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March 22, 2017 | SUBSCRIBE
The House will vote on the Obamacare repeal tomorrow and Republicans still don't have the votes. Trump met with GOP leaders to persuade them, stopping short of saying you’ll sleep with the fishes if this bill doesn’t pass. Meanwhile, Dems will gather on the Capitol steps at 10AM to celebrate the seventh anniversary of Obamacare. In other news, SCOTUS nominee Judge Neil Gorsuch dodged questions about how he would rule on the administration's travel ban and said gay marriage is "absolutely settled law." But we begin today’s Beat with the burning question that was on everyone’s mind yesterday. Here’s your Wednesday read…
Who is the Sister Sitting Behind Gorsuch?
The burning question for Beat readers yesterday? This-- Who was that sister sitting behind SCOTUS nominee Judge Neil Gorsuch? Ask and you shall receive! That was none other than GOP strategist Mary Elizabeth Taylor, who now works for the Trump administration in the WH Legislative Affairs office. She began interning in the Senate in July 2006. Taylor worked for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and was an assistant in the Senate Republican cloakroom, where politicians are known to make deals outside of official meetings. More about her here.
CBC Meets with Trump Today
CBC Chair Cedric Richmond (D-LA) today will meet with the president. Richmond will be joined by fellow CBC members André Carson (D-IN) (who plans to address the president's EO banning travel from several Muslim-majority countries), Karen Bass (D-CA), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Brenda Lawrence (D-MI), and Anthony Brown (D-MD) (who plans on addressing funding for HBCUs). They plan to discuss issues related to the African American community, including the president's proposed budget, education, criminal justice reform, and healthcare. “This will be a serious meeting, not a photo opportunity,” Richmond said in a statement. More here.
Obama's Home State of Illinois Rejects a Holiday in His Honor for Now
Illinois lawmakers passed a bill that would have designated former President Barack Obama's birthday a state holiday. But after Republicans raised a variety of concerns, from the economic impact of closing state buildings on holidays to the "inconsistent way" presidents from Illinois are recognized, the bill was not signed into law. More here.
González Helps Vets Who Have Been Deported
Congressman Vicente González (D-TX)
recently submitted language for a bill that would help thousands of veterans who have been banished from their homes and stripped of their benefits after being deported. His CoS José Borjón said the bill was being drafted by the House Legislative Council, and that González has been looking across the aisle for someone to help co-sponsor the new legislation. More here.
Electronics Banned on 13 Airlines Flying From Africa, Middle East
The Trump administration on Monday banned 13 airlines that fly from Africa and the Middle East to the United States from allowing passengers to have electronics in their carry-on luggage. The ban, which went into effect Tuesday, does exclude cell phones and medical devices, but all other electronic devices, including laptops, would be required to be packed in checked baggage rather than carried on the plane, according to a tweet from Royal Jordanian Airlines. More here.
Power Brunch with Michelle Obama
FLOTUS44 Michelle Obama was seen brunching at the Breslin in NYC with Sarah Jessica Parker, Robin Roberts, and Gayle King. A spy said the power women recently met up at the hip gastropub and “sat for a long time in a booth having champagne and Bloody Marys with their meal.” They were surrounded by Secret Service. Now THAT’s a take on Sex & the City that HBO should film. More here.
NBC News and MSNBC Has Woman of Color at the Helm
Rashida Jones was appointed Senior Vice President of Specials for NBC News and MSNBC. The Hampton University graduate was previously managing editor of MSNBC's day side programming. Jones has been integral in the network's rebranding and the new focus on breaking news coverage. Under her leadership, MSNBC day side programming saw year-to-year triple-digit growth, a trend that continues. More about Rashida here.
Obama Alumnus Running for Office
Ronnie Cho served three years as President Obama's Associate Director of Public Engagement. He left that post to become MTV's Vice President of Public Affairs. Now he is one of a handful of candidates vying for New York City Councilwoman Rosie Méndez's Manhattan seat. Learn more about him here.
Pearls, Pumps, MoC, and…a Real Housewife of Atlanta??
