| | | | | |  | | By Rachael Bade, Eugene Daniels, Ryan Lizza and Tara Palmeri | | | | | | |  | DRIVING THE DAY | | FRIDAY'S SHUTDOWN SHOWDOWN GETS REAL — Conservatives on both sides of the Capitol are privately plotting to force a government shutdown Friday in an effort to defund the Biden administration's vaccine mandate on the private sector, multiple GOP sources told Playbook. Capitalizing on a last-minute scramble to fund the government, a group of Senate conservatives is planning to object to quick consideration of a stopgap measure to extend funding into early 2022 unless Democratic leaders agree to deny money to enforce the mandate. Because of the tight schedule — and Senate rules that require unanimous consent to move quickly — the senators believe they'll be able to drag out the process well past midnight Friday, when funding officially expires. "I'm sure we would all like to simplify the process for resolving the CR, but I can't facilitate that without addressing the vaccine mandates," Sen. MIKE LEE (R-Utah) told Playbook in a statement. "Given that federal courts across the country have raised serious issues with these mandates, it's not unreasonable for my Democratic colleagues to delay enforcement of the mandates for at least the length of the continuing resolution." It is unclear how many Senate conservatives are publicly willing to follow through on the shutdown threat. But 15 signed a letter spearheaded by Sen. ROGER MARSHALL (R-Kan.) in early November vowing to "use all means at our disposal" — including invoking Senate procedures to gum up the works — to block passage of a continuing resolution that doesn't stop implementation of a vaccine mandate. Technically, all they need is one senator to object in order to push past Friday's midnight deadline, and several are already discussing this issue. THE GROUP HAS BACKUP FROM THE HOUSE: In a meeting Tuesday night, the House Freedom Caucus voted to pressure Minority Leader KEVIN MCCARTHY to take a harder line on the so-called continuing resolution unless Democrats strip out funding to enforce the mandate, according to sources familiar with what happened. Last time the House passed a funding stopgap, 34 House Republicans backed the bill and GOP leaders did not whip against it. But the group plans to demand that GOP lawmakers stand firm in supporting their Senate colleagues. "There is leverage immediately in the Senate, and we think that House Republicans ought to be backing up any number of Senate Republicans … to use all procedural tools to deny the continuing resolution passage Friday night — unless they restrict use of those funds for vaccine mandates," Rep. CHIP ROY (R-Texas), a Freedom Caucus member, told Playbook. LET'S PLAY THIS OUT: The strategy, if it holds, means the government will likely shut down for several days — even if appropriators strike a bipartisan agreement to extend funding by the end of today. A Senate Democratic leadership staffer told Playbook that without an agreement to truncate the timeline, the Senate would need at least five days to process the continuing resolution. That would mean a brief shutdown ending Sunday at the earliest, but possibly dragging into next week if a deal isn't reached today. The reason for the delay: The Senate can't begin the process of voting until the CR passes the House — and the House can't pass the CR until a deal is agreed to. Senate Majority Leader CHUCK SCHUMER appeared to nod to the possibility of trouble Tuesday, seeking to preemptively blame the GOP in case something goes awry. "To avoid a needless shutdown, Republicans will have to cooperate and approve the government funding legislation without delay," he told reporters. "If Republicans choose obstruction, there will be a shutdown entirely because of their own dysfunction." MCCONNELL DOWNPLAYS SHUTDOWN THREAT: Senate Minority Leader MITCH McCONNELL predicted Tuesday that "we won't shut down," arguing that "nobody should be concerned about a government shutdown." The Kentucky Republican — who has never been a fan of shutdown tactics — could try to make the case to conservatives that such a move would backfire on their cause. The issue came up at the Senate GOP lunch Tuesday, we're told, and is expected to dominate another Republican lunch meeting today being run by Lee's conservative Senate Steering Committee. Since Democrats control the White House and both chambers of Congress, some conservatives think that they can get Democrats to cave out of fear of being blamed. Other Republicans acknowledged to us that this is probably wishful thinking, especially because the party making the demands in past shutdowns shouldered the bulk of the blowback. The