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Tomorrow’s conversation, tonight. Know where the news is going next. | | | | |  | | By Gavin Bade | |  House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) speaks during a media availability at the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 26, 2023. | Francis Chung/POLITICO | ‘SMART HAWKISH’ — Much of the drama swirling around Speaker Mike Johnson’s surprise election to lead the House has focused on domestic policy — his socially conservative positions on gay marriage, abortion and the like. How the fourth-term Louisiana Republican looks at the rest of the world — particularly America’s economic rival China — has been more of an open question. Johnson’s sudden ascension has meant he hasn’t had a chance to define his foreign policy or trade priorities. “Things are a bit hectic right now,” his press secretary told POLITICO when asked late this week. But many China hawks on the Hill say they expect little to change — at least in the short term — from the days of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. “My sense is that he is in the ‘smart hawkish’ position on China,” said Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wisc.), chairman of the House Select Committee on China, who served with Johnson on the House Armed Services Committee. “I think he would be enthusiastic about a lot of the things we’re doing, but I have not yet had a chance to sit down with him.” That sentiment was echoed by trade and foreign policy lawmakers across the Hill this week. And it’s a fitting outcome for Washington, where the parties fight the culture wars bitterly, but China serves as a rare source of bipartisan consensus and goodwill. Nothing unites like an enemy. “The work of the [China Select] committee has been data-driven, not politics-driven. It’s been very bipartisan. That’s where Mike’s heart is as well,” said South Dakota GOP Rep. Dusty Johnson, another member of the China committee. What little record Johnson does have on China reveals a fairly orthodox Republican policy agenda — at least in the age of Trump — as well some remarkable alignment with the Biden administration. In 2020, he co-wrote a national security report with a section on China trade issues as head of the conservative Republican Study Committee. That document advocated tougher sanctions on companies and individuals affiliated with the Chinese military, as well as the pursuit of bilateral trade deals with like-minded nations. And he has advocated expanding trade with Indo-Pacific nations such as Taiwan, Indonesia, Mongolia and others in an effort to counter China in a “Conservative Playbook.” Johnson has also introduced at least two bills focused on China: one that would prevent former members of Congress from lobbying for communist entities, and another that would prevent foreign governments from funding litigation in U.S. courts. And he supported the U.S.-Mexico-Canada deal, the rewrite of NAFTA signed by former President Donald Trump that received broad bipartisan support and the Biden administration now refers to as a “model.” Many of those positions would have seemed aggressive and leading-edge for Republican hawks back in 2020, coming after President Trump’s reset of relations with Beijing. But now they look remarkably commonplace as the two countries become more estranged. In his own way, Biden has embraced many of those planks in his own trade platform, as he tries to deepen trade ties with Indo-Pacific nations and cracks down on Beijing’s tech sectors. There are, of course, some places Johnson differs from both Biden and Trump. The current president has assiduously avoided new bilateral trade negotiations that Johnson endorses. And the new Speaker is also less enthusiastic about the use of tariffs than Trump, who wielded them widely as president and is now advocating for a 10 percent across-the-board tariff for all imports on the campaign trail. While presenting the RSC report to members in 2020, Johnson advocated for “targeted measures” to respond to Beijing, “rather than broad-based tariffs that may end up hurting the U.S. economy.” But those gripes with Biden and Trump are common on Capitol Hill, and demonstrate more alignment with his congressional colleagues than a divide. That’s left China hawks on the Hill optimistic that their subject could be one that breaks through the partisan deadlock that has so many other issues in Congress frozen. Asked if the chances of moving China-related trade legislation improved with Johnson as speaker, the head of the Ways and Means trade subcommittee, Nebraska GOP Rep. Adrian Smith, said “I think they went up.” Welcome to POLITICO Nightly. Reach out with news, tips and ideas at nightly@politico.com. Or contact tonight’s author at gbade@politico.com or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @GavinBade.
