| | | | | |  | | By Melanie Zanona | Presented by |  | | with help from Sarah Ferris and Marianne LeVine CHECK UP ON IT -- Yesterday marked another whirlwind of developments on the coronavirus relief front. And yet it's still unclear how much, if any, progress has actually been made toward clinching a deal before Christmas. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) kicked things off by trying to rally Democratic support for another round of stimulus checks after Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) lobbied President Donald Trump to support the idea. And now the White House is on board with including at least $1,200 in direct payments to individuals in any relief package, reports Burgess. The deets: https://politi.co/2K4mrVs. Then, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell suggested negotiators each drop their demands for state and local aid and liability protections — which have both been major hang ups in the talks — in order to reach consensus on a stimulus package. (As you'll recall, Dems want state and local funding, while the GOP wants liability reform.) But the idea was quickly shot down by Democratic leaders, who argued they are too close to an agreement to just throw in the towel on key provisions. "The bipartisan negotiations involving Senators and Members of the House have made good progress and must be allowed to proceed without Leader McConnell's obstruction," Pelosi said in a statement. Then, to cap things off, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin pitched Pelosi on a new $916 billion offer, which he said was crafted in consultation with Trump and GOP congressional leaders. That price tag is slightly more than a bipartisan proposal that's still being finalized, and over $400 billion more than the Senate GOP's targeted proposal. "This proposal includes money for state and local governments and robust liability protections for businesses, schools and universities." Mnuchin said in a statement. The plan also includes a round of $600 stimulus checks, which is lower than what some lawmakers had been pushing for. Pelosi and Schumer's response? They called the offer "unacceptable," because it reduces the money for unemployment insurance. "While it is progress that Leader McConnell has signed off on a $916 billion offer that is based off of the bipartisan framework, the President's proposal must not be allowed to obstruct the bipartisan Congressional talks. … The bipartisan talks are the best hope for a bipartisan solution." So, what to make of this flurry of activity and all these competing proposals? Well, as Marianne and Burgess write: "No one seems to know what's going on with coronavirus relief anymore." More much on the confusing state of play: https://politi.co/3oAvSLn. HAPPENING TODAY ... The House will vote on a one-week stopgap bill to fund the government until Dec. 18, sending it over to the Senate. | | 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. | | | REBELS WITH A CAUSE -- Donald Trump's threat to veto a bipartisan defense bill has fractured the GOP in the final weeks of his presidency, teeing up a public showdown in the closing days of this Congress. But the internal tug-of-war over the NDAA bill is more than just a squabble over policy: it represents a broader fight about the direction of the GOP. As Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio), a member of the House Freedom Caucus, put it to your Huddle host: "It essentially lays the groundwork for where the party goes. Either we build on the growing, diverse coalition that President Trump has helped us achieve, or turn back to 2006, 2008, 2012. [Rep. Liz Cheney] is leading the way backwards, and [House Minority Leader McCarthy] and HFC are leading the way forward." IN ONE CORNER ... you have defense hawks, institutionalists and other Republicans who are vowing to rebel against Trump's likely veto of the bipartisan defense bill, which has been passed annually for nearly 60 years. They feel like it's their duty to push the measure over the finish line, and say hundreds of bipartisan provisions — including key pay and benefits measures for the troops — hang in the balance. And based on the large margins in yesterday's House vote, it looks like there will be enough GOP support to overcome a veto (though the vote counts won't be the exact same, since some members will flip). That would represent a significant — and also a first — formal rebuke of Trump's veto authority. However, it's unclear when the override vote would occur. The dispatch from Burgess and Andrew: https://politi.co/374oNNn. BUT IN THE OTHER CORNER ... you have a bloc of hard-line conservatives who are eager to go to the mat for Trump. The House Freedom Caucus held a press conference yesterday to express support for Trump's veto threat and call out their GOP colleagues who vowed to override it. And McCarthy, in a break from other top Republicans including Cheney, told reporters