Month: March 2019

Senators are set to resume consideration of a supplemental disaster aid bill (text; summary), although its prospects for passage appear to be fading over disagreements on aid to Puerto Rico. Congressional Democrats are strongly pushing for additional assistance to the island — with numerous Senate Democrats stating that they will vote no if additional aid is not included — while President Donald Trump has criticized the Senate GOP’s provisions as being too generous. Consideration of the $13.5 billion measure will likely extend into next week as lawmakers work to find a compromise.

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: Disaster Aid Bill Shows Signs of Stalling”

Senators have officially begun consideration of a sweeping supplemental disaster aid bill (text; summary) that would provide emergency funding to states and territories that have been impacted by various natural disasters in recent months. The $13.5 billion measure includes funding for Army Corps of Engineers projects aimed at improving flood and storm damage mitigation, as well as nutritional assistance for Puerto Rico. The bill also includes an extension of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), suggesting that lawmakers believe the disaster package can be leveraged as a broad legislative vehicle to clear outstanding priorities.

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: Senate Begins Consideration of Disaster Relief Bill”

House lawmakers are set to vote on an attempt to override President Donald Trump's veto of a measure that would prevent him from circumventing Congressional appropriation authority to allocate funding for border security. Despite the resolution's passage in both chambers earlier this month, the effort to overturn the President's veto is unlikely to have the support of a two-thirds majority in the lower chamber. Regardless of today’s outcome, Congressional Democrats will likely explore additional legislative and legal maneuvers to block President Trump’s national emergency declaration.

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: House Tees Up Ill-Fated Veto Override Attempt”

Congress is set to resume legislative business today following a weeklong district work period. In the Senate, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has queued up a vote on the progressive-sponsored "Green New Deal" resolution (S.J.Res 8) in hopes of forcing Senate Democrats into a tough political vote. While Democrats initially decried the move as a partisan stunt, they have coalesced around a message that climate change is an issue that needs attention and that they look forward to debating these issues on the Senate floor. Following consideration of the Green New Deal resolution, Senators are expected to take up a supplemental disaster aid bill (H.R. 268) that would provide emergency funding to states and territories that have been impacted by various natural disasters in recent months. 

Continue reading “This Week on the Hill: Senate Looks to Clinch Deal on Disaster Aid Funding”

The White House is looking to stave off Senate GOP support of a Democratic attempt to overturn President Donald Trump’s border security national emergency. Under the rumored deal — which is being brokered by Vice President Mike Pence — President Trump would agree to sign legislation by Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) that would rein in the chief executive’s power to declare future national emergencies if Senators vote down the Democratic resolution of disapproval resolution tomorrow.

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: WH Looks to Quell Senate GOP Revolt on Trump National Emergency Declaration”

President Trump’s budget is expected to be released later this morning as the fiscal year (FY) 2020 appropriations process ramps up. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar, and Acting Office of Management and Budget Director (OMB) Russell Vought will be making Capitol Hill Committee appearances this week to justify the President’s request ­— which is expected to include a five percent cut across the board to all non-military departments. The budget request also includes $8.6 billion for the President’s border wall priority — a move that could fuel the contentious debate that ultimately led to a 35-day partial government shutdown.

Continue reading “This Week on the Hill: Trump Administration Set to Roll Out the President’s FY 2020 Budget Request”