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--> A midday take on what's happening in politics and how to have a sense of humor about it.*

*Ha. Haha. Hahah. Sniff. Haha. Sniff. Ha--breaks down crying hysterically.

The Hill's 12:30 Report: Breaking — Pelosi plans to send impeachment articles next week | Dems prep for new fight over trial witnesses | Trump hits Iran with new sanctions | Graham, Paul feud over Trump war powers | Economy adds 145K jobs, meeting expectations | Bloomberg vows to help fund eventual Dem nominee | Larry David, Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersMcConnell accuses Democrats of sowing division by 'downplaying progress' on election security The Hill's Campaign Report: Arizona shifts towards Biden | Biden prepares for drive-in town hall | New Biden ad targets Latino voters Why Democrats must confront extreme left wing incitement to violence MORE catch up on 'Today' show | National Bittersweet Chocolate Day

BREAKING

'It's going down, I'm yelling timber':

Three weeks after the House passed two articles of impeachment against President Trump Donald John TrumpHR McMaster says president's policy to withdraw troops from Afghanistan is 'unwise' Cast of 'Parks and Rec' reunite for virtual town hall to address Wisconsin voters Biden says Trump should step down over coronavirus response MORE, Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiMcConnell focuses on confirming judicial nominees with COVID-19 talks stalled Overnight Defense: Top admiral says 'no condition' where US should conduct nuclear test 'at this time' | Intelligence chief says Congress will get some in-person election security briefings Pelosi must go — the House is in dire need of new leadership MORE (D-Calif.) announced that she plans to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate next week. http://bit.ly/2Nf4xxW

Pelosi wrote in a letter to Democrats: "I have asked Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler Jerrold (Jerry) Lewis NadlerHouse passes bill to protect pregnant workers House Democrats postpone vote on marijuana decriminalization bill Attacks against the police are organized and violent MORE to be prepared to bring to the Floor next week a resolution to appoint managers and transmit articles of impeachment to the Senate. I will be consulting with you at our Tuesday House Democratic Caucus meeting on how we proceed further."

Read Pelosi's 'Dear Colleague' letter: http://bit.ly/2uu9psv

NEWS OF THE MORNING

Sanctions Friday:

The Trump administration just announced new sanctions on Iran after the missile attack on Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops. http://bit.ly/2sgo5ee

The sanctions: "The new sanctions target the Iranian aluminum, copper, iron and steel industries. The U.S. is also sanctioning eight senior Iranian officials who were allegedly involved in Tuesday's missile attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq."

On the Ukrainian plane crash: "We do believe that it is likely that plane was shot down by an Iranian missile," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoHillicon Valley: FBI chief says Russia is trying to interfere in election to undermine Biden | Treasury Dept. sanctions Iranian government-backed hackers Treasury Dept. sanctions Iranian government-backed hackers The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Pence lauds Harris as 'experienced debater'; Trump, Biden diverge over debate prep MORE told reporters. "We are going to let the investigation play out before we make a final determination. It's important that we get to the bottom of it."

Livestream of the announcement: http://bit.ly/36FSktP

Photo of Pompeo leaving the White House after the briefing: http://bit.ly/2FGARpa

INTERESTING READ -- 'HOW POMPEO CONVINCED TRUMP TO KILL SOLEIMANI AND FULFILLED A DECADE-LONG GOAL':

Via CNN's Nicole Gaouette and Jamie Gangel: https://cnn.it/306MMpM

Happy Friday! I'm Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what's coming up. Send comments, story ideas and events for our radar to cmartel@thehill.com -- and follow along on Twitter @CateMartel and Facebook.

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NEWS THIS MORNING

Doesn't it feel like we just had a jobs report?:

The U.S. economy added 145,000 jobs in December, meeting economists' expectations. http://bit.ly/2TaAWtp

What economists expected: 145,000-150,000 jobs

The unemployment rate: Remained at 3.5 percent.

Context: "The resilient job market is ... a significant advantage for President Trump as he seeks reelection on the strength of the U.S. economy. The president is counting on near-record lows in joblessness, stable growth and low inflation to woo swing voters that might be repelled by his other policies, rhetoric or conduct in office. Even so, the December jobs report showed areas of economic weakness that could cut against the president in November."

LATEST WITH IRAN

The House passed a war powers resolution:

In a largely party-line vote, the House passed a measure on Thursday to curb President Trump's power to go to war with Iran. http://bit.ly/2tPJL1i

The vote: 224-194

What it would do: The resolution would direct the president to end military hostilities with Iran unless Congress specifically authorizes it or in the face of an "imminent armed attack."

