Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) hosted Russian Ambassador Darchiev at her Christmas reception on Capitol Hill on December 10, according to a Russian embassy statement shared by reporter Andrew Desiderio on X in the past 28 minutes, prompting Desiderio to describe it as "quite a choice." The Russian embassy post stated: "At the invitation by @RepLuna, Amb.Darchiev visited her #Christmas reception on #Capitol Hill. Wonderful event with warm atmosphere and exceptional hospitality. Continue working to make Russian-American relations great again!" Rep. Luna separately posted thanks to Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) for signing an unspecified item despite prior disagreements, according to her X post within the reporting window. Separately, Apple CEO Tim Cook was spotted on Capitol Hill, as reported by Kelly Phares on X during the 3:46 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. UTC window. On health care, Senate GOP Whip John Thune indicated a potential path forward for extending Affordable Care Act subsidies despite expected failed votes tomorrow, telling reporters "there are conversations that are happening right now between rank and file members on both sides" and "there is an interest in solving it," per Max Cohen on X. This follows House Speaker Mike Johnson's presentation of GOP health bills excluding the subsidies during a closed-door meeting this morning, according to prior Punchbowl News reporting. Speaker Johnson explained missing a Gang of Eight briefing yesterday on a video of the second September 2 strike, stating "I was not in the Gang of 8 briefing yesterday because we were working on the healthcare stuff," as shared by Aaron Rupar on X.
