The GOP rallies around Kevin McCarthy ... for now

Plus, Russia cuts off gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria. Kevin McCarthy is unscathed despite his criticism of fellow Republicans; Russia cuts off the gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria. Tonight's Sentences was written by Jariel Arvin.   TOP NEWS GOP leader Kevin McCarthy defends himself against leaked audio Alex Wong/Getty Images - House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy addressed leaked audio from conversations he had following the January 6, 2021, insurrection at a private GOP conference on Monday. [[CNN / Manu Raju, Melanie Zanona, and Lauren Fox](] - In a recording released last week, McCarthy said he would ask then-President Donald Trump to resign for his role in inciting the attack on the Capitol. In another recording released Tuesday, McCarthy criticized the rhetoric of right-wing lawmakers. [[New York Times / Alexander Burns and Jonathan Martin](] - At Monday’s closed-door meeting, McCarthy claimed he never actually asked Trump to resign and was merely discussing all his options. Republicans gave him a standing ovation. [[Associated Press / Lisa Mascaro](] - The revelations came at a critical time for McCarthy as he looks to take back control of the House in the 2022 midterms and become speaker. [[NBC News](] - For now, it appears the tapes won’t derail those plans. Key Republicans, including Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, committed to sticking with him. [[Politico / Olivia Beavers and Sarah Ferris](] [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( Russia cuts off gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria - Wednesday, Russia cut off gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria — the most severe response thus far to Western sanctions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. [[CNN / Sugam Pokharel and Mark Thompson](] - State-owned Gazprom shut off supply for the two NATO countries for failing to make payments in rubles — a move the EU called "blackmail." [[AP / Yesica Fisch, Jon Gambrell, and Vanessa Gera](] - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc had prepared for this scenario and is pursuing other options to replace and maintain gas supply. [[Reuters / Kate Abnett](] - Russia has threatened to cut off supply to other countries, placing pressure on Europe to find alternative energy sources as it prepares to intensify its sanctions on the Kremlin. [[Washington Post](]   MISCELLANEOUS Monday, in a meeting with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, President Joe Biden privately expressed support for canceling at least some student loan debt. [[Washington Post / Seung Min Kim and Marianna Sotomayor](] - Chief White House medical adviser Anthony Fauci said that while “we’re not over the pandemic,” the US is now in a new “transition phase,” in which Americans can “get back to some form of normality.” [[CNN / Naomi Thomas and Brenda Goodman](] - A Minnesota report commissioned in response to the death of George Floyd found Minneapolis and its police department engaged in a pattern of racially discriminatory practices. [[ABC News / Kiara Alfonseca](] - New Jersey is facing a recall of more than 120,000 pounds of ground beef products over concerns they contain E. coli. No illnesses have been reported. [[National Public Radio / Joe Hernandez](]   Support our journalism Reader contributions help keep newsletters like Sentences free for all. Support our work with a one-time gift today. [Give](   VERBATIM Kevin McCarthy “got a standing ovation. He will be speaker.” [[Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) on McCarthy’s private GOP meeting / Politico](]   LISTEN TO THIS My octopus friend? Octopuses are largely solitary animals, but there have been rare times — notably in the movie My Octopus Teacher — where they seem to have become comfortable around humans. But is it really possible to be friends with an octopus? [Listen now ▶](   Read more from Vox [Title 42, the Trump-era border policy dividing Democrats, explained]( [One Good Thing: The cartoon dog who taught me how to be a dad]( [Joe Biden’s young voter problem]( [Why popularism is good — to a point]( [One-fifth of all crocodiles, snakes, and other reptiles are threatened with extinction]( [Learn more about RevenueStripe...](   [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [YouTube]( This email was sent to {EMAIL}. Manage your [email preferences]( or [unsubscribe](param=sentences). If you value Vox’s unique explanatory journalism, support our work with a one-time or recurring [contribution](. View our [Privacy Notice]( and our [Terms of Service](. Vox Media, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Floor 12, Washington, DC 20036. Copyright © 2022. All rights reserved.