Why Michigan Democrats have two Tlaib hurdles

Presented by National Association Of Black Law Enforcement Officers: An evening recap of the action on Capitol Hill and preview of the day ahead

Nov 07, 2023 View in browser   By Nicholas Wu, Daniella Diaz and Ursula Perano Presented by With assists from POLITICO’s Congress team Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) is facing an all-but-certain censure on Wednesday for her use of a phrase that’s been a rallying cry for Hamas. | Jose Luis Magana/AP TICK TOCK: The government will shut down in 10 days if Congress can’t pass a funding patch. HOW DO DEMS SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE RASHIDA? Michigan is a must-win for Democrats in 2024. Rashida Tlaib and the party’s split on Israel are making that job more complicated. As local and national Democrats fret about their chances in the swing state – which has one of the nation’s highest Middle Eastern American populations per capita, per census data – Tlaib (D-Mich.) is facing an all-but-certain censure on Wednesday for her use of a phrase that’s been a rallying cry for Hamas. At least a handful of Democrats are expected to join a GOP-led push to formally rebuke Tlaib. But for her home-state colleagues, the controversy surrounding her is a particularly thorny one. The first half of it: Censuring Tlaib makes her into a potential Israel-policy lightning rod for Michigan’s swing voters. Her own Democratic colleagues privately believe she’s digging a hole for herself as she continues to defend what many consider an anti-Israel slogan: “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” Things got heated over the weekend as Michigan Democrats raced to distance themselves from the controversy over Tlaib’s social-media video featuring the phrase, which is which is widely seen as representing a Palestinian state that would erase Israel. Rep. Hillary Scholten, a first-term lawmaker from a competitive district on the west side of the state, helped lead a statement ultimately signed by 70 Democrats rebuking Tlaib’s language. That statement, released just minutes before the House started voting to halt Tlaib’s censure on Tuesday afternoon, didn’t mention Scholten’s fellow Michigander by name. But the Michigan Democrat’s intention was clear. And the GOP censure push continued to advance. Meanwhile, Tlaib took to the floor to stress her criticism of Israel was solely focused on the government, not its people. “I will not be silenced, and I will not let you distort my words,” she said. The second half of it: Democrats’ split over Israel policy risks hurting them with Arab American and Muslim voters in Michigan who overwhelmingly tend to back the party. Rep. Andre Carson (D-Ind.), one of three Muslim Americans in Congress, said Democrats have work to do on repairing their bridge to that part of their base. He predicted “low Muslim turnout, if any at all” next year and said he hoped the party would “demonstrate the necessary leadership to make Muslims feel welcome.” Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) signaled some concern, too, when asked about polling showing soft support for Biden among her state’s Arab and Muslim Democrats “I’ve been worried through the tail end of this year about energy and enthusiasm,” she said. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), who chairs Senate Democrats’ campaign arm, didn’t directly answer a question about the Tlaib resolution, but added: “It's important to reach out and hear people out.” As Democrats in all rungs of the party — including the White House — grapple with fallout from Arab American communities as Israel pushes into Gaza, Peters said his party’s lawmakers have to do what they individually think is best. Meanwhile, the White House has been working to shore up support on the Hill. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) said in a brief interview that the White House had recently called her and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) to talk about its response to Islamophobia – including the consideration of the establishment of a special envoy to combat Islamophobia. Meanwhile, Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.), who represents a Detroit-area district, hatched his own proposal for a ceasefire and for former President Barack Obama to negotiate an end to the conflict. We’re not sure if the former president wants to get back into the game. Also happening today: The House is set to vote on another Tlaib censure pitch from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) around 9 p.m. This one is expected to fail. — Nicholas Wu, Daniella Diaz and Ursula Perano    A message from National Association Of Black Law Enforcement Officers: The Biden administration’s proposed ban on menthol cigarettes would have devastating unintended consequences for communities of color. Criminalizing menthol will fuel an illicit market, increasing the potential for negative law enforcement interactions and significant criminal justice penalties. As advocates for equal justice for Black and other minority communities, we urge the Biden administration to withdraw the proposed menthol ban. Learn more.   GOOD EVENING! Welcome to Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Tuesday, Nov. 7, where we wish everyone a fun Election Day (if your state is participating!). INSIDE THE SENATE DEM CAUCUS ROOM Senate Banking Committee Chair Sherrod Brown told fellow Senate Democrats at Tuesday’s caucus lunch that he will oppose the Biden administration’s Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity unless the trade pillar is dropped from the deal, according to a person briefed on the meeting. Brown specifically cited concerns over the deal’s labor standards. Just a guess: The Biden administration – and the Democratic Party – probably don’t want Brown or other trade hawks on the warpath over trade going into the 2024 election. — Burgess Everett   A message from National Association Of Black Law Enforcement Officers:   UNTANGLING THE GOVERNMENT FUNDING MESS With just 10 days remaining until the next shutdown deadline, it’s getting harder – not easier – to determine which path House Republicans might try to take. The two-tiered stopgap spending plan floated by Speaker Mike Johnson last week, though it’s backed by the House Freedom Caucus, is drawing skepticism from many other Republicans. They see a “straightforward” patch — possibly with some funding priorities attached — as the only logical way to keep the government open. “To me, you do a clean [continuing resolution], you don’t try to jam anybody,” said Rep. Tom Cole (Okla.), a senior Republican appropriator. “Anything you put on there should be the things the two sides can agree to.” Let’s recap the three big questions lawmakers still have to answer: 1. How long should a short-term fix last? Senate Democrats would prefer an early- to mid-December end date, while House Republicans are pushing for January. 