he would sustain a veto — despite supporting the underlying bill. AND THE NDAA bill isn't the only place where Trump's allies have lined up to prove their loyalty to the president — a testament to the grip Trump still has on the party, even in defeat. Some recent examples: Rep. Alex Mooney (R-W.Va.) introduced a resolution to condemn lawmakers who call on Trump to concede … Senior Republicans on an inauguration committee rejected a symbolic measure that would have essentially affirmed Joe Biden as president-elect … Rep. Lance Gooden (R-Texas) is spearheading a letter urging Trump to appoint a special counsel to investigate voter fraud allegations … and Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.) said he's talked to 10 senators about joining his long-shot bid to challenge the election results in Congress. Related read: "Republican Sen. Pat Toomey calls Trump's campaign to overturn Pennsylvania election 'completely unacceptable,'" by Jonathan Tamari of the Philadelphia Inquirer: https://bit.ly/3qFCREu. NY (E&)C -- A pair of high-profile New Yorkers — Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Kathleen Rice — are squaring off for a coveted spot on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. And it's a battle that's being watched across the Democratic caucus. Neither Rice nor AOC is backing down, and as result, it may be that New York gets shut out entirely, losing its chance to replace long-time Rep. Eliot Engel on the powerful panel. Officially, the New York delegation isn't choosing a side. But Ocasio-Cortez told my colleagues that Rep. Jerry Nadler — the dean of the delegation — signed AOC's letter to Steering, but not Rice's letter. "She has a couple signatures but she does not have the region's endorsement, nor does she have the support of Dean Nadler," AOC said. But Rice, who has seniority and has been working the phones, is key to watch over next few weeks because she's long been a vocal Pelosi critic. And she still hasn't said how she'll vote for speaker next month. The story from Heather, Sarah and Susannah Luthi: https://politi.co/3oy1Rfd. Related read: "Judge orders votes retallied in N.Y. House race with 12-vote margin," via WaPo's Mike DeBonis: https://wapo.st/36XJU3x. HAPPY WEDNESDAY! Welcome to Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Dec. 9, where your host needs someone to do a wellness check on Sen. Tim Kaine (first tuna melts from Sen. Mark Warner, now this?!). TUESDAY'S MOST CLICKED: Axios' report on how a "suspected Chinese spy targeted California politicians" was the big winner. | 
First lady Melania Trump visits with children as she participates in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots Drive at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) | Patrick Semansky/AP Photo |
| | | | 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. | | | | | FUDGE FOR HUD -- Joe Biden has selected Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) to serve as his secretary of Housing and Urban Development, report Katy O'Donnell, Tyler Pager and Megan Casella. If confirmed, Fudge would become the first Black woman to run the $50 billion agency. Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) and other Dems had been pushing Biden to tap Fudge for Agriculture secretary, but Clyburn hinted yesterday she would land somewhere else in the Cabinet. (Tom Vilsack is expected to be nominated for the USDA job.) Fudge — who lamented just last month that Black policymakers have traditionally been relegated to just a handful of Cabinet positions, including HUD secretary — said yesterday of the HUD job: "If it were to happen, I would happily accept it." But the selection of Fudge also means House Democrats' already slim majority is going to be even tighter next year, until a special election occurs to fill Fudge's seat. (And Rep. Cedric Richmond was also tapped for an administration job.) The story: https://politi.co/39Sa5e0. Related: "Bernie co-chair Nina Turner eyes Fudge seat," from Holly Otterbein and Alex Thompson: https://politi.co/3oOpOz9. PENTAGON PROBLEMZ -- Democrats are signaling early opposition to Biden's pick to lead the Pentagon, though it likely won't be enough to tank the nomination — and Biden might have Republicans to thank for that. The latest from Andrew and Connor O'Brien: "Retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin, who has yet to be officially unveiled as Biden's nominee for Defense secretary, is already running into stiff opposition from some Democrats, many of whom appeared unwilling on Tuesday to exempt him from a law intended to preserve civilian control of the military. "That rule — which requires a Pentagon chief to be at least seven years removed from the military — isn't likely to tank Austin's nomination, with key Republicans saying Tuesday they would support providing the prospective nominee a waiver. But several Biden allies expressed concerns about granting a waiver for Austin just a few years after supporting one for James Mattis, President Donald Trump's first defense secretary." More: https://politi.co/36U0FNc. Related: "Doug Jones leading contender to be nominated Biden's attorney general," by NBC News' Mike Memoli, Carol E. Lee, Kristen Welker and Sahil Kapur: https://nbcnews.to/3lZfeDw. | | | |   | | | JUDICIARY JOCKEYING -- Senate Democrats will vote this morning on whether Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) will be able to both hold his leadership position and serve as the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee. The caucus will have from 10 a.m. to noon to cast a secret ballot. Durbin is facing a challenge from Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) in his bid for the Judiciary Committee. When asked this week whether he had the votes to keep both Judiciary and whip, Durbin said that he didn't know and declined to speculate on which position he'd choose if the caucus forces his hand. "I'm not going to make that decision until the caucus has decided the rules," Durbin said in an interview. The debate over who will take the helm of the Judiciary Committee has spurred a broader caucus dialogue over seniority rules and the distribution of power. The caucus will consider several proposals today, including whether Democrats should impose term limits on chairs or ranking members. Another proposal from Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) would bar top Democrats on preeminent committees from choosing a second gavel until every other member has the option to choose a subcommittee. The latest from Bres and Marianne here: https://politi.co/3qFfJWM. NOM NEWS -- "Republicans play FCC hardball to jam Biden's tech ambitions," via John Hendel: https://politi.co/2VXrutC. THE NEW CHC CHAIR -- The Congressional Hispanic Caucus has selected a new leader: Rep. Raul Ruiz of California. The story from Maria Sestito of the Palm Springs Desert Sun: "As newly elected chair, Ruiz, who prior to his initial election to Congress in 2012 worked as an emergency room physician at Eisenhower Health in Rancho Mirage, said his focus will be on rectifying longtime inequalities, including the fact that the Latinx community has been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. "The Latino community, the largest minority population in the U.S., has some of the highest rates of infection and COVID-related deaths nationwide, he said, as well as in the Coachella Valley where Latino and farmworker communities have also been disproportionately affected. … Ruiz, who grew up in Coachella with farmworker parents, will begin as chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus next month, taking over from previous chair, U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro a Texas Democrat." More: https://bit.ly/3n2j1kD. SWALWELL SPEAKS -- "Rep. Swalwell says Trump criticism behind spy story," by Bres: https://politi.co/33ZTd1g. TROLL TIDE -- It's a battle of the House GOP and Dem leaders! Yesterday, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer took a picture with the Democrats who lost reelection and won't be returning to Congress next year. Then, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy trolled Hoyer with a photo of his own, posting a picture of himself with all the GOP members who lost races this year (spoiler alert: there aren't any). | | | | HAPPENING THURSDAY - 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 | | Tommy Mattocks will be comms director for Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.). He most recently has been press secretary for the House Agriculture Committee. | | TODAY IN CONGRESS | | The House gavels in at 10 a.m., with first votes around 3:30 p.m. Today's agenda: https://bit.ly/3gxOE35. The Senate meets at 10 a.m. Lawmakers will take three votes at 11 a.m. on confirmation of the nominations of Allen Dickerson, Shana Broussard and Sean Cooksey to be members of the Federal Election Commission. | | AROUND THE HILL | | House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) holds his weekly pen and pad with reporters via conference call at 11 a.m. House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal (D-Mass.) holds a virtual listening session to discuss the challenges workers face that "have arisen or worsened" during the pandemic at 2 p.m. Congressional leaders hold a virtual Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony honoring Chinese American World War II veterans at 3 p.m. | | TRIVIA | | TUESDAY'S WINNER: Barry Piat was the first person to guess that James Shields is the senator who holds the record for representing the most states: Illinois, Minnesota and Missouri. TODAY'S QUESTION: From Barry: Name the U.S. Senator, and the state he represented, whose daughter was courted by both John Wilkes Booth and Robert Todd Lincoln. 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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