Author: Thornrun

Congressional lawmakers have completed their legislative business for the week, wrapping up early to accommodate a Congressional Delegation (CODEL) to Normandy to commemorate the 75^th anniversary of D-Day. When the lower chamber returns next week, House lawmakers will begin consideration of the first fiscal year (FY) 2020 “minibus” package containing five FY 2020 appropriations bills. The five spending bills included in the first minibus include: Labor-Health and Human Services-Education (text; report), Energy and Water Development (text; report), Legislative Branch (text; report), Defense (text; report), State-Foreign Operations (text; report).

Continue reading “Next Week on the Hill: House Kicks Off FY 2020 Appropriations Votes”

House lawmakers will wrap up their legislative work week today and embark on a Congressional Delegation (CODEL) to Normandy to commemorate the 75^th anniversary of D-Day. On the floor, the lower chamber is considering four suspension bills out of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee. Three of the measures are aimed at addressing ocean acidification, including: (1) a bill (H.R. 1237) that would amend the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2009 to establish an Ocean Acidification Advisory Board; (2) a measure (H.R. 1716) directing the Commerce Department and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to conduct coastal community vulnerability assessments related to ocean acidification; and (3) an act (H.R. 1921) that would authorize Federal agencies to establish prize competitions for innovation or adaptation management development relating to ocean acidification.

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: House Tees Up Suspensions Aimed At Addressing Ocean Acidification”

House Democrats will look to take action on addressing the immigration status of millions of young adult immigrants. The lower chamber will begin consideration of the so-called DREAM Act (H.R. 6) that would provide permanent status and a pathway to citizenship for eligible young adult immigrants protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, as well as for temporary U.S. residents protected under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) programs. While the bill is expected to pass the House, a vote on final passage could be delayed until next week as lawmakers leave town early for a Congressional Delegation (CODEL) to Normandy.

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: House Democrats Line Up Measure Addressing DACA Recipients”

Lawmakers will return to Washington this afternoon for a busy June legislative session. In the House, Democratic leadership plans to bring fiscal year (FY) 2020 appropriations bills to the floor starting on the week of June 12. Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) stated that the lower chamber will look to clear each one of the spending bills prior to the Independence Day district work period.

Continue reading “This Week on the Hill: Disaster Relief Bill Set to Clear the House”

While most lawmakers are out of town for a Memorial Day district work period, House Democrats will convene an informal “pro forma” session of Congress later this afternoon where they are expected to make another attempt to pass a multi-billion dollar disaster aid package (text; summary) by unanimous consent (UC). Their first attempt last Friday was blocked by Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), who objected to UC on the disaster relief bill over concerns about the deficit and the bill’s lack of border security funding. It remains to be seen whether conservatives will keep objecting, as Rep. Roy has been noncommittal on his next steps for today’s pro forma session following backlash from members on both sides of the aisle. If the disaster relief bill cannot be cleared by UC, it will likely be taken up for a roll call vote as soon as lawmakers return on June 3.

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: Democrats Continue Push to Clear Disaster Relief Bill”

Late yesterday, Senators broke a monthslong impasse on disaster relief aid by passing (85-8) a $19.1 billion measure prior to leaving Washington. Congressional negotiators clinched a deal on a final package that would provide: (1) $3 billion for farm disaster assistance; (2) $2.4 billion for Community Block Development Grants; and (3) $3.25 billion for Army Corps of Engineers flood control and storm damage mitigation projects. Meanwhile, the bill does not include a deal on President Donald Trump’s border security request and also omits other rumored policy riders such as Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund reform and Violence Against Women Act reauthorization.

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: Disaster Relief Bill Clears the Senate”