Axios Sneak Peek: Vaccine brawl riles House ... Reading between Cuomo's lines

Plus: Exclusive: Harris aide joining Yellen at Treasury | Sunday, March 14, 2021

Open in app View in browser     Axios Sneak Peek By Alayna Treene, Hans Nichols and Kadia Goba ·Mar 14, 2021 Welcome back to Sneak. We hope you had a great weekend. ⚡ Situational Awareness: President Biden will host Micheál Martin, the prime minister of Ireland, for a bilateral meeting on St. Patrick's Day — virtually. Today's newsletter — edited by Glen Johnson — is 399 words, a 1.5-minute read.     1 big thing: Vaccine brawl riles House Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios   Uncertainty about why only 75% of the House is confirmed as vaccinated against the coronavirus is fueling a debate about when the chamber can return to its normal rules of operation, Axios' Kadia Goba reports. Between the lines: The other 25% of members have either refused to get the vaccine, have not reported getting it at home or are avoiding it because of medical conditions. Until the Office of Attending Physician is clear about this, it can't make recommendations "regarding the modification or relaxation of existing social distancing guidelines." Congress has its own supply of the coronavirus vaccine. While it's not certain which party is most to blame for any vaccine hesitancy, the phenomenon is higher among white Republicans than any other demographic group, as Axios has reported. "I won't be taking it. The survival rate is too high for me to want it," 25-year-old Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.) told Axios in December. Go deeper. Yes, but: "Fauci urges Trump to tell supporters to get COVID vaccine."     2. Reading between Cuomo's lines President Trump watches as New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo gives a televised COVID-19 briefing in April 2020. Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images   New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he's not questioning his accusers' motives but he believes his growing chorus of critics could have many motivations to make allegations against him. Between the lines: What's he really saying? Kadia, a native New Yorker who covered Brooklyn politics and Crown Heights for Bklyner, and Axios Politics Editor Glen Johnson offer their thought bubble about the possibilities: Cuomo is suspicious of fellow Democrats trying to elevate themselves. Electoral ambitions also are in play because the state's politics are so calcified. Cuomo believes progressives are trying to ambush him. Cuomo suspects Republicans may also be up to no good. The bottom line: There's blood in the water. But if the efforts to oust the governor don't succeed, "Everyone's f**ked," one New York City lawmaker told Axios. Go deeper.     3. Joe from Scranton favors Ivy League     A message from Axios Sports news worthy of your time     Binge on the stats and stories that drive the sports world with Axios Sports. Delivered daily, our editor Kendall Baker also features interviews with athletes and sports business leaders. Readers have called it "a great daily email for the broad sports fan" Subscribe for free     4. Exclusive: Harris aide Lily Adams joining Yellen at Treasury Lily Adams with Sen. Kamala Harris in 2017. Photo: Melina Mara/The Washington Post via Getty Images   Lily Adams is joining the Treasury Department to help promote the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan and the administration's broader plans to combat income inequality, Axios' Hans Nichols reports. Why it matters: Touting President Biden's stimulus package will be a government-wide effort, with a coordinated communications strategy. Treasury is taking the lead on implementing it, and Adams, a veteran of Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential bid, will play a key role. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is slowly filling out her staff, with Wally Adeyemo, Biden's nominee for deputy Treasury secretary, expected to be confirmed by the Senate this month. The bottom line: There's a tunnel connecting the Treasury Department to the East Wing of the White House, making Treasury the only (known) department with direct — and discreet — access to the Oval Office. Go deeper.     5. Tweet du jour Via Twitter   Secretary of State Antony Blinken set off today for Japan, beginning his first official foreign trip.     A message from Axios Sports news worthy of your time     Binge on the stats and stories that drive the sports world with Axios Sports. Delivered daily, our editor Kendall Baker also features interviews with athletes and sports business leaders. Readers have called it "a great daily email for the broad sports fan" Subscribe for free   👏 Thanks for reading. A reminder you can sign up for email delivery of Sneak Peek and all our other free 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: