Playbook PM: Biden nominee takes heat over ‘critical race theory’

From: POLITICO Playbook - Friday Jun 11,2021 05:43 pm

Jun 11, 2021

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SCOOP … BIDEN OPM NOM UNDER FIRE: The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association wrote a letter on Thursday to the Senate Homeland Security Committee opposing President JOE BIDEN’s nomination of KIRAN AHUJA as director of the Office of Personnel Management.

Their reasoning? The group cites Ahuja’s embrace of “critical race theory,” which they say “draws a large question as to this nominee’s ability to neutrality, fairness, and impartiality.”

“Although we have not weighed in on this nomination in the past, recent developments have generated concern in our association,” FLEOA President LARRY COSME wrote to Chairman GARY PETERS (D-Mich.) and ranking member ROB PORTMAN (R-Ohio). “As an academic concept, critical race theory should be viewed as an extremist theory and ideology that does nothing to draw Americans together in the same way as ‘white supremacy.’ … As an association that represents federal law enforcement officers whose main job is to protect all Americans under the rule of law as defined in our Constitution, advocating for extremist views has no place within our ranks or that of the federal workforce.” The full letter

The letter comes as Senate Republicans earlier this week blocked Ahuja’s confirmation, citing “her past emphasis on the concept of systemic racism known as ‘critical race theory,’” as well as her support for abortion rights, WaPo’s Lisa Rein and Seung Min Kim report. Sen. JOSH HAWLEY (R-Mo.) has led the GOP effort, according to WaPo.

BEARING GIFTS — Our colleagues at G7 Playbook have a detail that’s too good to pass up about Thursday’s ceremonial gift exchange between President Biden and UK Prime Minister BORIS JOHNSON.

— Biden’s gift to Boris: A “$6,000 ‘Boris bike’ … complete with a blue helmet bearing the American and British flags. The bicycle was handmade by Philadelphia-based Bilenky Cycle Works, and is apparently ‘a remake of the classic English 3-speed in lightweight form.’”

— Boris’s gift to Biden: “Johnson gave Biden a framed photo of anti-slavery campaigner Frederick Douglass printed out from Wikipedia.” More from G7 Playbook

— Related: “5 fights to watch out for at the G7 summit,” by Esther Webber and Anna Isaac

POTUS ABROAD — “Harry Dunn death: Biden sympathetic over case, says PM,” BBC: “Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he and President Biden are ‘working together’ to end the row over whether ANNE SACOOLAS should face trial over the death of 19-year-old HARRY DUNN.

“Ms Sacoolas claimed diplomatic immunity after the teenager died when her car hit his motorbike almost two years ago. Speaking at the G7, Mr Johnson said the president was ‘extremely sympathetic’ and ‘actively engaged’ in the case. … Mr Dunn died in August 2019 after Ms Sacoolas's car struck his motorbike, moments after she left the RAF base in Northamptonshire where her husband worked for a US intelligence agency.”

COMING ATTRACTIONS — “Biden, Merkel to meet at White House in July,” by Quint Forgey: “German Chancellor ANGELA MERKEL will visit the White House next month, the third foreign leader to meet President Joe Biden in person in Washington since he assumed office earlier this year. The summit, scheduled for July 15, ‘will affirm the deep bilateral ties between the United States and Germany,’ White House press secretary JEN PSAKI said in a statement on Friday announcing the news.”

Happy Friday afternoon. HEADS UP — The winners of the Pulitzer Prize were announced this afternoon. See the full list

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THE LATEST DOJ ESCALATION — “Senate Democrats threaten to subpoena Barr, Sessions for testimony over Justice Dept.’s secret pursuit of two House Democrats’ data,” by WaPo’s Felicia Sonmez: “Senate Democratic leaders on Friday demanded that former attorneys general in the Trump administration testify over secret subpoenas of two House Democrats.

“Senate Majority Leader CHARLES E. SCHUMER (D-N.Y.) and Judiciary Committee Chairman RICHARD J. DURBIN (D-Ill.) called the secret subpoenas ‘a gross abuse of power and an assault on the separation of powers.’ They said that if former Trump Attorneys General WILLIAM P. BARR and JEFF SESSIONS do not voluntarily testify they will be subpoenaed to appear before Durbin’s committee.”

— BARR SPEAKS: “Barr distances himself from subpoenas of Democratic lawmakers,” by Daniel Lippman, Andrew Desiderio and Betsy Woodruff Swan: “In a phone interview, Barr said he didn’t recall getting briefed on the moves. … Barr also said that while he was attorney general, he was ‘not aware of any congressman’s records being sought in a leak case.’ He also said Trump never encouraged him to target the Democratic lawmakers in this case. ‘He was not aware of who we were looking at in any of the cases,’ he said. ‘I never discussed the leak cases with Trump. He didn’t really ask me any of the specifics.’”

