| | | | | |  | | By Katherine Tully-McManus | Presented by American Civil Liberties Union | BUILD BACK… NEVER? — Democrats are reeling after Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) torpedoed Joe Biden's domestic agenda Sunday, saying he'd vote against the $1.7 trillion climate and social spending bill that Democrats have spent most of the year working on and tailoring to his demands. By another yardstick, Democrats could measure the year as a success, with a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package and a $550 billion bipartisan infrastructure law both out the door. But, as Marianne and Burgess write, Democrats are instead collapsing under their own impossibly high expectations for what they could accomplish with control of the White House and both chambers of Congress (even with the tiniest of margins.) Some Democratic senators say that instead of dwelling on elections and immigration reform, the $15 minimum wage, which were all squeezed out of party-line bills or the failed bipartisan talks on overhauling gun control and law enforcement, Democrats need to be touting accomplishments. "The true problem is, we haven't talked about what's been accomplished near enough, and I think that's a bigger problem than setting expectations," said Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.). "They're both dangerous, by the way. Setting expectations too high? I don't know if that's the problem, as much as just letting people know what we've done." | | | | POLITICO TECH AT CES 2022 - We are bringing a special edition of the POLITICO Tech newsletter to CES 2022. Written by Alexandra Levine and John Hendel, the newsletter will take you inside the most influential technology event on the planet, featuring every major and emerging industry in the technology ecosystem gathered together in one place. The newsletter runs from Jan. 5-7 and will focus on the public policy related aspects of the gathering. Sign up today to receive exclusive coverage of the Summit. | | | | | SCHUMER SEETHES — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) dropped a pre-dawn Dear Colleague letter , promising a vote on the Democrats' social spending and climate bill along with action on a voting rights measure that doesn't have the votes needed to clear the Senate. He acknowledged that senators may be feeling "deep discontent and frustration," and called Manchin out by name for delaying consideration of the spending bill and "other recent pronouncements." January promises: Schumer pledges a vote "very early in the new year" on a revised version of the House-passed spending bill, saying "we will keep voting on it until we get something done." The Senate will also take up voting rights legislation "as early as the first week back" in 2022. He threatened consideration of changes to the Senate rules -- aka the filibuster -- if Senate Republicans block the voting rights bill. But the Democratic caucus is not united against the filibuster, with Manchin and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) holding fast to their opposition to rules changes. Why does this sound ominous? "To further discuss these critical issues, we will hold a virtual Special Caucus on the evening of Tuesday, December 21, the longest night of the year," writes Schumer. Essential context: White House lights up Manchin after he crushes Biden's megabill, from by Burgess Everett, Nicholas Wu and Jonathan Lemire Related: From charm offensive to scorched earth: How Biden's fragile alliance with Manchin unraveled, from Sean Sullivan and Seung Min Kim at The Washington post BITS AND BOBS — Don't miss this breakdown of 14 policies that were in the Democrats social spending and climate package and where Manchin stands on each, as Democrats scramble to see if there's any way to salvage bits and bobs broken off from the massive bill. There are many provisions in the bill he actually likes. Eleven, yes, eleven POLITICO policy reporters put their heads together on a Sunday for this one. | | | | A message from American Civil Liberties Union: Our country caused irreparable harm to thousands of children and parents by separating families at the border—in some cases keeping them apart for years. President Biden ended the Trump administration's inhumane policy. Now, we have a responsibility to repair the damage and ensure it never happens again. ACLU Voters will never forget who stands up for the separated children and who turns their backs. | | | GOOD MORNING! Welcome to Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Monday, December 20, where even with the House and Senate both gone, there has not been even a moment of peace. HERE WE GO AGAIN — If Manchin had gone on television Sunday to announce he was a "yes" on the Dems social spending bill, they still wouldn't have been able to vote this week on the measure. Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) have each tested positive for Covid. Warren and Booker were among many senators who stuck out the marathon nominations vote series in the Senate chamber Friday into Saturday and it wouldn't be surprising if more lawmakers (and floor staff) test positive in the coming days. Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) also tested positive upon returning from a CODEL to Ukraine. RETIREMENT WATCH — "Rep. Albio Sires (D-N.Y.) will not seek re-election in 2022 and Robert J. Menendez, the son the senior U.S. Senator from New Jersey, has emerged as the front runner to succeed him," reports the New Jersey Globe. FAREWELL, SEN. ISAKSON — Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), who was broadly beloved by colleagues in both chambers and both sides of the aisle, died Sunday at age 76.
