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HILL LETTERS | 16 Jan. 2025

Letters from Capitol Hill that Members of Congress have written and signed on to lately.


Letters that Members of Congress have written and signed on to lately.

 

The Hill’s Darling of the Day is from Florida. 


His name is Marco Rubio, and he’s hard to hate, not to mention, easy on the eyes. 


We did not receive an immediate comment back from his office on his impossibly-full-head-of hair care routine, but what a great TikTok two-parter that would be for us to like and follow for more before (if) America loses access to its favorite data harvester. 


If China wants American data, they’re going to take it - an actual security concern, but the argument this is a major problem wanes every day.  And, if it’s not their influence, impressionable teens will be warped by some other addictive item or fabricated exesential crisis.


Jury’s out on whether it’s better this item be a habit or a social media platform, but staffer-matchmaker-in-residence Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said he is on board to work something out to keep TikTok off the chopping block clock. Congress may not be wise to have the party stop by looking a bipartisanship gift horse in the mouth. 


Another TikTok post we hope to see if America’s flailing policy to curb China’s rapidly growing presence across the Pacific doesn’t get repealed is from inauguration, where the big boss of ByteDance’s golden child subsidiary has reportedly been invited to sit on the dais alongside the Donald. 


TikTok’s U.S. CEO said he plans to attend the event.  


If Bezos or First Buddy Musk aren’t down to dance, Rubio might be, as it appears his nomination will easily advance after Republicans and Dems alike revered the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee all star during his hearing.


Saying all the right things in alignment with Trump’s declared agenda, Rubio said he believes energy exports are key to reestablishing American leadership around the world and the only legitimate means to minimizing Russian influence on power resources. 


Rubio was celebrated by his colleagues on both sides of the aisle for his preparation for the role after a demonstrated record of advancing U.S. interests through effective foreign policy on the Foreign Affairs Committee. Sen. Barrasso (R-WY) also blew besos for Rubio, providing his blessing for affirming his appointment to serve the White House. 


Likely to be easily passed by the entire Senate, Sunshine State Governor Ron DeSantis said he is appointing Gator Girl Attorney General Ashley Moody to fill Rubio’s Senate seat, which she’ll hold through the 2026 midterm. 


What is not easily passing out of committee are a number of other cabinet noms, whose hearings have been delayed for slow FBI paperwork processing and bureaucratic mudslinging, mostly. 


Just for the puns, Pam BLONDIE's hearing for her appointment to serve as Attorney General was a hit for the Bondi bombshell, who we wish would not gatekeep her obviously incredible moisturizing routine. 


If he’s Wright, it’d be wrong not to pass Chris out of committee for full consideration of the Senate to serve as lead of the Department of Energy, who is, not only complimentary of Rubio's planned policies and positions, but had some positively electric things to say about the need to fortify our country’s power grid as demand for processing grows exponentially with technology, like AI and quantum computing. 


Over in the House, which is not charged with vetting and approving the cabinet nominations, the staunchly conservative House Freedom Caucus floated a $4 trillion extension of the debt ceiling, including several spending cuts to justify the expansion. 


While it is unlikely this will be the final amount by which the U.S. will extend spending authorities to pay for sovereign debts, and even more unlikely is consideration for a bill of that size to be passed through reconciliation, there’s the tiny hurdle of this being a hard line for many Members who have never voted to pass a debt ceiling increase through their congressional tenure. 


Perhaps if Trump does the Dune voice, and the fierce competition to serve as his conduit continues in the Capitol, he can turn the debt ceiling tide this Congress. 


Tide would actually be a great sponsor of this Session for how wishy-washy Members are proving themselves to be - one minute, dead set on moving legislation through the chambers via reconciliation no holds barred, the next, they’re taking back threats to add conditions to federal funds to support California communities burned by the fires this week. 


The deliberative balance to the People’s House, Senate Majority Leader Thune (R-SD) said a $1.5 trillion increase is likely the reasonable point Members will reach if the ceiling is to be lifted. He didn’t say much on reconciliation, but the one bill or two question is proving contentious between the chambers.


While we’re on the subject of spending, globally, Trump is calling for increased levels to support NATO and reportedly planning to cut off the faucet of U.S. federal funds to support Ukraine.  


Diverged on the point of funds for Ukraine, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) did not reappoint 118th Ranking Member Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) to serve as 119th Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee for Turner’s support of ensuring resources to stave off Russian aggression.


Republicans may be a mixed bag on whether to extend Ukraine funding, but about 85 of them, plus another 25 Democrats, are looking to scrutinize federal spending. 


