To live under the American Constitution is the greatest political privilege that was ever accorded to the human race.
-Calvin Coolidge
JARED-OF-ALL-TRADES: Now that Jared Kushner has his own pseudo-task force within the White House, his role in the Trump Administration has grown to that of a utility fielder. Kushner travelled to Iraq over the weekend after being invited by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and has also been very involved with working with the Chinese Ambassador in the lead up to President Xi Jingping’s visit later this week. Don’t forget he was also tasked with smoothing over the relationship with Mexico at the start of the Administration. Kushner has become the go to person within the White House on a wide range of topics - from overhauling the government and climate change to Middle East peace and gay rights.
IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T SUCCEED: Veep Mike Pence has been working the back channels trying to revive health care reform. In order to do that, he has been trying to appeal to the Freedom Caucus to try and get them on board. The new proposal would allow states to apply to repeal the essential health benefits and community ratings which prevents insurers from charging sick people higher premiums. The conservative group has expressed interest in the plan, but wants to wait until the legislation is drafted. The White House is hoping for a vote before the Easter recess begins on Friday, but champagne corks aren’t popping just yet as no one can predict how the mercurial Freedom Caucus will act.
HITTING THE NUCLEAR BUTTON::SCOTUS nominee Neil Gorsuch is on track to receive a confirmation vote later this week as Senate Minority Leader Schumer whipped over 40 votes necessary to filibuster the Gorsuch nomination. This will bring to head the game of chicken with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell over the ‘nuclear option.’ McConnell, who is a disciple of Senate rules, has said that he does not want to invoke the nuclear option, but Democrats will leave him no choice - and the slippery slope both parties have been on for the past decade leaves only legislation as the last bastion for the filibuster.
THE HAWKS ARE CIRCLING: Senators are reigniting the push to formally authorize a war on ISIS. Former Democratic Veep nominee and Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, who previously worked with Republican Jeff Flake, on a similar bill that died in committee, is renewing his push for the legislation. Now that foreign policy hawks are in the driver’s seat after eight years in exile, the Foreign Relations Committee is waiting on President Trump to outline his ISIS strategy before taking up the authorization, but the bill has already received the backing of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.
BULL IN A CHINA SHOP: Ahead of his two-day meeting with Xi Jingping later this week, President Trump is warning the world that he is ready to act on North Korea. China has a massive influence over North Korea, but Trump feels they haven’t done enough to slow down the rogue state’s nuclear program. In the past the U.S. has worked with China on all issues surrounding sanctions on North Korea, but the president appears ready to break with tradition. Now only time will tell if he is serious, or if this is just political grandstanding ahead this week’s meetings.
CMS "PAUSES" HOME HEALTH PRE-CLAIM REVIEW - FACE TO FACE AND HOMEBOUND REQUIREMENT NEXT? Our Senior Health Policy Analyst Emily Evans writes a win for the industry; next up is repealing face to face requirement which may open door to relaxing/ending homebound requirement. You can read the full piece here.
GENERAL DAN CHRISTMAN - TILLERSON TO TURKEY: NO FEAST: General Dan Christman writes about Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s trip to Turkey. You can read the full piece here.
