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03/06/2019 08:11 AM EDT

By MELANIE ZANONA ([email protected]; @MZanona), MELANIE ZANONA ([email protected]; @MZanona)


UNDER PRESSURE -- House Democratic leaders have hit the pause button on a resolution rejecting anti-Semitism, which was supposed to be a quick response to the latest controversial comments made by Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.). Now, a vote likely won't come until Thursday, while the draft resolution will be retooled to include language condemning anti-Muslim bias. "The sentiment is that it ought to be broad-based," said Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.).

The reason for the delay: Not only did outside progressive groups and prominent liberal allies like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) rush to Omar's defense and criticize leaders, but several key caucus groups also asked for more time to review the resolution. Both the Congressional Black Caucus and progressive members are expected to huddle today on the sensitive issue.

Why Democratic leaders are in a tough spot: Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and her top lieutenants are caught between the outspoken liberal wing of the caucus, where much of the party's energy is, and some of the more senior members, who are deeply uncomfortable with Omar's rhetoric.

Keep an eye on Republicans, who are eager to keep the drama in the spotlight. They have called for more punitive action, such as a censure resolution or having Omar kicked off the Foreign Affairs Committee. The GOP already successfully exploited a procedural tool last month to rebuke Omar for other comments seen as anti-Semitic. "I'm looking at every option," Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) told reporters. Heather, Bres and Sarah with the dispatch: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=83b16ac9e1dd65c41d581193408a3dc77bee541c569ecd1b029cbdae303800ed9dc10bcca7e0ea4474693452a7a10fcf

Related read: "House's Anti-Semitism Resolution Surfaces Generational Fight Over Ilhan Omar," by Sheryl Gay Stolberg of The New York Times: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=a5cca23af21fcfe479971d56a4e9341d7847c7840ab85fdb4bfa4a5bafaacdac3b7b2e9429a59dad939c987dbbc7974b

TAX SEASON -- House Democrats are planning to formally request Trump's tax returns in two weeks, reports Brian Faler, kicking off a long legal battle between Congress and the White House. Progressives were frustrated that the House Ways and Means Committee wasn't moving more quickly on the issue, which is a top priority for the party. But senior members wanted to first build a public case for the effort, which seems to have gotten a kick start after former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen testified in front of Congress last week.

Democrats, however, will only ask for 10 years of the president's tax returns and will not seek his business filings - a tailored approach that they hope is more likely to survive a legal challenge. Among the things that Democrats hope to learn: whether Trump has any financial ties to foreign entities, if he has any conflicts of interest and how the GOP tax law may have personally impacted his finances. Much more: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=a5cca23af21fcfe45666b1c481737dbbdff5e6f088310e54fe5ef34f1fc4f629dee3a0750bc683f94cec7b1b3d7ef709

Related must-read: "The Mueller report no one's talking about," by Darren Samuelsohn and Andrew: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=a5cca23af21fcfe4a4ced2e258d2ad4f3b2d8ae0fa8ccb7dc76671938bbc04f053c2896c7eae574b866d485c1f91a6de

HAPPY WEDNESDAY! Welcome to Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this March 6. In honor of Rep. Don Young (Alaska) officially becoming the longest serving Republican member of Congress in history today, let us all revisit his epic wrecking ball moment during a CNN liveshot in 2015 (sound on).

TUESDAY'S MOST CLICKED: The letter from House Democrats asking DOJ for a criminal investigation into Jared Kushner was by far the winner.

