WASHINGTON — If it’s Thursday … President Biden and VP Harris meet with Congressional Black Caucus to talk about police reform after Tyre Nichols’ deadly beating. … U.S. expands its navy presence in the Philippines as China looms in area. … Speaker McCarthy describes assembly with Biden as “a good dialog.” … Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., says he’s nonetheless undecided about 2024 re-election bid, per NBC’s Sahil Kapur. … Nancy Pelosi backs Adam Schiff in California Senate if Feinstein doesn’t run. … And a new Virginia ballot has Biden’s approval score at 45% in the state amongst registered voters, whereas GOP Gov. Youngkin’s is at 56%.
However first: For all of the discuss Donald Trump vs. Ron DeSantis in the 2024 contest for the Republican presidential nomination, don’t lose sight of one other GOPer who’s about to enter the race later this month.
Nikki Haley.
She’s a former governor with nationwide safety expertise (as Trump’s U.N. ambassador).
She was a uncommon member of Trump’s cupboard who didn’t get mired in scandal or controversy.
She hails from all-important South Carolina, the place she’s anticipated to launch her presidential bid.
Nikki Haley anticipated to formally announce presidential bid
Feb. 2, 202303:36
And she or he’s demonstrated pragmatism and political acumen — working to take away the Accomplice flag from the statehouse’s grounds after the 2015 mass capturing at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston.
Haley has her challenges, after all. She’s had issue navigating the Trump waters after the Jan. 6 assault (see right here then here); she seems to haven’t any calling card in the GOP tradition wars the way in which Trump and DeSantis do, which might penalize her with the get together’s base; and is there room for each Haley and Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., if he additionally runs?
But when the eventual 2024 nominee someway isn’t Trump or DeSantis, Haley might need the perfect case to make out of the remainder of the potential discipline.
Headline of the day
Information Obtain: The variety of the day is … 2
That’s what number of Home Republicans modified their minds on how they’d vote on a decision to take away Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., from the International Affairs Committee, which is predicted to come up on the Home ground at present.
As of late final week, not less than three Republicans — Spartz, Colorado Rep. Ken Buck and South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace — had mentioned they’d not vote to oust Omar, endangering the GOP effort. McCarthy can solely afford to lose three votes, with Florida Rep. Greg Steube recovering at house from a latest fall.
However Spartz mentioned Tuesday that she would help the decision after assembly with McCarthy and securing extra language permitting members to enchantment a vote to take away them from committees, per NBC Information’ Capitol Hill group. Buck additionally flipped his vote after talking with McCarthy in regards to the potential for a guidelines change to make it harder to oust lawmakers from committees.
Different numbers to know
0.25%: The Federal Reserve’s improve of the federal funds fee on Wednesday, the smallest hike since final March.
29%: The rise in solitary confinement in the federal Bureau of Prisons’ particular housing models from December of 2015 to this previous January.
3: The vote margin of victory for lobbyist Amy Carnevale, the Massachusetts Republican Celebration’s new chair, over incumbent chairman Jim Lyons.
20: The variety of Republican attorneys common who signed a letter warning CVS and Walgreens that “their introduced plan to use the mail to distribute abortion capsules is each unsafe and unlawful.” That warning goes in opposition to a latest Justice Division opinion earlier this 12 months that mentioned the apply didn’t violate a 1873 regulation.
$5 million: How a lot former Philadelphia Metropolis Council member Allan Domb loaned his mayoral marketing campaign, which means he has extra money to spend on his marketing campaign than the opposite seven candidates mixed, per the Philadelphia Inquirer
Eyes on 2024: Key Democratic senators nonetheless undecided on re-election
Arguably the Democratic Celebration’s two most necessary senators up for re-election subsequent 12 months — Montana Sen. Jon Tester and West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin — each advised NBC Information on Wednesday they hadn’t determined whether or not they’ll run.
Tester represents a state that Donald Trump gained by about 16 factors in 2020, and Manchin represents a state Trump gained by nearly 39 factors. Each males are seen as Democrats’ greatest likelihood to maintain each seats. And neither would inform NBC Information’ Sahil Kapur whether or not they plan to run once more.
“Who is aware of?” Manchin mentioned. “Our major is just not till Could of 2024. And there’s no one wanting in the wings or champing on the bit.”
“I’ve bought a few issues to take into consideration,” Tester mentioned.
Each males nonetheless have time to resolve, and Democrats will breathe a sigh of reduction in the event that they resolve to run. But when both (or each) take a go, then they may begin feeling anxious.
In different marketing campaign information:
A litmus check: The anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony Professional-Life America’s prime political strategist advised the Related Press the GOP’s presidential candidates should again a federal ban on abortion, although that ban can embody exceptions for rape, incest or lifetime of the mom, to win its approval
Virginia is for lovers (of Glenn Youngkin): A brand new ballot from Mason-Dixon Polling & Technique discovered Virginia votes giving Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin a 56% approval score, and President Biden a 45% approval score, per a press launch.
Michigan GOP seems for a path ahead: NBC Information’ Henry J. Gomez stories on how Michigan Republicans are attempting to decide up the items after a tough displaying in the 2022 midterms.
Lake to Iowa: As Arizona Republican Kari Lake considers a Senate bid, she’s holding two February occasions in Iowa, the place she graduated from highschool and faculty, according to NBC News’ Vaughn Hillyard.
Roll Tide Roll: Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis would be the headline speaker on the Alabama Republican Celebration’s Winter Dinner subsequent month, Hillyard stories.
Ready for Asa: A brand new tremendous PAC has launched to enhance former Arkansas GOP Gov. Asa Hutchinson if he runs for president, per Fox Information.
Trump bets on Banks: Former President Trump endorsed Indiana Republican Rep. Jim Banks’ Senate marketing campaign.
Cruz-ing into 2024: Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is being “uncharacteristically cool” about his presidential ambitions, Politico report, as he’s additionally up for re-election to the Senate subsequent 12 months. Politico additionally breaks down a few of Cruz’s potential Democratic challengers, together with former Housing and City Growth Secretary Julián Castro.
Fearful about ’24: NBC Information’ Jane Timm stories on how, regardless of a comparatively clean 2022 election, officers are nonetheless involved about makes an attempt to undercut future elections.
ICYMI: What else is occurring in the world
Arizona Republican Rep. Andy Biggs mentioned he’ll file impeachment articles in opposition to Homeland Safety Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