effort comes as health officials have warned that the new Omicron Covid-19 variant could be highly contagious and dangerous to Americans. Democrats will no doubt argue that Republicans are playing with fire when it comes to shuttering government services, especially in the face of the potential new risks of Omicron. But from a political standpoint, Republicans believe polls will move in their direction in opposition to mandates — not only among the GOP base but with independents as well. MORE FRONTS IN THE VACCINE WARS: Even if McConnell convinces his members to abandon a shutdown showdown, the fight over President JOE BIDEN's vaccine mandates on Capitol Hill is not going away. As early as next week, Sen. MIKE BRAUN (R-Ind.) plans to force a vote to disapprove and nullify Biden's vaccine mandate through a process called the Congressional Review Act. He already has all 50 Republicans lined up to back the issue, and they're hoping to flip one moderate Democrat. If they do, the issue would then go to the House for a vote, where Senate Republicans hope they can pressure some front-liners in tough districts to back their cause, which would force Biden to veto the matter and own an issue they think is toxic once again. In the House, Roy is also pushing GOP leadership to try to use the National Defense Authorization Act to address the matter as well, an effort our Olivia Beavers scooped Tuesday. Since more than 30 House Democrats opposed the chamber's first vote on the NDAA, Democrats will almost certainly need GOP assistance to help clear the final bill through the chamber in the coming days. The House GOP could refuse to cooperate until the vaccine mandates are scrapped, he said. "The main point," Roy said, "is we have lots of tools at our disposal over the next several weeks to force Democrats to have to come to the table." Good Wednesday morning, and thanks for reading Playbook. Drop us a line: Rachael Bade, Eugene Daniels, Ryan Lizza, Tara Palmeri. | | A message from Wells Fargo: Small businesses make neighborhoods thrive. Wells Fargo's Open for Business Fund is providing nonprofits with roughly $420 million to support small businesses, and champion these mainstays of the community. In cities across America, we're helping businesses invest in resources and build equity, to propel them to a brighter and more secure future. Learn more at wellsfargo.com/impact. | | | CNN PUNISHES A STAR — CHRIS CUOMO was suspended indefinitely by the company Tuesday "after new details emerged about his efforts to assist his brother, ANDREW CUOMO, the former governor of New York, as he faced a cascade of sexual harassment accusations that led to the governor's resignation," NYT's Michael Grynbaum and John Koblin report. "Chris Cuomo had previously apologized for advising Andrew Cuomo's senior political aides — a breach of traditional barriers between journalists and lawmakers — but thousands of pages of evidence released on Monday by the New York attorney general, LETITIA JAMES, revealed that the anchor's role had been more intimate and involved than previously known." OMICRON WORRIES — As the world grapples with the Omicron variant, our partners at Morning Consult have new polling on how it's landing with the public. Thirty-six percent of unvaccinated adults polled said concern about Omicron is overblown, vs. 17% of vaccinated adult respondents who felt that way. Nevertheless, 30% of unvaccinated people polled said the new variant has made them consider getting the shot. FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — New polling by Harvard Kennedy School's Institute of Politics provides some interesting insights on how 18- to 29-year-olds view the state of our politics. Fifty-two percent of young Americans surveyed said democracy in the United States is either failing or in trouble. The concern spans the ideological spectrum, with 45% of Democrats, 70% of Republicans and 51% of unaffiliated voters agreeing. Biden's approval numbers among young voters have taken a 13-point hit since the spring, with 46% now approving of his job as president — including three-quarters of Democrats but just 9% of Republicans. By a 2-to-1 margin, young voters said lawmakers prioritize compromise even if it's at the expense of their policy priorities. That includes 49% of Democrats, 45% of Republicans and 37% of independents who agreed with that sentiment. | | | |   | | | BIDEN'S WEDNESDAY: — 9:30 a.m.: The president will receive the President's Daily Brief. — 12:35 p.m.: Biden will deliver remarks on the supply chain. — 2:30 p.m.: Biden will deliver remarks to commemorate World AIDS Day, launch the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and