Presented by

With assists from POLITICO’s Congress team

PROGRAMMING NOTE: We’ll be off next week for the holidays but back to our normal schedule on Tuesday, Jan. 2.

‘I’D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON’

Ever since negotiations began on a deal that would tie border policy changes to Ukraine aid, it’s become abundantly clear that beyond leadership and the three members in the room, most other senators are in the dark.

And while some don’t mind being out of the loop, others are getting openly furious about it.

Hispanic Democratic senators have aired frustrations over the closed-door meetings and their lack of input on the shape of a potential agreement. Over the weekend, a group of conservative senators bashed the “secret” talks and called for a more “transparent” process.

Several other Democrats are still fretting about more conservative border policies being on the table at all. Heading into overtime on the discussions, with one week before Christmas, there’s no sign that the trio of negotiators – Sens. James Lankford (R-Okla.), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) – is ready to show their cards.

“I’d like to know what’s going on,” said Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), who cosigned a letter last month expressing concerns over the border talks. “And so would everybody else.”

The trio of senators who have met over the last few days on a border pact that could unlock President Joe Biden’s stalled national security funding request are staying silent for a reason – they’re loath to invite premature criticism from both ideological ends of the two parties that could destroy any progress they’ve made.

A Democratic aide told Huddle that Murphy specifically believes any border deal will need Democratic votes to get it over the finish line.

“Both Republican and Democratic members deserve to see text and be able to consider it before they vote,” Murphy told reporters Sunday. “I think that sentiment is shared on both sides.”

Dishing out details too early could also spark false hope or misguided fears as stakeholders in and outside of the Capitol wait for news about what may get agreed to. So some Senate Democrats said on Monday that they understand the secretive approach.

“There’s a recognition that when you have sensitive negotiations, you don’t want there to be misinformation floating around,” said Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.). “I know our negotiators recognize that nobody’s going to sign off on anything in advance.”

Sen. Debbie Stabenow (Mich.) — no. 3 in Senate Democratic leadership — emphasized that there will be a time where negotiators have to spill the tea. But that moment isn’t now, she said.

“It’s complicated. It always is in something like that,” Stabenow said.

And on the other side of the aisle, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) took issue with “the whole idea of it being secret negotiations.”

“Clearly you’ve got to have somebody negotiating it, and James is doing a great job,” he said of Lankford.

Another important faction on the sidelines: Congressional Hispanic Caucus members over in the House have also slammed the negotiations, calling their briefings from White House staff a mere courtesy because they’re not at the negotiating table.

A person familiar with the CHC told Huddle that its White House briefing over the weekend did not include any promise to include or consult with caucus members on any of the policies being considered.

— Ursula Perano and Daniella Diaz, with an assist from Burgess Everett

GOOD EVENING! Welcome to Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill, on this Monday, Dec. 18, where we believe this reminder is important for senators.

ROBOTS IN THE SENATE

The robot takeover of Senate dining operations has begun.

Major changes hit the Dirksen Cafeteria and Senate Carryout on Monday in the form of a new touchscreen kiosk ordering system and self-serve pay-by-weight for entrees and side dishes. Previously customers ordered from food service workers who made their grub.

Customers who spoke to us were dismayed by what one called the “depersonalization” of their go-to lunch spots, saying that the humor and patience of the workers – even on the busiest days – made a special impression on the Senate community. Workers are no longer allowed to take orders, even from their regular customers, and instead are directing patrons across the hallway to order from the machine.

The system has yet to be put through the real test of a busy midweek lunch hour. But Senate customers are already raising concerns about having to line up in the hallway to order and not having the option to order a sandwich or taco salad just how they like it.

Food service workers who spoke to us were granted anonymity due to concerns about retaliation from their employer, Restaurant Associates. They said the ordering kiosk seems like an “obvious” move to eliminate positions, from cashiers to cooks.

“They want to get rid of us,” one worker said.

Any job reductions would have to be bargained with the Unite Here 23 union that represents the workers. Restaurant Associates did not respond to a request for comment on plans for future staffing levels.

Other eateries in the Senate have already shifted over to automated operations, with no workers manning a register at the Senate Refectory and The Scoop.

— Katherine Tully-McManus

Ben Cardin snuck onto the Senate floor before we were able to ask him in person about that video. Cardin spoke at length about climate change and then lingered on the floor for more than 30 minutes. Never say Huddle isn’t working hard to bring you the important news you need.

Joe Manchin saw the group of reporters off the Senate floor waiting for Cardin and told them: “Leave that beautiful man alone.”

Even the indefatigable Mark Warner is tired from this year.

QUICK LINKS

‘A colossal waste of time’: Frustrations rise over use of privileged resolutions in the House, from Nina Heller at Roll Call

US says it will run out of funds for Ukraine this month, from Lara Seligman

TRANSITIONS

Valeria Ojeda-Avitia has been promoted to deputy chief of staff for Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) and will continue to serve as his communications director.

Austin Yager was also promoted to deputy chief of staff for Vasquez and will also continue to serve as his legislative director.

Janine Kritschgau is now communications director for Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.). She was previously press secretary.

Luke Blanchat is now chief of staff for Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.). He most recently was director of government relations at FirstHealth of the Carolinas.

Brett Levi Kleiman is now press secretary for the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. He most recently was deputy press secretary for Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.).

Jay Fields is now deputy policy director for Speaker Johnson. He most recently was executive director for the Republican Study Committee.

TOMORROW IN CONGRESS

The House is out.

The Senate is in session.

TUESDAY AROUND THE HILL

Quiet.

FRIDAY’S ANSWER: Kevin Diestelow correctly answered that Nathaniel Hazard of Rhode Island was the first lawmaker to have their funeral in the House chamber (now Statuary Hall) in 1820. The House Historian’s office has more details.

TODAY’S QUESTION from Kevin: What former representative from New Jersey played as an offensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles?

The first person to correctly guess gets a mention in the next edition of Huddle. Send your answers to [email protected].

GET HUDDLE emailed to your phone each evening.

Follow Daniella on X at @DaniellaMicaela.