| | | | | |  | | By Rachael Bade, Eli Okun and Garrett Ross | Presented by Facebook | HAPPENING SHORTLY — Join RACHAEL and EUGENE today at 1:30 p.m. for an interview with Rep. ADAM KINZINGER (R-Ill.), a lead member of the party's anti-Trump wing. Register here THE DAILY MARJORIE — Rep. MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE (R-Ga.) is at it again, this time comparing mask mandates and "vaccine passports" to a requirement that Jews wear gold stars in Nazi Germany. Her comments on Twitter this morning, unsurprisingly, drew strong rebukes from both parties. Even House Minority Leader KEVIN MCCARTHY, who has been loath to push back on the extremists in his own conference, condemned the language, saying, "Marjorie is wrong." But the real question is this: What's McCarthy going to do about it? Democrats have already kicked MTG off her committees. And whenever they try to rebuke her, the Georgia Republican and former QAnon follower raises millions off the criticism. One idea: have McCarthy and Republicans lead a censure of MTG. The reality is that only McCarthy and House Republicans can punish her. It's one thing when Democrats come after her, and another entirely when GOP leadership does. We're not saying this will happen; McCarthy has sidestepped multiple opportunities to send a message about where the party stands when it comes to the extreme right. But it's curious that McCarthy has called for Rep. MAXINE WATERS' (D-Calif.) censure but not done the same for MTG. — Meanwhile, in the Senate, Minority Leader MITCH MCCONNELL called her comments "outrageous" and "reprehensible." He said today that he and Sen. TOM COTTON (R-Ark.) will introduce a bill targeting antisemitism. — JEFF MILLER, a Trump donor and friend of McCarthy, weighed in on Twitter, tweeting at MTG: "WTF is wrong with you? I think you need to pay a visit to the US Holocaust Museum. I'd be happy to arrange.Then maybe going forward you wouldn't make anymore disgusting, ignorant and offensive tweets. If I'm wrong and you're not ignorant about Holocaust … then you are disgusting." — Nicholas Wu, Andrew Desiderio and Mel Zanona have more on both parties grappling with antisemitism, particularly over the past couple of weeks: "Rise in anti-Semitic incidents strains Democrats and GOP alike" THE COUNTEROFFER, TAKE III — Senate Republicans negotiating on infrastructure emerged from a private meeting around lunch and announced they'll make another counteroffer to the latest White House proposal. The plan, which will be released Thursday morning, would raise the price tag to $1 trillion over eight years, according to Sen. ROGER WICKER (Miss.), one of the negotiators. Our question: How much of this is real — and how much is not wanting to be holding the grenade when it goes off? If and when talks break down, each side will want to look like the reasonable one — and to blame the other side for not compromising. | | A message from Facebook: The internet has changed a lot since 1996 - internet regulations should too
It's been 25 years since comprehensive internet regulations passed. See why we support updated regulations on key issues, including:
– Protecting people's privacy
– Enabling safe and easy data portability between platforms
– Preventing election interference
– Reforming Section 230 | | | JAN. 6 COMMISSION LATEST — Sen. LISA MURKOWSKI (R-Alaska) backs the House-passed bill for a bipartisan Jan. 6 commission; Sen. MITT ROMNEY (R-Utah) says he'll support it with changes. Still an uphill battle to get enough Republicans on board. But the two most moderate Dems, Sens. JOE MANCHIN (W.-Va.) and KYRSTEN SINEMA (Ariz.), just put out a statement pressuring their GOP colleagues to support it. MAJOR MILESTONE — The White House says today the U.S. will reach the marker of 50% of adults fully vaccinated. — AND THE GOOD NEWS KEEPS ROLLING: "Moderna says its COVID-19 shot works in kids as young as 12," AP: "Moderna said Tuesday its COVID-19 vaccine strongly protects kids as young as 12, a step that could put the shot on track to become the second option for that age group in the U.S. … [I]t will submit its teen data to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other global regulators early next month." IT'S OFFICIAL: President JOE BIDEN and Russian President VLADIMIR PUTIN will meet in Geneva, Switzerland, on June 16. The discussion will include strategic stability, arms control, Ukraine and Belarus, press secretary JEN PSAKI said this afternoon. One of many backdrops: "Russian Military Seeks to Outmuscle U.S. in Arctic," WSJ Good Tuesday afternoon. The president's trip to Wilmington, Del., today has been moved up slightly: He'll now leave the White House at 5:15 p.m. and return at 8:25 p.m. MORE INFRASTRUCTURE NEWS — OPPOSITION KICKS INTO GEAR: "Business groups form coalition to oppose all tax hike proposals by Democrats," CNBC: "The coalition of 28 industry groups, which have locked arms under the name 'America's Job Creators for a Strong Recovery,' … has already started to research its