| | | | | |  | | By Olivia Beavers | Presented by |  | | | With Burgess Everett, Nick Wu, and Sarah Ferris. WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: Speaker Nancy Pelosi revealed her resolution yesterday to form a Jan. 6 select committee, which immediately prompted outcry from almost all corners of the GOP. Pelosi (D-Calif.) gets to pick the chair, who will have subpoena power, and the committee would be composed of 13 members -- 5 of whom will be picked after consultation with the minority leader. And in a curveball, the California Democrat is considering picking a House Republican as one of her eight appointees for the Democrat-led investigation into the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, per an aide in her office. Let's just say it is faster to say who in the GOP supports her measure rather than who doesn't. So far, we know of two who haven't ruled it out and the names will SHOCK you (ha!). Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) repeatedly declined to comment, saying "It's up to the Speaker." Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) used a similar line, telling reporters "If asked, it would be up to the Speaker." Who opposes it: Republicans across the spectrum bashed the format as partisan and skewed, arguing that it is a prime platform for Democrats to go after former President Donald Trump rather than seeking the truth about the deadly Capitol attack. Here is a roundup of where GOP lawmakers stand: Republicans who voted to impeach Trump: Rep. Tom Rice (R-S.C.) said he believes the measure Pelosi put forward is unifying the conference, rather than raising tensions. "I think the whole issue will become more partisan than it already is... I think Republicans are pretty unified in the idea that this is going to be a partisan exercise and it's not going to be useful." Rep. Peter Meijer (R-Mich.), asked if the select committee might make it harder to move on from Jan. 6, said: "I worry that a more partisan committee will make it harder for the findings of the investigation to be viewed as credible by the broad swaths of the electorate, and that's my main concern." Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.), who came out swinging against the select committee, told me: "It's exactly what I was hoping we wouldn't have because it's going to be politicized." Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.) is also against it. Moderates: Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), co-chair of the Problem Solver's Caucus, said he whipped his GOP colleagues to support the commission, but he says Pelosi's select committee doesn't sound balanced. "If anybody thinks in their right mind that the public is going to have confidence in a setup like that, I would disagree with them." Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) argued that the set-up of the select committee is why he and other Republicans said the 50/50 commission with a set expiration date was the wise path forward. Rep. Tom Reed (R-N.Y.) said "I'm not gonna vote for it." Trump Allies: "I'm not sure that I would even do it. It's kind of a fraudulent thing," said Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), chair of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus. Instead, he suggested putting Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) on the select committee, noting: "She doesn't have a committee, she could put a lot of time and effort into it." GOP Leadership: Minority leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) told me he has yet to hear from Pelosi about the measure and declined to comment further. Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.), GOP Conference vice-chair, said "this is purely a partisan exercise so that they can carry this issue that they think is their only winning issue in the election cycle." Johnson then fist-bumped Fitzpatrick after he overheard the New York Republican's critical answer. Read Nick and Sarah's story on Pelosi mulling an unexpected add to her team of Jan. 6 investigators: A Republican: https://politi.co/3jkwwgF | | | | SUBSCRIBE TO WOMEN RULE : The Women Rule newsletter explores how women, in Washington and beyond, shape the world, and how the news — from the pandemic to the latest laws coming out of statehouses — impacts women. With expert policy analysis, incisive interviews and revelatory recommendations on what to read and whom to watch, this is a must-read for executives, professionals and rising leaders to understand how what happens today affects the future for women and girls. Subscribe to the Women Rule newsletter today. | | | | | THE WAY THE WIND BLOWS: I remember driving home a few days after the Jan. 6 attack when a conservative House GOP member called me. They were done with Trump. Done. The man, they said, disgusted them. For the life of them, they could not understand how he could turn on Vice President Mike Pence after all that guy did for him for four years, nodding at every whim, whine or whiplash. Now, you could never tell. This member never publicly aired these grievances and they are back on the Trump train, publicly at least. I had several other phone calls and conversations that followed a similar track. Tensions had reached a boiling point in the days after the attack. So much so that in the days after the deadly Capitol attack on Jan. 6, one House Republican privately suggested some GOP colleagues be punished for their roles in encouraging the riot, two sources with direct knowledge of the maneuver tell me and Sarah. This GOP lawmaker drafted a list of about half a dozen fellow Republicans who had cheered on the pro-Donald Trump rally that turned violent that day, with names that included Reps. