| | | | | |  | | By Melanie Zanona | Presented by |  | | with an assist from Sarah Ferris DUCK, DUCK, GOOSE -- The closing days of the 116th Congress will essentially be 2020 in a nutshell. During the lame duck, lawmakers will either finally approve more pandemic aid, or fail miserably. They will either pull together a $1 trillion-plus spending deal, or yet again punt the issue. They will either take a huge step toward eliminating pro-slavery relics in the U.S. military, or let President Donald Trump get his way. Congress returns today for the final sprint of the year, attempting to finish government spending, NDAA and — maybe — a badly needed pandemic deal. To make things even tougher, both chambers want to finish up by Friday, giving members time to safely get home and quarantine before the holidays. On Tuesday, the House will be taking up a massive defense policy bill, which Trump has threatened to veto since it doesn't include an unrelated repeal of legal protections for social media companies. But there may be enough support in both chambers to override a presidential veto. When it comes to a spending deal, Congress will likely need to pass a short-term funding bill lasting until Dec. 18 in order to give lawmakers more time to finalize an omnibus. Current government funding expires at midnight on Friday. However, it's unclear if the extra week will be enough time to get a massive spending deal done this year, in which case Congress would have to pass another funding patch. Lawmakers are also still trying to hammer out a last-minute coronavirus relief deal. The bipartisan group of lawmakers behind a $908 billion stimulus proposal held a "multi-hour" call yesterday, with the goal of introducing actual legislative text early this week. But there's still a lot of work to be done toward a final deal, with disagreements still remaining over liability protections for businesses. To avoid a debacle, it's going to require bicameral, bipartisan cooperation — and also some buy-in from the outgoing White House. "We have a lot of work to do. And just a few days to do it," said Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin on ABC's "This Week." "It really is a superhuman effort on our part to get this together in time to help the American people as quickly as possible." More on Congress's "hell week," from Burgess: https://politi.co/2L9Hpmh. Related: "Unemployment, sick leave and housing aid are set to expire in weeks, threatening Americans with sudden financial ruin," by WaPo's Tony Romm: https://wapo.st/2IkSsIj … "NDAA underscores GOP differences with Trump on defense," from The Hill's Rebecca Kheel: https://bit.ly/3gmm2JX. | | A message from Freight Rail Works: Harnessing cutting-edge technology and predictive analytics, freight railroads are rising to the challenges of the 21st century. Today's modernized model of freight rail is the transportation solution America needs to safely, sustainably and efficiently meet the needs of U.S. businesses and communities now and in the future. Railroads are ready for whatever comes next. Learn more. | | | GEORGIA ON MY MIND -- Lots of action in the Georgia runoff races over the weekend. On Saturday, Trump finally visited the state to stump for GOP Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue. And he implored Republicans to get out and vote — even while falsely claiming the election was "rigged." "This is something that's very important and you have to get out and you have to vote," Trump said at a rally. "If you don't vote, the socialists and the communists win." The dispatch from Evan Semones: https://politi.co/39V660p. And then on Sunday night, Loeffler and her Democratic opponent Raphael Warnock debated for their first and only time in the leadup to the runoff races. Initially, it was only set to air on Georgia PBS, until CNN picked up the simulcast and raised the stakes. And of course, Trump's false charges about the election dominated the debate, with Loeffler refusing to even acknowledge Trump's defeat. A recap from James Arkin: https://politi.co/3mRrdEv. Related: "How Georgia's Senate race pits the Old South against the New South," via Maya King: https://politi.co/37CNpvw. KIN-ZINGER -- Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, one of the rare Republicans willing to challenge Trump's false claims of voter fraud, is planting a clear flag in the post-Trump GOP. "It's important to be outspoken," he said in an interview. "That's why I decided to put this on the line. We've lost our moral authority to be outraged." While Kinzinger has frequently pushed back on Trump over foreign policy and national security issues, he's dialed up his criticism since Nov. 3. And the high-profile rebukes have some wondering whether Kinzinger has ambitions to run statewide in 2022, when Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D) and Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) are up for reelection. Kinzinger is keeping his options open — "I never rule anything out" — but noted Illinois is "a tough state for a