5 Stories You'll Care About in Politics This Week
From Clinton's campaign to foreign policy hot spots.
— -- From Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign announcement and van trip to Iowa, to Republicans closing out the week at a big summit in New Hampshire, the week in politics was a blur of Chipotle stops and Jeb Bush eating pie. Which means the 2016 campaign has finally arrived.
Here's a glimpse of what we'll be watching next week:
1. Clinton on the trail, New Hampshire edition
After the frenzy over her trip to Iowa, Clinton will venture to New Hampshire, holding events there Monday and Tuesday. She'll again hold small conversations with voters, per her campaign: roundtables with students, educators, small businesspeople, and the like -- very much a repeat of her events in Iowa, from the sound of it. It'll be Round 2 of Clinton's effort to maintain an informal, humble vibe, listening to voters and not taking the nomination for granted. We have no schedule, as of yet.
2. A vote, finally, for Loretta Lynch?
After months of Senate backup, President Obama's nominee to replace Eric Holder as attorney general could finally see a vote. Republicans and Democrats have voiced optimism that a logjam over abortion language in a human trafficking bill will be cleared up with a deal early this week. In that event, the upper chamber would move on to Loretta Lynch, whom Obama nominated in November. The long wait has drawn heavy criticism from Democrats -- Obama called it "embarrassing" -- and if Lynch finally comes up for a vote, it'll test whether Republicans are willing to block an Obama nominee in protest of policy. Here, the issue is Lynch's support for Obama's executive authority on immigration.
3. TPP on the trail: Dems debate trade
Senators reached a deal last week on legislation to grant "fast track" authority to President Obama on his major trans-Pacific trade pact, TPP, which is already a flashpoint on the campaign trail, as Martin O'Malley blasted "bad trade deals" and Clinton offered tepid support. Like NAFTA -- a major beef for unions with Bill Clinton -- TPP will divide progressives from pro-business Dems and Obama loyalists, while giving Clinton's opponents a chance to outflank her on the left. The Senate is unlikely to vote on that authority next week, but the debate will percolate.
4. Conservative Cattle-Call: Republicans flock to Iowa
Major GOP candidates vying for the social-conservative vote will flock to Iowa next weekend for the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition's annual Spring Kickoff. Ted Cruz, Bobby Jindal, Rick Santorum, and Carly Fiorina are all expected speak there on Saturday. Socially conservative candidates have thrived in Iowa, winning the state's evangelical vote and catapulting to national stardom. This year, a slew of candidates are seeking Christian-conservative support, and this event will kick off the competition.
5. Iran debate could begin in Senate
Based on the Senate's calendar, it's possible debate will begin this week on a bill to give Congress a say in a final deal with Iran, if one is reached before June 30 -- even if a vote on that bill won't come until later. The White House relented this week after months of stalemate with congressional opponents led by Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., who insisted Congress be allowed to vote on a final deal. Obama would sign the compromise bill, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said last week.
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