EMAIL DETAILS

12/21/2017 07:56 AM EDT


By Heather Caygle (hcaygle@politico.com or @heatherscope) and Nolan D. McCaskill (nmccaskill@politico.com or @NolanDMcCaskill)

ALL RIGHT, LET'S FUND THE GOVERNMENT - Fresh off of passing a sweeping tax code rewrite - a huge legislative victory for Republicans - Congress has one more item on its to-do list before going home for the holidays: avoiding a government shutdown. House Republican leaders will bring a short-term bill to the floor today that would fund the government to Jan. 19 and punt major outstanding legislative items to early next year. The House will vote separately on an $81 billion disaster aid bill. GOP leaders are facing some pushback within their ranks for the plan but are betting members aren't willing to toy with shutting down the government after yesterday's big tax win.

"If the House passes the funding patch, the Senate will move on it as quickly as possible," Rachael and Bres report. House Democrats are united against the CR, meaning Speaker Paul Ryan must rely solely on his fractured caucus to pass the bill. And it's unclear where Democrats stand on the disaster bill. Republicans did add language subsidizing Medicaid for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, something Democrats had been pushing for, but it's still not known if that's enough to secure bipartisan votes. The latest: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=b38ed13551c2371d26a8610c690e63841b6aa5d124ae17aa975fef4e0964f920f1db04340ec12a52589b76a2592f082b

The deets: The children's health insurance program will be funded through March. But Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) backed off her push to attach legislation stabilizing Obamacare to the funding bill, vowing to revisit the issue early next year. That means the stage is set for a messy fiscal fight in January, when congressional leaders will have to tackle long-term government funding, immigration, Obamacare issues and federal surveillance powers.

One thing that might make today easier: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Wednesday he would bring an immigration bill to the floor for a "free-standing vote" in January if lawmakers and the White House can reach a deal. The commitment from McConnell will likely make it easier for lawmakers to pass a short-term spending bill now and explain why they aren't tackling Dreamers this year. A bipartisan group of senators has been working with the White House on a deal to protect Dreamers and boost border security but still seemed to be far apart after a meeting earlier this week. Seung Min and Ted Hesson with more: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=b38ed13551c2371d2564381d3ddbbfc8469af78fe04fe42c4755ac65ad21ebd40ce3c1676316b429de5a586b3f0d1371

HOUSE REPUBLICANS SECRETLY PROBE DOJ, FBI - A subset of the Republican members of the House Intelligence Committee has for weeks met secretly to build a case against senior leaders at the Justice Department and FBI, claiming the officials improperly mishandled the contents of a dossier containing alleged ties between President Donald Trump and Russia, Kyle and Bres scoop. The group, led by Chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), has consulted with the chamber's general counsel but hasn't told Democrats about their plans.

"The group hopes to release a report early next year detailing their concerns about the DOJ and FBI, and they might seek congressional votes to declassify elements of their evidence," Kyle and Bres write. "The final product could ultimately be used by Republicans to discredit special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation ... or possibly even to justify his dismissal." Much more: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=b38ed13551c2371d3406f594b7d9fd70463893b940e6e31b34ccc9318960674d632edba7eb4a121959a853b6127187ea

Coming attractions: FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe will be questioned behind closed doors by both the House Judiciary and Oversight Committees today about the bureau's handling of the Hillary Clinton email probe, Reuters reports. This comes after he faced a seven-hour grilling by the House Intel panel earlier this week. Sarah Lynch: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=b38ed13551c2371dbe7276f040fde69f1e17bc556fd8a6797fcdc4cbcd2a7bfc67a7fe9270727320a1be2cdb9ab93fe3

WARNER DRAWS 'RED LINES' ON RUSSIA PROBE - Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in a floor speech Wednesday that firing Mueller would be a "gross abuse of power" that, if taken, should come with "significant consequences" from Congress. Firing Mueller or pardoning anyone charged in his probe, he said, "truly are red lines" that can't be crossed. Warner urged Congress to "make clear" that either action is "unacceptable and would have immediate and significant consequences."

