Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Good morning, and welcome to RedState's "Morning Minute" — a brief glimpse at which stories are trending at the moment and a look ahead at what the day may bring. Consider this your one-stop shop for news to kickstart your day.
TOP O' THE MORNIN'
Red-Hot at RedState
Trump is right. They want us to constantly pay to defend them and put our soldiers on the line, but they won't stand with us here. It's not just a U.S. issue. Taking out Iran is in the best interests of America, but it's also in the interests of the whole world.
The last 24 hours have been a major success for the United States and Israel. We still don't know what the end of this will look like, including whether the regime will fall, but there's no doubt of the military dominance on display. Iran's capabilities have been demolished, and it's only going to get worse for them. Meanwhile, anyone who wants to step into a leadership role earns an expiration date with it.
Cuba's Energy Grid Fails As Trump Gives the Options and Timeline for Solving Cuba's Commie Problem
Cuba is on borrowed time. As President Trump said on Air Force One earlier in the week.
Trending Across Townhall Media
Bearing Arms — Virginia Democrats Pass Measure That'll Screw Over Younger Military Members
The truth, though, is that I don't like exceptions to the law for certain groups, as a general thing. Yet with the military, some of these people are transferring into the state from states that had more respect for people's rights. That alone is bound to cause some friction, and the bill doesn't address that in the least.
Hot Air — The Left Is Going Insane About the Coming Downfall of Cuba
This is what I voted for. Four years is not enough to completely dismantle the global left and the internationalist world order, but it sure is a good start that Trump is making. By the end of 2026, we may see Venezuela, Cuba, and Iran freed.
PJ Media — Daniel Noboa Unleashes the Beast and We're All Better Off For It
Anyway, partnerships like this are why Donald Trump and Marco Rubio held the Shield of the Americas summit in Doral, Florida, earlier this month, where Noboa was a guest. Together, we're going to make the Americas great — and safe — again. Initial reports show that it's working.
Townhall — There's About to Be Some Prime GOP Betrayal on the SAVE Act
Here’s the deal: we don’t have the votes. So, the GOP plan, or at least the one everyone should support, is to force a talking filibuster, a throwback to the iconic scene in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.
Twitchy — Showbiz Fizz: Actor Ben Stiller’s Soft Drink Falls Flat While a Perky Tom Hanks Joins the Brew Crew
Not going to lie. We’d cast away our hard-earned money if Hanks sold his coffee in that Wilson cup.
WHAT'S ON TAP?
Today on Capitol Hill...
The critters are back, and there are a ton of hearings/meetings set on the Hill for Tuesday, including:
- House Judiciary, Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust Subcommittee — “Pier Pressure: Regulation and Competition in Maritime Shipping”
- House Financial Services — Updating America’s Financial Privacy Framework for the 21st Century
- House Armed Services — U.S. Military Posture and National Security Challenges in North and South America
- House Foreign Affairs — Reforming America’s Defense Sales
- House Energy and Commerce, Energy Subcommittee — Winter Storm Fern Lessons: Supplying Reliable Power to Meet Peak Demand
- House Budget — The Congressional Budget Office's Budget and Economic Outlook
- House Appropriations, Legislative Branch Subcommittee — Budget Hearing – United States Capitol Police
- Senate Judiciary — Hearings to examine China's theft of U.S. innovation.
- House Appropriations, Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee — Oversight Hearing – National Institutes of Health
- House Foreign Affairs, Oversight and Intelligence Subcommittee — Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in Foreign Assistance: Lessons Learned and Charting a Path Forward
- House Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee — “DeepSeek and Unitree Robotics: Examining the National Security Risks of PRC Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Autonomous Technologies and Building a Secure U.S. Technology Base”
- House Oversight and Government Reform, Government Operations Subcommittee — “Oversight of the U.S. Postal Service: The Financial Future Under Postmaster General Steiner”
- House Energy and Commerce, Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee — Protecting Patients and Safeguarding Taxpayer Dollars: The Role of CMS in Combatting Medicare and Medicaid Fraud
And here's what to expect on the SAVE America Act front:
The Hitchhiker’s Guide To Today’s Test Vote In The Senate On The SAVE America Act
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) March 17, 2026
The Senate takes a test vote to begin debate on the SAVE America Act.
The bill is the hallmark of President Trump’s 2026 legislative agenda. It requires proof of citizenship to vote.
The test…
The Hitchhiker’s Guide To Today’s Test Vote In The Senate On The SAVE America Act
The Senate takes a test vote to begin debate on the SAVE America Act.
