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07/24/2018 07:54 AM EDT


By Nolan D. McCaskill (nmccaskill@politico.com or @NolanDMcCaskill)

REPUBLICAN LEADERS RENEGE -- House GOP leaders promised rank-and-file members a vote on a new guest-worker program for farmers before recess in exchange for stopping a discharge petition that would have forced a series of votes on immigration proposals. "But now, Republican leaders have no plans to take up the guest-worker program before the summer break," Rachael reports. Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) personally promised Reps. Dennis Ross (R-Fla.) and Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.) the vote last month. That pledge kept both lawmakers from signing the discharge petition, which ultimately fell short two votes. But Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) believes the bill will fail and doesn't want to
hold it this week.

"That was not the deal; the deal was that we're taking it up regardless," Ross said. "There are those of us [who] need to go back [home] and show that we're doing all we can to do what we said we would do. And if it fails, it fails." The broken promise could be a blow to McCarthy's bid for speaker. Though agriculture groups have pressured California Republicans to oppose the bill, which includes E-Verify, McCarthy allies deny that he scrapped the vote because he caved to pressure. "Several leadership sources outside McCarthy's office said some of the very members who support the legislation have asked them not to hold the vote because they don't want the bill to fail," Rachael writes.
"Instead, they want more time to garner support."

"We have every intention of voting on this," McCarthy's spokesman, Matt Sparks, said in a statement. "After discussions between leadership and a broad coalition of members it was decided more work needs to be done and should be done to gather the support necessary to pass the legislation." Much more: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=a468a391d6c2d1265c9a1402c87ccc6cc8e19308dac3b5cc8aca7d6d7b67bf9df2850f9d7c431d44d5d4247e9d9de558

GOP UNENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT SECOND PUTIN SUMMIT -- President Donald Trump's invitation for Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit Washington, D.C., this fall doesn't include a stop at the Capitol. "There is no invitation from Congress," said Don Stewart, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's (R-Ky.) spokesman. That reality underscores the divergent views Senate Republicans and their GOP president hold toward Russia, which an overwhelming number of Republicans acknowledge interfered in the 2016 election -- except the most powerful Republican in the country, the president, who often wavers between accepting the U.S. intelligence community's assessment and calling it a hoax.

Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) would prefer to keep Putin at arm's length "until his behavior improves." "But many Republicans otherwise eager to spurn Putin, particularly after Trump's cozy meeting with the Russian leader in Helsinki last week, aren't ready to cross their party's leader by prodding the White House to roll the welcome mat back up," Elana and Burgess report. "That leaves Republicans in a rhetorical bind... They want Trump to think twice about the visit, or at least impose conditions that would keep Putin at bay, but they also want to preserve his presidential prerogative to keep a dialogue open." More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=a468a391d6c2d12687b64dd57af62053982b9bff3d3b18db9f409dd84ac4479543bfbcd6bcf7f192fc5bae70f7c66c75

HOUSE DEMS RESPOND -- House Democrats are pushing a resolution to denounce the president for siding with Putin over the U.S. intel community. The nonbinding resolution authored by Reps. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.) also condemns the president for his recent attacks on NATO allies and reaffirms the chamber's commitment to NATO and the promotion of democracy, security and human rights around the globe. "The Helsinki summit really brought to a head an entirely new and destructive direction that Donald Trump will bring this country," Schiff said.

"Aside from sending a political message, the Democrats' resolution is also designed to plow some distance between Republicans on Capitol Hill and their standard bearer in the White House in an election year when the Democrats have high hopes of taking back the lower chamber," The Hill's Mike Lillis reports. "And GOP leaders will almost certainly ignore the resolution altogether -- an outcome the Democrats are fully expecting." House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) expressed skepticism that Republicans would allow a vote. "All we're saying to them is: Do something," she said. More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=a468a391d6c2d1268d15972626330505034ee1bc99065998dd47827beb83778c74a00b309883df78098c19c15b224859

GOOD MORNING! Thanks for reading Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Tuesday, July 24.

MONDAY'S MOST CLICKED: Jon Huntsman's op-ed on why he isn't resigning as the president's ambassador to Russia was the winner.

MANCHIN TO MEET WITH KAVANAUGH NEXT WEEK -- Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) will meet with Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh on Monday, a sign that Democrats will begin engaging the nominee after snubbing him for weeks. Kavanaugh has met with roughly two dozen Senate Republicans since he was nominated to the high court but no Democrats. "Typically rank and file members have waited for the party leader to secure a meeting with a Supreme Court nominee," Burgess notes. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), however, has refused to meet with Kavanaugh until he's assured by Republicans that lawmakers will be able to review the nominee's massive document cache, which could exceed a million
pages.

