Attorney General William BarrWilliam Pelham BarrBarr warns House Dems he might not appear at hearing Bill Maher hits Mueller after report: ‘Prosecutor Jesus’ didn’t leave adequate road map for impeachment Impeachment without conviction plays right into Trump’s hands MORE will be back in the hot seat this week when he returns to Capitol Hill for a round of questioning over special counsel Robert MuellerRobert (Bob) Swan MuellerSasse: US should applaud choice of Mueller to lead Russia probe MORE‘s report.
Barr is scheduled to testify in back-to-back hearings about Mueller’s findings in his investigation into Russian meddling during the 2016 election, first before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday and then before the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday.
In a potential curveball, Barr warned Democrats over the weekend that he might not appear as scheduled for the House testimony and that they need to change the proposed format for the hearing.
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A Department of Justice spokesperson said in a statement that “members of Congress should be the ones doing the questioning.”
“The Attorney General agreed to appear before Congress. Therefore, Members of Congress should be the ones doing the questioning. He remains happy to engage with Members on their questions regarding the Mueller report,” said spokesperson Kerri Kupec.
Rep. Jerrold NadlerJerrold (Jerry) Lewis NadlerSome Dem chairmen have changed tune on Trump impeachment 21 questions for Robert Mueller Klobuchar on impeachment: ‘I’m the jury’ MORE (D-N.Y.), the chairman of the committee, had proposed a round that would allow for each side to question Barr for 30 minutes, a source said, in addition to giving members five minutes each. That round of questioning also would allow the committee counsels for both parties to question Barr.
Barr is expected to be grilled over the redacted version of Mueller’s sprawling 448-page report, which he released roughly three weeks after summarizing the special counsel’s principal conclusions in a four-page letter to Congress.
Democrats have relentlessly criticized Barr for painting what they see as a biased portrait of Mueller’s findings and are demanding that he provide Mueller’s full report and underlying evidence to Congress. Nadler has issued a subpoenaed for those documents, demanding the Justice Department comply by May 1 — one day before his scheduled testimony.
Mueller did not establish that members of Trump’s campaign conspired with the Russian government during the 2016 election, though he noted that members of the campaign believed they would benefit from Moscow’s meddling. The special counsel also did not come to a conclusion on potential obstruction of justice, instead analyzing nearly a dozen instances of possible obstruction by Trump and explicitly states that it does not “exonerate” the president.
One of the “episodes” explored by Mueller includes Trump telling then-White House counsel Don McGahn to fire Mueller. Sen. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamGraham: ‘I don’t care’ if Trump told McGahn to fire Mueller Impeachment without conviction plays right into Trump’s hands Overnight Energy: Critics accuse EPA of weakening pollution rule for Pentagon | Booker unveils environmental justice initiative | House to vote on climate bill next week MORE (R-S.C.), the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, told CBS News on Sunday that he didn’t care about the conversation between Trump and McGahn.
“I don’t care what happened between him and Don McGahn,” Graham said. “Here’s what I care about: Was Mueller allowed to do his job? And the answer is yes.”
Instead, Republicans are likely to use the hearings this week to dig in on their concerns about the FBI’s actions during the 2016 campaign as they prepare to “investigate the investigators.”
Barr sparked a political firestorm when he told lawmakers during budget hearings earlier this month that he believed “spying did occur” against President TrumpDonald John Trump2020 Dem Seth Moulton: Trump is not a patriot Celebs unwind at Capitol File WHCD after party Graham: ‘I don’t care’ if Trump told McGahn to fire Mueller MORE‘s campaign during the 2016 election.
“I think spying did occur. The question is whether it was predicated, adequately predicated,” Barr said.
Pressed later on his comments, he added that he was “not saying improper surveillance occurred. I am saying I am concerned about it, and I am looking into it.”
Yemen
The Senate is set to take up President Trump’s veto of legislation cutting off U.S. support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen this week, though any override attempt is expected to fall short.
McConnell’s office said late last week that the chamber would “process the president’s veto message on the Yemen resolution by the end of the week.”
Trump vetoed the measure earlier this month, the second veto of his presidency. The resolution requires him to withdraw any U.S. troops in or “affecting” Yemen within 30 days unless they are fighting al Qaeda.
Neither the Senate nor the House are expected to have the votes to overcome Trump’s veto.
McConnell’s office did not specify what action the Senate would be taking to “process” the veto message. Overriding Trump’s veto would require 67 votes in the Senate.
