Thursday Morning Minute

Good morning, and welcome to RedState's "Morning Minute" — a brief glimpse at which stories are trending at the moment and a look ahead at what the day may bring. Consider this your one-stop shop for news to kickstart your day.

TOP O' THE MORNIN'

RFK Jr. Weighs in on Who the Next Senate GOP Leader Should Be

Kennedy posted on X that it's time to put leaders in power "who won't kowtow to the military contractors or push us deeper into foreign conflicts."

Sad Trombone Plays for Joe Biden After Ratings Come in for Seth Meyers Interview

Though Biden's apologists are still busy spinning like tops on how his back and forth with Meyers and the few moments he was able to string together a few coherent sentences will allegedly be an election-year game-changer, the interview has been panned by media and TV critics alike, including Variety's Daniel D'Addario.

Exposed: Public Info Reveals New York AG Letitia James Lives High on the Public Hog

In 2023, James spent over $15K on stays at luxury hotels … in Puerto Rico.

WHAT'S ON TAP?

Today on Capitol Hill...

Following the stunning (though many would argue long overdue) announcement by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) that he would be stepping down from Senate leadership in November, the upper chamber will proceed with hearings on Thursday:

Armed Services - Hearings to examine United States Strategic Command and United States Space Command in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2025 and the Future Years Defense Program
Judiciary - Business meeting to consider the nominations of multiple District Judges and U.S. Attorneys
Aging - Hearings to examine empowering people with disabilities to thrive in careers and the workplace

The House is finally back from winter recess, and it's back to the grind:

Judiciary - Ratification of Subcommittee Assignments; Markup of Various Measures
Transportation and Infrastructure - Fiscal Year 2025 Views and Estimates; Markup of Various Measures
Homeland Security - Port Cybersecurity: The Insidious Threat to U.S. Maritime Ports
Energy and Commerce - Legislative Proposals to Support Patients with Rare Diseases
Financial Services - Markup of Various Measures
Science, Space, and Technology - Examining the Risk: The Dangers of EV Fires for First Responders
Oversight and Accountability - “Made in China: Is GSA Complying with Purchasing Restrictions?”
Homeland Security - H.R. 7443, (Mr. Pfluger) To authorize a dedicated transnational repression office within the Department of Homeland Security's Homeland Security Investigations

The House is also expected to vote on a stopgap bill on Thursday after leadership struck a deal to avert a government shutdown.

White House What's Up

President Biden travels to Brownsville, Texas, where he'll receive a briefing at the border, followed by an operational briefing from US CBP, USCIS, and ICE, then deliver remarks before returning to Washington, D.C. (Must be an election year with immigration front and center on the ballot or something...)

MORNING MUSING

Happy Leap Day! I was just wondering what those born on February 29 do to celebrate their birthdays. Only celebrate every fourth year? Go with February 28 or March 1? I can think of one person I've known over the years whose birthday was Feb. 29 — his name was Charlie Jefferson, and he served as the butler at my sorority house for over three decades. He'd actually retired by the time I was in school, but he came back and helped serve coffee and donuts for all the home football games. Charlie lived to the ripe old age of 106, passing in 2010. So Happy Heavenly Birthday, Charlie!