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Good morning, Early Birds. World War II's <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2020/06/06/d-day-photos-remembrance/">Operation Overlord</a> began 78 years ago today. Tips: <a href="mailto:earlytips@washpost.com">earlytips@washpost.com</a>. Thanks for waking up with us.&nbsp;

In today’s edition … The Senate calendar doesn't leave much time for Democrats to get much more big things done ahead of the midterms … What we’re keeping our eye on … The Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles this week is a test for President Biden as U.S. influence wanes … but first …

Democrats aren't counting on Jan. 6 committee hearings to help them with voters

Jabin Botsford

The House Jan. 6 committee this week will hold the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/06/04/jan-6-committee-set-make-its-case-public-with-prime-time-hearing/">first of at least six hearings</a>, where the panel will lay out its findings concerning the attack of the Capitol and what led up to that deadly day.

It will generate headlines, dominate prime time cable television and potentially capture the attention of the nation.

But Democrats aren't counting on the panel's work and its focus on the attempt by former president Donald Trump and his allies to overturn the 2020 presidential <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/" target="_blank" class="contextual_link">election</a> to help them much with voters this fall.

That view was articulated at a recent private meeting with House Democrats where Speaker Nancy Pelosi had a clear message for her conference: Voters will not cast their ballots based on Jan. 6 and the events that led up to that deadly day. While it is the Democratic lawmakers job to serve as protectors of democracy, she told her members, voters will judge the party on the cost of food, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/interactive/2022/why-gas-prices-so-high/" target="_blank" class="contextual_link">gas prices</a> and what the party is doing to help families.&nbsp;

Pelosi’s remarks, described by multiple Democrats who attended the closed-door meeting, underscored the growing belief in the party that views on the insurrection have hardened along party lines like so many issues.

That was hard to imagine in the days following the worst attack on the Capitol since the War of 1812, but it’s a reality many Democrats said they face despite their fears that threats to democracy remain as Trump continues to spread the election falsehoods that inspired the attack.

There is instead a recognition among many Democrats that to avoid defeat in this fall they will need to focus heavily on the type of economic and public safety issues that public opinion polls show concern voters most. Since Pelosi's message to her colleagues in that meeting in late April, a draft of a Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade was leaked and multiple mass shootings have occurred — two other issues that could play into voters' decisions.&nbsp;

“We pick up incremental support by prioritizing what I call the “four c’s: costs, crime, commerce and covid,” Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) said in a text message.

Republican interest in investigating the attack didn't last long and they turned on the idea early last year. They now argue that Jan. 6 isn’t an issue for voters. In a March National Republican Congressional Committee survey of likely voters in 77 battleground House districts provided to The Early, just one percent of voters said investigating the attack is the most important issue on which President Biden and congressional Democrats should focus.&nbsp;

Still, Democrats insist the hearings to be held by the Jan. 6 panel, which begin Thursday at 8 p.m., will be critical regardless of the politics.&nbsp;

“The investigation has never been about politics, and neither will the hearings. We are focused on presenting the American people with the truth about this violent attack on our Democracy and ensuring nothing like it can ever happen again,” Rep. Elaine Luria (D-Va.), who is a member of the committee and also in a swing district, said in a recent email.

Our colleagues Jackie Alemany and Josh Dawsey have <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/06/04/jan-6-committee-set-make-its-case-public-with-prime-time-hearing/">a breakdown on what to expect from the hearings</a>, including the testimony of Cassidy Hutchinson, a top aide to then-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, and the possible airing of video recordings of interviews with Trump’s daughter Ivanka and her husband, Jared Kushner.

A progressive political consultant who has worked with focus groups and pollsters said that campaigning on Jan. 6 is “a loser,” but he argued the hearings will get attention and voters are paying attention to issues surrounding American democracy.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/05/03/slight-majority-say-trump-should-be-charged-with-crime-over-jan-6-role-poll-finds/">Recent polling by The Washington Post</a> found a slim majority of voters — 52 percent — want former president Donald Trump charged with a crime for the attack on the Capitol, including 56 percent of independents.

The consultant, who was granted anonymity to detail his private advice to Democrats, said the issue of Jan. 6 can become a critical issue in a campaign if the Republican runs on a platform that the last election was stolen — such as in the case of <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/05/15/leading-gop-candidates-pennsylvania-were-washington-jan-6/">Doug Mastriano</a>, the Republican nominee for governor in Pennsylvania; <a href="https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/news/2022/01/20/j-d--vance-senate-campaign-prove-trump-convert">J.D. Vance</a>, the Republican nominee for an open Senate seat in Ohio; and Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.), who’s running for an open Senate seat in Alabama. Brooks is in a runoff against Katie Britt, a former chief of staff to Sen. Richard C. Shelby (R-Ala.) — and has said Trump “was robbed” in 2020.

