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01/18/2018 07:45 AM EDT


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

SHUTDOWN WATCH: HOUSE GOP SHORT ON VOTES - House Republicans currently lack enough votes to avert a government shutdown, but GOP leaders still believe they will pass a short-term spending bill later today. "Across the Capitol, Senate Democrats are upset about the House potentially jamming them with a last-minute bill that would do nothing more than avert the worst-case scenario," Bres, Sarah Ferris and Heather report. It's unclear whether enough Senate Democrats will vote to block a spending bill without a deal in place to protect Dreamers, but Republicans are skeptical that Senate Democrats would risk a shutdown with control of the chamber in play this year.

The bill would keep the government running until Feb. 16, fund the popular Children's Health Insurance Program for six more years and delay implementation of several Obamacare taxes. But with House Democrats opposed, Republicans may be forced to pass the bill on a party-line vote. Inside the conference, however, "there are three main factions of potential 'no' votes," they report: defense hawks, Freedom Caucus members and others who are just unsure what to do. The Freedom Caucus could block the bill if Democrats remain opposed, but House GOP leaders hope President Donald Trump can persuade hard-line conservatives to back it. More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=b6ea0fd08cb3d0f09dafd009e5989c3da5826c6e276ddfbfd1bc222539238204baf24cc4cfdf0fd7464afb3bbd94c1f1

Republicans ultimately face a binary choice, as Rachael and Connor O'Brien report: bolster the military or take a hard line against immigration. "Democrats' refusal to strike a long-term budget accord without a deal to shield 700,000 young undocumented immigrants from deportation means Republican can't have both," they write, noting that Republicans can either cut a deal to protect Dreamers or "keep struggling to pass patchwork spending bills, and let the Pentagon limp along with no infusion of money." Much more: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=b6ea0fd08cb3d0f0012fb24c609d40800ee7c43b568851bb308cb1a5d0083454f0c955e101ca1aaa830581a5f3395608

Related: "GOP opens door to weekend votes on spending, immigration," via Jennifer Scholtes: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=b6ea0fd08cb3d0f04c4deee7159312645833090b443a525a51b3d349c23bd55712ccae8e0d68b6fcc3086fd9c7d3bdf3

DACA TALKS REMAIN DEADLOCKED - Immigration talks inextricably linked to government funding remain stalled, even after White House officials came to Capitol Hill on Wednesday for meetings with lawmakers as Friday's deadline to keep the government funded looms. White House chief of staff John Kelly met separately with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the No. 2 Republican and Democratic leaders in the House and Senate, and a group of pro-immigration Republicans. But at the end of the day, "Nothing was agreed on," Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) told reporters after one meeting. Heather, Seung Min and Elana with more: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=b6ea0fd08cb3d0f0245057e7638aaae09076c17a6da151ee364ddf06f6f61206da8d304fefdcef74606f921e01d735d7

Kelly, however, told Democrats that the president's hard-line campaign pledges on immigration were "not fully informed." He also conceded that the U.S. will never build a wall along its entire southern border and Mexico will never pay for it - comment's out of step with the president's rhetoric. "The mixed signals underscore the difficulty congressional Republicans have faced as they have tried to decipher what the president wants in an immigration deal," Ed O'Keefe reports for The Washington Post. "And they have contributed to tensions over how to resolve the legal status of" Dreamers.

"But in telling lawmakers that Mr. Trump had essentially erred from the start in promoting a wall and by claiming credit for dissuading him," adds The New York Times, "Mr. Kelly appeared to be voicing a sentiment some in the West Wing have heard him express privately - that it is his job to tutor a sometimes ill-informed president who has never served in public office before." Julie Hirschfeld Davis, Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Thomas Kaplan with more: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=b6ea0fd08cb3d0f0db6c2196e8d3df7795a5b5b83d71f8c777abaf487b9448a4ca634121d32766dd2cf7e9508573578a

CNN'S SHUTDOWN CLOCK HAS STARTED. HAPPY THURSDAY! Thanks for reading Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Jan. 18.

WEDNESDAY'S MOST CLICKED: The clip of Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) taking off his "invisible glasses" was the big winner.

HOUSE READIES HARASSMENT OVERHAUL - Senior House negotiators could release as early as today a bipartisan plan to update Capitol Hill's workplace harassment system and force members found liable of misconduct to pay settlements with their own money. "Its expected passage, after the House's upcoming recess, would amount to a major shift in the Hill's handling of sexual misconduct complaints following a frenetic autumn that saw five lawmakers in both parties ensnared in harassment scandals," Elana reports.

