Playbook PM: SCOTUS takes up GOP voting restrictions

From: POLITICO Playbook - Tuesday Mar 02,2021 06:48 pm

Mar 02, 2021

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THE SUPREME COURT heard arguments this morning in one of the first post-DONALD TRUMP tests of how the newly enlarged conservative majority will rule on voting rights. The case comes as a wave of new GOP restrictions on voting looks set to flood statehouses around the country. And the signals were … mixed.

CHOOSE YOUR NEWS:

— BLOOMBERG has this headline: “Supreme Court Justices Suggest Support for Arizona Voting Curbs”: “The U.S. Supreme Court suggested support for two Arizona voting restrictions that critics say discriminate against racial minorities … [J]ustices on both sides of the court’s ideological divide probed a possible middle ground on the legal standard for claims that voting regulations make it disproportionately harder for minorities to cast ballots.”

— But NBC highlights some skepticism of the Arizona laws: “Supreme Court questions need for restrictive voting laws in Voting Rights Act case”: “Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett, two Republican appointees and potentially pivotal votes in the case, appeared to be wrestling with the arguments as they asked tough questions of lawyers on both sides. …

“A significant moment during virtual arguments came when Arizona GOP lawyer Michael Carvin connected the validity of the Republican-backed laws to the party’s interest in winning elections. When asked by Barrett what the state Republican Party’s interest in the case was, he replied: ‘Because it puts us at a competitive disadvantage relative to Democrats.’”

COVID RELIEF LATEST — Senate Majority Leader CHUCK SCHUMER said his chamber will take up the House’s bill as early as Wednesday.

… AND HERE’S WHAT IT FACES: “Senate Dems wrestle with unemployment benefits in Biden’s Covid aid plan,” by Marianne LeVine, Caitlin Emma and Burgess Everett: “Some moderate Democrats are calling for more narrow targeting of the aid bill's unemployment benefits and stimulus checks, including cutting the weekly federal benefits the bill would add from $400 to $300 -- while extending that money over a longer period of time. But Democratic leaders are still unconvinced about the change. …

“Whether the centrists get their desired changes may depend on Biden’s conversation [today] with the caucus. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is endorsing the push to pare back Biden’s bill. … The Senate parliamentarian separately ruled Monday night that Democrats can keep health subsidies in the bill to help laid-off workers remain on their former employers' health insurance. … Democrats are barreling toward a marathon voting session on the coronavirus package as soon as Thursday.”

THE TANDEN PLOT THICKENS — “Murkowski weighs Tanden’s fate with Alaska on her mind,” by Burgess Everett: “The moderate Alaska Republican’s vote is ‘fluid’ at the moment, said Senate Republican Whip John Thune (R-S.D.). … Thune said Murkowski also has bigger concerns about her home state of Alaska. ‘She’s got concerns about the economy in Alaska. And there are some policies that the administration has taken already that are very harmful to Alaska. And she’s trying to have a conversation with them about things they can do to help improve the economic outlook,’ Thune said.’

HERE THEY COME … “U.S., E.U. impose sanctions on Russia over Navalny’s poisoning,” NBC: “The U.S. and the European Union announced coordinated sanctions on Russia Tuesday for the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and his arrest and detention that followed. …

“[T]he U.S. is adopting the new sanctions, export restrictions and visa restrictions on Russia following an intelligence community assessment on the poisoning of Navalny that determined with ‘high confidence’ that officers with Russia’s FSB used a nerve agent to poison him. The U.S. is sanctioning seven senior members of the Russian government as well as 14 entities that are involved in the chemical and biological industrial base in Russia.”

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THIS AFTERNOON’S ANNOUNCEMENT — “Biden to announce ‘historic partnership’: Merck will help make Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine, officials say,” WaPo: “[T]hey began scouring the country for additional manufacturing capacity after they realized in the first days of the administration that Johnson & Johnson had fallen behind … Biden would wield the powers of the Defense Production Act, a Korean War-era law, to give Merck priority in securing equipment.”

NEWS YOU CAN USE — “CDC’s draft guidelines for vaccinated Americans call for small steps toward normal life,” by Erin Banco: “The CDC guidance, which could be released as early as Thursday, will include recommendations that Americans limit their social interactions to small gatherings in the home with other fully vaccinated individuals, wear masks in public and adhere to other public-health measures such as social distancing for the foreseeable future.

“But the agency’s advice is likely to disappoint many who hoped the increasing pace of inoculations would allow some common restrictions to be relaxed immediately for vaccinated people. The document will include a series of scenarios for Americans to consider, including where they socialize, with whom they can socialize with and what to consider when making plans. It will also include a section on travel.”