The second annual Pearls, Pumps, Blazers and Bowties event honoring Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (D-FL) is happening on Monday, March 27th. Phaedra Parks of The Real Housewives of Atlanta will be the special guest for this reception. Other expected attendees include Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Assistant Democratic Leader James E. Clyburn (D-SC), Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley (D-NY), Vice Chair Linda Sánchez (D-CA), and fellow MoCs Peter DeFazio (D-OR), G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), André Carson (D-IN), John Conyers (D-MI), Marcia Fudge (D-OH), Alcee Hastings (D-FL), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Cedric Richmond (D-LA), and Terri Sewell (D-AL).
VA Dems Introduce Legislation to Recognize Native American Tribes  
On Tuesday, the 400th anniversary of the burial of Pocahontas, Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Mark R. Warner (D-VA) reintroduced a bill that would grant federal recognition to six Virginia Indian tribes that were among the first to greet English settlers in 1607. The proposed law faces hurdles, but if it's approved, the change in status will make available federal funds for housing, education and medical care to the Chickahominy, the Eastern Chickahominy, the Upper Mattaponi, the Rappahannock, the Monacan and the Nansemond tribes. It would also, its sponsors say, help right a long-standing wrong. More here.
Acosta Questioned on Labor Policies
Labor nominee Alexander Acosta will be questioned by senators about his work record and his views on labor policies during his confirmation hearing this morning. Acosta, the dean of the law school at Florida International University, promised to work with Congress to come up with strategies to “reduce the skills gap” and help more people find jobs. Acosta was introduced by Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Ted Cruz (R-TX), two fellow Cuban Americans who applauded Acosta’s record and described him as someone who would reach across the aisle to enact policies. More here.
Turner Broadcasting Taps Ready for Hillary African American Media Liaison
Denise Horn has been named Director of Corporate Communications for Turner Broadcasting in New York. Most recently, she was director of African American media at Hillary for America, Assistant Press Secretary at the Department of Education, and traveling press aide for Obama for America. To learn more about this Howard grad, click here.
Cendana Steps Down from APALA
In June of this year, APALA Executive Director Gregory A. Cendana will be stepping down as a full-time staffer, and transitioning from the organization by August. He was the youngest and first openly gay person to serve as executive director, and during his tenure also served as the first Filipino and openly gay chair of the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans, and youngest general board member of the AFL-CIO. APALA is now accepting applications for a new ED. The deadline to submit all application materials is Friday, April 7th. More here.
SCOTUS Refuses to Hear Appeal from Menéndez
SCOTUS on Monday refused to hear an appeal from Senator Robert Menéndez (D-NJ), who was indicted on federal bribery charges in 2015. Menéndez is accused of soliciting and accepting gifts from his friend, Dr. Salomón Melgen, a Florida-based ophthalmologist, and using the power of his office in return for influencing the visa proceedings of Melgen’s foreign girlfriends. More here.
Ballou Hosts Misty Copeland at the National Press Club
National Press Club President Jeff Ballou, the first African American male president of the NPC, will host Misty Copeland, the first African American female Principal Dancer with the prestigious American Ballet Theatre, in April to discuss her new book, Ballerina Body. Stay tuned to The Beat for more details about the upcoming confluence of this Black Girl Magic and Black Boy Joy happening next month. More about Copeland’s book here.
Council on Foundations Names Brevard VP of Communications
The Council on Foundations announced that Janelle Carter Brevard has been named VP of Communications and will lead the Council’s strategic communications efforts to advance its policy and programmatic agenda. Janelle most recently served as Director of Communications and Government Affairs at the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The Florida A&M University graduate also had stints as a speechwriter for former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and former Senator Elizabeth Dole (R-NC). More here.
Gowdy Joins with Scott on Telephone Town Hall
Congressman Trey Gowdy (R-SC)
plans to hold a telephonic townhall at 5:30P this afternoon with guest Senator Tim Scott (R-SC). The townhall is open to all constituents living in SC’s Fourth District. Presumably, the pair will address questions and concerns on policies coming out of the administration. The RSVP link is here.
Only Latino Doctor in Congress Concerned About GOP’s ACA Replacement
Congressman Raúl Ruíz (D-CA) is the only Latino physician out of 15 doctors in Congress and is also a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, which has jurisdiction over health issues. As a member of the committee, he has been actively involved in the debate over the GOP healthcare plan to replace ACA. Latinos are 40 percent of all uninsured Americans, although the number of Latinos without insurance has dropped with Obamacare. He gives his concerns here.