kick off the Global Fund Replenishment process, with HHS Secretary XAVIER BECERRA in attendance. — 5:30 p.m.: Biden and first lady JILL BIDEN will be joined by VP KAMALA HARRIS and second gentleman DOUG EMHOFF for a menorah lighting in celebration of Hanukkah in the East Room. HARRIS' WEDNESDAY — The VP will also convene the inaugural National Space Council meeting at 1:30 p.m. Press secretary JEN PSAKI will brief at 1:30 p.m. with ANTHONY FAUCI. The HOUSE will meet at 10 a.m. Treasury Secretary JANET YELLEN and Fed Chair JEROME POWELL will testify before the Financial Services Committee at 10 a.m. Facebook whistleblower FRANCES HAUGEN will testify before the Energy and Commerce telecom subcommittee at 10:30 a.m. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD will brief the Foreign Affairs Committee behind closed doors at 1 p.m. The Jan. 6 select committee will hold a markup on the recommendation to hold JEFFREY CLARK in contempt at 7 p.m. The SENATE will meet at noon to take up the NDAA. VA Secretary DENIS MCDONOUGH will testify before the Veterans' Affairs Committee at 3 p.m. | | | | 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. | | | | | | | PLAYBOOK READS | | | 
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell holds his notes while discussing Democrats' agenda with reporters Tuesday. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images | CONGRESS STEPPING IN — McCarthy met with Reps. MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE (R-Ga.) and NANCY MACE (R-S.C.) separately Tuesday night and told them both to stop feuding. But CNN's Melanie Zanona and Manu Raju report that "his message didn't seem to take hold. Emerging from her meeting, Greene told CNN that both she and [DONALD] TRUMP would back a primary challenge to Mace in 2022. And after she met with McCarthy, Mace had this to say when asked about Greene's threat: 'All I can say about Marjorie Taylor Greene is bless her f***ing heart.'" "McCarthy typically avoids public condemnation of his colleagues and opts instead to hold private conversations with his members — all in a bid to keep the peace between the warring wings of his conference and bolster his own chances of becoming speaker after the 2022 midterm elections. But his failure to tamp down the attacks — largely from the right wing of his conference against his more moderate colleagues — is causing growing concern in the ranks." — NYT's Jonathan Weisman: "Ms. Mace then used a series of emojis — a bat, a pile of excrement and a crazy clown — to describe Ms. Greene, then kept up a steady stream of social media attacks, calling her a liar, a grifter and a nut." (IR)RECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES — The Senate is close to axing paid family and medical leave from Democrats' big reconciliation bill, Burgess Everett and Eleanor Mueller report. Holdout Sen. JOE MANCHIN (D-W.Va.) wants to cut it and then craft a separate bipartisan bill on the issue with Republicans — a prospect the rest of his party considers an extreme long shot. (See also: election reform.) That could essentially tank paid leave for decades to come. "Now, Democrats are considering the possibility that their signature bill … could shirk a benefit most in the party think represents an obvious political win given its bipartisan popularity." THE WHITE HOUSE NO TEST, NO FLIGHT — The Biden administration is weighing tougher coronavirus measures as Omicron begins to spread in other countries, according to WaPo's Lena Sun and Tyler Pager. "Biden is expected to announce Thursday, U.S. officials would require everyone entering the country to be tested one day before boarding flights, regardless of their vaccination status or country of departure," the pair reports. | | | |   | | | ALL POLITICS HE'S RUNNING — "Dr. MEHMET OZ, a celebrity physician known as the host of the 'Dr. Oz Show,' announced on Tuesday that he would run for Senate in Pennsylvania, jumping into a crowded Republican primary for an open seat that is crucial to both parties' quest for a Senate majority in 2022," NYT's Trip Gabriel reports. "Dr. Oz, a first-time candidate whose political views are little known, entered a G.O.P. field roiled by the recent withdrawal of a candidate endorsed by Trump, in which most contenders are vying to show their loyalty to the Republican Party's de facto leader." — And Ian Ward breaks down for POLITICO Magazine what happened when Oz testified on the Hill in 2014 and what's changed since. FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: NRSC TARGETS HISPANIC VOTERS EARLY IN ARIZONA RACE — The National Republican Senatorial Committee is going live today with yet another Spanish-language