** A message from the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association: We're Clamping Down on Drug Price Hikes. Did you know Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) save patients and health plans $123 per prescription? Learn how PBMs advocate for patients and payers at OnYourRxSide.org.**


SUBPOENA SHOWDOWN, COMING SOON -- Congress and the White House are barrelling toward a subpoena showdown after the Trump administration declined to fork over documents related to Jared Kushner's security clearance. While the administration said it would brief the House Oversight Committee about its process for granting security clearances, White House Counsel Pat Cipollone slammed Democrats for "overly intrusive document requests." Now, Oversight Chairman Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) said he will consult with his Democratic colleagues about their "next steps." Andrew with the latest: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=a5cca23af21fcfe4e30e418cfa5cfec0d332cbdd5e87386f0f8a7f27b1600480d365fa51418372500a22dc9a8c474071

Meanwhile, former Trump campaign adviser Michael Caputo told The Washington Post he would not cooperate with the Judiciary Committee's sweeping request for documents. He also suggested that four other Trump associates have similar concerns that the probe is a "perjury trap" and plan on resisting. More from Rosalind S. Helderman and Rachael Bade: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=a5cca23af21fcfe4f8629ed3b12bb3adbec05c5b14ea7b86089f8a943c2fa725b0622fe756ba1ec1c45ce5cf9956e039

Related: "Trump officials already stonewalling House Democratic requests," via Anita Kumar: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=a5cca23af21fcfe4d9989086b0ef229df40f0361eb54b31a36251aa30204fc8f163c81d7e9f7c4a7dd6f269b20099791

READY TO GO NUCLEAR -- Senate Republicans are ready to pull the trigger on the so-called "nuclear option" so they can overhaul the chamber rules, report Burgess and Marianne. The reason? The GOP wants to speed up the confirmation process for lower court judges, helping the White House deliver on one of its top priorities. Already, Trump has appointed 20 percent of the Circuit Court seats in the country. And if Republicans speed up the process, there could be few, if any, vacancies left to fill for a potential Democratic president in 2021. More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=a5cca23af21fcfe4fc0adf10f8fc8a78c3863d83fc7da678e14cfba8911b2fd85a385e258d8f4fb898f0c235023089d7

Related: "Senate advances Trump nominee who backed lawsuit against Obamacare," from Marianne: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=a5cca23af21fcfe47c1991b139efd9dc8683507261d8c7b3fc6113d35c5c84aef4ecda1e3dab3d7216c95ccf36331bcd

STEYER'S NEXT TARGETS -- Liberal mega donor Tom Steyer has been leading the impeachment charge against Trump. But now, he's going after two of the president's warriors: Reps. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) and Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). Steyer is targeting the pair of conservative ringleaders with a week-long TV ad campaign in their solid red districts, scooped Laura Barrón-López. The ad accuses the lawmakers of trying to "cover up" for the president. Jordan faced backlash earlier this week for tweeting a dollar sign in Steyer's name and suggesting that the billionaire, whose father was Jewish, is trying to use his wealth to fuel an impeachment push. More:
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=a5cca23af21fcfe489af41ca9275a9ed2bdde92562bfc52197fd3371a1536ddd46cfaf69b9d776d34b67af6bb37af77a

SHOCKING NEWS -- Disgraced former Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Ill.) was due in court this morning for a routine status hearing on corruption and campaign finance charges, but ABC 7 Chicago reports that there appears to be a dramatic shift in the case. "An outcome for Schock may be unveiled at the Dirksen federal building," report Chuck Goudie, Barb Markoff, Christine Tressel and Ross Weidner. "According to experts a possible scenario is that the government would reduce some of the 22 felonies to misdemeanors and that other charges would be dropped - offering a way out for Schock, that conceivably could allow him a return to politics." More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=a5cca23af21fcfe469e4713f336a615954321fbc58680c44fe66601185eaa402af741dc28a7d482569b846b3c41699ea

Related: "Payments to corporation owned by Ocasio-Cortez aide come under scrutiny," from Michelle Ye Hee Lee: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=a5cca23af21fcfe42dfe2a44e731a54a351cef4d9d7d52cdaf9cd937ab77ed8f4c4a3b5f50c8dfae30d0296e97a6d7f5

SAY CHEESE! -- House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries has added a cadre of Capitol Hill veterans to his senior leadership roster - and they sure know how to pose for a photo (album dropping soon). The New York Democrat's senior team now includes six people of color, four women and a whole breadth of experience. More on the hires from Heather: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=a5cca23af21fcfe43dc5f3e5e85bf23ab1a462102640943ee788468e23c48d8ef05009312cd143c19b2facc113fd06f4