Former Pacer Rep. Lawson Talks March Madness
Freshman Congressman Al Lawson (D-FL), 68, has a special interest in March Madness as a former Indiana Pacer.  He also has a love of landscaping and La-La Means I Love You by the Delfonics stays in heavy rotation on his playlist. The FAMU Rattler talks this and more with Roll Call. Click here to read.  
Open Society Names Fellow on Racial Justice
The Open Society Foundations announced the recipients of the Soros Equality Fellowship, a new initiative to help emerging mid-career professionals become long-term innovative leaders in the field of racial justice. The seven fellows are: Alice Hom, Deepa Iyer, Leah Penniman, Purvi Shah, David Felix Sutcliffe, Rachel Swarns, and Hank Willis Thomas. Click here to learn more about their respective areas of focus.
Cortez Masto Does Q&A
On Thursday at 3P, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) is participating in a Q&A session with Tumblr. Have questions?  You can ask them here.
Trump Supporter Postpones Chicago “Gang Summit”
Remember the Cleveland-area minister and Trump supporter who claimed gang members reached out to him, inspired by this president, to get the body count down in Chicago? And then he recanted, blaming a lack of sleep on his alternative fact.  Well, he had planned to hold what he billed as "a gang summit" at the O'Hare Marriott on Tuesday afternoon. But late Monday, the Rev. Darrell Scott said the summit was postponed because certain people he invited to speak couldn't make it. Scott said the meeting would be rescheduled for a later date. We’ll be waiting. More here.
Flint to Receive $100 Million in Federal Funding
Michigan Dems Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters and Congressman Dan Kildee said the EPA had approved $100 million in funding for Flint, authorized under legislation passed by Congress and signed into law by former President Barack Obama late last year. The legislation also included a provision to forgive another $20 million in past infrastructure loans to Flint. It also included $50 million for monitoring and addressing the needs of children exposed to lead, though that funding wasn't specifically for Flint. More here.
Berkeley Divests from Companies Who Play Any Part in Border Wall
As Donald Trump moves forward with plans to build a border wall, the city of Berkeley, CA, has taken a stand against the structure, unanimously backing a resolution recommending that Berkeley divests from any company that plays a role in the building of the wall. Nearby Oakland may be next in line, as its city leaders are also proposing a boycott of companies that work on the border wall. More here.
Events by André Wells: Philanthropy and Creativity
This year’s 18th Annual Alvin Ailey Opening Gala broke a record raising more than a million dollars for the first time since its inception. What pushed the fundraising this year? A who's who host committee coupled with the masterful work of event planner 
André Wells. The haut monde of DC have enjoyed the privilege of making the guest list to events by Wells for years. He speaks with HuffPo about his new ventures and the importance of giving back. Click here to read.
Chuck Berry Exhibit on Display at the National Portrait Gallery
The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery recognizes the life and accomplishments of rock ’n’ roll legend Chuck Berry with a collage by Red Grooms (1978). It will be installed today in the museum's In Memoriam space on the first floor. A special feature of this work is the imagined “Maybellene,” who stands on the neck of the guitar at the center. The work will remain on view through Sunday, April 9th. More here.
Omarosa Changing Wedding Plans
Omarosa is readying to exchange vows with Florida Pastor John Allen Newman. But she says protesters are forcing her to change her wedding plans. She told Fox and Friends that for protesters, it’s less about her than Trump, but “if they get to me, they get to him.” More here
Spotted
NCLR President & CEO Janet Murguía and Univisión EVP, Government & Corporate Affairs Jessica Herrera-Flanigan hosted more than 50 women for a Latinas Lead Luncheon to celebrate Women’s History Month on Tuesday. Spotted at the event:  Former ambassadors Mari Carmen Aponte and Carmen Lomellin, Univisión’s Victoria Jeffries and Liliana Ranon, NCLR’s Lisa Navarrete and Delia de la Vara, AT&T’s Susan Santana, Herbalife’s Angela Arboleda, Comcast’s Jackie Puente, The Raben Group’s Zuraya Tapia, Dewey Square’s María Cardona, D&P’s Ingrid Pino Durán and Catherine Pino Durán, Carlos Rosario International Public School’s Sonia Gutiérrez, and The Aspen Institute’s Abigail Golden-Vázquez.
