| | | | | |  | | By Olivia Beavers | Presented by |  | | With Melanie Zanona. GUESS WHO'S BACK, BACK AGAIN: It felt empty with the House out for three weeks, but recess is over and it doesn't take Slim Shady to know these next few weeks are going to be hectic. Dems are already in a mad dash sprint to wrap up parts of President Joe Biden's agenda and quite a few new dramatic developments will come to a head with House members back in town. 1 - DO DEMS HUNT THE LEAK HUNTERS? On Friday, we learned that the Trump administration's Justice Department engaged in a leak hunt that mined data on Dem lawmakers on the House Intelligence Committee as well as some of these lawmakers' family members, including a minor. The DOJ Inspector General says his office will investigate the matter, but will Democrats seek to subpoena former Attorneys General Bill Barr and Jeff Sessions to get them to testify? Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) certainly thinks they should, equating such a revelation as going "even beyond Richard Nixon." The California Democrat also told CNN's "Inside Politics" on Sunday that Barr and Sessions claiming they didn't know anything about it is "beyond belief." Former Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein also says he didn't know about it. At the moment, 1) We don't seem to know who at the DOJ was aware of the leak hunt. And 2) Pelosi said Dems don't know how many lawmakers were part of this data mining operation, but she wants to get to the bottom of it. Piling on? The New York Times reported last night that the DOJ also subpoenaed Apple for information in February 2018 about an account belonging to then-Trump White House counsel Don McGahn. They also sought to bar Apple from telling him about it. He only learned about it last month, according to the report. Related: Justice Dept. watchdog to probe Trump-era leak investigations, including secret subpoenas for data from Congress, journalists, by WaPo's Matt Zapotosky, Felicia Sonmez and Karoun Demirjian: https://wapo.st/35hSicQ … (here's an interesting thread breaking this down from Matt) | Barr pushed investigators to finish leak probes, by CNN's Evan Perez and Katelyn Polantz: https://cnn.it/3gmWpL0 2 - OH ME, OH'MAR: The drama over Rep. Ilhan Omar's (D-Minn.) latest controversial comments ain't going away. Sources tell your Huddle host that House minority leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is considering introducing a privileged resolution to boot Omar off the Foreign Affairs Committee sometime this week so stay tuned for that. That is not all... FIRST IN HUDDLE: Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.), a former Green Beret who served in Afghanistan and the Middle East, is co-leading a censure resolution with GOP Reps. Jim Banks (Ind.) and Claudia Tenney (N.Y.) that seeks to condemn Omar's remarks as well as other members of the Squad: Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.). These Republicans accuse their colleagues of defending "foreign terrorist organizations and inciting anti-Semitic attacks across the United States," according to a copy of the resolution obtained by your Huddle host: https://politi.co/3gtPiiB The censure resolution includes the following examples: Omar's most recent controversial remarks about war crimes; multiple progressives dubbing Israel as an "apartheid state"; and Tlaib's comments accusing the Israeli government of ''ethnic cleansing'' against the Palestinians. This resolution comes after a group of House Republicans, who voted to strip Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) of her two committees earlier this year, issued a joint call for Omar to be removed from her committees as well. Keep an eye on these lawmakers as well. Omar has sought to clarify her previous remarks that sparked a wave of backlash, stating that her initial comment about war crimes were about "specific incidents regarding those ICC (International Criminal Court) cases, not a moral comparison between Hamas and the Taliban and the U.S. and Israel." Still, while this is blowing up with Republicans, Pelosi and Dem leaders are working to project a united front, pointing to Omar's clarification. Pelosi also denied that she rebuked Omar and called her a "valued member of our caucus" on CNN. Clean up on aisle 5? Meanwhile, the Squad has stood by and defended Omar. TBD if Jewish Dems and other lawmakers who believe Omar's remarks were no mistake fall in line with leadership on this front. | | | | 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 22-24. | | | | | 3 - DIE OR MATERIALIZE: This week will be pivotal in determining whether Congress can shake hands on bipartisan agreements on infrastructure and police reform. We are in a time pressure cooker at the moment. There's only two weeks left in session. Police reform talks almost blew up last week and now appear to be on life support, though the Senate could try to bridge the divide this week. Part of the problem: there are a lot of chefs who want a hand in cooking up an overhaul of this country's policing. There are also a lot of "nonstarters" between members of the two parties. If they can get a deal avoiding those, lawmakers then have the fun task of selling what they pull out of the oven to groups with vested interests in law enforcement policy-making, like police unions and civil rights groups. Both sides have already criticized proposed draft provisions that leaked last week. As for infrastructure, will we see any forward movement from the backup band of lawmakers who released their proposal last week? Is the White House seriously considering this pared down $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure proposal? We will be watching to see how it goes this week. Related: Police union PACs launch text attacks on The Squad, reports Axios Lachlan Markay: https://bit.ly/3xkl6xi | Collins says