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07/30/2018 07:55 AM EDT


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

SENATE DEMS HOLD OUT HOPE -- How long can vulnerable Senate Democrats hold out? That's the key question behind Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's (D-N.Y.) long-shot strategy to derail Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination. "Schumer's strategy starts like this: Hold his caucus in line and force Republicans to cough up 50 votes on their own," Burgess and Elana report. "Schumer hopes to place massive pressure on moderate Republicans by raising damaging questions about Kavanaugh's views on abortion, health care and presidential power. His top GOP targets are Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. Libertarian-leaning Republican Rand Paul of Kentucky is also publicly
wavering."

Democrats believe the longer those Republicans remain undecided, the better their chance of defeating Kavanaugh. But deep-pocketed conservative groups like the Judicial Crisis Network and Americans for Prosperity will continue pounding red-state Democrats with pro-Kavanaugh ads for as long as they remain undecided. GOP leaders, however, are betting that dynamic will prove untenable for Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), who all voted for Neil Gorsuch last year. Manchin is meeting with Kavanaugh this afternoon and could request a second conclave after his hearing.

"Republican challengers are making as much hay of the issue as they can," they write. Still, Manchin, Donnelly, Heitkamp and Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.) aren't even close to announcing how they will vote. Donnelly plans to wait until after he meets with Kavanaugh on Aug. 15, while the other three contend they want to process Kavanaugh's yet-to-be-scheduled hearing first. Leaders in both parties expect Paul to support Kavanaugh sooner than later, but Collins and Murkowski could hold out for a while. "Each has yet to schedule an interview with Kavanaugh, and each says the Democratic pressure campaign won't factor into their decision," they add. More:
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=cb39c668a79eb1f7be8d5c601685fc1c77859d4360a12fb62aac23b9ffc605e902f5a13982b611917ac50c2278809056

Related: "GOP goes it alone in Kavanaugh documents fight," by Elana: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=92f901d71638c8a1f07369f87071e0697976c33ea0dc2542f8ece7fe5a0918586fe6e83d1a9bc5f1d50af6dac0f47e91 and "Ginsburg suggests she has at least five more years on the Supreme Court," from CNN's Dan Berman: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=cb39c668a79eb1f7272694b5edb1535d80de0cb4c6169eabbf0781c34eecdac3b1869481011ed6ac8d9164e0671612c3

TRUMP TEASES SHUTDOWN -- President Donald Trump threatened to shut down the federal government over immigration policy, teasing a clash over border security and border wall funding with Democrats, though Republicans maintain majorities in both chambers of Congress. "Trump's shutdown warning -- which he has made before -- escalates the stakes ahead of a Sept. 30 government funding deadline, raising the possibility of a political showdown before the Nov. 6 midterm elections that Republican congressional leaders had hoped to avoid," The Washington Post's Philip Rucker, Robert Costa and Damian Paletta report. "A funding fight also could prove a distraction from Republican efforts in the Senate
to confirm Trump Supreme Court nominee Brett M. Kavanaugh by Oct. 1."

How members of Congress responded on Sunday shows: NRCC Chairman Steve Stivers (R-Ohio) expressed skepticism that the government would shut down this fall, while Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) warned how unhelpful it is to play "shutdown politics." DCCC Chairman Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), meanwhile, said Democrats want to tackle comprehensive immigration reform in bipartisan fashion.

"Trump's declaration on Twitter surprised some lawmakers who have been eager to avoid a bruising and politically charged funding fight and highlighted his intense desire to make progress on signature agenda items that have stalled," they write. "The president has not received from Congress as much funding as he has requested for his proposed wall along the Mexican border." The tweet comes after House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) met with the president on Wednesday to discuss government funding. More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=cb39c668a79eb1f75d60029a989c2ec4056d220ae71766e10b2f5ef858c9aab8d16b7ac510613dfa1c24b1b9aa577186

GOOD MORNING! Thanks for reading Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Monday, July 30.

