News: Speaker Mike Johnson has hired the general counsel for the Senate Banking Committee as his top lawyer.
Rachel Kaldahl, who was also the deputy staff director on Senate Banking, will take over for Ashley Callen, who recently left the Hill for Jenner & Block.
Kaldahl, a graduate of Temple University’s law school, has ample House experience. She was the chief oversight counsel for the House Financial Services and House Ways and Means committees. She also worked on the House Oversight Committee.
Stefanik’s new PAC. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) is launching a new PAC in New York “to support Republican candidates across New York in 2025, and laying the groundwork to save New York by firing Kathy Hochul in 2026.”
Stefanik is considering a bid for NY governor in 2026. This move will only heighten the speculation around Stefanik.
Silencer poll: The gun control group GIFFORDS has a new poll from Senate battleground states showing that GOP efforts to make gun silencers more easily available is deeply unpopular.
The House Republican version of reconciliation eliminates a $200 federal tax on silencers. But according to the GIFFORDS’ poll, large majorities of voters — including voters for President Donald Trump — don’t want to see that happen and are opposed to the proposed changes (which may not get through the Senate anyway.) Here’s the poll.
Maine Senate news: Jordan Wood, a former Hill aide, is staffing up for his run against Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine). Among the hires: Alex Obolensky, an alum of Rep. Lizzie Pannill Fletcher (D-Texas), will be the campaign manager; Dan Jenkins, a former campaign manager for Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), will be the political director; and former DCCC executive director Tim Persico will be a digital advertising consultant.
Reed Adamson and Valerie Martin will be the media consultants.
The money game: The Equality PAC raised $650,000 for its annual Pride gala tonight held at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Equality PAC Co-Chairs Reps. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) and Mark Takano (D-Calif.) are planning to attend. Actor Eugene Levy will be presented with the Nancy Pelosi Equality Ally Award.
Endorsements: The Blue Dog PAC’s first endorsement of the cycle is to back Rebecca Cooke in Wisconsin’s 3rd District.
