With assists from POLITICO’s Hill team

McCONNELL LATEST — Burgess has the latest on Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s sudden freeze-up at yesterday’s press conference. Read his story here.

‘I WON’T VOTE FOR THEM’

Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s spending plight has officially exhausted the patience of the GOP’s old bulls.

Attention has been lavished on the conservative hardliners who have pushed McCarthy to commit to government funding levels more than $100 billion below what the party drafted its spending bills to. That’s already far lower than the deal he negotiated with Democrats earlier this year.

Now the House Appropriations subcommittee chairs — the hallowed ‘cardinals’ who actually write the bills — are pushing back. Hard.

“It won’t pass the House,” Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), who chairs the Interior-Environment subcommittee, vented to us. Then, in an unheard-of threat from an old-school appropriator, he added: “I won’t vote for them.”

The GOP spending reality: While Simpson might be uniquely blunt, there’s consternation across the House GOP spending world about making deeper cuts. Several appropriators told us privately they had no warning that McCarthy and his team were suddenly discussing the idea with Freedom Caucus members on Wednesday. If forced to actually do it, many believe it’d be practically impossible.

The cuts, if they go forward, would replace $115 billion in “rescissions” — rollbacks of previously authorized spending that conservatives bemoan as budget gimmicks. All 12 appropriations bills would be impacted.

A move in either direction — to cut or not to cut — might cost enough votes among the GOP’s five-seat majority to sink the bill either way.

Push-pull with conservatives: McCarthy denied there was any final deal to slash spending levels. People familiar with the discussions described a general commitment to find ways to cut spending this year but said members were doing the math in different ways.

In any case, members of the hard-right bloc insist they’ll reject future spending bills unless GOP leaders trim their bills by that extra $115 billion.

“Before they get our vote, we’ve got to have some kind of agreement. And it’s gotta be ironclad,” Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) told us. While Norman said his group was OK advancing the Military Construction-VA bill this week, “We’ll balk here on out” absent assurances.

What about the other spending bill?: The GOP’s plans to pass the Agriculture-FDA bill this week already appears to be in jeopardy, with senior Republicans still working to nail down the votes. At issue aren’t only the toplines but amendments on mailing abortion pills and SNAP work requirements. A rule that would tee up debate on the measure didn’t appear on the daily schedule, an indication it could be punted to September.

What’s clear: Any cuts are far from a done deal, but McCarthy’s efforts to squeeze through a pair of spending bills before August recess is only getting messier as the week drags on. And keep in mind, this is just July! Republicans will spend all of September trying to pass more bills ahead of an Oct. 1 deadline.

While it’s the hardliners who have most vocally threatened to hold the bills hostage, don’t forget that appropriators have plenty of leverage of their own. Mainstream Republicans have mostly grumbled quietly as McCarthy has relented to the right on a bevy of votes this year, including a vote to punish Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and a contentious bill nixing pistol brace regulations.

Now that conservatives are coming for their bottom lines, expect more cardinals to sing.

— With Jordain Carney, Caitlin Emma, Jennifer Scholtes and Meredith Lee Hill

GOOD MORNING! Welcome to Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Thursday, July 27, where we simply have to ask: Why are there so many outdoor press conferences in July?

NDAA CONFERENCE PREVIEW

Senators are still trying to wrap up their version of the annual defense policy bill, but they are already looking ahead to a likely conference committee — and warning that culture-war amendments in the House’s counterpart bill will have to come out.

Refresher: The National Defense Authorization Act legislation approved by the House earlier this month is loaded with amendments that will be nonstarters in the Democratic-majority Senate, not to mention the White House. The bill includes provisions that restrict Pentagon abortion policy, medical care for transgender troops and diversity initiatives — all wins for the lower chamber’s conservative wing.

What they are saying: Predictably, Senate Democrats are panning those House amendments, with Armed Services Chair Jack Reed (D-R.I.) calling them “misplaced” and Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) telling Huddle Wednesday that “we need to be prepared to defend ourselves against the world, not fight culture wars with each other.”

But even the Republicans Huddle spoke to questioned how those provisions would fare in bicameral negotiations:

• Said House Armed Services Committee Chair Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), “Nobody on our side seriously believes the Democrat-controlled Senate and Democrat-controlled White House is going to accept those” amendments. The House bill, he said, amounted to a message to voters in next year’s elections: “You give us 60 votes in the Senate, the White House this is what we’ll do.”
• Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) told Huddle “there are going to be some challenges” reconciling the House and Senate NDAAs and that he’d like the Senate to wrap up its version of the bill this week to allow time for “some back and forth on that.”
• Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), meanwhile, said the hot-button House provisions “hopefully will not be the focal point” during forthcoming talks. “A lot of this other stuff is just a distraction,” he said.

Tick-tock: The current NDAA expires on Sept. 30 (alongside government funding, the farm bill and FAA authorization), putting lawmakers on the spot to pass a bill that has been approved by Congress every year since 1961. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer reiterated Wednesday that he wants to wrap work on the bill “as soon as we can.”

Sitrep: Schumer locked in votes on a score of additional amendment votes on Wednesday evening, in addition to filing cloture on the underlying bill. We’d be surprised if jet fumes and the desire to get home for recess don’t cajole senators into wrapping up its consideration later today.

