😓 Republicans squirm over Kimmel

PRESENTED BY GENERAL MILLS   Axios Hill Leaders By Hans Nichols · Sep 18, 2025 Buckle up, we've got news. 960 words, 3.5 minutes. 😓 Republicans squirm over Kimmel ✈️ Johnson delegation to Kirk funeral 📺 Pro-Israel donors unload on Massie 🚨 Breaking news: Senate leaders have a deal to hold two votes tomorrow — one on the House GOP's seven-week spending bill (if it passes) and the other on Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's alternative. Senators aren't expected back until Sept. 29. Both of tomorrow's votes are expected to fall short of the required 60-vote threshold. "The real votes on whether to shut the government down will be on the 29th and 30th," a GOP senator told us.     1 big thing: 😓 Republicans squirm over Kimmel   Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images   GOP senators are evading direct critiques of President Trump's FCC chair Brendan Carr, who seemed to threaten broadcast companies if they did not drop late-night host Jimmy Kimmel after his Charlie Kirk monologue. Why it matters: The Republican response stands in stark contrast to the Democrats, who are sounding the alarm over what they see as a clear and craven assault on the First Amendment. The reactions create another remarkable split screen in the age of Trump. Democrats are calling on Carr to resign. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said today Carr "disgraced the office he holds by bullying ABC, the employer of Jimmy Kimmel, and forcing the company to bend the knee." GOP senators waffled over any government overreach by Carr. They instead kept the focus on punishment from private companies. What they're saying: "Well, my preference would always be to let the companies make economic market decisions," Senate Majority Leader John Thune told NBC News' Frank Thorp. "I do think it was very unusual for the head of the agency to issue what seemed to be very challenging comments," Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) told reporters. She also said the network can fire employees, and Kimmel's statements were "out of bounds." "I understand that right now it's an employer-employee issue, and that's the way I would approach it," Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) said. Between the lines: Many GOP lawmakers criticized and investigated the Biden administration for pressuring social media companies to censor certain information about COVID-19. "I don't want the government to be involved with policing speech," Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) told reporters. "The FCC should not be involved," he posted on X. Paul led probes into the Biden administration's influence on social media companies over COVID. Paul would not weigh in specifically on Carr's comments and also emphasized the Kimmel suspension as a decision by a private employer, which he feels was fair game. The bottom line: Senators stopped short of criticizing Carr's comments, with some saying they had not taken time to look into his statement. Many expressed their distaste for Kimmel's comments about the president and Kirk, and some cheered ABC's decision to halt the program. Share this story — Stef Kight and Hans Nichols         2. ✈️ Johnson delegation to Kirk funeral   House Speaker Mike Johnson is leading a congressional delegation to Charlie Kirk's funeral this weekend at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, with a sizable portion of the GOP conference expected to attend. Security at the funeral will be on the same level as a Super Bowl, a Homeland Security official told ABC News. It is open to the public and expected to draw thousands. Why it matters: Kirk's assassination has left raw emotions on Capitol Hill, especially among Republicans who were close to him and his movement. "It's the bullet that was heard around the world. Nothing's going to bring him back," Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) told us. The details: Turning Point USA, the conservative youth organization Kirk founded, has been helping members coordinate travel. "Most of us are on like a text thread with Turning Point," Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.) told us. Sens. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), and likely others, were planning to attend, according to lawmakers and aides. Yes, but: Several GOP members told us travel challenges could keep them away. Norman said he's trying to move his schedule around but thinks the funeral will "be a zoo." "I'd love to be there if I could. But again, it's, well, every airport is going to be full. Every flight is going to be full." Norman said. "I'm trying to see the logistics. ... I'm trying to make it there," Rep. Michael Cloud (R-Texas) told us. — Kate Santaliz and Hans Nichols         A MESSAGE FROM GENERAL MILLS Supporting farmers and communities     General Mills is the leading provider of whole grains to Americans, supporting economic activity and communities across the country. An example: In 2024, General Mills spent $345+ million on wheat grown in the U.S. Learn more.     3. 📺 Pro-Israel donors unload on Massie   Photo: Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images   The Republican Party's pro-Israel allies are going all-out to unseat Rep. Thomas Massie. He's responded by making those attacks a centerpiece of his campaign. Massie (R-Ky.) has vocally criticized Israel's handling of the war in Gaza and voted against providing U.S. aid to Israel. He also skipped Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's July 2024 address to the U.S. Congress. Zoom in: Pro-Israel donors are funneling money to MAGA Kentucky, a Trump-aligned super PAC that's aired several anti-Massie ads. The PAC — spearheaded by Trump senior political advisers Chris LaCivita and Tony Fabrizio — has raised $2 million from New York hedge fund manager Paul Singer, investor John Paulson and a political committee tied to casino mogul and Dallas Mavericks co-owner Miriam Adelson. In return, Massie has sent mailers focused on the donors' involvement, along with a website, MAGAKYFRAUD.com. Between the lines: By zeroing in on the donors, Massie is attempting to take the focus off Trump — a popular figure in the congressman's district who has called Massie a "pathetic loser." The bottom line: Trump's political operation has been trying to recruit a candidate to run against Massie, though it has yet to settle on anyone. But Trump advisers have expressed confidence in ousting the congressman, pointing to a recent survey they conducted showing MAGA Kentucky's anti-Massie ads taking a toll on his popularity in the district. Share this story — Alex Isenstadt         A MESSAGE FROM GENERAL MILLS 160 years of food with purpose     From a Minneapolis flour mill in 1866 to today, General Mills has paired great food with doing what’s right. The impact: In 2024, the company’s U.S. operations supported 134,000+ jobs and added $19.3 billion+ to the country’s economy. Learn more.   This newsletter was edited by Justin Green and copy edited by Kathie Bozanich. Are you a fan of this email format? Your essential communications — to staff, clients and other stakeholders — can have the same style. Axios HQ, a powerful platform, will help you do it.   Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Advertise with us. Axios, PO Box 101060, Arlington VA 22201     Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get Axios in your inbox.   Follow Axios on social media: