Washington
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Essential U.S. political news & intel to start your day.
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May 17, 2023
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Voters Don’t See Debt Limit Peril For Themselves
More than 7 in 10 voters (71%) think the federal government’s default on its obligations would be a major problem for the U.S. economy and another 54% said it would harm their local economy, but a much smaller share (39%) said it would hurt themselves, according to a new Morning Consult survey. Read more here from Amanda Jacobson Snyder, our finance reporter: Most Voters Believe Debt Default Would Worsen Economy, Hit Stock Market Hard.
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Today’s Top News
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Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, who was backed by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and former President Donald Trump, secured the GOP’s nomination to take on Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear in this fall’s marquee gubernatorial election in Kentucky. (The New York Times) In Florida, Democrat Donna Deegan defeated a Republican backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) to flip the mayoral seat in Jacksonville in a major upset. (NBC News)
- President Joe Biden has tapped counselor Steve Ricchetti and Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young to negotiate a debt deal with congressional Republicans, leaning on two administration officials who are well respected on Capitol Hill. (Politico) Biden is poised to leave today to meet with G-7 leaders in Japan, but will cut his trip short and skip visits to Papua New Guinea and Australia to return to Washington on Sunday. (ABC News)
- In a 56-43 vote, the Senate sent Biden a resolution to overturn another District of Columbia policing law, marking the second time Senate Democrats joined Republicans to block crime regulations in the nation’s capital. Biden is expected to veto the resolution, and Republicans are short of the votes to override him. (The Associated Press)
- State legislators in North Carolina overturned Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of a 12-week abortion ban, setting up the new policy to go into effect in July. (The 19th)
Happening today (all in ET):
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| PRESENTED BY THE INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY BANKERS OF AMERICA |
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What Else You Need To Know
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White House & Administration
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White House not planning to ask for extra Ukraine funding before September despite lawmaker concerns money could run out by summer
Natasha Bertrand and Kylie Atwood, CNN
The White House says it is not currently planning to ask Congress for new Ukraine funding before the end of the fiscal year at the end of September, pitting administration officials against some lawmakers and congressional staffers who are concerned that the funds could run out by mid-summer.
Biden officially vetoes resolution blocking temporary suspension of tariffs on solar panel imports
Donald Judd, CNN
President Joe Biden has officially vetoed a resolution that would halt a Commerce Department rule temporarily suspending tariffs on solar panels imported from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam – writing that passage “of this resolution bets against American innovation.”
Liberals grow fearful Biden may reward GOP for weaponizing debt ceiling
Jeff Stein et al., The Washington Post
White House spurs concerns among Democratic allies as negotiators weigh new limits on spending in deal with Republicans.
Intrusion at national security adviser’s home under investigation
Carol D. Leonnig and Tyler Pager, The Washington Post
Secret Service is investigating how unidentified man entered Jake Sullivan’s home undetected by his protective detail.
Rachael Rollins to step down as US attorney following ethics probe
Milton J. Valencia et al., The Boston Globe
US Attorney Rachael Rollins, the trailblazing reform prosecutor who made history as the first Black woman to serve as the top federal prosecutor in Massachusetts, announced Tuesday afternoon that she is stepping down amid two federal government ethics probes, capping a tenure that had been marked by both turmoil and praise.
IRS whistleblower in Hunter Biden investigation removed from probe, his attorneys say
Graham Kates and Michael Kaplan, CBS News
An IRS whistleblower who claims the Justice Department interfered with the Hunter Biden criminal probe says “he and his entire investigative team are being removed” from the investigation, according to a letter sent Monday by his attorneys to Congress.
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Feinstein responds to questions about her absence from Washington
Benjamin Orekes, Los Angeles Times
With the help of a staff member, Sen. Dianne Feinstein rose from her wheelchair, gripped his arm and walked onto the floor and cast her second vote of the week. She voted against a plan to nullify some criminal justice reforms the District of Columbia had recently passed, and then walked off the floor.
US lawmakers visit Britain to press for tougher stance on China
Cristina Gallardo, Politico
A delegation of U.S. lawmakers will visit London on Thursday to lobby British politicians, officials and U.K. based-tech firms to take a harder line on China.
