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05/15/2017 07:56 AM EDT


By Heather Caygle (hcaygle@politico.com or @heatherscope)

ROSENSTEIN BRIEFING THIS WEEK - Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, one of the key players at the center of the firestorm behind the firing of FBI Director James Comey, has agreed to an all-senators briefing this week. Rosenstein met with Senate Intelligence Committee leaders last week. The date and time for Rosenstein's next trip to the Hill haven't been announced yet but don't expect Democrats to go easy on the new deputy AG, who is just a few weeks into the job.

Rosenstein "must resign" if he won't agree to appoint a special prosecutor to oversee the federal probe into Russian campaign meddling, Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), ranking member on the Judiciary Committee, declared Friday. But Rosenstein doesn't see the need for a special prosecutor to oversee the probe, at least not right now, CNN's Evan Perez and Manu Raju report.

Meanwhile, Comey declined a request to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee in a closed-door meeting Tuesday. But he is willing to testify if it's in public, according to an associate close to the former FBI chief, Peter Baker and Michael Shear report for the New York Times.

TRUMP'S 'TAPES' COMMENT UNNERVES CONGRESS - Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle said over the weekend that if President Donald Trump did in fact tape his conversations with Comey, as he suggested in a tweet Friday, those recordings should be turned over to Congress and federal investigators. "We have got to make sure that these tapes, if they exist, don't mysteriously disappear," Senate Intel ranking member Mark Warner (D-Va.) said. The Washington Post's Ed O'Keefe and Jenna Johnson: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7ea6d1740a8d833331d5999678ac384bfca6ebe4176d6d4ea8d5118f1f71c94e5a55049e032d53b1d7b1c27ed3fc98d5

HOUSE OF CARDS - Democrats and some Republicans are expressing concern that their colleague Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas) could be tapped by Trump as the next FBI director. "John Cornyn under normal circumstances would be a superb choice to be FBI director," GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham Graham said on Meet the Press Sunday. "But these are not normal circumstances." Cornyn was one of four candidates who interviewed in person for the job over the weekend. But Graham and several Democrats have said the bureau's next leader should be someone without a political background.

If Cornyn were picked for the post, it would set off a domino effect both inside the Senate and back in Texas. In the short-term, the move would trigger a new round of GOP leadership elections to replace Cornyn in his No. 2 post. Sen. John Thune, who is right behind Cornyn in the leadership ranks, is an early favorite to succeed the Texas Republican, Burgess and Seung Min report.

And, at least three Texas House members are eyeing Cornyn's seat if it opens up, Abby Livingston reports for the Texas Tribune. GOP Rep. Michael McCaul, who has mulled the idea of challenging Sen. Ted Cruz next year, is looking at the seat. Democratic Rep. Beto O'Rourke, who has already said he'll take on Cruz next year, and Rep. Joaquin Castro are both also interested. More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7ea6d1740a8d83339a8cd98762292eab54635a5abefdcdd62b961ba134255ae65379c792924379878b3bec145ddae238

The FBI Agents Association has backed former lawmaker and FBI agent Mike Rogers to replace Comey, Rebecca Morin reports.

DEMS PLAY HARDBALL AFTER FBI FALLOUT - Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer made clear Sunday he supports blocking confirmation of a new FBI director until an independent prosecutor is appointed to oversee the federal investigation into Russia. "We will have to discuss it as a caucus, but I would support that move, because who the FBI director is, is related to who the special prosecutor is," Schumer told CNN's Jake Tapper. So far, most Republicans have rejected the idea of an independent prosecutor.

Side note: Since the next FBI director can be confirmed via a simple majority, Democrats would need at least a few Republicans to join them in opposition, a hurdle the New York Democrat acknowledged. "We're hoping. We're waiting. We understand it's difficult, but I think patriotism and the needs of this country demand it," he said. Louis Nelson: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7ea6d1740a8d83330542bcbdb2e935be02c8f03ee1060336c86fbc8bf4146a23eef68a2961b6d281d8d9830eb3c5eb3a

** A message from the American Society of Anesthesiologists: When Seconds Count ... Physician Anesthesiologists Save Lives. Physician anesthesiologists are medical specialists with the education and training to make critical decisions that can mean the difference between life and death. Protect patients with safe, high-quality, physician-led care. Learn more at www.asahq.org/WhenSecondsCount. **

WELCOME BACK EVERYBODY. Thanks for reading POLITICO's Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, this lovely Monday, May 15. After what seemed like endless rain, this southerner is welcoming the high temps and sunny days ahead.