The bill is the product of negotiations among House Administration Committee Chairman Gregg Harper (R-Miss.), ranking member Bob Brady (D-Pa.) and senior members of both parties. It "is expected to require lawmakers deemed responsible for harassment on the job to repay the U.S. Treasury for settlements reached on their behalf, a reform designed to quiet last year's furor over the still-unknown number of claims resolved using public money," Elana writes. If passed, the Office of Compliance would release a report every six months on misconduct claims - including names of the offices involved. More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=b6ea0fd08cb3d0f03f8cef3ab1f7f01294fd0ecdf11684b84905a06c60cc5f8c12e0a3511f566846229e368998c41d38

In the Senate, Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) sent a letter today to HELP Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and ranking member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) calling on the panel to immediately schedule hearings on workplace sexual harassment and assault. All Democrats on the committee joined Warren as signatories. "The public is rightly outraged by this scourge of sexual harassment," the senators wrote. "It's time for Congress to play a leadership role in tackling the problem of workplace sexual harassment and assault to show that Congress, like the public, sees harassment and discrimination as unacceptable." Murray said she has "made clear to Chairman Alexander that I hope we can schedule
committee hearings on these issues" ASAP.

TRUMP LEARNS HIS LESSON - Trump signaled in an interview with Reuters on Wednesday that he will stay out of divisive primaries, seemingly showing that he's learned his lesson after endorsing then-incumbent Sen. Luther Strange in Alabama's primary, only to back controversial candidate Roy Moore, who won the primary but ultimately lost the special election to Democrat Doug Jones. "It's hard sometimes," Trump said. He also hinted he would spend four to five days a week helping candidates "because we need more Republicans" to advance his agenda. "I will be very much involved with - beyond the primaries - with the election itself, very very much." More:
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=b6ea0fd08cb3d0f04ea09479d7f4a4acc5a54de3f42f60e4f05349f76dc5e39aff80fccfc38744bb01836f1b491a405c

Trump's predecessor, former President Barack Obama, plans to "shift into higher gear," Edward-Isaac Dovere reports this morning. Obama is expected to campaign, endorse down-ballot candidates, headline fundraisers and activate his 15,000 member campaign alumni association for causes and candidates he supports. More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=b6ea0fd08cb3d0f0f3f5f0e11ac566e6e0a71c4e88b01f9c72fa01b17ddb4232cb7f155cdb77056d5f0d744a53a37bf1

TRUMP HITS PITTSBURGH FOR CAMPAIGN STOP - Trump will travel to Pennsylvania today to tout the recent passage of massive tax cuts and the candidacy of Republican state Rep. Rick Saccone in March 13's special congressional election. Vice President Mike Pence will follow suit on Feb. 2 with a similar event and a fundraiser for Saccone, who has struggled to raise money. "Mr. Trump is loath to to suffer another electoral humiliation, particularly in a district that he carried by 19 percentage points in 2016," Jonathan Martin and Julie Bosman report for The New York Times.

"So a constellation of conservative groups are planning an extensive intervention to carry the Republican nominee ... across the line in a House seat that has been in the party's hands for 16 years, but where internal polls from both parties now reveal a single-digit race," they write. Republicans are preparing a multimillion dollar ad campaign to retain the seat. http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=b6ea0fd08cb3d0f0548b1659e1fa4dcb588853d2c5c7e7459e37ab12fe661b787b0ff099a08848e73b2064ffd7f5a652

TRUMP'S INCREDIBLE CREDIBILITY CRISIS - Trump was elected as an outsider who could change the status quo in Washington and make better deals for America. But nearly a year in, Trump has only proven "he's better at killing bipartisan deals than clinching them," Bres and Burgess report. A once-promising plan to shield Dreamers from deportation is now in tatters, and the government is on the verge of yet another shutdown as it pursues yet another short-term fix. Trump has proven to be "an unpredictable, unreliable partner who cannot be trusted to keep his word," they write, perhaps the greatest crime on Capitol Hill. "Once you lose that credibility, you're done as a deal-maker." Much more:
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=b6ea0fd08cb3d0f09f6be004b4f2480226bec023df790b1dec3eef4e7d0e10e527a72f888ed298c663630c601f498e4c

'HE HATES HIM': REPUBLICANS RESPOND TO FLAKE'S SPEECH - Retiring Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) took down Trump in a floor speech Wednesday for his rhetoric toward the media, comparing it to Joseph Stalin's and blaming him for inspiring dictators and authoritarians. But while Democrats may have enjoyed his candor, Republicans? Not so much. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) said the speech wasn't helpful, and Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) predicted Flake's "wrath against the president" will only accelerate in time. "He hates him," Inhofe said. "He doesn't like the president."

