| | | | | |  | | By Melanie Zanona | Presented by |  | | MODS VS SQUAD -- Centrist Democrats have so far been the squeakiest wheels in their party's razor-thin majorities, sucking up most of the oxygen on Capitol Hill and in the press. But as the bipartisan infrastructure talks drag on, impatient progressives are starting to make some noise. Frustrated lawmakers are warning President Joe Biden and congressional leaders that if liberal priorities are sacrificed, it shouldn't be assumed their votes are in the bag. This bubbled up yesterday amid concerns over whether climate proposals would be dropped from an infrastructure bill, something National Climate Adviser Gina McCarthy warned could happen. (The White House says they're fighting to keep the issue in the infrastructure package.) The reaction — and red lines: Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) tweeted: "No climate, no deal." Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) cautioned that an "infrastructure package that goes light on climate and clean energy should not count on every Democratic vote." And Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said Dems need to "ask themselves if playing patty-cake w GOP Senators is really worth the dismantling of people's voting rights, setting the planet on fire, allowing massive corporations and the wealthy to not pay their fair share of taxes." Their warning shots illustrate the stark reality facing Dems' super tight Senate and House majorities: that anyone willing to buck their party can wield immense power — not just moderates. Catering too far to either side risks losing votes on the other end of the spectrum, turning negotiations into something of a rubix cube. But would progressives really play hard ball if they don't get their way? They flexed their muscles a little bit during a recent vote on a Capitol security aid package, with several House Dems voting against it and some agreeing to vote "present," which enabled it to pass. Yet they haven't shown they're quite willing to blow things up. Check out more from Anthony Adragna: https://politi.co/3xavUOl. Related read: "Bipartisan talks sow division among Democrats," from The Hill's Alexander Bolton: https://bit.ly/3xaL9Xp. | | | | DON'T MISS THE MILKEN INSTITUTE FUTURE OF HEALTH SUMMIT: POLITICO will feature a special edition of our Future Pulse newsletter at the 2021 Milken Institute Future of Health Summit. The newsletter takes readers inside one of the most influential gatherings of global health industry leaders and innovators who are turning lessons learned from the past year into a healthier, more resilient and more equitable future. Covid-19 threatened our health and well-being, while simultaneously leading to extraordinary coordination to improve pandemic preparedness, disease prevention, diversity in clinical trials, mental health resources, food access and more. SUBSCRIBE TODAY to receive exclusive coverage from June 22-23. | | | | | AND SPEAKING of intraparty tensions boiling over ... A dozen Jewish Dems put out a statement last night condemning Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) for comparing the U.S. to Hamas and the Taliban, and urging the congresswoman to clarify her remarks. Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) also put out an even harsher solo statement, calling Omar's statement "outrageous and clearly false," per Fox News. The backstory: As Ron Kampeas of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency first reported, the group of Dems had been weighing all day how to respond following a call they had earlier in the day. And this isn't the first time Omar has infuriated her fellow members of the Dem caucus: the House passed an anti-hate resolution in 2019 in response to remarks from Omar widely seen as anti-Semitic. This time around, Omar tried to head off the potential conflict by reaching out to the group to clarify her remarks, but didn't hear back, sources tell Sarah. Omar then took to Twitter to call her colleagues "shameful" for not calling her, while her spokesman said Omar was just doing her job: "It is the Congresswoman's role as a Member of Congress conducting federal oversight to follow the facts, ask questions of the Administration and work to make sure the public understands our government shouldn't deny any person from seeking justice." What to watch now: Do Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Democratic leaders weigh in? Will Republicans try to force a vote on booting Omar from the House Foreign Affairs Committee? And if so, do any Dems join in? Keep an eye on this issue next week, when the House returns to Washington. | | A message from Chevron: At Chevron, we believe in actions , not just words. Let's cover some of the ways we're reducing the carbon emissions intensity of our operations. Learn more below. | | | GOOD MORNING! Welcome to Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Thursday, June 10, where your host is thoroughly enjoying the videos of people mocking the suggestion that Covid vaccines make you magnetic. (Particular shout out to Rep. Peter Meijer and former Rep. Denver Riggelman.) WEDNESDAY'S MOST CLICKED: Burgess and Laura Barron-Lopez's story on the "Two Joes" was the big winner. INFRASTRUCTURE WEAK -- So far, it doesn't look like Biden's "Plan B" for a bipartisan infrastructure bill is faring any better than the first failed attempt. While the alternative group of Democratic and Republican senators working on a deal remain publicly optimistic — they have another meeting scheduled for today — the hurdles remain high, teeing up more potentially painstaking negotiations. For example: It's still unclear how they'd pay for their plan, but the group has decided not to include tax hikes or user fees. "That may end up being one of the hang ups," Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) acknowledged to HuffPo's Igor Bobic. "I just don't know if this can be done…it has to be fully paid for." Even if they manage to reach an agreement, there's no guarantee it has the backing of their own leadership or the rest of their parties. