• Tennessee’s Republican-dominated House expelled two Black freshman lawmakers, while sparing a third legislator who is white, in response to the three Democrats’ gun safety protest on the chamber’s floor last week. President Joe Biden issued a statement condemning the actions as “shocking” and “undemocratic” after Tennessee Republicans likened the Democrats’ protest to the Jan. 6 insurrection. (Politico)
• The Biden administration proposed a rule that would bar U.S. schools from banning participation by transgender athletes under Title IX but allow teams to create some limits in certain cases, prompting concerns by advocates for transgender athletes that the rules do not go far enough. (The Associated Press) That move by the Department of Education came as the Supreme Court declined to immediately reinstate a 2021 West Virginia law that barred transgender athletes from playing on female sports teams from middle school through college. (The Washington Post)
• House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (D-Calif.) has reportedly told colleagues that he views House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) as incompetent and lacks confidence in him as Congress stares down the looming debt limit crisis, and told colleagues he cannot rely on House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) either. In a statement, McCarthy did not deny the accounts but said “I flatly reject” the idea that there are divisions within House Republican leadership. (The New York Times)
• House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) issued a subpoena to New York County Special Assistant District Attorney Mark Pomerantz as part of his probe into investigations into former President Donald Trump. Jordan has left open the door to subpoenaing Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who filed charges against Trump related to a hush money scheme with adult film actress Stormy Daniels earlier this week. (CNN)

A Federal Judge’s Ruling to Block ACA Requirement for No-Cost Preventive Care Is Unpopular
Morning Consult

Biden review of chaotic Afghan withdrawal blames Trump
Zeke Miller and Nomaan Merchant, The Associated Press

President Joe Biden’s administration on Thursday laid the blame on his predecessor, President Donald Trump, for the deadly and chaotic 2021 withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan that brought about some of the darkest moments of Biden’s presidency. 

Biden vetoes congressional bid to undo his water regulations
Rachel Frazin, The Hill

President Biden on Thursday vetoed an attempt by Congress to undo waterway pollution regulations put forward by his administration — marking the second veto of his presidency and effectively killing the attempt to nullify the water rule. 

White House pulls its punches over GOP judicial nomination blockade
Jennifer Haberkorn, Politico

The latest refusal by a Republican senator to return a blue slip has been met with restraint by the administration.

U.S. IRS to hire nearly 30,000 staff over two years with $80 bln in new funds
David Lawder, Reuters

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service plans to hire nearly 30,000 new employees and deploy new technology over the next two years as it ramps up an $80 billion investment plan to improve tax enforcement and customer service, it said on Thursday.

Probe widens into federal watchdog over missing Jan. 6 Secret Service texts
Lisa Rein, The Washington Post

A nearly two-year investigation into allegations of misconduct by the Department of Homeland Security’s chief watchdog expanded this week to include his role in missing Secret Service text messages from the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

UK Wants to Revive US Trade Talks When Biden Visits Ireland
Alex Wickham and Ellen Milligan, Bloomberg

The UK is seeking to restart talks with the US for a trade deal, people familiar with the matter said, hoping to overcome President Joe Biden’s reluctance over agreements that are unpopular with key American voters.

US House Speaker McCarthy Visit ‘Just a Matter of Timing,’ Taiwan Official Says
Jenny Leonard, Bloomberg

Taiwan still expects US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to visit, the head of the democracy’s legislature said, setting up the possibility of a repeat of tensions seen last year when Nancy Pelosi made the trip.

Defense officials warn of potential impact Tuberville hold on nominations will have on military
Haley Britzky, CNN

The Defense Department is urgently working with lawmakers in hopes of resolving a hold on critical military nominations, including for some of the most senior ranking officers, as concerns inside the Pentagon grow about the potential impact on national security, defense officials told CNN.

Justice Clarence Thomas’s Vacations Prompt Calls for Stronger Supreme Court Ethics Rules
Lindsay Wise and Jan Wolfe, The Wall Street Journal

The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee promised to take action on strengthening Supreme Court ethics rules, responding to a report that Justice Clarence Thomas accepted lavish vacations and private-jet travel paid for by a billionaire friend.

South Korean President Yoon invited to address joint meeting of Congress
Amy B Wang, The Washington Post

Congressional leaders have invited South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol to address a joint meeting of Congress when he visits the United States later this month, to mark the 70-year anniversary of the alliance between the two countries.

Comer vs. Raskin
Jake Sherman et al., Punchbowl News

Fewer than 100 days into the 118th Congress, a war of words has broken out between Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), the committee chair, and Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the top Democrat.

House finalizes new expenses plan, bringing Congress more in line with the American workforce
Katherine Tully-McManus, Politico

The reimbursement rules are the product of painstaking bipartisan talks — but it’s not clear how many lawmakers will participate in the voluntary system.

China sanctions Reagan library, others over Tsai’s US trip
Huizhong Wu, The Associated Press

China retaliated for the United States House speaker’s meeting with the Taiwanese president by announcing sanctions Friday against the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and other organizations, adding to strains over the self-ruled island democracy Beijing claims as part of its territory.

