The Hill & # 39; s Morning Report – The Pressure Rises On Bill Barr

Welcome to The Hill's Morning report. Happy Wednesday and happy May! Our newsletter informs you about the most important developments in politics and politics, as well as trends to watch. The co-creators are Alexis Simendinger and Al Weaver (Click here to subscribe!). On Twitter, find us at @asimendinger and @ alweaver22.

Attorney General William BarrWilliam Pelham Barr Schiff: The House Committee recommends that the DOJ initiate an investigation into the testimony of Erik Prince. The Hill & # 39; s Morning Report – Biden's candidacy under the skin of Trump Trump believes that Mueller's attacks pose little risk. MORE has explanations to make about special tips Robert MuellerRobert (Bob) Swan MuellerSasse: US should applaud Mueller's choice to lead the investigation over Russia MORE"s conclusions. It will be Barr's first public appearance on Capitol Hill since the report was released, and he expects Democratic senators to follow him.

He will be asked about a letter from Mueller objecting to Barr's four-page characterization in March of the investigative evidence and the findings of the special advocate. Mueller wrote to Barr and then called to tell him that the Attorney General "did not fully grasp the context, nature and content" of the evidence and findings (The Washington Post).

According to officials at the Department of Justice, Mueller asked Barr to immediately publish the introductions and summaries of the 448-page report, which the Attorney General did not do at that time. The report was released on April 18 with some deletions.

The New York Times: Mueller opposed Barr's description of the findings of the Russian Trump investigation.

Sen. Chris Van HollenChristopher (Chris) Van HollenSchumer calls for a 2020 election security briefing after the report Mueller Dems accuses the White House of giving in to Trump's ego on Russian interference Two dozen Dem Democrats ask Trump to extend the nuclear deal with Russia MORE (D-Md.) Did not wait to hear Barr answer questions today before calling to resign for what the senator thinks lie in Congress. "On April 20, I asked Barr: "Did Bob Mueller agree with your conclusion?" He replied, "I do not know if Mueller supported my conclusion." We now know that Mueller expressed his concerns on March 27 and that Barr totally misled me, the convention and the public. He must resign. Van Hollen tweeted with a video clip of their exchange.

Leader of the Senate Minority Charles SchumerCharles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerSchumer jokes The NY Times has made a crossword mistake: "Chuck" has "five letters!" MJ Hegar Announces Senate Nomination for Hillicon Valley Texas: House Dems Subpoena in Mueller Report | Justice Department Regrets "Premature" Assignment | Dems rejects the offer to see the report with less editorial | Camp Trump posts ads on Facebook about the Mueller report | Uber gets B for autonomous cars MORE (D-N.Y.) Stated that he wished to hear Barr's testimony and that the public heard Mueller as well. "In light of Mueller's letter, the misleading nature of Barr's 4/10 testimony and the 4/18 press conference is even more glaring,"He tweeted. "Barr must bring the letter with him when he will testify in the Senate. And it's time for Mueller to testify publicly. Now."

The Attorney General can count on a friendly cover from the President of the Judiciary Committee of the Senate Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamSchumer calls for a 2020 election security briefing after the Mueller report Thanks to Senator Richard Lugar, the world is safer, freer and more prosperous The Hill & # 39; s Morning Report – Biden's candidacy under the Trump skin PLUS (R-S.C.), Ally of President TrumpDonald John TrumpA single meaning with Huawei – do not let him control The Emperor of Japan is the first to abdicate his throne for two centuries The Secretary of the Air Force warns against a European military force MORE who says he personally "finished" with questions about the alleged conspiracy and obstructive behavior of the president before and during Mueller's 22-month investigation. Graham and Barr believe that Trump did not intervene in Mueller's work, that is, there was no obstruction crime.

Graham says he much prefers to delve deeper into Mueller's conclusions about Russia's pursuit of a divisive strategy in the United States, which wants to fight Moscow's continued interference, possibly through additional economic sanctions.

However, the group's Democratic senators, three of whom run for president, still have many questions to ask Barr about Trump's decisions and behavior, both as a candidate and as president.

Mueller was scheduled to testify before the Congress, but no date was announced and some Democratic legislators said the Justice Department was holding him back (The Daily Beast).