Every DOGE has its day, and if you were one of the 15,000+ people to submit proposals on cutting $2 trillion from our sovereign spending to the prospective department solicitation email, yours may be sooner than you think.


On the Floor


Senate Democrats overwhelmingly advanced the GOP’s first bill to address illegal immigration on Thursday, teeing up potential passage next week. 


In the House, the following two items received votes on Thursday:


Motion of Recommit H.R. 30 – Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act

Y N

206 213


Passage of H.R. 30 – Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act

Y N

274 145


And the circus is just getting started. 

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Jan. 16 | Constitutional Crisis 


Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06), a former Army Ranger, led a letter with Reps. Espaillat (D-NY-13), Dean (D-PA-04) and 55 of his colleagues urging Speaker Mike Johnson to comply with a federal law requiring the placement of a plaque on the western front of the US Capitol to recognize the law enforcement officers who responded to the January 6, 2021, attack.


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Jan. 16 | Staffers Want Sleep


Progressive staffers on Capitol Hill penned a letter to congressional leadership on Thursday asking for a 32-hour week, claiming it would increase staff retention, prevent burnout, and serve as a national model.


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Jan. 16 | Conservatives Iffy on Commemoration of Constitutional Crisis


In a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday, a group of nearly 60 House Democrats wrote, "As Members of Congress, we owe a debt of gratitude to these brave officers who defended the Capitol and allowed us to get to safety. We request an update from you regarding your timeline for following the law and placing this plaque."


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Jan. 16 | Hamas on Hold


Rifts with Hamas and a far-right minister’s threat to resign complicated progress toward the Israeli cabinet’s vote on the deal, which includes the release of hostages.


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Jan. 15 | It’s like The Sopranos - It’s Over


Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee are urging Attorney General Merrick Garland to consider dropping the federal charges against Donald Trump's former co-defendants in the classified documents case, Walt Nauta and Carlos de Oliveira, to ensure that the Justice Department can release the rest of special counsel Jack Smith's final report about Trump's alleged crimes.


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Jan. 15 | Scott Wants Lula to Speak Up


Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva calling upon the president and his government to respond to and refute the threats against the United States from Venezuelan Dictator Nicolás Maduro, who is calling upon the Brazilian military to invade Puerto Rico.


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Jan. 15 | Blinken and Missing it for Risch


U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, sent a letter to Secretary Blinken regarding the weak implementation of the Countering People’s Republic of China Influence Fund (CPIF), how it has fallen short of Congressional intent, and fails to properly address the growing threat from China.


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Jan. 15 | Feenstra Wants Answers on Alleged Antisemite Speakers at School event


U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R) sent a letter to the President of the National Association of Independent Schools, Debra Wilson, demanding answers about the inclusion of anti-Semitic speakers at its conferences in Denver, Colorado and how such hateful rhetoric was allowed to be spewed.


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Jan. 15 | $9 Billion Probe


Torres re-upped an initial request for a probe into Gov. Kathy Hochul's administration's awarding a $9 billion contract to company Public Partnerships LLC to oversee the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program, which gives self-directed home care to about 280,000 elderly and disabled people and allows them to choose their caregivers.


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Jan. 14 | Casten a Wide Net for Energy Modernization


U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) led four colleagues in a letter to the Administrator of the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) urging the agency to modernize its methods for reporting energy metrics to reflect the realities of our rapidly evolving energy system.


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Jan. 14 | Hot Enough for Chu 


Reps. Judy Chu (CA-28), Education and Workforce Committee Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03), and Reps. Raúl Grijalva (AZ-07), Alma Adams (NC-12), and Greg Casar (TX-35) led 52 House Members in submitting a comment letter in support of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) proposed rule to protect workers from occupational exposure to extreme heat.


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Jan. 14 | Rushing is for Sorority Girls


U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mark Warner (D-VA), Katie Britt (R-AL), Steve Daines (R-MT), Todd Young (R-IN), and John Cornyn (R-TX) called on the Biden administration to stop rushing trade negotiations behind closed doors.


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Jan. 14 | De Minimus DeLauro


House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released a letter she sent to President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team urging them to continue the Biden Administration’s efforts to close the de minimis trade loophole. The text of the letter is available here. 


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Jan. 10 | All’s Fairness in Social Security and War


Representatives Jason Smith (R-MO) and Ron Estes (R-KS) have told the Social Security Administration that it should create a plan to implement the Social Security Fairness Act, which repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO).


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