Keep in mind: This measure does not need Trump's signature.

Why: The measure would not need Trump's signature because it's what's known as a "concurrent resolution." But that has also left Democrats open to criticism that the resolution is just a messaging bill since concurrent resolutions are typically nonbinding, though their use to force the end of military hostilities under the War Powers Act is untested in court.

From Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.): "This is with real teeth. We're taking this path because it does not require ... a signature of the president of the United States. This is a statement of the Congress of the United States, and I will not have that statement be diminished by whether the president will veto it or not."

WHO VOTED AGAINST THEIR PARTY:

Three Republicans and eight Democrats. http://bit.ly/36EQUQw

Republicans: Reps. Thomas Massie Thomas Harold MassieGOP lawmaker praises Kyle Rittenhouse's 'restraint' for not emptying magazine during shooting Rep. Dan Meuser tests positive for COVID-19 Liz Cheney wins Wyoming GOP primary in reelection bid MORE (Ky.), Francis Rooney Laurence (Francis) Francis RooneyThe Hill's Convention Report: Democrats gear up for Day Two of convention The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - Gohmert tests positive; safety fears escalate on Capitol Hill Pelosi to require masks on House floor MORE (Fla.) and most notably Trump ally Matt Gaetz Matthew (Matt) GaetzLara Trump campaigns with far-right activist candidate Laura Loomer in Florida House to vote on removing cannabis from list of controlled substances The Hill's 12:30 Report: Sights and sounds from GOP convention night 1 MORE (Fla.) voted with Democrats.

Democrats: Reps. Ben McAdams (Utah), Anthony Brindisi (N.Y.), Joe Cunningham Joseph CunninghamGOP leader says he doesn't want Chamber's endorsement: 'They have sold out' Karen Pence stumps for GOP SC congressional candidate House Democrats' campaign arm releases ads hitting 10 Republicans on health care MORE (S.C.), Kendra Horn Kendra Suzanne HornGOP leader says he doesn't want Chamber's endorsement: 'They have sold out' US Chamber of Commerce set to endorse 23 House freshman Democrats GOP women's group launches six-figure campaign for House candidate Bice MORE (Okla.), Stephanie Murphy Stephanie MurphyDemocrats scramble on COVID-19 relief amid division, Trump surprise Bank lobbying group launches ad backing Collins reelection bid House Democrats call on State Department for information on Uighur prisoner Ekpar Asat MORE (Fla.), Josh Gottheimer Joshua (Josh) GottheimerCentrist House group offers bipartisan COVID-19 relief deal Hillicon Valley: Lawmakers introduce resolution condemning QAnon | US Cyber Command leader vows to 'defend forward' in protecting nation from cyberattacks House Democrats request briefing on seizure of terrorist cryptocurrency assets MORE (N.J.) and Elaine Luria Elaine Goodman LuriaUS Chamber of Commerce set to endorse 23 House freshman Democrats House panel votes against curtailing Insurrection Act powers after heated debate Republican Scott Taylor wins Virginia primary, to face Elaine Luria in rematch MORE (Va.) voted against the bill.

Ouch -- "If I had an eye problem, I would go to him. If I had a constitutional question, he would be the last guy I would pick':

The debate over President Trump's war powers is causing a rift between two of Trump's top allies, Sens. Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamThe Hill's Campaign Report: Arizona shifts towards Biden | Biden prepares for drive-in town hall | New Biden ad targets Latino voters Senate Democrats' campaign arm announces seven-figure investment to boost Graham challenger Graham: Comey to testify about FBI's Russia probe, Mueller declined invitation MORE (R-S.C.) and Rand Paul Randal (Rand) Howard PaulSecond GOP senator to quarantine after exposure to coronavirus GOP senator to quarantine after coronavirus exposure The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by National Industries for the Blind - Trump seeks to flip 'Rage' narrative; Dems block COVID-19 bill MORE (R-Ky.) http://bit.ly/2tLXcPL

^OK, so that quote: Graham was asked about Paul, who is also an ophthalmologist, and said: "If I had an eye problem, I would go to him. If I had a constitutional question, he would be the last guy I would pick."

Back story: "The two lawmakers are butting heads after Paul and Sen. Mike Lee Michael (Mike) Shumway LeeMcConnell shores up GOP support for coronavirus package McConnell tries to unify GOP Davis: The Hall of Shame for GOP senators who remain silent on Donald Trump MORE (R-Utah) emerged from Wednesday's classified briefing deeply critical of what they characterized as a warning from senior administration officials against debating Trump's war authority and their use of a 2002 authorization as the basis for last week's drone strike in Baghdad that killed Soleimani."

