Today President Trump is expected to sign an executive order titled, “Buy American, Hire American,” which we anticipate will call for a review of the H-1B program by DHS, DOJ, Labor and Commerce. The order is expected to end the H-1B lottery in its current form to make the program merit-based.
Federal Relations will post more information on this as the White House makes it available.
After a very bitter fight between the two parties, the Senate confirmed earlier today Neil Gorsuch as the newest member of the U.S. Supreme Court. The final vote was 55 – 45, with three Democrats joining the Republicans to support the nomination. Justice Gorsuch is expected to be officially sworn next Monday morning.
The Senate earlier today used the “nuclear” option on the nomination of Neil Gorsuch for a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court by eliminating the filibuster for Supreme Court nominations. The Senate voted along party lines to change the Senate rules to allow Supreme Court nominations to move forward by a simple majority vote rather than meeting the 60-vote filibuster threshold.
After the rule change, the Senate agreed to proceed on the nomination, setting up a final vote on Gorsuch most likely late Friday.
Here is a selection of committee meetings happening this week.
Tuesday, April 4
Senate Appropriations
NATIONAL WATER HAZARDS AND VULNERABILITIES
April 4, 2:30 p.m., 192 Dirksen Bldg.
Subcommittee Hearing
Senate Armed Services
CYBER THREATS TO THE U.S.
April 4, 2:30 p.m., SVC-217, U.S. Capitol
Subcommittee Hearing
Senate Energy & Natural Resources
ENERGY DELIVERY SYSTEM CYBERSECURITY
April 4, 10 a.m., 366 Dirksen Bldg. Updated
Full Committee Hearing
Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs
SOUTHWEST BORDER FENCING
April 4, 9:30 a.m., 342 Dirksen Bldg.
Full Committee Hearing
House Agriculture
FARM BILL
April 4, 10 a.m., 1300 Longworth Bldg.
Subcommittee Hearing
House Appropriations
JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS/FEDERAL SUPPORT
April 4, 10 a.m., 2358-C Rayburn Bldg.
Subcommittee Hearing
House Energy & Commerce
PUBLIC-PRIVATE HEALTHCARE CYBERSECURITY
April 4, 10:15 a.m., 2322 Rayburn Bldg.
Subcommittee Hearing
House Judiciary
CAMPUS FIRST AMENDMENT PROTECTIONS
April 4, 11:30 a.m., 2237 Rayburn Bldg.
Subcommittee Hearing
Wednesday, April 5
GOTTLIEB NOMINATION
April 5, 10 a.m., 430 Dirksen Bldg.
Full Committee Hearing
House Armed Services
CONTINUING RESOLUTION CONSEQUENCES
April 5, 10 a.m., 2118 Rayburn Bldg.
Full Committee Hearing
The Senate Judiciary Committee is currently scheduled to officially vote today on the nomination of Neil Gorsuch to become the next Supreme Court Justice. The committee is expected to clear the nominee for floor consideration for later this week.
It is unclear at this point how the nomination vote will play out once it reaches the floor. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) has announced his intention to filibuster against the nomination. On the other hand, it is being reported that the Senate Republicans, in response, are considering changing the Senate rules to do away with the filibuster against Supreme Court justices. At the same time, a number of Democrats have indicated that they plan to vote for the nominee.
UW Federal Relations will provide additional updates.