Word on the Hill: Focus on Girls
March Ratness and March Madness
A briefing entitled “Creating Opportunities for Girls to Thrive and Learn” is taking place on Capitol Hill today. It’s co-sponsored by Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine and Reps. Susan W. Brooks, R-Ind., and Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J.
The event is hosted by Girls Inc., YWCA USA, and Girl Scouts of the USA. The groups hope to create a series of briefings focused on issues facing girls and young women.
The briefing will be in the Russell Senate Office Building, Room 326 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Look out for Girl Scouts roaming the halls throughout the day. No word if they’ll be packing cookies.
D.C. cultural event of the day
The DC Black History Celebration Committee, the DC Host Committee, and the Commission on the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday announced that on April 4 they will pay tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the 49th anniversary of his assassination. The tribute will be at 7 p.m. at the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church (1313 New York Ave. NW). The organizers ask that people send their favorite King quote, with the name of the speech, letter or sermon it is taken from, and the place delivered, to dcblkhistory@gmail.com.
Rats in Richmond
This is an actual tradition for the Science Museum of Virginia: The Rat Basketball Association March Ratness tournament. On Friday, “trained rats will go head-to-head on a miniature basketball court, representing the final four teams in the men’s NCAA tournament,” the museum said in a news release. The tournament begins at 11 a.m. at the Science Museum (2500 West Broad St., Richmond, Va.) and fans are encouraged to dress up to support their team.
Staffer shuffle
President Donald Trump has nominated Makan Delrahim, a White House deputy counsel, to lead the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division. Makan previously served as chief counsel and staff director for the Senate Judiciary Committee when Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, was chairman.
Veteran movie screening
The House Veterans Affairs Committee, including chairman Phil Roe and Reps. Louis Frankel, Beto O’Rourke and Seth Moulton are hosting a film and discussion on a new documentary, “The Human Cost of War: What Do We Owe Our Veterans?” The film will be played at 7:45 p.m. today in the Capitol Visitor Center.
Overheard on the Hill
“That’s why I was in the Gang of 14 when you were in elementary school.”— Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., talking with a reporter about his concerns over preserving Senate rules.“If the president puts Russian dressing on his salad tonight, somehow that’s a Russian connection”— White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer.
Happy Birthday to…
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., 53.
Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., 48.
What’s going on?
Have any tips, announcements or Hill happenings? Send them to AlexGangitano@cqrollcall.com.