Subject: POLITICO Huddle: SENATORS EYE RUSSIA SANCTIONS -- Heller could pay for SCOTUS vote -- HOUSE DEMS PUSH BACK LEADERSHIP ELECTIONS -- Texas horse trading
From: "POLITICO Huddle" <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 25 Jul 2018 05:55:45 -0600
List-Id: <1376319.xt.local>

07/25/2018 07:54 AM EDT

By Nolan D. McCaskill ([email-masked] or @NolanDMcCaskill)
 
BIPARTISAN SENATORS SET SIGHTS ON RUSSIA SANCTIONS -- Momentum is building in the Senate to slap sanctions on Russia in the wake of President Donald Trump's remarkable news conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his week of walk-backs. Senators are not only pressing for new penalties against Moscow but also for Trump to use more of the sanctions power Congress overwhelmingly approved last year. "The effort is still something of a long shot ... but the possibility of a follow-up Russia sanctions package remains very much alive despite the intense partisan pressure ahead of November's midterms," Elana reports. "That's largely because of Trump's jaw-dropping performance in
 Helsinki next to the Russian president."
 
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) acknowledged "concerns" about where the administration is on Russia. Meanwhile, Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) announced a proposal Tuesday that would prod Trump to implement already-approved sanctions on Russia faster and impose new penalties, too. Separately, Sens. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) urged the administration in a letter to use its existing power to sanction the 12 Russian nationals indicted by special counsel Robert Mueller earlier this month. Van Hollen and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) have a bill that would automatically sanction Russia for any future interference in
 U.S. elections. Much more: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=a07e8567d673016dd2c199d34e43acc1f8fc128acfc89caefdb41ef3a896387192b67a07d241d5d36f3ac0eab75402e9 
 
In the House, Democrats plan to introduce a resolution on the floor today that would impose new sanctions on any foreign nations that interfere in U.S. elections. The resolution: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=a07e8567d673016d2634343c90364844a851deaf4a92c16565e9a37a0fc31f3f1ef27bee224ddd0a195a8d5af00f43dc 
 
Related: "Trump now says Russia is meddling in elections -- for Democrats," by Rebecca Morin: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=04d475140342a73ebe8e758fa19fae0ddfa4dd43d883fa9bbe672746e59cb406e1b3ccce5bda1939628517d3d4c6ce9f and "Trump allies weigh last-ditch bid to punish Rosenstein," from Kyle and Bres: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=a07e8567d673016d7341eac6d1b75e2424f6cb0dbccfbfec09552a709d331986571408e464a0718049c9060d5728e91d 
 
PUTIN UNWELCOME AT CAPITOL -- As the White House eyes hosting Putin in Washington this fall, Republican leaders are making clear that in Congress, he's not welcome. House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said he won't be inviting the Russian leader to address a joint session of Congress. "That's something we reserve for allies," Ryan said Tuesday. And Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told reporters the same.
 
"Both men have long been considered Russia hawks and have struggled with Trump's eagerness to strengthen ties with the Kremlin and his unwillingness to press Putin on Russian interference in the 2016 election," Rachael reports. "The Republican leaders want the president to be tougher on Russia, but they're also wary of publicly blasting the head of their own party -- a strategy both men feel doesn't work." Ryan suggested he'd be supportive of another one-on-one meeting with Putin if Trump's message is to "stop meddling in our country." And McConnell said Moscow "better quit messing around in our elections," noting that Russia did it once but warning that "they better not do it again." More:
 http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=a07e8567d673016decaeeaf86a96133e200c384a21f3ade79794f58b1a4881ed24653bbd3d5f1995427e37be952f92ed 
 
GOP FREE TRADERS UNLOAD ON TRUMP -- It's not just Russia that's putting Senate Republicans at odds with the president. "President Donald Trump's bailout for the ag industry is driving his many Republican trade critics to exasperation," Burgess reports. Already incensed by the president's escalating trade war, pro-free-trade Republicans panned the administration's plan to send $12 billion to farms hurt by retaliatory tariffs. "This is becoming more and more like a Soviet type of economy here: Commissars deciding who's going to be granted waivers, commissars in the administration figuring out how they're going to sprinkle around benefits," Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said. More: 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=d447970d294a6063715825521208dbc5ef6bf7852d577f7edec0e4d3d4526d8659107047bbf30fb006e269f7199622bc 
 