counter-messaging efforts nationally. But it has an especially keen eye on Arizona … "The coalition aims to turn the narrative away from a debate about taxing the rich and the biggest corporations to pay for roads and bridges. The organizers themselves acknowledge that that rhetorical battleground leans strongly in Democrats' favor … But Biden's so-far popular infrastructure plan loses support when the focus shifts toward the high level of public spending it will demand, and the taxes on so-called job creators it proposes, organizers said." — AND HERE'S SOME AMMO FOR THEM: "State Revenues Pour In, Raising Pressure on Biden to Divert Federal Aid," NYT: "That turnaround is partly the product of strong income tax receipts, particularly in states that heavily tax high earners and the wealthy, whose finances have fared well in the crisis. The unexpectedly rosy picture is raising pressure on President Biden to repurpose hundreds of billions of dollars of federal aid approved this year, in order to help fund a potential bipartisan infrastructure deal. … "Some economists and budget experts support that push, arguing that the money could be better spent elsewhere and that states' spending plans could add to a risk of rapid inflation breaking out across the country. Other researchers and local budget officials say that the federal aid is rescuing harder-hit cities and states, like New York City and Hawaii, from a cascade of layoffs and spending cuts." HOUSING IN THE HOUSE — "Fight looms over down payment aid to close racial wealth gap," by Katy O'Donnell: "A $10 billion proposal by House Financial Services Chair Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) would give homebuyers up to $25,000 for a down payment. President Joe Biden's top housing official, HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge, says such assistance is a priority for the administration. "Waters' plan has triggered concern in the mortgage industry because it would require lenders to identify and direct aid to first-generation buyers — those whose parents don't own homes — and 'socially and economically disadvantaged' groups. The move is also stirring broader criticism about how much it would help buyers and whether it could even put them at risk. … The fight illustrates the daunting challenges Democrats face as they try to make good on pledges to combat racial inequity." | | | | 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. | | | | | HOUSING IN THE WHITE HOUSE — "Biden's Neighborhood Revitalization Plan Looks to Detroit for Inspiration," WSJ: "Many crumbling homes in blighted neighborhoods remain vacant because the cost of renovations exceeds the potential selling price. The [Detroit] program, Rehabbed and Ready, aims to help solve the problem by covering the gap, so renovations are feasible. … "Rehabbed and Ready is a rough model for a Biden administration proposal to renovate 500,000 dwellings in a decade by offering $20 billion in tax credits to developers. The plan, aimed at easing the nationwide shortage of affordable single-family homes, is part of President Biden's broader $1.7 trillion infrastructure proposal." ON THE GROUND IN ISRAEL — "U.S. will make 'significant contributions' to rebuilding Gaza, Blinken says in first stop of Mideast tour," CNN: "[Secretary of State Antony] Blinken, speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said the US would 'work to ensure that Hamas does not benefit' from the aid, further details of which would be announced later Tuesday. … Blinken said the losses on both sides in the conflict between Israel and Hamas were 'profound.'" — Josh Lederman (@JoshNBCNews): "News from Blinken's Mideast trip: He says US will be moving forward with re-opening US Consulate in Jerusalem, formerly the de facto US mission to the Palestinians, per pooler @nwadhams." A YEAR AFTER GEORGE FLOYD: THE POLICY … "How Biden's Justice Department is trying to root out racist policing," by Brakkton Booker and Josh Gerstein: "Taken in its totality, the tempo of [A.G. Merrick] Garland's actions is eye-popping, even for those who expected the DOJ to return to its pre-Trump assertiveness on policing issues. Even more striking, the moves came with Justice's Civil Rights Division under interim leadership as the Senate has yet to take up a confirmation vote for Biden's pick to lead the unit, Kristen Clarke. … "[T]here's some evidence DOJ was anticipating the reversal in policy — and had already laid the groundwork to move quickly in case the new attorney general was ready to start cracking down." — BEN CRUMP, Floyd's family's lawyer, said on CNN this morning: "I like where Sen. Chuck Schumer and Karen Bass and Cory Booker are all saying that if you're going to have this legislation bear George Floyd's name, it has to be meaningful, because their blood is on this legislation." More from Nick Niedzwiadek … AND THE POLITICS: "Dems fight off 'defund the police' attack in New Mexico special election," by Ally Mutnick in Albuquerque: "Both parties are using next