| | | | | |  | | By Melanie Zanona | Presented by |  | | | with help from Sarah Ferris and Heather Caygle IT'S NOT EASY BEING RED -- Since the election, President Donald Trump hasn't exactly made it easy for Republicans. He refused to concede the election and peddled baseless claims of voter fraud. He ordered the withdrawal of thousands of troops from Afghanistan and Iran. And he purged well-respected officials from his administration, including Defense Secretary Mark Esper, against the advice of top Republicans. All of the moves have put Republicans in an uncomfortable spot. That being said, cracks have slowly started to emerge in Trump's firewall of support in the GOP. The latest example came with the firing of Chris Krebs, the government's top cybersecurity official who pushed back on Trump's false voter fraud claims. Some of the GOP's responses: Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) called it a "terrible decision.".... Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) said she was "disappointed" by the move. ... Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) called it a "mistake." … And Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said it "adds to the confusion and chaos." Much more from Andrew and Burgess: https://politi.co/2HgJN9t. And in another example of pushback: A bipartisan group of lawmakers is trying to block the Trump administration's proposed weapons sale to the United Arab Emirates. The effort is being spearheaded by Sens. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who charge that the Trump administration circumvented the standard protocol for arms sales to foreign nations. The story from Andrew: https://politi.co/3fbiRo6. Related reads: "GOP increasingly accepts Trump's defeat — but not in public," by The AP's Jonathan Lemire and Lisa Mascaro: https://bit.ly/2ITT2fX; and "Biden mounts lobbying blitz to crack GOP resistance to his transition," from Natasha Korecki and Christopher Cadelago: https://politi.co/2IQqVPh. | | A message from American Land Title Association: While the work of land title professionals is behind-the-scenes, and they may sometimes go unseen, the joy from what they do can be seen on the smiling faces of millions of Americans when they finally get the title of "homeowner." Land title professionals have safeguarded the American dream for more than 125 years. Meet the people who help protect homebuyers and sellers when they make the most important financial decision of their lives. Learn more | | | JET FUMES, THE OFFICIAL SCENT OF CONGRESS! -- The Senate left town yesterday — yes, as in Wednesday — for the Thanksgiving recess, without passing much-needed coronavirus relief or a must-pass government funding bill. And at this point, it's hard to imagine the former coming together: the Senate GOP didn't even discuss a stimulus package at their weekly lunch that White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said was focused on year-end planning. Meadows put the onus on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Speaker Nancy Pelosi to reach a relief deal. "Those discussions, if they happen, will be dictated by the House and Senate," Meadows told reporters. Pelosi and McConnell have not talked about an aid package since the election. On a funding bill, Meadows said he "can't guarantee" there won't be a government shutdown, but he did say "it's a high priority to make sure we keep our government funded." And McConnell indicated that the White House prefers to do an omnibus instead of another continuing resolution. SPEAKING of lame-duck items: the House and Senate have officially entered into formal negotiations on the annual defense policy bill. And Pelosi put out a statement suggesting the inclusion of language renaming Confederate military bases is a red line for Dems. Trump has threatened to veto such language, but both chambers passed defense bills with similar provisions — and had enough for a veto proof majority. The question now is whether Republicans are comfortable sending a bill to Trump's desk and potentially forcing him to veto it. Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), a member of GOP leadership who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, didn't rule out sending a bill to Trump's desk with that language. "We'll have to look at what happens," she told Sarah. "The details are very important in that regard." Related read: "Shelby adds $760 million for unrequested ships with Alabama ties," from CQ Roll Call's John M. Donnelly: https://bit.ly/2UHImUA. COVID IN THE CAPITOL -- An encouraging update from Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who was recently diagnosed with Covid-19: "I remain symptom free & in isolation. I continue to feel good Thx for all the messages of encouragement & prayers," tweeted Grassley, 87, who is third in line to the presidency. Yet despite Grassley's diagnosis, Republicans said there hasn't been any renewed discussions about additional health protocols they should be taking. Meanwhile, Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), the oldest member of Congress who was recently hospitalized for the virus, still doesn't support a mask mandate. And Sen. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) and her staff posed for photos inside the Capitol without masks, before being reprimanded. Meanwhile ... Two more members tested positive for coronavirus: Reps. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.) and Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.). That makes seven members of Congress, as well as a member-elect, who have tested positive over the past week and a half. Related reads: "Lawmakers' Covid-19 Cases Prompt New Worries on Capitol Hill," by WSJ's Natalie Andrews: https://on.wsj.com/32YHkIu; and "Speaker's Lobby stripped of seating to keep members on the move," from Roll Call's Katherine Tully McManus: https://bit.ly/2HjlsQk. GOOD MORNING! Welcome to Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Thursday, Nov. 19, where your host is so desperate to travel again that she's thinking of hiding away in a Christmas tree like this tiny owl who snuck to NYC. WEDNESDAY'S MOST CLICKED: Alex Thompson's scoop on Biden's team for Senate confirmation battles was the big winner. | 
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - NOVEMBER 18: Pro-choice activists light flares as they display a green flag which reads in Spanish "#Legal Abortion 2020 is urgent" in front of National Congress on November 18, 2020 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. President Alberto Fernandez presented yesterday a bill to decriminalize and legalize abortion in Argentina, a promise he had done while campaigning for presidency in 2019. Along with this, Fernandez presented a second bill known as "1,000 days program" which seeks to increase the healthcare to the mother during pregnancy and the first years of her kids. Abortion in Argentina is currently allowed only in cases of rape or if the mother's health is in danger. (Photo by Marcos Brindicci/Getty Images) | Marcos Brindicci/Getty Images | | | | | KEEP UP WITH THE GLOBAL HEALTH AGENDA IN 2021: If nothing else, the past year has revealed how critical it is to keep up with the politics, policy, and people driving global health. A new Biden administration comes with the expectation that America will reclaim its leadership on global health. But will it be that easy? What impact could Joe Biden's presidency have on global vaccine access and the international response to the pandemic? Our Global Pulse newsletter connects leaders, policymakers, and advocates to the people, and politics impacting our global health. Join the conversation and subscribe today. | | | | |
ONE LAST TIME -- Nancy Pelosi easily won her party's nomination for another two-year term as speaker, despite a disappointing election night for House Dems. President-elect Joe Biden called to congratulate Pelosi on her nomination, though she still has to win 218 votes on the House floor. Her top deputies were all reelected too, and ran unopposed.
But the most interesting bit of news yesterday was that Pelosi strongly suggested she would stand by her promise from 2018 that this upcoming term as speaker would be her last. "When that conversation took place, there was a move to put limits on the leadership and the chairs of committees. ... What I said then is whether it passes or not, I will abide by those limits that are there," Pelosi told reporters. "I don't want to undermine any leverage I may have, but I made the statement." The latest from Sarah and Heather: https://politi.co/2UFzWwO. When it comes to contested races: Rep. Katherine Clark of Massachusetts was promoted to assistant speaker, making her the second highest-ranking woman in Dem leadership. And today, House Dems will select a vice chair, a representative to leadership who served five terms or less, and a spot on the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee. Looking into our crystal ball, one person to keep an eye on is Rep. Joe Neguse. Currently Neguse is the freshman representative but he's expected to keep a coveted seat at Pelosi's leadership table by winning a spot on the DPCC — the caucus' messaging arm — later this morning. The DPCC race was the hottest club in town in 2018 — six members jockeyed for the three co-chair spots and Pelosi even created the infamous "chair of the chairs" position as a landing spot for Rep. David Cicilline. This time around, there are four equal chairs, which will be filled by current co-chairs Debbie Dingell, Ted Lieu and Matt Cartwright, with Neguse running unopposed for the open seat. ACROSS THE AISLE … The House GOP adopted its rule package for the next Congress. The only major change is that Republicans who are censured will only have to give up their top spots on committees if the GOP is in the majority. And this afternoon, Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) is expected to be elected chairman of the Republican Study Committee. The RSC is the largest conservative caucus in Congress. Banks is running unopposed. Related reads: "Kevin McCarthy, the House