sign in sign up
<<
Home , Freedom Caucus, Nuclear option, Politico, Sponsor (legislative), The Conservative Caucus

||| COVER STORY

GET ‘ER DONE FIVE WASHINGTON HANDS WHO HAVE A KNACK FOR SMOOTHING OUT THE PROCESS

14 JULY 10, 2017 | CQ ||| COVER STORY

By SHAWN ZELLER

he Washington fixer gets things done member of conservative House — in a system designed to stop him. The has worked to bridge the divide between the group founders meant it that way, to calm and Republican moderates. passions and to ensure that ideas ar- With ’s Russia policy in flux — the result en’t turned into policy before they’ve of President ’s effort to reset relations, stood the test of time. as well as the investigation into Russian interference TTo overcome those built-in obstacles, time and in the 2016 election — Sen. is deter- again, and in the public eye, can leave a mark on the mined to restore the United States to its traditional history books. role as leader of the . He may well do it. Other fixers toil for smaller victories. They are Lisa Curtis, who is Trump National Security Ad- lawmakers, but also bureaucrats, lobbyists and viser H.R. McMaster’s choice to oversee U.S. policy staffers. in South Asia, is well positioned to carry out Trump’s They must be smart but also charismatic, occa- pledge to ramp up the fight against foreign terrorists sionally ruthless, and most of all persuasive. They and bring pressure to bear on allies that could do work in public, amid the 24-7 cycle, but also in more to help. back rooms behind closed doors. Lobbyist Ron Bonjean burnished his credentials The deal-cutters on have claimed most recently as then-Supreme Court nominee Neil some victories in recent years, reaching agreement Gorsuch’s spokesman. He came out of the Gorsuch on the government’s role in elementary and second- fight unscathed and with fresh ties to the White ary education, on how Medicare pays doctors and on House counsel’s office. With an administration that the powers of the National Security Agency to surveil continues to have trouble communicating its mes- Americans’ communications. Each of those achieve- sage, Bonjean is sure to resurface. ments took some serious fixing. And if there is any hope for bipartisanship, If Republicans overhaul the 2010 health care law Nancy Jacobson, a Democratic consultant who and the tax code this year, it will take fixing at anoth- worked for Bill and and is the found- er level of magnitude. er of the group No Labels, could root it out. Such world-changing victories have never come Her effort to pressure lawmakers to compromise easy and they are all the harder to achieve now, given has caught Trump’s attention. And lawmakers will the ideological divide on Capitol Hill. surely take notice if she follows through on a pledge In this special issue of CQ Magazine, our editors to raise $50 million for independent and reporters identify five who merit the fixer title. expenditures during the 2018 election campaign. Our list includes a lobbyist, a bureaucrat, two law- She may get there. Jacobson has already locked makers and an activist. in the support of four billionaires and honed her One who is crucial in the health care debate is message: GOP Rep. , who — as a “Stop fighting. Start fixing.”

CQ | JULY 10, 2017 15 ||| COVER STORY Bill Clark/CQ Roll Bill Clark/CQ

REP. MORGAN GRIFFITH

By LINDSEY House Freedom Caucus as long as it doesn’t violate his leader who’s been able to be a McPHERSON members are still trying to strongly held principles — to voice of compromise between shake off their obstructionist get to yes,” House Energy and many different folks in the reputation and prove to their Commerce Chairman Greg Republican Party,” says Davis, colleagues that they can get Walden says. a member of the moderate to “yes.” But one member of Griffith, a member of Tuesday Group. “When Mor- has Walden’s panel, is “arguably gan Griffith says something, largely escaped fellow Repub- one of the most thoughtful he means it.” licans’ ire and built himself legislators I’ve ever served Griffith, like his Freedom some good will. with,” the Oregon Republican Caucus colleagues, often Colleagues say Virginia says. “He does his homework. bucks leadership, but they Republican Morgan Griffith He does his due diligence on typically understand why he has shown willingness to every bill.” is not voting with them. Other compromise and work toward Griffith raised his profile in times Griffith is one of the few solutions on legislative and January when House Repub- Freedom Caucus members procedural problems that licans adopted a rule change to support leadership, while the divided House Republi- that would allow lawmakers maintaining the ear of his can Conference faces. They to use the appropriations more hesitant conservative also describe the four-term process to reduce the size and colleagues. lawmaker as a principled per- cost of the federal workforce. For example, Griffith is fectionist, whose attention to Rep. Rodney Davis among a minority in the Free- detail has been an asset, not a says Griffith is a straight dom Caucus that supports hindrance. shooter who’s been able to leadership’s border adjust- “He’s rock-solid conserva- earn his colleagues’ trust. ment tax, or BAT, a proposal tive, but he’ll work with you — “Morgan is the type of to start taxing U.S. imports

