Rep.-elect Ryan Zinke (R-MT) chats with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ), while Sen.-elect Steve Daines (R-MT) teams up with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX). Those stories, and more, are below.
Roll Call: Chris Christie Gives Advice to New House Republican Members
Though MacArthur said they did not discuss policy, fellow GOP Rep.-elect Ryan Zinke of Montana said the governor, a potential 2016 presidential contender, did highlight three policy areas he would like Congress to tackle.
“He talked about energy policy, tax reform and, thirdly, reducing excessive government regulations,” Zinke told reporters. “So he, over and over, emphasized those three.”
“I think he alluded that shutting the government down is not a good idea,” said Zinke.
Earlier this morning, as The Hill reports:
At 11:30, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Sen.-elect Steve Daines (R-Mont.) will hold a press conference expressing their opposition to the Marketplace Fairness Act, which would authorize states to collect online sales taxes on purchases from retailers located outside the state.
Here’s an interesting side note from The Washington Post:
— Sens.-elect Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) are in rare company: They’re two of only 19 House freshmen to be elected to the Senate in the last century. Some of the other members in a hurry: William Fulbright (D-Ark.), Lowell Weicker (R-Conn.) and Sam Brownback (R-Kan.). (UMN’s Smart Politics blog)
Politico: GOP backs duck hunting tax hike
Well, sort of.
The House gave voice vote approval to legislation that will increase the cost of the annual bird hunting permits from $15 to $25 — even after a big money conservative group said it would hold lawmakers accountable for a tax hike if they voted for the measure.