The drama on the Senate side is unfolding as Barr and the Democrat-led House Judiciary Committee remain at odds over the format of Barr's testimony in the evening scheduled on Thursday. It is not certain that the Attorney General agrees to be questioned by the President Jerrold NadlerJerrold (Jerry) Lewis NadlerPrivilege jurisprudence favors Trump and not Nadler Some Democrat committee chairpersons have changed their minds about Trump's dismissal 21 questions to Robert Mueller MORE (D-N.Y.), Counsel for the committee or other legislators of the group.

Following Tuesday night reports on Mueller's objections to Barr, Nadler issued a statement reiterating his call for the two men to appear before his committee.

"The Attorney General has expressed reluctance to appear before the Judiciary Committee of the House on Thursday," Nadler said. "These reports make it all the more important for him to appear and answer our questions." The Department of Justice also hesitated to confirm the date of appearance of the special advocate Mueller. "

Growing tensions between the Justice Department and the House Democrats have increased in citations and energetic research into the power of the legislature to punish those who defy congressional constitutional criticism. Mike Lillis and Olivia Beavers reported that several House committee chairs had discussed Tuesday the vote to hold government officials refusing to testify in defiance of Congress.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellThanks to Senator Richard Lugar, the world is safer, freer and more prosperous. The Hill & # 39; s Morning – Biden's candidacy is under the skin of Trump Dems lacking a unified plan to pass the Paris Climate Act PLUS (R-Ky.) Suggested Tuesday that it will be the courts, not Congress, that will likely decide if and under what circumstances the executive may refuse to cooperate under congressional oversight. And in seeking to protect itself from the judiciary, the executive branch thinks it's also gaining time, McConnell said.

"It is pretty obvious that the government thinks that he has finished his job" no collusion ", and the President said that he thought that a cooperation was not a thing with which I hope all these questions will eventually lead to in the courts, " McConnell told reporters. "Every administration since I've been around me has had some disagreements with Congress about power … it's always happening for one thing or another."

The Associated Press: House Democrats are committed to enforcing subpoenas as Trump's resistance grows.

LEADING THE DAY

CONGRESS: It's a joke around Washington: Infrastructure time was back on Tuesday.

At midday, the Democratic leaders of Congress left the White House declaring that they had reached an agreement with Trump in order to reach an agreement on a bill on the infrastructure of the United States. amounting to $ 2 trillion, a surprising development at the heart of an intense partisan war in Washington.

Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy Patricia from Alesandro PelosiThe road from Pittsburgh to Poway: why it's different now The Hill's Morning Report – Biden's candidacy is under the skin of Trump Dems' no plan unified to advance Paris's climate law MORE (D-Calif.) And Schumer issued a decidedly positive note after leaving what they described as a "productive" meeting with the president shortly after noon. Schumer said "there was goodwill" on both sides for the development of a major bill, Jordan Fabian and Scott Wong reported.

For the first time since the law on criminal justice reform, optimism towards a bipartisan agreement on a case between the White House legislator and the Democratic legislator was posted while both sides were looking for a path to what both parties could decide is a political advantage.

The Washington PostTrump and the democrats prepared for the fight – but a truce broke out instead.

However, the practical details of any possible agreement are delicate, as there are questions about the price to be paid. Republicans do not flatly reject the $ 2 trillion package, even though many of them mocked the $ 1.5 trillion package that was full of detail in its State of the Union address in 2018, but they are curious how everything will be paid.

"I think the president is right to propose it, but in infrastructure, you are talking about money. More money, and we'll see where it is. Sen said. Richard ShelbyRichard Craig Shelby20 Dems no longer require money for ICE agents, the Trump Wall The Conservatives urge Trump to stay alongside Moore for the Fed Poll: Roy Moore at the head of the battlefield Alabama GOP PLUS (R-Ala.), Chairman of Senate Credits Committee, of a possible package.

"You have to finance it,Shelby said when asked what the price was. "It's a lot of money, but it's a big country, but a lot of our infrastructure is collapsing."

From the Republican point of view, two blocking points emerged immediately: gas tax increases and corporate taxes, which would cancel part of the 2017 tax law passed by the Republicans. Schumer said Tuesday that he hoped that part of the law would be canceled as a precondition for advancing legislation to increase the tax on gasoline, an idea already unpopular with Republicans.

