The Administration
President Biden’s domestic agenda – housed in both the bipartisan infrastructure bill and the partisan reconciliation deal – is the closest it has ever been to passing, with votes on both measures expected to occur this week. If they pass, it will give President Biden the credibility boost he needs as he continues meeting with world leaders at the United Nation’s Climate Summit.
While the infrastructure bill has substantively been considered a “done deal” after passing the Senate this past August, its ultimate passage was jeopardized by internal party squabbles over the size and scope of the larger partisan reconciliation bill. However, after months of negotiation between the White House and moderate Democrats – particularly Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) – President Biden announced a scaled back $1.75 trillion reconciliation framework, nixing many provisions Democrats had originally hoped for, such as paid family leave and tax hikes on wealthy businesses and corporations. Both the House and Senate will continue negotiating the finer details in the hopes that a vote can be held this week.
The Senate
This week, the Senate will markup several bills, including S. 2342 to end the forced arbitration of sexual assault and harassment claims, and multiple bills in the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee concerning artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
Additional Senate committee hearings include:
- The Foreign Relations Committee will discuss training the State Department’s workforce for 21st century diplomacy,
- The Energy and Natural Resources Committee will consider the potential non-electric applications of civilian nuclear energy.
The House
The House’s committee meeting schedule includes:
- The Financial Services Committee will investigate the risks and benefits of “Buy Now Pay Later” and other emerging fintech cash flow products,
- The Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth will consider the economic effects of technological innovation, automation, and the future of work,
- The Small Business Committee will discuss the community college pipeline to small businesses.
The House will also review two-dozen measures under suspension of the rules, including measures concerning Native lands, veteran entrepreneurship training, and small businesses.
Becker’s Federal Lobbying Team will continue to monitor these developments as they evolve and will share with you as soon as information becomes available.