16 JULY 10, 2017 | CQ ||| COVER STORY and stop taxing exports as a age American companies to that were needed for final involved in that effort. way to encourage employers bring home jobs or to expand passage, he says. “The bottom Davis, who served with to keep jobs in the country here the next time they’re line was it’s about getting Griffith on that task force, while raising revenue needed looking at expansion instead something done.” says the Virginia lawmaker to offset tax-rate cuts. of looking overseas.” Walden declined to discuss was helpful in achieving the “I want something that’s The problem-solving details of that private meet- group’s goal of instituting con- really going to stimulate the approach Griffith is taking ing, but confirmed he brought ference rules that would gear American economy,” Griffith on a tax overhaul is similar to Griffith into the fold because more of the decision-making says, expressing his belief that one he took during the House of his respect within the power toward the mem- the BAT would encourage GOP’s health care debate. Freedom Caucus and his will- bership, not leadership. He companies that have moved Griffith, an early “yes” ingness to engage in problem describes Griffith as a “quiet, operations offshore for tax for the bill, was one of just solving. unassuming guy but very reasons to bring those jobs five Energy and Commerce “Every step of the way, he much engaged in the minutia back to the United States. members involved in a crucial was one who was trying to of governing.” Griffith has made the meeting three days before the case for the BAT in Freedom eventual health care vote on Caucus meetings, but said the May 4, in which they brain- of the group remains stormed how to sway remain- opposed to the proposal ing holdouts. Specifically, despite some division among they were looking to address members. Opposition to the concerns that insurance pre- BAT is fairly widespread out- miums would rise dramatical- side the Freedom Caucus as ly for people with pre-existing well, especially among Senate conditions and without con- Republicans. tinuous coverage in states that While Griffith acknowl- opted to waive out of certain edges the politics make the insurance regulations.

proposal unlikely to survive, In that session, Griffith Call Roll Williams/CQ Tom he knows there has to be proposed having the federal another provision to replace it government buy down the come up with solutions as we While they represent very that would add jobs to the U.S. cost of insurance for those would encounter these differ- different districts, Davis says economy and prevent compa- individuals with pre-existing ent issues,” he says. “Some Griffith is always willing to nies from continuing to move conditions so they would not work, some don’t. But he’s not listen to him explain his con- jobs offshore. His southwest have to pay more than 130 one on the sidelines.” stituents’ needs and perspec- Virginia district has seen jobs percent of what insurance The health care debate was tives. disappear, particularly in the companies could charge if the not the first time GOP leaders “In the end, we agree much textile industry. state had not opted out of the looked to Griffith for help. more than we disagree,” Da- “I think the border adjust- regulations. When Speaker Paul D. Ryan vis says. “It’s about finding the ment tax has a difficult time While Griffith’s idea re- created an organizational task right balance and that’s what passing, so I’m looking for mained on the table for rough- force to examine potential Morgan is so good at.” other things,” he says, declin- ly 24 hours, it was ultimately changes to GOP conference That also happens to be ing to detail ideas still under another idea floated during rules and the structure of the Griffith’s favorite part of his discussion. that meeting with Walden and Republican Steering Commit- job. Or at least that’s what “I’m involved in just trying senior Energy and Commerce tee that is in charge of com- he told students he visited at to look at the alternatives members of mittee assignments — one Glade Spring Middle School and encourage people to and ’ Michael of his promises upon being in his district on May 10, the look for alternatives,” he C. Burgess and Joe L. Barton elected speaker — Griffith was week after the health care says. “If we’re not going to do that became the final amend- one of the members tapped to vote. border adjustment, what are ment to the bill. participate in the group. “It really is trying to figure we going to do? I’m open to Griffith said he didn’t mind “I kept putting in changes out ways to craft a bill that something else. I just want to that his idea was ultimately and talking about it and going can pass,” he says. “If you make sure that we’re creating rejected. It would have lost a to all the meetings,” Griffith don’t pass anything, you get a tax policy that will encour- handful of conservative votes says, when asked how he got nothing.”

