| | | | | |  | | By Olivia Beavers | Presented by |  | | | With Sarah Ferris. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) has a message for her party: "I am a brown girl from the 'hood, who is a Republican, who is coming to tell my party that it's time to wake up and smell the votes." "It's time for us to be sending the right message to the largest minority in the country. We are 20 percent of the population. We are 60 million people ...We are 30 million votes available," Salazar told your Huddle host in an exclusive interview Thursday. This is also the message she delivered behind closed doors to former Trump aide Stephen Miller during the Republican Study Committee's weekly lunch meeting on Wednesday, which was focused on immigration. Salazar attended the event, but she is not a member of the RSC. "I told him that the GOP needs to attract the browns," said Salazar, a Cuban American. "We, for the last 30 years since Ronald Reagan, have not sent the right message to the browns," she added. "Reagan was the last guy who gave a path to citizenship to 3 million people … 35 years ago. It's time for us to do the same thing that Reagan did." Your Huddle host and Melanie Zanona scooped the details of Salazar's exchange with Miller on Wednesday, in which she challenged him to explain how Republicans could broaden their coalition while enacting his preferred immigration policies. Elaborating on the encounter on Thursday, she said that most Hispanics share the same values as Republicans: They're God-fearing, law-abiding, tax-paying, family-oriented fans of small government. "They want to live in dignity," she said. "And that is what we have to give them. That's what I said to Stephen Miller in front of 20 to 30 members from his study group. And I would say that the overwhelming majority of those members agreed with what I was saying, including Miller." Salazar stressed that she "absolutely" supports border security to keep out "bad people," drugs and human trafficking — including child sex trafficking. But she argued that the whole U.S. immigration system needs fixing, from the undocumented to the asylum process to the immigrant kids stuck in large orphanages rather than foster care. "We have to look at the whole enchilada." Salazar's focus, she said, is on the undocumented immigrants who have been living in the U.S. for more than five years, have American children and have been paying taxes. "That's what I'm concentrating on. We got to give them dignity — and I'm talking about legality. I am not talking about citizenship right now." Salazar plans to meet with Miller again soon to discuss her ideas in more detail. She noted he was "courteous" and "attentive" during their exchange. COMING UP? While Salazar wouldn't get into the granular details of which particular immigration policies she supports, she said she is "working on something very important" that she will share in the future. As for Biden's bill: "My concern is that this immigration bill that was presented by the Biden administration may never become law, and then once again the Browns will be left hanging. And that is what we need to avoid."
| | | | NEW - "THE RECAST" NEWSLETTER: Power dynamics are changing. "Influence" is changing. More people are demanding a seat at the table, insisting that all politics is personal and not all policy is equitable. "The Recast" is our new twice-weekly newsletter that breaks down how race and identity are recasting politics, policy and power in America. And POLITICO is recasting how we report on this crucial intersection, bringing you fresh insights, scoops, dispatches from across the country and new voices that challenge "business as usual." Don't miss out on this important new newsletter, SUBSCRIBE NOW. Thank you to our sponsor, Intel. | | | | | DOA: Democrats received the dreaded red "DENIED" stamp on their plans to include a $15 federal minimum wage hike in Biden's $1.9 trillion Covid relief package. Last night, the Senate parliamentarian ruled that doing so violated the Byrd Rule, my colleagues report. While its chances were already looking slim, with Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) saying they opposed the idea, this is still a BIG blow to progressives. Balloon, meet needle. Shortly after the ruling, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said House Democrats still plan to include the hike in their coronavirus relief bill, which is set for a vote on Friday night. She needs progressives on board to get the legislation through the House. Still, Democrats in both chambers agree it will not make it into the final version of the bill — which leaves their party scrambling to keep a major campaign promise, with no clear path in sight. That doesn't mean the issue is going away. Expect Dems to hold a standalone vote on a minimum wage boost down the line, among other efforts to get the legislation passed. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is looking at a workaround. On Thursday, the Budget Committee chair said he will introduce an amendment that would strip tax breaks from companies if their employees are not paid a $15 minimum wage. TBD if this proposal will have enough support in the Senate. Tea leaves: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) said he was "deeply disappointed" by this decision, while vowing to fight on. And White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that while Biden was also "disappointed in this outcome," he "respects the parliamentarian's decision and the Senate's process" — an indication the administration won't be pushing to override the Byrd ruling. Progressive temperature check: Rep. Pramila Jayapal (Wash.), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, in a statement advocated not only that the Senate and White House overrule the Senate parliamentarian, but ALSO argued for nuking the filibuster altogether. "Squad" member Rep. Ilhan Omar (Mich.) took it a step further, calling for the parliamentarian to be replaced. But for now, it is crunch time for Dems as they race to get the "American Rescue Plan" passed by their March 14 deadline. More here from Caitlin Emma, Burgess and Marianne: http://politi.co/3aUDSCU
| | | | A message from Walmart: The CDC selected Walmart and Sam's Club to help administer COVID-19 vaccines in communities across the United States. With more than 4,000 locations in underserved communities, Walmart can administer vaccines in hard-to-reach parts of the country. | | | HAPPY FRIDAY! Welcome to Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill on this Feb. 26, where it is almost the weekend and even former Speaker John Boehner is blaming it on the a a a a a alcohol. (He also has some thoughts on Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) … h/t Axios) THURSDAY'S MOST CLICKED: The Colorado Sun's story on the state's congressional districts that stand to change the most during redistricting was the big winner. PLAYING FOR KEEPS: House Democrats have a lot going on over the next two weeks, and not just the $1.9 trillion Covid bill. Dems will soon be teeing up votes on dicey issues from immigration to policing to election reforms, with the potential to expose many of the caucus's ideological fissures. Top Dems say the votes are crucial to showing their base what a Dem-controlled Washington can achieve, though some members argue against symbolic bills that aren't going anywhere in the Senate. And then there are the Dems who say the party needs even sharper scrutiny of the bills it passed last year. That includes some senior members of the CBC, who are objecting to a piece of HR 1 that would require states to hand over control of redistricting to independent panels. There's a lot more. Sarah and Heather get after it here: http://politi.co/2ZSobGc PROGRESSIVES PLOT: There are a handful of upcoming special elections in deep-blue House districts — seats so safe that most of Washington isn't really watching them. But "most" doesn't include progressives, who are looking to keep more establishment-oriented Democrats out. Holly Otterbein dives in: http://politi.co/3krzbUi Related: Lawmakers to revive proposal for federal commission tasked with examining America's history of racism by CNN's Nicquel Terry Ellis: http://cnn.it/3pVkgmy BIG TENT? ROCKY CAMPSITE: The public split between Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and GOP leader Kevin McCarthy over Donald Trump and their divergent visions for the future of the party was clearly captured on stage this week, when the GOP Conference chairwoman said she didn't think Trump should be "playing a role in the future of the party or country" after asked about his slated speech at CPAC this weekend. Mel asked Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.), who was also on stage at the time, if it was awkward to watch leadership give such conflicting visions on the former president, to which he replied: "Hasn't that been happening all year?" The exchange re-infuriated Cheney's critics, who recently pushed for her to be kicked out of her No. 3 GOP leadership position. But her defenders aren't budging either (well, except Texas Rep. Chip Roy), underlining how House Republicans are far from clearing the divide in the party over the not-so-post Trump GOP. Mel and yours truly break it down: http://politi.co/3suPvXb Related GOP Reads: McConnell would support Trump if he got 2024 Republican nomination by our Matthew Choi: http://politi.co/2Nyopje | | | | TUNE IN TO GLOBAL TRANSLATIONS: 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 to identify and understand the impediments to smart policymaking. Subscribe and start listening today. | | | | |
EQUALITY ACT: The House passed sweeping legislation yesterday to prevent discrimination against people based on sexual orientation and gender identity, delivering a major victory to the LGBTQ community and Democrats — while exposing the latest rift in the GOP as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) complicates the GOP's efforts to sensitively communicate the reason for their opposition.
