House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam SchiffAdam Bennett SchiffKey House committee obtains subpoenaed Trump financial documents from two banks: report Judge delivers second blow to Trump over financial records Schiff goes after Barr: He lacks Giuliani’s ‘good looks and general likability’ MORE (D-Calif.) blasted a Thursday evening order by President TrumpDonald John TrumpFeinstein, Iranian foreign minister had dinner amid tensions: report The Hill’s Morning Report – Trump says no legislation until Dems end probes Harris readies a Phase 2 as she seeks to rejuvenate campaign MORE ordering intelligence agencies to cooperate with Attorney General William BarrWilliam Pelham BarrThe Hill’s Morning Report – Trump says no legislation until Dems end probes Harris readies a Phase 2 as she seeks to rejuvenate campaign Justin Amash confirms collusion witch hunt was all about politics MORE’s investigation into possible “spying” on Trump’s 2016 campaign, calling it “un-American.”

“While Trump stonewalls the public from learning the truth about his obstruction of justice, Trump and Barr conspire to weaponize law enforcement and classified information against their political enemies,” Schiff tweeted. “The coverup has entered a new and dangerous phase. This is un-American.”

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In the Thursday order, Trump ordered intelligence agencies to cooperate with Barr’s probe into “surveillance activities” directed at the president’s 2016 campaign.

He also gave Barr “full and complete authority” to declassify information relating to the investigation, according to White House press secretary Sarah SandersSarah Elizabeth SandersLive coverage: House panel moves forward with Barr contempt vote Mueller’s facts vs Trump’s spin Trump says he was called ‘the greatest hostage negotiator this country has ever had’ MORE.

“Today’s action will help ensure that all Americans learn the truth about the events that occurred, and the actions that were taken, during the last Presidential election and will restore confidence in our public institutions,” Sanders said.

Barr told a Senate panel in April he was reviewing the process by which intelligence was collected on Trump campaign officials in 2016 and said he believed the campaign was spied on. Democrats have pushed back on his use of the term and FBI Director Christopher Wray told a Senate committee earlier in May that he would not use the term “spying” to describe FBI activity.

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The Senate on Thursday voted in favor of legislation that would levy hefty new fines for illegal robocalls, advancing one of the most prominent congressional efforts to crack down on the scourge of billions of unwanted calls that aggravate U.S. consumers every year.

The Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act, which passed by a 97-1 vote, had received more than 80 co-sponsors by the time it reached the Senate floor.

The bill, introduced by Sens. John ThuneJohn Randolph ThuneThreat of impeachment takes oxygen out of 2019 agenda Chances for disaster aid deal slip amid immigration fight Immigration fight imperils deal on disaster aid package MORE (R-S.D.) and Ed MarkeyEdward (Ed) John MarkeySenators offer bipartisan bill to help US firms remove Huawei equipment from networks Markey releases infrastructure suggestions that align with Green New Deal goals GOP senator announces bill to block companies from tracking online activity MORE (D-Mass.), would give the federal government the authority to slap offenders with fines of up to $10,000 per call.

The legislation would also give regulators more time to find scammers, increase penalties for those who are caught, promote call authentication and blocking, and help coordinate enforcement to increase criminal prosecution of illegal robocallers.

Lawmakers during the previous Congress held three hearings and passed 13 bills aimed at curtailing robocalls, but the measure passed by the Senate on Thursday is the most significant piece of legislation to address the issue so far.

“It will make life a lot more difficult for scam artists and help ensure that more scammers face punishment for their crimes,” Thune said of the bill on the Senate floor ahead of the vote, noting he hopes the House takes it up soon.

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The TRACED Act has received the backing of all 50 state attorneys general, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Trade Commission, a number of industry associations and multiple consumer groups. “This piece of legislation … will help all Americans deal with the epidemic of robocalls which afflicts them and their families every single day of the year,” Markey said on the Senate floor ahead of Thursday’s vote.

“This question of robocalls and the role in American society — it’s a daily deluge of calls Americans receive,” Markey said. “It is a consumer protection crisis. Americans across the country face an epidemic of robocalls, bombarding landlines and mobile phones.”

The Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission have said they receive more complaints from consumers about illegal robocalls than anything else every year. Robocalls often come from scammers seeking to steal personal information from consumers, and have particularly targeted vulnerable populations such as senior citizens.

