Good Wednesday morning. Here are some of the stories making news in Washington and politics today.

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• After two years of silence, the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, will finally sit for prolonged questioning at two House hearings today. But for all the anticipation, will it be more fizzle than sizzle? Here’s why expectations are low. And here’s what you need to know before the questions start.

• Who’s the guy sitting next to Mr. Mueller? That’s Aaron Zebley, his longtime right-hand aide. Here’s the story behind the last-minute request to include him.

• The symbol was central to Hillary Clinton’s campaign. But in this barrier-breaking field of female candidates, nobody wants to talk about the “glass ceiling.” These are the metaphors of a new generation of candidates.