The US Senate has canceled the state work period (recess) scheduled to run from March 16th-20th, 2020. Lawmakers will be in Washington, DC as Congress aims to pass a coronavirus response plan.
News and updates
Federal Debt: A Primer
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO), which provides nonpartisan budgetary and economic analysis for Congress, released their report Federal Debt: A Primer. The report outlines how federal debt has nearly tripled between 2008-2019. Featured in the report is an explanation of public debt, facts and figures, and the CBO’s projections for future debt.
Capitol Complex is Closed Until April
The Capitol complex, which includes the Capitol, House, and Senate Office buildings, will be closed to the public starting at 5 pm EST tonight until April 1st.
US Capitol Stops all Public Tours
The US Capitol will halt all public tours through the end of March due to COVID-19 concerns. No change to the legislative schedule has been announced as of now.
Department of Education Rule Change Rebuked in Bipartisan Vote
Today the Senate voted 53-42 to block a rewrite from the Department of Education overturning the “borrower defense” rule. The rule was put in place during the Obama Administration and governs the process for wiping out student debt when the student has been defrauded by a predatory for-profit college.
Ten Republican senators broke with the Trump administration to vote in favor of the resolution, which now heads to President Trump to be signed into law. The legislation does not have a veto-proof majority, so the President can opt to veto.