| | | | | |  | | By Katherine Tully-McManus | | | With help from Caitlin Emma, Heather Caygle, Sarah Ferris, Andrew Desiderio WEDNESDAY-EVE WORRIES — Without bill text or a solid deal, Senate Republicans are balking at Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's insistence that the chamber vote Wednesday on the still unfinished bipartisan infrastructure deal. Roy Blunt of Missouri, the No. 4 Senate Republican, told Burgess and Marianne there is "no chance" that the 10 Republicans needed would join 50 Senate Democrats to push the bipartisan agreement over the first filibuster hurdle. "There's no bill. You can't expect that many Republicans to move forward on a pretty vague concept," Blunt said. "It's pretty much up to the majority leader. If he wants to kill the bipartisan bill, insisting on a vote before there's a bill is a certain way to kill the bipartisan discussion." Schumer's timeline has been no secret. He's said for weeks that he wanted the bipartisan measure on the floor in July, and July is ticking by. "I still believe Chuck's got the right schedule," Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) said. If the vote fails Wednesday, he suggested: "What the hell? Keep us here in August." More from Burgess and Marianne on where things stand here. Meanwhile, some House Democrats are rooting for the Senate bipartisan process to go off the rails. Rep. Peter DeFazio of Oregon, who leads the House transportation committee, trashed the measure in a fiery call with other Democrats Monday night. The "whole thing falling apart is probably the best thing," DeFazio said of the Senate talks, which have President Joe Biden's endorsement, on the call. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.) called the current process "bullshit," and some vowed to work against the Senate's bipartisan effort. Heather, Sarah and Nick have more on the simmering frustration of House Democrats who have been largely left out of the negotiations.
| | A message from Freight Rail Works: Freight rail carries its own weight with its $25 billion annual investment in its privately funded network, but America still needs real infrastructure solutions. See why it's time for bipartisan support from Congress so rail can keep delivering for the economy. | | |
CHECKPOINT CHECK-IN — Sen. Richard Shelby, the top Republican appropriator in the Senate, made a fresh counteroffer on Capitol security spending Monday in the hopes of striking an agreement with Chair Patrick Leahy. The two have to move fast to close the looming shortfalls for the National Guard and Capitol Police.
"Just a little over $1 billion," is how Shelby described his pitch Monday night. It would fund the National Guard and the Capitol Police and include money to help the resettle Afghan translators, drivers and fixers who helped the U.S. military over the past two decades of war. "I think we have a moral problem there: We need to protect those people who helped us," Shelby said. His proposal is an increase from the Republican's first bid but significantly less than Leahy's $3.7 billion Democratic proposal. "Ours is something we can do, and we can do it by agreement — do it fast. Protect the Guard, protect the police, address the Afghan refugee thing and also do the infrastructure work on the Capitol to make it solid, " Shelby said. Speaking of Capitol Police, a new chief could take the helm of the cash-strapped department soon, with Thomas Manger emerging as the leading finalist for the job. Manger has not been officially offered the position but is a top contender, according to a senior congressional aide close to the selection process. Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), who chairs the subcommittee in charge of the Capitol Police's funding, said Monday that Manger would be the ultimate choice. The acting USCP chief, Yogananda Pittman, had submitted her name for consideration but has faced strong criticism from rank-and-file officers. They've taken issue with her leadership during and after the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection, which injured dozens of officers and led to the deaths of two, despite the department's attempts to boost morale. Nick and Heather have more on the hunt for a new leader of the beleaguered department. Related: McCarthy zeroes in on his 5 GOP picks for Jan. 6 select committee, from Olivia and Heather | | | | 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. | | | | | GOOD MORNING! Welcome to Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Tuesday, July 20. Is your office (ehem, are your interns) giving tours to constituents? We've spotted some and are curious, fill me in! ktm@politico.com MONDAY'S MOST CLICKED: You folks just love a little gossip, huh? Illinois GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger's baby announcement led the pack yesterday. COVID IS BACK IN CONGRESS — Just as things started to get back to normalish, Congress had its first case of COVID-19 in more than six months confirmed on Monday. The Delta variant and this new congressional case could change the calculation as leaders on the Hill navigate its gradual reopening. Summer interns have descended, and the final fencing has come down, but the Capitol Visitor Center remains closed, and the red-coated public historians who usually give tours are mostly focusing on virtual programming and resources. Don't expect public tours to come back soon. A senior House Democratic aide told Politico that public tours are still a ways off, countering chatter that they might return soon after the fences were removed. But sources have told Huddle that some lawmakers' offices, including summer interns, are giving tours to constituents and guests under the guise of "official business," which has rubbed others in the Capitol community the wrong way, as security worries post-Jan. 6 are running high and the Delta variant is taking hold across the country. HOUSE WAITS ITS TURN, FOR NOW -- As the Senate awaits a pivotal infrastructure vote on Wednesday, House Dems watching across the Capitol will be eager to put their stamp on the bipartisan talks next. Back from a two-week recess, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her leadership team have begun early discussions about how to achieve that near-perfect sequencing needed to pass both a bipartisan infrastructure deal and a $3.5 trillion social spending package. So far, Pelosi is telling her members to hold tight, reflecting her trust in Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and her confidence in corralling her own caucus. In a leadership meeting Monday night, she told lawmakers that they would let the Senate process play out, according to multiple Democrats familiar with the meeting. "The timing is what his timing is," Pelosi said in a brief interview Monday night, referring to Schumer. "As I say, bring the bill to the floor when you're ready to go. So I respect his timing." But, but, but ... Schumer's hardball move has animated House Democrats' motley factions, with all corners of the caucus plotting their post-vote strategy. Much of that hinges on Pelosi's commitment not to take up a bipartisan deal on the floor unless the Senate also passes the party's broader spending plan. "I'm hoping that she keeps her vow. I think she will. She's been steadfast from the very beginning," Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) said of the speaker. "If she said it, she means it." Heather and Sarah have more on the Democrats' waiting game here.
