Heard on the Hill
What we're hearing from people we trust on and around the Hill
New CFPB Director incoming? We reported this week that top Republicans on the House Financial Services Committee want Rohit Chopra, the Elizabeth Warren acolyte who is helming the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), to be fired; Breitbart reports that “may soon be rectified.”
Loeffler’s charity move: Kelly Loeffler, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Small Business Administration, will donate her federal salary to charity, she said in advance of her hearing.
Big moves: Dan Conston, the longtime head of the Congressional Leadership Fund super PAC, alongside former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Jeff Miller, Arthur Schwartz, and Cliff Sims, launched Watchtower Strategy with Conston as the CEO and McCarthy as the chair of the public affairs firm. Read our interview with Conston about the 2024 election and the sendoff given to him by House Republicans here and here.
Fire alert: Hunterbrook Media reported on the electric battery fire in California: “While the company professes no reason for concern, residents near the Moss Landing $VST facility report burning eyes, headaches, and nosebleeds. Our OSINT investigation and on-the-ground reporting reveals a bleak picture.” One Democratic Party lawmaker in California called for the end of an electric battery plant in her state.
RFK vs. PBMs: During Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s hearing, he emphasized his support for reforming pharmacy benefit managers; at one point, Sen Chuck Grassley (R., Iowa) told him that “I’ve been working to hold pharmacy benefit managers accountable in order to lower prescription drug costs. I expect you to work with us to hold PBMs accountable and ask for your support for legislation that’s before Congress.” Kennedy agreed.
Party crasher: Rep. Dave Min (D., Calif.), who was labeled “DUI Dave Min” during his campaign due to his questionable driving record, wasn’t a fan of Karoline Leavitt’s first week as Press Secretary. Fortunately for Leavitt, she had many backers in Congress, as we reported.
Pelosi endorsement: Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) endorsed Wisconsin Democratic Party chairman Ben Wikler for DNC chair. We just reported that Wikler praised BLM riots and claimed that “white silence equals violence.”
Are we still doing phrasing? Sen. Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) said that he hasn’t “seen people so aroused in a very, very long time.”
Spotted: On Newsmax, Chris Plante’s “The Right Squad” featured the op-ed Rep. Tim Moore (R., N.C.) published with us about President Donald Trump’s visit to the parts of North Carolina devastated by hurricanes. Watch here.