So Manchin will get the ball rolling. He and Sens. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) and Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) voted for Neil Gorsuch last year, making them the most likely red-state Democrats to back Kavanaugh. "Several other moderate Democrats are also angling to meet with Kavanaugh," Burgess reports. "A Heitkamp aide said she is working to set up a meeting with Kavanaugh but it hasn't been finalized." More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=5842f29bb76ddac80295d9c154d03ccf5e2281884181394d3f331348d9de705980a36683ca5df9e77d44695f1b724d0a

The conservative Judicial Crisis Network is pouring another $1.5 million in ad buys pressuring Senate Democrats in West Virginia, North Dakota, Indiana and Alabama. The ads are accompanied by polling showing majorities in those states want the Senate to confirm Kavanaugh. The West Virginia ad: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=01afcb32651b25ef6172f2196854833d11c1931c9ecdc55329c5e700ac0bc651e9f428e3ce89e68863b77e354e222606 and polling: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=5842f29bb76ddac87c859975df58294e8b5037b3bab3de7bc9e37e0febdad408e787050a8a7bc26e286cfe9c8eaddda7

The Senate Republican Conference is also releasing a video this morning accusing Democrats of using the same arguments they used against Justice Anthony Kennedy 30 years ago. "Some things never change," the video concludes. The 50-second clip: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=5842f29bb76ddac8ccbde027bbbecc16a3b93f95ec50c8d80581de39d27fc5cca420daf354b9e849ed3363e59ba4b727

Related: "Uncover the Truth About Brett Kavanaugh," by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.): http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=01afcb32651b25ef97ec8ec7a0eae8bd9c03434db91ca3c9b41558080258ed5e85cfca80f85cda420b27b1e702736591 and "A Supreme Court Vote Is Just One of Heidi Heitkamp's Headaches," from The New York Times' Thomas Kaplan: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=5842f29bb76ddac8ceedfe8643d050a18dab6ce004aa1f400a119c731e9ddfb1e0c358e5dea9b4f6bf75bc1714ee9ee9

THANKS, BUT NO THANKS -- Secretary of State Mike Pompeo turned down a request to testify before his former colleagues on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, citing a scheduling conflict. Pompeo will face the Senate Foreign Relations Committee tomorrow, but House Republicans sought to bring him in today. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert, however, said the Kansas Republican will be "in California on official business." Nauert added that while Pompeo "holds both chambers in high regard," his schedule doesn't "allow for a second day of hearings." "But that's not mollifying House Republicans who want to hear from him," Rachael and Nahal Toosi report.

"Most in the lower chamber, like their Senate counterparts, were disturbed by Trump's refusal to hold Russian President Vladimir Putin accountable for election interference during the widely-criticized Helsinki summit last Monday," they continue. Cory Fritz, the panel's deputy staff director, said the committee "needs to hear from Secretary Pompeo soon on timely and critical issues, including Russia, NATO and North Korea." But with lawmakers leaving town Thursday for a five-week August recess, they will have to wait until September, at best, to have him testify. More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=5842f29bb76ddac82fc0f674ca76808e027a91c3c98f82e11c59bb2e54c218a680e7f072b05d1c32651bf5bea6966870

SENATE CONFIRMS WILKIE AS VA SECRETARY -- The Senate confirmed Pentagon Under Secretary Robert Wilkie as VA secretary in an 86-9 vote, giving the agency its first permanent leader since David Shulkin was ousted in March. "While Wilkie was confirmed overwhelmingly, the vote was the first time since the VA secretary became a Cabinet position that any senators voted against confirmation," CNN's Juana Summers reports. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) voted "no."

The president nominated Wilkie for the post after his first nominee, White House physician Ronny Jackson, withdrew from consideration following allegations of misconduct. With Wilkie confirmed, Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) said "some of the problems at the VA now have a chance to be overridden and solved," casting the incoming secretary as someone who will make a difference, not make excuses. Wilkie, however, takes over a troubled agency with high-level turnover. Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), the panel's ranking member, said "political forces" have been "at play" in the VA, but it's up to Wilkie "to right that ship." More:
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=5842f29bb76ddac8dcc8045bbfd74e2a6a9af07df2f94dd557d3b8d9757c44ee06ecc2e7ff5dcdea968e412e4f11a680

RYAN 2020 -- Ryan -- no, not that Ryan -- has told consultants and operatives he intends to run for president in 2020 and has begun assembling a team, according to The Intercept. Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) "has cast himself as an opportunity for the party to try and win back the Midwestern votes it has gradually shed over the last decade," Ryan Grim and Zaid Jilani report. And he believes his path to victory is through the "yoga vote."

