With just under a month until Election Day, an eerie quiet is settling over Washington as both parties zero in on the same goal: winning. Check out some highlights for the weeks ahead, including what to watch post-Election Day, as well as our most recent versions of our Senate and House musical chairs documents and “Congressional laundry list.”
Read MoreIt’s been a crazy week in Washington and things are only going to get busier. Here’s our weekly update on infrastructure and reconciliation; the CR, debt limit, and appropriations; and other legislative priorities.
Read MoreAs the COVID-19 outbreak and related restrictions continue, the congressional calendar, which was already compounded to accommodate for 2020 elections, will get tighter. Responding to the public health crisis and addressing the immediate economic impacts of the pandemic remain congressional priorities. However, policymakers are also looking at longer-term recovery options, as well as improving U.S. preparedness to respond to future public health threats. Furthermore, prior to the spread of the virus in the U.S., Congress was already confronting a number of looming policy expirations this year.
Read MoreThere are a handful of potential “trip wires” that could derail the appropriations process between now and the end of the fiscal year. It remains to be seen what happens when Congress returns from their recess, and how much governing Congressional Republicans are willing to do to avoid a government shut down just before the midterm elections.
Read MoreAs Congress returned from the Fourth of July holiday this week, the House and Senate will dedicate much of their time between now and the brief August recess to passing legislation to continue funding the federal government. While Congress may ultimately turn to a continuing resolution that punts an omnibus appropriations bill to the lame duck session or into next year, we anticipate that both chambers will try to move as many appropriations measures via minibus packages before fiscal year 2018 appropriations expire on September 30.
Read MoreCongress is staring down a March 23 deadline to pass legislation to fund the government once the current continuing resolution (CR) expires. While it is always difficult to predict exactly what will happen on a must-pass funding bill, there is always the possibility the measure becomes a vehicle for a myriad of authorizations.
Read More