CQ | JULY 10, 2017 17 ||| COVER STORY

growing arsenal of nuclear weapons doesn’t fall into the hands of terrorists. Past policy has left the U.S. short of its counterterrorism objectives in the region, Cur- tis said at a February think- tank event, where she cast sig- nificant blame on Islamabad. “Our major problem is with some of the policies, particu- larly with some of the security establishment, that continue to allow militant groups to fester in Pakistan.” While Curtis was initially expected to be nominated to the position of assistant sec- retary of State for South Asia, outside experts believe her position at NSC will be even

Heritage Foundation more influential given indi- cations the State Department under Secretary of State has been effectively LISA CURTIS sidelined on many significant policy issues. By RACHEL It may not top Presi- the unenviable job of finding Longtime champions of a OSWALD dent Donald Trump’s list of a way to convince Islamabad harder line toward Islamabad problems to solve but the to crack down on the terror- like Christine Fair, a George- relationship with Pakistan has ist organizations operating town University professor of an unfortunate habit of flaring from its territory rather than South Asian security studies, up, and doing so at the most continuing to covertly provide have taken heart from Curtis’ inopportune times. support to groups such as appointment to the NSC, Tasked with making head- the Afghan Taliban and the hoping it signifies that Wash- way in the thorny and knotty Haqqani network. Pakistan’s ington at long last is ready for relationship with Islamabad is seeming refusal to suppress a new approach. Lisa Curtis, a longtime expert local extremist groups is “I think it’s much better on Pakistan and counterter- increasingly viewed by U.S. that Lisa is at the NSC where rorism who was recruited officials as one reason — if she may have an increased earlier this year to the White not the biggest reason — why chance in having a voice that House’s National Security neighboring Afghanistan is going to be heard,” says Council to be its senior direc- remains so unstable. Fair. “I’ve put an enormous tor for South Asia. At stake are prospects for amount of faith in her.” As the Trump administra- any kind of successful resolu- And there are glimmerings tion deepens U.S. military tion to the 16-year-old conflict those hopes have not been in involvement in Afghanistan in neighboring Afghanistan, vain. The National Security after years of troop draw- the efficacy of billions of dol- Council is close to wrapping downs under President lars in U.S. foreign assistance up a broader South Asia strat- , Curtis has and ensuring that Pakistan’s egy that is expected to focus

