| | | | | |  | | By Melanie Zanona | Presented by |  | | | with help from Heather Caygle NOW THAT'S ASCERTAINMENT -- President Donald Trump's bid to overturn the election results has reached the end of the narrow road. Emily Murphy — the Trump-appointed administrator of the General Services Administration — said Monday that Joe Biden can officially begin the transition process, enabling him to finally have access to intel briefings, funding, agency officials, coronavirus data, and other critical resources. And while Trump vowed to continue fighting in court, he signaled for the first time that he's willing to cooperate with the transfer of power — perhaps the closest thing to a concession we may ever get from Trump. "Nevertheless, in the best interest of our Country, I am recommending that Emily and her team do what needs to be done with regard to initial protocols, and have told my team to do the same," Trump tweeted. The turning point comes on the heels of several significant developments: Michigan certified Biden's victory in the battleground state on Monday, despite the president's push to overturn the will of the voters there; Trump's legal team has recently suffered a number of embarrassing setbacks, including in Pennsylvania; and the Trump administration was coming under increasing pressure — from both parties — to concede. Among Republicans … Significant cracks were starting to emerge in Trump's firewall of support on Capitol Hill. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) said point blank: "I voted for President Trump but Joe Biden won." And Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), who notably is up for re-election in 2022, wrote an op-ed calling for the formal transition process to begin. Expect more Republicans to follow suit, now that they have some cover from Trump himself. The latest from Marianne: https://politi.co/33dV41V. And among Democrats … Top lawmakers had been ratcheting up their calls for GSA to ascertain that Biden is the president-elect. "It should not have required Congressional pressure to force the Trump administration to recognize the election results, but we are pleased the matter has been resolved," top Democratic appropriators said in a statement. More from Kyle: https://politi.co/3fE6265. Related read: "Trump Administration Approves Start of Formal Transition to Biden," by NYT's Michael D. Shear, Maggie Haberman, Nick Corasaniti and Jim Rutenberg: https://nyti.ms/39d4xdQ. | | | | A message from McDonald's: Yenis started as a crew member at McDonald's speaking limited English. After taking free English language courses through McDonald's, Yenis improved her fluency and boosted her career opportunities. Today, she is the training manager for 19 restaurants. Learn how Yenis and others succeed at McDonald's. | | | FOLLOW THE YELLEN BRICK ROAD -- Biden's first big test of how well he'll navigate the tricky political winds on Capitol Hill will come when he tries to get his Cabinet confirmed early next year. And we're starting to get some clues about how he plans to tackle that challenge: by tapping history-making picks and other public servants with a boatload of experience. Some of the nominees that Biden has already announced, or plans to announce, include: Janet Yellen for Treasury secretary, who would be the first woman to lead the agency; Alejandro Mayorkas for secretary of Homeland Security, who would be the first Latino to hold that title; Avril Haines for director of national intelligence, who'd be the first female DNI; and John Kerry for special presidential envoy for climate, a new role that'd be a part of the National Security Council. Biden has said his choice for Treasury secretary — who will be a key player in the administration's economic recovery efforts — will unite the liberal and centrist wings of the Democratic party. Yellen has already earned early praise from progressive Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who had been angling for the job herself. "Janet Yellen would be an outstanding choice for Treasury Secretary. She is smart, tough, and principled," Warren tweeted. And according to the WSJ, which scooped the Yellen news, she "was confirmed with bipartisan support as a Fed chairwoman in 2014 and as vice chairwoman in 2010. She received 11 Republican votes in her 2014 confirmation, including the backing of three sitting Republican senators: Richard Burr of North Carolina, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska." But, but, but: progressives are already coming out against another potential Cabinet pick: Rahm Emanuel. ""Rahm Emanuel helped cover up the murder of Laquan McDonald. Covering up a murder is disqualifying for public leadership," tweeted Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). "This is not about the 'visibility' of a post. It is shameful and concerning that he is even being considered." Meanwhile … Biden has also been building out his legislative affairs team, which will be critical to the success of his