| | | | |  | | By Ryan Lizza, Rachael Bade and Eugene Daniels | | Presented by |  | | | With help from Eli Okun, Garrett Ross and Bethany Irvine
| | | |  | DRIVING THE DAY | | | ESCALATION AT COLUMBIA — “Dozens occupy Hamilton Hall as pro-Palestinian protests spread across campus,” Columbia Spectator: “An NYPD spokesperson told Spectator at 2:12 a.m. that officers are outside of campus but are not entering.” IN THEIR OWN WORDS — New this morning from the NYT opinion team: “The Exit Interviews: Twelve departing lawmakers tell us what Congress is really like.”
|  While visiting Riyadh yesterday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken publicly pushed Hamas to accept the latest cease-fire deal, calling it “extraordinarily generous.” | AP | ALL EYES ON CAIRO — The world is waiting this morning on a big decision from Hamas’ leadership. Israel, via negotiators in Cairo, yesterday presented Hamas with a revised cease-fire proposal that includes a prisoner swap and six-week pause in fighting. In Riyadh, where he began a three-country trip through the Middle East, Secretary of State ANTONY BLINKEN publicly pushed Hamas to accept the deal, calling it “extraordinarily generous.” “In this moment, the only thing standing between the people of Gaza and a cease-fire is Hamas,” he said at the World Economic Forum. “They have to decide, and they have to decide quickly.” President JOE BIDEN, meanwhile, has been working the phones over the last two days trying to seal an agreement. He talked to Israeli PM BENJAMIN NETANYAHU on Sunday. On Monday he talked to the two leaders shepherding the negotiations: Qatar’s AMIR SHEIKH TAMIM BIN HAMAD AL-THANI and Egyptian President ABDEL FATTAH AL-SISI. White House readouts said Biden urged them “to exert all efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.” The urgency for the White House is understandable. Biden and his aides see the cease-fire agreement as the first necessary step in a chain of potentially virtuous actions that, in the best case, could remake the Middle East and help him win reelection. — The best-case scenario … Should Hamas accept the deal, Biden administration officials hop, hostages will be returned to Israeli families, Israel will suspend its invasion of Rafah, humanitarian aid will rush into Gaza — all of which then helps unlock a long-delayed U.S.-Saudi-Israel normalization agreement. Meanwhile, back home, the cease-fire defangs the escalating pro-Palestinian protest movement, which is a growing political threat to Biden. — The worst-case scenario … If Hamas rejects this agreement and the negotiations collapse, on the other hand, one can imagine a much darker spiraling of events — starting with Netanyahu feeling more unrestrained about Rafah, creating an even more dire humanitarian catastrophe, a Saudi retreat from normalization talks with Israel, and, in the U.S., an even more explosive protest movement that culminates at the Dems’ Chicago convention. Nobody thinks a cease-fire deal will solve all of Biden’s problems. But it is the necessary first step. Administration officials and foreign diplomats in recent days have sounded awfully bullish about the Saudi normalization deal, which Blinken was working on in Riyadh. “The work that Saudi Arabia and the United States have been doing together in terms of our own agreements, I think, is potentially very close to completion,” Blinken said Monday. As part of that deal, the U.S. would provide a security guarantee for Saudi Arabia and help with a nuclear power program. Blinken noted that the Saudi-Israel piece was more difficult: trading Saudi recognition of Israel in exchange for Israel for a clear path to a Palestinian state. And this is where American politics rears its head again. Haaretz reported last night that Saudi Arabia has already decided on normalization and that the only question is the timing. The stumbling block is the same issue that is making the cease-fire and the larger regional deal so urgent for Biden: the presidential campaign. “The debate in the Saudi government is whether to hand this 'candy' to President [Joe] Biden, who may not be reelected, or wait for the next president, assuming Biden will lose," the Israeli newspaper quoted “a foreign diplomat familiar with the details” as saying. "The Saudis are considering whether an agreement with Israel, assuming its demands are met, will not be seen as aiding Biden's political campaign, which could damage relations with the next president." An alternative view, reported by the NYT this morning, is that the Saudis want to move fast because delay could kill the deal. “Eyeing the political calendar in Washington, the Saudis want to move in the next couple of weeks in hopes of generating bipartisan support in the Senate before the November election, in which former President DONALD J. TRUMP could reclaim his office,” Peter Baker writes. “If Mr. Trump is in the White House, the chances of Democrats in the Senate voting for a deal with Saudi Arabia could vanish, according to officials and analysts.” But Biden officials have been fairly candid in saying that if there’s no cease-fire and Israel plows into Rafah, this is all moot. Biden would be looking at a worsening relationship with Netanyahu, a more tumultuous domestic crisis that Republicans are eager to exploit politically, and one of his great diplomatic goals — Israeli-Saudi rapprochement — slipping through his fingers. Good Tuesday morning. Thanks for reading Playbook. Drop us a line: Rachael Bade, Eugene Daniels, Ryan Lizza.
