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09/09/2015 08:36AM EDT


By Seung Min Kim (skim@politico.com or @seungminkim)

HOUSE GOP CRAFTS ANTI-SHUTDOWN STRATEGY - But will it work? Jake Sherman and John Bresnahan with the details: "House Republicans are leaning toward pushing a bill to keep the government open through mid-December, in an attempt to remove the threat of a government shutdown this fall ... But they have not decided how to deal with government funding of Planned Parenthood, and House Republican leaders will hold a series of "listening" sessions this week with GOP lawmakers to figure out how to quell an uprising over the group's funding."

--"One scenario is to schedule a vote on a government-funding bill that also defunds Planned Parenthood ... Another plan under consideration would be to pass a so-called 'clean' continuing resolution that funds the government but does not directly address Planned Parenthood's government funding. But at the same time, House leaders would schedule a vote on stand-alone legislation that would halt government funding of the women's health organization ... Congress could try to go after Planned Parenthood's funding in the reconciliation process, a fast-track budgeting procedure." http://cl.s4.exct.net/?qs=318a43049927d948f2638a7bcb76b344c85be8cbc68d4387ecff501144e72833

--Meanwhile, the conservative appetite - at least in the House - against Planned Parenthood is continuing to bubble: 28 House Republicans (up from 18 before the break) are pledging to reject any funding bill that includes cash for the group, per The Hill: http://cl.s4.exct.net/?qs=318a43049927d94870e26dd2a782ef7660290486a7cbacb45a0a3e74907ad25a

--But conservatives agitating for a shutdown are already getting a scolding from the Wall Street Journal's editorial page, which writes: "[W]e wish they'd explain how this would benefit the antiabortion movement or the Republican majority." http://cl.s4.exct.net/?qs=318a43049927d948162f63f8ba4b110fa5668cc3b78066b1385d46e80539aaed

PLANNED PARENTHOOD FIGHT FLARES UP - The AP's Alan Fram previews the battle later today in the House Judiciary Committee, which will hold the first hearing on the Planned Parenthood controversy since the undercover videos emerged: "A prominent abortion foe is accusing Planned Parenthood of violating federal laws barring for-profit sales of fetal tissue, while a defender of the group says it's done nothing illegal as Congress begins long-awaited hearings that are already weaving accusations, emotion and politics."

--"Also testifying were two women who say they survived failed abortions as newborns. Their appearance underscores how the GOP is eager to use questions about fetal tissue research to personalize the broader political dispute over abortion, an issue that could fan both sides' activists during the 2016 presidential and congressional campaigns. 'If abortion is about women's rights, then what were mine?' said Gianna Jessen, who says she was born alive after a failed 1977 abortion in Los Angeles and has been a high-profile campaigner against the procedure." http://cl.s4.exct.net/?qs=318a43049927d948b414597857710b7e4116bf4505e633acf584feeb2ddb768c

CRUZTRUMPAPALOOZA HITS THE HILL - But forget about Planned Parenthood or the looming government shutdown. All the attention at the Capitol will be on the West Lawn starting around 1 p.m. today, when Ted Cruz and Donald Trump hold a rally against the Iran nuclear deal. POLITICO's Katie Glueck looks deeper into the Cruz-Trump dynamic: "Donald Trump isn't naïve about what Ted Cruz is up to. Behind the Texas senator's flattery, phone calls and his invitation to share a stage at the Capitol Wednesday, there's a middle-of-the-pack rival with designs on Trump's supporters."

--"And the real estate mogul is well aware of it. 'I'm a very confident person,' Trump told POLITICO in an interview. 'I'm not worried about giving someone else exposure, especially if that someone else is a person who deserves respect.' In part, Trump's comfort with sharing the spotlight with Cruz at a high-profile rally to oppose the Iran deal is a measure of the frontrunner's supreme confidence in his ability to steal a scene. But it's also a reflection of an unusual relationship that predates the presidential race - one that was initiated as much by Trump as by Cruz." http://cl.s4.exct.net/?qs=318a43049927d948dd05b6110ec1120d80aab780ca9bfa247c82a6a17c21f16c

--Not to be forgotten: Also attending the rally is a third GOP presidential candidate ... Jim Gilmore.