legislative agenda on Capitol Hill. Biden tapped two Capitol Hill veterans — Reema Dodin and Shuwanza Goff — to serve as deputy directors of the legislative affairs team. More from Megan Casella: https://politi.co/39hDn5g. Related read: "A Push Emerges for the First Native American Interior Secretary," from NYT's Coral Davenport: https://nyti.ms/2IVqxiI. THE DIFI HAS BEEN CAST -- Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) will step aside as the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee next year, report Marianne and Burgess. The news comes after Feinstein faced criticism from liberals for her handling of the contentious Supreme Court confirmation hearings. And even before then, some Dems were privately questioning whether the 87-year-old would be up to the task. So who will replace her? Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) is next in line for the job, followed by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.). Durbin already expressed interest in the gig. "I intend to seek the top Democratic position on the Judiciary Committee in the 117th Congress," he said. "We have to roll up our sleeves and get to work on undoing the damage of the last four years and protecting fundamental civil and human rights." The dispatch: https://politi.co/2J3xcY0. CREDIT TO CLYBURN -- "How civil rights leader James Clyburn helped Joe Biden and Black America win the White House," via USA TODAY's Deborah Barfield Berry: https://bit.ly/3pZsQ4E. GOOD MORNING! Welcome to Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Tuesday, Nov. 24. It was announced yesterday that the presidential turkeys this year are named Corn and Cob, which got your host wondering: did Carrots ever formally concede when he lost the pardon vote in 2018? (h/t CNN's Andrew Kaczynski.) MONDAY'S MOST CLICKED: Roll Call's story on pressure growing for a targeted relief deal was the big winner. | | | | DON'T MISS THE MILKEN INSTITUTE FUTURE OF HEALTH SUMMIT 2020: POLITICO will feature a special edition Future Pulse newsletter at the Milken Institute Future of Health Summit. The newsletter takes readers inside one of the most influential gatherings of global health industry leaders and innovators determined to confront and conquer the most significant health challenges. Covid-19 has exposed weaknesses across our health systems, particularly in the treatment of our most vulnerable communities, driving the focus of the 2020 conference on the converging crises of public health, economic insecurity, and social justice. Sign up today to receive exclusive coverage from December 7–9. | | | | | DEM DILEMMA -- Democrats are wrestling over whether to push for language in the annual defense policy bill that would rename military bases honoring Confederate leaders. The provision has wide support in both parties and chambers, but Trump has threatened to veto the NDAA bill over the language. On the one hand, some Dems don't think it's worth ruining their 59-year streak of passing an NDAA bill every year, especially when they know they can just pass the Confederate renaming language under Biden. But on the other hand, some Dems think it's important to fight for — especially since it might be the only legislative victory this year following a national reckoning over racial injustice and police brutality. Speaker Nancy Pelosi held a call with House Armed Services Chairman Adam Smith, Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Karen Bass and other key players on Sunday to broker a compromise. And the goal is to craft language that could satisfy everyone by Thanksgiving. But many Dems are pessimistic it'll come together. All the latest from Heather, Connor O'Brien and Sarah: https://politi.co/2J2k9Wq. Related: "Spending deal by Dec. 11 hinges on Thanksgiving allocation pact," by CQ Roll Call's David Lerman and Paul Krawzak: https://bit.ly/2J4ikZc. STIMULUS STALEMATE -- Looks like Joe Biden isn't pushing Democratic congressional leaders to accept a smaller coronavirus relief deal after all. The latest from HuffPo: "President-elect Joe Biden supports congressional Democrats in holding out for a more comprehensive coronavirus relief package than Republicans have been willing to support, a spokesman for the presidential transition said Monday. "For months, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) a nd Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) have pushed for a large stimulus bill they say is needed to jump-start the economy and provide additional relief to millions of Americans suffering amid the coronavirus pandemic. 