"It's not going to happen," Sen said. Thom TillisThomas (Thom) The Roland Tillis Firearms Group is suing the FEC for failing to comply with its alleged action against the NRA Dem. The Super PAC campaign urges Republicans to support the indictment. McConnell promises to be a "Grim Reaper" for progressive politics. (NSc) On the increase of corporate tax, taking note of the recent law on the reduction of taxes. "I'm not against infrastructure, I'm just telling myself how it's going to be paid so that we can look at the real trade-offs in policy. "

The announcement of a "bold big deal" at Tuesday's meeting recalled Trump's earlier negotiations with Democrats on two key issues: dreamers and guns, which failed after being strongly opposed by the Conservatives . In both cases, Trump told the Democrats that he would take the heat of Republicans and powerful conservative rights groups. He does not have it.

With infrastructure modernization, the main question remains how the government wants to cover the price. When Sen. Rob PortmanRobert (Rob) Jones PortmanTrump: "No money has been paid" for Otto Warmbier in North Korea Sherrod Brown asks Trump Fed why he called Cleveland, Cincinnati "armpit of America" ​​Republicans of the Senate tested on Trump's support after Mueller MORE (R-Ohio) was asked about funding a $ 2 trillion legislative package, he laughed.

"I can not wait to hear" he said.

Paul Kane: No cameras, no conservative managers: Trump Wheels and agreements with Democrats.

CNBC: Koch network condemns $ 2 trillion infrastructure cost deal between Trump and top Democrats

politico: Behind the cease-fire of a day between Donald, Chuck and Nancy.

> Legislation to fight electoral interference faces political headwinds on Capitol Hill after the publication of the Mueller report. Despite Graham's concern over Russia's interference, several influential GOP Senators believe that legislators face a tough battle to defend election security laws during a presidential election cycle (The Hill).

> Impeachment: In the Senate, where four Democrats and one independent is running for president, support for the impeachment process is inadequate. Senators have returned from their parliamentary holidays convinced that voters are more concerned about many other issues facing Washington (The Hill).

According to a new Marist poll published this morning by NPR / PBS, only 16% of Americans believe that Congress should start an impeachment procedure and 5% want the president to be publicly reprimanded or censored. NewsHour.

> An example of other issues of interest to voters is the Health care. Democrats in the House held its first hearing on "Medicare for all"On Tuesday, determined to show progressive voters the seriousness with which the Democratic Party was focusing on efforts to strengthen the Affordable Care Act by 2020 (The Hill).

***

POLICY AND CAMPAIGNS: Former Vice President Joe BidenJoseph (Joe) Robinette Biden47% of Black women say they would return Biden: Biden poll up in primary polls Deadlock for Buttigieg clinches for the first time in weeks: poll MORE its envelope in the legacy of the old President Obamabut much of Obamaworld does not rush to Biden in the same way.

As reported by Amie Parnes, Obamaworld took a no-commitment approach to Biden's bid following its announcement last week. Following in Obama's footsteps, his former collaborators remained largely on the sidelines of the 2020 primary, refusing to support Biden now that he is officially in the running.

"I think everyone is happy to see him in the race but I think it's different to support him," said a former White House official, Obama. "If you are looking for someone with a fresh face and bold ideas, that is Pete ButtigiegPeter (Pete) Paul ButtigiegBiden takes a leap forward in primary polls The Buttigieg attitude has been suspended for the first time in weeks: a poll Green groups launch the "Presidential Fund for the Future". Beat Trump's climate unit & # 39; or maybe Kamala HarrisKamala Devi Harris: 47% of black women declare their support for Biden: Biden poll raises in primary polls Buttigieg's rhythm wins for the first time in weeks: poll MORE but it's probably not Joe Biden. "

Earlier Tuesday, Biden released a video about Obama's praise for Biden before presenting the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Overall, Biden has imposed himself as the Democratic favorite less than a week after his candidacy for 2020, writes Max Greenwood. Not only did he receive a good deal of messages from his main Democratic opponents, but also from the President himself

In addition, he winced when he announced a staggering fundraising of $ 6.3 million during his first 24 hours of campaigning. Recent polls also show that he is expanding his lead on the ground of the Democratic Party.

Jonathan Allen: Biden is the king of the hill. can Bernie SandersBernard (Bernie) Sanders: 47% of black women declare their support for Biden: Biden poll raises in primary polls Green groups launch "Beat Trump's Presidential Fund for Climate Unit" to make it fall?

The monks' register: Biden launches his first call to Iowans.

The New York Times: Sanders and Biden surround themselves using different rules of engagement.

Los Angeles Times: Democrats are daring in their economic plans, a deliberate contrast with 2016.