week's race in this central New Mexico district to test their messaging. For Democrats, that's selling a vision of post-pandemic economic recovery attractive enough to defy historical odds against keeping their narrow majorities. Republicans, meanwhile, are laying off Biden and instead doubling down on their 2020 strategy, accusing Democrats of supporting policies that would make residents less safe amid an uptick in violent crime. "This Albuquerque-based seat, vacated by Deb Haaland after she was confirmed as interior secretary, is deep-blue territory; Biden won it by 23 points in 2020. Democrats are confident they will hold the seat … But the margin still could be telling. And if this race is any indication, Democrats are still grappling with how to address the GOP's attempt to paint them as radical on issues of policing." 2022 WATCH — "George P. Bush consults with Donald Trump before his expected challenge against Texas AG Ken Paxton," Dallas Morning News — Rep. SUSAN WILD (D-Pa.) says she won't run for Senate in a wide-ranging interview with Roll Call. | | | | SUBSCRIBE TO WEST WING PLAYBOOK: Add West Wing Playbook to keep up with the power players, latest policy developments and intriguing whispers percolating inside the West Wing and across the highest levels of the Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. | | | | | ON THE WORLD STAGE — "F-35 Sale to U.A.E. Imperiled Over U.S. Concerns About Ties to China," WSJ: "U.S. spy agencies in recent weeks watched as two planes belonging to China's People's Liberation Army landed at an airport in the United Arab Emirates and unloaded crates of undetermined materiel … "The Biden administration said in April following a review that it would move forward with a $23 billion sale of as many as 50 F-35 fighter aircraft, 18 Reaper drones and advanced munitions … But signs of expanding ties between Beijing and Abu Dhabi have clouded the sale's future, U.S. officials said, as they seek guarantees about the weapons, including that the Emirates won't allow the Chinese or others access to the latest American war-fighting technology." ICYMI — "Joe Crowley registers to lobby for musicians," Axios: "Former Rep. Joe Crowley is registering to lobby for his first client — a coalition of recording artists fighting to finally get paid when their work is played on the radio." CLIMATE FILES — "A tiny player has Big Oil on defense," by Lorraine Woellert: "Exxon Mobil is being challenged on climate by an upstart investment group." MEDIAWATCH — "New York Times in talks to buy The Athletic," Axios: "Sources say The Times approached The Athletic following a report about a potential deal between The Athletic and Axios in March. The Wall Street Journal reported in May that The Athletic and Axios are no longer in talks for a potential merger via SPAC, and that The Athletic viewed The Times as a better contender for a merger. "The Times has been reaching out to former employees to vet The Athletic's business and culture, sources say. The Times is eyeing a full acquisition, not a joint venture or strategic partnership. … The deal would help bolster The Times' subscription strategy, especially if it were to one day bundle its existing subscription offerings." — POLITICO Canada is adding Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Zi-Ann Lum as reporters in Ottawa. Taylor-Vaisey was previously at Maclean's, and Lum was previously at HuffPost Canada. TRUMP ALUMNI — Dimple Shah is joining Honeywell as senior director of global technology and data policy. She most recently was at DHS as senior counselor at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, assistant secretary of international affairs and deputy general counsel. … Elan Carr is joining the Heritage Foundation as a visiting fellow focused on combating antisemitism. He previously was U.S. special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism. Announcement TRANSITIONS — John O'Hanlon is joining Ballard Partners. He was one of the original founders of the Democratic lobbying firm The Washington Group. … Ben Evans is joining the U.S. Green Building Council as federal legislative director. He most recently was VP for public affairs at the Alliance to Save Energy. … E.R. Anderson is joining Randstad U.S. as public affairs director. She most recently was VP of comms and government affairs at the HR Policy Association and is a Susan Collins and Pat Toomey alum. … … Faryar Shirzad is now chief policy officer at Coinbase. He most recently was global co-head of the office of government affairs at Goldman Sachs and is a George W. Bush White House alum. … Michelle Bekkering will be national engagement director at the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. She previously was assistant administrator for development, democracy and Innovation at USAID. … Mark Valentine is now head of federal at Scale AI. He most recently was GM of national security at Microsoft. | | | |   | | | | | | | 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 | | | | |
