigns for Rep. Kevin Yoder (R-Kan.) in Kansas City, Mo. 1:10 p.m. EDT: President Trump and first lady Melania Trump take a family photo with the leaders of fellow NATO allies. 1:15 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence speaks about tax cuts in Kansas City. He then travels to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 1:45 p.m. EDT: President Trump attends a working dinner at the NATO summit. 5:15 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence speaks at Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 6 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence campaigns for Rep. Rod Blum (R-Iowa) in Cedar Rapids. He then heads back to Washington, D.C. 9:25 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence gets back to Washington, D.C. Monday: President Trump's highly anticipated meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. What to expect: https://politi.co/2unc1Vq Op-ed: http://bit.ly/2L7fX70 8 p.m. EDT Monday: The MLB Home Run Derby in Washington, D.C. Full list of All-Star events in D.C. this weekend: https://wapo.st/2ztqjcU 8 p.m. EDT Tuesday: The MLB All-Star Game at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. |
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| 1:30 p.m EDT: Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler addresses agency staff. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2NCouxr |
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| Today is National Blueberry Muffin Day. |
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This is my kind of restaurant: |
| Here's a restaurant in London that only serves chips and dip. Think: Dessert dips. Video: http://bit.ly/2KLdCzr |
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Everyone knows police officers are good dancers: |
| Texas police challenged the Norfolk Police Department in Virgnia to a lip-sync battle. Norfolk's "Uptown Funk" rendition is amazing. Watch -- especially the second half: http://bit.ly/2zuW0CD |
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For the kiddos in your life: |
| Tomorrow is Pay Your Age Day at Build-a-Bear Workshop. Details: https://usat.ly/2Lbd1U1 |
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| And to make you smile, here's a dog who is so ready to take on the rest of the day. That facial expression!: http://bit.ly/2L8pEz0 |
