By Bethany Irvine

Members of the United Auto Workers union walked out of three separate plants, including a Stellantis company in Ohio, a GM plant in Missouri, and a Ford assembly plant in Michigan. | AP

Auto workers in three states are now more than 12 hours into their strike against the Big 3 U.S. automakers, and they won measured support today from President JOE BIDEN, who heretofore had taken a low-key, behind-the-scenes approach to a labor dispute that threatens to upend the economy in key states he needs to win for re-election.

“No one wants a strike,” he said. “But I respect workers’ right to use their options under the collective bargaining system, and I understand the workers’ frustration.”

Biden reportedly spoke with United Auto Workers President SHAWN FAIN and leaders of the auto companies yesterday evening on the status of the negotiations prior to the walkout. He announced today he is sending Acting Labor Secretary JULIE SU and White House senior adviser GENE SPERLING to Detroit to aid with negotiations.

The comments from “Union Joe” walked a tightrope between lending support for the striking workers and browbeating automakers, whose financial performance weighs especially heavily on the economies of Michigan and other midwestern swing states.

Workers “deserve a contract that sustains them in the middle class,” he said, while also calling for a “win-win” agreement between the parties.

To recap: UAW members walked out of a Stellantis plant in Ohio, a GM plant in Missouri, and a Ford plant in Michigan. Each company has reported growing profits in the last several years, and the union “wants the new contract to reflect that growth — and, by extension, the growth in executive pay,” NBC’s Marley Jay reports. Fain has warned the strike could grow if the automakers don’t show movement in talks.

The context: “If the strikes drag on, shortages could push vehicle prices higher and strain an economy already bruised by inflation. Walkouts may even become a factor in next year’s presidential election, testing Joe Biden’s claim to be the most union-friendly president in American history,”AP’s Tom Krisher, Corey Williams and Mike Householder report.

The bigger picture: While union workers seek general wage increases, cost-of-living pay raises, and more sick days, the walkout also comes as the domestic auto industry makes a historic shift from producing internal combustion cars to electric ones, which could mean an uncertain future for autoworkers. The UAW has been decidedly chilly on Biden’s push to effectuate that transition.

The view from Kokomo: “‘I don’t know what he’s done’: In the UAW president’s hometown, autoworkers lash out at Biden,” by Adam Wren

Capitol Hill reacts:

• Sen. BERNIE SANDERS (I-Vt.) is expected to attend a UAW rally this evening in Detroit.
• Sen. SHERROD BROWN (D-Ohio) reportedly joined strikers at Toledo’s Jeep plant this morning, while Sen. GARY PETERS (D-Mich.) picketed with Ford workers in Wayne, Mich.
• Sen. JOHN FETTERMAN (D-Pa.) issued a statement this morning: “I know which side I’m on. As long as these brave workers continue to walk the picket line, my entire team and I will have their backs.”
• Among the few Republicans to weigh in was Sen. JOSH HAWLEY (R-Mo.), who has GM workers picketing in his state: “Auto workers deserve a raise — and they deserve to have their jobs protected from Joe Biden’s stupid climate mandates that are destroying the US auto industry and making China rich.”

Related reads: “What the UAW Strike Means for Car Buyers,” by WSJ’s Rachel Wolfe and Ryan Felton … “Where the G.O.P. candidates for president stand on labor and unions,” by NYT’s Maggie Astor … “Major business group, GOP blames Biden for UAW strike,” by Olivia Olander

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JOIN US — Rachael, Ryan and other POLITICO stars are hosting an event Tuesday about building the new American economy, featuring conversations with Council of Economic Advisers Chair JARED BERNSTEIN, Reps. DAVID SCHWEIKERT (R-Ariz.) and DREW FERGUSON (R-Ga.), and more. RSVP here

2024 WATCH 

ON THE ISSUES — Unlike some of his GOP primary rivals, DONALD TRUMP has yet to endorse a federal abortion ban as he campaigns for the White House. Despite paving the way for the post-Roe era by appointing three conservative Supreme Court justices, Trump has “warned Republicans against locking themselves into positions that are unpopular with a majority of the public,” AP’s Will Weissert and Thomas Beaumont report.

