In convo w/ a right-wing blogger, Sen. Johnson hints his forthcoming report will cast doubt on the IC conclusion that Russia prefers Trump, accusing the FBI of “playing hide the ball and delay.”
I’ve not heard a single senator doubt the IC’s conclusion about Russia’s intentions.
This is baffling. We knew Sen. Johnson was investigating the Biden/Burisma issue in addition to the Obama WH’s actions during the presidential transition period, but he seems to be introducing a brand new unsubstantiated claim — that Russia isn’t actually trying to boost Trump.
After Rubio became Senate Intel chair, I asked him about Johnson’s investigations.
“If we hear or see something, I’ll encourage them to go read up on the intelligence they have access to. Ultimately, we can’t control what people decide to believe or say.” politico.com/news/2020/05/2…
As a reminder, when Richard Burr was Senate Intel chairman, he privately confronted Johnson about his Biden/Burisma investigation, warning him that it could aid Russia’s election-meddling efforts.
Tillis: “Our base cannot possibly know what’s at stake at the level that any well-briefed U.S. senator should know about what’s at stake if Putin wins”
McConnell slams “dimmest & most shortsighted views” of critics
Tillis says a majority of R’s back the supp & some are voting no bc of politics
“Take a look at filing periods for some states—if we don’t need [their vote], it’s very difficult to explain this to people...The minority of our conference has an outsized volume on the issue”
The 18 GOP “yes” votes are part of what Sen. Young described as “the governing coalition” in the Senate GOP — a “core group” of Republicans who “want to see this place run effectively.”
NEWS here — Schumer will force a vote on a clean foreign aid bill after GOP blocks the border supplemental this afternoon. McConnell & other top R’s called for this yesterday.
Package would be Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan + FEND Off Fentanyl Act
Schumer informed Dems & WH last week that this was his backup plan if Republicans killed the border security compromise.
There is a path to 60 here. Several Republicans told me yesterday that they’d vote for the clean foreign aid package w/o border. McConnell endorsed too.
R’s who tanked border deal were already threatening to derail this
Sen. Schmitt: “Groundhog Day was last week, but in some ways, we could be back reliving the Bill Murray classic. Because you’re still going to have the same dynamic, our conference is pretty split on Ukraine”
Schumer just gaggled outside the Senate chamber. Some highlights.
Schumer dinged Johnson for his border trip: “It’s very nice that you go to the border. But the way to get something done is work, as we are in the Senate, on a bipartisan solution to the border crisis.”
“When the House clings to H.R. 2 as the only solution… we’re not going to get a deal,” he added. “If the Senate gets something done in a bipartisan way, it will put enormous pressure on the House to get something done as well, and not just let these hard-right people dictate...”
On Johnson not being directly involved in the Senate negotiations, Schumer said: “Since their position has been they’re not budging off HR 2, we want to get the Senate to come to an agreement first.”
He also suggested the border/Ukraine supp may have to be paired w/govt funding
Top admin officials told senators to prepare their constituents for a long war in Israel & the Gaza Strip, indicating that U.S. support — both tangible & political — will be necessary in the coming weeks
Admin looking to establish domestic political expectations
(1/5)
The officials, Acting Deputy SecState Victoria Nuland & Acting Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Sasha Baker, suggested an imminent funding package isn’t necessary
BUT they said new security assistance for Israel should be included in Ukraine-focused supplemental
(2/5)
Specifically, the officials added, Israel will need precision-guided missiles as well as replenishments for the Iron Dome missile defense system.