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

*Ha. Haha. Hahah. Sniff. Haha. Sniff. Ha--breaks down crying hysterically.

The Hill's 12:30 Report: Senate receives impeachment articles | What to watch in Trump's trial | John Roberts to be sworn in today | GAO finds administration broke law by withholding Ukraine aid | White House pushes back on Parnas | Key takeaways from Parnas interview | Battle lines harden in Warren, Sanders fight | Senate approves new NAFTA deal | Cheney won't run for Senate seat | 'Jeopardy' contestants whiff on clue about Adam Schiff Adam Bennett SchiffTop Democrats call for DOJ watchdog to probe Barr over possible 2020 election influence Overnight Defense: Top admiral says 'no condition' where US should conduct nuclear test 'at this time' | Intelligence chief says Congress will get some in-person election security briefings Overnight Defense: House to vote on military justice bill spurred by Vanessa Guillén death | Biden courts veterans after Trump's military controversies MORE

BREAKING

The baton has been passed:

The Senate just formally received the articles of impeachment against President Trump Donald John TrumpObama calls on Senate not to fill Ginsburg's vacancy until after election Planned Parenthood: 'The fate of our rights' depends on Ginsburg replacement Progressive group to spend M in ad campaign on Supreme Court vacancy MORE, meaning the impeachment is now in the hands of the upper chamber. http://bit.ly/30twFDa

What happens next: The swearing in of senators and Chief Justice John Roberts.

Livestream of the articles being introduced in the Senate: http://bit.ly/2suTmdn

Tidbit -- senators won't be able to have their phones: "Per Sen. [Dick] Durbin, a new cubby has been installed in the Senate cloakroom for senators phones during impeachment trial. Will be strictly enforced" (Via Politico's Burgess Everett) http://bit.ly/2QZAtsE

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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LATEST WITH THE IMPEACHMENT

SEVEN THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL:

McConnell to make it as 'painful' as possible Witnesses are the wildcard Democrats, Trump face off for first time Senators get to ask questions It's expected to go past State of the Union, Iowa caucuses Press crackdown expected Trial will end in Trump acquittal

Context and details for each from The Hill's Jordain Carney: http://bit.ly/2NyVmsp

*Cue Shark Tank guests in sync* -- 'There's got to be a better way!':

Impeachment articles make their way through Statuary Hall en route to the Senate pic.twitter.com/UhITVp3RLf — Rebecca Kaplan (@RebeccaRKaplan) January 15, 2020

Watch: http://bit.ly/2tfrIlc

IN THE WHITE HOUSE

*GAO shakes its head 'no'*:

The Government Accountability Office (GAO), an independent watchdog, said the Trump administration violated the law by withholding security assistance to Ukraine. http://bit.ly/36V6XK1

Reasoning -- from the report: "Faithful execution of the law does not permit the President to substitute his own policy priorities for those that Congress has enacted into law. OMB withheld funds for a policy reason, which is not permitted under the Impoundment Control Act (ICA). The withholding was not a programmatic delay. Therefore, we conclude that OMB violated the ICA."

Read the report: http://bit.ly/2TtznqA

Jared Kushner Jared Corey KushnerAbraham Accords: New hope for peace in Middle East Tenants in Kushner building file lawsuit alleging dangerous living conditions Trump hosts Israel, UAE, Bahrain for historic signing MORE is on the cover of Time:

"Jared Kushner's White House office is a shrine to his own influence. Gold-framed accolades from his father-in-law hang on the walls, written in thick black Sharpie in President Donald Trump's spiky hand. To Jared, Great job on Mexico. Thanks DAD, reads one." http://bit.ly/2QZDx7Y

"Near his desk sits a rack of folders with handwritten labels that nod to Kushner's unrealistically broad policy portfolio: Health care, Lebanon, Border Infrastructure, Central America Econ Plan, POTUS Environment, DOJ [Department of Justice]."

Read the full cover story -- 'Inside Jared Kushner's Unusual White House Role': http://bit.ly/2QZDx7Y

Photo of the cover: http://bit.ly/2R0NIJv

'Who even is Lev, amiright?':

The White House is pushing back on allegations from Lev Parnas that President Trump was aware of the scheme to pressure Ukraine into investigation the Bidens. http://bit.ly/2swpJsj

From press secretary Stephanie Grisham Stephanie GrishamIvana Trump on Melania as first lady: 'She's very quiet, and she really doesn't go to too many places' The Hill's 12:30 Report: Trump uses White House as campaign backdrop Coronavirus tests not required for all Melania Trump speech attendees: report MORE: "This is a man who's under indictment and who's actually out on bail. This is a man who owns a company called Fraud Inc., so I think that's something that people should be thinking about. We're not too concerned about it ... It's unfortunate that he's now making a media tour with a lot of the outlets that are, you know, against the president. I think that shows exactly what he's doing." http://bit.ly/2swpJsj

TAKEAWAYS FROM PARNAS'S INTERVIEW ON MSNBC'S RACHEL MADDOW: http://bit.ly/38bPtt1

This morning -- Ukraine announced an investigation:

Ukrainian officials announced today an investigation into alleged threats against former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch Marie YovanovitchGrand jury adds additional counts against Giuliani associates Lev Parnas and and Igor Fruman Strzok: Trump behaving like an authoritarian Powell backs Biden at convention as Democrats rip Trump on security MORE. http://bit.ly/3aal7ZT

Timing: "The announcement comes days after communications involving Rudy Giuliani Rudy GiulianiGrand jury adds additional counts against Giuliani associates Lev Parnas and and Igor Fruman Juan Williams: Breaking down the debates Giuliani criticizes NYC leadership: 'They're killing this city' MORE's associate Lev Parnas were released to the public revealing the extent of a campaign to remove Yovanovitch from her position as U.S. ambassador to Ukraine."

