| | | | |  | | By Katherine Tully-McManus | | | | 
President Joe Biden at the House Democratic Caucus Issues Conference last night. | Evan Vucci/AP Photo | HOWDY, NEIGHBOR — President Joe Biden heads to Capitol Hill today to speak with Senate Democrats, his second stop with Hill Dems this week after last night’s speech to the House Democratic retreat. Biden’s visit to the Senate Democratic lunch today comes as two caucus members joined Republicans on Wednesday to set the president up for the first veto of his presidency. Sens. Jon Tester of Montana and Joe Manchin of West Virginia broke with their party on a resolution to roll back an environmental and social investing rule. But Biden isn’t expected to dwell on that at Thursday’s lunch meeting. After all, Democrats are cheering Tester as he faces a tough reelection bid in 2024 and are awaiting an announcement from Manchin on his future plans. Biden in Baltimore: The president plotted out the 2024 campaign strategy on stage at the House Democratic retreat last night, urging his House colleagues to tout the passage and implementation of legislative victories from the last Congress: “Let the people know who did it for them,” he said. Biden has little hope of more big-ticket legislation moving through a divided Congress, which means that promoting the laws already on the books and rolling out across the country is the central messaging challenge of the year. Biden took questions from members in a closed-door session after the speech. Lawmkers pressed him on implementation of the infrastructure and health care bills, workers’ rights, Ukraine, inflation and the administration’s response to the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, Nicholas and Daniella report. Vibe check: The retreat’s kickoff was markedly calmer this year and not just because Democrats are in the minority. Last year’s confab in Philly was delayed and scrambled following a revolt by rank-and-file Democrats over a massive party-line spending bill that left the caucus bruised and lawmakers (and staff) grumpy. It is, of course, easier to be unified when the pressure of governing has been lifted. But that means Democrats can be laser focused on plotting for 2024. THE TRUMP TEST — It’s not as high stakes as it used to be, House Republicans tell Sarah and Ally. While Trump is leading every major poll for the GOP field for 2024, he’s going to have serious challengers that House Republicans are warming up to. As of March 1, fewer than 20 House Republicans have formally endorsed Trump in the four months since he declared his third campaign, according to a POLITICO analysis. Members expressed that while Trump may still be vengeful against those who oppose him, his fury is less potent and his support may not be required for political survival as it has been in recent years. Don’t miss this deeply reported dive into where Trump stands among the House GOP and the political calculations members are weighing as they consider endorsements.
| | A message from the Association of American Railroads: When it comes to safety – 99.9% is not enough. While 99.9% of all hazmat shipments that move by rail reach their destination safely, we know a single incident can have significant impacts. That’s why America’s freight railroads will never stop working to improve safety and protect communities, workers and the environment. Learn more. | | | GOOD MORNING! Welcome to Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Thursday, March 2. CORRECTION: Yesterday’s Huddle misstated a change to the cap on funding for earmarks from last year. Total funding that can go to earmarks remains the same as last year. VANCE VAMPS IN SENATE WARM UP — J.D. Vance wasn’t on track to be a congenial dealmaker in the Senate, but the crisis in his home state with the toxic train derailment has opened a door for the freshman Republican from Ohio. He’s working with Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) on rail safety and earned praise from Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). But, as Burgess writes this morning, don’t expect him to be forming bipartisan gangs all over the place. First, he’s a freshman who hasn’t really found his place in the chamber yet and second, he remains skeptical of “bipartisanship for its own sake,” he told Burgess. “I certainly came in expecting the political environment to be so partisan, that it would be harder to get anything done,” Vance said. “In reality, so long as you’re not being a total jerk about it, I think it’s possible to do things.” But with Brown up for reelection in a battleground, the good vibes born out of crisis might not last. More on how Vance is fitting into the Senate puzzle. IT’S HAPPENING — Almost everyone on Capitol Hill has been clambering for a hearing on the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will be first on the board on March 9, where they’ll hear testimony from Norfolk Southern President and CEO Alan Shaw, regional EPA officials, and water and emergency management leaders from the area. Sens. Brown, Vance, and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) will also testify before their colleagues. FEINSTEIN’S ABSENCE — Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) didn’t cast any votes in Washington this week. Her office said she is back in California “dealing with a health matter” and that she “hopes to return to Washington soon.” Meanwhile… Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass endorsed Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) for Feinstein’s Senate seat Wednesday afternoon in what is shaping up to be a piping hot primary battle. Both Bass and Lee are former Congressional Black Caucus chairs and are longtime friends SUPER SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP — There's a bipartisan bill on the "special relationship" getting ready for introduction today. Sens. Chris Coons (D-Del.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) are introducing a bill that would authorize the Biden administration to negotiate and lock in a trade agreement with the United Kingdom Coons: “The United Kingdom is one of our largest trading partners and closest allies. A comprehensive free trade agreement with the United Kingdom would advance our country’s strategic and economic interests while creating new economic opportunities.” Thune: “Now is the time to strengthen our economic and strategic relationship with the United Kingdom in order to create new opportunities for American workers, farmers, ranchers, and businesses.” Read the bill.
