The Hill's Morning Report - Biden, NATO eye 'all scenarios' with Russia | TheHill

President BidenJoe BidenFox News reporter says Biden called him after 'son of a b----' remark Peloton responds after another TV character has a heart attack on one of its bikes Defense & National Security — Pentagon puts 8,500 troops on high alert MORE, who had been wary about challenging Russia’s military mobilization against Ukraine beyond urgent diplomacy and threats of slow-motion international economic sanctions, unveiled a more muscular military defense posture with Europe to be prepared for Russian President Vladimir PutinVladimir Vladimirovich PutinSenators huddle on Russia sanctions as tensions escalate Schumer requests Senate briefing on Ukraine amid Russia tensions Biden rushes to pressure Russia as Ukraine fears intensify MORE’s next move. The Pentagon said it placed 8,500 U.S. troops on “heightened alert” for possible deployment to Eastern Europe to defend NATO allies, and the White House confirmed on Monday that the president is considering deploying more troops to be ready should Russia invade Ukraine and thereby threaten NATO partners (The New York Times and NBC News). Following a Monday video conference with his NATO counterparts, Biden said there was “total unanimity with all the European leaders.” Pentagon spokesman John KirbyJohn KirbyDefense & National Security — Pentagon puts 8,500 troops on high alert Biden rushes to pressure Russia as Ukraine fears intensify Biden touts 'total unanimity' with European leaders after call on Russia-Ukraine MORE said it is “clear” Russia has “no intention right now of de-escalating” its mobilization of 100,000 troops along Ukraine’s border and military deployments near Belarus. White House press secretary Jen PsakiJen PsakiSchumer requests Senate briefing on Ukraine amid Russia tensions Biden rushes to pressure Russia as Ukraine fears intensify Pelosi requests all-member briefing on Ukraine MORE said before Biden’s call that the president was coordinating with allies on “plans for all scenarios. French President Emmanuel MacronEmmanuel Jean-Michel MacronDefense & National Security — Pentagon puts 8,500 troops on high alert Biden touts 'total unanimity' with European leaders after call on Russia-Ukraine Biden huddling with European leaders on Russia's military buildup near Ukraine MORE today will discuss Russia while in Berlin to meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (Reuters). British Prime Minister Boris JohnsonBoris JohnsonDefense & National Security — Pentagon puts 8,500 troops on high alert Biden touts 'total unanimity' with European leaders after call on Russia-Ukraine UK scrapping testing requirements for vaccinated arrivals MORE on Monday said war was not a fait accompli and that Russia invading Ukraine would be “disastrous” and a “painful, violent and bloody business.” He said the United Kingdom was working with allies on readying a sanctions package. The call, led by Sen. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsBipartisan Senate group discusses changes to election law The Hill's Morning Report - US warns Kremlin, weighs more troops to Europe Democrats face scaled-back agenda after setbacks MORE (R-Maine), included 15 senators and lasted for about an hour. > From censure to out-and-out political targeting, progressives want to challenge fellow Democrats they believe stand in the way of their agenda in Congress, reports The Hill’s Hanna Trudo, who offers five 2022 examples: Jessica Cisneros is challenging Rep. Henry Cuellar (Texas); Rana Abdelhamid wants to defeat Rep. Carolyn MaloneyCarolyn MaloneyDemocrats ask for information on specialized Border Patrol teams Overnight Energy & Environment — Biden announces green buildings initiative House panel asks five oil company board members to testify MORE (New York); Kina Collins is targeting Rep. Danny K. > 2020 election investigation: A request by a Georgia prosecutor was approved on Monday for a special purpose grand jury to be seated May 2 in a criminal investigation into whether former President TrumpDonald TrumpFormer New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver dead at 77 Biden, Democrats losing ground with independent and suburban voters: poll Bipartisan Senate group discusses changes to election law MORE and others broke the law by trying to pressure Georgia officials to throw out Biden’s presidential victory (The Boston Globe and The Washington Post). The White House daily press briefing is scheduled at 12:15 p.m. Hill.TV’s “Rising” program features news and interviews at http://thehill.com/hilltv or on YouTube at 10:30 a.m. ET at Rising on YouTube.ELSEWHERE➜ SUPREME COURT: Justices agreed Monday to hear two cases that put affirmative action and race-based considerations back in the spotlight when it comes to admissions in higher education (The New York Times). … The high court declined on Monday to take up House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthyKevin McCarthyOn The Money — Support for new COVID-19 relief grows Bipartisan Senate group discusses changes to election law Are the legal walls closing in on Donald Trump?