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Presented by Climate Power: POLITICO's must-read briefing on what's driving the afternoon in Washington. | | | | | |  | | By Ryan Lizza, Garrett Ross and Eli Okun | Presented by |  | | | GET YOUR SHOT: Today’s the day that eligibility for the Covid-19 vaccines is now open to all adults in every state. President JOE BIDEN this morning put out a short video encouraging Americans to get the shot. As we noted this morning, Biden’s week is bookended by a bipartisan meeting on infrastructure today in the Oval Office and his international climate summit Thursday and Friday, when the president will announce what he has promised would be “an ambitious 2030 emissions target.” That target, a requirement of the Paris agreement that Biden rejoined in January, will be one of the most consequential acts of Biden’s first year in office. The AP predicts Biden will settle on a 50% reduction of greenhouse gases — from 2005 levels — by 2030: “The 50% target, which most experts consider a likely outcome of intense deliberations underway at the White House, would nearly double the nation’s previous commitment and require dramatic changes in the power and transportation sectors, including significant increases in renewable energy such as wind and solar power and steep cuts in emissions from fossil fuels such as coal and oil.” In other words, the meeting today and the summit later this week are intrinsically connected. The emissions target wasn’t chosen in a vacuum, but it instead complements the climate-focused infrastructure plan. Hitting the target depends on passing the plan. So anything Biden gives away on climate goals in his infrastructure talks with Congress will make any promises later in the week more difficult to keep. More from Reuters: “Power companies urge Biden to implement policies to cut emissions 80% by 2030” — “A coal miners union indicates it will accept a switch to renewable energy in exchange for jobs,” NYT … The UMWA plan THE LEFT KEEPS THE PRESSURE ON BIDEN OVER CLIMATE — “Progressive Lawmakers to Unveil Legislation on Energy and Public Housing,” NYT: “The progressives’ legislation, billed as the Green New Deal for Public Housing Act, is a prong of the broader climate platform that [Rep. ALEXANDRIA] OCASIO-CORTEZ and others have long championed to help the United States wean itself from fossil fuels. It would repeal limitations on the construction of public housing and create grant programs to ensure improvements that not only address unsafe and aging housing, but reduce carbon emissions.” LAYING DOWN AN EAR-MARKER — “15 Republican senators vow to swear off earmarks amid intra-GOP tension,” by Melanie Zanona: “The anti-earmark letter includes a diverse mix of lawmakers, illustrating that the opposition to so-called ‘congressionally directed spending’ spans the ideological spectrum in the GOP. “Among the signatories: Sen. JOHN CORNYN (R-Texas), an ally of Minority Leader MITCH MCCONNELL; Sen. JOSH HAWLEY (R-Mo.), a potential 2024 contender who challenged certification of the election results; Sen. JONI ERNST (R-Iowa), a member of GOP leadership; Sen. BEN SASSE (R-Neb.), who voted to convict former President DONALD TRUMP in his second impeachment trial; and Sen. RAND PAUL (R-Ky.), a libertarian Trump ally.” | | A message from Climate Power: This is our moment to build back better, to recover from COVID-19 and get millions of people back to work. Now is our moment to create new good-paying union jobs for builders, glazers, pipefitters, engineers, programmers, electricians, all across America. We must meet this urgent moment and do what America does best — BUILD. Learn more. | | | UNDER THE INFRASTRUCTURE HOOD — “‘There could be a food fight’: How Biden’s infrastructure plan may fracture the nation’s colleges,” by Bianca Quilantan: “Free community college, a big hit on the campaign trail, is a key piece of President Joe Biden’s plan to rebuild the economy, and projects a blue-collar message that dovetails with his public persona and his wife’s teaching career. “It has also splintered the nation’s colleges and universities. … [W]hat community colleges see as a boon after years of financial struggles, some four-year colleges see as a potential threat to their sagging enrollment.” Good Monday afternoon. RETIREMENT WATCH — @RepSteveStivers (R-Ohio): “Throughout my career, I’ve worked to promote policies that drive our economy forward, get folks to work, and put our fiscal house in order. I’m excited to announce that I will be taking on a new opportunity that allows me to continue to do that. Effective May 16, I will be leaving Congress in order to accept the position of President and CEO of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.” More — CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER: “The news shakes up the Senate race, but more significantly, likely sets in motion a special election to replace him later this year, which would be Ohio’s second of 2021.” This is good news for Speaker NANCY PELOSI, who will have an extra vote to spare — three instead of two! AVOIDING THE YEAR’S FIRST FILIBUSTER? — “Senate nears breakthrough on hate crimes bill,” by Marianne LeVine and Burgess Everett: “Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Monday that the chamber would take up the bill this week and that two bipartisan amendments would be added. Senate