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PRESENTED BY

BY JOHN BRESNAHAN, ANNA PALMER AND JAKE SHERMAN

THE TOP

Last week we gave you a rundown of how House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Speaker Nancy Pelosi have done so far this year. This morning, as promised, we’re giving you a progress report on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

It’s hard to compare the Schumer of late March with the Schumer of early January. That’s how much has happened to the New York Democrat during the last two months.

Senate Democrats came out of Election Day upset over another poor showing. Joe Biden had won the White House, yes, but they’d only picked up one Senate seat despite a good map. Then Donald Trump began saying the election was stolen. The former president’s complaints, combined with a great turnout operation, helped Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock pull off the “Miracle in Georgia.” Their twin victories on Jan. 5 suddenly made Schumer majority leader, the high point of a 40-year congressional career.

It’s fair to say Schumer is doing well right now. As he’ll tell you — and he will, don’t worry — since taking over as majority leader, Schumer has successfully overseen Trump’s impeachment trial, the confirmation of all of Biden’s Cabinet nominees, and passage of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan. It wasn’t always pretty, but Schumer got it done.

The knock on Schumer as leader has always been that he’s all message, no tactics. The word in the Capitol is that Republican leader Mitch McConnell can outmaneuver him. Yet Schumer stayed tough during the showdown with McConnell over the Senate organizing resolution, getting Democrats where they needed to be. He’s held together a caucus that has a serious ideological divide between its factions. Schumer deserves credit for this.

Schumer has also worked hard to solidify his support on the left, making him less vulnerable to a challenge from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) or another progressive in 2022. AOC may run, and she’d get backing from those in New York saying it’s time for a change. But Schumer has cut down much of the room to his left.

The next few months will be tougher for Schumer and Senate Democrats. The battles over the minimum wage and filibuster have highlighted the ideological divides inside his caucus. Getting the Covid relief bill done was straightforward; now Schumer will have to find other legislation he can pass. A China-related package is one option. Schumer and the Democratic leadership will then face stark choices. Do they use reconciliation for an infrastructure package including a tax increase, shutting out Republicans? Does he try to blow up the filibuster over gun control, voting rights, D.C. statehood or some other issue? 

Right now, Schumer can’t say more than two sentences without using the phrase “Big and bold.” He’ll have to be that himself.

Schumer also faces a band of moderate Democrats who want to do deals with Republicans. He’ll have to proceed carefully here, as these moderates helped make his majority and can’t be ignored. 

Best moment: The passage of the American Rescue Plan was a major win for Schumer and the White House. And it helped his own reelection in 2022 as well.

Worst moment: The minimum wage fight. Schumer and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), chair of the Budget Committee, pushed for inclusion of the $15 per hour minimum wage in the reconciliation package for Covid relief. Sanders at one point all but said it would be in. When the provision was struck by the Senate parliamentarian, Sanders and progressives were unhappy. Schumer gave Sanders a vote, and eight Democrats voted against the wage hike. Progressives were unhappier. This isn’t over yet.

Mitch McConnell: Other than Schumer, no one in Washington has had a busier, more chaotic few months than McConnell. From the relief of Election Day to the disaster in Georgia, McConnell’s had to deal with a lot. And in his case, you have to throw in Trump as well.

McConnell and Trump fell out over the former president’s actions post Election Day. McConnell initially gave his support to Trump and his legal challenges to the election results. But as Trump’s legal case fizzled out in state after state, and his “stolen election” rhetoric grew more dangerous, the ex-president and McConnell parted ways. McConnell knew it was over and he wanted Trump to acknowledge that too. The pair stopped speaking to each other. When McConnell said Biden had won, Trump began to attack him. Those attacks escalated to cover the GOP more broadly, and Trump helped cost Republicans the two Georgia Senate seats and their majority. 

McConnell and Trump now represent two different versions of the GOP. McConnell’s Republican Party is conservative but traditional, while Trump’s Republican Party is populist and built around him. This is one of the struggles for the future of the GOP right here, one of many happening among Republicans.They just happen to be the two most highest-profile Republicans in the land doing it, that’s all. 

All this doesn’t bode well next year for Senate Republicans, who are facing a tough map again. There’s a wave of GOP retirements, including most recently Sens. Roy Blunt (Mo.), Rob Portman (Ohio) and Richard Shelby (Ala.). Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who is 87, is fundraising for his 2022 race, but has not formally announced whether he’s running again. Portman and Blunt especially are close to McConnell, and he tried to convince both of them to stay, to no avail. 