Republican." Kinzinger could also become the target of Democratic redistricting efforts in Illinois next year. But he isn't sweating it — or the blowback from the right, including being potentially cut from the White House Christmas party. "Great," he said. "I don't think I was planning to go anyway." The story from your Huddle host: https://politi.co/33NfrDh. Related: "Just 27 congressional Republicans acknowledge Biden's win, Washington Post survey finds," from WaPo's Paul Kane and Scott Clement: https://wapo.st/39OfsuE. HAPPY MONDAY! Welcome to Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Dec. 7, where this hilarious SNL sketch of what it's like telling your parents you won't be home for the holidays is too accurate. (Hi Mom, Dad and Grandpa, who all read this newsletter!) FRIDAY'S MOST CLICKED: The Cleveland.com's story on Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) becoming the next head of the Congressional Black Caucus was the big winner. | 
President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally for Senate Republican candidates, Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., and Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., at Valdosta Regional Airport, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Valdosta, Ga. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) | Evan Vucci/AP Photo | | | | | THIS WEEK - DON'T MISS #MIHealthSummit: POLITICO will feature a special edition Future Pulse newsletter at the Milken Institute Future of Health Summit this week. Go inside one of the most influential gatherings of global health industry leaders and innovators determined to confront and conquer the most transformative health challenges. The pandemic exposed weaknesses across our health systems, particularly in treating our most vulnerable communities. This year's conference focuses on the converging crises of public health, economic insecurity, and social justice. Sign up today for exclusive coverage from December 7–9. | | | | |
MASKS, BUT DON'T MAKE IT FASHION -- Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.), the incoming chairman of the conservative Republican Study Committee, is taking issue with some of the masks that have been worn on the House floor recently. Specifically, he pointed to a marijuana leaf mask worn by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) and a mask with a campaign logo worn by Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas). Both were presiding over the floor.
In a new letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Banks raised concern that such masks are not only violating long standing decorum and dress code rules, but also the House's prohibition on the use of official resources for campaign purposes. Banks is now calling on Pelosi to ban all stylized facial coverings. More from the letter, obtained exclusively by your Huddle host: "Speaker Pelosi, you've allowed facemasks to be worn on the House floor that wouldn't be allowed in a High School assembly hall. It's unfortunate that some members can't resist using facemasks that undermine house decorum. The best solution is likely a blanket ban on stylized facemasks. It's time to restore dignity to the House." The letter. MARK YOUR CALENDARS -- "Anti-Vaccine Doctor Has Been Invited to Testify Before Senate Committee," via NYT's Sheryl Gay Stolberg: https://nyti.ms/2JHNLZU. BIDEN'S BUDDY -- Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) won't wind up in Joe Biden's Cabinet. But he will still serve an important, albeit unofficial, role: Biden's ambassador to the GOP. The smart story from Burgess: "[I]n the Biden era, Coons may actually be the most critical individual Democrat on Capitol Hill — Biden truly needs his help to have any chance at accomplishment in a narrowly divided Congress. "To the occasional annoyance of the left, Coons has spent a decade developing relationships with Senate Republicans across the spectrum. Those partnerships will be more important than ever as Biden faces the real possibility of at least two years of a GOP Senate majority and a Republican Party still led by an antagonistic former President Donald Trump. "Despite Biden's love for the Senate and for cutting deals, the reality is that more than half the Republicans he last served with are gone — and their replacements often are not exactly looking for compromise. It hasn't always been straightforward for Coons to maintain GOP relationships during the Trump era either. Coons' wife, Annie, often has this reaction when he recounts a recent discussion with, say, Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.): 'Oh, my God.'" More: https://politi.co/2JHaepW. CABINET CORNER -- "Biden Picks Xavier Becerra to Lead Health and Human Services," by NYT's Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Michael D. Shear: https://nyti.ms/2L9UfAZ. | | | |   | | | CLYBURN'S NEXT PROJECT -- Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), a kingmaker in South Carolina politics, was credited with helping Biden clinch the primary nomination and eventually the White House. Now, Clyburn's flexing his muscles to help Jaime Harrison become the next chairman of the Democratic National Committee. More from Holly Otterbein: "The House majority whip has spent the last few weeks publicly and privately advocating for Harrison, and has even spoken to Biden about the DNC chair position, an aide to the congressman told POLITICO. "With Clyburn's backing and support from several state party chairs, Harrison — a former South Carolina party chairman himself — is inching closer toward becoming the next leader of the national party. 'I'm sure it's his for the asking,' said James Zogby, a DNC member who previously served on the party's Unity Reform Commission. 'He's been a state chair. He knows what it's like. He knows the other state chairs. They are the heart and soul of the party.'" More: https://politi.co/3ghYQga. R.I.P. -- "Paul Sarbanes, longtime U.S. senator from Maryland who championed protection of Chesapeake Bay, dies at 87," by Jeff Barker of the Baltimore Sun: https://bit.ly/37Gkp6e. RETIREMENT CLUB -- Two Senate veterans who are retiring have different perspectives on how to fix the institution. But they both agree the Senate is broken. The story from Carl Hulse: "The two senators are friends from opposite parties, both proven legislators with glittery political pedigrees who are leaving Congress on their own terms at the end of this year. "Yet Senators Lamar Alexander, Republican of Tennessee, and Tom Udall, Democrat of New Mexico, fundamentally differ on what it would take to get the dysfunctional Senate back on track, illustrating how hard it will be to restore legislative productivity to a struggling institution. Mr. Alexander, a former governor, cabinet secretary, presidential candidate and university president, said that senators would be making a fatal mistake if they eliminated the filibuster, which he sees as the essence of the chamber. ... "Mr. Udall, a member of a storied political family from the West who served as attorney general in his home state, has been trying to gut the filibuster almost since he got to the Senate in 2009 after five terms in the House. He said he saw the 60-vote threshold to advancing bills as an impediment to coming up with answers for the existential problems of the moment, such as climate change." More: https://nyti.ms/2Inm9IX. Related: "In his final days in office, Sen. Lamar Alexander waxes nostalgic," by WaPo's Paul Kane: https://wapo.st/2JLzFqe. | | | | JOIN TUESDAY TO POWER FORWARD WITH WOMEN RULE: Americans have endured multiple crises in 2020, from the pandemic to the economic recession, racial injustices, and a highly contentious presidential election. Women have often led the way in helping the country navigate these crises and will continue to in the new year. Join us for the conclusion of "Powering Forward," a series of virtual conversations that has brought the Women Rule community together during a year that changed how women live, work, and lead. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | |  | TRANSITIONS | | Mitch Relfe will be manager of federal government relations at NFIB. He previously was legislative director and counsel to Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-Ala.). Nate Hodson, longtime top aide to Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), will be Republican Staff Director of the House Energy & Commerce Committee in the 117th Congress. CMR is taking over as the panel's ranking member next year. | | TODAY IN CONGRESS | | The House gavels in at noon, with votes around 2 p.m. Today's agenda: https://bit.ly/3ou8rmJ. The Senate meets at 3 p.m. Senators will resume consideration of the nomination of Stephen Schwartz to be a judge for the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. They will vote on whether to invoke cloture on the nomination at 5:30 p.m. | | AROUND THE HILL | | Fly-in day. | | TRIVIA | | FRIDAY'S WINNER: Stefani Koorey was the first person to name three former Secretaries of Treasury who went on to serve as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court: Salmon P. Chase, Frederick Moore Vinson and Roger B. Taney. TODAY'S QUESTION: From Stefani: How many U.S. presidents have been fluent in Latin and which U.S, president could reportedly write in Latin with one hand and Greek in the other at the same time? 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 Freight Rail Works: The terabytes of data collected across the freight rail network each day are key to unlocking freight rail's future potential. Using new technology like continuous rail inspection and advanced data algorithms, railroads are uncovering the insights needed to optimize nearly every aspect of the 140,000-mile network. The result? A 21st-century transportation solution that delivers a safer, greener, more prosperous future for America. Where trains go, big things follow. Learn more. | | | | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Follow us | | | | |
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