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12:30 REPORT
It’s Tuesday. It’s been a scary morning after the bridge collision in Baltimore. Here’s what’s happening today:
- Two people have been found in rescue efforts after a cargo ship hit a major bridge in Baltimore, causing it to partially collapse.
- The Supreme Court is hearing a case this morning that will determine access to an abortion pill.
- President Biden and Vice President Harris are speaking in North Carolina.
I’m Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Send tips, commentary, feedback and cookie recipes to cmartel@thehill.com . Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here.
🚑 News This Morning
How horrible:
A search and rescue effort is underway after a cargo ship hit the Francis Scott Key Bridge overnight, causing it to partially collapse. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) declared a state of emergency for the state and Baltimore.
What happened?: The cargo ship, “Dali,” was en route to Sri Lanka when it hit one of the bridge’s supports and caught on fire. Parts of the bridge gave out and collapsed.
The Associated Press reports that several vehicles fell into the water. Two people have been rescued so far, one of whom is in “serious” condition. Rescuers are looking for at least six construction workers, who went missing when the ship struck the bridge.
Keep in mind: “Police stress NO indication Baltimore Key Bridge collapse was intentional or that there is any terrorism connection.” (h/t Fox 5 DC’s Steve Chenevey)
Happening at 12:30 p.m.: President Biden will deliver remarks on the bridge collapse. 💻 Livestream
What we know about the incident and rescue efforts
Follow this live blog for updates as the situation develops
➤ THE IMAGES ARE CHILLING:
Watch the moment the bridge collapsed
For people who have not traveled over this bridge: This footage shows just how massive the structure is.
Overnight footage of the scene after the bridge collapse
Up-close images of the ship at sunrise
🏛️ In the Supreme Court
Will Americans have access to abortion pills?
The Supreme Court is hearing a major case today that could have consequences for Americans’ access to abortion pills.
The drug: “Mifepristone, which is sold both under the brand name Mifeprex and as a generic drug, is commonly used with one other drug during medication abortions.”
Details of the case: “The court is essentially being asked to uphold an appeals court ruling that overrides a series of changes made by the Food and Drug Administration over the past decade, including increasing the gestational age at which mifepristone can be used to up to 10 weeks of pregnancy, allowing the medication to be mailed to patients, lowering the dosage, allowing telehealth prescribing, and permitting providers other than physicians to prescribe the drug.” (The Hill)
Keep in mind: New data this week showed that more than 60 percent of all abortions last year were done through medication.
What else to know about the case, via The Hill’s Nathaniel Weixel
💬 Live blog of updates from the oral arguments
Tidbit: Endpoints News’s Lia DeGroot posted on Monday evening: “People already lining up outside SCOTUS for seating at tomorrow’s oral arguments in FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine.” 📸 Photo
📹 Video of the protests outside the Supreme Court
⚖️ Trump's Legal Troubles
You win some, you lose some — sometimes all in one day:
Former President Trump had a pretty big day in legal developments.
The good news for Trump: Trump’s $464 million bond in the New York civil fraud case was cut to $175 million just a few hours before the deadline. He quickly said he could pay that amount.
The bad news: His hush money trial was set for April 15, eight months before the general election. As The Hill’s Niall Stanage points out, no matter the verdict, the trial “is guaranteed to put embarrassing details in the headlines as the election campaign heats up.” Fair.
📝 Five takeaways in Trump’s legal wins and losses
🪫 In Congress
Republicans are in low-power mode:
Which is ironic considering they control the majority in the House. But as Congress wrapped up government funding bills last week, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) cut several deals with House Democrats, effectively cutting conservatives out of the process.
That sounds an awful lot like what former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) did …: And Republicans booted McCarthy for working with Democrats. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) filed a motion to oust Johnson on Friday, so stay tuned, folks.
Oh, how things have changed in six months: “Six months ago, emboldened by a new GOP majority and armed with new rules designed to rein in government spending, Republican deficit hawks stormed into the 2024 appropriations debate hoping to secure steep cuts and threatening to take on anyone who stood in their way.”
But what happened instead: Conservatives just delayed the spending deadlines and cut the package into two dates. They didn’t get the major spending cuts they wanted.
The Hill’s Mike Lillis and Mychael Schnell have a fascinating report on how the power dynamics have shifted in the past few months.
‘Why the tables turned, leaving conservatives as loser in spending fight’
➤ SPEAKER JEFFRIES? — HEY, SHE SAID IT. NOT ME:
Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.) raised concerns about House Republicans’ shrinking majority. “We’re perilous. We could end up having a Speaker Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) in the interim here while we’re waiting for special elections,” she said. (The Hill)
➤ RELATED READS:
- ‘Weakened House GOP majority reckons with Johnson’s leadership’: The Washington Post
- ‘Why Mike Johnson Can’t Run the House Without Democrats’ Help’: The Wall Street Journal
- ‘Mike Johnson’s House Is Imploding’: From Molly Jong-Fast in Vanity Fair
- ‘House GOP Resignations Send a Very Clear Message’: Op-ed in Bloomberg
🐝 Internet Buzz
🥬 Celebrate: Today is National Nougat Day and National Spinach Day.
💋 No way!!: A “John Tucker Must Die” sequel is in the works. (Entertainment Weekly)
💤 I don’t know if I’m jealous or worried for you: In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, actress Sydney Sweeney was asked about reports that she can function on only two hours of sleep. “I’m known for being able to function off of very, very little for a very long amount of time,” she said.
🖥️ If, like me, you’re in a TV show drought: The Washington Post published a list of new TV shows and movies streaming on Netflix, Hulu, Max, Prime Video, etc.
^ Speaking of my streaming drought: If you have any TV show suggestions, hit me up!
🗓 On The Agenda
The House and Senate are out. President Biden and Vice President Harris are in North Carolina today. (all times Eastern)
12:30 p.m.: Biden leaves for Raleigh, N.C.
1:30 p.m.: White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One. 💻 Livestream
3 p.m.: Biden and Harris deliver remarks. 💻 Livestream
5:30 p.m.: Biden and Harris attend a campaign reception.
8:05 p.m.: Harris returns to Washington, D.C.
8:15 p.m.: Biden returns to the White House.
April 15: Former President Trump’s hush money trial begins.
April 8: The Senate returns.
April 9: The House returns.
👋 And Finally…
Because you made it this far, watch this dog move and groove.
Stay Engaged
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View past issues of 12:30 Report here and check out other newsletters from The Hill here. See you next time!
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