> Congressional LGBT members say they believe the country is ready for a gay president while Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, in Indiana, continues to press for support in the 2020 Democratic primary area.

According to Jonathan Easley and Cristina Marcos, MEPs believe that Buttigieg's candidacy for the post of president in the presidential elections helps him to stand out in the primary process, and that they are not afraid that this will hold him back in the general election. .

Several CBC members said they agreed with Rev. Al Sharpton Homophobia within the black community is declining and African Americans have decided, along with the rest of the country, to accept LGBT people.

The Washington Post: Buttigieg publishes 10 years of tax returns, and Jesse Trump for not doing the same thing.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: With Stacey Abrams out, a democratic race for the US Senate begins.

Politico: The Democrats' aspirations for the Senate takeover have been compromised by recruiting hot flashes.

FOCUS / SHARP SOCKETS

WHITE HOUSE AND ADMINISTRATION: Trump's new aggressive move to create obstacles for asylum seekers makes it clear that immigration will be a major issue in the president's re-election campaign just like in 2016. Trump obviously thinks that an uncompromising approach will generate electoral benefits – but is he right? Niall Stanage explains why the 2020 voters might differ from what Trump had experienced when he had won the constituency but had lost the popular vote.

> Department of Homeland Security: Acting Secretary Kevin McAleenan tells Congress that the administration needs an unspecified injection of funds for the construction of a permanent detention center at the border in order to keep migrant families together while the government weighs their case. Democratic lawmakers say that a permanent detention center for families is not the solution (The Hill).

> A Decision of the Department of Labor that the workers of a company are entrepreneurs and not employees, this could have significant consequences for the advanced technology sector if some companies could circumvent the requirements of the federal minimum wage or the social security taxes paid by them. employers. Although the decision applies only to one company, it is likely to fall on the heels of Labor Rights Defenders and Democratic Democrats (The Hill).

> Federal Reserve: Trump's Candidate Stephen Moore, a conservative economist, has lost the support of some women senators of the GOP because of her previous comments and writings denigrating women's rights and equality (The Hill). Moore tries to explain with explanations, revisions and retractions, including his admission that he "should not have said" that men should be the breadwinners in families. Despite signs that Moore's appointment to the Fed's board poses a problem, Trump continues to support him for the moment, said a White House advisor. Kellyanne ConwayKellyanne Elizabeth Conway Conway responds to Ocasio-Cortez: "I do not judge anyone's faith," says Ocasio-Cortez in Conway, about Sri Lanka: "Are you trying to suggest that I'm less Christian? CNN's Jake Tapper insists Conway on Trump's response to Charlottesville: Was it "perfect?" MORE Tuesday. "The president stands behind him" she told reporters.

> Emoluments caseA judge ruled on Tuesday that the congressional lawsuit alleging that Trump's private affairs violated the Constitution's ban on gifts or payments from foreign governments can be prosecuted. Although the Department of Justice may seek to block the federal judge's decision on appeal, this decision potentially opens the door to obtaining Trump's financial records, which he fights to keep confidential (The Washington Post).

The morning report is created by journalists Alexis Simendinger and Al Weaver. We want your news! Email: [email protected] and [email protected]. We invite you to share the stories and newsletters of The Hill and encourage others to REGISTER!

OPINION

The Paris climate agreement reflects conservative values, by Andy Taylor, opinion contributor, The Hill. https://bit.ly/2IU4DdJ

Popular power meets an established regime of Maduro in Venezuela, by Paula Garcia Tufró, opinion contributor, The Hill. https://bit.ly/2vwJaPm

WHERE AND WHEN

Hill.TV's "Rising" program, which starts at 8 am, includes Rep. Chris PappasChristopher (Chris) Charles PappasThe 31 districts of Trump that will determine the next majority in the House The 116th Congress breaks records for women and minority legislators Here are the legislators who will lose their salary when closing the NEXT closure (D-N.H.), Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, who discusses the prospects of a $ 2 trillion infrastructure deal, and the Mayor of Seattle Jenny Durkan talks about immigration, the 2020 elections and the state of Washington with Reid Wilson of The Hill. http://thehill.com/hilltv.

The House summons at 10 o'clock

The Senate meets at 10 am

President meets with members of Congress at 2:15 pm in Roosevelt Hall. In the evening, he and the first lady Melania TrumpMelania TrumpTrump presents her condolences after the shooting at the synagogue in California Trump could attend a sumo match during her visit to Japan The Hill's 12:30 Report: Biden denies treating Anita Hill "badly" Host a dinner at the White House to mark a national day of prayer.

