CHC chair Nannette Barragán (D-Calif.) acknowledged that the group had requested border funding to be kept out of the administration’s massive emergency spending pitch. | Getty Images
TICK TOCK: The government will shut down in 17 days if Congress can’t pass a funding patch.
DEMOCRATS’ COMING IMMIGRATION SCHISM
Democrats are clashing anew over border security funding — just as the Biden administration is seeking a new infusion of it as part of a $106 billion Israel-Ukraine aid package.
It’s happening within the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the Hill’s leading voice for Latino lawmakers that includes roughly three dozen House members. CHC chair Rep. Nannette Barragán (D-Calif.) acknowledged that her group had requested border funding to be kept out of the administration’s massive emergency spending pitch.
“That's something that we wish had not happened, and I don't think it should be mixed in with” aid to Israel and Ukraine, she said, predicting that her members would split over the request.
Rep. Chuy García (D-Ill.) further criticized the package’s proposed funding for migrant food and shelter: “It's inadequate. I've made my views known. My hope is that it will be increased.”
The CHC’s split over Biden’s border request comes as the group is already fracturing over the bipartisan immigration package known as the “Dignity Act.” That bill, authored by Reps. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) and Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.), would beef up border security, create a pathway for undocumented people to apply for legal status and address visa backlogs, among other reforms.
It’s not clear that the House GOP would ever bring it to the floor, particularly under Speaker Mike Johnson. But it was designed to show that the ideological middle of both parties still could find common ground on the border – and it’s in trouble, with no members even asking the CHC for an endorsement.
“Members of Congress need to come to us and ask us to support a bill. That has not been done with that bill,” Barragán said.
Why does this matter so much? It’s all about the raging battle over the Biden White House’s mega-aid pitch for Israel and Ukraine, with that border security funding added, not to mention the Nov. 17 shutdown deadline.
House Republicans are signaling that they expect Johnson to link his short-term funding bill to border demands. The Louisianan has said he will seek “certain conditions” to patch federal funding but hasn’t yet identified them.
If Democrats have any hope of outmaneuvering Johnson’s conference, they’ll want to get on the same page about border add-ons that they’d be willing to support. And the CHC’s internal split on the matter makes that even more difficult.
The speaker’s view: A Johnson spokesperson declined to comment about linking border and federal funding. But two GOP lawmakers speaking on condition of anonymity told us Johnson wants to tie them together. He also made the point privately during the speaker’s race, a Republican aide familiar with the discussion told POLITICO.
The Senate’s view: Members from both parties are still figuring out how to handle the administration’s request of roughly $24 billion for border security and migrant aid.
Democrats like Majority Whip Dick Durbin (Ill.) want to direct money into the asylum system. Republicans want to staff up border patrol and border security, arguing that policy changes should be included in an emergency spending package. (We would note that Senate Republicans want to see this happen as part of any feasible vehicle, which differs from Johnson’s specific interest in linking the border to government funding.)
The important part: No concrete package from either side has formed. But two Republican senators, Lindsey Graham (S.C.) and Shelley Moore Capito (W.Va.), said they are close to agreement on their side on a border proposal.
“It’s going to be very hard to get a package through the Senate that doesn't have border [provisions] on it,” Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) told reporters Tuesday.
Which leaves House Democrats… still trying to agree on exactly what kind of border funding they’d accept. And also trying to resolve the closed-door disagreements that have seeped into the open as some Hispanic Caucus members criticize parts of the Escobar-Salazar bipartisan immigration package.
CHC members’ beef is centered on its provisions on farmworker visas and asylum seekers, as well as its funding for border barriers.
Rep. Norma Torres (D-Calif.) told Huddle in an interview that “just because the worst of the worst that is in Congress is supporting a bill is not an excuse to get behind bad legislation.”
Other Latino Democrats are openly warning that while GOP control of the House clouds the prospects for passing any immigration legislation, the bigger risk may come on the 2024 campaign trail from Republicans seeking to weaponize the border.
House Republicans “want to make immigration, the border and migrants an issue for the campaign,” Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) said. “And so it's not going to go anywhere, or it could become even worse.”
— Nicholas Wu and Daniella Diaz, with assists from Burgess Everett and Jordain Carney
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GOOD EVENING! Welcome to Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Tuesday, Oct. 31 where we wish you a spooky Happy Halloween!
MENENDEZ THROWS STONE FROM GLASS HOUSE
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) continues to face a lengthy alleged rap sheet — but he’s not staying quiet. Asked on Tuesday about a New Jersey Globe report of a possible imminent Senate campaign launch from Tammy Murphy, Gov. Phil Murphy’s (D-N.J) wife, Menendez took a vague swipe at his potential Democratic rival.
“We’ll see if she gets in,” Menendez said. "She'll have to deal with a lot of baggage.”