18 JULY 10, 2017 | CQ ||| COVER STORY significantly on Pakistan. sionally carry out cross-border nomic and security aid, than cutting off most cooperation. According to a June mass attacks. Additionally, none at all. Fear of being shut Still, working in Curtis’ report, the Trump adminis- the Pakistani government is out by the Pakistani military, favor is the strong inclination tration is weighing several seen to tolerate a mainstream as was the case for decades by Trump to drastically slash options for strong-arming religious and educational before the Sept. 11 attacks U.S. foreign assistance. His the Pakistani military into culture that preaches intoler- caused both the Bush and budget outline for fiscal 2018 abandoning its support for ance, giving radical militant Obama administrations to proposed converting from extremist groups. organizations a ready pool of water down their criticisms of grants to loans the amount of Some of the alternatives potential new recruits. Islamabad’s counterterrorism financing Pakistan receives were advocated by Curtis in a “The laundry list of evi- record. under State’s Foreign Military report she co-authored earlier dence of Pakistan’s support Curtis has a long govern- Financing program while also this year while she was still a for terrorism goes on and on,” ment background. She has reducing the total amount senior fellow at the conser- says Rep. , R-Texas, worked as a diplomat in India of financing from over $200 vative Heritage Foundation’s who is one of Congress’ and Pakistan, an analyst for million to just $100 million. Asian Studies Center. The fiercest critics of Pakistan’s se- report, developed with input curity forces from his position from officials at the National as chairman of the Foreign Security Council and the State Affairs subcommittee on and Defense departments, terrorism. “I believe Pakistan argues the time has come for is playing us, they launch what a tough public discussion on they called counterterrorism how Islamabad has failed to operations in the tribal areas meet its counterterrorism bordering Afghanistan, but commitments to the U.S. [it] quickly became clear The report lists tools they were only targeting the the Trump administration Pakistani Taliban and not the could use to try to influence Afghan Taliban.” Lisa Curtis Courtesy Pakistan’s behavior, includ- Even Army Gen. John Nich- ing warning Islamabad it olson, commander of U.S.-led the CIA, an adviser to the Over the years, Pakistan has could lose its designation as a forces in Afghanistan, thinks assistant secretary of State for received roughly $4 billion “major non-NATO ally.” The the time has come for a “ho- South Asian Affairs directly worth of U.S. military equip- loss of that status would mean listic review of our Pakistan following the September ment under the program. Pakistan is no longer eligible policy.” 11 attacks when the Bush From 2002-2016, the Unit- to acquire certain advanced “We have an opportunity administration revitalized the ed States provided Pakistan U.S. weapon systems, which it for such a review; given the relationship with Islamabad, with roughly $33.5 billion in uses to try to compete militar- new administration and the and as a staffer on the Senate military and economic assis- ily with India. new chain of command,” Foreign Relations Committee tance. Aid to Pakistan peaked As a last resort, the report he told the Senate Armed Ser- under then-Chairman Rich- in fiscal 2011 at nearly $3.6 bil- recommends designating vices Committee in February. ard Lugar, R-Ind. lion and has fallen since then Pakistan a state of Pakistan continues to rap- “She is certainly the right to $1.2 billion in fiscal 2016. terrorism. idly grow its nuclear arsenal. person in the right place,” says “Pakistan has maintained The Afghanistan-Pakistan Its military’s ability to safe- Marvin Weinbaum, a former a longstanding and broad- region has the highest con- guard those weapons from State Department analyst on based relationship with centration of U.S.-designated domestic terrorist groups is Pakistan and Afghanistan the United States for seven terrorist organizations of any one of the most important during the George W. Bush decades,” says Abid Saeed, area in the world. In recent global security concerns. administration. press minister at the Pakistani years, the Pakistani military Under the George W. Bush Georgetown’s Fair, though, embassy in Washington. has carried out attacks on and Obama administrations, is pessimistic the U.S. military, “We look forward to work- some local terrorist groups. Washington decided it was which has former and current ing closely with the Trump But in a number of instances, better to have some engage- generals sprinkled throughout administration to further Islamabad has been unwilling ment with Pakistan on the the Trump Cabinet, will take deepen our cooperation that to move against anti-India nuclear question, purchased a strong stance on Islamabad serves our mutual interests,” extremist groups, which occa- through considerable eco- for fear of the Pakistani army Saeed says.

