| | | | The House vs. the Senate on the Russia investigation | | | Republican Sen. Richard Burr, chairman of the Senate intelligence committee, and vice-chairman Democratic Sen. Mark Warner had a clear message today: They know exactly how to handle the Russia investigation properly, unlike the Devin Nunes-led House intelligence committee. A recap: Burr said the committee is seeking to question 20 people in its investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. "This one is one of the biggest investigations the Hill has seen in my time here," Burr said.
"As we stand here today, five are already scheduled on the books, and probably within the next 10 days the remaining 15 will have a scheduled date for those individuals to be interviewed by our staff," Burr said. "We anticipate inviting additional individuals to come and be interviewed, and ultimately some of those interviewed individuals may turn into private or public hearings by the committee, but yet to be determined."
Why does this matter? The Senate Intelligence Committee's investigation looks like the only functional show in town with the House panel's chairman, Nunes, engulfed in controversy over his strange meeting on White House grounds and his dispute with FBI Director James Comey, who can't seem to agree on whether Nunes invited Comey to testify. | | "I'm glad there's been a reset. There needs to be a reset." -- American Urban Radio Networks correspondent April Ryan on CNN a day after a fiery encounter with White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer. | | | Gorsuch fight intensifies with 'nuclear option' looming | | From CNN's David Shortell, Ashley Killough and Sunlen Serfaty: With a confirmation vote for Neil Gorsuch expected next week and the threat of the nuclear option looming, senators from both parties held dueling news conferences Wednesday, painting different pictures of the Supreme Court nominee and blaming their opponents for the potential precedent-shattering vote.
"It's quite clear that if he isn't qualified then nobody is," Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley said at an outdoor event on the steps of the Supreme Court. "And if you'd be filibustering a judge like this, it's, obviously, that you'd filibuster anyone." Flanked by Gorsuch's former law clerks -- who called him "a remarkable man and a remarkable judge" -- Republican senators projected confidence over the Supreme Court pick. He's "an incredible legal mind" with a "command of the law" that's independent "from outside influence," Grassley said.
Less than two hours later, the Democratic leader, Sen. Chuck Schumer, rebutted: "This is no neutral, down-the-middle judge -- even though he comes off as very erudite and very careful. ... And if Judge Gorsuch fails to earn 60 votes and fails to demonstrate he is mainstream enough to sit on the highest court, we should change the nominee, not the rules." | | | President Donald Trump, joined by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, renewed his campaign pledge to combat opioid abuse and help those affected by the scourge during a White House listening session. More from CNN's Dan Merica. | | 3 things you may have missed today | | Ivanka Trump to become federal employee: Ivanka Trump, who already has an office in the West Wing, is joining her husband Jared Kushner in serving as an unpaid adviser to her father, President Donald Trump. Her title will be assistant to the president. More on the scoop from the New York Times' Rachel Abrams and Maggie Haberman.
Trump political groups split over Mercer money: The political network supporting Donald Trump has further splintered after the President's major influential donors formally defected to start their own group. The new group, Making America Great, said in a statement it plans to run more than $1 million in television and digital ads to boost Trump's popularity and agenda. The group said the nonprofit will be funded by the Mercer family. More from CNN's Theodore Schleifer.
McCain threatens shut down if a CR is on the table: GOP Sen. John McCain won't vote for a continuing resolution, a funding bill that maintains the previous spending levels. "If that's the only option. I will not vote for a CR no matter what the consequences because passing a CR destroys the ability of the military to defend this nation, and it puts the lives of the men and women in the military at risk." More from CNN's Lauren Fox. | | | Democratic Rep. Beto O'Rourke plans to challenge GOP Sen. Ted Cruz in Texas' 2018 Senate race. ... Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee says that leakers in the intelligence community are guilty of treason. ... No, Chelsea Clinton is not running for office ... "right now". | | | We'd love to share our other newsletters with you. Check out Five Things for Your New Day, CNN's morning newsletter. Give us five minutes, and we'll brief you on all the news and buzz people will be talking about. | | | Get the Nightcap, a comprehensive summary of the most important political news, delivered to your inbox daily. | | | | | |
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