House GOP’s very bad week

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Feb 09, 2024 View in browser   By Nick Reisman, Emily Ngo and Jeff Coltin Presented by With help from Shawn Ness “We’re all going to have to find some compromise here,” Republican Rep. Mike Lawler said. | Francis Chung/POLITICO Border security. Aid for Israel. Raising the cap on state and local tax deductions. A quixotic impeachment of a cabinet secretary. Congress face-planted on each one. House Republicans have had high-profile struggles in the last 14 months, careening from one self-inflicted crisis to the next. For some freshman lawmakers like Hudson Valley Republican Rep. Mike Lawler running in hotly contested races this November, the difficult week was an outgrowth of last year’s dysfunctional leadership fight. The failed votes “just reaffirms my view that removing Kevin McCarthy was the single stupidest move ever made in politics,” Lawler told Playbook. First-term lawmakers are trying to navigate a fractious chamber in a similarly restive political environment. Measures that Republicans from swing seats in New York campaigned on and are considered vital to retaining a GOP majority have been stuck in neutral. Increasingly it appears they’ll be facing voters without those agreements in hand. “We’re all going to have to find some compromise here,” Lawler said. “I’ve shown a willingness to do that. The frustration is the inability to find compromise or think strategically.” Democrats are prepared to pounce and turn the immigration issue back on the GOP. Gov. Kathy Hochul has predicted Republicans will pay a price this November after the Senate-negotiated border package crumbled amid GOP opposition. “They caved like a bunch of lemmings behind the chief lemming of all, Donald Trump,” Hochul told CNN. “There’s nine months between now and the election. The Republicans are going to wear this.” Hochul expects the dynamic will play out first in next week’s special election between Democrat Tom Suozzi and Republican-backed Mazi Pilip. But whether one week in February will be remembered by voters in November is an open question. And this criticism can cut both ways. Suozzi said he would have supported the House’s standalone bill for Israel aid, a Republican-supported measure that also went down in defeat this week, short-circuiting GOP criticism along the way. Democratic Rep. Pat Ryan didn’t.  Republican Alison Esposito’s campaign blasted Ryan’s vote against it. “No matter what excuse he tries to come up with, actions speak louder than his empty words,” her campaign said in a statement. “Our great ally cannot wait any longer for the Democrats in Congress to finish their political games.” Ryan, the sole Democrat that Republicans are targeting this year in New York, knocked the “so-called moderates who say they came to DC to get stuff done.” He pointed to the lack of progress for raising the cap on the state and local tax deduction, known as SALT. “They had a choice this week. They could have passed legislation to secure the border and deliver relief with SALT reform,” he said in a statement. “Instead, they wasted time on a BS failed impeachment effort and did absolutely nothing on SALT. They care more about doing Trump and Stefanik’s bidding than delivering for their constituents.” And yet, Republicans believe they still have a winning issue with the migrant crisis, especially in New York, where they blame liberal policies that prevent police from working with ICE for making the situation worse. “I think it’s epic gaslighting for the Democrats to try to pin illegal immigration and the lack of border security on Republicans,” Rep. Nicole Malliotakis said, “when everyone knows it is Democrat policies at the federal, state and city that got us into this mess.” — Nick Reisman HAPPY FRIDAY. Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman.   A message from Instagram: Parents should be able to decide which apps are right for their teens. Giving parents a say in which apps are right for their teens helps them support their teens in having a positive experience online. That’s why Instagram wants to work with Congress to require parental approval wherever teens under 16 download apps. Learn more.   WHERE’S KATHY? In Brooklyn making a housing announcement, and attending the Prabal Gurung Fashion Week show in Manhattan. WHERE’S ERIC? Making a public space-related announcement, going to Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez’s 2024 Annual Legislative Briefing and appearing live on Univision’s “Súbete al 41.” QUOTE OF THE DAY: “FOX News has since spoken to the NYPD. Apparently, the statements made by Curtis that the man is a migrant is not true. And the man was given a summons for disorderly conduct.” — Host Sean Hannity, addressing Curtis Sliwa and the Guardian Angels’ wrongful tackling of a man on live TV. ABOVE THE FOLD Mazi Pilip and former Rep. Tom Suozzi faced off yesterday in their battle for NY-3 with plenty of mudslinging between the two candidates. | Courtesy of News 12 Long Island DEBATE NIGHT ON LI: The sole debate between Democrat Tom Suozzi and Republican-backed Mazi Pilip ahead of Tuesday’s closely watched Long Island special election was marked by confrontation, the candidates repeatedly shouting over each other about border security, abortion and