Republican senators apparently have no Plan B if the Supreme Court sides against President Trump’s order to end birthright citizenship this month.
“Seen, Heard & Whispered” uncovered that GOP senators are waiting to see how the justices rule.
But they have not had any conversations about how to tackle a loss if the Trump administration suffers a setback when the Supreme Court is expected to issue its decision.
“There’s nothing — legislation — going on,” said Sen. Rick Scott, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. “There’s no conversation up here, there is none.”
The Florida Republican said he is unaware of a single discussion about what to do with the birthright immigration issue. He also said it would be a difficult subject to negotiate because Democrats are doggedly anti-Trump and some Republicans are angry.
The high court in April heard arguments over Mr. Trump’s attempt to roll back birthright citizenship for children born to illegal immigrants and temporary migrants.
The justices appeared skeptical of the administration’s arguments, and the president has indicated he expects to lose the case.
The issue is whether the 14th Amendment, which guarantees automatic citizenship to children born under the “jurisdiction” of the U.S., was intended to include babies of illegal immigrants and temporary visitors.
An 1898 Supreme Court ruling, a 1940 law and more than a century’s legal scholarship and official practice have backed the idea that the 14th Amendment does cover them.
The justices are expected to issue a decision by the end of June.
Pulte to be sacrificed for FISA
GOP senators predicted this week that William J. Pulte, whom Mr. Trump made acting director of national intelligence last week, will be sacrificed for the purposes of reauthorizing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which is set to expire on Friday.
Democrats have refused to move forward on negotiations to renew the foreign spying authority while Mr. Pulte leads the agency.
Mr. Pulte has served as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, where he referred New York Attorney General Letitia James and Federal Reserve Board member Lisa Cook to the Department of Justice for mortgage fraud charges, drawing fire from Democrats.
“I have to assume the president realizes that Pulte has caused a political problem between the Congress and between the White House because that is what has held FISA up at this point,” Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles E. Grassley said Tuesday.
“I assume the president knows that because he announced that they were going to interview or have interviewed about four or five other people for the permanent position, so I don’t think it’s the case that any of us should think Pulte is there forever,” the Iowa Republican told The Washington Times.
But Mr. Trump — a day later — indicated he is not moving forward at this time to replace Mr. Pulte, at least for now.
Mr. Scott defended Mr. Pulte to reporters on Monday, but suggested the White House and Republicans will eventually have to move on.
“They’ll sacrifice Pulte, I don’t think there is any question about that,” he told The Times on Monday.
“Bill is a good guy, but I mean, Trump has a lot of problems he is dealing with right now. He has to get FISA reauthorized, he is dealing with the weaponization fund, finally we got CBP and ICE paid for, which was all self-inflicted,” Mr. Scott said.
Mr. Scott said he believes there is not enough time for the White House to negotiate with Congress so it is likely the issue will be punted for a period of time.
Ja Rule to be latest rapper to rock Don Jr.’s Executive Branch
Ja Rule will be the latest rapper to perform at Donald Trump Jr.’s exclusive club, the Executive Branch in Washington, “Seen, Heard & Whispered” learned.
The Georgetown venue on Saturday will host a party for club members and registered guests set to attend the UFC fight on the South Lawn of the White House on Sunday. Club members reportedly pay about $500,000 to join.
Ja Rule will be the club’s featured performer on Saturday. The rapper hit the Billboard Hot 100 in 2001 with “Always on Time,” featuring Ashanti. He’s racked up other hits with “I’m Real,” “Livin’ It Up” and “Put It on Me.”
Nelly, another famous rapper, performed at the Executive Branch in April, as did Akon, who performed there in January.
• Seen, Heard & Whispered is a weekly column taking you inside the conversations happening in Washington’s power corridors, the moves being made and the whispers that explain what’s really going on in the nation’s capital. Email tips to whispered@washingtontimes.com. Click here to receive this in your inbox every Friday morning.
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