Legislative Update
Senate. The Senate today swore in two new Democratic Senators. Rep. Andy Kim of New Jersey will take the seat of Senator George Helmy, who was appointed to replace Senator Robert Menendez, who resigned in August. Rep. Adam Schiff of California will take the seat of Senator Laphonza Butler, who was appointed to serve in October 2023 after the death of Senator Dianne Feinstein. On Sunday, Helmy and Butler resigned from the Senate and Kim and Schiff stepped down from their House seats. Both Kim and Schiff were elected to full six-year terms that begin Jan. 3. Not surprisingly, the Senate will continue to consider nominations this week.
House. The top item on the House agenda this week is the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The legislative language that House and Senate defense players have been hammering out for weeks was released Saturday night. Also on the agenda for a floor vote is the Liberty in Laundry Act that would limit the federal government’s authority to set energy efficiency standards for washing machines. Reauthorization of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) will be one of the bills considered under suspension of the rules. The WRDA measure is the result of months-long negotiations to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions.
2025 Calendars. House and Senate Republican leaders last week released their legislative calendars for 2025. Of note is that the Senate plans to be in session five days a week for most of the year and will not take a recess until the week of March 17. The House will also be out that week in March as well as the weeks of January 27 and February 17. The House calendar can be found here and the Senate calendar here.
Committee Leadership. The House Republican Steering Committee today began making its recommendations in contested races for committee chairs. Rep. Brian Mast (Fla.) won the nod to lead the Foreign Affairs Committee, and Rep. Brett Guthrie (Ky.) was endorsed to chair the Energy and Commerce Committee. On Thursday, the Steering Committee will hear from the candidates to lead the Financial Services Committee — Reps. Andy Barr (Ky.), French Hill (Ark.), Bill Huizenga (Mich.), and Frank Lucas (Okla.). Also this week, the Steering Committee will weigh in on who should chair the Education and Workforce Committee — Rep. Tim Walberg (Mich.) or Rep. Burgess Owens (Utah).
As for House Democrats, their Steering and Policy Committee will meet Tuesday to consider who should serve as Ranking Members of the Budget Committee and the five "exclusive committees" (Appropriations, Ways and Means, Rules, Energy and Commerce, and Financial Services). Democratic leaders for the other committees, including the competitive races for Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Oversight, will be decided Dec. 16.
Committee Action of Note
Monday, December 9
Tuesday, December 10
Wednesday, December 11
The House Republican Steering Committee this week is recommending leaders to helm committees in 2025.
Read MoreThe House and Senate have limited legislative agendas this week as they move toward a target adjournment date of December 20. To fill two House vacancies, Florida will hold special elections on April 1.
Read MoreBoth chambers are in session this week, but action will pick up dramatically when they return in December from the Thanksgiving break.
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