Subject: Playbook Power Briefing, presented by Starbucks: The Senate HEALTH CARE BILL is here, but FOUR Rs OPPOSE it -- TRUMP says he has no TAPES of Comey -- Group of Dems plot opposition to PELOSI -- MAHTESIAN on why the suburbs will be a nightmare for the GOP
From: "Anna Palmer Jake Sherman Daniel Lippman" <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 12:47:22 -0600
List-Id: <1376319_6742270.xt.local>

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Today's Playbook Power Briefing presented by Starbucks 
            
By ANNA PALMER ([email-masked]; @apalmerdc), JAKE SHERMAN ([email-masked]; @JakeSherman), DANIEL LIPPMAN ([email-masked]; @dlippman), ZACH MONTELLARO ([email-masked]; @ZachMontellaro)

        
Good Thursday afternoon. SENATE HEALTH CARE BILL DEAD, FOR NOW -- 4 GOP SENATORS OPPOSE -- Sens. Rand Paul (Ky.), Ron Johnson (Wis.), Mike Lee (Utah) and Ted Cruz (Texas) issued a joint statement announcing their opposition: "Currently, for a variety of reasons, we are not ready to vote for this bill, but we are open to negotiation and obtaining more information before it is brought to the floor. There are provisions in this draft that represent an improvement to our current healthcare system but it does not appear this draft as written will accomplish the most important promise that we made to Americans: to repeal Obamacare and lower their healthcare costs."

-- OF COURSE, this is not the end of the health-care process. There will have to be changes to the bill. This stuff is hard -- there are a ton of competing interests and lawmakers with different incentives. That's why it took Democrats so long to pass the Affordable Care Act! AND BY THE WAY.... These four probably represent a larger group of people.

-- FULL TEXT of the bill http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=36d1beadd85f00eee7f61d7d0d54d8328dc1a1b6bbe06b687e99c6eeaa61f0e38346a38f99eff67354d06746f30d2ed07756a0c9b06d88d5 

GET SMART FAST -- "What's in the Senate's Obamacare repeal bill," by POLITICO staff: "The plan would keep the Affordable Care Act requirement that insurers accept everyone and charge the same rates, with few exceptions. But it would allow states to waive other insurance requirements ... Obamacare's premium subsidies, which are available to people between the poverty level and four times that threshold, would be continued for two years. Eligibility would then be scaled back slightly to 350 percent of the federal poverty level and extended to more low-income people who don't qualify for Medicaid. Similar to Obamacare, the subsidies would be pegged to income. But the benchmark plan for
 determining subsidies would be less generous than Obamacare's. ... The health law's mandate that most people buy insurance or pay a penalty would be eliminated. ... 

"Boosted federal payments to states that expanded their [Medicaid] programs to low-income adults would continue for three years. Starting in 2021, enhanced federal payments would then be rolled back over three years to traditional Medicaid funding rates. ... The [traditional Medicaid] program covering low-income kids, pregnant women, the elderly and people with disabilities would no longer be an open-ended entitlement. Starting in 2020, states could choose between receiving a block grant from the federal government or a set payment based on the number and type of enrollees. ...

"The bill would eventually repeal most of Obamacare's taxes, including the surtax on high earners investment income and a Medicare Hospital Insurance surtax on the rich. It would also end some industry taxes, such as those on medical devices and health insurers. ... Subsidies could no longer be used to purchase health plans that cover abortion. Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood would be cut off for one year." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=36d1beadd85f00ee3fae58a47aba1e7e8166fac06e9b36d1a35ea4cd3d89f4ba0d957c86b31bc4b8aa44b5f88ae4fd53319315d052f21e3a 

TRUMP ON THE BILL -- When asked if the Senate bill has enough "heart," per pooler Gabby Morrongiello of the N.Y. Post: "A little negotiation, but it's going to be very good." During his remarks at an event with the tech industry: "Obamacare is dead and we're putting a plan out today that is going to be negotiated. We'd love to have some Democrats' support but they're obstructionists."

AND BY THE WAY, THERE ARE NO TAPES -- @realDonaldTrump on Twitter at 12:54 p.m.: "With all of the recently reported electronic surveillance, intercepts, unmasking and illegal leaking of information, I have no idea... ...whether there are 'tapes' or recordings of my conversations with James Comey, but I did not make, and do not have, any such recordings."

THE QUESTION AS TO WHETHER Trump taped his conversations with then-FBI Director James Comey lasted more than 40 days, and White House staff repeatedly and continuously refused to answer the question if those tapes existed.

-- @ZekeJMiller: "Trump created this 'tapes' thing, which Comey testified sparked him to leak memos to press, which got Mueller. What a self-inflicted wound."

