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Presented by Amazon: POLITICO's must-read briefing on what's driving the afternoon in Washington. | | | | |  | | By Eli Okun | | | |  Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) will leave Congress at the end of the year. | Francis Chung/POLITICO | END OF AN ERA — Following a 16-year rise in Congress, KEVIN McCARTHY finally landed the position he’d long sought at the start of 2023: speaker of the House. But after just nine tumultuous months as the second in line to the presidency — and an unceremonious expulsion by restive fellow Republicans — McCarthy is getting out of Dodge. The Californian will leave Congress at the end of the year, McCarthy announced in a WSJ op-ed, confirming reporting and rumors that have swirled for the past couple of months but he’d previously denied. McCarthy says, without many specifics, that he plans to stay in “the fight,” still helping to recruit Republicans to run for office as “my work is only getting started.” He cites his accomplishments as GOP leader, including flipping the House last year and passing an array of conservative legislation (which won’t become law). And McCarthy retains his optimism: “Finally, the most reliable solution to what ails America is before our eyes … I have seen the goodness of the American people. They are what will ultimately uphold the enduring values of our great nation.” Watch his video announcement Still, McCarthy’s departure mid-term marks a somewhat ignominious end for a man once famously hailed as among the GOP’s great new hopes: their “young guns.” The Bakersfield representative managed to hold together a fractious conference for much of 2023, steering House Republicans through a debt-ceiling showdown with the White House. But in the end, the party’s rising far-right flank rebelled over his move to keep the government open, defenestrating a speaker for the first time ever. The conclusion of his speakership has earned McCarthy’s place in the history books, along with “My Kevin’s” relationship with DONALD TRUMP, which culminated in his vote against certifying JOE BIDEN’s 2020 presidential victory. Often situating himself at the shifting ideological median of the GOP, McCarthy maintained close relationships with lawmakers across the conference, emerging as a consummate fundraiser and congenial leader; critics called out his relative lack of policy focus and flip-flopping positions. With McCarthy gone so quickly, Speaker MIKE JOHNSON’s already-narrow majority will shrink even further. “I can assure you Republican voters didn’t give us the majority to crash the ship,” an unhappy Rep. MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE (R-Ga.) posted on X. “Hopefully no one dies.” Back in Bakersfield, McCarthy’s seat is expected to remain in Republican hands. SHANNON GROVE, VINCE FONG, DEVON MATHIS and DIANE PEARCE are potential successors, Olivia Beavers and Melanie Mason report. WHAT SUPP — As the Senate heads toward a procedural vote expected to fail today on a Ukraine/Middle East/border supplemental funding bill, Biden delivered remarks warning Republicans that aiding Ukraine before the holidays is essential. “If [VLADIMIR] PUTIN takes Ukraine, he won’t stop there,” Biden said, admonishing those who would “knee-cap” Kyiv or face history’s judgment for not supporting freedom. While he remained explicitly open to changing immigration policy to win over Republicans for the bill and offering “significant compromises,” he added, “Republicans have to decide if they want a political issue, or a solution at the border.” Though most Democrats are expected to be on board for Senate Majority Leader CHUCK SCHUMER’s procedural vote today — including Sen. JOE MANCHIN (D-W.Va.) — Republicans remain dug in without major changes to immigration policy. Sen. MICHAEL BENNET (D-Colo.) called for Biden to work out a deal directly with Senate Minority Leader MITCH McCONNELL. AP’s Seung Min Kim and Colleen Long have valuable broader political context: Over the past decade, “Washington’s center of gravity on immigration has shifted demonstrably to the right, with the debate now focused on measures meant to keep migrants out as Republicans sense they have the political upper hand.” On the other side, many Democrats “never wanted” to even begin negotiations pairing immigration policy changes with foreign aid, viewing them as entirely separate issues that are inappropriate to link, Burgess Everett and Nick Wu report. “And as they assess the wreckage of the flailing negotiations to link the border with Ukraine, many Democrats now believe the talks were not set up to succeed from the beginning.” Good Wednesday afternoon. Thanks for reading Playbook PM. Drop me a line at eokun@politico.com.
