Welcome to The Hill’s Morning Report. Happy Tuesday! Our newsletter gets you up to speed on the most important developments in politics and policy, plus trends to watch. Alexis Simendinger and Al Weaver are the up-early co-creators. Find us @asimendinger and @alweaver22 on Twitter and CLICK HERE to subscribe!







President Trump Donald John TrumpFederal prosecutor speaks out, says Barr 'has brought shame' on Justice Dept. Former Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick MORE directed his ire at congressional Republicans on Monday and urged them to “stick together” in the face of “vicious” attacks by Democrats as their impeachment inquiry steamrolls forward this week.

“The two things they have: They’re vicious, and they stick together,” Trump told reporters about Democrats as he convened a Cabinet meeting. “They don’t have [Sen. Mitt Romney Willard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyCrenshaw looms large as Democrats look to flip Texas House seat The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Republicans lawmakers rebuke Trump on election Trump dumbfounds GOP with latest unforced error MORE (R-Utah)] in their midst. They don’t have people like that” (The Hill).

Trump comments were in reference to critical comments by Romney, a longtime nemesis of the president who Trump has repeatedly fired back at in recent weeks. However, the criticisms within the GOP have come from other corners of the party as some have grown uneasy about defending the president on certain topics.

“Republicans have to get tougher and fight,” Trump continued. “We have some that are great fighters, but they have to get tougher and fight because the Democrats are trying to hurt the Republican Party for the election, which is coming up, where we’re doing very well” (The Washington Post).

Republicans attempted to do some damage on Monday in support of Trump, but the House rejected a privileged resolution to censure House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff Adam Bennett SchiffSchiff to subpoena top DHS official, alleges whistleblower deposition is being stonewalled Schiff claims DHS is blocking whistleblower's access to records before testimony GOP lawmakers distance themselves from Trump comments on transfer of power MORE (D-Calif.), a move Trump supported. Unsurprisingly, the resolution was voted down, 218-185 (The Hill).

The resolution, introduced by Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, called for Schiff’s resignation and said that his comments about Trump’s July 25th phone call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky were an “egregiously false and fabricated retelling” and “had no relationship to the call itself.”

Meanwhile, Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiDemocratic senator to party: 'A little message discipline wouldn't kill us' Overnight Health Care: New wave of COVID-19 cases builds in US | Florida to lift all coronavirus restrictions on restaurants, bars | Trump stirs questions with 0 drug coupon plan Overnight Defense: Appeals court revives House lawsuit against military funding for border wall | Dems push for limits on transferring military gear to police | Lawmakers ask for IG probe into Pentagon's use of COVID-19 funds MORE (D-Calif.) continued her offensive against the president. Her office released a “fact sheet” detailing the allegations against Trump as part of the inquiry, saying that he “betrayed his oath of office, betrayed our national security and betrayed the integrity of our elections for his own personal political gain” (The Hill).

As for the inquiry, House investigators will depose their highest profile subject of the week today as William Taylor, the chargé d'affaires for Ukraine and a U.S. diplomat, appears on Capitol Hill to testify behind closed doors. Democrats are interested in Taylor due to his exchanges with a pair of diplomats which showed that he was worried the Trump administration was withholding military aid to Ukraine to convince its government to conduct political investigations on Trump’s behalf.

After Taylor’s testimony, investigators will host only two more witness interviews during the remainder of the week as they mourn the death of former Oversight and Reform Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings Elijah Eugene CummingsBlack GOP candidate accuses Behar of wearing black face in heated interview Overnight Health Care: US won't join global coronavirus vaccine initiative | Federal panel lays out initial priorities for COVID-19 vaccine distribution | NIH panel: 'Insufficient data' to show treatment touted by Trump works House Oversight Democrats to subpoena AbbVie in drug pricing probe MORE (D-Md.). Cummings will lie in state at the Capitol on Thursday before his funeral in Baltimore on Friday.

No witnesses will appear before investigators on either day, and the last interview of the week will take place on Wednesday when Laura Cooper, a top Pentagon official, is expected to testify (The Hill). Philip Reeker, the acting assistant secretary of State for European and Eurasian affairs, is scheduled to be deposed on Saturday (ABC News).

The Washington Post: Nearly half a dozen Democrats consider bids to replace Cummings as House Oversight chairman.