| | | | GO INSIDE THE MILKEN INSTITUTE FUTURE OF HEALTH SUMMIT: POLITICO is proud to partner with the Milken Institute to feature a special edition of our Future Pulse newsletter at the 2023 Milken Institute Future of Health Summit from November 6-8. The newsletter takes readers inside one of the most influential gatherings of global health industry leaders and innovators solving the biggest public health issues to ensure a healthier, more resilient future for all. SUBSCRIBE TODAY TO RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE. | | | | | | | | | — General Motors and Stellantis close in on deal with UAW: General Motors and Stellantis are closing in on deals with the United Auto Workers after late-night, marathon discussions with executives, according to three people familiar with the negotiations. How quickly a deal might come together is uncertain, however, and the people said there was still more movement needed. And in high-stakes contract negotiations, things can quickly devolve. But the people close to the talks — who were granted anonymity to speak about ongoing negotiations — expressed optimism. GM CEO Mary Barra in particular talked with union officials until late Thursday, said one of the people. The development comes days after the union reached a tentative labor agreement with Ford, a major breakthrough that signaled the six-week strike could be nearing a close. — Santos pleads not guilty to new fraud charges: A solemn Rep. George Santos pleaded not guilty today on Long Island to various new federal fraud charges as his colleagues in Washington are eager to oust him. Judge Joanna Seybert set his trial date for Sept. 9 though prosecutors had sought a May or June start. Santos, wearing a dark suit, barely spoke in court and left without speaking to reporters. He was welcomed by about two dozen protestors; he waved to them and blew them a kiss. The September trial date comes after the June primaries for his seat, and Santos has said he intends to run for re-election. — Daughter Ivanka Trump must testify at Donald Trump’s civil fraud trial, New York judge rules: Ivanka Trump must take the witness stand in the civil fraud case against her father, her brothers and their family business, Judge Arthur Engoron ruled today. The ruling came weeks into the trial of New York Attorney General Tish James’ lawsuit against former President Donald Trump, sons Don Jr. and Eric, the Trump Organization and some executives. After Ivanka Trump was dismissed as a defendant four months ago, defense attorneys and her lawyer contended that she shouldn’t have to testify, noting that she moved out of New York and left her Trump Organization job in 2017. The state’s lawyers argued that the former Trump Organization executive vice president has relevant information. Engoron sided with the state, citing documents showing that Ivanka Trump continued to have ties to some businesses in New York and still owns Manhattan apartments.
| | GOP SUMMIT — The GOP presidential candidates will compete for donors and offer their strong support for Israel in its war with Hamas as they address the annual gathering of a major Republican Jewish group this weekend, writes the Associated Press. The Republican Jewish Coalition’s gathering in Las Vegas has for years been a key stop for GOP candidates as they seek not only to court Jewish voters but also to present themselves as stalwart allies of Israel, a key priority for many in the party’s base, particularly Christian evangelicals. This year’s summit, which kicked off today, comes with Israel in crisis after the Oct. 7 attack from Gaza by Hamas. The conflict has threatened to spread across the region and has roiled tensions over the war in the U.S., particularly on college campuses. In the wake of the attack, the Republican National Committee announced that the Republican Jewish Coalition will be co-sponsoring the third GOP presidential debate, scheduled for Nov. 8 in Miami. DEAN WHO? — Dean Phillips is convinced he can win the New Hampshire primary, writes the Messenger. Voters in the Granite State aren’t sure who he is. “Hey, which one is Dean?” a New Hampshire man asked as he strolled by Phillips’ announcement speech today, where around a dozen actual voters gathered, flanked by just as many camera-strapped members of the media and a healthy group of Phillips family and friends. The scenes across New Hampshire underscored the Herculean task Phillips is facing as he looks to unseat President Joe Biden. He is unknown nationally, is jumping into a race mere months before voters head to the polls, and is facing an incumbent president with substantial Democratic support and a sizable campaign war chest.