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.) and Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), and encouraged other members to censure them. Now, the political headwinds have largely reversed. Trump is the kingmaker again. Look no further than a group of House Republicans through the Republican Study Committee heading down to Texas, perhaps in-air already as you read this, where they will join Trump in visiting the U.S.-Mexico border tomorrow. (Your Huddle host will be there, so stay tuned for my dispatch.) And Republicans again aren't breaking with Trump out of fear he will break them. Instead, some of the GOP's biggest firebrands are asking McCarthy to put them on the Jan. 6 select committee, with Greene publicly pushing to be seated on the panel. Rep. Matt Gaetz (Fla.) is also openly expressing his interest, telling Nick: "I ask great questions." On the other hand, Some GOP members who did vote to certify Trump's loss told me and Mel that they want nothing to do with the select committee out of fear that its work would capture Trump's attention and that he could come after them for their January vote. House Republicans also have their own scores to settle over the insurrection, particularly the allegation from Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) that some GOP members participated in reconnaissance of the Capitol ahead of the Jan. 6 attack — a claim she has yet to substantiate. In addition to seeking an apology, a group of House Republicans have filed an ethics complaint against Sherrill. (We have interviews from both sides, so read on.) Still, the bad blood appears to be fading away. And some are making a concerted effort to patch up relations, forming clubs to reach across the aisle. More here from yours truly: https://politi.co/3qCKyM7 | | | | 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 Tuesday, June 29, where your Huddle host thoroughly enjoys these "OTD" Congress editions. MONDAY'S MOST CLICKED: The Daily Beast's story on how a GOP candidate bankrolled Jan. 6 riot trip with campaign cash was the big winner. BEAR OR BULL? If you're a regular human watching what the heck is happening on Biden's infrastructure push, you might be confused by the twists and turns of the past week. After all, the talks have gone up and down like a volatile swing of the stock market. To recap... Tuesday, June 22: Infrastructure talks down, reeling as senators and White House clash over pay-fors. Wednesday: Huge burst of optimism as senators break for the evening with a framework they will take to Biden. Thursday: A true high point as Biden endorses the deal. But he slips in a comment about not signing the deal without a Democratic bill in hand. Which leads us to… Friday: A low point as Republicans that negotiated the deal mull pulling out over Biden's answer on Thursday afternoon. Saturday: Stock begins rising again as Biden cleans up his remarks and says he sees both bills on separate tracks. Sunday: Republicans say they're back on board after Biden's remarks, bringing them back to another high. Monday: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) steps in and asks for Biden to ask Democratic leaders to decouple the bill. Stock starts fading again. It's Tuesday and Democrats are just digging into their partisan effort at a reconciliation bill. See if you can guess which way things go today. More here from Burgess about how McConnell is to derail the Democratic infrastructure strategy: https://politi.co/3w0vZ69 Related: Biden tries to move beyond flubbed rollout of infrastructure deal, by WaPo's Seung Min Kim and Sean Sullivan: https://wapo.st/35Ybe0j POLICING PITFALLS: Tensions between groups involved in police negotiations spilled into public view Monday when NAACP President Derrick Johnson took a stance against the involvement police unions and "partisan politicians" have in the conversation. In a statement, he acknowledged the "many in law enforcement" who want change, but said "a few" were "committed to standing in the way with a goal of obstructing the process." "Police unions and partisan politicians should not control and dilute the terms of the police reform bill, nor delay any of its progress," he said. His statement could spell trouble ahead for the talks after congressional negotiators punted a soft end-of-June deadline for an agreement in principle. Talks had encountered road bumps earlier this month after law enforcement groups like the National Sheriffs' Association bristled at draft legislation circulated by Democrats. Republicans had wanted to bring the law enforcement groups closer into negotiations, but civil rights groups fear further input from law enforcement groups might lead to the watering down of a reform bill. THE FRAUD SQUAD: A trio of California lawmakers from both parties are backing a bill to recoup billions of dollars that were fraudulently handed out in pandemic unemployment aid. The