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By Scott Wong (
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BOEHNER SURVIVES REVOLT:'YOU WOULD BE FIRED IF THIS GOES OUT' - By POLITICO'S Jake Sherman and John Bresnahan, with an amazing photo by Jay Westcott: "Conservative opposition to John Boehner's reelection as speaker on Thursday was more determined than it originally seemed, as a small band of hard-liners either flat-out opposed the speaker or simply abstained from casting a ballot. There were some signs that conservative resistance to Boehner was well-organized, at least by one member who has never been a big fan of the Ohio Republican. Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-Kan.) - who was recently removed from key committees and supported Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) for speaker - sat on the House floor during
the speaker vote brandishing an iPad. A message was displayed on the screen ticking off members of the House Republican Conference he hoped would oppose the sitting speaker. The title of the document: 'You would be fired if this goes out.'

-- "Among the Republicans on the list were Reps. Steve King (Iowa), Cynthia Lummis (Wyo.), Paul Gosar (Ariz.), Scott Garrett (N.J.), Steve Fincher (Tenn.) and Scott Desjarlais (Tenn.). All of them ultimately supported Boehner. It's not clear that any of the Republicans on Huelskamp's list knew they were on it, or even knew of the list's existence. In the end, nine Republicans abandoned the Ohio Republican's bid for a second term as speaker, and cast votes for people as varied as a former member of Congress who lost his reelection bid in November and a 1990s-era U.S. comptroller general who appears on cable television. Two Republicans - Reps. Raul Labrador (Idaho) and Mick Mulvaney (S.C.) -
sat in the chamber, pointedly ignoring the call of their name to cast a vote for Boehner, who edged to victory with 220 votes. And newly elected Rep. Steve Stockman (R-Texas), who returned to the House after 15 years, voted "present," demonstrating his lack of fear for the diminished Boehner. ...

-- "Huelskamp's and others' whipping efforts to oust the speaker fell short, though several lawmakers listed in the Kansan's iPad message did oppose Boehner, including Reps. Justin Amash (Mich.), Louie Gohmert (Texas) and Paul Broun (Ga.). 'I will not comment on stories that invade personal e-mails or private property,' Huelskamp said in a statement read by a spokesman when asked about the anti-Boehner list, which was clearly visible to photographers and reporters as he worked on it while sitting on the House floor."
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3ed20c24f3bf667a065a58b8b8f33490af86ef87c61ea743308c77adf4f528e0
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3ed20c24f3bf667a065a58b8b8f33490af86ef87c61ea743308c77adf4f528e0 The 12 who didn't back Boehner:
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3ed20c24f3bf667ad4317fba0e1802454f97d4338d8670add3abc85674e9dd0c
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TWEET OF THE DAY -- @CongHuelskamp: Politico says I was brandishing my iPad. About the only dangerous thing in there was their spy camera.

New York Times, A1: "Boehner Retains Speaker's Post, but Dissidents Nip at His Heels"
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3ed20c24f3bf667aa097cb588563da37d7c977e6a355150a3d2e490d089d7e9d
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BABIES! - After the fiscal cliff debacle, Bloomberg Businessweek's cover art portrays Congress as a bunch of babies - literally. See it here:
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3ed20c24f3bf667a29bfc35d48b534fde3d1ba7520de024050ce966124aa980b
pic.twitter.com/4uDIekxE Cover story by Peter Coy:
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3ed20c24f3bf667a10be8b09b342a78082a187f4138c17dc67615d4b425a4423
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3ed20c24f3bf667a3bda7d06bcd2923f2597c75a8b67336210907318c66e97b4

@JeffreyYoung_HC: I would totally watch a TV show called 'Senator Baby.'
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3ed20c24f3bf667a270a6cc35d98a42fa2a445bc1d2cbae3b82dec9cb637fd72
pic.twitter.com/d7YEsEPQ

