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02/14/2018 08:00 AM EDT


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

IMMIGRATION WEEK -- The Senate's immigration debate is almost over already -- not because lawmakers are close on a proposal that could gain 60 votes but because Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has limited the debate to just this week. The debate stalled Tuesday as leaders clashed over how to begin. "McConnell twice attempted to set up floor votes on a sanctuary cities amendment from Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and a competing proposal chosen by Democrats," Burgess and Elana report. Democrats, however, objected because the measure addressed neither Dreamers soon to be at risk of deportation nor border security.

Several GOP senators thought the immigration debate would span multiple weeks, but McConnell said "we need to wrap up this week." "Whether senators can stick to that schedule remains an open question," Sheryl Gay Stolberg reports for The New York Times. "The chamber is scheduled to be in recess next week, but some lawmakers are urging that the immigration debate be continued after the recess if no resolution is reached by Friday." More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=da199d7133e2c6e987bd1e77d437065f61448e43ed5643fbbd1c2f2dd8bfd7e19ea32eace7d20de0579b4b7d49ef64c6

Two GOP amendments are expected to be ready imminently: the legislative version of President Donald Trump's immigration framework and Sen. Jeff Flake's (R-Ariz.) compromise plan. Flake also plans to introduce a fallback amendment enshrining DACA protections for three years in exchange for increased border security. Democrats are discussing whether to introduce a partisan bill, and several bipartisan plans are under discussion. "Once senators in both parties produce some amendments, McConnell is prepared to hold alternating votes between Democratic and Republican immigration amendments," Burgess and Elana note, citing a Republican senator. "That senator predicted none will get 60 votes in
the current political environment." More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=da199d7133e2c6e9d90a62228f6befd260432b6733777c5453d9cb3afe8f0762dd04109c9eb4c4a2c753078c1d53773f

Related: "Dems edge toward unity on an immigration plan," via Elana and Heather: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=da199d7133e2c6e99f94c0097ad271e6d494669af6482d16eb4d3ca8e24621702d4324e88ba1dff9d7d8866f255939d3

DACA DEBATE DESTINED FOR FAILURE? -- The president has offered Democrats a pathway to citizenship for up to 1.8 million undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children in exchange for $25 billion for a border wall and security and cuts to family-based and legal immigration. A senior Democratic aide said there's no way Democrats will help that proposal get to 60 votes without major changes. But the proposal appears to be all Trump is prepared to offer.

"The standoff means the Senate's immigration debate is likely destined for failure absent a course correction from Trump, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) or Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)," Burgess reports. "Such a result would be a major blow to Dreamers facing the threat of deportation as well as the institution, where dozens of senators in both parties are searching for a bipartisan solution." Republicans believe if the Senate fails to reach a legislative solution this week, Democrats will shoulder the blame. More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=da199d7133e2c6e99dc794512ff4ca4b70c977ec22d978ec4612d1f83bf2a4f94f2051a03d5a2ade704f54787abeede9

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! Thanks for reading Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Wednesday, Feb. 14.

TUESDAY'S MOST CLICKED: The latest from Bres, Jake Sherman and Rachael on Rep. Mike Turner's (R-Ohio) ugly divorce was the winner.

#CUPIDONTHEHILL -- Quorum is playing Cupid today on Capitol Hill. The organization is having its second annual Bipartisan Valentine campaign, using its database of legislative information to highlight who each lawmaker shares the most co-sponsorships with across the aisle. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) has five of the 10 strongest Bipartisan Valentine matches. "Not only does Senator Collins share the most cosponsorships with 28 different Democrats in the Senate, but of her bipartisan matches five rank as the top 10 strongest in the chamber," Quorum says. Lawmakers' offices plan to tweet photos of their matches with the hashtag #CupidOnTheHill. More from Quorum:
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=da199d7133e2c6e9681fd1ba601acabe1b492c9f48ba299394467d18cd0c8feabb926f8193565127b31f05befe060650

In the same bipartisan spirit, members of the Honor & Civility, Problem Solvers and National Prayer Breakfast caucuses had a "unity dinner" at Mount Vernon last night. A GOP aide said the event was modeled after the unity dinners House GOP Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) hosts in her district and included a bipartisan group of more than 30 members, who participated in a discussion on civility.

FBI DIRECTOR'S TESTIMONY CONTRADICTS WHITE HOUSE -- FBI Director Chris Wray told the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday that the bureau had completed its background investigation of former White House staff secretary Rob Porter last year. Wray said the FBI submitted a partial report on Porter in March, completed its background check in July, finished a requested follow-up in November and closed the file in January. "Mr. Wray's timeline differed from the sequence of events offered by White House officials, who said repeatedly in recent days that the FBI investigation into Mr. Porter was 'ongoing,'" The Wall Street Journal reports.

