STEERING POWER A powerful House Republican panel is set to meet again behind closed doors tomorrow to decide the next set of competitive committee chair races. There have already been several upsets inside the House GOP steering committee that have shattered the illusions of those who pretend to hold a crystal ball on such deliberations. Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), the dark horse candidate to lead the House Foreign Affairs Committee, emerged victorious over Rep. Ann Wagner (R-Mo.), who had been thought to be a shoo-in before the vote. And Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) — to the surprise of many, including some members of steering — secured a waiver from GOP term limit rules, allowing him to continue as Transportation and Infrastructure chair (and setting a new precedent under Speaker Mike Johnson). So what surprises will tomorrow have in store? Here’s what we know going in, with deliberations on the Financial Services race set to begin at 11 a.m. and Education and Workforce following at 2 p.m.: Financial Services: Reps. Andy Barr (R-Ky.), French Hill (R-Ark.), Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.) and Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) are competing to helm the panel that oversees Wall Street, the Federal Reserve and more. Though Lucas is most senior, most members and aides expect the gavel to go to one of the other three — with the frontrunner being Barr, a loyal ally to President-elect Donald Trump and Majority Leader Steve Scalise who has built his pitch around melding the party's populist and free-market contingents, Eleanor reports. Hill was a member of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy's inner circle and played a key role in advancing the cryptocurrency legislation drafted by outgoing Chair Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.). He’s expected to focus his presentation on his resume plus a handful of new committee roles. And lobbyists say not to discount Huizenga, a widely liked Midwesterner who has chaired three of the panel's subcommittees and is keeping his presentation close to the vest. Education and Labor: Reps. Burgess Owens (R-Utah) and Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) are vying to replace term-limited Chair Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.). There doesn’t appear to be an obvious frontrunner from our conversations with steering sources, but there are competing factors in the race. Some steering members feel Walberg was unfairly denied the gavel when McCarthy granted Foxx a waiver two years ago and thus believe he should have his shot next year. Members also note he is more senior, entering his ninth term, and has a more experienced staff to help him hit the ground running. Owens, on the other hand, is more junior but represents a fresh face for the party and — as potentially the only Black chair next term — would bring some diversity to the GOP committee leadership slate. Transportation and Infrastructure: The waiver didn’t guarantee a glide path for Graves, but it certainly signaled an advantage. Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.) got the message, announcing this afternoon he is dropping out of the race and clearing the way for Graves’ return. Rules: The race for this gavel is different: The decision is solely in the hands of Speaker Mike Johnson. And while we’ve heard chatter that Foxx is high up on Johnson’s list, that hasn’t stopped Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) from pushing for the role. Roy’s delegation mate, Rep. John Carter (R-Texas), is also publicly backing him. “I will defer to the speaker on that. I have put my name out there. And there are a number of my colleagues — I’m proud to have their support,” Roy said on Steve Bannon’s “War Room” this morning. “I think I would add some value to that position because of my expertise on the rules.” Keep in mind: There are some members who want Roy, a Freedom Caucus member, off Rules altogether given he has helped tank rules coming out of the gatekeeper committee and, in some cases, voting down rules that do emerge on the House floor. — Olivia Beavers, with help from Eleanor Mueller GOOD EVENING! Welcome to Inside Congress, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Wednesday, Dec. 11, where tributes to oneself may become a thing after this. DEMS’ JUDGE DREAD House Democratic leadership is urging caucus members to vote against legislation that would add new federal judicial positions, which President Joe Biden threatened to veto Tuesday, according to four people familiar with the effort. The legislation, which is scheduled for a vote in the House this week, would add 66 new federal judicial positions in districts across the country over the course of three presidential administrations. Democrats were already whipping against the legislation even before the veto threat arrived. Party leaders had previously supported the legislation but backed off after Trump won the White House and the bill came up on Congress’ post-election calendar. The bill passed the Senate with no opposition earlier this year, but senators had envisioned clearing the deal before the election — while neither party knew who would get the ability to nominate the new judges. Biden said the bill is “unnecessary to the efficient and effective administration of justice.” Because the bill is still likely to pass the House given the GOP majority, Biden will likely have to make good on his veto threat. — Daniella Diaz and Nicholas Wu
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