| | |  Flares fired by the Israeli army light up the sky east of Khan Yunis on the southern Gaza Strip today. The Israeli army this evening carried out bombings of "unprecedented" intensity since the start of the war in the north of the Gaza Strip, particularly in Gaza City. | Said Khatib/AFP via Getty Images | ‘OPERATION EXPANDING’ — Israel’s military operations against Hamas militants in Gaza are “expanding” ahead of an expected ground invasion, according to Israel Defense Forces officials, reports Alex Ward. “The operation is expanding,” IDF spokesperson Maj. Nir Dinar told POLITICO. Asked if that meant an increase of ground troops in Gaza, Dinar added “there were ground troops in Gaza yesterday.” He wouldn’t elaborate further. Those remarks followed an announcement today by IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, who said “in addition to the attacks that we carried out in recent days, ground forces are expanding their activity this evening.” Palestinian telecom providers say the internet is down in Gaza following an uptick in bombardments by Israel, leading some to speculate that Israel is preparing the battlefield for a larger operation against Hamas militants in the enclave it runs. PRECISION STRIKES — U.S. airstrikes on Iran-backed militant groups in Syria on Thursday night may have felt familiar, but they come amid a far more volatile situation in the Middle East, write Alex Ward and Lara Seligman. Back in March, Iran-backed militant groups used drones and missiles to strike a base housing U.S. troops in the Middle East. A U.S. contractor died and American troops suffered brain injuries. The U.S. responded by bombing warehouses and other logistical hubs. This time around, the militant attacks were larger in scope, and the Israel-Hamas conflict threatens to cause more turmoil in the region. So this week’s U.S. airstrikes were carefully calibrated to keep the regional situation from getting even worse. The operation against two facilities used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including an ammunition storage area, came after American forces suffered 19 drone and rocket attacks in Syria and Iraq this month. They led to the injuries of 21 service members, 19 of whom were diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin blamed Tehran for the assaults. “These Iranian-backed attacks against U.S. forces are unacceptable and must stop,” he said in a statement on the retaliatory strikes. He asserted that the response was “separate and distinct from the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas” and did not constitute “a shift in our approach” to that fight. But three senior U.S. officials, granted anonymity to discuss sensitive internal deliberations, said that while the main goal was to ward off further Iranian-supported attacks on Americans, another was to make sure the broader Middle East conflict didn’t grow. The U.S. this month has rushed several ships, fighter planes and air defenses to the region to protect American forces and make adversaries think twice before attacking again.
| | | | JOIN 10/25 FOR A TALK ON THE FUTURE OF GRID RELIABILITY: The EPA’s proposed standards for coal and new natural gas fired power plants have implications for the future of the electric grid. These rules may lead to changes in the power generation mix—shifting to more renewable sources in favor of fossil-fuel plants. Join POLITICO on Oct. 25 for a deep-dive conversation on what it will take to ensure a reliable electric grid for the future. REGISTER NOW. | | | | | | | | | | 930,000 The number of pressure cookers that Best Buy recalled today, following 17 reports of burn injuries due to a defect that can cause hot foods to spew out, posing burn hazards. The recalled pressure cookers, sold under the brand Insignia, have incorrect volume markings on their inner pots that can cause consumers to overfill them. | | | | CASH GRAB — TikTok creators are taking advantage of war to make some quick cash. And TikTok is reaping the profits as well, by taking 50 percent of their earnings. Through what are called “live matches,” creators without any connection to Israel or Palestine are playing the role of Israelis and Palestinians, shouting at each other over the screen while encouraging followers to donate expensive gifts, which they are then pocketing. The side with the most cash raised at the end of the “live match” wins. David Gilbert reports on the disconcerting phenomenon in WIRED.
| | |  On this date in 1972: Jackie Robinson's widow, Rachel Robinson, is assisted by her son, David and the Rev. Jesse Jackson as they leave Riverside Church following the funeral service for Jackie Robinson in New York. | AP Photo | Did someone forward this email to you? Sign up here. | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Follow us | | | | |  |