In the House, Rep. Frank Pallone Jr.Frank Joseph PalloneMcConnell, Kaine introduce bill to raise tobacco purchasing age from 18 to 21 The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Pass USMCA Coalition – Restrictive state abortion laws ignite fiery 2020 debate Work on surprise medical bills goes into overdrive MORE (D-N.J.), the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, has offered his own bill to end the scourge of robocalls, signaling the lower chamber may follow its own anti-robocall legislative path.

Pallone earlier this year revived the Stopping Bad Robocalls Act, which would allow consumers to opt out of robocalls at any point, ban more kinds of robocalls, require all calls to have caller ID information before they can be put through and lengthen the statute of limitations from one to four years when it comes to punishing those who violate robocall prohibitions.

The FCC, which plays a central role in both bills, has been urging the nation’s telecommunications providers to crack down on illegal robocalls. The commission will vote next month on a proposal to let phone carriers block certain calls by default.

Lawyers for President TrumpDonald John TrumpFeinstein, Iranian foreign minister had dinner amid tensions: report The Hill’s Morning Report – Trump says no legislation until Dems end probes Harris readies a Phase 2 as she seeks to rejuvenate campaign MORE and the House Oversight and Reform Committee asked a federal appeals court to expedite the appeal of an order allowing the Mazars accounting firm to hand over Trump’s financial records to lawmakers. 

In a joint filing on Wednesday, attorneys for both sides suggested a set of deadlines stretching into mid-July, setting the potential time frame for the case. 

If the appeals court approves the request, House Democrats agree to suspend the requirement for Mazars to supply the documents while the case plays out, according to the filing.

“Mazars agrees to continue collecting and preparing responsive documents but not to produce any documents in response to the subpoena during that period,” the filing says.

House Oversight and Reform Chairman Elijah CummingsElijah Eugene CummingsNancy Pelosi fends off impeachment wave — for now House Democrats, Trump lawyers ask appeals court to expedite subpoena case Lawmakers call for ‘time out’ on facial recognition tech MORE (D-Md.) told reporters earlier Wednesday that the parties were working together to expedite the appeal. 

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Judge Amit Mehta ruled Monday in favor of the subpoena for the president’s financial records. The president’s attorneys appealed the order the next morning. 

Wednesday’s filing also comes shortly after a federal judge in New York rejected Trump’s request to block separate congressional subpoenas for the president’s financial records from Deutsche Bank and Capital One. 

Morgan Chalfant contributed.

A college professor who drove for ride-hailing company Uber on the side has been accused of kidnapping three female passengers, ABC News reported Tuesday.

Penn State professor Richard Lomotey, who was arrested earlier this month for allegedly kidnapping two women, is now being accused of kidnapping a third.

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The third woman spoke with police on May 16, saying that on May 11, she was outside of a nightclub when she saw a car with an Uber decal and jumped in the front passenger seat, according to a criminal complaint filed on Monday and reviewed by ABC.

She had not used the Uber App, but gave her address and $10 cash to the driver, according to the complaint.

The woman said Lomotey kept asking about her relationship status while he was driving.

She said she replied that “she was engaged and did not want to participate in any sexual activities with him,” but that Lomotey held and grabbed her wrist, according to the court documents.

Every time she unlocked the car doors, Lomotey would lock them, the passenger said in the complaint.

She told police “she was so afraid she opened the door and jumped from the moving vehicle at an unknown location” and the car sped off.

Lomotey was arrested on May 11 for a similar incident in which he is accused of ignoring GPS directions while driving two women, and allegedly threatened the female passengers after complimenting them.

He faces charges including kidnapping and false imprisonment. After reportedly posting bail on Monday, he is next due in court for a preliminary hearing on May 23.

It is not clear if Lomotey has retained a defense attorney and he could not immediately be reached for comment.

“What’s been described is unacceptable,” a spokesperson for Uber told The Hill. “The driver’s access to the app has been removed and we stand ready to cooperate with law enforcement to support their investigation.” 

Penn State and did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment.

–Updated at 4:02 p.m.

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A bipartisan group of senators introduced legislation Wednesday to help U.S. firms remove Chinese telecom equipment from companies like Huawei if it’s deemed a national security threat.

The legislation would require fifth generation, or 5G, wireless networks be free of equipment or services provided by Chinese telecommunications companies Huawei and ZTE. It also would establish a “supply chain trust fund” program to help U.S. firms remove Huawei equipment from their networks.

The measure would require the establishment of an “interagency program,” led by the Department of Homeland Security, to share information with communications companies on risks and vulnerabilities of networks.

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The bill was introduced by Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Roger WickerRoger Frederick WickerSenators offer bipartisan bill to help US firms remove Huawei equipment from networks Momentum grows to create ‘Do Not Track’ registry Senate Republicans running away from Alabama abortion law MORE (R-Miss.), Senate Intelligence Committee ranking member Mark WarnerMark Robert WarnerSenators offer bipartisan bill to help US firms remove Huawei equipment from networks DOJ plans to show Senate Intel less-redacted Mueller report, filing shows Bipartisan House bill calls for strategy to protect 5G networks from foreign threats MORE (D-Va.) and Sen. Tom CottonThomas (Tom) Bryant CottonSenators offer bipartisan bill to help US firms remove Huawei equipment from networks GOP senator: Supreme Court abortion cases were ‘wrongly decided as a constitutional matter’ Senate confirms controversial 9th Circuit pick without blue slips MORE (R-Ark.), with Sens. Ed MarkeyEdward (Ed) John MarkeySenators offer bipartisan bill to help US firms remove Huawei equipment from networks Markey releases infrastructure suggestions that align with Green New Deal goals GOP senator announces bill to block companies from tracking online activity MORE (D-Mass.) and Dan SullivanDaniel Scott SullivanSenators offer bipartisan bill to help US firms remove Huawei equipment from networks Senators introduce bill to prevent border agency from selling personal data Embattled senators fill coffers ahead of 2020 MORE (R-Alaska) as co-sponsors.

Wicker, whose committee has examined 5G security in the recent months, said in a statement that “5G networks need to be robust and secure, and not rely on equipment or services that pose a national security risk.”

Warner cited national security threats from Huawei and ZTE in highlighting the importance of the bill.

“While we’ve made enormous progress in educating the private sector of the dangers these vendors pose, we haven’t put in place policies to help resource-strapped rural carriers address and eliminate those risks,” he said in a statement. “This bill ensures that on a going-forward basis we don’t make the same mistakes in allowing companies subject to extra-judicial directions of a foreign adversary to infiltrate our nation’s communications networks.”

The bill is the latest piece of legislation introduced to secure 5G networks from potential Chinese threats, and comes a day after a bipartisan group of House members introduced a related measure that calls for the creation of a “national strategy” to protect 5G wireless networks from security threats. Rep. Abigail SpanbergerAbigail Davis SpanbergerSenators offer bipartisan bill to help US firms remove Huawei equipment from networks Hillicon Valley: Lawmakers seek ‘time out’ on facial recognition tech | DHS asks cybersecurity staff to volunteer for border help | Judge rules Qualcomm broke antitrust law | Bill calls for 5G national security strategy Bipartisan House bill calls for strategy to protect 5G networks from foreign threats MORE (D-Va.) is the bill’s the main sponsor.

President TrumpDonald John TrumpFeinstein, Iranian foreign minister had dinner amid tensions: report The Hill’s Morning Report – Trump says no legislation until Dems end probes Harris readies a Phase 2 as she seeks to rejuvenate campaign MORE last week signed an executive order banning U.S. companies from using telecommunications equipment from any company deemed a national security risk. 

The Commerce Department also formally added Huawei to its list of blacklisted trade groups last week, though it issued a temporary license on Monday allowing U.S. companies to have “limited engagements” with Huawei for 90 days.

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Deceptively edited videos altered to make Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy Patricia D'Alesandro PelosiThe Hill’s Morning Report – Trump says no legislation until Dems end probes Threat of impeachment takes oxygen out of 2019 agenda Trump denies ‘tantrum’ in meeting with Pelosi: ‘It is all such a lie!’ MORE (D-Calif.) appear to be drunkenly slurring her words are spreading across social media despite attempts by platforms to halt their dissemination, according to The Washington Post.

The videos alter the audio of Pelosi’s speech at a Center for American Progress event Wednesday in which she accuses President TrumpDonald John TrumpFeinstein, Iranian foreign minister had dinner amid tensions: report The Hill’s Morning Report – Trump says no legislation until Dems end probes Harris readies a Phase 2 as she seeks to rejuvenate campaign MORE of a “cover-up,” editing the clip to make it appear as though she is slurring her words.

The video has been viewed through the Facebook page Politics WatchDog more than 1.3 million times and been shared more than 32,000 times, according to the Post.

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The specific edits appear to have involved slowing the audio to about 75 percent speed while modifying her pitch to correct for distortions to her voice from slowing down the video, according to an analysis by the Post.

The video has been linked by multiple YouTube and Twitter accounts as well as comments sections for local news outlets.

A spokesperson for YouTube told The Hill the video had been removed from the platform for company policy violations.

“YouTube has clear policies that outline what content is not acceptable to post and we remove videos violating these policies when flagged to us. These videos violated our policies and have been removed,” the YouTube spokesperson said.

The spokesperson also denied the videos had been displayed prominently.

“They also did not surface prominently. In fact, search results and watch next panels about Nancy Pelosi include videos from authoritative sources, usually at the top,” the representative said.

The video has surfaced as cybersecurity experts are increasingly concerned about the potential use of video editing to spread misinformation, particularly computer-altered “deep fake” videos, which Fabrice Pothier, senior adviser with the Transatlantic Commission on Election Integrity, called “the next weapon in the disinformation warfare” in January.

The video of Pelosi, by contrast, “shows that there is a larger threat of misinformation campaigns — too many of us are willing to believe the worst in people that we disagree with,” Hany Farid, a computer science professor and digital-forensics expert at the University of California, Berkeley, told the Post. “It is striking that such a simple manipulation can be so effective and believable to some.”

— Updated at 6:19 p.m.

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Facebook on Thursday said it removed a record 2.2 billion fake accounts from its platform in the first three months of 2019, nearly double the amount it deleted in the previous quarter.

“We’ve seen a steep increase in the creation of abusive, fake accounts on Facebook in the last six months,” the company said in its community standards enforcement report.

“We catch most of these accounts within minutes of registration. However, automated attacks have resulted in more of these accounts making it past our initial detection, which increased prevalence.”

In the fourth quarter of 2018, Facebook removed about 1.2 billion fake accounts from the platform.

Facebook estimated that at any given time fake accounts comprise about 5 percent of its 2.4 billion monthly active users.

The report also illustrated the efforts Facebook has taken to enforce other content policies as well as the massive scale of abuse that the company must monitor and crack down on.

Facebook has reported a steady increase in the amount of hate speech it cracks down on. In the first quarter, it removed 4 million pieces of content it deemed had violated its prohibition against hate speech, compared with 3.3 million in the last quarter of 2018.

The social network attributes the increase to the investments it has made in artificial intelligence designed to detect hate speech.

And for the first time, Facebook included a section in the report detailing its efforts to eliminate the sale of guns and drugs from the platform. Between January and March, the company removed 900,000 posts violating its drug policy and 670,000 posts violating its firearms policy.

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A Democratic senator is vowing to push a measure aimed at restricting military action against Iran when the Senate’s defense policy bill comes to a floor vote.

“I frankly think it would be a colossal disaster if the United States were involved in Iran,” Sen. Tim KaineTimothy (Tim) Michael KaineOvernight Defense: Iran worries dominate foreign policy talk | Pentagon reportedly to send WH plans for 10K troops in Mideast | Democrats warn Trump may push through Saudi arms sale | Lawmakers blast new Pentagon policy on sharing info Iraq War looms over Trump battle with Iran Senate passes bill to undo tax increase on Gold Star military families MORE (D-Va.) told reporters on a conference call. “I especially believe it would be a disaster if we were to do that with the president’s unilateral say-so with no debate in Congress.”

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Kaine’s proposed amendment would prevent funding for any military action against Iran except in self-defense or if Congress approves a separate war authorization.

Kaine’s effort follows a failed attempt Wednesday in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee by Democratic Sens. Tom UdallThomas (Tom) Stewart UdallOvernight Defense: Iran worries dominate foreign policy talk | Pentagon reportedly to send WH plans for 10K troops in Mideast | Democrats warn Trump may push through Saudi arms sale | Lawmakers blast new Pentagon policy on sharing info Senate panel rejects requiring Congress sign off before Iran strike Democrats grill Trump Interior chief for saying he hasn’t ‘lost sleep’ over climate change MORE (N.M) and Chris MurphyChristopher (Chris) Scott MurphyOvernight Defense: Iran worries dominate foreign policy talk | Pentagon reportedly to send WH plans for 10K troops in Mideast | Democrats warn Trump may push through Saudi arms sale | Lawmakers blast new Pentagon policy on sharing info Democrats warn Trump may soon push through Saudi arms sale Senate panel rejects requiring Congress sign off before Iran strike MORE (Conn.) to get an amendment attached to a Syria policy bill that would have prohibited funding for an unauthorized attack on Iran.

Kaine first attempted to get his amendment added to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) during the Senate Armed Services Committee’s closed-door consideration of the bill, he told reporters Thursday.

But he ran into jurisdictional issues because the parliamentarian ruled it was the purview of both the Armed Services and Foreign Relations panels. The Republican chairmen in both committees therefore said it couldn’t be taken up in the Armed Services markup, Kaine said.

Kaine then asked for a vote to overrule the chairman and was voted down along party lines, 14-13, he said.

“That we would not be able to discuss all of these issues about potential war with Iran in the Armed Services Committee, it’s like the scene in Dr. Strangelove where the president says no fighting in the war room. Are you kidding, this is exactly the place we should be having this discussion,” Kaine said.

“But I’m not done with this,” he added. “The jurisdictional objections that can be lodged in a committee do not apply when the bill is on the floor, so when the National Defense [Authorization] Act is on the floor, which could be as early as mid-June, I’m going to revisit the amendment.”

Hundreds of amendments are typically filed for the NDAA, but few have gotten votes in recent years because any one senator can object to bringing an amendment up for a vote.

The Democratic attempts to curtail the president’s ability to take military action against Iran come as U.S.-Iranian tensions continue to run exceptionally hot. 

Despite acting Defense Secretary Patrick ShanahanPatrick Michael ShanahanFeinstein, Iranian foreign minister had dinner amid tensions: report Pentagon approves DHS request to build tents to house 7,500 migrants at southern border Overnight Defense: Iran worries dominate foreign policy talk | Pentagon reportedly to send WH plans for 10K troops in Mideast | Democrats warn Trump may push through Saudi arms sale | Lawmakers blast new Pentagon policy on sharing info MORE’s assertion early this week that sending a carrier strike group and bomber task force to the Middle East deterred potential Iranian attacks, Shanahan is set to brief the White House later Thursday on proposals to send thousands more troops to the region to protect against alleged threats against U.S. personnel.

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President TrumpDonald John TrumpFeinstein, Iranian foreign minister had dinner amid tensions: report The Hill’s Morning Report – Trump says no legislation until Dems end probes Harris readies a Phase 2 as she seeks to rejuvenate campaign MORE on Thursday congratulated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his reelection.

“Congratulations to Prime Minister @NarendraModi and his BJP party on their BIG election victory!” Trump wrote, referring to the Bharatiya Janata Party.

“Great things are in store for the US-India partnership with the return of PM Modi at the helm. I look forward to continuing our important work together!” he added. 

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The prime minister’s party appeared poised to win about 300 of 543 seats in the country’s Parliament, according to the BBC, which described the election as a referendum on Modi’s Hindu nationalist politics.

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“We all want a new India. I want to bow down my head and say thank you,” Modi said in a victory speech Thursday, the BBC reported.

“Thank you India!” Modi tweeted. “The faith placed in our alliance is humbling and gives us strength to work even harder to [fulfill] people’s aspirations.”

Earlier this year, Trump spoke on the phone with Modi and the pair discussed improving economic ties and increasing cooperation in Afghanistan.

In 2017, the pair gave a joint statement in the Rose Garden, in which Trump touted their status as “world leaders in social media.”

President TrumpDonald John TrumpFeinstein, Iranian foreign minister had dinner amid tensions: report The Hill’s Morning Report – Trump says no legislation until Dems end probes Harris readies a Phase 2 as she seeks to rejuvenate campaign MORE‘s new vow to cut off work with Democrats is threatening recent progress in bipartisan talks to lower drug prices.

Staffers for the White House and Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy Patricia D'Alesandro PelosiThe Hill’s Morning Report – Trump says no legislation until Dems end probes Threat of impeachment takes oxygen out of 2019 agenda Trump denies ‘tantrum’ in meeting with Pelosi: ‘It is all such a lie!’ MORE‘s (D-Calif.) office have been in discussions for months about potential legislation to lower the cost of prescription drugs, and sources say the White House has expressed openness to some form of Medicare negotiating drug prices, a major Democratic goal that Trump supported during the 2016 campaign before backing off.