McConnell will rally his senators against Biden’s agenda, but like Schumer, he faces a band of moderates who want to do some deals with the White House and Democrats. The issue is whether any of these agreements actually come together, and if that undermines McConnell’s anti-Biden agenda.

McConnell has also taken a public stand against eliminating the filibuster. He took to the floor last week to paint a dark picture of what the Senate would become without the 60-vote threshold. McConnell has vowed to bring the Senate to standstill if Democrats move to eliminate the filibuster, and knowing the Kentucky Republican, he will do just that.

Best moment: McConnell’s speech following Trump’s acquittal on impeachment charges. He condemned Trump’s behavior and suggested the former president could face criminal charges, an extraordinary statement from someone who spent years working with Trump to remake the Supreme Court and judiciary. "Former President Trump’s actions preceding the riot were a disgraceful dereliction of duty,” McConnell said. “The leader of the free world cannot spend weeks thundering that shadowy forces are stealing our country and then feign surprise when people believe him and do reckless things.”

Worst moment: McConnell voted to acquit Trump before making that speech. This vote is understandable, although still tough to watch considering some of what he said afterward. If McConnell had voted to convict Trump, there’s a real chance he’d have had to give up his spot as Senate GOP leader. And that wasn’t going to happen.

ETHICS

Tom Reed retires after WaPo story

Rep. Tom Reed announced Sunday that he would not run for reelection, just two days after the Washington Post reported that the New York Republican sexually harassed a former lobbyist during a 2017 dinner.

In a March 19 report, Nicolette Davis said a drunken Reed, “his hand outside her blouse, briefly fumbled with her bra before unhooking it by pinching the clasp, Davis told The Post. He moved his hand to her thigh, inching upward, she said.” A fearful Davis asked another person at the dinner for help, and Reed was led out of the restaurant. Davis is now a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

Reed initially denied any wrongdoing, telling the Post that “This account of my actions is not accurate.”

However, in a lengthy statement released Sunday night, Reed said he didn’t remember that incident, but he apologized to Davis and took responsibility for what happened. Reed admitted to a drinking problem, adding that he got sober in 2017. Reed also said he wouldn’t seek reelection next year, and said he’d dedicate himself to helping others with addiction problems.

“First, I apologize to Nicolette Davis. Even though I am only hearing of this matter as stated by Ms. Davis in the article now, I hear her voice and will not dismiss her,” Reed said. “In reflection, my personal recollection of this event is irrelevant. Simply put, my behavior caused her pain, showed her disrespect, and was unprofessional. I was wrong. I am sorry and take full responsibility.” 

Reed added: “Second, I want to share that this occurred at a time in my life in which I was struggling. Upon entering treatment in 2017, I recognized that I am powerless over alcohol. I am now approaching four years of that personal lifelong journey of recovery… This is in no way an excuse for anything I’ve done. Consistent with my recovery, I publicly take ownership of my past actions, offer this amends and humbly apologize again to Ms. Davis, my wife, my kids, loved ones, and to all of you.”

Reed, 49, was first elected to the House in 2010, replacing Democratic Rep. Eric Massa. Massa resigned over allegations he’d sexually harassed male staffers.

Reed is a co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus and holds a seat on the Ways and Means Committee.

INSIDE THE SENATE

Senate slogs through Biden nominees

The Senate will be busy this week, starting today with a vote to confirm Marty Walsh as Labor secretary. As we noted above, this will fill out the roster of President Joe Biden’s Cabinet secretaries. This Senate got through confirmations faster than either the Obama or Trump administrations. 

This comes despite the Democrats not taking over the Senate until mid-January following their upset victories in Georgia, the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol and former President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial. The Senate was not officially organized until Feb. 4. 

There will be five more confirmations this week: Shalanda Young for OMB deputy director, Vivek Murthy for Surgeon General, Rachel Levine for HHS assistant secretary, David Turk for deputy secretary of Energy, and Adewale Adeyemo for deputy secretary of Treasury. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) filed cloture on all five nominations last week.

Schumer is also looking to pass a two-month extension of the PPP program ahead of its March 31 expiration. This sailed through the House last week on a huge bipartisan vote, and Schumer has already filed cloture on this. He’ll need some GOP support, so we’ll watch closely.

