Author: Thornrun

The Senate is readying a vote on a stopgap funding measure that would avert a shutdown and fund the government through Nov. 21. Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) called up the House-passed continuing resolution (CR) for a vote yesterday, ensuring that numerous key policy riders — including extensions for several expiring health care programs, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and Export-Import Bank — will be addressed after the stopgap is signed into law. Meanwhile, the Senate Appropriations Committee will meet to mark up the fiscal year (FY) 2020 spending bills for: (1) Interior-Environment; (2) State-Foreign Operations; (3) Commerce-Science-Justice; (4) Homeland Security; and (5) Legislative Branch. 

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: Senate Looks to Clear CR”

House lawmakers are expected to take up groundbreaking legislation under suspension of the rules today that would open up banking to cannabis companies. In a move aimed at getting the bill through the GOP-controlled Senate, House Democrats tacked on provisions to the Secure And Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act that would prevent a revival of the Obama-era program known as "Operation Choke Point," and clarify that institutions doing business with hemp companies will not face scrutiny under federal law. Also on the House floor, lawmakers will consider a bill that would restrict family separation policies and Customs and Border Protection transfer rules.

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: House to Move on Cannabis Banking Bill”

Senate appropriators will meet to consider another batch of fiscal year (FY) 2020 spending bills today. The measures for Interior-Environment, Commerce-Science-Justice (CJS), and Homeland Security will be marked up in their respective subcommittees today ahead of the full committee markup on Thursday. While the Interior-Environment and CJS measures are expected to pass with bipartisan support, the Homeland Security bill has already highlighted points of contention between both parties over funding for President Donald Trump’s border wall request and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention beds. The schisms over border security priorities are reminiscent of those that spurred a 35-day partial government shutdown earlier this year. 

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: Senate Appropriators Begin Work on Three More Spending Bills”

Congress is set to close out the September legislative work session this week as Senators look to clinch a deal on a stopgap funding resolution. At some point later this week, the Senate is expected to take action on a continuing resolution (CR) that would punt the government funding deadline beyond Sept. 30. However, it remains to be seen if Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) will call up the House-passed CR or if the Senate offers its own version — leaving the fate of the dozens of policy riders that have been tacked on to the lower chamber’s bill up in the air. Off the floor, the Senate Appropriations Committee will meet to consider the fiscal year (FY) 2020 spending bills for Interior-Environment, Commerce-Science-Justice, and the Legislative Branch.

Continue reading “This Week on the Hill: Senate Looks to Clinch Short-Term Funding Deal”

House lawmakers struck a deal yesterday on a continuing resolution (CR) (text; summary) that would punt the deadline to fund the federal government for fiscal year (FY 2020) until Nov. 21. The bill includes a host of policy riders designed to address pressing deadlines for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and numerous expiring health programs. As House lawmakers look to pass the stopgap funding resolution today, a timeline for Senate action — as well as the fate of the dozens of policy riders that have been tacked on — is unclear at this point.

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: House Strikes Deal on Stopgap Funding Measure”

House lawmakers will resume legislative business today as members eye action on government funding. The House Rules Committee is slated to meet later today to craft the rule that will govern debate for a continuing resolution (CR) that would fund the government through Nov. 21. Additional details on the House CR remain unclear, as lawmakers are still jostling for certain legislative priorities — including extensions for expiring Medicare and Medicaid programs, as well as increased funding for payments to farmers impacted by tariffs — to be tacked on to the bill.

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: House Readies Stopgap Funding Bill for Floor Time”

Congress will reconvene this week to continue work on several key funding priorities. As the Sept. 30 government funding deadline approaches, House Democrats are expected to queue up a continuing resolution (CR) for consideration as negotiators jostle to avoid another lapse in funding. The upper chamber is expected to take up the CR shortly thereafter, yet it remains to be seen whether the two sides can avoid disagreements over certain funding extensions, as well as how long the stopgap measure will fund the government. 

Continue reading “This Week on the Hill: Lawmakers Eye Stopgap Funding Bill to Avert Sept. 30 Deadline”