SENATE EYES BIPARTISAN BILL ON CYBERATTACKS — Amid a wave of ransomware attacks that have temporarily crippled vital American companies, two key Senate committee leaders have informed the White House that they intend to introduce legislation aimed at combating cyberattacks — and, in a remarkably quick turnaround for such a high-profile effort, are aiming for the legislation to drop ahead of the Senate’s August recess.

Sens. Gary Peters and Rob Portman, the chair and ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, shared their tentative timeline in a Thursday letter to national security adviser JAKE SULLIVAN and acting OMB chief SHALANDA YOUNG . The senators asked Sullivan and Young about the Biden administration's anti-ransomware strategy and whether any new authorities “would further empower" the government to address the issue. "A single ransomware attack against a vulnerable target can have widespread and devastating impacts for communities across the United States," they wrote. Read the letter

On Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that he had directed Peters and other committee chairs “to begin a government-wide review of these attacks and determine what legislation may be needed.” — via Eric Geller

DON'T MISS THE MILKEN INSTITUTE FUTURE OF HEALTH SUMMIT: POLITICO will feature a special edition of our Future Pulse newsletter at the 2021 Milken Institute Future of Health Summit. The newsletter takes readers inside one of the most influential gatherings of global health industry leaders and innovators who are turning lessons learned from the past year into a healthier, more resilient and more equitable future. Covid-19 threatened our health and well-being, while simultaneously leading to extraordinary coordination to improve pandemic preparedness, disease prevention, diversity in clinical trials, mental health resources, food access and more. SUBSCRIBE TODAY to receive exclusive coverage from June 22-23.

BIDEN’S FDA-SHAPED HOLE — “Controversial drug approval stokes concern about lack of a permanent FDA chief,” by Sarah Owermohle, Adam Cancryn and Lauren Gardner: “The Food and Drug Administration’s approval of a controversial new Alzheimer’s drug this week has hardened opposition to acting commissioner JANET WOODCOCK, who remains President Joe Biden’s apparent favorite to be the agency’s permanent leader.

“The administration’s search for a permanent FDA head has dragged on for months during an unprecedented public health crisis. Woodcock, a veteran regulator, has presided over major decisions on the pandemic response, tobacco and new medicines — including the $56,000-a-year Biogen Alzheimer's drug approved Monday despite thin evidence that it works.”

THE VACCINATION EFFORT — “FDA tells J&J to scrap 60 million vaccine doses made at troubled plant,” by Erin Banco and Sarah Owermohle

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION — “Biden to nominate Del Toro as Navy secretary,” by Lara Seligman, Connor O’Brien and Paul McLeary: “President Joe Biden intends to nominate CARLOS DEL TORO, CEO of a tech solutions company and a Cuban-born Navy veteran, to be the next Navy secretary, according to three people with direct knowledge.

“The White House, which later confirmed that the decision has been made, plans to make the announcement on Friday, the people said. Del Toro completed the vetting process last week, according to one of the people. If confirmed by the Senate, Del Toro would be the second Latino person to serve as Navy secretary.”

— “Erika Moritsugu, Biden’s new liaison to Asian Americans, fights for influence in the White House,” by WaPo’s David Nakamura: “A veteran of the Obama administration and a former general counsel to Sen. TAMMY DUCKWORTH (D-Ill.), [ERIKA] MORITSUGU was hired by the White House in April as the senior liaison to the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities amid an outcry from lawmakers and advocates frustrated that Biden failed to name a person of Asian descent to his statutory Cabinet.

“But if her appointment solved an urgent political problem — Duckworth and Sen. MAZIE HIRONO (D-Hawaii) backed off a threat to block all of Biden’s nonminority nominees — it was less clear what her role would be and what she would be doing.”

HANGING ON — “Social Security Weathered Covid-19 Better Than Expected, but Long-Term Challenges Remain,” WSJ: “[T]he near-term finances of the federal government’s retirement and disability programs appear to have weathered the storm better than many policy analysts had predicted—taking some pressure off the Biden administration and Congress to reach a long-term solution to keep them solvent. …

“Longer term, though, the programs are being squeezed by rising costs and declining revenue as the population ages, and they are on track to deplete their trust fund reserves in coming years as funding shortfalls widen. After that, beneficiaries would face automatic benefit cuts unless Congress steps in to shore up the program, for example by boosting the payroll tax rate, trimming benefits or delaying the retirement age.”

SUBSCRIBE TO "THE RECAST" TODAY: Power is shifting in Washington and in communities across the country. More people are demanding a seat at the table, insisting that politics is personal and not all policy is equitable. The Recast is a twice-weekly newsletter that explores the changing power dynamics in Washington and breaks down how race and identity are recasting politics and policy in America. 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.

