Month: September 2016

With Congress officially out of session until Nov. 14, policymakers are looking ahead to the legislative action that will unfold after the dust settles from Election Day. The recently-passed continuing resolution (CR) (H.R. 5325) expires on Dec.9, meaning that lawmakers will need to either pass eleven appropriations bills, an omnibus combining those eleven measures, or a series of “minibuses” that bloc certain combinations of spending bills to make them more palatable to members.

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: Appropriations, Cures to Headline Lame-Duck Session”

A bipartisan deal ensuring that funding for Flint, Michigan’s water crisis is handled during the lame-duck session allowed lawmakers to quickly approve a continuing resolution (CR) maintaining current levels of government funding through Dec. 9, plus packages to combat the Zika virus and send flood aid to Louisiana and other states affected by natural disasters. Some Democrats continued to object that the Flint crisis should be handled in the CR, but most were assured that the Michigan city would ultimately receive at least $170 million in federal aid through the Water Development Resources Act. The Senate passed the bill (H.R. 5325) 72-26 before the House sent the measure to the president’s desk on a 342-85 vote. The remaining holdouts mostly consisted of conservative lawmakers who had wanted a longer-term CR to avoid negotiating an omnibus in the lame-duck session.

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: Congress Dashes Into Recess After Approving CR Last Night”

After a fiery presidential debate last night, the Senate convenes today for a key vote on the continuing resolution (CR) proposed by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to fund the government through Dec. 9. Democrats, including Democratic vice-presidential nominee Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), are expected to vote against the measure in an effort to increase pressure on Republicans to include assistance to help Flint, Michigan clean up its contaminated water supply. While some Senate Republicans have countered that Flint aid is included in the recently-passed Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), Democrats insist that the funding should be included in the must-pass spending bill. The minority party has also taken issue with language that would extend a rider from last year’s omnibus blocking the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from completing a rule forcing public companies to disclose their political donations.

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: Dems to Block McConnell’s CR Due to Exclusion of Flint Aid”

Yesterday, the Senate again postponed a key procedural vote as negotiators continue to work on what riders will be included in the stopgap spending legislation. The cloture vote on the motion to proceed to the legislative vehicle for a continuing resolution (CR) is now scheduled for this afternoon, but there remains a possibility that it could be delayed again. Outstanding issues continue to be focused on the Planned Parenthood dilemma in relation to Zika funding, as Republicans want to ensure that no federal dollars are given to abortion-related activities in the fight against virus – which can cause microcephaly in unborn children. Other discussions involve whether to attach flood aid for Louisiana, a provision allowing the Export-Import Bank to make bigger loans without a quorum on its Board, a prohibition on the transfer of Internet domain oversight to an international body, and curbs on refugee allowances from Syria and Iraq – which may have renewed importance after the bombing attacks in the New York and New Jersey over the weekend. According to Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Democrats were able to secure the removal of a provision that would relax Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for anti-mosquito pesticides.

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: CR Work Delayed in Senate; House Considers 34 Suspension Bills”

After meeting with President Obama yesterday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is optimistic that the chamber can move forward on a continuing resolution (CR) that funds the government through Dec. 9 and leave for the election recess as early as this Friday. Senate leaders anticipate using the Legislative Branch appropriations bill (H.R. 5325) as the lead vehicle for the CR – which will include $1.1 billion in offset-free funding to combat the Zika virus – and are aiming to set up votes on the measure beginning tomorrow. The White House has said that it wants a short-term CR free of “ideological” policy riders, which is likely given the how quickly the chamber plans to consider the measure. However, provisions to help victims of recent floods in Louisiana and an extension of the EB-5 visa program are set to be included in the stopgap spending bill. While many lawmakers in competitive races will be hoping the fast-track CR will allow them to get back to the campaign trail, Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-TX) is pushing for the Senate to stay an additional week to consider a possible veto override vote for legislation (S. 2040) that would change the rules for foreign sovereign immunity and allow families of Sept. 11 victims to sue the Saudi Arabian government for their citizens’ role in the attacks.  

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: CR to Hit Senate Floor This Week, Early Senate Recess Possible”