NEW: Several sources close to GOP leadership tell me that assuming Republicans win the majority, McConnell is eyeing chair of the Appropriations Committee as his next role One problem: Susan Collins — a close ally — is the panel’s top Republican right now axios.com/2024/06/14/mcc…

Failure of House Repubs to pass the leg approps bill last week was quietly embarrassing to Skr Johnson and his appropriators. Caught off guard on attendance and defectors. Pay raise issue rears its ugly head.

With Vance on Trump ticket, American democracy remains at the top of my list of issues for the election, but NATO and national security moves to second. I hope European govts immediately take steps to show their commitment to common defense and support for Ukraine.

Excellent congressional testimony on the post-Chevron Congress from Josh Chafetz.bsky.social. papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cf…

Sitting VPs presidential races--an even split. VPs who lost pres'l race: Gore, Humphrey, Nixon, Breckinridge. VPs who won the presidency: Adam, Jefferson, Van Buren, Bush 1. (Former VPs: Mondale lost, Biden won.) But the more recent cases have not favored the VPs.

Andrew Desiderio Ever? Yes. x.com/ringwiss/statu…

In Minnesota, students are fed breakfast and lunch – no questions asked.     It’s saving families thousands and making parents’ lives easier.     That’s an investment I’ll defend every damn day.

PSA: The House is not taking "August recess". That would suggest a 1-month break. When gavel falls on this vote, the chamber will not return for legislative action until the night of Sept. 9. That's 46 full days, plus a few hours, of recess. Late July/Aug/early Sept Recess?

I'm now persuaded that Governor Tim Walz has added Al Franken to his staff.

Steny Hoyer suffered a mild stroke Sunday night, according to a statement from his Deputy Chief of Staff and Spokesperson, Margaret Mulkerrin: "Mr. Hoyer has responded well to treatment and has no lingering symptoms. He expects to resume his normal schedule next week."

Manchin after 14 yrs in the Senate: "I didn't like being a senator." nytimes.com/2024/08/18/opi…

The corporate tax rate also likely would have increased to 25% (the Manchin-approved rate) if Kyrsten Sinema hadn't insisted on keeping Trump's 21% rate.

Filibuster reform carve-outs -- it has been proposed for election reform, appropriations, debt limit...and now abortion. A small procedural step in the right direction, but it would be a significant precedent.

Looking for last-minute additions for your syllabus--43 short essays on congressional politics. stevesnotes.substack.com

The lawsuit over more than a decade of blocked COLA for members of Congress heard arguments last week ICYMI I listened to the proceedings, talked to the plaintiffs lawyer & wrote about it in Inside Congress politico.com/newsletters/in…

Amazing: politico.com/newsletters/in… (h/t Taylor J. Swift | taylorjswift.bsky.social & massive kudos to K Tully-McManus for covering like only she can)

Whitehouse comments on mash-up bill and circumventing a filibuster. thedispatch.com/newsletter/dis…