• President Joe Biden is said to be preparing to announce his re-election campaign next week with the release of a video timed to mark the four-year anniversary of the launch of his 2020 campaign. (The Washington Post) Our latest survey tracking the 2024 contest shows Biden with a 3-percentage-point lead over former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential primary’s front-runner, and a 1-point lead over Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who’s yet to launch a bid. (Morning Consult)
• Moderate and conservative GOP lawmakers are pressing House Republican leaders to make changes to their proposed legislation to raise the federal debt limit, but House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and his lieutenants appear reluctant to open the measure up for changes ahead of a planned vote next week. (Roll Call) As House Republicans work to advance their approach to the looming crisis, a number of Democrats, including Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Dean Phillips of Minnesota, are pressing Biden to budge from his position of refusing to negotiate with McCarthy. (Axios)
• Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) invited Chief Justice John Roberts, or any other justice he selects, to testify to his panel on May 2 about the ethics rules that govern the Supreme Court following the release of ProPublica’s report detailing Justice Clarence Thomas’s relationship with billionaire Republican donor Harlan Crow. Durbin is unlikely to be able to issue a subpoena to force such testimony, in part because of the ongoing absence of Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.). (Roll Call)
• Federal prosecutors are reportedly considering four separate charges against Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, including three alleged tax crimes and a charge related to a gun purchase. (NBC News) Regarding the tax crime probe, an investigator overseeing the Internal Revenue Service’s part of the case has asked Congress for whistleblower protections as he alleges political favoritism in the inquiry. (The New York Times)

Happening today (all in ET):

• 9 a.m. House Ways and Means Committee holds field hearing in Georgia on the U.S. economy.

• 1 p.m. White House press secretary holds briefing. 

• 2:15 p.m. Biden holds event where he’s set to announce a new White House office of environmental justice. 

Twitter Is Gaining Trust With Republicans, but Losing It With Democrats in the Musk Era
Morning Consult

Biden administration to announce plans for anticipated border surge
Nick Miroff, The Washington Post

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Thursday that the Biden administration plans to announce preparations across the U.S.-Mexico border next week in anticipation of an influx of migrants after the White House lifts pandemic-related restrictions on May 11.

Biden Aims to Unveil China Investment Curbs With G-7 Backing
Jenny Leonard, Bloomberg

President Joe Biden aims to sign an executive order in the coming weeks that will limit investment in key parts of China’s economy by American businesses, people familiar with the internal deliberations said.

U.S. positioning troops ahead of possible Sudan embassy evacuation
Alexander Ward et al., Politico

The security situation has spiraled downward in the country’s capital.

Appeals court halts House interview with ex-Trump prosecutor
Michael R. Sisak and Larry Neumeister, The Associated Press

A federal appeals court has temporarily blocked House Republicans from questioning a former Manhattan prosecutor about the criminal case against ex-President Donald Trump, the latest twist in a legal battle between Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office and the House Judiciary Committee.

Democrats advance seven Biden judicial nominees with GOP support amid Feinstein absence
Sahil Kapur, NBC News

The Judiciary Committee vote Thursday marks a course change for Democrats, who were forced to shelve other prospective judges that lack bipartisan support.

Firefighter grants pass Senate after amendment agreement
Lindsey McPherson, Roll Call

The Senate passed a bipartisan bill Thursday to reauthorize federal grant programs for local fire departments after reaching agreement earlier this week to allow amendment votes.

House Republicans pass ban on transgender athletes competing with women, girls
Lauren Peller, ABC News

House Republicans passed first-of-its-kind federal legislation on Thursday to ban transgender athletes from competing on school sports teams with women and girls — a political messaging priority for the GOP despite the bill having no chance of passing the Senate and facing a presidential veto threat.

McCarthy assembles a new kitchen cabinet ahead of debt showdown — without his No. 2 Scalise
Olivia Beavers and Sarah Ferris, Politico

The House GOP is working to unify after a dramatic stretch that saw its budget chief sidelined. But the speaker and majority leader still have trust issues.

Manchin grills Granholm over ‘budget busting’ electric vehicle rules
Kelsey Tamborrino, Politico

Sen. Joe Manchin accused the Biden administration Thursday of “liberalizing” Congress’ efforts to stimulate sales of electric vehicles — and warned Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm that the president’s approach could send money and jobs to China.

The Obscure G.O.P. Bookkeeper at the Center of the George Santos Mess
Grace Ashford and Nicholas Fandos, The New York Times

Nancy Marks, Mr. Santos’s former campaign treasurer, has her own history of questionable dealings that have aroused interest from federal investigators.

Supreme Court Is Expected to Decide on Access to Abortion Pill as Appeal Moves Forward
Abbie VanSickle and Pam Belluck, The New York Times

The court is expected to weigh in on whether a commonly used pill, mifepristone, should remain widely available. Here is what’s at stake.

Judge who suspended abortion pill failed to disclose interviews that discussed social issues
Andrew Kaczynski and Em Steck, CNN

The federal district judge who first suspended the US Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the so-called abortion pill mifepristone failed to disclose during his Senate confirmation process two interviews on Christian talk radio where he discussed social issues such as contraception and gay rights.

How Rich Is the US Supreme Court?
Emily Birnbaum and Bill Allison, Bloomberg

The nine Supreme Court justices in total are worth at least $24 million. Or it might be closer to $68 million.

Jan. 6 Defendant Opens Fire on Deputies Before Surrender to the F.B.I.
Alan Feuer, The New York Times

The Texas man, who had been charged with misdemeanors for entering the Capitol, was arrested on a felony count of shooting at local law enforcement officers.

