Subject: POLITICO Huddle, Presented by the Beer Institute: AUMF IN BIG TROUBLE -- Advice for Boehner -- WARREN, SESSIONS PROFILES -- Hold it: No sledding on Capitol Hill today
From: "POLITICO Huddle" <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 05 Mar 2015 06:52:57 -0600

By Burgess Everett (@burgessev or 
mailto:[email-masked] 
[email-masked] )

Featuring Seung Min Kim

AUMF IN PERIL: Capitol Hill's effort to authorize the ongoing war against the Islamic State is in big trouble. Not a single Democrat on the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee supports the draft that President Obama sent to the Hill -- and that's before Republicans weigh in with their changes. The impasse has the panel's chairman, Bob Corker of Tennessee, mulling the possibility of shelving a committee vote if the president can't convince Democrats to change their mind. "It's quite a dilemma," Corker told me. "Before we begin the process of considering marking up a bill, I want to know that there's a route forward that can lead to success." My story with Manu Raju: 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=70c0109ec28a4085a4cf2e3d5342186246e6b376456f02918fef55996a11f358 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=70c0109ec28a4085a4cf2e3d5342186246e6b376456f02918fef55996a11f358 

HOW BOEHNER COULD DO HIS JOB DIFFERENTLY: David Rogers puts it to us straight: "Maybe it's time to think of the Republican House as a coalition government." The reality is that with a Democratic filibuster still so prevalent in the Senate, House Republicans are going to have to swallow some compromises to have any hope of getting new laws to the president. But Rogers also reminds us that the House speaker job is one that balances bipartisan responsibility with party leader, and it's been hard to see John Boehner as anything on that than the latter lately. "This requires a sense of balance that all modern speakers have struggled with, but Boehner often seems to be so vested in his party role
 that he forgets the rest. Thus when the speaker is undercut by the right - as seen most recently in the fight over the Homeland Security budget - he comes across as weaker than he truly is." 
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PROFILE-PALOOZA: Since the Capitol is closed and the federal government is shuddered, it's a great day to pour a cuppa joe and check out a couple really nice profiles from my colleagues.

-- ELIZABETH WARREN, THE OUTSIDER: Glenn Thrush and Manu tell the tale of how the Massachusetts senator wants to be the most powerful Democrat in America, but not while running for president. Her rise has been quick since 2008, and now she has entrenched relationships with groups of the left that make her influence quite daunting for the party and the White House: Just ask Antonio Weiss. But on Capitol Hill Warren hasn't necessarily shown she's ready for the big deal, though she has some bipartisan bills with prominent Republicans. Take it away, Senator Manchin: "Sooner or later, you have to go produce something ... You gotta say, 'I did something.' It's one thing to just keep throwing the
 red meat out there and say, 'Boy, I fed the lions today, they're happy.'" 
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My Warren exclusive: Thrush was able to sit down with Warren, but though I've covered the Senate for several eons in Politico years, the closest I've ever got to speaking to her was yesterday as she scampered away from yet another reporter trying to get an answer. Warren rarely acknowledges Capitol Hill reporters, and this time was no different. One reporter had had enough and shouted at Warren and her aide as she got on an elevator: "She's a United States Senator. She can answer a question." On the packed elevator, where she didn't notice yours truly, Warren muttered: "That was fun. I just like to bring a little excitement."

-- JEFF SESSIONS, IMMIGRATION CRUSADER: Seung Min Kim surveys the Alabama senator, one of the most frequent speakers on the Senate floor who has made blocking bipartisan attempts at immigration reform his cause."Mocked by the left, beloved by the hard-right and at times bothersome to fellow Republicans, Sessions rallied his party in the weeks-long standoff that ended with GOP capitulation. But the fourth-term senator is quickly moving on from defeat to his next crusade: attacking high-skilled immigration ... 'I am in a minority in the U.S. Senate ... in questioning whether we should reward people who came into the country illegally with jobs that Americans would like to do,' Sessions said.
 'But with the American people, I am in a distinct majority.'" 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=70c0109ec28a40850144c8ead8dc1940ec1e69ca9671ea6b653d3652f2ad53a3 
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NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT -- Illinois GOP to push on immigration: The prospects of immigration reform have dramatically dwindled on Capitol Hill, but that's not stopping a group of GOP lawmakers from the Land of Lincoln. Huddle has the sneak preview of an event in Chicago with some of the state's top Republican officials, including Gov. Bruce Rauner, Sen. Mark Kirk, and Reps. Aaron Schock, Adam Kinzinger and Bob Dold, who will revive their call for immigration reform at the Monday gathering. The event, hosted by the Illinois Business Immigration Coalition, is aimed at trying to move the GOP beyond their furor over President Barack Obama's executive actions on immigration and
 toward legislative action.

-- John Rowe, the chairman emeritus of the Exelon Corporation and an IBIC co-chair, told Huddle in an interview that he expects the Republican officials to emphasize several key points in Chicago: Legalizing those who are here illegally, a "broader and more open" visa program, E-Verify requirements and border-security efforts. "We're trying to push Republicans," Rowe, a Republican, told Huddle. "It's widely popular among the Democrats, many Republicans were moving the right way on it and Obama did the executive order. And too many people are busy being mad at the president without solving the problem."

