Heard on the Hill
What we're hearing from people we trust on and around the Hill
PAGING DR. CASSIDY: Sen. Bill Cassidy (R., La.) is set to release his 340B legislation as the Hill buzzes about Medicaid and Medicare. “340B reform is the most critical battle that must be won in the fight for patient access,” Terry Wilcox, the chief mission officer of Patients Rising, told the Washington Reporter. “We believe that Senator Cassidy’s legislation can be a bold step in helping patients by stopping the worst and bringing out the best in a program designed to support the most vulnerable communities in America.”
BLUE SHUTDOWN BLUES: At least one Democratic senator reached out to a Republican colleague to describe the Schumer shutdown plan as a “stupid way to make our base happy.” Republicans believe that many — perhaps even most — Democratic senators agree.
REVIEW SZN: Congressional Republicans have 12-15 more CRAs planned for the coming weeks.
TAKE A MICHIGANDER AT THIS: With Pete Buttigieg announcing he will forego a Senate campaign, Michigan Republicans tell the Reporter that Rep. Haley Stevens “has to be [the Democrats’] leading candidate.”
CLOCK’S TIKTOK-ING: The Trump administration is working to find a company or individual to purchase TikTok before the extension. Vice President JD Vance’s chief counsel, Sean Cooksey, has been tasked with leading the search.
HIGH ROLLERS TABLE: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has been meeting with CEOs to squash fears about Trump’s tariff.