| | | | |  | | By Garrett Ross | | | |  President Joe Biden addressed the debt limit negotiations as he left for Japan on Wednesday. | Evan Vucci/AP Photo | President JOE BIDEN is officially wheels up to Japan for the G-7 meeting there this week. As he left the White House this morning, Biden gave a brief update on the debt limit negotiations, which have cut his trip abroad short. And in a sign of the fluctuating nature of talks, Biden offered a little bit more rope on new work requirements, which Speaker KEVIN McCARTHY has tabbed as a must for any deal. Asked whether work requirements are a red line for him in the negotiations this morning, Biden responded: “I’m not going to accept any work requirements that’s going to impact on medical health needs of people,” before adding that “it’s possible” a deal could expand work rules for other federal programs. Our colleague Adam Cancryn writes that Biden’s “willingness to speak openly about support for modest measures signals that negotiations are narrowing in on specific policies and that the White House is comfortable with some concessions.” What else Biden said: “I’m confident that we’ll get the agreement on the budget and America will not default,” Biden said, later emphasizing that he still considers this a negotiation over the budget, and not the debt ceiling. “We’re going to come together because there’s no alternative.” Across the ocean: Australian PM ANTHONY ALBANESE said today that the previously planned Quad summit would not go ahead without Biden this weekend, adding that the four leaders (Biden, Albanese, Indian PM NARENDRA MODI and Japanese PM FUMIO KISHIDA) would instead speak in Japan. “The blocking and the disruption that’s occurring in domestic politics in the United States, with the debt ceiling issue, means that, because that has to be solved prior to 1st June — otherwise there are quite drastic consequences for the U.S. economy, which will flow on to the global economy — he understandably has had to make that decision,” Albanese told reporters, per AP’s Rod McGuirk. HEADLINE OF THE DAY — “Snooki, Tucker Carlson and the battle for offshore wind in New Jersey,” by Ry Rivard ON YOUR MARKS — The American Council of Life Insurers held its annual Capital Challenge race this morning at Anacostia Park, where prominent D.C. figures converged for a three-mile run.
- Fastest male lawmaker: Rep. MIKE GALLAGHER (R-Wis.), defending his title.
- Fastest female lawmaker: Sen. KYRSTEN SINEMA (I-Ariz.), defending her title.
- ALSO SPOTTED: Sens. JOE MANCHIN (D-W.Va.), SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO (R-W.Va.) and RAPHAEL WARNOCK (D-Ga.), Rep. SARA JACOBS (D-Calif.) and Supreme Court Justices BRETT KAVANAUGH and KETANJI BROWN JACKSON.
And a special shoutout to our POLITICO colleagues who participated: Lauren Egan, Sarah Ferris, Nicholas Wu, Alex Ward, Caitlin Oprysko, Hailey Fuchs, Natalie Fertig, Ben Schreckinger and Eun Kim. Check out the ACLI feed for more Good Wednesday afternoon. Thanks for reading Playbook PM. Drop me a line at gross@politico.com.
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Explore 30+ tools. | | | 2024 WATCH TRUMP’S TRASH TALK — Despite the usual name-calling and personal barbs that Trump has lobbed toward Florida Gov. RON DeSANTIS in the early campaigning for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, Reuters’ Tim Reid and Nathan Layne have a somewhat surprising analysis on Trump’s strategy thus far: The former president is eager to knock DeSantis on policy, too.
- Since announcing his run, Trump has “launched at least 242 attacks against declared and potential rivals for the party's nomination, according to a Reuters analysis of his statements on his Truth Social platform, his emails, major speeches, media interviews and campaign press releases.”
- Of those 242 attacks, 216 “have been aimed at DeSantis.”
- And of those 216 attacks on DeSantis, 40% “have targeted issues such as Social Security, the government-run Medicare health program for older Americans, foreign policy and DeSantis' record in office.”