"Mr. Porter served in the White House for more than a year with a temporary security clearance, despite accusations from two former wives that he had been physically abusive. Mr. Porter has denied the accusations, and the White House has explained the decision to keep him by saying that his background check was ongoing." The White House changed its story Tuesday, with press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders blaming an internal White House office on Porter's continued employment instead of the FBI. It was the second time in as many months that the White House has been at odds with the FBI.

Despite questions over the White House's handling of the saga, chief of staff John Kelly told the Journal, "It was all done right." Porter was among dozens of top officials who held interim security clearances more than a year into the administration, something former FBI officials say is unusual. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats told the Senate panel that officials with an interim clearance should have limited access to sensitive information and called the current process "broken." More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=da199d7133e2c6e9d8ce13f6c36c8081d147b69d5bb62cf69cadae286fc799826be8b4b2f61e49877237fbe8d11c8f45

Related reads: "White House reels as FBI director contradicts official claims about alleged abuser," from The Washington Post: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=da199d7133e2c6e9008dfacba61eede1289bfdaddd134afb6d0be4902cb455920571f1cd1d75458a75bfcbfadf7bb3d7 "Porter blamed ex-wife's black eye on an accident in off-the-record meeting with reporters," by Eliana Johnson: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=da199d7133e2c6e98c7402d16d5f87bbaa40d25bb442a7be4916dea4a2a130c0222567e4e3574e906f070c76ddeb0dbe "White House imposed a ban on new interim security clearances last fall," via Andrew Restuccia and Emily Stephenson: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=da199d7133e2c6e97fd803ef8bb181f097dd8909dfb265a0d719b4123a9dc22373a617a7187f1bc72f4cd6b262474863 and "Russia Sees Midterm Elections as Chance to Sow Fresh Discord, Intelligence Chiefs Warn," from The New York Times:
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=da199d7133e2c6e9e2199311e62b6354cfe1239feeb843caf7348301c72e10d1dc7d4e81580adf585f612a31713d7d67

TRUMP TO HOLD FUNDRAISER FOR SACCONE NEXT WEEK -- President Donald Trump will fundraise for special congressional election candidate Rick Saccone on the same day he holds a campaign-style rally in Pennsylvania next Wednesday. Saccone is expected to attend the Ambridge rally. "Trump's visit is the latest in a series of steps the White House is taking to boost Saccone, a state representative, ahead of the March 13 special election," Alex Isenstadt reports. Trump appeared with Saccone last month, and Vice President Mike Pence went after Democratic candidate Conor Lamb at a rally earlier this month and held a fundraiser for Saccone that netted around $250,000. More:
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=da199d7133e2c6e9ae60dd2d122b878bff755258993e5354f66fd15ba5cbc7d3633151a46a3fe87039db0876a423c49d

While Trump plans to play an active role in the 2018 midterms, Democrats seeking to embrace the #MeToo movement don't want former President Bill Clinton anywhere near the campaigns or candidates, Edward-Isaac Dovere reports this morning: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=da199d7133e2c6e92e7833ba51c9dcfd6fcfba661ca87cf3057c609ea408250184977b505b50043056d76c48114da2ec

Related: "Alan Grayson says he's running for Congress, but won't say where," by Matt Dixon and Marc Caputo: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=da199d7133e2c6e99719c7f508841a4c1d8a40a61e00c98aeb67af0f511330f6b910051831fe08c757566c0ed68212f5

DUCKWORTH PLANS PAID LEAVE -- Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) is expecting her second child this spring, when she will become the first sitting senator to give birth. Duckworth plans to take 12 weeks of paid leave and is working with party leaders to figure out how she can vote while she's out. "I can't technically take maternity leave," she says on the latest Women Rule podcast, because she wouldn't be able to sponsor legislation or vote during that time in the already narrowly divided Senate. More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=da199d7133e2c6e99717a9e8a507d8e29a5a09915dbf69dcc9aa3e2e5b247a5f85be37512f3fe1f53300ba3877423bae

CORKER'S FIRST REELECTION CHALLENGE: WINNING OVER TRUMP -- The president offered Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) encouragement in a phone call last week. The Senate candidate is the current favorite to win the GOP primary. Incumbent Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), however, is reconsidering his decision to retire. He met with Ivanka Trump on Monday. "If Mr. Trump does not change course, his silence could effectively doom any hopes Mr. Corker has for seeking a third term," Jonathan Martin reports for The New York Times. "The president is highly popular among Tennessee Republicans and may be the only person who could reverse Mr. Corker's standing with primary voters." More:
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=da199d7133e2c6e908fe298ab6483a704076ed2c7e0c2e0d39522f03e8b4bcfd74f5376999b75ab3a24cc27fd095537b