The bill is the hallmark of President Trump’s 2026 legislative agenda. It requires proof of citizenship to vote.
The test vote hits today around 2:15 pm et. It needs a simple majority. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) is likely a no. Also watch former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). Vice President Vance may be needed to break a tie.
If the test vote fails, they’re stuck. But if the Senate votes to proceed to the bill, the Senate will likely launch days of days of debate, perhaps running through the night and over the weekend.
The Senate can pass the bill with a simple majority. Some Republicans want to compel Democrats to hold the floor for days - frankly until they’re exhausted. That way, they avoid a final test vote to break a filibuster needing 60 yeas. They could then pass the bill with a simple majority. But GOP leaders are skeptical this gambit will work.
White House What's Up
Another busy day on tap for President Trump as well, including:
- 8:00 AM — THE PRESIDENT participates in Executive Time — The White House
- 10:45 AM — THE PRESIDENT participates in a Greeting with the Taoiseach of Ireland — The White House
- 11:00 AM — THE PRESIDENT participates in a Bilateral Meeting — Oval Office
- 12:10 PM — THE PRESIDENT participates in the Friends of Ireland Luncheon — The Capitol
- 2:30 PM — THE PRESIDENT participates in a Policy Meeting — Oval Office
- 4:00 PM — THE PRESIDENT participates in Signing Time — Oval Office
- 5:00 PM — THE PRESIDENT participates in a Greeting with the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland — The White House
- 5:05 PM — THE PRESIDENT participates in a Greeting with the Taoiseach of Ireland — The White House
- 5:20 PM — THE PRESIDENT participates in the Shamrock Bowl Presentation — East Room
Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance are hosting the Taoiseach of Ireland, Micheál Martin, and his wife, Mrs. Mary Martin, for a St. Patrick's Day breakfast at the Vice President's Residence. Both the Vice President and the Taoiseach will deliver remarks.
Keeping Up With the Cabinet
Sec. State - Marco Rubio — Rubio continues to shine in his role — his many roles. He's been working with allies like South Korea to get buy-in on cooperation to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
Full Court Press...
The courts were quite busy yesterday (and over the past few days) — here are a few of the notable rulings:
- ❌ In State of Illinois v. Vought (HHS Targeting Directive/grants), Judge Manish Shah (Northern District of Illinois) partially GRANTS plaintiffs' motion for preliminary injunction. (Granted as to Targeting Directive; denied as to grants.) [3/12]
- ↔️ In Rural Development Innovations v. Marocco (dismantling of USADF), Judge Richard Leon (D.C.) GRANTS in part, DENIES in part plaintiffs' AND defendants' motions for summary judgment. (Ps win on the appointment; Ds on the agency dismantling.) [3/13]
- ✅ In Lopez v. U.S. (construction on public lands), 9th Circuit Court of Appeals AFFIRMS district court's denial of preliminary injunction. [3/13]
- ✅ In D.V.D. v. DHS (deportation to third country), 1st Circuit Court of Appeals GRANTS admin's request for stay pending appeal.
- ❌ In American Academy of Pediatrics v. Kennedy (restructuring of ACIP), Judge Brian Murphy GRANTS plaintiffs' motion for preliminary injunction.
- ❌ In Talbott v. Trump (transgender military service), Judge Ana Reyes (D.C.) DENIES admin's motion for stay pending appeal.
ALSO SEE: 1st Circuit Adds Very Brief but Notable Exclamation Point to Third-Country Deportation Fight
Judge Blocks RFK Vaccine Overhaul and Freezes Newly Rebuilt Advisory Committee
COMING ATTRACTIONS
On Wednesday, March 18, 2026, Vice President JD Vance will visit a manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan, where he will deliver remarks.
MORNING MUSING
Today's the day: We wear green; we eat corned beef and cabbage; we drink green beer. That is, if we choose to celebrate St. Patrick's Day — which I do. It was always one of my Dad's favorite holidays, and I suppose I inherited his affinity for it, even though we're not all that Irish. Some, though. 23 & Me presently puts me at 6.4 percent — there's a good deal more Scottish, English, French, and German in the mix — but today? I'm Irish. Today, we're all Irish. Sláinte!
LIGHTER FARE
Those eyes! 😂
When he realized red is the good part.. 😅 pic.twitter.com/SHsnENkrYR
— Buitengebieden (@buitengebieden) March 17, 2026
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