| | | | A message from the Small Business Payments Alliance: SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS KNOW DURBIN-MARSHALL IS A GIVEAWAY TO MEGA STORES: According to a new survey, a majority of small business owners (64%) believe the Credit Card Competition Act's benefits mega-retailers more than small businesses. Don't let Durbin-Marshall reward mega retailers at the expense of Main Street businesses. Read full survey here: smallbusinesspaymentsalliance.com/electronicpaymentssurvey | | | JUST POSTED — “The Nice Guy,” by NY Mag’s Shawn McCreesh: “Can former CNN pundit JOHN AVLON flip a Long Island congressional seat blue with his West Wing throwback politics?” BACK AT IT — “Trump Faces Possible $10,000 Contempt Fine as Trial Resumes,” by NYT’s Ben Protess and Jonah E. Bromwich: “The judge presiding over the case, JUAN M. MERCHAN, is expected to rule as soon as Tuesday on the prosecution’s request that he hold Mr. Trump in contempt for repeatedly violating a gag order barring the former president from attacking witnesses, prosecutors and jurors. … Also on Tuesday, prosecutors are expected to wrap up their questioning of [banker] GARY FERRO.” NO SHOW — She didn’t even show up. As the House returned last night, there was one conspicuous member who was absent and not voting: MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE. There were, however, a lot of the usual suspects pouring cold water on Georgia Republican’s push to oust Speaker MIKE JOHNSON. Here’s a sampling of the reactions to her motion-to-vacate threats from backers of the last motion to vacate:
- Rep. MATT GAETZ (R-Fla.): “I sure hope not.” (h/t NBC’s Haley Talbot)
- Rep. ELI CRANE (R-Ariz.): “I don't personally think so based on what I'm hearing.” (h/t Talbot)
- Rep. CHIP ROY (R-Texas): “I do not believe that is the direction that the American people want us to take right now.” (h/t Bloomberg’s Billy House)
Meanwhile … NEWT GINGRICH says, “Johnson is doing an excellent job.” They like Mike (more than Marjorie, anyway) … In fresh comments to NYT’s Carl Hulse, House Minority Leader HAKEEM JEFFRIES kept the door open to potentially bailing Johnson out of a jam should Greene in fact proceed with her mutiny: “In an interview, Mr. Jeffries said his comment about coming to Mr. Johnson’s rescue remains only an observation, and that Democrats would likely meet early this week to map their strategy. He said he had no knowledge of Greene’s plans, but added that the fact that she is the one leading the rebellion probably works to Mr. Johnson’s advantage. … ‘Mike Johnson doesn’t need too many Democratic friends,’ Mr. Jeffries said. ‘She is one of the best things the speaker has going for him because so many people find her insufferable.’”
