Author: Thornrun

Capitol Hill Update

The House will convene for a brief legislative session this week as lawmakers eye action on the Senate-passed budget resolution for fiscal year (FY) 2022. Members will vote today on a rule that will set up debate on the budget resolution, voting rights legislation, and the bipartisan infrastructure deal. While the budget resolution and John Lewis Voting Rights Act (H.R. 4) are both slated for final up-or-down votes tomorrow, the bipartisan infrastructure deal is not expected to be taken up until later in the fall after a budget reconciliation package has been clinched. Nearly a dozen moderate Democrats are continuing to press for a vote on the infrastructure package as soon as possible, however, with some threatening to vote against the budget resolution absent a vote on Biden-endorsed legislation. Meanwhile, Speaker Pelosi doubled down her position in a “Dear Colleague” letter last week that emphasized the importance of triggering the reconciliation process, while taking a swipe at the Senate’s infrastructure bill for “not [being] reflective of the totality of Democrats’ vision.”

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Capitol Hill Update

The Senate wrapped up its extended summer session last week after passing the bipartisan infrastructure deal and adopting the Democratic budget resolution for fiscal year (FY) 2022. Both measures now head to the House, where lawmakers will return during the week of August 23 to get a head start on its jam-packed legislative agenda for the fall. Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) noted in a “Dear Colleague” letter that Members will take up the $3.5 trillion budget framework and formally trigger the reconciliation process, as well as legislation pertaining to voting rights.

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Capitol Hill Update 

Senators wrapped up another weekend session on the bipartisan infrastructure deal as the Biden-endorsed effort inched closer to final passage. The $550 billion agreement cleared its final set of procedural hurdles on Sunday, with 18 Republicans joining all 50 Democrats in voting to end debate on the underlying measure. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) had hoped to wrap up consideration of the measure late last week, but lingering disagreements over amendments have dragged out the process into the second week of August.

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Capitol Hill Update

Senators will reconvene for legislative business this week as negotiations on the bipartisan infrastructure framework continue. The bipartisan “G20” group has expressed optimism that they will settle on a final agreement and produce legislative text by the end of today, followed by another procedural vote to try and advance the bill at some point this week. The two sides have reportedly agreed to further delay the Trump administration’s Medicare rebate rule to help offset some of the plan’s costs, but it is not yet clear whether Senators have resolved a lingering disagreement over transit funding. With an ambitious agenda of clearing both the Biden-endorsed infrastructure deal and a budget resolution prior to the end of the summer, it is likely that the Senate will nix part of its August state work period to free up additional floor time.

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Capitol Hill Update

Congress will return to Washington this week to kick off a jam-packed July legislative session. The Senate will resume voting on Monday, while the House meets for Committee Work Days prior to resuming floor activities during the week of July 19. At the centerpiece of this month’s agenda is the Biden-endorsed bipartisan infrastructure deal (fact sheet), as lawmakers are hoping to push this agreement across the finish line before the August Recess. At the same time, Democratic leadership will be working to clinch a budget resolution that contains some key provisions from the President’s American Jobs Plan and American Families Plan.

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Capitol Hill Update

Congress is adjourned for the Independence Day district work period ahead of what is shaping up to be a hectic month of July. At the centerpiece of this month’s activity is the Biden-endorsed bipartisan infrastructure deal (fact sheet), as Democratic lawmakers are hoping to push this agreement across the finish line prior to the August district work period. At the same time, leadership will be working to clinch a budget resolution that contains some key provisions contained in the President’s American Jobs Plan and American Families Plan. Senate Democrats will be kicking off the reconciliation process to craft policies that can clear the 50-50 Senate with a simple majority, such as home and community-based services, child care, education, paid leave, climate change, and health care, among others. In addition to the Biden administration’s agenda, lawmakers must also resume their work on: (1) fiscal year (FY) 2022 appropriations; (2) the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA); (3) expiring surface transportation programs; and (4) budgetary issues stemming from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and the expiring debt ceiling suspension.

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House lawmakers will reconvene today to wrap up the June legislative session ahead of what is shaping up to be a hectic month of July. President Joe Biden endorsed a bipartisan Senate infrastructure deal (fact sheet) last week, and leadership in both chambers indicated that they will try and push this across the finish line prior to the August district work period. Democrats will also be kicking off the budget resolution process next month to craft legislation on the President’s American Jobs Plan and American Families Plan, including policies on home and community-based services, child care, education, paid leave, climate change, and health care, among others. In addition to the Biden administration’s agenda, Congress must also resume its work on fiscal year (FY) 2022 appropriations, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), as well as budgetary issues stemming from the American Rescue Plan and the expiring debt ceiling suspension.

Continue reading “Health Policy Report (6/28)”

Both chambers of Congress will resume legislative business this week. The Senate will return first later this afternoon to take up a pair of President Biden’s nominees for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Senators are also expected to take up a procedural vote to advance the Democrats’ sweeping voting and election reform bill, but it is not expected to break a filibuster in the 50-50 Senate.

Continue reading “Health Policy Report (6/21)”