Santos vote has ‘opened Pandora’s coffin’

Presented by American Chemistry Council – Chemistry Creates America Competes : An evening recap of the action on Capitol Hill and preview of the day ahead

Dec 01, 2023 View in browser   By Katherine Tully-McManus, Daniella Diaz and Nicholas Wu Presented by With assists from POLITICO’s Congress team The House formerly considered censuring members a punishment to use only in the rarest of circumstances. | Francis Chung/POLITICO WHAT’S NEXT ON SANTOS Rep. George Santos is no more. But there are some significant remaining questions regarding his ouster, both for the House generally and him personally. For the House:  Will this new precedent have lasting repercussions? The handful of Democrats who opposed booting Santos or voted “present” cited concerns about due process, given this is the first time since the Civil War the House has expelled a member without a conviction. Rep. Al Green (D-Texas), who voted present, told POLITICO the vote had “opened Pandora’s coffin,” a sentiment echoed by Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), who voted against the expulsion. “We have to recognize that expelling a Member is one of the most serious and solemn actions Members can take. We have to recognize that precedence will be set,” he said. One related example: The House formerly considered censuring members a punishment to use only in the rarest of circumstances. That’s obviously changed now, with Republicans and Democrats using reprimand measures several times just this year. Still, there are more backstops to keep that from happening on expulsion. Process wise, the two-thirds majority required for booting a member makes it much more difficult to achieve. Plus, very few lawmakers would argue that Santos himself didn’t present a special case after the damning bipartisan Ethics Committee report, even if they didn’t think it was enough to vote for expulsion. “Do I get concerned about this turning into tits-for-tats? Sure,” Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) said. “But the reality here is: You had an individual who was completely unfit to serve, who defrauded the voters of his district, who defrauded donors." Worth noting: Ethics Committee Chair Michael Guest (R-Miss.), who sponsored the successful resolution to boot Santos, said he wasn’t worried about precedent at all. “I think that we have seen members that have committed crimes far less than this who have chosen to resign. I think that this is the exception to the rule,” he said Friday, echoing arguments made by other members of the panel. For Santos: The indicted and now-ousted lawmaker is still part of the exclusive club of former members of Congress, but he won’t get all the perks. Santos said Thursday that he’ll retain his floor access, a privilege open to all former members who aren’t registered lobbyists. Within 24 hours, he seemed to dismiss the idea of using his floor privileges: "Why would I want to stay here? To hell with this place.” Santos has said he plans to write a book and declined to comment on whether he’d been approached by reality TV shows, as Olivia wrote Thursday. Need not apply: Santos will not get an invitation to join the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress. The group does not welcome members “who are not in good standing at the end of their Congressional tenure,” said a spokesperson for the group. About his remaining staff: With Santos out, the House Clerk’s office will take control of his office and staff to provide constituent services until an upcoming special election for his seat. No legislative work is allowed during the vacancy, but work on behalf of constituents can continue. Santos staffers are allowed to remain on the payroll of the House and keep working for the office until a successor is elected. However, the clerk is authorized to terminate employees. He could run again: Expelled members aren’t barred from seeking political office again. So if Santos wanted he could give Congress or other elected positions another shot. He indicated he wasn’t done with politics in a pen-and-pad meeting with reporters Thursday, but we’ll see if he follows through. Lobby hobby? Santos told reporters Thursday that he has no plans to lobby. That’s just as well. Expelled members aren’t exempt from the mandatory one year “cooling off” period before registering as lobbyists. — Katherine Tully-McManus, Daniella Diaz and Nicholas Wu, with assist from Jordain Carney   A message from American Chemistry Council – Chemistry Creates America Competes: Powering the nation's supply chain, the U.S. business of chemistry drives innovation in semiconductors, energy, healthcare, and more. But urgent action is needed! Already the most heavily regulated sector, America’s chemical industry faces growing regulatory overload. The Biden Administration and Congress must correct course and do a better job understanding the negative impact of additional, unduly restrictive regulations on a fragile supply chain and economy before it’s too late. Learn more – Chemistry Creates, America Competes   GOOD EVENING! Welcome to Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Dec. 1, where there is now one vacancy in the House of Representatives. SCHUMER MAKES A MOVE ON SUPPLEMENTAL Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is telling Democrats to prepare for a vote on President Joe Biden’s supplemental bill on Wednesday or Thursday, according to two people familiar with his recent guidance to the caucus. That means he’ll probably make a move on Monday or Tuesday to set up a vote to break a filibuster on even debating the bill, which Republicans will likely block. But that’s what some senators want. Seriously: There’s a theory that a failed vote could actually be cathartic and move things. “Time is wasting and all the posturing is fun to watch. It's not getting anything done,” said Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.). “The sight of the gallows concentrates the mind. You know, when people have to vote, then they have to make the hard decision about what they're gonna be against. And you can't do that without a bill.” Skepticism grows: There’s a lot of hand wringing among rank-and-file senators about the fact that there isn’t a deal yet on linking border security with Ukraine and Israel funding, and plenty of doubt that one will ever emerge that could get 60 Senate votes. Republicans say Democratic leaders don’t actually want an agreement, Democrats say Republicans are pushing ideas that are too conservative that they know can't pass. “That concern goes both ways. There’s concern on my caucus’ part, that while James [Lankford] is an earnest and capable person, he’s spending too much time touching base [with conservatives] and then reintroducing more and more ideas that are just never going to fly in our caucus,” said one Democratic senator, granted anonymity to speak on private negotiations. “The same is true the other way.” — Burgess Everett    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.     