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

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The Hill’s 12:30 Report: Trump taps lawmakers to advise on reopening | White House to release new social distancing guidelines today | How reopening became a partisan fight | Small business loan program out of money | Lawmakers divided on next steps | Another 5.2M file for unemployment | 200 days until Election Day | NBC Sports to air 100 hours from past Olympics

HAPPENING TODAY

How to reopen an economy, a step-by-step guide:

Via The Hill’s Morgan Chalfant, the White House is expected to release a plan today for how states can relax social distancing guidelines and reopen businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic. https://bit.ly/3bg1foj

Trump’s reasoning: President Trump Donald John TrumpUS reimposes UN sanctions on Iran amid increasing tensions Jeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Trump supporters chant 'Fill that seat' at North Carolina rally MORE claimed yesterday that the U.S. has “passed the peak” of coronavirus cases nationwide.

When to expect the announcement: After President Trump and Vice President Pence’s 3 p.m. call with governors.

This a.m. — Trump chooses a group of lawmakers to advise on reopening:

Via The Hill’s Morgan Chalfant, Jordain Carney and Scott Wong, Trump is asking a bipartisan group of lawmakers to help with determining when and how to reopen the U.S. economy. https://bit.ly/3et6Jhi

Democrats invited to be on the panel: Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin Richard (Dick) Joseph DurbinMcConnell focuses on confirming judicial nominees with COVID-19 talks stalled Senate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden Top GOP senator calls for Biden to release list of possible Supreme Court picks MORE (D-Ill.); Sens. Mark Warner Mark Robert WarnerIntelligence chief says Congress will get some in-person election security briefings Overnight Defense: Trump hosts Israel, UAE, Bahrain for historic signing l Air Force reveals it secretly built and flew new fighter jet l Coronavirus creates delay in Pentagon research for alternative to 'forever chemicals' House approves bill to secure internet-connected federal devices against cyber threats MORE (D-Va.), Martin Heinrich Martin Trevor HeinrichSenate Democrats demand White House fire controversial head of public lands agency Senate Democrats seek removal of controversial public lands head after nomination withdrawal Five takeaways from final Senate Intel Russia report MORE (D-N.M.), Dianne Feinstein Dianne Emiel FeinsteinMcConnell says Trump nominee to replace Ginsburg will get Senate vote Top Democrats call for DOJ watchdog to probe Barr over possible 2020 election influence Intensifying natural disasters do little to move needle on climate efforts MORE (D-Calif.), Maggie Hassan Margaret (Maggie) HassanCongress needs to prioritize government digital service delivery Senate Democrats demand answers on migrant child trafficking during pandemic Hillicon Valley: Feds warn hackers targeting critical infrastructure | Twitter exploring subscription service | Bill would give DHS cyber agency subpoena power MORE (D-N.H.), Patrick Leahy Patrick Joseph LeahyBattle over timing complicates Democratic shutdown strategy Hillicon Valley: Russia 'amplifying' concerns around mail-in voting to undermine election | Facebook and Twitter take steps to limit Trump remarks on voting | Facebook to block political ads ahead of election Top Democrats press Trump to sanction Russian individuals over 2020 election interference efforts MORE (D-Vt.), Tammy Duckworth Ladda (Tammy) Tammy DuckworthMcConnell focuses on confirming judicial nominees with COVID-19 talks stalled Biden courts veterans amid fallout from Trump military controversies John Fogerty: 'Confounding' that Trump campaign played 'Fortunate Son' at rally MORE (D-Ill.) and Angus King (I-Maine); Reps. 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.), 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.), Ro Khanna Rohit (Ro) KhannaThe Hill Interview: Jerry Brown on climate disasters, COVID-19 and Biden's 'Rooseveltian moment' Congress needs to prioritize government digital service delivery DeJoy defends Postal Service changes at combative House hearing MORE (Calif.), Jimmy Panetta James Varni PanettaOn The Money: McConnell previews GOP coronavirus bill | Senate panel advances Trump Fed nominee who recently supported gold standard | Economists warn about scaled-back unemployment benefits Bipartisan bill introduced to provide tax credit to food and beverage distributors Overnight Defense: US formally rejects Beijing's South China Sea claims | House set to consider defense policy bill next week | 57 injured as firefighters battle warship blaze MORE (Calif.) and Tom Suozzi (N.Y.) https://bit.ly/3et6Jhi