Right on cue: “Trump hits DeSantis after governor’s 2 endorsed candidates lose,” by Kierra Frazier DeSANTIS DOWNLOAD — “Ron DeSantis expands his circle as he prepares to run for president,” by NBC’s Natasha Korecki, Henry Gomez and Matt Dixon: “Behind the scenes, aides are reassuring supporters that DeSantis’ circle of advisers is expanding to add more operatives with presidential campaign experience — and that DeSantis is listening to them, according to three people with direct knowledge of the matter.” Notable quotable: “One donor said some tension has arisen over CASEY DeSANTIS’ outsize influence over her husband. A former TV news anchor, she has accompanied DeSantis on his early travels beyond Florida, at times conducting friendly interviews with him onstage at events. ‘I know people in DeSantis’ world that are very frustrated with her,’ the donor said. ‘I think his chance of being president, he’s going to have to listen to his wife a little bit less and the professionals a little bit more.’” BIDEN’S MESSAGE — “New Biden super PAC ad echoes campaign’s ‘freedom’ theme,” by NBC’s Mike Memoli: “Unite the Country's new spot is narrated by actress EMMY ROSSUM, who says the president will guarantee that same-sex marriage and abortion rights are protected, as well as ‘the freedom to feel safe in your community’ and the ability to escape ‘crippling debt’ from higher education or health care costs.” Watch the 60-second ad TRUMP CARDS ON THE WAY OUT — Trump lawyer TIMOTHY PARLATORE, “who played a key role in the Mar-a-Lago documents investigation and once testified before the grand jury, is leaving the former president’s legal team,” CNN’s Kaitlan Collins and Paula Reid report. “Parlatore’s departure became official Tuesday, though it had been rumored for several weeks among the former president’s inner circle.”
| | | | DON’T MISS POLITICO’S HEALTH CARE SUMMIT: The Covid-19 pandemic helped spur innovation in health care, from the wide adoption of telemedicine, health apps and online pharmacies to mRNA vaccines. But what will the next health care innovations look like? Join POLITICO on Wednesday June 7 for our Health Care Summit to explore how tech and innovation are transforming care and the challenges ahead for access and delivery in the United States. REGISTER NOW. | | | | | JUDICIARY SQUARE SCOTUS WATCH — “Supreme Court refuses to block assault weapons bans in Illinois,” by CNN’s Tierney Sneed BEYOND THE BELTWAY BIG NEWS OUT WEST — “States near historic deal to protect Colorado River,” by WaPo’s Joshua Partlow: “After nearly a year wrestling over the fate of their water supply, California, Arizona and Nevada — the three key states in the Colorado River’s current crisis — have coalesced around a plan to voluntarily conserve a major portion of their river water in exchange for more than $1 billion in federal funds, according to people familiar with the negotiations.” MEGATREND, PART I — “Young Americans Are Dying at Alarming Rates, Reversing Years of Progress,” by WSJ’s Janet Adamy: “Between 2019 and 2020, the overall mortality rate for ages 1 to 19 rose by 10.7%, and increased by an additional 8.3% the following year, according to an analysis of federal death statistics.” Behind the trend: “[R]researchers say social disruption caused by the pandemic exacerbated public-health problems, including worsening anxiety and depression. Greater access to firearms, dangerous driving and more lethal narcotics also helped push up death rates. … The U.S. is the only place among peer nations where firearms are the No. 1 cause of death in young people.” MEGATREND, PART II — “‘Mississippi miracle’: Kids’ reading scores have soared in Deep South states,” by AP’s Sharon Lurye: “Mississippi went from being ranked the second-worst state in 2013 for fourth-grade reading to 21st in 2022. Louisiana and Alabama, meanwhile, were among only three states to see modest gains in fourth-grade reading during the pandemic, which saw massive learning setbacks in most other states.” Behind the trend: “The turnaround in these three states has grabbed the attention of educators nationally, showing rapid progress is possible anywhere, even in areas that have struggled for decades with poverty and dismal literacy rates. The states have passed laws adopting similar reforms that emphasize phonics and early screenings for struggling kids.” RACIAL RECKONING — “Black victims of violent crime disproportionately denied aid in many states,” by AP’s Claudia Lauer and Mike Catalini: “The AP found disproportionately high denial rates in 19 out of 23 states willing to provide detailed racial data, the largest collection of such data to date. In some states, including Indiana, Georgia and South Dakota, Black applicants were nearly twice as likely as white applicants to be denied. From 2018 through 2021, the denials added up to thousands of Black families each year collectively missing out on millions of dollars in aid.”