Democratic pollster Celinda Lake said Jan. 6 “could play much more of a role than people imagined” in these instances. “People are very concerned about those involved and who supported those involved on January 6,” she said, based on polling she conducted for a consortium of groups.

But even if the hearings provide new revelations, those moments can be fleeting.

Programming note: Check out <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/washington-post-live/2022/06/06/117th-congress-rep-jamie-raskin-d-md/">Leigh Ann's interview with Jan. 6 committee member Rep. Jamie Raskin</a> (D-Md.) for Washington Post Live today at 11 a.m.&nbsp;

For Democrats, there is so much to do and so little time

It's (unofficially) the summer of an election year. And that means that the number of legislative days between now and Nov. 8 are disappearing faster than a snowball in Washington's heat.

Between now and Election Day, there are just 57 days the Senate is scheduled to be in Washington, but that includes Fridays, when the Senate is rarely in session. Take out Fridays and that's 44 days.&nbsp;

Those recess days are a congressional tradition, especially in election years when members running for reelection want to be home campaigning, talking to constituents, attending ribbon cuttings and, yes, fundraising.&nbsp;

The limitations of the calendar could pose big problems for Democrats' long list of legislative desires that include gun control legislation, new covid funding and a stripped-down version of the no-longer-a-Build-Back-Better bill that revolves around Sen. Joe Manchin III's (D-W.Va.) priorities of addressing inflation, reducing budget deficits, energy production and prescription drug prices.

A small group of Democrats and Republicans are trying to figure out if they can come to an agreement on background check expansion, incentivizing “red flag” laws in states, school safety and mental health funding. Our colleague Mike DeBonis has more on that <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/06/05/senators-say-gun-deal-is-within-reach-without-bidens-wish-list/">here</a>.

Democrats are also hoping a conference committee of House and Senate Republicans and Democrats can iron out the differences over the America Competes Act, the bipartisan bill that addresses some supply chain shortfalls and microchip manufacturing.&nbsp;

But the Senate is running out of time to a.) reach agreement on these priorities and to b.) pass them.

Demetrius Freeman

This week will be all about whether Senate negotiators can strike a deal on a legislative response to the recent mass shootings.&nbsp;

With the Senate back in town first the first time since before Memorial Day, we are watching what Republican senators who are not directly involved in the negotiations say about the gun talks. Any agreement will almost certainly need 10 GOP votes.

The Republicans involved in the negotiations are: Sens. John Cornyn (Texas), Patrick J. Toomey (Pa.) Lindsey O. Graham (S.C.), Susan Collins (Maine), Bill Cassidy (La.) and Thom Tillis (N.C.). But It's hard to think of four or five more Republicans who would be inclined to get on board. Perhaps Sens. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), who have expressed openness. Maybe Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska)? But she's facing a primary challenge from an opponent backed by former president Donald Trump on Aug. 16.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) has co-sponsored red flag laws in the past. It's an election year for him, too. Or Sen. Todd C. Young (R-Ind.)? He's up for reelection and his primary has passed. Our out-of-the-box person to watch is Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.).

The Senate will spend much of the week on nominations, while the House is focused on guns and will vote on:&nbsp;

The Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act: A bill that incentivizes states to strengthen “red flag” laws and creates a national “red flag” law.

The Protecting Our Kids Act: A package of eight bills that would raise the legal age to buy some semiautomatic rifles to 21, address gun trafficking, institute gun storage requirements as well as ban high capacity magazines, ghost guns and bump stocks. Each measure will be voted on individually “to place Republicans on record” on each issue, House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer wrote in a letter to his colleagues.

A resolution by Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) condemning the “<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2022/05/15/great-replacement-theory-buffalo-bilbo/?itid=lk_inline_manual_64">great replacement</a>” conspiracy theory, which the alleged shooter in Buffalo referenced.

On Wednesday, the House Oversight and Reform Committee will hold a hearing on Uvalde. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/families-of-uvalde-buffalo-victims-to-testify-in-congress/2022/06/03/c6f89f66-e359-11ec-ae64-6b23e5155b62_story.html">Families of victims</a> will testify, including a 10-year-old girl who covered herself with her friend's blood and played dead.&nbsp;

President Biden, meanwhile, is heading to Los Angeles on Wednesday to host the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/06/05/biden-americas-summit-los-angeles/">Summit of the Americas meeting</a> with Latin American leaders. He'll also tape an episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live” that will air Wednesday evening.

Americas summit is test for Biden as U.S. influence wanes

Susan Walsh

Live from the City of Angels: “When Biden and senior members of his administration explore the future of the Americas with other regional leaders this week, the United States will face a somewhat unusual experience: focusing on its neighbors to the south,” <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/06/05/biden-americas-summit-los-angeles/">our colleagues Missy Ryan, Cleve R. Wootson Jr., Mary Beth Sheridan and Karen DeYoung</a> report.

