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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: McConnell pans House impeachment measure | GOP Senate in a bind over how to defend Trump | Trump pick for Russia envoy knew of Giuliani campaign | Witness says former GOP lawmaker pressed for Ukraine ambassador's ouster | Trump faces backlash for criticizing Army officer who testified | New California fire breaks out | Washington ready for World Series Game 7 | Nats Park watch party

HAPPENING TODAY

This saga is becoming a Mad Libs board:

Via The New York Times's Nicholas Fandos and Adam Goldman, foreign service officer Catherine Croft, who was assigned to the White House, is planning to tell investigators today that former GOP Rep. Robert Livingston (La.) repeatedly pressured her to fire then-U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch. https://nyti.ms/2qXjEnA

What she did about it: "She plans to say she informed two other officials -- Fiona Hill, then the senior director for Europe and Russia at the [National Security Council], and George P. Kent, a Ukraine expert at the State Department -- about them at the time."

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Where Croft is testifying: Behind closed doors to three House panels running the impeachment inquiry.

Read Croft's opening statement: http://bit.ly/33aaen3

It's Wednesday. 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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LATEST WITH THE IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY

The first impeachment-related vote:

House Democrats unveiled a resolution on impeachment proceedings that is expected to hit the House floor for a vote tomorrow. http://bit.ly/34iAxaL

The measure: "Sets up procedures for open hearings by the Intelligence Committee and releasing witness testimony. It also allows Republicans to request witness testimony and documents, similar to previous impeachment inquiries. But Democrats on the Intelligence panel still have the ability to block the requests. ... The procedures allow the president and his counsel to attend hearings, question witnesses and provide evidence."

Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellDemocratic senator to party: 'A little message discipline wouldn't kill us' House to vote on resolution affirming peaceful transition of power Republican lawyers brush off Trump's election comments MORE CRITICIZED THE RESOLUTION:

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) knocked the House resolution and signaled that it will not shut down Republicans' criticism of the impeachment process.

In McConnell's words: "They have denied President Trump Donald John TrumpFederal prosecutor speaks out, says Barr 'has brought shame' on Justice Dept. Former Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick MORE basic due process and are cutting his counsel out of the process in an unprecedented way. House Democrats new resolution does not change any of that ... The draft resolution that has been released does nothing of the sort. It falls way short, way short." http://bit.ly/34bZG6T

Senate Republicans are in a bit of a pickle:

Via The Hill's Alexander Bolton, "Senate Republicans, with 22 seats up for reelection and their majority up for grabs in 2020, are in a bind over how to defend President Trump from the House impeachment push." http://bit.ly/2PvpN4D

What they are debating: "They realize their political fortunes and policy goals are tied to the president, but they also know their best shot at keeping control of the Senate hinges on senators preserving their independent brands. That means they have to be careful in defending conduct they see as improper; several Senate Republicans say it would be wrong to hold up military aid to Ukraine to gain political leverage, the issue at the heart of the impeachment inquiry."

McConnell will take a win where he can get it: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) claimed victory on Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiDemocratic senator to party: 'A little message discipline wouldn't kill us' Overnight Health Care: New wave of COVID-19 cases builds in US | Florida to lift all coronavirus restrictions on restaurants, bars | Trump stirs questions with 0 drug coupon plan Overnight Defense: Appeals court revives House lawsuit against military funding for border wall | Dems push for limits on transferring military gear to police | Lawmakers ask for IG probe into Pentagon's use of COVID-19 funds MORE's (D-Calif.) decision to hold an impeachment-related vote.

In McConnell's words: "Obviously they've responded to the pressure that we put on them to try to handle this in a more transparent way that meets basic standards of due process that every American would be entitled to. ... We'll have to take a look at what the House produces later today and see if it passes the smell test of providing the kind of due process protections that the president and his team are certainly entitled to, just like President Nixon was and President Clinton was."

If you don't like me, there must be something wrong with ~you~:

President Trump has faced sharp criticism after attacking an active-duty member of the military and White House official who testified in the impeachment inquiry. http://bit.ly/2WoeH2M

How Trump described the witness: "Trump described Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, an active-duty member of the military who attended his deposition in uniform, as a 'Never Trumper,' while some allies questioned the Purple Heart recipient's patriotism given the fact that he emigrated from Ukraine as a child."

