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01/02/2019 08:00 AM EDT

By NOLAN D. MCCASKILL (nmccaskill@politico.com; @NolanDMcCaskill)


SHUTDOWN STATE OF PLAY -- The partial government shutdown is stretching into its 12th day, and there's no end in sight. House Democrats plan to pass legislation Thursday to reopen the quarter of the federal government that lapsed before Christmas. But the White House says that plan is "a non-starter" because it doesn't secure the border, meaning Democrats and the president remain at an impasse over border wall funding. In the White House's telling, Democrats have ignored President Donald Trump's "serious, good faith offer ... to open the government" and refused to compromise. Yet the president "remains committed to reaching an agreement that both reopens the government and keeps Americans
safe," White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement late Tuesday.

Trump has invited congressional leaders to the White House today for an afternoon border wall briefing from top Department of Homeland Security officials. "The meeting would mark the first time Trump has sat down with top congressional leaders of both parties since the shutdown started," Rachael and Bres write. "There have been virtually no discussions until this point, and the meeting would offer both sides a chance to restart talks." Invitations were extended to House leaders Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Senate leaders Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).
More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=b05a09097cb386be0f0ce85ef2dabe9d9b3418f15d4d7a2fc6b42e9e5d399206c693c669f73015f7541595b993e4d8f7

Related: "In shutdown, national parks transform into Wild West -- heavily populated and barely supervised," by The Washington Post's Meghann Cuniff, John Waters and Joel Achenbach: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=85d5f3da94488e99f6532aa8ff2c833d32d0af6ddf6aa7188af86c8f1e7f80a6d8bc8df92437ed90b8421e5d6a6b825b and "Shutdown Leaves Food, Medicine and Pay in Doubt in Indian Country," from The New York Times' Mitch Smith and Julie Turkewitz: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=b05a09097cb386be00b76029f19e60ffe5ef8c1434b9e92630524d60396a75c5d75d0f2084ee367692c21d80585c892d

SHUTDOWN NEARS BREAKING POINT -- Nine federal departments have received no funding in more than a week, making do with leftover money over the holidays and paying staff with checks that were prepped before the partial government shutdown began on Dec. 22. "But all that's about to end," Jennifer Scholtes, Caitlin Emma and Bernie Becker warn. "Many of the departments and agencies hit by the partial shutdown ... have reached a breaking point in their ability to go on with minimal disruption. They are running out of carryover cash and time to prep checks for the mid-month pay period."

With their temporary funds exhausted, 19 Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo will be closed to the public today. And it's unclear whether federal workers will get their next paycheck on Jan. 11. "The Office of Management and Budget said in recent guidance that no federal employee -- including those still working without pay -- can be compensated for the pay period spanning Dec. 23 to Jan. 5 until the shutdown ends," they write. "House Democrats plan to vote on two proposals when they take control Thursday." But neither bill includes $5 billion for a border wall, and Senate Republicans are unlikely to take up legislation that doesn't have the president's support. A breakdown of how
things get harder for departments: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=b05a09097cb386be72458c2e040f80e58b57598155db087ae2925a1b3cdff0f024d65945bd9a1baa55f38336d4f5c2a6

HOUSE DEMS UNVEIL RULES PACKAGE -- Pelosi and incoming Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) released last night the rules package the House will vote on this week. "By an historic ten million vote margin, the American people went to the polls and asked for a professionally run Congress that would be more transparent, ethical and committed to debating and advancing good ideas no matter where they come from," Pelosi said in a statement. "Our rules package will deliver that Congress."

The package includes a requirement that text for major bills be available 72 hours before a floor vote, the creation of a consensus calendar to expedite consideration of bipartisan legislation, a reformed method by which the House can oust the speaker, a return to the so-called Gephardt Rule and a prohibition for members and staff serving on corporate boards. The rules: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=b05a09097cb386be0443de5942b3c3e0e8c60d3d4de18190abb8a79c8ae758649744801aed4c4cbc7b67e03220c7294e

Related read: "In Newly Divided Government, Who Will Control the Political Agenda?" via The New York Times' Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Julie Hirschfeld Davis: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=b05a09097cb386beb6813cc1403a26b8eaf8dd866d2185b4e2733d908cf3d94cb29201717c9b6488104dc7fbac69e7b9

WELCOME BACK! Thanks for reading Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Wednesday, Jan. 2.

** A message from Part B Access for Seniors and Physicians Coalition: Hundreds of patient, provider and health care stakeholders agree the Administration's proposed mandatory experiment on seniors' health care is potentially dangerous for Medicare patients in need of Part B drugs. This experiment should be replaced with reforms that embrace competition, foster the provider-patient relationship and value innovation. Learn more. **

THE TRUMP-PELOSI RELATIONSHIP -- His allies say he respects her. But her allies say she doesn't trust him. Yet both sides are hopeful that Trump and Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) can strike some bipartisan deals over the next two years. "Bipartisan victories could boost both leaders," Rachael writes. "Pelosi could show the nation that Democrats are about more than opposing the White House. Trump could check off unfulfilled campaign promises as he pivots toward reelection. But to maintain any kind of working relationship, Trump and Pelosi will have to defy the entire political gravity of their parties when the new Congress gets underway this week."