Republicans we know have been asked: Via Politico, “Among the Senate Republicans asked to be on the task force are Senate HELP Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander Andrew (Lamar) Lamar AlexanderToobin: McConnell engaging in 'greatest act of hypocrisy in American political history' with Ginsburg replacement vote Chamber of Commerce endorses McSally for reelection Trump health officials grilled over reports of politics in COVID-19 response MORE of Tennessee and Sens. John Barrasso John Anthony BarrassoOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Democrats push resolution to battle climate change, sluggish economy and racial injustice | Senators reach compromise on greenhouse gas amendment stalling energy bill | Trump courts Florida voters with offshore drilling moratorium Senators reach compromise on greenhouse gas amendment stalling bipartisan energy bill The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by National Industries for the Blind - Trump, Biden battle over vaccine, economy; Congress returns MORE of Wyoming, Rob Portman Robert (Rob) Jones PortmanRomney undecided on authorizing subpoenas for GOP Obama-era probes Congress needs to prioritize government digital service delivery House passes B bill to boost Postal Service MORE of Ohio, Joni Ernst Joni Kay ErnstMomentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day To honor Justice Ginsburg's legacy, Biden should consider Michelle Obama The Memo: Court battle explodes across tense election landscape MORE of Iowa, Josh Hawley Joshua (Josh) David HawleyRenewed focus on Trump's Supreme Court list after Ginsburg's death What Facebook's planned change to its terms of service means for the Section 230 debate Republican Senators raise concerns over Oracle-TikTok deal MORE of Missouri, Mike Braun Michael BraunPessimism grows as hopes fade for coronavirus deal McConnell shores up GOP support for coronavirus package Patient Protection Pledge offers price transparency MORE of Indiana, Shelley Moore Capito Shelley Wellons Moore CapitoSecond GOP senator to quarantine after exposure to coronavirus GOP senator to quarantine after coronavirus exposure Hillicon Valley: Zuckerberg acknowledges failure to take down Kenosha military group despite warnings | Election officials push back against concerns over mail-in voting, drop boxes MORE of West Virginia, Pat Toomey Patrick (Pat) Joseph ToomeyAppeals court rules NSA's bulk phone data collection illegal Dunford withdraws from consideration to chair coronavirus oversight panel GOP senators push for quick, partial reopening of economy MORE of Pennsylvania, John Cornyn John CornynCalls grow for Biden to expand election map in final sprint Bipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death Chamber of Commerce endorses McSally for reelection MORE of Texas, Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzVideo of Lindsey Graham arguing against nominating a Supreme Court justice in an election year goes viral Sunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election Democrat on Graham video urging people to 'use my words against me': 'Done' MORE of Texas and Kevin Cramer Kevin John CramerMomentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day On Paycheck Protection Program, streamlined forgiveness is key McConnell shores up GOP support for coronavirus package MORE of North Dakota … Among House Republicans invited is House Minority Whip Steve Scalise Stephen (Steve) Joseph ScaliseHouse GOP slated to unveil agenda ahead of election House panel details 'serious' concerns around Florida, Georgia, Texas, Wisconsin elections Scalise hit with ethics complaint over doctored Barkan video MORE of Louisiana, Greg Walden Gregory (Greg) Paul WaldenTrump order on drug prices faces long road to finish line Ignore the misinformation: The FDA will ensure the safety of any COVID-19 vaccine Hillicon Valley: Trump backs potential Microsoft, TikTok deal, sets September deadline | House Republicans request classified TikTok briefing | Facebook labels manipulated Pelosi video MORE of Oregon and Patrick McHenry Patrick Timothy McHenryCheney battle raises questions about House GOP's future Hillicon Valley: Democrats request counterintelligence briefing | New pressure for election funding | Republicans urge retaliation against Chinese hackers House Republicans urge Trump to take action against Chinese hackers targeting coronavirus research MORE of North Carolina.” https://politi.co/2VgVrFz

It’s Thursday. 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

The sharpest rise in unemployment in U.S. history:

More than 5.2 million people filed unemployment claims during the week ending on April 11, according to the Department of Labor. https://bit.ly/34FeNqV

For context: More than 22 million people have filed for unemployment benefits in the last four weeks. Today’s report is the fourth in a row with more than 1 million claims. That level had never been reached.

