| | | | | |  | | By Melanie Zanona | Presented by Mastercard | IT'S THE LEAST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR -- Oh, you thought last week was crazy? Well get ready, because this week — which is likely the end of the 116th Congress — is about to be even more chaotic. Lawmakers are racing against the clock to clinch a desperately needed coronavirus relief deal while also finishing work on a massive omnibus spending deal. And the stakes couldn't be higher, with a slew of aid programs set to expire before the end of the year and nearly 300,000 Americans dead from the coronavirus. But in a sign that lawmakers may struggle to reach a broad agreement, a bipartisan group known as the "908 coalition" has decided to split their proposal into two parts: a $748 billion proposal with less controversial items and a $160 billion piece that includes the toughest issues of state and local aid and liability reform. The deets from Nolan McCaskill and Burgess: https://politi.co/3niN8oe. Congressional leaders will have the option to combine the two plans or only focus on the areas where there is bipartisan consensus. As you'll recall, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has called for the latter. But Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who spoke with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin for a half hour yesterday, is still pushing for state and local aid, per her aide Drew Hammill. Meanwhile, government funding runs dry at midnight on Friday. Leaders are hoping to attach coronavirus aid to an omnibus spending bill. But there's no guarantee lawmakers get a deal on that either, meaning Congress may have to just pass another stopgap funding bill and punt the issue into the new year — something they were hoping to avoid. However, negotiators did at least reach a last-minute agreement on preventing patients from receiving "surprise" medical bills, after nearly two years of fighting over the issue. The plan is to include the deal in the year-end spending bill. The latest from Susannah Luthi and Rachel Roubein: https://politi.co/3oO9RbT. Related read: "Senate 'gangs' show Biden what's possible, and not," by The AP's Lisa Mascaro: https://bit.ly/34alZvX. | | A message from Mastercard: With the pandemic accelerating the adoption of electronic payments, Mastercard is working with businesses and consumers to drive our economy forward, keep small businesses open, deliver innovative solutions that extend beyond the card, and ensure our financial system is inclusive. Learn more here. | | | THE COUP CONTINUES -- On Friday, the Supreme Court rejected a long-shot Texas lawsuit to throw out the election results in other states. And today, the Electoral College electors will cast their votes across the nation. But so far, Donald Trump's allies are still showing no signs that they plan to acknowledge Trump's defeat. House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) on Sunday refused to say whether he recognizes Biden as the president-elect, telling Fox News' Chris Wallace: "Let the legal process play out." Meanwhile, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) is still planning to hold a controversial hearing on the 2020 election later this week — and he has invited independent counsel Ken Starr to testify, per CNN. More from Manu Raju: https://cnn.it/349Oom7. And several House Republicans — led by Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.) — are planning to challenge the election results when Congress officially certifies them on Jan. 6. Specifically, they plan to object to the election results in Arizona, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Georgia and Wisconsin, according to the NYT. A rundown from Nicholas Fandos and Michael Schmidt: https://nyti.ms/2WfWrt0. Retiring GOP Sen. Lamar Alexander, however, said there should not be any doubt "after Monday" about the election. "I hope that [Trump] puts the country first ... that he takes pride in his considerable accomplishments, that he congratulates the president-elect and he helps him get off to a good start, especially in the middle of this pandemic," Alexander said. David Cohen with the story: https://politi.co/37eK7PZ. Related read: "In challenging election defeat, Trump cements his control over the Republican Party," via WaPo's Toluse Olorunnipa and Cleve R. Wootson Jr.: https://wapo.st/3mfO7nJ. VACCINE UPDATE -- Trump and other top U.S. officials will be offered the newly-approved coronavirus vaccine starting today, reports Bloomberg's Jennifer Jacobs. But Trump tweeted last night that he does not want White House aides to get the vaccine early: "People working in the White House should receive the vaccine somewhat later in the program, unless specifically necessary. I have asked that this adjustment be made. I am not scheduled to take the vaccine, but look forward to doing so at the appropriate time. Thank you!" And on Capitol Hill ... it is still unclear when — and how many — doses will be available to congressional officials. There's also the question of whether lawmakers will be willing to take the vaccine early. As you'll recall, at the beginning of the pandemic, congressional leaders rejected offers to have rapid testing in the Capitol, arguing it was unfair to get special treatment while the rest of the nation was still struggling to get tested. HAPPY MONDAY! Welcome to Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Dec. 14, where we have an exciting announcement to make today! PASSING THE TORCH -- Olivia Beavers, a congressional and national security reporter for The Hill, will be taking the reins of Huddle in the New Year. Her first edition will be January 4. Olivia is hungry, scoop-driven and passionate about politics and puns — so, in other words, a perfect fit. (Follow her on Twitter if you don't already!) As for your current Huddle host? Well, I've agreed to a peaceful transfer of power, but won't be going very far: I will be diving into House coverage full-time next year, and couldn't be more excited about it. But Huddle will always have a piece of my heart. It's truly been a wild, rewarding, and sometimes sleepless ride these past two years! The full staff memo. FRIDAY'S MOST CLICKED: Roll Call's report on House Dems subpoenaing Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross was the big winner. | | | | NEW EPISODES OF THE GLOBAL TRANSLATIONS PODCAST: Our Global Translations podcast, presented by Citi, examines the long-term costs of the short-term thinking that drives many political and business decisions. The world has long been beset by big problems that defy political boundaries, and these issues have exploded over the past year amid a global pandemic. This podcast helps us identify and understand the impediments to smart policymaking. Subscribe for Season Two, available now. | | | | | MONEY AIN'T FOR NOTHING -- The Georgia Senate runoffs will determine control of the Senate, but Republicans see something else at stake: The future of digital fundraising. Elena Schneider with the story: "Top Republicans are using the expensive Georgia Senate runoffs to sell their party on a deeper investment in digital fundraising, pointing to the surge in donations for next month's races in Georgia as an example of what GOP candidates could reap in 2022 and beyond — if they put the right infrastructure in place early." "National Republican Senatorial Committee executive director Kevin McLaughlin urged Republican senators at their Nov. 10 weekly lunch to capitalize on the "manna from heaven" opportunity in Georgia … The effort is introducing some senators to online fundraising tactics that have been popular among Democrats for years but are not nearly as prevalent among Republicans." Read more: https://politi.co/3gL39AD Related: "Perdue, Ocasio-Cortez spar on Twitter over Georgia races," by The Hill's Kaelan Deese: https://bit.ly/3a9lFBJ. OH MY GOODNESS -- Virginia Rep.-elect Bob Good of Virginia told protesters at a pro-Trump rally on Saturday in Washington that the coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed almost 300,000 deaths in the U.S. and sickened millions, was "phony." "I can't tell you how great it is to look out there and see your faces," he said, according to a video clip posted by Aaron Rupar of Vox. "This looks like a group of people that gets it. This is a phony pandemic." The newly elected congressman, who ousted Rep. Denver Riggleman (R-Va.) in a primary, conceded that "It's a serious virus, but it's a virus, it's not a pandemic." Good was one of a handful of well-known individuals to speak at the rally. Others included Michael Flynn, President Donald Trump's former national security adviser, and Alex Jones, who is well-known for espousing conspiracy theories. Some reaction, from the usual suspects: Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.): "I just... are cheers and accolades really that addictive Rep-elect Good? My party needs to take a breath and remember what we actually believe." … Riggleman: "Saying #COVID is fake is irresponsible, embarrassing and everything that is wrong with politics." … Rep. Paul Mitchell (R-Mich.): "And this is the guy for which the VA GOP rigged up a Convention to replace @RepRiggleman !? Wow clearly intellectual capacity was not a criteria for selecting their 'replacement.'" Related: "Tennessee businessman with son in Congress gets $500k in COVID-19 loans to support one job," from Tyler Whetstone of Knoxville News Sentinel: https://bit.ly/3moayHC. | | | |   | | | BREWING BATTLE -- Joe Biden has started to roll out his Cabinet picks, but there are plenty of speed bumps ahead — in both parties. A big picture look at the upcoming battle from Natasha Korecki and Megan Cassella: "President-elect Joe Biden's decision to nominate a recently retired military general as Defense secretary blindsided the lawmakers who will have to pass a waiver to allow for his confirmation. His choice of a former White House chief of staff as secretary of Veterans Affairs rankled war veterans who expected one of their own to lead the agency. Neera Tanden, Biden's pick for OMB director, hacked off allies of Bernie Sanders. "And the news that Biden would not be selecting the Latina governor of New Mexico to lead the Department of Health and Human Services — a step that came after she fell out of favor with the transition team for rejecting another position — prompted backlash from members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, which criticized Biden's allies for leaking the details. "The bumpiness of some of the rollouts of Biden's Cabinet picks is a new phenomenon for a presidential campaign defined by its lack of leaks and drama. Biden allies said he is putting together a Cabinet reminiscent of his campaign, a balancing act that aims to keep the peace and attempts to avoid antagonizing both the left and the right." More: https://politi.co/2ILb4RZ. ALL ABOUT THAT BASS -- " Especially in this time of crisis, it would be an honor to be appointed to serve my state in the United States Senate," tweeted Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.). Clip of her on MSNBC. | | | | HAPPENING TUESDAY - CONFRONTING INEQUALITY IN AMERICA TOWN HALL : The pandemic-induced recession has put over 40 million Americans at risk of foreclosure and eviction and caused a steady decline in Black homeownership. What solutions need to happen to make housing more inclusive and fair? Join POLITICO for its fourth town hall in the series "Confronting Inequality in America." Our latest town hall explores "The Housing Gap" and will convene policymakers, lawmakers, advocates and mortgage industry leaders to discuss various approaches for eliminating housing inequality as we begin to recover from the Covid-19 recession. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | |  | TRANSITIONS | | Jeff Billman has been named chief of staff for Rep.-elect Ronny Jackson (R-Texas). He most recently was deputy chief of staff/legislative director for Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas). Christy Wagner has been hired as chief of staff for Rep.-elect Kai Kahele (D-Hawaii). She currently is acting chief of staff for Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.). William Chang will work in legislative affairs for U.S. European Command. He previously was a defense fellow for Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas). Lane Lofton will be COS to Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.). He previously was COS to Rep. Joe Cunningham (D-S.C.). Maia Hunt Estes is joining Invariant. She previously was COS to Rep. Anthony Brown (D-Md.). | | TODAY IN CONGRESS | | The House is out. The Senate meets at 3 p.m. to resume consideration of the nomination of Thomas L. Kirsch II to be U.S. circuit judge for the Seventh Circuit. At 5:30 p.m. to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Kirsch nomination. | | AROUND THE HILL | | Quiet. | | TRIVIA | | FRIDAY'S WINNER: John Pitney was the first person to guess that Dan Quayle was the last sitting vice president who lost re-election and had to preside over the certification of the vice president and president who beat him. TODAY'S QUESTION: A presidential pet is almost a necessity for any White House. But sometimes they're not without controversy. Which presidential dog bit a world leader, thereby almost causing an international incident? 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 Mastercard: Our economy has been hit hard by COVID-19. But, by delivering innovative payment solutions and a resilient and reliable network, Mastercard is helping small businesses stay open, protect jobs, reach customers, and generate revenue with digital services. Mastercard is also applying its technology, philanthropy, data science and cybersecurity expertise to rebuild communities, ensuring that economic growth is inclusive and helping address new challenges of the touchless economy.
Mastercard is committed to identifying and addressing the needs of small businesses, governments and communities as they fight to survive the COVID-19 pandemic, and will continue to help them adapt to new ways of working and new payment preferences, such as contactless payments, so that they can thrive in the years ahead. Learn more here. | | | | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Follow us | | | | |
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