Ledge King

Last week’s votes on highways and housing reveal an appetite to get big things done with a looming midterm election that’s expected to upend the power dynamic of Congress next year. @ledgeking with the latest Point of Order (unlocked): buff.ly/25Q0o1a

Congress may be gone this week, but the news out of DC does not stop! Great panel today digging into the politics of it all. (If you like your podcasts on YouTube, click the link below to hear it there. bit.ly/Click-2-Listen YouTu.be/zuWACbNSCtU

Hotline's primary primer: California. Read everything you need to know about the Golden State's primary this coming Tuesday including the pivotal gubernatorial contest: (unlocked): buff.ly/JkjxnUG

The Trump-engineered ouster of two respected Senate veterans is already angering Capitol Hill colleagues. @ledgeking with the latest Point of Order (unlocked): buff.ly/Hv2IGvP

The chainsaw might be gone, but current and former officials, union leaders, and Democratic lawmakers say the damage DOGE inflicted remains—and could for decades. @bshifrel reports (unlocked): buff.ly/N871NlL

Re: anti-weaponization fund, Thune says the WH “needs to help with this issue because we have a lot of members who are concerned, honestly, at the timing and the substance.” Says he hasn’t talked to Trump today + isn’t heading to the WH

Back in the U.S., Trump has talked endlessly about deals, soybean sales, and airplane purchases, while sidestepping Xi’s stone wall on Iran and continued friction over Taiwan. @georgecondon with the latest White House File (unlocked): buff.ly/SIxPMuz

Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said the committee’s "autopsy" of the 2024 election “does not meet my standards, and it won’t meet your standards,” shortly before releasing the long-delayed after-action report on Thursday. Read the takeaways @kirk_bado uncovered from the autopsy (unlocked): buff.ly/0YroMUn

It's been almost a year since Elon Muck left DOGE. @BShifrel examines its legacy and impact:

MAGA Trump is winning on the campaign trail but it's already costing him on Capitol Hill.

Sen. Hoeven points to a number of different issues holding up the DHS reconciliation bill as votes are being punted to June: opposition to the ballroom project, the $1.7B weaponization fund, attendance. Says "that's why we need more time." "Here's the issue: You have to have 50 plus 1 votes on every single vote, including all of the amendments, or you lose the ability to pass the bill with 51 votes rather than 60. ... Different members have different concerns." Note: Since the Judiciary Cmte has jurisdiction over parts of the bill, this opens it up to amendments on Trump's weaponization fund.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has dismissed leaders of a key preventive services panel, according to documents obtained by National Journal and confirmed by an HHS official. By @Vu_Reports (unlocked): buff.ly/qV8E2QX

NEWS/BREAKING: RFK Jr. has fired 2 vice chairs of a key preventive services panel, an HHS official confirmed to National Journal—leaving the current 8 member panel without leadership. Earlier this month, HHS officials told both vice chairs they were “inappropriately appointed,” and the firings were “administrative in nature” and unrelated to their performance on the panel, according to emails and letters obtained by NJ. The overhaul of leadership comes after Kennedy has signaled in a series of hearings last month he would look to "reform" the panel, calling the USPSTF "lackadaisical and negligent." The committee hasn't met in over a year under Kennedy's tenure. More here/will be updating: nationaljournal.com/s/731876/rfk-j…

Via @Vu_Reports: RFK Jr. fires leadership of preventive services panel nationaljournal.com/s/731876/rfk-j…

Nearly all the marquee statewide races in Georgia seem destined for a June 16 runoff. @njhotline has everything you need to know about the Peach State's primaries (unlocked): buff.ly/jTObaOj

Since losing his primary *three* days ago: - Cassidy stated he'd vote against the $1B ballroom project -defended his vote to convict Trump back in 2021 -signaled he'd look to hold RFK Jr. "accountable" -called Paxton a "felon" after Trump endorsed him - and has now voted in support of Dems' war powers resolution on Iran The senator is entering his "Cassidy Unchained" era

Today's primaries in Pennsylvania is the first test of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s political power before a potential White House campaign. Read Hotline's Primary Primer on the Keystone state (unlocked): nationaljournal.com/s/731794/ihotl…

Inside the Plot to Oust Bill Cassidy njour.nl/s/731846/

Thune on Senate agenda for the rest of the year: - 2027 federal spending - Farm relief package - Banking Cmte-approved Clarity Act - Artificial intelligence bill - Bill dealing with name, image, & likeness in college athletics - Funding for nation’s transportation infrastructure - Near term: "need to extend FISA" (expires June 12) - "Soon begin work" on the FY 2027 NDAA

Thune from Senate floor said E15 ethanol gasoline legislation is a priority for the Senate this year: "Allowing the year-round sale of E15 fuel is another priority. Year-round E15 is something that helps not only the ag economy but the overall economy by reducing fuel costs and allowing for more home-grown energy. The House has passed a bill to allow year-round E15, and we’ll be having discussions on how to accomplish that goal in the Senate in the near future."