CONSIDER HER GONE — REBA MCENTIRE responds to reports that she would appear as a guest for a fundraiser for Republican South Dakota Gov. KRISTI NOEM. @Reba: “Last night, an invitation to a political fundraiser with my name attached was sent out without my knowledge or permission. I had and have no plans to attend this event and had told the event organizers as such. Throughout my career, I have stated that I do not get involved in politics and that remains true today.”

THE NEW GOP — “GOP shakeup sees top Trump campaign official installed in key data post,” by Alex Isenstadt: “ MATT LAKIN, who had been serving as president and chief executive officer of Data Trust, will be stepping down from the position, according to two people familiar with the move. CHRIS CARR, a veteran party operative who was a senior official on former President Donald Trump’s reelection effort, will take over Lakin’s position on an interim basis.

“Carr was initially brought into Data Trust late last month as a senior adviser. At the time, top Republicans said his role would include conducting a ‘listening tour’ to hear out concerns within the party.”

— “Bossie: RNC might cut out networks if primary debates aren't reformed,” by Nick Niedzwiadek: “The Republican National Committee would consider circumventing major television networks if the presidential debate process is not overhauled, Citizens United President DAVID BOSSIE said Friday.

“‘We don't need to count on just the networks,’ Bossie told conservative radio host HUGH HEWITT . ‘There are so many opportunities out there, so many platforms out there that we can go to and partner with to get the message out.’ Bossie was light on the details about what GOP debates without a partner network would look like, noting that the RNC is still early in its process for 2024 debate planning.”

AMERICA AND THE WORLD — “China Still Buys American DNA Equipment for Xinjiang Despite Blocks,” by NYT’s Sui-Lee Wee: “The police in the Chinese region of Xinjiang are still buying hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of American DNA equipment despite warnings from the U.S. government that the sale of such technologies could be used to enable human rights abuses in the region. …

“But Chinese government procurement documents and contracts reviewed by The New York Times show that goods made by two American companies — Thermo Fisher and Promega — have continued to flow to the region, where a million or more residents, mostly Muslim Uyghurs, have been incarcerated in internment camps. The sales are happening through Chinese firms that buy the products and resell them to the police in Xinjiang. It is not clear how the Chinese firms acquired the equipment, and the documents do not show that either American company made direct sales to any of the Chinese firms.”

THE AFGHANISTAN PULLOUT — “Turkey Holds Keys to U.S. Afghan Pullout, a Potential Problem for Biden,” WSJ: “President Biden’s plans for a U.S. and allied withdrawal from Afghanistan will face a potential challenge next week when he meets Turkey’s leader, who is expected to seek concessions in return for continuing to provide for security at the Afghan capital’s airport.

“Among concessions Turkey wants is an agreement from the U.S. that allows Ankara to keep and operate a Russian air defense system, according to people familiar with the discussions. The U.S. has bitterly opposed Turkey’s acquisition of the system, which has caused a major rift between the two North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies.”

DEEP DIVE — “‘People of Praise leaders failed me’: Christian group tied to Justice Amy Coney Barrett faces reckoning over sexual misconduct,” by WaPo’s Beth Reinhard and Alice Crites in Eden Prairie, Minn.: “[Justice AMY CONEY] BARRETT’s ascendancy to the nation’s highest court has forced a painful reckoning in People of Praise, an insular Christian community that emphasizes traditional gender roles. The former members are now demanding that the group acknowledge their suffering and that it mishandled complaints, prompting People of Praise to hire two law firms to investigate allegations of abuse.

“The Post interviewed nine people in the Facebook group — all but one of them women — who said they were sexually abused as children, as well as another man who says he was physically abused. In four of those cases, the people said the alleged abuse was reported to community leaders. … In response to questions from The Post, CRAIG LENT, chairman of the religious group’s board of governors, said that the lawyers’ findings will be reviewed by a People of Praise committee of men and women and that ‘appropriate action’ will be taken.”

CLICKER — “How Severe Is the Western Drought? See For Yourself,” NYT: “An intense drought is gripping the American West. Extreme conditions are more widespread than at any point in at least 20 years, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the government’s official drought-tracking service. And the hottest months of summer are still to come.”

SPOTTED: Gina Haspel and Robert O’Brien having breakfast at the Hay-Adams this morning.

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Amy Travieso Loveng is now senior director for federal relations at the American Petroleum Institute. She most recently was chief of staff for Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas).

TRANSITIONS — Anjali Chhatre is now a health care consultant at Avalere Health. She previously was associate health policy counsel for former Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.). … Carolyn Prill is now scheduler for Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.). She most recently was special assistant to the assistant director in charge of CISA’s cybersecurity division, and is a DHS HQ alum. … Jacqueline Sobol is now scheduler for Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.). She most recently was a legislative intern for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

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