Month: June 2021

House lawmakers will reconvene today to wrap up the June legislative session ahead of what is shaping up to be a hectic month of July. President Joe Biden endorsed a bipartisan Senate infrastructure deal (fact sheet) last week, and leadership in both chambers indicated that they will try and push this across the finish line prior to the August district work period. Democrats will also be kicking off the budget resolution process next month to craft legislation on the President’s American Jobs Plan and American Families Plan, including policies on home and community-based services, child care, education, paid leave, climate change, and health care, among others. In addition to the Biden administration’s agenda, Congress must also resume its work on fiscal year (FY) 2022 appropriations, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), as well as budgetary issues stemming from the American Rescue Plan and the expiring debt ceiling suspension.

Continue reading “Health Policy Report (6/28)”

Both chambers of Congress will resume legislative business this week. The Senate will return first later this afternoon to take up a pair of President Biden’s nominees for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Senators are also expected to take up a procedural vote to advance the Democrats’ sweeping voting and election reform bill, but it is not expected to break a filibuster in the 50-50 Senate.

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House lawmakers will begin their floor activity for the month of June later this afternoon. On the floor this week, Members will take up a package of Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) bills out of the Financial Services Committee, as well as legislation that would repeal the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) in Iraq. In the month ahead, the House will consider a series of Senate-passed Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions that would overturn Trump-era regulations pertaining to: (1) the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) (S.J.Res.13); (2) a rollback of methane protections at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (S.J.Res.14); and (3) the Office of the Comptroller of Currency’s rule relating to “National Banks and Federal Savings Associations as Lenders” (S.J.Res.15). Additionally, lawmakers will take up the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s surface transportation reauthorization measure prior to adjourning for the Independence Day district work period.

Continue reading “Health Policy Report (6/14)”

Both chambers of Congress will return from the Memorial Day Recess this week to begin the June legislative session. The Senate will resume voting later this afternoon, picking up consideration of the Endless Frontier Act after last-minute disagreements delayed final passage. Senators were unable to advance the $100 billion technology innovation package last month after a group of Republicans — led by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) — held up final votes over disagreements on the amendment process. The Senate will pick up amendment debate with consideration of a provision that would strike the Davis-Bacon wage provisions from the underlying bill, as well as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) substitute amendment. Meanwhile, House lawmakers will convene for Committee Work Days this week, but will not resume voting until Monday, June 14.

Continue reading “Health Policy Report (6/7)”

Both chambers of Congress have adjourned for the Memorial Day Recess. The Senate will resume voting on Monday, June 7, picking up consideration of the Endless Frontier Act after last-minute disagreements delayed final passage. Senators were unable to advance the $100 billion technology innovation package as previously planned last week after a group of GOP Senators — led by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) — held up final votes over disagreements on the amendment process.

Continue reading “Health Policy Report (6/1)”