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THE AGENDA

Dems seek $12 billion for Ukraine as CR talks continue

House and Senate Democratic leaders are seeking $12 billion for Ukraine in a short-term funding bill designed to keep the federal government running until mid-December.

“Ukraine has made significant advances against Russia in the war, the vicious war that Putin has waged against the Ukrainian people,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said at a Manhattan news conference on Sunday, according to the N.Y. Daily News. “I will be pushing for at least $12 billion in aid for Ukraine in the budget so they can continue to win the war effort.”

Democratic aides said Schumer was advocating for the position on behalf of top House and Senate Democrats in the negotiations over the continuing resolution. The CR could see floor action beginning as early as this week in either chamber, depending on what happens with the negotiations over permitting reform.

This is also largely in line with what the White House asked for on Ukraine earlier this month. Republicans seem supportive of the request, although details were still being worked out over the weekend.

If it’s approved, this would bring total U.S. spending on the war in Ukraine to more than $60 billion, with lots more expected.

The CR under discussion would extend government funding until mid-December, likely Dec. 16. The White House has requested tens of billions of dollars in new Covid prep funding to cover the cost of tests, therapeutics and new vaccines. Republicans have balked at this, saying the Biden administration should redirect money from the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan to cover this.

The White House has also sought money for dealing with the monkeypox outbreak and disaster relief as part of the CR. Like the Covid request, Republicans have been opposed to this new monkeypox funding. On disaster relief, the two sides are still discussing what this might look like.

The issue on timing for the CR remains permitting reform. Schumer and Sen. Joe Manchin made a deal that a permitting reform proposal from the West Virginia Democrat would be attached to the CR.

Republicans, though, are opposed to the Manchin plan, as are a large block of progressive House Democrats. Schumer is moving ahead as if the permitting reform provision will be included in the CR anyway. We expect some decision on this by midweek at the latest.

If permitting reform is dropped, there’s an outside chance that the CR could be approved this week. It’s pretty unlikely, but there’s a chance. Lawmakers in both chambers want to go home for the election.

However, we still expect Congress to be in next week. House Democratic leaders want to have a vote on a bill banning stock trading by members before they leave town, and that doesn’t appear possible before next week. It also gives party leaders time to deal with any hiccups on the CR.

Remember, neither chamber is in session on Monday and Tuesday due to Rosh Hashanah.

Republicans will block cloture, so this bill won’t go anywhere but Whitehouse has advocated strongly for this legislation. Here’s the Rhode Island Democrat, a frequent critic of the Supreme Court’s 2010 decision in the Citizens United case, from a July hearing before the Senate Rules Committee:

– John Bresnahan

👀

Who we’re watching

— John Bresnahan and Jake Sherman

📅

What we’re watching

The Senate Agriculture Committee will have a hearing on crypto as a tool for financial inclusion. Senate Judiciary will have a hearing on the enforcement of antitrust laws. This hearing will be chaired by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.).

– Jake Sherman

GAVEL GRAB

Emmer to donors – Buchanan will be next Ways and Means chair

NRCC Chair Tom Emmer said at a Florida fundraiser last week that Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) will be the next top Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee.

“Vern will be the next Ways and Means chairman,” Emmer said at the fundraiser, according to a source present. “Vern has been a mentor to me and many others in our conference.”

Now, you may think this is an endorsement. But we are told Emmer is still neutral in the race. He doesn’t sound so neutral to us.

Let’s be straight: Buchanan has been good to Emmer. Buchanan has raised and donated millions of dollars to the NRCC this cycle as part of his quest to be the next top GOP tax writer. But so has Rep. Jason Smith of Missouri and, to a lesser extent, Rep. Adrian Smith of Nebraska. So fully backing Buchanan could be tricky for Emmer.

Emmer is eyeing a run for leadership. He wants to be the whip in the next Congress if Republicans take the majority, so his comments are especially noteworthy. If Emmer wins a leadership slot, he’ll retain his Steering Committee seat, giving him a vote for the next top Republican on Ways and Means.

Emmer’s remarks came during an event at Buchahan’s home in Longboat Key, Fla. The event raised more than $200,000 for the NRCC. Buchanan gave $50,000 from his campaign account to the NRCC at the fundraiser.

– Jake Sherman

THE CAMPAIGN

– Jake Sherman

MOMENTS

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are in London for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral. He will return to the White House around 5 p.m.

Biden’s week: Tuesday: Biden will travel to New York for the U.N. General Assembly. He’ll also attend a DNC fundraiser.

Wednesday: Biden will address the U.N. General Assembly. He will also meet with UK Prime Minister Liz Truss. Biden will speak at the Global Fund’s Seventh Replenishment Conference. He will also host the Leader’s Reception at the American Museum of Natural History.

Thursday: Biden will attend a DNC reception and then return to D.C.

Saturday: Biden will travel to Wilmington, Del. Sunday: Biden will return to D.C.

CLIP FILE

NYT

WaPo

WSJ

Note: The Senate has its own election reform bill. These two pieces of legislation will likely need to be negotiated during the lame duck.

Bloomberg