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Learn how Amazon innovates for sellers. | | | TRUMP CARDS CAPITULATION — The 10 fake Trump electors in Wisconsin have settled a civil lawsuit against them, finally acknowledging the reality that Biden won the 2020 election and saying they won’t serve as presidential electors next year, WaPo’s Patrick Marley reports from Madison. It’s “the first time pro-Trump electors have agreed to revoke their false filings and not repeat their actions in the next presidential election.” The settlement includes no financial penalty, but the false electors — who include then-Wisconsin GOP Chair ANDREW HITT — said they would cooperate with the federal investigation into the attempt to overturn the election. LOOK WHO’S BACK — MIKE PENCE could be called to testify as a witness against Trump in the Georgia election subversion case, CNN’s Zachary Cohen, Nick Valencia and Jason Morris scooped. Fulton County prosecutors put him on their list of potential witnesses in the criminal trial, even though he hasn’t played a big part in this particular investigation thus far. There are more than 150 people on the possible witness list. MEDIAWATCH NOT BACKING AWAY — “Univision, Facing Audience Backlash and Internal Anxiety After Trump Sit-Down, Doubles Down With ‘Non-Partisan’ Shift,” by The Messenger’s Adrian Carrasquillo: “[B]osses have been saying the right things to employees about nothing changing and to just do their jobs, but that hasn’t removed the fear about a pro-Trump pivot by the network. … [A] source with close ties to the network doubled down, telling The Messenger that for decades Univision served as a mouthpiece for the Democratic Party, it did nothing wrong in its Trump interview, and the network is very interested in a similar sit-down interview with Republican presidential candidate NIKKI HALEY.” WHAT ROBERT ALLBRITTON IS UP TO — “Allbritton nonprofit plans ‘News of the United States’ to showcase rising talent,” by Semafor’s Max Tani: “A high-profile nonprofit is launching a Washington D.C.-focused newsroom early next year that promises to publish deep reporting and act as a training ground for young reporters. … [T]he Allbritton Journalism Institute said on Wednesday that in January 2024, it plans to launch News of the United States, or ‘NOTUS,’ a new publication that will explore Washington and the 2024 election.” THE WHITE HOUSE HAPPENING TODAY — “Biden to sign executive order improving tribal access to federal funds,” by The Hill’s Zack Budryk: “The order, which Biden will sign as part of the 2023 White House Tribal Nations Summit, will overhaul the mechanism for the federal government’s support of tribal nations … [It] is intended to better align such funding with the Indian Self-Determination and Educational Assistance Act, a 1975 statute that allowed federal departments to contract with tribes.” Biden will also back an effort by the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, which invented lacrosse, “to compete under its own flag” in the sport at the 2028 Olympics, per AP’s Colleen Long and Susan Montoya Bryan. VP FILES — “Kamala Harris Works to Bridge Democratic Divide Over Israel-Hamas War,” by WSJ’s Tarini Parti: “Among her efforts, [VP KAMALA] HARRIS has pushed for the White House to articulate more empathy for Palestinians and to focus on a postconflict Gaza plan.”