more, POLITICO reports. Here were some of the most memorable lines of Thursday’s face-off, hosted by News 12: — “For you to suggest that I’m a member of the Squad is about as believable as you being a member of George Santos’ volleyball team,” Suozzi said, pushing back on attacks that he is closely aligned with the left-flank Democrats. — “You are a talker. I am the person who will deliver when I promise I will deliver. You are a very good talker,” Pilip said of Suozzi, a former member of Congress. — “She has no solutions whatsoever. Just ‘there’s a problem, there’s a problem, oh, by the way, it’s a really big problem,’” Suozzi said of Pilip. — “You have the opportunity to apologize to me, but most importantly, to apologize to the public, because you and your party leaders have been lying about my position,” Pilip told Suozzi on abortion, though she described herself as “pro-life” and did not say if she backs codifying Roe v. Wade. — “She says she’s concerned about the border, but she opposes the bipartisan solution that would actually close the border,” Suozzi said of Senate legislation doomed to fail. — “My son wanted, for his bar mitzvah, he wanted a Star of David necklace. … I wanted to give it to him as a mother, but I was very concerned,” Pilip said of antisemitism. — “She’s being like Rick Lazio right now,” Suozzi said as Pilip advanced on him at the stage as Lazio did when he debated Hillary Clinton in 2020. — Emily Ngo CITY HALL: THE LATEST Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Brag announced seven indictments for the men who assaulted two NYPD officers in Times Square. | Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office BRAGG BOASTS: Flanked by Mayor Eric Adams, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg defended himself Thursday amid a conservative firestorm while announcing seven indictments in the case of two cops getting assaulted in Times Square. Bragg was widely criticized — including by fellow Democrat Hochul — for not locking up and throwing the book at all the men involved. In a press conference, he countered that he had needed more time to gather evidence and build a case in the nearly two weeks since the Jan. 27 incident. “The only thing worse than failing to bring perpetrators to justice would be to ensnare innocent people in the criminal justice system,” Bragg said. In fact, the man photographed throwing up middle fingers leaving court (an image now used in at least one anti-Democrat political ad) wasn’t indicted, suggesting Bragg’s office lacks the evidence — or may have gotten the wrong guy. And body camera footage released later Thursday and reported by THE CITY suggested the cops escalated the situation before they were thrown to the ground and kicked. Adams boosted Bragg, defending the “complexity of apprehending the individuals involved,” and “the thoroughness of the investigation.” City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, in a separate press conference, criticized Adams for not defending New York’s sanctuary city policies amid conservative criticisms. “Continuing the fervor and the fear-mongering around a crime wave — a supposed crime wave,” she said, “I think is damaging to the climate.” — Jeff Coltin YIM-BEEP: First in Playbook, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine is laying out an eight-point housing agenda he wants Albany to pass this session — while boosting his own ambitions for higher office as a pro-housing, YIMBY candidate. Levine is pushing for policies to spur private development, such as a new affordable housing tax incentive, a new tax abatement for office conversions and lifting the residential density cap — as well as “good cause” eviction protections favored by progressives. “To let yet another year pass without dramatic action on housing in Albany would be nothing short of disastrous for the residents of Manhattan and New York City,” Levine says in the plan. A spokesperson said the announcement — accompanied by a TikTok-style on-the-street video — is just “an opening salvo,” and that Levine plans to travel to Albany to lobby for the policies. — Jeff Coltin More from the city: — New York Democrats are finally going on the attack over border security and crime. (POLITICO) — Just 1.4 percent of rental apartments are vacant and available, a city survey found, making the New York City housing market the tightest it’s been in more than five decades. (POLITICO) — The City Council authorized taking legal action against the Adams administration for its refusal to expand access to rental vouchers — but the speaker didn’t commit to doing so. (City & State)   A message from Instagram:   NEW FROM PLANET ALBANY Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas and state Sen. Rachel May have introduced legislation that would expand SNAP benefits for farmers. | Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/AP FARMS FOR SNAP: Dairy farmers are backing a measure that would expand benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York in a letter to top Democrats in the Legislature and Hochul pressed them to support the proposal. “SNAP has been proven to reduce poverty, improve health outcomes, and stimulate local economies; a $1 benefit is estimated to result in $1.79 in economic activity according to the Food Action and Research