IN CONGRESS

The Senate passed Trump’s trade deal:

Via The Hill's Sylvan Lane, the Senate voted to implement the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), President Trump’s update to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). http://bit.ly/2QZKZQI

The vote: 89-10

From Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellObama calls on Senate not to fill Ginsburg's vacancy until after election Planned Parenthood: 'The fate of our rights' depends on Ginsburg replacement Progressive group to spend M in ad campaign on Supreme Court vacancy MORE (R-Ky.): “Today the Senate will send this landmark agreement to the president’s desk. Quite a week of substantive accomplishments for the nation, for the president, and for international trade."

Spotted:

Spotted: Drew Brees in the Senate



He says he’s here for the congressional gold medal ceremony for Saints star Steve Gleason pic.twitter.com/pkhTr2JHiZ — Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) January 15, 2020

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

Staying in the House:

Via The Hill's Juliegrace Brufke, Rep. Liz Cheney Elizabeth (Liz) Lynn CheneyOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Cheney asks DOJ to probe environmental groups | Kudlow: 'No sector worse hurt than energy' during pandemic | Trump pledges 'no politics' in Pebble Mine review Cheney asks DOJ to probe environmental groups Press: The big no-show at the RNC MORE (R-Wyo.), who serves as the No. 3 Republican in the House, told her colleagues that she will not run for Senate and will remain in the House. http://bit.ly/2NyGKJH

Cheney said in a statement: "I believe I can have the biggest impact for the people of Wyoming by remaining in leadership in the House of Representatives and working to take our Republican majority back. I will not be running for the Senate in 2020. I plan to seek re-election to the House of Representatives."

'Everything is great. Really great. So great.':

Via The Hill's Jonathan Easley and Amie Parnes, "Liberal Democrats are desperately trying to stay united amid a dispute between Sens. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersKenosha will be a good bellwether in 2020 Biden's fiscal program: What is the likely market impact? McConnell accuses Democrats of sowing division by 'downplaying progress' on election security MORE (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), which has raised fears on the left that they'll fumble a prime opportunity to nominate a candidate from the progressive wing of the party." http://bit.ly/2NwzfTs

Why this could be detrimental for Democrats: "Views of the Sanders-Warren battle are hardening fast and tensions are running hot as supporters for each candidate retreat to their corners to accuse the other side of playing dirty. It's a high-stakes affair that risks damaging both candidates, who are running at the top of many polls in Iowa with the caucuses only weeks away."

NOTABLE TWEETS

I'll take 'we live in a D.C. bubble for $1,000, Alex':

Adam Schiff was an answer on Jeopardy today.



Not a single person knew who he was. pic.twitter.com/SQObAMzxw7 — David Hookstead (@dhookstead) January 16, 2020

Watch: http://bit.ly/38a9z71

Keep in mind: "An article by Insider notes that 'Jeopardy!' typically films its episodes approximately three months in advance. That places the timeline of Wednesday night's episode around October, when the House was still holding closed-door briefings and the impeachment inquiry was just gaining steam." http://bit.ly/2QZosDC

Yiiiikes -- a building in D.C. collapsed yesterday:

Well this is kind of crazy, my security camera picked up a building randomly collapsing today.



The people on the street were walking on the spot 10 seconds earlier! Luckily no one was hurt I don't think.@PoPville @nbcwashington @fox5dc @wamu885 pic.twitter.com/ViyklfWE4V — Andy Feliciotti (@sup) January 15, 2020

Watch -- wow this is scary: http://bit.ly/2Nv4i27

Where this happened: Florida Ave NE at Staples St NE, according to Popville. http://bit.ly/2tclgvf

ON TAP

The House and Senate are in. President Trump is in Washington, D.C. Vice President Pence is in Tampa, Fla. today.

9:20 a.m. EST: Vice President Pence and Karen Pence Karen Sue PenceThe Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Biden, Pence elbow bump at NYC Sept. 11 ceremony The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by National Industries for the Blind - Trump seeks to flip 'Rage' narrative; Dems block COVID-19 bill Pentagon, Trump, Biden to mark 9/11 anniversary MORE leave for Tampa, Fla.

10 ­– 11 a.m. EST: The House votes. The House's full schedule today: http://bit.ly/2RpExB9

11 a.m. EST: Roll call votes in the Senate related to the trade deal with Canada and Mexico. The Senate's full schedule today: http://bit.ly/2tcfpGh

11:45 a.m. EST: President Trump receives an intelligence briefing.

Noon: The Senate receives the impeachment articles from the managers.

1:30 p.m. EST: Vice President Pence speaks at a campaign event in Tampa.

2 p.m. EST: Senators are sworn in for the impeachment trial.

6 p.m. EST: Vice President Pence and Karen Pence speak at a "Latinos for Trump" event in Kissimmee, Fla.

9:35 a.m. EST: Vice President Pence and Karen Pence get back to Washington, D.C.

January 21: The Hill is hosting an event, "Mayors Matter: Deepening the Generational Compact in Communities" at The St. Regis Hotel in Washington, D.C. Details and how to RSVP: http://bit.ly/2NtlG7o

WHAT TO WATCH

Noon: The Senate's impeachment trial begins. Livestream: https://cs.pn/3afMv8N

2 p.m. EST: President Trump participates in the Announcement of the Guidance on Constitutional Prayer in Public Schools. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2Rlkfcd

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Fig Newton Day.

And because it's been a long week, here is the happiest dog who has ever lived: http://bit.ly/361WHhI