The two have had relatively few interactions. Trump praised Pelosi's "terrific" leadership skills in a phone call after the 2016 election. But he walked away from a tentative immigration deal in 2017 with Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and hasn't worked with Democrats on health care or infrastructure. He did, however, side with Pelosi that same year on extending government funding and the debt ceiling. Both sides say the two have maintained a cordial relationship. "I think the president admires people he views as strong, and he does view her as strong," added Marc Short, Trump's former legislative affairs director. "She's a historic figure. You can't deny that."
More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=b05a09097cb386befc8a00640e809f3e49a6408bb9097da3bda6a89667725765fa6465ca9908baddd93811aae90498be

ROMNEY'S REBUKE -- Sen.-elect Mitt Romney (R-Utah) appears to be carving out a lane for himself as the rare Senate Republican who is willing to publicly criticize the president. With the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) gone and Sens. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) retiring, the incoming Utah senator blasted Trump's leadership -- or lack thereof -- in a Washington Post op-ed published Tuesday night, calling that area the "province where the incumbent's shortfall has been most glaring." Romney said Trump's presidency "made a deep descent in December" and cast Trump's conduct during his first two years in the White House as "evidence that [he] has not risen to the mantle of the
office."

He praised the president for appointing conservative judges, slashing regulations and pushing criminal justice reform. "But policies and appointments are only a part of a presidency," he cautioned. A president, the 2012 GOP presidential nominee added, should unite and inspire a nation, demonstrate honesty and integrity, "elevate the national discourse with comity and mutual respect" and be a leader on the world stage. As a senator, Romney said he will support policies that are good for Utah and the country and oppose those that aren't.

"I do not intend to comment on every tweet or fault," he said. "But I will speak out against significant statements or actions that are divisive, racist, sexist, anti-immigrant, dishonest or destructive to democratic institutions." Trump said he hopes Romney won't be a "Flake." "Would much prefer that Mitt focus on Border Security and so many other things where he can be helpful," he tweeted this morning. "I won big, and he didn't. He should be happy for all Republicans. Be a TEAM player & WIN!" The op-ed: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=b05a09097cb386be1acc5583d743b57c07541297508ad738f367458a6c521c3d943d0feb2d7a603ab0ee3739911c59cf

MEET HOYER'S FLOOR DIRECTOR -- When the new Democratic majority takes control of the House on Thursday, Shuwanza Goff will be Majority Leader Steny Hoyer's (D-Md.) floor director, making her the first African-American woman to hold that post for the majority party's No. 2 leader. "It's a little daunting, but it's also exciting," Goff told me in an interview. It's also a long time coming. Goff has worked on the Hill for nearly 10 years, rising from a staff assistant in 2008 to floor aide, floor assistant, deputy floor director and floor director. In a statement to POLITICO, Hoyer praised Goff's strong relationships with Democrats and Republicans, her deep knowledge of floor procedure and
judgment.

"The House will continue to benefit from her intellect, hard work, and dedication," Hoyer said. Republicans, too, have high praise for her. Matt Bravo worked with Goff for three years as a floor director for Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.). Floor staff have to "get sh-- done," Bravo said, "and she's the best." Goff's role will include helping Hoyer drive the agenda and coordinating with committees and others on legislation. She also hopes to help improve diversity among Hill staffers. More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=b05a09097cb386be277ba962be19559d1f31d681256d248391ff12eec1f5c724beab8564dd4f5726ddd38f7afa71f866

Related: "House Democrats to push for more diversity in top corporate ranks," by Zachary Warmbrodt: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=b05a09097cb386be1ce2ce11fdb702bb233b27252e01878060e917ba9905074d9b094baf1d0ac0217a6feff327477f6b

HOUSE DAY CARE -- It's "the only Washington Monument in D.C. that you can climb up," House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) jokes. The first phase of a day-care facility for House employees that will provide care for up to 120 infants and toddlers opens this week. It includes a playground designed to look like a fun-size National Mall. The next phase will add another 120-plus preschoolers in a year or so, ultimately reducing the House day care's waiting list from three years to one. McCarthy "used the office to secure space in a government building adjacent to the Capitol -- and more than $12 million in taxpayer funds -- for a 26,000 square foot, state-of-the-art childcare
facility," NPR's Susan Davis reports.

"If somebody is working for you and wants to continue to serve government, but says, 'I don't have day care so I can't stay here, the wait list is too long, the quality is not there,' then you are disadvantaging who can actually serve and work in government at the same time," McCarthy said. "The wait list for the House day care had become so long that staffers were signing up before they were even pregnant," Davis writes. Cost ranges between $1,100 and $1,700 a month, a fraction of the cost of comparable private day care in the Washington, D.C., area.

