| | | | | |  | | By Melanie Zanona | Presented by |  | | 908s & HEARTBREAK -- This week, Democratic congressional leaders rejected two different GOP offers on coronavirus relief, instead putting their faith in the bipartisan talks that are still taking place. But behind the scenes, doubt is growing about whether that effort — being hashed out by rank-and-file members — will succeed. The so-called "908 coalition" has yet to finalize the legislative text of their $908 billion proposal. Liability protections for businesses, which have long tripped up a relief deal, is still one of the major hang ups. And they are trying to get more buy-in, with time quickly running out. The group did, however, put out a more detailed outline of their plan yesterday. The deets from Marianne: https://politi.co/37MWB0x. As the talks sputter, the blame game is heating up. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell slammed Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for rejecting the latest White House offer, calling their statement "bizarre" and "schizophrenic." Schumer shot back: "The Republican leader, as usual, gave a very angry speech this morning. It would do a whole lot of good if the Republican leader would drop the daily tirades." And across the Capitol, when a reporter told Pelosi that Republicans think she needs to be the one in a room negotiating with McConnell, she responded: "Is that what they think? Good for them. Tell them to go meet with McConnell." More on the state of play, or lack thereof, from Burgess and Heather: https://politi.co/3qHGJVw. Related read: "Lawmakers Weigh Competing Covid-19 Aid Proposals," by WSJ's Kristina Peterson and Andrew Duehren: https://on.wsj.com/3m5PzZU. CABINET CONCERNS -- Now that Joe Biden has tapped two House members to join his administration, concern is growing among congressional Democrats about their slim majority growing even thinner next year before special elections occur to fill those seats. Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told reporters he is "certainly concerned" and has warned Biden's team to be "very careful in terms of the members that they appointed from Congress." And Majority Whip Jim Clyburn said point blank: "I think we better bring that to a halt." That doesn't bode well for any House Dems, such as Rep. Deb Haaland, who are still vying to serve in Biden's Cabinet. And it could also destroy the hopes of any California House lawmakers who are hoping Gov. Gavin Newsom appoints them to the Senate seat being vacated by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. More on that from Carla Marinucci: https://politi.co/2K8zRQv. Pelosi, however, insisted she isn't concerned about her narrow majority and swatted down questions about whether she will have enough votes on the floor to become speaker. And per The Hill's Scott Wong and Mike Lillis, Reps. Marcia Fudge and Cedric Richmond won't leave Congress until after the speaker's vote and the Electoral College certification — two crucial floor votes. The story: https://bit.ly/3n9E9pq. Related read: "Udall could sail through the Senate — if Biden picks him," by Emma Dumain of E&E: https://bit.ly/3oEMi5i. | | 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. | | | THE COUP CONTINUES -- Will the remaining Republicans finally recognize Joe Biden's victory after the electors cast their votes on Dec. 14? Don't count on it. "Why would I do that?" House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy told CNN . "I'll wait till it's all over to find out. Every legal vote has to be counted. Every recount has to be finished. And every legal challenge has to be heard." And across the Capitol, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, noticed a hearing for Dec. 16 to examine "irregularities in the 2020 election." Johnson also signaled to reporters that he's open to joining a House GOP effort to challenge the election results on Jan. 6, depending on what they find in their hearing. Meanwhile … Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) is trying to get fellow Republicans to sign an amicus brief in the long-shot Texas lawsuit to overturn the election results in other states, telling them Trump is "anxiously awaiting the final list," reports CNN's Jake Tapper. And on top of that, Trump warned the Georgia Attorney General not to rally other Republicans against the Texas lawsuit, per AJC's Greg Bluestein. Of course, not every Republican is on board with the quixotic efforts to overturn the election. Retiring Sen. Lamar Alexander said he hopes that Trump will "put the country first, congratulate Joe Biden, take pride in his considerable accomplishments" after the electors vote on Monday. And Sen. Mitt Romney called the Texas lawsuit "madness" and suggested Johnson's hearing was an inappropriate venue for the topic. Related read: "Trump pressures congressional Republicans to help in his fight to overturn the election," by WaPo's Rachael Bade, Josh Dawsey and Tom Hamburger: https://wapo.st/2W0shKd. GOOD MORNING! Welcome to Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Thursday, Dec. 10, where it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas: Sen. Lamar Alexander played Xmas tunes on a piano in the middle of Russell yesterday, while Rep. Pete Olson has been rocking a bearded Santa Claus face mask around the Capitol. WEDNESDAY'S MOST CLICKED: The Philadelphia Inquirer's story on Sen. Pat Toomey calling Trump's push to overturn the election "completely unacceptable" drew the most clicks. | | | | JOIN FRIDAY - A PATH TO CLEANER SKIES: Before the pandemic, increased demand for air travel resulted in rising global emissions. Then, Covid-19 changed everything. As airlines start to recover from the resulting financial fallout, what is happening with the use of cleaner jet fuel, investments in technology, and international pacts to cut the airline industry's carbon footprint? Join POLITICO for a conversation on the future of air travel, climate change, and sustainability, as well as an executive conversation between POLITICO CEO Patrick Steel and United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | SENIORITY RULES -- In a major victory for Sen. Dick Durbin, Senate Democrats adopted a new caucus rule yesterday