CONSERVATIVES WANT TO PUNT IRAN VOTE - CQ Roll Call's Matt Fuller with the scoop: "House Freedom Caucus members are poised to demand Wednesday that Republican leaders delay a vote on an Iran disapproval resolution until the Obama administration has revealed all 'side deals' with Iran. And if GOP leaders don't delay the Iran disapproval resolution, HFC members are discussing voting down the rule for the resolution on Wednesday." http://cl.s4.exct.net/?qs=318a43049927d948d33d923cdb8b42e51422fa04c2acf769e28db83a9532e039

--While infighting brews within the GOP, the American Action Network (which has close ties to House GOP leadership) is going up with television ads going after two House Democrats: Rick Nolan of Minnesota and Scott Peters of California. Jake: http://cl.s4.exct.net/?qs=318a43049927d9485102dba1f5e323eebfa35fea41c5bf6a1480f2dd4b36061a

--As for the Senate side, a lot happened yesterday, with four Senate Democrats throwing their support behind the Iran deal (as Joe Manchin announced he would reject it). Burgess Everett and I have the wrap-up: http://cl.s4.exct.net/?qs=318a43049927d9489db42dddfa460778e4923e367b7c52148f67de9836045129

--QOTD, from Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas): "Even the Ayatollah Khamenei said the Iranian parliament gets a vote on the nuke deal. It would be beyond irresponsible for Senate Democrats to block, by a filibuster, the vote."

GRAHAM BACKS SUPPLEMENTAL FOR SYRIAN REFUGEES - CQ Roll Call's Niels Lesniewski: "Sen. Lindsey Graham, the chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, said if the United States does not change course with respect to accepting refugees, the country might as well 'take the Statue of Liberty and tear it down' ... 'I would support an emergency appropriation for refugees. You spend now or you spend later.'" http://cl.s4.exct.net/?qs=318a43049927d94821988c9c886a7f472da88ce8c620913980c5d4e9ac0bfac7

--Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker also says the United States should "play an appropriate role" in the Syrian crisis: http://cl.s4.exct.net/?qs=9bfb7772367a5d397d0bbca0cd2f49172110cd7cd5236603b19a45e4718c5c15

** A message from the J Street Education Fund: Pro-Israel, Pro-Peace Americans are advocating that Congress support the nuclear agreement as the best way to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. American and Israeli security experts agree: The deal makes us safer. Get the facts at irandealfacts.org **

HAPPY WEDNESDAY, Sept. 9, 2015 and you're reading the Huddle, where we know we're going to wander around the Hill thinking it's Tuesday. E-mail me with tips, complaints, corrections and cough remedies at skim@politico.com, or reach me on Twitter at @seungminkim.

My new followers include @traviswhall and @MaryCaraccioli.

TODAY IN CONGRESS - The House is in at 10 a.m. Votes around 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., and on tap is the Iran disapproval bill. The Senate is in at 10 a.m. and they'll be debating - you guessed it - the Iran bill.

AROUND THE HILL - Reps. Carolyn Maloney, Patrick Meehan, Elijah Cummings and Robin Kelly are holding a news conference on bipartisan gun-trafficking legislation at 9:30 a.m. outside 2154 Rayburn. Speaker John Boehner and GOP leaders will hold a post-conference press avail at 10 a.m. in HC-8. House Democratic Caucus Chair Xavier Becerra and Vice Chair Joe Crowley will hold their own news avail after their caucus meeting at 10 a.m. in HVC-210 alcove.

Reps. Raul Labrador, Tim Huelskamp, Jim Jordan, Vicky Hartzler, Barry Loudermilk, Mick Mulvaney, Jeb Hensarling, and Ken Buck will participate in Conversations with Conservatives at noon in 2226 Rayburn. Rep. Mark Pocan and others will hold a news conference on the Perkins Loan program at House Triangle.

REID COULD BE PERMANENTLY BLIND - The Senate minority leader, who suffered a major injury to his right eye during an exercise accident earlier this year, says he's unlikely to ever see out of that eye again. Reid talks with CNN's new senior political reporter, he-who-must-not-be-named (just kidding, Manu Raju): "Reid said he wears protective sunglasses because the 'little bit of light' that he can see is 'more distracting than helpful.' But he added that there is experimental surgery in California and Iowa that one day may help restore his vision. 'We're not there yet,' Reid, 75, said. 'Maybe someday.'" http://cl.s4.exct.net/?qs=9bfb7772367a5d39b63abf0f5e152e01b8e9caf91eb752f8897f2546ac7e8f86

JON STEWART'S NEXT MOVE - Michael McAuliff has the scoop for HuffPo: "Jon Stewart spent years upbraiding Congress from his perch on the set of 'The Daily Show,' perhaps never to so great an effect as when he embarrassed lawmakers over their failure to help the ailing first responders of 9/11. Stewart left the show in August, but the cause of the rescuers who rushed into that nightmarish catastrophe 14 years ago -- at great personal risk and ongoing cost -- is still very much on the former show host's mind now that the 9/11 law that Congress did eventually pass is starting to expire."

