Heard on the Hill
What we're hearing from people we trust on and around the Hill
NOVEMBER OPEN?: Senator Eric Schmitt (R., Mo.) made some news at the Washington Reporter’s book party for his bestseller, The Last Line of Defense. Schmitt predicted the government would open on November 1st, citing the rollout of 2026 price notices for Affordable Care Act plans on the individual market.
NOT SO GOLDEN: While Graham Platner’s Nazi tattoo is dominating coverage of Maine politics right now, don’t sleep on Rep. Jared Golden’s (D., Maine) free-falling popularity. Following multiple ad campaigns totaling almost $2 million by the American Action Network (AAN), Golden’s image has cratered to as little as 16 percent approval in some polls. Former Gov. Paul LePage (R., Maine) appears well-positioned to finally oust Golden next year.
ON REPEAT: Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.) is capitalizing on the latest gaffe by a House Democrat in leadership. Johnson’s digital director, Meredith Turton, noted that the video of Rep. Katherine Clark (D., Mass.) claiming that the shutdown is “political leverage” for Democrats is now playing on repeat outside of Johnson’s office. Clark’s son was arrested two years ago during a Boston Antifa rally for assaulting a police officer.
CASH IS KING: The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has outraised its Democratic counterpart yet again. “For the first time in a decade, the NRCC has outraised the DCCC in the first three quarters of an election cycle,” the NRCC’s Mike Marinella noted. “House Republicans have unstoppable momentum while Democrats are broke, divided, and out of gas.”
ROLL THE TAPE: The Republican Study Committee (RSC) rolled out a highlight reel of House Democrats’ gaffes during the Schumer Shutdown, focusing on remarks from former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.), Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D., N.Y.), Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D., Mass.), and more.
END OF CATFISHING: Tinder announced the roll out of Face Check, a new program to combat catfishing in online dating. “Seven countries and the state of California, and will roll out to additional U.S. states in the coming months as part of Tinder’s next phase of safety innovation, aimed at building greater trust, reducing impersonation, and redefining authenticity in dating.”