| | | | | |  | | By Olivia Beavers | Presented by |  | | With Nicholas Wu and Sarah Ferris. 21 FOR THE ROAD: 21 may be the age when one can legally drink, but that golden number is also how many Senators are on board with the bipartisan infrastructure deal -- 11 Republicans, 9 Democrats, and an Independent who caucuses with Dems. In other words, the deal appears like it is gaining steam. The group behind the infrastructure framework -- which is being led by Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) -- has some ways to go, but the recent sign-on from 11 Republicans marked a huge shift, reviving hope that a deal can still be reached. Still, there are some hurdles: "White House officials are aware of the mounting frustration from progressives over Biden's decision to continue bipartisan talks on a narrow infrastructure proposal — including threats from several Democratic Senators to oppose legislation if robust investments in combating climate change aren't passed in one of the bills," our Laura Barrón-López reports. "Though the administration has yet to weigh in on the new proposal, its introduction creates an immediate, big decision for President Joe Biden just as he returns to U.S. soil…" Welcome back. More here: https://politi.co/3vE5Fig Democrats still don't have commitments from Sinema and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) that they will support reconciliation to pass a bigger package filled with Dems' legislative priorities so that is causing some nail-biting. Here are the proposed pay-fors. (H/T to Burgess, who first snagged a copy of their framework agreement): 1. Infrastructure financing authority to leverage private investment 2. Public-private partnerships, private activity bonds, and asset recycling 3. Direct-pay municipal bonds for infrastructure investment 4. Reduce the IRS tax gap 5. Redirect unused UI relief funds 6. Repurpose unused CovId relief funds for infrastructure 7. Expand eligible uses of Covid state/local funds 8. Allow use of toll credit balances for infrastructure 9. Annual surcharge on electric vehicles 10. Index gas tax to inflation ("placeholder pending alternative non-tax offset from the Biden Administration.") 11. Adjust customs user fees Sadly, per a Senate staffer "Despite strong staff efforts behind the scenes, the agreement does not include a line item funding a key piece of critical infrastructure: Capitol Lounge." Burgess and Sarah have more on how Dems are agonizing over their infrastructure strategy: https://politi.co/2U3DUlQ Related: Bipartisan infrastructure pitch gains steam on Capitol Hill as Biden weighs in from Europe by WaPo's Seung Min Kim and Tony Romm: https://wapo.st/35xLVC2 | | | | 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. | | | | | WARP SPEED: Democrats are poised to move up their timeline on voting rights legislation named for the late Rep. John Lewis. Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.), who chairs a key subpanel overseeing federal elections, told Nick he and the Black Caucus were proposing an "expedited schedule" to complete work on the John Lewis-named bill. "I would like to see the formula written and introduced by the August recess," he said of the provisions in the legislation designed to replace portions of the landmark 1965 Voting Rights Act struck down by the Supreme Court. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and other Democrats had previously indicated the bill might not be ready until the fall. The new formula would include "covered practices" with a "high potential for voting discrimination" that would be subject to federal review in all fifty states. The covered practices would include purging names from voter rolls, redistricting, and changing polling locations, among others. CASHING IN?: When Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio) announced he was leaving Congress for a job in the private sector, he also vacated a seat on the coveted Financial Services Committee. Naturally, this set off a series of members jockeying for the position, but it's not a typical panel race either. The wild card in the mix?: More than 15 years ago, then-Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert -- a now-disgraced, self-admitted child molester -- promised Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) that if he served on the House Rules Committee, he could keep his seniority on the House Financial Services Committee. Sessions, who previously served as Rules Chair, took the deal. But he lost reelection in 2018, only to return again in 2020. Now, he is looking to make good on that deal with Hastert and get a seat back on Financial Services. Sessions raised this deal when I asked him about it. But there are a handful of other Republicans interested in the position who plan to make their case for the seat before the GOP Steering Committee, which is expected to meet next week. "We have a group of wonderfully talented members that want to participate and be on the committee. It's an embarrassment of riches," Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), the top Republican on the committee, told your Huddle host when asked about the various members expressing interest in the seat. This includes Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), who has been pushing to serve on the committee since he arrived in Congress, and Rep. Dan Meuser (R-Pa.). Sources, however, say