BATTLE LINES: Less than 24 hours after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court released their new Congressional district map, Republicans are looking for ways to thwart that effort from taking effect this fall. The new map aims to level the playing field in a purple state where Republicans currently hold 13 out of 18 seats. Look for Republicans to appeal the map in the federal courts with the NRCC’s comms director taking the lead declaring that “state and federal Republican officials will sue in federal court as soon as tomorrow to prevent the new partisan map from taking effect.” But the U.S. Supreme Court recently denied a redistricting appeal by Pennsylvania Republicans with Justice Samuel Alito never giving an explanation. The next few days will be critical in this fight with nothing short of control of the U.S. House of Representatives at stake. Three significant dates on the political radar lie ahead: the first is the March 13 special election to fill a vacancy created by the scandalous resignation of Republican Tim Murphy; the second is the filing deadline to run on March 20; and the third is May 15 when the primary is slated to take place. The top chart below is the new map as drawn by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and the bottom chart is the current state map as drawn by the Republican's in 2011:
Philadelphia Enquirer/PA Supreme Court
THREE FOR THREE?: With the Trump Administration's March 5 deadline for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program fast approaching, Congress is hamstrung with few legislative options and even fewer legislative days to consider action. Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ) feels that Congress is unlikely unable to agree on a way forward on a comprehensive immigration package that aligns with President Trump’s goals. But the indefatigable Flake intends to introduce yet another compromise effort that extends DACA protections for three years in addition to a three-year funding bill for Trump’s border security initiative to the tune of $7.6 B. The Senate may end up reverting to the same strategy that’s corrosive to already strained relations on Capitol Hill - tying it to the spending bill due on March 23 - but it may be the only way for both sides to get what they want. In the meantime, two court injunctions should allow for existing DACA beneficiaries to renew their permits and avoid deportation and House Speaker Paul Ryan said he’ll consider DACA legislation in March playing down talk of the deportation deadline.
THE ROMNEY RESISTANCE: Given their history, pretty amazing that Trump turned the corner on his one-time interparty nemesis with his endorsement yesterday: .@MittRomney has announced he is running for the Senate from the wonderful State of Utah. He will make a great Senator and worthy successor to @OrrinHatch, and has my full support and endorsement!" The two have come a long way since Romney’s characterization of Trump as dishonest and a “phony” and “fraud” dating back to the fight for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. Should Romney win the seat, look for him to instantly become part of the Senate leadership team given his stature – but also look for him to challenge Trump and assume the maverick mantle of ailing Senator John McCain and his fellow Arizonian-in-crime, Jeff Flake.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR NAFTA?: Join us for a call with one of Washington's top trade advocates as the 7th round of NAFTA talks commence in Mexico city this coming weekend. Find the call details here.
AT&T/Time Warner: Pretrial Strategy and Case Insights (T, TWX): White House meddling in DOJ's merger review may be irrelevant to the case but AT&T finds value in pushing it. Glenchur's insights on DOJ's case here.Court Denies AT&T Request for White House Documents in Time Warner Deal Litigation (T, TWX): Our Senior telecom and media analyst Paul Glenchur weighs in on AT&T losing an uphill battle to force production of documents involving possible White House meddling in the T/TWX merger case. Read his piece here.
UNTIL THE HAND THAT FEEDS CURLS INTO A FIST, MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS WILL GROW UNDER NEW POLICIES: Our Senior Health Care Emily Evans writes that combined with administrative policies, recent spending bill designed to encourage enrollment in MA plans; UNH, HUM, AET, ANTM. Read her piece here.
REPORT FROM RIYADH: SAUDI 'SAFE SIDE' APPROACH IS GOOD NEWS FOR U.S. SHALE: Read Joe's piece here.