Washington’s Angriest Progressive Is Winning Over Conservatives – and Baffling Old Allies
Nancy Scola, Politico

The activist who breathed new life into the antitrust movement wants support from the other side. But it could cost him.

GOP to host second presidential debate in California
Alex Isenstadt, Politico

The chair of the Republican National Committee made the announcement during a speech on Thursday night.

Top GOP lawyer decries ease of campus voting in private pitch to RNC
Josh Dawsey and Amy Gardner, The Washington Post

A presentation by Cleta Mitchell at a donor retreat urged tougher rules that could make it harder for college students to cast ballots.

Larry Elder announces 2024 White House bid
Shania Shelton, CNN

Conservative talk radio host Larry Elder announced Thursday that he’s launching a 2024 presidential campaign, joining a growing list of Republicans vying for the GOP nomination.

Trump touts authoritarian vision for second term: ‘I am your justice’
Isaac Arnsdorf and Jeff Stein, The Washington Post

The former president is proposing deploying the military domestically, purging the federal workforce and building futuristic cities from scratch.

Signed Letters, Mar-a-Lago Dinners: Trump’s Personal Touch in Fighting DeSantis
Michael C. Bender and Annie Karni, The New York Times

The former president has found a way to connect with Florida’s congressional delegation in a way that Gov. Ron DeSantis has not.

Donald Trump hits Ron DeSantis over Florida endorsements; rivals say Trump is worried
David Jackson, USA Today

Donald Trump plans to meet Thursday with Florida lawmakers who have endorsed him, part of an ongoing effort to try and intimidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as he prepares to possibly challenge Trump in the 2024 presidential race.

Trump killed the ‘values voter’ wing of the GOP. It isn’t coming back in 2024.
Adam Wren et al., Politico

On the eve of a Christian cattle call in Iowa, the two 2024 contenders who talk the most about their faith aren’t gaining traction.

Top DeSantis Donor Says He’s Ready to Put His Fortune Behind 2024 Bid
Eric Cortellessa, Time

It’s been a rough two weeks for Ron DeSantis. Members of Congress from his own state have been endorsing Donald Trump in droves. A crippling gas shortage in South Florida coincided with the governor’s travel from South Carolina to South Korea, fueling a spate of negative headlines and “Where’s Ron?” memes. 

Florida Rep. Michael Waltz Endorses Trump for President in 2024
Matthew Boyle, Breitbart News

Rep. Michael Waltz (R-FL) became the latest Florida Republican to endorse former President Donald Trump over Gov. Ron DeSantis in the 2024 GOP presidential primary on Thursday, issuing an exclusive statement to Breitbart News endorsing Trump.

DeSantis signs bill eliminating unanimous jury decisions for death sentences
Sydney Kashiwagi, CNN

Florida’s Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Thursday that will no longer require juries agree unanimously to recommend death sentences, reducing the number of jurors need to recommend a death sentence to the lowest threshold of any state with capital punishment.

Tennessee Republican who voted to expel Democrats resigns after ethics violation
The Associated Press

State Rep. Scotty Campbell stayed in office following the March ethics finding and on April 6 voted to expel Reps. Justin Jones and Justin J. Pearson, who have since been reinstated.

North Dakota governor signs gender-affirming care ban for most minors
Michelle Watson and Jack Forrest, CNN

North Dakota’s Republican Gov. Doug Burgum signed a bill Wednesday banning gender-affirming care for most minors with the possibility of a felony for health care professionals who provide it.

Republicans Call for Censure of Transgender Lawmaker Who Condemned Care Ban
Remy Tumin, The New York Times

Rep. Zooey Zephyr, a Democratic state representative in Montana, pleaded for her colleagues to reject a bill that would ban transition care for transgender minors. Republicans misgendered her and called for her to be censured.

A Message from the Coalition for Affordable Prescription Drugs:

Big drug companies keep raising their prices and continue to charge Americans more for their prescriptions than they charge in foreign countries. Pharmacy benefits protect small businesses from Big Pharma’s out-of-control prices and save each consumer $1,040 every year. It’s no surprise that Big Pharma is pressuring Congress to prevent pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from negotiating savings. Congress should focus on the real cause of high drug prices – Big Pharma’s anti-competitive pricing practices. Learn more.

Leading anti-abortion group calls Trump’s position unacceptable
Brett Samuels, The Hill

A leading anti-abortion group on Thursday called it “morally indefensible” of former President Trump to say the issue should be decided at the state level and warned it would not support a GOP presidential candidate who did not back at least a 15-week abortion ban.

Heritage Foundation Makes Plans to Staff Next G.O.P. Administration
Jonathan Swan and Maggie Haberman, The New York Times

No matter the Republican, the effort has set a goal of up to 20,000 potential officials in a database akin to a right-wing LinkedIn.

Apple’s pricey lobbying L
Caitlin Oprysko, Politico

Apple shelled out more than half a million dollars for just a little over a month’s work as it unsuccessfully fought to convince the White House to veto a ruling in a patent dispute that could lead to an import ban on some versions of the tech company’s popular Apple Watch.

Disney tells its lobbyists to step up fight against DeSantis and his allies in Florida
Brian Schwartz, CNBC

Disney is preparing to take its fight with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and his GOP allies in the state Legislature to the next level, according to people familiar with the matter.

For Saner Politics, Try Stronger Parties
Gerald F. Seib, The Wall Street Journal

Well-intended reforms have made the national parties weak and ineffective—and unable to resist their most extreme elements.

Joe Manchin Is 2024’s Most Vulnerable Democratic Senator
Ed Kilgore, New York

According to the ancient narrative of how senatorial reelection campaigns work, you’d think West Virginia’s Joe Manchin would be in relatively good shape for 2024.