CNN: Democrats see impeachment proceedings taking longer than some initially expected.

Over in the Senate, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellDemocratic senator to party: 'A little message discipline wouldn't kill us' House to vote on resolution affirming peaceful transition of power Republican lawyers brush off Trump's election comments MORE (R-Ky.) has told GOP colleagues there will likely be a Senate trial if the House passes articles of impeachment, although he has left open the possibility that the president’s defense team could make a motion to dismiss them at any time, according to The Hill’s Alexander Bolton.

McConnell, however, argued in the 1999 impeachment trial of former President Clinton that a motion to dismiss was a "terrible idea,” making it difficult for him to champion any motion to dismiss a Senate trial of articles against the president. It may be why McConnell says if the trial is dismissed, such an action should be initiated by the president's team and not by him.













LEADING THE DAY





INTERNATIONAL: Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Benjamin (Bibi) NetanyahuMORE on Monday officially informed President Reuven Rivlin that he failed in his attempts to pull together a unity government following Israel’s Sept. 17 election. Rivlin is likely to turn to Benny Gantz, leader of the largest political party in Parliament, to try to form the next Israeli government (The Washington Post). Wondering what happens next? Spoiler alert: A March election is one of the possibilities (The Jerusalem Post).

> Syria: A temporary cease-fire between Turkey and Syrian Kurds ends late tonight. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recently said Turkey wants nuclear warheads (The New York Times) and he meets today in Russia with President Vladimir Putin Vladimir Vladimirovich PutinWatchdog confirms State Dept. canceled award for journalist who criticized Trump Former intelligence agency director Robert Cardillo speaks out against 'erratic' Trump Kremlin: Putin calls for reset between US and Russia on cyber relations before elections MORE to seek help to create buffer territory in Syria (The Wall Street Journal). ...Before departing, Erdoğan warned that his military forces will resume strikes in Syria if the Kurds have not vacated the safe zone he seeks to create. “If the promises given to us by America are not kept, we will continue our operation from where it left off, this time with a much bigger determination,” he said (Reuters) ...The United States will leave some troops in northeastern Syria to secure oil fields from the Islamic State, Defense Secretary Mark Esper Mark EsperOvernight Defense: Stopgap spending measure awaits Senate vote | Trump nominates former Nunes aide for intelligence community watchdog | Trump extends ban on racial discrimination training to contractors, military Overnight Defense: Pentagon redirects pandemic funding to defense contractors | US planning for full Afghanistan withdrawal by May | Anti-Trump GOP group puts ads in military papers Official: Pentagon has started 'prudent planning' for full Afghanistan withdrawal by May MORE and Trump told reporters on Monday during separate appearances. The president previously said he would bring U.S. forces “home” from Syria and repeatedly asserts ISIS has been defeated (The Associated Press). The decision to leave more than 20 percent of the U.S. force in Syria behind was the second time in less than a year that Trump announced a complete withdrawal, only to walk it back (The Washington Post). ...ISIS killed two Iraqi security forces in the oil fields in northern Iraq (Reuters). ...A bipartisan group of senators on Monday met and urged that “Congress must come together to maintain an adequate [number of] U.S. troops in Syria, ensure air support, and impose sanctions against Turkey,” tweeted Sen. Chris Van Hollen Christopher (Chris) Van HollenCongress must finish work on popular conservation bill before time runs out Democrats fear Russia interference could spoil bid to retake Senate Mid-Atlantic states sue EPA over Chesapeake Bay pollution MORE (D-Md.)

> Brexit: On Monday, House of Commons Speaker John Bercow blocked a vote on a Brexit withdrawal deal, citing parliamentary rules. The government will try today to implement a Brexit bill through Parliament before an Oct. 31 deadline. There’s also talk of amending the Brexit-implementing legislation, including a clause that would give voters a second referendum (The Associated Press). The bill faces two votes today, with lawmakers first being asked to approve it in principle, followed by a vote on the government’s three-day schedule for debate and possible amendments. While many analysts expect the bill to be approved, lawmakers may reject the compressed timetable (The Associated Press).

> Canada election: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Justin Pierre James TrudeauCanada says former ambassador to US violated conflict-of-interest law No new Canadian COVID-19 deaths reported for first time since mid-March Trudeau announces millions for first 'Black Entrepreneurship Program' MORE’s Liberals held onto power in the election on Monday but were reduced to a minority government that will need the support in Parliament of a smaller left-leaning party (Reuters).







