Legislative Update
Senate. The Senate will continue to consider nominations.
House. This week’s agenda for the House includes two bills dealing with federal regulations. The REINS Act would require Congress to approve any executive branch rule that costs more than $100 million, while the Separation of Powers Restoration Act would curtail the deference that judges give to an agency’s interpretation of laws and regulations. Two other bills on the agenda are the Gas Stove Protection and Freedom Act and the Save Our Stoves Act.
Looking Ahead. Now that an agreement has been enacted suspending the debt limit through Jan. 1, 2025, lawmakers are turning their attention to other issues, including the farm bill, FAA reauthorization, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and FY 2024 appropriations bills. On Wednesday, the House Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing on nutrition programs in the farm bill, and both the House and Senate Armed Services Committees plan to mark up their versions of the NDAA the week of June 19.
As for FY 2024 spending bills, the debt limit bill set caps of $886.3 billion for defense and $703.7 billion for nondefense. In the Senate, where 60 votes will be needed to clear the spending measures, Appropriations Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Ranking Member Susan Collins (R-Maine) will be negotiating to reach a bipartisan agreement on the caps for the 12 individual spending bills. In the House, where the GOP majority can pass bills without Democratic support, Republicans are reportedly discussing whether to use the top-line caps for their bills or possibly cut nondefense spending further. Once that decision is made, Appropriations Chair Kay Granger (R-Tex.) is expected to announce the subcommittee spending levels.
If all 12 appropriations bills are not enacted by Jan. 1, 2024, the debt limit bill provides that the spending caps will reset to 1% below FY 2023 levels, which would result in a substantial decrease to the defense cap and a substantial increase in the nondefense cap. This enforcement mechanism, which was included to encourage passage of all appropriations bills, is also applicable for FY 2025. A Congressional Research Service explanation of the spending caps notes that “under such a scenario, a sequester order would be issued on April 30 of either 2024 or 2025. The [Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA)] states that the revised limits would revert to the original FRA limits if full-year appropriations were enacted before April 30.”
House Scorecard. With the June 1 resignation of Democratic Rep. David Cicilline of Rhode Island, the party breakdown in the House is now 222 Republicans and 212 Democrats. A special election in the overwhelmingly Democratic district to replace Rep. Cicilline, who stepped down to lead the Rhode Island Foundation, will be held on Nov. 7, following a primary election on Sept. 5. The tally will change again this fall, when Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah) says he will resign because of his wife’s health. Rep. Stewart, who represents a staunchly Republican district, said he will leave office sometime in September “after an orderly transition can be ensured.” A special election will be needed to fill the vacancy.
Committee Action of Note
Monday, June 5
Tuesday, June 6
Wednesday, June 7
Thursday, June 8
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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