****** A message from Starbucks: At Starbucks, we're always looking to create new opportunities for our workforce. Over the next five years, we'll create 68,000 new jobs and open more than 3,400 stores across the country. Also included: 100 new Military Family stores operated by veterans and military spouses to help bridge the civilian-military divide: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=36d1beadd85f00eed0be9783ece4b042f1cc2dc8f6b1a1ef61ce9cd3bc43c8942e3b55d6a7e655a52a45572e5d04d5c8d0e0330ec2313ab6 ******

FIRING BACK -- "Defiant Pelosi isn't going anywhere," by Heather Caygle and John Bresnahan: "A defiant House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi on Thursday said she has no plans to step down anytime soon, despite calls from some rank-and-file Democrats for new leadership. Pelosi spent a good chunk of her weekly press conference defending her long-time perch atop the Democratic Caucus, at times even mocking colleagues within her party who have in recent days said it's time for her to step aside. 'I respect any opinion that my members have but my decision about how long I stay is not up to them," Pelosi told reporters. "My caucus is overwhelmingly supportive of me.'

"Pelosi boasted about her effectiveness as a leader, even though Democrats lost their majority in 2010 under her watch and have never come close to winning it back. 'I am a master legislator,' Pelosi declared. 'I am a strategic, politically astute leader. My leadership is recognized by many around the country. That is why I am able to attract the [financial] support that I do, which is essential to our election, I am sad to say.'" http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=36d1beadd85f00eed953fa6e174eccc4fba065ea7454a0355e2237fcff0f1ec9a50541628d5034fbb397c15af4829a86eaa012973e2e2e8c 

-- "Pelosi's Democratic critics plot to replace her," by John Bresnahan and Heather Caygle: "A group of unhappy House Democrats plan to meet Thursday to discuss if -- and how -- they can replace Rep. Nancy Pelosi as minority leader. Led by Reps. Kathleen Rice (D-N.Y.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) and Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), the faction believes Pelosi has to go in order for Democrats to have a chance to win the House back in Nov. 2018. Ryan unsuccessfully challenged Pelosi for party leader back in November. Roughly 20 Democrats have been invited to the private session, although it's not clear how many will actually show up." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=36d1beadd85f00ee815928159e892489e93c4b8ca5c27edaa2db1714cdc9ee36e66a048ec720e1217dcf04db2d48ac756913a12028fd0df5 

ELECTION HACK UPDATE -- "Election Hackers Altered Voter Rolls, Stole Private Data, Officials Say," by TIME's Massimo Calabresi: "The hacking of state and local election databases in 2016 was more extensive than previously reported, including at least one successful attempt to alter voter information, and the theft of thousands of voter records that contain private information like partial Social Security numbers, current and former officials tell TIME. In one case, investigators found there had been a manipulation of voter data in a county database but the alterations were discovered and rectified, two sources familiar with the matter tell TIME. Investigators have not identified whether the
 hackers in that case were Russian agents. ...

"Spokesmen for the House and Senate Intelligence committees declined to comment on the search for stolen data. No one contacted for this story said they had seen evidence that the stolen, private, data had actually made its way to the Trump campaign. ... Both intelligence committees are looking at whether and how the intrusions could have furthered Russia's larger strategic goals of undermining U.S. democracy, hurting Hillary Clinton and helping Donald Trump." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=36d1beadd85f00ee6e1f90839b820672b4692a31a77308f57d23470756e79bc0da8e9613506ac017e10499565920b0e645d0b38832946d09 

ON AIR FORCE ONE -- @JonLemire, yesterday: "FYI: the TVs on Air Force One are programmed to record 'Property Brothers'" -- pic http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=36d1beadd85f00ee405275d9e4194cd1dfcacdb48e13097bd0e2e8020d333f77043aac9f88afccee746de94e77e35b831d4e390d2eb17dad 

THE LATEST ON RUSSIA -- "Intel chiefs tell investigators Trump suggested they refute collusion with Russians," by CNN's Dana Bash, Evan Perez and Manu Raju: "Two of the nation's top intelligence officials told Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team and Senate investigators, in separate meetings last week, that President Donald Trump suggested they say publicly there was no collusion between his campaign and the Russians, according to multiple sources.

"Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats and National Security Agency Director Adm. Mike Rogers described their interactions with the President about the Russia investigation as odd and uncomfortable, but said they did not believe the President gave them orders to interfere, according to multiple sources familiar with their accounts. Sources say both men went further than they did in June 7 public hearings, when they provided little detail about the interactions. ... Both men told Mueller's team they were surprised the President would suggest that they publicly declare he was not involved in collusion, sources said. Mueller's team, which is in the early stages of its investigation, will
 ultimately decide whether the interactions are relevant to the inquiry." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=36d1beadd85f00ee482f8ce5bb7f5a785a135c9fa4ba03c70b36a431c61f26381e879d606c32e0f18523927e53c0a3dbd6229a7f9c104b59 

STATEMENTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE -- @realDonaldTrump on Twitter at 7:11 a.m.: "Great night in Iowa - special people. Thank you!" ... at 9:18 a.m.: "Former Homeland Security Advisor Jeh Johnson is latest top intelligence official to state there was no grand scheme between Trump & Russia." ... at 9:22 a.m.: "By the way, if Russia was working so hard on the 2016 Election, it all took place during the Obama Admin. Why didn't they stop them?" ... at 10:01 a.m.: "...Why did Democratic National Committee turn down the DHS offer to protect against hacks (long prior to election). It's all a big Dem HOAX!" ... 

... at 10:08 a.m.: "...Why did the DNC REFUSE to turn over its Server to the FBI, and still hasn't? It's all a big Dem scam and excuse for losing the election!" ... at 10:15 a.m.: "I certainly hope the Democrats do not force Nancy P out. That would be very bad for the Republican Party - and please let Cryin' Chuck stay!"

ELECTION WATCH -- CHARLIE MAHTESIAN (the pride of Delaware County, Pennsylvania) in POLITICO Magazine, "The GOP's Suburban Nightmare: Karen Handel's victory in Georgia's 6th District wasn't a triumph. It was a warning for a party losing its grip on the places that forged its modern identity": "Once the Republican Party's stronghold, suburban America threatens now to become its nemesis. A combination of demographic change and cultural dissonance is gradually eroding its ability to compete across much of suburbia, putting entire areas of the country out of the GOP's reach. It's a bigger crisis than the party acknowledges, a reckoning that threatens Trump's re-election and the next generation
 of Republican office-seekers.

"Karen Handel's Georgia special election victory Tuesday enabled the GOP to kick the can down the road, but not for long. The same Atlanta suburbs that once produced Republicans like Newt Gingrich voted for Clinton in November. They followed up a few months later by nearly sending a 30-year-old, first-time Democratic candidate to Congress. Republicans may be gloating now, but it's an ominous sign for the 2018 midterm elections, when control of the House is likely to hinge on roughly two or three dozen suburban districts currently held by the GOP. 

"Trump won the 2016 election, of course, boosted by the margins he ran up in smaller cities and rural areas. But he lost the populous close-in suburbs of Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., home to the precincts that first heralded suburbia's arrival as a political powerhouse. That wasn't the real story, though. He was also defeated in other, later-blooming suburban giants, including Atlanta's Cobb County and Southern California's iconic Orange County, both one-time exporters of Sun Belt conservatism that occupy storied roles in the formation of the contemporary Republican Party." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=36d1beadd85f00eeabbbf55eba59fe2845d37ce98864cec83ee10a46f902d82e9c0176c393d04c4cf0ffb77798bb94cfde99f83f26e89baf 

BEING THERE -- "'Let's bring it in': Otto Warmbier's family and friends celebrate his life," by WaPo's Susan Svrluga in Wyoming, Ohio: "By 7 a.m. Thursday, young people were stepping through the wet grass to gather outside Wyoming High School, where Otto Warmbier gave a joyful graduation speech as salutatorian four years ago. A crowd of young women in black dresses hugged before joining the growing crowd by the doors, hours before the funeral service for the 22-year-old University of Virginia student. Groups of young men in dark suits walked along the quiet neighborhood streets, where blue and white ribbons are tied to thousands of trees.

"Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) was there, along with Deputy National Security Adviser Dina Powell, Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan and Joseph Yun, a State Department official who played an instrumental role in getting Warmbier out of North Korea." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=36d1beadd85f00eeab88c16b6de3e15dab158da175ccee4438f5cb74337710376665dffd8d6df98e505ed8e864826fdf47a587505815d7f8 

MEDIAWATCH -- FIRST IN PLAYBOOK -- NEW CNN CONTRIBUTORS - CNN has signed several new contributors, including former Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook, former Kasich chief strategist John Weaver, Bush WH veteran and McConnell adviser Scott Jennings, former Virginia attorney general Ken Cuccinelli, Obama national security alum Shawn Turner and Yale Law School associate dean and former FBI special agent Asha Rangappa.