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell was briefed yesterday by the GOP senators in the working group on their effort, but the Kentucky Republican has only said he is in "listening mode" — far from an official blessing. As Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Senate Republican, put it to CNN's Lauren Fox: "It's hard for me to see a scenario where even 10 Republicans would vote for something that gets very far beyond where Shelley's discussions were with the White House." And across the Capitol, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed a $547 billion surface transportation bill early this morning, following a marathon debate, per our Sam Mintz . The must-pass bill — which earned the support of two Republicans — will likely serve as a vehicle for additional parts of Biden's infrastructure plan. MEANWHILE ... "Senate's latest attempt at a gun control deal falls apart," via Nick: https://politi.co/2RFNKtx | "Text of George Floyd police reform bill being circulated as lawmakers make progress," by NBC's Leigh Ann Caldwell, Frank Thorp V, Julie Tsirkin and Dartunorro Clark: https://nbcnews.to/3cw6YZM. SINEMA VERITE -- Even before the bipartisan talks between the White House and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) officially collapsed, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) had been quietly working behind the scenes to broker an infrastructure deal with Republicans. Now comes the moment of truth. Can she deliver? Sinema certainly has the respect of her Republican colleagues. "She's been an honest broker, I'd say that. That's the greatest compliment around here. She's kept her word, she's committed to something," said Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio). But he also acknowledged "differences of opinion," adding: "She would want to spend more … I would want to spend less. We have to find a way to get to the middle." Check out Burgess's profile on Sinema: https://politi.co/3v5zuaV. Related read: "From the synagogue to the Senate: The busiest Democratic senator you've probably never heard of," by WaPo's Jacqueline Alemany: https://wapo.st/3g8rUIx. | | | | JOIN TODAY FOR A TALK ON RESETTING INTERNET PRIVACY: Calls for some type of national privacy law have gained traction in recent years. The U.S. has no overarching national law governing data collection and privacy. Instead, it has a patchwork of federal laws that protect specific data types, such as consumer health and financial information and the personal data generated by children. Join POLITICO for a conversation on tech, data and the future of user privacy, and the most viable path forward. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | THURSDAY IS JERSDAY -- The Republican Study Committee's steering and executive committee members, including Chairman Jim Banks (R-Ind.), will huddle with Donald Trump at his Bedminster resort later this afternoon, sources tell your Huddle host. This comes one day after House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) trekked up to New Jersey for a fundraiser with the ex-president, tying the conference ever more closely to Trump and showing how she's night and day from her predecessor, Liz Cheney. Meanwhile … former Vice President Mike Pence will headline an inaugural family picnic for freshman GOP Rep. Randy Feenstra in Iowa next month, sources tell your Huddle host and Olivia. "Vice President Pence has been a champion for conservative values and protecting innocent life throughout his public service," Feenstra said. "I'm honored to have him join us for this event as we prepare to win the majority in 2022, fire Speaker Pelosi and deliver conservative results for Iowa."
And here's the statement from Pence: "Congressman Feenstra has a proven record of fighting to secure our borders, protect our God-given liberties enshrined in the Constitution, champion Iowa's farmers and cut taxes for Iowa's working families. I am honored to help Randy kick-off the inaugural Feenstra Family Picnic in July." BYRON BLOCKED -- "The Congressional Black Caucus Is Blocking A Black Republican From Joining The Group," by Kadia Goba of BuzzFeed: https://bit.ly/3z9OGHk. LET FREE-DON RING -- The House Judiciary Committee released a transcript last night of its long-awaited interview with former White House counsel Don McGahn. McGahn told investigators that he felt "trapped" by Trump's relentless insistence that he have Special Counsel Robert Mueller ousted and found it "concerning" that Trump would suggest then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions should resign because he recused himself from overseeing the investigation. More from Betsy Woodruff Swan and Sarah: https://politi.co/357AuRm. GOHMERT HOUR -- "Rep. Gohmert asks whether federal agencies can fix climate change by altering orbit of the Earth and moon," from David Knowles of Yahoo News: https://yhoo.it/3zePdb9. | | | |   | | | CAMPAIGN CLICKS: — "EXCLUSIVE: Former Trump Staffer 'Seriously Considering' Entering NH-01 Primary," by Michael Graham of NH Journal: https://bit.ly/2Tho4DQ. — Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.) is expected to launch a Senate campaign in Missouri today, according to an email sent to supporters inviting them to a "special campaign announcement" in the state Thursday, per our James Arkin. TRANSITIONS Lila, a 2-year-old black lab, has been hired to serve as the Capitol Police Department's first full-time emotional support animal. Her first day on the job is July 5. Pics. Matt Jackson has been promoted to be legislative director for Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux (D-Ga.). He previously was a legislative assistant for Bourdeaux. Estefanía Rodriguez is now chief of staff for Bourdeaux. She most recently was Bourdeaux's legislative director. TODAY IN CONGRESS The House is out. The Senate meets at 10:30 a.m. to resume consideration of Zahid Quraishi to be a U.S. District Court judge for New Jersey, with a vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination at 11:30 a.m. Following that vote, the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson to be a U.S. Circuit Court judge for the D.C. Circuit. AROUND THE HILL The Judiciary Committee will vote on several nominations and bills, including DAVID CHIPMAN for ATF director, at 9 a.m. FBI Director CHRISTOPHER WRAY will testify before the Judiciary Committee at 10 a.m. Treasury Secretary JANET YELLEN will testify before an Appropriations subcommittee at 2 p.m. TRIVIA WEDNESDAY'S WINNER: Henry Frisch was the first person to correctly guess that Lancaster, Pa., was the capital for a single day in 1777. TODAY'S QUESTION: From Henry: Who was "President of the United States in Congress assembled" before George Washington? The first person to correctly guess gets a mention in the next edition of Huddle. Send your answer to mzanona@politico.com. GET HUDDLE emailed to your phone each morning. Follow Mel on Twitter: @mzanona | | A message from Chevron: Chevron believes the future of energy is lower carbon. So to help set our goals in motion, we're tying executive compensation to lowering the carbon emissions intensity of our operations. And we're already making strides. Through our carbon capture projects, we're expected to capture nearly 5 million tonnes of CO2 per year. It's only human to hold ourselves accountable. Learn more. | | | | | | | Follow us | | | | |
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