Subject: POLITICO Huddle, presented by Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals: HOUSE GOP LEADERSHIP ELECTIONS TODAY – Democratic discord continues – SCHUMER SLAMS BANNON APPOINTMENT – Ellison makes DNC bid official – SESSIONS FOR DEFENSE SECRETARY?
From: "POLITICO Huddle" <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2016 06:49:58 -0600
List-Id: <1376319_6054989.xt.local>

11/15/2016 07:47 AM EDT

By Heather Caygle ([email-masked] or @heatherscope) 

With assistance from John Bresnahan, Burgess Everett and Elana Schor

GOP LEADERSHIP ELECTIONS TODAY- House Speaker Paul Ryan is expected to easily win reelection today in the conference's closed-door elections--a dramatic reversal of events compared to the run up to the election and partly due to President-elect Donald Trump's decision to embrace the House speaker. "Ryan and the current leadership team is expected to be reinstalled during a closed-door meeting of the House Republican Conference on Tuesday. The bigger test will be a floor vote in January, when Ryan must garner a majority of members present, typically 218 votes, to re-take the gavel," Rachael reports. More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=62e6a7af57d95be9f4c194868f087a65cc3a85c68e02216797db742ca1d03068 

The race to watch? The battle between Reps. Steve Stivers and Roger Williams to take over the House GOP's campaign arm. "Multiple sources said Rep. Steve Stivers, currently an NRCC deputy chairman, appears to have the votes to succeed Rep. Greg Walden as chairman," Rachael and Theo report. "But Rep. Roger Williams is making a last-ditch effort to win the job, in part by capitalizing on members' loathing of annual dues requirements." More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=62e6a7af57d95be9a66bf8e1963bb714bc6b2208e9fc0207eb73afb7f8e0aee6 

Reps. Bill Flores and Doug Collins are also vying to be the GOP conference vice chair. 

DEMOCRATIC DISCORD CONTINUES- House Democrats gather for their first caucus meeting since the election this morning as Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi continues to confront the discontent running through her ranks. Rep. Tim Ryan is considering challenging Pelosi while a group of members circulating a letter to delay Thursday's leadership elections are expected to make their push during today's meeting. 

More than two dozen lawmakers have signed onto the letter but Democratic leaders seem confident heading into this morning's meeting. "Nothing's happening," Assistant Leader Jim Clyburn told Bres Monday evening in the Speaker's Lobby. And the issue could be pushed to Thursday if another member rules the conversation out of order because today's gathering isn't a meeting of the caucus that will be in the next Congress. 

Rep. Tim Ryan told Huddle he's heard from "a couple dozen" colleagues who would support him if he challenged Pelosi, but cautioned he hasn't made a final decision yet. "This was not my thing. I never had any intention of running for a leadership position," he told Huddle. "I got a few calls saying 'we need someone from the Midwest who is a good communicator who can help us win seats in tough areas across the country.'"

"Right now we have a leader who doesn't look like the party representing blue collar workers," one member who is backing Ryan told Huddle. "I think that the time is ripe for a change in leadership."

Real talk: There is obviously unhappiness in the ranks but not enough to threaten Pelosi - at least not yet. And let's not forget, many members think there isn't a realistic alternative to Pelosi, which is why they say there hasn't been credible challenges in the past. The rest of leadership team-Whip Steny Hoyer, Clyburn, outgoing Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra and Vice Chairman Joe Crowley--is supporting her. My story with Bres: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=62e6a7af57d95be95f4241907995c87f66e3108959def083bc1875ecbf429a79 

Tomorrow: Pelosi, DCCC Chairman Ben Ray Lujan and campaign committee staff will hold an "after election review" at the request of Pelosi Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. at the DCCC.

House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy weighs in: "If I'm being selfish, I truly believe as long as she's leader we keep the majority," he told reporters Monday. More from the L.A. Times: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=62e6a7af57d95be919289019e865a4695eca7b4703a460067d81ee3dcc7468a5 

TWEET DU JOUR: John Bresnahan (@BresPolitico): Just ran into @NancyPelosi. Me: "How are you?" Pelosi: "Terrible."

COMING TODAY- President-elect Donald Trump's economic adviser Stephen Moore will huddle with House Republican whips this morning. "The founder of the Club for Growth, Moore has also worked for the arch-conservative Heritage Foundation, and he's been in touch with members of the Ways and Means Committee and the conservative House Freedom Caucus to talk about tax reform, sources say." Rachael: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=62e6a7af57d95be925dd9f6bf53b33de9c9885cf57518766ac1b805147d26f0c 

LET'S DO THIS, it's Tuesday, Nov. 15. Thanks for reading POLITICO's Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill. 

MONDAY'S MOST CLICKED-  The Post and Courier story on Sen. Tim Scott and Rep. Trey Gowdy possibly making a joint run for governor/lt. governor. 