One other thing worth watching: An all female leadership will take over the Senate Sergeant at Arms office this week, the first time since 1789 that’s ever happened. Karen Gibson, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant general with extensive intelligence experience, will take over as Sergeant at Arms. Kelly Fado, a longtime Senate staffer, will be deputy, while Jennifer Hemingway, another veteran congressional aide, will be chief of staff.

THE MONEY GAME

→ Joe Biden’s presidential campaign transferred $10.25 million to the DNC.

→ Kanye West’s campaign spent an eye-popping $409,199 in February, including $282,440 with Los Angeles Apparel.

MOMENTS

9:30 a.m.: VP Kamala Harris will swear in Isabella Casillas Guzman as SBA administrator.

10 a.m.: President Joe Biden and Harris will receive the daily briefing.

11 a.m.: The Covid response team will brief.

11:50 a.m.: Harris will leave for Jacksonville, Fla.

12:30 p.m.: Jen Psaki will brief.

2:25 p.m.: Harris will visit a vaccination center in Jacksonville.

3:20 p.m.: Harris will attend a listening session at Feeding Northeast Florida Food Pantry, Distribution & Food.

6:05 p.m.: Harris will leave Jacksonville for D.C.

7 p.m.: Biden will meet virtually with the Senate Democratic Caucus.

Biden’s week: Tuesday: Biden will be in Columbus to talk about the American Rescue Plan and the Affordable Care Act. Wednesday: Biden will have an event to mark Equal Pay Day. Thursday: Biden will hold a news conference.

CLIP FILE

NYT: “Assaulting the Truth, Ron Johnson Helps Erode Confidence in Government,” by Trip Gabriel and Reid J. Epstein in Brookfield, Wis.: “Senator Ron Johnson incited widespread outrage when he said recently that he would have been more afraid of the rioters who rampaged the Capitol on Jan. 6 had they been members of Black Lives Matter and antifa.

“But his revealing and incendiary comment, which quickly prompted accusations of racism, came as no surprise to those who have followed Mr. Johnson’s career in Washington or back home in Wisconsin. He has become the Republican Party’s foremost amplifier of conspiracy theories and disinformation now that Donald Trump himself is banned from social media and largely avoiding appearances on cable television.”

“Postal Service Struggles to Speed Up Delivery, Compounding Its Troubles,” by Hailey Fuchs

“Evidence in Capitol Attack Most Likely Supports Sedition Charges, Prosecutor Says,” by Katie Benner

WaPo: “‘It’s not a local issue anymore’: D.C. statehood moves from political fringe to the center of the national Democratic agenda,” by Mike DeBonis and Meagan Flynn

“State of emergency in Miami Beach extended to April 11 as spring breakers overwhelm the city,” by Brittany Shammas

AP/London: “AstraZeneca says US trial data shows vaccine 79% effective”

“A rapid COVID-19 vaccine rollout backfired in some US states,” by Carla K. Johnson and Nicky Forster: “A surprising new analysis found that states such as South Carolina and Florida that raced ahead of others to offer the vaccine to ever-larger groups of people have vaccinated smaller shares of their population than those that moved more slowly and methodically, such as Hawaii and Connecticut.

“The explanation, as experts see it, is that the rapid expansion of eligibility caused a surge in demand too big for some states to handle and led to serious disarray. Vaccine supplies proved insufficient or unpredictable, websites crashed and phone lines became jammed, spreading confusion, frustration and resignation among many people.”

Politico: “Trump looks to take down Raffensperger in Georgia,” by Alex Isenstadt and Zach Montellaro: “Former President Donald Trump is expected to endorse Rep. Jody Hice in a campaign to unseat Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in next year’s Republican primary, according to three people familiar with Trump’s decision.”

THE INSIDE GAME

McCarthy’s new political director

Alayna Treene of Axios scooped that Kevin McCarthy hired Brian Jack to run his political operation. Jack was White House political director for Donald Trump and was in the mix to be the NRCC’s executive director. 

This is interesting for a bunch of reasons. McCarthy’s political operation is increasingly sprawling: He is the top fundraiser for the NRCC, he has his own campaign operation and PAC and he raises piles of the money for the Congressional Leadership Fund and the American Action Network. 

In hiring Jack, McCarthy is putting a Trump ally in charge of all of that. And, furthermore, you should expect his political operation to be a parallel power center to the NRCC. Past party leaders have used the NRCC as their political operation. McCarthy seems intent on creating his own.

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Editorial photos provided by Getty Images