NPR identified just two members of Congress who have children enrolled in the day care. "I never made it off the list," said Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.), who is one of only 10 lawmakers who have given birth while serving in Congress. "I had to keep looking like everyone else does. You get on a list, you hope it works, and if it doesn't work you've got to make something happen." More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=b05a09097cb386be9fce8fc2ef0a00b42e25bcfe24990d6ff57e276871e5193c9d781184dc6b0ceabac94f8ab613e227
TRANSITIONS


Michael Hacker will be a senior adviser to incoming House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.). Hacker is currently a partner at HDMK.

Tim Del Monico will be Rep. Raul Ruiz's (D-Calif.) chief of staff. He was previously Sen. Bob Menendez's (D-N.J.) legislative director.

Colston Reid will be chief of staff for Rep.-elect Tom Malinowski (D-N.J.). Reid managed Malinowski's campaign.

Alex Ball will be Rep.-elect Jason Crow's (D-Colo.) chief of staff. Ball managed Crow's campaign. Justin Meuse will be Crow's legislative director. He previously served as legislative assistant for Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.). Anne Feldman will be Crow's communications director. She was previously the national press secretary for End Citizens United.

Conor Sheehey has been promoted to legislative assistant, handling health, finance, education, labor, pensions and retirement security and human services policy for Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.). He was previously deputy legislative assistant. Lila E. Nieves-Lee will be Scott's banking legislative assistant. She was previously director of congressional affairs for the office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

Matt Waldrip will be Sen.-elect Mitt Romney's (R-Utah) chief of staff. Waldrip managed Romney's Senate campaign. Kelsey Berg will be Romney's deputy chief of staff. Berg served as the Romney campaign's political director. Adam Gardiner will be Romney's state director. Gardiner was previously elected as the Salt Lake County Recorder. Liz Johnson will be Romney's communications director. Johnson previously served as communications director to former Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) and a spokesperson for Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine).

Cheryl Johnson will be the new clerk of the House. Johnson currently serves as director of government relations for the Smithsonian Institution. She will replace Karen Haas.

Douglas N. Letter will be the new general counsel of the House. He is currently a senior litigator at the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection at Georgetown University, where he is also a visiting professor of law. Letter will replace Thomas G. Hungar.

Katie Patru is leaving the House Administration Committee, where she serves as deputy staff director for member services, outreach and communications. She will be a vice president at government affairs firm Van Scoyoc Associates.

Tom Flanagin is leaving Rep. Elise Stefanik's (R-N.Y.) office, where he serves as deputy chief of staff. Flanagin will be director of product communications at the American Chemistry Council.

Shellie Bressler has left the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where she was a senior professional staffer working on oversight and investigations.

Several military legislative fellows have left the Hill: Sean McClintock, who worked for Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), is going to be deputy director for the chief of Senate congressional affairs at the U.S. European Command. Evan Karlik, who was in Rep. Joe Courtney's (D-Conn.) office, is going to the F-35 Joint Program Office. JP Mantone, who was in Sen. Susan Collins' (R-Maine) office, is going to be an executive officer on the USS Freedom (LCS 1) in San Diego, California.

... Patrick Hourigan, who was in Sen. Tim Kaine's (D-Va.) office, is going to be in the USN Joint Strike Fighter Fleet Integration Unit. Jon Fay, who was in Rep. Kay Granger's (R-Texas) office, will be the legislative liaison at the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs.
TODAY IN CONGRESS
The Senate meets at 4 p.m. to resume consideration of the legislative vehicle for the continuing resolution. The House is out.
TRIVIA
DEC. 21'S WINNER -- Mark Henson was first to correctly guess that the three Republican congressmen who held onto their seats in the 2018 election in districts Hillary Clinton won in 2016 are Reps. Will Hurd (Texas), John Katko (N.Y.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.).

TODAY'S QUESTION -- From Mark: Who were the only House Democratic incumbents first elected in the 2006 general election to lose their seats in the 2008 general election? The first person to correctly guess gets a mention in the next edition of Huddle. Send your best guess my way: nmccaskill@politico.com.

GET HUDDLE emailed to your phone each morning.

** A message from Part B Access for Seniors and Physicians Coalition: Hundreds of patient, provider and health care stakeholders agree the Administration has proposed a potentially dangerous experiment on the health of American seniors who depend on Medicare Part B. The mandatory and unprecedented model proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) inserts new middlemen between physicians and patients, puts access to physician-administered medicines at risk and poses a serious threat to vulnerable Medicare beneficiaries. It further sets a risky precedent for other health care providers and services by allowing foreign government price controls to dictate reimbursement while
putting decision making in the hands of vendors with no clinical or medical expertise. Instead of experimenting with the health of American seniors, the Administration and Congress must work with stakeholders to develop patient-centered reforms that embrace competition, foster the provider-patient relationship and value innovation. Learn more. **

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