SCOOP: The Chinese Embassy has been quietly lobbying Congress against the legislation that would force ByteDance to sell TikTok politico.com/news/2024/04/1…

NEW: I’ve distilled dozens of interviews with members, aides and lobbyists to create a scooplet-filled guide to Republicans’ House Financial Services gavel race.

Here are 5 obvious — and not-so-obvious — things to pay attention to in the coming months: subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2024/0…

A tax policy investigation from me in POLITICO magazine. Greased by a sophisticated lobbying machine, 401(k)s have expanded dramatically over the past quarter-century. But the U.S. system lags behind our peers and has struggled to address elder poverty.

politico.com/news/2024/04/1…

Schumer said today that he plans to bring it to a vote. But no timing. Sounded like it would be after spending bills in March, and he listed several other items before saying yes to a shouted question about the tax bill.

Jay Powell’s greatest strength is something that he and his fellow officials are allergic to talking about: politics.

My latest “Capital Letter” column
politico.com/news/magazine/…

The Right Way to Cover the Intersection of Religion and Politics

politi.co/48Rm3zz via POLITICO

The Democratic tax chief and the top GOP tax writer aren't on the same page about how to move forward with a bipartisan tax package that has already been passed by the House.

subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2024/0…

CRAPO responds to “efforts to pressure Senate Republicans” on tax deal in new statement:

“[M]embers have strongly voiced additional calls for numerous modifications, and there are also increasing concerns about making 2023 changes this far into the IRS tax filing season.”

Tax update: When asked what he would do if Schumer puts the tax bill up for cloture, Crapo said he would not support it.

Several GOP members say they like the deal, but Crapo has a long list of desired changes. Dems seem to be eyeing how many Rs they could get for a vote.

Newsy: GOP Sen. Steve Daines (NRSC chair + Senate Finance member) tells me he wants to pass the House tax bill:

“It’s very important for global competitiveness and provisions [are] in there for jobs and economic growth”

“I hope we get it done”

Romney tells me and Joseph Zeballos-Roig that he’s a “no” on the tax package:

“I’m not inclined to add an unfunded entitlement on the childcare or child support.”

Says even though it’s a 3-year policy, the CTC expansion is going to “last forever.”

On bipartisan tax bill sitting in the Senate, TODD YOUNG tells me, “My preference is to move forward with it.”

TED BUDD says he has “a longtime friendship” with W&M Chair Jason Smith and is talking w him soon.

Mullin, Hawley and Marshall have also spoken favorably of the bill.

Do read Matthew Kaminski. tinyurl.com/3frbp6yu

The Biden name: How the president’s brother became embroiled in a hospital fiasco ow.ly/Km7S105iiaP

Scoop: Rep. Andy Barr tells me he's decided to enter the race to replace McHenry at the helm of House Financial Services.

His pitch: 'End the battle' between America First and free market capitalism. So far? “Everyone thinks we need it.”

For POLITICO Pro: subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2024/0…

NEW: My first “Capital Letter” column! On the stakes behind how people feel about the economy:
politico.com/news/magazine/…

NEW: The day before Rob Hur's report was released, White House Counsel Ed Siskel sent a letter to Merrick Garland saying 'aspects of' the report 'openly, obviously, and blatantly' violate DOJ policy.

STORY: politico.com/news/2024/02/1…

Rep. David Kustoff to me on tanking the rule on Mike Lawler’s SALT bill last night: “I’ve never voted against the rule in the majority.”

Said he felt so strongly that the SALT deduction is “a non-issue” that he didn’t want it considered on the floor.

Makes ya think.