| | | | |  | | By Bethany Irvine | | | | | | | A message from Meta: The metaverse will help students gain more hands-on experience.
Students will use augmented reality to look inside the circulatory system and see how it powers the human body—helping them gain a deeper understanding of how our bodies work.
The metaverse may be virtual, but the impact will be real.
Explore more possibilities with the metaverse. | | | SHE’S RUNNING — Rep. LISA BLUNT ROCHESTER announced this morning that she’s running for Delaware’s open Senate seat in 2024. The four-term Democrat is the overwhelming favorite to succeed Sen. TOM CARPER (D-Del.), who is retiring at the end of this term. Watch the 3:34 launch video Democrats are quickly lining up to support her bid. Senate Majority Leader CHUCK SCHUMER, speaking to reporters this morning: “I believe Lisa has everything it takes to be a really great senator, and I look forward to sitting down to discuss the campaign with her soon.” Blunt Rochester, whom Carper handpicked to be his successor, would be the first Black or female senator from the state, and the third ever Black woman to serve in the Senate. More from the Delaware News Journal’s Meredith Newman
|  Predictably, House Republicans are not eager to give Rep. Lauren Boebert’s (R-Colo.) impeachment resolution any oxygen. | Getty Images | WHAT THE HOUSE GOP WANTS TO DISCUSS — On Capitol Hill this morning, all eyes were on special counsel JOHN DURHAM as he testified about his investigation into the FBI’s probe of connections between Russia and DONALD TRUMP’s 2016 campaign. The probe, dubbed “Crossfire Hurricane,” came under sharp criticism in Durham’s report, which blasted the agency for alleged bias and a “lack of investigative discipline.” Speaking before the House Judiciary Committee, Durham defended his findings and argued that if left unaddressed, the issues he identified “could result in significant national security risks.” He also pushed back against Democrats’ repeated claims that his report was politicized. “We found troubling violations of law and policy in the conduct of highly consequential investigations, directed at members of a presidential campaign and ultimately a presidential administration,” Durham said. “To me, it matters not whether it was a Republican campaign or a Democratic campaign — it was a presidential campaign.” More from CNN’s Zachary Cohen and Marshall Cohen WHAT THEY DON’T WANT TO DISCUSS — Last night, GOP hardliner LAUREN BOEBERT (R-Colo.) made a procedural move that would force a floor vote to impeach President JOE BIDEN as soon as this week — which many Republicans fear will “turn the national focus away from allegations of a ‘weaponized’ Justice Department to a divided Republican Party at odds over ousting Biden,” as Rachael wrote this morning. Predictably, House Republicans are not eager to give Boebert’s resolution any oxygen:
- Speaker KEVIN MCCARTHY urged the GOP conference to vote against Boebert's proposal, “arguing now is not the right time,” CNN’s Haley Talbot reports.
- Rep. GARRET GRAVES (R-La.): “I think that things like impeachment are one of the most awesome powers of the Congress. It’s not something you should flippantly exercise in two days,” Sarah Ferris reports.
On the other hand …
- Rep. MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE (R-Ga.): “Of course I support [Boebert’s impeachment articles]. They’re basically a copycat of mine,” Sarah reports.
Good Wednesday afternoon. Thanks for reading Playbook PM. Drop me a line at birvine@politico.com.
| | | | STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. | | | | | THE ECONOMY FED UP — Testifying before the House Financial Services Committee this morning, Fed Chair JEROME POWELL confirmed that officials are expected to raise interest rates, noting that inflation “remains well above” the agency’s targeted 2% and that the process to lower rates “has a long way to go.” Powell also explained the Federal Reserve’s decision to pause rate hikes: “Given how far we’ve come, it may make sense to move rates higher but to do so at a more moderate pace.” More from WSJ’s Nick Timiraos THE WHITE HOUSE MODI OPERANDI — As Biden preps for a state dinner this week with Indian PM NARENDRA MODI, the White House is emphasizing uniting the countries economically. But they may have another priority in mind: working with India to counter “China’s growing military and economic influence,” WSJ’s Sabrina Siddiqui reports. Related reads: “Modi’s White House visit tests Biden’s democracy-vs.-autocracy pitch,” by WaPo’s Toluse Olorunnipa, Ellen Nakashima, Gerry Shih and Abigail Hauslohner … “The Biden-Modi relationship is built around mutual admiration of scrappy pasts and pragmatic needs,” by AP’s Aamer Madhani and Krutika Pathi FAMILY TIES — HUNTER BIDEN’s yearslong battle in the court system — culminating in the plea deal made public yesterday — highlights the complicated relationship “between a presidential father and a son recovering from addiction,” WaPo’s Matt Viser reports. “[The relationship] is one in which a son acknowledged the vast benefits that have come with his famous father’s last name — while also at times believing that if he were named Hunter Smith, he wouldn’t be targeted the way he has been.” WILD NEWS — “Biden administration moves to restore endangered species protections dropped by Trump,” by AP’s Matthew Brown 2024 WATCH MICKEY’S REVENGE — @natalie_allison: “This video being texted to voters from the pro-[RON] DeSANTIS group Never Back Down has an audio problem, so it sort of sounds like mice are talking.” TRENDWATCH — “Ron DeSantis, RFK Jr. Film Campaign Ads on Filthy San Francisco Street Corners,” by SF Standard’s Mike Ege and George Kelly