TODAY IN CONGRESS- The Senate gavels in at 4 p.m. with a vote at 5:30 p.m. on the Gold Star Families Voices Act. The House meets at 12 p.m. with first and last votes between 4 p.m.- 5 p.m. 

AROUND THE HILL- There will be a self-driving car demo prior to a House Energy and Commerce hearing on the issue at 9 a.m. on South Capitol St. between C St. and D St. House Democrats have a caucus meeting at 9 a.m. in HVC-215 but aren't expected to hold a press conference after. 

** Presented by Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals: A story of courage -- My son, Charlie, began exhibiting abnormal behaviors as an infant. The pediatrician confirmed that my son was very sick. Upon receiving Charlie's devastating diagnosis, the doctor prescribed a medication to help him. The treatment was successful. Today, he is a healthy and happy boy. To learn more about Molli and Charlie's story visit http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=62e6a7af57d95be9f9b106ea5d64a64d248b4fa3d45ba7c13d48162139b0f04e **

House Speaker Paul Ryan, Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and other GOP leaders hold a post-meeting press conference at 10 a.m. in HC-8. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell meets with Sen.-elect Todd Young at 10 a.m. 

Reps. Tulsi Gabbard, Joe Kennedy, Brendan Boyle, Eric Swalwell and Jason Smith will be speaking at a 10:30 a.m. event on career preparedness for veterans in Cannon 340. New House members take their class photo on the east front steps at 10:45 a.m. 

The GOP leadership elections kick off at 1 p.m. in 1100 Longworth. Reps. Rosa DeLauro, Debbie Dingell, Lloyd Doggett, Tulsi Gabbard, Mark Pocan, Louise Slaughter and Marcy Kaptur hold a 1:15 p.m. press conference on TPP in the House triangle. 

Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse and Bernie Sanders hold a 2 p.m. press call urging President-elect Donald Trump to adopt ethics rules reducing lobbyists' influence. Sen. Lindsey Graham holds a pen and pad at 4:30 p.m. in S-316. 

Event Alert: Tax Reform in the New Washington - Join POLITICO on Wednesday as we convene key voices from Capitol Hill, the new administration, and the private sector to ask: Is there common ground on tax reform? Wednesday, November 16th - Doors at 8:00am; The W Hotel. RSVP: here. Livestream: here.

SCHUMER SLAMS BANNON- Incoming Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer didn't mince words when describing how he feels about Trump's appointment of Steve Bannon to be his senior strategist. "In a speech to the Democracy Alliance, a progressive group allied with Democrats, the first Jewish Senate leader laced into Bannon, according to a source," Burgess reports. "'Steve Bannon's appointment to a senior White House post signals that many of his dangerous and bigoted ideas will have a seat at the table in the White House,' Schumer said." More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=62e6a7af57d95be9cc4dc5e5a9b9f6000118611b3091ead109bbbd9fcba48557 

Other Dems pile on- House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi condemned Bannon, calling him a "white nationalist" and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer called his appointment "deeply disturbing." Congressional Black Caucus Chairman G.K. Butterfield described Trump picking Bannon as "a cold slap in the face." More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=62e6a7af57d95be92bce5452b7e5b37f33fc3ee12cf3787a2a0b79833dc33c80 

Coming attractions: Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid will speak about Bannon on the Senate floor today. More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=62e6a7af57d95be9b255b2f56c9909b3085d49a5e0fcda963e0fbb1d93762197 

Who doesn't want to talk about Bannon? Hill Republicans. Bres and Rachael: "House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy defended President-elect Donald Trump's appointment of Steve Bannon as his top strategist, saying Trump can pick whoever he wants for his administration. ... Yet McCarthy, a California Republican, didn't want to get drawn into the controversy over Bannon, who has been accused of racist and anti-Semitic views." More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=62e6a7af57d95be96255afcad51843c093cd1dc4a40f621c7d2cdf70e14609f8 

But Bannon has been making calls to top Republicans on Capitol Hill, trying to build relationships with them ahead of Trump's White House takeover, Jake and Anna report in Playbook this morning: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=62e6a7af57d95be964c8cc43ee0a131557a98f62cd8278ac3a49cbf46a9ceffd 

TRANSITION WATCH: SESSIONS FOR SecDef- Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions is the leading choice for Trump's secretary of defense, Jeremy Herb and Connor O'Brien report. But while picking Sessions "would reward the president-elect's most outspoken congressional loyalist, [the choice would] offer few olive branches to a Trump-wary Republican national security establishment." Sessions was spotted Monday evening at Trump Tower in New York City. More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=62e6a7af57d95be91ffd41c7163ef254c6ac0d379ed5b259b4479f1f2e17dbfe 