CQ | JULY 10, 2017 19 ||| COVER STORY

Donald Trump’s presidency. Bonjean served as volunteer communications strategist for the Supreme Court confirma- tion of Justice — a divisive battle that resulted in a historic change to the Senate’s rules. Liberal organizations worked to portray Gorsuch as a right-wing judge who would side with corporations over people in political money and other cases. Much of the news coverage of Gorsuch por- trayed him as conservative but qualified, and the few stories about his ties to a reclusive billionaire, conser- vative businessman Philip Anschutz, did not cost him any GOP support. Ultimately, senators con-

George Levines/CQ Roll Call Roll Levines/CQ George firmed him 54-45. The goal of the short but intense campaign for Gor- such was to paint him as “an independent and fair-minded RON BONJEAN justice.” By KATE ACKLEY Communicating effective- that occurred,” Bonjean “We had a daily call with all ly in a crisis has long been part recalls. the relevant players involved of Ron Bonjean’s job descrip- Two decades later, Bon- in the process, as well as just tion — even if he narrowly jean, 46, is now a go-to GOP constant communication avoided being embroiled in strategist with connections in throughout the day on break- a big scandal during his early the Senate, the House and the ing news or media inquiries days on Capitol Hill. In the Trump . that were occurring,” he says late 1990s, a 20-something At a time when corporate of the pro-Gorsuch campaign. Bonjean worked for then- and foreign government “We had a very proactive Rep. Jay Kim, a California clients are still reeling from campaign initially to intro- Republican with the dubious the disruption and opportuni- duce the judge to the Amer- distinction of conducting his ties of the new administration ican people and to Capitol congressional business while and the all-Republican control Hill.” wearing an ankle monitor. of the federal government, “My business partners were Bonjean moved to another Bonjean offers an inside view very kind and picked up some Hill office just before Kim that he says can help them of my slack,” he says about his pleaded guilty to campaign fi- navigate the political volatility. colleagues at Rokk Solutions, nance violations that resulted The Trump administration where he continued to work in the lawmaker’s work-home sought his counsel on what is during the Gorsuch nomina- confinement. arguably its biggest win during tion. “So instead of having “I left two weeks before the rocky first 100 days of a work-life balance, I had a

20 JULY 10, 2017 | CQ ||| COVER STORY work-work balance.” come in handy. “They don’t laying the groundwork of Hill staffer, is often at odds It wasn’t the only time that have to be spot on or perfect, creating a communications with Bonjean on policy issues. work consumed him. but at least you’re already strategy,” Bonjean says. His firm, SKDKnickerbocker, Bonjean’s first major com- thinking about something.” “Not only were we working spearheaded outside opposi- munications crisis popped On the Supreme Court in Washington and impacting tion to Gorsuch’s nomination. up in the final weeks of 2002 nomination, Bonjean says he Capitol Hill by doing fly-ins Though occasionally rivals after his boss at the time, worked with a team of Gor- with players, but we were also and from different parties, then-Senate Majority Leader such’s former clerks as well as making sure we were driving Thornell says he’ll sometimes of Mississippi, White House insiders to rap- messages to key states that refer business to Bonjean if a praised the 1948 presidential idly respond to any criticism had stadiums and what the client or someone he trusts is campaign of Strom Thur- or negative news stories, such economic ripple effect would looking for a Republican. mond at the as a Times report have over stadiums being “I respect his abilities,” says senator’s 100th birthday on Gorsuch’s longstanding shuttered.” Thornell, a former deputy party. ties to Anschutz for whom The Green Bay Packers political director for the Dem- Critics believed Lott was Gorsuch worked as a lawyer fan in Bonjean relished the ocratic Senatorial Campaign embracing Thurmond’s seg- during the early 2000s. regationist views at that time, The Gorsuch effort also prompting calls for Lott to wasn’t the first time Bonjean apologize or step down from worked with White House leadership. counsel Donald McGahn. Fifteen days later, after McGahn was part of a legal withering criticism and a team at the law firm public rebuke from President that brought in Bonjean’s firm George W. Bush, Lott re- to help with crisis communi- signed as Senate Republican cations for then-Rep. Aaron leader. “It was a really un- Schock, an Illinois Republican heard of event that consumed indicted for using public and Washington for two weeks campaign money to decorate on a 24-7 news cycle that his congressional offices in the required hyper-vigilance,” style of the TV series Down- Bonjean remembers. ton Abbey. Call Roll Williams/CQ Tom ROKK STEADY: Bonjean with business partners Rodell Mollineau, “It was pre-, Schock’s once promising center, and Brian Walsh, right. but it was what Washington Hill career unraveled in 2015 was talking about and cover- amid reports he spent $5,000 assignment. Committee. “I respect his ing and so it was just staying on a chandelier for his office. “There was nothing cooler experience. If he disagrees on top of the news coverage He was ultimately indicted in than to wake up every day and with you, he does it in a way that breaks at midnight on the 2016 on two dozen criminal be on conference calls talking that isn’t disrespectful or to getting a charges including for theft of about sports, talking about disagreeable.” few hours of sleep and waking public and campaign funds, football and how to save it,” Bonjean says his firm is up very early and then going wire fraud and filing false tax he says. growing and that he and on all day,” he says. forms. Bonjean, of course, doesn’t his business partners are What he learned from the “There was very little we only work. He may be best planning to move later this Lott scandal, he says, was to could do to be helpful because known in Washington po- year into a bigger office space line up surrogates and allies each time we established a litical circles for the annual near the White House to meet in advance, something he narrative, the legal process Christmas party he hosts with demands of new clients. continues to do for his clients, overtook it,” Bonjean admits. his wife, Sara, that features a “Companies, trade associ- which include the govern- The operative had more surprise B-list celebrity whom ations and coalitions require ment of South Korea. success representing the Na- the couple hires to mingle and people that understand how “I immediately, with our tional Football League Players snap selfies with their guests. to navigate the new terrain clients, have a vulnerability Association in the run-up to a Recent guests have included and who have stayed relevant assessment,” Bonjean says, a contentious 2011 labor agree- rapper Flavor Flav and “Kara- to the new landscape and sort of op- ment with the owners. te Kid” actor Ralph Macchio. have the relationships to help eration designed to precraft “We had spent a year Doug Thornell, a Demo- guide and protect them,” he responses that might one day before the potential lockout cratic operative and former says.

