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 […]
- April 18, 2016
This Week on the Hill: Senate to Finish FAA, Energy Bills Before Moving to Approps; House Works on IRS, Puerto Rico
Read MoreWith today marking the annual income-tax filing deadline, the House starts the week with a series of bills intended to reform the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The four pieces of legislation would freeze IRS hiring until it certifies no IRS employee has a “seriously delinquent” tax debt (H.R. 1206), bar the rehiring of employees who […]
- April 11, 2016
This Week on the Hill: House Returns to Trio of Business Bills; Senate to Finish FAA Work
Read MoreBoth chambers are back in session this week for what is essentially the start of a four-month period of intense work on a “three weeks in, one week out” schedule until the party conventions in late July. This week, the House looks to tackle a series of financial and broadband regulatory bills, while the Senate […]
- April 5, 2016
Today on the Hill: FAA Debate; Wisconsin Primary
Read MoreThe Senate well spend the day debating whether to move forward on legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Yesterday, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) filed for cloture on a motion to proceed to a House-passed tax bill (H.R.636) that would serve as a vehicle for a measure reauthorizing the FAA through Sept. 30, […]
- April 4, 2016
This Week on the Hill: With House in Recess, Senate to Consider Bipartisan Bills on Trade Secrets, FAA Reauthorization
Read MoreAfter a two-week recess, the Senate reconvenes today and hopes to enjoy a week of bipartisanship through the consideration of two bills that are unlikely to meet serious opposition from either party on the chamber floor. Senators plan to first vote this evening on a measure (S. 1890) that would provide American businesses with new […]
- March 24, 2016
Today on the Hill: Easter Recess
Read MoreThe House and Senate are officially on Easter break, as the House adjourned yesterday after passing a resolution condemning the terrorist attacks in Brussels, Belgium, along with a bill that would curb the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) merger authority. The Senate is expected to return from their two-week break on Monday, April 4, while the […]
- March 21, 2016
This Week on the Hill: With Senate in Recess, House Works on Budget Negotiations, FTC Bill
Read MoreThe Easter recess has begun for the Senate, and House lawmakers are planning for a short week before beginning their own spring break. In the lower chamber, the first round of the appropriations fight is expected to take place as House leaders scramble to generate support for a budget resolution at the spending levels agreed […]
- March 8, 2016
Today on the Hill: Debate Clock Ticks on Opioid Abuse Legislation
Read MoreA procedural dispute in the Senate is holding up widely-bipartisan legislation aimed at curbing a growing opioid-addiction epidemic that lawmakers still hope to complete this week. The Senate is scheduled to spend the day in post-cloture debate on a substitute amendment (#3378) to the legislation (S.524), which would expand treatment for opioid addiction. Leaders in […]
- March 7, 2016
This Week on the Hill: Senate Hopes to Finish Opioid, Energy, Flint Bills
Read MoreAll legislative activity will stem out of the upper chamber this week as the House is in recess until next Monday. Specifically, Senate lawmakers will attempt to conclude debate on legislation to expand treatment for opioid addiction, finalize a deal to pass both energy legislation and a measure designed to help Flint, Michigan recover from […]
- February 23, 2016
Today on the Hill: Califf Vote in the Senate, DHS Bills in the House
Read MoreSenate lawmakers could vote as soon as today to confirm Dr. Robert Califf to lead the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after Califf’s nomination passed a cloture vote yesterday evening by the substantial margin of 80-6. A few in the Democratic caucus, including presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), have opposed Califf’s nomination over the […]
- February 10, 2016
Today on the Hill: Budget Hearings; North Korea Sanctions; Flint’s Water; NSF Grants
Read MoreSeveral key Obama Administration officials will head to Capitol Hill today to defend the President’s $4.1 trillion budget request. The President’s budget projects revenue to increase by $308 billion next year and spending to rise by $196 billion. Congressional Republicans have already rejected a number of the Obama’s proposals, including a $10.25 per barrel fee […]
- February 8, 2016
This Week on the Hill: Obama’s Budget, Flint, Debt-Reduction
Read MoreAll eyes in Washington will be on the White House tomorrow when President Obama releases the final budget of his presidency. Committees in both chambers of Congress have scheduled hearings to dissect the budget later in the week, even though most observers expect that the spending plan will fail to gain any serious traction in […]
- January 28, 2016
Today on the Hill: Energy Amendments in the Senate
Read MoreThe Senate is set to begin working through amendments on a wide-ranging energy bill, as Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Chairwoman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, is working to ensure the bill moves forward in a bipartisan fashion. The legislation (S. 2012) is designed to boost energy efficiency, speed construction of electric transmission lines, […]