sources said that a broader substitute amendment is on track with the hopes of passing the measure by the end of the week. … “Passing the hate crimes bill would go a long way toward diffusing partisan tensions over the filibuster that have simmered since President Joe Biden took office. Many Democrats had assumed the GOP would block the narrow bias crime legislation, but instead the two parties appear to be successfully negotiating.” WATERS HITS BACK — “Maxine Waters slams GOP attacks over ‘confrontational’ comment: ‘I am nonviolent,’” TheGrio: “‘I talk about confronting the justice system, confronting the policing that’s going on, I’m talking about speaking up. I’m talking about legislation. I’m talking about elected officials doing what needs to be done to control their budgets and to pass legislation.’ “She continued, ‘I am not worried that they’re going to continue to distort what I say. This is who they are and this is how they act. And I’m not going to be bullied by them.’” THE PANDEMIC RESPONSE — “Biden administration to provide $150 million to boost Covid response in underserved and vulnerable areas,” CNN: “[T]he federal government will provide tens of millions of dollars to walk-in style clinics that aren’t in the federal government’s health center program. These are facilities that often welcome people without appointments or insurance and typically serve low-income communities. The government refers to them as health center ‘look-alikes,’ and wants to provide a financial boost for their Covid-19 response.” | | | | STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING : The Biden administration is quickly approaching 100 days in office — has it delivered on its early promises? What tactics and strategies are being debated in West Wing offices? What’s really being talked about behind the scenes in negotiations with Congress on the infrastructure plan? Add Transition Playbook to your daily reads for details that you won’t find anywhere else that reveal what’s really happening inside the West Wing and across the executive branch. Track the people, policies and power centers of the Biden administration. Subscribe today. | | | | | THE THREAT WITHIN — “Garland returns to Oklahoma City to warn that domestic terrorism is ‘still with us,’” by Josh Gerstein BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO — “Inside the GOP’s tense fallout with the big business lobby,” CNN: “What started as a polite discussion about small business soon turned into a heated confrontation between unusual opponents … Republican lawmakers were blunt with the Chamber [of Commerce]’s lobbyist, TOM SULLIVAN, calling him on the carpet about the organization's decision to endorse so many Democrats in the 2020 election … “For the Chamber, the dustup was another sobering reminder that their longtime ally, the Republican Party, is growing more populist by the year -- and many of its members now view the business groups with suspicion. … CAROLINE HARRIS, the Chamber’s top tax lobbyist who was a major force behind the Republican-backed tax overhaul in 2017, left the organization after 14 years, according to an email obtained by CNN. This comes months after the Chamber’s longtime political director, Republican strategist SCOTT REED, departed after his contract was terminated.” POWER CENTER IN THE HOUSE — “Parade of 2024 GOP hopefuls court House conservatives,” The Hill: “Former Secretary of State MIKE POMPEO will join the [Republican Study Committee] this week at a news conference on Iran. And MIKE PENCE, NIKKI HALEY, KRISTI NOEM and MARCO RUBIO are expected to meet with the group in the coming weeks and months. Welcome to the 2024 RSC primaries. … “The early face time with rank-and-file conservatives allows these possible candidates to test out their campaign messaging and policies while cultivating relationships that could lead to valuable political endorsements and fundraising connections down the road.” 2022 WATCH — @EricGreitens: “Proud to announce @kimguilfoyle has joined our campaign as National Chair! She has been one [of] President Trump’s fiercest defenders and she will continue to fight and defend America First values.” RUSSIAN TO CONCLUSIONS — “Biden won’t bring on board controversial Russia expert,” by Natasha Bertrand: “MATTHEW ROJANSKY, the director of the Wilson Center’s Kennan Institute, was being considered for the position of Russia director on the NSC … But several current and former senior officials warned the White House against hiring Rojansky, arguing that appointing him would signal a conciliatory U.S. policy toward Moscow … “Rojansky got far in the hiring process … and was being considered for the role for at least six weeks before his name was made public by Axios. That report provoked uproar among well-known Russia hawks … Current and former colleagues of Rojansky have called the criticism of him deeply unfair … Still, the Ukrainian-American community was vehemently opposed to Rojansky’s potential appointment, further jeopardizing his prospects.” SCOTUS ROUNDUP — “Supreme Court tosses out another Republican 2020 election challenge,” CNN … “Supreme Court passes on Second Amendment cases challenging lifetime gun ownership ban,” USA Today … “Supreme Court rejects appeal over pickup seized at border,” AP — “Biden Clashes With His Allies in Supreme Court Green-Card Case,” Bloomberg: “In an argument set for Monday, the administration will defend the government’s policy of blocking permanent-residency applications from thousands of immigrants who’ve been living legally in the U.S. for years. … “Immigration advocates say they’re disappointed in the administration’s position, which involves the Temporary Protected Status program for immigrants from countries in crisis. … The administration says it’s bound by the wording of federal law.” — “The Supreme Court’s Increasingly Dim View of the News Media,” NYT: “A new study, to be published in The North Carolina Law Review, documents a broader trend at the Supreme Court. The study tracked every reference to the news media in the justices’ opinions since 1784 and found ‘a marked and previously undocumented uptick in negative depictions of the press by the U.S. Supreme Court.’” The study | | | | SUBSCRIBE TO “THE RECAST” TO JOIN AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION : Power dynamics are changing in Washington and across the country. More people are demanding a seat at the table, insisting that all politics is personal and not all policy is equitable. Our twice-weekly newsletter “The Recast” breaks down how race and identity shape politics and policy in America, and we are recasting how we report on it. Get fresh insights, scoops and dispatches on this crucial intersection from across the country and hear critical new voices that challenge business as usual. Don’t miss out, SUBSCRIBE . Thank you to our sponsor, Intel. | | | | | IN A WORD — “ICE, CBP to stop using ‘illegal alien’ and ‘assimilation’ under new Biden administration order,” WaPo: “The change is detailed in memos sent Monday to department heads at Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection … The memos also send a clear signal to a pair of law-enforcement agencies — and their associated labor unions that endorsed Trump’s candidacy for president — that under the Biden administration, their approach must change.” BIG NEWS FOR LABOR — WaPo’s @TonyRomm: “News: [Sen. JOE] MANCHIN says at event with the National Press Club he is co-sponsoring PRO Act, saying it will ‘level the playing field’ for union workers, adding he wants to work with both parties to move it through the ‘legislative process.’” Background on the PRO Act LATEST IN BESSEMER — “Union Appeals Amazon Election in Alabama, Says Company Violated Laws,” WSJ … The NLRB objections MEDIWATCH — “Journalists at Insider join union wave,” NYT: “A majority of more than 300 editorial workers, a group that includes reporters, editors and video journalists, voted in support, union representatives said.” — The White House Correspondents’ Association announced its 2021 journalism awards: WaPo’s PHILIP RUCKER, AP’s MICHAEL BALSAMO, ABC’s JONATHAN KARL, Getty Images’ WIN MCNAMEE and a Marshall Project/AL.com/IndyStar/Invisible Institute collaboration on police dogs. All the winners, the honorable mentions and their work THE 30,000-FOOT VIEW — “Why Political Sectarianism Is a Growing Threat to American Democracy,” NYT: “It’s not a term usually used in discussions about American politics. It’s better known in the context of religious sectarianism … Yet a growing number of eminent political scientists contend that political sectarianism is on the rise in America. … Most of all, it re-centers the threat to American democracy on the dangers of a hostile and divided citizenry. … “Sectarianism has been so powerful among Republicans in part because they believe they’re at risk of being consigned to minority status. The party has lost the popular vote in seven of the last eight presidential elections, and conservatives fear that demographic changes promise to further erode their support. And while defeat is part of the game in democracy, it is a lot harder to accept in a sectarian society.” CLICKER — “Where Voting Laws Are Most Likely to Change for the 2022 Election,” WSJ: “Nearly 1,800 bills have been filed to change election laws, but only about half have a fair chance of passing. Even fewer will become law.” VALLEY TALK — “Apple will let Parler back on the App Store,” CNN RECALL ME MAYBE — “Can Gavin Newsom make California Republicans great again?” by Jeremy White in Oakland: “Win or lose, California Republicans are hoping a campaign to recall Gov. GAVIN NEWSOM could broaden their path out of the wilderness. … In the roughly two million voters who signed petitions to recall Newsom, Republicans see a constituency that is disillusioned with one-party rule and ready to entertain conservative alternatives up and down the ballot.” TRANSITIONS — Joe Novotny is now a principal in Husch Blackwell Strategies’ federal practice group. He previously was House reading clerk — i.e. “the voice of Congress.” … Courtney Rice is now comms director for Nan Whaley’s Ohio gubernatorial campaign. She most recently was Midwest regional press secretary at the DCCC, and is an Amy Klobuchar and DSCC alum. … … Rachel Pollock is now VP at ACT for NIH. She previously was deputy director at the NIH Executive Secretariat. … Daniel Thayer is now legislative correspondent for Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.). He most recently was special assistant at the DoE Office of Environmental Management. | | | | A message from Climate Power:   We must meet this urgent moment and do what America does best — BUILD. | | | | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |  |