- Tamar Hallerman from the Atlanta Journal Constitution has a home-state remembrance packed with Isakson's political legacy and Georgia roots.
Your Huddle host recommends reading both obits. Funeral arrangements have not yet been finalized. More condolences: Lori McClintock, wife of California Congressman Tom McClintock of Elk Grove, dies, from The Sacramento Bee | | | | BECOME A GLOBAL INSIDER: The world is more connected than ever. It has never been more essential to identify, unpack and analyze important news, trends and decisions shaping our future — and we've got you covered! Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Global Insider author Ryan Heath navigates the global news maze and connects you to power players and events changing our world. Don't miss out on this influential global community. Subscribe now. | | | | | NOMS AND NORD STREAM — The Senate will vote in January on sanctions against the Nord Stream 2, the Russia-to-Germany natural gas pipeline, the result of an agreement struck early Saturday morning between Schumer and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas). The Senate slogged through nomination votes Friday night into Saturday morning, finally adjourning at 4:02 a.m. on Saturday. Andrew has more on Cruz trading his hold on holds on 32 nominees in exchange for the Nord Stream vote. CAUSE FOR APPLAUSE — Just after midnight during that painful overnight vote saga, Schumer announced that Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) cast his 17,000th vote. Now, former Sen. Robert Byrd is the only Senator who cast more votes than Leahy in the history of the Senate. On the video, you can see Cruz (still in a nominations standoff with Schumer at that point) enter during the applause, check with Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) what they were clapping for, and then joined in with a hearty head nod. AN AUDIENCE OF ONE? — The New Republic asks: Does Joe Manchin Know That Build Back Better Would Extend Vital Aid for Sick Coal Miners? A headline in the Charleston Gazette-Mail reads: "'We need this so bad': Build Back Better backers say bill would protect WV's most vulnerable as Manchin resists" | | | Test yourself before you wreck yourself… Or before you go see Nana for Christmas. The District is clocking record-high COVID-19 case counts, two senators are positive. Get tested, folks. The Capitol's testing site was open Sunday, which was a new development. Pour one out… Tortilla Coast, birthplace of many political careers and of the Freedom Caucus, closed its doors to the public this weekend, but will be open to host private events until mid-to-late February, according to Barred in DC. "So many congressional offices will need to find new evacuation assembly areas," tweeted one emergency preparedness professional, who knows how Hills staffers operate. Wedding Bells… Rep. Chris Papas (D-N.H.) is engaged. | | | | A message from American Civil Liberties Union:   | | | QUICK LINKS New York man sentenced to nearly 3 years in prison for threatening Sen. Raphael Warnock, from NBC News Former U.S. Representative Katie Hill Diagnosed with COVID-19 While Nearly 8 Months Pregnant: 'Stay Safe', via People Magazine. TRANSITIONS FIRST IN HUDDLE: Lewis Myers is now a Senior Advisor to Congressman Tony Cardenas (D-Calif.). Lewis was previously the Director of Operations for Del. Stacey Plaskett (D-U.S. Virgin Islands). He is an alum of the offices of Manchin and Reps. Norma Torres (D-Calif.) and Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio). Lewis also serves as the Founder and Commissioner for the Congressional Golf Association. TODAY IN CONGRESS The House convenes at 10:30 a.m. for a pro forma session. The Senate convenes at 5 p.m. for a pro forma session. AROUND THE HILL Not much (go get tested!) | | | FRIDAY'S WINNER: Dan Cohen correctly answered that George Wallace was the Democrat Presidential candidate who won the 1972 Florida Democratic primary, with 66 of 67 counties. TODAY'S QUESTION: What resurgent issue did President Gerald Ford's W.I.N. program aim to tackle? The first person to correctly guess gets a mention in the next edition of Huddle. Send your answers to ktm@politico.com. GET HUDDLE emailed to your phone each morning. Follow Katherine on Twitter @ktullymcmanus | | | | A message from American Civil Liberties Union: The Trump administration ripped thousands of children from their parents' arms at the border -- a policy that American doctors say can cause "irreparable harm" and is "torture".
The Biden administration ended this inhumane policy. Now, our country has a responsibility to repair the damage. While the legacy of forced separation can never truly be undone, we must take steps to help the families heal and ensure this practice never happens again.
ACLU Voters will never forget who stands up for the separated children and who turns their backs.
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