IN FOCUS/SHARP TAKES





POLITICS: 2020 Democratic presidential candidates are shifting and massaging their positions on “Medicare for All” as they battle for the nomination and as the topic becomes a major talking point on the campaign trail and the race for the party’s nomination.

South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg Pete ButtigiegBillionaire who donated to Trump in 2016 donates to Biden The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - GOP closes ranks to fill SCOTUS vacancy by November Buttigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice MORE praised “Medicare for All” earlier this year, but now, in a bid to be the preferred candidate of more moderate voters, he has found himself on the offensive against Sen. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenOvernight Defense: Appeals court revives House lawsuit against military funding for border wall | Dems push for limits on transferring military gear to police | Lawmakers ask for IG probe into Pentagon's use of COVID-19 funds On The Money: Half of states deplete funds for Trump's 0 unemployment expansion | EU appealing ruling in Apple tax case | House Democrats include more aid for airlines in coronavirus package Warren, Khanna request IG investigation into Pentagon's use of coronavirus funds MORE (D-Mass.) over the issue. Their issues were highlighted in last week’s Democratic debate as the two sparred extensively over Warren’s plan and Buttigieg’s support for a public option, which Warren argues does not go far enough.

The Massachusetts senator has expressed openness to "different pathways" on the issue earlier this year, but has since tried to avoid being outflanked on the left by Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersSirota reacts to report of harassment, doxing by Harris supporters Republicans not immune to the malady that hobbled Democrats The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Republicans lawmakers rebuke Trump on election MORE (I-Vt.), having sought to sell her full-scale “Medicare for All” proposal (The Hill).

The Hill: Buttigieg closes on Biden, Warren in Iowa: poll.

The Hill: Sen. Michael Bennet Michael Farrand BennetOVERNIGHT ENERGY: House Democrats tee up vote on climate-focused energy bill next week | EPA reappoints controversial leader to air quality advisory committee | Coronavirus creates delay in Pentagon research for alternative to 'forever chemicals' Senate Democrats demand White House fire controversial head of public lands agency Next crisis, keep people working and give them raises MORE (D-Colo.): Warren “not being honest about” her “Medicare for All” plan.

The Associated Press: Sen. Amy Klobuchar Amy Klobuchar3 reasons why Biden is misreading the politics of court packing Social media platforms put muscle into National Voter Registration Day Battle lines drawn on precedent in Supreme Court fight MORE (D-Minn.) tries to turn debate spotlight into momentum.

> Gabbard vs. Clinton: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Tulsi GabbardRepublicans call on DOJ to investigate Netflix over 'Cuties' film Hispanic Caucus campaign arm endorses slate of non-Hispanic candidates Gabbard says she 'was not invited to participate in any way' in Democratic convention MORE (D-Hawaii) has attracted a wave of new publicity for her presidential campaign in the aftermath of an attack from Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonBloomberg rolls out M ad buy to boost Biden in Florida Hillicon Valley: Productivity, fatigue, cybersecurity emerge as top concerns amid pandemic | Facebook critics launch alternative oversight board | Google to temporarily bar election ads after polls close Trump pledges to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, designate KKK a terrorist group in pitch to Black voters MORE, who accused her of being an agent of the Russians who may launch a third party bid if she loses the Democratic presidential nod.

The Hawaii Democrat fired back swiftly at Clinton's attack, winning attention in the process that could be valuable for her struggling bid. Gabbard’s campaign has continued to struggle in recent weeks, having remained in the lower tier of candidates in polling and delivered an uninspiring debate performance last week.

The recent surge in attention could also be valuable as she pushes to qualify for the fifth Democratic debate on Nov. 20 in Georgia. She has until Nov. 13 to do so.

Some Democrats were irritated with Clinton's attack, wondering why she was elevating a candidate many establishment Democrats dislike — in part because of Gabbard's visit in 2017 with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (The Hill).

The Associated Press: Facebook ramps up election security efforts ahead of 2020.

The Hill: Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro says he will drop out of the 2020 race if he doesn't raise $800,000 in next 10 days.

The Associated Press: Democrats’ 2020 race has a new shadow: Hillary Clinton.

