Skimm'd while buying candy hearts

"Why yes, kind sir, we do have Thin Mints" - Jennifer Garner, helping her daughters sell Girl Scout cookies. Wouldn't want to be in the troop against her.

THINGS UP FOR DEBATE

The Budget

The Story

President Trump dropped a plan on how he thinks the US government should spend money in 2019.

What's in it?

Every year, the US president submits a budget proposal and Congress takes it into consideration when deciding how to spend money in the next fiscal year. It's pretty much a wish list, but it signals what the prez's top priorities are. Trump is proposing to spend more than $4 trillion in the next fiscal year. Including putting money into the military, fighting the opioid crisis, and building a US-Mexico border wall. It also includes cuts to healthcare programs (like Medicare and Medicaid), the EPA, and the budget for diplomacy and foreign aid. And includes an infrastructure plan that incentivizes states and cities to raise their own money to fix their roads and bridges.

theSkimm

For years, Republicans have not been fans of big spending plans because it messes with the national debt. But this budget - and the recent GOP tax plan - would add hundreds of billions to the deficit, signaling that it's no longer a priority for the party.

Immigration

The Story

Yesterday, the Senate kicked off a debate on immigration.

What's going on?

Last month's government shutdown ended after Dems secured a promise to vote on immigration in the Senate. They hoped that this would include a DACA fix - the program that protects undocumented immigrants brought to the US as kids from being deported - which expires next month. Last night, the Senate started its free-for-all debate where both sides can voice their opinions. This is rare because they'll be building a bill from nothing right on the Senate floor. And they're hoping everyone can shake hands on what they come up with. Unclear if - or how - that will happen.

theSkimm

Hundreds of thousands of Dreamers could face deportation next month. Even if a fix makes it past the Senate, it faces an uncertain future in the more conservative House.

PEOPLE MORE FIT THAN YOU

ICYMI, the Olympics are happening. And Skimm HQ is really into it. So over the next two weeks, we're telling you about some athletes you need to know.

Maame Biney: The first African American woman ever to qualify for a US Olympic speedskating team. Her enthusiasm is everything and the Internet noticed.

The wind: The unexpected competitor that's thrown off some athletes. It's delaying and postponing some events. And made a bunch of snowboarders wipe out. But it calmed down just in time for Chloe Kim to win the gold.

Eric Radford: The Canadian figure skater who just became the first openly gay athlete to win a gold at the Winter Olympics. Bringing some hometown glory to the rink.

Mikaela Shiffrin: The one going downhill in one of the alpine ski races tonight. The 22-year-old was the youngest to win the gold in slalom skiing in 2014 and is considered one of the best alpine skiers in the world.

PS: We don't want you to miss any of the big deal Olympic events. So we made you a calendar. We're also going deep on the Olympics in Skimm Notes, our in-app audio series. This week is all about crazy Olympic moments in history, from Tonya Harding to the Miracle on Ice. Download theSkimm app and get it all here. (Android, we're coming for you)

REPEAT AFTER ME...

What people are talking about...

Vanessa Trump. Yesterday, Donald Trump Jr's wife was hospitalized after opening a letter with white powder. The letter was addressed to Trump Jr but sent to his mother-in-law's apartment. Vanessa reportedly started feeling nauseous and coughing after opening the letter. She and two others at the apartment were sent to the hospital as a precaution. But investigators say the powder was just cornstarch. The Secret Service is looking into it.

What to say when a coworker is talking to you while you're wearing headphones...

Not listening. The Education Department isn't either. It says it's no longer acting on transgender students' complaints about being banned from bathrooms. This comes after the Trump administration reversed an Obama-era policy allowing transgender students to use bathrooms based on their gender identities. The White House says that's because states and school districts should make these decisions. Now, the dept says it won't look into reports of transgender students being banned from using certain bathrooms - saying these complaints don't fall under anti-discrimination law. But this decision goes against a 2017 federal court ruling that says transgender students can use whichever gender bathroom they identify with. Confusing.

What to say when you hear why Steven Cohen's firm is being sued...

There's trouble for Oxfam too. Yesterday, a top executive at the charity stepped down after a report said some employees were involved in sexual misconduct. Oxfam: one of the UK's largest charities that sends aid workers to areas dealing with crises. Last week, it came out that Oxfam employees in Haiti paid people for sex. And that it happened in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake that killed hundreds of thousands of people and destroyed most of the country. Now, the deputy chief executive of Oxfam says she takes full responsibility for letting this happen under her watch. The UK is also warning the charity that it could lose its funding, and the country's charity commission is looking into what happened.

What to say when your ex posts a picture of the new SO...

Let's do some digging. California is investigating health insurance company Aetna. That's because a former medical director there reportedly said he didn't look at people's records before deciding whether they got health coverage. Meaning if a patient needed treatment for a disease, he apparently never looked at the records himself and just relied on a nurse's recommendation. The medical director worked at the company for about three years and reportedly said he was following his training. Aetna says it'll explain its review process to the state. But it brings up Qs about the company - the third largest health insurer in the country - and how it decides to cover its millions of customers across the country.

What to say to your friend who's obsessed with "Titanic"...

Draw me like one of your former presidents.

THING TO KNOW

Umami

One of the five basic tastes. It joins the squad with sweet, salty, sour, and bitter. Its name is derived from the Japanese word for yummy and its flavor is intense (think: soy sauce, parmesan cheese, mushrooms). If you're bold enough to try and create umami on your own, this credit card will make you feel better about the grocery bill. And also the takeout bill...

SKIMM LIFE

For when there's a lot of V-Day candy in the office...

Treat yourself with your wardrobe too. Get this personalized box delivered to you, sans hassle. Plus a free styling session. Yes please.

For when you forget to buy enough party snacks...

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For when there are empty glasses...

Let's make those half full. Or fully full. This cocktail is your answer.

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SKIMM SHARE

Skimm HQ is craving chocolate cake. Share theSkimm with your friend that always has a sweet tooth.

SKIMM BIRTHDAYS

* indicates Skimm'bassador. Pour it up, pour it up.

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