Medicare for All
The House Rules Committee is slated to hold its first-ever hearing on a Medicare for All bill spearheaded by Reps. Pramila JayapalPramila JayapalOvernight Health Care: Trump poised to roll back transgender health protections | House Dems plan ‘Medicare for All’ hearing next week | Walgreens, Rite Aid raise tobacco-buying age to 21 | Drug distributor faces charges for role in opioid crisis House Dems to hold hearing on ‘Medicare for All’ next week Overnight Health Care: How 2020 Dems want to overhaul health care | Brooklyn parents sue over measles vaccination mandate | Measles outbreak nears record MORE (D-Wash.) and Debbie DingellDeborah (Debbie) Ann DingellRod Rosenstein, Jay Leno chat at correspondents’ weekend brunch Overnight Health Care: Trump poised to roll back transgender health protections | House Dems plan ‘Medicare for All’ hearing next week | Walgreens, Rite Aid raise tobacco-buying age to 21 | Drug distributor faces charges for role in opioid crisis Conserving tiny forage fish, the heroes of our shared ocean ecosystem MORE (D-Mich.) on Tuesday.
The legislation has garnered more than 100 Democratic co-sponsors in the lower chamber.
“It’s a serious proposal that deserves serious consideration on Capitol Hill as we work toward universal coverage,” Rules Chairman Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) said in a statement upon the hearing’s announcement.
Republicans — who have widely used the proposal while attacking Democrats for moving further to the left — were quick to note the hearing is being held by a panel that does not primarily have jurisdiction over health care.
“Using the Rules Committee as the first forum to consider Medicare ForAll, legislation that would force over 150 million Americans off of health care plans they enjoy, indicates a lot about the Democratic agenda. And that agenda continues to become more extreme and concerning by the day,” Ranking Member Tom ColeThomas (Tom) Jeffrey ColeLawmaker alleges political payback in failed ‘deepfakes’ measure The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Pass USMCA Coalition – Dems look for traction following Barr-Mueller findings Dems shift strategy for securing gun violence research funds MORE (R-Okla.) said in a statement.
“While Republicans welcome discussion on solutions for ensuring access to quality and affordable care, a government takeover of the nation’s health system is not the answer. During next week’s hearing, we will surely have a spirited debate about the real consequences and costs of government-run healthcare.”
The House Budget Committee is also expected to hold a hearing on “Medicare for All” in the coming weeks.
Climate action
Majority Leader Steny HoyerSteny Hamilton HoyerOn The Money: House to vote on bipartisan retirement bill in May | Mexico now biggest US trading partner | Mulvaney defends record on cutting spending Overnight Energy: Trump officials halt plans to expand offshore drilling | Giraffes move closer to endangered species protections | Renewable energy groups look to protect research funding | House to vote on climate bill next week House eyes vote on reversing Mulvaney efforts to rein in consumer bureau MORE (D-Md.) announced the House will bring a bill to the floor aimed at affirming “the principles of the Paris Climate Agreement.”
The vote’s announcement comes in the wake of Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the agreement.
“Today’s legislation sends a message loud and clear to the President and the entire world – we are not backing down. The Climate Action Now Act keeps the United States in the Paris Climate Accord, renewing our country’s pledge to address climate change head on,” Rep. Eliot EngelEliot Lance EngelHouse Dem chairman announces hearing after Trump rejects UN arms treaty Some Dem chairmen have changed tune on Trump impeachment Bipartisan lawmakers urge Trump to reconsider Central America aid cuts MORE (D-N.Y.) said following the bill’s introduction.
Republicans have alleged Democrats rammed the bill through committee, blasting them for opting not to hold a subcommittee hearing on the legislation.
“It’s unfortunate your subcommittee missed out on an opportunity to mark up that measure. That would be the regular order that you’re proud of and that I’m proud of,” Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Greg WaldenGregory (Greg) Paul WaldenBipartisan House panel leaders ask agencies for maternal mortality data Congress has questions for Google’s ‘Sensorvault’ Conservative groups defend tech from GOP crackdown MORE (Ore.) said at a hearing earlier this month. “Instead it’s going to be taken straight to full committee and straight to the floor to meet some arbitrary deadline.”
