Republicans are betting that Donald Trump just handed them a political lifeline on immigration. But when it comes to demands for legislative action, the president’s big speech this week gave Congress little to do.
— Reframing the immigration fight: The National Republican Congressional Committee huddled Wednesday to strategize how to best capitalize on the State of the Union moment when Trump asked lawmakers to stand if they agree “the first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens,” according to one person granted anonymity to discuss a private meeting.
How the party deploys to underscore Trump’s maneuver could be critical for GOP candidates. Many of them quickly amplified the clip — which showed Democrats seated and expressionless following Trump’s rhetorical gambit — on social media.
Republicans are underwater in polling on the economy and immigration — two issues they used to own. But the made-for-TV immigration moment has given the GOP fresh political ammunition ahead of the midterms.
— Reality on the Hill: Trump’s speech will have little effect on the congressional agenda over the coming months.
That’s giving Republicans the freedom to focus on what they want. The Senate is expected to tee up a bipartisan housing bill at the end of this week. And Majority Leader John Thune hinted Wednesday that other legislation, like an energy permitting overhaul or a possible AI bill, could also be on the chamber’s to-do list for the rest of this Congress.
But Republicans also acknowledge there’s little on Trump’s wish list they can easily accomplish heading into the midterms with such thin majorities.
“I’ve got effectively a zero-vote margin at the point that we are now,” Speaker Mike Johnson said. “So I’ve got to have near-unanimity among Republican priorities.”
What else we’re watching:
— Clintons’ deposition: Around 19 members of the House Oversight Committee will be in Chappaqua, New York, to interview Hillary Clinton Thursday (and Bill Clinton Friday) under oath and behind closed doors. It’s the latest, and perhaps highest profile, set of depositions to take place in the panel’s ongoing investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The former president and secretary of State, appearing in compliance with congressional subpoenas, have denied wrongdoing and aren’t implicated in any illegal acts. Hillary Clinton has said she has no memory of meeting Epstein at all.
— Democratic retreat: House Democrats are heading into Day Two of their annual retreat. Thursday’s agenda features breakout sessions on the cost of housing, groceries, utilities and the care economy, as Democrats try to sharpen their affordability messaging in their quest to flip control of the House in November. Speakers include historians Ron Chernow and Heather Cox Richardson and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Suzan DelBene.
Alec Hernandez, Dasha Burns, Jordain Carney, Meredith Lee Hill and Hailey Fuchs contributed to this report.
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