Ukraine War Plans Leak Prompts Pentagon Investigation
Helene Cooper and Eric Schmitt, The New York Times

Classified documents detailing secret American and NATO plans have appeared on Twitter and Telegram.

Judge in Trump’s New York case appears to have donated $15 to Biden for President in 2020
Ben Kamisar and Adam Reiss, NBC News

Federal campaign contribution data also shows two small-dollar donations to progressive groups the same year.

How Trump could talk himself into a gag order
Sophia Cai, Axios

Six hours after a New York judge warned former President Trump he could be penalized for any remarks that endangered others, Trump stepped to a microphone in Florida — and practically dared the judge to do just that.

Los Angeles Times reported about Justice Thomas’ gifts 20 years ago. After that he stopped disclosing them
David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times

It was 2004 when the Los Angeles Times disclosed that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas had accepted expensive gifts and private plane trips paid for by Harlan Crow, a wealthy Texas real estate investor and a prominent Republican donor.

The GOP Civil War That’s Already Making 2024 Awkward
Sam Brodey, The Daily Beast

Conservative group Club for Growth doesn’t seem to want anything to do with Trump, and Trump certainly doesn’t want anything to do with them.

South Carolina Democrats, Stung by String of Losses, Clash Over Next Leader
Maya King, The New York Times

A usually low-key race has taken on unusually high stakes as the party prepares to host the first primary of the 2024 campaign and seeks to reverse its recent misfortunes.

Montana beef: Bad blood intensifies between Tester and Daines
Burgess Everett, Politico

Montana is famous for its cattle — and these days, for a sizzling beef between its two senators.

Donald Trump’s campaign urges Ron DeSantis donors to ‘demonstrate’ loyalty to former president
Paul Steinhauser, Fox News

Trump campaign reaches out directly to DeSantis donors in an effort to weaken the Florida governor’s financial support.

Republican Jay Ashcroft enters race for Missouri governor
Summer Ballentine, The Associated Press

Missouri’s top election official Jay Ashcroft on Thursday announced he is running for governor as a Republican.

Adam Schiff eclipses California Senate rivals with $6.5 million haul
Ryan King, The Washington Examiner

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) surpassed his top California Senate rivals on the fundraising circuit during the first quarter, according to early data released from the top campaigns.

GOP billionaire who funded Clarence Thomas’s vacations has also given thousands of dollars to Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin
Bryan Metzger, Insider

A Republican megadonor has been secretly funding lavish vacations for Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, according to a new ProPublica report.

Inside the Cattiest Fight in D.C.
Jim Newell, Slate

Virginia and Maryland, once friendly rivals, have been locked in a quiet battle over the FBI. It’s getting a lot louder.

Why Gavin Newsom may give red state Democrats the blues
Lara Korte and Jeremy B. White, Politico

California’s progressive governor spent spring break taking swipes at political opponents in the South.

Eight bills targeting transgender rights in North Dakota on governor’s desk
Kimberly Kindy, The Washington Post

North Dakotans are awaiting word on whether Gov. Doug Burgum (R) will sign or veto a hefty package of bills that would restrict transgender rights, which was passed by the state Senate on Tuesday. The eight pieces of legislation would have wide-ranging effects on transgender minors and adults — from school sports to health care to workplace rights.

Idaho becomes first state to restrict interstate travel for abortions
Ryan Suppe, Seattle Times

Helping a minor travel to another state for an abortion without parental consent will be a felony in Idaho next month, barring a successful court challenge.

No Wisconsin wake-up call: Republicans go full steam ahead on abortion restrictions
David Siders, Politico

The drubbing Republicans took in Wisconsin this week revealed how harmful the issue of abortion still is to the party — and will likely remain through 2024. 

‘Buckle up’: DeSantis escalates Disney dispute, eyes hotel taxes and road tolls
Gary Fineout, Politico

The DeSantis administration is also examining if a recent agreement approved between a Central Florida board that had been controlled by Disney and the company runs afoul of the state’s growth laws, according to senior administration officials.

Former Michigan House speaker charged with accepting bribes for cannabis licenses
Mona Zhang, Politico

Rick Johnson, a former Republican Michigan House speaker turned cannabis regulator, received more than $110,000 in bribes in exchange for supporting companies seeking medical marijuana licenses, alleges a federal charging document filed in federal district court Thursday.

How a lobbying blitz led to weaker Medicare Advantage reforms
Joseph Choi and Karl Evers-Hillstrom, The Hill

The Biden administration this week finalized a highly anticipated rule to rein in billions of dollars in overpayments to private insurers through the federal government’s Medicare Advantage program.

The GOP’s ‘Abusive Relationship’ With Trump
Ronald Brownstein, The Atlantic

The former president’s ability to surmount this latest tumult continues one of the defining patterns of his political career.

The Tennessee Expulsion Is a Glimpse of the Future
Jeff Greenfield, Politico

Tennessee Republicans really went there. Despite the outcry, the GOP-controlled state legislature expelled two Democrats Thursday for engaging in a boisterous protest against gun violence.