Ryan challenged Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) for House Democratic leader in 2016 but only won a third of the caucus' support. "There has been speculation that he may make another bid after the 2018 elections, but his eyes appear set on the higher prize," they write. "He also took a pass on a 2018 run for Ohio governor, people who've spoken to him say, so that he could concentrate on running for president. Quixotic bids for president aren't always as futile as they may seem, as they can sometimes lead to a place on the ticket as running mate or a spot in a future cabinet." Much more: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=5842f29bb76ddac8809919c7738f83823c94e17f69524d57fc926bce776886a9698cd857950895d17be002a81130338d

Related read: "Rep. Tim Ryan snags one of Bernie Sanders' top Iowa aides," via CNN's Rebecca Berg: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=5842f29bb76ddac8728000f04950732af60ad85a1e00201f1c35771ad63c518da235d09e7dc97fbcc5ffa54c4595c34d

GARRETT TARGETED IN ETHICS PROBES -- The House Ethics Committee and Office of Congressional Ethics are both investigating Rep. Tom Garrett (R-Va.), including questions over whether his drinking impacted his ability to do his job. "Investigators are looking into allegations that Garrett and his wife improperly ordered congressional aides to conduct personal errands for them while on official time," Bres reports. "These errands allegedly included picking up groceries, chauffeuring Garrett's daughters to and from his Virginia district, fetching clothes that the congressman forgot at his Washington apartment, or even cleaning up after his dog. House ethics rules prohibit lawmakers from using
staff for anything other than official congressional duties."

"Congressman Garrett has broken no laws and comported himself in an ethical manner," Garrett's office said in a statement criticizing POLITICO's original reporting, which led to his decision to retire. "Now, confidential inquiries have been made public by those not satisfied by the outcome of previous smear attempts. When Garrett is cleared on any legal wrongdoing, we wonder whether the DC character assassins will be in such a hurry to run a story. We are doubtful." More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=01afcb32651b25ef4584aa6e07126838de779a60d06d63f781aedd4d1de7983d6ba270432b6575a3f4cf6081623862e8

WARNER'S OFFICE VANDALIZED -- Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) said someone threw a brick through the front office window of his Roanoke office Monday morning. "A 36-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident, according to Roanoke City Police spokeswoman Caitlyn Cline," Stephanie Murray reports. "Police charged James W. Trainor with felony property damage on Monday. A man matching Trainor's description was seen carrying bricks in the area around 7:30 a.m., and Trainor was arrested later in the day in relation to another call, Cline said." Warner, vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said "no one was there and no was hurt" and expressed his gratitude "for the quick,
professional response of the Roanoke Police Department." More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=01afcb32651b25ef9c7b2bf06edaea588ea7747f647d1b33c3fa8506bc58575559bef327e4902b230e6696a14a7457ff

TODAY IN CONGRESS -- The House gavels in at 10 a.m. with first votes expected between 2:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. and last votes expected between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Today's agenda: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=01afcb32651b25ef25a3833587fe9d64e27d179f8a408b352af878497d36f5ba5df746484a5751b851e43aefe69eccc6 The Senate meets at 10 a.m. to resume consideration of an appropriations minibus. Roll call votes in relation to the minibus are possible.

AROUND THE HILL -- Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and others will hold a symposium on regulating Wall Street -- 10 years later -- at 9 a.m. in 901 Hart.

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) will hold a media availability immediately after the Republican Conference meeting at 10 a.m. in HC-8.

Reps. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) and Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.) will hold a news conference with the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws to discuss introduction of bipartisan legislation to evaluate the effectiveness of states' marijuana policies at 10 a.m. in 2226 Rayburn.

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) will hold his weekly pen and pad briefing at 11 a.m. in H-144.

Sens. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) will hold a news conference with gymnasts and other amateur athletes who were sexually abused, ahead of a hearing on strengthening and empowering U.S. amateur athletes and moving forward with solutions, at 12:30 p.m. in 325 Russell.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Reps. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), James Clyburn (D-S.C.), David Cicilline (D-R.I.), Susan Davis (D-Calif.) and Anthony Brown (D-Md.) will hold a news conference to unveil a comprehensive debt-free college plan at 1:45 p.m. in HVC-117.

Senate Republican and Democratic leaders will hold separate press conferences after their weekly policy lunches starting around 2 p.m. in the Ohio Clock Corridor.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass.) will hold a discussion on pensions with retirees and workers at 2:30 p.m. in HVC-215.

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) will hold a meeting with Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh at 2:30 p.m. in 383 Russell.

MONDAY'S TRIVIA WINNER -- Roberto Fierro was first to correctly guess that President George Washington has the highest U.S. military rank of all time, which was granted in the 94th Congress.

TODAY'S TRIVIA -- From Roberto: During congressional hearings in the 1930s, claims about this substance's ability to cause men of color to become violent and solicit sex from white women helped effectively ban its use and sales. What is the name of the substance and the law that passed to control its use? The first person to correctly guess gets a mention in the next edition of Huddle. Send your best guess my way: nmccaskill@politico.com.

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