Meuser's chances are hurt because leadership believes he may run for governor in two years. "That kind of screws himself out of this," one GOP Steering member told me. Both have made their pitch to leadership to express their interest, they told me. There is also a crop of freshmen gunning for the top spot. GOP Reps. Young Kim (Calif.) and Byron Donalds (Fla.), who both worked in the financial sector previously, separately told your Huddle host they are interested in the seat. "The fact that they are so good -- that's the reason why there's any discussion. That's why there's some debate about it," one Steering member told me. "Pete has come back. And he's entitled to it. But when you come back as a former member, humility goes a long way... He does have the right to come back. I do think he will come back. It is this seat or the next seat." | | | | 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 Thursday, June 17, where today is National Seersucker Day where there will be a bunch of Senators on both sides who will be participating. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) is leading the fun tradition. WEDNESDAY'S MOST CLICKED: The Hill's story on Rep. Schneider saying he won't introduce a resolution to censure Greene after her apology was the winner. PROGRAMMING NOTE: There will not be a Huddle published tomorrow, Friday the 17th, in recognition of Juneteenth. We look forward to being back in your inboxes Monday with some fun puns and news you can use. UNDA' PRESSURE: Several members of the Congressional Black Caucus are making a concerted push this week for Homeland Security Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) to lead whatever investigation the Speaker chooses into Jan. 6. "He understands the institution. He understands the importance of Capitol security. He would be the logical one to do it," Rep. Butterfield tells Sarah, noting that he prefers a select committee if a bipartisan commission can't be established. Thompson has said he wants to lead it, in whatever form. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), too, has been backing him. Pelosi has not yet disclosed how she plans to proceed after the Senate GOP blocked the Jan. 6 bipartisan commission. FOP -- FRIENDS OF THE POLICE?: Republicans like to hammer Dems over calls to defund the police. But Democrats now have a new rebuttal: The GOP won't defend the police. In the aftermath of Jan. 6 , the GOP's longtime embrace of law enforcement is being called into question as some GOP members continue to dismiss the attack as an insurrection and even try to cast blame on the police officers who protected lawmakers that day. Per Mel and Sarah: "Democrats are ramping up attacks on Republicans who refused to investigate the riots or formally honor the cops who responded, some of whom were tasered, maced and beaten with flag poles by supporters of former President Donald Trump. Members of President Joe Biden's party are not only painting their colleagues across the aisle as disrespectful of law enforcement, but also arguing that the GOP's unflinching loyalty to Trump has compromised its core values." One key example that was on full display in the Capitol yesterday, per Mel: D.C. police officer Michael Fanone, who suffered a concussion and heart attack while fending off the Jan. 6 mob, visited the Hill seeking meetings with the 21 House Republicans who voted against a bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to police officers for their service during the attack. Fanone says freshman Rep. Andrew Clyde — the Georgia Republican who recently downplayed the insurrection by comparing it to a "normal tourist visit" — refused to shake his hand after the officer introduced himself in an elevator. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), one of the House's impeachment managers during Trump's second trial, was quick to seize on the interaction, tweeting "that to honor Trump, @housegop will dishonor the police." "It's hard to accuse Democrats of defunding the police when you are dishonoring the police," Swalwell said in an interview. Mel has the deets: https://politi.co/3wBmhrY | | | | TUNE IN TO DISPATCH+ ON APPLE PODCASTS : POLITICO Dispatch, our daily podcast that cuts through the news clutter and keeps you up to speed on the most important developments of the moment, is expanding. In collaboration with the new Apple Podcasts Subscription platform, Dispatch+ launches this week! This new podcast gives premium Dispatch+ subscribers exclusive bonus weekly reporting and analysis from POLITICO's newsroom. Don't miss out, subscribe and listen to Dispatch+ on Apple Podcasts. | | | | | YOUR DAILY DOSE OF MANCHIN: Manchin is making his list of preferred changes to H.R. 1 known, circulating a memo among his colleagues yesterday outlining his views as well as talking to civil rights groups and a handful of GOP senators to find common ground. Per my colleagues: "In an interview on Wednesday afternoon, Manchin said he'd done the best he could to put together a proposal he could support. He acknowledged party leaders might not go along: 'I couldn't vote for it in the form it is. Now, whether anybody is going to change it ... [the memo] might not change their mind. I understand that and I respect that.'" Manchin says he isn't opposed to everything in the elections bill, but he also wants new voter ID requirements and is pushing for more flexibility