Congress returns to full strength this week as the House will reconvene tomorrow following its brief in-district work period last week. In recognition of National Police Week, the House’s docket features a series of bills on criminal justice, including two measures scheduled to be considered pursuant to a rule later this week. One of those measures (H.R. 1039) would allow probation officers to arrest individuals without a warrant if there is probable cause to believe that the individual forcibly assaulted or obstructed a probation officer in the performance of their duties. The other bill (H.R. 115) to hit the House floor would expand federal statute on death penalty determinations to include the killing or attempted killing of law enforcement and public safety officers. Both measures passed with some bipartisan support out of the House Judiciary Committee last month.
Month: May 2017
Today on the Hill: Comey Firing Fallout Continues; USTR Nominee Cloture Vote
The fallout from President Trump’s firing of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey has yet to settle as further details continue to emerge about the reasoning behind President Trump’s decision to dismiss the longtime prosecutor. Multiple media outlets have reported that Comey had requested additional resources for the Bureau’s Russia probe shortly before his dismissal and that the President was upset with the conduct of that investigation. While many Republicans have offered concerns on the timing and reasoning behind the firing, most have backed President Trump and rejected calls for additional steps, such as the appointment of an independent prosecutor or commission.
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Financial Services Report
Our Take
The comedian Jerry Seinfeld has a bit about how our allegiances to our local sports teams is nothing more than rooting for laundry, and the same might be said for our politics as well. This past week, President Donald Trump and the House Republican conference was able to cobble together a 217-213 win on their collective efforts to repeal Obamacare, however in doing so, was forced to utilize many of the same techniques that voters cite when criticizing Washington, DC, and which Republicans regularly repudiated when they were in the minority. Perhaps, as Seinfeld wryly noted, we are not in love with the players – just the uniforms they wear.
Health Policy Report
The Week in Review
It was a busy week in Washington that saw Congress avoid a government shutdown, House Republicans pass their health care overhaul, and the House Financial Services Committee advance a rewrite of the Dodd-Frank financial reform law.
This Week on the Hill: With House Out, Senate Considers Air Force, FDA Nominees
After one of the busiest periods in the 115th Congress last week, this week features less dramatic legislative work as the Senate works to confirm additional presidential nominees and consider the last congressional disapprovals of administrative rules advanced by the Obama Administration. The House is away from Washington for a weeklong in-district work period.
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Today on the Hill: AHCA House Floor Vote Scheduled, Latest Whip Count Suggests Passage
After weeks of wrangling, an initial failure before the Easter recess, and the addition of two amendments to placate both the conservative and moderate wings of the party, the House is scheduled to hold a floor vote today on the American Health Care Act (AHCA) (H.R. 1628). While the vote will likely be very close, Republican leaders have expressed a high degree of optimism on passage and the fact that a floor vote has been formally scheduled signals that they are confident they will have the votes. With unanimous Democratic opposition, the bill can survive 22 Republican defections and still pass on a simple majority in the lower chamber. Whip counts from various media outlets suggest that between 16 and 20 Republicans remain in the “no” column, although that number may continue to change throughout the morning. A vote series on the legislation is expected between 1:15 PM and 3:00 PM this afternoon.
Financial Services Report
Our Take
For the past two years, there has been a definitive “theme” to Congress. For example, two years ago the congressional agenda was primarily driven by the plethora of legislative deadlines that needed to be met. Last year, of course, was the election. Now, 102 days into the current Administration, it is becoming apparent that the best way to define this Congress is like an act in four parts. The first one ran from Jan 3rd through the President’s day recess and it mainly consisted of the ceremonial activities associated with a new session and a new administration. The second act was the six-week work period between the end of the President’s Day Recess and the Easter Break, where both the Administration and the key players in Congress were figuring out their respective roles, and how to play them.
Health Policy Report
The Week in Review
President Donald Trump’s 100th day in office was met with little fanfare as a possible House vote on the Republican health care package was delayed and lawmakers punted a government funding decision, ultimately approving a weeklong stopgap spending bill on Friday to avert a government shutdown. Lawmakers have been negotiating on the omnibus package for weeks, with Democrats demanding funding be removed for Trump’s border wall and pressing for commitments from the Trump administration to continue making certain Obamacare payments to health insurers. On the healthcare front, an amendment to the American Health Care Act (AHCA) that would allow states to opt out of some consumer protections helped win the support for the bill from the hardline Freedom Caucus and influential conservative groups, but moderate Republicans continue to hold concerns and negotiations are ongoing as to how to bring them on board.
This Week on the Hill: Spending Agreement Reached; Republicans Search for AHCA Votes
Last night, congressional negotiators reached an agreement on a spending bill that will provide government funding through the end of the 2017 fiscal year. The $1 trillion deal includes increased funds for border security and defense, two Republican priorities, as well as a permanent extension for a program that provides health benefits to coal miners. Despite the concessions, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called the deal “a good agreement for the American people” that avoids any threat of a government shutdown and excludes so-called “poison pill” policy riders. With the latest stopgap bill providing government funding through Friday, the compromise spending bill will likely be passed early in the week by both chambers before being signed by President Trump.