--"Hugh Hewitt to Host Show on MSNBC," by TVNewser's Chris Ariens: "MSNBC is expanding weekend news with live programming until 9 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday nights, TVNewser has learned. As part of the expansion, conservative radio talk show host and MSNBC contributor Hugh Hewitt is getting a half hour show, airing Saturdays at 8 a.m. ET. In addition, Thomas Roberts will anchor two hours in the evening both weekend nights." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=36d1beadd85f00eec28030c5926b44691a2f6aac98bb7b389356a272b85ffafa0f3e64629046dae96f150155728225ca582f10c75d82c4a9 

COMING ATTRACTIONS -- "Ex-U.S. Attorney Bharara gets book deal with Knopf," by Diamond Naga Siu: "Bharara, who was fired by President Donald Trump earlier this year, has reached a deal with Alfred A. Knopf to write a book about 'the search for justice,' the publisher announced Thursday. ... Knopf didn't disclose the terms of his book deal Thursday. ... Bharara said the book -- expected to come out early 2019 -- will include 'the role of thoughtfulness in making the best choice' while discussing how to discern right and wrong actions. While writing the book, he will maintain his position as a distinguished scholar in residence at the New York University School of Law." 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=36d1beadd85f00ee68d5daa49ed0d3f9d6079955b39063f34d3570b6e588f81b78a53d6aeeb5037157e6360028340c99294c1b0c9a173401 

-- FOR YOUR RADAR: "WASHINGTON (AP) - Man who fired gun in DC restaurant while investigating conspiracy theory 'pizzagate' sentenced to 4 years in prison."

SPOTTED at a book launch party last night hosted by David and Judith Pryor, Lyndon Boozer and Karen Anderson for Katherine Ozment's "Grace Without God: The Search for Meaning, Purpose, and Belonging in a Secular Age" -- $14.29 on Amazon http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=36d1beadd85f00ee089217d586242c2f6106f1690537eb7a61a2f046f7b4d9f08e3f248b30e8b288a849c29c76b23dcb9f85e51920a927e6 Michael Greenstone, Jay and Lisa Shambaugh, Michael Deich, Diane Schanzenbach, Bill Nelson Jr., Sean O'Brien and Scotty Greenwood.

SPOTTED ON CAPITOL HILL: Bob Weir and Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead chatting with Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) and Bono Wednesday. Weir and Hart -- in town for tonight's show at Jiffy Lube Live -- are longtime friends of Leahy and Franken. They were up on the Hill with Diane Blagman of Greenberg Traurig.

OUT AND ABOUT -- Italian Ambassador Armando Varricchio hosted the annual Italian Summer Garden Party last night at his sprawling residence where guests drank Campari cocktails and snacked on shrimp, al dente pasta and prosciutto. SPOTTED: Justice and Mrs. Samuel Alito, VA Secretary David Shulkin (whose birthday is today), British Ambassador Kim Darroch, Sens. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Reps. Ed Royce (R-Calif.) and Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), Bill Pascrell, Maria Santucci, Steve Cohen, Anthony Scaramucci, George Sifakis, Sergio Gor, Marie Royce, John Santucci, Antonio Alves, Bethany Kazaba and Finley Lewis.

--Guests enjoyed live music by top-30 country band Smith & Wesley, libations and snacked on hot dogs, tater tot bar and ice cream at the Nahigian Strategies "Summer Solstice" party last night at the Willard Hotel courtyard. SPOTTED: CMS administrator Seema Verma, Bill Hagerty, Jessica Ditto, Brad Rateike, Ado Machida, Marc Lotter, Brady Brooks, Kirk Marshall, Marsha Lee Kelly, Sue Hemsley, Bryan Lanza, Carlos Diaz Rosillo, McKinley Mason and Elizabeth Pinkerton.

SPOTTED at the blood drive in Rayburn this morning in honor of the victims of the congressional baseball shooting: Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) and Secretary of Energy Rick Perry. Pic of McHenry and Perry http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=36d1beadd85f00eeebc6e08ddee6676dbaa41a92d76c386fe72f3309d2f56c2656b60f2b367c0a275d717a90a8c36567b821f2485b01d5e7 

TRANSITIONS -- DAISY LETENDRE is joining the EPA's office of policy as senior advisor for policy and strategic communications. She previously was comms director for Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.).

****** A message from Starbucks: At Starbucks, we're always looking to create new opportunities for our workforce. Over the next five years, we'll create 68,000 new jobs and open more than 3,400 stores across the country. Also included: 100 new Military Family stores operated by veterans and military spouses to help bridge the civilian-military divide: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=36d1beadd85f00eed0be9783ece4b042f1cc2dc8f6b1a1ef61ce9cd3bc43c8942e3b55d6a7e655a52a45572e5d04d5c8d0e0330ec2313ab6 ******

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