BIDEN GETS FRISKY - TPM has assembled a video of Biden's greatest hits - or friskiest moments - from Thursday's mock swearing-in ceremonies for freshman senators, broadcast on CSPAN-2. Michael Lester writes: "As Vice President Joe Biden greeted new and returning senators on Thursday on Capitol Hill, he was all smiles. 'There's a lot to smile about today,' he said as he caressed the face of one of the attendees. Throughout the ceremony, Biden took center stage, greeting senators, children, babies and mothers with hugs, kisses, pats on the back and fist bumps. 'Spread your legs, you're gonna be frisked,' he said to the family of Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND). He later made this offer to
relatives of Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC): 'If you need any help with your pecs, let me know.'"
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3ed20c24f3bf667af5056a853cbc3f4c7640eccd6d9cf70fca6084b0b392a082
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3ed20c24f3bf667af5056a853cbc3f4c7640eccd6d9cf70fca6084b0b392a082 Watch it here:
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3ed20c24f3bf667aa011609895c3848454e1b77116ce6a381d0b2c39d9b2f8ce
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HOUSE TAKES UP FIRST OF TWO SANDY AID BILLS TODAY - David Rogers writes for POLITICO: "Chastened by the debacle over Hurricane Sandy aid, House Republicans are moving quickly to win approval this week of a $9.7 billion increase in financing to pay flood insurance claims arising from the October storm. The measure, filed Thursday for floor action Friday, would temporarily raise the borrowing authority for the national flood insurance program, which is now expected to hit its ceiling between Jan. 7 and Jan. 9. Rep. Scott Garrett (R-N.J.), a prominent fiscal conservative, is the lead sponsor, and Speaker John Boehner appears anxious to show some unity and purpose after being dressed down
publicly by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie for failing to respond to the crisis. ... The Senate approved the same flood insurance increase last week as part of a larger $60.4 billion disaster aid package backed by the White House. But that measure died Thursday at noon with the end of the 112th Congress because Boehner blocked House action. Friday's vote is a first step to try to begin to reconstruct it now in the 113th Congress. And Boehner has promised Northeast lawmakers a second series of votes on Jan. 15 on additional aid, but more immediate action was needed on the flood insurance request."
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GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, JANUARY 4, 2013, and welcome to The Huddle, your play-by-play preview of the day's congressional news. Send tips, suggestions, comments, complaints and corrections to
mailto:swong@politico.com
swong@politico.com . If you don't already, please follow me on Twitter @scottwongDC.

My new followers include but are not limited to @jordanslopey and @AskLevi.

TODAY IN CONGRESS - The House is in at 10 a.m. with first and last votes between 10:45 and 11:15 a.m. on increasing flood insurance financing related to Hurricane Sandy. The Senate is in at 12:30 p.m. and will seek to pass the Sandy bill by unanimous consent if it clears the House. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi holds a news conference at 10:30 a.m. in HVC Studio A. At 1:00 p.m., both chambers will meet in the House for a Joint Session of Congress to count the electoral ballots for president and vice president of the United States.

AROUND THE HILL - House Republicans hold a closed-door conference meeting in HC-5 at 9 a.m. Democrats meet in a closed-door meeting at 12:30 p.m. in HVC-215. The Senate will proceed through Statuary Hall to the House chamber for the counting of electoral votes shortly before 1:00 p.m.

KIRK'S LONG CLIMB BACK TO THE SENATE -- Lynn Sweet reports for the Chicago Sun-Times: "After climbing the steps to the Senate, Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), arms held by Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W-Va.), entered the chamber Tuesday morning to a burst of applause, returning a year after he suffered a stroke. Once in, Biden--a former Senator-- lingered by Kirk's desk as did Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). As Sen. John McCain (R-Az.)approached, the two men hugged and Kirk snapped off a salute. A few minutes earlier, Kirk climbed up the Senate steps to mark his return, using a leg brace and a cane with four prongs--and mainly with the help of Biden and Manchin, his closest
friend in the Senate. Biden, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nv.) and many lawmakers-including may from the Illinois House delegation--turned out to pay tribute to Kirk, lining the steps at the Capitol leading to the Senate chamber.The lawmakers applauded as Kirk counted off the steps. Reid shared what he told Kirk: 'I just told him he looks so good and it is an act of courage I admire so very, very much.'"
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OPTIMISM ABOUNDS FOR HOUSE FROSH - Kate Nocera reports for POLITICO: "They've figured out their way to the House floor, taken the oath of office, elected their party leaders and stood for family photos on the front steps of the Capitol. Now, for 84 freshmen, the real work starts. They're coming to Congress at a time when the country faces steep fiscal challenges, a potential fight over the debt ceiling looms and the hyperpartisanship of the fiscal cliff fight didn't inspire optimism that things are going to get better. So for the stereotypical, cynical Beltway-type or battle-hardened lawmaker, Thursday's pomp and circumstance may have been mostly a break in the routine name-calling and
bickering that's become synonymous with the House of Representatives. Hill veterans may remember their first day in Congress and wonder how long the new members can keep any sense of optimism and hope. But the freshmen, still bright-eyed at the prospect of being in Washington, are for the most part confident things will be different and maybe, just maybe, they'll be able to figure some things out that their predecessors couldn't."
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3ed20c24f3bf667a561a8e40c67093caa12035fffe53740829f1773fce6b4284
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3ed20c24f3bf667a561a8e40c67093caa12035fffe53740829f1773fce6b4284

