Legacy building: Today, the 116th Congress will be sworn in, introducing a history-making group of individuals to Washington. The youngest woman, the first Native American woman, and the first Muslim woman are just a few of the people bringing big changes to Capitol Hill. (Local label Resistance by Design has issued a scarf to welcome them.) In turn, Nancy Pelosi will become one of the most powerful people in Washington as she returns to the speakership. Pelosi’s daughter Alexandra Pelosi described her mom Wednesday as the kind of person who could “cut your head off and you won’t even know you’re bleeding,” which I think is an energy I’d like to bring into 2019.
Good morning, and good Thursday. A reminder that we are still in a partial government shutdown. I’m Brittany Shepherd, the author of this morning newsletter. Feel free to contact me at bshepherd@washingtonian.com or find me on Twitter. Sign up for this newsletter here.
Elizabeth Warren hit back at criticism that she is “unlikable.” Joining a wave of supporters who say the endless comparisons to Hillary Clinton’s likability are gendered and sexist, Warren pushed back on the label:
I hear women candidates are most likable in the quiet car! I’ll be talking again on @maddow @ 9pm ET. pic.twitter.com/DnVIw2RSgG
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) January 2, 2019
New staffers stuck: A unexpected effect of the shutdown? Government service E-Verify has shut down, leaving federal offices unable to screen incoming employees.
News you can use: Here is a map of what’s open and what’s not during the shutdown.
In case you missed it: One National Park Service site not affected by the shutdown is the clock tower of the Old Post Office, which is attached to the Trump International Hotel. Interesting.
What we have cooking at Washingtonian:
- The shutdown has killed the Smithsonian’s panda cam. But no worries, here are other places you can stream our furry friends’ antics.
- Bikes are now allowed on the Metro. While that may upset you, have you considered that your backpack is the real transit demon?
- It’s possible to throw a bachelorette party in DC and not have it suck.
- Every morning this newsletter is topped with a photo from Evy Mages. We’ve had some wonderful shots over the past few months—take a look at our favorites.
Our picks for things to do around town:
CONVENTION The annual MAGFest (“Music And Gaming”) runs this weekend at the Gaylord National Resort at National Harbor. The four-day, 24-hour-per-day event celebrates video game music plus the community around gaming of all kinds. There will be consoles, arcades, tabletop games, and live music that ranges from video game covers to DJs remixing gaming tunes. Stroll through the museum of classic computers and gaming systems or pop into the panels to hear from video game creators and gaming journalists. Through January 6. $75 for a weekend pass.
Good reads:
Nancy Pelosi didn’t think much of her now highly coveted MaxMara coat, but she digs its meme-ability. (Elle)
Don’t worry—you can still get a divorce in DC. (Buzzfeed News)
Big events from Washingtonian
Join Ann Limpert tomorrow at 11 AM for her first chat of 2019. You can leave a question now.
Brittany Shepherd covers the societal and cultural scene in political Washington. Before joining Washingtonian as a staff writer in 2018, Brittany was a White House Correspondent for Independent Journal Review. While she has lived in DC for a number of years now, she still yearns for the fresh Long Island bagels of home. Find her on Twitter, often prattling on about Frasier.