| | | | A message from Meta:   | | | TRUMP READS THE JUSTICE LEAGUE — NYT’s Jonathan Swan, Maggie Haberman, Charlie Savage and Jonathan Weisman are up with a big-picture look at Trump’s GOP rivals’ views on an independent Justice Department. Gathering comments from candidates including DeSantis, MIKE PENCE, NIKKI HALEY and CHRIS CHRISTIE, they found few who spoke directly on the issue. “Their responses reveal a party that has turned so hard against federal law enforcement that it is no longer widely considered good politics to clearly answer in the negative a question that was once uncontroversial: Do you believe presidents should get involved in the investigations and prosecutions of individuals?” CONGRESS SCHUMER’S MESSAGING PUSH — “Senate Democrats Seek to Highlight G.O.P. Opposition to Abortion Rights,” by NYT’s Annie Karni: “Senator CHUCK SCHUMER of New York, the Democratic majority leader, planned to bring to the floor four bills that would protect a woman’s right to abortion access and contraception. He is doing so under a procedure that requires unanimous consent of the Senate, meaning that an objection from a single Republican lawmaker would result in their failure. “That was the point: to put Republicans into a position where they block what Democrats described as common-sense bills that protect existing rights, and to highlight how opposition to abortion rights and related issues has become a political liability at the national level for the G.O.P.” AI ON THE BRAIN — “‘A moment of revolution’: Schumer unveils strategy to regulate AI amid dire warnings,” by NBC’s Scott Wong AMERICA AND THE WORLD DANCE OF THE SUPERPOWERS — U.S. officials tracked workers from Chinese telecom companies entering and exiting suspected spy sites in Cuba during the Trump administration, bolstering suspicion the country was spying from the island, WSJ’s Kate O’Keefe scoops. POLICY CORNER TAKING IT TO COURT — PhRMA, the nation’s top lobbying group for drugmakers, is suing the Biden administration over the White House’s program to lower drug costs in the Inflation Reduction Act, the latest in a series of corporate and political challenges to the legislation, WaPo’s Tony Romm reports. NUMBERS OF THE DAY — “Nearly 7 in 10, or 68 percent of OBGYNs, said the effects of Dobbs have made the management of pregnancy-related medical emergencies worse, while 64 percent said the ruling has worsened pregnancy-related mortality,” WaPo’s Kim Bellware reports. STATE OF PLAY — As pandemic-era benefits for businesses expire at the end of September, the child care industry could face massive disruptions, affecting millions of children across the country, NYT’s Claire Cain Miller, Alicia Parlapiano and Madeleine Ngo report. “It is a looming crisis for the industry, and could lead to tuition hikes, layoffs and closures,” the trio write. “In all, child care could be disrupted for three million children, close to a third of those in child care, according to a report released Wednesday by the Century Foundation.” LOAN LURCH — “Student Loan Pause Is Ending, With Consequences for Economy,” by NYT’s Lydia DePillis
| | | | SUBSCRIBE TO POWER SWITCH: The energy landscape is profoundly transforming. Power Switch is a daily newsletter that unlocks the most important stories driving the energy sector and the political forces shaping critical decisions about your energy future, from production to storage, distribution to consumption. Don’t miss out on Power Switch, your guide to the politics of energy transformation in America and around the world. SUBSCRIBE TODAY. | | | | | PLAYBOOKERS SPOTTED: Jen Psaki at Cafe Milano last night. OUT AND ABOUT — The National Alliance on Mental Illness and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention hosted a congressional reception yesterday to mark the upcoming one-year anniversary of the new 988 suicide and crisis lifeline. Seventeen members of Congress received champion awards. SPOTTED: Sens. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Reps. Don Beyer (D-Va.), Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.), Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.), Chris Stewart (R-Utah) and Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), Dan Gillison, Hannah Wesolowski, Laurel Stine, Emily Feltren, Craig Obey, Mary Giliberti, Krystle Canare, Ben Melano, Cynthia Whitney, Natalie Tietjen and Zainab Okolo. MEDIA MOVE — Stephanie Lai is now a White House and politics reporter at Bloomberg, covering the 2024 race. She previously was a reporting fellow for the NYT in Washington. TRANSITIONS — Jim McCarthy is now executive director of the Association of Regional Water Organizations. He is a North American Millers Association and Snack Food Association alum. … Clare Anne Ath is joining the Human Coalition as government affairs manager. She previously was a Jefferson County, W.Va., commissioner and is a National Review Institute, Charles Koch Institute and Ted Cruz alum. … Monica Medvedec is now Midwest finance director at the DNC. She previously was national finance director for Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.). ENGAGED — Adam Pearson, a senior associate at a private credit fund, proposed to Christina Thompson, a correspondent for Newsmax, on Friday night on the beach in the Turks and Caicos, after he “crashed” a trip she was taking with college friends. The couple met freshman year at Wake Forest after they were placed on the same intramural flag football team, but they didn’t start dating until their senior year. Instapics WEEKEND WEDDING — Hannah Andrews, managing director at Plus Communications, and Will Rosichan, deputy digital political director at the NRCC, got married Sunday in Olympic Valley, Calif. They met on Rep. Claudia Tenney’s (R-N.Y.) campaign in 2016, and have been together for seven years. SPOTTED: Tenney, Tim Edson, Mark Paoletta, Raychel Renna, Brett Wakeman, Ben Johnson, Kate Kelly, Nick Stewart, Spencer Carr, Zoe Aguillard and Alli Payne. Did someone forward this email to you? Sign up here. Send Playbookers tips to playbook@politico.com or text us at 202-556-3307. Playbook couldn’t happen without our editor Mike DeBonis, deputy editor Zack Stanton and producers Setota Hailemariam and Bethany Irvine.
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