Heard on the Hill
What we're hearing from people we trust on and around the Hill
GALLEGO-MANDERING: Sen. Ruben Gallego (D., Ariz.) gave the Democrats’ game away when it comes to gerrymandering. “We should gerrymander to help Democrats,” the controversial politician tweeted, specifically citing New Mexico’s gerrymandered 2nd District as a success for his party.
WOMP WOMP: Rep. Steny Hoyer (D., Md.) shut down Democrats’ desires to gerrymander Rep. Andy Harris (R., Md.) out of office. No “rational map” could succeed, Hoyer said. Former Gov. Larry Hogan (R., Md.) successfully pushed back against Maryland Democrats’ plans for an 8-0 House map during his time in office.
FUTURE OF AI and Art: Top A.I. policy experts and award-winning digital artists descended on the latest event hosted by The Generative Series — one of Washington’s leading forums on A.I., art, and culture . Over 150 attendees enjoyed cutting edge live A.I. and art demos. Those in attendance included Cutter Hodierne, Travis Hoppe, Aalok Mehta, Nihal J. Krishan, Phil Linder, Marisela Ramirez, Matt McDonald, Kelly Chapman, Christina Sevilla, Steve Rochlin, Victoria Houed, Nick Hart, David Segal, John Hesse, Auran Shareef, Patrick Realiza, Jen Renteria, and Nina Brewton.
TRUMPING HAMAS: President Trump’s Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, laid into the Hamas terrorist organization for “clearly show[ing] a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.” Palestinian terrorists continue to hold Israeli hostages.
CRYPTO FUTURE: Amidst the Trump administration’s Crypto Week successes, crypto supporters hosted a Hill happy hour about preserving Rule 1033, a policy the Washington Reporter covered earlier this week. In attendance were senior White House staff, industry experts, and journalists.
MAZEL TOV: The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) earned a much-deserved profile in The Dispatch, which chronicles how it’s become a powerhouse under the leadership of Matt Brooks.
BEG YOUR PARDON: Former Rep. George Santos (R., N.Y.) has to turn himself in tomorrow to begin his prison sentence, which many view as excessively harsh. The former lawmaker is still hoping that President Donald Trump will pardon him, he told the Reporter.
CHEERS!: The American Beverage Association (ABA) hosted a MAHA-flavored event this week, featuring Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Sen. Ron Johnson (R., Wis.), ABA’s CEO Kevin Keane, Americans for Tax Reform’s Grover Norquist, ALEC’s president Jonathan Williams, and Unleash Prosperity and American Commitment’s Phil Kerpen. The Daily Caller’s Amber Duke, Reagan Reese, Dylan Housman, and Elijah Moorman helped make it happen. During the event, Keane announced today that beverage bottlers have built six new facilities this year to meet rising consumer demand, with more to come; he also highlighted the industry's role in driving blue collar job creation and stimulating local economies across the country.
TEAM PLAYER: Rep. Bill Huizenga (R., Mich.) cleared the way for former Rep. Mike Rogers (R., Mich.) to have a glide path to the GOP’s nomination in Michigan’s open Senate seat. Read our previous interview with Rogers here.
SOUTHERN SHIFT:Georgia’s trailblazing Insurance Commissioner, John King, announced that he will suspend his Senate campaign and will run for reelection, and not for the U.S. Senate seat, currently held by Sen. Jon Ossoff (D., Ga.).