CQ | JULY 10, 2017 21 ||| COVER STORY

If Lindsey Graham were to receive a superlative in the Senate, there’s a good chance it would be for “Highest Ener- gy” or “Best Can-Do Spirit.” He’d also likely be a contender for “Most Press-Friendly” and “Lover of Lost Causes.” Whether it’s rallying Repub- lican support to punish Russia for its interference in last year’s presidential election, bolstering U.S. foreign aid to vulnerable Eastern European democracies, pushing for an expansive war to defeat Islam- ic State militants or champion- ing contentious immigration overhaul, Graham has a well-earned reputation for throwing himself at national and international challenges that other, more poll-sensitive lawmakers try to avoid. In 2013, he was a key member of the bipartisan Gang of Eight that wrote an immigration overhaul that passed the Senate. Even after Trump’s election he continued to advocate strongly for a com- prehensive package that deals with a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, especially those who were brought to the U.S. as young children. In 2005, when Senate Dem- ocrats filibustered a group of President George W. Bush’s judicial nominees, he was Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call Roll Williams/CQ Tom tapped to be part of the bipar- tisan that reached SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM an agreement averting the so-called , to By RACHEL OSWALD eliminate the filibuster on the confirmation of federal judges. (The option was eventually exercised by Senate Demo- crats in 2013 to clear a path for President Barack Obama’s