ELLISON JUMPS IN DNC RACE- Rep. Keith Ellison made it official Monday-he's running for Democratic National Committee chairman. In his announcement, Ellison also rolled out additional endorsements, including from Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Chris Murphy. Daniel Strauss: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=62e6a7af57d95be9012fd92048280f58ab2da090140d30ccf7b4a3a3c4c47579 

Who else is in: S.C. Democratic Party Chairman Jaime Harrison, he announced Monday. Emma Dumain with the Post and Courier: "Harrison has an impressive resume and compelling personal narrative. He likens his story to the 'American dream,' which took him from poverty and food stamps to college and law degrees from Yale and Georgetown. He taught at his old high school in Orangeburg and then went to Washington, D.C., to hold senior positions on the staff of U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, who at that point was already in House Democratic leadership." More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=62e6a7af57d95be9cd07c72d9c17afb9b326555e5600634f095e33c5b523d3cd 

Who's not running for the DNC spot? Retiring New York Rep. Steve Israel. "I chaired the DCCC for four years. There's not one gray hair left on my head to donate to [the DNC]," he told reporters Monday evening after House votes. "I do think that we need to take a deep breath and be thinking. More important than who leads the DNC is where we're going." 

HILL WATCH- Vice President-elect Mike Pence will be back in D.C. later this week, meeting with Vice President Joe Biden and huddling with Republicans on Capitol Hill. The Wall Street Journal: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=62e6a7af57d95be935253ff123c0e1762aae2b64605ec73a89460a315ee9d631 

HARRY REID'S NEXT GIG: Columnist? Roll Call's Niels Lesniewski: "'I've been hustling. I've been seeing if I can write an op-ed column every day, not once in a while, and place it in The New York Times, The Washington Post, [the] Sun newspaper in Las Vegas, but I haven't gotten any takers on that yet,' Reid said, when asked about his retirement plans." More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=62e6a7af57d95be9ae711d51a918c6a5f7ea62362fcd53e3ea6f8311b3fff9e5 

THIS WEEK: OFFSHORE DRILLING VOTE IN THE MIX- Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) earlier this year agreed to withdraw an amendment increasing coastal states' share of the royalties from offshore drilling after getting assurances from GOP leaders that it would see a floor vote before the end of this year. That vote could come as soon as Thursday, according to a Senate GOP aide -- although the bill is likely to fail to reach 60 votes now, it could make a comeback next year.

MEMORIES: In a call with Senate Democrats, Hillary Clinton sounded "sad" but did not bash the media or James Comey as her campaign has at times done since losing, per sources briefed on the call. She took three questions from senators and was introduced by Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid. Clinton spokes on a similar call with House Democrats Monday: "No one is sorrier than me. Heartbreaks don't heal overnight and this one won't," she said, according to a source on the call. 

STAFFING UP: Catherine Cortez Masto's campaign manager, Scott Fairchild, is expected to be her chief of staff, According to Democratic sources.

NOEM FOR GOVERNOR- Just days after being reelected to the House, Rep. Kristi Noem announced Monday she plans to run for South Dakota governor. So why now? "The Sioux Falls Argus Leader, which first reported the news, wrote that Noem's decision was prompted by the approval of a state ballot measure last week. The initiative would have prevented Noem from transferring more than $4,000 from her congressional campaign account to a gubernatorial campaign. It takes effect on Wednesday, so Noem will avoid that restriction." More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=62e6a7af57d95be9178375950902640872e341c68a191f8b3882f6fa85db74d3 

MONDAY'S TRIVIA WINNER- Lucas White was the first to guess that the mocking title John Tyler refused to answer to was "his accidency." 

TODAY'S TRIVIA- Andrew Brennan with today's question: Of those who signed the Declaration of Independence and are buried in the Unites States (as Thomas Lynch Jr.'s body was lost at sea in 1779), who is the only one not buried in the original 13 Colonies?

Bonus: Which word in the English language is his name responsible for creating? The first person to correctly answer gets a mention in tomorrow's Huddle: [email-masked] 

GET HUDDLE emailed to your phone each morning. 

** Presented by Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals: A story of courage --

Molli's son, Charlie, began exhibiting abnormal behaviors as an infant and she worried something was wrong. The pediatrician confirmed her worst fear - that Charlie was very sick. Once diagnosed, Charlie's care passed on to a child neurologist who couldn't guarantee what his outcome in life would be.

As a mother and a nurse, Molli was concerned for her baby and wanted the doctors to do everything they could to make him better. She knew if he wasn't treated quickly it would affect his development.

Upon receiving Charlie's devastating diagnosis, the doctor prescribed a medication to help him. 

Thankfully, the treatment was successful. Today, he is a healthy and happy boy with normal growth and development.

Molli is grateful for the people at pharmaceutical companies who make medicines that help children like her son Charlie. To learn more about Molli and Charlie's story visit http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=62e6a7af57d95be9f9b106ea5d64a64d248b4fa3d45ba7c13d48162139b0f04e **

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