News : Freedom Caucus weighs its next move

Thursday, May 6, 2021

Freedom Caucus weighs its next move

May 06, 2021

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CHEN REACTION: The House Freedom Caucus is wrestling with how to respond to the speedy efforts by GOP leaders to install Rep. Elise Stefanik as the No. 3 House Republican. HFC members are in a goldilocks and the three bears sort of situation as they consider a new conference chair.

On one hand, members of the ultra-conservative group finally got what they wanted: Rep. Liz Cheney, who was no stranger to breaking with Donald Trump even before Jan. 6, is likely getting the boot from leadership – a reality the Wyoming Republican recognizes and is not fighting to prevent, as your Huddle host and Mel first reported.

On the other hand, many are hesitant of, if not outright opposed to, supporting Stefanik, who they feel is a moderate who only recently overhauled her image into a loyal Trump-supporter. Her voting record concerns them, with many privately raising how her lifetime conservative scorecard average is less than 50 percent.

There's also some uneasiness that she's played in GOP primaries with her E-PAC, which is dedicated to electing more Republican women. And some members feel like House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has boxed them in, since he has been whipping members hard to support Stefanik.

The caucus held a phone call last night to discuss all these dynamics and air their frustrations. Nothing was decided, beyond the need to have further conversations about the situation, per a GOP source familiar with the call. But they don't have much time, as the vote likely could be as soon as next Wednesday.

In other words: it's complicated. For the moment, you likely won't be seeing them publicly voicing their disapproval. They already know she has the votes, so why come out saying you oppose her when she is already poised to ascend into the No. 3 role? Plus, Trump has already publicly come out endorsing Stefanik for the role, and members of the very-pro-Trump caucus do not want to be on the opposite end of the former president if they can help it.

Stefanik is trying to make inroads with HFC members. She texted members of the caucus and offered to talk to them about how she would operate as conference chair. Your Huddle host is told quite a few did not get back to her.

She does have one big House Freedom Caucus ally in her corner: Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), a co-founder of the caucus who also happens to now be a big McCarthy ally.

Meanwhile, the conservative Club for Growth echoed what many Freedom Caucus members are feeling in a statement on Twitter, calling her a "liberal" with one of the worst voting records in the House GOP. "House Republicans should find a conservative to lead messaging and win back the House Majority," the group said.

Put more succinctly, some far-right groups are describing Stefanik as a T.I.N.O. -- a Trumpist-in-Name-Only.

ON TAP: Stefanik is joining Steve Bannon at 10 a.m. on War Room for an interview.

ICYMI: A lot is happening, so here are some clicks to catch you up on Cheney-Gate.

-House GOP leaders are planning to have Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) kickstart Cheney's eviction, before Stefanik shoots her shot. In other words, one gets the glory, the other gets the story. More background here from yours truly and Mel: https://politi.co/3emAVgf

-From Paul Ryan acolyte to Trump disciple: Elise Stefanik sets out to replace Liz Cheney in GOP leadership, WaPo's Paul Kane reports: https://wapo.st/2RxGGhV

-Thread from a reporter who covered Stefanik closely for more than six years: https://bit.ly/3thKbGA

The Op-Ed: Cheney doubles down in op-ed, says Republicans are at a 'turning point,' Ben Leonard: https://politi.co/3xP0q1c … Read it in WaPo here: https://wapo.st/3xP0E8y

Another Hot Take: The Real Reason Republicans Want to Oust Liz Cheney, Washington Free Beacon's Eliana Johnson writes in POLITICO Mag: https://politi.co/2Rxr7qv

SUBSCRIBE TO "THE RECAST" TODAY: Power is shifting in Washington and in communities across the country. More people are demanding a seat at the table, insisting that politics is personal and not all policy is equitable. The Recast is a twice-weekly newsletter that explores the changing power dynamics in Washington and breaks down how race and identity are recasting politics and policy in America. Get fresh insights, scoops and dispatches on this crucial intersection from across the country and hear critical new voices that challenge business as usual. Don't miss out, SUBSCRIBE . Thank you to our sponsor, Intel.

CELEBRATING THE CHAOS CONFERENCE: Meanwhile, Democrats are watching from the sidelines and can't believe their luck. Democrats are once again seeing their favorite foil back in the headlines as Republicans fight over Cheney's future: Trump.

Democrats view acceptance of the 2020 election results as a political litmus test that could help them keep their narrow House majority, Sarah and Nick report. And it is certainly giving Dems a messaging opportunity. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) said "the first question in every race in the country" should be whether Republican candidates believe the "big lie" that the election was stolen. He added that Cheney's potential removal will "link them more to the big lie."

Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) tells your Huddle host it is bigger than this intra-party battle: "This isn't about Liz Cheney. This is about a choice between truth and the big lie. Between standing for our democracy and covering up for a seditious mob. And we know exactly where the Republican Party stands."

Meanwhile, Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) conceded that the Republican infighting is good for Democrats, but he also has broader concerns. "Watching this unfold, I can't help but think this is bad for the country," he said. "And it's bad for democracy... it's bad for solving future problems in a bipartisan way."

More here on how Dems plan to pounce on this chaos and use it to their advantage: https://politi.co/3b7Mbep

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HAPPY THURSDAY! Welcome to Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill on this May 6, where this photo of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is certainly a flex.

WEDNESDAY's MOST CLICKED: USAToday's story on the Proud Boys receiving donations from Chinese Americans on GiveSendGo was the big winner.