Democrats to Launch Discharge Petition, Aiming to Force Debt-Ceiling Vote
Lindsay Wise, The Wall Street Journal
House Democrats plan to begin collecting signatures Wednesday for a discharge petition to raise the debt ceiling, a long-shot parliamentary maneuver designed to circumvent House Republican leadership and force a vote.
Republicans push two-step deal on energy permits in debt talks
Josh Seigel, Politico
A key Democratic priority aimed at approving power lines for wind and solar projects would have to wait.
Senators dismiss happy talk after Biden-McCarthy debt sitdown
Burgess Everett and Sarah Ferris, Politico
Congressional leaders left their White House meeting praising a new format for debt talks they hoped would be more productive. Senate Democrats aren’t reassured.
House GOP leaders reassure their Santos critics after Dems launch expulsion push
Olivia Beavers, Politico
During a private meeting held just after Democrats pitched a surprise resolution ejecting Santos from office, Republican leaders briefed his fellow New Yorkers on the options.
Mayorkas impeachment pressure builds inside the House GOP
Annie Grayer et al., CNN
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is facing fresh pressure from within his ranks – including from key allies and top lieutenants – to launch impeachment proceedings against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, multiple sources tell CNN, putting the speaker in a bind as he tries to show they’re taking aggressive action on the border without alienating the party’s moderate, so-called majority makers.
MTG Introduces Articles Of Impeachment Against FBI Director Christopher Wray
Henry Rodgers, The Daily Caller
Republican Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene will introduce articles of impeachment against Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray. The Daily Caller first obtained a copy of the articles of impeachment.
Sanders goes big in new health package
Daniel Payne and Burgess Everett, Politico
His effort is the latest sign the progressive stalwart is toggling between his activist persona while pressing for a deal on what he thinks can pass a narrowly divided Senate.
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Frank Luntz Can’t Quit
Ben Terris, New York
The GOP’s wunderkind pollster swore he was finished with Washington — except that penthouse with Kevin McCarthy.
Without Tucker Carlson, Far Right Loses a Foothold in the Mainstream
Charles Homans, The New York Times
For years, Mr. Carlson used his Fox News show to bring right-wing ideas into Americans’ living rooms. Playing the same role in his next chapter will be much harder.
CNN’s CEO stands by Trump town hall but acknowledges production weaknesses, sources say
Alex Sherman, CNBC
Nearly a week after CNN’s town hall with Donald Trump, CEO Chris Licht has acknowledged internally there are some things he wished the network had done differently.
Ukraine Needs More Than a $30 Billion Arsenal to Strike Back
Marc Champion, Bloomberg
Armed with well over $30 billion in weapons freshly supplied by its allies, Ukraine is gearing up for a counteroffensive that may push Russia closer to ending its war, or show neither side has enough firepower to seize the advantage.
Former Hawaii Executives Plead Guilty To Sending Illegal Donations To US Sen. Susan Collins
Nick Grube, Honolulu Civil Beat
The Republican senator from Maine was the beneficiary of more than $200,000 in illegal campaign donations made by a Hawaii defense contractor.
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Cherelle Parker wins history-making Philly Democratic mayoral primary; Democrats keep Pa. House majority after Delco special election win
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Cherelle Parker won the Democratic nomination for Philadelphia mayor, making her the odds-on favorite to become the 100th mayor and the first woman to ever helm the city.
Yemi Mobolade makes Colorado Springs history, becoming city’s first elected Black mayor
Breeanna Jent, The Gazette
Eighteen months ago Yemi Mobolade was a political newcomer who set out to become Colorado Springs’ next mayor and break the status quo. On Tuesday night, he was poised to do just that — and was also on his way to making history as the city’s first elected Black mayor.
DeSantis returning to New Hampshire Friday ahead of imminent 2024 announcement
Paul Steinhauser, Fox News
DeSantis New Hampshire stop follows trip last week to Iowa; next week the governor will huddle with top donors.
Ron DeSantis expands his circle as he prepares to run for president
Natasha Korecki et al., NBC News
As he moves to launch a White House run, the famously closed-off DeSantis is “beginning to take advice from people who know what they’re doing,” said one source.