Minority Leader, Doesn't Think Trump Is Going Away," via NYT's Jonathan Martin: https://nyti.ms/3fg4v60; and "Cheney seeks to cool tensions with House conservatives," by The Hill's Juliegrace Brufke: https://bit.ly/32YNeJD. COMING UP ROSES -- "Sources say outgoing Democratic Rep. Max Rose is mulling run for NYC mayor," by Yahoo News' Hunter Walker: https://yhoo.it/2KoNI5h . | | | |   | | | THE GOP'S CONFIRMATION BLITZ -- Senate Republicans are using the lame duck to install Trump picks at a slew of agencies, ensuring his agenda will carry over into Biden's presidency. Much more from Marianne and Burgess: "Two months before Joe Biden assumes the presidency, Senate Republicans are racing to install a series of conservative nominees that will outlast Donald Trump. While Trump still refuses to concede the election, the Senate GOP is moving quickly to ensure that the president's stamp sticks to the Federal Elections Commission, Federal Reserve Board, the federal judiciary and beyond. "The effort played out in dramatic fashion this week, as Senate Republicans tried to muscle Judy Shelton onto the Fed by the narrowest of margins but fell short amid senators' absences from the coronavirus. They're also plotting a confirmation vote for Christopher Waller, Trump's less controversial Fed pick. The last-minute push to confirm Shelton, Waller and others is a key part of the Senate GOP's bid to wield power in the dwindling days of a Republican presidency — even if most in the party still won't acknowledge Biden's victory." The story: https://politi.co/35HyUa3. MUSICAL COMMITTEE CHAIRS -- "Barrasso to take top GOP spot on Senate Energy Committee," from Burgess: https://politi.co/391e3Av. THANKS FOR COMING TO MY CED TALK -- A good profile of Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.), who is about to be a top Biden staffer, from NYT's Katie Glueck and Jonathan Martin: "Like Mr. Biden, Mr. Richmond had relatively moderate instincts on some of the most urgent political issues of the 2020 campaign — and his appointment drew an immediate rebuke from the Sunrise Movement, a group of progressive climate activists. His relationships extend across the spectrum of the Democratic caucus as well as across the aisle, and include his fellow Louisianian, Representative Steve Scalise, the Republican whip. "Mr. Richmond, 47, a New Orleans native who attended Morehouse College and Tulane Law School, brings generational and racial diversity to Mr. Biden's tight-knit inner circle. He is also a close ally of Representative James E. Clyburn, the majority whip, whose endorsement of Mr. Biden in South Carolina played a central role in revitalizing Mr. Biden's nearly moribund campaign for the Democratic nomination." More: https://nyti.ms/3lLdkan. SCHIFF-TING GEARS -- "Adam Schiff, Trump's Chief Antagonist, Ponders Life After Trump," from NYT's Nicholas Fandos: https://nyti.ms/2HgnUHb. THE MIDNIGHT TRAIN TO GEORGIA -- "Loeffler, Perdue turn to Fox viewers to fund pricey Georgia runoffs," from James Arkin: https://politi.co/3pHWCei ; and "Georgia's Senate candidates run as dynamic duos. Will it work?" by The Los Angeles Times' Jenny Jarvie and Jennifer Haberkorn: https://lat.ms/35MJgpf. | | | | DON'T MISS NEW EPISODES OF 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 | | Chay English, chief of staff to Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Ala.) will join BGR Group as a vice president next month, where he will focus on financial services as well as tax and health care issues. | | TODAY IN CONGRESS | | The House gavels in at 10 a.m., with first votes around 1 p.m. Today's agenda: https://bit.ly/3nBBjsW. The Senate is out. | | TODAY IN CONGRESS | | House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) holds his weekly press conference at 11:30 a.m. in HVC Studio A. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) holds a news conference with Republic of Korea elected officials on House passage of H.Res.809, expressing the importance of the U.S. alliance with the Republic of Korea and the contributions of Korean Americans in the United States, at 1:30 p.m. on the House Triangle. | | AROUND THE HILL | | WEDNESDAY'S WINNER: Clem Balanoff was the first person to guess that Ronald Reagan was the first to send a pardoned turkey to a sanctuary or farm in 1981. TODAY'S QUESTION: Who is the only first lady to be given an honorary seat on the floor of Congress? 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 American Land Title Association: While the work of land title professionals is behind-the-scenes, and they may sometimes go unseen, the joy from what they do can be seen on the smiling faces of millions of Americans when they finally get the title of "homeowner." Land title professionals have safeguarded the American dream for more than 125 years. Meet the people who help protect homebuyers and sellers when they make the most important financial decision of their lives. Learn more | | | | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Follow us | | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment