The House is out today, but both chambers will be in action this week. The Senate will reconvene this afternoon for a cloture vote on the nomination of Stuart Duncan to join the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Author: Thornrun
Health Policy Report
The Week in Review
The Senate saw a relatively busy week in floor action after passing a resolution to undo guidance from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and narrowly confirming President Trump’s nominee to lead the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Meanwhile, the House approved a set of measures to guard against fraud before taking an extended weekend starting Thursday.
Today on the Hill: Senate to Approve NASA Nominee; House Takes Long Weekend
It’s setting up to be a quiet day on Capitol Hill after the House cleared their legislative decks yesterday and have left town for an extended weekend. In the upper chamber, Senate lawmakers only have one vote scheduled, a final up-or-down vote on the nomination of James Bridenstine to lead the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Bridenstine’s confirmation was briefly in jeopardy yesterday when Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) initially voted no on cloture for the nomination, but he was acquiesced and switched his vote when promised additional time to speak to Secretary of State nominee Mike Pompeo. While Democrats oppose Bridenstine over his lack of hard science credentials and skepticism of climate change, the NASA nominee is expected to be confirmed today in a party-line vote.It’s setting up to be a quiet day on Capitol Hill after the House cleared their legislative decks yesterday and have left town for an extended weekend. In the upper chamber, Senate lawmakers only have one vote scheduled, a final up-or-down vote on the nomination of James Bridenstine to lead the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Bridenstine’s confirmation was briefly in jeopardy yesterday when Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) initially voted no on cloture for the nomination, but he was acquiesced and switched his vote when promised additional time to speak to Secretary of State nominee Mike Pompeo. While Democrats oppose Bridenstine over his lack of hard science credentials and skepticism of climate change, the NASA nominee is expected to be confirmed today in a party-line vote.
Financial Services Report
Our Take
Much has been made over the past few weeks about the stock market’s volatility. While the market seemed to spend much of 2017 in a straight upward trajectory, since January the major indices have been marked by tremendous swings in both directions, with some analysts attributing the instability to the ad hoc nature of the current Administration’s policy making. Although the unpredictable nature of the Administration has become somewhat predictable, and therefore to an extent, manageable, last week saw a major shift as Congress was rocked by similar volatility by the announcement that Paul Ryan wouldn’t run for re-election in 2018.
This Week on the Hill: House Takes on Fraud, IRS Issues; Senate to Amend Tribal Labor Bill
Both chambers of Congress will be in session this week, although the House may break early with a scheduled three-day weekend starting on Friday. The lower chamber’s docket features three bills that will be considered pursuant to a rule, namely (1) a bill (H.R. 5192) that would provide fraud protection for vulnerable populations such as minors and recent immigrants; (2) a bill (H.R. 5444) that seeks to modernize and improve the Internal Revenue Service (IRS); and (3) a bill (H.R. 5445) that would improve cybersecurity and taxpayer identity protection and modernize information technology at the IRS. Today’s voting schedule will see six suspension votes on bills primarily related to Department of Interior issues.
Health Policy Report
The Week in Review
An eventful week in Washington culminated with the news Friday night that British, French and U.S. forces struck Syria with more than 100 missiles, the first coordinated attack by Western countries against the government led by President Bashar al-Assad. The military action was in response to an alleged poison gas attack by the Syrian government. President Donald Trump announced the military action from the White House, saying the three countries "marshaled their righteous power against barbarism and brutality."
Politico Influence: Thorn Run Partners Adds Jim Davenport
Yesterday's Politico Influence newsletter — the leading government relations beat in Washington, D.C. — covered the addition of Thorn Run's newest partner Jim Davenport. In an interview with Politico, Davenport complimented TRP's "very innovative" strategic communications practive TRP Engage, and also touted the firm's health care and financial services practices. Prior to joining Thorn Run, Davenport was a managing partner at Alcade & Fay where he represented cities, counties, school districts, airports, navigation districts and independent tax authorities.
Continue reading “Politico Influence: Thorn Run Partners Adds Jim Davenport”
Jim Davenport Joins Thorn Run Partners
For Immediate Release
Contact: Andrew Rosenberg, (202) 247-6301
Thorn Run Partners (TRP) announced today the addition of Jim Davenport as Partner in their Washington, DC office. Davenport comes to Thorn Run from Alcalde & Fay, where he specialized in representing local governments and other public entities for over 18 years. Davenport’s addition to Thorn Run follows the recent addition of Partner Greg Burns and Vice President Mary Scott Hardwick, both of whom brought a strong pedigree in representing local governments in Washington.
Health Policy Report
The Week in Review
Washington enjoyed a relatively quiet week as Congress was away on the second half of a two-week recess. Two more Members of Congress, one Republican and one Democrat, used the recess to announce plans to step down due to scandal. Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-TX) resigned immediately in the wake of the revelation that he used taxpayer funds to settle a sexual harassment suit and Rep. Elizabeth Esty (D-CT) said that she would not seek re-election after reports surfaced that she had failed to fire a senior staff member who had been accused of making violent threats to her staff.
Health Policy Report
The Week in Review
With Congress on recess, news developments in Washington were limited to the White House. On Wednesday, President Trump announced via Twitter that he would be replacing Veterans’ Affairs (VA) Secretary David Shulkin with Ronnie Jackson, the White House’s presidential physician. Shulkin – an Obama appointee who was asked to stay on with the Trump Administration – released a statement after his dismissal, in addition to several on camera interviews, suggesting that the White House wanted to replace him in order to advance efforts to privatize the VA. Defense Department official Robert Wilkie will serve as Acting Secretary until Jackson’s nomination is considered by the Senate.