1) Some context on Dems potentially eliminating the filibuster. WH’S Psaki on 3/8 on what Biden wants regarding the filibuster: “His preference is not to make changes to the filibuster rules”
2) Actually changing the filibuster “rule” (Senate Rule XXII) requires 67 (!) votes to end debate on changing that rule.
3) However, the two most recent encroachments into the Senate filibuster procedures (via Nuclear Option I in 2013 and Nuclear Option II in 2017) dealt with establishing a new PRECEDENT. The Senate conducts much of its business, not by its Standing Rules, but by PRECEDENT.
4) When Democratic senators speak now about “getting rid of the filibuster,” they are NOT talking about a rules change. They are discussing a possible “Nuclear Option III.” Democrats could conceivably eliminate the legislative filibuster by establishing a new precedent.
5) Setting a new precedent would only require 51 votes. The Senate does not have 67 votes to end debate on altering Rule XXII regarding the filibuster.
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A) From colleague Kelly Phares. Ocasio-Cortez on if the Hse should continue proxy voting: If we get to a vaccination level, where the House physician can confidently say that we are not putting support staff in danger, then I think.. that's the measure we should look for
B) Ocasio-Cortez: I certainly think that there should there should definitely be a discussion around which conditions that proxy voting may be appropriate to maintain. I do think it's important that we are here doing our work.
C) Ocasio-Cortez: At the same time, if someone is in a medical emergency or something to that effect. There should be a discussion about whether we can maintain proxy voting in some of those circumstances..we have to be here to do our job.
A) Schiff: Congressman Swalwell is a trusted and valued member of our committee. He was given a counterintelligence briefing years ago and acted fully in accordance with his responsibilities, as we would expect of any member of our committee.
B) Schiff: A hard-working and diligent member, he will continue to make great contributions to our national security.
C) Schiff: It’s disturbing that Kevin McCarthy is attempting to weaponize classified counterintelligence briefings as a political cudgel, and use them to smear a House colleague in the process.
1) Schiff letter to Hse mbrs on McCarthy effort to remove Swalwell from Intel Cmte: "Congressman Swalwell is a trusted member of our committee. He was given a counterintelligence briefing in 2015 and acted fully in accordance with his responsibilities"
2) Schiff: "Congressional leaders, including then Speaker John Boehner and then Chairman Devin Nunes, were briefed at the time and expressed no opposition to his continued service on the committee."
3) Schiff: "An FBI official familiar with the investigation has stated that, “Swalwell was completely cooperative and under no suspicion of wrongdoing.”
A) GOP GA Rep Greene writes to Gen Daniel Hokanson, head of Nat'l Guard & Def Sec Austin. Says "there has been a dangerous and troubling trend in which are armed forces are being used to intimidate civilians, harass members of Congress and their staff and attack..."
B) Greene: "...conservative journalists." Cites an "unnecessary mass military occupation" of DC for Biden's inauguration, the guarding of the Capitol after the 1/6 riot, and, she alleges the non-voting Delegate to Congress from Guam, Michael San Nicolas, leading..."
C) Greene: "...more than two dozen National Guard troops to ambush my office unannounced and subsequently video record my staff without solicitation or consent."
1) Fox is told that some of the inner fencing and razor wire surrounding the US Capitol will start to come down this weekend. The concertina wire will be removed and the fencing pushed back closer to the Capitol itself.
2) This comes as the first mission of US National Guard troops expires tonight. The total troop level will be reduced from 4,900 to 2,200. In the coming werks, that figure will eventually dwindle to a small contingent of Guardsmen serving as a quick reaction force.
3) The Pentagon just re-upped authorization of the Guard to stay through mid-May a few days ago.
Fox is told this is being done in an effort to re-open Independence and Constitution Avenues which run alongside the Capitol.
1) Pelosi on when I ask if she could see a scenario where the Hse could unset GOP IA Rep Miller-Meeks who won by 6 votes in favor of Dem Rita hart in IA 2. House Admin Cmte is probing the race. Article 1, Sec 5 of Constitution allows Hse to seat who it wants.
2) Pelosi: Chad is always the the hypothetical. Could you see a scenario? We don't do press conferences on. Can you see a scenario.
Pergram: That would be a pretty bold move (to unseat Miller-Meeks)..
3) Pelosi: I respect the work of the committee. I did see, as you saw in the press, what they decided to. And they were following my, as I read it, the requirements of the law as to how you go forward and how you go forward is the path you're on.