Abortion…Yesterday, the lower chamber passed two measures (largely) along party lines. Including the "born alive" bill, which would require doctors to provide care to infants born after an attempted abortion (which is rare). 210 Democrats voted against it. A second bill would “condemn attacks” on anti-abortion orgs and pregnancy crisis centers. The bills highlight a shift in priorities now that Republicans control the chamber. But both are expected to fall flat in the Senate where Democrats still hold a majority.
President Biden…Yesterday, the House Oversight Committee asked the Treasury Dept for info on President Biden’s family finances amid suspicions of fraud in their business dealings. The panel also wants to hear from former Twitter execs about why they allegedly censored a news story about the president's son, Hunter Biden. Also keeping the committee busy: an ongoing investigation into not one but apparently two batches of classified documents from Biden's time as VP.
The IRS…Earlier this week, the House passed legislation that would cut more than $70 billion (about 90%) of new funding for the IRS. The money was supposed to help the agency expand so it could crack down on tax cheats. But Republicans said it would have led the IRS to go after small businesses. President Biden vowed to veto the measure, if it somehow survived in the Senate. He said House Republicans' “top economic priority” is to let the rich and big companies “skip out on their taxes.”
theSkimm
The Republican-led House is laying out its legislative priorities. But with a razor-thin majority and a divided government, the lower chamber appears to be in for a challenging time.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Yesterday, it blamed a corrupted database file for an outage that grounded thousands of planes. The glitch in a safety system — the Notice to Air Missions (aka NOTAM) — prevented pilots from getting crucial information (like bad weather conditions). And delayed more than 10,000 flights and canceled over 1,000 others — affecting an estimated 3 million passengers. The FAA said it's working to prevent this from happening again. Meanwhile, experts said the outage shows what can happen when relying on an “antiquated” system. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the dept will be reviewing the FAA's technology.
Not chugging along: Earlier this week, a freight derailment delayed an Amtrak train carrying over 550 passengers by about 20 hours. Panicked passengers called 911, prompting conductors to clarify they weren’t being held hostage. Guess, the next trip may be a road trip.
Where people are taking action…
Illinois. Earlier this week, Gov. JB Pritzker (D) signed a bill banning the sale and distribution of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines in the state. It comes six months after a gunman — who used a legally purchased AR-15-style gun — killed seven people at an Independence Day parade in the Chicago suburb of Highland Park. Now, Illinois joins eight other states and DC in passing such a measure. Pritzker promised to “keep fighting” to ensure that future generations only hear about massacres in their textbooks. Meanwhile, gun-rights advocates said 'see you in court.'
The fine print: Under the new law, people who already own assault weapons can still keep them on their property, at gun ranges, and hunting areas. But they have to register them with the Illinois State Police for tracking.
Who’s saying ‘to infinity and beyond’…
Russia. Yesterday, the country’s space agency said it’s launching a rescue mission to bring home three astronauts stuck on the International Space Station. Last month, a micrometeoroid struck the capsule that would've brought home two Russian cosmonauts and one US astronaut. The hit caused a leak and made travel unsafe. Now, Russia's sending up an empty capsule next month to bring the crew members back to Earth after a few more months in orbit. So far, space appears to be the exception for cooperation between Moscow and Washington since the invasion of Ukraine.
Who checked the couch cushions…
FTX. Yesterday, the crypto exchange said it found over $5 billion worth of cash and other assets. Because that much money is just so easy to misplace. The discovery comes after the disgraced founder, Sam Bankman-Fried, pleaded not guilty to criminal charges in a New York court.
Who saw what’s been happening with all of the awards shows and thought ‘I want that’...
If you’re a pirate, X marks the spot. If you’re a person with a vulva, well, some spots are harder to find. Yep, we’re talking about the G-spot. Which, as it turns out, isn’t a specific ‘spot’ at all. It’s actually an entire area within the walls of the vagina that’s tied to a few different sensitive organs. And *spoiler alert* that doesn’t make it easier to locate.
Enter: Dame’s Arc vibrator. It’s specifically designed to get into the zone every. single. time. Thanks to its easy-reach curved handle, stimulating ridge, and veryyyy powerful motor. Oh and the best part? Skimm’rs get a special discount. G-et in there.
Skimm Life
We’re in the thick of winter, and surprise: We’re feeling pretty chilly. If you are too, look no further:
Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life…
1. Career tips from the visionary behind a restaurant empire. We chatted with Pinky Cole, the CEO of Slutty Vegan, in our latest “9 to 5ish” ep, sponsored by Slack. Learn how hitting rock bottom played a major role in her success riiight here.*
2. How to master a new language in time for your 2023 travels. Whether you leave in three months or three weeks, this subscription helps you learn words and phrases that’ll make you sound juuuust like a local. Psst…their New Year’s 60% off sale ends Sunday.*
3. Products to help you work out at home. No one wants to trudge to the gym in freezing weather. We rounded up items that'll help you break a sweat from your living room.
Psst...looking for more discounts on brands Skimm'rs love? Check out all of our exclusive promo codes here.
On Our Radar
A way to get rid of migraines that doesn't involve swallowing a pill. Psst...it's trending for a reason, and that reason is that it works. Slip it on when you've got a headache brewing. Relief is around the corner.
Skimm'rs
We like to celebrate the wins, big and small. Let us know how your friends, neighbors, coworkers (and yes, even you) are making career moves, checking off goals, or making an impact in the community.
Cooking with care…Amy S (NY). As a chef, she decided to team up with the Source of Life Foundation to help provide fresh fruits and vegetables to food deserts in Senegal.
(Some) Birthdays…theSkimm's Maggie Labonte (NY), Jodi Sherman (NY), Brandy Amini (MD), Becca LeCompte (VA), Starr Lederer (FL), Betsy Hoover (IA), Kylee Ward (TX), Julian Mu (MD), Victoria Fisher (MI), Stevie Lamb (CA), Christy Kruckeberg (OK), Kim Dee (AZ), Lindsey Clark (PA), Necessittee Lyday (OK), Eliza Hodge (ME), Dani Cifelli (RI), Bunmi Parks (MI)
PS: Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.
Skimm'd by: Rashaan Ayesh, Melanie De Lima, Kate Gilhool, Maria del Carmen Corpus, and Mariza Smajlaj
