Although we do not know who is going to win the Presidential election next week, proponents of former Vice President Biden are once again putting their faith in positive polling, and so we are starting to see an increase of articles about the Biden Transition. In fact, Politico has a whole newsletter devoted to the topic. While these stories are either primarily blind guesses or driven by those vying to be considered (or perhaps a combination of the two), a clear narrative has emerged about how Progressives are keeping close tabs on potential nominees in order to root out the possibility of any whiff of impropriety (however they define it).
Continue reading “Financial Services Report (10/26)”Month: October 2020
Health Policy Report (10/19)
Capitol Hill Update
The Senate is poised to take up another targeted pandemic relief bill when the chamber convenes for votes today, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said last week. The forthcoming package is largely expected to mirror the previous Senate GOP “skinny relief” effort, including business liability provisions and allocating roughly $500 billion toward unemployment insurance, health care, education, and small businesses. Much like the previous attempt to clear this measure last month, it is expected that all Senate Democrats, and possibly a few Senate Republicans, will vote against a motion to consider the legislation. Meanwhile, broader relief talks between Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and White House officials remain at a standstill, as outlined in a recent “Dear Colleague” letter from the Speaker over the weekend.
Continue reading “Health Policy Report (10/19)”Health Policy Report (10/13)
Capitol Hill Update
While Senators on the Judiciary Committee convene for the Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation hearing, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) announced yesterday that no votes are expected in the lower chamber this week as Congressional Democrats and the Trump administration remain far apart on the next round of COVID-19 relief aid. After originally walking away from negotiations via tweet last week, President Donald Trump has since indicated that he wants to reach a compromise on pandemic relief aid prior to the Nov. 3. election. While the two sides did find common ground on issues such as health care and $1,200 stimulus checks in the negotiations, there is much work to be done on some of the key sticking points that have held up the negotiations thus far — namely unemployment insurance, state and local aid, and liability provisions.
Continue reading “Health Policy Report (10/13)”Financial Services Report (10/5)
While the House was scheduled to be in recess – albeit subject to a 24-hours notice to return for a vote if a deal on COVID relief gets made – the Senate was scheduled to be in town to continue to vote on Judges. Then three Senators tested positive for COVID and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced that votes for next week would be cancelled. Leader McConnell then attempted to seek a consent agreement to meet in pro forma sessions until October 26th but Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) objected. Leader McConnell will now try to reach that agreement again on Monday, though this time seeking pro forma sessions until October 19. While the difference between a pro forma session and adjournment is minimal, the latter does offer the minority protection against recess appointments by the President.
Continue reading “Financial Services Report (10/5)”Health Policy Report (10/5)
Over the weekend, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced that votes for this week would be cancelled and the Senate adjourned after three Republican Senators — Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Ron Johnson (R-WI) — tested positive for COVID-19. Leader McConnell originally sought a consent agreement to meet in pro forma sessions until October 26, but Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) objected, likely with an eye toward keeping vulnerable Senate Republicans in Washington and off the campaign trail. Due the new positive COVID-19 cases in the Senate, however, Leader McConnell will now try to reach that agreement again, though this time seeking pro forma sessions until October 19. While the difference between a pro forma session and adjournment is minimal, the latter does offer the minority protection against recess appointments by the President.
Continue reading “Health Policy Report (10/5)”TRP’s Paul Bock, Former Obama Transition Staffer, Opines on Biden Transition
TRP’s Paul Bock was cited in a recent POLITICO article that discussed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s pledge to crack down on the “improper influence of lobbyists” should he defeat President Donald Trump in November. While the piece notes that Bock has previously argued against banning the participation of those “who might be able to help facilitate a more efficient transition,” he astutely points out that the Biden team must strike an effective balance between experience and public perception in the event there’s a change in power following the 2020 election. “I understood then — and understand now — that the added experience has to be weighed against the perception that the new Administration might be too close to the interests represented by lobbyists,” said Bock.
Continue reading “TRP’s Paul Bock, Former Obama Transition Staffer, Opines on Biden Transition”