that will allow the Illinois Democrat to remain as whip and also take the top spot on the Senate Judiciary Committee when Sen. Dianne Feinstein steps aside. Durbin will, however, have to give up his top spot on an appropriations subcommittee — something he already signaled he would be willing to do. The debate over who will take the helm of the Judiciary Committee had spurred a broader caucus dialogue over seniority rules and the distribution of power. Democrats also considered an amendment from Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) — who was also vying for the top Judiciary spot — that would have prevented the whip from serving as ranking member or chair on a full committee. Initially, both Whitehouse's proposal and the other amendment were approved during a secret-ballot vote, sparking some momentary confusion and forcing Democrats to re-vote since both couldn't be implemented. All the latest from Marianne: https://politi.co/3oJGGa9. Related: "Dianne Feinstein's missteps raise a painful age question among Senate Democrats," by Jane Mayer of the New Yorker: https://bit.ly/3qGxSUa . GEORGIA (AND GOOGLE) ON MY MIND -- Big implications for the Georgia runoff races here, from Elena Schneider: "Google will lift its political ad ban on Thursday, ending its five-week-long prohibition aimed at curbing disinformation in the aftermath of the 2020 election. Google announced the decision in an email to digital consultants, after directly informing several top clients on Wednesday morning, according to one source familiar with the discussions. "Google's decision — which marks the return of political ads on high-profile sites like YouTube and Google search pages — comes days before the Electoral College votes will be tallied, as well as one month before the Georgia Senate runoffs, leaving campaigns and committees some time to get their digital strategies back on track. Facebook, which also instituted a ban on political ads ahead of the election, has not yet announced if or when it will lift its ban." More: https://politi.co/3gxCWWg. Meanwhile … actress and comedian Leslie Jones, who has been documenting her love for cable news lately, did a livestream Q&A with Georgia Democratic Senate candidate Jon Ossoff yesterday. A clip. Related: "GOP holds big money advantage in Georgia Senate runoff races," via Sarah D. Wire of the Los Angeles Times: https://lat.ms/2K8J8I8. | | | |   | | | THIS AIN'T A SCENE, IT'S AN ARMS RACE -- The Senate defeated a pair of measures yesterday that would have blocked the Trump administration's proposed arms sale to the United Arab Emirates. The votes mostly fell along party lines, although Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) joined with Democrats and Arizona Sens. Mark Kelly (D) and Kyrsten Sinema (D) both voted with Republicans on one of the measures. The recap from Andrew: https://politi.co/3gyximD. And across the Capitol … the House passed a weeklong funding bill to avert a government shutdown and give themselves more time to finish an omnibus spending deal. Leaders are still debating when to send lawmakers home, but will make a decision today. The Senate is expected to take up the stopgap measure today, along with the annual defense policy bill that Trump has threatened to veto. More from Caitlin Emma: https://politi.co/2JUXb4a. Related: "House GOP ready to sacrifice military bill and troop pay to appease Trump," from WaPo's Paul Kane: https://wapo.st/2Kc7WyO. EXEC CHECK -- Yesterday, the Congressional Progressive Caucus announced its senior leadership team for the new Congress, also known as the "CPC Executive Board." The board includes Rep. Pramila Jayapal as chair, Rep. Katie Porter as deputy chair, and Rep. Ilhan Omar as whip. Meanwhile, the conservative Republican Study Committee also announced its leadership team. The Executive Committee includes Reps. Jim Banks, Steve Scalise, Mike Johnson, Jeff Duncan and Brad Wenstrup. And notably, nearly half of the members on the RSC Steering Committee — six out of 14 — are also House Freedom Caucus members. (As you'll recall, HFC was formed after they split off from the RSC.) GET WELL SOON -- "Utah Rep. Rob Bishop hospitalized in D.C. after suffering mild stroke," by Amy Joi O'Donoghue of Deseret News: https://bit.ly/3m6tXMM. | | | | HAPPENING TODAY - CLOSING THE ORAL HEALTH CARE GAP : Oral health care remains out of reach or limited for millions of people living in the United States, particularly for those with low income, those living in rural communities, and in communities of color. What will it take to improve access and quality of oral care for Americans, especially for the most vulnerable? Join POLITICO for a virtual conversation exploring the challenges in oral care disparities and the policies and strategies that can help solve them. REGISTER HERE. | | | | |
|  | TRANSITIONS | | Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) announced several new moves in his office: McKinley Lewis will be his new communications director, Sarah Schwirian will be his deputy communications director, and Clare Lattanze will be his press secretary. Chris Hartline, who is Scott's current comms director, is heading over to the National Republican Senatorial Committee in January. | | TODAY IN CONGRESS | | The House gavels in at 9 a.m., with votes around 10:30 a.m. Today's agenda: https://bit.ly/3m3cKUv The Senate meets at 10 a.m. to resume consideration of the Conference Report to H.R.6395, the "National Defense Authorization Act for FY2021." | | AROUND THE HILL | | Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) holds her weekly press conference at 10:45 a.m. in HVC Studio A. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and House Republicans hold a press conference on the need for more small business aid at 11:30 a.m. on the East Front Steps. | | TRIVIA | | WEDNESDAY'S WINNER: Henry Frisch was the first person to guess that John Parker of New Hampshire was the U.S. Senator whose daughter was courted by both John Wilkes Booth and Robert Todd Lincoln TODAY'S QUESTION: What is the longest time a state was represented by the same two senators? And who were they? 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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