Heard on the Hill – 7/22/24
What we’re hearing from people we trust on and around the Hill – please send us more tips!
Microsoft, Reid Hoffman, and Hill Republicans: Sources tell us that Democratic mega-donor and Microsoft Director Reid Hoffman is becoming an area of focus among Hill Republicans over Hoffman’s comments wishing for President Trump to be “martyred.” Microsoft has yet to comment on Hoffman’s statement calling for the death of President Trump, but according to our sources, “[Microsoft’s] going to have to address [Hoffman] if they want to keep lobbying us.”
Kamala Targeted by CLF: After President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid on Sunday, the House GOP’s leadership super PAC questioned his ability to serve, at all. “If Congressional Democrats cynically believe they can simply swap Biden for his Vice President, border czar and walking punchline, they have a fundamental disrespect for voters’ intelligence,” Congressional Leadership Fund’s Dan Conston said. “Democrats now have a big question to answer: if Joe Biden isn’t fit to run again, how is he possibly fit to be in charge of running the country now at such a perilous time?”
James Comer’s Secret Service accountability: Multiple congressional committees wanted to question Kimberly Cheatle, the embattled director of the Secret Service, this week, and Rep. James Comer’s (R., Ky.) Oversight Committee will be the first. Rep. Lisa McClain, who sits on the committee, told the Washington Reporter that Cheatle’s “inability to lead is reflective of this disastrous administration. Monday’s hearing will be a watershed moment for our country and we will hold Director Cheatle’s feet to the fire.” She added that “bringing in Director Cheatle is another example of Chairman Comer and the Committee’s great work.”
Cornhusker concern: While Rep. Don Bacon (R., Neb.) is leading his 2022 opponent, Tony Vargas, by three points in a recent Torchlight Strategies poll, he is sounding the alarm about the spending disparity in his race. “The Democrats have already done $3 million in attack ads and our side has spent nothing” since the primary, Bacon told the Reporter. “After a nasty primary opponent and the negative ads I’m fortunate to be up 3 percent. It’s a testament that voters know I’m one of the most effective legislators in Congress and have made a big impact in the district.”
Manhattan Institute nationwide survey: The Manhattan Institute released a poll on “America’s new consensus” on social issues, which includes plenty of good news for Trump, who is beating all likely Democratic opponents. Jesse Arm, the group’s Director of External Affairs, noted to the Reporter that the GOP has plenty of room to grow. “On social issues, it’s a mixed bag. While most voters signal support for left-leaning policy prescriptions on abortion and gun control, a clear majority of likely voters indicates conservative preferences on other social issues. These include an intense skepticism regarding gender transition treatments for minors, support for ending racial favoritism to move toward colorblind equality, and a wholesale embrace of tough-on-crime policing and prosecution,” he said.
What happens with Biden’s cash? FEC Chairman Sean Cooksey told the Reporter last month that “the answer to this depends a lot on how the ticket changes and when, but it goes without saying that this would be a first in modern politics. I don’t want to speculate too much about how the rules would impact a specific scenario, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it leads to a request for an FEC advisory opinion.” Read our full interview here.