'The President-elect fully supports the Speaker and Leader in their negotiations,' Biden transition spokesman Andrew Bates told HuffPost when asked about the Times story on Monday. "Nearly 12 million people are set to lose federal unemployment benefits next month unless lawmakers agree to a deal extending relief measures they passed early in the pandemic. A moratorium on evictions, student debt forbearance and tax breaks are also at risk of expiring." More from Igor Bobic and Arthur Delaney: https://bit.ly/3394U5a. | | | |   | | | NEW CONGRESS, WHO DIS -- Congressional leaders are still trying to figure out how to swear in new members next year while also practicing social distancing. The challenge, according to a letter that House Rules Chairman Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) sent to lawmakers over the weekend, is that they can't use their proxy voting system until a new rules package is adopted. That means they need to be physically present for opening day. More from McGovern's letter, obtained by Heather: "[O]ur plans will be guided by the Office of the Attending Physician and House Sergeant At Arms. Members will be sworn in groups. … Only newly elected first-term Members-elect will be issued a ticket for a guest to the House Gallery. In addition, should a Member-elect choose to invite a guest, your guest must follow the travel guidelines to Washington, D.C. … Additional information about the proceedings will be made available in the coming days. We remain committed to a safe convening of the 117th Congress." Related: "Opening of 117th Congress will be different due to pandemic," by Roll Call's Lindsey McPherson: https://bit.ly/35XMsOG. SUNS OUT, GUNS OUT -- One of the newest members of the House GOP might be packing heat next year. The story from The AP's Alan Fram: "A firearms-toting congresswoman-elect who owns a gun-themed restaurant in Rifle, Colorado, has already asked Capitol Police about carrying her weapon on Capitol grounds, her office has acknowledged. If she does so, she apparently won't be alone. The practice is allowed for lawmakers, with some limitations, under decades-old congressional regulations. The public is barred from carrying weapons in the Capitol, its grounds and office buildings. "Republican Lauren Boebert, 33, was elected this month from a conservative western Colorado district after gaining notice as a brash pro-gun activist who straps a Glock pistol to her hip. In an upset last June, she defeated five-term Rep. Scott Tipton for the GOP nomination, in part by claiming he wasn't an ardent enough backer of President Donald Trump. Boebert asked Capitol Police officials about carrying her weapon when she and other House freshmen taking office in January were in town recently for orientation programs, according to two congressional officials." More: https://bit.ly/2IV1Q5X. DCCC LATEST -- Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.), who is running to lead the House Democrats' campaign arm, has added more members to his whip team, including Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Chair Judy Chu (D-Calif.). The race will take place after the Thanksgiving recess.
| | | | TUNE IN TO OUR GLOBAL TRANSLATIONS PODCAST: The world has long been beset by big problems that defy political boundaries, and these issues have exploded in 2020 amid a global pandemic. Global Translations podcast, presented by Citi, unpacks the roadblocks to smart policy decisions and examines the long-term costs of the short-term thinking that drives many political and business decisions. Subscribe for Season Two, available now. | | | | | |  | TRANSITIONS | | Nothing today. | | TODAY IN CONGRESS | | The House and Senate are out.
| | AROUND THE HILL | | Quiet — but we can't say the same for the news-cycle. | | TRIVIA | | MONDAY'S WINNER: Jamie Grillo was the first person to guess that 13 U.S. District Court Judges have been impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives, with Florida holding the record for the most impeachments that resulted in removal from office. TODAY'S QUESTION: From Jamie: In 2003, three bureaus were removed from the jurisdiction of the Treasury Department. What were the bureaus? The first person to correctly guess gets a mention in the next edition of Huddle. Send your best guess to mzanona@politico.com. GET HUDDLE emailed to your phone each morning.
| | | | A message from McDonald's: Yenis started working at McDonald's with big ambitions — but limited English skills. So she seized opportunities to take free English language courses from McDonald's, helping propel her from crew member to training manager. Today she leads hundreds of training sessions for restaurant employees. And uses her bilingual skills to help others succeed.
There are thousands of stories like Yenis' at McDonald's, where restaurant employees can develop skills that are useful throughout their career, helping them learn, grow, and achieve their goals. In addition to resources that support restaurant employee's development, like English Under the Arches, McDonald's offers the opportunity to develop work readiness skills sought after by hiring managers across the nation — teamwork, customer service, time management, and responsibility.
Learn how Yenis and others build careers at McDonald's. | | | | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Follow us | | | | |
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