FRIDAY'S MOST CLICKED: The yarn from Seung Min and Burgess about GOP senators rebuffing calls for a special prosecutor with the winner.

WORTH A CLICK: An investigation into lawmakers' reckless stock trading - While Tom Price was in the hot seat earlier this year during his HHS confirmation over questionable biotech stock trades, several other lawmakers were quietly buying shares in the same firm. "On the very day that [Sen. Ron] Wyden was decrying Price's bad judgment, Rep. Doug Lamborn, Republican of Colorado, bought shares of the same tiny Australian company ... Within two days three more members also bought in - Republicans Billy Long of Missouri, Mike Conaway of Texas and John Culberson of Texas," Maggie Severns reports.

They are not alone: "POLITICO found that 28 House members and six senators each traded more than 100 stocks in the past two years ...And a handful of lawmakers, some of them frequent traders and some not, disproportionately trade in companies that also have an interest in their work on Capitol Hill." Much more: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7ea6d1740a8d8333521980927a52d5c413ab021380a12b4818fcd7feed2872e2d8997a96283a28aeb7fa4f94c40809a4

MO CANDIDATES, MO PROBLEMS - Alabama Rep. Mo Brooks is holding a string of press conferences across the Yellowhammer State today - including a 10 p.m. event in Mobile - where he's expect to announce his candidacy for Senate. Republican leaders have made clear they're treating Sen. Luther Strange, the temporary replacement for Jeff Sessions, as an incumbent and will back him with their full support. But that hasn't stopped others like former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore and now Brooks from jumping in the race ahead of the filing deadline Wednesday. Daniel Strauss: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7ea6d1740a8d8333e1d02ef722f6035278ff337aa2e511ab9c3899dafe42399c6507276af5842085fce988f114a3acee

BIPARTISAN BACK CHANNEL ALIVE AND WELL - As Senate Republicans work publicly on their proposal to repeal Obamacare, there's also sporadic behind-the-scenes talks with Democrats on a "Plan B," Burgess and Elana report. GOP Sens. Susan Collins (Maine) and Bill Cassidy (La.) have been reaching out to some Democrats about their Obamacare replacement plan. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) has also said he thinks the bill should be bipartisan. Democratic Sens. Tim Kaine (Va.), Tom Carper (Del.), Joe Manchin (W.V.) and Heidi Heitkamp (N.D.) have all been a part of informal talks with Republicans, they report.

But there's pressure from leadership on both sides not to cooperate: "Any cooperation on health care undercuts both parties' political strategy. Republican leaders are wary of handing any bipartisan accomplishments to the dozen or so vulnerable Senate Democrats up for reelection next year. And Democratic leaders want the GOP to fully own the beleaguered health care system going into the midterms." More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7ea6d1740a8d83335d86ee0c119cf4ca28e5f231dbd46363f4cdeb2a7108c8e07070d7c25ae9bb822605d8e82df45494

FOR YOUR RADAR: GOP EYES SLASHING SAFETY NET - "Under enormous internal pressure to quickly balance the budget, Republicans are considering slashing more than $400 billion in spending through a process to evade Democratic filibusters in the Senate, multiple sources told POLITICO," Rachael and Sarah Ferris report. "Among the programs most likely on the chopping block, the sources say, are food stamps, welfare, income assistance for the disabled and perhaps even veterans benefits."

