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02/27/2018 07:58 AM EDT


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

SCOTUS REJECTS REQUEST TO EXPEDITE LEGAL FIGHT OVER DACA -- The Supreme Court is dealing the Trump administration another blow, rejecting the Justice Department's request to speed up the legal fight over Dreamers after multiple courts issued preliminary injunctions requiring the administration to continue accepting DACA renewals. "The high court could still weigh in later, but the move suggests the justices want to allow one or more appeals courts to take up the question before considering it," Josh Gerstein and Ted Hesson report. "The justices' action is a mixed bag for ... Dreamers. It means that as the legal process grinds on in federal courts, people who received work permits and
protection from deportation through DACA will likely be able to keep renewing their participation." More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=0436e37c8c19c6cf17f783e77c842b32e09b96e1388dc7eb5d247636cab3d551febcc62b4caa0b45f19b3315a155624f

CONGRESS' DACA DEADLINE DISAPPEARS -- Thanks to the Supreme Court, President Donald Trump's self-imposed March 5 deadline to end DACA is just another day. "In a Congress that is already at a stalemate over how to balance relief for DACA recipients with tougher border security, the ruling appeared to further dampen prospects for a legislative compromise -- and leave the fate of Dreamers to the courts for months to come," Elana and Heather report. "In recent weeks, lawmakers had been eyeing the March 23 expiration of current government funding as the next opportunity to address Dreamers, possibly through some kind of temporary solution that would allow both sides to claim a modicum of victory
in the monthslong debate."

But a Valentine's Day massacre at a Parkland, Florida, high school shifted the national conversation to gun reform. "[W]ith Trump nudging Congress to act on guns, no immediate immigration pressure on the horizon and lawmakers preparing to pivot to the November midterms, the Supreme Court's decision means congressional action on DACA could be shelved for months -- if not longer," they write. The Supreme Court is unlikely to weigh in on the case until the fall, at the earliest. More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=0436e37c8c19c6cf3e311f9c16ef675a130314f2bb0e114cc5fdb619e0148ad04b98b93c199e37dc4cd83229cc44716f

SENATE OFF TO SLOW START ON GUN REFORM -- A narrow background check bill in the Senate is already running into resistance. "Senate Democrats say the Fix NICS bill" -- which would improve records and information-sharing in the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System -- "falls far short of the action that Capitol Hill should take in an era of increasingly frequent mass shootings," Burgess reports. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called on the chamber to pass a bill implementing universal background checks, legislation the Senate has rejected twice in the past five years. Meanwhile, conservative GOP Sen. Mike Lee on Monday prevented Senate leaders from quickly
calling up the bill.

"It's unclear precisely what Trump wants Congress to do," Burgess adds. "He has spoken of improving background checks, raising the age for buying some rifles to 21 and enacting a ban on bump stocks, which allows semi-automatic weapons to mimic the rate of fire of fully automatic ones. But Republicans are bearish on doing much beyond Fix NICS and enacting a bump stock ban, with that perhaps being done under the president's executive authority." Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas) is confident the House would take up his background checks bill, but House Republican leaders have promised conservatives they wouldn't decouple a controversial concealed-carry measure from the legislation.
Much more: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=0436e37c8c19c6cf468cd7c18efa8dd5e2fefc1051126e2796325fad9ccf0cec3b08ddb90cbfbd0e9253ead645c00a98

GOOD MORNING! Thanks for reading Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Tuesday, Feb. 27.

MONDAY'S MOST CLICKED: Brian Faler's report on the new tax law's glitches was the winner.

THUNE WARNS WHITE HOUSE AGAINST NOMINATING TRUMP PILOT -- Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.) said he has told the White House there are easier battles for the administration to face than a confirmation clash over the possible nomination of John Dunkin, the president's personal pilot, to head the FAA. "I'd prefer that they send somebody up that we can confirm easily," Thune said. "I've conveyed that to them." Other potential nominees include acting FAA Administrator Dan Elwell, former FAA official Bobby Sturgell and Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.). "Dunkin would clearly be the most challenging of the group to confirm given his close ties to Trump and Democrats' opposition to the
president and much of his agenda," Burgess reports. More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=0436e37c8c19c6cf7746bf92e718687fa9355e560ca73b362636f299feb5e2b4f55cc96b1bfc2f3598138a09d36d308e

Related read: "Skepticism reigns about putting Trump's pilot in charge of FAA," by Brianna Gurciullo and Tanya Snyder: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=0436e37c8c19c6cf7a95edd4a1a9d06aaca01f4de59d431049e44c5eafd621feccd76b7889de4c406618d96aa09ced02

TRUMP'S FAVORITE SENATOR -- Similarities between President Donald Trump and Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.) "have endeared the first-term senator to the president, who has helped elevate him into a much more important position in the Republican Party," Joe Perticone and Allan Smith report for Business Insider. Perdue, too, was a business executive who hadn't held public office until his election to the Senate in 2014. He believes Washington is broken and is one of the top golfers on the D.C. circuit. "Perdue, once the consummate Washington outsider, now serves as a crucial bridge between Trump's White House and Republican leadership in the Senate," they write.

