HITTING A CEILING -- Congress has an all-too-familiar deadline creeping up in July: the debt ceiling. But there's a problem. Senate Republicans have changed their party rules to take a hard line on changing it. Democrats, citing what they say are lessons from debt ceiling showdowns during President Barack Obama's tenure, say they won't haggle with Republicans. As Burgess, Caitlin Emma, and Jennifer Scholtes put it, the standoff may set up a major confrontation in summer or early fall between a GOP settling back into fiscal hawkishness and a Democratic Party that believes ignoring Republican demands is the only way to avoid a fiscal crisis as the national debt tops $28 trillion. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) predicted it was "unlikely" 10 Senate Republicans would vote for a debt ceiling increase without spending cuts. "We don't negotiate on the debt ceiling," countered Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). The full story: https://politi.co/33VR0Ud MEET ME IN THE MIDDLE — A group of Senate Republicans who met with President Joe Biden on Thursday says they'll be back next week with another counteroffer — keeping those bipartisan hopes alive for at least another week. "The President has asked us to come back and rework an offer, so that he could then react to that," Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), the group's lead negotiator, said after the Oval Office meeting. Republicans said they will present a full list of pay-fors they'd be willing to support, as well as "a range of topline numbers," per Laura Barrón-López and Burgess. The two parties are, of course, still far apart on the numbers, with Republicans last proposing $586 billion and Biden pushing $2 trillion. Then there's the actual contents of the bill: Most Democrats would love to see "infrastructure-plus," with new cash for things like child care or college access. But Republicans said Thursday they're looking at "traditional infrastructure with some flexibility," such as broadband internet. More here: https://politi.co/3ofDGmI LET YOUR (FACE) GUARD DOWN — It didn't take long for the CDC's new mask guidance — allowing fully vaxxed people to ditch masks in most indoor scenarios — made it to the halls of Congress. A mask-less Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) exited the building declaring, "Free at last." (Pic by NYT's Nick Fandos.). Two other Senate GOPers, Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), pulled off their masks and yelled "freedom!" as they left an elevator, per The Hill's Alex Bolton.) Still, the CDC's guidelines say everyone must still adhere to local rules for businesses and workplaces — and that includes Congress. Speaker Nancy Pelosi told CNN's Manu Raju that she does not have plans to lift the mask mandate on the House floor. "No," Pelosi said. "Are they all vaccinated?" Later Thursday, though, the Capitol physician informed members and staff that they can "resume activities that you did prior to the pandemic," according to a memo obtained by Sarah. Fully vaccinated people can do so "without wearing a mask or staying 6 feet apart" unless they are visiting a health unit, the note reads. Mask mandates will still be in place on the House floor. Roughly 75 percent of House lawmakers have been vaccinated, according to the Capitol physician. It's also unclear what's going to happen to the House's proxy voting system. The Capitol physician's Thursday night memo did not mention the system, which has allowed hundreds of lawmakers to vote remotely while avoiding potentially risky travel. Republicans are already demanding that Pelosi and top Democrats lift the chamber's remaining coronavirus restrictions. One GOP lawmaker, Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett, had a letter to Pelosi citing CDC's guidance ready to go within hours. (Many House members, both Democratic and Republican, have already loosened their own mask rules in individual offices.) In the White House, masks are off, with staffers and journalists allowed to remove face coverings after the CDC's guidance on Thursday. BUT please don't take your shoes off: https://bit.ly/3tHmCqN THE BURDEN ON USCP -- New Senate Sergeant at Arms Karen Gibson is out with a letter to Capitol Police this morning recognizing their service during what's been the most trying few months in the unit's history. She writes to them during Police Week: "On a peaceful spring morning, it is easy to take the Capitol Police for granted, but their quiet duty behind the scenes is only innocuous until it isn't. Last month's attack at the North Barricade was a sobering reminder of the unpredictable risks these officers assume each day. Finally, we should also recognize that the demands of law enforcement cast a heavy burden not only on those who take the oath, but weigh heavily on police families as well." Read the whole letter: https://bit.ly/2Rm3S2W CONGRESSMAN SUED -- Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.) is facing a lawsuit from a former staffer alleging he fostered a "reckless" approach to COVID-19 in his office, retaliated against the staffer after he raised concerns, and used staff for personal errands. Former staffer Brandon Pope, a Marine Corps veteran who had been first hired in Lamborn's office two years ago as a Wounded Warrior Fellow, alleges the Colorado Republican:
- Called the virus a "hoax" during staff meetings, ignored safety recommendations, and refused to implement precautions after being infected with the coronavirus
- Used staff to perform personal tasks for the congressman like loading furniture for their vacation home, picking up the congressman's mail, and requiring staff to assist the congressman's son in applying for federal jobs
- Compelled staff to give the congressman and his wife Christmas and birthday gifts
- Allowed his son to live in a storage space in the Capitol basement while he relocated to Washington, D.C.
Lamborn's spokesperson called the allegations "unsubstantiated" and denied they resulted in retaliation in a statement.
The full story from Rachael Bade: https://politi.co/3fi9qDF | 
No comments:
Post a Comment