FRIDAY'S MOST CLICKED: Alex Isenstadt's report on Rep. Pete Sessions' (R-Texas) risk of losing reelection was the winner.

DARK MONEY HAMMERS HOUSE GOP -- A network of secret-money nonprofits has emerged as one of the biggest players in 2018, spending millions of dollars attacking swing-seat House Republicans on health care and taxes. "The groups have local members and names like Floridians for a Fair Shake, Michigan Families for Economic Prosperity and North Carolinians for a Fair Economy," Scott Bland reports. "But they are all linked to one obscure nonprofit in downtown Washington, D.C.: the Sixteen Thirty Fund, which has funneled millions of dollars to progressive causes in recent years and set up each of the new groups, according to D.C. corporation records."

All told, the groups have broadcast 6,885 TV ads since Jan. 1 -- and spent more than $4.6 million on TV alone, in addition to being a top political U.S. advertiser on Facebook. "The ads don't expressly advocate voting against House Republicans, but they do blast incumbents for their votes on Obamacare repeal and the new tax law in more than a dozen congressional districts," Bland writes. "The two issues are ones that Democrats want at the forefront of their campaign to take back the House, though keeping the focus on those issues has been difficult amid a maelstrom of other stories involving President Donald Trump." Much more: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=cb39c668a79eb1f776e8f75fb6554135ab997e9125ed104d261821945fbb9692a326ffbf20342b816ad5a7b2ddeb76e4

Related read: "'Giving circles': Female fundraisers are powering women candidates," per NBC News' Benjy Sarlin: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=9a0136e0be83951e1d0a9e6aee84615bfcf944615b3dbc905b29f6dac5a6caefb6e86b60ccd69b20249bccdf0131cdc6

KILDEE EYES A LEADERSHIP POST -- Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Mich.) is mulling a potential leadership run. "Kildee, a Flint Township Democrat who is seeking re-election to his fourth term in Congress, said he doesn't have a specific post in mind, and he's not yet launching a campaign," The Detroit News' Melissa Nann Burke reports. But Kildee says "it's really important that our caucus be more reflective of the whole country and of communities like the ones I represent." Reps. Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.) and Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) are running to succeed Rep. Joe Crowley (D-N.Y.) as House Democratic Caucus chair, and Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) has launched a bid for vice chair.

Kildee is also eyeing a seat on the powerful Ways and Means Committee. An insider says it may be difficult for Kildee to pursue both posts simultaneously, but an aide to the Michigan Democrat says he's actively pursuing the committee seat and one position won't preclude the other. Kildee chaired the DCCC's Frontline Program to protect vulnerable incumbents last cycle. This cycle, aides say, he's raised and contributed more than $682,000 to help Democrats, including $201,000 to the DCCC and $328,350 for other members. More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=9a0136e0be83951e1b08aac9d0fabd2e06af5f6136e38c4d86c30899e5adc18f0fa821215d6a965b3974f5523a64c309

Related: "Barbara Lee looks to seize her moment," by your Huddle host: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=92f901d71638c8a12fdce47d6329055294a0c3546f36e09d9e516be29275331c6fd673a108777a91d412492a31060e1d and "Obscure Contest? Not When House Democrats Are This Divided," from The New York Times' Sheryl Gay Stolberg: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=9a0136e0be83951ea22357ebbbfa1241ab3b92b6a094d4f99b3a834cd807040ebcc30d15dc2e8b494e6eac2912745459

ANOTHER SENATOR TARGETED IN HACK ATTEMPT -- Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) says her office was targeted by a phishing attack, a revelation that comes after Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) acknowledged an unsuccessful cyberattack on her office from Russian hackers. "We're hearing that this is widespread, with political parties across the country, as well as with members of the Senate," Shaheen told CBS' "Face the Nation." "It affects both Republicans and Democrats. It's about the security of our political process and our government functions and we need to work together to address it." More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=9a0136e0be83951e50c7eea8988b0c58d5cc8cff718ec842f5255871bfe9bdfef6096c45e7f5ef30564559dc798cb589

