Who flocks to the SCOTUS spotlight?

Presented by SEIU Care is Essential: A play-by-play preview of the day's congressional news

Mar 23, 2022 View in browser   By Katherine Tully-McManus Presented by SEIU Care is Essential MOTHS TO A SCOTUS FLAME — There's a bevy of potential GOP presidential contenders on Senate Judiciary and they're leaning into the spotlight of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's confirmation hearings. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) aren't just grilling the Supreme Court nominee this week – they're getting a head start more than a year before the presidential primaries begin. Burgess dug into how the quartet of potential White House hopefuls is using the confirmation hearings to bolster their images. Definitely not declared… Hawley insists he is not running, but Cruz has said he would, if former President Donald Trump doesn't pursue another term. The early primary states of Iowa and New Hampshire have seen visits from both Blackburn and Cotton. Duty over ambition? Cruz dismissed the idea Tuesday that they are using their Judiciary perches to burnish their own images as they interrogate the Democrats' first SCOTUS nominee in 12 years. "Every one of us has a constitutional responsibility. And there are very few responsibilities in the Senate more important than advice and consent on Supreme Court nominations," Cruz told Burgess. But even other Republicans know the drill. "People get on that committee knowing that it's going to be a very high-profile committee for times like this, and gives them an audience if they have national… ambitions or aspirations," said Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the GOP whip. Some Republicans on the committee, he added, "are at least thinking about that possibility. And now is the time that the spotlight shines on them." QUESTION TIME WITH KETANJI (REPRISE) — After 13 hours on Tuesday, Senators on the Judiciary Committee still have more questions for Judge Jackson. The panel didn't make it through the full first round of questions before wrapping up after 10 p.m. last night. Wednesday's hearing will kick off with Sens. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who did not get their 30-minute question block Tuesday. After their turn, the committee will launch into a second round of questions, this time with 20 minutes for each lawmaker. There's no shame if you didn't catch every minute of the marathon hearing. (Most Americans cannot name even a single Supreme Court Justice, so you're ahead of the game.) Marianne and Josh Gerstein put together a concise roundup of 5 takeaways ahead of today's action.   JOIN THURSDAY FOR A CONVERSATION ON CRYPTOCURRENCY AND REGULATION:  Cryptocurrency has gone mainstream. With the market now valued at $1.8 trillion, Washington's oversight of the fast-growing industry remains in its infancy. How should Congress and federal agencies shape future regulation of digital asset markets? Join POLITICO in person or virtually for a deep-dive discussion on what's next for crypto, regulation and the future of finance. Programming will run from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. EDT with a reception from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. EDT. REGISTER HERE.     GOOD MORNING! Welcome to Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Wednesday, March 23 where we're reminded that stamina is a weird qualification for Congress or SCOTUS…but it definitely comes to bear. LET'S MAKE A TRADE (BILL)— The Senate votes this morning on the motion to proceed to a competitive trade bill aimed at the world's second largest economy. The Senate's bill aims to improve the U.S. manufacturing sector's ability to compete with China by providing $52 billion in incentives for domestic semiconductor manufacturing, along with other provisions. SENATE TAKES STOCK OF IRAN DEAL TALKS— There's bipartisan skepticism emerging on Capitol Hill about the Biden administration's attempts to revive the Iran nuclear deal, reports Andrew. "While Republicans have been airing their concerns more loudly, some top Democrats are beginning to openly express reservations about public reports outlining details of the new agreement, which would include lifting some sanctions on Tehran. Their doubts follow warnings from administration officials in a closed-door briefing Tuesday that Iran is closer than ever to producing enough material for a nuclear weapon," writes Andrew. Get the full story: Dems start questioning Biden admin's Iran nuclear talks THE MAN, THE MYTH, MARKWAYNE— Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) thinks the White House tried to get him killed during his trip to Afghanistan last year. He decked a guy who insulted fellow House Republican Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.). And was the first member to run to assist Capitol Police in defending the House chamber as it was under siege on Jan. 6. And he's running for Senate. Don't miss Olivia's profile of Mullin, who colleagues describe as "intense" and a "renegade."   A message from SEIU Care is Essential: Home care workers are an essential part of our workforce, but their pay and benefits don't reflect the growing demands of the industry. Chronically low pay is forcing care workers to quit when we need them more than ever. Inaction is not an option – we need to protect care workers with better pay, benefits, and union rights! Tell the Senate: Invest in care work NOW.   CLEANUP ON AISLE BRAUN — Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) told a conference call of Indiana reporters on Tuesday that he would welcome a rollback of many of the Supreme Court's landmark civil rights cases in the past 70 years, including 1967 ruling that legalized interracial marriage nationwide — before walking it back, saying he was confused by the question. An Indiana reporter followed up, asking, "you would be okay with the Supreme Court leaving the issue of interracial marriage to the states?" Braun replied, "yes." You can watch the exchange for yourself and hear the question and Braun's original answer. In an interview with POLITICO , Braun said he "completely misunderstood" the question and walked back the answer. Braun's office also released a statement from the senator: "Let me be clear on that issue — there is no question the Constitution prohibits discrimination of any kind based on race, that is not something that is even up for debate, and I condemn racism in any form, at all levels and by any states, entities, or individuals." Nicholas and Anthony have more. QUICK LINKS  House GOP heads to Florida to narrow in on policy plans, from Chris Marquette at CQ Roll Call. Leaning on her Trump ties, Elise Stefanik plots future inside House GOP, from Melanie Zanona and Gabby Orr at CNN U.S., U.K. Strike Trade Deal to End Tariffs on British Steel and American Whiskey, from The Wall Street Journal   SUBSCRIBE TO NATIONAL SECURITY DAILY : Keep up with the latest critical developments from Ukraine and across Europe in our daily newsletter, National Security Daily. The Russian invasion of Ukraine could disrupt the established world order and result in a refugee crisis, increased cyberattacks, rising energy costs and additional disruption to global supply chains. Go inside the top national security and foreign-policymaking shops for insight on the global threats faced by the U.S. and its allies and what actions world leaders are taking to address them. Subscribe today.     TRANSITIONS  Connor Hinson is now a research assistant for the Senate Homeland Security GOP. He previously was a legislative correspondent for Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio). Jeff Guittardis now senior manager of comms at the Beer Institute. He previously was deputy press secretary for Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). Catherine Lenzis is now director of health policy at the Picard Group. She previously was senior health policy adviser for Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas). Leacy Burke is joining Milliken & Company as government relations manager. She currently is comms director for Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.).   A message from SEIU Care is Essential:   TODAY IN CONGRESS The House is out. The Senate convenes at 10 a.m. with a vote at 10:30 a.m. AROUND THE HILL Noon Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) holds a press conference on gas prices (Senate TV Studio). TRIVIA TUESDAY'S WINNER: Emery Real Bird correctly answered that The Merritt Parkway, opened in 1940, is named for Rep. Schuyler Merritt. TODAY'S QUESTION from Emery: How many treaties were ratified between the United States and Indian Tribal Governments? 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 SEIU Care is Essential: 10,000 people in America turn 65 every single day, and the number of adults 65 and older will double in a few decades. Home care workers have never been more essential, but they continue to be overlooked and denied the compensation and respect they deserve. Care workers help seniors and people with disabilities live with dignity. But these jobs are severely underpaid, providing a median annual income of just $18,100. Home care workers across the country are demanding racial justice and good union jobs for a workforce primarily made up of Black and Brown women. It's time for Congress to invest in home care jobs and services for our families. Inaction is not an option. Tell the Senate: Invest in care work NOW.     Follow us

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