This week in Congress, July 17-21

Posted on July 17, 2017

Here is a selection of committee meetings taking place on the Hill this week.

TUESDAY, JULY 18

Senate Appropriations
ENERGY-WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS
July 18, 2:30 p.m., 192 Dirksen Bldg.
Subcommittee Markup

House Science, Space & Technology
NASA PLANETARY FLAGSHIP MISSIONS
July 18, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn Bldg.
Subcommittee Hearing

WEDNESDAY, JULY 19

House Natural Resources
MAGNUSON-STEVENS FISHERY CONSERVATION REVIEW
July 19, 2 p.m., 1324 Longworth Bldg.
Subcommittee Hearing

House Science, Space & Technology
ENERGY INNOVATION TECHNOLOGY
July 19, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn Bldg.
Full Committee Hearing

House Ways & Means
TAX REFORM
July 19, 2 p.m., 1100 Longworth Bldg.
Subcommittee Hearing

THURSDAY, JULY 20

House Small Business
RURAL TELEHEALTH SERVICES
July 20, 10 a.m., 2360 Rayburn Bldg.
Subcommittee Hearing

Will a Massive 12-bill Spending Package Move?

Posted on July 17, 2017

The House Republican leadership this week is planning to check with their rank-and-file members on their level of receptivity to idea of moving a massive 12-bill omnibus appropriations package for the upcoming FY2018 before the August recess. The notion of combining all 12 annual spending measures for FY2018 and moving them together as a piece of legislation had been floated earlier this summer by a member of the Appropriations Committee and seems to have some support among the leadership. Members of the leadership team are expected to gauge the level of support for this idea within the rest of the Republican conference this week before deciding on whether to pursue this course of action.

Even if there is enough support for this strategy among the House Republicans, the funding levels called for in such a legislative package– which calls for spending levels above current law for defense and cuts for non-defense programs– will require cooperation from Democrats in order to become reality.

Senate Floor Action on Healthcare Bill Delayed

Posted on July 16, 2017

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced late Saturday that the Senate consideration of the revised healthcare legislation will be postponed. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) had a blood clot removed on Friday and is not expected to return to the Senate the week of July 17. With two members who have already publicly declared their opposition to the measure, the Senate Republicans have no votes to spare. Floor consideration of the bill will be delayed until Sen. McCain returns to Washington.

Definition of “bona fide” relationship expanded by federal judge

Posted on July 14, 2017

A federal judge in Hawaii has ruled that the list of relatives created by the Trump Administration in its attempt to define a “bona fide” relationship with respect to its modified travel ban against six majority-Muslim nations is too narrow. The U.S. Supreme Court allowed a limited ban to go into effect and is scheduled to hear the case against the ban next year.

With respect to family members, the judge ruled yesterday that the government could not limit its definition of “bona fide” relationship to spouses, parents, parents-in-law, children, siblings and step- or half-siblings, sons- and daughters-in-law, and fiances. The judge ruled that the ban did not apply to other relatives, including grandparents and grandchildren, uncles and aunts, nieces and nephews, cousins, and brothers- and sisters-in law.

Appropriations Process Trying to Move Forward?

Posted on July 14, 2017

The 12 individuals appropriations bills for FY2018 in the House have all now been cleared by their respective subcommittees and six have been approved by the full Appropriations Committee. Meanwhile, one bill has seen action on the other side of the Capitol.

While this may signal some movement on this front, the total amount of funding available for the bills still has not been agreed to and the amount proposed for the defense programs in the House exceed the level allowed by current law. This all likely means that there will need to be a bipartisan agreement on the overall spending level later this year. FY2018 starts on October 1.