DeSantis snaps back at Trump over Florida’s six-week abortion ban
Gary Fineout, Politico
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday took a swipe at Donald Trump over abortion, chiding the GOP presidential frontrunner for failing to take a stance on what type of abortion restrictions he would be willing to support.
Pence Calls for End to Fed’s Jobs Role as He Weighs 2024 Bid
Mark Niquette, Bloomberg
Former Vice President Mike Pence is calling for an end to the Federal Reserve’s dual mandate, saying the central bank should focus solely on fighting inflation and leave creating jobs to Congress and the president.
The Other Bernie Revolution
Theodore Schleifer, Puck News
Both Trump and DeSantis are soliciting the financial support of Home Depot gazillionaire Bernie Marcus, the ultra prolific G.O.P. donor who’s suddenly noncommittal. Should Mar-a-Lago be worried?
Liberal group endorsing Gallego after backing Sinema
Jared Gans, The Hill
A liberal group that previously backed Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) during her 2018 run for Senate has endorsed Rep. Ruben Gallego, a Democrat running for the seat, for next year’s election.
A do-over in the desert: California Democrat who almost won seeks a rematch
Christopher Cadelago, Politico
Republican Ken Calvert will face another challenge for his inland district, which now includes Palm Springs.
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Dems split on whether parents must know their child is having an abortion
Megan Messerly and Alice Miranda Ollstein, Politico
As legislative sessions come to a close, state lawmakers are divided over whether children and teenagers should be able to have an abortion without telling their parents.
DeSantis ready to deploy 1,100 Florida National Guard, state cops to Mexican border
Jeffrey Schweers, Orlando Sentinel
Up to 1,100 Florida National Guard soldiers, state troopers, Fish and Wildlife officers and other law agents along with boats, airplanes and drones are poised to patrol the Texas border with Mexico as soon as Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday.
Texas passes bill stripping authority from cities
Saul Elbein, The Hill
A sweeping Texas bill stripping authority from cities passed the state Senate on Tuesday and is now headed to the governor’s desk.
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A Message From the Independent Community Bankers of America:
ICBA polling conducted by Morning Consult in all 50 states found that 79% of U.S. adults say locally based lending decisions are important when determining where to bank, up from 76% last year. Available on ICBA’s “Public Opinion of Community Banks” dashboard, the polling found 89% of adults said it is important that their institution is part of the regulated banking system, while 72% cited the importance of financial institutions being based in local communities.
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OpenAI CEO embraces government regulation in Senate hearing
Kevin Collier, NBC News
The U.S. should require companies to be licensed by the government if they want to develop powerful artificial intelligence systems, the head of one the country’s top AI companies said at a Senate committee hearing Tuesday.
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Opinions, Editorials and Perspectives
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Why this Democrat thinks Ted Cruz should be very worried about a former NFL linebacker in 2024
Kevin Walling, Fox News
If the adage that “Everything’s Bigger in Texas” is true, then the 2024 U.S. Senate election is shaping up in recent days to prove it. Lone Star Democrats recently scored a dream candidate in Congressman Colin Allred (D-TX), who announced he was taking on two-term incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) in 2024.
The Lessons of Watching Donald Trump With the Sound Off
Linda Charnes, Washington Monthly
A Shakespearean scholar’s insightful take on watching the former president’s CNN town hall on mute. What comes through loudly is his insecurity, body contortions, and fear.
9 Ways Vivek Ramaswamy Can Beat Donald Trump, According to Andrew Yang
Andrew Yang, Politico
Ever since Vivek Ramaswamy declared his presidential run, people have been comparing him to me. And I get it. We’re both young (in political years in particular) with new ideas, tech-savvy, Asian and really, really good-looking.
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Research Reports and Polling
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How post-Roe laws are obstructing clinical care
University of California San Francisco
A new report presents the preliminary findings of the Care Post-Roe Study, and shows how health care providers have been unable to provide the standard of care in states with abortion bans since the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade ten months ago, leading to harm and negative health outcomes for patients.
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