Axios Sneak Peek: Scoop — GOP's goal for replacing Cheney ... Exclusive: Will Hurd joins new board

Plus: Exclusive: Exclusive: Grassley's demand letter for Kerry | Monday, May 03, 2021

Open in app View in browser   Presented By Facebook   Axios Sneak Peek By Alayna Treene, Hans Nichols and Kadia Goba ·May 03, 2021 Welcome back to Sneak. The presidential roadshow stopped in the Tidewater region. 🕹️ Axios Gaming, a newsletter covering the business and culture of the massive video game industry, launched today. Sign up here. Today's newsletter — edited by Glen Johnson — is 501 words, a 2-minute read.     1 big thing: Scoop — GOP wants to replace Cheney with another woman Via Twitter   House Republicans are moving closer to ousting Conference Chair Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) from leadership, and are already considering replacements — including Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), Ann Wagner (R-Mo.) and Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.), congressional aides tell Axios' Alayna Treene. What we're hearing: Most members recognize Cheney can't be succeeded by a white man, given their top two leaders — House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) — fill that demographic. Selling such a team in a midterm year would compound the GOP's challenges with suburban women. The conference meets next Wednesday, May 12. Most members expect the process to oust Cheney to begin then, whether formally or informally, after some of McCarthy's top lieutenants broadened their complaints against her. It would take up to a two-thirds vote of the 212 caucus members to replace her — a relatively high bar if a secret ballot is held. Worth noting: None of the women mentioned as possible replacements voted to impeach Trump this year or in 2019. Keep reading.     2. Exclusive: Will Hurd joins OpenAI's board of directors Will Hurd. Photo: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images   Former Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas) is joining the board of OpenAI, an artificial intelligence research lab that counts Elon Musk as a co-founder, Axios' Sarah Mucha has learned. Why it matters: Hurd is a former undercover CIA operative who's long focused on artificial intelligence issues in and out of Congress. He's been widely quoted since leaving Congress for his moderate perspectives and criticism of former President Trump. Between the lines: Hurd has worked most recently as a managing director at Allen & Company and a trustee of the German Marshall Fund. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said: "Will brings a rare combination of expertise — he deeply understands both artificial intelligence as well as public policy, both of which are critical to a successful future for AI." Keep reading.     3. By the numbers: Your earmark dollars at work Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios   Earmarks are back, and the House is providing an online link to details about the hundreds of projects for which members are requesting federal funding, Axios' Lachlan Markay writes. Why it matters: It's been more than a decade since representatives could carve out funding for pork-barrel projects. The two House committees overseeing the revamped process are trying to avoid ethical hangups by disclosing who's requesting money — and for what. Between the lines: Unlike earmarks of the past, these are not available to for-profit entities. Instead, they're going to local governments, community organizations and nonprofits. The types of projects run the gamut. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) requested $3 million for an environmental resilience study for San Francisco's Embarcadero waterfront. Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) wants $50 million for a "global logistics park" in his district. You can browse the full list here. Keep reading.     A message from Facebook The internet has changed a lot since 1996 - internet regulations should too     It's been 25 years since comprehensive internet regulations passed. See why we support updated regulations on key issues, including: Protecting people's privacy Enabling safe and easy data portability between platforms Preventing election interference Reforming Section 230     4. Exclusive: Grassley asks State to detail any Kerry conflicts Sen. Chuck Grassley. Photo: Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call/Bloomberg via Getty Images   Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) wants more details about John Kerry's personal finances and how the Biden climate envoy is avoiding conflicts between his official duties and private investments, Lachlan also writes. The big picture: Grassley, the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken today seeking more information after Axios revealed new details about Kerry's lucrative work in finance and energy investing after he completed his tenure as secretary himself. "The operation of good government requires faithful adherence to ethical rules," Grassley wrote. "It's unclear exactly what matters Mr. Kerry has been barred from working on and whether he has received any waivers for specific matters that he would otherwise be recused from." What they're saying: The State Department declined to comment about the letter. Keep reading.     5. Pic du jour Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images   Former U.N. ambassador Samantha Power was sworn in as administrator of the United States Agency for International Development.     A message from Facebook Why Facebook supports updated internet regulations     2021 is the 25th anniversary of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the last major update to internet regulation. It's time for an update to set clear rules for addressing today's toughest challenges. See how we're taking action on key issues and why we support updated internet regulations.   😀 Thanks for reading Sneak. If you'd like to encourage your friends, family or colleagues to read this or any of Axios' other free newsletters, please send along this link.   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. 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