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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: Washington mourns loss of Eljiah Cummings | Pelosi calls Cummings 'North Star' for House | Trump says Cummings 'very hard, if not impossible, to replace' | Obama 'heartbroken' | Carolyn Maloney Carolyn Bosher MaloneyPelosi, Democrats unveil bills to rein in alleged White House abuses of power Government watchdog recommends creation of White House cyber director position Top Democrats call for DOJ watchdog to probe Barr over possible 2020 election influence MORE to take over as interim Oversight chair | US Ambassador Sondland to say Trump pushed him to work with Giuliani | McConnell wants stronger Syria rebuke than House | Buttigieg emerges as threat to Biden | National Pasta Day deals

HAPPENING THIS MORNING

Tapping in this morning:

Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union, is testifying on Capitol Hill today in the impeachment inquiry of 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's dealings with Ukraine.

What to know about Sondland: "Gordon Sondland [is] a wealthy hotel magnate, GOP mega-donor and late Trump convert."

What Sondland is expected to tell lawmakers: That President Trump directed administration officials to work with his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani Rudy GiulianiThe Hill's Campaign Report: GOP set to ask SCOTUS to limit mail-in voting CIA found Putin 'probably directing' campaign against Biden: report Democrats fear Russia interference could spoil bid to retake Senate MORE on matters related to Ukraine. Sondland is also expected to distance himself from Trump and Giuliani. http://bit.ly/2qmEtZk

Read his opening statement: http://bit.ly/2nS1Fxy

Photo of Sondland arriving at his closed-door testimony: http://bit.ly/2MN1FHH

Watch the scuffle as an NBC reporter tried asking Sondland a question this morning: http://bit.ly/2MORPFb

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

Rest in peace, congressman:

Longtime Rep. Elijah Cummings Elijah Eugene CummingsBlack GOP candidate accuses Behar of wearing black face in heated interview Overnight Health Care: US won't join global coronavirus vaccine initiative | Federal panel lays out initial priorities for COVID-19 vaccine distribution | NIH panel: 'Insufficient data' to show treatment touted by Trump works House Oversight Democrats to subpoena AbbVie in drug pricing probe MORE (D-Md.), the son of a sharecropper who rose to become chairman of the powerful House Oversight and Reform Committee, has died at the age of 68. http://bit.ly/35BJGg1

What happened: Cummings passed away at 2:30 a.m. EDT at Gilchrist Hospice Care, a Johns Hopkins affiliate, "due to complications concerning longstanding health challenges."

In the past year: "Cummings relied on the use of a walker and motorized scooter to get around even as he continued at a frenetic pace in the Capitol, leading televised committee hearings and giving interviews to reporters."

Read his obituary in the Baltimore Sun: http://bit.ly/2BgBZ0G

This is a pretty cool photo of Cummings from 1997: http://bit.ly/2IYEM2J

This morning outside Cummings’s office:

Elijah Cummings’ office, inside the Rayburn House office building pic.twitter.com/bNUOXdq5Jx — philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) October 17, 2019

REACTIONS:

From his wife, Maya Rockeymoore Cummings: "Congressman Cummings was an honorable man who proudly served his district and the nation with dignity, integrity, compassion and humility. He worked until his last breath because he believed our democracy was the highest and best expression of our collective humanity and that our nation's diversity was our promise, not our problem. It's been an honor to walk by his side on this incredible journey. I loved him deeply and will miss him dearly." Read her full statement: http://bit.ly/35AE7ye

From 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 (D-Calif.): "In the House, Elijah was our North Star. He was a leader of towering character and integrity, whose stirring voice and steadfast values pushed the Congress and country to rise always to a higher purpose. ... His principled leadership as Chair of the Committee on Oversight and Reform was the perfect testament to his commitment to restoring honesty and honor to government, and leaves a powerful legacy for years to come." http://bit.ly/35JmVH5

From President Trump: "My warmest condolences to the family and many friends of Congressman Elijah Cummings. I got to see first hand the strength, passion and wisdom of this highly respected political leader. His work and voice on so many fronts will be very hard, if not impossible, to replace!" http://bit.ly/2nPkUrw

From former President Barack Obama Barack Hussein ObamaDemocrats ramp up pressure on Lieberman to drop out of Georgia Senate race The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden on Trump: 'He'll leave' l GOP laywers brush off Trump's election remarks l Obama's endorsements Trump pledges to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, designate KKK a terrorist group in pitch to Black voters MORE: "Michelle and I are heartbroken over the passing of our friend, Elijah Cummings ... he showed us all not only the importance of checks and balances within our democracy, but also the necessity of good people stewarding it." Read Obama's full statement: http://bit.ly/33D46TP

From Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer Chuck SchumerPelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' 3 reasons why Biden is misreading the politics of court packing Cruz blocks amended resolution honoring Ginsburg over language about her dying wish MORE (D-N.Y.): "Well, I read the paper this morning. First thing I saw was Elijah's passing and it was a like a gut-punch. He was an amazing man. He was not just a great congressman but he was a great man." Watch Schumer's full comments on MSNBC's "Morning Joe": http://bit.ly/33BLXpA

From Sen. Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisTexas Democratic official urges Biden to visit state: 'I thought he had his own plane' The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden on Trump: 'He'll leave' l GOP laywers brush off Trump's election remarks l Obama's endorsements A game theorist's advice to President Trump on filling the Supreme Court seat MORE (D-Calif.): "We lost a giant today. Congressman Elijah Cummings was a fearless leader, a protector of democracy, and a fighter for the people of Maryland. Our world is dimmer without him in it." http://bit.ly/2IXWeVf

Here are more lawmaker reactions: http://bit.ly/2ORcqLM

From Politico reporter Andrew Desiderio: "What I'll always remember about Elijah Cummings is that he took no BS from anyone. He would routinely spend several minutes fielding questions from us in the speaker's lobby or elsewhere, sometimes combatively, but he would always end with some version of: 'I appreciate you all.'" http://bit.ly/2MVfrZ0

At the White House: The flag over the White House has been lowered to half-staff. Watch: http://bit.ly/32o4Ufp

WHO WILL TAKE OVER AS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE CHAIR?:

Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) will fill in as acting chairwoman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee.

Why: "Maloney is the next in seniority on the Oversight and Reform Committee, which under House rules means that she becomes acting chairwoman in the event of a sudden vacancy, a leadership aide said." http://bit.ly/2OWcwl6

LATEST WITH SYRIA

'More is better than less because if stuff is not *deep breath* less there's more less stuff, then *deep breath* you might want to have some more.':

--> http://bit.ly/2MSbEv9 ;)

Senate Majority Leader 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 (R-Ky.) said he wants "something stronger" than a House resolution to formally oppose President Trump's drawback of troops in Syria. http://bit.ly/2BgCAQ6

McConnell said on the Senate floor: "I believe it's important that we make a strong forward-looking strategic statement. For that reason my preference would be for something even stronger than the resolution that the House passed yesterday, which has some serious weaknesses."

Keep in mind: "The House passed its resolution formally opposing Trump's troop drawback in northern Syria and urging Turkey to end its military incursion in a 354-60 vote."

Op-ed: http://bit.ly/2qmK2qG

LATEST WITH THE IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY

Don't do it, Lindsey:

Via The Hill's Alexander Bolton, "Senate Republicans are cautioning Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) against the prospect of bringing former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenFormer Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick Bloomberg rolls out M ad buy to boost Biden in Florida MORE before the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify about Ukrainian corruption, saying such a move could backfire." Reasoning: http://bit.ly/35H1l5L

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

Nipping on Biden's tail:

Via The Hill's Jonathan Easley and Amie Parnes, "Joe Biden faces a new threat from South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg Pete ButtigiegBillionaire who donated to Trump in 2016 donates to Biden The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - GOP closes ranks to fill SCOTUS vacancy by November Buttigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice MORE, who is fresh off an eye-opening debate performance and positioning himself to be a top contender for the support of centrist Democrats if the former vice president falters."

Right after the debate: Buttigieg's campaign says they raised $1 million from tens of thousands of donors.

