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Presented by BlackRock: POLITICO's must-read briefing on what's driving the afternoon in Washington. | | | | |  | | By Garrett Ross | | | DEVELOPING — “Justice Dept. subpoenas Ariz., Mich., Wis. officials for Trump communications,” by WaPo’s Amy Gardner, Isaac Stanley-Becker, Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Patrick Marley: “The subpoenas, at least three of which are dated Nov. 22, show that [special counsel JACK] SMITH is extending the Justice Department’s examination of the circumstances leading up to the Capitol attack to include local election officials and their potential interactions with the former president and his representatives. The virtually identical requests to Arizona and Wisconsin name Trump individually, in addition to employees, agents and attorneys for his campaign.” BIGGS ROCKS McCARTHY’S SPEAKERSHIP HOPES — For weeks, attempts to block House GOP Leader KEVIN McCARTHY’s bid to become speaker have been waved aside with a dismissive reply: “You can’t beat somebody with nobody.” Today, McCarthy’s opponents got a “somebody” of their own, as Rep. ANDY BIGGS (R-Ariz.) announced his candidacy in a scorching op-ed for the Daily Caller: “I’m Running To Replace Kevin McCarthy As House Speaker And Break The Establishment.” “The Left wants to see a McCarthy Speakership, as outgoing Majority Whip [JIM] CLYBURN said,” Biggs writes. “Establishment Republicans want to see a continuation of the Swamp, as PAUL RYAN has endorsed McCarthy for speaker. … We will never defeat or change the status quo, which is taking us to the Leftist’s vision of America, by selecting a status quo candidate as the third most powerful person in the government.” CRIMINAL REFERRALS COMING — Rep. BENNIE THOMPSON (D-Miss.), the chair of the House Jan. 6 committee, told reporters this morning that the bipartisan panel has decided it will move forward with submitting criminal referrals to the Justice Department. “A subcommittee of members was tasked with providing options to the full committee about how to present evidence of possible obstruction, possible perjury and possible witness tampering as well as potential criminal referrals to the Department of Justice,” CNN’s Sara Murray, Annie Grayer and Zachary Cohen report . “Democratic Reps. JAMIE RASKIN, ADAM SCHIFF and ZOE LOFGREN and GOP Rep. LIZ CHENEY, the vice chair of the panel, all trained lawyers, comprise this subcommittee.”
|  Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) and Herschel Walker. | AP Photo | ELECTION DAY IN GEORGIA — The runoff to settle Democrats’ Senate majority margin is underway. If Democratic Sen. RAPHAEL WARNOCK hangs on, Democrats will increase their majority by one seat, making for a 51-49 margin. If Republican HERSCHEL WALKER pulls out a victory, governing in the upper chamber will look a lot like it has for the past two years. Our colleague Steve Shepard breaks down five key areas in the Peach State to keep an eye on as returns come in that will help indicate where the results are trending. NYT’s Nate Cohn has an incisive look at the path to victory for each candidate. While he writes that the race appears to be close according to polls and the general election data, it’s “hard to think of a good signal” for Walker to win, Cohn notes . Quick links: — Follow along with live updates from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution — AP: “Warnock or Walker? Georgia voters settle last Senate seat” — NYT: “Five key factors that will decide Georgia’s Senate runoff” — WSJ: “Warnock, Walker Wrap Up Senate Runoff Campaign as Georgia Voters Head to Polls” VIDEO OF THE DAY — Following a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony honoring police officers who responded to the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, some of the officers and their family members refused to shake hands with Senate Minority Leader MITCH McCONNELL and McCarthy. Watch the video “Among those who walked past the congressional leaders were the family of BRIAN SICKNICK, a U.S. Capitol Police officer who died in the days following the attack and later lay in honor in the Capitol,” Anthony Adragna writes .
|  Family members of deceased Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick skip shaking hands with McConnell and McCarthy on Tuesday, Dec. 6. | Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images | Officers who responded to the insurrection have been critical of McCarthy’s response to the Jan. 6 attack, criticizing the GOP leader for downplaying its seriousness and Trump’s role in the day’s events. McConnell, meanwhile, “has called the Jan. 6 attack a ‘violent insurrection,’ but also joined McCarthy and other Republicans in voting against the establishment of a bipartisan commission to investigate the riot,” Anthony notes. “The GOP Senate leader also voted against convicting Trump in his second impeachment trial over the former president’s role in Jan. 6.” Worth noting: Trump has been vocal in his criticism and split from McConnell, and the two have not spoken to each other since Trump left office, according to Hill sources. Good Tuesday afternoon.