White House lawyer Ty Cobb reiterated to CNN, however, that there is "no consideration" of firing Mueller. "If the media is going to continue to ask for responses to every absurd and baseless rumor, attention-seeking partisans will continue to spread them," Cobb said. Jeremy Herb and Manu Raju: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=b38ed13551c2371de27a0ffcda43f6cf48b7e68f19f1f498be7652474ad0c7d3ae93986de5c5864074fa29b5855b1c4d

SO CLOSE TO FRIDAY. Thanks for reading Huddle on this Thursday, Dec. 21, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill. Programming Note: Huddle will be taking some time off for the holidays from Dec. 25-Jan. 1. We'll be back in your inbox ready to go Tuesday, Jan. 2.

WEDNESDAY'S MOST CLICKED: The Wall Street Journal's article about about whose taxes will go up and down was the midweek winner.

WHAT ARE YOU HIDING? The congressional office that handles sexual harassment complaints and Senate Rules Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) - who could likely force the office to be more transparent - are both facing internal pressure to come clean. The Office of Compliance so far has refused to divulge information about taxpayer-funded Senate settlements, even denying a data request from Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.). Shelby also has the data but hasn't publicly released any of it even though the House has released its settlement totals going back a decade. Now Kaine is vowing to "start raising hell" to shake it loose, Elana reports. "It's not classified, like national security stuff,"
Kaine said. "I think I'm as entitled to it as anybody." Elana with more: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=b38ed13551c2371d7ad415ed1dc9c2045a4c19d74cb19f266eb8f5c7b8099eb978ecc2ffbd7da29b615efc691fc27e0e

COCHRAN'S SENATE FUTURE IN DOUBT - Rumors are swirling that Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) will leave his post atop the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee - and could resign from Congress altogether - soon. The 80-year-old's feeble performance has fueled expectations among senators and aides who've witnessed his physical and mental decline firsthand that he will step down, Bres reports. "The understanding is that he will leave after Jan. 1," said a Republican senator who serves on the Appropriations Committee. Other sources in contact with Cochran's office say they could see him staying until Congress passes a long-term funding bill, likely in late January.

"If Cochran resigns or retires, Mississippi would have two Senate elections in November; incumbent GOP Sen. Roger Wicker is also up for reelection. Republicans would be heavily favored to hold both seats in the conservative state," Bres reports. But the unexpected election of Democrat Doug Jones in ruby-red Alabama earlier this month has some Republicans on edge. Bres with more: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=b38ed13551c2371deae1c9f06c911ea0d0b7e2c513e0013242447537fa49b8c7b9d8245a76738d8df793e7e542caa5c6

Related read: "Republican control of the Senate hangs by a thread," via Jeff Greenfield. More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=b38ed13551c2371db6afd25a26fd913d017a856abe630afe36ba93b84be6966387a37f3616ef1d804c7748c72f096bee


FRANKEN TO RESIGN JAN. 2 - Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) will resign on Jan. 2, his office announced Wednesday, ending speculation about how long he would be around or if he would reverse his plans to step down as Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) urged him to do. Minnesota Lt. Gov. Tina Smith, Franken's replacement, will be sworn in Jan. 3, the same day Alabama Sen.-elect Doug Jones is expected to be seated. Earlier in the day Franken announced on Twitter he would be giving a "series of speeches" before he resigned amid sexual harassment allegations.

Real talk from the Post's Paul Kane (@pkcapitol): "Context: Harry Reid served 30 years in Senate, 8 years as majority leader (3rd longest ever). Passed ACA, TARP, billions in NV earmarks. He delivered one farewell speech." #FrankenFarewellAddresses

McFARLAND NOM LIKELY DERAILED OVER FLYNN - Lawmakers and senior aides expect the Senate to return former deputy national security adviser KT McFarland's nomination to be ambassador to Singapore back to the White House this week, potentially derailing her confirmation prospects. McFarland served in the White House under Michael Flynn, who reached a plea agreement with Mueller earlier this month. But there are questions about whether McFarland properly divulged to Congress communications she had with Flynn. If her nomination is returned, the White House would have to decide whether to renominate her and persuade GOP lawmakers to take up her nomination in an election year. CNN with more:
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=b38ed13551c2371d0303afcb1ce050ae6c84e94bd2d30a298b11425892a12c69f7ebac10291ebd95111accd1230c5bd8

TWEET DU JOUR - @JeffFlake: Just spoke to @SenJohnMcCain. He sounded good and is recuperating well in Arizona. He sends best wishes to his colleagues here in Washington.