| | | | A message from the Small Business Payments Alliance:   | | | | | WHAT'S HAPPENING TODAY | | On the Hill The Senate will meet at 3 p.m. to resume consideration of a judicial nominee. Education Secretary MIGUEL CARDONA will testify before an Appropriations subcommittee at 10 a.m. The House will meet at 10 a.m. Transportation Secretary PETE BUTTIGIEG and EPA Administrator MICHAEL REGAN will testify before an Appropriations subcommittees at 10 a.m. Defense Secretary LLOYD AUSTIN will testify before the Armed Services Committee at 10 a.m. Treasury Secretary JANET YELLEN will testify before the Ways and Means Committee at 10 a.m. 3 things to watch …
- The Senate returns today ready to start work on a bipartisan/bicameral FAA reauthorization deal. While there’s much-anticipated fury from Washington-area lawmakers vexed by the inclusion of 10 additional flights at Reagan National Airport, the real open question now is what unrelated legislation Senate Majority Leader CHUCK SCHUMER might try to attach to the must-pass bill. As Eleanor Mueller reported yesterday for POLITICO Pros, he wants cannabis banking and crypto “stablecoin” bills hitching a ride.
- Did Rep. BILL POSEY play fast and loose when he suddenly announced his retirement last week? The eight-term Florida Republican said he was stepping down hours after candidate filing closed — and just after a longtime ally, former state Senate President MIKE HARIDOPOLOS, filed to run for his seat. Posey didn’t exactly deny shenanigans were afoot to our Gary Fineout, explaining that “stars aligned during the past week and Mike decided he was ready for Congress.” Unsavory as they might be, WaPo’s Aaron Blake explains there’s a long history of deadline-day maneuverings.
- Later this morning, House Republicans head across C Street for a political meeting at the RNC complex where the main event will be the hallowed “altar call” where members announce their campaign transfers to the NRCC. This is the one time it literally pays to have multiple committee chairs retiring, with would-be successors jockeying for favor with their campaign war chests. To wit, our colleague Olivia Beavers reports that Rep. BRETT GUTHRIE (R-Ky.) will announce a $500,000 transfer today, putting his total north of $1.5 million for the cycle — among the very top in the conference as he seeks the Energy and Commerce gavel.
At the White House Biden will receive the President’s Daily Brief in the morning. In the afternoon, the president will travel to Wilmington, Delaware, where he is scheduled to participate in a campaign event before returning to the White House in the evening. VP KAMALA HARRIS will receive briefings and conduct internal meetings with staff and later will record radio interviews for “The Big Tigger Morning Show” and “DeDe in the Morning.”
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Rep. David Trone's (D-Md.) knows his massive bank account would free up much-needed resources — and he’s using it against his rival Angela Alsobrooks. | Brakkton Booker/POLITICO | ALL POLITICS THE MESS IN MARYLAND — The Senate Democratic primary in the Old Line State has become an uncomfortable trial case of party principles. Democrats are staring down a brutal 2024 Senate map, and Rep. DAVID TRONE’s massive bank account would free up much-needed resources. Trone knows as much — and he’s using it against his rival ANGELA ALSOBROOKS. Party heavyweights are mainly staying out of it. “With the contest two weeks away, Trone is explicitly making his bank account a selling point,” Ally Mutnick writes, “testing whether it’s more important for Democrats to diversify the overwhelmingly white and male Senate — or to have the resources to save their deeply endangered incumbents. … A Trone victory would mean an unbroken string of white senators from a state where nearly one in three residents is Black, and raise questions about the stated values of a party that calls Black women its backbone.” Alsobrooks’ view: “It is good for our country to have a diverse group of people in the Senate of every background, of every gender, of every race, to see themselves in the center so that the policies will be more complete.” Trone’s view: “It’s not how we look, it’s what we get accomplished.”
- FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: After a weekend that saw South Dakota Gov. KRISTI NOEM’s K-9 history come under fire, the West Virginia Senate race is seeing some puppy love. Rep. ALEX MOONEY’s campaign is going up with a new attack ad against Gov. JIM JUSTICE, featuring “‘Not’ Babydog” — a reference to Justice’s beloved bulldog. “If you think Jim Justice is a conservative, you’re barking up the wrong tree,” the voiceover posing as the puppy says. Watch the full 30-second spot
- AARON DIMMOCK is launching a last-minute primary challenge to Rep. MATT GAETZ (R-Fla.), just barely beating the filing deadline to enter the race. Would it surprise you to learn that Dimmock has ties to KEVIN McCARTHY, the former speaker who was ousted with the help of Gaetz? More from Florida Politics.
- Fulton County DA FANI WILLIS is getting called out by her Democratic primary opponent for skipping a local debate this weekend, when she instead attended the White House Correspondents Dinner, Fox News’ Emma Colton reports.
2024 WATCH
|  VP Kamala Harris kick offed of a national economic tour yesterday in Georgia. | Jason Connolly/AFP via Getty Images | HARRIS HITS THE ROAD — VP Harris touched down in Atlanta yesterday to boost a “new effort to energize Black voters in battleground states,” NYT’s Maya King reports, “for the kickoff of a national economic tour that will highlight how the Biden administration says its policies are helping a constituency that will be vital to Democrats’ success in November.” Speaking to a “largely Black crowd of about 400 people,” Harris “laid out ways that she and President Biden have sought to improve Black Americans’ upward mobility and help them realize their business ambitions.” Harris’ “remarks at the official White House-hosted event — drier and less political than her forceful campaign speeches on abortion recently — meandered at times,” King notes, adding that “at other moments Ms. Harris was more pointed, including when she defended diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that conservative lawmakers have pushed to dismantle in state governments and at colleges and universities.” SPOILER ALERT — “Surprise Tactics and Legal Threats: Inside R.F.K. Jr.’s Ballot Access Fight,” by NYT’s Rebecca Davis O’Brien: “The effort has already cost [ROBERT F. KENNEDY’s] campaign hundreds of thousands of dollars, and a supporting super PAC at least $2.4 million more, federal campaign finance records show.” Related read: “RFK Jr.’s fans revel in the publicity he’s getting from Trump’s attacks,” by Lisa Kashinsky and Kelly Garrity in Boston WHEN THE SHOT IS THE CHASER — “Kristi Noem has ‘no shot’ as Trump’s VP pick after puppy-killing controversy: sources,” by NY Post’s Diana Glebova AMERICA AND THE WORLD UP IN ARMS — A group of lawyers both in the U.S. and outside — including at least 20 currently in the Biden administration — are calling on the president to halt military aid to Israel, “arguing that its actions in Gaza do not comply with U.S. and international humanitarian law,” Joseph Gideon reports, marking the “latest sign of dissent inside the administration over its Israel policy.” A similar call is coming from a new assessment by Amnesty International, WaPo’s Missy Ryan reports. “The advocacy group’s findings … were set to be disclosed later Monday as the Biden administration, under mounting scrutiny, faces a looming deadline for determining whether Israel has abided by the laws of war.” PREP WORK — FRANÇOIS-PHILIPPE CHAMPAGNE, Canada’s minister of innovation, science and industry, speaks with Alex Burns for a Q&A about the potential return of Trump to the White House: “In the conversation, Champagne effectively sketched out what a pro-Canada sales pitch for Trump and his advisers might look like — emphasizing the country’s vast resources, ambitions for economic growth and historic affinity for the United States.”