"The long-running fight between Flake and Trump carries political and policy implications: Flake is part of a bipartisan group of senators trying to negotiate a deal to protect some young immigrants, a plan that Trump opposes, for now," Burgess reports. "And Flake's words are reverberating across the Arizona primary race to replace him. Former state Sen. Kelli Ward immediately called on everyone in the race to condemn Flake's 'disturbing speech.'" More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=b6ea0fd08cb3d0f0fb25e4bd8e449a5a0f6b15991e9808ef753f3d26d79a02c48b212f6c11d33a34840b5f3c52ecd14e


** A message from the Association of American Medical Colleges: The 340B program allows safety net hospitals to purchase drugs at discounts from pharmaceutical companies -- helping teaching hospitals strengthen care for low-income, rural, and other underserved Americans. At less than 3% of the U.S. drug market, it's a bargain for the country and a lifeline for hospitals and communities. aamc.org/340B **

TODAY IN CONGRESS - The House gavels in at 10 a.m. with first votes expected around 2:30 p.m. and last votes expected around 7 p.m. Today's agenda: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=b6ea0fd08cb3d0f0d85c079e5deddd9adba3c85580aadaf268cef26000afcf3fbef432c508052ef0436e0ed6cbeb0481 The Senate meets at 11 a.m. to resume consideration of a bill renewing expiring federal spy powers that cleared the House last week. The chamber will hold a roll call vote on a motion to concur at 12:15 p.m.

AROUND THE HILL - Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Rep. Luke Messer (R-Ind.) and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos will hold a rally with congressional leaders and more than 200 students in support of National School Choice Week at 9:30 a.m. in 325 Russell.

Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) will hold a news conference with other members of Congress, clergy and non-profits to discuss the introduction of a bill seeking to end monetary bail at 11 a.m. in 234 Cannon.

Reps. Cedric Richmond (D-La.) and G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.) and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) will hold a media availability opposing two of President Donald Trump's judicial nominees and highlighting a lack of diversity at 9:40 a.m. in 226 Dirksen.

Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Social Security advocates and seniors will hold a news conference to discuss their opposition to plans to cut funding from the Social Security Administration's budget at 11 a.m. in 608 Dirksen.

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) will hold his weekly media briefing at 11:30 a.m. in HVC-Studio A. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) will hold her weekly news conference at 12:15 p.m. in HVC-Studio A.

Reps. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) and Jared Polis (D-Colo.) and others will hold a briefing on mainstreaming blockchain in business and government at 12 p.m. in 2203 Rayburn.

Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Cedric Richmond (D-La.) and Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) will hold a news conference with the CBC and House Judiciary Committee Democrats to discuss the introduction of a resolution to censure President Donald Trump for his comments on Haiti and African countries at 1 p.m. in HVC-Studio A.

Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.) and experts on North Korea will hold a briefing on how imprisoning the minds of North Koreans keeps them living in the dark at 2:30 p.m. in 2456 Rayburn.

WEDNESDAY'S TRIVIA WINNER - Tyler Smith was first to correctly guess that Keith Hall is the Clark University alumnus and former director of the National Reconnaissance Office. Hall was a professional staff member for the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and was brought on by Sen. Barry Goldwater (R-Ariz.).

TODAY'S TRIVIA - Tyler with today's question: George Washington University has the distinction of having an alumnus and then-governor elected as one of the senators of a state shortly after his death. Who was this person and who was the defeated opponent? 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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** A message from the Association of American Medical Colleges: The 340B Program allows safety net hospitals to purchase drugs at discounts from pharmaceutical companies -- helping teaching hospitals strengthen care for low-income, rural, and other underserved Americans. Best of all? 340B doesn't cost taxpayers a dime. At less than 3% of the total U.S. drug market, 340B is a bargain for our country and a lifeline for hospitals and communities. Congress should protect the 340B Program. Pass H.R. 4392. Learn more: aamc.org/340B **

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