--"According to sources familiar with the planning, Stewart will be taking a different, more direct tack to help the heroes of 9/11 now that he's out from behind his studio desk. He plans to put his feet to work along with his mouth, and walk the halls of Congress next Wednesday, Sept. 16, with about 100 responders while they make personal appeals to members. Their goal is to help renew the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which starts phasing out next month." http://cl.s4.exct.net/?qs=9bfb7772367a5d39b467771c172bd2e02a0cd4dd72da4a61d890342232e80872

NFL GOES ON OFFENSE ON HILL - POLITICO's Darren Samuelsohn: "Cynthia Hogan, the league's top lobbyist and a former senior attorney to Vice President Joe Biden, told POLITICO the NFL would be briefing the House Energy and Commerce Committee and Senate Commerce Committee on player safety and pro football's new efforts to pay for research into head injuries. The two panels have jurisdiction over sports-related commercial issues."

--" 'It is easy to have intuitive feelings and it's also easy to react to headlines,' Hogan said in a wide-ranging interview about a spate of policy issues confronting the NFL as it preps for the regular season kickoff Thursday night. 'I think for us what the important message is, is understand what the real information is out there.'" http://cl.s4.exct.net/?qs=9bfb7772367a5d39faf1773b042a0a6a3fcb6cdcefe5d4a31369088634e2ab7a

SANDERS TO HUDDLE WITH CBC - Kevin Cirilli for The Hill: "Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) will meet with the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) on Wednesday, according to a source with direct knowledge of the meeting. 'Leaders in the CBC have been wondering when Sanders was going to come around,' said an advisor to a senior member in the CBC ... According to an invitation, 'the meeting will be an overview of CBC priorities and a conversation on pressing issues impacting the African American community.'" http://cl.s4.exct.net/?qs=9bfb7772367a5d39b5faf07a79dccb3f384b34bf68c58b3130d44d4356cfe5c5

EX-BROUN CONSULTANT PLEADS GUILTY - Daniel Malloy for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: "The ethics investigation into former U.S. Rep. Paul Broun has now become a criminal case, with a former consultant pleading guilty to lying to investigators about a scheme for taxpayers to help finance Broun's campaigns. Brett O'Donnell, a high-profile Republican debate coach from Virginia, faces a maximum of five years in prison on one count of making false statements."

--"His plea Thursday in U.S. District Court in Macon is the first public indication of a criminal investigation into Broun's office. A congressional ethics investigation closed when the Athens Republican left office in January after losing a primary race for the U.S. Senate." http://cl.s4.exct.net/?qs=9bfb7772367a5d3908101f899bbcb86406359a57467730bab08a68e729bf13e7

NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT - Huddle would love to spend a week of "fact-finding" in Hawaii (c/c my bosses). From Al Kamen of the Washington Post: "The [14 House] members and their spouses took off Aug. 31 to, according to a planning document, 'familiarize' themselves with 'Hawaii's Department of defense assets' and 'missions within the region' and to attend a 'special commemoration' of the 70th anniversary of the formal Japanese surrender on the USS Missouri on Sept. 2.

--"It sounded like a fine journey via military jet (business class) to stay at the oceanfront Sheraton Waikiki in Honolulu. Dinners were planned at the famous Hy's Steak House - the superb porterhouse is always worth the $88.95 - and the upscale Roy's Hawaii with its great fusion menu. (We hope they tried the lobster pot stickers.)" http://cl.s4.exct.net/?qs=9bfb7772367a5d39408d00c545f6747e744530b4ad8b4b24ad9313316f59e561

TUESDAY'S TRIVIA WINNER - No one chimed in with the correct answer (for both parts of the question). The trivia players must still be on recess! I'm asking the question again - see below.

TODAY'S TRIVIA - North Carolina has the second-longest active streak of Democratic U.S. senators who were not re-elected to a second term. Which state has the longest active streak, and what year did it start? The first person to correctly answer gets a mention in the next day's Huddle. E-mail skim@politico.com.

GET HUDDLE emailed to your Blackberry, iPhone or other mobile device each morning. Just enter your email address where it says "Sign Up." http://cl.s4.exct.net/?qs=5f0c23e2e37fdd9d482c285fe51f8e67b142ef2f9689b5915402132eab164382

** A message from the J Street Education Fund: Pro-Israel, Pro-Peace Americans are advocating that Congress support the nuclear agreement because it is the best way to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. The J Street Education Fund has launched TV and print ads in key states, highlighting American and Israeli national security leaders, generals, and scientists who agree: The deal will block Iran from getting a nuclear weapon and make us stronger and safer. J Street is taking senior Israeli military officials across the country to explain why this deal is the best way to neutralize the Iranian nuclear threat. National polls commissioned by J Street have demonstrated strong support
for the agreement among American Jews. It's vital that Members of Congress hear from constituents who have the facts. Get informed at irandealfacts.org. **


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