ROSENDALE VS. THE CLUB

Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) told Olivia on Wednesday he’d spoken with Club for Growth President David McIntosh amid a report the conservative group was walking back its plans to support him in a Montana Senate primary bid.

By Rosendale’s account, McIntosh claimed he’d been misquoted. “All he said was that [declared candidate Tim Sheehy] had an impressive record and … that he was misquoted,” Rosendale said in a brief interview with Olivia. McIntosh did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

EXCLUSIVE: SECOND CHANCES FOR MARIJUANA USERS

People who have been denied security clearances or federal job opportunities based on marijuana use would have the right to have the decision reviewed under a new bill from Reps. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) and Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), the Cannabis Users Restoration of Eligibility (CURE) Act.

“I am proud to partner with my friend Representative Mace to introduce the bipartisan CURE Act that will eliminate the draconian, failed and obsolete marijuana laws that prevent talented individuals from becoming honorable public servants in their own government,” Raskin said in a statement.

— Nicholas Wu

EXCLUSIVE: BRIEFING FOR CHIEFS ON A THIRD-PARTY RUN

House Democrats’ two largest ideological blocs, the New Democrats and the Progressive Caucus, are hosting a briefing Thursday morning for House chiefs of staff on a potential third-party White House candidate.

A New Dems spokesperson said representatives from Third Way, a center-left group, and the progressive organization MoveOn will talk to House chiefs about what they see as the danger of a third-party presidential bid.

It comes amid lingering Democratic jitters about a bid by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), who hasn’t yet decided whether to run for reelection or mount a White House bid, or another centrist figure. It also comes the same day as Senate chiefs of staff are set to receive a similar briefing.

— Nicholas Wu

Everyone has their favorite spots to cry on Capitol Hill, but former Hill staffer Kiara McGowan says broaden your horizons, the whole city is your crying oyster.

Nevada Senate GOP candidate Sam Brown was seen meeting fellow Republicans outside their weekly lunch.

Former Speaker Newt Gingrich talked impeachments with Sarah off the House floor. Any advice for McCarthy? “Open the inquiry, but proceed very slowly.” What should they be looking at? “Wait and see what happens with Hunter. Every day there’s some opportunity.”

Also spotted: Former Trump Attorney General Bill Barr in Cannon. Former Rep. Tom Reed (R-N.Y.), who resigned from Congress in 2022, showing a group around the Senate side.

Lunch chat: Education Secretary Miguel Cardona stopped by the weekly Congressional Black Caucus lunch Wednesday to talk about affirmative action, he told Nicholas. His message: That the recent Supreme Court decision on the subject ”could continue the disparities and that we have a plan.”

Notable fundraising pitch: The NRCC referenced the Jason Aldean music video controversy in a donation pitch sent Wednesday: “Friend, Jason Aldean recorded a song praising small-town values, and the Radical Left has canceled him for it.”

One has the beat, the other has the moves: Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) showed off his moves to celebrate the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, meanwhile, commemorated the 50th anniversary of hip hop this week, but never forget that in 2021 he attempted to rap.

QUICK LINKS

Native Hawaiian Contractors Take A Back Seat To Alaskans And Tribes For Lucrative Jobs, by Nick Grube in the Honolulu Civil Beat

Here are the lawmakers who drive EVs, by Mia McCarthy in E&E News

No, image doesn’t show sleeping US senators; it’s UK’s House of Lords, by Chris Mueller in USA Today

TODAY IN CONGRESS

The Senate convenes at 10 a.m. with a host of votes scheduled at 11:30 a.m. on the defense policy bill.

The House is in for legislative business at noon with votes slated for the afternoon on the Military Construction-VA bill.

AROUND THE HILL

9:30 a.m. Sens. Schumer, Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore,), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) on Health Care Costs and the Inflation Reduction Act. (Senate Swamp)

10 a.m. Schiff and others reintroduce the Protecting Our Democracy Act. (House Triangle)

10 a.m. Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) and other Texas House Republicans hold a press conference on Texas’ right to defend the border. (HVC Studio B)

10:15 a.m. Schumer, McConnell and a bipartisan group of senators meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (S-219)

11:30 a.m. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus hold a press conference on the state of race and democracy in America. (HVC Studio B)

12 p.m. Speaker McCarthy meets with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and delivers remarks following a closed door meeting. (Speaker’s Balcony hallway)

12:35 p.m. Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) and Don Davis (D-N.C.) announce new bipartisan school safety legislation. (House Triangle)

WEDNESDAY’S WINNER: Ben Wainer was the first to correctly answer that Democratic Sen. James Shields was the only person to represent three separate states in that chamber (Illinois, Minnesota and Missouri).

TODAY’S QUESTION from Ben: How many people were nominated by President George W. Bush to fill the Supreme Court vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor?

The first person to correctly guess gets a mention in the next edition of Huddle. Send your answers to [email protected].

GET HUDDLE emailed to your phone each morning.

Follow Daniella and Anthony on Twitter at @DaniellaMicaela and @AnthonyAdragna.