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I’m Jonathan Tamari, senior Washington reporter for Bloomberg Government, and each weekday I’ll be coming to you with inside-the-room reporting and insights that reveal what’s really happening in Washington—and how it impacts you. Email me with feedback and comments here. If this newsletter was forwarded to you sign up here. Today: The redistricting score card, Kevin Warsh heads to the Hill, and another cabinet secretary is out. Map GamesVirginia voters head to the polls today to decide another partisan redistricting fight, so it’s a good time to ask — what exactly are we doing here? And who’s coming out ahead? The fire that began last year with Republicans in Texas and a Democratic response in California has now spread across the country. The likely final rounds (in Virginia today and Florida next week) show how both political parties are trying to exploit every edge to win the House in this fall’s midterms. 
Signage near a printout of the proposed constitutional amendment to allow redistricting at a polling location in Falls Church, Virginia
Photographer: Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg
As we near the end (for now), here’s where things stand, and where they’re headed: Who’s winning? For all of the energy and money spent, it’s pretty much a draw. Polling is surprisingly close on the Virginia referendum, which aims to help Democrats add up to four House seats. While Democrats are favored, if they lose they’ll miss out on the biggest gerrymandering push after California. 
History, though, tells us a few seats here or there won’t change the national outcome. The party holding the White House has lost 25 seats on average in midterms since World War II, according to my encyclopedic colleague Greg Giroux. The map redraws so far have mostly canceled each other out, and so won’t erase a swing of that size. What’s next? Governor Ron DeSantis wants to redraw Florida’s map and has called a special legislative session for next week — but there are questions over whether the GOP-led state legislature is on board. In a live reenactment of the pointing Spider-Man meme, Florida’s state Senate president says his chamber isn’t drawing new lines, while DeSantis says the legislature should lead the way. No proposal has been released, and no meetings scheduled, Greg and Alexandra Samuels write. 
Ron DeSantis, governor of Florida, speaks at an April 7 event
Photographer: Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg
In a tough political environment, some Republicans worry that spreading their political advantages too thinly could cost them seats instead of adding more — what political folks call a “dummy-mander.” There’s concern they may have already done it in Texas. Is this the future of Congressional politics? Traditionally, districts were only redrawn every 10 years (after the census) or if they were struck down by a court. (Read Greg’s excellent explainer here and sign up for his Election Day newsletter). But now both parties have shown an appetite for redistricting whenever they have enough power to do it. “It just spreads the polarization and the politicization of everything even wider and deeper,” said William Galston of the Brookings Institute. Voters don’t seem to like it, judging by the close polling in Virginia. But when has that stopped anyone? The result is another situation in which no one is willing to disarm. That usually leads to more escalation. Top NewsLabor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned Monday after months of misconduct accusations. She’s the third cabinet member (all women) to exit since early March, a shift from the light turnover in Trump’s first year. The US and Iran are making halting progress toward a second round of negotiations in Pakistan. Trump told Jeff Mason in an exclusive interview. last night that he’s “unlikely” to extend the ceasefire. Kevin Warsh heads to the Capitol today for a hearing on his nomination to lead the Fed. Nancy Cook broke down what big questions he may face, and here’s an explainer of what happens if he can’t win quick confirmation. 
Kevin Warsh, Fed nominee
Photographer: Bloomberg/Bloomberg
Russia’s rebuilt submarine fleet is keeping Europe and the US on edge in the North Atlantic. There, NATO and Russia are facing off in a cat-and-mouse game reminiscent of the Cold War. The big challenges for incoming Apple CEO John Ternus as he takes over: taking chances, entering new product categories, and finding the company’s way on AI. No pressure. Cubans seeking to leave the island have fewer and fewer ways to do so, as Trump’s campaign to starve the country of fuel disrupts airlines and administrative services. Trump’s executive orders giving DHS the ability to pay its employees during a partial shutdown may backfire by leaving no sense of urgency for Congress to act, Mica Soellner reports. Several states are debating whether they should pause planned tax cuts amid fiscal uncertainty, showing the risk from enacting cuts that gradually phase in over many years. Watch & Listen 
FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary discussesTrump’s executive order aimed at faster research and access to psychedelics on Bloomberg Television
Go Deeper With BGOVRepublicans’ tiny House majority keeps billowing in and out like a sail. The latest shift came when New Jersey Democrat Analilia Mejia was sworn in yesterday. Republicans now have a 218-214 majority. Given a few vacancies, Speaker Mike Johnson can only lose one vote with all members present and still pass measures along party lines — a problem that has frequently stalled major legislation. He briefly gained a wider majority with the swearing in of Republican Representative Clay Fuller last week. Later in the week, the House lost two more members: Republican Tony Gonzales of Texas and Democrat Eric Swalwell of California, both of whom resigned over sexual misconduct allegations. And it ain’t over: The House Ethics Committee will meet today to decide what, if any, punishment should be recommended for Florida Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick. Expulsion is one option. 
What’s NextVirginia votes on redistricting (see above) Senate Banking Committee holds a confirmation hearing for Kevin Warsh to lead the Federal Reserve The House Ethics Committee votes on a sanctions recommendation for Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick Energy Secretary Chris Wright testifies about the budget before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee US retail sales and pending home sales data is released More From BloombergLike Washington Edition? Check out these newsletters:
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Washington Edition: A small step forward
A 3 a.m. vote sets up an end to DHS shutdown ...