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 […]
- November 3, 2017
Today on the Hill: Congress Reacts to Tax Bill as GOP Considers Including Individual Mandate Repeal; House to Vote on CHIP Reauthorization
Read MoreWashington is still rifling through the details of the tax package released by House Republicans yesterday, with House Ways and Means Chair Kevin Brady (R-TX) aiming to start a markup for the bill on Monday. The bill — which is detailed in full in the attached TRP note — was warmly received by most Republicans […]
- October 25, 2017
Today on the Hill: Flake Offers Sharp Rebuke of Trump in Retirement Announcement; Senate Approves Arbitration CRA, Disaster Relief Bill
Read MoreNews out of the Senate came fast and furiously yesterday, led by the announcement from Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) that he would not seek re-election in 2018. In a stirring speech on the Senate floor, Sen. Flake said that his beliefs in limited government, free trade, and immigration reform presented a “narrower and narrower path […]
- October 23, 2017
This Week on the Hill: House Returns to Approve Budget; Senate to Consider Second Round of Disaster Funding
Read MoreThe House returns today after a week in recess, and both chambers are looking at a hefty legislative agenda this week. The lower chamber starts with six suspension bills to consider today, including a bill (H.R. 2141) to authorize $9 million for Customs and Border Protection to prevent unlawful importation of fentanyl and certain other […]
- October 19, 2017
Today on the Hill: Budget Vote-A-Rama in Senate Today; Tiberi to Step Down Jan. 31
Read MoreThe Senate is prepping for a vote-a-rama today on proposed amendments to the 2018 budget resolution (H. Con. Res. 71) that includes reconciliation instructions to facilitate a tax reform package. The process may keep the Senate in session late into the night, with a final up-or-down vote on the underlying resolution expected before the upper […]
- October 16, 2017
This Week on the Hill: Senate to Consider FY18 Budget, Disaster Relief Bill
Read MoreThe Senate returns to Washington today while the House is out for an in-district work period until Oct. 23. The primary agenda item for Senate lawmakers will be mirroring their House counterparts in advancing a FY2018 budget resolution that includes reconciliation instructions to be used for a Republican-backed tax reform package. Given the partisan nature […]
- October 3, 2017
Today on the Hill: DC Reacts to Vegas Shooting; House Considers Abortion Bill; Trump to Visit Puerto Rico
Read MoreAs details from Sunday night’s mass shooting in Las Vegas continue to emerge, the gun control debate has reignited in Washington along predictable lines. A bipartisan pair of legislators — Rep. Pete King (R-NY) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) — are reportedly preparing to reintroduce legislation to require background checks on all commercial firearm sales, while […]
- September 29, 2017
Today on the Hill: Congress Adjourns After Passing FAA Extension, Hurricane Tax Relief
Read MoreBefore leaving Washington for the week, lawmakers in both chambers voted yesterday on a bill (H.R. 3823) to extend federal aviation programs before a Saturday deadline and provide tax relief for people affected by recent hurricanes. The six-month reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) (H.R. 3823) also includes provisions to extend a few expiring […]
- September 28, 2017
Today on the Hill: All Eyes Turn to Tax Reform as House Votes on FAA, Flood Insurance, Health Programs
Read MoreThe tax reform debate has officially begun in earnest, as the Senate has closed the door on a September vote on ACA ‘repeal and replace’ and the group of Republican leaders known as the “Big Six” released the most detailed look yet at the party’s plan to overhaul the nation's tax code. The tax plan is […]
- September 25, 2017
This Week on the Hill: New Graham-Cassidy Draft Boosts Funding to States of Skeptic Senators; House Returns to MIECHV Reauthorization, FAA Stopgap
Read MoreThe last-ditch effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) led by Republican Sens. Lindsay Graham (R-SC) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) will take center-stage this week as Republican leaders try to beat the expiration of the 2017 fiscal year reconciliation instructions that allow for a bill to pass in the Senate on a […]
- September 18, 2017
This Week on the Hill: Last-Ditch Repeal and Replace Effort Gains Steam in Senate; Trump to Speak to UN
Read MoreWith the House in recess for the week, Beltway-watchers will be focused on the upper chamber where lawmakers will return today to continue consideration of the FY18 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) (H.R. 2810). A final cloture and up-or-down vote on the bill is expected this evening, after the chamber adopts a substitute amendment from […]
- July 31, 2017
This Week on the Hill: McConnell Plans August Action on Noms, FDA Reauthorization, Debt Ceiling
Read MoreDespite last week’s failed vote on the “skinny” repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Senate will go forward with its plans to stay in session for two weeks into its traditional August recess. Although the exact schedule remains unclear, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is reportedly hoping to use the time to […]
- July 24, 2017
This Week on the Hill: McConnell Makes Final Push for Health Care Bill; House to Consider Approps Minibus to Close Summer Session
Read MoreOnce again, the fierce negotiations on the Republican plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are scheduled to come to a head this week with Senate floor consideration of the House-passed American Health Care Act (AHCA). While every weekly preview for the past month has seemingly promised that event, Senate Majority Leader […]