Biden asks Congress for $40 billion in extra spending

$12 billion would replenish federal disaster aid funds

Also in today’s edition of ‘Regular Order’ for August 11, 2023:

• The chances for a government shutdown keep increasing.

• Feds want to start Trump’s Jan. 6 trial on Jan. 2, 2024.

• Democrats renew calls for Justice Thomas to resign.

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SUPPLEMENTAL. President Biden has asked Congress for $40 billion in additional spending this year to refill federal disaster aid coffers, direct more military aid to Ukraine, and to bolster operations along the southern border to deal with illegal immigration. While Senate Democrats quickly vowed to help, Republicans were mainly silent.

• UKRAINE. The biggest chunk of the plan - $24 billion - would go to military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine, to help Kyiv fight off an invasion by Russia. "Ukraine needs this shot in the arm," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).

• DISASTER AID. I wrote yesterday about how the FEMA Disaster Relief Fund is running out of money. The President's plan would add $12 billion, which will be needed to address the devastation from wildfires in Hawaii - plus any hurricanes that might strike the U.S. this year.

• BORDER. The plan also includes $4 billion for extra border enforcement and anti-drug activities, like targeting fentanyl being trafficked into the U.S. by drug cartels in Mexico. You can read the full details about the request at this link.

• HOUSE GOP. The early response from House Republicans was very negative. "This should be a non-starter," said Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX). "Why are we even considering this?" Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-MT) said of the Ukraine aid.

• MCCONNELL. The reception was much different among key Senate Republicans. "I look forward to carefully reviewing the Administration's request to make sure it is necessary and appropriate," said Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell, who has been supportive of extra aid for Ukraine.

• SUNSHINE. Florida's two Republican Senators had no immediate reaction to the request, which includes more federal disaster relief money. Sen. Rick Scott and Sen. Marco Rubio already asked for $11.5 billion to refill that FEMA fund. The Biden plan is for $12 billion.

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SHUTDOWN. The chances of a government shutdown at the end of September were already high, as Congress struggles (again) to finish work on the 12 government funding bills for 2024. Now this $40 billion supplemental is going to cause even more friction on Capitol Hill. Remember - the House only has 12 work days between now and October 1.

• LONE STAR. 15 Texas Republicans signed a letter on Thursday vowing to block any money for the Department of Homeland Security unless there are major policy changes on illegal immigration. The group also wants the feds to pay Texas nearly $10 billion for the state's border security efforts.

• SHOWDOWN. But when it comes to playing Legislative Chicken on funding the government, the past record for the GOP on shutdown showdowns is not good. That's my column this week for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

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HAPPY NEW YEAR. Special Counsel Jack Smith has asked a federal judge in Washington, D.C. to start Donald Trump's 2020 election conspiracy trial on Jan. 2, 2024 - just before the Iowa Caucuses. "This Court - like federal courts throughout the nation - can and will ensure that the defendant receives both a fair and speedy trial," wrote Smith.

• TRIALS. That date means Smith is ready to have the Jan. 6 trial go first, before a second federal trial where Trump faces charges related to classified materials he had at his Mar-a-Lago estate - after leaving the Oval Office.

• TODAY. The Special Counsel and lawyers for Trump will be in court this morning in Washington, D.C. for a hearing on how evidence against Trump will be dealt with. Thursday brought a curious filing by the feds indicating that some classified information is part of the Jan. 6 case. (Wonder what that's about.)

• TRUMP. Meanwhile, the former President was raging on social media. "I think that Crooked Joe Biden is not only dumb and incompetent, I believe he has gone MAD, a stark raving Lunatic, with his HORRIBLE AND COUNTRY THREATENING ENVIRONMENTAL, OPEN BORDERS, & DOJ/FBI WEAPONIZATION POLICIES. HE IS A MENTAL CATASTROPHE THAT IS LEADING OUR COUNTRY TO HELL!" Trump posted.

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THOMAS. Thursday brought yet another story by ProPublica about lavish gifts accepted by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. It includes over two dozen private jet flights, eight by helicopter, VIP passes to sporting events, and visits to luxury resorts in Florida and Jamaica. The story is at this link.