GIFFORDS PLANS TO VISIT NEWTOWN - "Former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle 'Gabby' Giffords, who survived a shooting at a campaign event in Arizona two years ago and now advocates stricter gun laws, plans to be in Newtown, Conn., on Friday for a private late afternoon meeting," NBC News' Jeff Black reports. "Giffords plans to be at a home in the town where 20 first-graders and six staffers were gunned down at Sandy Hook Elementary School, a spokesperson for Gov. Dan Malloy's office told NBCConnecticut.com. The meeting, the details of which are unclear, comes a day after more than 400 Sandy Hook students returned to class in a new building. Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman's spokesman Steve Jensen later told
the AP that the visit was 'planned but not confirmed' for Friday afternoon."
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3ed20c24f3bf667a0aeec9131068100353ac33cea3aacb0f7fca783babf251d9
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3ed20c24f3bf667a0aeec9131068100353ac33cea3aacb0f7fca783babf251d9

THE 20 WOMEN OF THE SENATE -- When the 113th Congress was sworn in Thursday it had a record-breaking number of female senators - the most in history. "ABC World News" anchor Diane Sawyer gathered nearly all of the women for an exclusive conversation in the historic Kennedy Caucus Room. The women discussed the impact of 'testosterone' on the political debate in Washington, reproductive rights and whether there was a potential female presidential nominee among them. Watch the segment here:
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3ed20c24f3bf667a7bf00b4c3d340d3de1ed4d51c3cefabcb254d6eceff2e1e1
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WaPo, A1, "113th Congress displays its diversity," By Rosalind S. Helderman, with photo centerpiece of colorfully dressed House Democratic women standing in front of the Capitol. Front page:
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HEITKAMP: 'LOOK AT THE WALLS' - Elise Foley writes about the record-breaking women of the Senate for the Huffington Post: "Heidi Heitkamp, a Democrat from North Dakota, stood in the hallway of the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, just after being sworn in by Vice President Joe Biden as one of the record 20 female senators, and looked around. 'If you want to know about the number of women, look at the walls,' she said to Bruce Mann, the husband of fellow new Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). The Capitol is full of portraits, busts and statues of men. Outside the Senate chamber, more than 35 faces of white men look down on the hallways, from a large likeness of founder Ben Franklin that gazes down
quizzically to a bust of former President Richard Nixon that sits, ironically, outside a room where Democrats meet for lunch.

One woman, former Sen. Hattie Caraway (D-Ark.), is represented on the wall, looking somber in a black dress along the west side of the Ohio Clock Corridor. Of the nearly 2,000 senators in the history of Congress, only 44 have been female. The first woman in the Senate served for only 24 hours in November of 1922, and no woman was elected to the body until a decade later, when Caraway was chosen by Arkansas voters.

-- "Now, there are 20 women senators in the 113th Congress -- still far from proportional to the U.S. population, but, according to the women, better than nothing. Ten of those women were sworn in on Thursday, four of them for the first time."
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3ed20c24f3bf667aab73dea34151bea74870010c5f52b2acce8ce76970e5a09d
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3ed20c24f3bf667aab73dea34151bea74870010c5f52b2acce8ce76970e5a09d

ADVICE FOR BOEHNER - The lead editorial in today's Wall Street Journal: "By any political or policy standard, including their own, the Speaker and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell have accomplished little in two years beyond checking liberal ambitions. This doesn't mean we agree with those on the right who are constantly crying 'sellout,' including over this week's bill raising taxes. Mr. Boehner tried to cut the best deal he could, but it's impossible to negotiate with a President who refuses to compromise in any meaningful way. ...