Rep. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) could similarly run for the Senate, despite announcing in January that he wouldn't challenge Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) this year. Cramer has since signaled to confidants that he's changed his mind. Two candidates were running in the GOP primary. Former Cramer campaign manager Gary Emineth dropped out Tuesday because he expects Cramer to run. And some Republicans want Tom Campbell, the other candidate, to run for Cramer's House seat. NBC News' Jonathan Allen with more: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=da199d7133e2c6e97dd9d9db8b741370323d7a07f7c0708fe3cd08be2aa09d2405e2e5eed006b67f86fdc39ab12e0f26

FAKE-NEWS SITES HELPING GOP CANDIDATES -- Arizona Senate candidate Kelli Ward once touted an endorsement from the Arizona Monitor, "an anonymous, pro-Ward blog that has referred to her primary opponent Martha McSally as 'Shifty McSally,' frequently blasted [Arizona Sen. Jeff] Flake and, at the top of its home page, proclaims its mission as 'Striking Fear into the Heart of the Establishment,'" Jason Schwartz and Shawn Musgrave report. The Monitor "seems to be part of a growing trend of conservative political-messaging sites with names that mimic those of mainstream news organizations and whose favored candidates then tout their stories and endorsements as if they were from independent
journalists." More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=da199d7133e2c6e9a2cad79a5ccfdbd7b62f4778446b46ff6d6ce8a748944f875b2602657362c27302ab9a0a3d12300d

DEMS IN DARK ON THEIR RUSSIA MEMO -- Democrats still don't know when they'll be able to publicly release their countermemo rebutting Republicans' assertions that the FBI misled a federal judge to spy on a Trump campaign adviser. Trump blocked its release last week, tweeting that the document needed to be "heavily redacted" and should be resubmitted "in proper form." Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) told reporters he was working with the FBI to determine what should be redacted. But Democrats don't plan to revise the memo beyond recommended redactions from the intelligence community, Schiff said. "The continued wrangling over the Democratic memo raises the prospect that it could take weeks to
resolve, possibly stretching into early March," Kyle reports. More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=da199d7133e2c6e946ee2050d88eff66799bc5afeab0aebd8fbd396a6035c2f535e7debcb18cee48abbb3c438efe928c

SPOTTED last night at Morton's (at Connecticut and L) smoking a cigar on the patio: Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.). (POLITICO reported earlier Tuesday that multimillionaire pharmaceutical executive Bob Hugin launched his GOP Senate campaign against Menendez.)

ARRIVAL LOUNGE -- Angelica Annino has been named scheduling director for Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.). She previously served as interim scheduling director for Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) after eight years in the Obama administration.

TODAY IN CONGRESS -- The House gavels in at 10 a.m. with first votes expected around 1:30 p.m. and last votes expected around 4:45 p.m. Today's agenda: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=da199d7133e2c6e923f174257d3826211e73b464dbdce9c6c73be02cb45e6a3b1d015abdd0ee28f06545a4d416868450 The Senate meets at 10 a.m. The chamber will vote on a motion to proceed to the intended vehicle for immigration legislation.

AROUND THE HILL -- Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) will join top Alzheimer's and dementia researchers to discuss updated dementia care guidelines and how they will improve quality of care and quality of life beginning at 8 a.m. in 325 Russell.

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) will hold a media availability immediately after the Republican Conference meeting at 10 a.m. in HVC-Studio A.

House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.) and Vice Chairwoman Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) will hold a media availability at 11 a.m. in HVC-Studio A.

Reps. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), Scott Perry (R-Pa.), James Comer (R-Ky.) and Heritage Foundation senior communications adviser Genevieve Wood will discuss issues of the day and field questions from the media at 11 a.m. in 2247 Rayburn.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Reps. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), Robert Brady (D-Pa.), Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), Cedric Richmond (D-La.) and others will hold a news conference on the Congressional Task Force on Election Security's final report on recommendations for the federal government and states to secure the nation's elections at 11:45 a.m. in HVC-Studio A.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) will hold a news conference with conservation groups on protecting America's pollinator at 12 p.m. in the House Triangle.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Reps. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), John Yarmuth (D-Ky.), Gwen Moore (D-Wis.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and a broad coalition of anti-poverty, labor, civil rights, faith and progressive leaders will hold a "Hands Off" press conference to denounce proposed cuts to programs in President Donald Trump's budget at 12:30 p.m. on the lawn behind the east front steps of the Capitol.

Sens. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Cedric Richmond (D-La.) and Reps. James Clyburn (D-S.C.), Mia Love (R-Utah) and others will hold a ceremony honoring the bicentennial of the birth of Frederick Douglass at 5:30 p.m. in Emancipation Hall.

TUESDAY'S TRIVIA WINNER -- Brian Hardzinski was first to correctly guess that Massachusetts has had the most House speakers with eight. The last speaker from the state was Tip O'Neill.

TODAY'S TRIVIA -- Brian with today's question: This man ascended to the highest political office of any Oklahoman in history but had a very diminutive nickname. Who was he, what was the office and what was the nickname? 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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