Senate flying solo

Presented by THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY CANCER ACTION NETWORK: A play-by-play preview of the day's congressional news

Feb 14, 2022 View in browser   By Katherine Tully-McManus Presented by VIBE CHECK: JUDICIARY — Senate Judiciary Committee members are hoping to leave the past in the past as they ramp up for the confirmation battle over President Joe Biden's still-unnamed Supreme Court nominee. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle say they are aiming for civility. But the personal animosity that took hold during the panel's consideration of Justice Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation is still simmering as the panel prepares to consider the nation's first Black woman Supreme Court nominee this year. "It's not the place for the faint-hearted," said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). Even outside of high profile Supreme Court fights, the committee can heat up. The Judiciary panel is mostly of lawyers and has jurisdiction over some of the most divisive issues in American politics, writes Marianne. "These are life-and-death, political gut issues that we deal with," Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said. "People would be surprised at how good Democratic relationships are with many Republican members. But I would be misleading you if I said it was with all the members. There are some that are just not easy to work with." LUJÁN LOOKING GOOD — Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), who suffered a stroke last month, says he is healing and plans to be back in Washington within weeks. "I'm doing well. I'm strong," Luján said in a video posted Sunday to his social media accounts. Luján said he would be discharged soon from University of New Mexico Hospital to an inpatient rehabilitation facility, where his recovery would "take a few more weeks." Two of his doctors also spoke about his condition and signs of stroke that people should watch out for. 50th Dem Vote: "I'm proud to report then I'll be back on the floor of the United States Senate in just a few short weeks to vote on important legislation and to consider a Supreme Court nominee," he said. "Now rest assured, New Mexicans can know they will have a voice and a vote during this process. That has never changed." He doesn't serve on the Judiciary Committee, so his vote won't be needed until the nomination heads to the Senate floor.   STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president's ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today.     GOOD MORNING! Welcome to Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Monday, Feb. 14, where we're awaiting your reviews of those Valentine's Day packages from House Dining and Rako. NEXT WEEK: HUDDLE TRIVIA LIVE! — On Feb. 23 at 8 p.m. ET, the POLITICO Congress team behind Huddle is whipping up our first-ever virtual trivia night. Think you know everything about lawmakers and their craziest moments? Prove it to us — because our reporters will be playing Alex Trebek and MC'ing their own themed rounds. (Think Burgess Everett on the Senate and Olivia Beavers on the GOP.) RSVP (by yourself or with a team) to Huddle. Registration is free. We'll send sign-up instructions. DEFENDING DEMS MAJORITY — Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) had to do "some soul-searching" before taking on the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee chair role, which tasks him with protecting a historically narrow majority — or expanding it. "It's a sense of mission for me to get to 52 or more" Senate seats, Peters told Burgess. He's not running away from Biden even as the president's approval ratings lag and his DSCC isn't endorsing in any contested primaries, letting Dems duke it out in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Don't miss Burgess' dive into Peters' midterm strategy, how he's translating his own success into the Senate map and why Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.) is still really mad: The low-key Democrat with the unenviable task of defending a 50-50 Senate HOLD MY MAIL — The Senate was expected to take action on a House-passed postal reform bill aimed at relieving the agency's financial insolvency, but Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) could hold up the post. The House approved a technical correction to the legislation by unanimous consent after a House clerk sent legislative text to the Senate short a few amendments. (That's all cleared up now.) "House Republicans worked with House Democrats to pass a technical correction by Unanimous Consent on Friday. Now, Senator Rick Scott is threatening to block the same fix by Unanimous Consent on Monday in the Senate," said a spokesperson for Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) over the weekend. What's the bill: The legislation requires that U.S. Postal Service retirees enroll in Medicare and gets rid of a previous provision that required the agency to pre-fund retiree health benefits for 75 years in the future, a task officials said was impossible.   A message from THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY CANCER ACTION NETWORK: Medicaid expansion means earlier cancer diagnoses and improved survival rates. But more than 2 million people — the majority of whom are people of color — are missing out on the lifesaving care they need because of hurdles to affordable, comprehensive health coverage in states that haven't expanded Medicaid. It's time for all Americans to have equitable access to care. Congress, close the coverage gap to remove hurdles to cancer care.   CR CLOCK TICKS — Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) put a hold on the House-passed stopgap spending legislation last week over a $30 million grant program under the Health and Human Services Department. Government funding is set to expire Feb. 18 and Blackburn's hold could prevent senators from expediting the funding extension. CLOSING ON CALIFF — Schumer filed cloture on Thursday on Robert Califf's nomination to lead the Food and Drug Administration, setting up a possible vote this week. "I think it is going to be close, but I think he's gonna make it," Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) told POLITICO. "We have a few Republicans." HUDDLE HOTDISH No longer Valentine's … Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and actress Rosario Dawson are not dating anymore, according to People Magazine and NJ.com. People reports that according to "a source close to Booker," the two are no longer a couple but remain good friends.   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.     QUICK LINKS  Inside McConnell's Campaign to Take Back the Senate and Thwart Trump, from Jonathan Martin at The New York Times Artwork from the Black Lives Matter memorial has a new home: the Library of Congress, from Jonathan Franklin at NPR Empathy, not argumentation, is how Democrats try to focus economic message, from Leigh Ann Caldwell at NBC News TRANSITIONS  Faith Mabry starts today as communications director for Rep. David Valadao (CA-21). She was previously deputy comms director for Rep. Michelle Steel (CA-48). Mandy Smithberger is now a defense policy adviser to Sen. Elizabeth Warren. She most recently was a director at the Project On Government Oversight and is a Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) alum. MacKenzie Morales is leaving Rep. Mike Turner's (R-Ohio) office for a job at the U.S. Chamber, where she will be the content manager for federal relations & political affairs division. Alma Acosta is now special assistant to the president and House legislative affairs liaison. She previously was executive director of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Rosemary Boeglin will be comms director for Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.). She previously was director of messaging and advocacy at Building Back Together, and is a Biden White House, transition and campaign alum.   A message from THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY CANCER ACTION NETWORK:   TODAY IN CONGRESS The House is out. The Senate convenes at 3 p.m. AROUND THE HILL Quiet start to a Senate-only week. TRIVIA FRIDAY'S WINNER: Amy Edmonds correctly answered that William Howard Taft and John F. Kennedy are the two U.S. presidents who are buried at Arlington National Cemetery. TODAY'S QUESTION: This firebrand was both the daughter of a president and the wife of a House Speaker. Who was she? 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 THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY CANCER ACTION NETWORK: Where you live shouldn't determine if you live. Increased access to health coverage through Medicaid expansion has resulted in earlier stage cancer diagnosis, improved access to timely treatment and survival rates, and reduced health disparities compared to those living with cancer in states that have refused to expand. It's time for all Americans to have equitable access to care. Congress, close the Medicaid coverage gap to remove hurdles to cancer care for more than 2 million people.     Follow us

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