2. Should any foreign aid get attached? Both sides want to provide billions of dollars in emergency aid to Israel, but Republicans have qualms about related humanitarian assistance that Democrats see as crucial. Senate GOP leaders are pushing for Ukraine funding alongside border policies to appeal to conservatives, but Democrats have already rejected a GOP border plan released this week (more on that below). 3. What about conference talks? As the funding fog gets thicker, members of both parties want to start reconciling the House and Senate versions of the easier fiscal 2024 funding bills – ASAP. But those talks are far from beginning in earnest. “We should start that conference,” Cole urged, adding that some of his colleagues should “re-learn how to play team ball. That’s what appropriations is … There are no unilateral wins in a divided government. It just doesn't happen.” Republicans across the Capitol are also eager for traditional conference negotiations. “What comes out of that conference committee is what counts, and everything else is just cottage cheese,” said Louisiana Sen. John Neely Kennedy (R-La.), a senior appropriator. “That conference is going to take a while. It’s gonna be lengthy. I think it's gonna be hard fought,” Kennedy said. “And nobody knows the result, but it won’t be done over a weekend, I can tell you that.” Leading House appropriators met with panel chair Kay Granger (R-Texas) in her Capitol office earlier Tuesday to discuss their stopgap options, including the pros and cons of a “laddered” approach versus a clean patch. — Caitlin Emma and Jennifer Scholtes   GROWING IN THE GOLDEN STATE: POLITICO California is growing, reinforcing our role as the indispensable insider source for reporting on politics, policy and power. From the corridors of power in Sacramento and Los Angeles to the players and innovation hubs in Silicon Valley, we're your go-to for navigating the political landscape across the state. Exclusive scoops, essential daily newsletters, unmatched policy reporting and insights — POLITICO California is your key to unlocking Golden State politics. LEARN MORE.     EXCLUSIVE: IMMIGRATION GROUPS DRAW RED LINE ON BORDER POLICIES Eight prominent immigration policy groups on Tuesday released their major asylum and border management priorities ahead of Congress’ upcoming spending talks in a memo obtained by Huddle — which hit the Hill as the Senate’s border debate heats up. The goals outlined by the groups, which include the American Immigration Council, American Immigration Lawyers Association, America’s Voice and Human Rights First, largely align with discussions happening among Senate Democrats. Those priorities include pumping more funds to the border to help Customs and Border Patrol with processing migrants who arrive in the U.S., providing additional resources to migrants and boosting humanitarian assistance to asylum seekers. “A smart funding package would better fund the system and ensure humane treatment for asylum applicants and would not permanently block access to safety for all who need refuge,” the memo stated. Senate Republicans proposed their own border measures on Monday, starting a showdown with Democrats who rejected the measures outright. The working group of Senate Republicans proposed resuming construction of the Trump-era border wall and making migrants ineligible for asylum if they transited through another country before showing up at the U.S. border – what is known as a “safe third country” rule. "Senate Republicans basically copied large chunks of the House's radical H.R. 2 bill. And that's the asking price for funding Ukraine?" Schumer said Tuesday. "Huge mistake." — Daniella Diaz   PLAYBOOK IS GOING GLOBAL! We’re excited to introduce Global Playbook, POLITICO’s premier newsletter that brings you inside the most important conversations at the most influential events in the world. From the buzzy echoes emanating from the snowy peaks at the WEF in Davos to the discussions and personalities at Milken Global in Beverly Hills, to the heart of diplomacy at UNGA in New York City – author Suzanne Lynch brings it all to your fingertips. Experience the elite. Witness the influential. And never miss a global beat. BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION. SUBSCRIBE NOW.     HUDDLE HOTDISH The House vacation planner is out … just kidding, kinda. The House schedule for 2024 is here. The lower chamber, as expected, will be out all of October ahead of the 2024 election. It’s not too late to vote, folks! Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) is getting in on the Lime commute game. QUICK LINKS  Far-right Texas congressman's ex-staffer paid back nearly $40K in ‘unauthorized charges', from Mark Alesia at Raw Story State elections to test Democrats’ turnout fears, from Elena Schneider TRANSITIONS  Brandon Cockerham is now chief of staff for Rep. Jim Baird (R-Ind.). He most recently was deputy chief of staff for Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.). Scott Hinkle is now chief of staff for Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.). He most recently was D.C. chief of staff and counsel for Rep. Juan Vargas (D-Calif.).   A message from National Association Of Black Law Enforcement Officers: The National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice strongly opposes the Biden Administration’s proposed ban on menthol cigarettes. The unintended consequences of the ban, including higher incarceration rates and increased police interactions, will be disproportionately borne by people of color.  Law enforcement resources and justice systems are already at a breaking point and the ban will only add to the strain. As an organization dedicated to improving the administration of criminal justice, we know the menthol bad is simply bad policy. Consumer education and health care are key to reducing smoking rates - not criminalization. We urge you to join us in telling the Biden Administration to stop the menthol ban. Learn more.   TOMORROW IN CONGRESS The House is in session. The Senate is in session. WEDNESDAY AROUND THE HILL 10 a.m. Reps. Norma Torres and Brian Fitzpatrick will host a press conference to reintroduce legislation to reclassify 9-1-1 dispatchers as first responders. (House Triangle) TRIVIA MONDAY’S ANSWER: Benjamin Wainer correctly answered that James G. Blaine was the former Cabinet official who (a) was his party’s nominee for president, (b) was an eyewitness to a presidential assassination, and (c) is the namesake of the Governor’s mansion in his home state. TODAY’S QUESTION from Benjamin: Which former senator was the only non-founding father to be the principal author of more than one Constitutional Amendment? The first person to correctly guess gets a mention in the next edition of Huddle. Send your answers to huddletrivia@politico.com. GET HUDDLE emailed to your phone each evening. Follow Daniella on X at @DaniellaMicaela.   Follow us

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