> Senate map: Nearly a year out from election day, both parties are looking to expand the list of competitive Senate contests outside of Arizona, Colorado, Maine and Alabama, to name a few.

As Reid Wilson writes, campaign finance reports show that several newcomer candidates are building impressive war chests, and the totals have strategists on both sides examining a battlefield that looks wider now than initially expected.

In Arizona and Colorado, Democratic challengers flexed their financial muscle and posted strong fundraising quarters, while candidates in Iowa and Maine have national Democrats optimistic about their chances in both states.

“These are better Democratic opportunities in this cycle than they were in the past. And we have to be prepared to take advantage of that,” said J.B. Poersch, who heads the Senate Majority PAC, the largest outside group that backs Democratic candidates.

The Wall Street Journal: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoWatchdog confirms State Dept. canceled award for journalist who criticized Trump Trump's push for win with Sudan amps up pressure on Congress Putin nominated for Nobel Peace Prize MORE to make another Kansas visit as GOP courts him for Senate.







The Morning Report is created by journalists Alexis Simendinger and Al Weaver. We want to hear from you! Email: asimendinger@thehill.com and aweaver@thehill.com. We invite you to share The Hill’s reporting and newsletters, and encourage others to SUBSCRIBE!







OPINION





Warren had better have a plan — she needs one to win in November, by Albert Hunt, opinion contributor, The Hill. https://bit.ly/33SGBWW

How Turkey sees its Syria invasion, by Ilan Berman, opinion contributor, The Hill. https://bit.ly/31xrUXV







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WHERE AND WHEN





Hill.TV’s “Rising” program features Rep. Jody Hice Jody Brownlow HicePelosi must go — the House is in dire need of new leadership House Republicans investigating California secretary of state's contract with Biden-linked firm GOP lawmakers want answers from Disney on Mulan, China MORE (R-Ga.) to react to the latest impeachment inquiry news; Emma Vigeland, a correspondent with The Young Turks, to discuss Warren's “Medicare for All” plan; Mark Geist, a former United States Marine, to talk about the launch of Operation 11/11, a new initiative providing virtual consults across multiple specialties to all veterans on Veterans Day; and Waad al-Kateab and Edward Watts, the directors of the documentary “For Sama.” Watch at 9 a.m. ET at http://thehill.com/hilltv, or on YouTube at 10 a.m. at Rising on YouTube.

The House meets at 10 a.m.

The Senate convenes at 10 a.m. and may consider fiscal year 2020 spending bills, and the nomination of Andrew Bremberg to be U.S. representative to the Office of the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva.

The president will have lunch with Pompeo.

Vice President Pence tonight delivers the keynote address at the Heritage Foundation’s Honors Gala in Washington.

Pompeo speaks at 9 a.m. at the Heritage Foundation President’s Club Meeting in Washington about “Trump Administration Diplomacy: The Untold Story.” At 10:30 a.m., he meets with Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak at the State Department. At noon, Pompeo meets with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita. The secretary heads to the White House for a 12:45 p.m. lunch with Trump. Back at the department, Pompeo meets with Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk at 3:30 p.m. and he’ll wrap up the day with a speech at 7 p.m. at the the Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life Leaders’ Summit in Washington.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin Steven Terner MnuchinThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Republicans lawmakers rebuke Trump on election On The Money: Anxious Democrats push for vote on COVID-19 aid | Pelosi, Mnuchin ready to restart talks | Weekly jobless claims increase | Senate treads close to shutdown deadline Vulnerable Democrats tell Pelosi COVID-19 compromise 'essential' MORE testifies at 10 a.m. before the House Financial Services Committee about affordable housing, along with Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson Benjamin (Ben) Solomon CarsonBen Carson notes reveal he's 'not happy' with White House official: report Trump pledges to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, designate KKK a terrorist group in pitch to Black voters State AGs condemn HUD rule allowing shelters to serve people on basis of biological sex MORE. The hearing will be livestreamed.

