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| |  | | | | By Bethany Irvine | | | | Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) turned tail today and backed a plan to give acting Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) full powers as speaker. | Alex Brandon/AP | IT’S A JUNGLE, JIM — On Day 17 without an elected speaker, House Republicans appear to be no closer to figuring things out. In fact, they appear to be exploring entirely new frontiers of dysfunction. Rather than press forward with a third ballot — one he was certain to lose — Rep. JIM JORDAN (R-Ohio) turned tail and backed a plan to give acting Speaker Pro Tempore PATRICK McHENRY (R-N.C.) full powers to run the House through the end of the year. That would ostensibly give Jordan time to regroup for another speaker election to be held before the 2024 session. As we previewed this morning in Playbook, empowering McHenry is a plan that looks better on paper than in practice. Conservative Republicans immediately exploded in opposition to the proposal, as Sarah Ferris, Jordain Carney and Olivia Beavers report, with Rep. MATT GAETZ (R-Fla.) vowing to do “everything†he can to block the plan and Rep. JIM BANKS (R-Ind.) calling it “the biggest F.U. to Republican voters I’ve ever seen.†Notably, the blowback to the proposal appears to go well beyond the eight hard-liners who ousted KEVIN McCARTHY from the speakership — or even the few dozen who blocked Majority Leader STEVE SCALISE from succeeding him. Rep. PAT FALLON (R-Texas), who described himself as “Hell no, Hades no!†on the proposal, told Punchbowl’s John Bresnahan that as many as two-thirds of House Republicans would oppose it. It represents a rare and potentially fatal misstep for Jordan, who put himself in position to compete for the gavel by mainlining the obsessions of the conservative base. But he’s now facing angry calls to drop out of the race rather than give himself 10 more weeks to campaign. Rep. DEBBIE LESKO (R-Ariz.), a Freedom Caucus member who had backed Jordan, called the maneuver self-serving and demanded he withdraw inside a heated conference meeting, per Olivia. There’s still a path to empower McHenry, but it involves persuading a lot of Democrats that a functioning House with a Republican in charge is better than the status quo. And that is, shall we say, a work in progress. Minority Leader HAKEEM JEFFRIES and House Democrats are for now keeping their powder dry, Sarah and Nick Wu report: “During a private caucus meeting on Thursday, Jeffries’ message was essentially to “wait and see†if Republicans make a formal offer in exchange for Democratic help on a vote to empower McHenry.†Among the concessions that Democrats could potentially seek: Pursuing full-year FY2024 appropriations at the levels agreed to in the debt-mit deal passed earlier this year; guaranteeing a House vote on a supplemental funding package for Ukraine, Israel and more; and ensuring that no Republican who voted to reject 2020 electoral votes holds the gavel. And one other thing: It’s hard to see Democrats agreeing to any deal as long as Jordan is still pursuing a path to the gavel. Related read: “‘The greatest name in politics’: A quick guide to Patrick McHenry,†by Zachary Warmbrodt POWELL PLEADS GUILTY — In a major blow for DONALD TRUMP, one of his closest former allies, attorney SIDNEY POWELL, pled guilty today to reduced charges in connection with the former president's plot to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia. It’s a stunning admission from Powell, who had appeared poised to go to trial but now could be called upon to testify against the former president. Powell is the second defendant in the sprawling Georgia racketeering case to reach an agreement with prosecutors after facing accusations connected to an election security breach in rural Coffee County. More details: Powell pled guilty “to six misdemeanor counts of conspiracy to commit intentional interference with performance of election duties,†Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney report. “Powell was sentenced to six years probation and will be left without a criminal record if she complies with all aspects of the agreement, Judge SCOTT McAFEE indicated. She also must write an apology letter to Georgia citizens.†The surprising about-face came after Powell’s legal team claimed this morning she never worked for the former president or his campaign. “But at the hearing Thursday, she said the state had the proof needed to convict her,†write Kyle and Josh. Trouble for Trump world? “If prosecutors compel [Powell] to testify, she could provide insight on a news conference she participated in on behalf of Trump and his campaign shortly after the election and on a White House meeting she attended in mid-December of that year during which strategies and theories to influence the outcome of the election were discussed,†AP’s Kate Brumback reports. Good Thursday afternoon. Thanks for reading Playbook PM. Drop me a line: [email protected].