“The Summit of the Americas scheduled in Los Angeles with leaders of Latin American countries comes as the administration has spent months trying to help Ukraine defend itself against the Russian invasion that began in February. The summit has also been attempting to execute a long-delayed pivot to Asia, where China keeps pressing for more influence.”

“Through the summit, U.S. leaders and others from North, Central and South America and the Caribbean are supposed to explore economic relationships and general goals for the Western Hemisphere. Discussions are expected to cover topics such as democracy, clean energy, politics, migration and recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.”

Here’s what to expect:&nbsp;

It’s official: “The Biden administration has made a final decision against inviting the governments of Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua,”<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-06-06/us-excludes-cuba-venezuela-nicaragua-from-regional-summit"> Bloomberg’s Eric Martin scooped</a>. The choice “is based on concerns about the lack of democracy and respect for human rights in the three countries.”

Will he, or won’t he? “A bellwether of the summit’s success will be whether Mexico’s leftist president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, decides to attend,” our colleagues write. “Officials appear to be holding out hope that the Mexican leader, who said he wouldn’t show up unless [the three countries] were invited, will be in Los Angeles for the summit.”

Promises made, promises broken: Latin American leaders are expected to scrutinize Biden’s track record on covid and immigration. “The Biden administration was slow to match the vaccine diplomacy of Russia and China, although it did eventually provide 70 million doses to the hemisphere,” <a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-politics-health-2480ae5442b7df2bf996b5614da767ab">per AP News’ Elliot Spagat, Joshua Goodman and Chris Megerian</a>. “Biden also maintained the Trump-era restrictions on migration, reinforcing the view that it was neglecting its own neighbors.”

<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/06/06/north-korea-ballistic-missile-us-south-korea/?itid=lk_inline_manual_82">U.S. and South Korea respond to North Korean launch with 8 missiles of their own.</a> By The Post's Michelle Ye Hee Lee

<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/06/06/boris-johnson-tory-leadership-vote/?itid=lk_inline_manual_83">Britain’s Boris Johnson to face no-confidence vote from his party.</a> By The Post's Karla Adam

<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/06/06/cehsa-boudin-recall/?itid=lk_inline_manual_84">A liberal D.A. finds voters’ moods have changed even in San Francisco.</a> By The Post's Scott Wilson.

<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2022/06/05/biden-manchin-white-house/?itid=lk_inline_manual_85">How the White House lost Joe Manchin, and its plan to transform America</a>. By The Post’s Jeff Stein and Tyler Pager.

<a href="https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/3511420-five-biggest-issues-to-watch-at-supreme-court-as-high-profile-term-ends/">Five biggest issues to watch at Supreme Court as high-profile term ends</a>. By The Hill’s John Kruzel.

<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/06/us/politics/gas-prices-california-politics-democrats.html">High California Gas Prices Rattle Democrats Ahead of Midterms.</a> By the Times' Katie Glueck.

<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/05/business/biden-oil-saudi-arabia.html">Biden has ‘only bad options’ for bringing down oil prices</a>. By the New York Times’ Clifford Krauss.

<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2022/06/05/biden-wants-to-get-out-more-seething-that-his-standing-is-now-worse-than-trumps-00037278">Biden wants to get out more, seething that his standing is now worse than Trump’s</a>. By Politico’s Jonathan Lemire.

<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/exclusive-biden-use-executive-action-spark-stalled-solar-projects-amid-tariff-2022-06-06/">Biden to waive tariffs for 24 months on solar panels hit by probe</a>. By Reuters’ Jeff Mason.

Thanks for reading. You can also follow us on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/LACaldwellDC">@LACaldwellDC</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/theodoricmeyer">@theodoricmeyer</a>.

Joan Shorenstein Barone Award for Excellence in Congressional Reporting in 2018

Radio Television Digital News First Amendment Clarity Award in 2019

New York Press Club Award for feature writing on Donald Trump in 2016

North Carolina State University, BA in Communications

Leigh Ann Caldwell is co-author of The Washington Post’s Early 202 and focuses on Congress and politics. She is also an anchor for Washington Post Live, conducting high-impact newsmaking interviews. Before joining The Post in 2022, Caldwell was a correspondent at NBC News, most recently as a member of its congressional unit. 

Leigh Ann Caldwell

Deadline Club Award for Newspaper or Digital Local News Reporting, 2014

McGill University

Columbia University

Theodoric Meyer is a national political reporter for The Washington Post and a co-author of the Early 202 newsletter.

Theodoric Meyer

Rutgers University, BA in Biological Sciences

American University, MA in Journalism and Public Affairs

Tobi Raji covers the federal judiciary and the Supreme Court as a part of The Washington Post's Opportunity Program. She was previously a researcher for The Early 202, a pre-dawn newsletter about the nation’s major power centers, including the White House, Congress and the Supreme Court. She joined The Post in 2021.