**Watch LIVE today as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Secretary's Office of Global Women's Issues at the State Department come together for the 9th annual International Women's Day Forum. As part of the day's programming, Anna Palmer co-author of POLITICO's Playbook, will lead a fireside chat with actress, singer, dancer and activist Keke Palmer(no relationship with the Playbook co-author), who has dedicated her life to philanthropy and activism for young girls**
TRANSITIONS
Alex Hutkin is now manager of the Free Oil Markets Campaign at Securing America's Future Energy. He previously was deputy chief of staff and legislative director for Rep. Steve Russell (R-Okla.).

Mimi Strobel has started as legislative assistant for Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.). She previously was an LA for Rep. Susan Brooks (R-Ind.).

Patrick Long, who leads communications for Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), has been hired as a compliance associate for Campaign Financial Services.

Benjamin Fritsch is now a communication specialist in the executive office of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. He previously was communications director for Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.).
TODAY IN CONGRESS
The House gavels in at 10 a.m., with first votes expected around 1:15 p.m. Today's agenda: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=a5cca23af21fcfe4f079b3ade07fe76b8d9f96c9b9380e66e1e02a0b8e01fb9ec45d7ff145c2b3d0a448fca6d199c663 The Senate meets at 10 a.m. to resume consideration of the nomination of Chad Readler to be U.S. circuit judge for the Sixth Circuit. At 4 p.m., the Senate will hold two roll call votes.
AROUND THE HILL
House Financial Services Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) will host a press conference to reintroduce the Consumers First Act at 8:45 a.m. in 2128 Rayburn House Office Building.

Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) and members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus hold a news conference with Dreamers and TPS recipients at 8:30 a.m. on the House Triangle.

The House Democratic Caucus will hold a closed-door meeting at 9 a.m. in HC-5.

The House GOP caucus will meet behind closed doors at 9 a.m. in HVC-215.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) will join protesters with CREDO Action and By the People to push for Trump's impeachment at 9:30 a.m. in 1628 Longworth House Office Building.

House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Vice Chair Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) will hold a weekly press conference at 10:15 a.m. in HC-8.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and GOP leaders hold a stakeout at 10:45 a.m. in HVC Studio A.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) holds a pen and pad briefing with reporters at 11:00 a.m. in H-107.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) hold a press event announcing net neutrality protections legislation at 11:15 a.m. in H-207.

Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) and Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) hold a press conference on the Debt-Free College Act at 12 p.m. in 902 Hart Senate Office building.

Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), along with Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) hold a news conference to speak on the American Family Act 2019 at 2 p.m. in S-211.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) will hold a pen and pad briefing at 2:30 p.m. in S-125.

Sens. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) unveil a package of immigration bills to improve the care and treatment of immigrant children at the southern border at 3 p.m. in CVC 208.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) and GOP Conference Chairwoman Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) hold a press conference on HR 1 at 3 p.m. in the Senate Radio/TV Gallery.

Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.) and members of the New Democratic Coalition hold a news conference on HR 1 and HR 4 at 3:50 p.m. in HVC Studio B.
TRIVIA
TUESDAY'S WINNER -- Allen Klump correctly guessed that JFK was the first Boy Scout to become president, while Gerald Ford was the first Eagle Scout to become president.

TODAY'S QUESTION -- From Allen: There are currently two serving members of Congress who worked as auctioneers prior to being elected. Who are they? And who was the most recent serving United States Senator to work as an auctioneer? First person to correctly guess gets a mention in the next edition of Huddle. Send your best guess my way: [email protected].

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** A message from the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association: The core mission of PBMs is to be the primary advocate for consumers and health plans in the fight to keep prescription drugs accessible and affordable. PBMs negotiate on behalf of consumers, and are able to keep a lid on overall costs for prescription drugs with market-based tools that encourage competition among drugmakers and drugstores, and incentivize consumers to take the most cost-effective and clinically appropriate medication. Learn more at OnYourRxSide.org.**

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