The president hosted GOP lawmakers at the White House on Wednesday in a show of unity, saying that the gathering was meant to “start the process” of collaboration.

“It begins as of now, and we think we’re going to have tremendous success,” Trump said.

In case you missed it, Trump gave an unusually calm and traditional speech in the House of Representatives on Tuesday night. The address earned praise from Republican lawmakers and some media pundits who felt the evening represented a turning point for the new president after his rocky and controversial first month in office.

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It’s worth remembering that although Trump may have sounded different at the rostrum on Capitol Hill, his speech didn’t take his administration or policy agenda in any new directions.

In fact, all of the major themes and promises that characterized Trump’s divisive campaign for president were still there — just in a more generalized, lofty form.

The rave reviews from Republicans show the speech partially served its purpose in helping to unite the conflicted GOP behind Trump. On Wednesday, Republican lawmakers appeared more focused on building common cause with the president than harping on their differences.

“We are getting organized, getting prepared,” said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.), who attended the White House luncheon. “The only way we’re going to get this done is to work closely together.”

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SESSIONS SPOKE TWICE WITH RUSSIAN OFFICIAL LAST YEAR



“I did not have communications with the Russians.”

That’s what then-Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) said at his confirmation hearing to become attorney general when asked how he would respond to possible evidence Trump associates were in touch with Russian officials during the 2016 campaign.

It turns out Sessions did have contact with a Russian official last year — he spoke twice with Russia’s ambassador to the United States, The Post reported Wednesday night.

This revelation could have consequences for the future of the FBI’s investigations into Russian meddling in the election and possible links between the Kremlin and Trump’s associates. Remember: As attorney general, Sessions oversees the investigation. The latest news could fuel new calls for a special counsel to lead the effort.

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WAITING ON THE NEW TRAVEL BAN

Trump’s original travel ban was suspended by the courts. We know the White House is working on a new one, even though the president didn’t specifically mention it in his speech.

So when is Trump finally going to sign it? The plan was for him to roll out the new policy Wednesday, but after the positive feedback on his Hill speech, Trump decided to postpone the announcement for the third time.

With only two workdays left this week, it’s unclear whether we’ll see the new policy before the weekend — although some details have started to leak out.

As a reminder, the first order at least temporarily barred citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries and refugees from around the world from entering the United States. The revised version is expected to lower the number to six countries, removing Iraq from the list.

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TRUMP ADMINISTRATION EYES DEEP CUTS TO EPA



Federal agencies have been bracing for weeks to hear what Trump has planned for their budgets. Now, it’s clear that the Environmental Protection Agency has reason to be worried.

The Office of Management and Budget has suggested deep cuts to EPA funding that would reduce its staff by one-fifth in the first year and eliminate dozens of programs, The Washington Post reported.

Specifically, the proposal would lower the EPA’s staff to 12,000 from 15,000, cut grants to states and eliminate funding to clean up abandoned industrial sites, fight climate change and assist Native Alaskan villages, among other programs.

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NO DISCIPLINARY MEASURES FOR KELLYANNE CONWAY

Trump senior adviser Kellyanne Conway won’t be disciplined for endorsing Ivanka Trump’s clothing line during a television interview Feb. 9.

“We concluded that Ms. Conway acted inadvertently and is highly unlikely to do so again,” Deputy White House Counsel Stefan Passantino wrote in a letter to the Office of Government Ethics.

“Ms. Conway has acknowledged her understanding of the Standards and has reiterated her commitment to abiding by them in the future.”

Passantino’s letter came after OGE Director Walter M. Shaub Jr. recommended the White House take action against Conway for her comment about Trump’s fashion line, saying it was likely she broke federal ethics rules.