| | | | A message from the Small Business Payments Alliance:   | | | CONGRESS
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Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) have become unexpected allies. | Francis Chung/POLITICO | THE ODD COUPLE — Indicted Sen. BOB MENENDEZ (D-N.J.) is bringing the two chambers — and some unexpected allies — together as he faces down federal bribery and obstruction of justice charges: Sen. JOHN FETTERMAN (D-Pa.) and Rep. ANDY KIM (D-N.J.) have “opposite demeanors, scarce interactions — and drastically different heights,” our colleague Mia McCarthy writes. And yet, their crusade against Menendez has bridged the gap. Said Fetterman: “I don’t know why we’re odd. We’re both Democrats. We both probably assume Menendez is a total sleazeball. And we’ll both be in the Senate. We seem to have a lot together in common.” Said Kim: “I don’t know him very well, but I certainly respect somebody who has that kind of confidence in who they are, their style, their approach. … I hope to be able to get to know him better.” ON THE FLOOR TOMORROW — “Antisemitism bill clears House Rules panel following partisan feud,” by Bianca Quilantan TRUMP CARDS IMMUNITY IDOL — “Why an Immunity Ruling in Trump’s Favor Might Not Alter the Shape of His Trial,” by NYT’s Charlie Savage: “If the Supreme Court rules that Donald J. Trump is immune from being charged with crimes over official actions he took as president, it would be a momentous decision for the future of executive power and American-style democracy. But it is far from certain that such a ruling would derail the election subversion case against him.” REMARKABLE RETRACTION — NYT’s Maggie Haberman and Katie Robertson get the backstory on the retraction from OAN for a false story about an alleged affair between MICHAEL COHEN and adult film actress STORMY DANIELS: Cohen had hired lawyer JUSTIN NELSON, who “had represented Dominion Voting Systems in a suit against Fox News that cost that network $787.5 million to settle. Mr. Nelson worked with Mr. Cohen’s longtime lawyer, DANYA PERRY, in what was a remarkably quick about-face by OAN.” A VERY 2024 HEADLINE — “Michael Cohen is cashing in on the Trump trial with TikTok livestreams — and it could be a problem,” by ABC’s Will Steakin and Olivia Rubin: “[W]hile the undertaking doesn't appear to run afoul of any court order, experts say it hurts the already-blemished credibility of an essential witness in the case.” JUDICIARY SQUARE HISTORIC RULING — “Court says state health-care plans can’t exclude gender-affirming surgery,” by WaPo’s Rachel Weiner: “A federal appellate court in Richmond became the first in the country to rule that state health-care plans must pay for gender-affirming surgeries, a major win for transgender rights amid a nationwide wave of anti-trans activism and legislation.” ON THE DOCKET — “Supreme Court to hear cases on veterans’ benefits, pet food and visas next term,” by WaPo’s Justin Jouvenal THE ECONOMY THE RIPPLE EFFECT — “Inflation Is Stubborn. Is the Federal Budget Deficit Making It Worse?” by Jim Tankersley MONETARY MEGATREND — “A Strong U.S. Dollar Weighs on the World,” by NYT’s Joe Rennison and Karl Russell: “Every major currency in the world has fallen against the U.S. dollar this year, an unusually broad shift with the potential for serious consequences across the global economy.” BEYOND THE BELTWAY TRAGEDY IN N.C. — “Fourth law enforcement officer dies, 4 wounded serving warrant in east Charlotte home,” by the Charlotte Observer’s Jeff Chamer, Mary Ramsey and Ryan Oehrli: “In one of the nation’s most devastating attacks on law enforcement in generations, a suspect fired a high-powered rifle at officers in east Charlotte Monday afternoon, killing four and injuring four others.” POLICY CORNER NOT EVS THIS TIME — “Biden administration to require advanced safety tech on all new cars and trucks,” by NBC’s Rob Wile and Tom Costello