THE WRAY HEARING — “FBI Director Wray says he was ‘appalled’ by the violent siege at the Capitol,” by Kyle Cheney

— Wray also reiterated that, despite the narrative many GOP politicians have tried to push, there is no evidence of Antifa or other leftist groups playing a significant role in the Jan. 6 insurrection.

WATCH: Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) argues white supremacy extremists are more dangerous than antifa:

NEW JAN. 6 DETAILS — “U.S. alleges Proud Boys planned to break into Capitol on Jan. 6 from many different points,” WaPo: “U.S. prosecutors alleged for the first time that a Washington state leader of the Proud Boys was nominated by members of the group to take charge of the U.S. Capitol breach on Jan. 6 and carried out a plan to split into groups to break into the building from as many points as possible.

“In a 24-page filing Monday, U.S. prosecutors asked a federal judge in Washington, D.C., to keep Ethan Nordean, 30, of Seattle, in jail pending trial, appealing a lower court’s Feb. 8 release order. Nordean was ‘nominated from within to have “war powers”’ to lead activities at the Capitol after the group’s chairman, Henry ‘Enrique’ Tarrio, was arrested by D.C. police upon arriving in the city two days earlier, Assistant U.S. Attorneys James B. Nelson and Jason B.A. McCullough alleged.”

DON'T MISS "THE RECAST": Power dynamics are changing. "Influence" is changing. More people are demanding a seat at the table, insisting that all politics is personal and not all policy is equitable. "The Recast" is our new, twice-weekly newsletter that breaks down how race and identity are recasting politics, policy, and power in America. And POLITICO is recasting how we report on this crucial intersection, bringing you fresh insights, scoops and dispatches from across the country, and new voices that challenge "business as usual." Don't miss out on this important new newsletter, SUBSCRIBE NOW. Thank you to our sponsor, Intel.

IMMIGRATION FILES — “Biden briefing calls for 20,000 child migrant beds,” Axios: “A briefing scheduled for President Biden this afternoon outlines the need for 20,000 beds to shelter an expected crush of child migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border … Today, the president will be told the number of migrant kids is on pace to exceed the all-time record by 45% — and the administration doesn’t have enough beds.”

OUR BAD — In this morning’s Playbook, we mixed up former Sen. JOHN CHESTER CULVER (D-Iowa) with his son, former Iowa Gov. CHESTER JOHN “CHET” CULVER. The elder Culver was the one who said in 1980 of a Fed nominee, Lyle Gramley, “If I meet with him I might like him, and the only way I can oppose him is if I have no idea what he’s like.” Reader Jim Copeland, who says he worked in the Carter White House, adds this additional context: “Though the senator may have indicated a desire to not meet, he ultimately did meet with the nominee. I recall the meeting as heated — the senator’s primary concern was high interest rates which were adversely impacting farmers in his state.”

WHAT THE LEFT IS READING — “The state of the Bernie-Biden relationship remains strong,” by Laura Barrón-López: “With Democrats navigating battles over labor rights and wage policy, the two have back-channeled, applauded each other, and crafted carefully worded statements designed to project peace and the aura of collaboration. It is, in part, a recognition that each side needs the other in order to be successful. It’s also driven by a desire to avoid the problems of the past. …

“But the heads up may soon not be enough. Biden’s commitment to pass major Democratic policy priorities with narrow majorities — like the $15 wage hike, voting rights protections and immigration reform — and his resistance to abolishing the legislative filibuster may very well put him on a collision course with Sanders and other liberals in Congress.”

CUOMO LATEST — “Cuomo Could Be Compelled to Testify in Sexual-Harassment Inquiry,” NYT: “When a team of outside investigators begins to examine sexual harassment allegations lodged against Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, its scope may be far broader than first anticipated.

“The team, which will be hired by Letitia James, the New York State attorney general, will have far-reaching subpoena powers to request troves of documents and compel witnesses, including the governor, to testify under oath. The independent inquiry may also scrutinize not just the sexual harassment accusations made by two former aides last week, but potential claims from other women as well.”

— “Impeachment is ‘almost unprecedented’ in New York, but calls for Andrew Cuomo to resign are growing among Democrats,” Insider

JOIN WEDNESDAY FOR A PLAYBOOK INTERVIEW WITH NRCC CHAIR TOM EMMER : House Republicans surprised many observers in November flipping 15 seats and defeating several Democratic freshmen who delivered the House majority in 2018. Then the Jan. 6 insurrection set off an internal battle within the GOP, including among top House leaders. Join Playbook co-author Rachael Bade for a conversation with Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, to discuss his strategy for the 2022 midterm elections, President Donald Trump's role in the party, and the continued fallout from the assault on the Capitol. REGISTER HERE

MUCK READ — “Amazon Has Become a Prime Revolving-Door Destination in Washington,” Mother Jones: “A Mother Jones investigation has identified at least 247 US government officials and employees—with about 150 hailing from the intelligence, cybersecurity, law enforcement, and military fields—who were hired by Amazon in the past 10 years or so. About 200 of them have been retained by the fast-growing company since the start of 2017. This list is not comprehensive and represents what is likely only a portion of federal employees who left government service for Amazon.”

IN MEMORIAM — “Vernon Jordan, civil rights leader and close ally of Bill Clinton, dies,” CNN: “He was 85. … The former president of the National Urban League rose to prominence as a civil rights activist with close connections in all corners of American politics, though he was closest with Democrats, including presidents from Lyndon Johnson to Barack Obama. …

“‘Today, the world lost an influential figure in the fight for civil rights and American politics, Vernon Jordan. An icon to the world and a lifelong friend to the NAACP, his contribution to moving our society toward justice is unparalleled,’ NAACP President Derrick Johnson said … Jordan’s closest political friendship was with Bill and Hillary Clinton, advising the then-Arkansas governor during his 1992 presidential campaign and acting as an outside adviser to his friend.” Bill Clinton’s post remembering Jordan

— JOHN HARRIS reflects on Jordan’s life in today’s edition of The Recast: “Race and friendship — along with intense ambition to lift himself above his modest circumstances of his Atlanta boyhood — were the great themes of his life. His artful navigating of both made him an inside player in national politics dating to LBJ’s Washington.

“By the time he was in middle age — leaving the presidency of the national Urban League for a lucrative law practice and corporate board jobs—he was the first African American to achieve Washington Wise Man status.”

TUESDAY LISTEN — The latest episode of HILLARY CLINTON’S podcast features Secretary of State ANTONY BLINKEN. Listen

MEDIAWATCH — “David Muir’s new role at ABC News leads to drama with George Stephanopoulos and a visit from Bob Iger,” CNN: “Earlier this year tensions between ABC News anchors George Stephanopoulos and David Muir boiled over to the point that Stephanopoulos threatened to walk to a rival network, according to sources close to the matter.

“In an unusual intervention, Disney executive chairman Bob Iger flew across the country to broker peace at ABC News. Iger smoothed things over and gave Stephanopoulos, 60, a valuable contract extension, defusing the situation. Muir, 47, also remains under a long-term contract. … At issue was a title, ‘chief anchor,’ and a key network news responsibility: leading special coverage of breaking news stories and special events.” More from Variety

— VARIETY’S BRIAN STEINBERG (@bristei): “Fox News says former WH Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany has joined the outlet as a contributor.”

— Lisa Lerer has been promoted to national political correspondent at the NYT — the second woman ever to hold that role. Announcement

REAL ESTATE SECTION — “Pete Buttigieg is selling his house in South Bend to a theater director. ‘Lot of memories there,’” South Bend Tribune: “Buttigieg said he considered trying to hold onto the house on West North Shore Drive, near downtown South Bend, after his confirmation last month to President Biden’s cabinet but ultimately decided it wouldn’t be feasible. … He said he and Chasten recently bought a vacation home near Chasten’s hometown of Traverse City, Mich.” Zillow estimates the South Bend house, built in 1905, at just over $300,000; he bought it for $125,000 in 2009.

CORRECTION DU JOUR — BBC: “In our Newshour radio programme on Friday, a man claiming to be Senator Cory Booker was interviewed in what appears to be a deliberate hoax. We have apologised to Senator Booker and are looking into what went wrong to make sure it doesn't happen again. The interview only aired once at 2000 GMT on Newshour on Friday 26 February and has not appeared elsewhere.”

TRUMP ALUMNI — Brian Rabbitt is now a partner at Jones Day. He most recently was acting assistant A.G. and principal deputy assistant A.G. for DOJ’s Criminal Division, and is an SEC and White House Counsel’s Office alum.

TRANSITIONS — Taylor Mountain is now VP of campaign strategy for Urban Legend. She previously was national advertising director for The Hill. … Gumbinner & Davies Communications has rebranded as GDA Wins, after promoting Gabby Adler to partner. She previously was an SVP, and is a DCCC and House Majority PAC alum. …

… BakerHostetler has added Daniel Kirkpatrick as a partner and Davina Sashkin as counsel. Both were previously at Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth. … Brandon Partridge is launching a new strategy practice, 202 Consumer Ventures. He most recently was at the Consumer Brands Association. … Gabrielle Girgis and Nathanael Blake are joining the Ethics and Public Policy Center as its inaugural postdoctoral fellows.

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