Trump responded to criticism this morning, tweeting: "Every time I see a weak politician asking to stop Trade talks or the use of Tariffs to counter unfair Tariffs, I wonder, what can they be thinking? Are we just going to continue and let our farmers and country get ripped off? Lost $817 Billion on Trade last year. No weakness!" In a follow-up post, he suggested Republicans "snipping" at his heels only prolong how much time it'll take to strike a deal, which "will never be as good as it could have been with unity." Republicans, he said, should "be cool" because "[n]egotiations are going well" and "[t]he end result will be worth it!" 
 
HAPPY WEDNESDAY! Thanks for reading Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this July 25.
 
TUESDAY'S MOST CLICKED: Rachael's report on House GOP leaders' broken promise to rank-and-file members was the winner.
 
FOR YOUR RADAR: President Donald Trump will meet with House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) at 11:30 a.m. in the Oval Office to discuss government funding. The president will also meet with members of Congress at 4 p.m. in the Cabinet Room. Sarah Ferris has the latest on the Senate's plan to avert a government shutdown with a massive spending bundle: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=d447970d294a60633204e852f410dd3c93b1a042b10d18ce97e144db6fb0d0afe86d9c52f44864a4a0b4744c3ce7a2bc 
 
SCOTUS WATCH -- Dean Heller of Nevada is the only Senate Republican whose vote for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh could cost him his seat. And Democrats are already hoping to make him pay. Heller is running against Rep. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) in a state Hillary Clinton won in 2016. "Democrats say Heller's quick endorsement of Kavanaugh is the linchpin of their strategy to portray him as a Trump yes-man this fall," James Arkin and Burgess report. "[T]actically and logistically, Heller's campaign could be collateral damage in the high court fight." Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has threatened to let Kavanaugh's confirmation slip to just before Election Day, which would keep vulnerable
 Democratic incumbents -- and Heller -- off the campaign trail until late into the fall. Much more: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=d447970d294a6063c52ac480509919952d82dc3c6d0ba1b9702ee40df37a024f10f740b4cc861cf938049a05af651d81 
 
Related read: "Partisan discord builds over Trump Supreme Court pick," via Elana: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=04d475140342a73e0648eaf012ea4411c7b0ec0421ff3a57840a5afd6e728ae7834af89dda143d20fcff63b64df65beb and "White House counsel huddles with Senate Republicans on dispute over documents from Supreme Court nominee," per The Washington Post's Seung Min Kim: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=d447970d294a60637b48a78bd769ca8bbd18ee3ddc8b18c9214cb2e8fefad74bbe67967bc1d0a577c591efb0d291f3ac 
 
HOUSE DEMS DELAY LEADERSHIP ELECTIONS -- House Democrats voted to push their leadership elections until after Dec. 5, "setting up a potentially lengthy and contentious battle for control of the caucus," Heather reports. "The plan, which was adopted on a voice vote during a private caucus meeting Tuesday, comes amid growing calls for generational change that the longtime leadership is trying to beat back." Members didn't set a date but wanted to give incoming freshmen time to get through their orientation duties following the Nov. 6 midterm elections. 
 
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) plans to run for speaker if Democrats win the House. But roughly two dozen Democratic candidates and some current members have said they won't vote for her. "Pelosi's allies say they're confident that no one else in the caucus has the votes to beat her," Heather adds. "Democrats are divided on whether the delay benefits Pelosi." No one has stepped forward to challenge Pelosi for the top post. And while the additional time would give someone weeks to campaign against her, the delay would also give the Democratic leader more time to shore up support. More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=d447970d294a6063c76bbda264e64369586827c852c6af3616d56c5fae6cc606d703c29658e81ebefcd4674e820cbe2f 
 
If you're keeping count of Democratic candidates who oppose Pelosi, add Max Rose, who is running against Rep. Dan Donovan (R-N.Y.) in New York's 11th Congressional District, to the list: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=d447970d294a60639a22886a3920cea9cd9716991e2adad0d69a2eaec42a1e3f8f314463cae18eb924f79a7cf6566b1a 
 