| | | | YOUR GUIDE TO EMPIRE STATE POLITICS: From the newsroom that doesn’t sleep, POLITICO's New York Playbook is the ultimate guide for power players navigating the intricate landscape of Empire State politics. Stay ahead of the curve with the latest and most important stories from Albany, New York City and around the state, with in-depth, original reporting to stay ahead of policy trends and political developments. Subscribe now to keep up with the daily hustle and bustle of NY politics. | | | | | | | PLAYBOOKERS | | Hunter Biden wants Fox News to take down his “intimate” photos. Moore Capito got a big endorsement from Shelley Moore Capito — his mom. George Santos might be fibbing again. FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: BOOK CLUB — PBS NewsHour co-anchor Geoff Bennett has inked a deal with HarperCollins for a book that explores the history of Black comedy in America — from Vaudeville to the golden era of ’90s sitcoms — and its transformative power in driving social change. Bennett is represented by Javelin. MEDIA MOVES — Ramsey Touchberry is now a Senate reporter for the Washington Examiner. He previously was a congressional reporter for The Washington Times. … Claire Cameron is joining Semafor as deputy editor. She previously was deputy editor at The Messenger. FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Helaine Olen is joining the American Economic Liberties Project as managing editor. She most recently has been a reporter in residence at the Omidyar Network and a contributing columnist for MSNBC.com, and is a WaPo alum. TRANSITIONS — Shawna Newsome is joining the Corn Refiners Association as VP of food policy. She previously was an industry consultant for food safety at SAS and is an Agriculture Department alum. … Cait DeBaun is joining American Beverage as VP head of public affairs. She most recently led the American Gaming Association’s strategic comms, marketing and responsibility team. ENGAGED — Brent Scott, press secretary and speechwriter for Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), and Hannah Hardin, senior legislative affairs manager at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, got engaged on Saturday in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. The couple met at Big 12 on the Hill, a student government conference for Big 12 universities in 2018. Pic HAPPY BIRTHDAY: U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres … Reps. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) and William Timmons (R-S.C.) (4-0) … Tina Flournoy … POLITICO’s Luiza Savage and Jama Ayalew … Time’s Brian Bennett … Brooke Sours … Lindsay Walters … Rachel Cohen ... Barry Blitt … Tori Taylor … John Mulligan of Monument Advocacy … GMMB’s Jim Margolis … Taylor (Weeks) Armentrout … Chris Mindnich … DCCC’s Courtney Rice … Jose Aristimuño … Matt Loffman of PBS NewsHour … Robert Shalett … Zach Mendelovici … GM’s Eric Feldman … CBS’ Caitlin Yilek ... Ali Solis ... Michael Herson of American Defense International ... Jonathan Jagoda … Bill Meierling … Joshua A. Levy ... Stone Workman … Vanity Fair’s Joe Hagan … Andrea Woods … former Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx … former Reps. Bill Clay (D-Mo.) (93) and Bob Livingston (R-La.) … New Heights Communications’ Ian Moor … NBC’s Liz Bader … Nimrod Novik … former British Ambassador Kim Darroch (7-0) … Hina Razzaq of Blue Perigon … Nezar Jamal of National Security Action … Tana Bosshard … Jonathan Harsch Did someone forward this email to you? Sign up here. Send Playbookers tips to playbook@politico.com or text us at 202-556-3307. Playbook couldn’t happen without our editor Mike DeBonis, deputy editor Zack Stanton and Playbook Daily Briefing producer Callan Tansill-Suddath. Correction: Yesterday’s Playbook misspelled Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s name.
| | | | A message from the Small Business Payments Alliance: SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS OPPOSE DURBIN-MARSHALL MANDATES: According to a new survey, most small business owners oppose new government regulation for payment networks and have reservations about the Credit Card Competition Act or other forced adoption of processing networks. When asked how much government regulation there should be on payment processing fees, most (83%) small business decision makers say government regulation should stay the same (48%) or decrease (35%). Two-thirds (64%) believe that the Credit Card Competition Act would benefit large retailers more than small businesses and a similar two-thirds (64%) say that forced adoption of new/updated processing networks will place an unfair cost burden on business owners. The survey also found that the existing electronic payments system is critical for small businesses, with most (88%) saying digital transactions are very important and nearly all (99%) placing a high priority on keeping customer payments secure. Learn more: smallbusinesspaymentsalliance.com/electronicpaymentssurvey | | | | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
