STEFANIK’S NOMINATION IN DANGER: GOP WORRIES OVER HOUSE MAJORITY
Rep. Elise Stefanik’s nomination as U.N. ambassador by former President Donald Trump is facing increasing uncertainty as pressure mounts within the Republican Party. With the GOP holding a fragile five-seat majority in the House, Republican leaders are concerned about the potential impact of Stefanik’s confirmation on their ability to maintain control. CBS News’ Jennifer Jacobs and Gabrielle Ake report that there are ongoing discussions about whether Stefanik should withdraw from the nomination to help secure the party’s hold on the House.
Speaker Mike Johnson is aware of these internal conversations, which intensified after discussions about the outcome of upcoming special elections in Florida. GOP officials are reportedly waiting to see the results of the April 1st elections for two vacant House seats in Florida before making any final decisions on Stefanik’s nomination.
Meanwhile, Trump is taking an active role in securing victories for Republicans in these special elections, including participating in tele-town halls with key candidates in Florida. As the party faces an uphill battle to hold its majority, Stefanik’s nomination could be at risk.
SIGNALGATE CONTINUES TO LOOM
The Signal scandal involving the inadvertent release of sensitive information remains a hot topic. While former Attorney General Pam Bondi defended the situation, claiming the information was not classified, Senate leaders are pressing for a formal investigation into the use of unclassified networks for discussing sensitive information. Senate Armed Services Committee leaders have called for an investigation into the matter, as concerns continue to mount about security breaches.
DEFENSE DEPARTMENT UNDER SCRUTINY
The White House is providing cover for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth amid ongoing fallout from the Signal controversy. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that the mistake had been acknowledged, and changes were in the works. However, she also underscored that the national security adviser had taken responsibility for the mishap. Meanwhile, reports on recent airstrikes suggest a more aggressive approach by the Trump administration compared to the Biden administration, with a focus on targeting high-ranking personnel and expanding strikes.
IN WASHINGTON: A TRUMP-APPROVED MOVE FROM D.C. MAYOR
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is taking steps to please Republicans, including a move that could lead to hate crime charges for vandals accused of writing anti-Elon Musk graffiti. The decision to label the act as a potential hate crime has sparked some debate, with critics arguing that it was an overreaction for what was essentially graffiti on car windows.
OTHER POLITICAL UPDATES
– House Republicans’ Budget: Majority Leader Steve Scalise acknowledged that finalizing the GOP’s budget blueprint could take longer than expected, even if the Senate completes its side of the process next week.
– Federal Workforce Cuts: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) plans to reduce its workforce by over 20%, aligning with Trump’s broader efforts to reshape federal agencies.
– Anti-Abortion Lobbying: Anti-abortion groups, including Students for Life, are ramping up efforts in Washington to push for defunding Planned Parenthood ahead of a key Supreme Court case.
BUSINESS AND POLICY UPDATES
– California’s Influence on the ‘Abundance’ Movement: The “Abundance” movement, which critiques ineffective governance and overregulation, has gained traction, especially among liberals concerned about California’s political climate.
– Corporate Influence in State AG Offices: Investigations reveal that corporate lawyers and lobbyists are gaining access to state attorneys general through privately organized trips, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
As Washington navigates these developments, the political landscape continues to shift, with key battles over leadership, policy, and party unity on the horizon.
Michelle Ross-Stanton Sues Fox News Over Husband’s Death in Ukraine
Michelle Ross-Stanton, the widow of Fox News journalist Pierre Zakrzewski, who was killed while reporting in Ukraine in 2022, is suing the network, claiming Fox News did not provide adequate protection for her husband and lacked sufficient insurance to fully compensate his family after his death. According to *The Washington Post*’s Jeremy Barr, Fox News defended its actions, stating that it did everything possible in the aftermath of the tragedy amid the chaos of the war zone.
In Memoriam
– Lanny Griffith, a founding partner of BGR Group, passed away. He was instrumental in the firm’s development and served in several roles in the administration of President George H.W. Bush, including as Special Assistant to the President in 1989. Read the full obituary.
– Okeysha “Keysha” Yashica Brooks-Coley died on March 15, 2025, at the age of 49. Keysha, who was Vice President of Advocacy at the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, was known for her leadership and advocacy work, particularly at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). Read the full obituary.
– Francis Layrle, the celebrated chef de cuisine at the French Embassy in Washington, passed away on March 20 at the age of 73. Known for his three-decade tenure at the embassy and later as the owner of La Piquette bistro, Layrle died of cholangiocarcinoma. Read the full obituary.
Out and About
– Celebrating Jewish Women in Congress: Senators and Representatives gathered to honor the Jewish women of the 119th Congress with Hadassah, Jewish Women International, and National Council of Jewish Women. SPOTTED: Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), Lois Frankel (D-Fla.), and others.
– “Don’t Tax the Light” Reception: At The Joseph Rainey Center for Public Policy’s reception, SPOTTED: Rep. Mike Kennedy (R-Utah), Sarah Hunt, Michelle Moore, and others.
– BMI & Smithsonian Songwriting Discussion: At the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, musician Eric Church joined a discussion on songwriting, attended by Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and others.
– Valiant Strategies Launch: At El Cielo, Filemon Vela, Rose Vela, and Paulina Mejia Shibler celebrated the launch of their lobbying firm. SPOTTED: Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Reps. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas), and more.
– Intersect Public Affairs Launch: At Ciel Social Club, SPOTTED: FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, Reps. Rob Menendez (D-N.J.), Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), and many others.
Transitions
– L. Felice Gorordo has been appointed CEO of Embark. He was previously the executive director at the World Bank.
– John Ladd is now senior adviser at Jobs for the Future. He formerly served as administrator of the office of apprenticeship at the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration.