Welcome to the online version of Political officeAn evening newsletter that brings you the latest report and analysis of the NBC News Policy team from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign campaign.
Happy Wednesday from Washington, where the emphasis was (at least partially) back on the choices of President Donald Trump’s office. We break down the key moments of the confirmation audience of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Ministry of Health and Social Services. In addition, Ben Kamisar compares Trump’s position with voters to that of other recent presidents when they came into office.
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– Adam Wollner
4 things to know about the confirmation hearing of RFK Jr.
It was the turn of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in the hot seat while he compared to the senators so that the first of the two hearings was the next secretary for health and social services.
While several of the choices of the office of President Donald Trump aroused controversy, the appointment of Kennedy is unique in that it attracted the opposition of those on the left and the right. The 3 -hour hearing ahead of the Senate finance committee gave Kennedy its most in order to respond to concerns.
Here are the main points to remember:
Vaccines: As expected, Kennedy’s long history of hostility towards vaccines was a major line of questioning. Kennedy tried to get ahead of his opening declaration, declaring that he is not “anti-vaccine or anti-industrial” but “pro-security”, as Natasha Korecki reports.
But the Democrats did not buy it. Senator Ron Wyden, D-ear., The Committee classification member, pressed Kennedy of his comments on a Podcast 2023 in which he said: “There is no vaccine that is safe and effective.” Kennedy said the quote had been withdrawn from its context.
“I support the measles vaccine. I support the polio vaccine. I will not do anything as secretary of the HHS who makes things difficult or discourages people from taking anything, “he said.
Abortion: Likewise, Kennedy, a former democrat, sought to go back to his comments spent on abortion rights, which were a concern for the conservatives.
While he presented himself to the presidency last year, Kennedy said on a podcast that he would support allowing women to have abortions at a complete term. Days later, He brought back his positionWriting on X that “abortion should be legal up to a certain number of weeks, and then restricted”.
Kennedy faced questions from senators on both sides of the aisle on his position. And he tried to align with Trump, saying that the abortion policy should be left for states. He also added that Trump had asked him to study the mifepristone abortion pill.
“I agree with President Trump that each abortion is a tragedy,” said Kennedy, a line he has repeated several times at the hearing. “I am used for the pleasure of the president. I will implement its policies. »»
Medicaid: While Kennedy did not face the opposition of the Republicans, he was triggered during a line of questions from Senator Bill Cassidy, R-La., About Medicaid.
For example, Kennedy said that Medicaid bonuses and franchises were too high, saying that most people who use it are “not happy”. But most people from Medicaid are not billed for bonuses or franchises, and Surveys generally show The public considers the program favorably.
Cassidy will be a key factor in Kennedy’s path to confirmation. A doctor, Cassidy also chairs the health, education, labor and pensions committee, which will keep a confirmation audience for Kennedy on Thursday. Cassidy did not say how he planned to vote on Kennedy.
Conclusion: Kennedy was not loved towards any Democrat, but he has not yet publicly released Republican senators in opposition. He can afford to lose the support of only three in the Senate if the Democrats are united against him.
Senator Thom Tillis, RN.C., member of the finance committee which was a voting of Swing for the appointment of Pete Hegseth for the Secretary of Defense, said after the hearing: “I am in an alleged position Lean Yes, and everything he did today has not eroded this position.
Learn more of Natasha on the audience →
What the polls say to the start of Trump’s second term
By Ben Kamisar
The early survey shows that Donald Trump starts with more support from voters – and more room for maneuver – than he had done in his first mandate in the White House. But it remains to be seen how they will judge its first actions as president.
Trump entered his second mandate with a better image note than in January 2017. The NBC News / Wall Street Journal survey from the days preceding its first inauguration found that 38% of adults gave him positive notes, While Fox News found 42% of registered registrants the voters considered it positively at that time.
NOW, Fox News’ most recent survey shows Trump with a positive note of 50% among registered voters and a New Wall Street Journal Poll noted that 47% of registered voters consider it favorably. (The two surveys were conducted before Trump took up his duties.)
An analysis of NBC News surveys covering the last five presidencies shows how much honeymoon can be in the White House.
Joe Biden: Its 51% approval rating in April 2021 slipped to 45% by the end of October and 41% by March 2022. Its approval rating has never exceeded 46% for the rest of its presidency .
Donald Trump: His first approval rating in the NBC News survey was 44% in February 2017, which immediately slipped 39% by the next NBC News survey in May. But Trump’s approval rating was more inelastic than those of other presidents of recent memory, remaining in a relatively close range of 39% to 47% for all its presidency.
Barack Obama: Her The 60% approval rating in early March 2009 remained consistent in a NBC news survey the following month. But he slipped into four of the next five surveys, although his hollow of 47% in December 2009 was significantly higher than the depths than Trump or the number of Biden have reached. After the initial dive, Obama’s notation oscillated at around 50% until the summer before the 2010 mid-term elections.
Bill Clinton: Its approval rating increased from 51% shortly after its entry into office at 57% in March 1993. It slipped to 41% by June 1993 before it fell up to 60% during its First anniversary in office.
Clinton’s approval rating slid in 1994 up to 43% before the Republicans took care of the congress during this year’s mid-term elections.
(The first year of George W. Bush was spoiled by the terrorist attacks of September 11, which makes it difficult to compare with the first years of other presidencies.)
🗞️ The best stories of today
- 🚫 scrape this: The Trump administration has canceled a prescription that puts a widespread frost on most federal grants and loans in the midst of important criticisms. Learn more →
- ➡️ Following: Trump has signed a large executive decree goal Transition -related medical care For minors and a service note to set up preparations for an installation shelter thousands of migrants to Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. He should also sign another prescription intended Expansion of school choice.
- 📝 First things first: Trump signed the first bill of his second term: a strict measure of immigration detention called the law of Laken Riley which was transmitted by the congress with bipartite support. Learn more →
- ⚖️ In the courts: A judge sentenced former senator Bob Menendez, DN.J., to 11 years in prison for a year -round and corruption program that rewarded him with golden bars and silver batteries. Learn more →
- ↔️ Stay the course: Officials of the Federal Reserve have held stable interest rates despite Trump pressure on decision -makers to reduce them. Learn more →
- 💸 Money disorders: Immigration and customs application faced a budget deficit that started before Trump takes up his duties, which could be an obstacle to his promise of mass deportations. Learn more →
- 🗓️ Mark your calendar: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should become the first foreign leader to meet Trump during his second term with a White House trip next week. Learn more →
- ☀️ Sunshine State Standoff: An advance to implement Trump’s immigration program in Florida should fall flat, Governor Ron Desantis promising veto to the proposal of the republican legislators adopted late Tuesday. Learn more →
- 👟 Kick the box: Speaking of Florida, the republicans of the room were still in their honeymoon phase while they met for a retreat this week in Doral. But large clashes on how to advance Trump’s legislative program are not resolved. Learn more →
- 🗳️ About last night: Speaking of Florida (again), a pair of republicans approved by Trump easily won a pair of special house primaries in the state on Tuesday, preparing them to fill two deep vacant and red seats and fill the thin majority of the party. Learn more →
- 📘 Read all about it: Discover an extract from an upcoming book by Jonathan Allen from NBC News and Amie Parnes of the hill detailing the botched attempt at Kamala Harris campaign to plan an interview with Joe Rogan. Learn more →
- Follow the political coverage of NBC News →
It’s all of the political bureau for the moment. Today’s newsletter was compiled by Adam Wollner and Bridget Bowman.
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