The Climate Action Now Act — spearheaded by Rep. Kathy CastorKatherine (Kathy) Anne CastorEnvironmentalists see victory with Green New Deal blitz Dem lawmaker offers tool for ‘filling in the blanks’ of Green New Deal Overnight Energy: EPA watchdog issues rare ‘alert’ on toxic substances data | Trump to announce new orders to speed up pipeline permits | New Keystone XL pipeline permit challenged in court | Congress approves seven-state drought bill MORE (D-Fla.) — is expected to pass the House along party lines. The Rules Committee is scheduled to meet on the bill on Monday night, setting it up to be voted on by the full House by the end of the week.
Yucca
The Senate is prepared to revive a fight over storing nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain.
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing Wednesday on legislation that would jump start the process for building a permanent nuclear repository, which has been stalemated for years.
“My draft legislation takes commonsense steps to advance the licensing of the Yucca Mountain facility. The legislation also strengthens the nation’s nuclear waste management program,” Sen. John BarrassoJohn Anthony BarrassoSanders, Klobuchar among five most popular senators: poll Africa’s women can change a continent: Will Ivanka give them her full support? Overnight Energy: Gillibrand offers bill to ban pesticide from school lunches | Interior secretary met tribal lawyer tied to Zinke casino dispute | Critics say EPA rule could reintroduce asbestos use MORE (R-Wyo.), the committee chairman, said in a statement last week.
The legislation is getting pushback from Nevada’s senators, whom are both Democrats. House Republicans passed a bill in 2019 that would have moved forward a process toward building the Yucca Mountain facility. But with GOP Sen. Dean HellerDean Arthur HellerTrump suggests Heller lost reelection bid because he was ‘hostile’ during 2016 presidential campaign Trump picks ex-oil lobbyist David Bernhardt for Interior secretary Oregon Dem top recipient of 2018 marijuana industry money, study finds MORE (Nev.) fighting for his political life the bill went nowhere in the Senate; Heller lost his reelection bid.
“Nevadans have spoken: We don’t want nuclear waste dumped in our backyards. Congress must respect our will and ensure states have a voice when the federal government tries to store nuclear waste within their borders,” Sens. Catherine Cortez MastoCatherine Marie Cortez MastoSchumer, author discussed possible Kansas Senate run: report Life in the minority at the FCC Dem senators call for Trump to restore release for pregnant migrants MORE (D-Nev.) and Jacky RosenJacklyn (Jacky) Sheryl RosenHillicon Valley — Presented by CTIA and America’s wireless industry — Prosecutors used FISA warrant to get info on Huawei | Study finds discrimination in Facebook ads | Bezos retains voting control over ex-wife’s Amazon stocks More than 30 Senate Dems ask Trump to reconsider Central American aid cuts Dem senators introduce bill to combat sexual harassment in STEM MORE (D-Nev.) said in a joint statement.
They’ve introduced alternative legislation that would require the state and local governments to sign off before money can be spent to build a nuclear storage facility.
DHS
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan will testify on Capitol Hill this week about DHS’s 2020 budget request amid a shakeup of top leadership.
McAleenan will testify before a House Appropriations subcommittee on Tuesday, before crossing the Capitol and appearing before a Senate panel on Thursday.
His testimony on Capitol Hill comes after The New York Times reported that acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney warned former Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen not to brief Trump on possible interference in the upcoming election, despite her concerns that it was a key national security issue.
Mulvaney, according to the Times, said it “wasn’t a great subject and should be kept below [the president’s] level.”
Nielsen was one of several members of DHS leadership who have left, or whose nominations were pulled, during the past month, setting off alarm bells on Capitol Hill over a potential lurch further rightward on the administration’s border and immigration policy.
The House Homeland Security Committee is expected to hold a separate hearing on Wednesday entitled “Trouble at the Top: Are Vacancies at the Department of Homeland Security Undermining the Mission?”
Nominations
Republicans are preparing to confirm another slate of Trump nominees after McConnell teed up several nominations before the two-week recess for votes on the Senate floor.
The Senate will hold its first vote of the week on Monday evening, where they’ll move to end debate on Clarke Cooper’s State Department nomination.
After they confirm Cooper to be an assistant secretary of State, senators will then work through six additional nominations: Gordon Hartogensis’s nomination to be the director of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, as well as district judge nominations for Campbell Barker, Andrew Brasher, Rodolfo Ruiz, Raul Arias-Marxuach and Joshua Wolson.
Each of the nominees only need a simple majority to be confirmed. Under a rules change enacted earlier this month, they’ll only need two hours of debate after they defeat a filibuster, compared to the previously required 30.