Congress Not Likely to Return Early for Disaster Relief
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) reiterated this past weekend that Congress will not return to Washington early to pass a supplemental funding measure for disaster relief. While acknowledging that Congress will need to act to provide the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with additional funds for recovery efforts, the Speaker has maintained that it will take […]
- January 10, 2020
Today on the Hill: House to Pass Bill Addressing ‘Forever Chemicals’
House lawmakers have reconvened to resume consideration of a measure that seeks to address controversial “forever chemicals,” with final passage of the bill and outstanding amendments set for this morning. The legislation, among other things, would: (1) require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to designate PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances but not the entire class of PFAS chemicals; […]
- January 9, 2020
Today on the Hill: House Seeks to Address ‘Forever Chemicals’
House lawmakers are set to begin consideration of a bill that seeks to address controversial “forever chemicals.” The measure would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to designate all perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as hazardous substances, while also setting up a grant program to award funding to communities with water supplies contaminated by the […]
- January 8, 2020
Today on the Hill: House Eyes First Votes of 2020 Session
The House will convene today as lawmakers eye their first votes of the second session of the 116th Congress. The lower chamber will consider eight bills under suspension of the rules, including: (1) an Energy and Commerce bill that would require the President to develop a strategy to ensure the security of next general mobile telecommunications […]
- January 7, 2020
Today on the Hill: Senate Finance Reviews USMCA Implementing Legislation
Senators on the Finance Committee are meeting to consider implementing legislation for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The bill is expected to clear the Committee with bipartisan support later this morning, allowing for a vote in the full chamber at some point this month. While Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) previously stated that the Senate will […]
- January 6, 2020
This Week on the Hill: Lawmakers Kick Off 2020 Work Session
Lawmakers are set to begin the second session of the 116th Congress this week, with the Senate returning this afternoon and the House reconvening tomorrow. While Senators await next steps in the impeachment process, the upper chamber is expected to continue working through pending presidential nominations. The Senate will resume consideration of Jovita Carranza's nomination […]
- January 6, 2020
Health Policy Report (1/6)
The Week Ahead Lawmakers are set to begin the second session of the 116th Congress this week, with the Senate returning this afternoon and the House reconvening tomorrow. While Senators await next steps in the impeachment process, the upper chamber is expected to resume consideration of pending presidential nominations. The Senate will resume consideration of […]
- December 23, 2019
Health Policy Report (12/23)
The Week in Review Lawmakers completed legislative business for the first session of the 116th Congress following action on significant policy priorities to close out 2019. Late Friday, President Donald Trump signed two massive spending measures for fiscal year (FY) 2020 into law after both the national security and domestic policy "minibus" packages cleared Congress with strong bipartisan support earlier last […]
- December 20, 2019
Next Week on the Hill: Lawmakers Adjourn for Holiday Recess
Lawmakers have completed legislative business for the first session of the 116th Congress following action on significant policy items such as government funding, tax extenders, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), and the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Prior to adjourning yesterday, Senators sent the fiscal year (FY) 2020 funding bills to President Donald Trump’s desk ahead […]
- December 18, 2019
Today on the Hill: Senate Votes on Spending Packages Expected Thursday
Congress moved one step closer to avoiding a government shutdown yesterday after the House passed two large “minibus” spending packages. Both measures passed on a bipartisan basis, with the domestic policy package passing on 297-120 vote, while the national security minibus passed 280-138. Senators are expected to vote on the fiscal year (FY) 2020 spending […]
- December 17, 2019
Today on the Hill: House Readies Votes on Government Funding Packages
House lawmakers will reconvene today eyeing floor votes on two massive “minibus” spending measures following an agreement from Appropriations “Cardinals” yesterday afternoon. In addition to funding the government through the remainder of fiscal year (FY) 2020, the deal includes several wide-ranging policy provisions pertaining to Affordable Care Act (ACA) taxes, terrorism risk insurance, retirement reform, […]
- December 16, 2019
This Week on the Hill: Lawmakers Close Out 2019 With Legislative Blitz
Congress returns to action this week to close out 2019 with votes on key legislative priorities — notably centered around government funding for fiscal year (FY) 2020. With legislative text set to be released later this afternoon, House lawmakers could vote on a series of “minibus” packages to fund the government for the remainder of the fiscal year as […]
- December 16, 2019
Health Policy Report (12/16)
The Week in Review Last week, Congressional Appropriations “Cardinals” announced an agreement in principle on $1.37 trillion in government funding for fiscal year (FY) 2020. The tentative agreement — which was struck hours after a meeting between Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, House Appropriations Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), and Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard Shelby […]