| | | | |  | | By Katherine Tully-McManus | Presented by the Flex Association | With an assist from Andrew Desiderio PRE-RECESS PUNT — It started with a bang: a bipartisan Covid aid package announced Monday, but ended with a fizzle when Senators left town Thursday without action on the $10 billion for pandemic programs. The holdup: Republicans want a vote on an amendment that would ensure the reinstatement of Title 42, the Trump-era policy that allows for the expulsion of migrants at the border during the pandemic. But that's a dangerous prospect for Democratic leaders when at least six members of their own caucus would likely back the rebuke to the Biden administration's move to roll back the border policy. "We had an agreement on getting this package done, not on doing a bunch of sidebar issues," Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), the Senate's top health care appropriator, told reporters. "We need therapeutics, we need tests for a new variant, we need to get this done." The Democratic divide on Title 42 is also growing in the House, with five Democrats signing onto a bipartisan bill with five Republicans to block the White House from ending Title 42 without the administration submitting a plan to Congress about how an influx of people attempting to enter the U.S. will be handled. Sarah has more on the House situation. Expect to hear much more about the Covid aid package and Biden's border policies after the recess. HOW THE RUSSIA LOGJAM BROKE — Congress hadn't sent any standalone Russia-Ukraine legislation to Biden's desk since the invasion…until yesterday. And when it finally did it, it was a one-two punch that bounced from one side of the Capitol to the other within minutes. This was also the week that Congress finally came to grips with a simple fact — the U.S. is connected to this conflict for the long haul. There was a shift in Congress' posture this week as it became clear to lawmakers that Ukraine can actually win the war, not just hold off the Russians. But to do that, the Ukrainians will need months or even years of additional U.S. help to do it. That includes the trade and energy sanctions that both chambers adopted on Thursday, which Ukraine has pleaded for and will deprive Russia of key revenue streams. "It's important to reinforce the steps the administration has taken and show the rest of the world we're united around these steps and looking at stronger and more permanent measures," Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) said. Andrew and Josh Siegel have more on how it all came together: Congress joins the sanction war on 'vile thug' Putin RELATED: Senators say Pentagon must do more to help Ukraine defeat Russia, from John M. Donnelly at CQ Roll Call | | | | DON'T MISS ANYTHING FROM THE 2022 MILKEN INSTITUTE GLOBAL CONFERENCE: POLITICO is excited to partner with the Milken Institute to produce a special edition "Global Insider" newsletter featuring exclusive coverage and insights from the 25th annual Global Conference. This year's event, May 1-4, brings together more than 3,000 of the world's most influential leaders, including 700+ speakers representing more than 80 countries. "Celebrating the Power of Connection" is this year's theme, setting the stage to connect influencers with the resources to change the world with leading experts and thinkers whose insight and creativity can implement that change. Whether you're attending in person or following along from somewhere else in the world, keep up with this year's conference with POLITICO's special edition "Global Insider" so you don't miss a beat. Subscribe today. | | | | |
GOOD MORNING! Welcome to Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Friday, April 8, where it's finally recess.
BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE SENATE'S SCOTUS SPRINT — The Senate doesn't make a habit of meeting its own self-imposed deadlines, but when Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer announced he'd retire this summer, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) plotted out a six-week sprint. Marianne and Burgess take a look at how they got to Thursday's finish line: the bipartisan confirmation of the first Black women ever to the nation's highest court. How Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) made her decision: "I went out on a really good spring hike — where there was a warning that a bear had taken down a moose just off the trail — so 'be alert.' So you're in a place where you can kind of just take all that in. So that's how I do it." Durbin's reaction to Sen. Alex Padilla's (D-Calif.) inopportune flight delay: "I was on the phone, obviously with Chuck Schumer, but Chuck Grassley was my first call." GREENE GOES TO COURT— A federal judge in Atlanta is set to hear Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's (R-Ga) attempt to dismiss a challenge to her eligibility to run for reelection to the House. The case is predicated on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which says that no person who was sworn into Congress can remain in that role if they "engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof." (Most recently applicable in the Civil War era, but here we are.) There's a state-level statute in Georgia that allows voters to challenge the qualification of candidates for federal office and a group, called Free Speech For People, did just that. The same group led a similar challenge earlier this year targeting North Carolina Republican Rep. Madison Cawthorn. Greene is suing to prevent the state of Georgia from even considering the lawsuit. But the state is pushing back, saying it should be allowed to rule before Greene can argue if there has been harm done to her. Federal court watchers may recognize the judge in the case: Amy Totenberg of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. Her sister is NPR Supreme Court correspondent Nina Totenberg. MEGA MRA FRAUD — A former director of operations for Rep. Brad Schneider's (D-Ill.) pleaded guilty on Thursday to fraudulently inflating his salary and bonus payments. Between November 2019 and January 2021, Sterling Carter, 24, submitted fraudulent paperwork authorizing an inflated salary and higher bonus payments for himself. He received $79,491.67 in unauthorized salary and bonus payments and concealed his scheme by showing Schneider and Chief of Staff Casey O'Shea falsified spreadsheets. (Yes, the "congressional salary by calendar year" graph on LegiStorm is laughable.) | | | | A message from the Flex Association: Flex is a new trade association you should get to know. If you use transportation network and delivery network companies, you are part of an economic ecosystem that millions of drivers benefit from and many millions of customers depend on. Flex is a source for information and ideas and is an association that advocates for policies that help drivers, customers, and the economy thrive. Learn more. | | |
FIRST IN HUDDLE: CALLING FOR SPECIAL COUNSEL— Sixty-seven House Republicans have signed onto a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland calling for him to appoint a Special Counsel to investigate Hunter Biden.
"We believe that in the case of Hunter Biden a Special Counsel must be appointed to preserve the integrity of this investigation and any subsequent prosecution. A Special Counsel would also ensure there is no bias in the investigation or undue influence from the White House," they write. Read the draft letter. House Republicans have big plans for digging into Hunter. ICYMI Olivia and Andrew's dive into it all earlier this week: 'All over Hunter Biden': Republicans lay plans for their own investigation, despite the DOJ probe
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A dozen lawmakers have announced positive Covid tests this week, many just yesterday, prompting cancellations and CODEL delays.
Thursday: Rep. Pete DeFazio (D-Ore.), Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) Wednesday: Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.), Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.), Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) Tuesday: Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) Reminder that members of Congress are under no obligation to get tested or to share a positive test result. With the exception of Collins, all public announcements of positive Covid tests in Congress this month have been from Democrats. | | | | INTRODUCING DIGITAL FUTURE DAILY - OUR TECHNOLOGY NEWSLETTER, RE-IMAGINED: Technology is always evolving, and our new tech-obsessed newsletter is too! Digital Future Daily unlocks the most important stories determining the future of technology, from Washington to Silicon Valley and innovation power centers around the world. Readers get an in-depth look at how the next wave of tech will reshape civic and political life, including activism, fundraising, lobbying and legislating. Go inside the minds of the biggest tech players, policymakers and regulators to learn how their decisions affect our lives. Don't miss out, subscribe today. | | | | |
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I'M ON TOP OF THE WORLD— One of the best hidden gems, ultimate privileges on Capitol Hill will return later this month: tours of the Capitol's iconic dome. Member-led Dome tours will resume on Monday, April 25, accompanied by visitor guides who provide insights into the architecture, art, and history of the Dome.
"Dome Tours are physically challenging and strenuous," warned the memo that went to staff on Thursday. "The Office of Attending Physician strongly advises that all persons with heart, back, neck, knee, acrophobia (a fear of heights), or breathing problems... should not go on a Dome Tour." IT'S A JUNGLE OUT THERE — If this week had you dreaming of a tropical escape, you can find one right on campus. QUICK LINKS Senators to restart bipartisan immigration reform talks, from Jordain Carney at The Hill Qualified blind trust proposal receives chilled reception at congressional stock hearing, from Chris Marquette at CQ Roll Call Congresswoman's Bribery Scandal Takes Shocking New Turn, from William Bredderman and Ursula Perano at The Daily Beast TRANSITIONS Jordan Wilson is joining the minority staff of the Committee on House Administration as the director of member services. He spent more than six years with Rep. Rob Wittman's (R-Va.) office. Sean Byrne has has joined ACG Advocacy as a partner. He spent a decade working for Schumer, most recently as a senior adviser on agriculture, environment, energy and natural resources, public land management, and NASA issues. Eric May is now director of federal government affairs for TIAA. He previously was legislative director for Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.). | | | | A message from the Flex Association:   | | |
TODAY IN CONGRESS
The House is out. The Senate is out. AROUND THE HILL A quiet start to recess. | | |
THURSDAY'S WINNER: Kevin Baird correctly answered that John Quincy Adams kept a pet alligator in a bathtub in the East Room of the White House.
TODAY'S QUESTION from Kevin: Which president's heroics as a commissary sergeant at the Battle of Antietam serving hot coffee and warm food to Union soldiers are commemorated with a statue on the battlefield? The first person to correctly guess gets a mention in the next edition of Huddle. Send your answers to ktm@politico.com. GET HUDDLE emailed to your phone each morning. Follow Katherine on Twitter @ktullymcmanus | | | | A message from the Flex Association: What is Flex? A new trade association made up of DoorDash, Gopuff, Grubhub, HopSkipDrive, Instacart, Lyft, Shipt, and Uber. We deliver facts, data and public policy ideas to inform the conversation on the app-based economy and workforce.
We are a voice for the millions of app-based drivers, consumers, and entrepreneurs who rely on our platforms. We advance commonsense policies that strengthen our transportation and delivery networks, improve safety, advance sustainability, and deliver equity and opportunity so all communities can thrive.
Our industry touches nearly every community across America. App-based platforms provide services that so many depend on, throughout the pandemic and day in, day out. We contribute nearly $350 billion to the economy. We provide flexible opportunities for tens of millions of Americans who want to earn on their own terms. And we continue to advocate for innovative policies to better serve drivers, customers, and the communities where we live and work. Learn more. | | | | | | | Follow us | | | | |
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