Center,” the group wrote in the letter. “Research also shows that higher SNAP benefit levels increase participation rates– meaning New York could bring in additional federal dollars with a higher minimum benefit.” If approved, the SNAP benefit would guarantee a monthly benefit of $100 in New York. Sen. Rachel May and Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas introduced the measure after pandemic-era benefits under the program lapsed. Some New Yorkers are receiving a SNAP benefit as low as $23. — Nick Reisman More from Albany: — Hochul has gone from enemy to frenemy for Suozzi in next week’s special election. (POLITICO) — People are not getting timely treatment under Kendra’s Law, a state comptroller audit found. (NY1) — Sen. Jessica Ramos is nearing a decision over whether to support a proposed casino near Citi Field in Queens. (City & State) KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION Reps. John James and Pat Ryan, who attended West Point together, are introducing legislation that would give migrants a path to citizenship if they serve in the military. | Bill Pugliano/Getty Images MILITARY AND MIGRANTS: A path to citizenship could lead through the military. Qualified migrants who serve in the U.S. military would be provided with an expedited path to citizenship under a measure to be unveiled later today by Reps. Pat Ryan and John James. The measure, to be called the Courage to Serve Act, is being introduced days after a border security package negotiated in the Senate fell to pieces amid Republican opposition. Ryan, a Democrat, and James, a Michigan Republican, attended West Point together. “I know it firsthand — there’s no higher honor than serving your country in uniform,” Ryan said in a statement. “If folks have the courage to raise their right hand, swear an oath to protect and defend this nation, and put their lives on the line, then they sure as hell deserve the opportunity to become an American citizen.” The lawmakers want the measure to address both the migrant crisis and recruitment trouble facing the U.S. military. “Immigration is both an economic and moral imperative and giving specific America-loving immigrants who want to serve the country the chance to become citizens is a no-brainer,” James said. “Some of the heroes Pat and I served with in Iraq were immigrants, and I can’t think of a more deserving person to become an American citizen than immigrants who are willing to serve in our military.” — Nick Reisman More from Congress: — The battle for NY-3 could help predict the winner of the 2024 presidential election. (POLITICO) — Former Rep. George Santos claims he won’t vote in the special election to replace him, citing a personal vendetta against the local Republicans … but has recommended Pilip. (Forward) — A “Wall of Honor” curated by Rep. Jamaal Bowman in 2014 included a notorious antisemite and two Black militants convicted of murder and armed robbery, respectively. (HuffPost) NEW YORK STATE OF MIND — The New York State United Teachers union is concerned about Hochul’s plan to end “Hold Harmless.” (State of Politics) — City Councilmember Lincoln Restler has proposed the Department of Transportation to install lights on 500 blocks of sidewalks. (Daily News) — Prosecutors are poised to use nuclear DNA technology to convict alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer. (Newsday)   A message from Instagram: Parents should be able to decide which apps are right for their teens. Apps can teach teens skills or ignite their creativity. But with access to so many apps, parents should have a say in which ones their teens download. That’s why Instagram wants to work with Congress to require parental approval wherever teens under 16 download apps. Learn more.   SOCIAL DATA Edited by Daniel Lippman MAKING MOVES: Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies has promoted Rose Christ to managing director in their New York office. … Oksana Lashko is now a partner in the business restructuring and insolvency group of Morrison Foerster and will be based in the firm's New York office. … Sylvester McClearn has been named director of the New York State Common Retirement Fund’s Emerging Manager Program. … Eric Schwartz has been announced as the Board Chair at City Harvest MEDIAWATCH — Matt Rosoff is now global managing editor at TechCrunch. He most recently was editorial director for tech and climate at CNBC. … Lauren Feiner is now senior policy reporter at The Verge. She most recently was tech policy reporter at CNBC. WELCOME TO THE WORLD — Fentress Boyse, a senior investment leader at Partners Group, and Leila Clifford on Sunday welcomed Anita Elliot Boyse HAPPY BIRTHDAY: CNN’s Manu Raju … Kim Devlin, senior adviser to Tom Suozzi … Joseph Stiglitz … Charles Luftig … Patrick Rizzo … Jessica Ross … Amanda Whiting … Joe Pinsker … David Silver … Geoffrey Young … Audrey Scagnelli … (WAS THURSDAY): Rodney Margolis ... Charles S. Cohen ... Robert Kapito ... Itzik Shmuli. YOUR NEW YORK NUMBER OF THE DAY 1.4 percent The increase in enrollment at SUNY over the last year — the first increase in a decade — which was touted by Chancellor John King at a state budget hearing Thursday.   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters Follow us

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