** The Beer Institute represents the American beer industry, which employs more than 2 million Americans earning nearly $79 billion in wages and benefits. The industry pays more than $49 billion in business, personal and consumption taxes, making taxes one of the most expensive ingredients in your beer. Learn more at
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THE GOVERNMENT IS CLOSED BUT WE'RE OPEN FOR BUSINESS. Welcome to the Huddle, your play-by-play guide to everything Capitol Hill, where you better not go sledding later today. Please send tips to 
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TODAY IN CONGRESS - The House and Senate are both out because of the weather.

AROUND THE HILL - Everything has been cancelled.

OFF THE HILL --At 12:30 p.m., Sens. Chuck Schumer, Amy Klobuchar and Patrick Leahy hold a conference call urging the GOP to confirm Loretta Lynch. At 2:30 p.m. Sen. Patty Murray holds a press call with Planned Parenthood on women's health legislation.

WEDNESDAY'S MOST CLICKED LINK: The Jake and Bres piece on Boehner and the GOP being stuck together.

WHEN GOING DOWN A HILL IS LIKE CLIMBING A MOUNTAIN: D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton took on the man; and the man won. She tried to get the Capitol Police to allow an exemption today for sledding on Capitol Hill's actual Hill, but it was denied. Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Frank J. Larkin, chairman of the Capitol Police Board: "Unfortunately, the Board cannot grant exceptions to the Traffic Regulations for the United States Capitol Grounds ...The Capitol Police Board will continue to review the regulations and implement updates as necessary." A "deeply disappointed" Norton responded: "I have not asked for unfettered or unregulated sledding. Rather, I have requested reasonable regulation of
 sledding to replace the absolute ban."

What this ban breeds: There really is no other place to sled on Capitol Hill unless you are in the streets. During the last storm I saw people literally trying to sled down the five or so steps at Lincoln Park by building a snow pile on top of them. SMH.

SPEAKING OF TOUGH SLOGS: Have you seen the Senate this week? The chamber passed a resolution on the NLRB, which will be vetoed, failed to override the Keystone veto and is preparing for Democrats to stiff arm an Iran bill (more on that below). It's enough for Minority Leader Harry Reid to offer some consolation to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell -- after another week spent stymying his agenda, of course. The Wall Street Journal sat down with Reid yesterday: "Mr. Reid said his job is much less difficult than when he was in charge-something he told Mr. McConnell a week ago. 'I did your job for eight years.... That was pretty hard,' he recounted saying. 'I said this job I have is easy. So you
 just have to be careful you don't push too hard.'" 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=70c0109ec28a40857339c9f9761d5b964cb86c0b43179a4d288acdaa6f20e1fe 
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COMING ATTRACTIONS -- Failed Iran vote: In an outcome that appears predetermined, the Senate will vote on a bill that would allow congressional approval or rejection of a deal with Iran on Tuesday. But it will almost certainly fail after Senate Democrats, led by Bob Menendez, sent a letter to McConnell vowing to vote against that legislation, which they support, until March 24. McConnell is moving on without them, and the result will be the first Iran roll call since the nuclear negotiations started, even if it will fail. My story: 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=70c0109ec28a4085362d73c91dc5f1174065ebe9c2d683c14eadf638673088c8 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=70c0109ec28a4085362d73c91dc5f1174065ebe9c2d683c14eadf638673088c8 

The upshot: There's a deep well of support for both the congressional approval bill and a sanctions bill, just not until after March 24. But if McConnell revisits either of these in three weeks, he may get a completely different result.

VAN HOLLEN IN, LEFT SKEPTICAL: Maryland Rep. Chris Van Hollen is running for Senator Barb's seat, but it will take a lot of effort to clear the field. Progressive CREDO Action is set to prod Van Hollen on his entitlement positions as some other left-leaning groups try to convince Rep. Donna Edwards to run against him. "Voters in Maryland deserve to know exactly where Congressman Van Hollen stands on Social Security and Medicare," Becky Bond, CREDO's political director, will say later today, according to a sneak peek shared with Huddle. "Van Hollen needs to draw a line in the sand and make it clear that he will vote against any bill that cuts Social Security or Medicare benefits."

DEPT. OF PASSED BILLS: The House voted to approve a passenger rail reauthorization bill yesterday, a feather in the cap of rail chairman Jeff Denham, one of those Republicans that will face a tough re-election basically every two years. But in addition to the big legislation that was passed, Denham and his family got another win: Lily the French bulldog is allowed on trains if the bill becomes law. LAT profiles the pooch in question: "He and his wife could take Lily back and forth to California on United Airlines without any problems. But when they tried to take her on Amtrak, they heard a familiar refrain: No dogs allowed ... Denham's bill would expand the program to routes around the
 country. Amtrak has yet to define which routes will qualify, but the bill requires they be less than 750 miles, given dogs&#39; need for outdoor relief. Pet owners would have to pay a $25 fee for the privilege. Sorry, no ferrets or Komodo dragons." 
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MONDAY'S TRIVIA WINNER - No one answered my question. Let's try it again: Which D.C. delegation asked for its eponymously named avenue to be changed and when? The first person to correctly answer gets a mention in the next day&#39;s Huddle. Email me at 
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** Nobody knows the beer industry better than the Beer Institute. Have a question about beer policy? Contact the Beer Institute. With roots dating back to 1862, the Beer Institute represents brewers, beer importers and allied suppliers before Congress, the media and others. You can learn more about the business of beer, and answer your questions about complex industry issues, by calling the Beer Institute at (202) 737-BEER (2337), or by visiting
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