Key takeaways: Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) was elected as the 56th speaker of the House. Democrats have already begun to push forward with attack ads…
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Democratic Representative Jamaal Bowman of New York has been charged with a misdemeanor for falsely pulling a fire alarm in a Capitol Hill office building. Bowman has admitted to activating the alarm and the charge carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail. The U.S. Capitol Police have sent the case with charges to prosecutors for their consideration, and Bowman's case is still pending.
Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana was elected as the 56th speaker of the House in a party-line vote, with all 220 Republicans voting for him. Johnson is a close ally of former President Donald Trump and had led many of the 2020 election challenges, including an amicus brief signed by more than 100 House Republicans. Johnson is the most ideologically conservative speaker since Newt Gingrich in the 1990s and is now second in line to the presidency.
President Joe Biden will not appear on the New Hampshire primary ballot in 2024, marking the first time a sitting president has not done so. This is due to the Delegate Selection Rules for the 2024 Democratic National Convention, which were set in motion earlier this year and are intended to ensure a level playing field for all candidates. Biden's campaign manager wrote a letter to New Hampshire Democrats explaining the decision, and it will be interesting to see how the Democratic Party and its voters respond.
Democrats are urging Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) not to launch a primary bid against President Joe Biden in 2024, as it could weaken the Democratic Party's chances of winning the election. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) are attempting to unite the divided factions of the House Republican Conference, seen as a sign of desperation. Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) said that the focus should remain on defeating Trump in the next election and Phillips should not be a distraction from that goal.
Since the ousting of Rep. Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the House, the Republican conference has been in chaos as they search for a replacement. At least eight candidates are vying for the position, with Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota the latest to earn the nod and attempt to secure the 217 votes needed to win the gavel.
Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) announced Thursday that she will not seek election to a full term in the U.S. Senate in 2024, despite being seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party. In a statement, Butler said she had “spent the past 16 days pursuing my own clarity” and that “knowing you can win a campaign doesn't always mean you should run a campaign.” This decision opens up the race for the U.S. Senate seat in California, with a number of candidates expected to enter the race in the coming months.
The FDA is proposing a ban on hair-smoothing and hair-straightening products containing formaldehyde due to potential health impacts, including an increased risk of certain cancers. This proposed ban is in response to pressure from Democratic Reps. Ayanna Pressley and Shontel Brown, and hundreds of Black people filing lawsuits against big-name beauty and cosmetic retailers. The FDA is currently seeking public comment on the issue, which will be open for the next 60 days before a final decision is made.