Friday, June 23, 2017

The big blue problem

Senate health bill ... Nancy Pelosi ... Trump tweets ... Philando Castile ... Bill Cosby

Friday, June 23, 2017

It's the first official weekend of summer, so treat yourself by taking a few days off from thinking about the health care bill. But not quite yet! Here's what you need to know to Get Up to Speed and Out the Door.

By AJ Willingham.

Editor's Note: We messed up. The first item in Thursday's newsletter misidentified the program the Senate health care bill could dramatically change. It is Medicaid. Thank you to all of the sharp readers who caught this.

1. Health care

We finally got a peek at the health care bill that GOP senators have been guarding so closely and, well, it's not really surprising. Like the House bill, it repeals the individual mandate and drastically cuts back on federal support of Medicaid, which would likely force states to shrink their programs, meaning people would lose coverage. But it also adds money to stabilize Obamacare in the meantime.

Alas, you cannot please everyone, and four GOP senators have already said they will not vote for the bill as it currently stands. (It goes without saying that Dems, including the father of Obamacare himself, hate it.) Now, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is working to get 50 "yes" votes (the GOP caucus has 52 members, plus veep Mike Pence as a tie-breaker); he's aiming for a vote before the July 4 recess.

Outside McConnell's office, an ugly scene unfolded Thursday when Medicaid defenders, many of them disabled or chronically ill, staged a die-in to protest the bill. Dozens were arrested.

2. Nancy Pelosi

Apparently, not all is coming up roses for House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who recently claimed she had broad party support and then was suddenly the subject of a closed-door meeting of her peers. A group of Democratic leaders met Thursday to discuss ousting Pelosi in favor of newer, more election-friendly blood. Who might that be? No one's exactly sure. After narrow losses in a few key congressional districts, the Pelosi conversation is one many Dems feel they need to have if they want any chance of winning big during the 2018 midterms.

3. Trump tweets

We know the drill: President Trump tweets a thing. Everyone -- media included -- gets very nervous about said thing. Many gallons of blood, sweat and tears are devoted to figuring out if the thing is real and what it means for our country. Then, President Trump says the thing isn't really a thing at all.

This week's episode: Secret recordings of conversations between Trump and former FBI Director James Comey? Not a thing, apparently. The reversal comes as the relationship between the White House and reporters who cover the President's administration is going south, fast.

4. Philando Castile

New, heartrending video shows the young daughter of Philando Castile's girlfriend trying to comfort her mother in the moments after Castile was shot. "Mom, please stop cussing and screaming," the 4-year-old says in the back of a police car, "I don't want you to get shooted." Castile was killed during a traffic stop in 2016. The police officer who shot him was acquitted last week of second-degree manslaughter.

5. Bill Cosby

Bill Cosby, who has been accused of varying degrees of sexual misconduct by more than 50 women, will hold a series of town halls to educate young people on sexual assault. This is according to his publicist. If you recall -- because it was literally less than a week ago -- Cosby recently was tried on charges of aggravated indecent assault. The jury in that case declared a mistrial.

Forward

Breakfast Browse

People are talking about these. Read up. Join in.

Instagram fitness model dies after freak whipped cream can accident
Her family is trying to educate people after her shocking death.

Hero inmates will get shorter sentences after saving deputy
They could have fled, but their humanity led them to greater things.

John Oliver sued by coal CEO claiming 'character assassination'
Guess his jokes got a ...coal ... reception ... (I'm so sorry).

Wow, Jonah Hill has lost a LOT of weight
As the teens would say, "Bruhhh!"

"Everything they go through, they're just always smiling and happy. We learn a lot from them."
Christian McDonald, the father of conjoined twin boys who were separated last year in an extraordinary surgery

"Separated: Saving the Twins" airs Friday at 10 p.m. ET on CNN

And finally ...

Who knew condors could cuddle?
This man helped save this sweet condor's life, and the animal has never forgotten it. (Click to view)

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