LANKFORD TO INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN ELECTION SECURITY BILL - Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) will introduce a bill today aimed at strengthening election cybersecurity in the U.S. and protecting against foreign interference in future elections. The Secure Elections Act is co-sponsored by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

"During the 2016 elections, Russia tried to interfere in our elections," said Lankford, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, which is investigating the Kremlin's meddling, including possible collusion between Trump associates and Moscow. "Although they didn't change actual votes or alter the outcome, their efforts were an attack on our democracy."

TRUMP MAKES JOKE ABOUT SCALISE SHOOTING - During Wednesday's White House celebration of the GOP tax bill, the administration's first major legislative victory, Trump name-checked 18 Republicans, including giving an unusual shout-out to House Majority Whip Steve Scalise. The Louisiana Republican was wounded in a shooting this summer during a congressional baseball practice. "He's braver than all of us," Trump said. "He had a rougher year than most of us, but it's a hell of a way to lose weight, Steve." The remark prompted light laughter from fellow Republicans. More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=b38ed13551c2371de403ea8cff477742f2a3e7b93d2efdfb4d8bffa46a99c917429391a920d6bad9332c31765bd13a86

TODAY IN CONGRESS - The House meets at 9 a.m. with the vote schedule still to be determined. The Senate gavels in at 10 a.m. with no votes currently scheduled as lawmakers work out a deal to fund the government.

AROUND THE HILL - House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) holds her weekly press conference at 10:45 a.m. in HVC Studio A.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Sens. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) hold a year-end press conference at 11 a.m. in the Senate radio/TV gallery.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Senate Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) hold an enrollment ceremony for the GOP tax bill at 11:30 a.m. in H-207.

Reps. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), Al Green (D-Texas), Dan Kildee (D-Mich.) and Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) hold a press conference on special counsel Robert Mueller at 12:30 p.m. in HVC Studio A.

WEDNESDAY'S TRIVIA WINNER - Logan Ferree was first to guess that Rep. J.J. Pickle (D-Texas) was sworn in on Christmas Eve 1963 as the House stayed in session to debate a bill that would authorize wheat sales to the Soviet Union.

TODAY'S TRIVIA - Logan with today's question: Since 1970, the Forest Service has provided the Capitol Christmas tree from one of many national forests. Two national forests have tied for providing the Capitol Christmas tree three times each. Name them. The first person to correctly answer gets a mention in the next edition of Huddle. Send your best guess my way: hcaygle@politico.com.

GET HUDDLE emailed to your phone each morning.

To view online:
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=b38ed13551c2371df5173f0eb290bc1c78d0408c8d9908bc2e52e408d8d4acfedf9a0c5ebc96381c9530347ccce3373f
To change your alert settings, please go to http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=b38ed13551c2371dfade589aceb57afc6efea70e18aa089fb79d17894b6ff89c2a48a961f93a5e74a9be03da856e2529 or http://click.politicoemail.com/profile_center.aspx?qs=c1c81b2ef644fde1dd3c1f6178ef6a8ea3ee660992025bd4f3d0374bc04c46352840790a17aca2ce155c4c97ea5a6abd0113da91580f43af
This email was sent to Hbiden@rosemontseneca.com by: POLITICO, LLC 1000 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA, 22209, USA


To unsubscribe,https://www.politico.com/_unsubscribe?e=00000160-7925-da3c-a371-f93fb7e50000&u=0000014e-f0fe-dd93-ad7f-f8fffbc40000&s=612d5f72b96e14625a2ba4543abfccaec06f7e566b2a627ebe0f5bb4003ecd55beae8c8e2f6a3b7c9d47ac3fc05bafa100e53359332b9b3f87e3faf46f92837a