| | | | A message from Instagram:   | | | AMERICA AND THE WORLD RED (LINE) SCARE — “Computer in Russia breached Metro system amid security concerns, report says,” by WaPo’s Justin George and Ian Duncan: “The watchdog agency had warned Metro for months that investigators had uncovered widespread and long-standing security issues, including years of missing computer security updates, interdepartmental disputes that hamstring Metro’s cybersecurity team, Russia-based contractors receiving high-level clearances and other security holes that required immediate attention.” CLIMATE FILES — The latest warning signal for the global climate crisis is sounding today: “The World Meteorological Organization forecasts a 66% likelihood that between now and 2027, the globe will have a year that averages 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than the mid 19th century,” AP’s Seth Borenstein writes. “That number is critical because the 2015 Paris climate agreement set 1.5 degrees Celsius as a global guardrail in atmospheric warming, with countries pledging to try to prevent that much long-term warming if possible.” TAKING OUT THE TRASH — “E.P.A. Announces Crackdown on Toxic Coal Ash From Landfills,” by NYT’s Lisa Friedman DIMMING DEMOCRACY — “Ecuador’s President Dissolves Congress Amid Impeachment Trial,” by NYT’s Julie Turkewitz and Genevieve Glatsky MEDIAWATCH KAITLAN’S NEXT BIG THING — KAITLAN COLLINS will anchor a new 9 p.m. show on CNN starting in June, the network announced this morning. In her new show, Kaitlan will “showcase why she’s one of the top reporters and interviewers in the game,” CEO CHRIS LICHT wrote in an internal memo to staff. “CNN This Morning” will continue to be “led by POPPY HARLOW alongside a rotation of CNN guest anchors,” Licht said.
| | | | GET READY FOR GLOBAL TECH DAY: Join POLITICO Live as we launch our first Global Tech Day alongside London Tech Week on Thursday, June 15. Register now for continuing updates and to be a part of this momentous and program-packed day! From the blockchain, to AI, and autonomous vehicles, technology is changing how power is exercised around the world, so who will write the rules? REGISTER HERE. | | | | | PLAYBOOKERS OUT AND ABOUT — The U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress hosted its 26th annual Statesmanship Awards last night on the rooftop of 101 Constitution Avenue NW, where they honored Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Reps. Ami Bera (D-Calif.) and Mike McCaul (R-Texas) and late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. SPOTTED: Reps. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.), Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.), Buddy Carter (R-Ga.), Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), John Duarte (R-Calif.), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.), Greg Landsman (D-Ohio), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), August Pfluger (R-Texas) and Deborah Ross (D-N.C.), former Reps. Mike Bishop (R-Mich.), Jim Blanchard (D-Mich.), Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.), Barbara Comstock (R-Va.), Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), Val Demings (D-Fla.), Charlie Dent (R-Pa.), Jane Harman (D-Calif.), Ron Kind (D-Wis.), Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.), Bill Luther (D-Minn.), Jim Moran (D-Va.), Lamar Smith (R-Texas), Dave Trott (R-Mich.) and Fred Upton (R-Mich.), Danish Ambassador Christina Markus Lassen, Greek Ambassador Alexandra Papadopoulou, Korean Ambassador Hyundong Cho and Romanian Ambassador Andrei Muraru. — With Honor held a reception last night following the Second Front Systems Offset symposium at Royal Sands Social Club. SPOTTED: Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), Caroline Jones, Jess Bales, Jason Donner, Conner Jeffers and Rye Barcott. — SPOTTED at the launch announcement of Situation Room Studios, the news podcast production arm of Global Situation Room, led by Brett Bruen and Johanna Maska, at GSR’s Alexandria HQ yesterday evening: Patricia Moller, Cameron Hume, Kathleen Barber, Anita Siegfriedt, Eileen O’Reilly, Ousman Jobe, Angela Greiling Keane, Joe Mathieu, Molly Mitchell, Carrie Sheffield, Mike Viqueira, Rob Yarin, Bree Tracey and Julia Manchester. TRANSITIONS — Josie McLaurin is now a policy adviser for the Congressional Western Caucus. She previously was manager of government affairs at the USA Rice Federation. … National Public Affairs has added Tommy Aramony as a research associate in its polling & data analysis division and Joey Rodriguez as an account manager in its digital strategy division. Aramony was previously a grassroots coordinator at FreedomWorks and Rodriguez was previously a marketing specialist for WinRed. … Ryan Tisch is now an antitrust partner in McDermott Will & Emery’s regulatory practice in D.C. He previously was a partner at Crowell & Moring. WEEKEND WEDDING — Eric Heigis, general counsel for Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.), and Jessica Heigis (Stewart), a production coordinator at Paramount Pictures, got married Saturday in La Jolla, Calif. They met in 2015 while on vacation at Lake Havasu, Ariz. Pic Did someone forward this email to you? Sign up here. Send Playbookers tips to playbook@politico.com or text us at 202-556-3307. Playbook couldn’t happen without our editor Mike DeBonis, deputy editor Zack Stanton and producers Setota Hailemariam and Bethany Irvine.
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