Legislative Update
Senate. The Senate convenes at 3 p.m. on Tuesday and will continue consideration of nominations. The Senate could also vote on a Congressional Review Act resolution disapproving a recent Administration rule dealing with the Waters of the United States (WOTUS). Only a simple majority is needed for passage of the resolution, which cleared the House last week with the support of nine Democrats.
Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is expected to vote for the resolution, but it’s up in the air as to whether other Democrats are on board. Democratic Senators John Fetterman (Pa.) and Dianne Feinstein (Calif.) could continue to miss floor votes this week because of health issues, and it is unclear when Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) will return for votes. If the Senate does pass the disapproval resolution, President Biden is expected to veto it, and the veto would be upheld.
House. With the House in recess until March 22, members will have time for a little travel outside of the nation’s capital. Three of those trips are scheduled for Texas. On Wednesday, the Agriculture Committee will hold a listening session in Waco to hear the views of farmers, ranchers, producers, agribusiness owners, and others with an interest in the farm bill reauthorization. That same day, the Homeland Security Committee will be in the South Texas town of Pharr for a field hearing on border security. Judiciary Committee Democrats will also be in South Texas to discuss border issues when they journey to Brownsville and McAllen from March 19 to 21. Meanwhile, House Republicans will meet in Orlando for their March 19-21 retreat.
Committee Action of Note
With negotiators working to hammer out a debt ceiling deal that addresses discretionary spending levels, the House Appropriations Committee is moving forward with action this week on four FY 2024 spending bills.
Read MoreDebt limit talks continue to be the priority for President Biden and Congressional leaders, but timing and the outcome itself remain murky.
Read MoreEnacting debt ceiling legislation this month will be hard to accomplish given the substantive differences between the two parties as well as the presidential and congressional schedules.
Read More