new infrastructure offer won't include gas tax hike, by our Olivia Reingold: https://politi.co/2SzOelb | Why Bernie's not sweating White House's infrastructure dance with GOP, by our Laura Barrón-López and Natasha Korecki: https://politi.co/3zpsyZS 4) THE DISH ON THE COMMISH?: With the House back in town, we'll see what Democrats do next in terms of probing the Jan. 6 attack. The Speaker seems to be leaning towards setting up a select committee, though she could also rest on already existing panels as some are encouraging her to do. Pelosi told CNN she was "asked" to wait until today before she moves forward with her Jan. 6 investigation plans, as Senate Democrats try to squeak out three more votes to form an independent 9/11-styled commission. | | | | A message from Genentech: A person's health shouldn't be determined by their gender, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background or zip code. But data show these factors significantly influence access to care and health outcomes. Read more about how Genentech is challenging ourselves, and others, to pursue bold solutions rooted in population science, inclusive research, and philanthropy to realize the promise of personalized healthcare and optimized treatment outcomes for all. | | | GOOD MORNING! Welcome to Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Monday, June 14, where this must be such a fun event of fluff and circumstance for reporters to cover. FRIDAY'S MOST CLICKED: The Carolina Journal's report on GOP Senate candidate Mark Walker unloading on Mark Meadows for pressuring Trump to endorse his rival. ON TAP TODAY: At 5:30 p.m. today, the Senate will hold a confirmation vote on Ketanji Brown Jackson's nomination to the D.C. Circuit followed by a cloture vote on Lina Khan's nomination for a vacancy on the FTC. (Peep: Jackson is viewed by many as a potential SCOTUS nominee.) NOT STOPPING THE 'STOP THE STEAL': If you feel 2020 is a thing of the past, just remember objects in the rear view mirror may be closer than they appear. With Donald Trump back on the national stage, he is also bringing along with him claims that last year's election was stolen — even as he is leaning into GOP efforts to win back the House and the Senate. And as more and more Republicans look to meet with the former president, including most recently members of the conservative Republican Study Committee who met him at his New Jersey resort last week, they also may soon be confronted with a new litmus test: whether they agree Trump was cheated in the election. This question could put them in an uncomfortable position of splitting with the former president. "If Trump focused on Pelosi and Biden's policy failures, he would help us. If it's about election fraud and sour grapes from 2020, it will hurt us," one GOP lawmaker who represents a purple district told Mel. "We may be able to still win the majority, but I think it makes the hill harder to climb." "Obviously, the base likes it, but the base doesn't win the majority in the House," the lawmaker added. Some Republicans are already worrying he will go down this path, while others are publicly trying to nudge Trump towards being more forward-looking. But as Washington learned over and over during the Trump administration, the former president marches to the beat of his own drums. Retiring Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) used a recent appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press" to urge Trump to move on from baseless electoral grievances: "He could be incredibly helpful in 2022 if he gets focused on 2022 and the differences in the two political parties," Blunt said. More here from Mel: https://politi.co/3gjSo9R STUCK CHUCK?: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is facing a series of obstacles in passing key legislative promises that Democrats have made for years, with some key hurdles coming from within his own caucus. They are divided over their infrastructure strategy. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) openly opposes the party's signature election reform bill. And two Senate Dems keep head-butting on military sexual assault reform. What doesn't help? A 50-50 split Senate and a Dem party with a clear ideological split -- look no further than Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) on the left and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) and Manchin on the right. As Schumer ally Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) put it: "Poor Chuck! He's got the weight of the world on him." But even if it is weighing on him, Schumer isn't showing it, projecting himself as a happy warrior. "America needs big, bold change and I'm doing everything I can to make that happen," Schumer told Burgess in a brief interview. Asked about whether he should try to crack the whip on his resistant members, the Majority leader replied: "Unity brings us strength and success. That's what's worked every time on every tough challenge in the past. And it's going to continue to work that way." More here from Burg: https://politi.co/3xpRWNj | | | | JOIN TUESDAY FOR A CONVERSATION ON REOPENING THE U.S.-CANADA BORDER : It's been more than one year since the border between the U.S. and Canada first closed to non-essential travel due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The unprecedented and ongoing closure imposed economic and social costs in border communities and across both countries. Join POLITICO for an urgent conversation on what's at stake in the border closure, what it will take to reopen safely, and how the pandemic will change the border in the long term. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | RETURNING TO NORMAL: It is hard to use the phrase "returning to normal" when we talk about the Capitol because the place is anything but, BUT as we are looking at a post-Covid Capitol, things are trotting along. ICYMI: Masks are no longer required on the House floor for individuals who are vaccinated, the Office of the Attending Physician announced Friday. Another new (and previously unreported) development: The House GOP conference is no longer allowing its members to participate in its conference meetings virtually. They can only attend by going in person, starting this week. Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) announced the change during a conference call with the GOP conference on Friday. CAPITOL TOUR… DE FORCE: Last month, Texas Democrats tanked a GOP elections bill. Now, these Dems are heading to Washington this week to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris and other key lawmakers. Their goal? Pressure lawmakers on voting rights. Our Zach Montellaro reports: " The push comes with Democrats' expansive federal voting rights legislation on life support after Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said he'll vote against it. Texas Democrats had previously called on their counterparts in Washington to pass the bill as a means of pushing back against restrictive voting laws being passed in many states. Manchin and other Senate Democrats have also voiced opposition to changing the Senate filibuster rules, which would be an obstacle for other voting rights bills." TBD if they will meet with Manchin and Sen. Krysten Sinema (D-Ariz.) -- though the Texas Dems are trying to set up meetings. But they are expected to meet with Pelosi, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), who chairs the Senate committee with jurisdiction over the "For the People Act" and other elections-related bills; and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), the lead sponsor of the Senate version of the bill. They're also expected to meet with staffers for Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, Texas' two Republican senators, Zach reports. This effort is part of a week of action that culminates in a rally hosted by former Rep. Beto O'Rourke in Austin. More here: https://politi.co/3vmp8DQ Related: Chip Roy tests GOP voters' appetite for Trump dissenters, by WSJ's Kristina Peterson: https://on.wsj.com/35jxDos | 'I didn't take an oath to defend Donald Trump': Rep. Tom Rice tests whether Republican voters can support a conservative who crossed Trump," by WaPo's Marianna Sotomayor in Myrtle Beach, S.C.: https://wapo.st/2Sq7z8C | 'Full of s---': Candidates warned not to fake Trump endorsement, by our Alex Isenstadt: https://politi.co/3iESPxl TOP-ED: " There will be another pandemic — are we prepared for it?" Sens. Bob Mendendez (D-N.J.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) wrote in the New York Times this a.m.: https://nyti.ms/3zjkael | | | |   | | | TRANSITIONS Jen Brown is joining Sen. Bob Menendez's office as their new Tax Counsel. She previously served as the oversight and economic policy counsel for the House Small Business Committee. She also previously worked for UnidosUS, American University as well as the National Institute for Retirement Security. Zahraa Saheb has been promoted to be legislative director for Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas). She previously was senior legislative assistant for Escobar. Isabelle Gwozdz will be chief comms officer for foreign policy and national security at the British embassy in Washington. She most recently was comms director for Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas). Brianna Manzelli is now comms director for Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah). She most recently was head of comms for the FAA and is a Senate Commerce alum. Lindsey Curnutte is now press secretary for Heritage Action for America. She most recently was comms director for Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.). WELCOME TO THE WORLD Corey Jacobson, legislative director for Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), and Annie Maco, a freelance graphic designer, welcomed Micaela Lucia Maco Jacobson on Friday at Georgetown University Hospital. Pic TODAY IN CONGRESS The House is in. Votes are not expected until after 6:30 p.m. The Senate convenes at 3 p.m. AROUND THE HILL 7:30 p.m. or after last votes: The House Democratic Caucus and the House Education and Labor Committee is hosting a members-only virtual dinner and panel, this time focused on school reopenings. TRIVIA FRIDAY'S WINNER: Taylor Wilson was the first person to correctly guess that Gabriela Hearst designed a dark sheath dress with embroidered flowers below the neck line and on the sleeves. The flowers represent all the federal flowers across the 50 states and territories. TODAY'S QUESTION: From Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.): Which two politicians went to grade school together, then later served as lieutenant governors of their adjacent states at the same time? The first person to correctly guess gets a mention in the next edition of Huddle. Send your answers to obeavers@politico.com. GET HUDDLE emailed to your phone each morning. Follow Olivia on Twitter @Olivia_Beavers | | | | A message from Genentech: Having a serious illness is challenging enough without having to worry about being able to afford the necessary treatment. The reality is that out-of-pocket costs are a significant concern for many patients and – all too often – can prevent people from getting the care they need. We believe there are opportunities to implement smart solutions that lower costs for patients and the system, while sustaining the large research and development investments necessary to drive the medical breakthroughs that are urgently needed. Learn more about how Genentech is engaging with patients, advocacy groups, providers, payors, other businesses and legislators to explore market-based policy reforms. | | | | | | | Follow us | | | | |
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