This Week on the Hill: Senate Looks to Check Off Long-Term FAA Reauthorization, Opioids Bill

The Senate returns to action today as lawmakers seek to clear an array of high-profile legislative items. When the chamber returns later this afternoon, Senators will immediately proceed to consideration of a bill (H.R.302) that would reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for five years. The Senate passed a short-term extension of the current funding levels last Friday in an effort to provide additional time for consideration of the House-passed bill. Additional floor action in the Senate for the balance of the week includes a final vote on the opioid crisis response legislation, which would send the bill to President Trump’s desk for signature into law.

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) began the formal process of considering Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination on Friday after the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 11-10 to advance his nomination. However, a deal was brokered in the Committee to delay a final up-or-down floor vote until the FBI had a week to conduct an investigation into the allegation. President Trump has directed the bureau to proceed with the investigation with instructions to conclude by October 5^th— putting Kavanaugh’s nomination in flux until the FBI issues its report.

House lawmakers have left Washington and are not scheduled to be in session until after the November midterm elections.