But... "After long dissing Pelosi, [Ohio Democratic congressional candidate Danny]
O'Connor now says he could vote for her as speaker," The Columbus Dispatch's Darrel Rowland reports: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=d447970d294a6063213e4750a94edcd34624a478c8a8ef568de1c2210ad2958e4f49c4ffba6cbd42a051a2e1f30347c7 
 
TEXAS TRADEOFF -- Texas Republicans are considering using their leverage as the House's largest GOP delegation by pushing Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) for Appropriations Committee chair in exchange for their votes for speaker. "Some members of the group are more supportive of the idea than others," write Rachael and Bres, who spoke to nine Texas Republicans. A couple believe the move is unnecessary because Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) will back Granger anyway. But others worry he will support someone else. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.) is next in line for the gavel, in terms of seniority, and Reps. Tom Graves (R-Ga.) and Tom Cole (R-Okla.) are also eyeing the post. Much more: 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=d447970d294a60630da5f96617624e201f8e780803bd4c2adda9cab269eb817c45a19bc6cb0fecf249b79b19bc8f66bc 
 
The Problem Solvers Caucus is seeking commitments from lawmakers not to back any candidate for speaker who doesn't support their proposed rule changes, which would give bills with widespread support fast-track consideration and make it tougher to oust the speaker. From The Hill's Melanie Zanona: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=008eec90f7ead8748fc7651aed4868d2e9061f6c7a2f6c7fbad666c68bbb64e33f0ba0094c91dde4886558da2ad0a2a5 
 
WATERS' L.A. OFFICE EVACUATED -- The building housing Rep. Maxine Waters' (D-Calif.) L.A. office was partially evacuated after receiving a suspicious package addressed to "Anne Thrax." "Waters has faced threats since calling on supporters last month to confront Trump administration officials in public in response to the separation of parents and children at the border," Zachary Warmbrodt notes. "She is one of President Donald Trump's fiercest critics and has called for his impeachment." More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=008eec90f7ead874fe2b51a9d043e7219fc14ed26e73b7b162c2084f3db147fa49928a9915976bbe48fcf6eb81beb574 
 
STAYING ALIVE -- Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) is alive, despite what the internet may say. "Turns out, any curious constituent Googling the senator on Tuesday morning would have found that one of the top Google search results said Hatch had been dead since Sept. 11, 2017," NPR's Barbara Sprunt reports. The claim, if anything, breathed life into the Twitter account Hatch's office runs, which published "proof of life" in a series of tweets. Google also confirmed that Hatch is alive and apologized for the error. The Utah Republican's office took it all in stride, posting an image of Hatch reading the news Tuesday morning, partially captioned "grateful to be alive." More: 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=008eec90f7ead874a0a7b6c86dd2e5440fee8f5cdbd1dce30bf904dbaca84b5d183e97a2ee9f7ffe012cdc00a1d23fa7 
 
THE OTHER GEORGIA RUNOFFS -- While the GOP primary runoff to determine who will face off against Democrat Stacey Abrams in Georgia's race for governor got most of the attention, Democrats in two congressional districts also competed for the right to take on a Republican incumbent this fall. Gun control activist Lucy McBath, who defeated businessman Kevin Abel, will challenge Rep. Karen Handel (R-Ga.) in Georgia's 6th Congressional District, which hasn't elected a Democrat since the 1970s. And Georgia State University professor Carolyn Bourdeaux, who beat tutoring business founder David Kim in a 7th District runoff, will run against Rep. Rob Woodall (R-Ga.) this fall. The incumbents are
 favored to win. CNN with more: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=008eec90f7ead8746517ee3f1e1cf8b0699ea8b509dc6756060e5ab5a685f43367e33987e3d8311523403dfe30b22214 
 
SPOTTED ON THE HILL: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Reports from Heather: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=04d475140342a73e3caadf23153843a8ce655632e8b5028a0df5c0952a6b6690c3aef79adf960787857fc51f86aa10a9 and The Hill's Mike Lillis and Melanie Zanona: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=008eec90f7ead874b3d4c4bb5e6ba6d3d4c2d4e894408461490b6408885079a9fb7d0cd757c8bd7675238e63c2d5e63f 
 