You’re invited to The Hill's upcoming newsmaker event, Innovation Runway: The Cutting Edge of Aviation, at the Newseum on Wednesday at 8 a.m. Sen. Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzCrenshaw looms large as Democrats look to flip Texas House seat SCOTUS confirmation in the last month of a close election? Ugly The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Trump previews SCOTUS nominee as 'totally brilliant' MORE (R-Texas), Rep. Rick Larsen Richard (Rick) Ray LarsenDemocratic lawmaker calls for stronger focus on trade leverage to raise standards The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - Biden, Harris launch Trump offensive in first joint appearance The Hill's 12:30 Report: Biden, Harris's first day as running mates MORE (D-Wash.) and Daniel Elwell, deputy administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, will discuss changes in American aviation that affect consumers and the nation. Information is HERE.

The Center for American Progress hosts Sen. Tom Udall Thomas (Tom) Stewart UdallLWCF modernization: Restoring the promise OVERNIGHT ENERGY: House Democrats tee up vote on climate-focused energy bill next week | EPA reappoints controversial leader to air quality advisory committee | Coronavirus creates delay in Pentagon research for alternative to 'forever chemicals' Senate Democrats demand White House fire controversial head of public lands agency MORE (D-N.M.) at 10 a.m. to speak about a new policy proposal tied to “Confronting the Nature Crisis” and conservation. He’ll be joined by Rep. Deb Haaland Debra HaalandHispanic caucus report takes stock of accomplishments with eye toward 2021 Rep. Robin Kelly enters race for Democratic caucus vice chair OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Democrats push resolution to battle climate change, sluggish economy and racial injustice | Senators reach compromise on greenhouse gas amendment stalling energy bill | Trump courts Florida voters with offshore drilling moratorium MORE (D-N.M.) for a moderated discussion livestreamed HERE.







ELSEWHERE





➔ State Watch: Four large drug companies reached a last-minute $260 million legal settlement on Monday over their role in the U.S. opioid addiction epidemic, striking a deal with two Ohio counties to avert the first federal trial over the crisis (Reuters). The proposed settlement halted a massive trial just before it was set to begin. But the settlement nets only a fraction of what the counties were seeking, and it's unclear what the impact will be on the lawsuits filed by tribes, cities, other counties and states other than Ohio that are seeking damages tied to the opioid epidemic (The Hill).

➔ Student loans: Democrats are pressuring the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to escalate a turf battle with the Education Department over policing the student lending market. Advocates also want the independent agency to investigate the Education Department’s management of a loan forgiveness program that has rejected 99 percent of applicants (The Hill).

➔ Lobbying: In July, 31-year-old think tank researcher Shai Akabas did something that hoards of well-funded lobbyists and power players in Washington seldom achieve: He got Congress to move. Akabas, the director of economic policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center, released an analysis of what he calls “The X Date,” the day the Treasury Department runs out of legal authority to pay its bills. Akabas’s analysis showed that lawmakers could not wait until autumn, and lawmakers agreed to act over the summer (The Hill).

➔ Immigration: Trump finds himself boxed in by law and political crosswinds as White House aides presented him with a list of potential picks for acting secretary at the Department of Homeland Security weeks after Kevin McAleenan departed (Politico). ...The Justice Department on Monday issued amended regulations that would mandate DNA collection for almost all migrants who cross between official entry points and are held even temporarily by the United States. The administration is planning to collect DNA samples from asylum-seekers and other migrants to add to a massive FBI database used by law enforcement hunting for criminals (The Associated Press).

➔ ⚾ Baseball: The World Series is set to begin tonight as the Washington Nationals take on the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the Fall Classic. The Nationals, who have been off for a full week after sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLCS, will look to keep their scorching hot play, having won 18 of their last 20 contests. Washington will turn to ace Max Scherzer, while Houston will hand the ball to Gerrit Cole. First pitch from Houston is at 8:08 p.m.







THE CLOSER





And finally … The U.S. Army is creating a modern version of the World War II “Monuments Men,” emulating a team of experts who traced and recovered millions of European art treasures looted by the Nazis. The new unit, to be based in Fort Bragg, N.C., will be trained to help protect antiquities and historically significant sites in war zones and will pull together commissioned officers of the Army Reserves who are museum directors or curators, archivists, conservators and archaeologists in addition to new recruits with those qualifications (The New York Times).

“In conflict, the destruction of monuments and the looting of art are not only about the loss of material things, but also about the erasure of history, knowledge and a people’s identity,” Richard Kurin, an anthropologist at the Smithsonian, said at the Monday announcement. “The cooperation between the Smithsonian and the U.S. Army aims to prevent this legal and moral crime of war.”





