The Hill's 12:30 Report: Breaking -- Franken resigns in defiant speech | Dems seek moral high ground in sexual harassment fight | Why Schumer is in a tricky situation over shutdown, immigration | Lawmakers expected to pass two-week spending bill | Fallout from Trump's Jerusalem decision | Best-rated cookie in every state | 6-year old's letter to Santa goes viral

​BREAKING

Sen. Al Franken Alan (Al) Stuart FrankenGOP Senate candidate says Trump, Republicans will surprise in Minnesota Peterson faces fight of his career in deep-red Minnesota district Getting tight — the psychology of cancel culture MORE is out: Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) just announced that he is resigning his Senate seat over allegations of groping and sexual misconduct. On the allegations: Franken said some of the allegations against him are "simply not true" and that others he remembers differently. The big line -- timing of his resignation: "Today I am announcing that in the coming weeks I will be resigning as a member of the United States Senate." He also said: "I am proud that in my time in the Senate I have used my power to be a champion for women." http://bit.ly/2jqlyGJ

This was a bold line: "There is some irony in the fact that I am leaving while a man who has bragged on tape about his history of sexual assault sits in the Oval Office." http://bit.ly/2BTyegE

On his future: "I may be resigning my seat but I am not giving up my voice." He says he will remain an activist. http://bit.ly/2j0lW1z

From the room: "The room was silent after Franken finished speaking. His party lined up to shake his hand and hug him. Several of the female Democratic senators who had called for his resignation wiped their eyes." (From The Guardian's Lauren Gambino) http://bit.ly/2AlESzp

Tidbit after his announcement: Sen. 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.) "at end of Franken speech: I gave him a big hug and told him I loved him and thanked him for what he's done." (From Fox's Chad Pergram) http://bit.ly/2jr7GvD

Watch Franken's announcement: Here's the video: http://bit.ly/2jr698R

How many women have accused Franken: Eight. http://bit.ly/2jqNQ3P

Colleagues turned quickly: More than 30 Democratic senators called for Franken to step down. http://bit.ly/2BJoPHO

Tidbit: "Bob Packwood resigned in a floor speech. Here's how LA Times described it: Packwood announced his intention to resign in a somewhat rambling speech during which he touted his achievements, reminisced about his decades in the Senate, and finally, wept. He did not give a date for his departure." From Politico's Steve Shepard: http://bit.ly/2BIGuzs

WHAT HAPPENS NOW: From PBS Newshour's Lisa Desjardins:

"- MN's Gov. appoints a temp senator. (Gov. Dayton = Dem.)

- The state holds a special election Nov. 2018.

- That means both MN Senate spots will be on the ballot next year. (Klobuchar up for [reelection].)" http://bit.ly/2AiP0sx

FRANKEN'S LIKELY REPLACEMENT: Via The Minneapolis Star Tribune, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton (D) is likely to tap Lt. Gov. Tina Smith (D) to replace Franken. http://strib.mn/2B12AAu

Hmmmmm, interestingggg: "Franken says Minnesota deserves a senator who can focus on the state's needs with all 'her' energy." http://bit.ly/2B0oWlB

CONTEXT -- STEPPING BACK FROM ALL OF THIS: The Hill's Amie Parnes and Mike Lillis explain how Democrats rushed to push out Franken less than a week before the Alabama Senate special election, where GOP nominee Roy Moore could be elected with his string of sexual misconduct allegations. http://bit.ly/2AWzp1x

It's Thursday. The attack on Pearl Harbor happened 76 years ago today and the final Apollo mission began 45 years ago today. 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, @CateMartel and on Facebook.

HAPPENING TODAY

Free idea for House GOP leaders -- quietly play this Taylor Swift song on repeat over the House speakers, so quietly members may not even realize --> 'I don't know about you, but I'm feeling (Dec.) 22!' http://bit.ly/2kwQvfF: The House seems to be in good shape to prevent a government shutdown. Today: The House is set to vote on a two-week spending bill to keep the government open through Dec. 22. I.e.: Buying them more time with the added pressure of being right before Christmas. The Senate is expected to follow. http://bit.ly/2B0n2kT

HOW THE SHUTDOWN THREATS HAVE PUT SCHUMER IN A TRICKY POSITION: Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer Chuck SchumerSenate Democrats introduce legislation to probe politicization of pandemic response Schumer interrupted during live briefing by heckler: 'Stop lying to the people' Jacobin editor: Primarying Schumer would force him to fight Trump's SCOTUS nominee MORE (N.Y.) has to walk a fine line on the immigration fights and the risk of a government shutdown. http://bit.ly/2jqo9jU

BREAKING — It’s a no from us: House Democrats will oppose a short-term spending bill when it comes to the floor Thursday afternoon, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiPelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare House lawmakers reach deal to avert shutdown Centrist Democrats 'strongly considering' discharge petition on GOP PPP bill MORE (D-Calif.) said hours before the vote. Added pressure for Republicans: GOP leaders need to gather the 218 votes they’ll need to pass the measure largely on their own — a feat they’ve been unable to accomplish on a long list of budget bills going back to 2011, when they took the House gavel. http://bit.ly/2kAojc0

REACTION TO TRUMP'S ISRAEL ANNOUNCEMENT

Major protests -- we did see this coming: Via CNN, dozens of people have been injured today in the West Bank in protests after President Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE announced the U.S. would recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. What happened during the protest: Palestinian protesters used slingshots and threw rocks. Israeli forces responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. http://bit.ly/2nAVBst

WHAT SPARKED THIS: Yesterday, President Trump announced the U.S. would not only recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital but said the U.S. Embassy would be relocated there from Tel Aviv. Officials warned of potential violence: The State Department warned U.S. citizens to avoid Jerusalem's Old City and the West Bank over fears of protests and violent reaction to the president's announcement. http://bit.ly/2ACohpZ