Key line: "If enacted, such a plan to curb safety-net programs - all while juicing the Pentagon's budget and slicing corporate tax rates - would amount to the biggest shift in federal spending priorities in decades." More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7ea6d1740a8d8333c3467d07ec6d812f50eda9168b0b7db7296cf774da10fead33baa88625ad783b9fcd48fadc699ba2

ABORTION POLITICS VEXES VULNERABLE SENATORS - Sens. Joe Manchin and Dean Heller (R-Nev.), vulnerable 2018 incumbents, have both been in the hot seat already this year over where they stand in the pro-life/pro-choice debate. Expect much more of that to come, Elana reports. "If the Senate calls up a bill to repeal Obamacare, controversy over Planned Parenthood funding will come to the fore - ensuring the 2018 campaign won't lack for that perennial lightning rod." More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7ea6d1740a8d83331f98f531983f95d95b10cbddbf371b50ffdd0413cb021f95840a7ae98416f938ecb838aa7148dce2

CORDRAY COMING TO CAPITOL HILL - CFPB Director Richard Cordray will huddle with House Democrats Wednesday, their first caucus meeting since FBI Director James Comey's firing. Cordray has long been in Republican crosshairs but the Trump administration has held off on dismissing him so far, not wanting to give any juice to his potential Ohio gubernatorial bid. Yours truly with more: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7ea6d1740a8d8333af00e311647c87cdb4f34fbcdf82221d6637bdd87a0b71e90a6b1d1e14a32955d00dcf977620ec75

NEWS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED OVER THE WEEKEND - Senate Intel leaders are "united in outrage" after Comey's firing last week as their probe into Russian meddling heats up. The panel's subpoena of former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn "was meant to 'send a signal' that the committee is willing to play tough if needed." Ali Watkins: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7ea6d1740a8d833338df7937da0c6a91ba4ea03d3d6bea3f833e1feb32fb35760ace01273fae95ef36773180417d4d0d

-GOP Rep. Ann Wagner will announce her bid to challenge Missouri Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill in July, Josh Kraushaar reports for National Journal.

-Republicans and Democrats blasted Attorney General Jeff Sessions' new order for tougher sentencing guidelines, calling it "dumb on crime," BuzzFeed's Mike Hayes reports. More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7ea6d1740a8d83335136980a8cbc945aa08c7bde25e567c183c000983cbc08a8a09e18018c4532adb3d3780d77a5af09

-"This Paul Ryan we have now - he seems to roll over and want his belly rubbed by the president," Wisconsin Democratic Rep. Mark Pocan said over the weekend after holding a town hall in Speaker Ryan's neighboring district. Rob Thomas with the Sauk Prairie Eagle: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=7ea6d1740a8d8333ea514765eaa4c0c6f63d2bedb9ac8f191f76404393a3aa6d695996c3714ec70ffef56fb5da424ab2

TODAY IN CONGRESS - The House meets in a 10 a.m. pro forma session with no business conducted. The Senate convenes at 3 p.m. with a 5:30 p.m. procedural vote on Jeffrey Rosen, DOT deputy secretary nominee.

AROUND THE HILL - President Donald Trump will be in the Capitol at 11 a.m. to give remarks at the annual National Peace Officers' memorial service.

FRIDAY'S TRIVIA WINNER - Tommy Brown was the first to guess that then-Deputy Attorney General James Comey appointed Patrick Fitzgerald as special prosecutor overseeing the CIA leak scandal involving Valerie Plame.

TODAY'S TRIVIA - Tommy with today's question: The father of which senator wrote the authoritative book on the Bay of Pigs invasion? The first person to correctly answer gets a shout out in tomorrow's Huddle. And don't forget, send suggestions for trivia questions my way: hcaygle@politico.com

GET HUDDLE emailed to your phone each morning.


** A message from the American Society of Anesthesiologists: When Seconds Count ... Physician Anesthesiologists Save Lives. Every surgery has risks. During her presurgery consultation, teenager Hunter shared information that triggered concerns by her physician anesthesiologist. As a highly trained physician with extensive medical knowledge and expertise in anesthesia - and in the human body and its systems - the physician anesthesiologist suspected Hunter might have an undiagnosed condition that could result in profound surgical complications. The physician anesthesiologist canceled Hunter's surgery and ordered additional tests - and that decision altered Hunter's life. If the original
surgery had been performed, Hunter's life could have changed completely. Having a physician anesthesiologist leading Hunter's care saved her from being paralyzed and resulted in a diagnosis and successful treatment of a brain tumor. Protect patients with safe, high-quality, physician-led care. Learn more through the American Society of Anesthesiologist's When Seconds Count initiative at www.asahq.org/WhenSecondsCount. **

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