Why it matters … Trump, former VP MIKE PENCE and Florida Gov. RON DeSANTIS are set to make appearances today at a set of conferences dominated by the social conservative voting bloc, the Concerned Women of America Approved Leaders summit and the Pray Vote Stand summit hosted by the Family Research Council.

AD WATCH — The Biden campaign is launching a new six-figure "Spanglish" TV and digital ad buy across seven crucial battleground states, The Messenger’s Adrian Carrasquillo scoops this morning. “The 15-second ad has a clear message, which is that President Joe Biden's programs are tailor-made for Latinos.”

GONE COUNTRY — “Can Joe Biden and a fistful of cash win rural America for Democrats?” by Reuters’ Andrea Shalal: “Democratic officials said they plan to double down on their messaging in select rural areas ahead of the 2024 election, touting the billions of dollars in federal funding that have flowed to rural areas since Biden took office in infrastructure, semiconductor and inflation-focused laws. … Political veterans, even those who support Biden, remain skeptical.”

WORKING 9 TO 5 — “Vivek Ramaswamy Was an Intense, High-Maintenance Boss, Employees Say,” by Business Insider’s Katherine Long, Jack Newsham, Meghan Morris, and Jake Swearingen

MORE POLITICS 

SHOW ME THE MONEY — Armed with House gavels, newly appointed Republican committee chairs in safely red districts have seen a massive uptick in donations from powerful corporations and lobbying groups that seek to sway legislation, Bloomberg Law’s Kate Ackley and Maeve Sheehey report: “[Rep. JASON] SMITH [R-Mo.] and other Republicans who took the top spots on House committees this year have, all combined, raised 86% more in campaign donations in the first six months of 2023 than they did in the same period two years ago.”

THE WHITE HOUSE

SURVEY SAYS — NYT’s Charlie Savage, Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan are up with an analysis of how Biden’s views on executive power have evolved during his time as VP and as president, drawing on his response to the outlet’s annual Executive Power Survey: “If he is elected to a second term, President Biden pledged that he will go to Congress to start any major war but said he believed he was empowered ‘to direct limited U.S. military operations abroad’ without such approval when such strikes served critical American interests. … The reply stood in contrast to his answer in 2007, when he was also running for president and, as a senator, adopted a narrower view.”

Notably … Biden joined fellow Dem contenders MARIANNE WILLIAMSON and ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR., as well as Pence, VIVEK RAMASWAMY and several others in answering questions for the annual survey. Meanwhile, Trump, DeSantis and a slew of other GOP contenders declined to participate. Read their full responses

TIKTOK ON THE CLOCK — “TikTok and U.S. rekindle negotiations, boosting app’s hopes for survival,” by WaPo’s Drew Harwell

GROWING IN THE GOLDEN STATE: POLITICO California is growing, reinforcing our role as the indispensable insider source for reporting on politics, policy and power. From the corridors of power in Sacramento and Los Angeles to the players and innovation hubs in Silicon Valley, we're your go-to for navigating the political landscape across the state. Exclusive scoops, essential daily newsletters, unmatched policy reporting and insights — POLITICO California is your key to unlocking Golden State politics. LEARN MORE.

BEYOND THE BELTWAY

HAPPENING TODAY — “Derby alderman charged in Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol case wins Republican mayoral primary,” per NBC Connecticut: “[GINO] DiGIOVANNI campaigned for the primary while facing charges connected to his presence inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. He has insisted all along he did not do anything wrong. His next hearing is scheduled for after the general election.”