CONSERVATIVES BEND ON SPENDING House Republicans just spent the last six months in turmoil over government funding. But the fight may have just gotten real this week. In a surprising twist, conservatives are rethinking their improbable push for spending cuts, signaling they’ll accept the $1.59 trillion total cemented by the debt deal earlier this year. “It is just incredible that it has taken this long for this group of people to face reality,” griped one House Republican lawmaker, granted anonymity to speak candidly. The shift is potentially big news for the prospects of a fiscal 2024 funding deal, which has taken a back seat to negotiations over critical aid to Israel and Ukraine. “I think it’s moving us towards getting topline numbers, which we have to have before we can conference anything,” said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a senior appropriator, who said “any movement is good.” Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said, “I’m glad that they’re loosening the binders on the speakers’ hands when it comes to negotiating. I think that was an encouraging sign that they want him to be able to succeed.” One massive caveat: Conservatives are still pushing to eliminate the so-called side deal that was key to winning Democratic support for the debt package earlier this summer. Democrats are relying on that handshake agreement to soften other cuts to domestic spending with an extra $54 billion secured through accounting tricks, while Republicans won IRS rescissions in that accord. Manchin’s on board: Eliminating the side deal for most Democrats is a total non-starter, and it could really complicate negotiations over the next couple months. But Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is fine with lopping it off. “Side deal was horrible,” he said. “The bottom line is, they made a deal. We all thought that was the deal, whether you like it or not. Let’s try to work and live within it, but don’t have another $60 billion side deal … I just never did think that was right.” Sequester trigger: Speaker Mike Johnson has made clear that a stopgap through the end of the fiscal year is the obvious fallback plan if leaders don’t clinch a bipartisan, bicameral funding deal before the shutdown deadlines hit in January and February. And as we explained earlier this week, there’s still some confusion among lawmakers about how that maneuver would work with the 1 percent across-the-board cuts the debt limit agreement prescribed. But Senate Republicans have been under the impression for months that a stopgap until the end of the fiscal year wouldn’t trigger those automatic reductions that kick in at the end of April, Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) told us. “We already had legal come in and talk to us about it. And legal was very clear,” Mullin said. “Technically, if you did a CR for a full year, that is considered a funding bill.” — Caitlin Emma and Jennifer Scholtes    A message from American Chemistry Council – Chemistry Creates America Competes:   HUDDLE HOTDISH There is one Rep. Santos who wasn’t expelled from Congress. Union Pub knows how to take an opportunity and run with it. Paging Santos: Your office keys won't work anymore.   GET A BACKSTAGE PASS TO COP28 WITH GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Get insider access to the conference that sets the tone of the global climate agenda with POLITICO's Global Playbook newsletter. Authored by Suzanne Lynch, Global Playbook delivers exclusive, daily insights and comprehensive coverage that will keep you informed about the most crucial climate summit of the year. Dive deep into the critical discussions and developments at COP28 from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12. SUBSCRIBE NOW.     QUICK LINKS  Chuy Garcia on immigration, from Shia Kapos Santos is out and a special election looms. How it will work, from Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman Out, but not forgotten: New York GOP still may have a George Santos problem, from Nick Reisman and Emily Ngo   A message from American Chemistry Council – Chemistry Creates America Competes: Our nation’s supply chain runs on the U.S. business of chemistry. When chemistry creates, America competes. Semiconductors, automotive, healthcare, infrastructure, and energy all rely on chemistry. From EV’s to smartphones, America’s chemical manufacturers power innovations we can't live without. Unfortunately, regulatory overload and lack of coordination between the White House and its agencies is handicapping American chemistry’s ability to create products that support national priorities, jeopardizing the economy and America’s ability to compete with countries like China. This tidal wave of unduly restrictive regulations could disrupt the supply chain for crucial technologies and everyday products. President Biden and his administration need to understand how vital chemistry is to the supply chain when it comes to making the things America and the world can’t live without. The Biden Administration and Congress must support policies that empower chemistry, promote American innovation, and strengthen U.S. competitiveness. Learn more – Chemistry Creates, America Competes.   TRANSITIONS  Brett Kleiman is now Press Secretary for the Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee. He was previously Deputy Press Secretary for Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.). Giancarlo Mandato has been promoted to press secretary for Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.). He most recently was staff assistant for Ogles and is an alum of Rep. Bill Posey (R-Fla.). Michael McShane is now communications director for Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nev.). He most recently was legislative correspondent and press assistant for Rep. Ami Bera (D-Calif.) Gabi Garcia is now deputy director of broadcast and consumer media at the White House. She most recently was deputy press secretary for Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.). MONDAY IN CONGRESS The House is out. The Senate is in. MONDAY AROUND THE HILL *crickets* TRIVIA THURSDAY’S ANSWER: Joe Lowry correctly answered that a previous intern program, which operated through 1994, was named after Lyndon B. Johnson. TODAY’S QUESTION from Joe: On this day in 1955, Rosa Parks famously refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus. She later spent 20 years as a House employee. For which Member of the House did she work? 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

To change your alert settings, please log in at https://www.politico.com/_login?base=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.politico.com/settings This email was sent to rouf@idiot.cloudns.cc by: POLITICO, LLC 1000 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA, 22209, USA Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service