The House GOP is still searching for the one.

America’s Next Top Speaker

The Story

The House GOP is still searching for the one.

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Yesterday, eight Republicans gave their best ‘pick me’ speech as they tried to convince the rest of the House GOP why they should be the next speaker. Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) seems to be the frontrunner, building a name for himself as the majority whip who can reach across the aisle. However, Emmer isn’t super buddy-buddy with former President Trump or his allies, considering he’s one of two speaker candidates who voted to certify the 2020 elections. But desperate times call for desperate measures, as Emmer decided to ring up Trump and ask for his help. After backing Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), Trump’s “trying to stay out of it” this time around. Today, Republicans will test their ability to come together.

How has the GOP been handling all of this?

Their divisions have been on display. So much so that Rep. Mike Flood (R-NE) wants everyone to get behind a “unity pledge” — a two-paragraph pledge that commits to supporting whoever the GOP nominates today. With 221 Republicans holding a slim majority in the House, the next speaker will need to snag at least 217 ‘ayes’ or at least ‘sure fines.' But some Republicans don't feel too confident that their party can muster up enough support for a nominee. Meanwhile, Republican senators are reportedly taking matters into their own hands and trying to take the lead on legislation for Ukraine and Israel aid and government funding.

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After Trump’s loss in 2020, many questioned if the Republican Party would stand by Trump or embrace a new generation of leaders. The answer, right now, appears to be nothing. The GOP, with its thin House majority, is struggling to reach common ground, let alone a path forward.

Hostages

Since the deadly terror attack on October 7th, foreign governments — including the US — have been working to secure the release of hundreds of hostages. Yesterday, Hamas released two more hostages: 79-year-old Nurit Cooper and 85-year-old Yocheved Lifshitz, taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz — one of the many towns and villages in southern Israel that Hamas attacked. This comes after two others — a mother and daughter with dual US-Israeli citizenship — were released on Friday. Hamas said it authorized yesterday's release for “compelling humanitarian” reasons. The Israeli military has yet to comment.

The IDF said it believes there are still an estimated 220 hostages, potentially including 10 Americans, in Gaza. There are talks that Hamas is prepared to release 50 hostages in exchange for fuel. Those negotiations are reportedly in the final stages, with the help of the Qatari government. President Biden has also said he won’t back a ceasefire until Hamas releases all hostages, though the US is reportedly pushing Israel to hold off on a ground invasion to see if more hostages can be released. Hamas says more than 20 of the hostages have died as a result of airstrikes — something Israel dismisses as part of Hamas’s “psychological warfare.”

Who could be having a mini reunion…

Michael Cohen and former President Trump. Today, the two could come face to face in court as Cohen testifies in Trump’s New York civil fraud trial. Cohen worked as a lawyer and fixer for Trump for over a decade, and once said he’d “take a bullet” for his ex-boss. The pair’s relationship deteriorated as Cohen became a key figure in investigations against Trump, including over alleged hush money payments. Cohen turned against his ex-boss, calling him a “con man” and a “cheat.” Now, he is expected to testify about how the Trump Organization allegedly inflated the value of its real estate holdings. Trump is expected to be in court today.

Who had travelers on edge…

An Alaska Airlines pilot. Over the weekend, an off-duty pilot allegedly tried to shut off the engines of an Alaska Airlines plane traveling to San Francisco. The pilot was riding in the cockpit jump seat — not rare for off-duty pilots who are commuting home or to another shift. The flight crew removed the man from the cockpit and subdued him until the flight — carrying 80 passengers — diverted and landed in Portland, Oregon. The man now faces 83 counts of attempted murder and reckless endangerment. The FBI is investigating what happened.

Who’s had enough…

Women in Iceland. Today, tens of thousands of women in Iceland, including the prime minister, are walking out on their jobs to protest gender inequality. Even though Iceland is ranked as one of the world’s most progressive countries when it comes to gender equality, some women still earn at least 20% less than their male counterparts. As part of the protest, women are also being encouraged not to do any household chores to show “the importance of their contribution to society.” This will be Icelandic women’s first full-day strike in almost 50 years.

What we’re not over, we still aren’t over...

The alternate universe where Britney Spears played Allie in “The Notebook.”

Who’s not happy with their life-size dupe…

The Rock and Lil Wayne.