| | | | | |  | | By Marianne LeVine and Sarah Ferris | With Ally Mutnick. IS A DEAL WITHIN REACH?: President Joe Biden leaves tomorrow for Europe and it's not clear yet whether he'll have a deal on a framework for his social spending plan in hand. Biden met Tuesday evening with moderate Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.). But Democrats are still haggling over several key issues including revenue, federal paid leave, Medicare benefits, prescription drug pricing and closing the coverage gap for states that declined to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. While House leadership was hoping to vote as soon as today on the bipartisan infrastructure bill, it's a no-go without an agreement on even a framework for the social spending bill. The top House progressive, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), privately told Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Tuesday that some of her members still want to see a full Senate vote — rather than just a framework. But Pelosi signaled after that meeting that she believes a framework is enough, telling reporters: "I think it is." (Some progressives later made clear that they don't agree) . There are signs of progress. Senate Democrats coalesced Tuesday around the so-called corporate minimum tax, which would target large companies with more than $1 billion in profits and apply a 15 percent minimum tax on those profits. However, there's less unity around the "billionaires tax," which Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) released today. And that debate could have a huge effect on the final product. For those wondering, Wyden's proposal would target people with more than $1 billion in assets or who earn over $100 million in three consecutive years, who "would begin paying capital gains taxes each year on the appreciation in value of their assets, regardless of whether they are sold," per our Brian Faler. But Wyden has a tough sell ahead of him. Several House Democrats, including Ways and Means Chair Richie Neal (D-Mass.), expressed skepticism Tuesday about the idea and some Senate Democrats, including Manchin, also have reservations. Burgess and Heather have a good look at Wyden, (a former college basketball player) who is attempting a buzzer beater with his proposal, despite resistance from his House counterparts. "It's a burgeoning standoff that threatens to hold up progress on finalizing President Joe Biden's domestic agenda this week," they write. Choose your own adventure, Manchin-profile style: NYT: "Manchin Is in the Middle, With Biden's Agenda in the Balance." WaPo: "Manchin's machinations reach a crescendo as he distances himself from his party while cutting deals on its agenda — all in public view." Devil's in the details — "Sinema steers Dems into uncharted territory on taxes" via POLITICO's Brian Faler and "Democrats pitch industry-friendly Medicaid workaround to win Manchin's support" via POLITICO's Alice Ollstein. "California, New York fight over shrinking low-income housing aid in Democrats' bill" via LA Times' Jen Haberkorn and Benjamin Oreskes. "SALT-Cap Proposal Is Floated for Two Years Off and Four Years On" by Bloomberg's Laura Davison. | | | | JOIN TODAY FOR A PLAYBOOK INTERVIEW WITH SEN. MARK WARNER : President Joe Biden's ambitious domestic agenda is in political limbo as the White House tries to reach a deal among congressional Democrats to vote on a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill. Join Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza for a conversation with Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), who helped write the bipartisan infrastructure bill, to discuss the fate of Biden's legislative agenda, including the more comprehensive reconciliation package as well as Virginia's tight gubernatorial race and what its outcome could mean for the Democratic Party. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | GOOD MORNING! Welcome to Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Wednesday, Oct. 27th, where your fill-in Huddle host has no fun sports takes and isn't watching the World Series, but will be cheering on the Bad News Babes tonight! NOM-STOP NOMS: As negotiations continue over the social spending package, the Senate is churning out judicial and executive branch confirmations. So far this week, the Senate has confirmed four federal judges and is set to confirm two more today. In addition, the Senate made some progress on filling ambassadorial posts, despite objections from Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) to Biden's State Department and national security nominees. The chamber on Tuesday confirmed by voice vote former Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) to become ambassador to Turkey and former Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) to become ambassador to New Zealand. The chamber also unanimously confirmed Victoria Reggie Kennedy, widow of the late Sen.Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), as ambassador to Austria and Cindy McCain, widow of the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), as ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture. The Washington Post's Felicia Sonmez has more here. Related: "Biden nominates first female FCC chair," via CNN's Maegan Vazquez. SUBPOENA WATCH — We reported Monday that more subpoenas would soon be issued from the House panel investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Now we have at least one name on that list: John Eastman, the pro-Trump lawyer who drafted a memo oulning plans to deny Joe Biden the presidency. WaPo scooped Tuesday night that Dems plan to issue a subpoena for Eastman's testimony, which POLITICO also confirmed. No timeline yet but we'll keep you posted. Meanwhile, Kyle reports this morning that the Jan. 6 select committee is temporarily deferring a request for about 50 pages of Trump White House records. Even though the National Archives determined that the documents were relevant to the panel's investigation, lawmakers and aides are trying to avoid a complicated -- and potentially drawn out -- negotiation over information that could fall under executive or attorney-client privilege. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), one of the panel's members, put it this way: "We don't want to get hung up." Tim Mulvey, the committee's spokesperson, insisted that the "Select Committee has not withdrawn its request for those records and will continue to engage with the executive branch to ensure we get access to all the information relevant to our probe." A CHILLING THREAT — Capitol Police on Tuesday responded to an unidentified package delivered to Rep. Ilhan Omar's (D-Minn.) office with an ominous threat, but was ultimately found to be harmless. The "suspicious substance" incident resulted in several offices sheltering in place in Longworth, though an on-site test for anything hazardous was negative. Omar later confirmed her staff was safe and disclosed the details of the threat: "The Patriarchy will rise again. Merry f***ing Christmas." CAMPAIGN CORNER... '22 SWITCH-ER-OO — Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas) is now the latest incumbent who's announced a run in a new congressional district because of redistricting. The Texas Dem made it official Tuesday that he will run in the new 34th Congressional District. His home in McAllen falls in this deep blue seat but much of the other territory was previously represented by retiring Rep. Filemon Vela (D-TX). Much of Gonzalez's old turf remains in the new 15th District, which is now the most competitive in the state. He's not the only Dem making a switch. Last week Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) announced he would run in the newly created Travis County-based 37th District instead of the new version of his current 35th District, which snakes from San Antonio to Austin. Keep track: Texas this week became the sixth state to approve new congressional maps. 38 left to go! Related: "Internal polling for House Republicans shows them leading Democrats on the generic ballot in battleground districts" via POLITICO's Ally Mutnick. MCCONNELL ENDORSES HERSCHEL WALKER: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has endorsed Herschel Walker in next year's Georgia Senate race, the Kentucky Republican's first endorsement for a non-incumbent this cycle. "Herschel is the only one who can unite the party, defeat Senator Warnock, and help us take back the Senate," McConnell said in a statement to POLITICO's Alex Isenstadt. "I look forward to working with Herschel in Washington to get the job done." While some Senate Republicans initially expressed skepticism about Walker amid reports about his past, Alex writes that those "concerns have abated in recent days, with Republican officials saying they have been impressed with Walker's fundraising abilities and the campaign team he has put together." The endorsement puts McConnell on the same page as former President Donald Trump in the Georgia Senate race, which Republicans widely view as one of their best pick-up opportunities next year. The official nod for Walker comes after McConnell told Burgess in September that "there's every indication he's going to be a good candidate." | | | | BECOME A GLOBAL INSIDER: The world is more connected than ever. It has never been more essential to identify, unpack and analyze important news, trends and decisions shaping our future — and we've got you covered! Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Global Insider author Ryan Heath navigates the global news maze and connects you to power players and events changing our world. Don't miss out on this influential global community. Subscribe now. | | | | | QUICK LINKS — "White House enters hand-to-hand combat stage of negotiations," by POLITICO's Laura Barrón-López and Christoper Cadelago — "White House sets climate spending at up to $555 billion" by POLITICO's Zack Colman and Laura Barrón-López — "Democrats pitch industry-friendly Medicaid workaround to win Manchin's support," by POLITICO's Alice Ollstein — "What's Kyrsten Sinema Up To? It's Pretty Obvious," by Hank Stephenson for POLITICO Magazine TODAY IN CONGRESS The House is in at noon and will begin voting at 1:45 p.m. The Senate is in at 10 a.m. and will begin voting at 11 a.m. on President Joe Biden's judicial nominees. The chamber is set to vote again at 2:15 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. AROUND THE HILL Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) is hosting his annual dog costume parade this afternoon in the Hart Atrium. Tillis' two dogs, Mitch and Theo, will be ready for the occasion. Mitch will be dressed as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Theo will be dressed as Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), according to Tillis' office. And later in the evening, it's the Congressional Women's Softball Game, which raises money for the Young Survival Coalition, an organization that provides resources and support for young people who are diagnosed with breast cancer. The game, a showdown between female lawmakers and D.C. reporters, will begin at 7 p.m. AP Reporter Meg Kinnard, who was diagnosed earlier this year with Stage 3 breast cancer and recently found out she is cancer free, will throw the first pitch. (Shout out to our very own Laura Barrón-López, who will be playing for the Bad News Babes.) TRIVIA TUESDAY'S WINNER: Logan Ferree, William & Mary Class of 2007, was the first to correctly guess that William & Mary is known as the "alma mater of the nation" because of its close ties to the founding fathers. Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, James Madison, and James Monroe all attended the school at some point. TODAY'S QUESTION, from Logan: Four members of Congress have died in duels, but only one died in a duel with a fellow member of Congress, which prompted Congress to ban the issuing or acceptance of a duel challenge within the District of Columbia. Who was the member of Congress who died? The first person to correctly guess gets a mention in the next edition of Huddle. Send your answers to mlevine@politico.com. GET HUDDLE emailed to your phone each morning. Follow Marianne on Twitter @marianne_levine
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