Heard on the Hill
What we're hearing from people we trust on and around the Hill
HE’S NOT SPARTACUS: Multiple Senate Republicans mocked Sen. Cory Booker (D., N.J.) at the Republican Senators Lunch today, laughing at his lengthy speech, and asking whether the left would take his antics seriously.
SCALP TREATMENT: Kid Rock joined President Trump in the Oval Office for the signing of an executive order that is cracking down on ticket scalpers. Trump got immediate backup from groups like LiveNation, whose CEO Michael Rapino praised Trump. “Scalpers and bots prevent fans from getting tickets at the prices artists set, which is why we support any meaningful resale reforms — including more enforcement of the BOTS act, caps on resale prices, and more,” he said.
HOT POLLS, COLD WEATHER: Voters in Wisconsin and Florida are heading to the polls for a series of important elections. In Wisconsin, the state’s former attorney general, Brad Schimel, is running to flip the state’s Supreme Court. Read an op-ed Schimel published with us about President Joe Biden’s lawless last-minute pardons here. Democratic megadonors have spent tens of millions of dollars against Schimel, as we’ve covered here.
ROUND TWO?: One former Democratic congresswoman who lost in 2024 is gearing up for a rematch against the Republican who defeated her, we’re told. Watch this space for more information soon.
BEATDOWN WITH RECEIPTS: Rep. Darrell Issa (R., Calif.) took Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D., Texas) to task during a hearing about rogue judges, noting that when “AOC filed articles of impeachment on Justices Thomas and Alito, Ms. Crockett was one of the co-sponsors...It does seem interesting that when the shoe is on the other foot everyone is self-righteous.” Following the hearing, Issa remarked that “when you deal with Democrats, you bring the receipts.”
SWING AND A MISS: Gov. Tim Walz (D., Minn.) wished the Minnesota Twins a successful 2025 season, predicting that the team will go “162-0.” The Twins have yet to win a game since his tweet.
CHINA CRACKDOWN: The House Oversight Committee is doing a hearing next week on Chinese illicit products and the FDA.
POTENTIAL BUYER?: The Trump administration is meeting with Oracle to discuss the deal to purchase TikTok. The deadline is Saturday.