Author: Thornrun

Lawmakers have completed legislative business for the first session of the 116^th Congress following action on significant policy items such as government funding, tax extenders, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), and the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Prior to adjourning yesterday, Senators sent the fiscal year (FY) 2020 funding bills to President Donald Trump’s desk ahead of tonight’s government funding deadline, passing both the domestic policy minibus (71-23), as well as the national security measure (88-11) that includes appropriations bills for Defense, Commerce-Justice-Science, Financial Services and General Government, and Homeland Security. Earlier this morning, the president tweeted that he plans to sign the measures into law later today.

Continue reading “Next Week on the Hill: Lawmakers Adjourn for Holiday Recess”

Congress moved one step closer to avoiding a government shutdown yesterday after the House passed two large “minibus” spending packages. Both measures passed on a bipartisan basis, with the domestic policy package passing on 297-120 vote, while the national security minibus passed 280-138. Senators are expected to vote on the fiscal year (FY) 2020 spending bills tomorrow in order to place them on President Donald Trump's desk ahead of Friday's government funding deadline. While White House officials have indicated that he will sign the measures into law, President Trump's position on the measures has yet to be explicitly stated.

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: Senate Votes on Spending Packages Expected Thursday”

House lawmakers will reconvene today eyeing floor votes on two massive “minibus” spending measures following an agreement from Appropriations “Cardinals” yesterday afternoon. In addition to funding the government through the remainder of fiscal year (FY) 2020, the deal includes several wide-ranging policy provisions pertaining to Affordable Care Act (ACA) taxes, terrorism risk insurance, retirement reform, and gun violence research. Negotiators also clinched deals on extensions for key expiring health programs such as: (1) the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) demonstration program; (2) the Money Follows the Person rebalancing demonstration; and (3) the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI).

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: House Readies Votes on Government Funding Packages”

Congress returns to action this week to close out 2019 with votes on key legislative priorities — notably centered around government funding for fiscal year (FY) 2020. With legislative text set to be released later this afternoon, House lawmakers could vote on a series of “minibus” packages to fund the government for the remainder of the fiscal year as early as Tuesday, with the Senate following suit shortly thereafter. While Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL) expressed optimism about the prospects of support from both GOP leadership and President Donald Trump, it ultimately remains to be seen whether the President will sign off on the measures if his border-related priorities are not met. Congress has until midnight on Friday, Dec. 20 to fund the government and avert a shutdown. 

Continue reading “This Week on the Hill: Lawmakers Close Out 2019 With Legislative Blitz”

Congress will return to action next week to close out 2019 with votes on key legislative priorities. After Appropriations “Cardinals” reached an agreement in principle on government funding for fiscal year (FY) 2020, House and Senate lawmakers will look to pass a series of “minibus” spending packages for each of the 12 bills ahead of next Friday’s deadline. While GOP leadership expressed optimism about the prospects of support from President Donald Trump, it ultimately remains to be seen whether the President will sign off on the measures if his border-related priorities are not met.

Continue reading “Next Week on the Hill: Lawmakers Conclude 2019 With Big-Ticket Priorities”