Senate Breaks for August After Nominations Stalemate
After repeatedly demanding that the Senate remain in session to confirm dozens of Trump appointees, President Donald Trump finally relented late Saturday, posting on social media that Republicans should instead “go home and explain to your constituents what bad people the Democrats are.” This post followed a series of contentious negotiations between the two parties over […]
- March 28, 2019
Today on the Hill: Disaster Aid Bill Shows Signs of Stalling
Read MoreSenators are set to resume consideration of a supplemental disaster aid bill (text; summary), although its prospects for passage appear to be fading over disagreements on aid to Puerto Rico. Congressional Democrats are strongly pushing for additional assistance to the island — with numerous Senate Democrats stating that they will vote no if additional aid is […]
- March 27, 2019
Today on the Hill: Senate Begins Consideration of Disaster Relief Bill
Read MoreSenators have officially begun consideration of a sweeping supplemental disaster aid bill (text; summary) that would provide emergency funding to states and territories that have been impacted by various natural disasters in recent months. The $13.5 billion measure includes funding for Army Corps of Engineers projects aimed at improving flood and storm damage mitigation, as well […]
- March 26, 2019
Today on the Hill: House Tees Up Ill-Fated Veto Override Attempt
Read MoreHouse lawmakers are set to vote on an attempt to override President Donald Trump's veto of a measure that would prevent him from circumventing Congressional appropriation authority to allocate funding for border security. Despite the resolution's passage in both chambers earlier this month, the effort to overturn the President's veto is unlikely to have the […]
- March 25, 2019
This Week on the Hill: Senate Looks to Clinch Deal on Disaster Aid Funding
Read MoreCongress is set to resume legislative business today following a weeklong district work period. In the Senate, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has queued up a vote on the progressive-sponsored "Green New Deal" resolution (S.J.Res 8) in hopes of forcing Senate Democrats into a tough political vote. While Democrats initially decried the move as a […]
- March 13, 2019
Today on the Hill: WH Looks to Quell Senate GOP Revolt on Trump National Emergency Declaration
Read MoreThe White House is looking to stave off Senate GOP support of a Democratic attempt to overturn President Donald Trump’s border security national emergency. Under the rumored deal — which is being brokered by Vice President Mike Pence — President Trump would agree to sign legislation by Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) that would rein in […]
- March 11, 2019
This Week on the Hill: Trump Administration Set to Roll Out the President’s FY 2020 Budget Request
Read MorePresident Trump’s budget is expected to be released later this morning as the fiscal year (FY) 2020 appropriations process ramps up. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar, and Acting Office of Management and Budget Director (OMB) Russell Vought will be making Capitol Hill Committee appearances this week to justify […]
- March 7, 2019
Today on the Hill: Democrats Continue Push to Reinstate Net Neutrality
Read MoreCongressional Democrats are making another push to reverse the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) repeal of net neutrality rules. Democrats in both chambers have introduced a three-page bill that would codify the FCC’s since repealed 2015 Open Internet Order. According to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), the House will likely pass the bill “in a matter of […]
- March 5, 2019
Today on the Hill: Senate GOP Concedes That Resolution of Disapproval Has Enough Support to Pass
Read MoreSenate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) admitted yesterday that the upper chamber is likely to pass a resolution of disapproval (H.J.Res 46) next week that would overturn President Trump's national emergency declaration. Leader McConnell’s remarks came after Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) joined three other Senate Republicans — including Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and […]
- March 4, 2019
This Week on the Hill: House Democrats Look to Pass Sweeping Election Reform Bill
Read MoreHouse and Senate lawmakers are set to begin another legislative workweek. Senators will return to action today and will resume their push to clear the presidential nominations queue starting with consideration of Allison Jones Rushing’s nomination to be a Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit. The Senate is also expected to take up the nominations […]
- February 28, 2019
Today on the Hill: Bipartisan Group of Senators Introduce Disaster Relief Package
Read MoreA bipartisan group of Senators —spearheaded by Sens. David Perdue (R-GA), Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Doug Jones (D-AL) — have introduced a bill (S. 572) to provide relief for states adversely impacted by hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes and other natural disasters last year. The package includes funding for Army Corps of Engineers construction projects aimed at shore, […]
- February 27, 2019
Today on the Hill: House Begins Push to Reform Gun Background Checks
Read MoreFollowing passage (245-182) of a resolution of disapproval that would block President Trump’s national emergency declaration, House Democrats have teed up another major issue on their policy platform — gun control. House lawmakers are set to consider a bill (H.R. 8) that aims to strengthen the existing gun background check system by mandating universal background […]
- February 26, 2019
Today on the Hill: House Prepares to Rebuke Trump National Emergency
Read MoreHouse lawmakers are preparing their first move in a series of legislative and legal maneuvers to prevent President Trump from circumventing Congress to fund a border wall. Lawmakers will vote on a resolution of disapproval (H.J.Res 46) that would reject the President’s national emergency declaration on the southern border. While reports suggest that the House […]