News: Senate Republicans clashed behind closed doors Wednesday over earmarks, we scooped last night, as tensions between GOP appropriators and conservatives reached a boiling point.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) went after Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) over the latter’s opposition to earmarks, noting that Scott signed budgets as governor that contained similar funding mechanisms.
Scott responded by asserting that Mullin didn’t understand how Florida’s government works. Scott said he line-item vetoed many of the provisions in question.
Separately, Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), frequent foes on this topic, got into a heated argument.
Scott and Johnson are among the conservatives blocking consideration of a package of five funding bills.
News: Equality PAC is endorsing three Democrats in contested House primaries. In New York’s 17th District, the group is backing Cait Conley. In New York’s 12th District, the group is endorsing Erik Bottcher. And Equality PAC is supporting Mike Simmons in Illinois’ 9th District.
