GOOD MORNING! Welcome to Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Thursday, Aug. 10, where we’re still digesting the surprise overnight announcement of Taylor Swift’s 1989 (Taylor’s Version). ALL EYES ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL The White House is expected to unveil its request for billions of dollars in additional Ukraine aid Thursday, throwing more gas onto a government funding battle that’s just beginning to rage on Capitol Hill. The emergency money to provide Ukraine with weapons, equipment and other assistance in the country’s ongoing war against Russian aggression has driven a rift through the Republican party, with a number of conservatives maintaining deep skepticism over giving the country another dime without a fuller accounting of how assistance has been spent to date. It won’t be a smooth ride: Remember that 70 House Republicans voted to end all aid to Ukraine during an amendment vote on the annual defense policy bill last month. If you’re wondering if that group’s thinking has evolved at all, note that one of those 70, Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.), replied Wednesday with a simple “No” to a report about the coming request. A possible stopgap sweetener: That said, Ukraine aid does enjoy some GOP support in Congress — particularly in the Senate, where Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), the top Republican appropriator, both consider it a top priority. And with hurricane season approaching, the White House request is also expected to include money to replenish rapidly dwindling federal disaster relief. Expect both pots of money to end up attached to a stopgap spending bill meant to avert a government shutdown in October. It’s a familiar move to build bipartisan support for a short-term funding patch, though it will be far from easy given the volatile dynamics inside the House GOP. — Caitlin Emma and Anthony Adragna WHERE DIFI’S NEEDED Attention on Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s (D-Calif.) health has not dissipated during this August recess — especially after news Wednesday that she fell in her San Francisco home and went to the hospital. Her office called the fall “minor” and gave no indication it would prevent her from returning to Washington next month, but the episode has once again highlighted how, with a slim 51-49 majority, Senate Democrats’ agenda can be upended by the absence of any one senator. September is going to be a particularly tough month for Schumer and Democratic leaders, who face a long to-do list and a need to have every member of their caucus present in Washington and voting to get their priorities over the finish line. Just for starters, Democrats need Feinstein’s vote on:
- Judicial nominations: The Senate Judiciary Committee felt Feinstein’s absence when she was recovering from shingles for three months and had a much easier time moving would-be judges to the floor once she returned. Another extended absence could halt that work once again.
- Supreme Court ethics: Ethics legislation for the high court was approved by the Judiciary Committee last month on a party-line vote — including an aye from Feinstein. While Republicans are almost certain to filibuster the bill should Schumer bring it to the floor, every Democratic vote will be important to show the measure has majority support in the Senate.
- Funding the government: It’s looking essentially impossible for Congress to pass all 12 appropriations bills before the Sept. 30 deadline, making the aforementioned stopgap a must-pass. Democrats would surely welcome Feinstein’s support to help them get the 60 votes needed to beat a filibuster, as the push for even short-term continuing resolutions has only gotten more arduous over the years.
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