Jan. 9, 2023: Speaker McCarthy's first governing test
The rules package that will govern how the House operates this session is scheduled for a vote this evening. It\u2019s shaping up as Speaker Kevin McCarthy's first big test in governing what is shaping up to be an ungovernable Republican majority.\xa0\nThe package is the closest thing to a contract drawn up between McCarthy and his internal critics. Alongside various side deals dealing with committee assignments, budget policy and other matters, the rules changes define the devolution of power away from leadership and towards the House Freedom Caucus. If tonight\u2019s vote goes down, the entire project unravels.\nAnd President Joe Biden will meet with Mexican president Andr\xe9s Manuel L\xf3pez Obrador at the North American Leaders\u2019 Summit in Mexico City \u2013 the pair are expected to talk through trade issues, drug trafficking, and migration.\xa0\nPlaybook editor Mike DeBonis and \xa0deputy editor Zack Stanton break down the day ahead in DC.\nSubscribe to the POLITICO Playbook newsletter\nRaghu Manavalan is the host and senior editor of POLITICO's Playbook Daily Briefing.Jenny Ament is the executive producer of POLITICO Audio.