"Trump's desire to work with Perdue extends to all hours of the day. The president often calls the Georgia senator to strategize or spitball ideas about policy at strange times such as 5:30 in the morning, 12:30 at night, or even in the middle of the day if the president spots him on television." Perdue said he's "brokering the president's agenda in the Senate." He also said he's been approached to run for governor in 2018 but maintained he's where he's supposed to be right now. More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=0436e37c8c19c6cf212673cf8ddc727f62c2dda983700de94ced2c9ada6a0ec9164c54448fa370bb9729daece77fe776

HOW REPUBLICANS COULD SURVIVE THE MIDTERMS -- With record Republican retirements, dozens of Democratic candidates outraising their GOP opponents and even historical precedent, conventional wisdom says Democrats will retake the House in a wave election. "It's not clear House Republican incumbents recognize how bad it is," Charlie Mahtesian writes. "But here's the surprising thing. As dire as the situation seems for Republicans, the elements of a skin-of-their-teeth escape are coming into focus." Indeed, generic congressional ballots and the president's approval rating have begun ticking upward. "The Republican uptick in the polls could represent a sign that the president and his party are
beginning to get credit for the economy and tax cuts, or it could be simply a dead cat bounce," he adds.

"Either way, if the party can keep the generic ballot deficit under about 9 percentage points and the president's approval ratings can remain in the mid-40s, the GOP is in the range of where it needs to be to have a fighting chance of holding its House majority." However, "the fate of House Republicans will be decided in the places where the party's brand is weakest: in suburban districts Hillary Clinton carried in 2016, or where Trump ran well behind past Republican nominees, or where the new tax bill could hurt more than it helps." Much more: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=0436e37c8c19c6cf7e4b3ea2a884678292e83128af38d3c9e86ff265d8e14f62ef515bafae2fbc9b3142b0ea7856cd43

REPUBLICANS LINE UP TO UNSEAT HUNTER -- Add Republican challengers to Rep. Duncan Hunter's (R-Calif.) list of woes. Republicans are lining up to challenge the beleaguered congressman, who is under FBI investigation for alleged misuse of campaign funds. "Some of his expected foes are formidable," Rachael warns. Conservative El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells is running for Hunter's seat, and Carl DeMaio, a former San Diego City Council member turned radio talk show host, is expected to decide whether to run in the coming days. There's also Shamroze "Shamus" Sayed, a 40-year-old businessman.

"Hunter's challengers could be hobbled by California's so-called jungle primary system, in which the top two candidates from either party proceed to the general election," she adds. "That means a crowded primary would almost certainly help the well-known Hunter, whose father represented the district for decades before him. At the same time, several Democratic challengers have outraised Hunter and enjoy a fundraising edge on the recently declared GOP hopefuls." California's filing deadline is March 9, and the primary is June 5. Some Republicans hope Hunter will drop out, but he has said he plans to fight for his seat. More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=0436e37c8c19c6cfd45f2797a2d736455211683c05d19c2021f85e1a8f9e35b5fdfaf491085cc9caf72db8d82d3956a1

Related: "Republicans fret sexting scandal could cost them easy House seat," from Elena Schneider: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=0436e37c8c19c6cfbec36f12147394155eec8cd2620a8f25e71025901f3021153e9b640aabae224c80f485ec82cd9b27

MCDANIEL EXPECTED TO CHALLENGE WICKER -- Mississippi state Sen. Chris McDaniel is expected to announce a primary challenge against incumbent Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.). "McDaniel, a conservative state senator who waged an unsuccessful 2014 primary bid against longtime GOP Sen. Thad Cochran, has scheduled a rally on Wednesday afternoon in Ellisville, Miss.," Alex Isenstadt reports. "The expected announcement comes ahead of the state's March 1 filing deadline. McDaniel's plans have been the subject of speculation for months. With the 80-year-old Cochran's health in decline, many believed that McDaniel would run for the seat should it become vacant."

