🤫 Republicans' bogeywoman

Plus: Migrant magnet | Sunday, January 30, 2022

Open in app View in browser   Presented By Business Roundtable   Axios Sneak Peek By the Axios Politics team ·Jan 30, 2022 Welcome back to Sneak. We hope you Northeasterners have dug out. Smart Brevity™ count: 935 words ... 3.5 minutes. Edited by Glen Johnson.     1 big thing: GOP relishes Pelosi run Photo illustration: Annelise Capossela. Photo: Eric Lee-Pool/Getty Images   Nancy Pelosi's decision to seek an 18th full term has added a new angle to Republican efforts to win back the House: tying swing-state Democrats to an even bigger Democratic bogeywoman than President Biden, Axios' Andrew Solender reports. Why it matters: This may be the GOP's last opportunity to capitalize on the presence of Pelosi, a classic California liberal who conservatives love to hate. The speaker struck a deal in 2018 to step down from leadership after two terms, but that may not be soon enough for candidates struggling to explain the policies she's pushed. Announcing she'll run again allows Pelosi to stave off lame-duck status and continue raking in cash for her party. It also avoids her adding her prominent name to the long list of Democrats who've announced their retirement amid doubts they'll be able to keep their majority past this fall. Driving the news: The  NRCC, running a perennial play, plans to play up Pelosi in ads against vulnerable Dems. It's already run several ads featuring the speaker, including against embattled Reps. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Tom O'Halleran (D-Ariz.). Calvin Moore, a spokesperson for the House GOP-aligned Congressional Leadership Fund, signaled a similar strategy. "As long as Pelosi is around, she'll be the gift that keeps on giving for Republican campaigns," he said. Keep reading.     2. Border magnet Data: U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Note: "Northern Triangle" refers to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador; Chart: Kavya Beheraj/Axios Migrants from South American countries, Cuba and Haiti — as well as more distant nations like Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and India — drove an uptick in traffic at the U.S.-Mexico border last month. Why it matters: For years, most migrants attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border have come from Mexico or the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. But last month, they were outnumbered by those making an even longer and more complicated trek to the United States, Axios' Stef Kight reports. By the numbers: The migrants making their way to the border included more than 2,000 Russians and 300 Ukrainians. Most arrived or were discovered at a legal port of entry in San Diego, California, according to the data. In mid-December, 18 Russian migrants were discovered in two vehicles that collided after a Border officer fired his gun to stop them from speeding through an inspection station at the San Diego port of entry, according to a release from Customs and Border Protection. The group included 11 adults and seven children. Two people were injured in the collision, and the use of force is being investigated. A third car also crossed the same port of entry that night with eight other Russian citizens who lacked the proper documents to enter the U.S. More than 800 people from India also illegally crossed the U.S.-Mexico border into Yuma, Arizona, in December. And for the second month in a row, more than 500 migrants from Turkey crossed into El Paso, Texas. What they're saying: The changes in demographics "speaks more to smuggler tactics than anything else," a CBP official told Axios. "They're running an illicit business and part of any business is growing your customer base." Keep reading.     3. Dark-money groups rival national parties Data: The New York Times; Licensed by Axios; Chart: Thomas Oide/Axios New data from the New York Times on so-called dark money in U.S. politics shows how both the left and right have centralized and streamlined the distribution of massive amounts of donations in ways that obscure their origins, Axios' Lachlan Markay writes. Why it matters: The hundreds of millions funneled to politically active nonprofits on both sides rival the war chests of national political parties themselves. But the groups operate independently, often run by people whose roles are opaque or unknown entirely and with sources of financing that will likely never be revealed. The big picture: A Times analysis of nonprofit financial data shows clear leaders among politically active dark money groups. These groups fill many of the key roles of any political infrastructure such as advertising, voter registration and turnout, issue advocacy and data collection. But while campaigns and party committees engaged in that work must disclose substantial details about their activities and funding sources, these groups largely operate in the shadows.     A message from Business Roundtable Strong and sustained economic growth creates opportunity for all     Raising taxes on America's largest employers will make it harder to create jobs and compete with foreign competitors. Americans need an economy that grows and creates opportunity for everyone — including through a globally competitive tax code.     4. Native Americans feel overlooked in voting push Elsie Werito, 84, a member of the To'hajiilee Chapter of the Navajo Nation, waits to cast her ballot in To'hajiilee, N.M. Photo: Rick Scibelli/Getty Images   Native American voters face heightened discrimination at the ballot box like Black Americans and Latino voters, but they're often left out of the conversation about election reform despite their ability to swing crucial races, Axios' Alayna Treene and Russell Contreras report. Why it matters: Voting rights is quickly becoming a litmus test for Democratic candidates to succeed nationwide, and a top priority for the Biden administration. Some Democrats are looking to carve out specific legislation helping to preserve Indigenous voters' access. The targeted approach comes as efforts to pass comprehensive election reform founder in Congress. Driving the news: Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) has been working on a bill that would ensure Native Americans, Alaska Natives and voters living on tribal lands can easily register and cast their vote. Lujan succeeded in attaching the Native American Voting Rights Act (NAVRA) to the more comprehensive Freedom to Vote: John Lewis Act that all 50 Senate Democrats voted to support this month. The legislation died after Democrats failed to bypass the 60-vote filibuster threshold for passing major legislation. Details: If enacted, NAVRA would allow Tribes to specify the number and locations of requested voter registration sites, drop boxes and polling locations on Tribal lands, and authorize Tribal ID cards for voting purposes. It also would also help establish state-level Native American voting task forces by authorizing $10 million to the Native American Voting Rights Task Force grant program. Keep reading.     5. Tweets du jour Via Twitter   Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu were among several Republicans who doused the idea of pardoning the Jan. 6 insurrectionists. Via Twitter     A message from Business Roundtable Globally engaged U.S. businesses support American workers     Business Roundtable CEOs are doing their part to support employees, suppliers, customers and communities. These leaders share a commitment to promoting a thriving U.S. economy that serves all Americans.   🚀 Thanks for starting your week with us. It means a lot! A reminder your family, friends and colleagues can subscribe to Sneak or any of Axios' other free local and national newsletters through this link. Like this email style and format? Bring the strength of Smart Brevity® to your team — more effective communications, powered by Axios HQ.   Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. If you're interested in advertising, learn more here. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Axios, 3100 Clarendon B‌lvd, Suite 1300, Arlington VA 22201   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios. 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