• ETHICS. Before we go any further, let's remember what I have been reporting for months. The nine Justices of the Supreme Court have the weakest ethics and disclosure rules of anyone in the federal government. It's not even close. None of that would be allowed for a member of Congress or the Executive Branch.

• DEMS. The reaction was what you might expect. "This is a shameless lifestyle underwritten for years by a gaggle of fawning billionaires," said Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL). “No Justice should accept these types of gifts,” said Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA). "He should resign immediately," added Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA).

• GOP. Even before this latest article came out on Thursday, Republicans were circling the wagons. "The Left’s high-tech lynching of Justice Thomas shamefully continues," said Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT).

• THINK ABOUT IT. What if (insert name of a prominent Democrat or liberal Justice) took 38 expensive vacations, 26 private jet flights, 12 VIP passes to sporting events, all paid for by someone else. Doesn't that sound a bit odd for a judge?

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REGULAR ORDER. As always, we welcome back our weekly readers. Let me take a quick minute to ask you to consider buying a subscription. This little newsletter offers a unique inside view of what’s happening on Capitol Hill. Sign up for ‘Regular Order,’ give someone a gift subscription, or maybe just buy me a drink. Support independent journalism and help send those three Dupree kids to college.

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MANCHIN. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) is making more rumblings about possibly leaving the Democratic Party. In an interview on Hoppy Kercheval's radio show in West Virginia yesterday, Manchin again left open the idea of following Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona - and becoming an Independent in the U.S. Senate.

• HOPPY. “I've been thinking about that for quite some time. I haven't made any decisions," Manchin told Mountain State listeners. "I want to make sure that my voice is truly an independent voice." Manchin is up for reelection in 2024 - but has not indicated whether he will run for another term.

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IMPEACHMENT. More House GOP voices are calling for impeachment proceedings against President Biden - mainly about the influence peddling done by his son Hunter Biden. "House GOP must begin an impeachment inquiry," said Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL) on Thursday, as other Republicans said they would offer their own plans.

• STEUBE. "I intend on filing an impeachment resolution on Joe Biden for bribery, for extortion, obstruction of justice, fraud, financial involvement in drugs and prostitution," said Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL).

• ONE NOTE. This is where I shake my head. There is no evidence that Joe Biden has been involved in drugs and prostitution (that’s Hunter). But you have GOP lawmakers like Steube going on television and saying that.

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BIDEN. During a fundraising event in Utah, President Biden said he regretted naming his big health care, tax, and climate change law the 'Inflation Reduction Act.' "I wish I hadn’t called it that, because it has less to do with reducing inflation than providing alternatives where we generate economic growth," Biden said.

• NAME. Of course, daily readers of 'Regular Order' will smile at the mention of that law's name - because the Inflation Reduction Act is not actually called the Inflation Reduction Act. The law is known officially as, "An Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of S. Con. Res. 14."

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RAP SHEET. A 21-year-old Connecticut man has been arrested for his actions on Jan. 6. Benjamin Cohen is charged with assaulting police officers outside the Capitol. He came with his mom to D.C. for Donald Trump’s rally that day. The feds didn't get a tip on Cohen's identity until 18 months after the attack.

• BACK THE BLUE. A Texas man - who was a former security guard - was sentenced to 27 months in prison this week for attacking police outside the Capitol on Jan. 6. Daniel Phipps pleaded guilty to assaulting three different officers that day.

• GRAY GOOSE. A South Carolina man - who served time in jail for his actions during a white nationalist march in Charlottesville, Virginia - has now been hit with a 10-count indictment over his actions on Jan. 6. Tyler Dykes was identified in part by his 'unique eyebrows.'

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MUSE OF HISTORY.  August 11, 1852.  On this date, the Senate wrestled with its own rules.  Sen. George Badger of North Carolina wanted to clarify the meaning of a 'private claim' on an appropriations bill.  Sen. Lewis Cass of Michigan argued against a debate.  "We shall enter into a metaphysical discussion of at least an hour," Cass moaned.  "No man can foretell the end of it."  The Senate rejected the plan, and then immediately got bogged down over 'private claims' as part of a bill funding the Indian Department.

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LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM:

The House next has votes on September 12.

The Senate next has votes on September 5.

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