Biden goes on offense on immigration
Biden is continuing Democrats’ recent push to flip the script on Republicans over immigration.
Like he did last week in Brownsville, Texas, he invited Trump — “my predecessor” — to join him in urging Congress to pass the border security fund bill. This time, he took on Republicans more directly for killing the bill. “I’ll be darned,” he ad-libbed. “Look at the facts. I know you know how to read.”
Despite a record-breaking migrant influx during his presidency, Biden is trying to strike a contrast with the GOP front-runner on moral terms.
“I will not demonize immigrants saying they are ‘poisoning the blood of our country,’” Biden said. “I will not separate families.”
Prior to this year, Democrats had often seemed flat-footed on the border. Now, they’re going on offense as polls show it’s an increasingly important issue for voters.
Pro-Palestinian protests near Capitol end without arrests
The pro-Palestinian protest outside the Capitol that blocked streets for several hours ended tonight without incident.
No arrests were made.
Union workers cheer Biden's shoutout
After Biden said, “Unions built the middle class,” a room full of members of the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters started cheering. The labor union, which is based in Philadelphia, endorsed Biden.
Dasha Burns notes: This is the tone on immigration Dems were hoping to hear during his border visit, delivered better here in front of a jeering GOP.
Adds Garrett Haake: The Biden campaign should consider having the president travel with a bunch of booing House Republicans when he goes out on the campaign trail. He seems energized by playing the heel, WWE-style.
Biden talks up bipartisan border bill, responds directly to Republicans
Biden criticized Republicans for blocking the Senate bipartisan border bill and took on naysayers in the chamber directly.
Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., mouths, “That’s true,” as Biden details what’s in his bipartisan border bill.
Biden hasn't yet mentioned Israel-Hamas war
Biden has still not mentioned the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Meanwhile, there are protests outside demanding an immediate cease-fire.
Biden boosts Sen. Bob Casey ahead of re-election bid
Some top-of-the-ticket endorsements for a key down-ballot candidate. Biden asks Congress to pass “Bobby Casey’s” bill on “shrinkflation.” The Pennsylvania senator, a fellow Scranton native, is on the ballot in November in a race that could be key to the Senate majority.
Thirty-eight minutes into a speech that opened with Ukraine, Putin’s invasion and the importance of democracy — but not a word yet about Gaza and the failure so far to get a cease-fire or a hostage release deal. Not the best-selling point for the Biden foreign policy ...
What is that thing in front of Speaker Johnson?
The object in front of Johnson on the rostrum is a 200-year-old inkstand.
From the House's website: “The inkstand is considered the oldest surviving artifact of the House and was made between 1810 and 1820. Although its origins are mysterious, it most likely came into the House around 1819. The inkstand is stamped with the mark of J. Leonard, a Washington silversmith and watchmaker. It contains three replacement crystal inkwells and is adorned on both sides by swags and eagles. The feet of the tray take the form of fasces with snakes winding around them, classical symbols of unity and wisdom, respectively.”