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Presented by Electronic Payments Coalition: An evening recap of the action on Capitol Hill and preview of the day ahead | | | | |  | | By Jennifer Scholtes and Caitlin Emma | | | With an assist from Ursula Perano, Jordain Carney, Burgess Everett and Katherine Tully-McManus
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House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), seen in a Dec. 12, 2023, file photo, is casting policy riders that might never pass as a conservative win. | Francis Chung/POLITICO | RIDERS OR DIE? Speaker Mike Johnson is selling the dream of conservative “policy riders” as a big upside to the nearly $1.7 trillion bipartisan funding deal reached over the weekend. But that battle is largely unwinnable, and his conference knows it. All of the factors that undermined Johnson’s leverage in negotiations over spending levels (House GOP disunity, their thin majority, divided government) also hamper his position as Republicans try to convince Democrats to include new restrictions on how the Biden administration can spend all that money. The challenges were thrown into focus this afternoon after a dozen House conservatives moved to derail Johnson’s floor agenda in protest of the spending deal. To get any funding package out of the House, he’s going to need droves of votes from across the aisle, empowering Democrats in every phase of the negotiations. Still, the speaker keeps talking about the possibility of conservative policy wins, saying on Fox News today that GOP leaders are “putting ourselves in a position to go argue for our priorities, our riders on the spending bills,” echoing his letter announcing the deal. Republican appropriators, in charge of negotiating those policy wins, are taking a more sober view. “It's kind of hard to be concerned about policy riders right now when it becomes obvious, based on what I just sat through, that we don't have the votes in our own conference to square the deal the speaker's put forward,” Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.) said. “We're just not going to be in a position to do much on our own.” Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) added that Johnson “has not promised” to secure GOP policy wins. Rather: “He's promised we can fight for policy riders.” Here’s what could be attainable — and what will be impossible: Border security and immigration: Republicans believe Democrats are newly willing to entertain new border-related provisions on the Homeland Security bill. “They’re feeling the political heat,” Cole said. “So there are some things you know you're not going to get — you put in there to give away, quite frankly. There are other things that they might change on.” Among the controversial policies House Republicans favor are banning the Biden administration from using border wall money for anything that isn’t physical barriers and from diminishing the 287(g) program that lets state and local law enforcement help enforce federal immigration laws. They also want to increase immigration detention capacity and ban “gender affirming care” like hormone therapy for migrants who have been detained. Abortion restrictions: Forget about it. “In the perfect world, I'd love to get that,” Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) said. “It's not gonna happen." Opposition from swing-district Republicans already stymied some of the partisan funding bills House Republicans were hoping to pass on their own this fall, including an Agriculture-FDA bill that would create a nationwide ban on mail-order abortion pills. Turning back the clock: Top GOP appropriators have their eye on stripping out provisions Democrats added to funding bills when they had a White House-Senate-House “trifecta” in the first two years of the Biden administration. “What I would call ‘weeding the garden,’” said Cole, who declined to talk specifics. Generally speaking, however, Republicans are eager to roll back the Biden administration’s climate change initiatives as well as diversity and inclusion efforts. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), the top Democratic appropriator in the House, insisted meanwhile that a broader government funding deal won’t materialize unless controversial policy riders are totally “off the table.” — Jennifer Scholtes and Caitlin Emma GOOD EVENING! Welcome to Inside Congress, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Wednesday, Jan. 10. Your hosts today specialize in all things spending, if you couldn’t tell. Now onto other subjects …
