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It’s Thursday. The third season of “The White Lotus” premieres on HBO Max this weekend!! 🎉In this edition:
- The Senate confirms RFK Jr.
- Elon Musk’s federal layoffs begin.
- Trump’s 90-minute Putin call sparks Ukraine questions.
- Kennedy Center exodus after Trump becomes chair.
I’m Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Send tips & feedback to cmartel@thehill.com. Someone forward this to you? Sign up.
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Meet your new HHS secretary:
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The Senate just voted to confirm President Trump’s embattled Health and Human Services (HHS) nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The vote: 52-48. Former Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) was the only Republican “no” vote. (McConnell was also the only Tulsi Gabbard “no” vote yesterday.)
What will Kennedy be in charge of?: He will oversee 13 separate agencies, including a $1.7 trillion budget (that’s more than 20 percent of the U.S.’s spending).
Tidbit: With his confirmation today, Kennedy has become Trump’s 14th confirmed Cabinet pick.
Backstory on RFK Jr.: He was a longtime Democrat who turned independent. He’s an anti-vaccine activist and has promoted false claims that link vaccines to autism. He also blames chronic diseases on ultra-processed foods, environmental toxins and chemical additives. Oh, and he wants to ban fluoride in water and increase access to raw milk. Read Nathaniel Weixel’s explainer
🗨️ Follow along in today’s live blog
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➤ PLUS, KASH PATEL ADVANCES:
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The Senate Judiciary Committee just advanced Kash Patel’s FBI director nomination in a party-line vote. That means he could head to a final Senate confirmation vote as early as next week.
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Why hash this out behind closed doors when we can all watch?:
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The House Budget Committee is working on Republicans’ plan to pass President Trump’s legislative agenda.
🚨 They reached a deal!: “Hardline conservatives and House GOP leadership struck an agreement on the conference’s budget resolution shortly before a key vote on Thursday, putting the measure on a path to advance out of committee if it holds.” (The Hill)
This was a big moment: Several conservatives were threatening to throw a wrench into the plan. As of this morning, at least six Republicans on the committee were still undecided on whether to support the budget resolution. If any more than two Republicans vote “no,” it fails.
What’s in this budget resolution?: Republicans released their long-awaited plan on Wednesday. “It outlines a $1.5 trillion floor for spending cuts across committees, $300 billion in additional spending for the border and defense, and a $4.5 trillion cap on the deficit impact of the Republicans’ plan to extend Trump’s 2017 tax cuts.” Read Mychael Schnell’s explainer
Keep in mind: House Republicans want to combine all of Trump’s legislative priorities into this one bill. However, Senate Republicans want to split it up into two bills and are working on that plan simultaneously. The White House hasn’t endorsed one plan over the other, so the competing efforts continue. Advancing the budget resolution out of committee is the House’s first step.
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Wrestling her own department to the ground:
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➤ TWO LESSER-KNOWN, CONTROVERSIAL NOMINEES:
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Republican senators are warning that two of Trump’s lesser-known national security nominees may have extra-tough confirmation battles.
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Elbridge Colby, Trump’s nominee for Defense undersecretary for policy, “is coming under criticism for advocating that the United States cut back its military posture in Europe and the Middle East to focus on the growing threat posed by China in the Indo-Pacific.”
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Darren Beattie, Trump’s pick for undersecretary of State for public diplomacy, “has voiced support for sterilization and suggested paying smart people to have more kids, according to NOTUS.”
Read more about the red flags for two of Trump’s nominees
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➤ TINA SMITH HAS HAD HER FILL:
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Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith (D) announced this morning that she will not run for reelection in 2026. She said she wants to spend more time with her family. 📹 Watch her announcement
What this means politically: It’s a solidly Democratic seat, but it’s also timed with Sen. Gary Peters’s (D-Mich.) recent announcement that he will also not seek reelection.
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Tech billionaire and Trump ally Elon Musk has begun making cuts to the federal workforce, according to The Washington Post.
What we know: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) messaged staff Wednesday to announce major layoffs. Plus, the White House is considering 30 to 40 percent budget cuts to agencies, which would mean significant cuts to staff.
How many federal employees have taken Trump’s buyout offer?: Roughly 77,000 employees, per NewsNation.
The job market is bleak for these federal workers: The Wall Street Journal reports that “companies have pulled back on white-collar hiring, limiting options for government workers.”
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Oh to be a fly on the wall during that convo …:
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President Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin for nearly 90 minutes Wednesday — and they agreed to “start negotiations immediately” to end the war in Ukraine.
What does this mean for Ukraine?: It would likely mean Ukraine would have to give up land and could not join NATO. But it’s unclear if Ukraine would agree to that.
The New York Times’s Andrew E. Kramer writes that any softening in U.S.-Russia relations “leaves Ukraine in a tough spot.”
Has Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky been involved?: Trump spoke with Zelensky after his call with Putin. Vice President Vance is expected to meet with Zelensky during his trip to Europe.
Trump’s former national security adviser slammed Trump: John Bolton said Trump had “effectively surrendered to Putin” by suggesting Ukraine be kept out of NATO.
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🧀 Celebrate: Today is National Cheddar Day and National Tortellini Day!
🕺 Well played, Will Ferrell’s son: There’s a social media trend of posting goofy videos of a person who also happens to be your emergency contact. Well, Magnus Ferrell posted a video of his dad, actor Will Ferrell, awkwardly dancing. 📹 Watch
🎭 An exodus at the Kennedy Center: Trump named himself chair of the Kennedy Center. Who’s leaving?: Television writer and producer Shonda Rhimes, musician Ben Folds and opera singer and actress Renée Fleming announced they are leaving.
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The House and Senate are in today. President Trump is in Washington. (all times Eastern)
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- 1 p.m.: Trump signs executive orders.
- 4 p.m.: Trump meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Oval Office.
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5:10 p.m.: Trump and Modi hold a joint press conference. 💻 Livestream
- 5:40 p.m.: Trump and Modi have dinner together in the State Dining Room.
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