McDaniel has been prepping for a comeback bid since his 2014 loss. Wicker, however, has more than $4 million cash on hand. "But those close to the 45-year-old McDaniel insist the low-profile incumbent is beatable in a primary that could be dominated by conservative voters," Alex adds. "McDaniel's possible entry has long worried establishment Republicans, who believe he could lose a general election or damage Wicker in a primary. In 2014, senior Republicans rallied behind Cochran in order to block McDaniel. The prospect of a bloody GOP fight could provide an opening for Democrats." More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=0436e37c8c19c6cffd5d144eaa95874390f3954a2c2294aa94e8b39f4a44d3c5e79e6421a6fb5f580c7b82b82f92ff10

SENATE SERGEANT-AT-ARMS RETIRING -- Frank Larkin, the Senate's sergeant-at-arms and doorkeeper, will retire once his successor is named. "Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who nominated Larkin for the post when the Kentucky Republican became majority leader, made the announcement Monday," Roll Call's Niels Lesniewski reports. In a statement, McConnell (R-Ky.) said he couldn't "thank Frank enough for his work as Sergeant at Arms, his efforts to keep the Senate community safe, and the professional approach he's taken to this critical role."

The sergeant-at-arms "oversees a wide array of Senate offices beyond security functions, including technology infrastructure and logistical support," he writes. "The Senate SAA also serves alongside his House counterpart and the Architect of the Capitol on the Capitol Police Board." Larkin worked in law enforcement before coming to the Senate and is a familiar face on Capitol Hill. "I wish him well in his future endeavors, and will ensure the Senate remains in good hands when a replacement is named," McConnell said. More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=0436e37c8c19c6cf133caa9edc118e71f8291f3295c3ae3e62c1ab296c5e521b959bcd51ce11c18268d5fb37cd3fe813

ARRIVAL LOUNGE -- Julia Friedman has joined the House Ways and Means Committee Democrats' trade staff as a counsel. She previously served as director of innovation and intellectual property at USTR.

TODAY IN CONGRESS -- The House gavels in at 10 a.m. with first votes expected around 1:15 p.m. and last votes expected around 5 p.m. Today's agenda: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=0436e37c8c19c6cfd60828054e24373de130dfeb8ca512eadd4a0a4dd3a70f8f6a07afe0119f0c5fdd1a414bf4d6867b The Senate meets at 10 a.m. to resume consideration of judicial nominee Elizabeth Branch. The chamber will recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. for weekly caucus meetings.

AROUND THE HILL -- Reps. Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-N.J.) and Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) will hold a news conference on gun safety legislation at 9:30 a.m. in the House Triangle.

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) will hold a media availability immediately after the Republican Conference meeting at 10 a.m. in HC-8.

Sens. Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) will hold a pen and pad briefing to discuss the recent bipartisan Senate delegation to Israel, Jordan, Greece and the United Kingdom at 10:30 a.m. in S-316.

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) will hold his weekly pen and pad briefing at 11 a.m. in H-144.

House and Senate Democrats, including Minority Leaders Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) will hold a news conference in support of the Net Neutrality National Day of Action at 11 a.m. in the Senate Swamp.

Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) and others will hold a briefing on black undocumented immigrant communities at 11:30 a.m. 2044 Rayburn.

Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Rep. Mark Walker (R-N.C.) will hold a media availability during the second annual historically black colleges and universities fly-in at 12 p.m. in 1310 Longworth.

Senate Republican and Democratic leaders will hold separate press conferences after their weekly policy lunches starting around 2 p.m. in the Ohio Clock Corridor.

Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) will hold a news conference on Asian American Pacific Islander family reunification at 2 p.m. in the House Triangle.

Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) and others will hold a briefing on promoting accountability in El Salvador at 2 p.m. in 340 Cannon.

Reps. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.), John Rutherford (R-Fla.), Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.) and Harold Rogers (R-Ky.) will hold a news conference to discuss the Student, Teachers and Officers Preventing School Violence Act of 2018 at 3 p.m. in the House Triangle.

Reps. Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), Don Beyer (D-Va.) and Elizabeth Esty (D-Conn.) will hold a news conference with the Giffords Group on the Gun Violence Restraining Order Act at 4 p.m. in the House Triangle.

MONDAY'S TRIVIA WINNER -- Cody Carbone was first to correctly guess that the last bill President Abraham Lincoln signed into law created the Secret Service.

TODAY'S TRIVIA -- Who was the last Democrat to win election to the Senate in Mississippi, and in what year did he win his last election? 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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