Ladder to nowhere

There are still a lot of unknowns about new House Speaker Mike Johnson

View this email online Nov. 4, 2023 This week, we looked at Mike Johnson's first full week as House speaker. Plus, checking in on the Supreme Court, and Donald Trump's New York civil trial. The Big Picture: A new speaker, a still unclear path Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images Republicans have a House speaker. Rep. Mike Johnson, the previously little-known Christian nationalist Louisiana congressman, completed his first week and passed his first piece of legislation, but the same governing complications exist. That legislation, a bill that includes funding for Israel and stripping funding from the IRS, was an attempt to keep his fractious conference together. And it did. But it is dead on arrival in the Senate. It’s a reminder that for all the attention Republicans have gotten for their internal chaos in trying to pick a speaker, compromise is still necessary to get legislation passed. And if none is reached on government funding, the government will shut down again in less than two weeks. There are still a lot of unknowns about Johnson right now, including and especially what kind of agenda he will push. He is firmly in the evangelical Christian, anti-abortion rights, anti-LGBTQ rights wing of the GOP, but so far, he has  preferred put forward a mild-mannered face. These next several months will test Johnson, his political skill and how he wants to be permanently be presented to the American people when speakers past have been used as political weapons to imperil swing district candidates. — Domenico Montanaro, NPR’s senior political editor/correspondent Newsletter continues after sponsor message ICYMI: Top Stories Drew Angerer/Getty Images Democrats divided on Israel: Eighteen Democratic members of the House have signed on to a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas. It’s a small minority of the party, but it represents a real and growing divide among Democrats that is decades in the making. And it’s largely driven by young voters who are more critical of the Israeli government than their elders.  Abortion on the ballot: It may only be 2023, but voters are already heading to the polls in several states next week. In Ohio, they’ll be deciding whether to amend the state constitution to guarantee the right to make reproductive health care decisions, including having an abortion. Abortion rights supporters have been inspired by previous successes in states like Kansas and Michigan after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. And in this particular state, a strict abortion ban is waiting in the wings if the measure fails.  The Trumps on trial: Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. took the stand this week in a New York civil trial accusing them and their father of knowingly committing fraud. Former President Donald Trump and his daughter Ivanka are slated to begin testifying next week. The case accuses the three men of inflating the value of their properties and other assets. If found guilty, Trump would have to pay $250 million in damages and be banned from doing business in New York state. Who’s not into “labels?” Men on dating apps, and this political organizing group: No Labels was founded in 2010 with the goal of encouraging bipartisan cooperation and countering America's angry politics. But 13 years later, many the group has many Democrats concerned that it could end up reelecting Donald Trump. No Labels has been laying the groundwork for a 2024 presidential run – one that could play spoiler. But it’s not clear how much of an effect a third-party candidate could have, or which party they would draw more votes from. Biden missing from New Hampshire ballot: When New Hampshire Democrats head to the polls for the state’s presidential primary next year, President Biden will not be on the ballot. Biden did not put his name in because the DNC overhauled its calendar, and South Carolina has replaced New Hampshire as the first-in-the-nation state. But now a group of top Democratic leaders and organizers in the state are launching a write-in campaign for the president, after Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips announced a long-shot bid for the presidential nomination. Working in their favor? At least it's easy to spell.  — Lexie Schapitl, NPR Politics producer Support your local station with the NPR+ podcast bundle. NPR+ is a new way to support mission-driven journalism while getting something great in return (aside from that warm & fuzzy feeling of making a difference). Enjoy sponsor-free listening from your favorite NPR podcasts, explore the 800+ episode archives of Car Talk, and even get fun bonus episodes from select shows like Fresh Air, Planet Money, Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! and more.  Your support means the world to us—so sign up at plus.npr.org today! Support your station with NPR+ Going Deeper: SCOTUS Check-In Drew Angerer/Getty Images We've been really focused on what's going on in Congress lately. But across the street, the Supreme Court has been busy too.  ❌ This week, the considered whether public officials can block critics from their "personal" social media pages, something Donald Trump did often when he was president.  👕 Justices also heard from a Democratic activist seeking to trademark the phrase "TRUMP TOO SMALL" for use on T-shirts.  🏛️ On Tuesday, the court will hear a challenge to a law that prohibits people subject to domestic violence restraining orders from owning guns.  🚙 And last week, the drip, drip, drip of ethics questions about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas continued: The Senate Finance Committee said documents turned over to lawmakers indicate that Thomas had some or all of a $267,000 loan forgiven in order to purchase a luxury RV. — Lexie Schapitl, NPR Politics producer The Shot: Drought Ended Jamie Squire/Getty Images The Texas Rangers are World Series champions for the first time in franchise history. The Rangers took the series from the Arizona Diamondbacks four games to one. It's a moment that many baseball fans in Texas have waited their whole lives for. (As a 28-year-old Mets fan, I know the feeling.) — Lexie Schapitl, NPR Politics producer Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to hear live radio from St. Louis Public Radio (edit station). What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: nprpolitics@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Daily News, Code Switch, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Politics emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy