Axios Sneak Peek: Minority Mitch setting Senate agenda ... Blue-chip clients dump Trumpworld

1 big thing: Minority Mitch still setting Senate agenda | Monday, January 25, 2021

Open in app View in browser   Presented By Facebook   Axios Sneak Peek By Alayna Treene, Hans Nichols and Kadia Goba ·Jan 25, 2021 🚨 Breaking: The House delivered its lone impeachment article against former President Trump to the Senate. Trump's former OMB director is launching two organizations to support the former president's political movement, Axios' Hans Nichols and Lachlan Markay scoop. The Senate confirmed Janet Yellen as the first female Treasury secretary. ⚡ Situational Awareness: 🕘 Tonight is the beginning of our earlier send time. We hope it makes Sneak even more useful to you. Today's newsletter — edited by Glen Johnson — is 591 words, a 2-minute read.     1 big thing: Minority Mitch still setting Senate agenda Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios   Chuck Schumer may be majority leader, yet in many ways, Mitch McConnell is still running the Senate show — and his counterpart is about done with it, writes Axios' Alayna Treene. Why it matters: McConnell rolled over Democrats unapologetically, and kept tight control over his fellow Republicans, while in the majority. But he's showing equal skill as minority leader, using political jiujitsu to convert a perceived weakness into strength. Schumer showed his exasperation while speaking with reporters Monday. "All I can tell you is we are not letting McConnell dictate how the Senate operates. He is minority leader." "There's huge anger in my caucus about what he's doing." Schumer's team says the majority leader is wise to McConnell's approach but won't capitulate to his filibuster demands, and is happy to get President Biden's Cabinet nominees confirmed during their continued negotiations. Go deeper.     2. Schumer rattles reconciliation saber More than an aisle separates Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer, seen in the Senate Chamber after the Capitol siege. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images   Schumer is expected to telegraph, as soon as tonight, that he will use his political muscle to pass some of his party's priorities — like President Biden's $1.9 trillion stimulus package, Axios Hans Nichols and Alayna Treene report. Why it matters: While the Senate majority leader wants to work with Republicans on key legislation, advisers say, he will make clear that using the simple majority vote inherent in the budget reconciliation process is one of the big sticks at his disposal. Driving the news: For the first time, President Biden today indicated an openness to using reconciliation to help push his plan through Congress, saying the decision is up to the "leaders of the House and the Senate." Biden also set the clock, saying that he would give the bipartisan approach a couple of weeks but wants Congress to act quickly: "Time is of the essence." Schumer was expected to outline his own thoughts during an interview with MSNBC's Rachel Maddow. Go deeper.     3. Blue-chip clients dump Trumpworld lobbying shops Former President Trump. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images   Some blue-chip corporate clients cut the cord with lobbying firms that monetized their close relationships with Donald Trump and his administration, based on new disclosure filings reviewed by Axios' Lachlan Markay. Why it matters: Every change in administration shuffles the groups that can influence decision-makers — and who have the ability to market that access to high-paying clients. A raft of lobbying agreement terminations since Trump lost reelection in November indicates segments of corporate America are tweaking their advocacy strategies accordingly. What's happening: Firms run by Trump advisers, fundraisers and former aides have posted some significant lobbying termination notices this month. Conversely, firms with an in to President Biden are seeing growth. Cove Strategies, run by informal Trump adviser Matt Schlapp, ended its relationships with Walmart, Samsung and health insurance marketplace eHealth. Ballard Partners, the firm headed by Trump fundraiser Brian Ballard, has dropped seven clients since Election Day, most notably ridesharing giant Uber. On the other side of the ledger, lobbyists and firms with ties to Biden and senior members of his administration have picked up significant business since the election. Jeff Ricchetti, the brother of White House counselor Steve Ricchetti, began lobbying for Amazon last month. Sudafi Henry, who was Biden's legislative director while he served as vice president, has signed on to lobby for ride-sharing company Lyft, COVID-19 test manufacturer Abbott Labs and a prominent nursing home trade group. Go deeper.     A message from Facebook We support updated internet regulations     We support updated internet regulations to set clear rules for addressing today's toughest challenges including: Protecting people's privacy. Enabling safe and easy data portability between platforms. Preventing election interference. Reforming Section 230. Learn More     4. Women take press lead in Biden era Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios   Women will overwhelmingly guide coverage of the White House and politics during the Biden administration, propelled by a slew of newly appointed leaders at major TV and radio networks, newspapers and digital outlets, writes Axios Media Trends author Sara Fischer. Why it matters: While female representation in the Washington press corps has steadily grown, what's changed most recently is the number of women in front of and behind cameras and bylines. The trend was in full view Sunday, when Abby Phillip and Dana Bash debuted back-to-back as anchors of two CNN morning shows. Margaret Brennan, host of CBS' "Face the Nation," also had a high-profile interview with Dr. Deborah Birx. Driving the news: For the first time, the chief White House correspondents from ABC, CBS, NBC and CNN are all women. They'll be working with an all-female communications team at the White House — the first time in history such a dynamic has existed. Go deeper.     5. Pic du jour - I Photo: Samuel Corum/Getty Images   As CNN's John King noted, House managers walked through a crime scene tonight as they delivered their impeachment article against former President Trump.     6. Pic du jour - II Courtesy: The Office of Donald J. Trump   Sometimes, a screenshot can also speak 1,000 words.     A message from Facebook We support updated internet regulations     We're taking action to keep our communities safe. We've tripled our safety and security teams, built new privacy tools, and invested billions to keep our platforms safe. What comes next? We support updated internet regulations that set clear rules for addressing today's challenges. Learn More   🚀 We hope your week got off to a good start today. We'll be back tomorrow. You can share a link to Sneak and other Axios newsletters here.   Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Axios, 3100 Clarendon B‌lvd, Suite 1300, Arlington VA 22201   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios. Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.   Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get Axios in your inbox.   Follow Axios on social media: