Harris Tops Trump in July Money Race: What to Know in Washington

Kamala Harris had a record-breaking July fundraising haul, doubling Donald Trump’s tally. But first, you should know:

• Columbia University is facing a subpoena threat from a House committee for not complying with an investigation into reports of antisemitism on campus.
• JD Vance, Trump’s running mate who argued the government should more strongly favor families with children, skipped a vote on a bipartisan bill that would have expanded the child tax credit.
• Former Navy SEAL officer John McGuire defeats incumbent Bob Good, following a recount for the Virginia’s 5th Congressional district.

Harris Tops Trump in July Money Race

Vice President Kamala Harris raised a record $310 million in July, giving her a cash advantage over Donald Trump, who raised $138.7 million during the month.

The flood of money highlights how Harris has galvanized Democratic voters, with $200 million coming in the week after President Joe Biden ended his candidacy and endorsed her for the Democratic nomination.

Harris’ campaign said the July total was aided by “the best grassroots fundraising month in presidential history.”

• Grassroots donors giving less than $200 accounted for 94% of the 4.2 million donations received, the campaign said.
• Of the three million individuals who gave, two million made their first donation, and 60% were women.
• Coalition groups, including Black Women for Harris and Latinas for Harris, raised $20 million.

Trump, who has been relying on a lean campaign operation, entered August with $327 million cash on hand, up from $285 million a month before.

• Trump drew interest from tech and venture capital donors in July, including investors Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz.
• Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick will hold a fundaiser today for Trump in the Hamptons with a goal of raising $10 million. Co-hosts for the event include former hedge fund manager John Paulson and Omeed Malik, head of 1789 Capital.
• Trump is also slated to attend a fundraiser in Aspen, Colorado on Aug. 10, which will be hosted by Warren Lichtenstein of Steel Partner Holdings, Larry Mizel of MDC Holdings, and John Phelan of Rugger Management.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has the potential to bring as many as 50,000 additional votes for Harris in Pennsylvania, former state governor and DNC chair Ed Rendell says.

However, the moderate style that has helped Shapiro build broad appeal carries risk with the left. He’s been an outspoken supporter of Israel and has criticized some protests against the country’s conduct in Gaza. His stance, which also includes sharp criticisms of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, mirrors many mainstream Democrats but puts him at odds with progressives and some younger voters. Read More

BIDEN’S SCHEDULE

• The president has no public events scheduled.

HARRIS’ SCHEDULE

• The vice president has no public events scheduled.

CONGRESS’ AGENDA

• Congress is in August recess.

Politics & Probes

JD Vance Stumps as Pro-Family But Skips Vote on Child Tax Break

JD Vance, who generated campaign-trail controversy with arguments the government should more strongly favor families with children, skipped a Senate vote on a bipartisan tax plan that would have been a step in that direction.

Jeffrey Clark Should Get 2-Year Suspension, DC Ethics Board Says

Trump administration Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark should receive a two-year suspension for attempting dishonesty over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, a DC Board on Professional Responsibility panel recommended Thursday.

Amish Shah Wins Democratic Primary for Arizona House Seat: AP

Amish Shah won the Democratic primary in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, AP projects.

McGuire Wins Va. GOP Primary Recount, Ousts Incumbent Good: AP

John McGuire, a former Navy SEAL officer, won the Republican primary for Virginia’s 5th Congressional District following a recount, defeating incumbent Bob Good, AP says.

Biden, Harris Greet Americans Freed in Prisoner Swap

Biden and Harris welcomed home Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former Marine Paul Whelan, and other Americans freed in the largest prisoner swap with Russia since the Cold War.

Biden took a salute from Whelan before embracing him, and clasped Gershkovich and fellow journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, who holds dual Russian and US citizenship, after their plane landed just before midnight at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

Happening on the Hill

Columbia May Face Subpoena by House Panel in Antisemitism Probe

A US House of Representatives committee is threatening to subpoena Columbia University for not complying with an investigation into reports of antisemitism on campus.

House Republicans Seize Chevron Rollback as Anti-ESG ‘Pathway’

Anti-ESG House Republicans are embracing a June Supreme Court ruling that makes it easier to fight some agency regulations in court, as part of a blueprint they released Thursday for upending Democratic environmental, social and governance initiatives.

Tax Bill Defeat Reveals Split Between Senate, House Republicans

The $78 billion bipartisan tax package that failed to clear a test vote in the Senate Thursday revealed some divisions between House and Senate Republicans that could spell trouble next year.

Boeing Woes Spur New Senate Measure to Bolster FAA Oversight

New legislation introduced Thursday would increase scrutiny of the Federal Aviation Administration after Boeing Co.’s troubles raised red flags for Congress.

House Republicans Steer Earmarks With Conservative Bent

Republicans stand to bring home nearly $5 billion of the House’s $8 billion in earmarked funds in fiscal 2025 government-funding bills, steering them toward infrastructure — like dams and housing — and away from socially liberal projects — like nonprofits and LGBTQ causes — according to a Bloomberg Government analysis.

Republicans stand to bring home 62% of the earmarked funding in the House’s appropriations bills. Democrats included 37% of the money, while bipartisan groups stand to bring home 1%

The numbers put into sharp relief how Republicans are matching their rhetoric on cutting social spending by denying funding for Democratic priorities. It’s a notable shift in the handling of congressional earmarks, which have typically had bipartisan support but have become polarized in a highly partisan Congress.

Readers can access an exclusive Excel spreadsheet with all the House earmarks, compiled from seven PDF documents published by the House Appropriations Committee. Read More

Bloomberg Government will be on the ground at the National Conference of State Legislatures’ annual legislative summit in Louisville next week. Reach out to Brenna Goth ( bgoth@bloombergindustry.com ) and Zach Williams ( zwilliams@bloombergindustry.com ) with tips and insight.

To contact the reporters on this story: Jeannie Baumann in Washington at jbaumann@bloombergindustry.com; Brandon Lee in Washington at blee@bgov.com

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Kayla Sharpe at ksharpe@bloombergindustry.com