Republicans embrace Don Jr. on the campaign trail — House panel launches probe of Epstein suicide — McConnell turns Senate into a machine for Trump judges Presented by

HERE COMES THE SON -- If a Republican candidate can’t get Donald Trump to stump for them on the campaign trail, here’s the next best thing: Don Jr. Trump’s eldest son is planning to hold a string of fundraisers and events in the coming months for Senate Republicans who are up for reelection, including Sens. John Cornyn of Texas, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Steve Daines of Montana – all loyal Trump supporters. And Don Jr. will also attend events for Dan Bishop and Gregory Murphy, two GOP candidates running in North Carolina special elections, at the request of Trump’s close ally Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.).

Don Jr. was a frequent presence on the campaign trail last cycle, appearing at 70 events for Republican candidates and state parties over a six month stretch. But with Trump focused on his own reelection race, Don. Jr could prove to be a powerful surrogate and vital asset for members looking to energize their base. “Everyone knows he is the president’s son,” said Cornyn. “All the Trump voters would be pretty fired up. I guess all the Never Trump people would be pretty mad but that’s kind of where we are.” Much more from Marianne: https://politi.co/2OTxYci .


Related read: “North Carolina redo election is the last race of 2018 — and the first of 2020,” from Roll Call’s Simone Pathé: http://bit.ly/2ySPSkF.

CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 01: Donald Trump Jr. speaks early in the night before his father, U.S. President Donald Trump, at a campaign rally at U.S. Bank Arena on August 1, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. | Getty Images

ANSWERS ON EPSTEIN -- The House Judiciary Committee has opened up a bipartisan investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of financier and accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. In a joint letter, Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y) and ranking member Doug Collins (R-Ga.) demanded answers from the Bureau of Prisons about Epstein's apparent suicide while in a New York jail, giving the agency until August 21 to respond.

Among the nearly two-dozen questions they want answered: How was Epstein monitored while on suicide watch and not on suicide watch? Was there any surveillance video of his jail cell? And why was Epstein removed from suicide watch? "The apparent suicide of this high-profile and -- if allegations are proven to be accurate -- particularly reprehensible individual while in the federal government's custody demonstrates severe miscarriages of or deficiencies in inmate protocol and has allowed the deceased to ultimately evade facing justice," Nadler and Collins wrote. The dispatch from CNN’s Jeremy Herb: https://cnn.it/302mC70 .

Related: “In Short-Staffed Jail, Epstein Was Left Alone for Hours; Guard Was Substitute,” by NYT’s Ali Watkins, Katie Benner and Danielle Ivory: https://nyti.ms/2ORSMAV .

GUN DEBATE UPDATE … “Ivanka Trump is quietly calling lawmakers about the gun debate,” via Alayna Treene of Axios: http://bit.ly/2H3HlQh ; and “Toomey-Manchin background check measure faces obstacles,” by The Washington Examiner’s Susan Ferrechio: https://washex.am/2Z4twai .

GOOD MORNING! Welcome to Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Tuesday, August 13, where your host hopes you find someone who loves you as much as Kamala Harris loves her new campaign bus.

MONDAY’S MOST CLICKED: Axios’ report on Trump sending autographed briefing cards to members of Congress was the big winner.

DUNCAN DELAY -- The upcoming trial for indicted Rep. Duncan Hunter, which was originally scheduled for next month, could be delayed by seven weeks, reports the Times of San Diego. The California Republican’s lawyers filed a request on Monday asking the judge to move the trial to late October. Hunter and his wife were indicted last summer for illegally using $250,000 in campaign funds for personal use, including lavish family vacations and their children’s school tuition. And prosecutors also allege that Hunter used campaign cash to fund multiple affairs with lobbyists and congressional aides. Ken Stone with more: http://bit.ly/31wFMC0 .

Related: “Duncan Hunter said person making ‘OK’ sign in photo was a ‘stranger.’ The man calls Hunter a friend,” by Roll Call’s Emily Kopp: http://bit.ly/2H5PWBX .

MITCH THE MACHINE -- Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has turned the Senate into a judge confirming machine. The Kentucky Republican, who already cemented his legacy by confirming two Supreme Court justices, has continued to reshape the federal courts by getting nearly 60 conservative Trump judges through the Senate this year, reports Bloomberg. “I saved the Supreme Court for a generation by blocking President Obama’s nominees and led the way for Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh,” McConnell told a crowd in Kentucky earlier this month.

But the intense focus on judicial nominations has come at a cost: there hasn’t been much legislative action in the Senate, handing ammo to Democratic critics who are eager to label McConnell the “grim reaper” of the “legislative graveyard.” But McConnell is up for reelection in his deep red home state, and the fast pace of confirmations has earned him plaudits with conservatives and could help him juice up the base. The latest from Laura Litvan: https://bloom.bg/31zexa3 .

Related: “Trump, McConnell campaigns sell ‘Back-to-Back Supreme Court Champs’ T-shirts,” by WaPo’s Felicia Sonmez: https://wapo.st/2H3SRuW .

REPORTING FOR DUTY -- 2020 hopeful Rep. Tulsi Gabbard will be off the campaign trail for the next two weeks so she can report for active duty with the Hawaii Army National Guard. The Hawaii Democrat said she will be doing a joint training exercise mission in Indonesia, with a focus on counterterrorism, humanitarian aid and disaster response. "I love our country, I love being able to serve our country in so many ways, including as a soldier," she said. "While some people are telling me, 'this is a terrible time to leave the campaign, can't you find a way out of it,' you know, that's not what this is about… I'm looking forward to being able to fulfill my service and my responsibility.” More from USA Today’s Rebecca Morin: http://bit.ly/2Z2taB1 .

BETO LUCK NEXT TIME -- Democrat Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez has officially jumped into the Texas Senate race, where she will compete in a crowded primary field for a chance to take on Sen. John Cornyn (R) in the general election. But Tzintzún Ramirez, a leading Latina organizer, will have her campaign stacked with former organizers for Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas) who have rallied around Tzintzún Ramirez. Last year, O’Rourke came within striking distance of winning a Texas Senate seat and renewed Democratic hopes about turning Texas blue.

“I’m not a career politician, I have not previously run for office,” Tzintzún Ramirez said. “I was recruited to run by folks that I think really wanted to have a candidate that represents the ordinary Texan and to advocate for their interests, to protect their rights, and fight for them.” The Intercept’s Aída Chávez has the latest on her campaign: http://bit.ly/2Z1oH5E .

Related: “Missouri Democrats plot a 2020 comeback strategy after recent election defeats,” by Bryan Lowry of McClatchy: http://bit.ly/2yXpsOt.





TRANSITIONS

Philip Rossetti joined the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis' minority staff as a fellow focusing on energy and climate policy. Rossetti co-authored the American Action Forum report that attached a dubious $93 trillion price tag to the Green New Deal resolution.

TODAY IN CONGRESS

The House and Senate are out.

AROUND THE HILL

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), Rep. Debbie Dingell (Mich.) Rep. Anthony Brown (D-Md.) and House Democrats hold a press event to call on Senate Republicans to take up the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 at 11:30 a.m. in H-137.

TRIVIA

MONDAY’S WINNER: Ian Gill was the first person to correctly guess that Rep. Dave Obey was a former House Appropriations chairman who served more than 41 years and is the longest-tenured Wisconsinite in Congressional history.

TODAY’S QUESTION: From Ian: What person with a statue in Congress' Statuary Hall was born first, and what state do they represent? First person to correctly guess gets a mention in the next edition of Huddle. Send your best guess my way: [email protected] .

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Follow us on Twitter Melanie Zanona @MZanona