REACTIONS:

From GOP Sen. Mitt Romney Willard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyCrenshaw looms large as Democrats look to flip Texas House seat The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Republicans lawmakers rebuke Trump on election Trump dumbfounds GOP with latest unforced error MORE (Utah): "It's absurd, disgusting, and way off the mark. This is a decorated American soldier and he should be given the respect that his service to our country demands." http://bit.ly/2poTLfO

From Rep. Liz Cheney Elizabeth (Liz) Lynn CheneyGOP lawmakers distance themselves from Trump comments on transfer of power Graham vows GOP will accept election results after Trump comments Liz Cheney promises peaceful transfer of power: 'Fundamental to the survival of our Republic' MORE (Wyo.), the No. 3 Republican in the House: "Their patriotism, their love of country -- we're talking about decorated veterans who have served this nation, who put their lives on the line, and it is shameful to question their patriotism, their loving this nation, and we should not be involved in that process." http://bit.ly/2WoeH2M

WHO HAS EMERGED AS A KEY TARGET AFTER VINDMAN'S TESTIMONY:

U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland, whom some Democrats have accused of lying to investigators. Some lawmakers want him to return to testify again over conflicting accounts of his role in the controversy. http://bit.ly/2Wr59DY

IN OTHER NEWS THIS MORNING

A new fire broke out in California:

Via CBS Los Angeles, a massive fire has broke out in Simi Valley, Calif., prompting an evacuation of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. https://cbsloc.al/2NtmGYp

Video of the fire, via CNN: http://bit.ly/2WqBUBn

Rest in peace, John Witherspoon:

Actor and comedian John Witherspoon died yesterday at the age of 77. https://cnn.it/31Y1VJm

From his family: "It is with deepest sorrow that we can confirm our beloved husband and father, John Witherspoon, one of the hardest working men in show business, died today at his home in Sherman Oaks at the age of 77. ... We are all in shock, please give us a minute for a moment in privacy and we will celebrate his life and his work together. John used to say 'I'm no big deal,' but he was huge deal to us."

NOTABLE TWEETS

Field trip!:

ON TAP

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

12:15 p.m. EDT: The Senate votes. The Senate's full schedule today: http://bit.ly/31W8xYD

12:45 p.m. EDT: President Trump has lunch with Vice President Pence.

2 – 6 p.m. EDT: Free Nacho Cheese Doritos Locos tacos at Taco Bell. Why: Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner stole a base during the World Series. https://cnn.it/2Wr38HU

3:30 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence meets with the Organization for International Investment CEOs.

4:30–5:30 p.m. EDT: First and last votes in the House. The House's full schedule today: http://bit.ly/321E0Zw

7 p.m. EDT: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoWatchdog confirms State Dept. canceled award for journalist who criticized Trump Trump's push for win with Sudan amps up pressure on Congress Putin nominated for Nobel Peace Prize MORE is honored at the Hudson Institute's Herman Kahn Award Gala. Details: http://bit.ly/2pgMqiF

WHAT TO WATCH

This morning: The House Homeland Security Committee held a hearing on global terrorism. Livestream: http://bit.ly/36kFMZ0

5 p.m. EDT: President Trump presents the Medal of Honor. Livestream: http://bit.ly/36iPnQh

8:07 p.m. EDT: GAME 7 OF THE WORLD SERIES! Game preview from MLB.com: https://atmlb.com/2PwL7Xy And here is one way to watch the game in D.C.: http://bit.ly/2N0Asm6

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Candy Corn Day. Controversial. I like it.

Go, Captain! Go!:

The Washington Capitals's team dog, Captain, sported a few amazing Halloween costumes this year. Photos of Captain's costumes: http://bit.ly/34hoTfY

The NHL agreed, tweeting, "It's official. @CapsPup has won #HockeyHalloween." http://bit.ly/2qUFvff

If you miss the iPhone button, you're not alone:

Over the weekend, President Trump tweeted, "To Tim: The Button on the IPhone was FAR better than the Swipe!" I.e.: He seems to have gotten a new iPhone without the home button. http://bit.ly/2MXskCM

Well: Via Business Insider's Dave Johnson, here's how to add a virtual home button if you miss it: http://bit.ly/2Pwwl32

And because you really need to see this, here's a dog who dressed up as the Beast to dance with Belle: http://bit.ly/2BWFSZ4