Heard on the Hill
What we're hearing from people we trust on and around the Hill
SCHUMER SHUTDOWN INCOMING: Rep. Tom Cole (R., Okla.) — the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee — told the Washington Reporter ahead of tonight’s midnight deadline that we are heading to a “short shutdown.” He specifically singled out Reps. Mike Simpson (R., Idaho), Steve Womack (R., Ark.), and Chuck Fleischmann (R., Tenn.) for praise throughout the process.
TERRORIST SENTENCING: The FBI is calling the Gold Star families whose loved ones were killed during President Joe Biden’s failed Afghanistan withdrawal to let them know that they currently plan to charge Mohammad Sharifullah, one of the masterminds of the suicide attack, with no more than 40 years in prison.
COAL SUPER BOWL: The Department of Interior hosted Secretary Doug Burgum, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, Undersecretary Wells Griffith, Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R., Wyo.), Gov. Mark Mark Gordon (R., Wyo.), Sen. John Barrasso (R., Wyo.) and Rep. Julie Fedorchak (R., Wyo.) to announce a reinvigoration of America’s coal industry. During her remarks, Fedorchak compared the announcement to the “Super Bowl” for her industry.
HE IS BACK: Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that the historic “Christ on the Water” painting is being removed from the United States Merchant Marine Academy’s (USMMA) basement and being returned to where it belongs. “Burying this historic painting in the basement wasn’t just a mistake — it was an insult to the faith and legacy of service that built this Academy and our nation,” Duffy said. “By restoring ‘Christ on the Water’ to its rightful place, we sent a clear message to our midshipmen: their Christian faith is a virtue to be proud of, not something to be censored,” he added. Former Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, who represented Long Island in Congress, told the Washington Reporter following Duffy’s move that he is excited that the painting “is back at USMMA and where it belongs — [this is] a victory for faith, tradition, and American values.”
ANOTHER MARYLAND MAN: The Superintendent for Des Moines’s Public Schools — Ian Andre Roberts — is roiling the Iowa Senate race because he was here illegally. Now, he’s roiling Maryland politics. “Turns out, he is actively registered to vote in Maryland, despite being an illegal alien,” the Maryland Freedom Caucus noted.
WITH NEIGHBORS LIKE THESE: “Palestinian” activists overran the streets of Washington, D.C. during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit; last night, they used megaphones outside the White House to brag about how they planned to not let President Donald Trump sleep.
NEWEST MOST WANTED LIST: Rep. Darrell Issa (R., Calif.) announced “legislation to establish an Antifa Most Wanted List.” Issa explained that “it’s time for zero tolerance of this domestic terrorism.”
ELEVATED BLONDES TAKING OVER: Riley Pingree announced The Elevated Blonde Boutique for women at a star-studded launch party for her new fashion line. One attendee told the Washington Reporter that she was eager to attend “because this has been her dream for years and seeing it finally come to fruition makes me proud of her and all the work she has put into it.” The Midwestern attendee added that “D.C. is lacking smaller boutiques like this, whether it’s online or in person — like those you see on main streets in a majority of our home towns.” Attendees included Erika Bone, Kerrington Maggard, Kristen Doran, Ava Verzani, Wesley Baker, Kennedy Stowater, Ally Triolo, and Matthew Foldi.