TODAY IN CONGRESS -- The House gavels in at 10 a.m. with first votes expected between 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. and last votes expected between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Today's agenda: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=008eec90f7ead874f737f9b17e09b7fb6199a3422df3bfab5a30fac51e26390d9af2ce562ec26c0c5149f7e0d3572ee3 The Senate meets at 10 a.m. to resume consideration of an appropriations minibus. The chamber has reached an agreement to call up Sen. Jerry Moran's (R-Kan.) amendment on grain inspections and Sen. Tom Udall's (D-N.M.) amendment on Amtrak. At 2:30, there will be votes in relation to the amendments.
 
AROUND THE HILL -- Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Reps. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), Norma Torres (D-Calif.) and Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) will hold a news conference on the court-ordered deadline to reunify families separated at the border at 9:15 a.m. in HVC-Studio A.
 
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.) and David Cicilline (D-R.I.) will hold a news conference with seniors advocates to unveil a new report documenting years of Republicans' attacks on seniors and demand the GOP take action on lowering drug prices at 10 a.m. in H-207.
 
Reps. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) and Randy Hultgren (R-Ill.) and others will hold a hearing on victims' rights in Burma at 10 a.m. in 2200 Rayburn.
 
Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.) and Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) will hold a news conference with labor leaders to discuss the principles that should guide the renegotiation of NAFTA ahead of a visit by Mexico's economy minister, Ildefonso Guajardo, to Washington, D.C., at 10:15 a.m. in the House Triangle.
 
Reps. Rob Bishop (R-Utah) and Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) will hold a news conference following the introduction of the Restore Our Parks and Public Lands Act to establish the National Park Service and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund at 10:30 a.m. in HVC-Studio B.
 
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) will deliver remarks on rediscovering our common humanity at the Congressional Summer Intern Lecture Series, followed by questions from the bipartisan audience of interns at 10:45 a.m. in the CVC-Auditorium.
 
Reps. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) will hold a news conference with Public Citizen on legislation to allow Medicare to negotiate directly with pharmaceutical corporations and authorize generic competition when negotiations fail at 11 a.m. in 2247 Rayburn.
 
House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley (D-N.Y.) and Vice Chairwoman Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) will hold a weekly media availability after a closed caucus meeting at 11:15 a.m. in HVC-Studio A.
 
Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) will hold a meeting with Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh at 11:15 a.m. in 307 Dirksen.
 
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah) and others will hold a briefing on national security and how investing in global conservation protects U.S. interests at 12:15 p.m. 106 Dirksen.
 
Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) will hold a meeting with Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh at 12:15 p.m. in 502 Hart.
 
Reps. Tom Reed (R-N.Y.) and Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) will hold a news conference with members of the Problem Solvers Caucus on a proposal to break the gridlock at 1 p.m. in the House Triangle.
 
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) will hold a meeting with Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh at 1 p.m. in 520 Hart.
 
Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) will hold a meeting with Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh at 1:45 p.m. in 113 Dirksen.
 
Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) will hold a briefing on shining a light on foreign lobbying at 2 p.m. in 2456 Rayburn.
 
Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) will hold a meeting with Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh at 2:45 p.m. in 717 Hart.
 
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on an update on American diplomacy to advance our national security strategy at 3 p.m. in 419 Dirksen.
 
Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) will host a briefing on the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which is set to expire in September, and its importance to Latino and urban communities, at 5 p.m. in 106 Dirksen.
 
TUESDAY'S TRIVIA WINNER -- Adam Gunther was first to correctly guess that during congressional hearings in the 1930s, claims about marijuana's ability to cause men of color to become violent and solicit sex from white women helped effectively ban its use and sales through the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937. 
 
TODAY'S TRIVIA -- From Adam: In July 1972, President Richard Nixon invited what musical artist to the White House to discuss prison reform, and what was one of the songs he or she played for the president? The first person to correctly guess gets a mention in the next edition of Huddle. Send your best guess my way: [email-masked].
 
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