IF YOU MISSED TRUMP'S ANNOUNCEMENT: Here are five takeaways to know from President Trump's Jerusalem speech: http://bit.ly/2BKdaIN

VIDEO OF THE PROTESTS: Yikes, they're burning an American flag. http://bit.ly/2jqP5zR

VIDEO OF MUNITIONS BEING FIRED DURING A PROTEST IN BETHLEHEM: http://bit.ly/2kvFmf8

Fake it 'till you make it, right?: Via The Washington Post's Josh Dawsey, Missy Ryan and Karen DeYoung, several White House advisers said President Trump did not completely grasp the ramifications of recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital. http://wapo.st/2Bdu1HH

Excerpt: "Several advisers said he did not seem to have a full understanding of the issue and instead appeared to be focused on 'seeming pro-Israel,' in the words of one, and 'making a deal,' in the words of another. ... The debate came to a head at a White House meeting Nov. 27 ... Trump repeated his earlier assertions that he had to follow through on his campaign pledge, seemingly irritated by objections over security and the break with previous policy. 'The decision wasn't driven by the peace process,' one senior official said. 'The decision was driven by his campaign promise.'"

Which advisers were in favor of the decision: Vice President Pence, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley Nimrata (Nikki) Haley'The soul' versus 'law and order' Author Ryan Girdusky: RNC worked best when highlighting 'regular people' as opposed to 'standard Republicans' GOP lobbyists pleasantly surprised by Republican convention MORE and major donor Sheldon Adelson.

Which advisers were against the decision: Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Rex Wayne TillersonGary Cohn: 'I haven't made up my mind' on vote for president in November Kushner says 'Alice in Wonderland' describes Trump presidency: Woodward book Conspicuous by their absence from the Republican Convention MORE and Defense Secretary James Mattis James Norman MattisBiden courts veterans amid fallout from Trump military controversies Trump says he wanted to take out Syria's Assad but Mattis opposed it Gary Cohn: 'I haven't made up my mind' on vote for president in November MORE.

OP-ED: In an op-ed for The Hill, The Atlantic Council's Mirette F. Mabrouk argues that Trump is letting his campaign promises dictate the Israeli embassy decision. http://bit.ly/2iDNupA

NEW -- DECISION BY NOON MONDAY

Trump asks to delay accepting transgender military recruits: The Trump administration is asking a federal judge to delay a requirement to begin accepting transgender recruits to the military on Jan. 1. The administration and the plaintiffs have asked for a decision by noon Monday. Back story: In July, Trump tweeted that he would ban transgender people from the military. In October, a judge blocked the ban while a lawsuit against it moves through the courts. The judge said the military must accept recruits by Jan. 1. http://bit.ly/2ADSTVM

NOTABLE TWEETS:

Omg, guys. I'm crying I'm laughing so hard:

This letter has gone viral for obvious reasons.

My 6yo Santa skeptic was told to write a letter to Santa at school. So he did... pic.twitter.com/XUFGMnXDFT — Sarah McCammon NPR (@sarahmccammon) December 3, 2017

Oh and....

PS - the "troubles" in his life? His brother. Don't call child services. — Sarah McCammon NPR (@sarahmccammon) December 3, 2017

Ugh. (This video of the California flames has been getting a lot of traction):

Not the typical morning commute... pic.twitter.com/kJIOQeqsIK — A. Mutzabaugh CMT (@WLV_investor) December 6, 2017

Here are the latest updates, including a new map of what areas could be affected: http://lat.ms/2BGZf6j

This is worth watching:

What Roy Moore's spox couldn't answer on @ac360

- whether Moore thinks Obama was born in US

- whether he thinks Muslims should be in Congress

- whether Moore thinks homosexuality should be outlawed

- whether 9/11 happened bc US distanced itself from God https://t.co/prz7kQ5wid — Manu Raju (@mkraju) December 7, 2017

ON TAP:

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

12:30 p.m. EST: The Senate votes on Interior Assistant Secretary nominee Joseph Balash. The Senate's schedule today: http://bit.ly/2nG65a4

1:30 p.m. EST: President Trump meets with Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel in the Oval Office.

1:30 p.m. EST: First votes in the House.

2:15 p.m. EST: President Trump signs a proclamation for National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

3 p.m. EST: President Trump and Vice President Pence meet with congressional leadership.

4 p.m. EST: President Trump meets with former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton in the Oval Office.

4 p.m. EST: Last votes in the House.

7:30 p.m. EST: President Trump and first lady Melania Trump host a Hanukkah reception. Vice President Pence and second lady Karen Pence attend.

7:30 p.m. EST Friday: President Trump is holding a rally in Pensacola, Fla. It's not Alabama -- *cough, Roy Moore, cough* -- but it's preeeeetty close.

Dec. 16: Nog Fest at the new D.C. Wharf. Details: http://bit.ly/2BSUcAo

WHAT TO WATCH:

1:30 p.m. EST: White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders gives the daily press briefing. Livestream: http://bit.ly/2AjTKhN

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...:

Today is National Cotton Candy Day!

Warning: You will not just want, you will need a chocolate chip cookie after reading this: Via Insider Food, here's a list of the best chocolate chip cookie in every state. Photos of each: http://read.bi/2j4f6Il

What a beautiful concept: Via NBC's "Today," Finlandia has created wine glasses and beer mugs made entirely out of cheese. Pretty sure I had a dream about this once. A set of the glasses is a mere $5,000. Video: http://bit.ly/2nHpkjE

And because you've been too productive today, here's a baby hamster munching a pumpkin seed. http://bit.ly/2BerNI3

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