- Pair expected to discuss war in Ukraine and US-EU relations
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Good morning, US politics followers, and welcome to Le Blog, so named to commemorate French president Emmanuel Macron’s official visit to Washington, and a full day of activities including a head-to-head with Joe Biden and a state dinner later with 400 guests.
The leaders will hold a bilateral meeting at 10am ET, and talk about it at a lunchtime press conference. Subjects on the agenda are likely to include Russia’s war in Ukraine, and business and political relations between the US, France and the European Union.
The Senate will be debating a bill passed Wednesday in the House of Representatives seeking to avert a national rail strike, but fast-track approval remains in doubt following opposition from progressive Vermont senator Bernie Sanders over paid sick days.
Barack Obama heads to Georgia for a rally in support of incumbent Democrat Raphael Warnock. The former president’s visit comes as Warnock’s Republican challenger in next week’s runoff election, Herschel Walker, faces new domestic violence allegations from an ex-girlfriend.
Hillary and Chelsea Clinton will host a summit on women’s rights in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Vice-president Kamala Harris and secretary of state Antony Blinken are hosting a luncheon for Macron at the state department.