Author: Thornrun

The prospects for a bipartisan disaster aid agreement dwindled late yesterday after negotiators were unable to reach an agreement that would allocate funding to help states recover from recent natural disasters. Despite making progress on disagreements over aid for Puerto Rico and boosting the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, negotiators have yet to strike a deal that would address funding for humanitarian needs at the southern border. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) reiterated this morning that the Senate will not leave for the Memorial Day district work period until the chamber votes on a disaster relief bill. However, a final deal between Senate Republicans and House Democrats will likely come after lawmakers return to Washington.

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: Disaster Relief Deal Remains Elusive”

House Democrats are set to make an attempt at rolling back “anti-consumer actions” at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Introduced by Financial Services Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), the measure (H.R. 1500) would seek to reverse policies implemented by former CFPB Acting Director Mick Mulvaney by: (1) requiring that the Bureau’s consumer complaint data be made publicly available; (2) reinstituting a memorandum of understanding between the CFPB and Department of Education that promotes data sharing between the two agencies; (3) re-establishing the Office of Students and Young Consumers; and (4) restoring the enforcement powers of the Office of Fair Lending and Equal Opportunity. Following consideration of 17 amendments to the underlying bill, the Consumers First Act bill is expected to pass on party lines and is considered dead on arrival in the Senate.

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: Democrats Take Aim at CFPB Policies”

House lawmakers will resume legislative business this afternoon, and are set to consider nine suspension bills out of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. This includes: (1) a measure (H.R. 1200) that seeks to boost compensation rates for veterans with service-connected disabilities; (2) a bill (H.R. 2374) that would assess the quality of suicide prevention efforts and mental health services offered by the VA; and (3) an act (H.R. 2045) establishing a new Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration. Additionally, lawmakers will look to pass the rule (H.Res. 389) that will govern floor debate for both the bipartisan retirement savings package (H.R. 1994) and legislation (H.R. 1500) that would roll back some policy changes at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) implemented under former Acting Director Mick Mulvaney. A vote on final passage of these bills is expected later this week.

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: House Moves to Set Up Floor Action on CFPB, Retirement Bills”

Congressional lawmakers will reconvene for a legislative business week later this afternoon prior to leaving Washington for a Memorial Day district work period. In the upper chamber, lawmakers will look to break the impasse over disaster relief funding. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) stated last week that the Senate will vote on disaster relief legislation after lawmakers and the White House reportedly struck a deal on aid for Puerto Rico as well as funding for “humanitarian needs” at the U.S.-Mexico border. Despite reports of progress on the disaster relief funds, it ultimately remains to be seen whether President Donald Trump will sign off on a final measure that is not in line with his requests on border funding and aid for Puerto Rico.

Continue reading “This Week on the Hill: Senators Look to Push Disaster Relief Funds Across the Finish Line”

Congressional lawmakers will convene for legislative business next week prior to leaving for a Memorial Day district work period. On the House floor, lawmakers will take up a comprehensive, bipartisan retirement savings package (H.R. 1994) that seeks to: (1) boost incentives for retirement savings; (2) allow small businesses to band together and start multi-employer 401(k)s; and (3) provide retirement eligibility for part-time workers who have worked at least 1,000 hours in one year. The most recent version of the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act would also fix a glitch in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) by reducing taxes levied on military survivor benefits, but does not include a provision that would allow the expansion of Section 529 accounts to be used for home schooling costs and supplies — much to the chagrin of some House Republicans.

Continue reading “Next Week on the Hill: House to Take Up Bipartisan Retirement Savings Reform Bill”

House lawmakers will begin consideration of a package (rules committee print) of health care bills aimed at addressing prescription drug pricing and rolling back Trump-era ACA regulations. While a significant portion of the legislation pertaining to drug pricing enjoys bipartisan support — such as provisions that target “pay-for-delay” settlements (H.R. 1499) and generic “parking” (H.R. 938) — the addition of legislation rolling back some of the Trump Administration’s health regulations (H.R. 1010) and providing new funding for state-run Exchanges (H.R. 1385) and the Navigators program (H.R. 1386) has ensured that the full package will not receive substantial Republican support. A final vote on the comprehensive health care package is expected later today following consideration of 27 amendments to the underlying bill.

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: Drug Pricing, ACA Legislative Package Hits House Floor”

Senate GOP leadership expressed optimism about striking a deal to provide funding for states impacted by recent natural disasters, signaling a possible end to the monthslong impasse over the disaster relief funds. Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL) noted yesterday that the prospects for a deal “have improved dramatically,” suggesting that the disagreements over aid to Puerto Rico have been mostly resolved. However, it ultimately remains to be seen whether President Donald Trump will sign off on a final measure that is not in line with his position on aid for the island. Further complicating the issue is the White House’s insistence that a $4.5 billion border security-related provision be tacked onto the disaster relief package. Regardless of any negotiation hiccups, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) insisted yesterday that the upper chamber will hold a vote on disaster relief legislation next week.

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: Optimism Grows for Disaster Relief Deal”

House lawmakers will begin their legislative work week later this afternoon, kicking off the week with a full slate of suspension bills. Among the 13 bills up for consideration, lawmakers will likely pass a Financial Services measure (H.R. 2578) that would extend the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through Sept. 30. The short-term reauthorization for NFIP is expected to be swiftly taken up by the Senate, as funding for the program is set to expire at the end of the month.

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: House to Pass Short-Term Flood Insurance Reauthorization”