LATEST WITH THE IMPEACHMENT

Oh, see that was just round one:

Via The Hill's Jordain Carney, after Senate Republicans won round one in the fight over impeachment witnesses, Democrats are vowing to force votes along the way. http://bit.ly/2tJiMEq

The strategy for Democrats -- put pressure on a few GOP senators: "Democrats are vowing they will force votes at multiple points during the trial. The strategy sets up key junctures to watch during the likely weeks-long trial that, Democrats hope, keeps pressure on a handful of GOP senators they will need to win any of the looming procedural battles."

What Schumer is trying to do: "Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer Chuck SchumerMcConnell accuses Democrats of sowing division by 'downplaying progress' on election security Warren, Schumer introduce plan for next president to cancel ,000 in student debt Schumer lashes out at Trump over 'blue states' remark: 'What a disgrace' MORE (D-N.Y.) is seeking to shift the focus from [Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellMcConnell focuses on confirming judicial nominees with COVID-19 talks stalled McConnell accuses Democrats of sowing division by 'downplaying progress' on election security Warren, Schumer introduce plan for next president to cancel ,000 in student debt MORE (R-Ky.)] -- who has said he does not believe either Trump's legal team or House impeachment managers should call witnesses -- to rank-and-file members by noting that 'every senator will have to vote' on whether to call witnesses or compel documents."

What to expect: http://bit.ly/2tJiMEq

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

Sugar Democrat:

Via NBC's Josh Lederman and Stephanie Ruhle, Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has pledged to help fund the Democratic presidential nominee's campaign even if it is not him. https://nbcnews.to/2FEDPdU

It doesn't stop there!: "Bloomberg's vast tech operation will also be redirected to help the eventual nominee, as Democrats struggle to compete with the vaunted digital operation built by Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale Bradley (Brad) James ParscaleMORE. Hawkfish, a digital company started by Bloomberg that's carrying out his $100 million online ad campaign, will be retained through Election Day to help defeat Trump."

INTERESTING READ

From the NBA to Washington, D.C.:

Via The Hill's Scott Wong and Laura Kelly, "Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter is the NBA's latest political wunderkind, a basketball player as comfortable talking policy with conservative lawmakers and Democratic presidential candidates as he is blocking shots and garnering rebounds. Standing almost seven feet tall, the Swiss-born Turkish athlete has built himself an impressive contact list of high-profile U.S. politicians and D.C. insiders as he navigates his role as an outspoken critic of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and a defender of human rights." http://bit.ly/2tI6OLf

Keep in mind: "The 27-year-old Kanter is on track to become a U.S. citizen in June 2021, and the deeper he wades into politics and policy a future career in Washington is seeming more real and within his grasp, he said."

NOTABLE TWEETS

Long-lost twin, you mean!:

Bernie upon seeing Larry David at Today show: "Cousin!!" pic.twitter.com/I1Fbm1ihv3 — Faiz (@fshakir) January 10, 2020

ON TAP

The House is in. The Senate is out. President Trump is in Washington, D.C. Vice President Pence has no public events on his schedule.

10 ­– 11 a.m. EST: Votes in the House. The House's full schedule today: http://bit.ly/305wBJu

1:45 p.m. EST: President Trump meets with Secretary of State Pompeo.

3 p.m. EST Monday: The Senate returns. The Senate's schedule on Monday: http://bit.ly/35IbcXM

WHAT TO WATCH

10:45 a.m. EST: Pompeo and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin Steven Terner MnuchinMcConnell focuses on confirming judicial nominees with COVID-19 talks stalled Hillicon Valley: FBI chief says Russia is trying to interfere in election to undermine Biden | Treasury Dept. sanctions Iranian government-backed hackers On the Money: Pelosi draws line at .2T | Jobless claims dip | Swing-state jobless numbers an issue for Trump MORE held a press briefing in the White House on new Iran sanctions. Livestream: http://bit.ly/36FSktP

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Bittersweet Chocolate Day.

Because it's a soup weekend:

Via Washingtonian's Daniella Byck, here's a list of 10 cozy soup spots in Washington, D.C.: http://bit.ly/39XXgMQ

And to get your weekend off to an entertaining start, here's a kitten who hates technology. And I mean, HATES technology: http://bit.ly/2QDXFwd