Democrats unanimously supported the bill, while just three Republicans endorsed it in a 224-206 vote. That's less than half the number of GOP votes the measure got the last time it came to the floor. (And yes, your Huddle host double checked the recording of her chat with New York's Elise Stefanik. Despite telling me on Tuesday that she would support the bill, she ultimately did not do so.) More here from Mel and yours truly: http://politi.co/3q0op8t Related: Our Gabby Orr also has an interesting thread on this: https://bit.ly/2ZSgn7b Related Reads: Sen. Rand Paul presses transgender Health nominee about treatment in children by WSJ's Stephanie Armour: http://on.wsj.com/3ss06SE | 'Nobody listened to me': The quest to be MTG by Michael Kruse in POLITICO Mag: http://politi.co/3qX4718 POLICE CHIEF SPEAKS: Acting Capitol Police chief Yogananda Pittman, who testified publicly for the first time since the attack nearly two months ago, told lawmakers the National Guard and fencing are won't be needed permanently because the attacks on Jan. 6 were directly tied to the State of the Union. Key quote: "Members of the militia groups that were present on Jan. 6 have stated their desires that they want to blow up the Capitol and kill as many members as possible, with a direct nexus to the State of the Union." Kyle Cheney has the story: http://politi.co/3pWehhd BuzzFeed's Paul McLeod has a good thread on this hearing as well: https://bit.ly/37NvSll
| | | |   | | | CAMPAIGN CENTRAL Florida: Top Florida Democrat makes 2022 play as DeSantis' stock rises. Burgess with the story: http://politi.co/37MMCZM Texas: Former Trump SBA official Sery Kim to launch Texas special election run to replace the late Rep. Ron Wright (R-Texas), our Daniel Lippman reports: http://politi.co/3pQ6Ury CABINET CORNER Confirmed: Jennifer Granholm confirmed to lead Energy Department in 64-35 Senate vote. Mea Culpa: Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.): I'm sorry for calling Haaland a 'whack job' Updates: USTR nominee Katherine Tai used the hearing to respond to those concerned of a trade policy pause, telling the Senate that trade won't be on 'back burner' for Biden Ron, Ron, Ron, Ron: Biden's chief of staff at center of controversy over White House budget pick by WaPo's Jeff Stein and Seung Min Kim: http://wapo.st/3r1hX2o TRANSITIONS Christian Lovell will be the new legislative director for Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, the congresswoman announced.
Julio Lainez is joining NVG LLC as vice president next week after working at the Transport Workers Union of America. Lainez is a Moulton alum. TODAY IN CONGRESS The House will meet at 9 a.m. for legislative business. The Senate is out until Monday. AROUND THE HILL 12 p.m.: McCarthy holds his weekly press conference. 12 p.m.: The Human Rights Campaign will hold an online event on Instagram to discuss a "shared fight for LGBTQ equality in Congress," featuring Pelosi and Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.). COMING UP: Join Playbook co-author Rachael Bade on Wednesday March 3rd at 9 a.m. ET for a conversation with Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), NRCC chairman, to discuss his strategy for the 2022 midterm elections, Trump's role in the party and continued fallout from the Jan. 6 insurrection. Register to watch live here. TRIVIA WEDNESDAY'S WINNER: Jinoo Kim was the first person to correctly guess that the only sitting senator who was killed in a duel was California Sen. David Broderick in 1859. TODAY'S QUESTION: From Jinoo: Who was the only GOP member of the Senate Judiciary Committee to vote to advance President Obama's two Supreme Court nominees? The first person to correctly guess gets a mention in the next edition of Huddle. Send your answer to obeavers@politico.com. GET HUDDLE emailed to your phone each morning. Follow Olivia on Twitter: @Olivia_Beavers. | | | | A message from Walmart: Walmart is gearing up to play a pivotal role in COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Over the last year, the retailer has been working with the CDC and HHS to prepare for the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine at scale.
• 90% of the US population lives within 10 miles of a Walmart.
• 59,000 healthcare professionals across the country are ready to help.
• Over 5,000 pharmacy locations are preparing to administer the COVID-19 vaccine in 22 states across the country. | | | | | | | Follow us | | | | |
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