What to expect with the unemployment rate: “Economists believe that the unemployment rate is likely already up to at least 15 percent, a stunning rise from a 50-year low of 3.5 percent earlier this year. Some predict that number could end up reaching as high as the Depression-era peak of 20 percent.”

The small business loan program is out of money:

Via The Hill’s Jordain Carney and Sylvan Lane, “The initial $349 billion pool for emergency loans for small businesses derailed by the coronavirus pandemic has run dry as Republicans and Democrats squabble over how to replenish the relief program.” https://bit.ly/2VBfo8G

Details: “The Treasury Department and Small Business Administration (SBA) have tapped the entirety of funding allotted for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which offers forgivable loans to small businesses intended to keep workers on payroll and small firms from going under.”

WHERE THINGS STAND

Cases in the U.S.: 640,014

Deaths in the U.S.: 31,002

Breakdown of the numbers: https://cnn.it/2UAgW3y

TIDBIT — WOW, THAT’S AN EFFECTIVE PSA:

Using mouse traps and ping-pong balls. Watch: https://bit.ly/3eoHnRQ

NEXT STEPS

Interesting read — Reopening the economy has become a partisan debate:

Via The Hill’s Mike Lillis, the question of when and how to reopen the U.S. economy amid the coronavirus pandemic has become a divisive issue for Republicans and Democrats. https://bit.ly/34Kki7Q

Where Republicans stand — open sooner rather than later: “Behind President Trump, Republicans are increasingly eager to get businesses reopened and customers into their doors, warning that a prolonged economic shutdown — even in the name of protecting public health — will do more harm to the nation’s long-term viability than the coronavirus itself.”

Where Democrats stand — wait until we know it’s safe: “Democrats are sounding a different alarm. While they, too, want to get the economy back up and running as quickly as possible, they warn that scaling back public safeguards too soon would cause more infections, kill more people, spark deeper societal fears and undermine the economic rebound that any reopening was intended to promote.”

Where the decision ~actually~ lies — think local: “The ultimate decision about when and how to reopen the country's economy is largely in the hands of state and local officials, and governors in both parties have suggested they fear opening their state economies and relaxing social distancing policies too early could backfire.”

President Trump has a lot at stake: “The balance they’re seeking is a delicate one — more nuanced than just a simple case of economic versus public health, since the two are intrinsically entwined. And perhaps no one is walking a finer line than the president, who believes his best chance at reelection is a booming economy but is also wary that reopening the country prematurely could backfire if it spikes the number of coronavirus cases, spooks markets and drives the economy further downward.”

How this could play out: https://bit.ly/34Kki7Q

Op-ed on how to reopen: https://bit.ly/2KbtVCQ

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

200 days until Election Day:

Via The Hill’s Julia Manchester and Max Greenwood, “Democrats are growing more confident about their chances of retaking power in Washington with 200 days to go before Election Day. It’s an election that both sides now see as turning on the coronavirus pandemic and the American public’s views on how President Trump steers the country through the worst public health crisis in modern memory.” https://bit.ly/2VBDPTJ

What to expect: https://bit.ly/2VBDPTJ

NOTABLE TWEETS

If you’ve been watching Andrew Cuomo Andrew CuomoNYT editorial board remembers Ginsburg: She 'will forever have two legacies' New York to honor Ginsburg with statue in Brooklyn New York City bus driver knocked out by passenger he told to wear a mask MORE’s briefings, you will find this Twitter account funny:

ON TAP

The House and Senate are out. President Trump and Vice President Pence are in Washington, D.C.

8:30 a.m. EDT: President Trump participated in a Group of Seven video teleconference to discuss the coronavirus.

10 a.m. EDT: President Trump held a phone call with members of the House.

11 a.m. EDT: President Trump held a phone call with senators.

1 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence speaks with Senate Democrats.

3 p.m. EDT: President Trump and Vice President Pence participate in a video teleconference with governors.

WHAT TO WATCH

2:15 p.m. EDT: President Trump gives remarks to celebrate America’s truckers. Livestream: https://bit.ly/3afpRw6

5 p.m. EDT: The White House Coronavirus Task Force holds a press briefing. Livestream: https://bit.ly/3ad5m37

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Eggs Benedict Day.

Remember sports?:

NBC Sports is airing nearly 100 hours from previous Olympics each night for the rest of April. Details: https://on.today.com/3coITS9

And because you made it this far, here’s a dad who figured out a way for his daughters to keep skiing this season: https://bit.ly/2Vu7Gxg