bill, led by Reps. Michelle Steel (R-Calif.), Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Josh Harder (D-Calif.), would help recover funds and prevent fraud after the Labor Department's watchdog reported at least $63 billion in fraudulent payments — 10 percent of the total amount paid in pandemic jobless programs. California, the biggest target, has seen $11.4 billion worth of fraudulent claims. | | | | 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. | | | | | GOOD GOSH GOSAR: Your Huddle host remembers once upon a time when very few in the GOP were willing to publicly call out Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) earlier this year after he attended an event linked to known white nationalist Nick Fuentes, the organizer of America First Political Action Conference (AFPAC). It happened right around CPAC. To give you an idea about who Fuentes is, there is a clip of him denying the Holocaust, comparing the gas chamber murders to baking cookies, laughing as he says the math doesn't add up. It's sickening. After the event, Gosar himself denounced "white racism" and later tried to distance himself from AFPAC. But the Arizona Republican also told the Washington Post that he was seeking to cultivate relationships with new voters. Now Gosar is again joining Fuentes for a fundraiser. As former Rep. Denver Riggleman (R-Va.) noted on Twitter: "A sitting member of Congress fundraising with AFPAC. That's where we are. And he sits on committees. This is from a Telegram channel linked to Nick Fuentes. Telegram is a conspiracy & white nationalist fantasy land—that's where Gosar hangs evidently. A dangerous time." Will GOP leaders condemn him publicly this time? EXTENDED: Pelosi announced yesterday that she is extending proxy voting until August 17, citing that Covid still remains a "public health emergency." ON THE HUNT: House Republicans -- led by Oversight's top Republican Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) and GOP whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) -- are hosting a witness forum featuring four experts to discuss the origins of the Covid outbreak. Former Assistant Secretary for Health Brett Giroir, University of California Berkeley Emeritus Professor of Physics Richard Muller, Atossa Therapeutics Founder Steven Quay are expected to claim in part that the virus likely started in a lab in Wuhan, China; the other, Hudson Institute senior fellow David Asher, will make the point that China needs to pay a price, according to excerpts shared with your Huddle host. I.E. Quay will say: "As inconvenient as it is, I believe the evidence conclusively establishes that the COVID pandemic was not a natural process but instead came from a laboratory in Wuhan, China, and that it has the fingerprints of genetic manipulation through a process called 'gain-of-function' research." IT ONLY TOOK...MORE THAN 15 YEARS: Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) landed the open seat on the coveted House Financial Services committee, which former Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio) vacated to take a job in the private sector. Here is the backstory: https://politi.co/3y54A4o QUICK CLICKS: New Middle East airstrikes inflame Democratic war powers debate, Andrew and Lara Seligman report: https://politi.co/35Wx2JM | House passes bills to bolster scientific research, breaking with Senate, by NYT's Catie Edmondson: https://nyti.ms/3dszID0 | Meet the chairmen legislating Biden's economic agenda, by The Hill's Naomi Jagoda: https://bit.ly/3x6gBqn BIDEN OP-ED: Americans can be proud of the infrastructure deal, he writes in Yahoo News: https://yhoo.it/3dkZTLW | | | |   | | | TRANSITIONS: Matthew T. Cornelius has joined Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chair Gary Peters' (D-Mich.) majority staff. He most recently was executive director of the Alliance for Digital Innovation, and is an OMB, GSA and Treasury alum. Katie Hunter is now senior adviser for public policy and government affairs at the Society for Human Resource Management. She previously was legislative director for Rep. Rick Allen (R-Ga.). TODAY IN CONGRESS The House meets at 10 a.m. The Senate is out. AROUND THE HILL 9:30 a.m.: FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell will testify before the Homeland Security Committee. 10 a.m.: Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.), GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) and others will hold a news conference after a closed Republican meeting. 10:15 a.m.: Democratic Caucus Chairman Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Vice-Chair Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) will hold a post-meeting press conference. 12 p.m.: Republicans on the Select Committee on Coronavirus will hold an expert witness forum on COVID-19 Origins. TRIVIA MONDAY'S WINNER: Arik Wolk was the first person to correctly guess that Chester Arthur hired Louis C. Tiffany — the first design director of Tiffany and Co. — for a massive renovation of the White House and its private chambers. He helped pay for it by auctioning off furniture from the White House. TODAY'S QUESTION: From Arik: What university has hosted the most presidential debates? 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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