| | | | 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. | | | | | TO BUDGET, OR NOT BUDGET? — Schumer was noncommittal about whether Senate Democrats will adopt a fiscal 2024 budget resolution this year. President Joe Biden will release his budget plan next week “and we’ll go from there,” the majority leader said Wednesday. Biden’s budget release is slated for March 9 and the president has held a series of events leading up to the release of his spending blueprint. He’s urging House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) to offer an alternative plan and Republicans are aiming to unveil their own budget proposal in April. McCarthy said Wednesday that he hadn’t heard from Mr. Biden since the two met in January. “He hasn’t followed up from our last meeting, even though he said he would,” McCarthy said, adding that Mr. Biden was “putting the economy in jeopardy.” SPOTTED: LIVELY DEBATE — What does it say about Congress when the best political debate of the week unfolded on the House steps, not in committee or on the floor? Reps. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) and Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) traded jabs about their states, Trump, DeSantis, Biden’s record, legislative feats, who’s got a real chance in 2024 and much more, all on camera for NBC News. You know it’s good because Donalds declared “that’s all I’m gonna say” at the 15 second mark, which was not true at all. Sure, they raised their voices, but they were having a blast. “In what world, Bizarro Land?” Donald quips. “Bye Felicia!” exclaims Bowman. Don’t miss it.
| | | | A message from the Association of American Railroads:   | | | | | | Pour one out… Capitol Lounge didn’t make it through the pandemic, but the guys at Union Pub want to give their friendly rival one last hurrah — and it isn’t an April Fools joke. On April 1st from 11:30 a.m- 2:30 a.m. Union Pub will transform with decor and food and drink specials from the old Senate-side mainstay, plus some familiar faces from behind the Cap Lounge bar. One promise: No Miller Lites will be served. ICYMI: The Conservative Partnership Institute, the conservative nonprofit helmed by former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows, just bought the building that was home to Cap Lounge for a cool $11.35 million. So the bar’s “No Politics, No Miller Lite” motto is very dead on that block. QUICK LINKS Senior McCarthy aide, House Oversight chairman each met with mother of Jan. 6 rioter Ashli Babbitt, from Scott McFarlane at ABC News Angus King’s Social Security proposal puts him to Susan Collins’ right, from Michael Shepherd at The Bangor Daily News Trucks Hauling U.S. Mail Frequently Violate Safety Rules. Crashes Killed 79 People Since 2020, from Christopher Weaver at The Wall Street Journal Biden personnel head under fire after hires with history of sexual misconduct, from Lisa Rein at The Washington Post
| | | | DOWNLOAD THE POLITICO MOBILE APP: Stay up to speed with the newly updated POLITICO mobile app, featuring timely political news, insights and analysis from the best journalists in the business. The sleek and navigable design offers a convenient way to access POLITICO's scoops and groundbreaking reporting. Don’t miss out on the app you can rely on for the news you need, reimagined. DOWNLOAD FOR iOS– DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID. | | | | | TODAY IN CONGRESS The House convenes at 9 a.m. for a pro forma session. The Senate convenes at 10 a.m. and at 11:30 a.m. will vote on the confirmation of Colleen Lawless – an incredible name for a judge – to be a U.S. district judge for the Central District of Illinois and vote on cloture on Gordon Gallagher’s nomination to be a U.S. district judge for Colorado. At 1:45 p.m. the chamber will vote on confirmation of Jonathan Grey to be a U.S. district judge for the Eastern District of Michigan. AROUND THE HILL Looking like a quiet one.
| | | WEDNESDAY’S WINNER: Rob Placek correctly answered that the House Agriculture Committee celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2020 and has a cool hearing room featuring a balcony overlooking the Capitol and Independence Avenue. TODAY’S QUESTION Rob: Former Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) recently resigned to become president of the University of Florida. Before Sasse, who was the last member of the Nebraska delegation to lead a university? And what institution was it? 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 Association of American Railroads: Freight railroads prioritize solutions-oriented actions to address the leading causes of accidents. Ongoing investments in improved track and equipment, rigorous operating and training protocols, and advanced inspection technologies have led to a 55% decline in hazmat accidents in the last decade. Railroads stand ready to work with government officials and safety experts to identify and implement proven steps to help prevent future accidents from happening.
Freight rail’s safety plan focuses on:
— Stopping accidents before they occur.
— Reducing the consequences of accidents that do occur.
— Providing training and other resources to local first responders.
— Protecting the health and safety of communities and the environment.
— Using lessons learned to drive continual improvement.
Learn more about freight rail’s commitment to hazmat safety. | | | | | | | Follow us | | | | |
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