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At BlackRock, we help Americans invest for retirement, offer greater access to markets with low-cost investment options, and help communities thrive. BlackRock is invested in the future of Americans. Learn more. | | | BULLETIN — “Colorado Springs suspect formally charged with 305 counts in Club Q shooting,” by CNN’s Dakin Andone ALL POLITICS JUMPING IN — “Ricketts confirms he will seek U.S. Senate seat,” by the Omaha World-Herald’s Erin Bamer: “Gov. PETE RICKETTS announced Tuesday that he will apply to fill U.S. Sen. BEN SASSE’s seat once Sasse resigns in January, confirming suspicions that he would seek the position. Gov.-elect JIM PILLEN opened applications for the seat on Monday and will continue taking applicants through Dec. 23. Ricketts is widely thought to be the top candidate for the seat, as he was one of Pillen's top endorsers during his campaign. Ricketts' term as governor will end Jan. 5 after being term-limited at eight years.” 2024 WATCH — “Youngkin’s early shine faces test as he eyes White House bid,” by AP’s Steve Peoples and Sarah Rankin: “Most of the midterm candidates [Virginia GOP Gov. GLENN] YOUNGKIN tried to help this fall were defeated. Major presidential donors, even those who support him, see the 55-year-old former private-equity chief as simply one in a crowded class of would-be Trump alternatives. And there’s concern that Youngkin has few resonant accomplishments to sell skeptical Republican primary voters.” THE WHITE HOUSE GOING NOWHERE — “Biden’s efforts to protect abortion access hit roadblocks,” by AP’s Amanda Seitz and Colleen Long: “Looking to seize on momentum following a midterm election where voters widely rebuked tougher abortion restrictions, there’s a renewed push at the White House to find ways to help women in states that have virtually outlawed or limited the treatment, and to keep the issue top of mind for voters. In reality, though, the administration is shackled by a ban on federal funding for most abortions, a conservative-leaning Supreme Court inclined to rule against abortion rights and a split Congress unwilling to pass legislation on the matter.” STRATEGY SETTING — “White House invites in state lawmakers before 2023 sessions,” by AP’s Colleen Long: “The aim is to give state lawmakers a to-do list for the upcoming legislative session, though meeting those goals will be nearly impossible in states where Republicans are in control. The meetings come as Democrats are increasingly focused on making inroads in state governments in part through better alignment on top issues, a political tactic that helped the GOP secure leadership in 23 states.” CONGRESS SPENDING STATE OF PLAY — “Lawmakers labor to break impasses stalling massive spending bill,” by Caitlin Emma: “Democrats and Republicans leading the negotiations are still tens of billions of dollars apart on a total amount for domestic programs, preventing lawmakers from cementing an agreement on the overall funding levels necessary to smooth out the finer points. Without a deal, congressional leaders have warned that federal agencies could be saddled with stagnant budgets for the better part of 2023, an outcome that Pentagon leaders have said would be devastating for military readiness and U.S. assistance to Ukraine.” THE CRYPTO CRACKDOWN — “Sen. Warren demands answers from Silvergate Bank about its business dealings with FTX,” by NBC’s Gretchen Morgenson: “Silvergate’s role as a banker to FTX and other Bankman-Fried entities is raising questions for ALAN LANE, its chief executive, and creating headaches for the institution’s public shareholders. Late Monday, ELIZABETH WARREN, the Massachusetts Democrat and member of the Senate banking committee, and two Republican colleagues sent Lane and Silvergate a request for information about the bank’s relationship with FTX and the [SAM] BANKMAN-FRIED entities.”