22 JULY 10, 2017 | CQ ||| COVER STORY nominees and again in 2017 on the move — the result of a for not needing much staff Graham’s willingness to go by Republicans to advance bipartisan push by Graham guidance when it comes to to bat for the foreign aid bud- the confirmation of Supreme and Foreign Relations ranking national defense and foreign get has earned him admirers Court Justice Neil Gorsuch.) Democrat Benjamin L. Car- policy, his pet issues. among Democrats, particu- And while there are a hand- din of . When Secretary of State larly considering there’s little ful of senators who can be “I think he’s done an Rex Tillerson appeared before political upside for advocating expected to cross party lines incredibly articulate job,” Graham’s panel in June to for humanitarian and devel- to vote on certain issues, it’s says Senate Armed Services defend the proposed State- opment funding that does the four-term South Carolina Chairman John McCain, the Foreign Operations cuts, little to improve employment senator’s unflagging pluck for Republican who is Graham brought out chart in South Carolina. long-shot legislative gambits so close with Graham he fre- after chart to make his case Democratic Sen. Patrick J. that sets him apart from the quently calls the senator his for maintaining robust foreign Leahy of Vermont, who has pack. In recent years, his has illegitimate son. “This is his aid spending. He hardly worked for years alongside been the quixotic voice calling talent and his capabilities and glanced at his visual aids Graham as the chairman and for things like a “21st Century I think he’s really had a major Marshall Plan” to provide role to play in this legislation economic uplift to depressed we just passed.” Arab economies and an open- Graham, a vocal member ended anti-Islamic State of the Armed Services panel, Authorization for Use of is a well-known figure to Military Force that critics fear the Capitol Hill press corps. could lay the groundwork for Reporters regularly flock to another resource-draining him for quotes because of his ground war. willingness to speak bitingly But he has a record of turn- about current and past Oval ing tough sells into wins and Office occupants. He famous- Graham could prove foreign ly quipped during last year’s aid’s savior, in defiance of a Republican primary season president who wants to cut that having to choose between it to the bone. In May, for Trump and one of his GOP example, Graham marshaled primary opponents, Sen. support for a new $100 mil- of Texas, was “like

lion fund to bolster democrat- being shot or poisoned.” Call Roll Bill Clark/CQ ic institutions in Eastern and While his ease and famil- ACROSS THE AISLE: Graham and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I. Central Europe that are facing iarity with the press weren’t malign Russian influence enough to jump-start his own or talking points as he ran now the of campaigns. long-shot 2016 presidential through fact after fact. the State-Foreign Operations The seed money that bid, his propensity for casting It wasn’t clear if Graham Appropriations Subcommit- Graham included in the fiscal out snappy one-liners has won meant the lesson for Tillerson tee, says his GOP colleague 2017 omnibus spending deal him a media audience for or the broader C-SPAN and has been an outstanding ad- (he leads the Senate Appro- his pet issues that otherwise Web audience he routinely vocate for foreign operations. priations subcommittee that would not come so easily. tries to entice into watch- “He knows from his own doles out foreign aid) would More recently, Graham has ing his foreign aid hearings military service, and from rise to $250 million in the next trained his sense of show- through the use of celebrity what he has observed trav- two fiscal years under a bill manship and caustic wit at witnesses like Bono and Ben eling to some of the world’s (S 722) the Senate passed with the Trump administration’s Affleck. poorest, most unstable near unanimous support in proposal to cut by roughly “This is more of a shoot- regions, that diplomacy and June. That same legislation one-third diplomacy and for- and-aim budget,” Graham development are no less contained language prevent- eign aid spending. A former told Tillerson. “We’re going important,” Leahy says. “He ing President Donald Trump Air Force Reserve colonel to lose influence. It’s going to is a quick study, a pragmatic from lifting sanctions on who served for decades as a put lives at risk. It will be seen problem-solver, and he has Russia until Congress has had military lawyer, he has a rep- as retreat. So that’s why I can’t continued the bipartisan tra- a chance to review and vote utation among Senate aides support it.” dition of the subcommittee.”

CQ | JULY 10, 2017 23 ||| COVER STORY Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call Roll Bill Clark/CQ

NANCY JACOBSON

By JASON DICK Head into the conference power brokers, people like Bill says of Congress, noting that room at No Labels’ downtown and Hillary Clinton, Al Gore even in a time of heightened office and you’ll be greeted by and . In 2010, in the partisan conflict, lawmakers the visages of two legendary wake of a particularly partisan from both sides of the aisle American dealmakers: Speak- election and the rise of the tea continue to voice their support er Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill party, she founded No Labels. for working together. and President . Along the way she has As proof, she points to the Their reputations fit neatly recruited prominent leaders , a into the mission the orga- from both parties to the cause, group of members from both nization’s founder, Nancy like the organization’s current sides of the aisle that had lain Jacobson, has fashioned: that co-chairs, former Utah Gov. moribund recently until being despite political affiliations, Jon Huntsman and former revived this Congress by Reps. public servants are capable Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieber- Josh Gottheimer, a New Jersey of coming together for the man. Democrat, and Tom Reed, a common good. She is hoping to cultivate a New York Republican. Jacobson herself is long younger generation as well. “We’ve inspired it. It’s not associated with the Demo- “The truth is, there’s a lot ours; it’s a separate caucus but cratic side of the aisle and its of good members,” Jacobson that’s what we, seven years