Related read: "Despite Trump's assurances, states struggling to protect 2020 election," via Eric Geller: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=9a0136e0be83951e365add4ab05cd23e6bd63477a73d2489965c5a340e7f9fe8d8989478e4ac9d25299a9d83968b02ec

TRUMP ENDORSES TRIO OF CANDIDATES -- The president threw his support behind GOP candidates John James, who is running in a Michigan Senate primary, and Troy Balderson, who faces Democrat Danny O'Connor in a special House election in Ohio. Trump said each candidate is "strong on crime and borders, loves our Military, our Vets and our Second Amendment" but added that James "will be a star." Hours later, Trump also endorsed Rep. David Kustoff (R-Tenn.) ahead of his primary.

"It is not clear how significant his endorsement will be for Mr. Balderson," The New York Times' Maggie Astor reports. "For Mr. Kustoff ... it could be more valuable. But it may ultimately be Mr. James who reaps the most benefit from the president's support." James, an African-American combat veteran and businessman, is locked in a tight primary against fellow businessman Sandy Pensler. Both candidates have tied themselves to Trump as they vie to take on Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.). More on the president's endorsements: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=9a0136e0be83951ebc2ce5451bda56872345324e545fe448168608000380e021742f7949fbb52f1bf33f856d1eef6ec1

WHO IS NANCY PELOSI? -- This House Democratic leader who represents a congressional district in California appeared on Friday's episode of "Jeopardy." Nancy Pelosi guest hosted the show, appearing on screen to ask questions on the topic of -- you guessed it -- Congress. The $400 question was the number of members in the House. For $800, Pelosi asked about the first war declared by Congress. Other questions included what hurricane-devastated island nonvoting House member Jenniffer González-Colón represents and the issue Pelosi launched her eight-hour filibuster over in February. The clip: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=9a0136e0be83951e2ec0077eb067d1d2c4aa5a0b571cfcf4dea8b5f3b4c927bbdb112c661aa47bda9d64fbde271f4146

Related read: "Watson won't support Pelosi to remain in leadership," via CBS4Indy's Dan Spehler: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=9a0136e0be83951e4758f94bc1b58ced72a2c4d33f5a45f1a90a4ce2e6dc43c626d7b0beb9a75bf610042539680482f2

LEWIS RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL -- Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) was released from the hospital Sunday after falling ill on a flight to Atlanta on Saturday. "All tests have been completed, and doctors have given him a 'clean bill of health,'" Lewis spokeswoman Brenda Jones said in a statement. The 78-year-old civil rights icon has represented Georgia's 5th Congressional District since 1987. "He was among key activists in the civil rights movement, taking part in the Nashville lunch counter sit-ins, the 1961 Freedom Rides, the 1963 March on Washington and the Bloody Sunday march in 1965, where he was beaten in the skull by a state trooper in Selma, Alabama," the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Tamar
Hallerman notes. The latest: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=9a0136e0be83951e2d9d6b1a330c455d62bae92b1a4322ff262900307447f65650b54c2cc60dcb2bce3b51c66e674cfe

TODAY IN CONGRESS -- The Senate meets at 3 p.m. to resume consideration of judicial nominee Britt Grant. At 5:30 p.m., the chamber will hold a procedural vote on Grant's nomination. The House is out.

AROUND THE HILL -- Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) will deliver the keynote address at the seventh annual Whistleblower Summit for Civil & Human Rights at 11:30 a.m. in G-50 Dirksen.

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) will deliver the keynote address at a summit on the future of Americans with disabilities at 12 p.m. in 2043 Rayburn.

Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) will hold a meeting with Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh at 1 p.m. in 304 Russell.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) will hold a meeting with Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh at 2:30 p.m. in 306 Hart.

FRIDAY'S TRIVIA WINNER -- Jeremy Berkowitz was first to correctly guess that 1998 is the last year in which neither Republicans nor Democrats made any net gains in the Senate.

TODAY'S TRIVIA -- Which president signed into law a resolution declaring the U.S. national motto, what is that motto and when and where did it first appear? 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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