CHEN-LINKED TOGETHER: Cheney got some key reinforcements on Wednesday from the only other woman in congressional GOP leadership: Sen. Joni Ernst. The Iowa Republican told Burgess that while she doesn't agree with Cheney's opposition to Trump, she should stand her ground and not be silenced because of what she believes in.

But, Ernst said the GOP shouldn't be mired in its intra-party feuds, especially as the party looks to re-take control of the House and Senate next year. "I also believe that we need to come together as a party, recognize we have differences within the party but the goal with us should be to win seats," Ernst, the No. 5 Republican in the upper chamber, said in Independence, Iowa (quite the dateline, huh?).

Meanwhile, McConnell shied away from defending Cheney when asked about her status as GOP conference chair. "100 percent of my focus is on stopping this new administration," said McConnell, who has previously defended Cheney as she came under withering criticism from pro-Trump forces.

TREND ALERT: In South Texas, Hispanic Republicans try to cement the party's gains, by NYT's Jennifer Medina: https://nyti.ms/3vQm2Zv

GOING THROUGH CHANGES: "Congressional Democrats have tweaked their marquee voting-rights, campaign-finance and ethics bill ahead of a Senate committee vote next week, addressing concerns raised by elections administrators but forgoing a more radical rewrite of the legislation," WaPo's Mike DeBonis reports.

"What has changed are some of the requirements and timelines related to the bill's mandates for early voting, voting by mail, automatic voter registration and voting system standards. In several cases, states or local jurisdictions will be given more time or more leeway to follow through on the bill's mandates."

But…the For The People Act is still not expected to have enough support in the Senate. More from Mike: https://wapo.st/3h6h32M

Related: Biden leans into plans to tax the rich, by NYT's Jim Tankersley and Annie Karni: https://nyti.ms/2SwCYG0

DON'T MISS OUT ON OUR NEW PLAYBOOK DEEP DIVE PODCAST: Washington is full of whispers, colorful characters and little-known back stories that even D.C. insiders might not know. Playbook Deep Dive is a new, weekly podcast that pulls back the curtain on the stories behind the power. From Congress and the White House to bar stools and backrooms, POLITICO's top reporters and Playbook authors bring you the most compelling and confounding stories that explain what's really going on in Washington. SUBSCRIBE NOW.

NOT DUCKING ON SYRIAN KURDS: The president recently recognized the Armenian genocide, a major blow to Turkey — but one key senator wants the Biden administration to do more to counter Turkey's malign influence in the region.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), an Iraq war vet, is urging the president to do more to protect Syrian Kurds from the Turks, who have been undermining U.S. support for the Kurds as part of the fight against ISIS. "We must restore trust and confidence in our allies and partners to achieve our national objectives," Duckworth wrote in a letter to Biden.

Exclusive details from our Lara Seligman: https://politi.co/3emIsvB

NRSC GOES AFTER KELLY: The National Republican Senatorial Committee came out yesterday with a five-figure digital ad buy targeting Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) on immigration.

Republicans see flipping Kelly's seat as key to taking back the Senate majority in 2022 and the first term senator is expected to face a competitive re-election race. Kelly criticized President Joe Biden last week for his joint session address, saying that he didn't hear "a plan to address the immediate crisis at the border." But Republicans are accusing the Arizona Democrat of all talk and no action.

NRSC Chair Rick Scott (R-Fla.) said Wednesday that "Kelly is pretending to care about the crisis he helped create." More from CNN's Ryan Nobles: https://cnn.it/3ekh55d

Related: Sen. Kyrsten Sinema vows she 'won't bend to pressure from either party' by the Arizona Republic's Yvonne Wingett Sanchez: https://bit.ly/3b87Bbj | But wait! The Arizona Republic has more: The filibuster, the border, and minimum wage: A conversation with Sen. Kyrsten Sinema on The Gaggle: https://bit.ly/3b7awkl

Jan. 6 Fallout: D.C. police officer who fought Capitol rioters pens letter to officials: 'The time to fully recognize these Officers actions is NOW!' by WaPo's Peter Hermann: https://wapo.st/3xMC5cu

QUICK CLICKS: Republicans ramp up threats against Big Tech after Trump Facebook ban upheld, by CNBC's Kevin Breuninger: https://cnb.cx/3b5NKJT | Kevin McCarthy says he rented a 'room' — in a 7,000-square-foot penthouse, by WaPo's Glenn Kessler: https://wapo.st/3h32ywn

TRANSITIONS

Eric Heigis is now legislative director for Rep. Ted Budd (R-N.C.). He previously was legislative director for Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.).

TODAY IN CONGRESS

The House is out.

The Senate convenes in a pro forma session at 4 p.m.

AROUND THE HILL

10:15 a.m.: House Oversight Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) will hold a press conference with fellow congresswomen and advocates ahead of her panel's hearing on Black maternal health.

1 p.m. Energy Secretary Jennifer Grahnholm will testify before a House Appropriations subcommittee.

2 p.m.: Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo will also testify before a House Appropriations subcommittee.

TRIVIA

WEDNESDAY'S WINNER: Many guessed that Mel Carnahan was the only person popularly elected to the U.S. Senate who died before taking the oath of office. This is probably a bit of a grey area answer because he was in the middle of a campaign against GOP incumbent Sen. John Ashcroft, but died before the election took place... And yet, still won posthumously.

The correct answer Sen. Barrasso (R-Wyo.) was looking for is Keith Thomson of Wyoming, who served in the House for three terms and was elected to the Senate in 1960, but died of a heart attack on December 9, 1960. So alive while elected, but dead before assuming office.

TODAY'S QUESTION: From Bradley Jaye: Who was the only Vice President to be sworn in on foreign soil and where was he from?

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

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