MNI POLITICAL RISK - Biden To Deliver Rare Prime-Time Speech

Executive Summary:

• 20:00 ET 01:00 BST: President Biden will deliver a major prime-time address at the White House this evening to argue that support for Israel and Ukraine is in the national security interests of the United States and part of a broader effort to defend the liberal democratic order.
• Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH), the Republican nominee for Speaker, yesterday lost a second ballot in two-days. Rather than improving on his vote margin, Jordan lost votes in the overall tally suggesting his bid is all but done.
• The House is set to come back into session at midday today with the slim possibility of a third speaker ballot. The House Republican conference, in the meantime, will hold another meeting to air grievances and formulate a ‘plan c.’
• The most widely reported solution is to formally elevate Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (R-NC) to the chair with enhanced powers to move legislation.
• Biden has denied reports that the US will commit combat troops if the conflict between Israel and Gaza escalates.
• Biden’s nominee for ambassador of Israel, Jack Lew, received a grilling from Republicans yesterday on his role in the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran.
• The US yesterday eased sanctions on Venezuela after government and opposition officials laid the groundwork for free elections in 2024.
• Poll of the Day: Trump is leading Biden in several key swing states as voters, "reject Biden's economic message."

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MNIPOLRISKUSDaily191023.pdf