Vice President Pence will travel to Baltimore to speak at the Aguila Awards Luncheon hosted by the Association of Hispanic Police Officers at the Embassy Suites Inner Harbor. Following his address, he will meet with US immigration and customs officials at the government office in Baltimore. Pence will speak at 6:05 pm at the National Day of Prayer working group celebration dinner at the Bible Museum in Washington, DC, and he will join Trump at the White House prayer service.

treasury secretary Steven MnuchinSteven Terner MnuchinPompeo: The removal of sanctions levies on Iranian oil sales will probably have no impact on trade negotiations with China's Hill & # 39; s Morning – Biden's bid is under the skin of Trump Mnuchin on the US-China trade negotiations: we enter the final laps and US sales representative Robert LighthizerRobert (Bob) Emmet LighthizerChinese, US negotiators are tweaking the details of the trade deal: report Trump's economy continues to advance at full speed Trump says no discussion should be about an extension of Chinese trade negotiations deadline PLUS continue trade negotiations with China today in Beijing.

The Federal Reserve concludes a two-day meeting with a press conference and a policy statement this afternoon. Analysts expect a Fed president Jerome Powell comment while trying to avoid shaking Trump or the markets (CNBC).

SOMEWHERE ELSE

➔ Venezuela: The Trump administration offers its support to the Leader of the Opposition Juan Guaidó Tuesday as he urged a military uprising against the rule of Nicolás Maduro (Bloomberg). Guaidó, in publications on Twitter, wrote that he had begun the "final phase" of his campaign to overthrow Maduro, calling on Venezuelans and the armed forces to support him before mass demonstrations on Wednesday in May. by Reuters.

National Security Advisor for the White House John BoltonJohn Robert BoltonTrump is considering qualifying the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist group: Mattis report ignored Trump's orders, the White House on North Korea, and Iran: overnight report from the Defense: Pompeo predicts that the Russia will be an electoral threat for decades | Defends Saudi Support in Yemen | The leader of ISIS appears in the first video in five years | Trump and Erdogan discuss dispute over F-35 PLUS Tuesday refused to eliminate the possibility of US military intervention in Venezuela: "Our main goal is the peaceful transfer of power, but I repeat, as the president has said from the beginning … all options are on the table" he told reporters.

➔ Agricultural economy: The trade war and falling prices are pushing US family farmers out of the field (Reuters). The personal income of US farmers has seen the largest decline in the first quarter since 2016, as losses associated with the trade war increased (Bloomberg).

➔ Technological merger: The fate of the merger T-Mobile and Sprint remains uncertain one year after his first announcement. The antitrust officer of the Justice Ministry is undecided about the deal and the two companies have postponed the deadline for completing a merger. What are the current prospects? (The hill).

➔ Higher Education: Michelle obamaMichelle LeVaughn Robinson ObamaJoe Biden presents herself as "Jill Biden's husband" at the kickoff of the Get to Know the 2020 Brides campaign that could write the story Biden informs the United States that the # 39, help is on the way Today, scheduled for college, will be held online and at the University of California Los Angeles campus at 3 pm Joined by a group of celebrities whose John legend, Don Cheadle and Conan O'Brienthe former first lady will encourage thousands of young people from across the country to pursue their studies beyond high school. The information is HERE; The event will be broadcast live on the Facebook page and the Better Make Room YouTube channel.

THE CLOSEST

And finally … Old Japan Emperor akihito, who ruled for 31 years of ceremony, moved away from the throne on Tuesday and entered the history books as the first monarch to have abdicated in two centuries.

The successor to Crown Prince Naruhito, 59, now Emperor naruhitowhich inaugurated Wednesday the era "Reiwa", which means "beautiful harmony" (The New Straits Times).

Associated Press: The first day as an emperor, Naruhito promises to seek peace.

The New York Times broke down imperial history into five parts:

"She called him Jimmy," "The long shadows of a failed war," "The pretender with hairy hair," "The Reluctant Bride," and "A Princess in a Cage," which describes the "lurking war". former diplomat Masako Owada, who reluctantly married Naruhito in 1993 and gave up a promising diplomatic career to support the chrysanthemum throne. Aged 55 and father of a girl with Naruhito, Masako is now the empress of Japan.