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News and updates

Gorsuch Nomination Moves Forward After Senate Rule Change

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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.

This week in Congress, April 3-7

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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

 

Votes Scheduled on Supreme Court Nominee This Week

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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.

Two More Cabinet Nominees Clear Committee

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On March 30, the Senate Agriculture Committee and the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee reported out the nominations of Sonny Perdue and Alexander Acosta for the posts of Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of Labor, respectively.

The nominations now head to the full Senate for its consideration.

New Executive Order Aimed at Rolling Back Obama-era Environmental Policies Signed

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At the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday, President Trump signed an executive order designed to roll back many of the Obama-era environmental policies aimed at curbing climate change. Among the provisions of the new order are those instructing the agency to consider repealing the Clean Power Plan and asking the EPA to also consider repealing the limits on new power plants.

A copy of the executive order is available here.