              Videos of the Day
                    (click images to play)
Omarosa was slated for an appearance on Monday night's The Daily Show. However, she was a no-show. Trevor Noah explains her absence here.
Congressman Joaquín Castro (D-TX) says Trump is lying about former President Obama wiretapping him.
On Tuesday, Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) were joined by Wade Henderson, Nan Aron, Michael Keegan, Kimberly McIntosh, and others to oppose the confirmation of Judge Neil Gorsuch.
The Border Network for Human Rights plans to file a civil rights lawsuit against the Texas Department of Public Safety over the arrest of undocumented immigrant Jesús Vásquez, after he was pulled over by state troopers who stopped him for having dark window tint on his vehicle and later called Border Patrol agents, who arrested him.
Congressman Buddy Carter (R-GA) appeared on MSNBC's Joy Reid on Sunday to talk ACA replacement. 
A new documentary presented by NBC Asian America, and directed and produced by Sahra V. Nguyen, is now streaming online. The Beat brought you part one on Monday. This is part two. 
The Beat's Tiffany D. Cross accepts the Changing the Face of Politics Award and announces Sophia Houdaigui as the "Young Woman to Watch" at Running Start's 11th-annual awards dinner at the National Museum of Women in the Arts on Monday night. 
Pics of the Day
(click image for more info)
Desis for Progress hosted South Asian American members of Congress for a discussion, led by Congressman Ami Bera (D-CA) which focused on how they got involved in the political process, and challenges faced by the newly elected members. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) is seen here addressing the crowd.
Univisión's Jessica Rae Herrera-FlaniganAT&T's Susan Santana and NCLR's Janet Murguía at NCLR and Univisión's Latinas Lead Luncheon on Tuesday.
Jessica Rae Herrera-Flanigan, Catherine Pino Durán, Ingrid Pino DuránJennice Fuentes, former ambassador Mari Carmen Aponte, Janet Murguía, María Cardona, and other Latina influencers gathered at NCLR and Univisión's Latinas Lead Luncheon on Tuesday.
Frank Sesno talks A Black Man in the White House with Cornell Belcher at George Washington University on Tuesday night.
Running Start Board Chair and CBCF's Tasha Cole, Congressman Will Hurd (R-TX), and Laura Cox Kaplan at Monday's Running Start awards dinner. 
Congressman Henry Cuéllar (D-TX) participates in a telephonic townhall with constituents from his DC office on Tuesday night.
A group of influencers gather for the BET Network's annual Leading Women Defined event at Miami's St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort on Tuesday.
Congressman Raúl Ruíz (D-CA) and his wife Monica, celebrate twins Sage and Sky on Capitol Hill as the adorable duo turns two. ¡Felicidades! ¡Qué lindas!
The National Portrait Gallery recognizes the life and accomplishments of rock ’n’ roll legend Chuck Berry with a collage by Red Grooms, currently installed in the museum's In Memoriam space. The work will be on display through April 9th. 
The Other Twitterverse
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LOOK AHEAD
Friday, March 24th, 12P: The Congressional Staff Association Fair takes place in the Rayburn Foyer. The event is open to all current Senate and House staff.
Friday, March 25th, 7P: CHSA hosts Dominoes night at Los Hermanos, 1428 Park Rd., NW. RSVP here.
Saturday, March 25th, 10A: The National Association of Hispanic Journalists, along with the Washington Association of Black Journalists, the Asian American Journalists Association, and several other journalism organizations, are sponsoring the largest annual journalism job fair in DC at the Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies in downtown DC. For more information and to register, click here
Tuesday, March 28th, 6P: HLA hosts a welcome reception for new MoCs. RSVP here.
Wednesday, March 29th, 1PM: The Latina Maternal and Child Health Project will be hosting a Congressional Staff Briefing in Cannon Room 122. It will be held in cooperation with the Congressional Caucus on Maternity Care. RSVP here.
March 31st, 6:30P: A Celebration of Women with Johnnetta B. Cole as she prepares to retire from the National Museum of African Art. DJ Sabine Blaizin, Afro-fusion band Eme and Heteru, and vocalist Loide Jorge turn up the volume for an evening of African music, dance, and art. Click here for more info.
Friday, April 21st - Monday, April 24th: National South Asian Summit 2017. D.C. Click here for more info.
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