| | | | |  | | By Katherine Tully-McManus | | | With help from Marianne LeVine THE RULES CHANGE THAT ALREADY HELPED DEMS — Senate Democrats may have lost their high profile battle to weaken the filibuster, but they're still reaping the benefits from the last time the Senate changed its rules, Marianne writes. Democrats are capitalizing on a 2019 GOP-backed rules change that sped up the confirmation of most presidential nominees, including district court picks, by cutting down the debate time. That change, which helped Republicans confirm former President Donald Trump's judges, has allowed Democrats to confirm judges in President Joe Biden's first year at a pace that's only rivaled by former President Ronald Reagan's first 365 days in office. In addition to benefiting from the rules change, Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) is continuing his GOP predecessors' decision to move forward on circuit court nominees, even if their home state senator doesn't return a so-called "blue slip," named for the paper that senators use to express their favorable or unfavorable opinion about a specific judicial pick. Democrats' swift confirmation of district court judges underscores a reality in the Senate: any change in the chamber rules will be used by whoever is in power, regardless of a party's position on those changes when it was in the minority. So far, Democrats have confirmed 42 judges -- 29 district court nominees and 13 circuit court nominees. More here. WHEN SPENDING IS THE HARD PART— "President Joe Biden locked down the infrastructure portion of his vision for economic recovery. Then Congress crushed the plan for training enough workers to turn that vision into reality," write Jennifer Scholtes, Jessica Calefati and Elanor Mueller. Economists warned that a shortage of skilled workers would spoil Democrats' dreams of mass job creation and now the country is staring that possibility in the face. "You have to say to yourself, are we ready to build this much stuff this fast?" Mitch Landrieu, who Biden has charged with overseeing the infrastructure spending, said this month. More:
Bridges don't build themselves: How Dems' spending flop hurts their infrastructure victory | | | | JOIN FRIDAY TO HEAR FROM GOVERNORS ACROSS AMERICA : As we head into the third year of the pandemic, state governors are taking varying approaches to public health measures including vaccine and mask mandates. "The Fifty: America's Governors" is a series of live conversations featuring various governors on the unique challenges they face as they take the lead and command the national spotlight in historic ways. Learn what is working and what is not from the governors on the front lines, REGISTER HERE. | | | | |
GOOD MORNING! Welcome to Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Wednesday, January 26, where your host is celebrating Big Papi's entrance into the Hall of Fame.
ABOUT LAST NIGHT— The House released their version of a trade and competition bill aimed at confronting China last night, as the push continues for Congress to ready a version to send to President Joe Biden's desk. The Senate cleared their own legislation last year. "The bill's centerpiece is $52 billion in semiconductor funding sought by the White House and congressional leaders to combat the computer chip shortage, along with a litany of funding provisions for science and technology research aimed at enhancing American competitiveness against China," writes Gavin Bade, who has a handy breakdown of the bill. CURRENT CODEL— House Foreign Affairs Chair Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) is leading a congressional delegation to Brussels and Kyiv this week to discuss the escalating security situation on the borders between Russia and Ukraine. On the trip are: Reps. David Cicilline (D-R.I.), Ami Bera (D-Calif.) Colin Allred (D-Texas), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), Tom Malinowksi (D-N.J.), Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.), Mark Green (R-Tenn.), August Pfluger (R-Texas), Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) and Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.). It is the third group of lawmakers to descend on Kyiv in recent weeks. A bipartisan Senate delegation was in Ukraine last week and Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) and Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) led a bipartisan House group in December. | | A message from HCA Healthcare: HCA Healthcare believes advancing the diversity of our talent pool enhances our ability to deliver more equitable, culturally competent care. In 2021, we announced a $10 million gift over the next three years to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) in communities near our hospitals. In December 2021, HCA Healthcare provided $1.5 million to Florida A&M University's (FAMU) School of Allied Health Sciences to strengthen students' pathways to healthcare management careers. | | |
INSIDER THREAT?— Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.) and six other House Republicans responded to Monday's POLITICO scoop on Capitol Police digging into the backgrounds of people who meet with lawmakers, including staff, in a letter to the Capitol Police Board requesting answers and records regarding the "insider threat awareness program" and intelligence collected under the program. Other signatories include Reps. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.), Troy Nehls (R-Texas), and Bryan Steil (R-Wisc.).