The White House talks with Pelosi’s staff have worried some Republicans, who fear that the administration is moving too far toward the Democratic position of empowering Medicare to  negotiate prices.

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The discussions represent a rare opportunity for a bipartisan breakthrough between Pelosi and Trump. But getting a bipartisan drug pricing deal is an extremely tough task — one that may be even more difficult following a failed infrastructure meeting this week between Trump and Democratic leaders.

Trump on Wednesday cut off infrastructure talks with congressional Democrats until they stop investigating him, an ultimatum that raises new doubts about whether the president and Pelosi can stay on track to finalize a deal on drug pricing.

But in a potentially positive sign for the talks, a White House official said Thursday that discussions with Pelosi’s office on drug pricing are likely to move forward.

“We expect those talks to continue at a staff level,” the official told The Hill.

Pelosi’s office has been developing a plan that involves Medicare negotiating drug prices. It would allow an outside independent expert to set the price of a drug if Medicare and the manufacturer cannot find middle ground, followed by a 50 percent tax on a drug’s revenue if the drug company still does not reach an agreement.

The plan would not call for negotiating all drug prices, but instead would require talks for a minimum of 25 high-priced drugs. Some Republicans say that limitation could make the plan more amenable to the White House.

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Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck GrassleyCharles (Chuck) Ernest GrassleyThreat of impeachment takes oxygen out of 2019 agenda Trump mulling visit to ethanol refinery later this month: report Nursing home care: A growing crisis for an aging America  MORE (R-Iowa) told The Hill on Tuesday that he is concerned about the discussions of Pelosi’s plan with the White House.

“The only thing I’ve heard about it is that they’ve talked about some tool called arbitration,” Grassley said, referring to the use of an outside expert, or arbiter, to set the price. “I know that arbitration doesn’t go over very well with Republicans.”

Asked if he thought the White House was open to arbitration, Grassley said, “Yeah, I think so.”

Grassley said he would prefer if the White House did not talk to Pelosi’s office, and instead let bipartisan work in the Senate, and in his committee, play out.

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“I don’t know whether it’s necessary for them to negotiate with Pelosi,” Grassley said.

Pelosi, however, faces her own internal pressures. The Congressional Progressive Caucus has warned that the plan her office is working on is too weak and does not do enough to lower drug prices.

Any deal between Pelosi and Trump would have to occur despite an intensely bitter environment where many members of the Democratic caucus are calling for Trump to be impeached.

Top House Democrats stress that they are not waiting for White House approval before acting on drug prices, and that the chamber will ultimately act on drug prices no matter what the administration does.

“House Democrats are determined to advance bold, tough legislation to lower prescription drug prices, and we are moving forward no matter what this White House does,” Pelosi spokesman Henry Connelly said on Thursday.

Pelosi gave a rough outline of her drug pricing plan in a private meeting Wednesday night that included Rep. Mark PocanMark William PocanDemocrats seize on IRS memo in Trump tax battle The Memo: Trump allies see impeachment push backfiring on Democrats House Democrats press leaders to start Trump impeachment MORE (D-Wis.), a co-chair of the Progressive Caucus.

Pocan told reporters on Thursday that while he needed “more clarity” on the plan, he was concerned that the plan would apply only to a minimum of 25 drugs. That threshold is being treated as a floor, not a ceiling.

“I think if I went back home and told people we’re going to save you on 25 drugs, if I don’t get voted out of office I know I’ll get at least laughed at,” Pocan said.

Progressives have also raised concerns about outsourcing the decision on setting a drug’s price to an outside arbiter. The new version of Pelosi’s plan shifts this power to a federal agency, the Government Accountability Office, but Pocan said it was unclear whether that change would be strong enough.

Any deal would have to get through the Republican-controlled Senate before becoming law, and Grassley took to the Senate floor this week to warn against Medicare negotiating drug prices.

Grassley said the idea “may sound good, but not even a spoonful of sugar will help a bad dose of policy medicine go down.”

“I hope this puts the issue to rest,” he added.

Still, support from Trump could help any potential legislation get through the Senate.

But for Pocan, appealing to the public for grassroots pressure in support of a stronger plan is a smarter approach than trying to win the president’s approval.

“If she feels that those are useful, Godspeed,” Pocan said of Pelosi’s talks with Trump. 

But a better strategy, he said, is to “have a robust bill that we can go to the American people about rather than Donald Trump.”