| | | | SUBSCRIBE TO CALIFORNIA CLIMATE: Climate change isn’t just about the weather. It's also about how we do business and create new policies, especially in California. So we have something cool for you: A brand-new California Climate newsletter. It's not just climate or science chat, it's your daily cheat sheet to understanding how the legislative landscape around climate change is shaking up industries across the Golden State. Subscribe now to California Climate to keep up with the changes. | | | | | ALL POLITICS DOWN BALLOT — As the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee gears up to spend $60 million on statehouse races in 2024, it’s investing close to $260,000 right now across Michigan, Arizona, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and North Carolina, ABC’s Tal Axelrod scooped. The early investments are the group’s first battleground-state moves of the cycle. THE NEXT GENERATION — At the University of Alabama, where the GOP debate will take place tonight, young conservatives of all stripes tell WaPo’s Sabrina Rodriguez they want Republicans to listen to them more as the future of the party. Though they’re excited to have the debate in Tuscaloosa, they think Republicans need to do a better job of reaching Gen Z voters, “particularly those who feel apathetic or disinterested.” Many say they’re focused on the economy and immigration. BEYOND THE BELTWAY PUT TO THE TEST — In many state capitals, both Democratic and Republican legislators are working to change high school tests and graduation requirements in the wake of post-pandemic learning struggles, Katelyn Cordero and Juan Perez Jr. report. New York, Georgia, Florida and more are overhauling testing systems, loosening standards to get a diploma or revisiting how much curricular time should be devoted to passing high-stakes tests. “Many states are already exploring testing tactics that go beyond multiple-choice exams and easing test scores’ burden on students, nearly a decade after lawmakers granted states flexibility to design their own standards … That doesn’t mean change happens easily, or quickly.” DETRANSITION, BABY — “‘Detransitioners’ wield influence in shaping conservative transgender laws,” by WaPo’s Molly Hennessy-Fiske in Austin, Texas: “To state legislatures and conferences, the detransitioners have offered themselves up as evidence of what they say are the risks and consequences of gender-affirming care, even though it has been endorsed by the nation’s largest medical groups.” AMERICA AND THE WORLD HEADS UP — “US files war crime charges against Russians accused of torturing an American in the Ukraine invasion,” by AP’s Lindsay Whitehurst and Eric Tucker: “The case marks the first prosecution against Russians in connection with atrocities during their war against Ukraine and is the first war crimes case involving the victimization of an American, officials said. … The charges carry mostly symbolic significance for the moment given the unclear prospects that any of the four defendants would ever be brought to an American courtroom to face justice.” At the same time, AG MERRICK GARLAND said today that the Justice Department is probing possible war crimes in the Hamas attack that killed Americans in Israel. NOT GOING THERE — “Biden team wary of retaliating against Houthi attacks at sea,” by Lara Seligman and Alex Ward: “There’s high-level consensus within the administration that it does not make sense for the U.S. military to respond directly to the Houthis.”
| | | | Sponsored Survey WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU: Share what you think in a short, 1 minute survey about one of our advertisers | | | 2024 WATCH NOTABLE ENDORSEMENTS — Sen. KATIE BRITT (R-Ala.) and JOHN HOEVEN (R-N.D.) are newly backing Trump for president. NEW TO THE FOLD — PHIL COX is joining the RON DeSANTIS-affiliated Never Back Down super PAC as senior adviser, Alex Isenstadt reports. He’s a longtime GOP strategist and ally of the Florida governor who comes aboard in the unpaid position amid lots of NBD turmoil. JUMPING SHIP — Americans for Prosperity’s endorsement of Haley isn’t sitting well with at least a few staffers, Semafor’s Shelby Talcott and Dave Weigel scooped. Two Iowa staffers left for Never Back Down, while others are talking to VIVEK RAMASWAMY. THE HOME STRETCH — The Trump campaign is kicking into high gear in Iowa in the last six weeks before the caucus, Fox News’ Paul Steinhauser reports. CHRIS LaCIVITA says Trump himself and a panoply of surrogates will barnstorm the state, buoyed by the former president’s much-improved Iowa ground game and extensive data about which voters to target and turn out. CONGRESS MORE FUN AND MORE LUCRATIVE — Former Rep. GEORGE SANTOS’ debut on Cameo has included hundreds of videos, raking in attention and money, Semafor’s Ben Smith and Kadia Gova write. In just two days, he’s already lined up more than his $174,000 congressional salary.