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|  | | A message from Business Roundtable: America’s status as the global leader in innovation is at risk. Key tax incentives for investment in the U.S. are being phased out while other countries double down on domestic investment. Unless Congress fully reverses these tax increases on U.S. job creators, American businesses and workers will be at a competitive disadvantage. Congress, it’s time to support American jobs and innovation. Restore essential business tax incentives. Learn more. | |  | HMM — “Exclusive: Tech billionaire Peter Thiel was an FBI informant,†by Insider’s Mattathias Schwartz BIG PROMOTION — “Biden to select Kurt Campbell as deputy secretary of State,†by Alex Ward and Nahal Toosi: “[KURT] CAMPBELL, the National Security Council coordinator for the Indo-Pacific, has had a hand in virtually everything the Biden administration has done on Asia policy. The nuclear submarine deal with the U.K. and Australia known as AUKUS was his brainchild, and he quietly worked to make it a reality, keeping the development away from many colleagues who were surprised by the deal’s formal announcement.†AMERICA AND THE WORLD LATEST IN THE MIDDLE EAST — After President JOE BIDEN’s announcement this morning that the U.S. had secured a deal with Egypt and Israel to send critical humanitarian aid to Gaza, U.N. officials and world leaders are pushing to make crucial structural repairs needed to transport supplies, WSJ’s Anas Baba, Dion Nissenbaum and Summer Said report from the Gaza Strip. “Hundreds of aid trucks have been waiting in Egypt for a green light to head into Gaza as world leaders sought to find a way to help millions of Palestinians trying to avoid the fighting. The Rafah border crossing connecting Gaza and Egypt has been damaged during the conflict and … the extent of damage is likely to delay the opening until at least Saturday.†How it’s playing at home … While centrists Dems are applauding the Biden administration’s approach to the conflict, tensions from the left continue play out on social media, NYT’s Reid Epstein reports: “‘We cannot bomb our way to peace,’ wrote Representative CORI BUSH of Missouri. ‘We need a cease-fire,’ said Representative ANDRÉ CARSON of Indiana. … Another meme circulating on left-wing social media showed a stylized Mr. Biden behind the wheel of a convertible with the caption “Genocidin’ with Biden.’†Related reads: “Group of Muslim and Jewish Hill staffers call for cease-fire in Israel-Hamas war,†by Nick Wu … “Kathy Hochul, Grieving Her Father’s Sudden Death, Presses On in Israel,†by NYT’s Luis Ferré-Sadurnà ON THE BORDER — As the turmoil in the Middle East continues, Republicans on the presidential campaign trail, in Congress, and in state offices are attempting to link the Hamas attack to the U.S.-Mexico border through unsubstantiated claims, NYT’s Jazmine Ulloa reports this morning: “Homeland Security officials have said they have found no specific or credible threat to the United States tied to Hamas.†And while “attempts by politicians to link Mideast terror groups and Mexican criminal organizations have at times gained traction over the past two decades … The two kinds of groups have vastly different objectives and operate in cultural and economic borderland regions that do not share remotely similar dynamics.†Even still … A new AP-NORC/Pearson poll shows that a majority of Americans still see Mexico as “an essential partner†with the U.S. to address illegal immigration and drug trafficking, AP’s Adriana Gomez Licon And Linley Sanders report. THE NUCLEAR OPTION — “China’s Military Is Making Risky Moves and Adding Nuclear Warheads, U.S. Says,†by NYT’s Chris Buckley
