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Category: 116th Congress

Senate Schedule Scrambled

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With a flood of COVID-19-related developments unfolding over the weekend in our nation’s capital, the Senate schedule has been scrambled for at least the next several weeks.

As at least three GOP Senators have tested positive for the illness– Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Mike Lee of Utah, and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin– and a number of others are in quarantine as a result of exposure to them, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced that Senate floor activities would be postponed at least until the week of October 19.  However, he added that the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett would take place as scheduled the week of October 12.  Both Tillis and Lee are members of the Judiciary, which will consider the nomination.

Even if the hearings can take place next week– most likely virtually for several Senators– it remains to be seen when votes on the nomination might actually take place in the committee and on the floor, as a quorum must be present for votes to take place.  Democrats have argued that it makes no sense to proceed while the floor proceedings are halted.

House Passes Another COVID Relief Bill

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The House has passed their updated, smaller “HEROES 2.0” COVID-19 relief bill that was introduced earlier this week. The largely symbolic bill passed 214-207 on party lines. The Senate is not expected to take action on the legislation.

Negotiations continue between Speaker Pelosi and Secretary Mnuchin, however there is about a $1 trillion difference in their proposals.

Full story here.

CR Signed, Government Still Open

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After returning from a campaign rally late last night, President Trump signed a continuing resolution (CR)  that will keep the government funded through December 11.  FY2021 officially started at midnight this morning and none of the 12 individual spending bills have been signed into law.  In theory, the extension until December 11 gives Congress and the White House extra time to reach agreement on the appropriations bills.  The Senate cleared the CR earlier in the day yesterday by a vote of 84 to 10.

There was a bit of drama last night as the President technically missed the midnight deadline to sign the resolution, which was not officially signed until about 1 AM.  However, given that he was going to sign the measure, federal agencies were not making preparations to shutdown.

House Updates HEROES Act

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House Democrats have released an updated, smaller, “HEROES Act 2.0”, totaling approximately $2.2 trillion. This COVID relief bill would provide support for small businesses, airline workers, childcare, food security, the Census, education, local governments, and healthcare. Specifically, $39 billion would go to colleges and universities, $3 billion would go to research relief for NIH, and $2.9 billion would go to research relief for NSF. Research relief for other agencies is not included.

A one-pager is available here.

A vote is expected in the coming days. The Senate is not expected to take action, however negotiations between House Democrats, Senate Republicans, and the Administration continue.

Senate Democrats Unveil America LEADS Act

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Today, Senate Democrats introduced the America Labor, Economic competitiveness, Alliances, Democracy and Security (America LEADS) Act which is aimed at bolstering the US economy in order to compete with China.

The bill would invest over $350 billion in American businesses, manufacturing communities, federal research and development, STEM education, and training programs. It also expands the Manufacturing USA Network, renews the US diplomatic strategy towards China and Indo-Pacific partners, and takes action on human rights issues in Tibet, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang.

The press release is here and a one-page summary is here.

The bill has not yet passed in the Senate. It would then need to pass in the House and be signed into law by the President.