| | | | GET A BACKSTAGE PASS TO COP28 WITH GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Get insider access to the conference that sets the tone of the global climate agenda with POLITICO's Global Playbook newsletter. Authored by Suzanne Lynch, Global Playbook delivers exclusive, daily insights and comprehensive coverage that will keep you informed about the most crucial climate summit of the year. Dive deep into the critical discussions and developments at COP28 from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12. SUBSCRIBE NOW. | | | | | PLAYBOOKERS OUT AND ABOUT — SPOTTED at the National Italian American Foundation’s Christmas party yesterday at Fiola: Justice Samuel Alito, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Reps. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.), Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.), Marc Molinaro (R-N.Y.), Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio) and Dave Joyce (R-Ohio), John Podesta, Anita McBride, John Calvelli, Anthony O’Boyle, Ed Gillespie and Mike Ferguson. — SPOTTED at House Majority Whip Tom Emmer’s (R-Minn.) inaugural Christmas party last night at the Hamilton Live: Speaker Mike Johnson, Reps. Guy Reschenthaler (R-Pa.), Jason Smith (R-Mo.), Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) and John James (R-Mich.), Shannon McGahn, Bob Wood, Eva Bandola Berg, Matt Bravo, John Scofield, Carol Danko and Ryan Eaton. — The Beer Institute and the American Farm Bureau Federation hosted a beer tasting and happy hour last night at Cannon House Office Building. SPOTTED: Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.), Brian Crawford, Joby Young, Ryan Yates, Chase Hieneman, Annie Lange, Mary Jane Saunders, Bill Young, Jeff Guittard, Alec French, Carl Thorsen, Kevin Kincheloe, David Caruolo, David Morgenstern and Liz Lopez. — The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition hosted its 2023 Tribute Celebration last night at the Ritz-Carlton. The event honored Secretary of State Antony Blinken with its Global Leadership Award and also presented awards to Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa). SPOTTED: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Reps. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Deborah Ross (D-N.C.), Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.), Jim Baird (R-Ind.), Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.), Tracey Mann (R-Kan.), Kathy Manning (D-N.C.) and Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.) — Arnold Ventures hosted a group of officials, advocates and activists who helped to pass the 2018 First Step Act bill last night at the Riggs. SPOTTED: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Reps. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) and Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.), Kelli Rhee, James Williams, Kevin Ring, Alice Marie Johnson, Matthew Charles, Grover Norquist, Holly Harris, Carrie Glenn, Ja’Ron Smith, Aaron Cummings, Joe Zogby, Inimai Chettiar, Jonathan Capehart, Jonathan Martin, Josh Dawsey, Van Jones and Jessica Jackson. — SPOTTED last night at InterDigital’s annual holiday reception at the Pendry Hotel on the Wharf: Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Bill Foster (D-Ill.), Liren Chen, Rob Stien, Blair Watters, Layth Elhassani, Samantha and Ross Breslin, Rajesh Pankaj, Stuart Chapman, Manus Cooney, Marcus Garza, Joe Knowles, Laura McPherson, Jake Perry, Jeff Ricchetti, Sharla Tester and Phillip Wallace. — SPOTTED last night at Quorum’s holiday party at Planet Word: Lauren Culbertson Grieco, Andrew Barnhill, Owen Caine, Dan Crowley, Melinda Pierce, Jerry Parshall, Blake Major, Gideon Lett and Laura Castellanos. FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Shripal Shah is joining House Majority PAC as independent expenditure director for the 2024 election cycle. He previously was a partner with Left Hook and is an American Bridge, Senate Majority PAC and Jeanne Shaheen alum. MEDIA MOVES — The Allbritton Journalism Institute is adding Jasmine Wright and Haley Byrd Wilt as reporters. Wright previously was a White House reporter at CNN. Byrd Wilt previously was an associate editor at The Dispatch. TRANSITIONS — Julián Castro will be CEO of the Latino Community Foundation, as the organization expands beyond San Francisco to have a more national focus. He’s a former presidential candidate, HUD secretary and San Antonio mayor. … Audrey Chang has started a strategic comms firm called Warwick Group. She most recently was SVP for strategic comms at Subject Matter, and is a Harbour Group, Burson-Marsteller and Ogilvy Public Relations alum. BONUS BIRTHDAY: former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo 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, producer Andrew Howard and Playbook Daily Briefing producer Callan Tansill-Suddath.
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