"Regardless of whether background checks and information gathering are prudent security practices, we question whether the Capitol Police Board has the power to implement such procedures without express statutory authorization," they write. Previous promises: The letter states that at a GOP conference meeting on Jan. 19, Armstrong specifically asked Sergeant-at-Arms Walker and USCP Chief Tom Manger if the USCP was conducting background checks or compiling background memos on lawmakers, staff or town hall attendees. "In response, Sergeant-at-Arms Walker and Chief Manger both assured the Republican Conference that the USCP was not collecting, gathering, or compiling this form of intelligence," writes Kelly. Of the more than a dozen questions posed to the USCP Board, the lawmakers ask: "Is the USCP conducting background checks, surveillance, or any other type of intelligence activities on Members of Congress, staff, contractors, visitors to the Capitol Complex, or those attending events in congressional districts or otherwise off campus?" They want a response by close of business on Jan. 27. Read the full letter. CUELLAR, DEFIANT — Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) doesn't want anyone to think an FBI raid on his home and campaign offices one week ago has shaken his intention to seek — and win — reelection. The senior Texas Democrat vowed in a Tuesday video that "there is an ongoing investigation that will show there is no wrongdoing on my part," Cuellar said in the 90-second statement, reiterating that he is "fully cooperating with law enforcement." But Cuellar didn't explain why the FBI searched his property just weeks before he faces a tough primary against progressive challenger Jessica Cisneros. Sarah Ferris has more. | | | | DON'T MISS CONGRESS MINUTES: Need to follow the action on Capitol Hill blow-by-blow? Check out Minutes, POLITICO's new platform that delivers the latest exclusives, twists and much more in real time. Get it on your desktop or download the POLITICO mobile app for iOS or Android. CHECK OUT CONGRESS MINUTES HERE. | | | | |
| | | Staffers loud and clear… Data released Tuesday packed a double-punch on the financial reality that Hill staff face. Don't miss these from Roll Call's staffer edition: Living paycheck to paycheck a reality for some Hill staffers, survey finds , from Megan Minero and Thirteen percent of congressional staffers make less than a living wage, report shows, from Niels Lesniewski Pressley is Getting Curious…Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) will appear on an episode of the upcoming Netflix series Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness. A promo on Instagram teases a conversation about societal fixation on hair and looks like the sit-down interview was filmed on the Hill. The Big Board update… The Big Board on H Street N.E. will soon go before the Alcohol Beverage Control board for a hearing on their liquor license, after the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration issued two fines of $1,000 each in addition to written and verbal warning for staff members not wearing masks, not requiring vaccination verification and and not posting required signage informing customers of the policy. The bar maintains their stance that "everyone is welcome." Huddle first dug into support among GOP staff on Capitol Hill for The Big Board's stance against the mandates on Friday. The GoFundMe has now raised more than $13,000, plenty from Republican aides on the Hill. | | | | A message from HCA Healthcare:   | | |
QUICK LINKS
Federal judge rejects challenge to 'weighty and urgent' Jan. 6 committee, by Kyle Cawthorn Challenge Raises the Question: Who Is an 'Insurrectionist'? by Jonathan Weisman at The New York Times Some members of Congress are working to make things more civil, in a Congress that works better, from Federal News Network TRANSITIONS Madeline Meeker is now Press Secretary for Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), a promotion from deputy press secretary. Colleen Kennedy is now manager of policy communications at the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. She previously was communications director for Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.) TODAY IN CONGRESS The House is not in session. The Senate is not in session. | | |
TUESDAY'S WINNER:Nick Pearson correctly answered that Democratic Sen. Zell Miller of Georgia, fresh off a keynote speech to the Republican National Convention that roasted Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry, got exasperated with host of MSNBC's "Hardball with Chris Matthews" host asking about his criticism of Kerry. "I wish we lived in the day where you could challenge a person to a duel," Miller angrily told Matthews. Watch the exchange, here.
TODAY'S QUESTION from Nick: Name the former House Parliamentarian who began working in said office when Speaker Pelosi was first sworn in as a Member of the House and later commented he holds "a place of honor in the history of the House and in my personal history." Former Speaker Boehner also said he"consistently has shown grace under pressure in what well may be one of the biggest pressure cookers on Earth." Hint: they share a name with both a recent diplomat and Member of Congress. 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 HCA Healthcare: HCA Healthcare is partnering with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) to help advance diversity in healthcare.
Investing in a diverse talent pool enhances our ability to deliver more equitable, culturally competent care. In 2021, we announced a $10 million gift over the next three years to HBCUs and HSIs in communities near our hospitals to expand opportunities for students through internship programs, curriculum development, scholarships and other investments. As part of this commitment, in December 2021, we provided $1.5 million to Florida A&M University's (FAMU) School of Allied Health Sciences to strengthen students' pathways to healthcare management careers. This funding will support scholarships, internships, and the construction and operations of a simulation lab.
We are honored to continue building relationships with these universities to support Black and Hispanic/Latinx students interested in healthcare careers. | | | | | | | Follow us | | | | |
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