| | | | Be a Policy Pro. POLITICO Pro has a free policy resource center filled with our best practices on building relationships with state and federal representatives, demonstrating ROI, and influencing policy through digital storytelling. Read our free guides today . | | | | | FIRST IN HUDDLE — NARAL Pro-Choice America will launch endorsements of 12 frontline House Democrats on Tuesday ahead of the 2022 midterm elections, with expectations that the organization will make PAC contributions to each this quarter and campaign for the dozen Democrats, who face tough races. The 12 frontliners receiving NARAL backing today: Reps. Lucy McBath and Carolyn Bourdeaux of Georgia, Katie Porter and Mike Levin of California, Cindy Axne of Iowa, Haley Stevens of Michigan, Susie Lee of Nevada, Susan Wild of Pennsylvania, Texans Lizzie Fletcher and Colin Allred, Kim Schrier of Washington state, and Pete DeFazio of Oregon. "We know these leaders will fight to safeguard abortion access and take bold action to make sure all of our families and communities thrive," chief campaigns and advocacy officer Christian LoBue said in a statement to Huddle. ALSO FIRST IN HUDDLE — The folks at Invest in America Action are launching a six-figure digital ad buy today, urging Congress to stick with the $3.5 trillion budget deal and to not make cuts. The ad, called "Leave No Jobs Behind," focuses on the job creation potential in the caregiving and clean energy sectors, especially in lynchpin states including West Virginia, Arizona, and New Hampshire, whose moderate senators are key to the success of the reconciliation effort. IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT — A bipartisan group of senators is introducing legislation this week to dramatically reshape the balance of power between Congress and the executive branch when it comes to foreign policy. Sens. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) are unveiling the National Security Powers Act, which would effectively require Congress to sign off on most of the president's national-security decisions. That includes the power to go to war, sell weapons to foreign countries and entities, and declare national emergencies to unlock expanded authorities. "Before it's too late, Congress needs to reclaim its rightful role as co-equal branch on matters of war and national security," Murphy said. It marks a watershed moment on the Hill, where lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have grown increasingly amenable to efforts to restrict presidential powers. Commanders in chief have long relied on open-ended emergency declarations, existing war authorizations and other means to sidestep congressional involvement in global conflicts. Andrew has more on the sweeping legislation here. | | | | A message from Freight Rail Works:   | | | TRANSITIONS Jessica Gail has joined Rep. Eric Swalwell's (D-Calif.) team as communications director. She's previously worked for Rep. André Carson of Indiana, former Rep. Jim Matheson of Utah, and A Starting Point, a platform dedicated to getting young people interested in politics. Claire Mullican has been hired as political mobilization manager at the American Chemistry Council. She most recently was scheduler for Rep. Dan Meuser (R-Pa.). TODAY IN CONGRESS: The House convenes at 10 a.m. The Senate convenes at 10 a.m. AROUND THE HILL 9 a.m. Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Ron Wyden (D-Or.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Reps. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), and Judy Chu (D-Ohio) hold a news conference in the Senate Swamp to voice support for establishing a Civilian Climate Corps. 9:30 a.m. Reps. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) and Charlie Crist (D-Fla.) hold a virtual news conference on a bill targeting conservatorships, which the pair are calling a "Free Britney Bill." 10 a.m. House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik and others hold a news conference after a closed Republican meeting. 10 a.m. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on the Covid-19 response. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky and Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, among others, will testify. 10:15 a.m. Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, Vice Chair Rep. Pete Aguilar hold a post-meeting news conference. 11 a.m. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Schumer and House and Senate Democratic Policy and Communications Committee chairs hold a news conference with mothers who received the child tax credit. 1:30 p.m. House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress hearing on enhancing committee productivity through consensus-building. 2 p.m. Senate Democrats and Senate Republicans hold their separate post-policy lunches press conferences. TRIVIA MONDAY'S WINNER: Zayn Aga correctly identified Dwight D. Eisenhower as the president who battled many squirrels on the White House grounds. TODAY'S QUESTION from Zayn: Which senator began the tradition now known as the candy desk, and when? The first person to correctly guess gets a mention in the next edition of Huddle. Send your answers to ktullymcmanus@politico.com. GET HUDDLE emailed to your phone each morning. Follow Katherine on Twitter @ktullymcmanus.
| | A message from Freight Rail Works: Which network pulls double duty when it comes to efficiency and sustainability? Freight rail. As trains travel across the country, they're not just delivering what the nation needs, they're also keeping the network running safely and sustainably. Last year proved that businesses of all sizes need consistency from their delivery partners to support their economic recovery; freight rail provides that — dependably and affordably. That's why strong, bipartisan action on transportation — action that ensures freight rail can continue innovating and investing in key economic, environmental, and efficiency priorities — has never been so crucial. Broadly supported infrastructure solutions and bipartisan legislation will benefit Americans for generations to come by creating a safer, more efficient transportation system for the nation. See how. | | | | | | | Follow us | | | | |
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