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 […]
- July 19, 2017
Today on the Hill: Attention Turns to FY18 Budget, Tax Reform as GOP Health Bill Falters
Read MoreWith the Republican ‘repeal and replace’ effort on life support, lawmakers are headed back to the drawing board on health care and Senate Democrats are reaching out to encourage the majority part to engage in bipartisan conversations. It is unclear how Republican leadership intends to move forward, but it is evident that other priorities are […]
- July 10, 2017
This Week on the Hill: NDAA in the House and Nominations in the Senate as Congress Prepares Final Blitz Before August
Read MoreLawmakers return to Washington this week facing a critical three-week period before the August recess. Without any major legislative achievements so far this year, Republicans will be focused on the tense Senate negotiations on legislation to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). An agreement has yet to be reached on the legislative text […]
- June 30, 2017
Today on the Hill: Congress Reaches July 4 Recess With Daunting Schedule Ahead
Read MoreCongress has left for the July 4 recess, and will return to Washington the week of July 10. Awaiting lawmakers is a daunting agenda of major policy initiatives and must-pass items, with a limited calendar in which to pass them. Of course, chief among those items is the stalled effort to repeal and replace the […]
- June 26, 2017
This Week on the Hill: McConnell Aims for Health Care Vote This Week; CBO, Parliamentarian, Opposition Hurdles Remain
Read MoreThis week has the potential to be the most important of the year in healthcare, as the Senate could vote as early as Thursday evening on their version of a bill to repeal and replace major provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) will likely bring the bill to the […]
- June 19, 2017
This Week on the Hill: Republicans Plot Path Forward on Stalled Agenda
Read MoreAs the summer churns along, Republican leaders are hoping to break the stalemate on their major priorities, namely health care legislation, tax reform, and the appropriations process for the 2018 fiscal year. All three appear to be deadlocked at the moment, with health care reform at the front of the queue. According to a report […]
- June 8, 2017
Today on the Hill: Comey Hearing Headlines Big Day in Washington
Read MoreA big day in Washington will be marked by the highly-anticipated Senate Intelligence Committee hearing this morning featuring remarks from former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) James Comey. Comey has been asked to testify on his interactions with the President, particularly those related to the Bureau’s investigation of ties between the Trump campaign and Russian […]
- May 26, 2017
Today on the Hill: Congress Leaves for Memorial Day Recess; GOP Wins MT Special Election
Read MoreBoth the House and Senate have completed their legislative business for the week and neither chamber is expected to convene again until after the Memorial Day recess. When the lower chamber returns, they will be joined by their newest member, Greg Gianforte, who won a special election for Montana’s at-large congressional seat last night. The […]
- May 25, 2017
Today on the Hill: Congress to Wrap Up Work Before Memorial Day Recess
Read MoreJet fumes are in the air as lawmakers hope to finish their legislative business today and leave Washington tomorrow for a weeklong recess in honor of Memorial Day. The House will consider two measures pursuant to a rule today, both related to this week’s theme of protecting children from exploitation. One measure (H.R. 1973) would […]
- May 23, 2017
Today on the Hill: Budget Day as White House Proposes Deep Cuts to Government Programs
Read MoreIt’s budget day in Washington as the White House is expected to release its full spending proposal for the 2018 fiscal year. Many details of the budget have already leaked, outlining significant cuts to the Medicaid program, agriculture subsidies, and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), while continuing to increase the budget for defense and homeland […]
- May 22, 2017
This Week on the Hill: White House Budget Due This Week as Trump Takes First International Trip; House v. Price Update; New CBO Score for AHCA
Read MorePresident Trump is on his first overseas trip this week – visiting the nations of Saudi Arabia, Israel, Vatican City, and Belgium – but the White House will still make domestic headlines with the expected release of its complete budget proposal for the 2018 fiscal year. The initial “skinny budget” outlined in March detailed significant […]
- May 15, 2017
This Week on the Hill: House Returns Tomorrow to Criminal Justice Bills; Senate to Confirm Agency Posts
Read MoreCongress returns to full strength this week as the House will reconvene tomorrow following its brief in-district work period last week. In recognition of National Police Week, the House’s docket features a series of bills on criminal justice, including two measures scheduled to be considered pursuant to a rule later this week. One of those […]
- May 11, 2017
Today on the Hill: Comey Firing Fallout Continues; USTR Nominee Cloture Vote
Read MoreThe fallout from President Trump’s firing of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey has yet to settle as further details continue to emerge about the reasoning behind President Trump’s decision to dismiss the longtime prosecutor. Multiple media outlets have reported that Comey had requested additional resources for the Bureau’s Russia probe shortly before […]