White House denounces Texas truck stops
Lawmakers hail extra weapons for Ukraine
Democrats accuse the Governor of Texas of causing supply shortages and price hikes. Biden sends more military aid to Ukraine. And lawmakers won’t get Spring Break trips to Siberia. This is “Regular Order” for April 14, 2022.
TEXAS BORDER. There’s a new dispute on the southern border caused by the state of Texas. The White House is blasting extra ‘enhanced safety inspections’ of trucks started last week by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) - because it is causing delays for commercial truck traffic coming into the United States from Mexico.
WHITE HOUSE. "Governor Abbott's unnecessary and redundant inspections of trucks transiting ports of entry between Texas and Mexico are causing significant disruptions to the food and automobile supply chains,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said, accusing Abbott of “raising prices for families in Texas and across the country.”
FRUITS AND VEGGIES. This is not just a political fight. The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas says the Texas border inspections are unnecessary, 'resulting in damage to millions of dollars of perishable fresh produce each day.' Read the group’s statement here.
LONE STAR. With the White House now giving this dispute national attention, Texas Democrats in Congress have been more than happy to jump on Abbott. "Your duplicative mechanical inspections have been costly to the local, state, and national economies," said Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX).
UNFORCED ERROR. There is a maxim in politics. When you are winning, don't give the other side something else to talk about. Abbott was getting a lot of attention on illegal immigration and the Title 42 issue. But then he took an extra step which gave Democrats something else to talk about.
DEMOCRATS. "Abbott has disrupted trade, which will affect businesses and lead to higher prices," said Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX). I bet you’re going to hear that line of attack a lot from Democrats in the coming weeks.
UKRAINE. After speaking with the leader of Ukraine, President Biden on Wednesday authorized $800 million in extra military aid for that nation's defense. "As I assured President Zelenskyy, the American people will continue to stand with the brave Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom," Mr. Biden said.
DEETS. The latest aid package includes 11 helicopters, 500 Javelin missiles, 18 155 mm Howitzers, 40,000 artillery rounds, 100 armored Humvees, 200 Armored Personnel Carriers, plus counterartillery and air surveillance systems.
BIDEN. "This new package of assistance will contain many of the highly effective weapons systems we have already provided and new capabilities tailored to the wider assault we expect Russia to launch in eastern Ukraine," the President added.
CONGRESS. Lawmakers heartily endorsed the additional aid for Ukraine. "Putin’s actions have turned Russia into a pariah state," said Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). "Tyranny will not win."
EUROPE. Two groups of House members crisscrossed Europe this week to talk about Ukraine. "For me personally, the most memorable and moving part of our trip was meeting with Ukrainian refugees, including many families with children," said Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), who was a refugee from Vietnam.
CODEL. While Murphy's group wrapped up their trip by meeting NATO officials, another bipartisan group has been making stops in Germany, Denmark, and Poland. "During these meetings, we discussed our strong security relationship and mutual commitment to responding to Putin’s war in Ukraine," said Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD).
SANCTIONS. Russia on Wednesday slapped sanctions on most members of the U.S. Congress, generating little but mockery in return. "I’ll wear this as a badge of honor," said Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN). "I take it as a compliment to be sanctioned by war criminal Putin and his cronies," said Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ).
UNBELIEVABLE. I know of no other word to use right now. No experts could have predicted seven weeks ago that a Russian invasion of Ukraine would not only produce such a united European response - but now, Sweden and Finland are inching closer to joining NATO, something those two nations had long resisted.
2024 RACE. A rules panel of the Democratic National Committee voted Wednesday for a top-to-bottom review of what states should go first to nominate a candidate for President in 2024. It raises the possibility of a major shakeup in the political calendar, one which could also get rid of caucuses in the Democratic race.
APPLY HERE. Instead of allowing Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina to hold onto their usual first four slots - Democrats will now ask all states to make the case as to why they should be one of the important early contests in 2024.
WINNERS AND LOSERS. If I had to bet - Iowa has a good chance of being knocked out of the first slot for Democrats. New Hampshire might stay in the early round. Nevada and South Carolina probably will stay, too. So that leaves a couple of open spots.
LIVE FREE. While New Hampshire does not come close to being a state which represents the nation - with a White population of 93 percent - I still think the way voters in the Granite State evaluate the candidates and conduct themselves is important.
STATUES. President Biden on Wednesday signed into law a bill which would help install statues in the Capitol honoring a pair of Supreme Court Justices - Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
TAR HEEL. President Biden is on the road again today, this time visiting North Carolina. The President will give a speech at North Carolina A&T, the largest historically black college and university in the nation.
EASTER. After his events in North Carolina, Mr. Biden will head directly to Camp David, where he will spend the Easter weekend with his family.
EASTER BASKET. Need something extra for this weekend? “Give the gift of straight news” - give someone a subscription to ‘Regular Order’ and support independent journalism from Capitol Hill.
EASTER BREAK. Congress is out. Easter weekend is almost here. I am going to try to take a couple of days off with my family. Unless there is big news, the next ‘Regular Order’ will come out on Tuesday.
MUSE OF HISTORY. April 14, 1840. On this date, one of the more famous speeches in the history of the House of Representatives began, as Rep. Charles Ogle of Pennsylvania launched an attack against President Martin Van Buren. Known as the "Gold Spoon Oration" - Ogle accused Van Buren of living the high life in the White House while Americans were dealing with tough economic times. Ogle’s speech was really all about the 1840 race for President, and the effort to help William Henry Harrison, as for three days on the House floor, Ogle held forth 'in defence of General Harrison and abusive of Mr. Van Buren," as the Congressional Globe noted.
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM:
The House next has votes on April 26.
The Senate does not have votes until April 25.
President Biden’s daily schedule link.
Follow me on Twitter @jamiedupree. Email me at jamiedupree@substack.com
See the full Regular Order archive.
Enjoy your time off and enjoy your family
Hope you enjoy your break, Jamie!