ad attacking Democratic Sen. MARK KELLY in Arizona, part of a coordinated effort to hit the first-term senator early and often in Hispanic communities. The mid-five-figure ad, which will run in the Tucson and Phoenix markets, slams Kelly on the border and education, two issues the GOP campaign arm says polled "particularly well" in a Hispanic battleground survey they conducted in April. The early investment — coming almost a full year before the election — also shows that Republicans are making Hispanic outreach a priority in their bid to flip the chamber. ATLANTA'S NEW MAYOR — ANDRE DICKENS, "the Atlanta native who first beat an incumbent eight years ago for a spot on the City Council, defeated FELICIA MOORE in Tuesday's runoff election to become Atlanta's 61st mayor," succeeding KEISHA LANCE BOTTOMS, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's J.D. Capelouto and Wilborn Nobles III report. STOP US IF YOU'VE HEARD THIS BEFORE — Democrats are about to close out their first year in power without having accomplished anything on voting rights, and with scant hopes for success. Zach Montellaro reports that activists are upset over the lack of action on what they see as an existential threat to democracy. AMERICA AND THE WORLD C'EST MOI? TRUMP'S FRENCH MINI-ME — French nationalist talk show host ÉRIC ZEMMOUR announced Tuesday he will run against French President EMMANUEL MACRON in next year's election. WSJ's Matthew Dalton writes that "Zemmour is seeking to oust MARINE LE PEN as the French far right's standard-bearer to become the leading contender against Mr. Macron in the election. He has harnessed his celebrity as a television commentator to win support both from France's far right and from traditional conservatives." BEYOND THE BELTWAY ANOTHER ONE GONE — Philadelphia Inquirer's Chris Brennan: "AL SCHMIDT, the lone Republican on Philadelphia's election board and one who staunchly defended the integrity of the 2020 presidential vote, will resign in January to take over as the next president and CEO of the good-government watchdog group the Committee of Seventy. Schmidt, singled out by Trump for attacks, said his attacks, and the threats from his followers, did not drive the decision." TRUMP CARDS NEW THIS MORNING — "Trump tested positive for Covid few days before Biden debate, chief of staff says in new book," by The Guardian's Martin Pengelly EYES ON THE PUBLISHING WORLD — Trump allies are looking to set up a publishing house of their own, and they have Trump's support, Meridith McGraw writes: "Trump announced last week that he was publishing a coffee table book of photographs from his time in the White House — just ahead of the holiday gift rush — with Winning Team Publishing. The outfit is a new imprint with a decidedly MAGA flavor, run by former Trump campaign aide SERGIO GOR and Trump's son, DONALD TRUMP JR." Allies setting up their own publishing shop "allows Trump confidants to run everything from publishing to marketing in house, while keeping data on purchases. But it also has left the impression in the industry that the former president has given up on trying to score a deal with one of the 'Big Five' houses." | | | | STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president's ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. | | | | | | | PLAYBOOKERS | | Ilhan Omar played a disturbing death threat she received "hours after" an Islamophobic attack from Lauren Boebert. Meanwhile, Muslim Advocates and Bend the Arc: Jewish Action filed a formal House Ethics complaint against Boebert. Chris Christie's book is not selling well. Mehmet Oz's new Senate campaign logo looks … familiar. Andrew Giuliani and his wife welcomed a daughter to the world. OUT AND ABOUT — The Congressional Asian Pacific American Staff Association held their annual awards ceremony Tuesday to honor top AAPI staffers and alumni for their work on advancing the AAPI community on and off the Hill. Those honored include Mike Inacay, comms director for Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Sonali Desai, chief of staff to CAPAC Chair Judy Chu (D-Calif.). Both were awarded the Rep. Mark Takai Award, named after the late Hawaii congressman. Krystal Ka'ai, executive director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders and former CAPAC executive director, along with Dao Nguyen, former executive director of the House Future Forum Caucus and current principal at Cornerstone, were awarded the Joe Montano Award, an honor given to CAPASA Hill alumni. — Hilary Rosen, Anita McBride, April Ryan and Tammy Haddad co-hosted a Lafayette148 holiday shop for a cause at Tysons Galleria to benefit Dog Tag Bakery on Tuesday night. SPOTTED: Tipper Gore, Karine Jean-Pierre, Tina Tchen, Abby Phillip, Kathleen Buhle Biden, Kimberley Fritts, Kendra Barkoff, Wendy Benjaminson, Virginia Coyne, Courtney Surls, Susan Davis, Tim McBride, Nancy Murphy and Rebecca Cutler. MEDIA MOVE — Zach Cohen is joining Bloomberg as a congressional reporter. He currently is a Senate reporter for National Journal. FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Hills & Co., founded by former USTR and HUD Secretary Carla Hills, is joining the firm of Dentons Global Advisors-Albright Stonebridge Group effective Jan. 1. The announcement DNC ROSTER MOVES — Maria Casado will be director of Hispanic media, Karely Hernandez will be West regional press secretary, Noelle Rosellini will be East regional press secretary, Gabriela Cristobal will be women's outreach director, and Ariel Garayar and Damon Ngo will be coalitions and community engagement managers. STAFFING UP — The White House announced Biden is nominating William LaPlante as undersecretary of Defense for acquisition and sustainment. TRANSITIONS — Martha Spieker and Abby Ledoux are joining the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Spieker is currently associate director of federal advocacy media and previously was deputy comms director for Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii). Ledoux is currently associate director of state media campaigns and previously was comms manager at Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast. … Christian McMullen is joining TAG Strategies as public affairs director. He previously was comms director for Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-Texas). … Madeline Neuberger is now digital director for Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.). She previously was comms manager for the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City, and is a Democratic Party of Georgia and Chuck Schumer alum. … John Howes is now counsel for Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio). He previously was government affairs counsel at the Wireless Infrastructure Association. … Britt Biles is now a partner at Womble Bond Dickinson. She most recently was general counsel for the Small Business Administration. WEDDING — Kelsey Wessels, director of programs and partnerships at POLITICO, and Charlie Raffensberger, project manager at Whiting-Turner, got married Nov. 13 at the Great Oak Manor in Chestertown, Md. The two met through mutual friends in D.C. and were neighbors in Park View. Pic … Another pic WELCOME TO THE WORLD — Emily French, program director for the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, and Zach French, business development manager at Finnegan LLP, welcomed twin daughters Maxine and Juliet on Nov. 21. They join big brother Nathaniel. Pic — Andy French, U.S. conservation program officer at the Wyss Foundation, and Jennie Zohorsky, a partner at Rosenberg Martin Greenberg, welcomed Declan Andrew French on Thursday. He joins big sister Vivienne. Pic HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Press secretary Jen Psaki … Sens. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) … Reps. Lance Gooden (R-Texas) and Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.) … WaPo's Karen Tumulty … Shin Inouye … Natalie Wyeth Earnest … Tessa Gould … Hayley D'Antuono of Melania Trump's office … NPR's Carrie Johnson … Jason Maloni of JadeRoq … Kyle Lierman … POLITICO's Elizabeth Ralph, Carlos Prieto, Joshua Sztorc, Abby Resendiz and Chan Young Park … Joel Miller … National Journal's Josh Kraushaar (4-0) … Barbara Martin of the Brand Guild … Moses Mercado of Ogilvy Government Relations … DNC's Ammar Moussa … Sara Guerrero of Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto's (D-Nev.) office … Ed Fox of Fox & Associates … Tyler Haymore … Sean Higgins … Raul Alvillar … Drew Zinecker … Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes … Karuna Koppula … Tyler Hendricks … Ani Toumajan … Alex Howard … Yochi Dreazen … Jordan Lieberman … Mona Salama … Katie Wetstone … Becky Weissman … Charlie Anderson … Marylouise Oates … Drew Shannon Did someone forward this email to you? Sign up here. Send Playbookers tips to playbook@politico.com. Playbook couldn't happen without our editor Mike Zapler, deputy editor Zack Stanton and producers Allie Bice, Eli Okun and Garrett Ross. | | A message from Wells Fargo: Small businesses are the heartbeat of every community; they make our neighborhoods vibrant places to live, work, and raise families – which is why Wells Fargo is working together with more than 3 million small businesses to help them thrive again.
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