-- "Mr. Boehner needs a plausible counter-strategy. Recognize that he can't govern from the House, but use the leverage of the spending sequester and power of the purse to see what few policy victories can be had. Find some programs and special interests to showcase and defund, in the manner of the Bridge to Nowhere. Take on corporate welfare. And unleash other Members in the House and Senate-the Toomeys, Hensarlings and Johnsons-to make the GOP's growth and reform case to the public. Mr. Boehner can't be the main party spokesman. Push smaller reforms that are good policy but might also have a chance of picking up Democratic support. Focus on promoting economic growth and
raising middle-class incomes. Use the House's oversight power to illuminate big problems like ObamaCare and government failures, not small beer like 'Fast and Furious.'"
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3ed20c24f3bf667a4b9fe2f4726265c3da3f33a0ec843cca015b29347315fc49
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3ed20c24f3bf667a4b9fe2f4726265c3da3f33a0ec843cca015b29347315fc49

CAO: THE ACCIDENTAL CONGRESSMAN - Patrick Gavin writes for POLITICO: "Congress's freshman class can learn from PBS's new one-hour documentary, "Mr. Cao Goes to Washington," which tracks the single-term congressional tenure of Louisiana Republican Joseph Cao. Lesson one? 'Politics is quite brutal,' Cao said in the film as he gave his post-game analysis of his brief stint in Washington. 'It's not about making the right decisions. It's not about following one's duty. But it's more about political payback. It's more about party loyalty, more than to do things simply because it's the right thing to do.' The film, which premiered Thursday night, will broadcast on PBS affiliates nationwide over
the next week. In 2008, Cao beat scandal-plagued Rep. William Jefferson, becoming the first Republican in more than a century who won the seat representing most of New Orleans. He also became the first Vietnamese American to serve in Congress. Hence his nickname: The Accidental Congressman. Two years later, after a tenure that put Cao in the spotlight for issues such as health care and the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, voters overwhelmingly sent him packing and sent a Democrat - Cedric Richmond - to Washington."
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3ed20c24f3bf667aa678e0edb47feee3b56692371f7535f712b9e59338c1083b
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SENATORS PROBE CIA ON 'ZERO DARK THIRTY' TORTURE SCENES -- Ken Dilanian and Steven Zeitchik write in the L.A. Times: "After complaining for weeks that the movie 'Zero Dark Thirty' erroneously implies that torture yielded key information in the hunt for Osama bin Laden, a trio of senior senators now want to know whether CIA personnel deliberately misled the filmmakers on that point. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, along with Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), said Thursday that they had sent two letters to acting CIA chief Michael Morell. In the first, dated Dec. 19, they requested information about what the CIA told the
filmmakers. In the second, dated Monday, they asked Morell to clarify a statement he issued on Dec. 21 about the movie and its portrayal of torture. The senators believe the Sony Pictures film wrongly suggests coercive interrogation was instrumental in tracking down the Al Qaeda leader, and they believe the filmmakers got that misimpression from CIA officials."
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3ed20c24f3bf667ab18c6f1d87419a7620ce64dbc3cf723cfd370eee23cc7400
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3ed20c24f3bf667ab18c6f1d87419a7620ce64dbc3cf723cfd370eee23cc7400

CRAPO IN COURT FOR DWI CHARGE - The Associated Press reports: "Idaho Republican Sen. Michael Crapo (KRAY'-poh) is scheduled to appear in a Virginia court to answer drunken driving charges. Crapo is charged with a first-offense DWI and failing to obey a traffic signal. The DWI charge is a misdemeanor under Virginia law. His arraignment is scheduled Friday morning in General District Court in Alexandria. Police say Crapo was pulled over for running a red light and registered a blood alcohol level above the legal limit. A spokesman for Crapo has said the senator does not plan to contest the allegations."
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=3ed20c24f3bf667a53e1452d0bb8f6bc9dc577b6ae2e7f45c04a960defda3ebc
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THURSDAY'S TRIVIA WINNER - Matthew Erwin, of Mazda North American Operations, was first to correctly answer that John P. Jones previously held the record of the longest serving senator from Nevada. He served from 1873 to 1903. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid broke that record this week.

TODAY'S TRIVIA - Erwin has today's question: If he doesn't run for president, Joe Biden would probably love to remain vice president after 2016. Name the two vice presidents that have served more than one president. First to correctly answer gets a mention in the next day's Huddle. Email me at
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