24 JULY 10, 2017 | CQ ||| COVER STORY ago, we started informally, So really what we’re doing is you get up here,” and Capitol just bringing together mem- finding the problem solver Hill already has enough hard bers of Congress … helping voter in the primary.” feelings to go around. them get to know each other,” Seeing the Kansas and Jacobson thinks there is po- she says. races as successful test tential for Donald Trump, as There is no shortage of cases, those same allies are a “nonideological president,” topics Washington fights now aiming to raise as much to work with willing Demo- madly over: health care, taxes, as $50 million to get mod- crats on an infrastructure deal the debt limit. Take your pick. erates elected to Congress. paired with a tax overhaul. And for Jacobson, that makes They could play in as many as “It could be a perfect her mission all the more 20 races in the 2018 election storm,” she says. important. cycle. Pie in the sky thinking? “This summer’s debt-ceil- One of Jacobson’s key Consider again the No Labels ing vote will require bipartisan allies, Sen. III, mascots, O’Neill and Reagan. cooperation. They simply describes her as “tenacious.” Neither man was known as have to come together or risk The Democrat allowing our country to de- says No Labels’ efforts to fault. Our hope is that a group bring together members of like the Problem Solvers Congress is moving in the Caucus can help shape a solu- right direction and that get- tion and in doing so perhaps ting involved in the electoral create the trust necessary to process is a natural extension get bipartisan cooperation on of its work — and something other big issues like tax and he recommended. infrastructure,” she continues. “It seems like the far right Jacobson and her allies are and the far left is able to get also turning to the ballot box things excited,” he explains. to support their aims. “But the middle has not Last year, they weighed in had much support. And the on two House contests, to the middle needs support. If tune of $1 million, aiming to you’re going to get things Images Amanada Voisard/Getty boost turnout among mod- done, you’re going to have to IN THE CENTER: Jacobson with Manchin, left, and Huntsman. erates in primaries in Kansas find moderates among both and Florida, and succeeded Republicans and Democrats.” a squishy moderate. both times. He does take exception O’Neill, the Massachusetts Kansas Republican Tim with targeting incumbents, Democrat, stayed master- Huelskamp, a proud tea part- though, something he says fully tuned to his Cambridge ier and member of the House he has communicated to district at the same time he as- Freedom Caucus, lost to Jacobson. cended the ranks of congres- Roger Marshall, who went on “I told Nancy, ‘If you’re tak- sional leadership. to win the general election. In ing on somebody, an incum- Reagan continues to inspire Florida, Darren Soto won his bent, that’s not maybe where conservative Republicans who primary for the seat of liberal we should be. If there’s an quote his statements about firebrand Alan Grayson, who open seat, and you’re trying to lower taxes and national ran for Senate. Among Soto’s find somebody in that mod- defense as a conservative opponents was Grayson’s wife erate role, that you know can catechism. Dena and Grayson’s former cross party lines, that’ll vote Somehow, the two came district director Susanna Ran- what they think is right versus together to help negotiate dolph. He also went on to win what the party wants them to items like the 1986 tax law, the general. do? That might be the person the last significant overhaul of “I think there was a lot of we should invest into,’ ” he the tax code. good feeling,” she says. “We says, noting that when “you “It’s a crusade,” she says, increased voter turnout in pick a fight with an incum- the photos of O’Neill and Rea- Kansas by about 50 percent. bent, that has residuals when gan looking over her shoulder.

CQ | JULY 10, 2017 25