POLITICO tried to follow up with Menendez about what “baggage” he was referring to, but the senator did not stop to talk. A political side spokesperson for Menendez did not respond to an inquiry about what “baggage” was being referenced.
Vibe check: The frenzy around Menendez has mostly died down on the Hill since his indictment. And with that, he’s largely avoided further scrutiny.
While he skipped out on one intelligence briefing and gave up his Foreign Relations chairmanship, he still holds his seats on committees and most Democratic senators haven’t done much to dissuade him from seeking reelection.
What’s more, Menendez continues to maintain his innocence. But just as he isn’t backing down, his chief critic isn’t either.
Menendez “needs to go,” said Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), who has led the push to expel him. “We have the power to strip him of all his committees.”
Fetterman also argued that scandal-plagued Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) is getting a harsher treatment than his own Democratic colleague. Santos is up for an expulsion vote in the House this week. Expulsion for Menendez in the Senate, meanwhile, remains an unlikely prospect.
“Santos is bizarre,” Fetterman said. “I bet you it's gonna be a movie made about how it's so funny. But this isn't funny. There isn't anything funny about the Menendez story.”
Speaking of Santos: The House Ethics Committee disclosed Tuesday it was still reviewing the allegations against the New York Republican and had contacted about 40 witnesses, gone through over 170,000 pages of documents, and issued 37 subpoenas.
The investigation had taken up a “significant” amount of committee resources, it said. Any next steps will be announced before Nov. 17, according to the panel.
— Ursula Perano, with assist from Nicholas Wu
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PHOTOS OF THE DAY
Our corres-paw-dent Ursula volunteered to cover the Bipawtisan Howl-o-ween Dog Pawrade that was organized on Tuesday by Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C), who wasn’t able to attend because he has Covid.
Instead, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) hosted the parade and had Tillis FaceTime into the party.
Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) leads the Bipawtisan Howl-o-ween Dog Pawrade and FaceTimes with Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C), who can't host because he has Covid-19. | Ursula Perano/POLITICO
Our personal favorite pup was the one dressed as the Chinese Spy Balloon.
A dog dressed as a spy balloon participates in the Bipawtisan Howl-o-ween Dog Pawrade in Hart hosted by Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.). | Ursula Perano/POLITICO
We also loved this dog dressed as The Magic Omnibus.
Another dog dressed as The Magic Omnibus. Spooky! | Anthony Adragna/POLITICO
The turnout for the third annual Hart Halloween, hosted by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), where Hill denizens and their kids trick-or-treated starting at 4 p.m., was a success.
PLAYBOOK IS GOING GLOBAL! We’re excited to introduce Global Playbook, POLITICO’s premier newsletter that brings you inside the most important conversations at the most influential events in the world. From the buzzy echoes emanating from the snowy peaks at the WEF in Davos to the discussions and personalities at Milken Global in Beverly Hills, to the heart of diplomacy at UNGA in New York City – author Suzanne Lynch brings it all to your fingertips. Experience the elite. Witness the influential. And never miss a global beat. BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION. SUBSCRIBE NOW.
TRANSITIONS
Marvin Figueroa is now chief of staff for Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.). He previously was director of the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs at HHS, and is a Ralph Northam and Mark Warner alum.
Holt Edwards is now an assistant VP for government affairs at the Association of American Railroads. He most recently worked for Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), and is an EPA and Bob Corker alum
Nicole Harrison is joining the American Petroleum Institute as a policy adviser in the midstream department. She previously was a policy adviser for the Congressional Western Caucus.
Jenn Miller is now a legislative assistant for Rep. Lois Frankel (D-Fla.). She previously was a legislative assistant for Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and is an Israel Policy Forum alum.
Zaki Thabet has been promoted to scheduler for Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.). He previously was the Legislative Correspondent for the office.
Robby Burke is now the communications director for Rep. Jay Obernolte. He was formerly Deputy Press Secretary for Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
James Mann is now legislative director for Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.). He most recently was the minority staff director and chief counsel for the Subcommittee on Government Operations and Border Management of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
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TOMORROW IN CONGRESS
The House convenes at noon.
The Senate convenes at 10 a.m.
WEDNESDAY AROUND THE HILL
Nothing yet.
TRIVIA
MONDAY’S ANSWER: Max Seifert correctly answered that the Philadelphia Eagles were the football team, formerly the Frankford Yellow Jackets, that derived their new name from the logo of a New Deal program.
TODAY’S QUESTION from Max: Often credited as a father of “Sewer Socialism,” this person was twice denied a seat in the House of Representatives after winning elections by Congress, but later served for three terms after his conviction under the Espionage Act was overturned by the Supreme Court, who is it?
The first person to correctly guess gets a mention in the next edition of Huddle. Send your answers to huddletrivia@politico.com.
