The Latest on the Government Shutdown

Congressional negotiators and White House officials are discussing a short-term funding bill budget bill that would delay a partial government shutdown while Washington prepares for the state funeral of former President George H.W. Bush. Among the details still being ironed out is whether the short-term extension would push the funding deadline by one or two […]

The Week in Review Congressional lawmakers returned to Washington after a brief Thanksgiving recess. During the week, Congress made progress toward reauthorization of a series of key programs including the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and Farm Bill. Regarding the NFIP, President Trump signed a short-term funding bill that extends the program until December 7, giving Congress more time to […]

President Trump joined Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and outgoing Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto in Buenos Aires to sign the highly anticipated United States-Mexico-Canada-Agreement (USMCA) this morning. The wide-ranging agreement — which includes provisions for biologic drugs, intellectual property, agriculture, automotive, and labor — now must be ratified by the legislatures of each country. […]

Congressional lawmakers are poised to address reauthorization for a series of key programs, including the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the Farm Bill. Regarding NFIP, lawmakers have introduced a short-term funding bill that would extend the program until December 7, giving Congress more time to figure out a solution. Both chambers will need to […]

House Democrats will meet behind closed doors today to elect their leadership for the 116th Congress. Despite some intraparty opposition from a host of incumbent and incoming Democrats, a clear challenger to Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has yet to emerge — a sign that she is expected to win the closed-door vote for the speaker’s […]

House Democrats are set to continue a contentious debate over the speaker’s gavel for the 116th Congress. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) — the presumed favorite for the speakership in the 116th Congress — is facing pushback from a host of incumbent and incoming Democrats who claim they have the votes to block her path […]

The Week in Review Both chambers of Congress were out of town for a brief Thanksgiving recess.

Our Take The first week immediately after the election of a lame duck Congress is a unique experience, a diptych, framing the juxtaposition between those arriving and those leaving.   Newly-elected members, sometimes with their spouses, sometimes with their staff can be found wandering around the Capitol complex, their faces full of expressions of awe and […]

The Week in Review Following a grueling 2018 midterm campaign, House and Senate lawmakers returned to Washington last week to begin the “lame duck” session of Congress. On the floor, Senators cleared the legislative vehicle (S.140) for Coast Guard reauthorization as well as the nomination of Michelle Bowman to be a member of the Board […]

House Democrats are bracing for a contentious battle over the speaker’s gavel. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) — the presumed favorite for the speakership in the 116th Congress — is facing pushback from a host of incumbent and incoming Democrats who say they have the votes to block her path to victory. While both sides […]

House Republicans are set to hold leadership elections for the next Congress today. GOP lawmakers are expected to elect Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) to be Minority Leader for the 116th Congress, despite a challenge from Freedom Caucus co-founder Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH). In hopes of quelling an intraparty feud, reports suggest that President Trump has privately […]

House and Senate lawmakers will return to Washington today to begin the “lame duck” session of Congress. As lawmakers seek to clear the seven outstanding appropriations bills, Congress faces a distinct possibility of a post-election showdown over border wall funding. If lawmakers are unable to reach a deal, another continuing resolution (CR) will likely be […]