| | | | JOIN WEDNESDAY FOR A POLITICO DISCUSSION ON THE NEW TRAVEL EXPERIENCE : Americans are now traveling in record numbers — but the travel experience has changed drastically in recent years, not always for the better. What lessons can we learn from the pandemic and different responses around the globe? And in the face of a possible recession, what will help the travel industry remain vibrant and deliver jobs? Join POLITICO on Dec. 7 for “The Travel Experience Redefined” to discuss these questions and more. Breakfast and coffee will be provided. REGISTER HERE . | | | | | THE PANDEMIC LESS MONEY, MORE PROBLEMS — “For the Uninsured, Covid Care Has Entered a New Stage of Crisis,” by NYT’s Noah Weiland and Sarah Kliff: “Difficulty getting care for Covid-19 has become an increasingly common problem for poor, uninsured Americans. After paying about $25 billion to health care providers over the course of the pandemic to reimburse them for vaccinating, testing and treating people without insurance, the federal government is running low on funds for Covid care for the nearly 30 million Americans who are uninsured.” THE ECONOMY INFLATION NATION — “Housing Costs, Inflation’s Biggest Component, Are Poised to Ease,” by WSJ’s Gwynn Guilford THE VIEW FROM WALL STREET — “U.S. stocks lose ground as markets ponder the Fed’s next moves,” by AP’s Damian Troise AMERICA AND THE WORLD STATUS REPORT — “U.S. says it will expand, extend temporary status for Haitians,” by AP’s Elliot Spagat THE LATEST IN CHINA — “In a Turbulent Time for China, Xi Projects Unity at an Ex-Leader’s Funeral,” by NYT’s Chris Buckley BIRDS OF A FEATHER — “For Sunak, Like Biden, Dullness Could Be a Secret Weapon,” by NYT’s Mark Landler and Stephen Castle
| | | | LISTEN TO POLITICO'S ENERGY PODCAST: Check out our daily five-minute brief on the latest energy and environmental politics and policy news. Don't miss out on the must-know stories, candid insights, and analysis from POLITICO's energy team. Listen today . | | | | | BEYOND THE BELTWAY AN EYE TOWARD ASIA — “In Phoenix, a Taiwanese Chip Giant Builds a Hedge Against China,” by NYT’s Don Clark and Kellen Browning: “TSMC plans to outline a $40 billion plan on Tuesday to expand and upgrade a U.S. production hub in Phoenix. At the site, which is buzzing with trucks, cranes and construction workers, the company plans to import advanced manufacturing technology that has been largely limited to its factories in Taiwan.” VALLEY TALK INTO THE METAVERSE — “Oversight Board Criticizes Meta for Preferential Treatment,” by NYT’s Adam Satariano: “People with a high number of followers have been able to say and share things on Facebook and Instagram that would otherwise be quickly removed for violating company policies, according to the Oversight Board, created by the company to adjudicate thorny policy questions related to free speech, human rights and content moderation.” — “Meta’s Targeted Ad Model Faces Restrictions in Europe,” by WSJ’s Sam Schechner PLAYBOOKERS Andy Barr lauded the passage of the Cardiovascular Advances in Research and Opportunities Legacy Act, named in honor of his late wife, Carol Leavell Barr. More on the bill SPOTTED at Mission on Monday night for the annual Bush-Cheney alumni holiday party, which attracted more than 250 people (President Bush sent greetings via a letter): John Sullivan, Chad Sweet, Jana Toner, Brian McCormack, Sean Spicer, Rep. David Kustoff (R-Tenn.), Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) and Julia Nesheiwat, Olivia Troye, Dirk Kempthorne and Anita McBride. MEDIA MOVE — Robert Draper has joined NYT Magazine as a staff writer, “covering politics and political figures, especially Republican officials.” He previously was a contributing writer. The announcement TRANSITIONS — Tommy Mattocks is now senior press representative at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He most recently was director of comms at the Aerospace Industries Association and is a POLITICO alum. … Jessica Henrichs is now a senior media manager for the National Federation of Independent Business. She was most recently deputy comms director for the House Ways and Means Committee and is a Ted Cruz alum. … Kevin Chambers has rejoined Latham & Watkins’ D.C. office as a partner in the White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice and member of the Litigation & Trial Department. He previously was director for Covid-19 fraud enforcement and associate deputy attorney general at the Department of Justice. … Jonathan Gold is now senior associate director of post-acute payment policy at AHA. He previously was director of government relations at the American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association.
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