| | | | A message from Electronic Payments Coalition: CREDIT UNIONS & COMMUNITY BANKS IN All 50 STATES OPPOSE THE DURBIN-MARSHALL CREDIT CARD BILL: Local credit unions and community banks serve an essential role in supporting Main Street. So, when 9,600+ credit unions and community banks throughout the country oppose the Durbin-Marshall credit card bill, Congress should pay attention. Durbin-Marshall lines the pockets of corporate mega-stores by shifting costs and risks to credit unions, community banks, and their 135 million customers. Click here to learn more. | | | SYMPATHY FOR AUSTIN GOES ONLY SO FAR When the Pentagon announced Tuesday that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is being treated for prostate cancer, he joined a sizable club of prominent Washington officials who have publicly grappled with the disease. That includes a host of senators who — crucial point here — publicly disclosed their diagnosis and treatment. Asked about Austin’s handling of the situation today, several of those lawmakers offered sympathy but said there was no excuse for Austin’s delayed disclosure to the White House and to the public at large. “I sense that he was embarrassed to admit that he had prostate cancer,” said Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who was diagnosed in 2021. “And so I think he not only whiffed in his job duties, but he whiffed as an internationally recognized figure, to just say, ‘This is not something to be ashamed of. It's something to take on.’” The House Armed Services Committee is formally investigating the situation, and several lawmakers have called for Austin and other officials to appear at a congressional hearing. A few Republicans and one House Democrat have called on him to resign. Meanwhile, in the Senate, the news of Austin’s diagnosis has muffled some of the criticism. Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), for instance, said today that while the situation was “completely unacceptable,” he wanted the Biden administration to first examine “what happened and where the breakdown was.” Besides Tillis, Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Bob Casey (D-Penn.), Angus King (I-Maine) and Mitt Romney (R-Utah) have publicly revealed prostate cancer diagnoses in recent years. Other than non-melanoma skin cancer, it’s the most common cancer diagnosis in men, according to Centers for Disease Control data. A Pentagon spokesperson declined to comment. “It's obviously very common. But it's also fortunately very treatable,” said Casey (D-Penn.), who underwent surgery last year. “My own experience was, fortunately, very positive. I hope he has the same.” But asked if Austin’s diagnosis should garner him any more understanding or sympathy for his lack of disclosure, Casey said it was “critically important in that instance to provide a measure of transparency — that didn't happen.” — Ursula Perano
| | | | A message from Electronic Payments Coalition:   | | | RAND AND RFK Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is known to go where many of his colleagues won’t on policy and politics. That continued Wednesday, when he met with independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Afterward, he told us in an interview that he likes Kennedy’s “skepticism of crony capitalism, I like his skepticism that large parts of the regulatory apparatus of the government have been taken over by big business.” The libertarian-leaning Paul and RFK also share disdain for vaccine mandates and former top health official Anthony Fauci. Paul, who is currently neutral in the presidential race, said “there are a lot of things that he talks about that he and I agree on, and my father has known him ... the conversation is useful and we're gonna continue to talk to him.” He said he’s met with most GOP presidential candidates at this point, as well. As far as an endorsement? Well, stay tuned: Paul, who backed Donald Trump in 2020, said he's not ready right now to make one. — 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. | | | | | HOUSE GOP’S MUSICAL CHAIRS Rep. Bill Johnson’s retirement at the end of the month is opening up a coveted spot on the Energy and Commerce Committee, and we’re told at least three first-term Republicans are eyeing the Ohioan’s soon-to-be-open seat:
- Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas) is expected to make a bid for the seat, a person familiar with his plans told Huddle. Coming from an oil-and-gas-heavy district, Hunt made a play for the panel at the start of this Congress and made “Saving American Energy” a key part of his campaign for Congress.
- Rep. John James (R-Mich.) — who attended West Point with Hunt — is “absolutely considering running,” spokesperson Noah Kearney Sadlier told us, adding that James would keep the seat in the Midwest and represent “the #1 manufacturing district in America.”
- Rep. Brandon Williams (R-N.Y.) has been urged by his colleagues and other industry leaders to enter the race, said Taylor Weyeneth, Williams’ deputy chief of staff, adding that his boss is “uniquely qualified to serve on E&C based on his years of training as a nuclear engineer in the Navy and career as a tech entrepreneur.”
Worth noting: Others could still get in, and Republicans are keeping an eye out to see if Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-N.Y.) or more senior members test the waters. Johnson isn’t retiring until Jan. 21, and aides we talked with don’t expect the Steering Committee, which will decide who gets the seat, to make a call until after that. — Jordain Carney
| | New House member pins were handed out today, replacing the polarizing kelly green pins issued last year. “They hate this one so bad they did the new one," a staid navy blue, Rep. Blake Luetkemeyer (R-Mo.) told POLITICO's Eleanor Mueller. But Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) mocked House Republicans, calling the new pins “their first tangible accomplishment of the 118th” Congress. Nancy Pelosi went to court — the basketball court. Louisianans are going wild for the arrival of Raising Cane’s at Union Station. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) made a visit. And Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.) secured the bag. There were some wild ties in the House today, from Smurfs to a one featuring Molinaro’s son. Anthony has a “who wore it better.”
| | | | A message from Electronic Payments Coalition: CREDIT UNIONS & COMMUNITY BANKS IN All 50 STATES OPPOSE THE DURBIN-MARSHALL CREDIT CARD BILL: The Durbin-Marshall credit card bill would create new government mandates on credit cards that would put consumer data and access to credit at risk. The bill would benefit corporate mega-stores, like Walmart and Target, at the expense of Main Street and the 135 million Americans who rely on credit unions and community banks. The threat of Durbin-Marshall to small financial institutions is so clear that 9,600+ credit unions and community banks in America are opposed to the bill. They also see through the so-called “carve out” for smaller banks which is a hoax to try and buy their support. Their message to Congress is simple: on behalf of credit unions and community banks in all 50 states, commit to actively opposing the Durbin-Marshall credit card bill. Click here to learn more. | | | QUICK LINKS Police investigation finds Colorado U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert didn’t punch ex-husband as he claimed, from the AP’s Colleen Slevin ‘It was a mirage’: States face budget woes as huge infusions of federal cash run out, from Paul Demko Donors foot the bill for Marjorie Taylor Greene’s election law violation, from Raw Story’s Dave Levinthal Rashida Tlaib gave Palestinian Americans a voice. Then came the war, from the Washington Post’s Kara Voght Number of House departures only slightly above average, from Roll Call’s Nathan L. Gonzales
| | | | POLITICO AT CES® 2024: We are going ALL On at CES 2024 with a special edition of the POLITICO Digital Future Daily newsletter. The CES-focused newsletter will take you inside the most powerful tech event in the world, featuring revolutionary products that cut across verticals, and insights from industry leaders that are shaping the future of innovation. The newsletter runs from Jan. 9-12 and will focus on the public policy-related aspects of the gathering. Sign up today to receive exclusive coverage of the show. | | | | | TRANSITIONS Michael Cummings, previously communications director for Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.), is joining Brunswick Group’s public affairs team. Nick Tortorici is now manager of federal government relations for LyondellBasell. He most recently was legislative director for Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.). TOMORROW IN CONGRESS The House convenes at 10 a.m. for morning business and noon for legislative business. The Senate convenes at 10 a.m. AROUND THE HILL 10 a.m. House Small Business Committee hearing on “Crime on the Rise: How Lawlessness is Impacting Main Street America.” (2360 Rayburn.) Noon Sen. Roger Wicker and others hold a press conference on Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s health transparency. (Senate Studio) 2 p.m. Reps. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), Deborah Ross (D-N.C.), and Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse hold a news conference on government funding and House GOP’s proposed spending cuts. (House Triangle) 2 p.m. House Foreign Affairs Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia Subcommittee hearing on the Biden administration’s Afghanistan policy since the U.S. withdrawal. (210 HVC).
| | TUESDAY’S WINNER: Jack Floros, a legislative correspondent for Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), was the first to name the Hart Senate Office Building as the Capitol Hill structure once called “a building whose banality is exceeded only by its expense.” TODAY’S QUESTION, from Jack: Which two senators met while recovering in the same hospital after sustaining injuries during World War II? The first person to correctly guess gets a mention in the next edition of Inside Congress. Send your answers to jscholtes@politico.com and cemma@politico.com. GET INSIDE CONGRESS emailed to your phone each evening. Follow us on X: jascholtes & caitlinzemma.
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