MNI POLITICAL RISK - Congress To Recess With Shutdown Looming

• The House of Representatives is set to depart this afternoon on a two-week recess. If the House returns on Feb 28, as scheduled, lawmakers will have three days to prevent a partial government shutdown.
• A bipartisan group of House Reps could release an alternative foreign policy aid and border security package as soon as today.
• Washington was temporarily plunged into a state of panic yesterday when House Intelligence Committee Chair Rep Mike Turner (R-OH) issued a cryptic statement warning of an unspecified national security threat. Multiple outlets later reported that the threat has been known for a number of weeks and is likely related to intelligence suggesting Russia is developing nuclear weapons which could be deployed in space.
• Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told reporters in Detroit yesterday that she has discussed the potential seizure of Russian assets with European leaders.
• The US has intercepted an Iranian ship carrying advanced weaponry to Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, according to CENTCOM.
• Former President Donald Trump will appear in court again today as he attempts to stall the four criminal cases against him until after the presidential election in November.
• IRS Commissioner Danny Wefel will appear in front of the House Ways and Means Committee today.
• A bipartisan redistricting commission in New York is set to draw a Congressional map today which could be determine control of the House in November.
• Poll of the Day: Former Governor Larry Hogan is polling strongly after his late entry into the Maryland Senate race.

MNIPOLRISKUSDaily150224.pdf