Insights

Next Week on the Hill: Lawmakers Conclude 2019 With Big-Ticket Priorities

December 13, 2019

Congress will return to action next week to close out 2019 with votes on key legislative priorities. After Appropriations “Cardinals” reached an agreement in principle on government funding for fiscal year (FY) 2020, House and Senate lawmakers will look to pass a series of “minibus” spending packages for each of the 12 bills ahead of next Friday’s deadline. While GOP leadership expressed optimism about the prospects of support from President Donald Trump, it ultimately remains to be seen whether the President will sign off on the measures if his border-related priorities are not met.

In addition to government funding, the House is poised to take up implementing legislation for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement after a deal was struck earlier this week, as well as articles of impeachment against President Trump. Meanwhile, the Senate will look to clinch the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) with a vote on the conference report for the $735.2 billion measure.