Let the investigations begin

Presented by the Network: A play-by-play preview of the day's congressional news

Jan 10, 2023 View in browser   By Katherine Tully-McManus Presented by the Network Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) will have the final sign-off on subpoenas for a new investigate effort by the House GOP. | Francis Chung/POLITICO WEAPONS OF MASS DEDUCTION — House Republicans are launching their opening volleys in their investigative war against the Biden administration today, standing up a fresh new panel to look into what they call the "weaponization of government." The select subcommittee would be under the Judiciary Committee, led by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and has a sweeping mandate that would give House Republicans authority to investigate any agency or government program they have concerns about. Targets could include the IRS, FBI and the intelligence community. The move satisfies a promise Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) made to his conference's right flank, which aligned against his speakership and made the creation of the panel a key bargaining chip. "This will be a separation of powers hornets' nest," is how former House General Counsel Stan Brand characterized the proposed panel to Kyle and Nicholas. The Justice Department won't want to hand over sensitive investigative files and information on open criminal probes. It's a recipe to escalate the already tense relationship between Congressional Republicans and the DOJ. Rep. Dan Bishop (R-N.C.) was a big booster of the investigative committee and is expected to be appointed to the panel and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has said he expects to participate. The House will begin consideration of the resolution to create the panel, along with another that would establish a select committee on competition with China, around noon. Votes are expected later in the afternoon. RATIFICATION STATION — The House Republican conference meets this morning to vote on ratifying committee chairs selected Monday by the GOP Steering Committee. Monday was packed with pitches from candidates for the contested committee chairmanships, but here's who came out on top: Green zone: Freedom Caucus member Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.) was picked to lead the Homeland Security Committee, knocking off Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), who also wanted the post. Mr. Smith: No, the other Mr. Smith. The Ways and Means gavel will go to Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.). The powerful tax-writing panel is one of the most sought after this Congress as Republicans regain control. Rep. Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) dropped out following the first ballot at steering and Jason Smith defeated Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) on the second ballot. Texas forever: Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) is poised to take over the House Budget Committee, toppling Reps. Lloyd Smucker (R-Pa.) and Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) on Monday. The Budget role was vacant after Jason Smith won Ways and Means. Foxx holds on: Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) will once again lead the House Education and Workforce Committee. She sought a waiver from the steering panel due to a GOP conference rule that bars members from serving more than three consecutive terms as a ranking member or chair of a committee. A message from the Network: Help Wanted: Bold Leaders, Big Ideas! Across the country, voters rejected political extremes on both sides of the aisle in favor of leaders who touted bipartisan, common-sense solutions. But special interests push lawmakers into their corners, dividing them from what their constituents deserve. Enter the Network – an effort dedicated to encouraging lawmakers from all political backgrounds to work together on data-driven legislative solutions. Learn more about our bipartisan network solving America's greatest challenges at jointhenetwork.us!   GOOD MORNING! Welcome to Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Tuesday, Jan. 10, where the House is hitting its stride after stumbling out of the gate. BIPARTISAN BORDER VISIT — A bipartisan group of senators, led by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), visited the border city of El Paso, Texas, Monday to see the state of the border and to discuss a potential legislative response to the ongoing issue of migrant border crossings. Today they head to Arizona for a second leg of the trip, hosted by Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.). The group includes Sens. Cornyn, Sinema, Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.). "This system isn't working any longer," Murphy said after touring a migrant facility and meeting with city officials, nonprofits and business owners. "And it's time for us to come together, Republicans and Democrats, and find a better path forward." "There's nobody else to turn to. It is our responsibility, it is our job to try to address these very difficult, multifaceted problems," Cornyn said. "There's no alternative but to step up and deal with this the best we can. This group of senators has a history of dealing with challenges, tough political challenges." BATTLE LINES OVER DEFENSE DOLLARS — McCarthy's closed-door deal with conservatives over spending doesn't specifically address defense spending, but there's been lots of talk about cuts to the Pentagon, which some Republicans are trying to quash. It is shaping up to be another battle within the Republican ranks. Hard-liners want significant cuts to government spending and if the Pentagon is not spared, reverting back to fiscal 2022 levels would wallop DOD with about a 10 percent cut, rolling back the $75 billion increase enacted last month, reports Connor O'Brien. BUT… "There's a ton of defense hawks that are necessary to get to the math of 218," Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), a member of the Armed Services Committee, told POLITICO. Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, another Armed Services member, also warned: "Most of us won't vote for cuts to defense." SANTOS SPENDING SCRUTINY — Beleaguered Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) is now facing a complaint filed to the Federal Election Commission over the source of donations to his campaign. The Campaign Legal Center filed a 50-page complaint with the FEC alleging that the $705,000 Santos said he loaned his campaign was instead sourced from unknown individuals or corporations. He also used money he raised to pay personal expenses and filed false FEC reports, the group said. The penalty for knowingly hiding the source of campaign funds can be as much as five years in prison if the amount exceeds $25,000. Keep reading: Santos Illegally Hid Source of Campaign Donations, Group Alleges, from Bill Allison at Bloomberg. George Santos broke campaign finance laws, nonpartisan watchdog says from Isaac Stanley-Becker at The Washington Post No "Crazy Carl": For once, someone besides Santos made up something about Santos. The trusted Congressional data platform LegiStorm posted on Monday that Carl Paladino, a notorious wildcard New York Republican, had been hired to work for Santos on Capitol Hill. The news spread quickly on Capitol Hill and Twitter, based on LegiStorm's established reputation for accuracy. Santos spokesperson Naysa Woomer told Nicholas the staffing update was "inaccurate. Mr. Paladino is not employed by our office." And LegiStorm eventually had some explaining to do. "We accidentally added him as a staffer for about 5 minutes before discovering the error and removing the information," LegiStorm said Monday. They blamed a caching issue for why the staffing update was online longer. Who is working for Santos: Naysa Woomer is Santos' communications director, back on Capitol Hill after a stint with the Massachusetts Republican party. Rafaello Carone, who has worked for Reps. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), Greg Steube (R-Fla.) and Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.) all since Feb. 2021, is now a legislative assistant for Santos. Santos' seats: When Olivia asked Santos Monday night if he had spoken to McCarthy about whether he'd receive committee assignments, he said they have talked and that he expects to receive assignments just like other members.   A message from the Network:   C-SPAN UNCHAINED — "Last week's @CSPAN coverage was worthy of an Oscar. That's why I'm introducing legislation requiring House cameras to continue to capture the full Chamber & not just what the Speaker wants," tweeted Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) on Monday. The House is back operating the cameras in the chamber, providing a much more limited (and less juicy) view of the action. Reps. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.) and Donald Payne (D-N.J.) have cosponsored the proposal. HUDDLE HOTDISH Vice President Kamala Harris, right, participates in a ceremonial swearing-in of Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., left, with his wife Gisele Barreto Fetterman, in the Old Senate Chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) | AP Fetterman 'fit check… "The silent communication that comes via clothing has become a standard part of the political toolbox," writes Vanessa Friedman for The New York Times. She unpacks Sen. John Fetterman's (D-Pa.) new suit and how he made putting on what every senator wears daily seem a little radical. There' s more: Fetterman bought three (!) new suits for his new gig along with six ties. Beard, buzzed… Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) is vindicated. Rep. Garrett Graves (R-La.) arrived at work clean shaven on Monday. Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.) is seen outside the Republican Steering Committee meeting at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 9, 2023. | Francis Chung/POLITICO Howdy, neighbor… Once-vibrant gateway to U.S. capital falls on hard times. Some hope to fix it, from The Washington Post QUICK LINKS  Scoop: DelBene taps Hoyer alum as DCCC executive director, from Ally Mutnick and Nicholas Wu Rick Scott's no regrets tour, from Gary Fineout in Tallahassee U.S. attorney reviewing documents marked classified from Joe Biden's vice presidency found at Biden think tank, from Adriana Diaz, Andres Triay and Arden Farhi at CBS News Cherokee tribes turn to K Street to fulfill a 187-year-old promise for a seat in Congress, from Hailey Fuchs Gaetz Earns Most-Hated Status in GOP Even as He Gains House Sway, by Laura Davison and Billy House at Bloomberg TRANSITIONS  New hires for freshman Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.): Macey Matthews, Pettersen's chief of staff, was previously chief to Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.). Adam Finkel , Pettersen's legislative director and deputy COS, was previously legislative director for Rep. Tom O'Halleran (D-Ariz.). MacKensie Kvalvik is communications director and senior advisor, formerly in the same roles for Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.). Henry Connelly is joining Precision as an SVP in the comms practice. He most recently was comms director for former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), for whom he worked for nine years. Jacky Usyk will be the next executive director of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. She previously was director of leadership operations for Assistant Senate Democratic Leader Patty Murray (D-Wash.). Mallory Rascher Cogar is now deputy director of operations for the House Oversight Republicans. She previously was a scheduler for Rep. Greg Pence (R-Ind.). John Lee is now legislative director for Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.). He previously was senior policy adviser for Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.). Ben Weiner is now comms director for Rep. Dave Joyce (R-Ohio). He was previously deputy press secretary for Lee Zeldin's campaign for New York governor. Josh Sorbe is now press secretary for the Senate Judiciary Committee under Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). He previously was digital manager for Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.). Steve Hansen will be the legislative director for Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio). He most recently was legislative assistant and press secretary for Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.). Megan Hannigan is now legislative director for Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), handling his financial services portfolio. She previously was lead Democrat on PayPal's federal government relations team.  Jenn Miller is now legislative assistant covering foreign policy and homeland security for Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.). She previously was government relations associate at Israel Policy Forum.  Erin Drummy is now scheduler for Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.). She most recently was scheduler for Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.). TODAY IN CONGRESS The House convenes at 10 a.m. for morning business and noon for legislative action. The Senate convenes at 10 a.m. for a pro forma session. AROUND THE HILL 10 a.m. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) and Reps. Adrian Smith (R-Neb.), Michael Cloud (R-Texas) and Anthony D'Esposito (R-N.Y.) hold a press conference. (Studio A) 10:45 a.m. Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.), Vice Chair Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), Richard Neal (D-Mass.) and Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.) hold a press conference. (Studio A) TRIVIA MONDAY'S WINNER: Samantha Kappalman correctly answered that six of the 14 women senators who served before 1980 were either elected or appointed after their husbands died, so-called "widow's succession" seats. TODAY'S QUESTION from Samantha: Under which President and for what reason was Sen. William Blount impeached in 1797? The first person to correctly guess gets a mention in the next edition of Huddle. Send your answers to ktm@politico.com. GET HUDDLEemailed to your phone each morning. Follow Katherine on Twitter @ktullymcmanus A message from the Network: Help Wanted: Bold Leaders, Big Ideas! Across the country, voters rejected political extremes on both sides of the aisle in favor of leaders who touted bipartisan, common-sense solutions. But the incentives in politics often push lawmakers into their corners and divide them from what their constituents want and need. To transform this broken system, a group of advocates who helped pass the most significant federal bipartisan criminal justice reform legislation in a generation created the Network – an effort dedicated to encouraging lawmakers from all political backgrounds to work together on data-driven legislative solutions. Through high-profile events, investments in lawmakers' districts, strategic giving and promoting evidence-based policy, the Network is putting people over partisanship. Learn more about our bipartisan network solving America's greatest challenges at jointhenetwork.us!     Follow us

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