Buttigieg's polling: "Recent polls of Iowa show Buttigieg on the rise. The mayor has picked up 4.5 points in the past month in the RealClearPolitics average, and a Firehouse-Optimus survey released this week found him in third place at 17 percent in the Hawkeye State, within striking distance of both Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenOvernight 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 On The Money: Half of states deplete funds for Trump's 0 unemployment expansion | EU appealing ruling in Apple tax case | House Democrats include more aid for airlines in coronavirus package Warren, Khanna request IG investigation into Pentagon's use of coronavirus funds MORE (D-Mass.), at 25 percent, and [Joe Biden], at 22 percent."

What to expect in the final stretch before the early voting states: http://bit.ly/2puMWsK

TIDBIT

A powerful voting bloc:

Via The Hill's Rafael Bernal, Virginia Democratic Sens. Mark Warner Mark Robert WarnerFBI director casts doubt on concerns over mail-in voting fraud Democrats call for declassifying election threats after briefing by Trump officials It's time to upgrade benefits MORE and Tim Kaine Timothy (Tim) Michael KaineTrump plans to pick Amy Coney Barrett to replace Ginsburg on court Hillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns Democrats call for declassifying election threats after briefing by Trump officials MORE hosted Hispanic leaders from the commonwealth for breakfast at the Capitol Thursday.

On the agenda: The two senators discussed the growth of the Virginia Hispanic community and how Latino voters could make the difference in next month's state election and in 2020.

Kaine told The Hill: "When I was mayor of Richmond in 1998 I first started to really notice the growth of our Latino community." He also added: "The Latino vote can be the swing in virtually any statewide race in Virginia, just because we're a state that tends to have close races."

Warner said of Virginia Hispanics: "I don't know if the community realizes how much potential power they have."

NOTABLE TWEETS

An observation on this widely shared photo:

That’s the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman to Trump’s right, looking like he’d rather be anywhere else. pic.twitter.com/CMblSSoa6E — Michael Crowley (@michaelcrowley) October 17, 2019

Back story: President Trump tweeted this photo yesterday with the caption, "Nervous Nancy's unhinged meltdown!" Pelosi then made the photo her Twitter cover photo. This photo is everywhere today. https://cbsn.ws/2MTOt3E

ON TAP

The House and Senate are in. President Trump is in Texas and Vice President Pence is traveling back to the United States from Turkey.

8:15 a.m. EDT: Vice President Pence met with the president of Turkey.

10:30 a.m. EDT: President Trump leaves for Fort Worth, Texas.

Noon: The Senate holds a roll call vote. The Senate's full schedule today: http://bit.ly/2VTtr9t

12:20 p.m. EDT: Vice President Pence leaves Turkey and heads back to Washington, D.C.

1:45 p.m. EDT: The Senate holds another roll call vote.

2–3 p.m. EDT: First and last votes in the House. The House's full schedule today: http://bit.ly/2VTtkuz

2:45 p.m. EDT: President Trump holds a roundtable with supporters.

3:20 p.m. EDT: President Trump speaks at a joint fundraising committee luncheon in Fort Worth, Texas.

5:20 p.m. EDT: President Trump tours Louis Vuitton Rochambeau, delivers remarks and participates in the ribbon cutting.

12:35 a.m. EDT: President Trump gets back to the White House.

WHAT TO WATCH

10:45 a.m. EDT: Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) held a press briefing. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2BiK6d5

11 a.m. EDT: Vice President Pence held a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara, Turkey. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2MloF1n

12:30 p.m. EDT: Acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney Mick MulvaneyOn The Money: House panel pulls Powell into partisan battles | New York considers hiking taxes on the rich | Treasury: Trump's payroll tax deferral won't hurt Social Security Blockchain trade group names Mick Mulvaney to board Mick Mulvaney to start hedge fund MORE holds a press briefing. Livestream: http://bit.ly/35LXgh0

8:05 p.m. EDT: President Trump holds a campaign rally in Dallas. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2P21GtQ

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF...

Today is National Pasta Day. Here's a list of pasta deals to celebrate: http://bit.ly/35H1mqz

One of the funniest nature photos I've seen:

Here's a list of winning photos from the Wildlife Photographer of the Year. I can't stop laughing at the first photo. The photos: https://cnn.it/32n3RvX

And because you made it this far, here's a pitbull with a pretty convincing Halloween costume: http://bit.ly/33GtMz7