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|  | | CALIFORNIA CLIMATE: Climate change isn’t just about the weather. It's also about how we do business and create new policies, especially in California. So we have something cool for you: A brand-new California Climate newsletter. It's not just climate or science chat, it's your daily cheat sheet to understanding how the legislative landscape around climate change is shaking up industries across the Golden State. Cut through the jargon and get the latest developments in California as lawmakers and industry leaders adapt to the changing climate. Subscribe now to California Climate to keep up with the changes. | |  | |  | 2024 WATCH PENCE IN WINTER — “Pence campaign sputters amid money troubles, staff cuts and low enthusiasm,†by WaPo’s Meryl Kornfield and Marianne LeVine: “[MIKE] PENCE, who once sat a heartbeat away from the presidency, now stands at a difficult crossroads. Plagued by financial problems, low polling numbers and a message that hasn’t resonated with the party base, he has been forced to confront tough realities this fall about the future of his campaign.†ALL THE EGGS, ONE BASKET — “Republican presidential candidate placing all his chips on one crucial early voting state†by Fox News’ Paul Steinhauser: “[Former New Jersey Gov. CHRIS] CHRISTIE, the most vocal critic of former President Donald Trump in the relatively large field of Republican White House contenders, has said that he'll drop out of the 2024 race if he doesn't do well in New Hampshire.†THE ECONOMY STEADY AS SHE GOES — As the Israel-Hamas conflict puts markets on edge, Federal Reserve officials signaled today that they will continue to hold interest rates unchanged unless there is clear evidence the economy is in trouble. In remarks today from the Economic Club of New York, Fed Chair JEROME POWELL noted the agency will continue to monitor inflation rates and “Given the uncertainties and risks, and how far we have come, the committee is proceeding carefully.†More from WSJ’s Nick Timiraos
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|  | | A message from Business Roundtable: | |  | PLAYBOOKERS SPOTTED last night dining at El Presidente: First Lady Jill Biden and Naomi Biden FOR YOUR RADAR — The Radio-Television Correspondents’ Association Executive Committee announced the winners of this year’s annual awards: NBC News’ Frank Thorp V and Sarah Mimms and a team of contributors were honored with the Joan Shorenstein Barone Award for their coverage on Capitol Hill, NBC News’ John Bullard was honored with the Jerry Thompson Memorial Award for excellence in photojournalism, and NBC News’ Giaco Riggs was honored with Career Achievement Award for Distinguished Reporting on Congress. The association also honored CNN’s team of correspondents, anchors and producers with the David Bloom Award for their enterprise reporting on the war in Ukraine. Full announcement here OUT AND ABOUT — SPOTTED at End Citizen United and Let America Vote’s “Celebration of Democracy†reception honoring Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) yesterday evening at the Salamander DC: Connie Britton, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Reps. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), Colin Allred (D-Texas), Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), Greg Casar (D-Texas), Nikema Williams (D-Ga.), Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.), Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), Val Hoyle (D-Ore.), Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.), Valerie Foushee (D-N.C.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), Greg Landsman (D-Ohio) and Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.), Tiffany Muller, Rahna Epting, Stephen Spaulding, Sean Eldridge, Lanae Erickson, Bill Smith and Matt Morrison. — Broadcast Music Inc. and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History last night hosted a discussion and music with Krystal Klingenberg and Kenneth “Babyface†Edmonds about Babyface’s career. SPOTTED: Reps. Nanette Barragan (D-Calif.), Troy Carter (D-La.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.), Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), Lucy McBath (D-Ga.), Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.), Nikema Williams (D-Ga.), Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.) and Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.), Mike O’ Neill, Michael Collins, Mitch Glazier, Bart Herbison, David Israelite and Elise Perry. TRANSITION — Bill Anaya is now VP of global government affairs at Coupang. He most recently was head of international government relations for the Americas at Alibaba Group. Did someone forward this email to you? Sign up here. Send Playbookers tips to [email protected] or text us at 202-556-3307. Playbook couldn’t happen without our editor Mike DeBonis, deputy editor Zack Stanton and producer Bethany Irvine.
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