DEEP IN THE HEART — “Texas senate heads to deliberations in Ken Paxton impeachment trial,” by the Texas Tribune’s Kate McGee

WAR IN UKRAINE 

STOCKING UP — “Ukraine Closer to Acquiring ATACMS Long-Range Missiles From U.S. This Fall,” WSJ’s Nancy Youssef, Michael Gordon and Vivian Salama scoop: “President Biden has yet to approve the transfer. But administration officials said they are taking a fresh look at supplying the Army’s Tactical Missile System, or ATACMS, this fall to boost Ukraine’s counteroffensive”

A LOOK BEHIND THE CURTAIN — “Inside VP Biden’s linking of a loan to a Ukraine prosecutor’s ouster,” by NYT’s Glenn Kessler

AMERICA AND THE WORLD 

THE NEW MISSILE GAP — “Hypersonic Missiles Are Game-Changers, and America Doesn’t Have Them,” by WSJ’s Sharon Weinberger: “The Pentagon’s problems with developing hypersonics run up and down the decision chain, from failed flight tests and inadequate testing infrastructure to the lack of a clear, overarching plan for fielding the weapons. The situation is raising alarms among some former officials.”

JOIN 9/19 FOR A TALK ON BUILDING THE NEW AMERICAN ECONOMY: The United States is undergoing a generational economic transformation, with a renewed bipartisan emphasis on manufacturing. Join POLITICO on Sept. 19 for high-level conversations that examine the progress and chart the next steps in preserving America’s economic preeminence, driving innovation and protecting jobs. REGISTER HERE.

PLAYBOOKERS

IN MEMORIAM — “Shannon Kula, chief of staff to U.S. Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski and behind-the-scenes force, dies,” by The Baltimore Sun’s Jacques Kelly: “Ms. Kula was named chief of staff for Ms. Mikulski in 2003 and worked with her until the senator left office in 2017. … Ms. Kula ran unsuccessfully for a Connecticut congressional seat in 2018. She was also chair of the Connecticut Women’s Commission and president of Family Life, a nonprofit.”

OUT AND ABOUT — The American Federation of Teachers hosted a dinner Wednesday night at The Henri. The event featured a conversation with AFT president Randi Weingarten moderated by Semafor's Steve Clemons: Wayne Frederick, Alexi McCammond, Symone Sanders-Townsend, Ray Suarez, Annie Linskey, Kadia Goba, Fin Gomez, Martin Kady, Juan Williams, Jonathan Kott, Kevin Walling, Morgan Chalfant, Stephanie Lai, Wesley Lowery, Sophia Cai, Robb Harleston, Eleanor Clift, Rafael Bernal and David Weigel.

— Institute for Education AI Diplomatic Steward and European Union Ambassador H.E. Stavros Lambrinidis, Kathy “Coach” Kemper and R. David Edelman, hosted a dinner at the European Union Wednesday night at the EU residence convening AI thought leaders from government, public and private sectors. SPOTTED: Ben Buchanan, R. David Edelman, Sam Feist, Deniz Houston, Rose Jackson, Matt Kaminski, Shaun Modi, Kathryn Neal, Quentin Palfrey, Michael Sellitto, Robert Skidmore and Dan Wagner.

— SPOTTED at the opening of DoorDash’s new D.C. office Wednesday night: Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Tony Cardenas (D-Calif.), Nanette Barragan (D-Calif.), Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) and Marilyn Strickland (D-Wash.), Lamar Smith, Filemon Vela and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Elizabeth Jarvis-Shean, Carrianna Suiter Kuruvilla, Robert Yeakel, Jose Mercado, Katherine Rodriguez, Keith Fernandez and Colin Reed.

TRANSITION — Jaimon Jackson is now director for federal affairs, government affairs and policy at Gilead Sciences. He most recently was senior director for federal advocacy at PhRMA.

BONUS BIRTHDAY: Jill Moschak

Correction: Thursday’s Playbook PM incorrectly described Tim Scott's economic plan, which would slash nondefense government spending.

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