for state officials to remove voters from voter rolls. Lots more from Laura, Marianne and Burgess have it covered: https://politi.co/2TBoXr2 Related: Manchin outlines demands on voting legislation, creating an opening for potential Democratic compromise, by WaPo's Mike DeBonis: https://wapo.st/3gx84qB RECOGNITION: A bill recognizing Juneteenth as a legal public holiday is heading to President Joe Biden's desk after clearing both chambers. The House overwhelmingly approved the legislation, which commemorates the day the last enslaved people in the U.S. were freed. Juneteenth is the first new federal holiday in 40 years. Just fourteen lawmakers -- all Republicans -- opposed the bill. "It was hugely significant, and it did happen fast. A lot of us never thought we would see this day. It's a day of rejoicing, it's a day of hallelujah," Rep. Marc Veasey, a Texas Democrat, told Sarah in an interview shortly after the vote. "For me, it's a lot of history. It symbolizes that we've come a long way and we have a lot more work to do." Nolan McCaskill and Sarah have the story: https://politi.co/35nxL6D 2024 WATCH: Nikki Haley, Trump's former ambassador to the United Nations, met with the Republican Study Committee yesterday, where she laid out her GOP policy vision. She had talking points about China, Israel, Ukraine, and other countries. And then on the domestic side, she talked about the movement towards socialism, education and a member in the room said she stated her position that the debt is a national security threat. When Haley was leaving, I asked if she planned to run in 2024. She ignored me. I also poked at members, asking them why they didn't ask her if she plans to run. Multiple GOP lawmakers replied along the lines of: Why ask a question you already know the answer to? Related: Nikki Haley warns Republicans on China: 'If they take Taiwan, it's all over,' by The Hill's Scott Wong, who sat in on Haley's speech: https://bit.ly/3gx3GYv 2022 WATCH: Former Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) told CNN's Manu Raju that after meeting with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) yesterday, she isn't ruling out a run against Sen. Raphael Warnock for Senate next year. GREENE TARGETS THE ATF: Freshman Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) is seeking support for a resolution that calls for the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to be abolished, your Huddle host first reported. It seeks to "remove firearm restrictions on lawful gun owners, and provide funds to surviving families of border patrol agents killed as a result of Operation Fast and Furious," the resolution reads. Speaking of… the Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on several Biden nominations today, including David Chipman to head ATF. RIP: May she rest in peace: In memoriam to Sen. Tom Carper's 'Silver Bullet,' by Delaware News Journals Meredith Newman: https://bit.ly/2Uefq9K | | | |   | | | TRANSITIONS Jonathan Kott will be a partner at Capitol Counsel. He was most recently a senior advisor to Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) and spent 7 years as communications director and senior advisor to Manchin. Oliver Silverton-Peel, legislative correspondent and scheduler for Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.), is moving over to the Conrad Group (a campaign finance firm in D.C.) where he will serve as deputy finance director. Tony Hernandez is now deputy press secretary for Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.). He most recently was a comms associate at Time's Up, and is a Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) alum. Kristen Morris is now deputy comms director for Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.). She most recently was comms director for his reelection campaign. TODAY IN CONGRESS The House meets at 9 a.m. The Senate meets at 10 a.m. AROUND THE HILL 8:30 a.m.: DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas will testify before the Homeland Security Committee at 8:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m.: Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Clyburn will enroll the Juneteenth bill alongside members of the Congressional Black Caucus. 10 a.m.: Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will testify before the Ways and Means Committee 10:45 a.m.: Pelosi will hold her weekly press conference. 10 a.m.: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Mark Milley will testify before the Senate Appropriations Committee. 12:15 p.m.: Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) will hold a press conference on S. 1, the For the People Act. 1 p.m.: Reps. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) and French Hill (R-Ark.) are launching a new House Task Force on Americans held hostage and wrongfully detained abroad titled the "Congressional Task Force on American Hostages and Americans Wrongfully Detained Abroad." They will hold a press conference at the House Triangle. TRIVIA WEDNESDAY'S WINNER: John Wertman was the first person to correctly guess that President George H.W. Bush was the last Republican presidential candidate to win Delaware, in 1988. TODAY'S QUESTION: From John: How many presidents have served on the Board of Visitors at the University of Virginia? 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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